Decent list, but I've only ever really cared about Sputnik's staff and user lists (I've been on there since it was Musician Forums).
Pitchfork has gotten better about metal and hardcore, but they're still not the greatest. I need to look at all the albums that came out. Luckily, the past two years I've been making Spotify playlists that cover most releases that aren't just on bandcamp ("2013," "2014").
Edit: Sputnik's staff list was pretty good. It started to falter around the top ten, but I really love Trophy Scars and I'm glad that at least some people are giving them the acclaim they deserve. Behemoth's new album is also great, but, honestly, one of my favorite metal albums this year was from Every Time I Die.
I imagine the user list will give it up for that album, maybe Animals as Leaders, Casualties of Cool (Devin Townsend), maybe Locktender (who are just getting more well-known), Pallbearer, Hail the Sun (though I'm starting to be wary of that style of post-hardcore), Kayo Dot, Lord Mantis, Secret Band (doubtful), Circa Survive (haven't listened to it enough yet), 68, Revocation, Godflesh, BADBADNOTGOOD, etc.
Glas to see a lot of sites giving Thou's "Heathen" high marks. They're crazy live.