I honestly haven't gotten into many albums this year, been hunting older stuff, so here's my list:
1. Pain of Salvation - Road Salt
Despite what Ferret things, I reckon this is an amazing album. Something new from the band, more experimental in the terms of old Prog bands.
2. Iron Maiden - The Final Frontier
Honestly, what can be said that hasn't been said already?
3. Opeth - In Live Concert at the Royal Albert Hall
Not a new album exactly but still fantastic.
4. Anathema - We're Here Because We're Here
Smooth, soulful and penetrates right into your soul; those are the hallmarks of an Anathema album and this one is so pitch perfect to those things.
5. Cee Lo Green - The Lady Killer
The vocalist from Gnarls Barkley returns with another solo album and it is perfect pop. Nothing like the stuff we have to suffer from these days. With the clean auto-tune classic style production, it is a big Fuck You! to the modern music industry. Huge surprise for me but love the dude's vocal styles.
6. Nevermore - The Obsidian Conspiracy
I would've put this album higher, being such a whore for the band, but it's hard to pick out a song that stands out and rings true -such as The Heart Collector from their work Dead Heart In A Dead World. It's a pity because it is an incredible album that drive through, flowing almost perfectly from song to song.
7. Star One - Victims of the Modern Age
Again, would've ranked this one higher but haven't given it enough spins to see how it settles with me. Still, a well done record with some great vocalists, just some songs aren't as strong as they should be.
8. Flotsam And Jetsam - The Cold
A fine album from an underrated band. Something people should check out.
9. Rage - Strings To A Web
Another underrated band who practice the old style of Speed Metal but also bring orchestral variations to it. Again, worth checking out.
10. Sabaton - Coat Of Arms
The War Metal band continue with their retellings of battles and armies. A bit samey for their last few releases but still solid
Honourable mentions:
Jorn - Dio: an album of covers but in tribute to one of the greatest vocalists of all time as done by a true contender to his crown
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach: again, perfect Pop but nothing that grabbed me whole heartedly