Our Norwegian friend Mats submits his Top 15 of 2010! The lucky bastard gets hold of releases from Rise Above Records before they hit stateside, so he has both Ghost and Electric Wizard in this list, amongst 13 other fine choices.

Rating: 4.5/5

Where other bands in Kollwitz’ neighborhood might be regarded as one-trick ponies, this Norwegian band has something hidden up their sleeves: tristesse. They have managed to fuse heavy metal with a dark sadness, and that is the glory of Kollwitz. It is not ear-shattering mayhem, but rather beautiful melancholy, which portray depths more common to Neurosis than any of their followers.