2008 proved to be a great year for metal releases. As the norm, it also proved to be a great year for highly anticipated albums being disappointments. That’s expected though. Looking back at my Top Ten Albums Of 2008 when I wrote for Metal Martyr, it makes me wonder. Kataklysm? Number 1? I don’t know what I was thinking there. I mean I like Kataklysm and everything but Prevail as my top pick of 2009? Anyway, let me get to my point.

In 2008 I kept hearing great things about Enslaved‘s Vertabre and I don’t think it was until 2009 that I actually got around to listening to Vertabre. It would have made my top 10 if I had, but it seems every year I miss a few good albums that would have made my list. So with the new Enslaved album coming out later this year, I’m definitely going to be on top of this one. 2009 has had almost too much to offer as far as new album releases and there is still more to come. Axioma Ethica Odini will see a North America release on September 28th on Nuclear Blast Records. The cover was designed by Norway’s Truls Espedal, who has done every album cover since 2001′s Monumension.