Text by Eric Campi and Erica Y Roumieh
Christmas has passed, the feasts have been devoured, and now all our attention is focused on the approaching new year. With that comes that moment of reflection and analysis of everything that happened in 2019. All our achievements, failures, struggles, and loves are evaluated, and of course, here at Wikimetal it's no different.
The editorial team gathered to discuss the best rock and heavy metal releases of the year and compiled a list of the 40 best albums for our readers. From the most classic to the newest, the list includes both new releases and genre clichés, but all selected with a focus on good music. So sit back, put on your headphones and enjoy the list of the best of 2019 – which even got a playlist on Spotify and Deezer .
40. Ray Alder – What The Water Wants
Ray Alder, best known as the vocalist for Fates Warning, decided to embark on a solo career in 2019. According to him, the idea came at a time when the band members were busy touring and other side projects like Jim Matheos' Awaken The Guardian. "I took a break during that time. I wasn't doing anything (...) so I thought, 'Okay, maybe it's time to do something,'" he said during an interview. He also explained that his intention was to create something different from the band: "I wanted to highlight what I can do vocally. There are a lot of harmonies. There are some songs with eight vocal tracks. I was really having fun with it." And indeed he did have fun; his joy shone through in his work.
39. Queensrÿche – The Verdict
With a sense of political revolt against the state of the world, Queensrÿche returned with The Verdict . The album is the band's attempt to modernize their sound without abandoning any of their classic elements. It also shows how vocalist Todd La Torre has firmly established his place in the band. It's classic Queensrÿche, but somehow bigger and bolder.
38. I Prevail – Trauma
Trauma , the new album from I Prevail, has everything to please metalcore fans: songs with heavy moments, increasing tension, and catchy choruses. But here, the band experiments with different subgenres of rock and metal, combining them with elements of hip-hop, electronic music, and trap. I Prevail attempts, and succeeds, in breaking genre barriers and delivers a modern-sounding metal sound, showcasing the talent of its members.
37. In Flames – I, The Mask
Although In Flames has calmed down over time, in I, The Mask, the band is still capable of delivering satisfying brutality. Besides the characteristic guttural vocals, the album features many clean vocals with diverse layers. Among the highlights is the acoustic "Follow Me," which is somewhat reminiscent of Mastodon.
36. Fontaines DC – Dogrel
Fontaines DC is a post-punk band that brings a certain pre-punk innocence. More than rebelling against the world's problems, in Dogrel the band laments the culture of fear. The mix of impressionistic lyrics with the Irish atmosphere of nights in pubs makes the album a great double feature with a reading of James Joyce.
35. The Darkness – Easter Is Canceled
According to bassist Frankie Pullain, the album Easter Is Cancelled examines “the brutality of man against man, the dichotomy in which people live. The songs define human existence through a parable – the slow cycle of death and the eventual and glorious rebirth of rock and roll.” With sharp humor and placing sound with a certain divine importance, The Darkness delivers one of the best rock albums of the year.
34. Bad Religion – Age Of Unreason
As they have done throughout their career, Bad Religion tackles social and political issues in Age Of Unreason . “The band has always stood for enlightened values,” said guitarist Brett Gurewitz. “Today, the values of truth, freedom, quality, tolerance, and science are in danger. This album is our response.” Like another good representative of punk, the album attacks the concepts of post-truth, racism, and the ideology of the Trump era.
33. Employed to Serve – Eternal Forward Motion
The British group has always been keen to explore personal themes such as depression, anxiety, and other illnesses affecting its members. Why? They want to raise awareness of psychological problems and, of course, make good music about it. With diverse influences like Deftones and Jamie Lenman, Employed To Serve – a name that already reveals a lot about this idea of spreading the word and serving as support for people – delivers strong, guttural riffs and vocals that feel like a slap in the face. The album is heavy and plays a very important role in 2019.
32. Weezer – Weezer (Black Album)
Black Album showcases a darker side of the band without abandoning the "I don't care" vibe that vocalist Rivers Cuomo maintains so well. It deals with themes like the misery of Los Angeles, drugs, parties, and loneliness. But also about zombie apocalypse and economics (with choruses in Spanish). It's a fun and crazy album, as a work from the band should be.
31. Candlemass – The Door to Doom
Candlemass' twelfth album marks the return of vocalist Johan Längqvist after more than three decades away. The singer, who only recorded the band's debut album, was the highlight of * The Door to Doom* . The change reactivated the group's creativity and delivered a solid album that is already becoming a heavy metal classic. For those who were unsure about listening to the work, Tony Iommi appears on "Astorolus – The Great Octopus" with an incredible riff, showing his seal of approval. It's an unmissable album.
30. Jinjer – Macro
The incredible band Jinjer released their third studio album in 2019, a follow-up to the EP Micro , also released that year. They've already earned our attention. The group has always sought to unite heavy metal with other musical styles, proving that they all converse with each other. Another undeniable highlight is vocalist Tatiana Shmailyuk. She shows that there are no limits to her voice, with her guttural vocals that blend beautifully with her cleaner vocals. Strong lyrics with real and heavy themes fill the album, along with beautiful harmonies that appear at unexpected moments for a metal band's album. Macro is a creative experience.
29. Gatecreeper – Deserted
This wouldn't be a list of the best metal albums if it didn't include the strange and often bizarre death metal. Gatecreeper released their first album in 2016 and may be one of the newest bands in the genre, but that doesn't mean they lack talent. The vocals, bass, drums, guitar… everything is executed with excellence, standing out more than many more classic bands. Deserted is a paved road for the Americans, and each song offers a special twist. With heavy and sometimes even electronic elements, they present a different interpretation of what death metal can be.
28. Rotting Christ – The Heretics
Rotting Christ isn't afraid to sound too extreme for the music market. With 10 tracks, the compact disc extends a gothic atmosphere throughout, with echoes, bells, and religious chants. The aura works to satirize religions while also quoting philosophies like John Milton's in Paradise Lost : "Those capable of making you believe absurdities are capable of making you commit atrocities."
27. The Devil Wears Prada – The Act
The Devil Wears Prada here bets on a minimalist sound. Inspired by artists like, believe it or not, Billie Eilish, the band invests in experimentation and the atmosphere of the songs. As vocalist Mike Hranica said, the intention was to produce "art that holds you by what isn't there. Not by what is." It's a departure from what the band has done in the last ten years, but a very welcome new approach.
26. Liam Gallagher – Why Me? Why Not.
You already know what to expect from a Liam Gallagher album even before you listen. He follows the opposite path to his brother Noel and former Oasis bandmate, who tried to experiment and lessen the limitations of his sound. The somewhat indie pop-rock appears here in full force, the rock is more rock and the pop is more pop than the previous album. Undoubtedly a treat for the singer's fans.
25. Papa Roach – Who Do You Trust?
On Papa Roach's previous album, vocalist Jacob Shadixx wanted to prove he was a good heavy rock vocalist. On Who Do You Trust , he wants to prove he's a good vocalist, period. It's as if the band took all their influences, made a song with each one, and pushed them to the extreme. From the Imagine Dragons vibe of "Elevate," to the dirty punk of "I Suffer Well," and the Rage Against The Machine in "Renegade Music." An album that deals with the world's problems and internal ones.
24. Mark Morton – Anesthetic
Lamb of God guitarist Mark Morton debuts his solo album with several special guest appearances. Each one defines the path the music will take. It's a great demonstration of the guitarist's skills, both on the instrument and in songwriting. Featuring Jacob Shadixx and Myles Kennedy, the highlight is "Cross Off," which includes the late Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington at the height of his screamo phase and with a fury never before seen.
23. Refused – War Music
Refused returned with a totally politicized sound. A punk sound with danceable pop, demonstrating the quality of the band's songwriting. In a statement, they said: “At this moment, we who believe in the equal distribution of wealth, in a direct, egalitarian and ecological democracy, we who use gender-neutral pronouns like solidarity, moral responsibility, intersectionality and class struggle, we who believe in Marxism, are backed against the wall, surrounded by enemies. Our movements are being banned and our rights violated. It has been clear for some time: the sun is setting on our beliefs.”
22. Alter Bridge – Walk the Sky
Walk The Sky features 14 new tracks, including the singles “Dying Light” and “In The Deep,” completing a career retrospective for the band. Each track incorporates elements from previous songs to create something new. As guitarist Mark Tremonti said, the album “is kind of like a John Carpenter movie. It has an old-school synth-wave vibe.”
21. Dream Theater – Distance Over Time
Dream Theater's new album, Distance Over Time , brings the band's sound closer to metal than to progressive rock, obviously without forgetting that they are the great masters of that genre. It's a shorter album than usual, totally cohesive, modernizing the band's sound while returning to their roots.
20. Within Temptation – Resist
Resist , the successor to Hydra (2014), features special appearances by Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach), Anders Fridén (In Flames), and Jasper Steverlinck (Arid). It's another example of metal's modernity, taking new steps and risks to reach new heights in heavy music, including electronic influences that combine with the album's futuristic approach.
19. Scott Stapp – The Space Between the Shadows
Scott Stapp, the unmistakable voice of Creed, has released a profound solo album, Gone Too Soon . As the name suggests, the work is a tribute to two artists, and friends, who left us too soon: the geniuses Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington. The work is like a reflection on life and memories, as well as the paths a human being could take if there were no change in their life.
18. Opeth – In Cauda Venenum
Opeth's new work is complex and energetic. It's an aggressive, raw, honest, and rebellious album. But at the same time, it possesses a spiritual sense of freedom, from a band that could keep repeating the same sound, but is always searching for truth in the pursuit of new influences.
17. Sabaton – The Great War
The Great War is an engaging and upbeat album. With a sense of heroism running through all the tracks, the album focuses on the history of trench warfare. Each song shows a different perspective on the war. It's as if each one grows into a hymn of strength and courage, capable of arousing warlike feelings and unity in the listener.
16. Lacuna Coil – Black Anima
Weight and darkness are common words when we talk about metal, but Lacuna Coil has always been an unconventional band. With their more pop-oriented sound leaning towards alternative metal, the group has always presented something different. Now, in Black Anima , the difference is exactly the opposite of what they've always presented. With almost 20 years on the road, Lacuna Coil decided to show their dark side. “I think it’s a complete album. We have some really heavy songs, others that are more catchy, and others that are more introspective and sad,” they said in an interview. And indeed, they bring several layers of metal, but without losing their identity. In Black Anima , Lacuna Coil showed maturity, and we can't wait to see it all live in 2020.
15. The Raconteurs – Help Us Stranger
Help Us Stranger is Jack White's most creative work since the end of The White Stripes. With a musicality that seems to emulate the past with dusty vinyl effects, the band transports itself to simpler moments in the world, with a certain nostalgia and breaking down musical barriers. As expected, there is a firmness in the guitars, in the arrangements from past eras, and in the melody.
14. Korn – The Nothing
Korn's new album, The Nothing , was recorded during one of the most difficult periods for vocalist Jonathan Davis, following the death of his wife. Coincidentally, their thirteenth album is the band's most haunted. Listening to it as a complete album is a frightening, tense experience, with screams of sadness and anger that reverberate in the ears for a long time. It's a therapeutic process for the singer, releasing his most hidden ghosts in a kind of sonic exorcism.
13. Hellyeah – Welcome Home
The latest work from drummer Vinnie Paul, recorded entirely by him, presents itself as a tribute to the artist. What began as a tribute to Dimebag Darrell, the drummer's brother, became a way to celebrate his career. The band's sound conveys a sense of inspiration and gratitude throughout the album. At the same time, it presents a metal sound that balances radio-friendly aspects well with true metal anthems.
12. While She Sleeps – SO WHAT?
So What? is the kind of album that could be released entirely as a single. Each song is more powerful than the last, showcasing a potent metalcore sound with influences from electronic music and nu metal. Even though some parts seem to have been taken from an EDM track, the raw riffs and hardcore vibe remain, as in the single "Anti-Social". It's yet another experiment exploring new directions for contemporary metal.
11. Bad Wolves – NATION
After their breakthrough cover of The Cranberries' "Zombie," Bad Wolves proved themselves a band to watch closely. In NATION , the band shows they want to use as many rock and metal influences as possible, even if it takes them away from the "heaviness" so beloved by fans. There's metalcore, nu-metal, hardcore, pop… all in a perfect and energetic mix. The wolf pack continues to grow as Bad Wolves continues to show themselves as one of the great revelations of the moment.
10. Bring Me The Horizon – I love it
Bring Me The Horizon has delivered one of the best albums of the year here. This statement might irritate many people, since the band, which initially leaned heavily towards death metal, has gone in a completely opposite direction. Amo is practically a concept album about love (the album title is indeed the verb "to love" in Portuguese). BMTH demonstrates originality of ideas and quality of songwriting, exploring diverse directions while still creating a cohesive album. "Mantra," for example, is an anthem of current metalcore, with influences from electronic music. "Wonderful Life" features Dani Filth of Cradle of Filth on a nu-metal track. "Why You Got Kick Me When I'm Down?" is pure rap. Pop is heavily present here, even though Oli Sykes' guttural vocals occasionally appear. The album is a step forward for the band, which evolves its sound with great creativity and detachment.
9. Rival Sons – Feral Roots
Rival Sons' new album, Feral Roots, was written by guitarist Scott Holiday and vocalist Jay Buchanan in a cabin in Tennessee, between two lakes. This is the perfect setting for the album, which offers a reinterpretation of hard rock and blues-rock, with influences ranging from Led Zeppelin to Black Sabbath. And the best part is using these influences without copying, at the peak of what modern hard rock can offer. A psychedelia with a purely American feel.
8. Lindemann – F&M
A solo album by vocalist Till Lindemann, sung in German, might sound too much like Rammstein. But it quickly becomes clear where the two works differ: Peter Tägtgren. The Swede's somewhat robotic compositions, dark sensibility, and grandiloquent piano fit perfectly here and are present throughout the album. F & M, in the end, proves to be the opposite of what it seems at first glance. Despite the German lyrics, it should appeal to a wider audience, as it transcends musical genres and maintains a unity precisely in the creative eccentricity of the Lindemann/Tägtgren duo. And it shows that Lindemann's madness, even in double dose in 2019, is never too much.
7. Baroness – Gold & Grey
It's difficult to listen to a Baroness album and try to dissect it. Its diverse layers are the great appeal of their sound, but it also makes it difficult to label them. Perhaps that's exactly the group's intention, after all, they risk DIY (do it yourself) in metal. Gold & Grey is a constant metamorphosis. On the album, the group explores heavy themes, largely inspired by the loss of members Allen Blickle (drums) and Matt Maggioni (bass), but vocalist Gina Gleason brought the change of atmosphere they needed. With a huge amount of experience, the group managed to reinvent themselves without losing their essence. Gold & Grey is a great mix of post-rock, space rock, grunge and hard rock, and Baroness delivered it perfectly.
6. Fever 333 – STRENGTH IN NUMB333RS
Initially, Fever 333 was compared to a mix of Linkin Park and Rage Against the Machine. The influences are there: rap combined with metal and hardcore, with extremely political and social lyrics. It's basically a soundtrack for a revolution. The album clearly aims to unite minorities (Black people, Mexicans, women, LGBTQ+), showing how together they have the power to make the world a more friendly place with better conditions for everyone. All this with a lot of screamo and energy.
5. The Who – WHO
The wait was long, but it's finally here. 13 years since their last album, The Who is the epitome of "the wait was worth it." Timeless, Who manages to deliver the classic British sound without hesitation for a second, but at the same time, it's imbued with a modern feel. The album has its The Who Sell Out , others of Tommy Quadrophenia moments , but none of it feels stale. At no point do we see "more of the same," which underscores the talent and divinity of the band. If we have to wait another 13 years for their next work, or worse, if this is their last, they will have said goodbye in the best possible way.
4. Killswitch Engage – Atonement
Atonement is a very personal album for vocalist Jesse Leach, who went through a breakup and vocal cord surgery that could have prevented him from continuing to sing. It's also his best work as a vocalist, reaching the level of one of the best in metalcore. It's a brutal yet melodic album, dealing with heavy themes like depression. It's definitely an album of overcoming adversity, both thematically and practically.
3. Tool – Fear Inoculum
Tool was forged in the 90s, alongside the post-grunge nu-metal scene. But the progressive metal band has sustained decades of career with technical precision and psychedelia. In Fear Inoculum , an album that took 13 years to be released, the band embraces themes such as pain, grief, desire, and transgression. This without losing the somewhat bizarre sense of humor that, here, brings a touch of self-awareness regarding the importance the band placed on themselves with all the delay in releasing the album. It's a more mature album, mixing Jungian philosophy with memes and jokes. It's everything a Tool fan wanted.
2. Slipknot – We Are Not Your Kind
With 20 years in the business, Slipknot has always made angst seem appealing, and the new album is no different. We Are Not Your Kind was one of the most anticipated albums of the year, especially after Corey Taylor declared it would be as heavy as Iowa mainstream metal map – an achievement few bands have reached. Raw, strong, and coherent, the album showcases the band's maturity and achievement. Taylor and his angst are evident on the record, and that's its beauty. The vocalist transforms his dark pain into something powerful, presenting the most multifaceted tracks of their career.
1. Rammstein – Rammstein
Ten years after their last release, the German band Rammstein chose 2019 as the year of their return. Their self-titled album is a major atomic bomb in their home country. Between powerful riffs, controversial music videos, and intense songs, the album is political, social, and historical. It's a shame that Till Lindemann's poetry gets lost in translation from German to Portuguese, but the band's ability to convey it through melody is something to admire. The sound is the classic Rammstein we love so much, but the strength and power it carries makes them the best album of 2019, according to the Wikimetal editorial team.
