10.) Culo- "My Life Sucks and I Could Care Less" (Deranged Records)
Attention punks: This record needs to be in your collection immediately. No nonsense, balls to the chin snotty punk / hardcore from Chicago without any regard for your feelings or property.
9.) Cathedral- "The Last Spire" (Rise Above / Metal Blade)
Cathedral's swansong and farewell definitely lived up to expectations. A return to form and then some, Cathedral reminded everyone in 2013 why they are one of the most influential and important bands in metal history.
8.) Full of Hell- "Rudiments of Mutilation" (A389 Records)
An eclectic melting pot of hardcore, grind, noise, and metal, Full of Hell's "Rudiments of Mutilation" is one of the harshest and ferocious records in recent memory. Step up and get your face punched in.
7.) Coffins- "The Fleshland" (Relapse)
Just when you thought it was safe to hammer the final nail in death metal's coffin (no pun intended), "The Fleshland" reminds you that there's still a place in the world for slow, sludgey, down-tuned, groove-laden sickness!
6.) The Men- "New Moon" (Sacred Bones)
Combining punk rock elements with pieces of Americana and folk, The Men's "New Moon" was a welcomed change of pace for the band and one that I'm certain will be remembered as a turning point in what is shaping to be one of the more impressive careers in indie music. Kudos gentlemen!
5.) Darkthrone- "The Underground Resistance" (Peaceville)
The best Darkthrone release in recent memory represents the band at their creative best and again sets a new standard for black metal...or whatever they're calling it these days.
4.) Carcass- "Surgical Steel" (Nuclear Blast)
This needs no introduction. If you slept on this record you should probably consider sleeping for eternity.
3.) Deafheaven- "Sunbather" (Deathwish)
Definitely one of the more impressive and imaginative records to come out in a very long time, Deafheaven has taken the underground by storm and with good reason, this is hands down a great record that everyone, regardless of genre affiliation, is enjoying regularly.
2.) Ghost B.C.- "Infestissumam" (Sonet Records)
Metal lives, and apparently it's evil again. The second full length by the already legendary Ghost B.C. has everyone, even Novak, throwing horns in the air. To his credit, Novak got me into this band, and for that I tip my dick to him.
1.) Ulver- "Messe I.X-VI.X" (Jester Records)
Always miles ahead of everyone else and continuously re-inventing themselves, Ulver's release in 2013 is a masterpiece. This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone with functioning ears.
- Joe