2019 was the year of epic metal. Not only did Atlantean Kodex release their first album since 2013 (and what an amazing release it was), but even more importantly, we saw a multitude of female fronted releases with amazing quality. It is only fitting that 4 out of 5 top places are occupied by sword-wielding metal. Other than that this was a subtle year for black metal, with a shortage of spectacular peaks (only Achatius really shone), but solid production in the levels below the top. There follow the 25 albums that I found myself returning to during the last 11 months; the places 1-10 are hierarchical, the rest alphabetically order.
1.Atlantean Kodex – The Course of Empire
Undisputed album of the year. I had been waiting for this since 2013, fearing that the band would not live up to their monumental White Goddess. Thankfully they dispersed all doubts ending up with an album that surpasses their past. A grand sojourn into the mythistorical past of European civilization, the epic metal of our time, the drums of Pictdom summon us back to the savage state. (Full review in Greek here)
2.Grendel’s Sÿster – Myrtle Wreath EP
Full review in Greek here.
3.Iron Griffin – Curse of the Sky
Full review in Greek here.
4.Funereal Presence – Achatius
Full review in Greek here.
5.Chevalier – Destiny Calls
Full review in Greek here.
6.The Lord Weird Slough Feg – New Organon
Full review in Greek here.
7.Lingua Ignota – Caligula
Full review in Greek here.
8.Smoulder – Times of Obscene Evil and Wild Daring
Full review in Greek here.
9.Pyöveli – No Speed Limits
Full review in Greek here.
10.Arcane Tyrant – War at the Edge of Time
Akantha – Baptism In Psychical Analects
Full review in Greek here.
Akrotheism – Law of Seven Deaths
Blood Incantation – Hidden History of the Human Race
Full review in Greek here.
Blut Aus Nord – Hallucigen
Full review in Greek here.
Černý Kov – Společenství
Crypt Sermon – The Ruins of Fading Light
Full review in Greek here.
Departure Chandelier – Antichrist rise to power
F45.2 – Parasitosis
Gaahls WYRD – GastiR – Ghosts Invited
Liturgy – H.A.Q.Q.
Mystik – Mystik
Ruadh – Sovereign
The Deathtrip – Demon Solar Totem
Vetraheimr – The Renegade
Full review in Greek here.
Γεμάτος Αράχνες, Ρε Φίλε! – Γεμάτος Αράχνες