Hard to believe we’re at the end of another incredible year of music. Even compiling a top 100 list has been pretty difficult, but I (Bradley) am here to guide you through the year’s best albums. I’m sure all other writers have some awesome picks, but here goes nothing. Here’s part 2 of the list – #’s 50-26.
ICYMI: Part 1 is right here, and part 2 can be found right here.
#50: Eyehategod – “Eyehategod”
Has it really been 14 years since Eyehategod’s last album? It has – but it’s like they never left. Nobody incorporates Southern rock, blues, and sludgy doom influences better than EHG.
#49: Pallbearer – “Foundations Of Burden”
Having seen Pallbearer earlier this year on tour with Deafheaven, I’m not shocked that Foundations Of Burden, Pallbearer’s second full-length, is so satisfying. What’s really impressive, though, is how accessible their brand of doom and post-metal is. Imagine Black Sabbath with more melody, that’s a start.
#48: The Overseer – “Rest And Let Go”
The Overseer shouldn’t go unknown for much longer. Evoking strong memories of Underoath’s late-era, the Solid State metalcore band has avoided the dreaded sophomore slump and created a molten slab of satisfying music.
#47: Thank You Scientist – “Maps Of Non-Existent Places”
Not even quite sure how to describe this band, but if you like prog, you’ll dig them. May remind you of a dozen bands at once – prog, classical, rock influences collide to create something that’s altogether unique.
#46: The Contortionist – “Language”
It’s still heavy in parts, but The Contortionist have come full circle – they’re closer to the highest echelon of progressive rock than they’ve ever been before. Vocalist Michael Lessard had some heavy shoes to fill, but did it more than adequately. This is the future.
#45: Brontide – “Artery”
A-grade level math rock for fans of Battles. Technical profiency isn’t lacking, yet Brontide manages to create some real atmosphere behind well-crafted songs. Energy never lacks here.
#44: Godflesh – “A World Lit Only By Fire”
The industrial metal pioneers are back with their first album in God knows how long. But take one listen to “Towers Of Emptiness” and you’ll be fooled into thinking it’s still 1989 and Streetcleaner was just released.
#43: Opeth – “Pale Communion”
In their almost two decades of existence, Opeth still hasn’t made a bad album. It’s basically Heritage, Part II, so if you’re more into Opeth’s prog tendencies, you’ll find this fantastic.
#42: The Hotelier – “Home, Like NoPlace Is There”
The best pop-punk record of 2014, and one of the best of the 2010’s so far. Emotional.
#41: Ne Obliviscaris – “Citadel”
Fantastic album cover, fantastic music. It’s better than 2012’s fantastic Portal Of I, and the interesting thing about the band is how impossible they are to label. Death metal? Prog metal? Maybe they should just fall under the “excellent music for all people” label.
#40: Sleepmakeswaves – “Love Of Cartography”
Think a heavier, more dynamic Explosions in the Sky, and you are close to Sleepmakeswaves and their overall sound. Masterclass of post-rock on display.
#39: Animals As Leaders – “The Joy Of Motion”
Instrumental prog metal band Animals As Leaders is on the way to superstardom with The Joy Of Motion. Solos and instrumental prowess everywhere.
#38: Fallujah – “The Flesh Prevails”
Melodic tech-death? Yes, and it works. Jam “Sapphire”.
#37: Black Map – “…And We Explode”
Supergroup featuring members of Far, Dredg, and Trophy Fire. Sounds kind of like you’d expect, but kind of not. Hard rocking music with pop sensibilities and great choruses – “Chinaski” is the best track here to get acclimated to Black Map.
#36: Marmozets – “The Weird And Wonderful Marmozets”
Introduced to a wider American audience via 2014’s Vans Warped Tour, Marmozets and their debut album are certainly something to behold. They have an extremely accessible single in “Captivate You”, but most of the album is filled with an energy I haven’t heard in the post-hardcore scene since Rolo
Tomassi debuted.
#35: Icarus The Owl – “Icarus The Owl”
Technical, precise pop-punk/alt rock. How infectious can a band get? Icarus The Owl is going to see their name up in lights – and soon.
#34: Circa Survive – “Descensus”
Another two years, another great Circa Survive album.
#33: This Will Destroy You – “Another Language”
47 minutes of some of the best post-rock you’ll hear all year. Album closer “God’s Teeth” is something to behold.
#32: Polar – “Shadowed By Vultures”
Energetic UK hardcore-tinged metal upstarts are set to take over with their 2nd album. “Our Legacy” and “Before The Storm” are definite highlights.
#31: Texas In July – “Bloodwork”
The addition of JT Cavey on vocals has helped Texas In July deliver their most consistent album yet.
#30: Royal Blood – “Royal Blood”
Royal Blood’s debut album (the band is two people, by the way) is set to make them one of the world’s hottest commodities. It’s incredible what music 2 people can make. They might even be the new Black Keys.
#29: Architects – “Lost Forever // Lost Together”
Splitting the difference between the technicality of Hollow Crown and the ambience of Daybreaker, Lost Forever // Lost Together is the record Architcts fans have been waiting for.
#28: Have A Nice Life – “The Unnatural World”
The long-awaited follow-up to Deathconsciousness isn’t disappointing in the least. HANL draws inspiration from everywhere, but the Joy Division and My Bloody Valentine influences run more rampant than anything else.
#27: Frameworks – “Loom”
Somewhat spotty production is the reason Frameworks debut album isn’t higher – it’s a consistent, sometimes spectacular album of the best that post-hardcore has to offer today.
#26: Every Time I Die – “From Parts Unknown”
The promise of ETID working with Converge’s Kurt Ballou’s production results in some of the best tracks the band has ever written. “Moor” is too good.
