This year has been both better and worse. It's better in the sense that there are a couple more albums I like at this point than there were last year. It's worse in the sense that I've listened to less new music than I maybe ever have, and finding things interesting enough to listen to in full has been a chore. In that regard, the next couple months aren't giving any indication of being better.

Anyway...

The Good Stuff:

A-Z - A2Z2 (I don't need to try anymore with second-rate Redemption if this exists)
Avantasia - Here Be Dragons (Not Tobi's best, but solidly fun throughout)
Freakstorm - Dust Of Glory (Catchy pop-ish rock)
Ginger Evil - The Way It Burns (A blend of classic rock and Pink-esque pop that's very cool)
W.E.T. - Apex (Not quite "Earthrage", but not far behind, and way better than "Retransmission")

The Bad Stuff:

The Darkness - Dreams On Toast (I want to punch Justin Hawkins in the throat after listening to this)
Ethel Cain - Perverts (Is this even music?)
Spiritbox - Tsunami Sea (I continue to not understand why people think this band is good, and not just Courtney's voice)
Steven Wilson - The Overview (His biggest talent is making us think he still cares about making good music)

The Disappointing Stuff:

Avatarium - Between You, God, The Devil & The Dead (Lovely sound, but boring songs, again)
Dream Theater - Parasomnia (Portnoy's back, and the melodies are gone. Coincidence?)
Ghost - Skeleta (Three good songs, and otherwise flaccid and boring)
Katatonia - Nightmares As Extensions Of The Waking State (From AOTY to being so turgid I barely made it through)
Killswitch Engage - This Consequence (Is it just every other album with Jesse I find moderately enjoyable?)