Where do we even start? Each year it seems like it will be impossible to top the previous year, but 2015 yielded another fine crop of incredible additions to the metal canon. Every part across the genre's vast spectrum is represented as we worked hard to whittle it down to the 20 Best Metal Albums of 2015.

Taking into consideration influence, career, songwriting, technical abilities, impact, success and more, these 20 albums have been ranked as a collective consideration of all those categories. It was another great year for metal, we're proud to present our top picks for 2015.

Click through the gallery above to see our picks for the 20 Best Metal Albums of 2015!

Also See Our Picks for the 20 Best Rock Albums of 2015:

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