Well we are into the middle part of September now and its just about time to start formulating your 'Album of the Year' lists. Keep it to Top 5 (That means you, Ellie! ) - I wanna see where you all stand.
As of today, these are my Top albums of 2008:
5. Arsis - We Are The Nightmare

They went back to the ACOG style, but perhaps even more technical. Not as memorable as their debut, but I enjoy listening to this one. Kind of slipped under the radar, but WATN is a very solid release by a solid band.
4. Bloodbath - The Fathomless Mastery

Only had it for a week or so (not even sure if its actually been released yet...) - but Bloodbath are back, and thank god. More in the vein of their EP that was released this year also Unblessing The Purity, however its great to hear Mikael back growling in a Bloodbath full length. He does have one of the best death vocals in metal, thats for sure. As has been mentioned in other threads, Swano is missed - but the album still stands up very well despite his absence.
3. Origin - Antithesis

Who'd have thought an album this tech could be so catchy? Origin really stepped up to the plate and cemented themselves furthermore a tech death tour de force. Memorable tracks - including the epic title track (8 minute tech deth wooot!) really made this a 2008 standout for me.
2. Decrepit Birth - Diminishing Between Worlds

My most suprising album of 2008. Decrepit Birth really went out on a limb here and produced what I think will be considered a classic in years to come. DBW fuses together elements of Cynic and later day Death with technical brutality which creates a very unique mix. Perhaps not for everyone, this album is very melodic and has some amazing leads - the musicianship is just brilliant throughout. Cant wait to hear more from the guys in future years, they have got their work cut out for them to top this.
1. Opeth - Watershed

Yes I'm a well known Opeth fanboy, but Watershed is a very special listen. Opeth have grown as a band over time and this takes them in a different direction than their last album, Ghost Reveries. A lot had changed and the pressure was on for Mikael and crew: They certaintly delivered in my book. Love this album.
Its very very likely that Cynic will move into one of the top 2 spots in the coming months - from what ive heard to date, I love it and cant stop listenin to the Promo 08 tracks (and the leaked The Space For This)...its gonna be very unique, in a way that only Cynic can. Will be tough for me between Opeth and Cynic, we shall wait and see.
Other ones the could make it within the next few months: Deeds of Flesh - Of Whats To Come, The Faceless - Planetary Duality
Steady as she goes: Trivium - Shogun, Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone, Metallica - Death Magnetic, Psycroptic - (Ob)Servant, Scar Symmetry - Holographic Universe.
Duds of the Year: Deicide - Till Death Do Us Part, Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King.

I cant say YET. Because Cynic will be there, dont know when the Mastodon album is out, SSS album is a bit....late and im sure ill love that. Ill do this in December haha.

Haha yeah I thought it might be a tad early, but if nothing else, its something to bump once a few more albums have come out.
I have very high expectations of Traced In Air - I really do feel it will be amazing.

Im fed up of people complaining its 35 Minutes.... Focus was pissing 34 minutes long!!!

5. Torture Squad - Hellbound
Brazillian thrash assault. If only Sepultura could sound like this today. Non stop headbanging!! Just how modern thrash should sound!
4. Origin - Antithesis
Technical, brutal, yet catchy... and just an pure assault on the senses. Got to see them live... IT WAS BRUTAL!!!
3. Gama Bomb - Citizen Brain
Retro thrash with a modern twist. Amazing song titles, amazing riffs, amazing lyrics. FASTER IS GOODER!
2. Decrepit Birth - Diminishing Between Worlds
The spirit of Chuck Schuldiner lives on!!! This is like... a perfect combination of melody and brutality. I mean ATB was BRUTAL and killer but this does something that NEEDED to happen. Mixing the genius of Death with the playing skills of modern technical DM. MASTERPIECE!
1. Scar Symmetry - Holographic Universe
I have to say this is personally my album of the year. Its just, so catchy and a defining point in the melodeath genre IMO. Yes, it has clean singing but the singing is done without trying to be power metal or pretenious or whiney. The lyrics are sorta like a concept album. I cant find any flaws with this album. Its forward thinking. Could make SS really well known in metal circles (and possibly the mainstream) If any band deserves to go BIG, it is these guys but unfortunately Christian Avelstam recently left so I dont know what might happen next. :\
I got a good feeling Shogun might top all these though. Just a hunch [/Trivium Fanboy]
Honorable Mentions: Death Angel - Killing Season, Testament - The Formation of Damnation, Minister Bonesaw - The Rising of the Bonesaw (I love it, pure british old skool death metal, CHEERS DAN!)
Underrated albums of the year: New Deicide and Cryptopsy. They aint as bad as people say they are!

QUOTE(Mattie @ Sep 17 2008, 02:10 PM) [snapback]450292[/snapback]Underrated albums of the year: New Deicide and Cryptopsy. They aint as bad as people say they are!
Yes, they really are.

Well Cryptopsy's doesnt match up to their previous efforts but I still like it!
And the new Deicide, I loved it!

How could you? The production is HORRIBLE. The Stench of Redemption was a million times better, the guitar sound on that makes me happy. But on the new one... just no. You get this epic intro and think it's going to be a great album, but it's shit. You can barely even hear the guitars, what's up with that? It's Deicide for fuck's sake!!
As for Coretopsy, I'm not going to say anything about that shite.
(Rant over )

To each their own
Lets see your list then Ellie

2008 isn't over yet. When it is, then I'll tell you what my albums of the year were.

Ok. lol