This was a very tough list to make this year as there were quite a few solid releases that were all roughly at the same level of quality. Not a huge gap between numbers 5 and 1. Also not a huge gap with the albums that didn’t make the top five.

5. Spiritual Beggars – Sunrise to Sundown
Such an underrated band. Hard Rock at its best.




4. Charred Walls of the Damned – Creatures Watching Over the Dead
Ripper once again strikes gold.




3. Killswitch Engage – Incarnate
Another solid release.




2. Necromancing the Stone – Jewel of the Vile
Just wanted to add that I originally checked these guys out because of their name. I thought it was a funny reference to the two 1980 movies (Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile). I was pleasantly surprised to learn that these guys were way more than just a silly band name. Great musicianship.




1. Anthrax – For All Kings
Not quite as good as Worship Music, but still an unbelievable release. One of the few bands out there that seem to be getting better with age.

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