- This has not been an easy year for me, personally or professionally. I got pretty seriously sick early in the year because of all the work stress, sleepless hours, etc. The company sale, having to work with the new arrangements, all the fundamental changes running the company, almost endless expansion, personnel pressures - all took a toll on my metal listening posture. I constantly found myself looking for old acquaintances, and many of my favorite bands had 2018 releases. Thus, a lot of names on my list aren't new discoveries. Thankfully, old friends delivered and then some. Arkona, Primordial, Judas Priest, Sargeist, Orphaned Land, Khors, A Sound of Thunder made my list before, and they did it again in 2018. Only Therion disappointed (in a major way). Next, the word doom, or at least sadder music, was the word of 2018 for me. Anything doomy seemed to hit the spot. Thus, preponderance of those are probably reflected in the list as well. My older child left for college this year, and due to work I had to travel more, so I had less opportunities to listen, and missed probably a few more weeks than I normally do. Also, when you are worried about what is happening with your college freshman, the writing just doesn't flow well.
Thanks a bunch to Andy and Zad, who provided the voice of sanity. What I want to promise to my two remaining compatriots that #1 - I will try sticking it with them to the end, and #2 - I need to listen to every entry on their year end lists.
Thanks to all promoters, labels and bands who still keep sending the material to me. I know, I could have been doing more, but doing this for 16 years now - the times have changed and I am adapting.
May 2019 bring the best of everything to everybody who continues reading MR!
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