Now, what list is complete without Honorable Mentions? Many, but not this one! Here are a few more albums that are worth checking out:

Elizabeth Reian Bennett - Songs of the True Hand
Reian Bennett is a Grand Master of the shakuhachi, an end blown bamboo flute. The music is beautiful, and lends itself to focused listening, or for use when meditating, or even just relaxing after a long day.

Mushroomhead - Savior Sorrow
This is not their strongest album, but they continue to deliver a good dose of progressive doom, with plenty of drama.

Wednesday 13 - Fang Bang
This is what you get when you combine former members of Murderdolls and Dope, you get a fun dose of horror punk. Looking to have fun on a dark and stormy night while cruising the local graveyards? Add a little Wednesday 13 to your iPod alongside the Zombie and Manson tracks.

Black Label Society - Shot to Hell
Shot to Hell is a well rounded and complete album that showcases strong songwriting and superior musical ability. Black Label Society is a band that every rock and metal fan should be listening to.

Even further albums worth giving a spin:
Dies Irae Sculpture of Stone
Deadstar Assembly - Unsaved
Bludgeon - World Controlled

Hopefully you will find something in here worthy of adding to you collection, and feel free to let me know what some of the better albums you've uncovered this year are.