Judas Priest, Halestorm, Alice in Chains and more
2018 was a year full of comebacks and surprises. Established bands like Judas Priest, Alice in Chains , and Disturbed released remarkable albums even after decades in the business. Newer bands like Halestorm, Bullet For My Valentine , and All That Remains also found their place and surprised their fans.
Here, we explore the various subgenres of heavy metal and rock, such as stoner, black, doom, and metalcore, and showcase the best releases of 2018, according to our editorial team. See below the 30 best albums of the year:
30. Pig Destroyer – Head Cage
After six studio albums and two decades in the business, Pig Destroyer proves itself stronger than ever. Their first album with bassist J. Bennett , Head Cage is a powerful work for true fans of extreme metal.
Like all of the band's albums, Head Cage features great highlights in terms of JR Hayes , which always surprise. Visceral and ferocious, the work stands out in the band's discography.
29. Daron Malakian and Scars on Broadway – Dictator
Amidst the whirlwind of information surrounding a new System of a Down , Malakian reunited with Scars on Broadway for its release. The album, while disappointing some SOAD fans, showcases the musician's strength outside of the band.
Much of Dictator reminds us of Malakian's other band's work, but at the same time it sounds like something freshly produced – despite having been prepared in 2012.
28. Sleep – The Sciences
After 15 years, Sleep returned with a new studio album, The Sciences . This work follows Dopesmoker (2003), an album difficult to surpass, as it was considered a work of art by international critics at the time.
“Sonic Titan” and “Antarcticans Thawed” were composed during the recording of Dopesmoker , and therefore the album, which has only six tracks, recalls the band's original sound, and despite honoring its origins, makes the work seem somewhat outdated.
27. Turnstile – Time & Space
Famous for their anarchist performances, Turnstile brings hardcore punk to the forefront on their second studio album. With some surprise elements, such as a piano in the middle of a mosh pit, the sound may be familiar to fans of Rage Against The Machine .
Despite being a relatively new band – founded in 2010 – Turnstile proves that the new can coexist with the old without causing conflicts in the identity of each era.
26. Amorphis – Queen Of Time
The first album with bassist Olli-Pekka Kaine since Tuonela (1999), Queen of Time stands out for the maturity of its lyrics combined with Tomi Joutsen . The work carries within it a freshness while also having a familiar sound, a serene yet electric energy.
For those unfamiliar with the work of the guys from Amorphis , Queen of Time might not be the best place to start, but it shows an interest in reinventing themselves after almost 30 years on the road.
25. Angra – Ømni
Brazilians venture into the world of science fiction on their new album. Ømni is a concept album featuring unexpected collaborations with artists like Alissa White-Gluz and Sandy on the track “Black Widow's Web.” When it was announced that the Brazilian singer would be part of the project, fans were confused, but Angra surprised everyone and proved that music should have no barriers.
Ømni is an album that explores diverse musical paths but is consistent with the band's trajectory and their nearly 30 years of experience on the road.
24. Saxon – Thunderbolt
After flirting a bit with new challenges in the hands of producer Andy Sneap, Saxon finally found the sound they were looking for. The partnership resulted in one of the band's most familiar and powerful albums.
In Thunderbolt , Saxon manages to honor their past and create something new for the new generation of musicians and fans, without disappointing the band's loyal followers.
23. Godsmack – When Legends Rise
Godsmack 's seventh studio album proves that it's possible to innovate while honoring the sound that made them successful. In When Legends Rise , the group hasn't transformed into something mainstream, but they keep the doors open for new opportunities.
According to frontman Sully Erna , the album is made for everyone, "It has a little bit of everything for everyone, nobody will leave disappointed." And it's true.
22. Bullet For My Valentine – Gravity
Bullet For My Valentine fans , Gravity takes the Welsh band to a new level and even a new subgenre of metal, as the album features fewer solos – or even omits them altogether in some tracks.
Two of the band's strongest characteristics have been maintained: Matt Tuck . In tracks like "Letting You Go," it's possible to find the band recalling their more familiar sound. Meanwhile, in ballads like "The Very Last Time," Tuck and company take more risks with their new sound.
21. Clutch – Book of Bad Decisions
In a blend of stoner rock, blues, American funk, punk, and metal, the band Clutch continues to reinvent itself. On the group's 12th studio album, producer Vance Powell ( Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown and The White Stripes ) delivers something majestic and one of the longest LPs currently available.
The sound is very reminiscent of Clutch's past, and here, that's a good thing. Despite maintaining the formula they've created in recent years, the group remains true to their sound and continues to create strong and dynamic albums, such as Book of Bad Decisions .
20. Jonathan Davis – Black Labyrinth
In his first solo album, the Korn experimented with a wide range of influences. Featuring instruments originating from Africa, Japan, India, and the Middle East, the work showcases a diversity that Davis doesn't have the space to explore in the band.
Despite straying from Korn's sound, Black Labyrinth takes us back to the group through Davis's unique vocals. The album travels between his solo work and that of the band, and this is due to the fact that it was conceived over the last ten years while he was on the road with the group.
Perhaps, when he declares a hiatus from Korn and dedicates himself to his solo project, Davis will be able to distance himself a little more from that familiar sound.
19. Amaranthe – Helix
In Helix , Amaranthe continues to surprise with its unusual three-vocal lineup – Elize Ryd, Henrik Englund, and Nils Molin , who has just joined the band to replace Jake E.
The trio's harmony strengthened the band's sound, and the remaining members had to adapt to the change. "The Score," "365," and the title track are the best examples of the group's maturation, which always seeks to unite metal with electronic music – a combination that could easily go wrong.
18. Atreyu – In Our Wake
In Our Wake revives the rock power of Atreyu , last showcased on Lead Sails Paper Anchor (2007). The last two albums since then – Congregation of the Damned (2009) and Long Live (2015) – now sound like a warm-up for the band's new phase.
John Feldmann 's production had a major influence on that. Some of the tracks could easily be from bands like Asking Alexandria and Papa Roach – such as "The Time Is Now," "No Control," and "Nothing Will Ever Change" – which shows that despite their experience in metalcore, the group seeks to innovate, drawing inspiration from the current scene.
17. At The Gates – To Drink From The Night Itself
At The Gates finally marked their return with a great album. To Drink From The Night Itself follows At War with Reality (2014), a major disappointment for many fans. Now, it's possible to consider the new album as an extension of Slaughter of the Soul (1995) and a good service to the public.
During their hiatus, At The Gates organically became one of the biggest metal bands in the United States, influencing a new generation, including Killswitch Engage, Black Dahlia Murder, and Darkest Hour . To Drink From The Night Itself honors that legacy.
16. Breaking Benjamin – Ember
Ember Breaking Benjamin 's heaviest and strongest albums in terms of sound, but the work is certainly heavy lyrically.
In addressing themes of murder, as in the track "Torn in Two," and catastrophic relationships, as in "Tourniquet," the group demonstrates lyrical maturity. Furthermore, Breaking Benjamin explores its flexibility with ballads like "The Dark of You" and "Lyra," the opening track performed on piano.
15. Underoath – Erase Me
Eight years after their last release, Ø (Disambiguation) (2010), Underoath marks their return with vocalist Aaron Gillespie on Erase Me. The work traveled in a more rock direction than the metalcore the band was used to.
Despite the slight change in sound, Underoath continues to navigate familiar waters, proving that eight years of hiatus had no effect whatsoever on the chemistry between the members.
Erase Me may be the group's last album to address religious themes, as they have revealed that they no longer consider themselves a Christian band.
14. High on Fire – Electric Messiah
Often compared to Motörhead , High on Fire has once again delivered a breathtaking sound, and saying they're repeating themselves on this album isn't a bad thing.
With influences from Lemmy Kilmister and other legends like Black Sabbath, Electric Messiah is a step forward on the musical path, distancing itself from Sleep , another band of vocalist Matt Pike , a great success in doom metal.
“Sanctioned Annihilation” is a strong example of a sound inspired by great heavy metal bands with a personal touch from High on Fire. Electric Messiah is a great combination of homages and innovations.
13. Memphis May Fire – Broken
Two years after their last release, This Light I Hold Memphis May Fire 's fourth studio album stands out for the absence of guitarist Anthony Sepe , who left the band in 2017. Even without the guitarist, the band managed to explore their sound and lyricism in the ten new tracks.
The album explores accepting oneself as broken in a difficult situation. Anxiety, depression, and self-acceptance are the main themes of the work and make the audience feel a little closer to the group. Broken is the album that fans can most personally relate to.
12. All That Remains – Victim of the New Disease
Released a month after the death of guitarist and co-founder Oli Herbert , the album marks the return of the band's heavy metalcore sound, which in recent years has heavily incorporated elements of traditional heavy metal and hard rock.
Despite being a return to the subgenre, Victim of the New Disease is something bigger; it's a maturation and proof of the experience the group has gained since its founding in 1998.
11. Paul McCartney – Egypt Station
On his 18th studio album, innovation is more complicated than it seems, and not even a former Beatle can deliver something so different. But Paul McCartney remains an incredible songwriter, and in Egypt Station he proves exactly that.
Always tuned in to what's happening in the current music scene, McCartney incorporates new elements while still using his familiar techniques. The musician ventured into new sounds, but maintained his familiar rock sound in tracks like "Come On To Me" and "Who Cares," two songs reminiscent of New (2013).
10. A Perfect Circle – Eat the Elephant
Tool 's new album , vocalist Maynard James Keenan has returned to working with A Perfect Circle , 14 years after their last release.
Expectations were high, and the group did not disappoint. Keenan's vocals convey great moments of urgency and strength while delivering motivational lyrics that encourage us to take more action in the world and be responsible for ourselves.
9. Shinedown – Attention Attention
Considered by international critics to be one of the best albums of Shinedown , Attention Attention may have gone unnoticed by the general public. Here, we highlight the work because it showed a great deal of maturity on the part of the group.
With 14 tracks, the album is full of energy and offers a fun trip back to the post-grunge era of 2000. In Attention Attention , Shinedown stays true to its sound and honors its origins, mixing the new and the old.
8. Alice In Chains – Rainier Fog
Almost a tribute to grunge fans, Rainier Fog carries the basic characteristics of the genre while venturing into more inspiring and lyrical lyrics. Jerry Cantrell are more evolved and bring greater harmony with William DuVall's, making them a stronger and more consistent duo.
The album attempts to follow a different path than the one taken when Layne Staley led the group, but at the same time, it tries to honor the work and legacy he built.
7. Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators – Living The Dream
Slash and Myles Kennedy have found a comfortable space in the new music scene. While the album Living The Dream meets the expectations of the guitarist's biggest fans, it doesn't bring anything new to the table.
Despite this, the work stands as his most complete to date. From the first to the last track, Slash navigates his well-known hard rock style while also presenting songs like "Lost Inside the Girl" and "The One You Loved Is Gone," which slightly break the album's unique dynamic without causing discomfort. For longtime Slash fans, the guitarist proves to be more active than ever.
6. Architects – Holy Hell
Expectations were high for Architects without founder and main songwriter Tom Searle , who passed away in August 2016. It took a great deal of courage to release the album so soon after the tragedy, but the British band proved that the loss strengthened them, especially drummer Dan Searle , the deceased's twin brother, who explores his grief in every beat.
One of the greatest motivations for artists is pain, and Architects used exactly that to create one of their most powerful works. Holy Hell is not an easy album to listen to; it's strong, dark, and emotionally devastating.
“A Wasted Hymn” sums up the tone of the album: “ Can you feel the empty space? / Can you feel the fire at the gates? / Can you live a life worth dying for? ”
5. Deafheaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love
More focused on contemplative melody, Deafheaven returned with the sound that won over so many fans. The successor to New Bermuda (2015) honors the band's black metal influence but in a more subtle way.
In Ordinary Corrupt Human Love George Clarke 's vocals penetrate every layer of your mind with raw, truthful lyrics. With the evolution of the sound presented on this album, the band takes a step on the journey of becoming a genre-less group while simultaneously carrying within itself a mixture of genres.
4. Halestorm – Vicious
Lzzy Hale continues to surprise with her powerful and alarming vocals on her new album, Vicious . In it, the singer talks about drugs, sex, and plenty of rock and roll, revisiting the holy trinity of the genre.
Vicious isn't a groundbreaking innovation compared to its predecessor, Into The Wild Life (2015), but it carries a visceral and familiar musicality that makes the audience turn up the volume and headbang, especially during the powerful tracks "Uncomfortable" and "Black Vultures".
3. Ghost – Prequel
Ghost 's fourth studio album elevated the band to a higher level. Despite still presenting some contradictions to the public, Tobias Forge delivered catchy songs full of richness, melodies, and choruses.
Prequelle is the perfect musical evolution that fans of the band were looking for, without abandoning the crazy and unusual mix of heavy metal and disco music from the 1980s.
2. Disturbed – Evolution
Three years after the successful Immortalized , Disturbed returned with their seventh album, Evolution . In its first week of release, the album reached number four on the Billboard 200 .
Evolution was a blend of classic rock influences that vocalist David Draiman carried within him all these years. The heavier songs appeal to the band's older fans, while the calmer tracks win over a new audience. The almost balanced mix of the two styles may confuse some people, but it also shows the band's flexibility in experimenting with different sounds.
1. Judas Priest – Firepower
In March of this year, Judas Priest released their 18th studio album, and it was a great challenge for the band. Amidst the rap boom, new subgenres of rock and metal, and a long career to consider, the group managed to exceed fan expectations.
With 14 tracks, the album proves that veterans of the genre still have a large space in the music industry, where it is questioned every day. Firepower could be one of Judas Priest's biggest hits in the last 30 years.