MY TOP LIST OF JANUARY 2026

 


It was like yesterday when I was summarizing 2025 and publishing all the AOTY lists. January 2026 is already gone, so I am again in the monthly lists preparation pattern. During this past month, I wondered whether and how to continue here, what could be added, altered, or scrapped. I still don't have the answers, and therefore I keep on doing it the old way that I adopted in the past year.  

January 2026 didn't offer much. Few major events were recorded, though. Megadeth released their very last album (everybody knows), Kreator released a monster and destroyed my scepticism, and some very enjoyable underground albums came out and found their place on my list below. I was hesitant about my album of the month. In the end, I put Kreator. Megadeth was my second choice due to nostalgic reasons and the lump in my throat. However, just put against each other, "Krushers of the world" is definitely the better one. 

It is way too early to predict how the year will go, but the release schedule keeps on delivering. Things look bright, and certain albums have been announced that I am already impatient for... For the time being, we have January, and here's the list, more or less in a particular order, with very brief thoughts on each album.  



KREATOR - Krushers Of The World (Bandcamp) I like it. A lot. I knew it's going to be like Primal Fear on testosterone, but it exceeded my expectations. It was not as cheesy as I expected, having in mind how they were starting to sound in their previous records. Anthem after anthem here, but for sure they need to change and upgrade in the next one. 
MEGADETH - Megadeth (Spotify). A decent good buy, although it could have been better and stronger. Left alone, it is an album in the middle, but all the hype factors and pain from calling it a day, make it special. 
ORACULUM - Hybris Divina (Bandcamp) Absolutely great and devastating (murky) death metal from Chile with love. It could easily be the Album of the month!!!
FUATH - III (Bandcamp). Nice surprise and with every other album, he is delivering better and better. I loved it a lot in the cold January, very fitting. 
The RUINS OF BEVERAST - Tempelschlaf (Bandcamp) This one is a bit different than the previous albums and requires either love for the band or just to leave it aside. Still, it is TROB, though.

ELLENDE - Zerfall (Bandcamp). Early warning for a good year. The Austrians delivered a fantastic new album. It is Ellende in the best way.
GEHEIMNISVOLL - Pale Triumph of the Hidden Flame (Bandcamp). UG raw USBM for January again. I love the vibes "...riumphant like the golden dawn above the frosted mountaintops."
OLD SORCERY - The Outsider (Bandcamp) Black metal and dungeon synth, swirling in cold. Only how Finland can deliver. So good if you leave it to yourself to properly drown in it.  
SERPENT COLUMN - Aion of Strife (Bandcamp). I was waiting for the new album, and it didn't disappoint! Well, yes, there is a change compared to the previous ones; it is more accessible, but I like it.
AFTOKTONIA - Through Nebulae of the Empyrean Aether (Bandcamp) Raw, atmospheric, ambient, ethereal...

TJAKTJADÁLVVE - Encompassing Nothingness (Bandcamp). Depressive/Atmospheric mid-tempo BM with brilliant winter atmosphere. 
NIGHTMARER - Hell Interface (Bandcamp) EP worth the spot here!
ASTRAL LORE - To Summon the Powers of Bare Earth (Bandcamp) Another one raging from the deep BM underground. Two tracks and raw atmosphere. As it should be!
SANCTVS - De l'Abîme au Plérôme (Bandcamp) All is vanity, but Canadian BM is certainly good!
BÜDDAH - Amyotrophy (Bandcamp) Technical DM, and that bass (!) that reminds me of all the greatest in the genre...

EXIMPERITUS - Meritoriousness of Equanimity (Bandcamp) Brutal DM and atmospheric doom interludes...
URNE - Setting Fire To The Sky (Bandcamp). A good album, but not better than their previous two, It is enjoyable, softer, and kinda specific for me. 
MARIANAS REST - The Bereaved (Bandcamp). Heavy, melodic death-doom, another VG effort from the band. It required me to be in a specific mood. It clicked. 
BONE WEAPON - Chaos Marked by Death of Sun (Bandcamp) Swampy DM boiling from the pits of the American UG!
SCHATTENFALL - Zwischen Erde und Schatten (Bandcamp). I have been following the bands since the very beginning. It is here because it deserves.

MALIGNANT AURA - Where All of Worth Comes to Wither (Bandcamp) Sick stabbing malignant death doom. If you follow the band you know. I just don't like the sound production here.
GORRCH - Stillamentum (Bandcamp) Dissonant BM, not for every day.
CONCRETE - Absent Mortality (Bandcamp) Always supporting Bulgarian artists!



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