It's been the year for discovering more obscure and local releases as well as the big names for me. The ones I will note as especially recommended.
Whoretopsy - Take My Breath Away is really good Death Metal from Australia with great brutal riffs and groove.
Corpsessed - Impetus of Death is an awesome Death Metal release from Finland with darker and near doomy riffs and tempos throughout.
Battlegrave have been an awesome Aus thrash band for years and debut album Relics of a Dead Earth hits home nicely with killer riffs and harsh vocals.
Black Majesty - Children of the Abyss is another awesome Power Metal record people need to check out.
Decaying - To Cross The Line is just superb Finnish Death Metal riffs and grooves that prove their underground scene is more than kicking.