Stampe’s Top 50 of 2015
In our last issue, we published a compiled list of the favorite releases of 2015, as detetrmined by our community administrators and magazine writers. At that point in time, our friend Stampe from Metalized Magazine Denmark could not yet participate, for he was still doing his yearly Christmas countdown and did not want to spoil anything. With the holidays now behiind us, we got exclusive access to his countdown list. It’s been a great year for Metal! Enjoy!
1. Marduk – Frontschwein
Track: ”Wartheland”
Marduk sends mighty Slayer to the number two position with this, the best album of 2015
2. Slayer – Repentless
Track: “Repentless”
Slayer are back, baby. Repentless is the best album they have made in 25 years.
3. Khors – Night Falls Onto The Fronts Of Ours
Track: “For The Last Time”
Holy shit man. I knew that the Ukrainians were good, but THIS good? I had no idea.
4. Lamb Of God – VII: Sturm Und Drang
Track: “512”
The boys from Richmond motherfucking Virginia delivers another masterpiece.
5. Paradise Lost – The Plague Within
Track: “No Hope In Sight”
Nick Holms and company completes the comeback with this amazing album
6. Myrkur – M
Track: “Hævnen”
I had high hopes for Myrkur’s debutalbum and was in no way disappointed. Best Danish album of 2015.
7. Negura Bunget – Tao
Track: “Curgerea Muntelui”
I had the pleasure of watching this wonderful band live twice this year. In Denmark and on their home turf in Romania. Tao is their best album in a long time.
8. So Hideous – Laurestine
Track: “Relinquish”
I was completely blindsided by this band. And never has a moniker been more misleading. So Hideous is So Beautiful.
9. Gorgoroth – Instinctus Bestialis
Track: “Ad Omnipotens Aeterne Diabolus”
Gorgoroth proves that they can make great music without Gaal and King Ov Hell
10. Massenhnrichtung – Zakon Zbroi
Track: “The Order Of The Force”
This Belarussian band has 140 likes on Facebook. Their fabulous black metal deserves to be known by the whole world.
11. Arcturus – Arcturian
Track: “Crashland”
I didn’t know that I liked Arcturus, but the voice of ICS Vortex convinces me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3teTwBnHCQ4
12. Mgla – Exercise In Futility
Track: “Exercise In Futility V”
Black metal and Eastern Europe go hand in hand, but I had never heard of these polish guys before. I certainly have now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuOyDQ9j7mY
13. Deafheaven – New Bermuda
Track: “Brought To The Water”
The Hipsters from Deafheaven was set to fail, following their magnificent Sunbather, but magically manages not to disappoint.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLoGU6l88QA
14. Melechesh – Enki
Track: “Multiple Truths”
The band from the holy land delivers a great album, once again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euzd-Om57vM
15. Ghost Bath – Moonlover
Track: “Happy House”
The band is from USA but pretends to be from China and has a pretentious artsy cover. I should hate it, but can’t stop loving the music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufI7UyzeoXA
16. Drudkh – A Furrow Cut Short
Track: “Embers”
The second best Ukrainian release this year. I have been following the band for a long time, and they certainly deserve their spot on my list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkVz_q6stuU
17. Psychonaut 4 – Dipsomania
Track: “Pain Dealer”
Depressive black metal from Georgia. That is a sentence you don’t hear every day. Maybe Psychonaut 4 can change that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKcjkiLwtQk
18. Moonspell – Extinct
Track: “Extinct”
This lot from Portugal delivered a fantastic concert in Denmark in November, with at setlist where Extinct dominated. Well deserved spot on the list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXWMYmNcUqI
19. Nile – What Should Not Be Unearthed
Track: “Evil To Cast Out Evil”
Technical Death Metal is usually not my preferred genre, but I have a soft spot for these American Egyptologists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmX_lGwL1l4
20. Spitanger – Spitanger
Track: “Welcome To The Real World”
A new Danish band that kicks your ass from the get go. Awesome groove.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJZpnHM8Mi0
21. Wiegedood – De Doden Hebben Het Goed
Track: ”De Doden Hebben Het Goed”
Dutch Black Metal? Well, what do you know. Not a genre that the Dutch are famous for, but Wiegedood convinces.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXguRkXHAhA
22. Ages – The Malefic Miasma
Track: “The Malefic Miasma”
Brand new, beautiful and Swedish Black Metal. The Malefic Miasma is the first album from Ages.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM7F4I7X8ZE
23. Silence Lies Fear – Future: the Return
Track: “Facing The Creator”
Dark Tranquillity has gotten a younger Azerbaijani brother, whos sings with a charming Slavic accent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_jAnUJuo7U
24. Vattnet Viskar – Settler
Track: “Impact”
In spite of the name, Vattnet Viskar is from the United States, and their Atmospheric Post-Black Metal is wonderful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRxrZGdzAx8
25. Amorphis – Under The red Cloud
Track: ”Sacrifice”
The Finns keep delivering quality music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiOX2axSWvg
26. Kampfar – Profan
Track: ”Daimon”
The hard working Norwegians made my list last year, and makes is again this year with Profan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3deZDltV-Fc
27. By The Patient – Gehennah
Track: ”Ruled By The Dead”
This Danish group has just split up, after releasing their best album to date. A shame.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TugL2HTrUPw
28. Iron Maiden – The Books Of Souls
Track: ”Speed Of Light”
The Best Maiden album in many years. Nicy to hear that the oldtimers still got it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F7A24f6gNc
29. Hate – Crusade Zero
Track: ”Leviathan”
They started higher up on my list, but has been passed by better acts, but they are still really good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qPCCOXG7kQ
30. Kataklysm – Of Ghosts And Gods
Track: ”Breaching The Asylum”
One of the better albums by this Canadian band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD0DNdCFSzA
31. Enslaved – In Times
Track: ”Building With Fire”
Didn’t quite catch me when it came out, but is winning on me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhbqvYzvxhY
32. Dark Funeral – Nail Them To The Cross EP
Track: ”Nail Them To The Cross”
Had this been a full album, it would have been in a top position on my list
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plh22lTpnjY
33. Scarab – Serpents Of The Nile
Track: ”Serpents Of The Nile”
Egyptian Death Metal that make your head bang.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI6k2oAiGYM
34. Echoes Of The Moon – Entropy
Track: ”The Tower Of Babel”
Came out of nowhere and made my list
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbiZDAFmrdA
35. Fear Factory – Genexus
Track: ”Soul Hacker”
The Factory will probaply never reach it’s former glory, but still delivers good music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfIAqYhLSr0
36. Dynfari – Vegferd Timans
Track: ”Hafsjor”
Beautiful and catchy Islandic Black Metal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAr1PtcCvm8
37. The Vision Ablaze – Youtopia
Track: ”Under The Killing Moon”
Very beautiful track. Had the rest of the album been as good, they would have reached a higher position
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFPpj3ITtAk
38. Cattle Decapitation – The Antrhopocene Extinction
Track: ”Manufactured Extinct”
This is the best album from the vegans to date.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8t8g8lU4ms
39. Devil You Know – They Bleed Red
Track” The Way We Die”
Not up to par with their first album, but still worthy of a spot on the list
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG8DzO1gJ4g
40. Killing Gandhi – Cinematic Parallels
Track: ” 0100101101000111”
Great debut from this Melodic Death Metal ensemble from Denmark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAMzXRlBVaU
41. Satyricon – Live At The Opera
Track: “Phoenix”
Nothing really new here, but it’s well done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5GhFL0OWq8
42. Der Weg Einer Freiheit – Stellar
Track: “Eiswanderer”
This German lot has their moments. I’m not always in the mood for them, but when I am, it is very good music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oWxT7CzJkY
43. Trna – Pattern Of Infinity
Track: “Morning Trip”
Post Black Metal from St. Petersburg, Russia, that have some very catchy moments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3DxEKseB1g
44. Thurisaz – The Pulse Of Mourning
Track: “Patterns Of Life”
Not to be confused with the Finnish Folk Metal band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydB8vVNfvJY
45. Ninkharsag – The Blood Of Celestial Kings
Track: “The Essential Salts Of Human Dust”
UK has long lagged behind when it comes to Black Metal. Not anymore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmjKY6po-gE
46. Dødsfall – Kaosmakt
Track: “Forakt For Livet”
Never heard of them before. Gonna check them out now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY9HpzU_9wU
47. Tsjuder – Antiliv
Track: “Krater”
Straight up Norwegian Black Metal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ-PerRk0TE
48. Soilwork – The Ride Majestic
Track: “Whirl Of Pain”
Not reaching their glorious past, but the Swedes can still produce memorable melodies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPP6ryRWsl4
49. Kain – Seele
Track: “Seele Stirbt”
Melodic Black/Death from Bavaria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQVHfySgui0
50. Akhlys – The Dreaming I
Track: “Breath And Levitation”
The Americans manage to squeeze in on my list with their dark ambient black metal
