Jonathan’s Top 30 of 2015

My general perspective on metal has always been through the lens of good vs. evil, and I’ve tended to get a good mix of both sides into my metal diet, and 2015 certainly delivered a fair share of both. As with any list of greatest albums of any particular category, individual perspective makes for an imperfect result, and limited time caused me to miss a number of truly exceptional albums (Bane Of Winterstorm’s The War Of Shadows II: Upon The Throne of Ravnorakk and Ghost City’s Tragic Soul Symphony were just a couple from the power metal sub-genre alone). But hey, this is why we have so many different perspectives on this webzine. So without further adieu, here’s my Top 30 of 2015!

~30~

Jungle Rot – Order Shall Prevail

“Tyranny that crushes the skull with sound.”

~29~

Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody – Prometheus, Symphonia Ignis Divinus

“Parables of a symphonic past and an electric future.”

~28~

Grimorium Verum – Relict

“Dark, mystic melodies dedicated to the adversary”

~27~

Zandelle – Perseverance

“The old school meets a few progressive twists”

~26~

Frank Blackfire – Back On Fire

“The return of a former thrash king, scorched denim and leather required.”

~25~

Vanden Plas – Chronicles Of The Immortals: Netherworld II

“Fantastical introspection finds another musical hero.”

~24~

Annihilator – Suicide Society

“Society kills itself with a brutal unkindness.”

~23~

Jorn Lande & Trond Holter – Dracula: Swing Of Death

“Partially retro album for an entirely retro concept.”

~22~

Battle Beast – Unholy Savior

“Tony Montana sells power metal to northern Europe.”

~21~

Dalriada – Aldas

“Kicking up the tempo with the folk.”

~20~

Damnation Angels – The Valiant Fire

“The noble British Samurais return.”

~19~

Beyond The Black – Songs Of Love And Death

“A younger, currently vital and German Nightwish takes the stage.”

~18~

Jupiter – The History Of Genesis

“Animated heroes with a charming cartoon-like zeal.”

~17~

Vexillum – Unum

“A Blind Guardian meets with an Elvenking and a powerful plan is hatched.”

~16~

Numenor – Sword And Sorcery

“Middle Earth ushers in a new blackened power.”

~15~

Dendera – Pillars Of Creation

“An Iron Maiden on board the USG Ishimura.”

~14~

Biotoxic Warfare – Lobotomized

“A red spiked thrashing fist to the temporal lobe.”

~13~

Gloryhammer – Space 1992: Rise Of The Chaos Wizards

“Where A-grade power metal parody and B-cinema Sci-Fi converge.”

~12~

Obscure Infinity – Perpetual Descending Into Nothingness

“A classic old school death metal throwback in a fresh new blackened coffin.”

~11~

Cain’s Offering – Stormcrow

“The true legacy of Sonata Arctica continues under a new name.”

~10~

Orden Ogan – Ravenhead

“The order instills another episode of goodly fear.”

~9~

Black Majesty – Cross Of Thorns

“The majestic lion-hearts crusade on with all the usual trappings.”

~8~

Marius Danielsen’s Legend of Valley Doom – Part 1

“A multitude of the metal faithful have shown up for worship.”

~7~

Emerald Sun – Metal Dome

“Congregating at the grand metallic megalith.”

~6~

Iron Maiden – The Book Of Souls

“Upping the irons for the ages.”

~5~

Queensryche – Condition Human

“Where the failings of the human condition lead to triumph.”

~4~

Saxon – Battering Ram

“Raising the gates of all whom oppose.”

~3~

Guardians Of Time – Rage And Fire

“The time keepers set ablaze the heart of iron.”

~2~

Stratovarius – Eternal

“Success is best served by resorting to the timeless.”

~1~

Midnight Odyssey – Shards Of Silver Fade

“Fading into a lofty winter dimension.”