I doubt I'll have the time to sample enough music to match the 201 albums I covered in 2013, but hopefully I'll be able to listen to a fair few things and pass on me ol' thoughts.

1.Sleepmakeswaves - Love Of Cartography

2.Infestus - The Reflecting Void

3.Agalloch - The Serpent & The Sphere

4.Ortega - Crows

5.Dirge - Hyperion

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This list is provisional with no specific order. It's subject to change as time passes and more albums get released. For now, Triptykon's new work tops my chart.

1.Mayhem - Esoteric Warfare

2.Triptykon - Melana Chasmata

3.Insomnium - Shadows Of The Dying Sun

4.Behemoth - The Satanist

5.Witch Mountain - Mobile Of Angels

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Pretty much every album that's caught my attention over the year, including non-metal. (Variety is a virtue, y'know )

I'll only be commenting on albums that I've given enough time to really form an opinion on. Chances are albums that failed to interest me beyond a first listen will eventually be removed from the list.

1.Swans - To Be Kind

2.Darren Korb - Transistor Original Soundtrack

3.Bent Knee - Shiny Eyed Babies

4.Gazpacho - Demon

5.Vampillia - My Beautiful Twisted Nightmares In Aurora Rainbow Darkness

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Rating:
10 - Allmost impossible to get. The band need to create something astronomical good.
9 - Only the best albums of the year gets this.
8 - A really good album on all levels.
7 - A good album, but nothing special.
6 - An average album with some good songs.
5 - Not a good album, maybe 1 or 2 good songs.
4 and below - I rather not waste my time on it...

1.

2.Ne Obliviscaris - Citadel

3.Behemoth - The Satanist

4.Vanden Plas - Chronicles Of The Immortals: Netherworld (Path 1)

5.Beyond Creation - Earthborn Evolution

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Cos, y'know, same shiz different year. Ran out of space again so will post final album opinions in comments.

1.Infestus - The Reflecting Void

2.Dirge - Hyperion

3.Nero Di Marte - Derivae

4.Steve Rothery - The Ghosts Of Pripyat

5.Agalloch - The Serpent & The Sphere

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Albums I'm enjoying as 2014 progresses, order and all that is updated weekly. Suggestions and also comments are very welcome, I'm also finally finished my 2013 list. Check that out as well
As new 2014 albums come and go please note the order is subject to change before you have an aneurism.

Definitely always looking for more metal/music friends https://www.facebook.com/derek.handelong (add me)

1.Buckethead - Pikes 42-129

2.Vader - Tibi Et Igni

3.Mors Principium Est - Dawn Of The 5th Era

4.Delain - The Human Contradiction

5.Insomnium - Shadows Of The Dying Sun

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So like albums that have a clear tie between them, were recorded around about the same time and were clearly intended together, as opposed to a sequel coming years after. Some of these have actually been released together, as can be seen here.

That's about all I can think of right now. So feel free to think of some more for me.

1.Opeth - Deliverance

2.Opeth - Damnation

3.Metallica - Load

4.Metallica - Re-Load

5.Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I

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My list of 2014 likes (to be expanded). Notes can and will change during the year, since I like listening to albums multiple times and have a really good view before the final note.

I'd say 3/5 is my default note, just an okay CD with nothing spectacular.

1.Soen - Tellurian

2.Opeth - Pale Communion

3.Evergrey - Hymns For The Broken

4.Ne Obliviscaris - Citadel

5.Threshold - For The Journey

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1.Disemballerina - Undertaker

2.Empyrium - The Turn Of The Tides

3.Devin Townsend - Casualties Of Cool

4.Nadja - /ɪmpəˈfɛkʃ ( ə ) n/

5.Saor - Aura

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My favorite progressive metal albums (derived/mixed genres included). Lot of stuff still missing here since I have a terrible memory I think everything here is at least 8,5/10.

Please, feel free to drop suggestions. I'd love to make it more or less complete one day.

I will eventually rate these albums too...

1.Dream Theater - Awake

2.Dream Theater - Images And Words

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

4.Dream Theater - Train Of Thought

5.Redemption - Snowfall On Judgment Day

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This is close to my final list for this year.

1.Mors Principium Est - Dawn Of The 5th Era

2.Evergrey - Hymns For The Broken

3.Insomnium - Shadows Of The Dying Sun

4.Scar Symmetry - The Singularity (Phase I - Neohumanity)

5.Ghost Brigade - IV - One With The Storm

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Simple ranking of all my favorite albums. Favorite song from the album in the notes. Sure to change/expand as I learn and explore more within metal.
2023: This was starting to get too long so I split it into separate lists for albums at each ranking 10 to 7. This list will no longer be updated.
10: https://metalstorm.net/users/list.php?list_id=6891
9: https://metalstorm.net/users/list.php?list_id=7213
8: https://metalstorm.net/users/list.php?list_id=7512
7: https://metalstorm.net/users/list.php?list_id=8058

1.Madder Mortem - Eight Ways

2.Blind Guardian - Imaginations From The Other Side

3.Ayreon - 01011001

4.Ulcerate - The Destroyers Of All

5.Metallica - Ride The Lightning

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1.Accept - Blind Rage

2.Wolf - Devil Seed

3.Primal Fear - Delivering The Black

4.Grave Digger - Return Of The Reaper

5.Aria - Через Все Времена

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1.Freak Kitchen - Cooking With Pagans

2.Threshold - For The Journey

3.Serdce - Timelessness

4.Lux Occulta - Kołysanki

5.Freedom Call - Beyond

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1.Evergrey - Hymns For The Broken

2.Vanden Plas - Chronicles Of The Immortals: Netherworld (Path 1)

3.Primal Fear - Delivering The Black

4.Pretty Maids - Louder Than Ever

5.Teramaze - Esoteric Symbolism

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