Album of the Decade 2010 - 2019

[MacabreEternal]

That's right folks, the decade is nearly over and the internet is awash with endless lists of the top 100 to top 10 albums of the decade.  We have enough lists here already so for this thread you have one, yes ONE record to nominate as album of the decade.  Choose wisely as any semblance of a list will be considered a cop out.  Also, please tell us why the choice you make sits atop of the pile for the past ten years.  Please don't just name an album for the hell of it and give no rationale.

Gorguts - Colored Sands (2013 - Season of Mist)

Twelve years after their last full length (yes twelve whole fucking years), Gorguts returned as more or less a new band.  Lemay was the only original member and he recruited three of the most gifted and adaptable musicians to record hands down the best record Gorguts ever made!  Colin Marston from...well every band in the world seemingly picked up bass duties whilst the well-travelled John Longstreth joined on drums and with Kevin Hufnagel picking up guitar duties alongside Luc, the credentials of this line up were immediately obvious before a note was even recorded.

Colored Sands delivered on every level.  Detailed and considered songwriting, variety in approach and delivery and skill displayed without arrogance or wankery.  There are parts to the record that stay in my head for days, changes of pace that still catch me off guard after nearly seven years and moments of sublime tenderness that touch your very soul.

Despite all of its leanings to the left, right and centre the record still remained a death metal release at its very core.  An assault on the senses like any Morbid Angel or Deicide album only with so many layers added to take that extreme sound and push the boundaries of this genre to even further reaches of extremity with a deftness that most can only dream of achieving.  This wasn't garish and jarring like Obscura was, this was more refined, all of those off-kilter elements were there but had more precision and integration applied to their inclusion.  I doubt Lemay will top this, regardless of who he works with.  Pleiade's Dust was an excellent release but it didn't hit the same heights for me.

In a decade with a multitude of choices for album of the period, Coloured Sands sits head and shoulders above even the nearest contender.

[Requiem]

One single album out of ten years? You’ve finally flipped your lid mate. Ok let me think and I’ll get back to you. 

[Balor]

I have been meaning to add to this thread for a while, so here is my nomination for the best release of the decade.

Grizzly Fetish - "Demo 2018"

This might seem like a strange choice, but I feel that this demo deserves a spot here for a variety of reasons.  First and foremost, Grizzly Fetish is one of the best new bands of the decade, and "Demo 2018," has, thus far, been his best release.  Musically, the band is a study in contrast - harsh vocals/heavily distorted rhythm guitar paired with interludes of clear guitar melodies and prominent synths.  He is able to blend this usually disparate elements masterfully, using their opposition to mutually emphasize one another.  The prominent solos that appear on several songs are also a nice addition that is all too rare in black metal.

In addition, I think that "Demo 2018" is indicative of the current state of metal music.  On one hand there is a strong desire to look back to classic bands and styles, while many are seeking new ways to reinvent the genre.  I think that Grizzly Fetish does both.  He pulls inspiration from a variety of bands and syles (Black Mass of Absu, grindcore, black metal, etc.), while making something that is genuinely unique and special.