13. Horrendous - "Idol" (9/28/18, Season Of Mist, Pennsylvania)
12. Rivers Of Nihil - "Where Owls Know My Name" (3/16/18, Metal Blade, Pennsylvania)
11. Clutch - "Book Of Bad Decisions" (9/7/18, Weathermaker, Maryland)
10. Nekrogoblikon - "Welcome To Bonkers" (4/13/18, Independent, California)
9. Graveyard - "Peace" (5/25/18, Nuclear Blast, Sweden)
8. Zeal & Ardor - "Stranger Fruit" (6/8/18, MVKA, Switzerland)
7. Chapel Of Disease - "...And As We Have Seen The Storm, We Have Embraced The Eye" (12/7/18, Van Records, Germany)
6. Turnstile - "Time & Space" (2/23/18, Roadrunner, Maryland)
5. Amigo The Devil - "Everything Is Fine" (10/19/18, Regime, Florida)
4. Tribulation - "Down Below" (1/26/18, Century Media, Sweden)
3. Amorphis - "Queen Of Time" (5/18/18, Nuclear Blast, Finland)
2. Skeletonwitch - "Devouring Radiant Light" (7/20/18, Prosthetic, Ohio)
1. Madder Mortem - "Marrow" (9/21/18, Dark Essence, Norway)
Agnete and BP M. Kirkevaag either have an absence of sibling rivalry or are able to channel it spectacularly. Touted as "Norway's best kept secret," Madder Mortem released their 7th full-length LP in 2018. God only knows how I could have missed this band before now. Folk, Avant Garde, Metal, Alternative. It's all on "Marrow." Ms. Kirkevaag's voice reminds me of an immaculate amalgamation of Ann Wilson, Beth Gibbons and Carla Kihlstedt. She has a perfect blend of crooning and screaming with enough pop flare for even non-metallic music enthusiasts. Book ended by intro and outro tracks, the meat of "Marrow" is flawless. From the Faith No More influenced bass lead-in on 'Liberator' to the Radiohead-esque prelude on 'Until You Return,' the album touches innumerable bands I grew up idolizing. The self titled track wanders through transitions reminescent of Mr. Bungle and 'My Will Be Done' kicks you in the teeth like Helmet. Damn! The BEST album of 2018. The secret is no longer safe.
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