1. Paramore – Brand New Eyes

I’ll admit, I was basically predisposed to thinking this album was going to be my album of the year before it had even come out. That being said, as high as my expectations were for it, it still blew me away.

2. Converge – Axe to Fall

This album just took everything I love about Converge and expanded on it and then some. Absolutely crushing with some different twists.

3. Mew – No More Stories…

Mew have this knack for writing albums that are similar to everything else they’ve done while still being completely different. This record follows that trend. It’s so well-written and catchy it’s not eve funny.

4. Lady GaGa – The Fame Monster

I loved The Fame, and how it was centered on all the glitz and glam of the famous life, and I loved how this record was the opposite of that, while still being poppy but having a very dark cloud above it.

5. The Appleseed Cast – Sagarmatha

This record is euphoric to me. Similar to their previous work showcasing their ability to write incredible atmospheric and shoegazey tunes. Super catchy.

6. Junius – Martyrdom of a Catastrophist

It felt like this record took forever to come out. I’ve been waiting since 2006 for it, and it didn’t disappoint.

7. Iron Age – The Sleeping Eye

Almost a throwback to oldschool thrash, this record slays. It’s got some serious Megadeth/Metallica influence mixed with hardcore, and for that I love it.

8. He Is Legend – It Hates You

I completely forgot this record even came out until 4 months after it had dropped, and I’ve been kicking myself for not checking it out sooner. Top to bottom, this record is outstanding.

9. Plastiscines – About Love

This was my first taste of Plastiscines, and I wish I had found them sooner. Great pop rock with English and French vocals.

10. Pulling Teeth – Paranoid Delusions/Paradise Illusions

While I wish it was longer, this record, and the presentation of this record are outstanding. While it’s a little more experimental than their previous releases, they pulled it off with flying colors.