Metal here is an overarching banner to cover anything that is not one of the other sub-genres of metal. So everything from thrash, to power metal, to nu-metal. I have already received promos for albums dropping as far out as August in my inbox, so they are really going to need to bring it to compete with the top five albums on this list. No matter the genre, darkness trumps speed when it comes to heavy, so these bands reflect that sentiment. These albums provide a fitting soundtrack to the demise of the US. I have included links to full reviews if you want to check these out, and with all that said, here are the Top 10 Metal albums of 2026 so far.
10-Kreator - "Krushers of the World"
Before checking back in on the band for 2017's "Gods and Monsters," the last album I liked by these guys was "Coma of Souls." In its day, this was a change for the band after "Extreme Aggression" had hooked me in. This time around, they are locked into a more rapid, furious form of modern thrash that works better than what they did on their last album. It sztill takes some getting used to when it comes to how Mille Petrozza approaches his vocal delivery that borders more on singing than his once scathing snarl. He also uses more anthem accents on the choruses
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/01/kreator-krushers-of-world.html
>9-Savage Master / Mystic Storm-"The Power / Wandering Time"
The split mini-album from these two bands is set firmly in the days of yesteryear. Savage Master is no stranger to us here, as I really enjoyed the last album, "Dark & Dangerous," that found them moving in a darker direction, but it was my first time checking out Mystic Storm. Who impressed me even more. They made me want to search out their other music and dive deeper into who they are.
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/05/heavy-maytal-savage-master-mystic-storm.html
8-Evergray- "Architects Of A New Weave"
Swedish progressive power metallers Evergray have been at this for some time now. Their 2004 album "Inner Circle" was the last I gave a listen to, and it was a little too bogged down in the conventions of the genre to keep my interest, but things have changed. The guitar tone has grown denser to compete with the sound of modern metal. The singer and keyboardist are the only two members left over from those days as they now have the drummer from Shining, and Bassist from Therion in the fold, as well as the guitarist from Scar Symmetry. There is a heavier double bass attack bridging things, and the vocals might still be dramatic, but keep things in a more melodic and brooding direction.
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/05/evergray-architects-of-new-weave.html
7-Moonspell- "Far From God"
The Portuguese band's newest album finds themalmost dropping the metal altogether with a more organic rock sound, and the sung baritone vocals being the dominant. That said, it's also a great song, so I am not complaining about it. There is a more Sisters of Mercy-like bass line to the title track. Though the vocals try to capture more of a Peter Steele-like resonance.
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/06/moonspell-far-from-god.html
6-Lex Legion- "s/t"
When the King is away, the kids will play. This vocal is comprised of the top tier of King Diamond's band members. Pete Blakk and Andy LaRocque on guitars is worth the price of admission alone. But wait, there is more. Mikkey Dee took a break from the Scorpions to play on this album. Hal Pinto is covering the bass duties as well. Pagan's Mind vocalist Nils K LaRue joins the Swedes, bringing some Norse vocal power to things. His power metal style of vocals works well over things; there is clearly a King Diamond influence on what he is doing as he leaps up into falsetto. He is not King Diamond, but this will at least hold over even die-hard fans like myself.
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/06/lex-legion-st.html
The 14th album from the legendary thrash project helmed by Kurt Vanderhoof, who is the sole original member, now features an all-new line-up, including former Flotsam & Jetsam drummer Ken Mary, who also played on Alice Cooper's "Raise Your Fist and Yell" album, along with Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson. For what they are doing, you can't ask for a better backbone to drive these songs. The opening track is pretty impressive and delivers what you want from them. This is the 6th album that guitarist Rick Van Zandt has played alongside Kurt, so he knows the deal. Wayne and Howe are dead, so this sounds as muh like Metal Church as we are going to get, so they excelled at keeping it going
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/05/heavy-maytal-metal-church-dead-to-rights.html
4-Dimmu Borgir- "Grand Serpent Rising"
One of Norway's biggest bands, and one of my faves, they have picked up where they left off with the last album. This is better than the last album and delivers what they know fans want. Even if it feels a little formulaic in this regard,This one grew on me with each listen.
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/05/heavy-maytal-dimmu-borgir-grand-serpent.html
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3-Megadeth- "s/t"
Here we are at the last Megadeth album. Better to hang it up than besmirch their legacy. I used to love these guys, but "Youthanasia" was the last album I got into. The opening track feels like they are pretty focused on the kind of thrash that works best for them. I think they are the epitome of a band who struggle to find themselves when the creative head of the band got sober. Let's face it, these guys are pretty much just the Dave Mustaine show. He knocks it out of the park almost 100 percent of the time here.
https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/01/megadeth-st.html
2- Venom - "Into Oblivion"
The 16th album in the career of this project, which now counts Cronos as the sole original member. Things have not changed a great deal thanks to Cronos's voice that finds him belting it out with the same throaty zeal that drove their earlier. In fact, this album is more metal and less punk than what people would call Venom's most classic work. https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2026/05/heavy-maytal-venom-into-oblivion.html
1-Rob Zombie - "The Great Satan"
It has taken me a decade to resign myself to the fact their is little difference between where Rob left off with White Zombie and his solo work, which is almost as good. It seems he is eager to recapture his more classic sound, as this album opens with a heavier edge. his album is fucking fantastic, and shows that just because you came out in the 90s it does not mean you have to forsake your sound when you can just perfect it.
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