61. Blackbraid - "Blackbraid II"

Believe The Hype(ish) pt. 2. This was very much one of the most trumpeted metal releases of the year. The hyperbole that circulated around this record was unreal. The truth is it is not quite the Messiah but it is still a very very good and inventive heavy metal album.

It finds an interesting new direction to take black metal, marrying it with the musical traditions of America’s indigenous population. There is raw organic feel to the use of native American flute and other traditional instrumentation, that intersects well with the intensity of the well oiled black metal. A confident and Incitive release that is not afraid to take chances.