Atheist Revolution's Top 10 Metal Albums of 2014

I suppose this will seem like another off-topic post, but I'm not so sure. Atheism seems pretty damn metal to me. Loud, fast, aggressive, and evil sounding music has certainly accompanied my atheism for some time. And besides, I can't be the only one who needs a break from the sonic dogma in which many of us are surrounded this time of year in public spaces. Am I right?

I may not have much interest in celebrating Christmas, but there is something I love doing this time of year that is made possible by having some time off and the end of the year rapidly approaching. I peruse the Internet for lists of the year's top metal albums and listen to those I have missed. There are always several of these lists, and I focus on the points of convergence between them to build a short list of albums to check out. Finally getting the chance to hear a few of them is quickly becoming one of my favorite year-end traditions.

Here is my list of the top 10 metal albums of 2014, all of which I have been enjoying recently (and some for a bit longer):

1. A Skeletal Domain by Cannibal Corpse
2. The Satanist by Behemoth
3. Obsolescence by Abysmal Dawn
4. Tibi Et Igni by Vader
5. White Devil Armory by Overkill
6. Once More 'Round The Sun by Mastodon
7. Constricting Rage of the Merciless by Goatwhore
8. Melana Chasmata by Triptykon
9. Time To Die by Electric Wizard
10. Blind Rage by Accept

Without question, the top 3 are my favorites. Finding the perfect order gets tricky beyond that, and I have already changed it several times. I think this is close, but that Triptykon album is sounding better with every listen. And yes, limiting the list to 10 made this far more difficult than I'd like. 25 would have been much easier, and I may have to remember that for next year.