I have not come across a “Best Of 2009″ list yet that Mastodon are not the number 1 pick or at least top three. It seems that Crack The Skye is an all around favorite of most bloggers and magazines. Compared to 2008, I think the magazines have finally got it right this year instead of putting a veteran band like Megadeth as number 1. While I love Endgame, I don’t think it is by any means better than Crack The Skye. Engame has been showing up in quite a few top 5′s though, including my own.

Another band that I am seeing quite a bit of on these best of lists is Anaal Nathrakh‘s In The Constellation Of The Black Widow, which has me extremely curious now. Also Goatwhore‘s Carving Out The Eyes Of God has made the cut on quite a few lists as well.

One album that is getting a lot of praise that I’m not really feeling is Revocation‘s Existence Is Futile. Perhaps I just haven’t heard enough, but the little bit that I have heard just hasn’t won me over. I’ll give it time and try again.

Slayer‘s World Painted Blood has popped up on a few and while I’m still a big Slayer fan, I just don;t feel that they have written an album worth any list in quite some time. World Painted Blood is better than most albums they have done in awhile but just not to my taste for a list. It’s just a matter of personal opinion I suppose.

All in all, it’s tough to make a list of top albums of 2009 because there were just so many great releases this year. That’s why I limited my own lists to 6 while pitting them in specific sub-genres. It was just much easier that way than arguing with myself if I made a top 20.

I do see a great inconsistency though, and that is that Skeletonwhich are being very under-rated with Breathing The Fire.  Amazing album that should be getting a lot more attention and praise, but again, it’s all about personal preference. I look forward to see what 2010 will bring us and I look forward even more to some more great shows to attend in the next year.