Impera has had a lot of attention since it's release in March. It led to Ghost touring Europes arenas labelling it the Imperatour, countless radio airplay of singles "Call Me Little Sunshine" and "Hunter's Moon" and it hit high up in album charts across the world. For me, Impera is a continuation of the fabulous Prequelle album from 2018 and it showcases Ghost to be one of the most musically diverse bands on the alternative market to date. Okay so they are not the heaviest band out there but their choice of mixing 70s/80s europop with King Diamond/Judas Priest esque vibes does more for me then bands like Motionless In White will ever do. Papa Emeritus IV and his band of Nameless Ghouls not only put on a stunning live performance but Impera as an album contains some lively and evocative ballad style numbers interspersed with some power driven heavier numbers. 
 

A band that were completely new to me this year, Polish death/doom metal four piece Death has Spoken have really impressed. Call Of The Abyss is seven tracks of pure dark and melodic quality doom metal that makes you forget about real life and transports you off to ancient and mythical fantasy lands. This highly talented band have created a wonderful atmosphere with this addictive album which was unleashed on Ossuary Records in November last year. I did not hear this album until the early months of this year and I am still listening to it frequently so I am still including it on my list. Check Death Has Spoken out right now if you haven't already.

Eight US underground metal acts cover twelve of Slayers best tracks spanning their four decade career. Featuring Skrog, Distal Descent, Skull Fuckers Incorporated and Overt Enemy to name a few covering tracks like "South Of Heaven", "Dead Skin Mask" and "Bloodline" plus "At Dawn They Sleep" and "Raining Blood". It is a great tribute to Slayer proving that metal bands owe a huge debt of gratitude to this one amazing band. Every track is spot on and every band involved put their own twist on the tracks making them their own. Released on Skrog frontmans own Satyrn Studios label in April. This is one cover album you need to check out.

Halo has been a constant revisit for me since it's release in February. Amorphis have this ability to forge melodic and folk metal that continues to astound me and will forever soothe my soul. Halo has been the escape I have needed this year as, like Death Has Spoken, this album takes you to another world. From opening track "Northward" to "My Name Is Night" it is a wonderful trip through fantastic winterscapes and frozen wilderness. Halo proves that Finlands finest Amorphis have still got what it takes fourteen albums in.

Australian four piece horrorpunk ghouls Coffin Carousel released Order Of The Bat on frontman Howard Von Noise's independent label Noise Inc in May. If you like quirky tales about all manner of creepy beasts and monsters with some seriously heavy rhythmic beats and infectious vocals then Coffin Carousel are the band for you! Not only do you need to check out Order Of The Bat but you also need to check out their back catalogue too, do so here at coffincarousel.com.