Monthly & Yearly Metal Album Rankings
Dive into the world of metal with our handpicked album selections, where we chart the best metal albums of the genre month by month and year by year. Our tier lists and album rankings are crafted with care, offering insights into the broad spectrum of metal. Without any fuss, just pure content for those who speak in riffs and solos, come see where your cherished records stand amid the landscape of metal.
In-Depth Metal Album Reviews
We go all in on reviewing metal’s most iconic albums, diving deep into the classics that have defined the genre. Our reviews don’t just scratch the surface—they explore every layer, from the groundbreaking launches to the epic lyrics that have resonated with fans for decades. It’s not just about the music; it’s about celebrating the masterpieces that have made metal what it is today.
Exclusive Interviews with Metal’s Finest
Behind the scenes, it is said. Enter into the minds of metal’s biggest names and emerging talents through our exclusive interviews. We sit down with bands and personalities who belong to the world of metal so as to uncover the stories behind their music, discussing everything from their creative process to their thoughts on the genre’s future. It’s a rare glimpse into the personal journeys that shape the metal world.
Navigate through all the features which we show in our website: from exhaustively researched reviews to opinion articles about the world of Metal
Best Metal Albums of the Month
Catch the month’s top metal albums, highlighting the scene’s freshest and most acclaimed releases.
Best Metal Albums of the Year
Yearly recap of metal’s finest, showcasing the albums that stood out and defined the genre.
Bands Album Rankings
A deep dive into metal bands’ discographies, ranking their studio albums from classic to recent.
Full Album Reviews
Acquire a unique perspective on metal albums guided through reflections of our team.
News
Do not miss any announcement or event by checking out our News section.
Music Playlists
Feel free to discover our official well curated playlists which gathers quality and variety.
Recent posts
- Best Progressive Death Metal Albums of 2024As the final quarter of 2024 unfolds, one truth becomes clear: progressive death metal is changing. Come and check it out!
- Best Black Metal Albums of 2024Undertaking the task of exploring the Best Black Metal Albums of 2024 is as thrilling as it is challenging. The time is now: let´s declare which are the best black metal releases of 2024.
- Best Metal Albums of 2024The wait is over. The Best Metal Albums of 2024 are here.
- Best Metal Albums of November 2024The Best Metal Albums of November 2024 have arrived with the weight of winter’s first frost, and what a month it’s been for transformative releases. I can’t help but feel a deep resonance with how these albums mirror November’s dual nature – both an ending and a beginning, a time of reflection and bold steps forward.
- New Single: Too Sick To Pray – Meet Me At The GatesToo Sick To Pray, a metal band emerging from Ventura, California, introduced themselves to the metal scene with their debut single. The track demonstrates their approach to modern metal, combining elements from thrash metal, hardcore, and metalcore genres to create their signature sound.
- Interview with King CherryIn this interview with King Cherry, we will see how they bring a fresh spark to rock music, blending the gritty spirit of ’90s grunge with modern edge.
- Best Metal Albums of October 2024Grab your favorite pumpkin-spiced beverage, crank up the volume, and prepare to be aurally possessed by the must-hear metal albums of October 2024!
- Insomnium Albums Ranked: from Worst to BestExploring Insomnium Albums Ranked takes us on a captivating journey through the discography of a band that has risen from the tranquil forests of Joensuu, Finland, in 1997, to become a cornerstone of melodic death metal
- Best Metal Albums of September 2024This month’s standout releases in the top metal albums of September category span the entire spectrum of heaviness, from bone-crushing death metal to mind-bending progressive metal, with a healthy dose of thrash, doom, and classic heavy metal thrown in. As leaves fall and nights lengthen, these September 2024 metal releases offer the perfect soundtrack.
- Best Metal Albums of Summer 2024The Best Metal Albums of Summer 2024, from July to August, have brought us plenty of interesting releases. Check them out!
- Interview with War Gods of the DeepIn this interview with War Gods of the Deep, we explore the depths of their heavy metal universe with Rikk, the leader of this project. He will provide insights into their creative process, discuss the evolution of their music, and share their experiences navigating the metal scene. Let’s kick off our conversation with War Gods of the Deep!
- Best Metal Albums of June 2024As we move further into summer, the excitement for live performances is palpable. The June metal releases promise to deliver unforgettable shows, capturing the same energy and creativity that make these albums so special.
- Best Metal Albums of 2024 So FarThe best metal albums of 2024 so far have shown the genre’s incredible diversity and vitality. This year has been a standout for metal, with each month delivering a host of impressive releases that have captivated fans and critics alike.
- Interview with Decoy | Modern Hardcore / Groove Metal Band from LouisianaIn this interview with Decoy, Jonah, the vocalist, will share his experiences navigating the hardcore / groove metal scene.
- Interview with Fallen Letters | Alt. Rock Indian BandIn this interview, Vishal and Aditya share insights into their creative process, the evolution of their music, and their experiences within the Indian metal music scene. Let´s start the interview with Fallen Letters!
- Best Metal Albums of May 2024May has been an exceptional month for metal, and RiffRiot is here to bring you the best metal albums of may 2024!
- Best Metal Albums of April 2024Whether you’re a fan of death metal or progressive rock the top metal releases of April 2024 offer a rich variety of styles, ensuring there’s something to resonate with every metal enthusiast, as the main point of this ranking is to offer some variety to the reader.
- Interview with LOKUST / Jeremy PringsheimDear readers, This time we bring you a very special interview to celebrate our first YouTube video. It features Jeremy Pringsheim, guitarist of the band LOKUST, which made a big splash with their first album, Infidel, warmly received in the metal world.
- Gojira Albums Ranked: from Worst to BestDelving into Gojira Albums Ranked unveils a riveting journey through their discography, a band that has emerged from the serene landscapes of Bayonne, France, in 1996, to stand as a monumental pillar of progressive and technical death metal.
- Best Metal Albums of March 2024The best metal albums of March 2024 are no short of variety, striking a perfect harmony between the genre’s revered pioneers and its bright new stars. This balance paints a vivid picture of metal’s ongoing journey, showing its timeless appeal and its ability to evolve with fresh, groundbreaking input.
- Before the Dawn of Metal – Chapter IThe history of metal music starts even before the term “heavy metal” was coined, tracing the roots and influences that led to the birth and growth of this powerful genre. Given the vast amount of tales and events which took place during that time, this will be an expansive narrative, beginning with the times before the advent of metal music.
- Best Metal albums of 2023 We Have MissedYet, as extensive as our exploration has been, there remain exceptional albums we either overlooked or discovered too late. These hidden gems, though not covered in our initial roundup, stand as second chance to revisit some of the best metal albums of 2023 we have missed. Let´s check them out!
- Best Metal Albums of February 2024February 2024 has truly set a new standard in the music industry, particularly within the metal genre, making it an exhilarating challenge to compile a list of the best metal albums of February 2024.
- Interview with Metal TrenchesIf you’re reading this, there’s a 99% chance you know Metal Trenches. However, let’s introduce you anyway who we are talking about through this interview!
- Most Anticipated Metal Albums of 2024As 2024 unfolds, the metal scene is alive with anticipation for groundbreaking upcoming metal albums, building on 2023’s legacy, particularly in death and black metal. We’ve seen monumental releases in January early on, hinting at a year rich with both veteran heavyweights and emerging talents poised to redefine the genre.
- Best Metal Albums of January 2024As we delve into the best metal albums of January 2024, they have surprisingly set a high benchmark. Typically a quiet month for new releases, January 2024 has been an exception, showcasing maybe some of the possible best metal albums of 2024.
- Best Doom Metal Albums of 2023The doom metal scene in 2023 has been a revelation, featuring some of the best doom metal albums in recent memory. Once not a fan, I find myself now deeply immersed in the doom metal genre, thanks to this year’s releases that brought surprising and original takes on the style.
- Best Groove Metal Albums of 2023Looking for the best groove metal albums of 2023 was such a challenge. In recent years, the groove metal genre has been grappling with a distinct challenge, as it finds itself increasingly overshadowed by the surging popularity of genres like metalcore and death metal.
- Best Avant-Garde Metal Albums of 2023Searching for the best avant-garde metal albums of 2023, where there is a mix of post-metal and avant-garde metal, was truly interesting.
- Best Trash Metal Albums of 2023Navigating the diverse terrain of metal in 2023, our focus turns to the timeless thrash metal genre so as to rank the best trash metal albums of 2023.
- Best Progressive Metal Albums 2023In this post, we are going to elaborate the ranking the best progressive metal albums of 2023, which will be a bit polemic!
- Best Melodic Death Metal Albums of 2023In the pursuit of exploration and appreciation, we’re set to classify the best melodic death metal albums of 2023 according to our unique perspective.
- Best Death Metal Albums of 2023Venturing into ranking the best death metal albums of 2023 brings a sense of excitement, especially in the wake of a phenomenal year for the genre. Picture this: legendary bands unleashing long-awaited albums, shaping a musical landscape that’s undeniably significant.
- Best Black Metal Albums of 2023As we approach the end of 2023, it becomes evident that some of the most exceptional albums, spanning all genres, belong to the realm of black metal.
- Opeth Albums RankedOne of the most difficult Tier List in Metal: trying to cover Opeth albums ranked from worst to best topic without annoying a single fan.
- Tool – Fear Inoculum ReviewTool’s Fear Inoculum is an album that has captivated fans and critics alike since its release. With its intricate musical compositions, thought-provoking lyrics, and innovative production, it has solidified Tool’s position as one of the most influential and forward-thinking bands in the progressive metal genre.
- Opeth Blackwater Park ReviewMaybe Opeth is my favourite band. Blackwater Park might be my favourite album. With that said, this Opeth Blackwater Park review is special.
- Best Metal Album Releases of 2023 So FarWe find ourselves deep into the second half of the year 2023, and it’s high time for a comprehensive review of the best Metal album releases of 2023 so far.
- Metallica vs. Megadeth: Who are the Kings of Trash Metal?Within the realm of Metal, the debate over Metallica vs Megadeth is arguably the most contentious. Which band is the best?
- The Alan Parsons Project – Tales of Mystery and Imagination ReviewWhen two worlds where art is omnipresent come together, the result will be satisfying, seen in this Tales of Mystery and Imagination review.
- Symphony X – The Divine Wings of Tragedy ReviewSymphony X, a band renowned for their innovative fusion of progressive metal, power metal, neoclassical metal, and symphonic metal, delivers a breathtaking masterpiece in The Divine Wings of Tragedy.
- Top 5 Best Metal Albums EverThe following albums, ranked in a flexible manner, are considered by us as masterpieces of the genre. Check out why!
- Dream Theater Albums RankedIn this list, we are going to choose the best Dream Theater albums. Additionally, there are classified all of Dream Theater studio albums, from F tier to S tier, which is the same as from worst to best.
- Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik ReviewBlood Sugar Sex Magik has had a profound impact on the music industry and continues to be a reference point for generations of rock musicians.
- Avenged Sevenfold – Avenged Sevenfold ReviewDiscover a eclectic metal style in our Avenged Sevenfold review, the self titled album from the Californian band.
- The State of Metal Today: A Look at the Current SceneGet a glimpse into the state of Metal today with this in-depth post so as to realise the current state of metal music.
FAQs
-
What is RiffRiot’s selection process for albums and bands to review?
RiffRiot selects albums and bands for review based on diversity and impact within the metal genre. Besides focusing on quality, we choose albums that we personally come across, ensuring a mix of well-known and emerging talents to keep our content vibrant and inclusive.
-
How can I submit my band’s album for review on RiffRiot?
Everyone is welcome to submit their band’s album for review on RiffRiot. You can reach out to us through Musosoup, a platform where you can contact with many reviewers like us! Also, if you log in with our promotional code, you will obtain a discount code for your first campaign. In short, we’re open to exploring new music and providing a platform for bands and artists across the metal genre spectrum.
-
Can I contribute articles or reviews to RiffRiot?
Yes, you can contribute articles or reviews to RiffRiot. All collaboration ideas are welcomed. If you’re interested in sharing your insights or perspectives on the metal scene, contact us through any of our social profiles. Let’s discuss how we can work together!
-
What makes RiffRiot different from other metal music blogs?
RiffRiot stands out from other metal music blogs with our real fan-driven approach, covering both renowned and underground bands. Our dedication to original and diverse content, including in-depth analyses, exclusive interviews, and a commitment to the metal community, sets us apart. We’re not just observers; we’re active participants in the metal scene, celebrating its breadth and depth.