Okay big post warning. (how long can one post be?)
Album of the year for me is
Flotsam and Jetsam End Of Choas. I've played it more than any other album and struggle to find anything that comes close to it.
The rest of these albums are bands I've either bought physical copies of, digital copies of, or found on the likes of bandcamp. Some may not have been given a fair go because I only listened to them once or twice, but it is what it is. I know I didn't really need to add the short descriptions with each listing but I figured if I was being anal enough to separate the lists why not go full tilt.
If anyone thinks I've rate wrong I reserve the right not to care
Aussie top 10 2019
(Oh yeah I'm and Aussie so I'll be starting with an Aussie Top 10 that many probably wont have heard)
1.
Airbourne – Boneshaker
In the vein of AC/DC and other bands that cut their teeth playing louder and faster to drunken Aussie punters, Airbourne do it and do it well all over world.
2.
Mammoth Mammoth – Kreuzung
Call it hard rock, call it stoner metal, call it whatever you like, these guys named themselves after the biggest thing they could think of, then named themselves again because what could be bigger than a Mammoth Mammoth
3.
Massive – Rebuild – Destroy
Another pub rock band playing louder and faster live than many metals bands today. Whether they are strictly metal can be argued but they’ve definitely been rocking hard for a few years now.
4.
Dead Kelly – Such Is Life
Dead Kelly have been part of the underground metal scene of Australia for so long they are veterans. For years their identities remained a secret and they were one of the first bands to offered everything they recorded for free. It’s a tradition that still lives on. This is thrash with so much of an Aussie feel that it’s bleeds the red dust of the outback.
5.
Envenomed – The Walking Shred
Good aussie thrash/groove similarities to old Metallica.
6.
Largerstien – 25 – 7
Fun, silly, pirates taking on Scotland’s Alestorm. It’s another solid release that gets extra points for all the silly rhymes and images they create.
7.
King Gizzard – Infest The Rat’s Nest
King Gizzard have been around for years, released more albums than I remember but Rat’s Nest is their first foray into thrash, and it’s a pretty damn good effort.
8.
Lord – Fallen Idols
Lord is active on other parts of this forum, although not very active it seems. But this album was a solid 2019 release. I’m not sold on the vocals, at times the voice is annoying, but the music is first class, and the Icehouse cover is top notch.
9.
King Gizzard – Fishing For Fishes
Stoner, weird, strange, exactly what King Gizzard are known for.
10.
Virgin Soldiers Live 2019
I don’t normally include live albums on my top numbers lists but this on rounded out an even 10 albums. This guys were stalwarts of the Melbourne Metal scene in the 80’s and their hard rock was some of the best. In 2019 there is nothing new, but it’s still good hard rock.
Speed metal
1.
Dogtor – Attack On All Fronts – The Best Of..
I wouldn’t normally rate best of albums but before I saw this album on the release lists I hadn’t heard of the band. I gave them a shot and I’m glad I did. These lads from Finland are pretty damn good. I’m in the process of hunting down all their albums now.
2.
Chainbreaker – Lethal Desire
The debut full length from these Canadians is a ball tearer and well worth listening for all speed or thrash metal fans.
3.
Gunjack – The Cult Of The Triblade
Came across these guys by accident. They could nearly be the Italian Motorhead, albeit 40 years later.
4.
BAT – AXEtasy
Another band I came across by accident on bandcamp. There is some serious Venom worship happening on this album, the only real downside is that it is too short.
5.
Coventrate - Roots Of All Evil
This was an early contender for the list being released in March and although it’s not strong enough to be number 1 it’s still a very solid second release.
6.
Mystik – Mystik
On first listen I rated this higher, and while I still think it’s good subsequent listens and better albums from other bands have lowered its rating. However I still look forward to the EP they are recording now.
7.
Riot City – Burn The Night
There seemed to be a bit of hype around this release. For me it was a good album, very listenable, but not good enough to rate higher.
8.
Iron Curtain – Danger Zone
Compared to their previous releases this album isn’t as speedy, which is a small let down, but it’s still not a terrible effort
9.
Vulture – Ghastly Waves & Battered Graves
No idea how I came across this album but it’s not too bad.
10.
Warsenal – Feast Your Eyes
Were it not for me deciding to go anal and write up separate lists this year Warsenal would not have made it close to the top 10. It’s a disappointment because Barn Burner was a killer album but this album just doesn’t come close.
Thrash Metal
1.
Flotsam & Jetsam – End Of Chaos
Album of the year over all categories for me. No idea how many times I have listened to this album over the year but for me it’s easy the most played album this year.
2.
Overkill – Wings Of War
Another classic release from a classic thrash band. These guys are consistent, they rarely stuff it up and they keep the albums coming in a timely manner.
3.
Death Angel – Humancide
This album took time to grow on me and now it has I think it’s one of their finest.
4.
Exhorder – Mourn The Southern Skies
Excellent come back for Exhorder. It’s not quiet as good as their first two but it’s definitely well worthy of the collection and it’s great to see the boys back.
5.
Dust Bolt - Trapped In Chaos
When first released I compared this too closely to their previous releases and didn’t rate it that high. However it’s definitely grown on me over the year
6.
War Curse – Eradication
Was surprised when this came across my desk, I wasn’t prepared to like it as much as I did. There is elements of both Exhorder and Testament here and it blends well, so well I will have to check out their first album.
7.
Hatriot – From Days Unto Darkness
It’s been a while between drinks for Hatriot and they have come back with a solid release. Even without Daddy Zetro at the helm Cody and the boys have shown they have got what it takes to write some brilliant thrash and some suitably angry lyrics.
8.
Sacred Reich – Awakening
This is a good Sacred Reich album but it’s too short and as much as I would like to have rated it higher it’s just not as good as their early albums or as good (for me) as others on this list.
9.
Wreck-Defy – Remnants Of Pain
With ex-members of Testament and Annihilator Wreck-defy have themselves a great thrashy sound. At times the vocals sound a bit like MegaDave but the music is their own. With luck getting a distribution deal might pay off for these guys.
10.
Xentrix – Bury The Pain
Another comeback album and like Sacred and Exhorder I probably expected too much. It’s a good album but it’s not as powerful and thrashing as Shattered Existence.
11.
Omicida – Defrauded Reign
Another Bandcamp find, this old school thrash is done well.
12.
Acromizer – Awakening
Thank you bandcamp, although my wallet doesn’t agree. Good thrash and bonus points for a song about Toxie
13.
Exumer – Hostile Defiance
Exactly what Exumer are good at, fast, thrashing metal.
14.
Toxic Carnage – Doomed From The Beginning
Another album that hooked me on first listen, unfortunately like a few others it hasn’t stood up to the full years worth of releases.
15.
Suicidal Angels – Years Of Aggression
Loved this band’s earlier stuff and while this is still good it’s not good enough for me to rank any higher
16.
Mortifex – Mortifex
Solid but not great thrash and I’m not sold on the vocals. I think the name also has “Candyman” like magic, for if you mention it enough in one thread a random female joins the thread and lays on the praise for the band.
17.
Eugenic Death – Under The Knife
I liked this upon first listen but quickly got bored with it. One average song shouldn’t make or break an album but for me Hara Shiva on this album nearly does.
18.
Weresquatch – The Maddening Memoirs
I heard this on YT and kind of liked it but its far from great. There is some good riffs on it though.
19.
Massive Destruktion – Mercenaries
Debut album from this Puerto Rician thrash band is well worth checking out if you’re into thrash with growl
20. Destruction – Born To Perish
Music ok, lyrics not so ok.
(almost)HMs
Toxic Holocaust – Primal Future
Not up to their own standard but still okay
Mortal Infinity – In Cold Blood
Good album but nothing really that grabs me
Indestructible Noise Command – Terrible Things
Ok but not as good as debut
Eradikator – Obscura
Liked it upon first listen but while it has a few moments it hasn’t grown on me
Killery – Ready For The Apocalypse
Nothing really standout but still okay
Decap Attack – Sensory Override
Good but not enough good
