15 Best Metal Albums Of 2019

5. White Ward - Love Exchange Failure

Few bands are doing more to push black metal forward in 2019 than the Ukraine's White Ward, whose second studio album, Love Exchange Failure, is a mesmeric fusion of the genre's more traditional atmospheric elements, post-rock, and jazz - particularly in the instrumentation.

Even those sick to death of blackgaze as a movement should find plenty to enjoy here. Love Exchange Failure is a bold release from a forward-thinking band with lots to say, and that they're able to incorporate saxophones and pianos so seamlessly suggests a group ready to break free from its chrysalis entirely, having captured the album's core theme of urban loneliness perfectly.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.