Top Albums of 2013

2013 was a great year for new music. The metal and industrial genres grew significantly and their influence could be felt throughout the music scene. Talented musicians stepped to the forefront and proved there is more to music than pre-fabricated pop princesses and auto tuned radio friendly hits.
Here are my picks for tops albums released in 2013, in no particular order.

Filter, The Sun Comes Out Today. Having left the shadow of Trent Reznor nearly two decades ago, founder Richard Patrick continues to craft authentic music that serves at the backdrop for so many of us.

Army of the Universe, The Hipster Sacrifice. This is what happens when a trio of talented DJs get together step out from behind the turn table and in front of a microphone. AOA have crafted a grand amalgamation of pop, rock and industrial music and has become one of my favorite bands.

Nine Inch Nails, Hesitation Marks. After a short hiatus, pioneer of the industrial genre, Trent Reznor boldly returns with an album 4 years in the making.

Lady Gaga, ARTPOP. Laugh if you will, but Gaga’s third full length release is one of the best album’s I’ve heard in years. This woman knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to push the limits and boundries of the scene to get it.

Gary Numan, Splinter (Songs From a Broken Mind). Pushing his fourth decade as a musician, Numan continues to evolve with each album he produces and proves that it doesn’t matter how old you are, you can still make amazing music.

KMFDM, KUNST. Celebrating their 30th year as a band, German industrial band KMFDM have a strategy for making music, Don’t hold back on the ultra heavy beats.

Korn, The Paradigm Shift. Marking the return of founding member Brian “”Head” Welch, Korn have never sounded better. The band has found the perfect mixture of heavy metal and electronica.

Otep, Hydra. Otep once again shows the world what true metal is. Hydra is one of her most personal and brutally honest releases.

Puscifer, What is…?. Recorded during the band’s Conditions of My Parole tour, this live album/DVD combo release focuses on the more pure aspect of the live music.

Rob Zombie, Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor. Seriously people. It’s Rob Zombie. The man has yet to release an album that isn’t 100% brutally in your face metal.