These are the albums I've enjoyed so far this year to which I've given an approximate rating and organised in a rough order of preference. As the year progresses I'll add some descriptions to them as well. EP's are also included.

Recent additions: Armory, Russian Circles, Ulver, Tad Morose, SubRosa, Almah, Blood Bright Star, Autumnblaze, Ayreon, Chthonic, Darkestrah, God Is An Astronaut, Képzelt Város, Lodz, Månegarm, Obscure Sphinx, Caligula's Horse, Sky Architect, Keldian, Monster Magnet

1.Vulture Industries - The Tower

2.The Moth Gatherer - A Bright Celestial Light

3.Walrus - Walrus

4.Clutch - Earth Rocker

5.Oranssi Pazuzu - Valonielu

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This is a list I compiled based on my opinions and while many will disagree these are my opinions. My list is subject to change of course. I based my selections on overall talent, influence in their genre's, body of work and how much I liked them (in that order). Your comments are welcomed, but again don't flame me if you disagree. We each have our own opinions and I would appreciate it if every one respects mine. I will return the favor.

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1.Gorguts - Colored Sands

2.The Ocean - Pelagial

3.Intronaut - Habitual Levitations (Instilling Words With Tones)

4.Anciients - Heart Of Oak

5.Revocation - Revocation

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My favourite releases from 2013.

1.Abyssal - Novit Enim Dominus Qui Sunt Eius

2.Vallendusk - Black Clouds Gathering

3.Summoning - Old Mornings Dawn

4.Redwood Hill - Descender

5.Ævangelist - Omen Ex Simulacra

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1.Persefone - Spiritual Migration

2.In Vain - Ænigma

3.Soilwork - The Living Infinite

4.Heart Of A Coward - Severance

5.The Ocean - Pelagial

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It's about time I made one. :^)

1.Iron Maiden - Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son

2.Iron Maiden - Brave New World

3.Iron Maiden - Piece Of Mind

4.Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast

5.Iron Maiden - Powerslave

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1.Sepultura - Arise

2.Sepultura - Beneath The Remains

3.Sepultura - Bestial Devastation

4.Sepultura - Morbid Visions

5.Sepultura - Chaos A.D.

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Compiled for personal recollection as much as it is for public scrutiny, I hope this list leads you somewhere you want to go. No Order whatsoever. I'm using ♦ to rate the albums, there's really no scale, the more ♦ there is, the better I like the album.

1.The Ruins Of Beverast - Blood Vaults (The Blazing Gospel Of Heinrich Kramer)

2.Gris - À L'Âme Enflammée, L'Äme Constellée...

3.Witherscape - The Inheritance

4.Wormlust - The Feral Wisdom

5.Ulcerate - Vermis

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1.The Faceless - Planetary Duality

2.Slayer - Reign In Blood

3.Dimmu Borgir - Death Cult Armageddon

4.Death - Human

5.Obscura - Cosmogenesis

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1.Opeth - Still Life

2.Arch Enemy - Burning Bridges

3.Nevermore - Dreaming Neon Black

4.Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory

5.Demons And Wizards - Demons And Wizards

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1.Altar Of Plagues - Teethed Glory & Injury

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That's the 2013 gnirpz's essentials in order, following the releases along the year. Every ranking should be based on production quality, originality, musical technicality and specs like that.

Unfortunatelly, mine is based on headbanging, taste of beer, air guitar and air drum solos.

2013 feelings, form best to worst

1.Gris - À L'Âme Enflammée, L'Äme Constellée...

2.Ghost B.C. - Infestissumam

3.Deafheaven - Sunbather

4.ASG - Blood Drive

5.Skeletonwitch - Serpents Unleashed

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1.Slayer - Reign In Blood

2.Exodus - Bonded By Blood

3.Metallica - Ride The Lightning

4.Megadeth - Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?

5.Overkill - The Years Of Decay

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Keeping track of my favourite albums this year (not really ordered)

1.Kingcrow - In Crescendo

2.Deafheaven - Sunbather

3.The Black Dahlia Murder - Everblack

4.Skeletonwitch - Serpents Unleashed

5.Anciients - Heart Of Oak

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Yeah... a very conventional idea for a list, but i couldn't resist in the end finally making this one.
A list of my personal favorites from the blackest metal of them all.
Ordered by personal preferences and updated periodically with only one album/ep/demo per band.
Please enjoy, you might also find some of your likings in here. ^^
...and if not, it can't be helped.

1.Summoning - Stronghold

2.Primordial - The Gathering Wilderness

3.Midnight Odyssey - Firmament

4.Eismalsott - Best Before: Spring

5.Dornenreich - Bitter Ist's Dem Tod Zu Dienen

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