19. Kvaen - 'The Funeral Pyre'

This is a love-letter to old skool extreme Metal. It pays reverential homage to the Speed Metal pioneers (such as Exciter and Iron Angel) and also the initial first wave of Black Metal (Bathory, Merciful Fate, Hellhammer and of course Venom). This could have dissolved into a pointless fanboy love-in. However, by utilising modern production values and by deciding to build on rather than emulate his hero’s foundations, one-man band Jakob Björnfot has created a staggeringly good record. 

It has its feet firmly in the past, but it uses that as a building block to create expansive and emotive Metal fuelled by the most wonderful guitar work. Jakob’s riffs just burn off the record, they are full of power and emotion. This is an utterly fantastic album, aware (and in awe) of its past, but not afraid to use them to reach towards the future.