TT5 - Top Metal Albums 2014

Closing out 2014, today's Tuesday Top 5 ranks my favorite metal albums from the year 2014.

5) Black Label Society - Catacombs of the Black Vatican
Black Label Society have carved out a great niche in today's metal market. Lead by Zakk Wylde, they have been cranking out very groovy, bluesy metal for over 10 years. 2014's effort, Catacombs of the Black Vatican, is no exception. This album has a few more slow spots than other BLS albums, but this just shows Zakk's range as a singer, musician, and songwriter.
Key Listen - My Dying Time

4) Killer be Killed - Killer be Killed
This is a supergroup composed of members of Mastodon, The Mars Volta, Sepultura, and The Dillinger Escape Plan. I mean that's 4 of the most well renowned heavy bands of the last few decades. What did you think was going to happen? Well a great album came out of it. Anyone who likes any of those bands will find something for them in this album. All members of KbK bring something different to the band and they let all creativity flow into a very cohesive debut album. With vocals being handled by three of the four members, each song has it's own unique flavor. While very heavy, there are a lot of layers to this band and this album. Hopefully these guys can find time in the future to tour and put out another album.
Key Listen - Wings of Feather and Wax

3) Slipknot - .5 The Gray Chapter
We had to wait a long time for Slipknot's fifth album (6 years), but man was it worth it. It may not take over the debut album as my favorite Slipknot album, but it's a close second. As is the pattern of a Slipknot album, there are many peaks and valleys when listening cover to cover. The peaks are some of the heaviest material the band has, and the valleys are some of the most emotional the band has. For those that don't know this album is the first since losing founding member and key songwriter in bassist Paul Gray, hence why the low points in the album ooze raw emotion. You can hear the fragility in Corey's voice during these songs. When it comes time to rock, you can hear the anger and power in Corey's voice more so than most anything else in Slipknot's catalog.
Key Listen - Custer

2) Mastodon - Once More Round the Sun
This Atlanta based foursome have been considered to be one of the best heavy metal bands of their generation. This album has been criticized by some of the same people who put them on that pedestal as saying Once More Round the Sun is their Black Album; saying that the 'Don sold out and went commercial. I say, trust in the 'Don and take this album for what it is, a great collection of riffs, technical solos, and complex song arrangements (the same thing we've all expected from them for years). Sure the vocals are a little cleaner and the songs a little shorter, but did you hear these songs played all over rock radio USA? I didn't. So even if they did go commercial, mainstream radio didn't latch on, so it's as if it didn't even happen. Haters gonna hate, but this is a fantastic album by a fantastic band.
Key Listen - High Road

1) Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls
Judas Priest has proven that you are never too old to rock. This is the best Judas Priest album since Painkiller (1990). With the current lineup sporting an average age of 56, this album is played and sung as if Judas Priest has found the fountain of youth and fits right in with the classic Priest albums of past. Featuring roaring guitars, pounding drums, and the voice of the Metal God Rob Halford, there is very little downtime on Redeemer of Souls. Sure Judas Priest has had a few blemishes in their catalog, but Redeemer of Souls belongs with the highlights that are heavy metal standards. Priest is back and better than they have been in a very long time. Now if only Ritchie Blackmore would play rock n roll again, all would be right in the metal world.........
Key Listen - Redeemer of Souls