Top 10 Best Metal Albums of 2013

2013 was a year filled with incredible releases in the metal genre. From established bands delivering some of their best work to up-and-coming acts making their mark, there was no shortage of headbanging goodness.

These albums showcase the diverse range of sounds and styles within the metal genre, from the most brutal and uncompromising to the most melodic and emotive. Whether you're a fan of classic heavy metal, death metal, black metal, thrash metal, or any of the many sub-genres within the world of metal, there's something here for you.

The Top Ten

13 - Black Sabbath

How is this not number 1? This is clearly the best album of 2013. Ozzy's return to Black Sabbath, and Black Sabbath's return to its roots. The dark riffs, awesome solos, and mind-twisting lyrics are back!

I hate Avenged Sevenfold, but I love Black Sabbath. Best metal band of all time, and a great album.

Are you kidding me? Has anyone heard Age of Reason, End of Beginning, and others?
Hail to the King - Avenged Sevenfold

I really love Bullet For My Valentine's Temper Temper, but A7X is my favorite, and I really believe Hail to the King is going to be the best.

I can't wait for this album. The previews that they've played sound awesome.
Halo of Blood - Children of Bodom

One of the best albums from the band. Easily. Contains all the elements of what made them famous and has not one single embarrassing moment throughout. It's a mature, classy, and powerful release by this skilled quintet.
Surgical Steel - Carcass

How the heck is Surgical Steel 13th? This album is way better than Hail to the King.

After 17 years, Carcass came back with a bang. This is one of my favorite albums of this year, no doubt.

This needs to get up above Bring Me the Horizon. Carcass is way better.
Disarm the Descent - Killswitch Engage

If you're a metalcore fan or a longtime KsE fan, you'll love this album. Jesse's vocals have improved a lot since Alive or Just Breathing.
He also does really well on the live version of My Curse. The guitar work is outstanding and Justin's drumming is awesome. Give it a listen if you haven't already.

Deserves to be higher... It's a great album... First or second at least... and Jesse Leach is back!
Vengeance Falls - Trivium

A7X and Trivium are my two favorite bands, and I've been wanting to hear new material since In Waves. Knowing them, this album is going to kick serious ass.
Everblack - The Black Dahlia Murder
Deceiver of the Gods - Amon Amarth
In the Minds of Evil - Deicide
Infestissumam - Ghost

The Newcomers

?
Abandon All Life - Nails
?
Perils of the Deep Blue - Sirenia

The Contenders

Sempiternal - Bring Me the Horizon

Best album. It's deep and it really rocks.
Construct - Dark Tranquillity
The Dream Calls for Blood - Death Angel
Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies - Volbeat
The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Vol. 1 - Five Finger Death Punch

Lift Me Up is an awesome song. The song previews they put up on their YouTube channel sound amazing as well.

After giving it a listen, I can't help but love it! Turned out to be an awesome album.
Temper Temper - Bullet for My Valentine

This album is awesome. I don't understand why people didn't like it. Songs like Breaking Point and Tears Don't Fall, Pt. 2 are awesome.
The Underground Resistance - Darkthrone
‎Infestissumam - Ghost BC

This is such a great album. What's better about it as well is that it's not just the same regurgitated music like most of the other albums on here.
Device - Device
The Paradigm Shift - Korn
Unnatural Selection - Havok
Sunbather - Deafheaven

This album being metal is debatable, but what I've heard from it was quite good. And that cover is gorgeous.
Tomorrow We Die Alive - Born of Osiris
Fast Loud Death - Lost Society
Labyrinth - Fleshgod Apocalypse