10 BEST EXTREME METAL ALBUMS of 2019

Openning this list we have Italian grandmasters of orchestral death metal FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE are finding spontaneity rewarding on new album, »Veleno«. Over the past four albums – previous album, »King« (2016), floored fans and critics alike – the Francesco Paoli-led trio have planned every step, discussed every note, and ensured every salutation to Paganini, Bach, and Mozart was met with an equally brutal death metal equivalent. On »Veleno«, which is Italian for ‘venom,’ they needed a change of approach (and pace).

To achieve this, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE distanced themselves from distraction – line-up changes, tours, and the frustrations of day-to-day life – unboxed the songwriting process, and let the inspiration flow freely. On »Veleno«, they’ve matured, blended more efficiently their musical vision, and walked away with 11 songs that sound like a new band with an unsatiable prey drive.

There was a time in which genuine power was felt erupting from the sonic landscape that is now referred to as “old school” death metal. As with most newly developed forms of art, at its genesis it was filled with a fresh and vibrant energy and was virtually unsaturated by musicians. It was the mighty POSSESSED who initially breathed life into this new and exciting genre. With writing that started in 1982, the first official death metal band created the now classic record »Seven Churches« and established the face of the genre permanently.

Even DEATH’s late guitarist and mastermind Chuck Schuldiner who is sometimes credited with creating the genre, was adamant about the album’s influence upon him. Sadly, like with many artistic pioneers, it was very early on in POSSESSED’s existence that a grand tragedy struck which would put the band on hiatus for almost two decades. After many years of healing, education, renewal, and eventually new writing, there is now a resurgence of life, and the rebuilt, and polished POSSESSED are due to return with their long awaited album »Revelations Of Oblivion« this Spring, 2019.

This album is the debut of the French death metal band Rotten, an insane old school death metal style. Formed in 2016 in Poitiers by Ben on vocals, Djé on bass, Guillaume on guitars and Cyril on drums. This is the debut “Rotten” released by Bleed Records.

Rotten give you the most evil, obscene and putrid Death Metal we’ve heard so far this year. This is a genre that is passionate about everything that revolves around it: names of bands, musical and lyrical proposals, until the last link that is put on the market.

Nobody can cheat death. And nobody can cheat at death metal either. Flying the flag for balls-out and murderous death metal since 2014, Entombed A.D. are poised to return with one of 2019’s most devastating, deathly statements. This is death metal done right.

Formed by former Entombed members LG Petrov (vocals), Victor Brandt (bass), Nico Elgstrand (guitar) and Olle Dahlstedt (drums), this marauding band of death metal warriors have steadily established their own identity over the last five years. Debut album Back To The Front was a raw and raucous revelation that delighted fans old and new. Two years later, the monstrous Dead Dawn emerged, building on the debut’s furious power and confirming Entombed A.D. as major players in today’s world of brutality. Fast forward to 2019 and the third chapter in the band’s savage saga is ready to be unleashed.

Old Star is the 17th studio album by the Norwegian black metal band Darkthrone, released on May 31, 2019, by Peaceville Records. Darkthrone continues to release albums 25 years after his best-known albums fell, simply because the two guys of band love obsessively metal and want to make music together.

Death Angel – “Humanicide”

«Humanicide» is the ninth studio album by the American Thrash Metal band DEATH ANGEL, released on May 31, 2019. This release marks the first time the band has recorded more than three albums with the same alignment and style.

Looking at the prolific way they have been since their 2001 reform, it is easy to forget that DEATH ANGEL was not shown to the public for about a decade. For a while, it seemed that his legacy would be just a curiosity, a band of teenagers who published three classics cataloged as having a minor impact on Thrash Metal and then dissolved after a tumultuous experience on the stage of some cities and one or another festival that gave them some fame.

More extreme, more melodic, more exciting and simply larger than life: The Agonist are back! Orphans is the sixth studio album by the extreme metal juggernaut from Quebec, Canada, and the fivepiece has unleashed a true monster feeding on melodic death metal, metalcore and almost rocking moments.

There`s beautifully anthemic metalcore like As One We Survive, and on dramatic tracks such as Mr. Cold Vicky Psarakis showcases her impressive range that covers everything from rock diva all the way to sick death metal growls. The result is a flickering, iridescent and varied masterpiece nestled in between sheer brutality and melodic frailty – simply incomparable!

The Norwegian giant returns, armed with a refined lineup and ready to strike with a sophomore effort that is sure to once again exceed the expectations of Abbath’s loyal fanbase. ‘Outstrider’ sees a maturation in sound, delivering a tighter, well-rounded offering from the band as they come into their own identity.

The album delivers a full-on aural assault from start to finish with massive riffage and a robust pocket that are layered with vocals from one of the most identifiable voices in black metal. If you thought ABBATH came in hot with their first record, just wait until you hear this!

In the first place and with an important advantage over the second, according to our readers, we have DECEM MALEFICIVM with his work “The End of Satan”.

If you’re looking for a band which takes its primary genre and then tinkers a little at its boundaries, or you dig expansive, occult black metal which isn’t afraid to mix up its instrumentation or try some new rhythms and flavors, then this is an effort I’d happily steer you towards.

And the winner is…. MAYHEM “Daemon”

The most notorious black metal band of all times is back! By the power of darkness and the might of black-hearted will no two MAYHEM albums have been or will be the same.

Thus, the newest offering »Daemon« is unto itself. It’s not the next chapter but rather the next tome in MAYHEM´s authoritative oeuvre. Composed and decomposed with the same lineup— Necrobutcher (bass), Hellhammer (drums), Attila Csihar (vocals), Teloch (guitars), and Ghul (guitars)—that handled »Esoteric Warfare« and performed »De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas« in its entirety over the last few years,

»Daemon« also isn’t a retrofit of classic songs like ‘Freezing Moon’ , ‘Pagan Fears’ , or ‘Buried by Time and Dust’ .

That’s what the live album, »De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas Alive« (2016), was for. »Daemon« is a chance for change, for new hells to be envisioned and offered.

Congratulations MAYHEM!

1. MAYHEM – “Daemon”
2. DECEM MALEFICIVM – “La Fin de Satan”
3. Abbath – “Outstrider”
4. THE AGONIST – “Orphans”
5. Death Angel – “Humanicide”
6. Darkthrone – “Old Star”
7. ENTOMBED A.D. – “Bowels Of Earth”
8. Rotten – “Rotten”
9. POSSESSED – “Revelations Of Oblivion”
10. Fleshgod Apocalypse – “Veleno”
11. Killery – “Ready for the Apocalypse”
12. BLACK CRUCIFIXION – “Lightless Violent Chaos”
13. Possessed – “Revelations of Oblivion”
14. Vltimas – “Something Wicked Marches In”
15. DEFECATION – “Killing with Kindness”
16. Blood Incantation – “Hidden History of the Human Race”
17. BONES – “Diseased”
18. FIRESPAWN – “Abominate”
19. Tomb Mold – “Planetary Clairvoyance”
20. MALAMORTE – “Hell For All”