I also like the new album from Metallica. I wouldn’t say Hardwired isn't original, it just doesn't seem to excel on anything, but it's a good album and a new sound from Metallica like they did an all their previous albums.

I don't have 5 albums of the year :(

But I have 5 somgs of the year :D (and it's not in any order)
* Minotaurus - Insolubilis (Folk Metal)
Really a catchy song. Think this barely qualify as metal :D

* NIGHTWISH - Alpenglow (Symphonic metal)
it's one of my new favorites from Nightwish.

* WORDS OF FAREWELL - Gaia Demise (Melodic Death Metal)
I really enjoy this. I tend to put it on when playing games

* Eternal Idol - "Another Night Comes" (classical Metal?)
This got released recently, but already got a permanent spot on my playlist

* Hahnenkampf - Tanzwut (Medieval metal/Neue Deutsche Härte)
Couldn't find a youtube vid for this some, but the whole new album is great

.

silent but creepy? or silent like a mouse?

:P

Yeah, those Blazon Stone albums are really amazing. The new Running Wild is a good return to form too, so don't miss that. Honestly, those would be my only two. There hasn't been enough good metal released this year to really make me bother to list more. Maybe when the new Havok album comes out...

You know what we need here? Some Twisted Tower Dire...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUPgwikneq4&list=PL-KckqQ_NUoJXxGCmHDtOAcHztCRR0USJ

Happy Festivus everyone! \m/,

I don't know if this counts, but I haven't seen it posted yet and this is a gaming forum..

Emerald Sword: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5kLxQGbRYg

Of course Rhapsody counts! Especially pre-name-change.

Rapid Foray is indeed a return to form, but Resilient wasn't that bad too.
You should check out the Silverbones album as well, if you like Running Wild worship.
Ced played drums for them and he mixed and mastered their album.

Also give a listen to the other albums in my list:
Eternal Champion is Epic Heavy Metal in Manilla Road style.
Dark Forest is very Iron Maiden-esque twin guitar Power Metal with really awesome melodies.
And Sumerlands is slightly doomy Epic Metal with Ozzy-like vocals.

I have everything (including a bunch of now rare singles) from Running Wild (And went to see them and met them on their Victory tour in Osnabruck Germany). I wasn't a fan of Shadowmaker or Resilient though. Not to say there's no good songs, but most seemed like Rolf was phoning it in. Rapid Foray was a marked improvement.

I do know Silverbones, but I wasn't very impressed by them. Are you familiar with "Pirate Hymn"? The guitarist helped come up with some of the riffs for Blazon Stone :

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBYgaZzZrIaiNNh3lGCzrhtjKY5hgOk9z

I will! Danke!

Damn, I didn't know that. Thank you!

Candlemass - Bewitched