2015’s Best Heavy Metal Albums
Contents
It’s been a great year for heavy metal, with a wide range of excellent albums released by both established and up-and-coming bands. Here are our picks for the best heavy metal albums of 2015.
Introduction
Despite a decline in mainstream popularity, heavy metal remains one of the most loved and best-selling genres of music. From Slayer to Lamb of God, there are a number of great heavy metal albums that have been released in recent years. Here is a list of 2015’s best heavy metal albums.
Best Heavy Metal Albums of 2015
It was a great year for heavy metal, with a lot of great albums being released. Here are some of the best heavy metal albums of 2015.
Metallica – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct
They’re back! Metallica released their long-awaited album Hardwired… to Self-Destruct in November, and it was worth the wait. This is a return to form for the legendary metal band, with riffs and solos that will stick in your head for days. If you’re a fan of classic Metallica or just looking for a great metal album to headbang to, this is the one for you.
Megadeth – Dystopia
After the lackluster response to 2013’s Super Collider, Megadeth had something to prove with their fifteen studio album Dystopia. Luckily, the band more than rose to the challenge, delivering one of the best metal albums of the past few years.
From the crushing opener “The Threat Is Real” to the intricate riffing of “Conquer or Die!”, Dystopia is a non-stop assault on the senses. And while Dave Mustaine’s vocals have always been a polarizing factor, there’s no denying that he sounds better than ever on tracks like “Bullet To The Brain” and “Poisonous Shadows”.
But it’s not all about Mustaine – new guitarist Kiko Loureiro (formerly of Angra) fits in perfectly, and his solos are some of the highlights of the album. Drummer Chris Adler (of Lamb of God fame) also turns in a stellar performance, particularly on the breakneck closer “Lying In State”.
With Dystopia, Megadeth have proved that they’re still at the top of their game. This is an essential album for any fan of heavy metal.
Iron Maiden – The Book of Souls
Iron Maiden – The Book of Souls
The Book of Souls is the sixteenth studio album by British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 4 September 2015. It is the band’s first studio double album, and also their longest to date, with a total length of 92 launch and 96 on CD. A deluxe edition with additional tracks was released on 2 October 2015. It is the band’s first album to feature guitarist Janick Gers since 1999’s Brave New World, and the band’s first album with producer Kevin Shirley since 2010’s The Final Frontier.
Slayer – Repentless
If you were looking for evidence that Slayer haven’t lost a step since the tragic death of guitarist Jeff Hanneman, look no further than ‘Repentless.’ The album is a relentless onslaught of heaviness and speed, with Kerry King and Gary Holt Trade-off searing guitar solos and monstrous riffs with machine gun precision. Recorded with returning drummer Paul Bostaph and produced by Terry Date, ‘Repentless’ is corporate metal at its finest, with every track hitting hard and fast without letup. It’s the kind of record that will leave you winded, but begging for more.
Anthrax – For All Kings
For All Kings, the follow-up to 2011’s Worship Music, is Anthrax’s seventh studio album with vocalist Joey Belladonna and bassist Frank Bello. It is also the band’s first album with new guitarist Jon Donais, who replaced Rob Caggiano in 2013. Recorded in Nashville with producer Jay Ruston, For All Kings is a return to form for the thrash legends, with thirteen tracks of pure metal bliss. From the fist-pumping opener “You Gotta Believe” to the anthemic closer “ Zero Tolerance”, this is a record that will please longtime fans and win over new ones.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are 2015’s best heavy metal albums. They are all great albums that any metal fan should check out.
