Last year, my favorite releases included a broader range of genres, but this year, tech death has overtaken the rest. Due in part to moving and in part to a busier schedule, I had less time to explore sites like Bandcamp and Heavy Blog for more releases of interest. This resulted in less variety and thus less exposure to albums outside the metal genre. That being said, this year was a big k-pop year for me, and I’ll putting together a list of my favorite k-pop songs of the year.

This was also the first year in which I purchased more digital albums than physical ones. After almost two years of using Bandcamp, I’m am beginning to see its benefits and feel comfortable making the switch to digital. The only exception would be if I encounter releases like 2017’s Triangle.

So, without further ado, I present to you my favorite release from 2018 in ascending order. Happy listening!!!

Upon Desolate Sands - Hate Eternal (US)

Favorite track: All Hope Destroyed

Welcome to Bonkers - Nekrogoblikon (US)

Favorite track: Darkness

Dirty Computer - Janelle Monáe (US)

Favorite track: Make Me Feel

Revenant - Inferi (US)

Favorite Track: Behold the Bearer of Light

NCT 2018 Empathy - NCT (South Korea)

Favorite track: The 7th Sense

The Weight of a Thousand Suns - Horizon Ablaze (Norway)

Favorite track: Delusions of Grandeur

Liquid Anatomy - Alkaloid (Germany)

Favorite track: In Turmoil’s Swirling Reaches

Where Owls Know my Name - Rivers of Nihil (US)

Favorite track: Subtle Change…

Esoteric Malacology - Slugdge (England)

Favorite track: Putric Fairytale

Honorable Mentions

Given the volatility of my tastes and our algorithmic overlords, the list presented above is by no means set in stone. Below, you’ll find other albums that I also enjoyed a lot but have yet to fully digest.