In 2010, metal lost the single greatest voice it has ever known in Ronnie James Dio, which prompted an unprecedented wave of tributes from fans, musicians, and media alike. Dio's passing was indeed the biggest single metal story of the year, the most significant blow since the murder of Dimebag Darrell six years ago. But make no mistake - despite the tragedy, we've been privy to some truly exciting releases over the past 12 months.

There were so many excellent albums put out by classic 1980s bands (including Iron Maiden, Overkill, Accept, Exodus, Armored Saint, Raven, even Ratt!) that at times it looked more like 1985 than 2010. Norwegian veterans Enslaved, Ihsahn, and Darkthrone came through with more vital music, while their peers in Dimmu Borgir became even more cartoonish than ever. Kylesa wasted no time in proving their breakthrough album was no fluke. Godflesh and Sleep played live shows again. Blake Judd kept challenging listeners by doing whatever the hell he felt like. Thomas Gabriel Fischer formed a new band after the demise of Celtic Frost and didn't miss a beat. A murderer, arsonist, and racist named Varg made his highly controversial return and came through with, in the minds of those who chose to separate the art from the artist, a surprisingly strong record. Sanford Parker produced so many consecutive great 2010 releases that it bordered on ridiculous.

While a disturbing number of unlistenable, talent-lacking young "metal" bands dominated mainstream charts, a handful of lesser-knowns reminded us that there are still plenty of American bands who know how to play traditional heavy metal. And small Canadian label Profound Lore strengthened its reputation as the very best label in all of metal, to the point now where they've got a stranglehold on the title.

In the end, the metal world honored the memory of Ronnie James Dio in the coolest possible way: by making this the best year for new music the genre has seen in a very long time. In fact, it was such a good year, with such a vast array of different styles of metal bands in this rich, diverse genre, that we would be remiss not to list 20 additional honorable mentions, in alphabetical order:

1. Agalloch – Marrow of the Spirit

It was practically a given that Agalloch would not disappoint when they ended their long, four year wait for their fourth full-length, but as optimistic as many of us were, it's safe to say that Marrow of the Spirit far exceeded expectations. Before October, the number one slot on this list was a toss-up between three or four titles; when this one came along and slowly won over yours truly more and more with each listen, the choice for the best metal album of the year was an easy one.

The sumptuous blend of folk, post rock, and black metal that has played a major role in the Portland, Oregon, band's music since 1999 is still present, but this particular album is far more challenging, as its seven songs subtly expand Agalloch's sound further than ever before. Striking cello melodies reminiscent of Kronos Quartet bookend the album in cinematic fashion, the intense yet beautiful "Into the Painted Grey" finds a middle ground between primal extreme metal and moments of aching beauty, and the gorgeous "Ghosts of the Midwinter Fires" incorporates the Cure's melancholy tones into metal as well as anyone has.

Best of all is the 17-minute centerpiece "Black Lake Nidstång", a progressive metal epic that is almost krautrock-like in its form and willingness to experiment. When it comes to forward-thinking, poetic, life-affirming metal music in 2010, it doesn't get any better than this  –Adrien Begrand / Popmatter’s Blood & Thunder.

Continue reading: The Best Metal Albums of 2010 < PopMatters.