Best Heavy Metal Albums of 2014

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This year in 2014, we have seen a lot of popular bands add to their collection of releases. Insomnium, Epica, Behemoth, and Judas Priest are some of the major bands this year. Usually it seems like there is one genre that controls the year's releases, but this year it seems we had a good mix of Death, Power, Black and Traditional metal albums.

Below are my Top Heavy Metal Albums of 2014.

Agalloch – The Serpent & The Sphere

Agalloch – The Serpent & The Sphere

Genre: Black Metal
Released: May 13th

This is the only black metal album that made my list this year and is a nice creative change from the other releases this year. 'The Serpent & The Sphere' is labeled as an Atmospheric Black Folk metal album, you can find a nice pace and smooth sound throughout the album. It has full encasing sound that feels bigger than what four people can create.

Accept – Blind Rage

Accept – Blind Rage

Genre: Heavy Metal
Released: August 15th

If you are looking for a solid traditional heavy metal release in 2014, look no further than Accept's 'Blind Rage'. This album is fundamental heavy metal. These Germans know what they are doing. In 'Blind Rage' you will find power beats, power chords and high powerful singing.

Exodus – Blood In, Blood Out

Exodus – Blood In, Blood Out

Genre: Thrash Metal
Released: October 14th

Exodus is a legendary thrash metal band, and their album isn't any short of that. 'Blood In, Blood Out' is fast, in your face, drum beats for 60 minutes straight. WARNING: You might have sudden urges to start swinging your fists and pushing people. Please keep a safe distance from people while listening to this album.

Machine Head – Bloodstone & Diamonds

Machine Head – Bloodstone & Diamonds

Genre: Groove Metal
Released: November 7th

Machine Head has had some interesting album releases throughout the years, but 'Bloodstone & Diamonds' is great. This groove metal album has some songs that you will enjoy and get stuck in your head, forcing you to play the album over and over again.

In Flames – Siren Charms

In Flames – Siren Charms

Genre: Alternative Metal
Released: September 9th

Yes we all know In Flames style has changed from what they are known for. But with all of that aside 'Siren Charms', their eleventh studio album, is a great release. We have seen their musical style change release from release, but I feel this is a good mix between the original In Flames and the new. You can read my full review of 'Siren Charms'.

Eluveitie – Origins

Eluveitie – Origins

Genre: Folk Metal
Released: August 1st

Eluveitie is probably the most popular folk metal band in the industry, and people continue to enjoy their albums, including myself. 'Origins' is a typical solid album by Eluveitie, but like In Flames, they are slowly working their way to a more melodic sound. In 'Origins' you will find the classic instrument selections you find in all of Eluveitie albums with a good balance of heavy riffs and beats with folklore melodies.

Behemoth – The Satanist

Behemoth – The Satanist

Genre: Blackened Death Metal
Released: February 4th

Behemoth has always brought great death metal to their albums. 'The Satanist' was born with heavy riffs, fast beats and deep growls. This album has a little of everything you would expect in a death metal albums plus more. The mix of orchestra instruments throughout the album is a nice touch to highlight certain dynamics of their songs. This is a straight up cold blackened death metal album that fans will not be disappointed.

Insomnium – Shadows of the Dying Sun

Insomnium – Shadows of the Dying Sun

Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Released: April 29th

Insomnium always makes it on my list, doesn't hurt that one of my favorite albums of all time is 'Across the Dark'. Nevertheless their new album 'Shadows of the Dying Sun' is a solid album. Like most melodic death metal bands, each album turns more melodic than death. For anyone that is a fan of melodic death metal, they will love this album.

At The Gates – At War With Reality

At The Gates – At War With Reality

Genre: Death Metal
Released: October 28th

At The Gates continues to release top quality death metal albums. This is their first release in 19 years and after being out of the loop for that long, 'At War With Reality' hits on all cylinders. If you are an At The Gates fan or would like hear some great death metal, pick up this album. Even with all their success they didn't make our Top 10 Death Metal Bands list, which most death metal fans have disagreed with.

Exmortus – Slave to the Sword

Exmortus – Slave to the Sword

Genre: Thrash Metal
Released: February 4th

Exmortus, for some reason I absolutely love this album, most people will wonder why it's on my list. I couldn't tell you why, except how impressed I am on the talent level of the guitarists. 'Slave to the Sword' is a perfect example of thrash metal. Fast beats and guitar riffs, crazy guitar solos and fantasy lyrics. If you want to hear some guitar shredding, Exmortus is the band for you.

Septicflesh – Titan

Septicflesh – Titan

Genre: Death Metal
Released: June 24th

Septicflesh albums seem to be a roll of the dice for me, but the album 'Titan' is a masterpiece. This album has great death metal, overlapping with melodic, overlapping with creative orchestrated instruments and symphony scores. There are some songs that have effects that sound like Charlie Brown's teacher talking, but it works. This was an easy pick to make the top of the heavy metal list of 2014.

Arch Enemy – War Eternal

Arch Enemy – War Eternal

Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Released: June 4th

This is a cliché pick for the top album of 2014. But I can't help it, I love this release. I was worried that when Angela Gossow left the band and Alissa White-Gluz joined that it would be a mess. With not being too much of an Arch Enemy fan, this album has some great features of death metal, great growls, song structure and guitar riffs with a nice melody.


Don't like my list? Share your Top Heavy Metal Albums of 2014 below!

Average: 3.7 (3 votes)
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About Cody Sparks

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Writer and Developer for Metal CallOut.  Favorite sub genre of heavy metal includes Melodic Death, Thrash and Traditional. Sparks can be found at @SparksFury or at Google+.

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