What a year! Some of metal's biggest bands released stellar efforts and some groups in the underground are starting to make ripples in the big pond, as well. Whether you like your metal old school and traditional, black, death, thrash, doom, sludge, or a mix of any and all combinations, 2015 was sure to please!

After some painstaking debate, the year's nominees for Best Metal Album have been whittled down to the 20 releases across all of metal's stylings. Check out the 20 albums for you to vote on to determine the Best Metal Album of 2015 in the 5th Annual Loudwire Music Awards! Fans can vote once per hour through the deadline of Dec. 1 at 8AM ET, so get those votes in to pick the winner!