I will be honest with you, most albums that I have heard from this year, really did very little for me. But there were a few that really did stand out for me (at least, I think all of these are from 2007).
After my top 2, I cannot really place the rest in any particular order, so I'll do it alphabetically.
Moonsorrow- Viides Luku - Havitetty
2 songs, 50 something minutes, non-stop excellence. Perfectly blending beautiful folk metal, with some black metal influences, this band has released their magnum opus. The melodies, both dark and uplifting, will stick in your head right after the first listen, and if you're anything like me, you could spend an entire day listening to nothing but this album. "Epic" is not even appropriate enough to describe this album. This is easily one of my favorite folk metal albums in general.
Mind's Eye- A Gentleman's Hurricane
Last year, Lion Records released Seventh Wonder's Waiting In The Wings, and Tomorrow's Eve's Mirror of Creation: Genesis II. Both of which are amongst my favorite prog releases. Now, Lion has done the same with Mind's Eye's A Gentleman's Hurricane. This is a true landmark in conceptual progressive rock and metal. The music is perfectly played, but very melodic, emotional and passionate. There is a perfect balance between progressive rock, progressive metal, and even a film score influence. The story is very coherent, yet pretty emotional and complex. Probably the best storytelling I have heard on a metal album (even rivalling Abigail, and exceeding Operation Mindcrime). One song (Graveyard Hands) even has a folk influence.
Also worth noting, Mia Coldheart's (of Crucified Barbara) guest vocals on The Hour Of Need are beautiful, sensual, and very passionate. Although she only appears on this album for less than a minute, it is definitely a highlight for me.
The album also comes with a comic book, which goes into detail with the story, and a DVD with a promo clip, and a making of the album.
Amorphis- Silent Water
Amorphis have yet to disappoint me. The band has an incredible knack for creating beautiful and memorable folk melodies, with very natural sounding progressions. This album stands amongst some of their best, even rivaling the masterpiece that was Elegy.
Diagnose:Lebensgefahr- Transformalin
Sure, I love drone. It can generally be rather creepy and horrific, but this solo project takes that to a whole new level. This album reeks of torture, and horror, in an unsterile, mildewy, damp, gray room. There is even a perverse, masochistic, even slightly bestiality fetish quality to this album, mixed with raw, honest emotion. For horror drone, this takes the cake.
Dodheimsgard- Supervillain Outcast
Dodheimsgard returned with a new lineup, and ended up releasing one of the best albums of their career. By 2007, it's not exactly groundbreaking, but it would be somewhat difficult to simply compare them to a lot of other avant-garde/black metal albums out there. Lots of variety (ranging from more industrial songs, to even some tech-death moments, as heard of Supervillain Serum), and very fresh, definitely a worthy purchase for any avant-garde black metal fan.
Fortid- Voluspa Part II: The Arrival Of Fenris
To be honest, most new black metal bores the shit out of me. Sure, there are some really awesome newer bands, but too much of it sounds cliche, poorly played, and lacking in the feeling that the older bands had. But then I heard this album, and I was blown away. It's not exactly the most original album out there, often borrowing a lot from old Enslaved, old Dimmu Borgir (back when their lyrics were exclusively in Norwegian), and some Graveland, but it's really well played, very romantic and very emotional. There is quite a bit of variety on this album as well, going from more melodic and uplifting passages, to relatively harsher, and darker moments.
Helstar- Sins Of The Past
When my favorite speed/power metal band decided to re-record many of their classic songs, I will admit that I was quite worried. Very rarely have I liked a rerecording of classic songs/albums, since the bands don't really recreate the passion of the originals, and end up overproducing them. But if one band can take classic songs, give them a modern touch, yet still keep them sounding incredible, Helstar have proven that they are that band. The music sounds crisp and modern, but not plastic at all. They don't overplay the music, and the arrangements have stayed in tact for the most part.
Their two new songs were also really noteworthy. If they are good representations of their upcoming album, it will be a top 10 of 2008 for me.
Manes- How The World Came To An End
It's not really very easy to classify this album in any particular genre. On the one hand, you have some more alternative rock/semi-industrial sounding songs, then you have some avant-garde rock song, then you have a more atmospheric song, and a hip hop song. But, they play it very well, and offer a lot of variety for the listener.
Pagan's Mind- God's Equation
An excellent prog metal affair, with some more traditional metal influences as well. Catchy songs, fantastic musicianship, an awesome cover of David Bowie's Hallow Spaceboy, and an extremely epic outro. Definitely a worthy buy for prog fans. Even for those that aren't too crazy for prog in general may find what to enjoy here.
Pantheon I- The Wanderer And His Shadow
Definitely taking some cues from recent Enslaved albums, this black metal band, featuring members of 1349, takes their black metal to an interesting direction. Somewhat proggy, pretty doomy, very melodic, lots of variety, it's definitely worth checking out if you are sick of modern black metal.
Honorable mention goes to
Blotted Science- The Machinations Of Dementia
Technical brilliance, yet not at all wanking instrumental metal. Featuring guitar madman Ron Jarzombek, and bassist extraordinaire Alex Webster.
Memoria- The Midnight Ball
Opeth influenced Spanish folk music (from Australia). Excellent guitar work, and haunting melodies are what drives this album.
Mithras- Behind The Shadows Lie Madness
A more spacey and ambient take on the Morbid Angel brand of death metal
Obituary- Xecutioner's Return
Another fine example of swampy Floridian death metal. Heavy as hell, very catchy, with some really outstanding guitar work.
Sodom- The Final Sign Of Evil
Another re-recording worth checking out. Their "new" songs are really excellent, their old songs are still kept in tact (although there are some changes), and the music still sounds like it was recorded in 1984.
I would have added Melechesh's Emissaries to the top 3, but I am not counting that as a 2007 album.