It has been a momentous year for Death Metal, and it was a tough choice to decide on a top ten, but with a bit of chopping and changing, Matty Hunter has made a list.
- Blood Red Throne – Siltskin
Blood Red Throne left it late in the year to drop their 12th full-length record (just under two years after Nonagon), releasing it on the 5 December. But it was worth the wait, and I have not stopped jamming it since.
The Norwegian Death Metal heavyweights stay true to their sound and at the very top of their game on Siltskin, blending old school vibes masterfully with modern signature brutality and some of the catchiest riffs they have ever produced.
- Allegaeon – The Ossuary Lens
Just over three years after their last full-length effort, Allegaeon returned with vocalist Ezra Haynes and the monster that is The Ossuary Lens in February. This record shows that Allegaeon have honed their craft as it turns the heaviness factor up, but has mind-bending melodic elements and impressive vocals to boot.
I had the pleasure of seeing these guys live and covering the show for MetalTalk in September.
- Osiah – Aion (EP)
Aion is another late release for the year, and there is no way it was not making the list. Osiah has made an absolutely crushing, face-melting burst of Deathcore, packing four stupidly heavy tracks into a 15-minute runtime.
Released on 14 November, it captures the band showing just how powerful they can be, with brutal breakdowns, bellowing vocals and unpredictable structure, but all with savage precision.
I had the opportunity to see Osiah on their North East homecoming in November, covering their set for MetalTalk, and they were phenomenal. Those in attendance were treated to some of those tracks live!
- Orbit Culture – Death Above Life
Death Above Life is possibly Orbit Culture’s best work yet and is among the standout releases this year. The record balances groove with Death Metal elements, atmospheric darkness, memorable riffs, and carries a huge emotional weight.
There is no doubt that Orbit Culture are one of the best in modern Metal. With each release and passing year they grow bigger and more ambitious. I caught them live on tour on 10 November in Newcastle ,and they were excellent, delivering a sublime performance with several of the tracks from this record making the setlist.
- Behemoth – The Shit Ov God
Behemoth require no introduction. The band are 34 years into their career but show no sign of slowing down. The Shit Ov God makes the top Death Metal releases of the year because it captures the band in their signature unapologetic blasphemy and this record has a relentless aggression that I feel the band had lacked in their prior release, Opvs Contra Natvram, in 2022.
This album goes back to their roots in terms of raw sound and proves that even decades into their career, Behemoth can still redefine extremity and are at the top of the food chain.
- Werewolves – The Ugliest of All
You may not have heard Werewolves before, but they are worth checking out as they are a gem from Down Under. The Ugliest of All crashes into the list because it is another feral assault from a band on a mission: ten albums in ten years.
The Australian trio have stayed perfectly on schedule, with six albums already unleashed as of this release, each one sharpening rather than softening their brutality. This effort is an unrelenting barrage of blastbeats, blackened vocals, samples and riffs that cannot be ignored.
Their yearly output does not dilute the quality. It only fuels it, and Werewolves are one of the most underrated bands on the scene, who keep delivering annually.
- Cytotoxin – Biographyte
At the halfway point on the list is Biographyte, the German Technical Death powerhouse Cytotoxin’s fifth full-length effort. It is a mesmerising fusion of radioactive atmosphere, crushingly deep vocals, and pure sonic devastation.
Drawing on their signature Chernobyl-themed niche, this record grips the listener from the offset and never loosens, displaying Cytotoxin at full power. It is clear why the band took five years to produce this record. It is perfectly crafted and has a flawless flow. I had the pleasure of covering a show on their recent UK tour for MetalTalk.
- Vulgar Dissection – Liquifying Coagulated Viscera
Vulgar Dissection’s Liquifying Coagulated Viscera earns its place in the top three because it is a triumphant return after five years away for the Hartlepool natives and is an absolutely disgusting Death Metal record that wears its influences proudly, channelling the razor-sharp brutality and hook-laden heaviness of bands like Dying Fetus while forging its own grisly, blood-obsessed identity.
The album hits hard, balancing technical ferocity with satisfying grooves and memorable samples, which I am always a fan of, as they add an extra layer of character to the carnage and are usually humorous.
I caught them live in September in their hometown, and several of these tracks made the set list, sounding even more vicious and brutal on stage. Vulgar Dissection are well and truly back with this record.
- Sanguisugabogg – Hideous Aftermath
Sanguisugabogg’s Hideous Aftermath muscles its way into second place thanks to its monstrous tone. So thick and swampy, it is instantly catchy, and is paired with the sheer brutality that has become their trademark in their career thus far.
This record feels like the band levelling up yet again, taking everything that was great about their earlier releases and refining it into something tighter, meaner and even more punishing. The band have found their identity on this release with heavier grooves and nods to the signature ’90s Death Metal sound very noticeable.
Overall, it is a monster of an album and one that proves Sanguisugabogg are only getting better at perfecting their unique brand of sludge-soaked and down-tuned Death Metal.
- Cryptopsy – An Insatiable Violence
Claiming the number one slot is technical death heavyweights Cryptopsy’s ninth album, An Insatiable Violence. The record is a ferocious, technically razor-sharp masterclass with their best production yet, thanks to guitarist and producer Christian Donaldson. The album blends their signature brutality with killer melodic touches, catchy riffs and a mix that brings every instrument to life without sacrificing intensity.
With its crisp sound, unbelievable musicianship and a no-holds-barred approach to extremity, An Insatiable Violence is not just one of the year’s best, it is a genuine contender for Cryptopsy’s greatest album ever, proving the Canadian heavyweights stay unstaopable. I reviewed this album for MetalTalk back in June.
On a personal note, I just want to say it has been such an enjoyable year, my first for MetalTalk! I thoroughly enjoy my role here, and I hope you have enjoyed my articles. 2026 has the potential to be even better!
