Top Five Albums of 2013!

#1

A Lot Like Birds - No Place

Release Date: October 29, 2013

This album is a masterpiece in my eyes. No Place is a huge step in the right direction from the band's last album Conversation Place. The thing that stands out the most in this album are the lyrics. A Lot Like Birds keeps the same kind of instrumental sound they did in their previous album; very upbeat, funky/groovy, catchy, and something you want to listen to again and again. Highly recommended.

#2
Northlane - Singularity

Release Date: March 22, 2013

This album was my number one for the year up until I got my hands on No Place. Singularity is what you expected to hear from Northlane since their previous release Discoveries. However, the album got a lot of hate due to the added clean singing, but I believe that added to the album. The lyrics are something the stands out the most for me; which delve into individuality, not being a follower, etc. They kept the djent/progressive sound for the instrumentals. Another great album that I highly recommend.

#3
Within The Ruins - Elite

Release Date: February 26, 2013

I was not really a big fan of Within The Ruins before this album, but after the release of Elite I am a lot bigger fan now. This album is fucking awesome. It is lyrically catchy, it has some progressive overtones, it sticks to the heavy metalcore/deathcore sound, and overall it is a very well rounded album. There really isn't one bad thing about Elite.

#4

Xehanort - Awaken In A Different Dimension

Release Date: September 25, 2013

Awaken In A Different Dimension was a long awaited album for me. I patiently waited for this album's release after a few release date push backs. Upon getting my hands on it, I fell in love with it instantly. It has a progressive and technical deathcore sound, with some melodic elements thrown in. The theme of it is structured around Kingdom Hearts, and being a very big Kingdom Hearts fan, it added to the love I have for it. The only thing I was not a fan of was song "The Missing Pages," as the song is the narrator reading pages to the listener. I much would have preferred another song, or two smaller songs. Other than that, album is awesome and I highly recommend it!

#5

Ovid's Withering - Scryers of the Ibis

Release Date: November 13, 2013

Scryers of the Ibis is a fantastic album from start to finish. It was a huge step in the right direction for Ovid's Withering from their previous EP The Cloud Gatherer. You can hear that they really matured and have the sound that makes them stand out among the rest. The album is a mixture of symphonic death metal, progressive deathcore, and some ambient elements thrown in. It is a mixture of everything I love, so I knew it was one of the best albums released this year. Even though it is number five, do you not overlook this album, it is fucking amazing. Really, really, really recommended!

Honorable Mentions

Ordered by the date of Release

Acrania - The Beginning Of The End (1/14/13)
Gift Giver - Daddy Issues (2/14/13)

A Hitman's Business - Prequel-Chaos in the Womb (3/8/13)

Delusions of Grandeur - Efficacy (3/27/13)

Dethrone The Sovereign - Autocracy Dismantled (5/21/13)

Lament/Isolations/Angelmaker - Split EP (6/29/13)

Party Cannon - Partied In Half (8/23/13)

Humanity's Last Breath - Humanity's Last Breath (8/24/13)

Into Infernus - VII (8/31/13)

Dance Gavin Dance - Acceptance Speech (10/8/13)