10 Best Metal Albums 2008

The 10 best metal albums 2008 varied widely in sound, but in each instance, they were crushingly heavy. Some were more melodic, some closer to a dentist-drill's grind, but the 10 best metal albums 2008 covered the versatility of the metal scene in today's world. From thrash to stoner rock, here are the 10 best metal albums 2008 brought us:

1. "Meanderthal" by Torche - The best metal album of 2008 is also probably the closest album on the list to being played on the radio; "Meanderthal" features concise songs, melodic vocals, and genuine hooks. It is also the heaviest album of the year and has blown out many a speaker. The title of best metal album of the year is there "Torche" to pass.
2. "Live the Storm" by Disfear - Disfear climb this list of best metal albums of 2008 with sheer attitude. This punk-flavored blast gets in and out quick, but memorable thrash riffs and gang vocals make sure it sticks in the head long after its brief running time.
3. "Assassins: Black Meddle Part I" by Nachtmystium - An experimental entry from Chicago, black metallers Nachtmystium's "Assassins," may be the most progressive entry on this list of the 10 best metal albums 2008 had to offer. It is also one of the best.
4. "In the Future" by Black Mountain - Black Mountain is metal more along the lines of Deep Purple, Blue Cheer and Black Sabbath than Metallica or Slayer, but it takes all kinds on the list of the best metal albums 2008 offered us. Traded male and female vocals, psychedelic keyboards, and swirling, heavy riffs combine for one of the best platters of the year in any genre.
5. "Eternal Kingdom" by Cult of Luna - The dynamic sound of post-metal, with crushing riffs following melodic interludes, comes from this Swedish band's offering. Listen on headphones and nod along to the pounding beat.
6. "War Metal Battle Master" by Lair of the Minotaur - This Chicago band strictly writes songs based on mythological battles. What is more metal than referencing Hesiod's "The Shield of Herakles"? Not much.
7. "Twilight of the Thunder God" by Amon Amarth - Viking metallers from up north Amon Amarth bring us a powerful entry on the list of the 10 best metal albums 2008 had to offer. Drink mead and conquer.
8. "Watershed" by Opeth - Swedish art-metal veterans Opeth are annual metal best-of leaders. "Watershed" is not one of their best, but it still makes the list of the 10 best metal albums 2008 had to offer.
9. "The Ruiner" by Made Out of Babies - The list of the 10 best metal albums of 2008 lacks a feminine side, but Made Out of Babies' frontwoman, Julie Christmas, brings the metal for the fairer sex with a venom her male counterparts may have trouble matching. Her ability to go from a kittenish coo to a powerful roar makes her one of the best metal vocalists of any gender.
10. "The Chemistry of Common Life" by Fucked Up - The epic feel transforms this album from punk to metal. The band with the unprintable name closes out our list of the 10 best metal albums 2008 had to offer.