Top Metal Artists of 2013

Happy 2014 Everybody!

So, here's a list of the top played metal artists of 2013 because there's not enough of these lists floating around, along with a brief synopsis of what each band offered last year. To give you some background, this compiles the amount of plays for each artist during the weeks that they could be charted and adds up all the spins to make a list of the top played. If you missed any of these groups, feel free to look them up online and see what they're about. 

01. Dissension—Self-releasing their first full length album this year, Montreal's Dissension not online played an awesome showcase for us, but managed to take their symphonic black metal-esque sound and translate it fairly well. Definitely a band to watch out for.

02. Ministry—A live album as well as the supposed "last album" play into this high showing from Al Jourgensen. If this is the last album, there's worse things that the could have gone out on.

03. Kvelertak—Norway's finest "black-n-roll" export came to town twice this year and didn't disappoint either time. Since they've conquered the "sophomore slump", will the third record make a trifecta of awesome? Only time will tell.

04. Chariots of the Gods—First full length, a CJLO session, and multiple tours put this band high on our most-played list. They're heading to Cuba in the beginning of the new year, which is a good feat for a band that's relatively new. Keep at it gentlemen.

05. Skinny Puppy—Weapon really saw a return to form for these industrial godfathers. They'll be coming through on tour in February, so don't miss them.

06. The Bronx—Scrappy punkers release their fourth album to much acclaim. Also, what's more punk than putting out Mariachi albums? Answer: nothing.

07. Clutch—Neil Fallon leads this band with some of the best lyrics he's written in years. An excellent addition to their discography and one not to be missed.

08. Counterparts—A great follow up to their last album, these Canadian boys have come through on tour a bunch of times this past year and increasing their name recognition.

09. Black Cowgirl—Pennsylvania natives doing a great desert-rock sounding album. Good guys in general, and hopefully they'll do a mini tour at some point before the summer months hit.

10. Monster Magnet—Stoner rock godfathers return with easily their most well-received record since God Says No. Even though the last four dates of their first North American tour in ten years was cancelled, maybe now they'll come to Montreal and make it up to all of us.

11. The Unconscious Mind—Featuring a guitarist from Derelict, this Montreal band put out a superb death metal album. Seriously, if you don't know this band, you have got to get on it, because it is some great stuff.

12. Protest the Hero—Partially a tribute to Canada, Protest the Hero take their trade-marked guitar noodling and put it to great use on this release.

13. Kataklysm—Kataklysm return with another great death metal album, or as they call it "northern hyperblast". Their tour is set to start soon in Europe, so hopefully we'll get to see them after they get back.

14. Norma Jean—Always putting out critically acclaimed records, Norma Jean puts out another great one with Wrongdoers. If you like sludge in your southern core, this is for you.

15. Frontline Assembly—More industrial that wasn't really noticed by a lot of people this year. Fix that everyone.

16. Monster Truck—Putting out some fine hard rock from Canada, Monster Truck knocked it out of the park with furiosity.

17. ASG—A departure from some of their earlier works, Blood Drive's more stoner sound make this an amazing album for this band. Hopefully they'll get to stop by in 2014, because seeing Avalanche live would be pretty awesome.

18. Voivod—Voivod put out another solid release and continue to show why Montreal is leading metal. 

19. Trainwreck Architect—Local gents doing a fine job on their first full-length release. They did considerably well in the Wacken Battle of the Bands, so watch for them in the coming year.

20. BornBroken—A lead singer change didn't slow these guys down in the slightest and 2014 looks to also be a big year for them to push their first full length.

21. Ogenix—Montreal industrial metal has a new champion in Ogenix putting out a solid, and might I add, GAMIQ-nominated EP. 

22. Tombstone Highway—Italians that do more southern metal than some bands from the actual south. Seriously, check them out.

23. Gwar—It's Gwar, and frankly, if you don't know then I can't help you.

24. Pissed Jeans—These punk rockers put out such a solid effort that CJLO had a listening party for them early on in the year. 

25. Dillinger Escape Plan—Praise for both this album and their live shows managed to push DEP even further into the spotlight than ever before. If you missed them at Summer Slaughter you missed one hell of a show.

26. Anvil—Anvil still marches on with another record. You have to admire their pure dedication.

27. Man the Machetes—Another Norway export doing a fine job of copying Kvelertak's considerable success. Can't blame them for copying something so good, though.

28. Through Death—These locals put out a great EP and came in to the station to talk about it on an episode of Champions of the Local Scene. Look for great things from their death stylings.

29. Motorhead—Lemmy may have had a health scare this year, but this album shows he's still got some writing chops.

30. The Ocean—These Germans played Summer Slaughter, released a fantastic album and a DVD chronicling a good deal of their touring. Hopefully they'll be back soon because 35 minutes was not enough of a set.