Awards 2007

13 reviewers shared their picks for 2007.

← 2006 2008 →

Chris

Top Albums

1.
4110
1.
4110
1.
4110
1.
4110
1.
4110
1.
4110
2.
3794
2.
3794
2.
3794
2.
3794
2.
3794
2.
3794
3.
3893
3.
3893
3.
3893
3.
3893
3.
3893
3.
3893
4.
3964
4.
3964
4.
3964
4.
3964
4.
3964
4.
3964
5.
4080
5.
4080
5.
4080
5.
4080
5.
4080
5.
4080
6.
3796
6.
3796
6.
3796
6.
3796
6.
3796
6.
3796
7.
3845
7.
3845
7.
3845
7.
3845
7.
3845
7.
3845
8.
3764
8.
3764
8.
3764
8.
3764
8.
3764
8.
3764
9.
4080
9.
4080
9.
4080
9.
4080
9.
4080
9.
4080
10.
4136
10.
4136
10.
4136
10.
4136
10.
4136
10.
4136
11.
4027
11.
4027
11.
4027
11.
4027
11.
4027
11.
4027
12.
12.
12.
12.
Gotthard - The Domino Effect
12.
Gotthard - The Domino Effect
12.
Gotthard - The Domino Effect
13.
13.
13.
13.
13.
13.
14.
14.
14.
14.
14.
14.
15.
15.
15.
15.
15.
15.

Surprises of the Year

1.
Dragonslayer - Cronos
1.
Dragonslayer - Cronos
1.
Dragonslayer - Cronos
1.
Dragonslayer - Cronos
1.
Dragonslayer - Cronos
1.
Dragonslayer - Cronos
2.
3741
2.
3741
2.
3741
2.
3741
2.
3741
2.
3741
3.
3.
3.
3.
Andre Matos - Letting Go
3.
Andre Matos - Letting Go
3.
Andre Matos - Letting Go
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
4.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.

Disappointments

1.
3846
1.
3846
1.
3846
1.
3846
1.
3846
1.
3846
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
3.
3855
3.
3855
3.
3855
3.
3855
3.
3855
3.
3855
4.
4.
4.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
4.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
4.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
4.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.

Joke of the Year

Words / Final Thoughts

0
0
0
0
— Having spent a lot of time on the upcoming V2 of metalreviews I couldn't review all the albums on my list. I will do some of these review in the coming weeks hopefully. 2007 was another great metal year, but I sense 2008 might actually be even better, from the few awesome promos I've listened to already that is. Happy New Year 2008 and In Metal We Trust !
0
— Having spent a lot of time on the upcoming V2 of metalreviews I couldn't review all the albums on my list. I will do some of these reviews in the coming weeks hopefully. 2007 was another great metal year, but I sense 2008 might actually be even better, from the few awesome promos I've listened to already that is. Happy New Year 2008 and In Metal We Trust !
0
— Having spent a lot of time on the upcoming V2 of metalreviews I couldn't review all the albums on my list. I will do some of these reviews in the coming weeks hopefully. 2007 also marked the return of X-Japan with their new single IV, and I can't wait for more from them in 2008, hopefully, even though not announced, a new album would be great. 2007 was another great metal year, but I sense 2008 might actually be even better, from the few awesome promos I've listened to already that is. Happy New Year 2008 and In Metal We Trust !

Danny

Top Albums

1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
1.
4080
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
2.
Powerwolf - Lupus Dei
3.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
3.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
3.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
3.
4027
4.
4027
4.
4027
4.
4027
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
4.
Gotthard - Domino Effect
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
5.
3893
6.
3856
6.
3856
6.
3856
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
6.
3908
7.
3908
7.
3908
7.
3908
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
7.
3799
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
8.
3737
9.
3912
9.
3912
9.
3799
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
9.
3856
10.
10.
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
10.
4110
11.
11.
11.
3657
11.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
11.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
11.
3759
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
11.
Ministry - The Last Sucker — RIP.
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
12.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
12.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
13.
3663
13.
3663
13.
3912
13.
3845
13.
3845
13.
3845
13.
3912
13.
3759
13.
3759
13.
3759
13.
3759
13.
3759
13.
3759
13.
3759
13.
3759
13.
3759
13.
3759
13.
3759
13.
3759
13.
3759
13.
3759
13.
3759
13.
3759
14.
4209
14.
4209
14.
4209
14.
3912
14.
3912
14.
Ministry - The Last Sucker
14.
3759
14.
3912
14.
3912
14.
3912
14.
3912
14.
3912
14.
3912
14.
3912
14.
3912
14.
3912
14.
3912
14.
3912
14.
3912
14.
3912
14.
3912
14.
3912
14.
3912
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
15.
4209
15.
4209
15.
3912
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
15.
4211
15.
4211
15.
4211
15.
4211
15.
4211

Surprises of the Year

1.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
1.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
1.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
1.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
1.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
1.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
1.
4105
1.
4105
1.
4105
1.
4105
1.
4105
1.
4105
1.
4105
1.
4105
1.
4105
1.
4105
1.
4105
1.
4105
1.
4105
1.
4105
1.
4105
1.
4105
1.
4105
2.
4105
2.
4105
2.
4105
2.
4105
2.
4105
2.
4105
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
2.
Volbeat - Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
3.
4255
3.
4255
4.
3807
4.
3807
4.
3852
4.
3852
4.
3852
4.
Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
4.
3657 — The Day The Earth Caught Fire (song of the year)
5.
3852
5.
3852
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009
5.
4009

Disappointments

1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
2.
3822
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
3.
3846
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
4.
3942
5.
3932
5.
3932
5.
3932
5.
3932
5.
3932
5.
3932
5.
3932
5.
3932
5.
3932
5.
3932
5.
3754
5.
3754
5.
3754
5.
3754
5.
3754
5.
3754
5.
3754
5.
3754
5.
3754
5.
3754
5.
3754
5.
3754
5.
3754

Joke of the Year

1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
1.
3770
2.
... no others can't compete this year with Manowar !!!
2.
... no others can't compete this year with Manowar !!!
2.
... no others can't compete this year with Manowar !!!
2.
... no others can't compete this year with Manowar !!!
2.
... no others can't compete this year with Manowar !!!
2.
... no others can't compete this year with Manowar !!!
2.
... no others can't compete this year with Manowar !!!
2.
... no others can't compete this year with Manowar !!!
2.
... no others can't compete this year with Manowar !!!
2.
... no others can't compete this year with Manowar !!!
2.
No others can't compete with Manowar !!! — What a calamity ...
2.
No others can't compete with Manowar !!! — What a calamity ...
2.
No others can't compete with Manowar !!! — What a calamity ...
2.
No others can't compete with Manowar !!! — What a calamity ...
2.
No others can't compete with Manowar !!! — What a calamity ...
2.
No others can't compete with Manowar !!! — What a calamity ...
2.
No others can't compete with Manowar !!! — What a calamity ...
2.
3770
2.
3770
2.
3770
2.
3770
2.
3770
2.
3770
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3770
3.
3770
3.
3770
3.
3770
3.
3770
3.
3770
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
3770
4.
3770
4.
3770
4.
3770
4.
3770
4.
3770
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
No others can't compete with Manowar !!! — What a calamity ...
5.
No others can't compete with Manowar !!! — What a calamity ...
5.
No others can't compete with Manowar !!! — What a calamity ...
5.
No others can't compete with Manowar !!! — What a calamity ...
5.
No others can't compete with Manowar !!! — What a calamity ...
5.
No others can't compete with Manowar !!! — What a calamity ...

Words / Final Thoughts

0
0
— The usual : The best for my family and my friends. Once again Metal renews itself: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still here), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth) etc ... No Metal is not dead, not in 2007, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL !!! The best for all our readers in 2008.
0
— The usual : The best for my family and my friends. Once again Metal renews itself: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still here), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth) Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best). etc ... No Metal is not dead, not in 2007, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL !!! The best for all our readers in 2008.
0
— The usual : The best for my family and my friends. Once again Metal renews itself: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still here), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth) Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best). etc ... No Metal is not dead, not in 2007, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL !!! The best for all our readers in 2008.
0
— The usual : The best for my family and my friends. Once again Metal renews itself: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still here), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth) Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best). etc ... No Metal is not dead, not in 2007, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL !!! The best for all our readers in 2008.
0
— The usual : The best for my family and my friends. Once again Metal renews itself: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still here), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth) Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best). etc ... No Metal is not dead, not in 2007, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL !!! The best for all our readers in 2008.
0
— The usual : The best for my family and my friends. Once again Metal renews itself: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still here), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth) Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best). etc ... No Metal is not dead, not in 2007, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL !!! The best for all our readers in 2008.
0
— The usual : The best for my family and my friends. Once again Metal renews itself: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still here), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth) Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best). etc ... No Metal is not dead, not in 2007, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL !!! Metallica at Wembley was AWESOME !!!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us. The best for all our readers in 2008.
0
— The usual : The best for my family, my friends and all our readers. Once again Metal renews itself: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still at the top), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth) Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best). etc ... No Metal is not dead, not in 2007, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL !!! Metallica at Wembley was AWESOME !!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us.
0
— The usual : The best for my family, my friends and all our readers. Once again Metal renews itself: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still at the top), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth), Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best), etc ... No! Metal is not dead :-) Not in 2007, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL! Metallica at Wembley was AWESOME !!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us.
0
— The usual : The best for my family, my friends and all our readers. Once again Metal renews itself: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still at the top), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth), Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best), etc ... No! Metal is not dead :-) Not in 2007, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL! Metallica at Wembley was AWESOME !!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us.
0
— The usual : The best for my family, my friends and all our readers. Once again Metal renews itself: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still at the top), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth), Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best), etc ... No! Metal is not dead :-) Not in 2007, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL! Metallica at Wembley was AWESOME !!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us.
0
— The usual : The best for my family, my friends and all our readers. Once again Metal renews itself: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still at the top), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth), Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best), etc ... No! Metal is not dead :-) Not in 2007, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL! Metallica at Wembley was AWESOME !!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us.
0
— The usual : The best for my family, my friends and all our readers. Once again Metal renews itself: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still at the top), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth), Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best), etc ... No! Metal is not dead :-) Not in 2007, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL! Metallica at Wembley was AWESOME !!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us.
0
— The usual : The best for my family, my friends and all our readers. Once again Metal renews itself: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still at the top), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth), Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best), etc ... With the new promo-killers : Avantasia, Bullet for My Valentine, Machinae Supremacy, Stormwarrior ... Metal is not dead :-) Not in 2007, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL! Metallica live at Wembley was AWESOME !!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us.
0
— The usual : The best for my family, my friends and all our readers. Once again Metal renews itself in 2007: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still at the top), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth), Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best), etc ... With the new promo-killers : Avantasia, Bullet for My Valentine, Machinae Supremacy, Stormwarrior ... Metal is not dead :-) Not in 2007, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL! Metallica live at Wembley was AWESOME !!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us.
0
— The usual : The best for my family, my friends and all our readers. Once again Metal renews itself in 2007: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still at the top), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth), Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best), etc ... With the new promo-killers: Avantasia, Bullet for My Valentine, Machinae Supremacy, Stormwarrior ... Metal is not dead :-) Nor in 2008, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL! Metallica live at Wembley was AWESOME !!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us.
0
— The usual : The best for my family, my friends and all our readers. Once again Metal renews itself in 2007: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still at the top), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth), Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best), etc ... With the new promo-killers: Avantasia, Bullet for My Valentine, Machinae Supremacy, Stormwarrior ... Metal is not dead :-) Nor in 2008, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL! Metallica live at Wembley was AWESOME !!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us.
0
— The usual : The best for my family, my friends and all our readers. Once again Metal renews itself in 2007: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still at the top), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth), Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best), etc ... With the new promo-killers: Avantasia, Bullet for My Valentine, Machinae Supremacy, Stormwarrior ... Metal is not dead :-) Nor in 2008, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL! Metallica live at Wembley was AWESOME !!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us.
0
— The usual : The best for my family, my friends and all our readers. Once again Metal renews itself in 2007: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Viking Metal Hammerfall), Helloween (still at the top), Powerwolf (the new hope), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth), Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best), etc ... With the new promo-killers: Avantasia, Bullet for My Valentine, Machinae Supremacy, Stormwarrior ... Metal is not dead :-) Nor in 2008, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL! Metallica live at Wembley was AWESOME !!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us.
0
— The usual : The best for my family, my friends and all our readers. Once again Metal renews itself in 2007: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Folk/Viking Metal), Powerwolf (the new hope), Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best), Helloween (still at the top), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth), Gotthard (the Swiss flame), Nightwish (better than ever), etc ... With the new promo-killers: Avantasia, Bullet for My Valentine, Machinae Supremacy, Stormwarrior, Rage ... Metal is not dead :-) Nor in 2008, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL! Metallica live at Wembley was AWESOME !!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us.
0
— The usual : The best for my family, my friends and all our readers. Once again Metal renews itself in 2007: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Folk/Viking Metal), Powerwolf (the new hope), Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best), Helloween (still at the top), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth), Gotthard (the Swiss flame), Nightwish (better than ever), etc ... With the new promo-killers: Avantasia, Bullet for My Valentine, Machinae Supremacy, Stormwarrior, Rage ... Metal is not dead :-) Nor in 2008, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL! Metallica live at Wembley was AWESOME !!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us.
0
— The usual : The best for my family, my friends and all our readers. Once again Metal renews itself in 2007: Volbeat (Metallica meets the Beatles), Turisas (Folk/Viking Metal), Powerwolf (the new hope), Airbourne (old AC/DC at its best), Helloween (still at the top), Dimmu Borgir (spreading black metal on earth), Gotthard (the Swiss flame), Nightwish (better than ever), etc ... With the new promo-killers: Avantasia, Bullet for My Valentine, Machinae Supremacy, Stormwarrior, Rage ... Metal is not dead :-) Nor in 2008, nor in twenty years. HAIL METAL! Metallica live at Wembley was AWESOME !!! Can't wait anymore their new album. Bet a million it will blast us.

Mike

Top Albums

1.
4080 — Ever since the disappointing Better Than Raw, Helloween has been on cruise crontrol with excellent album one after another.
1.
4080 — Ever since the disappointing Better Than Raw, Helloween has been on cruise crontrol with excellent album one after another.
1.
4080 — Ever since the disappointing Better Than Raw, Helloween has been on cruise crontrol with excellent album one after another.
1.
4080 — Ever since the disappointing Better Than Raw, Helloween has been on cruise crontrol with excellent album one after another.
1.
4080 — Ever since the disappointing Better Than Raw, Helloween has been on cruise crontrol with excellent album one after another.
1.
4080 — Ever since the disappointing Better Than Raw, Helloween has been on cruise crontrol with excellent album one after another.
1.
4080 — Ever since the disappointing Better Than Raw, Helloween has been on cruise crontrol with excellent album one after another.
1.
4080 — Ever since the disappointing Better Than Raw, Helloween has been on cruise crontrol with excellent album one after another.
1.
4080 — Ever since the disappointing Better Than Raw, Helloween has been on cruise crontrol with excellent album one after another.
2.
3663
2.
3663 — What an amazing and unexpected comeback from the subar Last Supper.
2.
3663 — What an amazing and unexpected comeback from the subar Last Supper.
2.
3663 — What an amazing and unexpected comeback from the subar Last Supper.
2.
3663 — What an amazing and unexpected comeback from the subar Last Supper.
2.
3663 — What an amazing and unexpected comeback from the subar Last Supper.
2.
3663 — What an amazing and unexpected comeback from the subar Last Supper.
2.
3663 — What an amazing and unexpected comeback from the subar Last Supper.
2.
3663 — What an amazing and unexpected comeback from the subar Last Supper.
3.
3.
3852 — This band just keeps getting better.
3.
3852 — This band just keeps getting better.
3.
3852 — This band just keeps getting better.
3.
3852 — This band just keeps getting better.
3.
3852 — This band just keeps getting better.
3.
3852 — This band just keeps getting better.
3.
3852 — This band just keeps getting better.
3.
3852 — This band just keeps getting better.
4.
4.
3845 — Losing Urban Breed had me worried about this band, but they came back with an exclamation point.
4.
3845 — Losing Urban Breed had me worried about this band, but they came back with an exclamation point.
4.
3845 — Losing Urban Breed had me worried about this band, but they came back with an exclamation point.
4.
3845 — Losing Urban Breed had me worried about this band, but they came back with an exclamation point.
4.
3845 — Losing Urban Breed had me worried about this band, but they came back with an exclamation point.
4.
3845 — Losing Urban Breed had me worried about this band, but they came back with an exclamation point.
4.
3845 — Losing Urban Breed had me worried about this band, but they came back with an exclamation point.
4.
3845 — Losing Urban Breed had me worried about this band, but they came back with an exclamation point.
5.
5.
4001 — I'm sad to Ripper leave the band after this album, but I can't wait to see how Barlow delivers Part 2.
5.
4001 — I'm sad to Ripper leave the band after this album, but I can't wait to see how Barlow delivers Part 2.
5.
4001 — I'm sad to Ripper leave the band after this album, but I can't wait to see how Barlow delivers Part 2.
5.
4001 — I'm sad to Ripper leave the band after this album, but I can't wait to see how Barlow delivers Part 2.
5.
4001 — I'm sad to Ripper leave the band after this album, but I can't wait to see how Barlow delivers Part 2.
5.
4001 — I'm sad to Ripper leave the band after this album, but I can't wait to see how Barlow delivers Part 2.
5.
4001 — I'm sad to Ripper leave the band after this album, but I can't wait to see how Barlow delivers Part 2.
5.
4001 — I'm sad to Ripper leave the band after this album, but I can't wait to see how Barlow delivers Part 2.
6.
6.
3796
6.
3796 — I never thought Magnum would top Wings of Heaven or On A Storyteller's Night, but this album gives those 2 a serious run.
6.
3796 — I never thought Magnum would top Wings of Heaven or On A Storyteller's Night, but this album gives those 2 a serious run.
6.
3796 — I never thought Magnum would top Wings of Heaven or On A Storyteller's Night, but this album gives those 2 a serious run.
6.
3796 — I never thought Magnum would top Wings of Heaven or On A Storyteller's Night, but this album gives those 2 a serious run.
6.
3796 — I never thought Magnum would top Wings of Heaven or On A Storyteller's Night, but this album gives those 2 a serious run.
6.
3796 — I never thought Magnum would top Wings of Heaven or On A Storyteller's Night, but this album gives those 2 a serious run.
6.
3796 — I never thought Magnum would top Wings of Heaven or On A Storyteller's Night, but this album gives those 2 a serious run.
7.
7.
7.
7.
3737 — Rocking harder than they did when the NWOBHM was just hitting the scene.
7.
3737 — Rocking harder than they did when the NWOBHM was just hitting the scene.
7.
3737 — Rocking harder than they did when the NWOBHM was just hitting the scene.
7.
3737 — Rocking harder than they did when the NWOBHM was just hitting the scene.
7.
3737 — Rocking harder than they did when the NWOBHM was just hitting the scene.
7.
3737 — Rocking harder than they did when the NWOBHM was just hitting the scene.
8.
8.
8.
8.
3683 — This is more like it. A fine comeback after their last album, more in line with the quality of Odin.
8.
3683 — This is more like it. A fine comeback after their last album, more in line with the quality of Odin.
8.
3683 — This is more like it. A fine comeback after their last album, more in line with the quality of Odin.
8.
3683 — This is more like it. A fine comeback after their last album, more in line with the quality of Odin.
8.
3683 — This is more like it. A fine comeback after their last album, more in line with the quality of Odin.
8.
3683 — This is more like it. A fine comeback after their last album, more in line with the quality of Odin.
9.
9.
9.
9.
3840 — There may never be a true return to Rust in Peace, but I really like where the band is now.
9.
3840 — There may never be a true return to Rust in Peace, but I really like where the band is now.
9.
3840 — There may never be a true return to Rust in Peace, but I really like where the band is now.
9.
3840 — There may never be a true return to Rust in Peace, but I really like where the band is now.
9.
3840 — There may never be a true return to Rust in Peace, but I really like where the band is now.
9.
3840 — There may never be a true return to Rust in Peace, but I really like where the band is now.
10.
10.
10.
10.
3700 — I know a lot of fans didn't warm up to this album, but as a huge Riot junky, I love it.
10.
3700 — I know a lot of fans didn't warm up to this album, but as a huge Riot junky, I love it.
10.
3700 — I know a lot of fans didn't warm up to this album, but as a huge Riot junky, I love it.
10.
3700 — I know a lot of fans didn't warm up to this album, but as a huge Riot junky, I love it.
10.
3700 — I know a lot of fans didn't warm up to this album, but as a huge Riot junky, I love it.
10.
3700 — I know a lot of fans didn't warm up to this album, but as a huge Riot junky, I love it.
11.
11.
11.
11.
3807 — One of a handful of 80's mainstream US bands to still release worthwhile material.
11.
3807 — One of a handful of 80's mainstream US bands to still release worthwhile material.
11.
3807 — One of a handful of 80's mainstream US bands to still release worthwhile material.
11.
3807 — One of a handful of 80's mainstream US bands to still release worthwhile material.
11.
3807 — One of a handful of 80's mainstream US bands to still release worthwhile material.
11.
3807 — One of a handful of 80's mainstream US bands to still release worthwhile material.
12.
12.
12.
12.
12.
4018 — After Impeelitteri, Rob's solo career is really taking off.
12.
4018 — After Impeelitteri, Rob's solo career is really taking off.
12.
4018 — After Impeelitteri, Rob's solo career is really taking off.
12.
4018 — After Impeelitteri, Rob's solo career is really taking off.
12.
4018 — After Impeelitteri, Rob's solo career is really taking off.
13.
13.
13.
13.
13.
3887 — Not quite as good as the debut in my opinion, but still excellent!
13.
3887 — Not quite as good as the debut in my opinion, but still excellent!
13.
3887 — Not quite as good as the debut in my opinion, but still excellent!
13.
3887 — Not quite as good as the debut in my opinion, but still excellent!
13.
3887 — Not quite as good as the debut in my opinion, but still excellent!
14.
14.
14.
14.
14.
3983 — A must for DIO and Rainbow fans. This band is off to a very good and consistent start, with some very good albums under their belt.
14.
3983 — A must for DIO and Rainbow fans. This band is off to a very good and consistent start, with some very good albums under their belt.
14.
3983 — A must for DIO and Rainbow fans. This band is off to a very good and consistent start, with some very good albums under their belt.
14.
3983 — A must for DIO and Rainbow fans. This band is off to a very good and consistent start, with some very good albums under their belt.
14.
3983 — A must for DIO and Rainbow fans. This band is off to a very good and consistent start, with some very good albums under their belt.
15.
15.
15.
15.
15.
3764 — I actually didn't like this album at first, but it didn't take too long for that to change.
15.
3764 — I actually didn't like this album at first, but it didn't take too long for that to change.
15.
3764 — I actually didn't like this album at first, but it didn't take too long for that to change.
15.
3764 — I actually didn't like this album at first, but it didn't take too long for that to change.
15.
Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II — This appears to have been a true hit or miss album. I really enjoyed it, although it doesn't match the first LOTF.

Surprises of the Year

1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
4172 — Steve is a hard working musician who plays excellent traditional heavy metal without label support.
1.
4172 — Steve is a hard working musician who plays excellent traditional heavy metal without label support.
1.
4172 — Steve is a hard working musician who plays excellent traditional heavy metal without label support.
1.
4172 — Steve is a hard working musician who plays excellent traditional heavy metal without label support.
2.
2.
2.
2.
2.
2.
3950 — Revenge was good, but Iron Fire have taken up a level with this release!
2.
3950 — Revenge was good, but Iron Fire have taken up a level with this release!
2.
3950 — Revenge was good, but Iron Fire have taken up a level with this release!
2.
3950 — Revenge was good, but Iron Fire have taken up a level with this release!
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3999 — I'll take a new band that plays quality any day of the week, even if it's not original. This has been done before, but Ride the Sky give the Masterplan / Allen - Lande fan base another solid band to enjoy.
3.
3999 — I'll take a new band that plays quality any day of the week, even if it's not original. This has been done before, but Ride the Sky give the Masterplan / Allen - Lande fan base another solid band to enjoy.
3.
3999 — I'll take a new band that plays quality any day of the week, even if it's not original. This has been done before, but Ride the Sky give the Masterplan / Allen - Lande fan base another solid band to enjoy.
3.
3999 — I'll take a new band that plays quality any day of the week, even if it's not original. This has been done before, but Ride the Sky give the Masterplan / Allen - Lande fan base another solid band to enjoy.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.

Disappointments

1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
3942 — Going through the motions on their latest album, it's hard not to be concerned for the future of this once superpower of a band.
1.
3942 — Going through the motions on their latest album, it's hard not to be concerned for the future of this once superpower of a band.
1.
3942 — Going through the motions on their latest album, it's hard not to be concerned for the future of this once superpower of a band.
1.
3942 — Going through the motions on their latest album, it's hard not to be concerned for the future of this once superpower of a band.
1.
3942 — Going through the motions on their latest album, it's hard not to be concerned for the future of this once superpower of a band.
2.
2.
2.
2.
2.
3811 — A classic example of how to try to hard to sound new and relevant. There's updating your sound the right way, and then there's this.
2.
3811 — A classic example of how to try to hard to sound new and relevant. There's updating your sound the right way, and then there's this.
2.
3811 — A classic example of how to try to hard to sound new and relevant. There's updating your sound the right way, and then there's this.
2.
3811 — A classic example of how to try to hard to sound new and relevant. There's updating your sound the right way, and then there's this.
2.
3811 — A classic example of how to try to hard to sound new and relevant. There's updating your sound the right way, and then there's this.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
4140 — A few great songs, and way too many fillers.
3.
4140 — A few great songs, and way too many fillers.
3.
4140 — A few great songs, and way too many fillers.
3.
4140 — A few great songs, and way too many fillers.
3.
4140 — A few great songs, and way too many fillers.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
3853 — Tony Harnell or not, these are just bad songs.
4.
3853 — Tony Harnell or not, these are just bad songs.
4.
3853 — Tony Harnell or not, these are just bad songs.
4.
3853 — Tony Harnell or not, these are just bad songs.
4.
3853 — Tony Harnell or not, these are just bad songs.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
3985 — After Unbreakable, I'm very disappointed that the guys chose this path.
5.
3985 — After Unbreakable, I'm very disappointed that the guys chose this path.
5.
3985 — After Unbreakable, I'm very disappointed that the guys chose this path.
5.
3985 — After Unbreakable, I'm very disappointed that the guys chose this path.
5.
3985 — After Unbreakable, I'm very disappointed that the guys chose this path.

Joke of the Year

1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
— Being that I'm originally from Maryland, USA, I have to say that the Baltimore sports scene is the biggest joke of 2007. It's sad to be an Orioles and Ravens fan right now.
1.
— Being that I'm originally from Maryland, USA, I have to say that the Baltimore sports scene is the biggest joke of 2007. It's sad to be an Orioles and Ravens fan right now.
1.
— Being that I'm originally from Maryland, USA, I have to say that the Baltimore sports scene is the biggest joke of 2007. It's sad to be an Orioles and Ravens fan right now.
2.
2.
2.
2.
2.
2.
2.
— US Politics. For the people, by the people. Sure.
2.
— US Politics. For the people, by the people. Sure.
2.
— US Politics. For the people, by the people. Sure.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
— Another year passes, and Chinese Democracy is still a "pending release." Yawn.
3.
— Another year passes, and Chinese Democracy is still a "pending release." Yawn.
3.
— Another year passes, and Chinese Democracy is still a "pending release." Yawn.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.

Words / Final Thoughts

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
— After a very turbulent year for me on a personal level, it was great to have some great music to get me though. Some old favorites came back from lineup changes and/or subpar albums to release a gem in 2007. Looking over my list for this year, I've included some bands that I never thought would appear on one my "best of" lists 2 years ago, or even last year. I didn't hear anything bad enough to warrant a "joke" label. So, hopefully that will become a 2 year streak in 2008. I'd be remiss not to mention the sad passings of a couple musicians who have provided me with hours of listening enjoyment, and even a live show here and there. R.I.P. Brad Delp 3/9/2007 R.I.P. Kevin Dubrow 11/19/2007 Cheers to all our readers for a prosperous and safe 2008. Rock on!
0
— After a very turbulent year for me on a personal level, it was great to have some great music to get me though. Some old favorites came back from lineup changes and/or subpar albums to release a gem in 2007. Looking over my list for this year, I've included some bands that I never thought would appear on one my "best of" lists 2 years ago, or even last year. I didn't hear anything bad enough to warrant a "joke" label. So, hopefully that will become a 2 year streak in 2008. I'd be remiss not to mention the sad passings of a couple musicians who have provided me with hours of listening enjoyment, and even a live show here and there. R.I.P. Brad Delp 3/9/2007 R.I.P. Kevin Dubrow 11/19/2007 Cheers to all our readers for a prosperous and safe 2008. Rock on!
0
— After a very turbulent year for me on a personal level, it was great to have some great music to get me though. Some old favorites came back from lineup changes and/or subpar albums to release a gem in 2007. Looking over my list for this year, I've included some bands that I never thought would appear on one my "best of" lists 2 years ago, or even last year. I didn't hear anything bad enough to warrant a "joke" label. So, hopefully that will become a 2 year streak in 2008. I'd be remiss not to mention the sad passings of a couple musicians who have provided me with hours of listening enjoyment, and even a live show here and there. R.I.P. Brad Delp 3/9/2007 R.I.P. Kevin Dubrow 11/19/2007 Cheers to all our readers for a prosperous and safe 2008. Rock on!

Jeff

Top Albums

1.
3833 — Almost thirty years later, this band reforms to give what is by far their best album. What's even more amazing is that this band sounds better than ever. Unfortunately the main songwriter and bass player of the band passed away prior to this release. This album had the most staying power out of any I listened to.
1.
3833 — Almost thirty years later, this band reforms to give what is by far their best album. What's even more amazing is that this band sounds better than ever. Unfortunately the main songwriter and bass player of the band passed away prior to this release. This album had the most staying power out of any I listened to.
1.
3833 — Almost thirty years later, this band reforms to give what is by far their best album. What's even more amazing is that this band sounds better than ever. Unfortunately the main songwriter and bass player of the band passed away prior to this release. This album had the most staying power out of any I listened to.
1.
3833 — Almost thirty years later, this band reforms to give what is by far their best album. What's even more amazing is that this band sounds better than ever. Unfortunately the main songwriter and bass player of the band passed away prior to this release. This album had the most staying power out of any I listened to.
1.
3833 — Almost thirty years later, this band reforms to give what is by far their best album. What's even more amazing is that this band sounds better than ever. Unfortunately the main songwriter and bass player of the band passed away prior to this release. This album had the most staying power out of any I listened to.
1.
3833 — Almost thirty years later, this band reforms to give what is by far their best album. What's even more amazing is that this band sounds better than ever. Unfortunately the main songwriter and bass player of the band passed away prior to this release. This album had the most staying power out of any I listened to.
1.
3833 — Almost thirty years later, this band reforms to give what is by far their best album. What's even more amazing is that this band sounds better than ever. Unfortunately the main songwriter and bass player of the band passed away prior to this release. This album had the most staying power out of any I listened to.
1.
3833 — Almost thirty years later, this band reforms to give what is by far their best album. What's even more amazing is that this band sounds better than ever. Unfortunately the main songwriter and bass player of the band passed away prior to this release. This album had the most staying power out of any I listened to.
1.
3833 — Almost thirty years later, this band reforms to give what is by far their best album. What's even more amazing is that this band sounds better than ever. Unfortunately the main songwriter and bass player of the band passed away prior to this release. This album had the most staying power out of any I listened to.
1.
3833 — Almost thirty years later, this band reforms to give what is by far their best album. What's even more amazing is that this band sounds better than ever. Unfortunately the main songwriter and bass player of the band passed away prior to this release. This album had the most staying power out of any I listened to.
1.
3833 — Almost thirty years later, this band reforms to give what is by far their best album. What's even more amazing is that this band sounds better than ever. Unfortunately the main songwriter and bass player of the band passed away prior to this release. This album had the most staying power out of any I listened to.
1.
3833 — Almost thirty years later, this band reforms to give what is by far their best album. What's even more amazing is that this band sounds better than ever. Unfortunately the main songwriter and bass player of the band passed away prior to this release. This album had the most staying power out of any I listened to.
1.
3833 — Almost thirty years later, this band reforms to give what is by far their best album. What's even more amazing is that this band sounds better than ever. Unfortunately the main songwriter and bass player of the band passed away prior to this release. This album had the most staying power out of any I listened to.
1.
3833 — Almost thirty years later, this band reforms to give what is by far their best album. What's even more amazing is that this band sounds better than ever. Unfortunately the main songwriter and bass player of the band passed away prior to this release. This album had the most staying power out of any I listened to.
2.
2.
3683 — My first review of 2007 and what was very close to being an Album of the Year for me. This album grabbed me by the balls and never let go. Wizard's best to date!
2.
3683 — My first review of 2007 and what was very close to being an Album of the Year for me. This album grabbed me by the balls and never let go. Wizard's best to date!
2.
3683 — My first review of 2007 and what was very close to being an Album of the Year for me. This album grabbed me by the balls and never let go. Wizard's best to date!
2.
3683 — My first review of 2007 and what was very close to being an Album of the Year for me. This album grabbed me by the balls and never let go. Wizard's best to date!
2.
3683 — My first review of 2007 and what was very close to being an Album of the Year for me. This album grabbed me by the balls and never let go. Wizard's best to date!
2.
3683 — My first review of 2007 and what was very close to being an Album of the Year for me. This album grabbed me by the balls and never let go. Wizard's best to date!
2.
3683 — My first review of 2007 and what was very close to being an Album of the Year for me. This album grabbed me by the balls and never let go. Wizard's best to date!
2.
3683 — My first review of 2007 and what was very close to being an Album of the Year for me. This album grabbed me by the balls and never let go. Wizard's best to date!
2.
3683 — My first review of 2007 and what was very close to being an Album of the Year for me. This album grabbed me by the balls and never let go. Wizard's best to date!
2.
3683 — My first review of 2007 and what was very close to being an Album of the Year for me. This album grabbed me by the balls and never let go. Wizard's best to date!
2.
3683 — My first review of 2007 and what was very close to being an Album of the Year for me. This album grabbed me by the balls and never let go. Wizard's best to date!
2.
3683 — My first review of 2007 and what was very close to being an Album of the Year for me. This album grabbed me by the balls and never let go. Wizard's best to date!
2.
3683 — My first review of 2007 and what was very close to being an Album of the Year for me. This album grabbed me by the balls and never let go. Wizard's best to date!
3.
3.
3782 — Type O Negative's most ambitious work so far. A nice mix of fast tempo songs with slower ones. Some very epic pieces as well. These guys out do themselves with every release.
3.
3782 — Type O Negative's most ambitious work so far. A nice mix of fast tempo songs with slower ones. Some very epic pieces as well. These guys out do themselves with every release.
3.
3782 — Type O Negative's most ambitious work so far. A nice mix of fast tempo songs with slower ones. Some very epic pieces as well. These guys out do themselves with every release.
3.
3782 — Type O Negative's most ambitious work so far. A nice mix of fast tempo songs with slower ones. Some very epic pieces as well. These guys out do themselves with every release.
3.
3782 — Type O Negative's most ambitious work so far. A nice mix of fast tempo songs with slower ones. Some very epic pieces as well. These guys out do themselves with every release.
3.
3782 — Type O Negative's most ambitious work so far. A nice mix of fast tempo songs with slower ones. Some very epic pieces as well. These guys out do themselves with every release.
3.
3782 — Type O Negative's most ambitious work so far. A nice mix of fast tempo songs with slower ones. Some very epic pieces as well. These guys out do themselves with every release.
3.
3782 — Type O Negative's most ambitious work so far. A nice mix of fast tempo songs with slower ones. Some very epic pieces as well. These guys out do themselves with every release.
3.
3782 — Type O Negative's most ambitious work so far. A nice mix of fast tempo songs with slower ones. Some very epic pieces as well. These guys out do themselves with every release.
3.
3782 — Type O Negative's most ambitious work so far. A nice mix of fast tempo songs with slower ones. Some very epic pieces as well. These guys out do themselves with every release.
3.
3782 — Type O Negative's most ambitious work so far. A nice mix of fast tempo songs with slower ones. Some very epic pieces as well. These guys out do themselves with every release.
3.
3782 — Type O Negative's most ambitious work so far. A nice mix of fast tempo songs with slower ones. Some very epic pieces as well. These guys out do themselves with every release.
3.
3782 — Type O Negative's most ambitious work so far. A nice mix of fast tempo songs with slower ones. Some very epic pieces as well. These guys out do themselves with every release.
4.
4.
Alter Bridge - Blackbird — The sophmore release from ex guitarist, bass player and drummer for Creed. An excellent modern rock release that even borders a more metal feel at times. Plenty of memorable hooks and choruses. This could have been a surprise as much as something on the Top 15. I highly recommend it!
4.
Alter Bridge - Blackbird — The sophmore release from ex guitarist, bass player and drummer for Creed. An excellent modern rock release that even borders a more metal feel at times. Plenty of memorable hooks and choruses. This could have been a surprise as much as something on the Top 15. I highly recommend it!
4.
Alter Bridge - Blackbird — The sophmore release from ex guitarist, bass player and drummer for Creed. An excellent modern rock release that even borders a more metal feel at times. Plenty of memorable hooks and choruses. This could have been a surprise as much as something on the Top 15. I highly recommend it!
4.
Alter Bridge - Blackbird — The sophmore release from ex guitarist, bass player and drummer for Creed. An excellent modern rock release that even borders a more metal feel at times. Plenty of memorable hooks and choruses. This could have been a surprise as much as something on the Top 15. I highly recommend it!
4.
Alter Bridge - Blackbird — The sophmore release from ex guitarist, bass player and drummer for Creed. An excellent modern rock release that even borders a more metal feel at times. Plenty of memorable hooks and choruses. This could have been a surprise as much as something on the Top 15. I highly recommend it!
4.
Alter Bridge - Blackbird — The sophmore release from ex guitarist, bass player and drummer for Creed. An excellent modern rock release that even borders a more metal feel at times. Plenty of memorable hooks and choruses. This could have been a surprise as much as something on the Top 15. I highly recommend it!
4.
Alter Bridge - Blackbird — The sophmore release from ex guitarist, bass player and drummer for Creed. An excellent modern rock release that even borders a more metal feel at times. Plenty of memorable hooks and choruses. This could have been a surprise as much as something on the Top 15. I highly recommend it!
4.
Alter Bridge - Blackbird — The sophmore release from ex guitarist, bass player and drummer for Creed. An excellent modern rock release that even borders a more metal feel at times. Plenty of memorable hooks and choruses. This could have been a surprise as much as something on the Top 15. I highly recommend it!
4.
Alter Bridge - Blackbird — The sophmore release from ex guitarist, bass player and drummer for Creed. An excellent modern rock release that even borders a more metal feel at times. Plenty of memorable hooks and choruses. This could have been a surprise as much as something on the Top 15. I highly recommend it!
4.
Alter Bridge - Blackbird — The sophmore release from ex guitarist, bass player and drummer for Creed. An excellent modern rock release that even borders a more metal feel at times. Plenty of memorable hooks and choruses. This could have been a surprise as much as something on the Top 15. I highly recommend it!
4.
Alter Bridge - Blackbird — The sophmore release from ex guitarist, bass player and drummer for Creed. An excellent modern rock release that even borders a more metal feel at times. Plenty of memorable hooks and choruses. This could have been a surprise as much as something on the Top 15. I highly recommend it!
4.
Alter Bridge - Blackbird — The sophmore release from ex guitarist, bass player and drummer for Creed. An excellent modern rock release that even borders a more metal feel at times. Plenty of memorable hooks and choruses. This could have been a surprise as much as something on the Top 15. I highly recommend it!
4.
Alter Bridge - Blackbird — The sophmore release from ex guitarist, bass player and drummer for Creed. An excellent modern rock release that even borders a more metal feel at times. Plenty of memorable hooks and choruses. This could have been a surprise as much as something on the Top 15. I highly recommend it!
5.
5.
5.
4106 — Some really funny parody hair metal with gay themes. Lots of insinuations without being directly vulgar. Very much in the tradition of Spinal Tap.
5.
4106 — Some really funny parody hair metal with gay themes. Lots of insinuations without being directly vulgar. Very much in the tradition of Spinal Tap.
5.
4106 — Some really funny parody hair metal with gay themes. Lots of insinuations without being directly vulgar. Very much in the tradition of Spinal Tap.
5.
4106 — Some really funny parody hair metal with gay themes. Lots of insinuations without being directly vulgar. Very much in the tradition of Spinal Tap.
5.
4106 — Some really funny parody hair metal with gay themes. Lots of insinuations without being directly vulgar. Very much in the tradition of Spinal Tap.
5.
4106 — Some really funny parody hair metal with gay themes. Lots of insinuations without being directly vulgar. Very much in the tradition of Spinal Tap.
5.
4106 — Some really funny parody hair metal with gay themes. Lots of insinuations without being directly vulgar. Very much in the tradition of Spinal Tap.
5.
4106 — Some really funny parody hair metal with gay themes. Lots of insinuations without being directly vulgar. Very much in the tradition of Spinal Tap.
5.
4106 — Some really funny parody hair metal with gay themes. Lots of insinuations without being directly vulgar. Very much in the tradition of Spinal Tap.
5.
4106 — Some really funny parody hair metal with gay themes. Lots of insinuations without being directly vulgar. Very much in the tradition of Spinal Tap.
5.
4106 — Some really funny parody hair metal with gay themes. Lots of insinuations without being directly vulgar. Very much in the tradition of Spinal Tap.
5.
4106 — Some really funny parody hair metal with gay themes. Lots of insinuations without being directly vulgar. Very much in the tradition of Spinal Tap.
6.
6.
6.
3945 — Another fantastic tale of terror from the master himself. Love the storyline and the music. King still has it!
6.
3945 — Another fantastic tale of terror from the master himself. Love the storyline and the music. King still has it!
6.
3945 — Another fantastic tale of terror from the master himself. Love the storyline and the music. King still has it!
6.
3945 — Another fantastic tale of terror from the master himself. Love the storyline and the music. King still has it!
6.
3945 — Another fantastic tale of terror from the master himself. Love the storyline and the music. King still has it!
6.
3945 — Another fantastic tale of terror from the master himself. Love the storyline and the music. King still has it!
6.
3945 — Another fantastic tale of terror from the master himself. Love the storyline and the music. King still has it!
6.
3945 — Another fantastic tale of terror from the master himself. Love the storyline and the music. King still has it!
6.
3945 — Another fantastic tale of terror from the master himself. Love the storyline and the music. King still has it!
6.
3945 — Another fantastic tale of terror from the master himself. Love the storyline and the music. King still has it!
6.
3945 — Another fantastic tale of terror from the master himself. Love the storyline and the music. King still has it!
6.
3945 — Another fantastic tale of terror from the master himself. Love the storyline and the music. King still has it!
7.
7.
7.
3933 — Slough Feg continue to deliver some fantastic traditional heavy metal albums. I've really grown to love this band.
7.
3933 — Slough Feg continue to deliver some fantastic traditional heavy metal albums. I've really grown to love this band.
7.
3933 — Slough Feg continue to deliver some fantastic traditional heavy metal albums. I've really grown to love this band.
7.
3933 — Slough Feg continue to deliver some fantastic traditional heavy metal albums. I've really grown to love this band.
7.
3933 — Slough Feg continue to deliver some fantastic traditional heavy metal albums. I've really grown to love this band.
7.
3933 — Slough Feg continue to deliver some fantastic traditional heavy metal albums. I've really grown to love this band.
7.
3933 — Slough Feg continue to deliver some fantastic traditional heavy metal albums. I've really grown to love this band.
7.
3933 — Slough Feg continue to deliver some fantastic traditional heavy metal albums. I've really grown to love this band.
7.
3933 — Slough Feg continue to deliver some fantastic traditional heavy metal albums. I've really grown to love this band.
7.
3933 — Slough Feg continue to deliver some fantastic traditional heavy metal albums. I've really grown to love this band.
7.
3933 — Slough Feg continue to deliver some fantastic traditional heavy metal albums. I've really grown to love this band.
7.
3933 — Slough Feg continue to deliver some fantastic traditional heavy metal albums. I've really grown to love this band.
8.
8.
8.
3885 — At first I had my doubts about this album. It even took me a while to accept it. But with time it as grown on me like the hair on my head. I look forward to their next release.
8.
3885 — At first I had my doubts about this album. It even took me a while to accept it. But with time it as grown on me like the hair on my head. I look forward to their next release.
8.
3885 — At first I had my doubts about this album. It even took me a while to accept it. But with time it as grown on me like the hair on my head. I look forward to their next release.
8.
3885 — At first I had my doubts about this album. It even took me a while to accept it. But with time it as grown on me like the hair on my head. I look forward to their next release.
8.
3885 — At first I had my doubts about this album. It even took me a while to accept it. But with time it as grown on me like the hair on my head. I look forward to their next release.
8.
3885 — At first I had my doubts about this album. It even took me a while to accept it. But with time it as grown on me like the hair on my head. I look forward to their next release.
8.
3885 — At first I had my doubts about this album. It even took me a while to accept it. But with time it as grown on me like the hair on my head. I look forward to their next release.
8.
3885 — At first I had my doubts about this album. It even took me a while to accept it. But with time it as grown on me like the hair on my head. I look forward to their next release.
8.
3885 — At first I had my doubts about this album. It even took me a while to accept it. But with time it as grown on me like the hair on my head. I look forward to their next release.
8.
3885 — At first I had my doubts about this album. It even took me a while to accept it. But with time it as grown on me like the hair on my head. I look forward to their next release.
8.
3885 — At first I had my doubts about this album. It even took me a while to accept it. But with time it as grown on me like the hair on my head. I look forward to their next release.
8.
3885 — At first I had my doubts about this album. It even took me a while to accept it. But with time it as grown on me like the hair on my head. I look forward to their next release.
9.
9.
9.
9.
3890 — This one almost missed my radar. One of the more digestable Dream Theater albums in recent years as well as their most aggressive.
9.
3890 — This one almost missed my radar. One of the more digestable Dream Theater albums in recent years as well as their most aggressive.
9.
3890 — This one almost missed my radar. One of the more digestable Dream Theater albums in recent years as well as their most aggressive.
9.
3890 — This one almost missed my radar. One of the more digestable Dream Theater albums in recent years as well as their most aggressive.
9.
3890 — This one almost missed my radar. One of the more digestable Dream Theater albums in recent years as well as their most aggressive.
9.
3890 — This one almost missed my radar. One of the more digestable Dream Theater albums in recent years as well as their most aggressive.
9.
3890 — This one almost missed my radar. One of the more digestable Dream Theater albums in recent years as well as their most aggressive.
9.
3890 — This one almost missed my radar. One of the more digestable Dream Theater albums in recent years as well as their most aggressive.
9.
3890 — This one almost missed my radar. One of the more digestable Dream Theater albums in recent years as well as their most aggressive.
9.
3890 — This one almost missed my radar. One of the more digestable Dream Theater albums in recent years as well as their most aggressive.
9.
3890 — This one almost missed my radar. One of the more digestable Dream Theater albums in recent years as well as their most aggressive.
10.
10.
10.
10.
10.
3818 — Exellent debut from these power metallists from Italy.
10.
3818 — Exellent debut from these power metallists from Italy.
10.
3818 — Exellent debut from these power metallists from Italy.
10.
3818 — Exellent debut from these power metallists from Italy.
10.
3818 — Exellent debut from these power metallists from Italy.
10.
3818 — Exellent debut from these power metallists from Italy.
10.
3818 — Exellent debut from these power metallists from Italy.
10.
3818 — Exellent debut from these power metallists from Italy.
10.
3818 — Exellent debut from these power metallists from Italy.
10.
3818 — Exellent debut from these power metallists from Italy.
11.
11.
11.
11.
11.
4030 — One of the original thrash/speed metal bands that has not only survived since the 80's but has managed to offer more now than they did back then. One of the best thrash albums of 2007.
11.
4030 — One of the original thrash/speed metal bands that has not only survived since the 80's but has managed to offer more now than they did back then. One of the best thrash albums of 2007.
11.
4030 — One of the original thrash/speed metal bands that has not only survived since the 80's but has managed to offer more now than they did back then. One of the best thrash albums of 2007.
11.
4030 — One of the original thrash/speed metal bands that has not only survived since the 80's but has managed to offer more now than they did back then. One of the best thrash albums of 2007.
11.
4030 — One of the original thrash/speed metal bands that has not only survived since the 80's but has managed to offer more now than they did back then. One of the best thrash albums of 2007.
11.
4030 — One of the original thrash/speed metal bands that has not only survived since the 80's but has managed to offer more now than they did back then. One of the best thrash albums of 2007.
11.
4030 — One of the original thrash/speed metal bands that has not only survived since the 80's but has managed to offer more now than they did back then. One of the best thrash albums of 2007.
11.
4030 — One of the original thrash/speed metal bands that has not only survived since the 80's but has managed to offer more now than they did back then. One of the best thrash albums of 2007.
11.
4030 — One of the original thrash/speed metal bands that has not only survived since the 80's but has managed to offer more now than they did back then. One of the best thrash albums of 2007.
11.
4030 — One of the original thrash/speed metal bands that has not only survived since the 80's but has managed to offer more now than they did back then. One of the best thrash albums of 2007.
12.
12.
12.
12.
12.
3737 — Another band that continues to survive and offer music that rarely disappoints.
12.
3737 — Another band that continues to survive and offer music that rarely disappoints.
12.
3737 — Another band that continues to survive and offer music that rarely disappoints.
12.
3737 — Another band that continues to survive and offer music that rarely disappoints.
12.
3737 — Another band that continues to survive and offer music that rarely disappoints.
12.
3737 — Another band that continues to survive and offer music that rarely disappoints.
12.
3737 — Another band that continues to survive and offer music that rarely disappoints.
12.
3737 — Another band that continues to survive and offer music that rarely disappoints.
12.
3737 — Another band that continues to survive and offer music that rarely disappoints.
12.
3737 — Another band that continues to survive and offer music that rarely disappoints.
13.
13.
13.
13.
13.
3915 — Despite some major line up changes this band prevailed with an album that totally kicks ass!
13.
3915 — Despite some major line up changes this band prevailed with an album that totally kicks ass!
13.
3915 — Despite some major line up changes this band prevailed with an album that totally kicks ass!
13.
3915 — Despite some major line up changes this band prevailed with an album that totally kicks ass!
13.
3915 — Despite some major line up changes this band prevailed with an album that totally kicks ass!
13.
3915 — Despite some major line up changes this band prevailed with an album that totally kicks ass!
13.
3915 — Despite some major line up changes this band prevailed with an album that totally kicks ass!
13.
3915 — Despite some major line up changes this band prevailed with an album that totally kicks ass!
13.
3915 — Despite some major line up changes this band prevailed with an album that totally kicks ass!
13.
3915 — Despite some major line up changes this band prevailed with an album that totally kicks ass!
14.
14.
14.
14.
14.
3852 — Another power metal album that did the genre justice. Great conceptual storyline with in your face riffs and drumming.
14.
3852 — Another power metal album that did the genre justice. Great conceptual storyline with in your face riffs and drumming.
14.
3852 — Another power metal album that did the genre justice. Great conceptual storyline with in your face riffs and drumming.
14.
3852 — Another power metal album that did the genre justice. Great conceptual storyline with in your face riffs and drumming.
14.
3852 — Another power metal album that did the genre justice. Great conceptual storyline with in your face riffs and drumming.
14.
3852 — Another power metal album that did the genre justice. Great conceptual storyline with in your face riffs and drumming.
14.
3852 — Another power metal album that did the genre justice. Great conceptual storyline with in your face riffs and drumming.
14.
3852 — Another power metal album that did the genre justice. Great conceptual storyline with in your face riffs and drumming.
14.
3852 — Another power metal album that did the genre justice. Great conceptual storyline with in your face riffs and drumming.
14.
3852 — Another power metal album that did the genre justice. Great conceptual storyline with in your face riffs and drumming.
15.
15.
15.
15.
15.
4080 — Within recent times I've become more familiar with Helloween's later releases. They still remain a force to be reckoned with in the speed/power metal world.
15.
4080 — Within recent times I've become more familiar with Helloween's later releases. They still remain a force to be reckoned with in the speed/power metal world.
15.
4080 — Within recent times I've become more familiar with Helloween's later releases. They still remain a force to be reckoned with in the speed/power metal world.
15.
4080 — Within recent times I've become more familiar with Helloween's later releases. They still remain a force to be reckoned with in the speed/power metal world.
15.
4080 — Within recent times I've become more familiar with Helloween's later releases. They still remain a force to be reckoned with in the speed/power metal world.
15.
4080 — Within recent times I've become more familiar with Helloween's later releases. They still remain a force to be reckoned with in the speed/power metal world.
15.
4080 — Within recent times I've become more familiar with Helloween's later releases. They still remain a force to be reckoned with in the speed/power metal world.
15.
4080 — Within recent times I've become more familiar with Helloween's later releases. They still remain a force to be reckoned with in the speed/power metal world.
15.
4080 — Within recent times I've become more familiar with Helloween's later releases. They still remain a force to be reckoned with in the speed/power metal world.
15.
4080 — Within recent times I've become more familiar with Helloween's later releases. They still remain a force to be reckoned with in the speed/power metal world.

Surprises of the Year

1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
4039 — I love how this guy went back to a sound and style that was missing for years.
1.
4039 — I love how this guy went back to a sound and style that was missing for years.
1.
4039 — I love how this guy went back to a sound and style that was missing for years.
1.
4039 — I love how this guy went back to a sound and style that was missing for years.
1.
4039 — I love how this guy went back to a sound and style that was missing for years.
1.
4039 — I love how this guy went back to a sound and style that was missing for years.
1.
4039 — I love how this guy went back to a sound and style that was missing for years.
1.
4039 — I love how this guy went back to a sound and style that was missing for years.
1.
4039 — I love how this guy went back to a sound and style that was missing for years.
1.
4039 — I love how this guy went back to a sound and style that was missing for years.
2.
2.
2.
2.
2.
3847
2.
3847
2.
3847
2.
3847
2.
3847
2.
3847 — More like the Sons of Immortal. These guys fill the void Immortal has left. Very good pagan metal.
2.
3847 — More like the Sons of Immortal. These guys fill the void Immortal has left. Very good pagan metal.
2.
3847 — More like the Sons of Immortal. These guys fill the void Immortal has left. Very good pagan metal.
2.
3847 — More like the Sons of Immortal. These guys fill the void Immortal has left. Very good pagan metal.
2.
3847 — More like the Sons of Immortal. These guys fill the void Immortal has left. Very good pagan metal.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
Dr. Wily And The Robot Masters - It's Time For Revenge... Let's Attack Aggressively — Very interesting instrumentals inspired by video games. In the vein of bands like Iron Maiden.
3.
Dr. Wily And The Robot Masters - It's Time For Revenge... Let's Attack Aggressively — Very interesting instrumentals inspired by video games. In the vein of bands like Iron Maiden.
3.
Dr. Wily And The Robot Masters - It's Time For Revenge... Let's Attack Aggressively — Very interesting instrumentals inspired by video games. In the vein of bands like Iron Maiden.
3.
Dr. Wily And The Robot Masters - It's Time For Revenge... Let's Attack Aggressively — Very interesting instrumentals inspired by video games. In the vein of bands like Iron Maiden.
3.
Dr. Wily And The Robot Masters - It's Time For Revenge... Let's Attack Aggressively — Very interesting instrumentals inspired by video games. In the vein of bands like Iron Maiden.
3.
Dr. Wily And The Robot Masters - It's Time For Revenge... Let's Attack Aggressively — Very interesting instrumentals inspired by video games. In the vein of bands like Iron Maiden.
3.
Dr. Wily And The Robot Masters - It's Time For Revenge... Let's Attack Aggressively — Very interesting instrumentals inspired by video games. In the vein of bands like Iron Maiden.
3.
Dr. Wily And The Robot Masters - It's Time For Revenge... Let's Attack Aggressively — Very interesting instrumentals inspired by video games. In the vein of bands like Iron Maiden.
3.
Dr. Wily And The Robot Masters - It's Time For Revenge... Let's Attack Aggressively — Very interesting instrumentals inspired by video games. In the vein of bands like Iron Maiden.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.

Disappointments

1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
3856 — More down tuned than ever. The songs have a very short shelf life. Ozzy sounds uninspired and boring.
1.
3856 — More down tuned than ever. The songs have a very short shelf life. Ozzy sounds uninspired and boring.
1.
3856 — More down tuned than ever. The songs have a very short shelf life. Ozzy sounds uninspired and boring.
1.
3856 — More down tuned than ever. The songs have a very short shelf life. Ozzy sounds uninspired and boring.
1.
3856 — More down tuned than ever. The songs have a very short shelf life. Ozzy sounds uninspired and boring.
1.
3856 — More down tuned than ever. The songs have a very short shelf life. Ozzy sounds uninspired and boring.
1.
3856 — More down tuned than ever. The songs have a very short shelf life. Ozzy sounds uninspired and boring.
1.
3856 — More down tuned than ever. The songs have a very short shelf life. Ozzy sounds uninspired and boring.
2.
2.
2.
2.
2.
2.
2.
2.
3770 — Manowar is venturing into Rhapsody territory more so now than ever. Expect a few more albums like this one.
2.
3770 — Manowar is venturing into Rhapsody territory more so now than ever. Expect a few more albums like this one.
2.
3770 — Manowar is venturing into Rhapsody territory more so now than ever. Expect a few more albums like this one.
2.
3770 — Manowar is venturing into Rhapsody territory more so now than ever. Expect a few more albums like this one.
2.
3770 — Manowar is venturing into Rhapsody territory more so now than ever. Expect a few more albums like this one.
2.
3770 — Manowar is venturing into Rhapsody territory more so now than ever. Expect a few more albums like this one.
2.
3770 — Manowar is venturing into Rhapsody territory more so now than ever. Expect a few more albums like this one.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3807 — This album was just OK for me. Blackie continues to recycle stuff that he did before. Probably the most straightforward release for him to date.
3.
3807 — This album was just OK for me. Blackie continues to recycle stuff that he did before. Probably the most straightforward release for him to date.
3.
3807 — This album was just OK for me. Blackie continues to recycle stuff that he did before. Probably the most straightforward release for him to date.
3.
3807 — This album was just OK for me. Blackie continues to recycle stuff that he did before. Probably the most straightforward release for him to date.
3.
3807 — This album was just OK for me. Blackie continues to recycle stuff that he did before. Probably the most straightforward release for him to date.
3.
3807 — This album was just OK for me. Blackie continues to recycle stuff that he did before. Probably the most straightforward release for him to date.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
3874 — This album fell a bit short of my expectations. Not sure if the move to a major label affected how they wrote their music this time around. The albums does have it's moments but as a whole it is a bit weak.
4.
3874 — This album fell a bit short of my expectations. Not sure if the move to a major label affected how they wrote their music this time around. The albums does have it's moments but as a whole it is a bit weak.
4.
3874 — This album fell a bit short of my expectations. Not sure if the move to a major label affected how they wrote their music this time around. The albums does have it's moments but as a whole it is a bit weak.
4.
3874 — This album fell a bit short of my expectations. Not sure if the move to a major label affected how they wrote their music this time around. The albums does have it's moments but as a whole it is a bit weak.
4.
3874 — This album fell a bit short of my expectations. Not sure if the move to a major label affected how they wrote their music this time around. The albums does have it's moments but as a whole it is a bit weak.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
3713 — This album didn't grab me at all. After two fantastic albums like Lemuria and Sirius B, this one fell way short of my expectations.

Joke of the Year

Words / Final Thoughts

0
— Every year it always seems there is so much to listen to with so little time to do it. As always, I base my lists on what I had a chance to listen to. I'm sure at some point I'll discover some gems from 2007 in 2008 like I did with The Who's "Endless Wire" from 2006!
0
— Every year it always seems there is so much to listen to with so little time to do it. As always, I base my lists on what I had a chance to listen to. I'm sure at some point I'll discover some gems from 2007 in 2008 like I did with The Who's "Endless Wire" from 2006!
0
— Every year it always seems there is so much to listen to with so little time to do it. As always, I base my lists on what I had a chance to listen to. I'm sure at some point I'll discover some gems from 2007 in 2008 like I did with The Who's "Endless Wire" from 2006!
0
— Every year it always seems there is so much to listen to with so little time to do it. As always, I base my lists on what I had a chance to listen to. I'm sure at some point I'll discover some gems from 2007 in 2008 like I did with The Who's "Endless Wire" from 2006!
0
— Every year it always seems there is so much to listen to with so little time to do it. As always, I base my lists on what I had a chance to listen to. I'm sure at some point I'll discover some gems from 2007 in 2008 like I did with The Who's "Endless Wire" from 2006!
0
— Every year it always seems there is so much to listen to with so little time to do it. As always, I base my lists on what I had a chance to listen to. I'm sure at some point I'll discover some gems from 2007 in 2008 like I did with The Who's "Endless Wire" from 2006!
0
— Every year it always seems there is so much to listen to with so little time to do it. As always, I base my lists on what I had a chance to listen to. I'm sure at some point I'll discover some gems from 2007 in 2008 like I did with The Who's "Endless Wire" from 2006!
0
— Every year it always seems there is so much to listen to with so little time to do it. As always, I base my lists on what I had a chance to listen to. I'm sure at some point I'll discover some gems from 2007 in 2008 like I did with The Who's "Endless Wire" from 2006!
0
— Every year it always seems there is so much to listen to with so little time to do it. As always, I base my lists on what I had a chance to listen to. I'm sure at some point I'll discover some gems from 2007 in 2008 like I did with The Who's "Endless Wire" from 2006!
0
— Every year it always seems there is so much to listen to with so little time to do it. As always, I base my lists on what I had a chance to listen to. I'm sure at some point I'll discover some gems from 2007 in 2008 like I did with The Who's "Endless Wire" from 2006!
0
— Every year it always seems there is so much to listen to with so little time to do it. As always, I base my lists on what I had a chance to listen to. I'm sure at some point I'll discover some more gems from 2007 in 2008 like I did with The Who's "Endless Wire" from 2006 in 2007!
0
— Every year it always seems there is so much to listen to with so little time to do it. As always, I base my lists on what I had a chance to listen to. I'm sure at some point I'll discover some more gems from 2007 in 2008 like I did with The Who's "Endless Wire" from 2006 in 2007!
0
— Every year it always seems there is so much to listen to with so little time to do it. As always, I base my lists on what I had a chance to listen to. I'm sure at some point I'll discover some more gems from 2007 in 2008 like I did with The Who's "Endless Wire" from 2006 in 2007!
0
— Every year it always seems there is so much to listen to with so little time to do it. As always, I base my lists on what I had a chance to listen to. I'm sure at some point I'll discover some more gems from 2007 in 2008 like I did with The Who's "Endless Wire" from 2006 in 2007!

Marty

Top Albums

1.
4080
1.
4080 — Even better than Keeper The Legacy, this one's one of the best Andi Deris era Helloween albums ever!
1.
4080 — Even better than Keeper The Legacy, this one's one of the best Andi Deris era Helloween albums ever!
2.
3828
2.
3828 — A very solid Rush album and very fresh sounding for these rock dinosaurs
2.
3828 — A very solid Rush album and very fresh sounding for these rock dinosaurs
3.
4071
3.
4071 — Amazing melodic heavy metal with a progressive edge
3.
4071 — Amazing melodic heavy metal with a progressive edge
4.
4027
4.
4027 — They brought in a new vocalist with a whole new style and never missed a beat
4.
4027 — They brought in a new vocalist with a whole new style and never missed a beat
5.
3737
5.
3737 — Yet another great Saxon album....these guys have been on a roll!
5.
3737 — Yet another great Saxon album....these guys have been on a roll!
6.
3912
6.
3912 — Much heavier than ever, these guys are becoming the new kings of prog metal
6.
3912 — Much heavier than ever, these guys are becoming the new kings of prog metal
7.
3852
7.
3852 — Crushing heavy metal and very old school...just the way it should be
7.
3852 — Crushing heavy metal and very old school...just the way it should be
8.
4209
8.
4209 — Killer and very heavy power metal, this band has yet to disappoint.
8.
4209 — Killer and very heavy power metal, this band has yet to disappoint.
9.
3765
9.
3765 — The best album yet in the post Elisa Martin era of this band
9.
3765 — The best album yet in the post Elisa Martin era of this band
10.
4191
10.
4191 — Everything Magnus Karlsson touches turns to gold and Mark Boals sings his ass off here!
10.
4191 — Everything Magnus Karlsson touches turns to gold and Mark Boals sings his ass off here!
11.
3887
11.
3887 — The second part of this Magnus Karlsson project and another winner!
11.
3887 — The second part of this Magnus Karlsson project and another winner!
12.
4005
12.
4005 — Very solid melodic heavy metal
12.
4005 — Very solid melodic heavy metal
13.
4136
13.
4136 — They really turned it up a notch for this album....awesome progressive metal
13.
4136 — They really turned it up a notch for this album....awesome progressive metal
14.
4126
14.
4126 — Dark and even more moodier than before, Devon Graves is in a league of his own
14.
4126 — Dark and even more moodier than before, Devon Graves is in a league of his own
15.
3839
15.
3839 — Great old school heavy/power metal from the U.K.....great job Sean!!
15.
3839 — Great old school heavy/power metal from the U.K.....great job Sean!!

Surprises of the Year

1.
4039
1.
4039 — This album kicks serious ass.....I'm still surprised by it even after many months of listening to it
1.
4039 — This album kicks serious ass.....I'm still surprised by it even after many months of listening to it
2.
4137
2.
4137 — California Guns "N Roses/punk style sleaze rock that also kicks serious ass!
2.
4137 — California Guns "N Roses/punk style sleaze rock that also kicks serious ass!
3.
3985
3.
3985 — It's a very good album yet the surprise is in the type of material.....better vocal melodies yet a very different and softer sound.
3.
3985 — It's a very good album yet the surprise is in the type of material.....better vocal melodies yet a very different and softer sound.
4.
4199
4.
4199 — Great progressive rock/metal that captures the imagination
4.
4199 — Great progressive rock/metal that captures the imagination
5.
4047
5.
4047 — Party time 80's hard rock......I really miss that stuff!!
5.
4047 — Party time 80's hard rock......I really miss that stuff!!

Disappointments

1.
3846
1.
3846 — Weird.....very weird
1.
3846 — Weird.....very weird
2.
4148
2.
4148 — What a mess.....especially after a couple of great albums
2.
4148 — What a mess.....especially after a couple of great albums
3.
3822
3.
3822 — Some good songs and a few "experiments" that just didn't work
3.
3822 — Some good songs and a few "experiments" that just didn't work
4.
3855
4.
3855 — Not a bad album by any means but where's the energy?
4.
3855 — Not a bad album by any means but where's the energy?
5.
3724
5.
3724 — Stale, uninspired and terrible vocals by a previously good singer
5.
3724 — Stale, uninspired and terrible vocals by a previously good singer

Joke of the Year

1.
3770
1.
3770 — Loose the narration and concentrate more on the songwriting....these guys are only living on past glories
1.
3770 — Lose the narration and concentrate more on the songwriting....these guys are only living on past glories
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
3.
4.
4.
4.
5.
5.
5.

Words / Final Thoughts

0
— Well once again, there's simply not enough time to listen to everything so there are a few releases that likely would've made my best of list if I had given them some serious listens. 2007 was another great year for metal and the big highlight for me was the Heaven and Hell Tour with the Dio-era Sabbath line-up. 2008 is already shaping up to be another solid year with some very high profile releases coming out already. The biggest events are going to be the new Judas Priest epic and the new Metallica (if it even comes out this year)....as far as Chinese Democracy, I've given it so many Joke Of The Year awards that I'm going to retire it for good. I doubt it will ever see the light of day. It's also great that Rush is extending it's Snakes And Arrows tour to include South America once again as well as many other North American cities that they haven't played in a while. I would like to extend sincere thanks to all the labels, bands and PR people that are so helpful in supporting MetalReviews.com. Last but certainly not the least, thanks to the loyal readers and dedicated forumites...you are all part of this crazy and fun metal "community" that is unlike any other on the net...I continue to stand by that claim. Cheers and have a great (and heavy) 2008 Marty
0
— Well once again, there's simply not enough time to listen to everything so there are a few releases that likely would've made my best of list if I had given them some serious listens. 2007 was another great year for metal and the big highlight for me was the Heaven and Hell Tour with the Dio-era Sabbath line-up. 2008 is already shaping up to be another solid year with some very high profile releases coming out already. The biggest events are going to be the new Judas Priest epic and the new Metallica (if it even comes out this year)....as far as Chinese Democracy, I've given it so many Joke Of The Year awards that I'm going to retire it for good. I doubt it will ever see the light of day. It's also great that Rush is extending it's Snakes And Arrows tour to include South America once again as well as many other North American cities that they haven't played in a while. I would like to extend sincere thanks to all the labels, bands and PR people that are so helpful in supporting MetalReviews.com. Last but certainly not the least, thanks to the loyal readers and dedicated forumites...you are all part of this crazy and fun metal "community" that is unlike any other on the net...I continue to stand by that claim. Cheers and have a great (and heavy) 2008 Marty
0
— Well once again, there's simply not enough time to listen to everything so there are a few releases that likely would've made my best of list if I had given them some serious listens. 2007 was another great year for metal and the big highlight for me was the Heaven and Hell Tour with the Dio-era Sabbath line-up. 2008 is already shaping up to be another solid year with some very high profile releases coming out already. The biggest events are going to be the new Judas Priest epic and the new Metallica (if it even comes out this year)....as far as Chinese Democracy, I've given it so many Joke Of The Year awards that I'm going to retire it for good. I doubt it will ever see the light of day. It's also great that Rush is extending it's Snakes And Arrows tour to include South America once again as well as many other North American cities that they haven't played in a while. I would like to extend sincere thanks to all the labels, bands and PR people that are so helpful in supporting MetalReviews.com. Last but certainly not the least, thanks to the loyal readers and dedicated forumites...you are all part of this crazy and fun metal "community" that is unlike any other on the net...I continue to stand by that claim. Cheers and have a great (and heavy) 2008 Marty

Crims

Top Albums

1.
3852 — Power/Speed Metal at it's finest. Sure, some didn't like the concept story but I did, and it also featured quite possibly the best vocal performance the entire year.
2.
3915 — The addition of legimate Thrash riffs to an already excellent formula of traditional and modern elements made for one huge neck breaking piece of Metal
3.
4110 — Though a slight step down from the previous release, Doom Of Destiny has cemented Axxis as the water mark for every current and future band in the style.
4.
4150 — I've always appreciated Devin's creativity and willingness to push boundaries, but never before did it translate into music I actually enjoyed. Ziltoid is the one huge exception. A masterpiece to be sure. Can he top this though?
5.
4030 — Talk about face crushing. The riffs just never let up and totally crushed in every song. Oh yeah, the vocals were fairly good too.
6.
3912 — I found this to be slightly more aggressive than previous releases and the result was one monster of a Power/Prog CD... one of their best yet.
7.
4130 — With Doom, Traditional, and Power Metal elements that soared with huge vocals, one can only say, long live pure Metal!
8.
3885 — If you have to replace the best singer in the genre you might as well replace with the 2nd best (in my opinion). Though it was weird at first to hear Lowe singing in Candlemass the result was nevertheless excellent.
9.
4027 — Though some what too self indulgent at times, I enjoyed the return to the Century Child sound that went further away from the electronic influenced Once.
10.
4080 — The ever consistent Helloween did it again. Unless they have a complete lapse of judgement again (Chameleon anyone?) I don't really see Helloween ever releasing something not top 15 worthy again.
11.
3663 — Grave Digger did a nice job with this and Boltendahl is in a league of his own. No one can do such a melodic wizardry with such a gruff voice... no one.
12.
4178 — A very pleasent return to the more aggressive side of the band that harkened back to the debut.
13.
3983 — It grew on me over time and is another fine addition to the ever-growing catalogue.
14.
3855 — I never thought I'd rate a Kamelot CD not in the top 5 but here it is. The emphasis on mid-paced Gothic atmospheres was disappointing but still better than most releases out there this year.
15.
4114 — Ok, it was a bit poppy at times and there's always going to be a debate about the "prog label" but it didn't change the fact that I really enjoyed the release and probably would have ranked higher if it wasn't for some drawn out songs.

Surprises of the Year

1.
3896 — I usually don't expect much from solo releases but there was a surprising amount of riffage here.
2.
3950 — A nice comeback after the lack of focus that was On The Edge.
3.
3759 — Ok, this was actually enjoyable. I heard some actual Thrash riffs and Metal aggression, instead of teenager with eye-liner aggression (re: angst). Where's the new Vio-lence?
4.
4124 — What was once Cannibal Corpse worship turned into a throw back to a lot of great Death Metal styles with Thrash influences. Yay!
5.
3810 — Not sure where this came from but combining Gothic Metal themes and overtones with riff focused Power Metal was a surprise indeed. The greater surprise was that it worked.

Disappointments

1.
3856 — Please retire.
2.
4001 — I've always defended Iced Earth from all the naysayers but it stopped with this release. Though not awful, this is the 3rd release in a row that is killed by too much self-indulgence. I've always found reasons to look past the short comings before but I couldn't really find any here.
3.
3942 — Is the magic gone? Condition Red is still one of my favorite releases in the genre, right up there with Power Plant, but this just went through the motions.
4.
3893 — Another once great band releasing below average material. If releasing bad music is a sin, well, I guess it's not just a clever album title.
5.
4148 — I should like this, but I don't. There's a lot going on here in the music and it kind of masks the fact the structure and melodies are lacking.

Joke of the Year

Words / Final Thoughts

0
— This was a very interesting year for me. I got married in late September and that was quite the experience. I don't think I'll ever have the same combination of family members, friends, and colleagues in one place again and we made the most of it as I never partied quite like I did then. The idea is you only do it once so I made the most of it. Along with that I managed to re-arrange some priorities in order to return to full time reviews this year. Though a few weeks were missed due to internet issues, being out of town, or work related issues I managed to contribute practically every week, something I couldn't say of last year. Unfortunately the whole wedding thing and financial after math has perhaps lessened the amount of CDs I listened to this year (thus my list has a huge asterix as many prominent releases were never listened to). If 2006 was the year of the comeback release, 2007 was the year of the below average releases made by once excellent bands. Is it label pressure to release quick CDs? Is the well of fresh ideas and surpreme riffage run dry? Maybe it's something else but perhaps in 2008 we'll be discussing the year of the comeback again. Only time will tell. Stay Metal, Crims

Ben

Top Albums

1.
4027
1.
4027
1.
4027
2.
4080
2.
4080
2.
4080
3.
3805
3.
3805
3.
3805
4.
4041
4.
4041
4.
4041
5.
4114
5.
4114
5.
4114
6.
3636
6.
3636
6.
3636
7.
3912
7.
3912
7.
3912
8.
3677
8.
3677
8.
3677
9.
3821
9.
3821
9.
3821
10.
3975
10.
3975
10.
3975
11.
3855
11.
3855
11.
3855
12.
3845
12.
3845
12.
3845
13.
3846
13.
3846
13.
3846
14.
4001
14.
4001
14.
4001
15.
3779
15.
3779
15.
3779

Surprises of the Year

1.
3810
1.
3964
1.
3964
2.
4108
2.
4108
2.
4108
3.
3882
3.
3882
3.
3882
4.
3859
4.
3859
4.
3859
5.
5.
3810
5.
3810

Disappointments

Joke of the Year

1.
3822
1.
3822
1.
3822
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
3.
4.
4.
4.
5.
5.
5.

Words / Final Thoughts

0
— Like always these year end lists are very difficult to compile. In 2007 my exposure to much new music was limited. I haven't even heard the new Vanishing Point which is something that I am chastising myself for. Some favorite bands from years past released albums that were pretty bland if not outright terrible. However, despite being put off by the majority of new releases in 2007, the ones that I did manage to enjoy I enjoyed wholeheartedly. Nightwish's Dark Passion Play shot to the top of the list by being the most played album of 2007 by a mile. This new era with Annette is going to be a pleasure to experience. Helloween managed to revive their career with one of the best Power Metal albums in ages. Just like with Iron Maiden, young bands need to look at these musical institutions to see the secret to longevity. You can try all you want to emulate something but when the originators come out with an assburner then you'd do best to hang in back in the shadows. Progressive Metal was actually healthy this year. Redemption, Symphony X, Circus Maximus, Coheed And Cambria, and Wuthering Heights all released stellar albums. Melodic Rock gets a few nods from the Harem Scarem and Pink Cream 69 corners. 2007 also saw several bands experimenting with their sounds. Nightrage took on a less Swedish sound and their more Americanized take on Melodic Death was a unique twist. Sonata Arctica and Tobias Sammet though were the big offenders to many. The common trait between these two? Both artists took away the speed and upped the "feeling" aspect of their music. This is what needs to be done though in order for this type of music to prevent stagnation. 2008 is already looking bright. I'm blasting the hell out of The Scarecrow. Three releases that I am eagerly awaiting are Immortal from Pyramaze, We Are The Nightmare by Arsis, and Humanity Dethroned from Dark Empire. Seeing as how I've heard all but the Pyramaze I can safely say that you should expect these cd's to be mentioned again this time next year.
0
— Like always these year end lists are very difficult to compile. In 2007 my exposure to much new music was limited. I haven't even heard the new Vanishing Point which is something that I am chastising myself for. Some favorite bands from years past released albums that were pretty bland if not outright terrible. However, despite being put off by the majority of new releases in 2007, the ones that I did manage to enjoy I enjoyed wholeheartedly. Nightwish's Dark Passion Play shot to the top of the list by being the most played album of 2007 by a mile. This new era with Annette is going to be a pleasure to experience. Helloween managed to revive their career with one of the best Power Metal albums in ages. Just like with Iron Maiden, young bands need to look at these musical institutions to see the secret to longevity. You can try all you want to emulate something but when the originators come out with an assburner then you'd do best to hang in back in the shadows. Progressive Metal was actually healthy this year. Redemption, Symphony X, Circus Maximus, Coheed And Cambria, and Wuthering Heights all released stellar albums. Melodic Rock gets a few nods from the Harem Scarem and Pink Cream 69 corners. 2007 also saw several bands experimenting with their sounds. Nightrage took on a less Swedish sound and their more Americanized take on Melodic Death was a unique twist. Sonata Arctica and Tobias Sammet though were the big offenders to many. The common trait between these two? Both artists took away the speed and upped the "feeling" aspect of their music. This is what needs to be done though in order for this type of music to prevent stagnation. 2008 is already looking bright. I'm blasting the hell out of The Scarecrow. Three releases that I am eagerly awaiting are Immortal from Pyramaze, We Are The Nightmare by Arsis, and Humanity Dethroned from Dark Empire. Seeing as how I've heard all but the Pyramaze I can safely say that you should expect these cd's to be mentioned again this time next year.
0
— Like always, these year end lists are very difficult to compile. In 2007 my exposure to much new music was limited. I haven't even heard the new Vanishing Point which is something that I am chastising myself for. Some favorite bands from years past released albums that were pretty bland if not outright terrible. However, despite being put off by the majority of new releases in 2007, the ones that I did manage to enjoy I enjoyed wholeheartedly. Nightwish's Dark Passion Play shot to the top of the list by being the most played album of 2007 by a mile. This new era with Annette is going to be a pleasure to experience. Helloween managed to revive their career with one of the best Power Metal albums in ages. Just like with Iron Maiden, young bands need to look at these musical institutions to see the secret to longevity. You can try all you want to emulate something but when the originators come out with an assburner then you'd do best to hang in back in the shadows. Progressive Metal was actually healthy this year. Redemption, Symphony X, Circus Maximus, Coheed And Cambria, and Wuthering Heights all released stellar albums. Melodic Rock gets a few nods from the Harem Scarem and Pink Cream 69 corners. 2007 also saw several bands experimenting with their sounds. Nightrage took on a less Swedish sound and their more Americanized take on Melodic Death was a unique twist. Sonata Arctica and Tobias Sammet though were the big offenders to many. The common trait between these two? Both artists took away the speed and upped the "feeling" aspect of their music. This is what needs to be done though in order for this type of music to prevent stagnation. 2008 is already looking bright. I'm blasting the hell out of The Scarecrow. Three releases that I am eagerly awaiting are Immortal from Pyramaze, We Are The Nightmare by Arsis, and Humanity Dethroned from Dark Empire. Seeing as how I've heard all but the Pyramaze I can safely say that you should expect these cd's to be mentioned again this time next year. As I'm getting older I notice that heavy metal is still very much alive and well in 2008. I see more young people now wearing Iced Earth or Blind Guardian shirts more than when I was in high school. I've noticed that the culture of heavy metal is getting a little revival in a ways. Who would have thought that kids today would be rocking out on a PS3 playing along to Iron Maiden and Slayer? Plus everywhere I go I see Affliction clothing and while this is now more associated with UFC fighting and "tough guy" image, to me they look like band shirts without a band. My thoughts on this would be better put into an editorial. In 2008 I plan on finishing my tenure in higher education. Plans following my graduation include touring with some friends and then it's off to California to throw my hat into the label game. Times are tumultuous and exciting in the music industry. I want to do my best to keep it healthy.

Alex

Top Albums

1.
4163
1.
4163 — This album simply invaded my listening space and surged to the top of the list
1.
4163 — This album simply invaded my listening space and surged to the top of the list
1.
4163 — This album simply invaded my listening space and surged to the top of the list
1.
4163 — This album simply invaded my listening space and surged to the top of the list
1.
4163 — This album simply invaded my listening space and surged to the top of the list
2.
3805
2.
3805 — Everybody has a formula, theirs always works for me
2.
3805 — Everybody has a formula, theirs always works for me
2.
3805 — Everybody has a formula, theirs always works for me
2.
3805 — Everybody has a formula, theirs always works for me
2.
3805 — Everybody has a formula, theirs always works for me
3.
3827
3.
3827 — Thrash meets Wagnerian symphony - nobody could have done it better
3.
3827 — Thrash meets Wagnerian symphony - nobody could have done it better
3.
3827 — Thrash meets Wagnerian symphony - nobody could have done it better
3.
3827 — Thrash meets Wagnerian symphony - nobody could have done it better
3.
3827 — Thrash meets Wagnerian symphony - nobody could have done it better
4.
3760
4.
3760 — Avant-garde means forward thinking
4.
3760 — Avant-garde means forward thinking
4.
3760 — Avant-garde means forward thinking
4.
3760 — Avant-garde means forward thinking
4.
3760 — Avant-garde means forward thinking
5.
3716
5.
3716 — Quirky and breathtaking all in one
5.
3716 — Quirky and breathtaking all in one
5.
3716 — Quirky and breathtaking all in one
5.
3716 — Quirky and breathtaking all in one
5.
3716 — Quirky and breathtaking all in one
6.
4026
6.
4026 — Authentic, both in music and life
6.
4026 — Authentic, both in music and life
6.
4026 — Authentic, both in music and life
6.
4026 — Authentic, both in music and life
6.
4026 — Authentic, both in music and life
7.
3848
7.
3848 — Keep the razors away
7.
3848 — Keep the razors away
7.
3848 — Keep the razors away
7.
3848 — Keep the razors away
7.
3848 — Keep the razors away
8.
3963
8.
3963 — Defining death metal album of the last few years
8.
3963 — Defining death metal album of the last few years
8.
3963 — Defining death metal album of the last few years
8.
3963 — Defining death metal album of the last few years
8.
3963 — Defining death metal album of the last few years
9.
3907
9.
3907 — ... and I am still hooked on their psychedelic brew
9.
3907 — ... and I am still hooked on their psychedelic brew
9.
3907 — ... and I am still hooked on their psychedelic brew
9.
3907 — ... and I am still hooked on their psychedelic brew
9.
3907 — ... and I am still hooked on their psychedelic brew
10.
3772
10.
3772 — I was delighted to see this Finnish band live this year
10.
3772 — I was delighted to see this Finnish band live this year
10.
3772 — I was delighted to see this Finnish band live this year
10.
3772 — I was delighted to see this Finnish band live this year
10.
3772 — I was delighted to see this Finnish band live this year
11.
4002
11.
4002 — If you want originality in your black metal, how about using a trombone
11.
4002 — If you want originality in your black metal, how about using a trombone
11.
4002 — If you want originality in your black metal, how about using a trombone
11.
4002 — If you want originality in your black metal, how about using a trombone
11.
4002 — If you want originality in your black metal, how about using a trombone
12.
Amorphis - Silent Waters
12.
Amorphis - Silent Waters — The Phoenix has resurrected itself from the ashes again
12.
Amorphis - Silent Waters — The Phoenix has resurrected itself from the ashes again
12.
4182 — The Phoenix has resurrected itself from the ashes again
12.
4182 — The Phoenix has resurrected itself from the ashes again
12.
4182 — The Phoenix has resurrected itself from the ashes again
13.
4130
13.
4130 — If this doesn't make you raise a sword, I don't know what will. One word - epic!
13.
4130 — If this doesn't make you raise a sword, I don't know what will. One word - epic!
13.
4130 — If this doesn't make you raise a sword, I don't know what will. One word - epic!
13.
4130 — If this doesn't make you raise a sword, I don't know what will. One word - epic!
13.
4130 — If this doesn't make you raise a sword, I don't know what will. One word - epic!
14.
3677
14.
3677 — It was tough to live up to Far from the Madding Crowd, but they tried
14.
3677 — It was tough to live up to Far from the Madding Crowd, but they tried
14.
3677 — It was tough to live up to Far from the Madding Crowd, but they tried
14.
3677 — It was tough to live up to Far from the Madding Crowd, but they tried
14.
3677 — It was tough to live up to Far from the Madding Crowd, but they tried
15.
3713
15.
3713 — It made the list, eventually, but generally every Therion album has been Top 5 for me thus far
15.
3713 — It made the list, eventually, but generally every Therion album has been Top 5 for me thus far
15.
3713 — It made the list, eventually, but generally every Therion album has been Top 5 for me thus far
15.
3713 — It made the list, eventually, but generally every Therion album has been Top 5 for me thus far
15.
3713 — It made the list, eventually, but generally every Therion album has been Top 5 for me thus far

Surprises of the Year

1.
3735
1.
3735 — In need of old-school Swedish DM, this delivers
1.
3735 — In need of old-school Swedish DM, this delivers
1.
3735 — In need of old-school Swedish DM, this delivers
1.
3735 — In need of old-school Swedish DM, this delivers
1.
3735 — In need of old-school Swedish DM, this delivers
2.
4025
2.
4025 — Clean, melancholic, soothing, Italian
2.
4025 — Clean, melancholic, soothing, Italian
2.
4025 — Clean, melancholic, soothing, Italian
2.
4025 — Clean, melancholic, soothing, Italian
2.
4025 — Clean, melancholic, soothing, Italian
3.
3993
3.
3993 — It is Nasheim side of the split that needs your ear
3.
3993 — It is Nasheim side of the split that needs your ear
3.
3993 — It is Nasheim side of the split that needs your ear
3.
3993 — It is Nasheim side of the split that needs your ear
3.
3993 — It is Nasheim side of the split that needs your ear
4.
4101
4.
4101 — Juhani Palomaki is back, now I need to go find that new Yearning album
4.
4101 — Juhani Palomaki is back, now I need to go find that new Yearning album
4.
4101 — Juhani Palomaki is back, now I need to go find that new Yearning album
4.
4101 — Juhani Palomaki is back, now I need to go find that new Yearning album
4.
4101 — Juhani Palomaki is back, now I need to go find that new Yearning album
5.
3778
5.
3778 — Guitar-heavy old-school melodic thrash, from Norway, with defining album title to boot
5.
3778 — Guitar-heavy old-school melodic thrash, from Norway, with defining album title to boot
5.
3778 — Guitar-heavy old-school melodic thrash, from Norway, with defining album title to boot
5.
3778 — Guitar-heavy old-school melodic thrash, from Norway, with defining album title to boot
5.
3778 — Guitar-heavy old-school melodic thrash, from Norway, with defining album title to boot

Disappointments

1.
3979
1.
3979 — Turning into Behemoth Jr. was not my idea of progress
1.
3979 — Turning into Behemoth Jr. was not my idea of progress
1.
3979 — Turning into Behemoth Jr. was not my idea of progress
1.
3979 — Turning into Behemoth Jr. was not my idea of progress
1.
3979 — Turning into Behemoth Jr. was not my idea of progress
2.
3932
2.
3932 — The idol of my youth simply did not have it on this album
2.
3932 — The idol of my youth simply did not have it on this album
2.
3932 — The idol of my youth simply did not have it on this album
2.
3932 — The idol of my youth simply did not have it on this album
2.
3932 — The idol of my youth simply did not have it on this album
3.
4055
3.
4055 — Making a much better album than Dimmu Borgir does not qualify. Picking 6/6/06 for a comeback date is simply a gimmick
3.
4055 — Making a much better album than Dimmu Borgir does not qualify. Picking 6/6/06 for a comeback date is simply a gimmick
3.
4055 — Making a much better album than Dimmu Borgir does not qualify. Picking 6/6/06 for a comeback date is simply a gimmick
3.
4055 — Making a much better album than Dimmu Borgir does not qualify. Picking 6/6/06 for a comeback date is simply a gimmick
3.
4055 — Making a much better album than Dimmu Borgir does not qualify. Picking 6/6/06 for a comeback date is simply a gimmick
4.
4068
4.
4068 — Should have bee
4.
4068 — It is rare that Winds don't completely capture me
4.
4068 — It is rare that Winds don't completely capture me
4.
4068 — It is rare that Winds don't completely capture me
4.
4068 — It is rare that Winds don't completely capture me
5.
3713
5.
3713
5.
3713 — See Top 15
5.
3713 — See Top 15
5.
3713 — See Top 15
5.
3713 — See Top 15

Joke of the Year

1.
4127
1.
4127
1.
4127 — Want an earbleed?
1.
4127 — Want an earbleed?
1.
4127 — Want an earbleed?
1.
4127 — Want an earbleed?
2.
Abruptum - Evil Genius
2.
Abruptum - Evil Genius
2.
Abruptum - Evil Genius — I guess I don't understand what the hype is all about
2.
Abruptum - Evil Genius — I guess I don't understand what the hype is all about
2.
Abruptum - Evil Genius — I guess I don't understand what the hype is all about
2.
Abruptum - Evil Genius — I guess I don't understand what the hype is all about
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.

Words / Final Thoughts

0
0
0
0
— This has not been the easiest year for me personally (I honestly forgot when was the last year when the sailing was smooth, senior year in high school?). My company has seen its share of its ups and downs, but most importantly my son was in need of my assistance and time. At one point I stood at the brink of leaving MR, but Mike, Chris and Marty have extended their collective hand and kept me from going over. Hey, it is difficult to predict what happens next, but for now things worked out ... Thanks to all the bands, labels and promoters who have been sending their material graciously, and then waited patiently while I unpiled and got to their creation. Thanks to the readers who took their time to peruse my opinion on various metal genre albums, hopefully I was able to steer you towards something you later enjoyed or, alternatively, saved you a few hard earned pennies from buying something which wasn't worth it.
0
— This has not been the easiest year for me personally (I honestly forgot when was the last year when the sailing was smooth, senior year in high school?). My company has seen its share of ups and downs, but most importantly my son was in need of my assistance and time. At one point I stood at the brink of leaving MR, but Mike, Chris and Marty have extended their collective hand and kept me from going over. Hey, it is difficult to predict what happens next, but for now things worked out ... Thanks to all the bands, labels and promoters who have been sending their material graciously, and then waited patiently while I unpiled and got to their creation. Thanks to the readers who took their time to peruse my opinion on various metal genre albums, hopefully I was able to steer you towards something you later enjoyed or, alternatively, saved you a few hard earned pennies from buying something which wasn't worth it.
0
— This has not been the easiest year for me personally (I honestly forgot when was the last year when the sailing was smooth, senior year in high school?). My company has seen its share of ups and downs, but most importantly my son was in need of my assistance and time. At one point I stood on the brink of leaving MR, but Mike, Chris and Marty have extended their collective hand and kept me from going over. Hey, it is difficult to predict what happens next, but for now things worked out ... Thanks to all the bands, labels and promoters who have been sending their material graciously, and then waited patiently while I unpiled and got to their creation. Thanks to the readers who took their time to peruse my opinion on various metal genre albums, hopefully I was able to steer you towards something you later enjoyed or, alternatively, saved you a few hard earned pennies from buying something which wasn't worth it.

Aleksie

Top Albums

1.
3912
1.
3912
1.
3912 — One of the best bands in the world puts out the best album of their career. Scorching mixture of aggressive metal and proggy widdling. The top of a glorious year.
1.
3912 — One of the best bands in the world puts out the best album of their career. Scorching mixture of aggressive metal and proggy widdling. The top of a glorious year.
1.
3912 — One of the best bands in the world puts out the best album of their career. Scorching mixture of aggressive metal and proggy widdling. The top of a glorious year.
1.
3912 — One of the best bands in the world puts out the best album of their career. Scorching mixture of aggressive metal and proggy widdling. The top of a glorious year.
1.
3912 — One of the best bands in the world puts out the best album of their career. Scorching mixture of aggressive metal and proggy widdling. The top of a glorious year.
1.
3912 — One of the best bands in the world puts out the best album of their career. Scorching mixture of aggressive metal and proggy widdling. The top of a glorious year.
1.
3912 — One of the best bands in the world puts out the best album of their career. Scorching mixture of aggressive metal and proggy widdling. The top of a glorious year.
1.
3912 — One of the best bands in the world puts out the best album of their career. Scorching mixture of aggressive metal and proggy widdling. The top of a glorious year.
1.
3912 — One of the best bands in the world puts out the best album of their career. Scorching mixture of aggressive metal and proggy widdling. The top of a glorious year.
2.
3759
2.
3759
2.
3759 — Yes, they dwarfed Burn My Eyes. Epic metal mayhem on a completely unexpected scale.
2.
3759 — Yes, they dwarfed Burn My Eyes. Epic metal mayhem on a completely unexpected scale.
2.
3759 — Yes, they dwarfed Burn My Eyes. Epic metal mayhem on a completely unexpected scale.
2.
3759 — Yes, they dwarfed Burn My Eyes. Epic metal mayhem on a completely unexpected scale.
2.
3759 — Yes, they dwarfed Burn My Eyes. Epic metal mayhem on a completely unexpected scale.
2.
3759 — Yes, they dwarfed Burn My Eyes. Epic metal mayhem on a completely unexpected scale.
2.
3759 — Yes, they dwarfed Burn My Eyes. Epic metal mayhem on a completely unexpected scale.
2.
3759 — Yes, they dwarfed Burn My Eyes. Epic metal mayhem on a completely unexpected scale.
2.
3759 — Yes, they dwarfed Burn My Eyes. Epic metal mayhem on a completely unexpected scale.
3.
3948
3.
3948
3.
3948
3.
3948
3.
3948 — Bow down at the feet of the overlords of Pharao Metal and their latest epoch of awesomness!
3.
3948 — Bow down at the feet of the overlords of Pharao Metal and their latest epoch of awesomness!
3.
3948 — Bow down at the feet of the overlords of Pharao Metal and their latest epoch of awesomness!
3.
3948 — Bow down at the feet of the overlords of Pharao Metal and their latest epoch of awesomness!
3.
3948 — Bow down at the feet of the overlords of Pharao Metal and their latest epoch of awesomness!
3.
3948 — Bow down at the feet of the overlords of Pharao Metal and their latest epoch of awesomness!
3.
3948 — Bow down at the feet of the overlords of Pharao Metal and their latest epoch of awesomness!
4.
4105
4.
4105
4.
4105 — From a good debut album to a massively enjoyable, concept-driven slab of grandiose metal filled ith the will to take up a sword and head for the seas as a ravenous warrior. Brilliant!
4.
4105 — From a good debut album to a massively enjoyable, concept-driven slab of grandiose metal filled ith the will to take up a sword and head for the seas as a ravenous warrior. Brilliant!
4.
4105 — From a good debut album to a massively enjoyable, concept-driven slab of grandiose metal filled ith the will to take up a sword and head for the seas as a ravenous warrior. Brilliant!
4.
4105 — From a good debut album to a massively enjoyable, concept-driven slab of grandiose metal filled ith the will to take up a sword and head for the seas as a ravenous warrior. Brilliant!
4.
4105 — From a good debut album to a massively enjoyable, concept-driven slab of grandiose metal filled ith the will to take up a sword and head for the seas as a ravenous warrior. Brilliant!
4.
4105 — From a good debut album to a massively enjoyable, concept-driven slab of grandiose metal filled to the brim with the will to take up a sword and head for the seas as a ravenous warrior. Brilliant!
4.
4105 — From a good debut album to a massively enjoyable, concept-driven slab of grandiose metal filled to the brim with the will to take up a sword and head for the seas as a ravenous warrior. Brilliant!
4.
4105 — From a good debut album to a massively enjoyable, concept-driven slab of grandiose metal filled to the brim with the will to take up a sword and head for the seas as a ravenous warrior. Brilliant!
4.
4105 — From a good debut album to a massively enjoyable, concept-driven slab of grandiose metal filled to the brim with the will to take up a sword and head for the seas as a ravenous warrior. Brilliant!
5.
3817
5.
3817
5.
3817 — A band whose name often popped up from the background in prog circles metals up their sound considerably and pulverizes both my hair and thought patterns. Dazzling!
5.
3817 — A band whose name often popped up from the background in prog circles metals up their sound considerably and pulverizes both my hair and thought patterns. Dazzling!
5.
3817 — A band whose name often popped up from the background in prog circles metals up their sound considerably and pulverizes both my hair and thought patterns. Dazzling!
5.
3817 — A band whose name often popped up from the background in prog circles metals up their sound considerably and pulverizes both my hair and thought patterns. Dazzling!
5.
3817 — A band whose name often popped up from the background in prog circles metals up their sound considerably and pulverizes both my hair and thought patterns. Dazzling!
5.
3817 — A band whose name often popped up from the background in prog circles metals up their sound considerably and pulverizes both my hair and thought patterns. Dazzling!
5.
3817 — A band whose name often popped up from the background in prog circles metals up their sound considerably and pulverizes both my hair and thought patterns. Dazzling!
5.
3817 — A band whose name often popped up from the background in prog circles metals up their sound considerably and pulverizes both my hair and thought patterns. Dazzling!
5.
3817 — A band whose name often popped up from the background in prog circles metals up their sound considerably and pulverizes both my hair and thought patterns. Dazzling!
6.
4001
6.
4001
6.
4001 — Schaffer keeps it up and Ripper shines. The expansion of sound is suiting Iced Earth very well, can't wait for the drool-inducing Pt. 2 with Matt Barlow.
6.
4001 — Schaffer keeps it up and Ripper shines. The expansion of sound is suiting Iced Earth very well, can't wait for the drool-inducing Pt. 2 with Matt Barlow.
6.
4001 — Schaffer keeps it up and Ripper shines. The expansion of sound is suiting Iced Earth very well, can't wait for the drool-inducing Pt. 2 with Matt Barlow.
6.
4001 — Schaffer keeps it up and Ripper shines. The expansion of sound is suiting Iced Earth very well, can't wait for the drool-inducing Pt. 2 with Matt Barlow.
6.
4001 — Schaffer keeps it up and Ripper shines. The expansion of sound is suiting Iced Earth very well, can't wait for the drool-inducing Pt. 2 with Matt Barlow.
6.
4001 — Schaffer keeps it up and Ripper shines. The expansion of sound is suiting Iced Earth very well, can't wait for the drool-inducing Pt. 2 with Matt Barlow.
6.
4001 — Schaffer keeps it up and Ripper shines. The expansion of sound is suiting Iced Earth very well, can't wait for the drool-inducing Pt. 2 with Matt Barlow.
6.
4001 — Schaffer keeps it up and Ripper shines. The expansion of sound is suiting Iced Earth very well, can't wait for the drool-inducing Pt. 2 with Matt Barlow.
6.
4001 — Schaffer keeps it up and Ripper shines. The expansion of sound is suiting Iced Earth very well, can't wait for the drool-inducing Pt. 2 with Matt Barlow.
7.
3891
7.
CMX - Talvikuningas
7.
CMX - Talvikuningas — One of the most successful Finnish rock bands with a cult-like following, CMX have gone from hardcore punk to proggy hardcore, to hard radio rock, to industrial rock, to full-tilt progressive rock-dabbling, to a mixture of all of the mentioned styles, to end up here with their latest: A 62-minute epic space rock concept record - consisting of one song, which is divided into 12 sub-sections - that tells us the saga of the Winterking - a story full of confusing technical terminology, time-travel, intergalactic battles in space and the lamentations of the soldiers caught in the middle of all of it. Mindblowingly awesome from a band who we Finnish rock fans have grown to expect a lot from no matter what styles they've done.
7.
CMX - Talvikuningas — One of the most successful Finnish rock bands with a cult-like following, CMX have gone from hardcore punk to proggy hardcore, to hard radio rock, to industrial rock, to full-tilt progressive rock-dabbling, to a mixture of all of the mentioned styles, to end up here with their latest: A 62-minute epic space rock concept record - consisting of one song, which is divided into 12 sub-sections - that tells us the saga of the Winterking - a story full of confusing technical terminology, time-travel, intergalactic battles in space and the lamentations of the soldiers caught in the middle of all of it. Mindblowingly awesome from a band who we Finnish rock fans have grown to expect a lot from no matter what styles they've done.
7.
CMX - Talvikuningas — One of the most successful Finnish rock bands with a cult-like following, CMX have gone from hardcore punk to proggy hardcore, to hard radio rock, to industrial rock, to full-tilt progressive rock-dabbling, to a mixture of all of the mentioned styles, to end up here with their latest: A 62-minute epic space rock concept record - consisting of one song, which is divided into 12 sub-sections - that tells us the saga of the Winterking - a story full of confusing technical terminology, time-travel, intergalactic battles in space and the lamentations of the soldiers caught in the middle of all of it. Mindblowingly awesome from a band who we Finnish rock fans have grown to expect a lot from no matter what styles they've done.
7.
CMX - Talvikuningas — One of the most successful Finnish rock bands with a cult-like following, CMX have gone from hardcore punk to proggy hardcore, to hard radio rock, to industrial rock, to full-tilt progressive rock-dabbling, to a mixture of all of the mentioned styles, to end up here with their latest: A 62-minute epic space rock concept record - consisting of one song, which is divided into 12 sub-sections - that tells us the saga of the Winterking - a story full of confusing technical terminology, time-travel, intergalactic battles in space and the lamentations of the soldiers caught in the middle of all of it. Mindblowingly awesome from a band who we Finnish rock fans have grown to expect a lot from no matter what styles they've done.
7.
CMX - Talvikuningas — One of the most successful Finnish rock bands with a cult-like following, CMX have gone from hardcore punk to proggy hardcore, to hard radio rock, to industrial rock, to full-tilt progressive rock-dabbling, to a mixture of all of the mentioned styles, to end up here with their latest: A 62-minute epic space rock concept record - consisting of one song, which is divided into 12 sub-sections - that tells us the saga of the Winterking - a story full of confusing technical terminology, time-travel, intergalactic battles in space and the lamentations of the soldiers caught in the middle of all of it. Mindblowingly awesome from a band who we Finnish rock fans have grown to expect a lot from no matter what styles they've done.
7.
CMX - Talvikuningas — One of the most successful Finnish rock bands with a cult-like following, CMX have gone from hardcore punk to proggy hardcore, to hard radio rock, to industrial rock, to full-tilt progressive rock-dabbling, to a mixture of all of the mentioned styles, to end up here with their latest: A 62-minute epic space rock concept record - consisting of one song, which is divided into 12 sub-sections - that tells us the saga of the Winterking - a story full of confusing technical terminology, time-travel, intergalactic battles in space and the lamentations of the soldiers caught in the middle of all of it. Mindblowingly awesome from a band who we Finnish rock fans have grown to expect a lot from no matter what styles they've done.
7.
CMX - Talvikuningas — One of the most successful Finnish rock bands with a cult-like following, CMX have gone from hardcore punk to proggy hardcore, to hard radio rock, to industrial rock, to full-tilt progressive rock-dabbling, to a mixture of all of the mentioned styles, to end up here with their latest: A 62-minute epic space rock concept record - consisting of one song, which is divided into 12 sub-sections - that tells us the saga of the Winterking - a story full of confusing technical terminology, time-travel, intergalactic battles in space and the lamentations of the soldiers caught in the middle of all of it. Mindblowingly awesome from a band who we Finnish rock fans have grown to expect a lot from no matter what styles they've done.
7.
CMX - Talvikuningas — One of the most successful Finnish rock bands with a cult-like following, CMX have gone from hardcore punk to proggy hardcore, to hard radio rock, to industrial rock, to full-tilt progressive rock-dabbling, to a mixture of all of the mentioned styles, to end up here with their latest: A 62-minute epic space rock concept record - consisting of one song, which is divided into 12 sub-sections - that tells us the saga of the Winterking - a story full of confusing technical terminology, time-travel, intergalactic battles in space and the lamentations of the soldiers caught in the middle of all of it. Mindblowingly awesome from a band who we Finnish rock fans have grown to expect a lot from no matter what styles they've done.
7.
CMX - Talvikuningas — One of the most successful Finnish rock bands with a cult-like following, CMX have gone from hardcore punk to proggy hardcore, to hard radio rock, to industrial rock, to full-tilt progressive rock-dabbling, to a mixture of all of the mentioned styles, to end up here with their latest: A 62-minute epic space rock concept record - consisting of one song, which is divided into 12 sub-sections - that tells us the saga of the Winterking - a story full of confusing technical terminology, time-travel, intergalactic battles in space and the lamentations of the soldiers caught in the middle of all of it. Mindblowingly awesome from a band who we Finnish rock fans have grown to expect a lot from no matter what styles they've done.
8.
4182
8.
3891
8.
3891 — Psychedelic, progressive speed metaling madness from Finland's finest "freak out-ers".
8.
3891 — Psychedelic, progressive speed metaling madness from Finland's finest "freak out-ers".
8.
3891 — Psychedelic, progressive speed metaling madness from Finland's finest "freak out-ers".
8.
3891 — Psychedelic, progressive speed metaling madness from Finland's finest "freak out-ers".
8.
3891 — Psychedelic, progressive speed metaling madness from Finland's finest "freak out-ers".
8.
3891 — Psychedelic, progressive speed metaling madness from Finland's finest "freak out-ers".
8.
3891 — Psychedelic, progressive speed metaling madness from Finland's finest "freak out-ers".
8.
3891 — Psychedelic, progressive speed metaling madness from Finland's finest "freak out-ers".
8.
3891 — Psychedelic, progressive speed metaling madness from Finland's finest "freak out-ers".
9.
3927
9.
4182
9.
4182 — Proving that Eclipse was no fluke, Amorphis continues their rise to folky, dark, death dominance.
9.
4182 — Proving that Eclipse was no fluke, Amorphis continues their rise to folky, dark, death dominance.
9.
4182 — Proving that Eclipse was no fluke, Amorphis continues their rise to folky, dark, death dominance.
9.
4182 — Proving that Eclipse was no fluke, Amorphis continues their rise to folky, dark, death dominance.
9.
4182 — Proving that Eclipse was no fluke, Amorphis continues their rise to folky, dark, death dominance.
9.
4182 — Proving that Eclipse was no fluke, Amorphis continues their rise to folky, dark, death dominance.
9.
4182 — Proving that Eclipse was no fluke, Amorphis continues their rise to folky, dark, death dominance.
9.
4182 — Proving that Eclipse was no fluke, Amorphis continues their rise to folky, dark, death dominance.
9.
4182 — Proving that Eclipse was no fluke, Amorphis continues their rise to folky, dark, death dominance.
10.
4178
10.
The Flower Kings - The Sum Of No Evil
10.
The Flower Kings - The Sum Of No Evil — The Swedish prog veterans come out with a wonderfully pop-drenched yet intricately progressive batch of rock that can reach almost half an hour on one song, a little under five on the next, making both types equally catchy and enjoyable.
10.
The Flower Kings - The Sum Of No Evil — The Swedish prog veterans come out with a wonderfully pop-drenched yet intricately progressive batch of rock that can reach almost half an hour on one song, a little under five on the next, making both types equally catchy and enjoyable.
10.
The Flower Kings - The Sum Of No Evil — The Swedish prog veterans come out with a wonderfully pop-drenched yet intricately progressive batch of rock that can reach almost half an hour on one song, a little under five on the next, making both types equally catchy and enjoyable.
10.
The Flower Kings - The Sum Of No Evil — The Swedish prog veterans come out with a wonderfully pop-drenched yet intricately progressive batch of rock that can reach almost half an hour on one song, a little under five on the next, making both types equally catchy and enjoyable.
10.
The Flower Kings - The Sum Of No Evil — The Swedish prog veterans come out with a wonderfully pop-drenched yet intricately progressive batch of rock that can reach almost half an hour on one song, a little under five on the next, making both types equally catchy and enjoyable.
10.
The Flower Kings - The Sum Of No Evil — The Swedish prog veterans come out with a wonderfully pop-drenched yet intricately progressive batch of rock that can reach almost half an hour on one song, a little under five on the next, making both types equally catchy and enjoyable.
10.
The Flower Kings - The Sum Of No Evil — The Swedish prog veterans come out with a wonderfully pop-drenched yet intricately progressive batch of rock that can reach almost half an hour on one song, a little under five on the next, making both types equally catchy and enjoyable.
10.
The Flower Kings - The Sum Of No Evil — The Swedish prog veterans come out with a wonderfully pop-drenched yet intricately progressive batch of rock that can reach almost half an hour on one song, a little under five on the next, making both types equally catchy and enjoyable.
10.
The Flower Kings - The Sum Of No Evil — The Swedish prog veterans come out with a wonderfully pop-drenched yet intricately progressive batch of rock that can reach almost half an hour on one song, a little under five on the next, making both types equally catchy and enjoyable.
11.
3890
11.
3927
11.
3927
11.
3927
11.
3927 — Unparalelled in atmosphere by anything released this year, Moonsorrow just keeps getting better and better.
11.
3927 — Unparalelled in atmosphere by anything released this year, Moonsorrow just keeps getting better and better.
11.
3927 — Unparalelled in atmosphere by anything released this year, Moonsorrow just keeps getting better and better.
11.
3927 — Unparalelled in atmosphere by anything released this year, Moonsorrow just keeps getting better and better.
11.
3927 — Unparalelled in atmosphere by anything released this year, Moonsorrow just keeps getting better and better.
11.
3927 — Unparalelled in atmosphere by anything released this year, Moonsorrow just keeps getting better and better.
11.
3927 — Unparalelled in atmosphere by anything released this year, Moonsorrow just keeps getting better and better.
12.
4080
12.
4178
12.
4178
12.
4178
12.
4178 — Blistering riffage galore with the finest air guitar album of the year - it ain't reinventing anything but it is just so good - the best Arch Enemy have put out yet.
12.
4178 — Blistering riffage galore with the finest air guitar album of the year - it ain't reinventing anything but it is just so good - the best Arch Enemy have put out yet.
12.
4178 — Blistering riffage galore with the finest air guitar album of the year - it ain't reinventing anything but it is just so good - the best Arch Enemy have put out yet.
12.
4178 — Blistering riffage galore with the finest air guitar album of the year - it ain't reinventing anything but it is just so good - the best Arch Enemy have put out yet.
12.
4178 — Blistering riffage galore with the finest air guitar album of the year - it ain't reinventing anything but it is just so good - the best Arch Enemy have put out yet.
12.
4178 — Blistering riffage galore with the finest air guitar album of the year - it ain't reinventing anything but it is just so good - the best Arch Enemy have put out yet.
12.
4178 — Blistering riffage galore with the finest air guitar album of the year - it ain't reinventing anything but it is just so good - the best Arch Enemy have put out yet.
13.
4027
13.
3890
13.
3890 — Gimme that noodling, boys! Just keep it as catchy and/or heavy as this and I'm lapping it up!
13.
3890 — Gimme that noodling, boys! Just keep it as catchy and/or heavy as this and I'm lapping it up!
13.
3890 — Gimme that noodling, boys! Just keep it as catchy and/or heavy as this and I'm lapping it up!
13.
3890 — Gimme that noodling, boys! Just keep it as catchy and/or heavy as this and I'm lapping it up!
13.
3890 — Gimme that noodling, boys! Just keep it as catchy and/or heavy as this and I'm lapping it up!
13.
3890 — Gimme that noodling, boys! Just keep it as catchy and/or heavy as this and I'm lapping it up!
13.
3890 — Gimme that noodling, boys! Just keep it as catchy and/or heavy as this and I'm lapping it up!
13.
3890 — Gimme that noodling, boys! Just keep it as catchy and/or heavy as this and I'm lapping it up!
13.
3890 — Gimme that noodling, boys! Just keep it as catchy and/or heavy as this and I'm lapping it up!
14.
14.
4080
14.
4080
14.
4080
14.
4080 — Pumpkin
14.
4080 — Moshtastic Pumpkin-actio FTW!
14.
4080 — Moshtastic Pumpkin-actio FTW!
14.
4080 — Moshtastic Pumpkin-action FTW!
14.
4080 — Moshtastic Pumpkin-action FTW!
14.
4080 — Moshtastic Pumpkin-action FTW!
14.
4080 — Moshtastic Pumpkin-action FTW!
15.
15.
4027
15.
4027 — A brilliant album full of epic movie-score induced metal after a very harsh period. The band survived without a scratch, and on stage, they have never been as good as now. When cosidering the total package, the singer change-up was the best thing that could have happened to Nightwish.
15.
4027 — A brilliant album full of epic movie-score induced metal after a very harsh period. The band survived without a scratch, and on stage, they have never been better. When cosidering the total package, the singer change was the best thing that could have happened to Nightwish.
15.
4027 — A brilliant album full of epic movie-score induced metal after a very harsh period. The band survived without a scratch, and on stage, they have never been better. When cosidering the total package, the singer change was the best thing that could have happened to Nightwish.
15.
4027 — A brilliant album full of epic movie-score induced metal after a very harsh period. The band survived without a scratch, and on stage, they have never been better. When cosidering the total package, the singer change was the best thing that could have happened to Nightwish.
15.
4027 — A brilliant album full of epic movie-score induced metal after a very harsh period. The band survived without a scratch, and on stage, they have never been better. When cosidering the total package, the singer change was the best thing that could have happened to Nightwish.
15.
4027 — A brilliant album full of epic movie-score induced metal after a very harsh period. The band survived without a scratch, and on stage, they have never been better. When cosidering the total package, the singer change was the best thing that could have happened to Nightwish.
15.
4027 — A brilliant album full of epic movie-score induced metal after a very harsh period. The band survived without a scratch, and on stage, they have never been better. When cosidering the total package, the singer change was the best thing that could have happened to Nightwish.
15.
4027 — A brilliant album full of epic movie-score induced metal after a very harsh period. The band survived without a scratch, and on stage, they have never been better. When cosidering the total package, the singer change was the best thing that could have happened to Nightwish.
15.
4027 — A brilliant album full of epic movie-score induced metal after a very harsh period. The band survived without a scratch, and on stage, they have never been better. When cosidering the total package, the singer change was the best thing that could have happened to Nightwish.

Surprises of the Year

1.
1.
4032
1.
4032 — Magnificent technical death metal from a band I'd never heard of before this monster.
1.
4032 — Magnificent technical death metal from a band I'd never heard of before this monster.
1.
4032 — Magnificent technical death metal from a band I'd never heard of before this monster.
1.
4032 — Magnificent technical death metal from a band I'd never heard of before this monster.
1.
4032 — Magnificent technical death metal from a band I'd never heard of before this monster.
1.
4032 — Magnificent technical death metal from a band I'd never heard of before this monster.
1.
4032 — Magnificent technical death metal from a band I'd never heard of before this monster.
1.
4032 — Magnificent technical death metal from a band I'd never heard of before this monster.
1.
4032 — Magnificent technical death metal from a band I'd never heard of before this monster.
2.
2.
3840
2.
3840 — Mustaine & crew still have it - I wonder how it is that the presidential terms of war-mongering republican leaders in America have always brought out the best in Dave's pencil and guitar - especially the second terms, think Reagan '84-'88=Peace Sells and Bush jr. '04-'08=United Abominations. Excellent thrasy yumness.
2.
3840 — Mustaine & crew still have it - I wonder how it is that the presidential terms of war-mongering republican leaders in America have always brought out the best in Dave's pencil and guitar - especially the second terms, think Reagan '84-'88=Peace Sells and Bush jr. '04-'08=United Abominations. Excellent thrasy yumness.
2.
3840 — Mustaine & crew still have it - I wonder how it is that the presidential terms of war-mongering republican leaders in America have always brought out the best in Dave's pencil and guitar - especially the second terms, think Reagan '84-'88=Peace Sells and Bush jr. '04-'08=United Abominations. Excellent thrasy yumness.
2.
3840 — Mustaine & crew still have it - I wonder how it is that the presidential terms of war-mongering republican leaders in America have always brought out the best in Dave's pencil and guitar - especially the second terms, think Reagan '84-'88=Peace Sells and Bush jr. '04-'08=United Abominations. Excellent thrasy yumness.
2.
3840 — Mustaine still has it - I wonder how it is that the presidential terms of war-mongering republican leaders in America have always brought out the best in Dave's pencil and guitar - especially the second terms, think Reagan '84-'88=Peace Sells and Bush jr. '04-'08=United Abominations. Excellent thrashy yumness.
2.
3840 — Mustaine still has it - I wonder how it is that the presidential terms of war-mongering republican leaders in America have always brought out the best in Dave's pencil and guitar - especially the second terms, think Reagan '84-'88=Peace Sells and Bush jr. '04-'08=United Abominations. Excellent thrashy yumness.
2.
3840 — Mustaine still has it - I wonder how it is that the presidential terms of war-mongering republican leaders in America have always brought out the best in Dave's pencil and guitar - especially the second terms, think Reagan '84-'88=Peace Sells and Bush jr. '04-'08=United Abominations. Excellent thrashy yumness.
2.
3840 — Mustaine still has it - I wonder how it is that the presidential terms of war-mongering republican leaders in America have always brought out the best in Dave's pencil and guitar - especially the second terms, think Reagan '84-'88=Peace Sells and Bush jr. '04-'08=United Abominations. Excellent thrashy yumness.
2.
3840 — Mustaine still has it - I wonder how it is that the presidential terms of war-mongering republican leaders in America have always brought out the best in Dave's pencil and guitar - especially the second terms, think Reagan '84-'88=Peace Sells and Bush jr. '04-'08=United Abominations. Excellent thrashy yumness.
3.
3.
4054
3.
4054 — Another Finnish band catching me completely off guard with molten, aggressive metal.
3.
4054 — Another Finnish band catching me completely off guard with molten, aggressive metal.
3.
4054 — Another Finnish band catching me completely off guard with molten, aggressive metal.
3.
4054 — Another Finnish band catching me completely off guard with molten, aggressive metal.
3.
4054 — Another Finnish band catching me completely off guard with molten, aggressive metal.
3.
4054 — Another Finnish band catching me completely off guard with molten, aggressive metal.
3.
4054 — Another Finnish band catching me completely off guard with molten, aggressive metal.
3.
4054 — Another Finnish band catching me completely off guard with molten, aggressive metal.
3.
4054 — Another Finnish band catching me completely off guard with molten, aggressive metal.
4.
4.
3908
4.
3908 — Holy mother, a Demon Burger-album I'm actually enjoying. Can it be the catchy melodies, the perversly appealing operetta vocals, or the fact that I'm a concept-album -addict? Naaah, I'll blame it all on the fact that Blomberg is on drums. The man can do no wrong and makes every album he's on more enjoyable for me.
4.
3908 — Holy mother, a Demon Burger-album I'm actually enjoying. Can it be the catchy melodies, the perversly appealing operetta vocals, or the fact that I'm a concept-album -addict? Naaah, I'll blame it all on the fact that Blomberg is on drums. The man can do no wrong and makes every album he's on more enjoyable for me.
4.
3908 — Holy mother, a Demon Burger-album I'm actually enjoying. Can it be the catchy melodies, the perversly appealing operetta vocals, or the fact that I'm a concept-album -addict? Naaah, I'll blame it all on the fact that Blomberg is on drums. The man can do no wrong and makes every album he's on more enjoyable for me.
4.
3908 — Holy mother, a Demon Burger-album I'm actually enjoying. Can it be the catchy melodies, the perversly appealing operetta vocals, or the fact that I'm a concept-album -addict? Naaah, I'll blame it all on the fact that Blomberg is on drums. The man can do no wrong and makes every album he's on more enjoyable for me.
4.
3908 — Holy mother, a Demon Burger-album I'm actually enjoying. Can it be the catchy melodies, the perversly appealing operetta vocals, or the fact that I'm a concept-album -addict? Naaah, I'll blame it all on the fact that Blomberg is on drums. The man can do no wrong and makes every album he's on more enjoyable for me.
4.
3908 — Holy mother, a Demon Burger-album I'm actually enjoying. Can it be the catchy melodies, the perversly appealing operetta vocals, or the fact that I'm a concept-album -addict? Naaah, I'll blame it all on the fact that Blomberg is on drums. The man can do no wrong and makes every album he's on more enjoyable for me.
4.
3908 — Holy mother, a Demon Burger-album I'm actually enjoying. Can it be the catchy melodies, the perversly appealing operetta vocals, or the fact that I'm a concept-album -addict? Naaah, I'll blame it all on the fact that Blomberg is on drums. The man can do no wrong and makes every album he's on more enjoyable for me.
4.
3908 — Holy mother, a Demon Burger-album I'm actually enjoying. Can it be the catchy melodies, the perversly appealing operetta vocals, or the fact that I'm a concept-album -addict? Naaah, I'll blame it all on the fact that Blomberg is on drums. The man can do no wrong and makes every album he's on more enjoyable for me.
4.
3908 — Holy mother, a Demon Burger-album I'm actually enjoying. Can it be the catchy melodies, the perversely appealing operetta vocals, or the fact that I'm a concept-album -addict? Naaah, I'll blame it all on the fact that Blomberg is on drums. The man can do no wrong and makes every album he's on more enjoyable for me.
5.
5.
3647
5.
3647 — The Finnish melodic metal guard finally lives up to its potential with great blasts of action.
5.
3647 — The Finnish melodic metal guard finally lives up to its potential with great blasts of action.
5.
3647 — The Finnish melodic metal guard finally lives up to its potential with great blasts of action.
5.
3647 — The Finnish melodic metal guard finally lives up to its potential with great blasts of action.
5.
3647 — The Finnish melodic metal guard finally lives up to its potential with great blasts of action.
5.
3647 — The Finnish melodic metal guard finally lives up to its potential with great blasts of fury.
5.
3647 — The Finnish melodic metal guard finally lives up to its potential with great blasts of fury.
5.
3647 — The Finnish melodic metal guard finally lives up to its potential with great blasts of fury.
5.
3647 — The Finnish melodic metal guard finally lives up to its potential with great blasts of fury.

Disappointments

1.
1.
3856
1.
3856 — I was hoping sp hard that Down To Earth was mediocre because of the outside song writers - that just let Ozzy in a room with a pen, paper and Zakk Wylde, and everything will be magic once more. Oh, well, I guess there was still one more extra song writer/producer/whatever...
1.
3856 — I was hoping sp hard that Down To Earth was mediocre because of the outside song writers - that just let Ozzy in a room with a pen, paper and Zakk Wylde, and everything will be magic once more. Oh, well, I guess there was still one more extra song writer/producer/whatever...
1.
3856 — I was hoping sp hard that Down To Earth was mediocre because of the outside song writers - that just let Ozzy in a room with a pen, paper and Zakk Wylde, and everything will be magic once more. Oh, well, I guess there was still one more extra song writer/producer/whatever...
1.
3856 — I was hoping sp hard that Down To Earth was mediocre because of the outside song writers - that just let Ozzy in a room with a pen, paper and Zakk Wylde, and everything will be magic once more. Oh, well, I guess there was still one more extra song writer/producer/whatever...
1.
3856 — I was hoping sp hard that Down To Earth was mediocre because of the outside song writers - that just let Ozzy in a room with a pen, paper and Zakk Wylde, and everything will be magic once more. Oh, well, I guess there was still one more extra song writer/producer/whatever...
1.
3856 — I was hoping so hard that Down To Earth was mediocre because of the outside song writers - that just let Ozzy in a room with a pen, paper and Zakk Wylde, and everything will be magic once more. Oh, well, I guess there was still one more extra song writer/producer/whatever...
1.
3856 — I was hoping so hard that Down To Earth was mediocre because of the outside song writers - that just let Ozzy in a room with a pen, paper and Zakk Wylde, and everything will be magic once more. Oh, well, I guess there was still one more extra song writer/producer/whatever...
1.
3856 — I was hoping so hard that Down To Earth was mediocre because of the outside songwriters - just let Ozzy into a room with a pen, paper and Zakk Wylde, and everything will be magic once more. Oh well, I guess there was still one more extra songwriter/producer/whatever...
1.
3856 — I was hoping so hard that Down To Earth was mediocre because of the outside songwriters - just let Ozzy into a room with a pen, paper and Zakk Wylde, and everything will be magic once more. Oh well, I guess there was still one more extra songwriter/producer/whatever...
2.
2.
4082
2.
4082 — Tempo was amazing, Shovel-Headed great with the throat-grabbing groove, but apart from a few songs, Exhibit A just didn't get into my head like Exodus should.
2.
4082 — Tempo was amazing, Shovel-Headed great with the throat-grabbing groove, but apart from a few songs, Exhibit A just didn't get into my head like Exodus should.
2.
4082 — Tempo was amazing, Shovel-Headed great with the throat-grabbing groove, but apart from a few songs, Exhibit A just didn't get into my head like Exodus should.
2.
4082 — Tempo was amazing, Shovel-Headed great with the throat-grabbing groove, but apart from a few songs, Exhibit A just didn't get into my head like Exodus should.
2.
4082 — Tempo was amazing, Shovel-Headed great with the throat-grabbing groove, but apart from a few songs, Exhibit A just didn't get into my head like Exodus should.
2.
4082 — Tempo was amazing, Shovel-Headed was great with the throat-grabbing groove, but apart from a few songs, Exhibit A just didn't get into my head like Exodus should.
2.
4082 — Tempo was amazing, Shovel-Headed was great with the throat-grabbing groove, but apart from a few songs, Exhibit A just didn't get into my head like Exodus should.
2.
4082 — Tempo was amazing, Shovel-Headed was great with the throat-grabbing groove, but apart from a few songs, Exhibit A just didn't get into my head like Exodus should.
2.
4082 — Tempo was amazing, Shovel-Headed was great with the throat-grabbing groove, but apart from a few songs, Exhibit A just didn't get into my head like Exodus should.
3.
3.
4140
3.
4140 — Ralf basically saves the day from total disaster. Is it too lean overall? Can't say really, because I dig some really soft music given the right time, but this disc just didn't hit it.
3.
4140 — Ralf basically saves the day from total disaster. Is it too lean overall? Can't say really, because I dig some really soft music given the right time, but this disc just didn't hit it.
3.
4140 — Ralf basically saves the day from total disaster. Is it too lean overall? Can't say really, because I dig some really soft music given the right time, but this disc just didn't hit it.
3.
4140 — Ralf basically saves the day from total disaster. Is it too lean overall? Can't say really, because I dig some really soft music given the right time, but this disc just didn't hit it.
3.
4140 — Ralf basically saves the day from total disaster. Is it too lean overall? Can't say really, because I dig some really soft music given the right time, but this disc just didn't hit it.
3.
4140 — Ralf basically saves the day from total disaster. Is it too lean overall? Can't say really, because I dig some really soft music given the right time, but this disc just didn't hit it.
3.
4140 — Ralf basically saves the day from total disaster. Is it too lean overall? Can't say really, because I dig some really soft music given the right time, but this disc just didn't hit it.
3.
4140 — Ralf basically saves the day from total disaster. Is it too lean overall? Can't say really, because I dig some really soft music given the right time, but this disc just didn't hit it.
3.
4140 — Ralf basically saves the day from total disaster. Is it too lean overall? Can't say really, because I dig some really soft music given the right time, but this disc just didn't hit it.
4.
4.
3791
4.
3791 — Not a bad album by any means, some killer tunes abound, but Jeff Waters can simply do so much better. I know it, I've heard it and still believe it...
4.
3791 — Not a bad album by any means, some killer tunes abound, but Jeff Waters can simply do so much better. I know it, I've heard it and still believe it...
4.
3791 — Not a bad album by any means, some killer tunes abound, but Jeff Waters can simply do so much better. I know it, I've heard it and still believe it...
4.
3791 — Not a bad album by any means, some killer tunes abound, but Jeff Waters can simply do so much better. I know it, I've heard it and still believe it...
4.
3791 — Not a bad album by any means, some killer tunes abound, but Jeff Waters can simply do so much better. I know it, I've heard it and still believe it...
4.
3791 — Not a bad album by any means, some killer tunes abound, but Jeff Waters can simply do so much better. I know it, I've heard it and still believe it...
4.
3791 — Not a bad album by any means, some killer tunes abound, but Jeff Waters can simply do so much better. I know it, I've heard it and still believe it...
4.
3791 — Not a bad album by any means, some killer tunes abound, but Jeff Waters can simply do so much better. I know it, I've heard it and still believe it...
4.
3791 — Not a bad album by any means, some killer tunes abound, but Jeff Waters can simply do so much better. I know it, I've heard it and still believe it...
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.

Joke of the Year

1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
— As shocking as it is, I encountered nothing that could be classified a joke all year. I guess I really should crawl under my Nordic rock.
1.
— As shocking as it is, I encountered nothing that could be classified a joke all year. I guess I really should crawl under my Nordic rock.
1.
— As shocking as it is, I encountered nothing that could be classified a joke all year. I guess I really should crawl under my Nordic boulder and take a look around.
1.
— As shocking as it is, I encountered nothing that could be classified a joke all year. I guess I really should crawl out from under my Nordic boulder and take a look around.
1.
— As shocking as it is, I encountered nothing that could be classified a joke all year. I guess I really should crawl out from under my Nordic boulder and take a look around.
1.
— As shocking as it is, I encountered nothing that could be classified a joke all year. I guess I really should crawl out from under my Nordic boulder and take a look around.
2.
2.
2.
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5.
5.

Words / Final Thoughts

0
0
0
0
0
0
— 2007 was a most excellent year for metal. Looking at my best of I can only conclude that my lust for proggy nerdiness only intensified from previous years and the adolescent power-love has given way to harsher classes of metallic expressions. Still, I found very much to enjoy all year from the most melodic epics to the most grinding quickies. 2008 doesn't seem to be letting the pace go with a swarm of new releases headed right at us with full speed - for me, the most lip-smacking anticipation is produced by the new discs from Ayreon, Stam1na and ICED EARTH WITH MATT BARLOW! Now if only Nevermore could get the gears rolling (at least with the ever-so-torturous-to-wait- -DVD) or Warrel Dane finalizes his solo record, my singer orgasms would propel me to the next decade. Metal on, in every way, shape and form possible! -Aleksi-
0
— 2007 was a most excellent year for metal. Looking at my best of I can only conclude that my lust for proggy nerdiness only intensified from previous years and the adolescent power-love has given way to harsher classes of metallic expressions. Still, I found very much to enjoy all year from the most melodic epics to the most grinding quickies. 2008 doesn't seem to be letting the pace go with a swarm of new releases headed right at us with full speed - for me, the most lip-smacking anticipation is produced by the new discs from Ayreon, Stam1na and ICED EARTH WITH MATT BARLOW! Now if only Nevermore could get the gears rolling (at least with the ever-so-torturous-to-wait- -DVD) or Warrel Dane finalizes his solo record, my singer orgasms would propel me to the next decade. Metal on, in every way, shape and form possible! -Aleksi-
0
— 2007 was a most excellent year for metal. Looking at my best of I can only conclude that my lust for proggy nerdiness only intensified from previous years and the adolescent power-love has given way to harsher classes of metallic expressions. Still, I found very much to enjoy all year from the most melodic epics to the most grinding quickies. 2008 doesn't seem to be letting the pace go with a swarm of new releases headed right at us with full speed - for me, the most lip-smacking anticipation is produced by the new discs from Ayreon, Stam1na and ICED EARTH WITH MATT BARLOW! Now if only Nevermore could get the gears rolling (at least with the ever-so-torturous-to-wait- -DVD) or Warrel Dane finalizes his solo record, my singer orgasms would propel me to the next decade. Metal on, in every way, shape and form possible! -Aleksi-
0
— 2007 was a most excellent year for metal. Looking at my "best of" I can only conclude that my lust for proggy nerdiness only intensified from previous years and the adolescent power-love has given some way to much harsher classes of metallic expression. Still, I found very much to enjoy all year from the most melodic epics to the most grinding quickies. 2008 doesn't seem to be letting the pace go with a swarm of new releases headed right at us with full speed - for me, the most lip-smacking anticipation is produced by the new Ayreon, Stam1na and ICED EARTH WITH MATT BARLOW! Now if only Nevermore could get the gears rolling (at least with the ever-so-torturous-to-wait-DVD) or Warrel Dane finalizes his solo record, my singer-lover orgasms would propel me to the next decade. Metal on, comrads - in every way, shape and form possible! -Aleksi-
0
— 2007 was a most excellent year for metal. Looking at my "best of" I can only conclude that my lust for proggy nerdiness only intensified from previous years and the adolescent power-love has given some way to much harsher classes of metallic expression. Still, I found very much to enjoy all year from the most melodic epics to the most grinding quickies. 2008 doesn't seem to be letting the pace go with a swarm of new releases headed right at us with full speed - for me, the most lip-smacking anticipation is produced by the new Ayreon, Stam1na and ICED EARTH WITH MATT BARLOW! Now if only Nevermore could get the gears rolling (at least with the ever-so-torturous-to-wait-DVD) or Warrel Dane finalizes his solo record, my singer-lover orgasms would propel me to the next decade. Metal on, comrads - in every way, shape and form possible! -Aleksi-
0
— 2007 was a most excellent year for metal. Looking at my "best of" I can only conclude that my lust for proggy nerdiness only intensified from previous years and the adolescent power-love has given some way to much harsher classes of metallic expression. Still, I found very much to enjoy all year from the most melodic epics to the most grinding quickies. 2008 doesn't seem to be letting the pace go with a swarm of new releases headed right at us with full speed - for me, the most lip-smacking anticipation is produced by the new Ayreon, Stam1na and ICED EARTH WITH MATT BARLOW! Now if only Nevermore could get the gears rolling (at least with the ever-so-torturous-to-wait-DVD) or Warrel Dane finalizes his solo record, my singer-lover orgasms would propel me to the next decade. Metal on, comrads - in every way, shape and form possible! -Aleksi-

Adam

Top Albums

1.
4169 — In time, this will be seen as one of the best doom albums ever recorded. A fantastic end to an amazing band.
1.
4169 — In time, this will be seen as one of the best doom albums ever recorded. A fantastic end to an amazing band.
1.
4169 — In time, this will be seen as one of the best doom albums ever recorded. A fantastic end to an amazing band.
1.
4169 — In time, this will be seen as one of the best doom albums ever recorded. A fantastic end to an amazing band.
1.
4169 — In time, this will be seen as one of the best doom albums ever recorded. A fantastic end to an amazing band.
1.
4169 — In time, this will be seen as one of the best doom albums ever recorded. A fantastic end to an amazing band.
2.
4132 — A beautifully chaotic black metal album, with a little death metal thrown in. This is as good as Kenose, and that's saying something in my book.
2.
4132 — A beautifully chaotic black metal album, with a little death metal thrown in. This is as good as Kenose, and that's saying something in my book.
2.
4132 — A beautifully chaotic black metal album, with a little death metal thrown in. This is as good as Kenose, and that's saying something in my book.
2.
4132 — A beautifully chaotic black metal album, with a little death metal thrown in. This is as good as Kenose, and that's saying something in my book.
2.
4132 — A beautifully chaotic black metal album, with a little death metal thrown in. This is as good as Kenose, and that's saying something in my book.
2.
4132 — A beautifully chaotic black metal album, with a little death metal thrown in. This is as good as Kenose, and that's saying something in my book.
3.
3962 — Their best album since Times of Grace, and a return to the top of the Sludge scene.
3.
3962 — Their best album since Times of Grace, and a return to the top of the Sludge scene.
3.
3962 — Their best album since Times of Grace, and a return to the top of the Sludge scene.
3.
3962 — Their best album since Times of Grace, and a return to the top of the Sludge scene.
3.
3962 — Their best album since Times of Grace, and a return to the top of the Sludge scene.
3.
3962 — Their best album since Times of Grace, and a return to the top of the Sludge scene.
4.
Evoken - Caress of the Void — A late entry that hasn't had time to fully sink in yet. This has the potential to be their best album yet.
4.
Evoken - Caress of the Void — A late entry that hasn't had time to fully sink in yet. This has the potential to be their best album yet.
4.
Evoken - Caress of the Void — A late entry that hasn't had time to fully sink in yet. This has the potential to be their best album yet.
4.
Evoken - Caress of the Void — A late entry that hasn't had time to fully sink in yet. This has the potential to be their best album yet.
4.
Evoken - Caress of the Void — A late entry that hasn't had time to fully sink in yet. This has the potential to be their best album yet.
4.
4215 — A late entry that hasn't had time to fully sink in yet. This has the potential to be their best album yet.
5.
3713 — A bit of a stylistic change that was pulled off nearly flawlessly, and a second straight strong 2-disc release.
5.
3713 — A bit of a stylistic change that was pulled off nearly flawlessly, and a second straight strong 2-disc release.
5.
3713 — A bit of a stylistic change that was pulled off nearly flawlessly, and a second straight strong 2-disc release.
5.
3713 — A bit of a stylistic change that was pulled off nearly flawlessly, and a second straight strong 2-disc release.
5.
3713 — A bit of a stylistic change that was pulled off nearly flawlessly, and a second straight strong 2-disc release.
5.
3713 — A bit of a stylistic change that was pulled off nearly flawlessly, and a second straight strong 2-disc release.
6.
3963 — This release catapults them to the forefront of death metal for me. It is just as interesting as it is brutal.
6.
3963 — This release catapults them to the forefront of death metal for me. It is just as interesting as it is brutal.
6.
3963 — This release catapults them to the forefront of death metal for me. It is just as interesting as it is brutal.
6.
3963 — This release catapults them to the forefront of death metal for me. It is just as interesting as it is brutal.
6.
3963 — This release catapults them to the forefront of death metal for me. It is just as interesting as it is brutal.
6.
3963 — This release catapults them to the forefront of death metal for me. It is just as interesting as it is brutal.
7.
4114 — While I liked the last album better, this one is still outstanding in its own right.
7.
4114 — While I liked the last album better, this one is still outstanding in its own right.
7.
4114 — While I liked the last album better, this one is still outstanding in its own right.
7.
4114 — While I liked the last album better, this one is still outstanding in its own right.
7.
4114 — While I liked the last album better, this one is still outstanding in its own right.
7.
4114 — While I liked the last album better, this one is still outstanding in its own right.
8.
3885 — Messiah who? Lowe's emotional performance mixed with a slightly darker sound make for great doom.
8.
3885 — Messiah who? Lowe's emotional performance mixed with a slightly darker sound make for great doom.
8.
3885 — Messiah who? Lowe's emotional performance mixed with a slightly darker sound make for great doom.
8.
3885 — Messiah who? Lowe's emotional performance mixed with a slightly darker sound make for great doom.
8.
3885 — Messiah who? Lowe's emotional performance mixed with a slightly darker sound make for great doom.
8.
3885 — Messiah who? Lowe's emotional performance mixed with a slightly darker sound make for great doom.
9.
4150 — The comical and unique storyline was a enjoyable break from the typical metal lyrical subject matter.
9.
4150 — The comical and unique storyline was a enjoyable break from the typical metal lyrical subject matter.
9.
4150 — The comical and unique storyline was a enjoyable break from the typical metal lyrical subject matter.
9.
4150 — The comical and unique storyline was a enjoyable break from the typical metal lyrical subject matter.
9.
4150 — The comical and unique storyline was a enjoyable break from the typical metal lyrical subject matter.
9.
4150 — The comical and unique storyline was a enjoyable break from the typical metal lyrical subject matter. Oh, and Devin is still a kickass songwriter.
10.
10.
3904 — A bit more polished than Terrifyer, but still more chaotic than just about everyone else.
10.
3904 — A bit more polished than Terrifyer, but still more chaotic than just about everyone else.
10.
3904 — A bit more polished than Terrifyer, but still more chaotic than just about everyone else.
10.
3904 — A bit more polished than Terrifyer, but still more chaotic than just about everyone else.
10.
3904 — A bit more polished than Terrifyer, but still more chaotic than just about everyone else.
11.
11.
3884 — This band deserves way more recognition. This is a step up from Part 1 which was one of the best albums of '06.
11.
3884 — This band deserves way more recognition. This is a step up from Part 1 which was one of the best albums of '06.
11.
3884 — This band deserves way more recognition. This is a step up from Part 1 which was one of the best albums of '06.
11.
3884 — This band deserves way more recognition. This is a step up from Part 1 which was one of the best albums of '06.
11.
3884 — This band deserves way more recognition. This is a step up from Part 1 which was one of the best albums of '06.
12.
12.
3852 — This album is the first I have heard from Cage, and what a first impression it is!
12.
3852 — This album is the first I have heard from Cage, and what a first impression it is!
12.
3852 — This album is the first I have heard from Cage, and what a first impression it is!
12.
3852 — This album is the first I have heard from Cage, and what a first impression it is!
12.
3852 — This album is the first I have heard from Cage, and what a first impression it is!
13.
13.
4149 — Matt Pike, the riffmaster, keeps going strong. As long as he's around, the future of High on Fire looks very bright.
13.
4149 — Matt Pike, the riffmaster, keeps going strong. As long as he's around, the future of High on Fire looks very bright.
13.
4149 — Matt Pike, the riffmaster, keeps going strong. As long as he's around, the future of High on Fire looks very bright.
13.
4149 — Matt Pike, the riffmaster, keeps going strong. As long as he's around, the future of High on Fire looks very bright.
13.
4149 — Matt Pike, the riffmaster, keeps going strong. As long as he's around, the future of High on Fire looks very bright.
14.
14.
Electric Wizard - Witchcult Today — This is what EW fans needed after a bit of a decline with their last couple albums.
14.
Electric Wizard - Witchcult Today — This is what EW fans needed after a bit of a decline with their last couple albums.
14.
Electric Wizard - Witchcult Today — This is what EW fans needed after a bit of a decline with their last couple albums.
14.
Electric Wizard - Witchcult Today — This is what EW fans needed after a bit of a decline with their last couple albums.
14.
Electric Wizard - Witchcult Today — This is what the fans of this band needed after a bit of a decline with their last couple albums.
15.
15.
3827 — A wonderful mix of styles and a definite step up from Gallows Gallery.
15.
3827 — A wonderful mix of styles and a definite step up from Gallows Gallery.
15.
3827 — A wonderful mix of styles and a definite step up from Gallows Gallery.
15.
3827 — A wonderful mix of styles and a definite step up from Gallows Gallery.
15.
3827 — A wonderful mix of styles and a definite step up from Gallows Gallery.

Surprises of the Year

1.
1.
3852
1.
3852
1.
3852
1.
3852
1.
3852
2.
2.
4050 — 2007 was a great year for thrash, and this is one of the main reasons.
2.
4050 — 2007 was a great year for thrash, and this is one of the main reasons.
2.
4050 — 2007 was a great year for thrash, and this is one of the main reasons.
2.
4050 — 2007 was a great year for thrash, and this is one of the main reasons.
2.
4050 — 2007 was a great year for thrash, and this is one of the main reasons.
3.
3.
4133 — A unique blend of black metal with technical and progressive elements.
3.
4133 — A unique blend of black metal with technical and progressive elements.
3.
4133 — A unique blend of black metal with technical and progressive elements.
3.
4133 — A unique blend of black metal with technical and progressive elements.
3.
4133 — A unique blend of black metal with technical and progressive elements.
4.
4.
3760 — After hearing Thy Catafalque, but being that this was better, I was.
4.
3760 — After hearing Thy Catafalque, I probably shouldn't have been surprised, but being that this was better, I was.
4.
3760 — After hearing Thy Catafalque, I probably shouldn't have been surprised, but being that this was better, I was.
4.
3760 — After hearing Thy Catafalque, I probably shouldn't have been surprised, but being that this was better, I was.
4.
3760 — After hearing Thy Catafalque, I probably shouldn't have been surprised, but being that this was better, I was.
5.
5.
3759 — A surprising change in sound that worked very well.
5.
3759 — A surprising change in sound that worked very well.
5.
3759 — A surprising change in sound that worked very well.
5.
3759 — A surprising change in sound that worked very well.
5.
3759 — A surprising change in sound that worked very well.

Disappointments

1.
1.
4140 — Seven Seals to this?! Hopefully they will get back on track next time out.
1.
4140 — Seven Seals to this?! Hopefully they will get back on track next time out.
1.
4140 — Seven Seals to this?! Hopefully they will get back on track next time out.
1.
4140 — Seven Seals to this?! Hopefully they will get back on track next time out.
1.
4140 — Seven Seals to this?! Hopefully they will get back on track next time out.
2.
2.
3948 — Death metal had the most disappointing major releases. None of them were awful, but they weren't great either.
2.
3948 — Death metal had the most disappointing major releases. None of them were awful, but they weren't great either.
2.
3948 — Death metal had the most disappointing major releases. None of them were awful, but they weren't great either.
2.
3948 — Death metal had the most disappointing major releases. None of them were awful, but they weren't great either. Obituary or Malevolent Creation could have just as easily been inserted here.
2.
3948 — Death metal had the most disappointing major releases. None of them were awful, but they weren't great either. Obituary or Malevolent Creation could have just as easily been inserted here.
3.
3.
4036 — See previous comment.
3.
4036 — See previous comment.
3.
4036 — See previous comment.
3.
Pelican - City of Echoes — Their pendulum is tipping more and more toward post-rock, which has me missing the harder approach of Australasia more and more.
3.
Pelican - City of Echoes — Their pendulum is tipping more and more toward post-rock, which has me missing the harder approach of Australasia more and more.
4.
4.
4067 — Just not up to par. They have shown they can do much, much better.
4.
4067 — The decline continues in earnest. They have shown they can do much, much better.
4.
4067 — The decline continues in earnest. They have shown they can do much, much better.
4.
4067 — The decline continues in earnest. They have shown they can do much, much better.
4.
4067 — The decline continues in earnest. They have shown they can do much, much better.
5.
5.
Mekong Delta — The disappointment of my year is that I haven't heard this album yet! Upon hearing it, I seriously doubt it will still be on this list.
5.
Mekong Delta — The disappointment of my year is that I haven't heard this album yet! Upon hearing it, I seriously doubt it will still be on this list.
5.
Mekong Delta - Lurking Fear — The disappointment of my year is that I haven't heard this album yet! Upon hearing it, I seriously doubt it will still be on this list.
5.
Mekong Delta - Lurking Fear — The disappointment of my year is that I haven't heard this album yet! Upon hearing it, I seriously doubt it will still be on this list.
5.
Mekong Delta - Lurking Fear — The disappointment of my year is that I haven't heard this album yet! Upon hearing it, I seriously doubt it will still be on this list.

Joke of the Year

1.
1.
The price of gasoline — I have a feeling this will continue to be an unusually cruel running joke for years to come.
1.
The price of gasoline - — I have a feeling this will continue to be an unusually cruel running joke for years to come.
1.
The price of gasoline -- — I have a feeling this will continue to be an unusually cruel running joke for years to come.
1.
The price of gasoline -- — I have a feeling this will continue to be an unusually cruel running joke for years to come.
1.
The price of gasoline -- — I have a feeling this will continue to be an unusually cruel running joke for years to come.
2.
2.
Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy — Is this damn thing ever coming out?
2.
Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy - — Is this damn thing ever coming out?
2.
Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy — Is this damn thing ever coming out?
2.
Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy — Is this damn thing ever coming out?
2.
Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy — Is this damn thing ever coming out?
3.
3.
The BCS of college football — Another repeat from last year, and it was an even bigger joke this year.
3.
The BCS of college football - — Another repeat from last year, and it was an even bigger joke this year.
3.
The BCS of college football -- — Another repeat from last year, and it was an even bigger joke this year.
3.
The BCS of college football -- — Another repeat from last year, and it was an even bigger joke this year.
3.
The BCS of college football -- — Another repeat from last year, and it was an even bigger joke this year.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.

Words / Final Thoughts

0
0
— As special as last year was, this year was even better. Seeing my daughter born was the greatest experience of my life. Watching her grow has given me less time to listen to music, and there were no shortage of great releases this year that didn't make the top 15. Dark Tranquillity - Fiction, Municipal Waste - The Art of Partying, and Redemption - The Origins of Ruin just to name a few. As always, thanks to the MR.com staff for being a wonderful group to work with and be a part of, thanks to the readers, and thanks to the forum members for another year of interesting banter. Adam
0
— As special as last year was, this year was even better. Seeing my daughter born was the greatest experience of my life. Watching her grow has given me less time to listen to music, and there were no shortage of great releases this year that didn't make the top 15. Dark Tranquillity - Fiction, Municipal Waste - The Art of Partying, and Redemption - The Origins of Ruin just to name a few. As always, thanks to the MR.com staff for being a wonderful group to work with and be a part of, thanks to the readers, and thanks to the forum members for another year of interesting banter. Adam
0
— As special as last year was, this year was even better. Seeing my daughter born was the greatest experience of my life. Watching her grow has given me less time to listen to music, and there were no shortage of great releases this year that didn't make the top 15. Dark Tranquillity - Fiction, Municipal Waste - The Art of Partying, and Redemption - The Origins of Ruin just to name a few. As always, thanks to the MR.com staff for being a wonderful group to work with and be a part of, thanks to the readers, and thanks to the forum members for another year of interesting banter. Adam
0
— As special as last year was, this year was even better. Seeing my daughter born was the greatest experience of my life. Watching her grow has given me less time to listen to music, and there were no shortage of great releases this year that didn't make the top 15. Dark Tranquillity - Fiction, Municipal Waste - The Art of Partying, and Redemption - The Origins of Ruin just to name a few. As always, thanks to the MR.com staff for being a wonderful group to work with and be a part of, thanks to the readers, and thanks to the forum members for another year of interesting banter. Adam
0
— As special as last year was, this year was even better. Seeing my daughter born was the greatest experience of my life. Watching her grow has given me less time to listen to music, and there were no shortage of great releases this year that didn't make the top 15. Dark Tranquillity - Fiction, Municipal Waste - The Art of Partying, 3 Inches of Blood - Fire Up the Blades, and Redemption - The Origins of Ruin just to name a few. As always, thanks to the MR.com staff for being a wonderful group to work with and be a part of, thanks to the readers, and thanks to the forum members for another year of interesting banter. Adam

Dylan

Top Albums

1.
4150 — An amazing combination of all the things that make Townsend's sound so infectious and recognizable. Wacky as hell to boot.
1.
4150 — An amazing combination of all the things that make Townsend's sound so infectious and recognizable. Wacky as hell to boot.
1.
4150 — An amazing combination of all the things that make Townsend's sound so infectious and recognizable. Wacky as hell to boot.
1.
4150 — An amazing combination of all the things that make Townsend's sound so infectious and recognizable. Wacky as hell to boot.
1.
4150 — An amazing combination of all the things that make Townsend's sound so infectious and recognizable. Wacky as hell to boot.
1.
4150 — An amazing combination of all the things that make Townsend's sound so infectious and recognizable. Wacky as hell to boot.
1.
4150 — An amazing combination of all the things that make Townsend's sound so infectious and recognizable. Wacky as hell to boot.
1.
4150 — An amazing combination of all the things that make Townsend's sound so infectious and recognizable. Wacky as hell to boot.
1.
4150 — An amazing combination of all the things that make Townsend's sound so infectious and recognizable. Wacky as hell to boot.
1.
4150 — An amazing combination of all the things that make Townsend's sound so infectious and recognizable. Wacky as hell to boot.
1.
4150 — An amazing combination of all the things that make Townsend's sound so infectious and recognizable. Wacky as hell to boot.
1.
4150 — An amazing combination of all the things that make Townsend's sound so infectious and recognizable. Wacky as hell to boot.
1.
4150 — An amazing combination of all the things that make Townsend's sound so infectious and recognizable. Wacky as hell to boot.
1.
4150 — An amazing combination of all the things that make Townsend's sound so infectious and recognizable. Wacky as hell to boot.
2.
4114 — This band just won't stop impressing me. Probably the catchiest album I've heard all year. The songs grabbed me after my second listen or two, but I kept hearing something new many listens after that.
2.
4114 — This band just won't stop impressing me. Probably the catchiest album I've heard all year. The songs grabbed me after my second listen or two, but I kept hearing something new many listens after that.
2.
4114 — This band just won't stop impressing me. Probably the catchiest album I've heard all year. The songs grabbed me after my second listen or two, but I kept hearing something new many listens after that.
2.
4114 — This band just won't stop impressing me. Probably the catchiest album I've heard all year. The songs grabbed me after my second listen or two, but I kept hearing something new many listens after that.
2.
4114 — This band just won't stop impressing me. Probably the catchiest album I've heard all year. The songs grabbed me after my second listen or two, but I kept hearing something new many listens after that.
2.
4114 — This band just won't stop impressing me. Probably the catchiest album I've heard all year. The songs grabbed me after my second listen or two, but I kept hearing something new many listens after that.
2.
4114 — This band just won't stop impressing me. Probably the catchiest album I've heard all year. The songs grabbed me after my second listen or two, but I kept hearing something new many listens after that.
2.
4114 — This band just won't stop impressing me. Probably the catchiest album I've heard all year. The songs grabbed me after my second listen or two, but I kept hearing something new many listens after that.
2.
4114 — This band just won't stop impressing me. Probably the catchiest album I've heard all year. The songs grabbed me after my second listen or two, but I kept hearing something new many listens after that.
2.
4114 — This band just won't stop impressing me. Probably the catchiest album I've heard all year. The songs grabbed me after my second listen or two, but I kept hearing something new many listens after that.
2.
4114 — This band just won't stop impressing me. Probably the catchiest album I've heard all year. The songs grabbed me after my second listen or two, but I kept hearing something new many listens after that.
2.
4114 — This band just won't stop impressing me. Probably the catchiest album I've heard all year. The songs grabbed me after my second listen or two, but I kept hearing something new many listens after that.
2.
4114 — This band just won't stop impressing me. Probably the catchiest album I've heard all year. The songs grabbed me after my second listen or two, but I kept hearing something new many listens after that.
2.
4114 — This band just won't stop impressing me. Probably the catchiest album I've heard all year. The songs grabbed me after my second listen or two, but I kept hearing something new many listens after that.
3.
3867 — Everything that Dechristianize had, this thing has bigger and better versions of it. A truly relentless album tinged with the right amount of melody to keep it from killing you.
3.
3867 — Everything that Dechristianize had, this thing has bigger and better versions of it. A truly relentless album tinged with the right amount of melody to keep it from killing you.
3.
3867 — Everything that Dechristianize had, this thing has bigger and better versions of it. A truly relentless album tinged with the right amount of melody to keep it from killing you.
3.
3867 — Everything that Dechristianize had, this thing has bigger and better versions of it. A truly relentless album tinged with the right amount of melody to keep it from killing you.
3.
3867 — Everything that Dechristianize had, this thing has bigger and better versions of it. A truly relentless album tinged with the right amount of melody to keep it from killing you.
3.
3867 — Everything that Dechristianize had, this thing has bigger and better versions of it. A truly relentless album tinged with the right amount of melody to keep it from killing you.
3.
3867 — Everything that Dechristianize had, this thing has bigger and better versions of it. A truly relentless album tinged with the right amount of melody to keep it from killing you.
3.
3867 — Everything that Dechristianize had, this thing has bigger and better versions of it. A truly relentless album tinged with the right amount of melody to keep it from killing you.
3.
3867 — Everything that Dechristianize had, this thing has bigger and better versions of it. A truly relentless album tinged with the right amount of melody to keep it from killing you.
3.
3867 — Everything that Dechristianize had, this thing has bigger and better versions of it. A truly relentless album tinged with the right amount of melody to keep it from killing you.
3.
3867 — Everything that Dechristianize had, this thing has bigger and better versions of it. A truly relentless album tinged with the right amount of melody to keep it from killing you.
3.
3867 — Everything that Dechristianize had, this thing has bigger and better versions of it. A truly relentless album tinged with the right amount of melody to keep it from killing you.
3.
3867 — Everything that Dechristianize had, this thing has bigger and better versions of it. A truly relentless album tinged with the right amount of melody to keep it from killing you.
3.
3867 — Everything that Dechristianize had, this thing has bigger and better versions of it. A truly relentless album tinged with the right amount of melody to keep it from killing you.
4.
4017
4.
4017 — This is the best band's best work by far. Fantastic drumming by Shannon Lucas pushes this one into the stratosphere. It's a short ride, but that just makes the sickness seem that much sicker.
4.
4017 — This is the best band's best work by far. Fantastic drumming by Shannon Lucas pushes this one into the stratosphere. It's a short ride, but that just makes the sickness seem that much sicker.
4.
4017 — This is the best band's best work by far. Fantastic drumming by Shannon Lucas pushes this one into the stratosphere. It's a short ride, but that just makes the sickness seem that much sicker.
4.
4017 — This is the best band's best work by far. Fantastic drumming by Shannon Lucas pushes this one into the stratosphere. It's a short ride, but that just makes the sickness seem that much sicker.
4.
4017 — This is the best band's best work by far. Fantastic drumming by Shannon Lucas pushes this one into the stratosphere. It's a short ride, but that just makes the sickness seem that much sicker.
4.
4017 — This is the best band's best work by far. Fantastic drumming by Shannon Lucas pushes this one into the stratosphere. It's a short ride, but that just makes the sickness seem that much sicker.
4.
4017 — This is the best band's best work by far. Fantastic drumming by Shannon Lucas pushes this one into the stratosphere. It's a short ride, but that just makes the sickness seem that much sicker.
4.
4017 — This is the best band's best work by far. Fantastic drumming by Shannon Lucas pushes this one into the stratosphere. It's a short ride, but that just makes the sickness seem that much sicker.
4.
4017 — This is the best band's best work by far. Fantastic drumming by Shannon Lucas pushes this one into the stratosphere. It's a short ride, but that just makes the sickness seem that much sicker.
4.
4017 — This is the best band's best work by far. Fantastic drumming by Shannon Lucas pushes this one into the stratosphere. It's a short ride, but that just makes the sickness seem that much sicker.
4.
4017 — This is the best band's best work by far. Fantastic drumming by Shannon Lucas pushes this one into the stratosphere. It's a short ride, but that just makes the sickness seem that much sicker.
4.
4017 — This is the best band's best work by far. Fantastic drumming by Shannon Lucas pushes this one into the stratosphere. It's a short ride, but that just makes the sickness seem that much sicker.
4.
4017 — This is the best band's best work by far. Fantastic drumming by Shannon Lucas pushes this one into the stratosphere. It's a short ride, but that just makes the sickness seem that much sicker.
5.
5.
3994
5.
3915 — All thirteen songs here kill, period. The new lineup seemed to only make the band stronger, and this album shows it. Painkiller x 10.
5.
3994
5.
3994
5.
3994
5.
3994
5.
3994
5.
3994
5.
3994
5.
3994
5.
3994 — Straightforward in the best sense of the word. A greta improvement over Bleeding The False, it's about as catchy as brutal death metal can get.
5.
3994 — Straightforward in the best sense of the word. A greta improvement over Bleeding The False, it's about as catchy as brutal death metal can get.
5.
3994 — Straightforward in the best sense of the word. A great improvement over Bleeding The False, it's about as catchy as brutal death metal can get.
6.
6.
4070
6.
4080 — Fantastic aggressive power metal. I never really checked out the band before this album, so once Kill It began roaring through my speakers, I knew I had a good bit of backtracking to do.
6.
4070
6.
4070
6.
4070
6.
4070
6.
4070
6.
4070
6.
4070
6.
4070
6.
4070 — Altered Genesis is still one of my favorite death metal albums ever, but this is still an above average output from the Norwegians. Getting a new singer and drummer doesn't seem to have phased them at all.
6.
4070 — Altered Genesis is still one of my favorite death metal albums ever, but this is still an above average output from the Norwegians. Getting a new singer and drummer doesn't seem to have phased them at all.
6.
4070 — Altered Genesis is still one of my favorite death metal albums ever, but this is still an above average output from the Norwegians. Getting a new singer and drummer doesn't seem to have phased them at all.
7.
7.
3934
7.
3994 — Absolutely awesome death metal. From the musicianship, to the production, to the slightly toned down lyrics, everything about this album hits you on your first listen. Trust me, you'll be back
7.
3934
7.
3934
7.
3934
7.
3934
7.
3934
7.
3934
7.
3934
7.
3934
7.
4043 — Another one of those albums that jumps all over the place stylistically. Normally I don't like that, but Akercoke really seem to know what they are doing hear. Takes a few listens to get into, but it's a very interesting listen once you "get" it.
7.
4043 — Another one of those albums that jumps all over the place stylistically. Normally I don't like that, but Akercoke really seem to know what they are doing hear. Takes a few listens to get into, but it's a very interesting listen once you "get" it.
7.
4043 — Another one of those albums that jumps all over the place stylistically. Normally I don't like that, but Akercoke really seem to know what they are doing here. Takes a few listens to get into, but it's a very interesting listen once you "get" it.
8.
8.
8.
4070 — Tchort and friends strike again!!
8.
8.
3885
8.
3885
8.
3885
8.
3885
8.
3885
8.
3885
8.
3885
8.
3885 — Robert Lowe should be the vocalist for every doom metal band. Candlemass were established as doom metal legends long, long ago, but the modern production, thick-ass riffs, and Lowe's godly voice makes this a fantastic addition to the band's seminal discography.
8.
3885 — Robert Lowe should be the vocalist for every doom metal band. Candlemass were established as doom metal legends long, long ago, but the modern production, thick-ass riffs, and Lowe's godly voice makes this a fantastic addition to the band's seminal discography.
8.
3885 — Robert Lowe should be the vocalist for every doom metal band. Candlemass were established as doom metal legends long, long ago, but the modern production, thick-ass riffs, and Lowe's godly voice makes this a fantastic addition to the band's seminal discography.
9.
9.
9.
3934 — Not on par with Demigod, but still a great slab of the blackened death metal that the band is so well known for. The collaboration with Warrel Dane on Inner Sanctum turned out better than I was expecting.
9.
9.
3912
9.
3912
9.
3912
9.
3912
9.
3912
9.
3912
9.
3912
9.
3912
9.
3912 — Absolutely awesome prog / power metal.
9.
3912 — Absolutely awesome prog / power metal.
10.
10.
10.
10.
10.
4040
10.
4040
10.
4040
10.
4040
10.
4040
10.
4040
10.
4040
10.
4040 — It may show a more mellow side of Down, but this record still posses those southern-fried riffs and Phil's instantly recognizable voice. Down is obviously a band to choose quality over quantity, with this being only their third album in over a decade. As long as a IV gets released before I die, I'll be spinning this one for quite a while.
10.
4040 — It may show a more mellow side of Down, but this record still posses those southern-fried riffs and Phil's instantly recognizable voice. Down is obviously a band to choose quality over quantity, with this being only their third album in over a decade. As long as a IV gets released before I die, I'll be spinning this one for quite a while.
10.
4040 — It may show a more mellow side of Down, but this record still posses those southern-fried riffs and Phil's instantly recognizable voice. Down is obviously a band to choose quality over quantity, with this being only their third album in over a decade. As long as a IV gets released before I die, I'll be spinning this one for quite a while.
11.
11.
11.
11.
11.
3880
11.
3880
11.
3880
11.
3880
11.
3880
11.
3880
11.
3880
11.
3880
11.
3880 — Not quite as godly as Unlimited, but it comes close!
11.
3880 — Not quite as godly as Unlimited, but it comes close!
12.
12.
12.
12.
12.
3971
12.
3971
12.
3971
12.
3971 — Very interesting death metal. It has a very gliding-through-space-while-tripping-off-acid sorta feel to it.
12.
3971 — Very interesting death metal. It has a very gliding-through-space-while-tripping-off-acid sorta feel to it.
12.
3971 — Very interesting death metal. It has a very gliding-through-space-while-tripping-off-acid sorta feel to it.
12.
3971 — Very interesting death metal. It has a very gliding-through-space-while-tripping-off-acid sorta feel to it.
12.
3971 — Very interesting death metal. It has a very gliding-through-space-while-tripping-off-acid sorta feel to it.
12.
3971 — Very interesting death metal. It has a very gliding-through-space-while-tripping-off-acid sorta feel to it.
12.
3971 — Very interesting death metal. It has a very gliding-through-space-while-tripping-off-acid sorta feel to it.
13.
13.
13.
4040
13.
13.
3760 — This is a really cool album from a unique metal band. Read Alex's review for the best description of their sound.
13.
4043 — Another one of those albums that jumps all over the place stylistically. Normally I don't like that, but Akercoke really seem to know what they are doing hear. Takes a few listens to get into, but it's a very interesting listen once you "get" it.
13.
4043 — Another one of those albums that jumps all over the place stylistically. Normally I don't like that, but Akercoke really seem to know what they are doing hear. Takes a few listens to get into, but it's a very interesting listen once you "get" it.
13.
4043 — Another one of those albums that jumps all over the place stylistically. Normally I don't like that, but Akercoke really seem to know what they are doing hear. Takes a few listens to get into, but it's a very interesting listen once you "get" it.
13.
4043 — Another one of those albums that jumps all over the place stylistically. Normally I don't like that, but Akercoke really seem to know what they are doing hear. Takes a few listens to get into, but it's a very interesting listen once you "get" it.
13.
4043 — Another one of those albums that jumps all over the place stylistically. Normally I don't like that, but Akercoke really seem to know what they are doing hear. Takes a few listens to get into, but it's a very interesting listen once you "get" it.
13.
4043 — Another one of those albums that jumps all over the place stylistically. Normally I don't like that, but Akercoke really seem to know what they are doing hear. Takes a few listens to get into, but it's a very interesting listen once you "get" it.
13.
3934 — The Apostasy doesn't really start clicking until the middle of the album, but once it does, you just have to stand back in awe. The mid and closing section of this disc are as strong as anything the band has done in a while. I still think Demigod is their finest, most consistent album to date, but this one isn't far behind.
13.
3934 — The Apostasy doesn't really start clicking until the middle of the album, but once it does, you just have to stand back in awe. The mid and closing section of this disc are as strong as anything the band has done in a while. I still think Demigod is their finest, most consistent album to date, but this one isn't far behind.
13.
3934 — The Apostasy doesn't really start clicking until the middle of the album, but once it does, you just have to stand back in awe. The mid and closing section of this disc are as strong as anything the band has done in a while. I still think Demigod is their finest, most consistent album to date, but this one isn't far behind.
14.
14.
14.
3946
14.
14.
4149
14.
4149
14.
4149
14.
4149
14.
4149
14.
4149
14.
4149
14.
4149
14.
4149 — A step up from Blessed Black Wings. The album is as heavy as the cover art.
14.
4149 — A step up from Blessed Black Wings. The album is as heavy as the cover art.
15.
4088 — Looking back, I might have over-quoted this thing. Still, its a more than solid slab of polished black metal.
15.
4088 — Looking back, I might have over-quoted this thing. Still, its a more than solid slab of polished black metal.
15.
4088 — Looking back, I might have over-quoted this thing. Still, its a more than solid slab of polished black metal.
15.
4088 — Looking back, I might have over-quoted this thing. Still, its a more than solid slab of polished black metal.
15.
3843 — Looking back, I might have over-quoted this thing. Still, its a more than solid slab of polished black metal.
15.
3843 — Looking back, I might have over-quoted this thing. Still, its a more than solid slab of polished black metal.
15.
3843 — Looking back, I might have over-quoted this thing. Still, its a more than solid slab of polished black metal.
15.
3843 — Looking back, I might have over-quoted this thing. Still, its a more than solid slab of polished black metal.
15.
3843 — Looking back, I might have over-quoted this thing. Still, its a more than solid slab of polished black metal.
15.
3843 — Looking back, I might have over-quoted this thing. Still, its a more than solid slab of polished black metal.
15.
3843 — Looking back, I might have over-quoted this thing. Still, its a more than solid slab of polished black metal.
15.
3843 — Looking back, I might have over-quoted this thing. Still, its a more than solid slab of polished black metal.
15.
3843 — Looking back, I might have over-quoted this thing. Still, its a more than solid slab of polished black metal.
15.
3843 — Looking back, I might have over-quoted this thing. Still, its a more than solid slab of polished black metal.

Surprises of the Year

1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
3908
1.
3908 — The best thing the band has put out in years.
1.
3908 — The best thing the band has put out in years.
1.
3908 — The best thing the band has put out in years.
1.
3908 — The best thing the band has put out in years.
1.
3908 — The best thing the band has put out in years.
1.
3908 — The best thing the band has put out in years.
1.
3908 — The best thing the band has put out in years.
1.
3908 — The best thing the band has put out in years.
1.
3908 — The best thing the band has put out in years.
2.
2.
2.
2.
2.
3946
2.
3946 — Again, another band that once wandered in mediocrity comes out and slays critics like me. If you weren't already a fan of DevilDriver, you've got to at least respect them after this fury.
2.
3946 — Again, another band that once wandered in mediocrity comes out and slays critics like me. If you weren't already a fan of DevilDriver, you've got to at least respect them after this fury.
2.
3946 — Again, another band that once wandered in mediocrity comes out and slays critics like me. If you weren't already a fan of DevilDriver, you've got to at least respect them after this fury.
2.
3946 — Again, another band that once wandered in mediocrity comes out and slays critics like me. If you weren't already a fan of DevilDriver, you've got to at least respect them after this fury.
2.
3946 — Again, another band that once wandered in mediocrity comes out and slays critics like me. If you weren't already a fan of DevilDriver, you've got to at least respect them after this fury.
2.
3946 — Again, another band that once wandered in mediocrity comes out and slays critics like me. If you weren't already a fan of DevilDriver, you've got to at least respect them after this fury.
2.
3946 — Again, another band that once wandered in mediocrity comes out and slays critics like me. If you weren't already a fan of DevilDriver, you've got to at least respect them after this fury.
2.
3946 — Again, another band that once wandered in mediocrity comes out and slays critics like me. If you weren't already a fan of DevilDriver, you've got to at least respect them after this fury.
2.
3946 — Again, another band that once wandered in mediocrity comes out and slays critics like me. If you weren't already a fan of DevilDriver, you've got to at least respect them after this fury.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3760 — This band came out of nowhere for me. Thanks Alex!!
3.
3760 — This band came out of nowhere for me. Thanks Alex!!
3.
3760 — This band came out of nowhere for me. Thanks Alex!!
3.
3760 — This band came out of nowhere for me. Thanks Alex!!
3.
3760 — This band came out of nowhere for me. Thanks Alex!!
3.
3760 — This band came out of nowhere for me. Thanks Alex!!
3.
3760 — This band came out of nowhere for me. Thanks Alex!!
3.
3760 — This band came out of nowhere for me. Thanks Alex!!
3.
3760 — This band came out of nowhere for me. Thanks Alex!!
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4001 — They still have it left in them! The entire metal-loving community and I will all be waiting Pt. 2 anxiously now.
4.
4001 — They still have it left in them! The entire metal-loving community and I will all be waiting Pt. 2 anxiously now.
4.
4001 — They still have it left in them! The entire metal-loving community and I will all be waiting Pt. 2 anxiously now.
4.
4001 — They still have it left in them! The entire metal-loving community and I will all be waiting Pt. 2 anxiously now.
4.
4001 — They still have it left in them! The entire metal-loving community and I will all be waiting Pt. 2 anxiously now.
4.
4001 — They still have it left in them! The entire metal-loving community and I will all be waiting Pt. 2 anxiously now.
4.
4001 — They still have it left in them! The entire metal-loving community and I will all be waiting Pt. 2 anxiously now.
4.
4001 — They still have it left in them! The entire metal-loving community and I will all be waiting Pt. 2 anxiously now.
4.
4001 — They still have it left in them! The entire metal-loving community and I will all be waiting Pt. 2 anxiously now.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
5.
4027 — Tarja who?
5.
4027 — Tarja who?
5.
4027 — Tarja who?
5.
4027 — Tarja who?
5.
4027 — Tarja who?
5.
4027 — Tarja who?
5.
4027 — Tarja who?
5.
4027 — Tarja who?

Disappointments

1.
4082 — Shovel Headed Kill Machine v 1.1
1.
4082 — Shovel Headed Kill Machine v 1.1
1.
4082 — Shovel Headed Kill Machine v 1.1
1.
4082 — Shovel Headed Kill Machine v 1.1
1.
4082 — Shovel Headed Kill Machine v 1.1
1.
4082 — Shovel Headed Kill Machine v 1.1
1.
4082 — Shovel Headed Kill Machine v 1.1
1.
4082 — Shovel Headed Kill Machine v 1.1
1.
4082 — Shovel Headed Kill Machine v 1.1
1.
4082 — Shovel Headed Kill Machine v 1.1
1.
4082 — Shovel Headed Kill Machine v 1.1
1.
4082 — Shovel Headed Kill Machine v 1.1
1.
4082 — Shovel Headed Kill Machine v 1.1
1.
4082 — Shovel Headed Kill Machine v 1.1
2.
3918 — Will these guys ever grow?!
2.
3918 — Will these guys ever grow?!
2.
3918 — Will these guys ever grow?!
2.
3918 — Will these guys ever grow?!
2.
3918 — Will these guys ever grow?!
2.
3918 — Will these guys ever grow?!
2.
3918 — Will these guys ever grow?!
2.
3918 — Will these guys ever grow?!
2.
3918 — Will these guys ever grow?!
2.
3874 — By far their weakest album. Hopefully they will be able to relive the glory days of The War Within with their next release.
2.
3874 — By far their weakest album. Hopefully they will be able to relive the glory days of The War Within with their next release.
2.
3874 — By far their weakest album. Hopefully they will be able to relive the glory days of The War Within with their next release.
2.
3874 — By far their weakest album. Hopefully they will be able to relive the glory days of The War Within with their next release.
2.
3874 — By far their weakest album. Hopefully they will be able to relive the glory days of The War Within with their next release.
3.
4057 — The hype machine strikes again.
3.
4057 — The hype machine strikes again.
3.
4057 — The hype machine strikes again.
3.
4057 — The hype machine strikes again.
3.
4057 — The hype machine strikes again.
3.
4057 — The hype machine strikes again.
3.
4057 — The hype machine strikes again.
3.
4057 — The hype machine strikes again.
3.
4057 — The hype machine strikes again.
3.
4057 — The hype machine strikes again.
3.
4057 — The hype machine strikes again.
3.
4057 — The hype machine strikes again.
3.
4057 — The hype machine strikes again.
3.
4057 — The hype machine strikes again.
4.
4.
4.
4.
4.
3821
4.
3821 — I never realized how important Gus G. and Tomas Lindberg were until they left.
4.
3821 — I never realized how important Gus G. and Tomas Lindberg were until they left.
4.
3821 — I never realized how important Gus G. and Tomas Lindberg were until they left.
4.
3821 — I never realized how important Gus G. and Tomas Lindberg were until they left.
4.
3821 — I never realized how important Gus G. and Tomas Lindberg were until they left.
4.
3821 — I never realized how important Gus G. and Tomas Lindberg were until they left.
4.
3821 — I never realized how important Gus G. and Tomas Lindberg were until they left.
4.
3821 — I never realized how important Gus G. and Tomas Lindberg were until they left.
4.
3821 — I never realized how important Gus G. and Tomas Lindberg were until they left.
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3948
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3948
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3948
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3948
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3948
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3948

Joke of the Year

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3775 — How the hell are they doing that?
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3775 — How the hell are they doing that?
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3775 — How the hell are they doing that?
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3775 — How the hell are they doing that?
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3775 — How the hell are they doing that?
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3775 — How the hell are they doing that?
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3775 — How the hell are they doing that?
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3775 — How the hell are they doing that?
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3775 — How the hell are they doing that?
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3775 — How the hell are they doing that?
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3775 — How the hell are they doing that?
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3775 — How the hell are they doing that?
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3775 — How the hell are they doing that?
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Words / Final Thoughts

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— This was a fucking crazy year, both for the metal world and in my personal life. Bands, both new and seasoned, keep churning out stellar material seemingly every week. The past five years have been a fantastic time to be a metalhead. I'd like to thank all of my fellow reviewers who keep this site going. It takes a lot of work, but in the end it is definitely worth it! And of course, everyone who comes to this site and takes the time to read the reviews has my sincere thanks. Don't go away!
0
— This was a fucking crazy year, both for the metal world and in my personal life. Bands, both new and seasoned, keep churning out stellar material seemingly every week. The past five years have been a fantastic time to be a metalhead. I'd like to thank all of my fellow reviewers who keep this site going. It takes a lot of work, but in the end it is definitely worth it! And of course, everyone who comes to this site and takes the time to read the reviews has my sincere thanks. Don't go away!

Goat

Top Albums

1.
4116 — The album that pretty much every Black Metal fan under the sun has been waiting for, this is the fulfilment of years of underachievement from the Norwegian legend. You want hope? You want light? You want happiness? You won’t find them here. It gains the top spot of 2007 for a simple reason – it affected me deeply, reminding of things I’d much rather have forgotten, and in a scene where most people respond to Metal in the same way (headbang… now! air guitar… now!) a piece of deliberately difficult art like this that speaks to each of us in a different way is special indeed. You can’t escape your dark side, however far you may run…
1.
4116 — The album that pretty much every Black Metal fan under the sun has been waiting for, this is the fulfilment of years of underachievement from the Norwegian legend. You want hope? You want light? You want happiness? You won’t find them here. It gains the top spot of 2007 for a simple reason – it affected me deeply, reminding of things I’d much rather have forgotten, and in a scene where most people respond to Metal in the same way (headbang… now! air guitar… now!) a piece of deliberately difficult art like this that speaks to each of us in a different way is special indeed. You can’t escape your dark side, however far you may run…
1.
4116 — The album that pretty much every Black Metal fan under the sun has been waiting for, this is the fulfilment of years of underachievement from the Norwegian legend. You want hope? You want light? You want happiness? You won’t find them here. It gains the top spot of 2007 for a simple reason – it affected me deeply, reminding of things I’d much rather have forgotten, and in a scene where most people respond to Metal in the same way (headbang… now! air guitar… now!) a piece of deliberately difficult art like this that speaks to each of us in a different way is special indeed. You can’t escape your dark side, however far you may run…
1.
4116 — The album that pretty much every Black Metal fan under the sun has been waiting for, this is the fulfilment of years of underachievement from the Norwegian legend. You want hope? You want light? You want happiness? You won’t find them here. It gains the top spot of 2007 for a simple reason – it affected me deeply, reminding of things I’d much rather have forgotten, and in a scene where most people respond to Metal in the same way (headbang… now! air guitar… now!) a piece of deliberately difficult art like this that speaks to each of us in a different way is special indeed. You can’t escape your dark side, however far you may run…
1.
4116 — The album that pretty much every Black Metal fan under the sun has been waiting for, this is the fulfilment of years of underachievement from the Norwegian legend. You want hope? You want light? You want happiness? You won’t find them here. It gains the top spot of 2007 for a simple reason – it affected me deeply, reminding of things I’d much rather have forgotten, and in a scene where most people respond to Metal in the same way (headbang… now! air guitar… now!) a piece of deliberately difficult art like this that speaks to each of us in a different way is special indeed. You can’t escape your dark side, however far you may run…
1.
4116 — The album that pretty much every Black Metal fan under the sun has been waiting for, this is the fulfilment of years of underachievement from the Norwegian legend. You want hope? You want light? You want happiness? You won’t find them here. It gains the top spot of 2007 for a simple reason – it affected me deeply, reminding of things I’d much rather have forgotten, and in a scene where most people respond to Metal in the same way (headbang… now! air guitar… now!) a piece of deliberately difficult art like this that speaks to each of us in a different way is special indeed. You can’t escape your dark side, however far you may run…
1.
4116 — The album that pretty much every Black Metal fan under the sun has been waiting for, this is the fulfilment of years of underachievement from the Norwegian legend. You want hope? You want light? You want happiness? You won’t find them here. It gains the top spot of 2007 for a simple reason – it affected me deeply, reminding of things I’d much rather have forgotten, and in a scene where most people respond to Metal in the same way (headbang… now! air guitar… now!) a piece of deliberately difficult art like this that speaks to each of us in a different way is special indeed. You can’t escape your dark side, however far you may run…
1.
4116 — The album that pretty much every Black Metal fan under the sun has been waiting for, this is the fulfilment of years of underachievement from the Norwegian legend. You want hope? You want light? You want happiness? You won’t find them here. It gains the top spot of 2007 for a simple reason – it affected me deeply, reminding of things I’d much rather have forgotten, and in a scene where most people respond to Metal in the same way (headbang… now! air guitar… now!) a piece of deliberately difficult art like this that speaks to each of us in a different way is special indeed. You can’t escape your dark side, however far you may run…
1.
4116 — The album that pretty much every Black Metal fan under the sun has been waiting for, this is the fulfilment of years of underachievement from the Norwegian legend. You want hope? You want light? You want happiness? You won’t find them here. It gains the top spot of 2007 for a simple reason – it affected me deeply, reminding of things I’d much rather have forgotten, and in a scene where most people respond to Metal in the same way (headbang… now! air guitar… now!) a piece of deliberately difficult art like this that speaks to each of us in a different way is special indeed. You can’t escape your dark side, however far you may run…
1.
4116 — The album that pretty much every Black Metal fan under the sun has been waiting for, this is the fulfilment of years of underachievement from the Norwegian legend. You want hope? You want light? You want happiness? You won’t find them here. It gains the top spot of 2007 for a simple reason – it affected me deeply, reminding of things I’d much rather have forgotten, and in a scene where most people respond to Metal in the same way (headbang… now! air guitar… now!) a piece of deliberately difficult art like this that speaks to each of us in a different way is special indeed. You can’t escape your dark side, however far you may run…
2.
Rotting Christ - Theogonia — The Greeks prove that there’s more to Greece than, um… yeah, Theogonia’s really good, an atmospheric mix of Black Metal and Folksy Goth, ten songs of passion that’ll bring out the Achilles in all of us. Perfect writing, perfect flow, my introduction to a band that deserve far more attention than it gets - I’ll definitely be chasing past works down. Some might call it an odd choice for second-best with other deserving possibilities in the running, but it’s a classic piece of Metal and deserves every compliment that it gets. With albums like this being released in the here and now, Metal’s future is assured.
2.
Rotting Christ - Theogonia — The Greeks prove that there’s more to Greece than, um… yeah, Theogonia’s really good, an atmospheric mix of Black Metal and Folksy Goth, ten songs of passion that’ll bring out the Achilles in all of us. Perfect writing, perfect flow, my introduction to a band that deserve far more attention than it gets - I’ll definitely be chasing past works down. Some might call it an odd choice for second-best with other deserving possibilities in the running, but it’s a classic piece of Metal and deserves every compliment that it gets. With albums like this being released in the here and now, Metal’s future is assured.
2.
Rotting Christ - Theogonia — The Greeks prove that there’s more to Greece than, um… yeah, Theogonia’s really good, an atmospheric mix of Black Metal and Folksy Goth, ten songs of passion that’ll bring out the Achilles in all of us. Perfect writing, perfect flow, my introduction to a band that deserve far more attention than it gets - I’ll definitely be chasing past works down. Some might call it an odd choice for second-best with other deserving possibilities in the running, but it’s a classic piece of Metal and deserves every compliment that it gets. With albums like this being released in the here and now, Metal’s future is assured.
2.
Rotting Christ - Theogonia — The Greeks prove that there’s more to Greece than, um… yeah, Theogonia’s really good, an atmospheric mix of Black Metal and Folksy Goth, ten songs of passion that’ll bring out the Achilles in all of us. Perfect writing, perfect flow, my introduction to a band that deserve far more attention than it gets - I’ll definitely be chasing past works down. Some might call it an odd choice for second-best with other deserving possibilities in the running, but it’s a classic piece of Metal and deserves every compliment that it gets. With albums like this being released in the here and now, Metal’s future is assured.
2.
Rotting Christ - Theogonia — The Greeks prove that there’s more to Greece than, um… yeah, Theogonia’s really good, an atmospheric mix of Black Metal and Folksy Goth, ten songs of passion that’ll bring out the Achilles in all of us. Perfect writing, perfect flow, my introduction to a band that deserve far more attention than it gets - I’ll definitely be chasing past works down. Some might call it an odd choice for second-best with other deserving possibilities in the running, but it’s a classic piece of Metal and deserves every compliment that it gets. With albums like this being released in the here and now, Metal’s future is assured.
2.
Rotting Christ - Theogonia — The Greeks prove that there’s more to Greece than, um… yeah, Theogonia’s really good, an atmospheric mix of Black Metal and Folksy Goth, ten songs of passion that’ll bring out the Achilles in all of us. Perfect writing, perfect flow, my introduction to a band that deserve far more attention than it gets - I’ll definitely be chasing past works down. Some might call it an odd choice for second-best with other deserving possibilities in the running, but it’s a classic piece of Metal and deserves every compliment that it gets. With albums like this being released in the here and now, Metal’s future is assured.
2.
Rotting Christ - Theogonia — The Greeks prove that there’s more to Greece than, um… yeah, Theogonia’s really good, an atmospheric mix of Black Metal and Folksy Goth, ten songs of passion that’ll bring out the Achilles in all of us. Perfect writing, perfect flow, my introduction to a band that deserve far more attention than it gets - I’ll definitely be chasing past works down. Some might call it an odd choice for second-best with other deserving possibilities in the running, but it’s a classic piece of Metal and deserves every compliment that it gets. With albums like this being released in the here and now, Metal’s future is assured.
2.
Rotting Christ - Theogonia — The Greeks prove that there’s more to Greece than, um… yeah, Theogonia’s really good, an atmospheric mix of Black Metal and Folksy Goth, ten songs of passion that’ll bring out the Achilles in all of us. Perfect writing, perfect flow, my introduction to a band that deserve far more attention than it gets - I’ll definitely be chasing past works down. Some might call it an odd choice for second-best with other deserving possibilities in the running, but it’s a classic piece of Metal and deserves every compliment that it gets. With albums like this being released in the here and now, Metal’s future is assured.
2.
4514 — The Greeks prove that there’s more to Greece than, um… yeah, Theogonia’s really good, an atmospheric mix of Black Metal and Folksy Goth, ten songs of passion that’ll bring out the Achilles in all of us. Perfect writing, perfect flow, my introduction to a band that deserve far more attention than it gets - I’ll definitely be chasing past works down. Some might call it an odd choice for second-best with other deserving possibilities in the running, but it’s a classic piece of Metal and deserves every compliment that it gets. With albums like this being released in the here and now, Metal’s future is assured.
2.
4514 — The Greeks prove that there’s more to Greece than, um… yeah, Theogonia’s really good, an atmospheric mix of Black Metal and Folksy Goth, ten songs of passion that’ll bring out the Achilles in all of us. Perfect writing, perfect flow, my introduction to a band that deserve far more attention than it gets - I’ll definitely be chasing past works down. Some might call it an odd choice for second-best with other deserving possibilities in the running, but it’s a classic piece of Metal and deserves every compliment that it gets. With albums like this being released in the here and now, Metal’s future is assured.
3.
4001 — Concept albums about aliens? Yes, please! Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens has never sounded better, and the fact that Iced Earth seems headed in a more Progressive direction is great news. Sure, Schaeffer and co. were awesome in the past as an OTT riff-heavy Power Metal band – let’s hope he ramps up the experimental Progginess with part II, due next year, even without Ripper on vocals. In the meantime, Framing Armageddon is an excellent album that rewards your time tenfold.
3.
4001 — Concept albums about aliens? Yes, please! Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens has never sounded better, and the fact that Iced Earth seems headed in a more Progressive direction is great news. Sure, Schaeffer and co. were awesome in the past as an OTT riff-heavy Power Metal band – let’s hope he ramps up the experimental Progginess with part II, due next year, even without Ripper on vocals. In the meantime, Framing Armageddon is an excellent album that rewards your time tenfold.
3.
4001 — Concept albums about aliens? Yes, please! Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens has never sounded better, and the fact that Iced Earth seems headed in a more Progressive direction is great news. Sure, Schaeffer and co. were awesome in the past as an OTT riff-heavy Power Metal band – let’s hope he ramps up the experimental Progginess with part II, due next year, even without Ripper on vocals. In the meantime, Framing Armageddon is an excellent album that rewards your time tenfold.
3.
4001 — Concept albums about aliens? Yes, please! Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens has never sounded better, and the fact that Iced Earth seems headed in a more Progressive direction is great news. Sure, Schaeffer and co. were awesome in the past as an OTT riff-heavy Power Metal band – let’s hope he ramps up the experimental Progginess with part II, due next year, even without Ripper on vocals. In the meantime, Framing Armageddon is an excellent album that rewards your time tenfold.
3.
4001 — Concept albums about aliens? Yes, please! Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens has never sounded better, and the fact that Iced Earth seems headed in a more Progressive direction is great news. Sure, Schaeffer and co. were awesome in the past as an OTT riff-heavy Power Metal band – let’s hope he ramps up the experimental Progginess with part II, due next year, even without Ripper on vocals. In the meantime, Framing Armageddon is an excellent album that rewards your time tenfold.
3.
4001 — Concept albums about aliens? Yes, please! Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens has never sounded better, and the fact that Iced Earth seems headed in a more Progressive direction is great news. Sure, Schaeffer and co. were awesome in the past as an OTT riff-heavy Power Metal band – let’s hope he ramps up the experimental Progginess with part II, due next year, even without Ripper on vocals. In the meantime, Framing Armageddon is an excellent album that rewards your time tenfold.
3.
4001 — Concept albums about aliens? Yes, please! Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens has never sounded better, and the fact that Iced Earth seems headed in a more Progressive direction is great news. Sure, Schaeffer and co. were awesome in the past as an OTT riff-heavy Power Metal band – let’s hope he ramps up the experimental Progginess with part II, due next year, even without Ripper on vocals. In the meantime, Framing Armageddon is an excellent album that rewards your time tenfold.
3.
4001 — Concept albums about aliens? Yes, please! Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens has never sounded better, and the fact that Iced Earth seems headed in a more Progressive direction is great news. Sure, Schaeffer and co. were awesome in the past as an OTT riff-heavy Power Metal band – let’s hope he ramps up the experimental Progginess with part II, due next year, even without Ripper on vocals. In the meantime, Framing Armageddon is an excellent album that rewards your time tenfold.
3.
4001 — Concept albums about aliens? Yes, please! Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens has never sounded better, and the fact that Iced Earth seems headed in a more Progressive direction is great news. Sure, Schaeffer and co. were awesome in the past as an OTT riff-heavy Power Metal band – let’s hope he ramps up the experimental Progginess with part II, due next year, even without Ripper on vocals. In the meantime, Framing Armageddon is an excellent album that rewards your time tenfold.
3.
4001 — Concept albums about aliens? Yes, please! Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens has never sounded better, and the fact that Iced Earth seems headed in a more Progressive direction is great news. Sure, Schaeffer and co. were awesome in the past as an OTT riff-heavy Power Metal band – let’s hope he ramps up the experimental Progginess with part II, due next year, even without Ripper on vocals. In the meantime, Framing Armageddon is an excellent album that rewards your time tenfold.
4.
4027 — Fine, they’ve got a new singer and she’s not Tarja. Yet the talent shines through, and Marco and co. have produced another million-dollar winner, with some supreme songwriting skills going into creating a classic for the band. The changes are for the better, I think, and with luck this band will be as good for many years to come.
4.
4027 — Fine, they’ve got a new singer and she’s not Tarja. Yet the talent shines through, and Marco and co. have produced another million-dollar winner, with some supreme songwriting skills going into creating a classic for the band. The changes are for the better, I think, and with luck this band will be as good for many years to come.
4.
4027 — Fine, they’ve got a new singer and she’s not Tarja. Yet the talent shines through, and Marco and co. have produced another million-dollar winner, with some supreme songwriting skills going into creating a classic for the band. The changes are for the better, I think, and with luck this band will be as good for many years to come.
4.
4027 — Fine, they’ve got a new singer and she’s not Tarja. Yet the talent shines through, and Marco and co. have produced another million-dollar winner, with some supreme songwriting skills going into creating a classic for the band. The changes are for the better, I think, and with luck this band will be as good for many years to come.
4.
4027 — Fine, they’ve got a new singer and she’s not Tarja. Yet the talent shines through, and Marco and co. have produced another million-dollar winner, with some supreme songwriting skills going into creating a classic for the band. The changes are for the better, I think, and with luck this band will be as good for many years to come.
4.
4027 — Fine, they’ve got a new singer and she’s not Tarja. Yet the talent shines through, and Marco and co. have produced another million-dollar winner, with some supreme songwriting skills going into creating a classic for the band. The changes are for the better, I think, and with luck this band will be as good for many years to come.
4.
4027 — Fine, they’ve got a new singer and she’s not Tarja. Yet the talent shines through, and Marco and co. have produced another million-dollar winner, with some supreme songwriting skills going into creating a classic for the band. The changes are for the better, I think, and with luck this band will be as good for many years to come.
4.
4027 — Fine, they’ve got a new singer and she’s not Tarja. Yet the talent shines through, and Marco and co. have produced another million-dollar winner, with some supreme songwriting skills going into creating a classic for the band. The changes are for the better, I think, and with luck this band will be as good for many years to come.
4.
4027 — Fine, they’ve got a new singer and she’s not Tarja. Yet the talent shines through, and Marco and co. have produced another million-dollar winner, with some supreme songwriting skills going into creating a classic for the band. The changes are for the better, I think, and with luck this band will be as good for many years to come.
4.
4027 — Fine, they’ve got a new singer and she’s not Tarja. Yet the talent shines through, and Marco and co. have produced another million-dollar winner, with some supreme songwriting skills going into creating a classic for the band. The changes are for the better, I think, and with luck this band will be as good for many years to come.
5.
3980 — Who cares when it was released, the best Black Metal is timeless, and L’Acephale will still be putting fear in peoples’ hearts in a hundred years’ time if this blast from the sewer proves anything. Like staring into the abyss and having something cold and slimy stare back…
5.
3980 — Who cares when it was released, the best Black Metal is timeless, and L’Acephale will still be putting fear in peoples’ hearts in a hundred years’ time if this blast from the sewer proves anything. Like staring into the abyss and having something cold and slimy stare back…
5.
3980 — Who cares when it was released, the best Black Metal is timeless, and L’Acephale will still be putting fear in peoples’ hearts in a hundred years’ time if this blast from the sewer proves anything. Like staring into the abyss and having something cold and slimy stare back…
5.
3980 — Who cares when it was released, the best Black Metal is timeless, and L’Acephale will still be putting fear in peoples’ hearts in a hundred years’ time if this blast from the sewer proves anything. Like staring into the abyss and having something cold and slimy stare back…
5.
3980 — Who cares when it was released, the best Black Metal is timeless, and L’Acephale will still be putting fear in peoples’ hearts in a hundred years’ time if this blast from the sewer proves anything. Like staring into the abyss and having something cold and slimy stare back…
5.
3980 — Who cares when it was released, the best Black Metal is timeless, and L’Acephale will still be putting fear in peoples’ hearts in a hundred years’ time if this blast from the sewer proves anything. Like staring into the abyss and having something cold and slimy stare back…
5.
3980 — Who cares when it was released, the best Black Metal is timeless, and L’Acephale will still be putting fear in peoples’ hearts in a hundred years’ time if this blast from the sewer proves anything. Like staring into the abyss and having something cold and slimy stare back…
5.
3980 — Who cares when it was released, the best Black Metal is timeless, and L’Acephale will still be putting fear in peoples’ hearts in a hundred years’ time if this blast from the sewer proves anything. Like staring into the abyss and having something cold and slimy stare back…
5.
3980 — Who cares when it was released, the best Black Metal is timeless, and L’Acephale will still be putting fear in peoples’ hearts in a hundred years’ time if this blast from the sewer proves anything. Like staring into the abyss and having something cold and slimy stare back…
5.
3980 — Who cares when it was released, the best Black Metal is timeless, and L’Acephale will still be putting fear in peoples’ hearts in a hundred years’ time if this blast from the sewer proves anything. Like staring into the abyss and having something cold and slimy stare back…
6.
4043 — Mendonca, Gray and the gang have never disappointed me, and Antichrist is no exception. It might not be as immediately outstanding as Words… but give it time and you’ll see this is the Satanic Londoners’ best and most experimental platter o’splatter yet.
6.
4043 — Mendonca, Gray and the gang have never disappointed me, and Antichrist is no exception. It might not be as immediately outstanding as Words… but give it time and you’ll see this is the Satanic Londoners’ best and most experimental platter o’splatter yet.
6.
4043 — Mendonca, Gray and the gang have never disappointed me, and Antichrist is no exception. It might not be as immediately outstanding as Words… but give it time and you’ll see this is the Satanic Londoners’ best and most experimental platter o’splatter yet.
6.
4043 — Mendonca, Gray and the gang have never disappointed me, and Antichrist is no exception. It might not be as immediately outstanding as Words… but give it time and you’ll see this is the Satanic Londoners’ best and most experimental platter o’splatter yet.
6.
4043 — Mendonca, Gray and the gang have never disappointed me, and Antichrist is no exception. It might not be as immediately outstanding as Words… but give it time and you’ll see this is the Satanic Londoners’ best and most experimental platter o’splatter yet.
6.
4043 — Mendonca, Gray and the gang have never disappointed me, and Antichrist is no exception. It might not be as immediately outstanding as Words… but give it time and you’ll see this is the Satanic Londoners’ best and most experimental platter o’splatter yet.
6.
4043 — Mendonca, Gray and the gang have never disappointed me, and Antichrist is no exception. It might not be as immediately outstanding as Words… but give it time and you’ll see this is the Satanic Londoners’ best and most experimental platter o’splatter yet.
6.
4043 — Mendonca, Gray and the gang have never disappointed me, and Antichrist is no exception. It might not be as immediately outstanding as Words… but give it time and you’ll see this is the Satanic Londoners’ best and most experimental platter o’splatter yet.
6.
4043 — Mendonca, Gray and the gang have never disappointed me, and Antichrist is no exception. It might not be as immediately outstanding as Words… but give it time and you’ll see this is the Satanic Londoners’ best and most experimental platter o’splatter yet.
6.
4043 — Mendonca, Gray and the gang have never disappointed me, and Antichrist is no exception. It might not be as immediately outstanding as Words… but give it time and you’ll see this is the Satanic Londoners’ best and most experimental platter o’splatter yet.
7.
4155 — Death Metal with style, with skill, and with variation, album number two from this English crew is more than a match for the big names this year. This brute is as much about the brain as the brawn…
7.
4155 — Death Metal with style, with skill, and with variation, album number two from this English crew is more than a match for the big names this year. This brute is as much about the brain as the brawn…
7.
4155 — Death Metal with style, with skill, and with variation, album number two from this English crew is more than a match for the big names this year. This brute is as much about the brain as the brawn…
7.
4155 — Death Metal with style, with skill, and with variation, album number two from this English crew is more than a match for the big names this year. This brute is as much about the brain as the brawn…
7.
4155 — Death Metal with style, with skill, and with variation, album number two from this English crew is more than a match for the big names this year. This brute is as much about the brain as the brawn…
7.
4155 — Death Metal with style, with skill, and with variation, album number two from this English crew is more than a match for the big names this year. This brute is as much about the brain as the brawn…
7.
4155 — Death Metal with style, with skill, and with variation, album number two from this English crew is more than a match for the big names this year. This brute is as much about the brain as the brawn…
7.
4155 — Death Metal with style, with skill, and with variation, album number two from this English crew is more than a match for the big names this year. This brute is as much about the brain as the brawn…
7.
4155 — Death Metal with style, with skill, and with variation, album number two from this English crew is more than a match for the big names this year. This brute is as much about the brain as the brawn…
7.
4155 — Death Metal with style, with skill, and with variation, album number two from this English crew is more than a match for the big names this year. This brute is as much about the brain as the brawn…
8.
4134 — Norway’s finest prove they can do subtle as well as overbearing with this heartbreaking album. If they were American they’d be superstars, as it is, well, they’re stars to us. Another slice of genius from the Ulver pie – long may it feed us all.
8.
4134 — Norway’s finest prove they can do subtle as well as overbearing with this heartbreaking album. If they were American they’d be superstars, as it is, well, they’re stars to us. Another slice of genius from the Ulver pie – long may it feed us all.
8.
4134 — Norway’s finest prove they can do subtle as well as overbearing with this heartbreaking album. If they were American they’d be superstars, as it is, well, they’re stars to us. Another slice of genius from the Ulver pie – long may it feed us all.
8.
4134 — Norway’s finest prove they can do subtle as well as overbearing with this heartbreaking album. If they were American they’d be superstars, as it is, well, they’re stars to us. Another slice of genius from the Ulver pie – long may it feed us all.
8.
4134 — Norway’s finest prove they can do subtle as well as overbearing with this heartbreaking album. If they were American they’d be superstars, as it is, well, they’re stars to us. Another slice of genius from the Ulver pie – long may it feed us all.
8.
4134 — Norway’s finest prove they can do subtle as well as overbearing with this heartbreaking album. If they were American they’d be superstars, as it is, well, they’re stars to us. Another slice of genius from the Ulver pie – long may it feed us all.
8.
4134 — Norway’s finest prove they can do subtle as well as overbearing with this heartbreaking album. If they were American they’d be superstars, as it is, well, they’re stars to us. Another slice of genius from the Ulver pie – long may it feed us all.
8.
4134 — Norway’s finest prove they can do subtle as well as overbearing with this heartbreaking album. If they were American they’d be superstars, as it is, well, they’re stars to us. Another slice of genius from the Ulver pie – long may it feed us all.
8.
4134 — Norway’s finest prove they can do subtle as well as overbearing with this heartbreaking album. If they were American they’d be superstars, as it is, well, they’re stars to us. Another slice of genius from the Ulver pie – long may it feed us all.
8.
4134 — Norway’s finest prove they can do subtle as well as overbearing with this heartbreaking album. If they were American they’d be superstars, as it is, well, they’re stars to us. Another slice of genius from the Ulver pie – long may it feed us all.
9.
End Of Level Boss - Inside The Difference Engine — Voivod meets Kyuss in an explosion of riffs, taking in influences from Meshuggah to Led Zeppelin without losing touch with the music’s foundation. Anyone that appreciates the zanier Doom bands will love this.
9.
End Of Level Boss - Inside The Difference Engine — Voivod meets Kyuss in an explosion of riffs, taking in influences from Meshuggah to Led Zeppelin without losing touch with the music’s foundation. Anyone that appreciates the zanier Doom bands will love this.
9.
End Of Level Boss - Inside The Difference Engine — Voivod meets Kyuss in an explosion of riffs, taking in influences from Meshuggah to Led Zeppelin without losing touch with the music’s foundation. Anyone that appreciates the zanier Doom bands will love this.
9.
End Of Level Boss - Inside The Difference Engine — Voivod meets Kyuss in an explosion of riffs, taking in influences from Meshuggah to Led Zeppelin without losing touch with the music’s foundation. Anyone that appreciates the zanier Doom bands will love this.
9.
End Of Level Boss - Inside The Difference Engine — Voivod meets Kyuss in an explosion of riffs, taking in influences from Meshuggah to Led Zeppelin without losing touch with the music’s foundation. Anyone that appreciates the zanier Doom bands will love this.
9.
End Of Level Boss - Inside The Difference Engine — Voivod meets Kyuss in an explosion of riffs, taking in influences from Meshuggah to Led Zeppelin without losing touch with the music’s foundation. Anyone that appreciates the zanier Doom bands will love this.
9.
End Of Level Boss - Inside The Difference Engine — Voivod meets Kyuss in an explosion of riffs, taking in influences from Meshuggah to Led Zeppelin without losing touch with the music’s foundation. Anyone that appreciates the zanier Doom bands will love this.
9.
End Of Level Boss - Inside The Difference Engine — Voivod meets Kyuss in an explosion of riffs, taking in influences from Meshuggah to Led Zeppelin without losing touch with the music’s foundation. Anyone that appreciates the zanier Doom bands will love this.
9.
End Of Level Boss - Inside The Difference Engine — Voivod meets Kyuss in an explosion of riffs, taking in influences from Meshuggah to Led Zeppelin without losing touch with the music’s foundation. Anyone that appreciates the zanier Doom bands will love this.
9.
End Of Level Boss - Inside The Difference Engine — Voivod meets Kyuss in an explosion of riffs, taking in influences from Meshuggah to Led Zeppelin without losing touch with the music’s foundation. Anyone that appreciates the zanier Doom bands will love this.
10.
3713 — Cinematic Metal doesn’t get much better. Think you know epic? Think again, as this band of Swedes prove there’s more to Kabbalah than ropey pop stars and add another shining star to their collection.
10.
3713 — Cinematic Metal doesn’t get much better. Think you know epic? Think again, as this band of Swedes prove there’s more to Kabbalah than ropey pop stars and add another shining star to their collection.
10.
3713 — Cinematic Metal doesn’t get much better. Think you know epic? Think again, as this band of Swedes prove there’s more to Kabbalah than ropey pop stars and add another shining star to their collection.
10.
3713 — Cinematic Metal doesn’t get much better. Think you know epic? Think again, as this band of Swedes prove there’s more to Kabbalah than ropey pop stars and add another shining star to their collection.
10.
3713 — Cinematic Metal doesn’t get much better. Think you know epic? Think again, as this band of Swedes prove there’s more to Kabbalah than ropey pop stars and add another shining star to their collection.
10.
3713 — Cinematic Metal doesn’t get much better. Think you know epic? Think again, as this band of Swedes prove there’s more to Kabbalah than ropey pop stars and add another shining star to their collection.
10.
3713 — Cinematic Metal doesn’t get much better. Think you know epic? Think again, as this band of Swedes prove there’s more to Kabbalah than ropey pop stars and add another shining star to their collection.
10.
3713 — Cinematic Metal doesn’t get much better. Think you know epic? Think again, as this band of Swedes prove there’s more to Kabbalah than ropey pop stars and add another shining star to their collection.
10.
3713 — Cinematic Metal doesn’t get much better. Think you know epic? Think again, as this band of Swedes prove there’s more to Kabbalah than ropey pop stars and add another shining star to their collection.
10.
3713 — Cinematic Metal doesn’t get much better. Think you know epic? Think again, as this band of Swedes prove there’s more to Kabbalah than ropey pop stars and add another shining star to their collection.
11.
Lugubrum - De Ware Hond — True genius lies in the hands of a bunch of Jazzy Black Metallers from Belgium, it seems, and their seventh album of 'Boersk Blek Metle’ is amazing. Blue-skinned dwarves have never been so creepy…
11.
Lugubrum - De Ware Hond — True genius lies in the hands of a bunch of Jazzy Black Metallers from Belgium, it seems, and their seventh album of 'Boersk Blek Metle’ is amazing. Blue-skinned dwarves have never been so creepy…
11.
Lugubrum - De Ware Hond — True genius lies in the hands of a bunch of Jazzy Black Metallers from Belgium, it seems, and their seventh album of 'Boersk Blek Metle’ is amazing. Blue-skinned dwarves have never been so creepy…
11.
Lugubrum - De Ware Hond — True genius lies in the hands of a bunch of Jazzy Black Metallers from Belgium, it seems, and their seventh album of 'Boersk Blek Metle’ is amazing. Blue-skinned dwarves have never been so creepy…
11.
Lugubrum - De Ware Hond — True genius lies in the hands of a bunch of Jazzy Black Metallers from Belgium, it seems, and their seventh album of 'Boersk Blek Metle’ is amazing. Blue-skinned dwarves have never been so creepy…
11.
Lugubrum - De Ware Hond — True genius lies in the hands of a bunch of Jazzy Black Metallers from Belgium, it seems, and their seventh album of 'Boersk Blek Metle’ is amazing. Blue-skinned dwarves have never been so creepy…
11.
Lugubrum - De Ware Hond — True genius lies in the hands of a bunch of Jazzy Black Metallers from Belgium, it seems, and their seventh album of 'Boersk Blek Metle’ is amazing. Blue-skinned dwarves have never been so creepy…
11.
Lugubrum - De Ware Hond — True genius lies in the hands of a bunch of Jazzy Black Metallers from Belgium, it seems, and their seventh album of 'Boersk Blek Metle’ is amazing. Blue-skinned dwarves have never been so creepy…
11.
Lugubrum - De Ware Hond — True genius lies in the hands of a bunch of Jazzy Black Metallers from Belgium, it seems, and their seventh album of 'Boersk Blek Metle’ is amazing. Blue-skinned dwarves have never been so creepy…
11.
Lugubrum - De Ware Hond — True genius lies in the hands of a bunch of Jazzy Black Metallers from Belgium, it seems, and their seventh album of 'Boersk Blek Metle’ is amazing. Blue-skinned dwarves have never been so creepy…
12.
Red Harvest - A Greater Darkness — “Someone has found the antidote!” screams Ofu Khan on the ripping opening track. The antidote to the new Nine Inch Nails album, perhaps? Fear Factory’s heavier, scarier sibling proves Industrial Metal doesn’t mean Wimpy Metal yet again, with intriguing hints of a progressive slant meaning that this band isn’t going to run out of ideas any time soon.
12.
Red Harvest - A Greater Darkness — “Someone has found the antidote!” screams Ofu Khan on the ripping opening track. The antidote to the new Nine Inch Nails album, perhaps? Fear Factory’s heavier, scarier sibling proves Industrial Metal doesn’t mean Wimpy Metal yet again, with intriguing hints of a progressive slant meaning that this band isn’t going to run out of ideas any time soon.
12.
Red Harvest - A Greater Darkness — “Someone has found the antidote!” screams Ofu Khan on the ripping opening track. The antidote to the new Nine Inch Nails album, perhaps? Fear Factory’s heavier, scarier sibling proves Industrial Metal doesn’t mean Wimpy Metal yet again, with intriguing hints of a progressive slant meaning that this band isn’t going to run out of ideas any time soon.
12.
Red Harvest - A Greater Darkness — “Someone has found the antidote!” screams Ofu Khan on the ripping opening track. The antidote to the new Nine Inch Nails album, perhaps? Fear Factory’s heavier, scarier sibling proves Industrial Metal doesn’t mean Wimpy Metal yet again, with intriguing hints of a progressive slant meaning that this band isn’t going to run out of ideas any time soon.
12.
Red Harvest - A Greater Darkness — “Someone has found the antidote!” screams Ofu Khan on the ripping opening track. The antidote to the new Nine Inch Nails album, perhaps? Fear Factory’s heavier, scarier sibling proves Industrial Metal doesn’t mean Wimpy Metal yet again, with intriguing hints of a progressive slant meaning that this band isn’t going to run out of ideas any time soon.
12.
Red Harvest - A Greater Darkness — “Someone has found the antidote!” screams Ofu Khan on the ripping opening track. The antidote to the new Nine Inch Nails album, perhaps? Fear Factory’s heavier, scarier sibling proves Industrial Metal doesn’t mean Wimpy Metal yet again, with intriguing hints of a progressive slant meaning that this band isn’t going to run out of ideas any time soon.
12.
Red Harvest - A Greater Darkness — “Someone has found the antidote!” screams Ofu Khan on the ripping opening track. The antidote to the new Nine Inch Nails album, perhaps? Fear Factory’s heavier, scarier sibling proves Industrial Metal doesn’t mean Wimpy Metal yet again, with intriguing hints of a progressive slant meaning that this band isn’t going to run out of ideas any time soon.
12.
Red Harvest - A Greater Darkness — “Someone has found the antidote!” screams Ofu Khan on the ripping opening track. The antidote to the new Nine Inch Nails album, perhaps? Fear Factory’s heavier, scarier sibling proves Industrial Metal doesn’t mean Wimpy Metal yet again, with intriguing hints of a progressive slant meaning that this band isn’t going to run out of ideas any time soon.
12.
4467 — “Someone has found the antidote!” screams Ofu Khan on the ripping opening track. The antidote to the new Nine Inch Nails album, perhaps? Fear Factory’s heavier, scarier sibling proves Industrial Metal doesn’t mean Wimpy Metal yet again, with intriguing hints of a progressive slant meaning that this band isn’t going to run out of ideas any time soon.
12.
4467 — “Someone has found the antidote!” screams Ofu Khan on the ripping opening track. The antidote to the new Nine Inch Nails album, perhaps? Fear Factory’s heavier, scarier sibling proves Industrial Metal doesn’t mean Wimpy Metal yet again, with intriguing hints of a progressive slant meaning that this band isn’t going to run out of ideas any time soon.
13.
4141 — These plucky Swedes are the original and best, and it’s about time that people start speaking of them with the respect they deserve. Serpent Saints is a ridiculously good collection of Death Metal anthems, and anyone that appreciates the genre should love it.
13.
4141 — These plucky Swedes are the original and best, and it’s about time that people start speaking of them with the respect they deserve. Serpent Saints is a ridiculously good collection of Death Metal anthems, and anyone that appreciates the genre should love it.
13.
4141 — These plucky Swedes are the original and best, and it’s about time that people start speaking of them with the respect they deserve. Serpent Saints is a ridiculously good collection of Death Metal anthems, and anyone that appreciates the genre should love it.
13.
4141 — These plucky Swedes are the original and best, and it’s about time that people start speaking of them with the respect they deserve. Serpent Saints is a ridiculously good collection of Death Metal anthems, and anyone that appreciates the genre should love it.
13.
4141 — These plucky Swedes are the original and best, and it’s about time that people start speaking of them with the respect they deserve. Serpent Saints is a ridiculously good collection of Death Metal anthems, and anyone that appreciates the genre should love it.
13.
4141 — These plucky Swedes are the original and best, and it’s about time that people start speaking of them with the respect they deserve. Serpent Saints is a ridiculously good collection of Death Metal anthems, and anyone that appreciates the genre should love it.
13.
4141 — These plucky Swedes are the original and best, and it’s about time that people start speaking of them with the respect they deserve. Serpent Saints is a ridiculously good collection of Death Metal anthems, and anyone that appreciates the genre should love it.
13.
4141 — These plucky Swedes are the original and best, and it’s about time that people start speaking of them with the respect they deserve. Serpent Saints is a ridiculously good collection of Death Metal anthems, and anyone that appreciates the genre should love it.
13.
4141 — These plucky Swedes are the original and best, and it’s about time that people start speaking of them with the respect they deserve. Serpent Saints is a ridiculously good collection of Death Metal anthems, and anyone that appreciates the genre should love it.
13.
4141 — These plucky Swedes are the original and best, and it’s about time that people start speaking of them with the respect they deserve. Serpent Saints is a ridiculously good collection of Death Metal anthems, and anyone that appreciates the genre should love it.
14.
4107 — Ire works, indeed, so well that you’ll be wondering how in the hell Justin Timberlake went Grindcore. Before remembering you are, in fact, listening to The Dillinger Escape Plan and they’re awesome.
14.
4107 — Ire works, indeed, so well that you’ll be wondering how in the hell Justin Timberlake went Grindcore. Before remembering you are, in fact, listening to The Dillinger Escape Plan and they’re awesome.
14.
4107 — Ire works, indeed, so well that you’ll be wondering how in the hell Justin Timberlake went Grindcore. Before remembering you are, in fact, listening to The Dillinger Escape Plan and they’re awesome.
14.
4107 — Ire works, indeed, so well that you’ll be wondering how in the hell Justin Timberlake went Grindcore. Before remembering you are, in fact, listening to The Dillinger Escape Plan and they’re awesome.
14.
4107 — Ire works, indeed, so well that you’ll be wondering how in the hell Justin Timberlake went Grindcore. Before remembering you are, in fact, listening to The Dillinger Escape Plan and they’re awesome.
14.
4107 — Ire works, indeed, so well that you’ll be wondering how in the hell Justin Timberlake went Grindcore. Before remembering you are, in fact, listening to The Dillinger Escape Plan and they’re awesome.
14.
4107 — Ire works, indeed, so well that you’ll be wondering how in the hell Justin Timberlake went Grindcore. Before remembering you are, in fact, listening to The Dillinger Escape Plan and they’re awesome.
14.
4107 — Ire works, indeed, so well that you’ll be wondering how in the hell Justin Timberlake went Grindcore. Before remembering you are, in fact, listening to The Dillinger Escape Plan and they’re awesome.
14.
4107 — Ire works, indeed, so well that you’ll be wondering how in the hell Justin Timberlake went Grindcore. Before remembering you are, in fact, listening to The Dillinger Escape Plan and they’re awesome.
14.
4107 — Ire works, indeed, so well that you’ll be wondering how in the hell Justin Timberlake went Grindcore. Before remembering you are, in fact, listening to The Dillinger Escape Plan and they’re awesome.
15.
3840 — Whatever you think of Dave’s politics, it’s impossible to deny that he’s still got it, and that this (eleventh!) album is the best his band’s put out for a while. There’s no way he can end his band when releases of this quality are ripping up stereos – let’s hope we’ll still be headbanging in another eleven albums’ time.
15.
3840 — Whatever you think of Dave’s politics, it’s impossible to deny that he’s still got it, and that this (eleventh!) album is the best his band’s put out for a while. There’s no way he can end his band when releases of this quality are ripping up stereos – let’s hope we’ll still be headbanging in another eleven albums’ time.
15.
3840 — Whatever you think of Dave’s politics, it’s impossible to deny that he’s still got it, and that this (eleventh!) album is the best his band’s put out for a while. There’s no way he can end his band when releases of this quality are ripping up stereos – let’s hope we’ll still be headbanging in another eleven albums’ time.
15.
3840 — Whatever you think of Dave’s politics, it’s impossible to deny that he’s still got it, and that this (eleventh!) album is the best his band’s put out for a while. There’s no way he can end his band when releases of this quality are ripping up stereos – let’s hope we’ll still be headbanging in another eleven albums’ time.
15.
3840 — Whatever you think of Dave’s politics, it’s impossible to deny that he’s still got it, and that this (eleventh!) album is the best his band’s put out for a while. There’s no way he can end his band when releases of this quality are ripping up stereos – let’s hope we’ll still be headbanging in another eleven albums’ time.
15.
3840 — Whatever you think of Dave’s politics, it’s impossible to deny that he’s still got it, and that this (eleventh!) album is the best his band’s put out for a while. There’s no way he can end his band when releases of this quality are ripping up stereos – let’s hope we’ll still be headbanging in another eleven albums’ time.
15.
3840 — Whatever you think of Dave’s politics, it’s impossible to deny that he’s still got it, and that this (eleventh!) album is the best his band’s put out for a while. There’s no way he can end his band when releases of this quality are ripping up stereos – let’s hope we’ll still be headbanging in another eleven albums’ time.
15.
3840 — Whatever you think of Dave’s politics, it’s impossible to deny that he’s still got it, and that this (eleventh!) album is the best his band’s put out for a while. There’s no way he can end his band when releases of this quality are ripping up stereos – let’s hope we’ll still be headbanging in another eleven albums’ time.
15.
3840 — Whatever you think of Dave’s politics, it’s impossible to deny that he’s still got it, and that this (eleventh!) album is the best his band’s put out for a while. There’s no way he can end his band when releases of this quality are ripping up stereos – let’s hope we’ll still be headbanging in another eleven albums’ time.
15.
3840 — Whatever you think of Dave’s politics, it’s impossible to deny that he’s still got it, and that this (eleventh!) album is the best his band’s put out for a while. There’s no way he can end his band when releases of this quality are ripping up stereos – let’s hope we’ll still be headbanging in another eleven albums’ time.

Surprises of the Year

1.
1.
4087 — Progressive Death Metal that’s actually Progressive? That doesn’t rip other bands off? That’s fun to listen to? The queue starts here as London’s finest drop their second album of twisty riffs into our collective skull – damn, indeed.
1.
4087 — Progressive Death Metal that’s actually Progressive? That doesn’t rip other bands off? That’s fun to listen to? The queue starts here as London’s finest drop their second album of twisty riffs into our collective skull – damn, indeed.
1.
4087 — Progressive Death Metal that’s actually Progressive? That doesn’t rip other bands off? That’s fun to listen to? The queue starts here as London’s finest drop their second album of twisty riffs into our collective skull – damn, indeed.
1.
4087 — Progressive Death Metal that’s actually Progressive? That doesn’t rip other bands off? That’s fun to listen to? The queue starts here as London’s finest drop their second album of twisty riffs into our collective skull – damn, indeed.
1.
4087 — Progressive Death Metal that’s actually Progressive? That doesn’t rip other bands off? That’s fun to listen to? The queue starts here as London’s finest drop their second album of twisty riffs into our collective skull – damn, indeed.
1.
4087 — Progressive Death Metal that’s actually Progressive? That doesn’t rip other bands off? That’s fun to listen to? The queue starts here as London’s finest drop their second album of twisty riffs into our collective skull – damn, indeed.
1.
1.
4087 — Progressive Death Metal that’s actually Progressive? That doesn’t rip other bands off? That’s fun to listen to? The queue starts here as London’s finest drop their second album of twisty riffs into our collective skull – damn, indeed.
1.
4087 — Progressive Death Metal that’s actually Progressive? That doesn’t rip other bands off? That’s fun to listen to? The queue starts here as London’s finest drop their second album of twisty riffs into our collective skull – damn, indeed.
2.
2.
4078 — Well, did you know that Rune from Mayhem even had a gentle side, let alone that he was capable of masterminding some of the best Gothic Doom ever made? Or even that his partner Carmen had a voice that single-handedly makes Lisa Gerrard sound like the drunken singing of a gangrenous tramp? OK, so that’s exaggerating, but it’s not far off it. The next time someone tells you that female-fronted bands are rubbish, hit them in the face with a copy of this, then play it for them.
2.
4078 — Well, did you know that Rune from Mayhem even had a gentle side, let alone that he was capable of masterminding some of the best Gothic Doom ever made? Or even that his partner Carmen had a voice that single-handedly makes Lisa Gerrard sound like the drunken singing of a gangrenous tramp? OK, so that’s exaggerating, but it’s not far off it. The next time someone tells you that female-fronted bands are rubbish, hit them in the face with a copy of this, then play it for them.
2.
4078 — Well, did you know that Rune from Mayhem even had a gentle side, let alone that he was capable of masterminding some of the best Gothic Doom ever made? Or even that his partner Carmen had a voice that single-handedly makes Lisa Gerrard sound like the drunken singing of a gangrenous tramp? OK, so that’s exaggerating, but it’s not far off it. The next time someone tells you that female-fronted bands are rubbish, hit them in the face with a copy of this, then play it for them.
2.
4078 — Well, did you know that Rune from Mayhem even had a gentle side, let alone that he was capable of masterminding some of the best Gothic Doom ever made? Or even that his partner Carmen had a voice that single-handedly makes Lisa Gerrard sound like the drunken singing of a gangrenous tramp? OK, so that’s exaggerating, but it’s not far off it. The next time someone tells you that female-fronted bands are rubbish, hit them in the face with a copy of this, then play it for them.
2.
4078 — Well, did you know that Rune from Mayhem even had a gentle side, let alone that he was capable of masterminding some of the best Gothic Doom ever made? Or even that his partner Carmen had a voice that single-handedly makes Lisa Gerrard sound like the drunken singing of a gangrenous tramp? OK, so that’s exaggerating, but it’s not far off it. The next time someone tells you that female-fronted bands are rubbish, hit them in the face with a copy of this, then play it for them.
2.
4078 — Well, did you know that Rune from Mayhem even had a gentle side, let alone that he was capable of masterminding some of the best Gothic Doom ever made? Or even that his partner Carmen had a voice that single-handedly makes Lisa Gerrard sound like the drunken singing of a gangrenous tramp? OK, so that’s exaggerating, but it’s not far off it. The next time someone tells you that female-fronted bands are rubbish, hit them in the face with a copy of this, then play it for them.
2.
2.
4078 — Well, did you know that Rune from Mayhem even had a gentle side, let alone that he was capable of masterminding some of the best Gothic Doom ever made? Or even that his partner Carmen had a voice that single-handedly makes Lisa Gerrard sound like the drunken singing of a gangrenous tramp? OK, so that’s exaggerating, but it’s not far off it. The next time someone tells you that female-fronted bands are rubbish, hit them in the face with a copy of this, then play it for them.
2.
4078 — Well, did you know that Rune from Mayhem even had a gentle side, let alone that he was capable of masterminding some of the best Gothic Doom ever made? Or even that his partner Carmen had a voice that single-handedly makes Lisa Gerrard sound like the drunken singing of a gangrenous tramp? OK, so that’s exaggerating, but it’s not far off it. The next time someone tells you that female-fronted bands are rubbish, hit them in the face with a copy of this, then play it for them.
3.
3.
4131 — Cathedral ain’t the only limeys around reshaping Doom in their own, spectacular image. An excellent album that lasts well beyond a few listens.
3.
4131 — Cathedral ain’t the only limeys around reshaping Doom in their own, spectacular image. An excellent album that lasts well beyond a few listens.
3.
4131 — Cathedral ain’t the only limeys around reshaping Doom in their own, spectacular image. An excellent album that lasts well beyond a few listens.
3.
4131 — Cathedral ain’t the only limeys around reshaping Doom in their own, spectacular image. An excellent album that lasts well beyond a few listens.
3.
4131 — Cathedral ain’t the only limeys around reshaping Doom in their own, spectacular image. An excellent album that lasts well beyond a few listens.
3.
4131 — Cathedral ain’t the only limeys around reshaping Doom in their own, spectacular image. An excellent album that lasts well beyond a few listens.
3.
3.
4131 — Cathedral ain’t the only limeys around reshaping Doom in their own, spectacular image. An excellent album that lasts well beyond a few listens.
3.
4131 — Cathedral ain’t the only limeys around reshaping Doom in their own, spectacular image. An excellent album that lasts well beyond a few listens.
4.
4.
3978 — Yes, it’s a silly name, but it’s an excellent modernized journey through Prog Metal. The first of hopefully many from these Canadian upstarts, let’s hope someone takes notice and this band gets the rewards it deserves.
4.
3978 — Yes, it’s a silly name, but it’s an excellent modernized journey through Prog Metal. The first of hopefully many from these Canadian upstarts, let’s hope someone takes notice and this band gets the rewards it deserves.
4.
3978 — Yes, it’s a silly name, but it’s an excellent modernized journey through Prog Metal. The first of hopefully many from these Canadian upstarts, let’s hope someone takes notice and this band gets the rewards it deserves.
4.
3978 — Yes, it’s a silly name, but it’s an excellent modernized journey through Prog Metal. The first of hopefully many from these Canadian upstarts, let’s hope someone takes notice and this band gets the rewards it deserves.
4.
3978 — Yes, it’s a silly name, but it’s an excellent modernized journey through Prog Metal. The first of hopefully many from these Canadian upstarts, let’s hope someone takes notice and this band gets the rewards it deserves.
4.
3978 — Yes, it’s a silly name, but it’s an excellent modernized journey through Prog Metal. The first of hopefully many from these Canadian upstarts, let’s hope someone takes notice and this band gets the rewards it deserves.
4.
4.
3978 — Yes, it’s a silly name, but it’s an excellent modernized journey through Prog Metal. The first of hopefully many from these Canadian upstarts, let’s hope someone takes notice and this band gets the rewards it deserves.
4.
3978 — Yes, it’s a silly name, but it’s an excellent modernized journey through Prog Metal. The first of hopefully many from these Canadian upstarts, let’s hope someone takes notice and this band gets the rewards it deserves.
5.
5.
4117 — After the ‘heavy’ side of this project proved itself not much more than passable I wasn’t expecting much from the ‘light’ side, but the guys from Rage managed to make this a riff-heavy exercise in Power Metal goodness.
5.
4117 — After the ‘heavy’ side of this project proved itself not much more than passable I wasn’t expecting much from the ‘light’ side, but the guys from Rage managed to make this a riff-heavy exercise in Power Metal goodness.
5.
4117 — After the ‘heavy’ side of this project proved itself not much more than passable I wasn’t expecting much from the ‘light’ side, but the guys from Rage managed to make this a riff-heavy exercise in Power Metal goodness.
5.
4117 — After the ‘heavy’ side of this project proved itself not much more than passable I wasn’t expecting much from the ‘light’ side, but the guys from Rage managed to make this a riff-heavy exercise in Power Metal goodness.
5.
4117 — After the ‘heavy’ side of this project proved itself not much more than passable I wasn’t expecting much from the ‘light’ side, but the guys from Rage managed to make this a riff-heavy exercise in Power Metal goodness.
5.
4117 — After the ‘heavy’ side of this project proved itself not much more than passable I wasn’t expecting much from the ‘light’ side, but the guys from Rage managed to make this a riff-heavy exercise in Power Metal goodness.
5.
5.
4117 — After the ‘heavy’ side of this project proved itself not much more than passable I wasn’t expecting much from the ‘light’ side, but the guys from Rage managed to make this a riff-heavy exercise in Power Metal goodness.
5.
4117 — After the ‘heavy’ side of this project proved itself not much more than passable I wasn’t expecting much from the ‘light’ side, but the guys from Rage managed to make this a riff-heavy exercise in Power Metal goodness.

Disappointments

1.
1.
1.
4067 — One of the most out-there bands on the Black Metal front shoots itself in the foot by turning formulaic. Sure, bonkers kvltsters who put style over substance will love it, but those who care more for music than image will be as saddened as I was.
1.
4067 — One of the most out-there bands on the Black Metal front shoots itself in the foot by turning formulaic. Sure, bonkers kvltsters who put style over substance will love it, but those who care more for music than image will be as saddened as I was.
1.
4067 — One of the most out-there bands on the Black Metal front shoots itself in the foot by turning formulaic. Sure, bonkers kvltsters who put style over substance will love it, but those who care more for music than image will be as saddened as I was.
1.
4067 — One of the most out-there bands on the Black Metal front shoots itself in the foot by turning formulaic. Sure, bonkers kvltsters who put style over substance will love it, but those who care more for music than image will be as saddened as I was.
1.
4067 — One of the most out-there bands on the Black Metal front shoots itself in the foot by turning formulaic. Sure, bonkers kvltsters who put style over substance will love it, but those who care more for music than image will be as saddened as I was.
1.
1.
4067 — One of the most out-there bands on the Black Metal front shoots itself in the foot by turning formulaic. Sure, bonkers kvltsters who put style over substance will love it, but those who care more for music than image will be as saddened as I was.
1.
4067 — One of the most out-there bands on the Black Metal front shoots itself in the foot by turning formulaic. Sure, bonkers kvltsters who put style over substance will love it, but those who care more for music than image will be as saddened as I was.
2.
2.
2.
3948 — After the awe-inspiring epic pyramids of riffs to be found on Annihilation Of The Wicked, Nile abruptly turned around and produced… this. Although after many listens I’ve started to accept it as not being completely awful, it’s not an instant classic like, ooh, any of the past albums. People have been suggesting that this band has been running out of ideas for a while, and I didn’t believe it until Ithyphallic came along.
2.
3948 — After the awe-inspiring epic pyramids of riffs to be found on Annihilation Of The Wicked, Nile abruptly turned around and produced… this. Although after many listens I’ve started to accept it as not being completely awful, it’s not an instant classic like, ooh, any of the past albums. People have been suggesting that this band has been running out of ideas for a while, and I didn’t believe it until Ithyphallic came along.
2.
3948 — After the awe-inspiring epic pyramids of riffs to be found on Annihilation Of The Wicked, Nile abruptly turned around and produced… this. Although after many listens I’ve started to accept it as not being completely awful, it’s not an instant classic like, ooh, any of the past albums. People have been suggesting that this band has been running out of ideas for a while, and I didn’t believe it until Ithyphallic came along.
2.
3948 — After the awe-inspiring epic pyramids of riffs to be found on Annihilation Of The Wicked, Nile abruptly turned around and produced… this. Although after many listens I’ve started to accept it as not being completely awful, it’s not an instant classic like, ooh, any of the past albums. People have been suggesting that this band has been running out of ideas for a while, and I didn’t believe it until Ithyphallic came along.
2.
3948 — After the awe-inspiring epic pyramids of riffs to be found on Annihilation Of The Wicked, Nile abruptly turned around and produced… this. Although after many listens I’ve started to accept it as not being completely awful, it’s not an instant classic like, ooh, any of the past albums. People have been suggesting that this band has been running out of ideas for a while, and I didn’t believe it until Ithyphallic came along.
2.
2.
3948 — After the awe-inspiring epic pyramids of riffs to be found on Annihilation Of The Wicked, Nile abruptly turned around and produced… this. Although after many listens I’ve started to accept it as not being completely awful, it’s not an instant classic like, ooh, any of the past albums. People have been suggesting that this band has been running out of ideas for a while, and I didn’t believe it until Ithyphallic came along.
2.
3948 — After the awe-inspiring epic pyramids of riffs to be found on Annihilation Of The Wicked, Nile abruptly turned around and produced… this. Although after many listens I’ve started to accept it as not being completely awful, it’s not an instant classic like, ooh, any of the past albums. People have been suggesting that this band has been running out of ideas for a while, and I didn’t believe it until Ithyphallic came along.
3.
3.
3.
4178 — Following two underrated experimental albums with a riff-heavy blast may be the way to go. What a pity the riffs are all at least ten years old and the experience in total is about as engrossing as watching paint dry.
3.
4178 — Following two underrated experimental albums with a riff-heavy blast may be the way to go. What a pity the riffs are all at least ten years old and the experience in total is about as engrossing as watching paint dry.
3.
4178 — Following two underrated experimental albums with a riff-heavy blast may be the way to go. What a pity the riffs are all at least ten years old and the experience in total is about as engrossing as watching paint dry.
3.
4178 — Following two underrated experimental albums with a riff-heavy blast may be the way to go. What a pity the riffs are all at least ten years old and the experience in total is about as engrossing as watching paint dry.
3.
4178 — Following two underrated experimental albums with a riff-heavy blast may be the way to go. What a pity the riffs are all at least ten years old and the experience in total is about as engrossing as watching paint dry.
3.
3.
4178 — Following two underrated experimental albums with a riff-heavy blast may be the way to go. What a pity the riffs are all at least ten years old and the experience in total is about as engrossing as watching paint dry.
3.
4178 — Following two underrated experimental albums with a riff-heavy blast may be the way to go. What a pity the riffs are all at least ten years old and the experience in total is about as engrossing as watching paint dry.
4.
4.
4.
4023 — In which it is proven that not every Black Metal legend that has split up should reform. The sound of men stuck ten years in the past, trying to sound as if they’re in the present.
4.
4023 — In which it is proven that not every Black Metal legend that has split up should reform. The sound of men stuck ten years in the past, trying to sound as if they’re in the present.
4.
4023 — In which it is proven that not every Black Metal legend that has split up should reform. The sound of men stuck ten years in the past, trying to sound as if they’re in the present.
4.
4023 — In which it is proven that not every Black Metal legend that has split up should reform. The sound of men stuck ten years in the past, trying to sound as if they’re in the present.
4.
4023 — In which it is proven that not every Black Metal legend that has split up should reform. The sound of men stuck ten years in the past, trying to sound as if they’re in the present.
4.
4.
4023 — In which it is proven that not every Black Metal legend that has split up should reform. The sound of men stuck ten years in the past, trying to sound as if they’re in the present.
4.
4023 — In which it is proven that not every Black Metal legend that has split up should reform. The sound of men stuck ten years in the past, trying to sound as if they’re in the present.
5.
5.
5.
4092 — An exercise in cutting through hype, actually listening to music, and being disappointed to find that if not for their shapely fire-haired singer, none of you would ever have heard of Epica because they’d be lost in a sea of similarly mediocre bands.
5.
4092 — An exercise in cutting through hype, actually listening to music, and being disappointed to find that if not for their shapely fire-haired singer, none of you would ever have heard of Epica because they’d be lost in a sea of similarly mediocre bands.
5.
4092 — An exercise in cutting through hype, actually listening to music, and being disappointed to find that if not for their shapely fire-haired singer, none of you would ever have heard of Epica because they’d be lost in a sea of similarly mediocre bands.
5.
4092 — An exercise in cutting through hype, actually listening to music, and being disappointed to find that if not for their shapely fire-haired singer, none of you would ever have heard of Epica because they’d be lost in a sea of similarly mediocre bands.
5.
4092 — An exercise in cutting through hype, actually listening to music, and being disappointed to find that if not for their shapely fire-haired singer, none of you would ever have heard of Epica because they’d be lost in a sea of similarly mediocre bands.
5.
5.
4092 — An exercise in cutting through hype, actually listening to music, and being disappointed to find that if not for their shapely fire-haired singer, none of you would ever have heard of Epica because they’d be lost in a sea of similarly mediocre bands.
5.
4092 — An exercise in cutting through hype, actually listening to music, and being disappointed to find that if not for their shapely fire-haired singer, none of you would ever have heard of Epica because they’d be lost in a sea of similarly mediocre bands.

Joke of the Year

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Atreyu, Avenged Sevenfold, Trivium, Bullet For My Valentine, Bring Me The Horizon — What Amy Winehouse is to Jazz and Ben Stiller is to comedy, these are to Metal. Mock them with harsh words, mock them with scornful laughs, mock their very existence and mock people that enjoy listening to them. It’s not that they aren’t extreme or underground enough, oh no. It’s that each and every song they’ve written is exactly the sort of rubbish that mainstream toe-dippers and day-trippers seize upon as being proof that Metal isn’t dead, that Limp Bizkit and Nirvana didn’t kill us after all. Welcome to the real world, cretins, we’ve known that for years. The above five make metal for the scum, the sheep, those that paddle at the edge of the sea of steel whilst the rest of us dive to its depths, and if you’re reading this rage-filled at this casual trashing of the five bands that have given you a new outlook on life, then may I respectfully suggest spending a shitload more time at this site because, heck, you sure need it.
1.
Atreyu, Avenged Sevenfold, Trivium, Bullet For My Valentine, Bring Me The Horizon — What Amy Winehouse is to Jazz and Ben Stiller is to comedy, these are to Metal. Mock them with harsh words, mock them with scornful laughs, mock their very existence and mock people that enjoy listening to them. It’s not that they aren’t extreme or underground enough, oh no. It’s that each and every song they’ve written is exactly the sort of rubbish that mainstream toe-dippers and day-trippers seize upon as being proof that Metal isn’t dead, that Limp Bizkit and Nirvana didn’t kill us after all. Welcome to the real world, cretins, we’ve known that for years. The above five make metal for the scum, the sheep, those that paddle at the edge of the sea of steel whilst the rest of us dive to its depths, and if you’re reading this rage-filled at this casual trashing of the five bands that have given you a new outlook on life, then may I respectfully suggest spending a shitload more time at this site because, heck, you sure need it.
1.
Atreyu, Avenged Sevenfold, Trivium, Bullet For My Valentine, Bring Me The Horizon — What Amy Winehouse is to Jazz and Ben Stiller is to comedy, these are to Metal. Mock them with harsh words, mock them with scornful laughs, mock their very existence and mock people that enjoy listening to them. It’s not that they aren’t extreme or underground enough, oh no. It’s that each and every song they’ve written is exactly the sort of rubbish that mainstream toe-dippers and day-trippers seize upon as being proof that Metal isn’t dead, that Limp Bizkit and Nirvana didn’t kill us after all. Welcome to the real world, cretins, we’ve known that for years. The above five make Metal for the scum, the sheep, those that paddle at the edge of the sea of steel whilst the rest of us dive to its depths, and if you’re reading this full of rage at such a casual trashing of the five bands that have changed your life, then may I respectfully suggest spending a shitload more time at this site because you sure as hell need it.
1.
Atreyu, Avenged Sevenfold, Trivium, Bullet For My Valentine, Bring Me The Horizon — What Amy Winehouse is to Jazz and Ben Stiller is to comedy, these are to Metal. Mock them with harsh words, mock them with scornful laughs, mock their very existence and mock people that enjoy listening to them. It’s not that they aren’t extreme or underground enough, oh no. It’s that each and every song they’ve written is exactly the sort of rubbish that mainstream toe-dippers and day-trippers seize upon as being proof that Metal isn’t dead, that Limp Bizkit and Nirvana didn’t kill us after all. Welcome to the real world, cretins, we’ve known that for years. The above five make Metal for the scum, the sheep, those that paddle at the edge of the sea of steel whilst the rest of us dive to its depths, and if you’re reading this full of rage at such a casual trashing of the five bands that have changed your life, then may I respectfully suggest spending a shitload more time at this site because you sure as hell need it.
1.
Atreyu, Avenged Sevenfold, Trivium, Bullet For My Valentine, Bring Me The Horizon — What Amy Winehouse is to Jazz and Ben Stiller is to comedy, these are to Metal. Mock them with harsh words, mock them with scornful laughs, mock their very existence and mock people that enjoy listening to them. It’s not that they aren’t extreme or underground enough, oh no. It’s that each and every song they’ve written is exactly the sort of rubbish that mainstream toe-dippers and day-trippers seize upon as being proof that Metal isn’t dead, that Limp Bizkit and Nirvana didn’t kill us after all. Welcome to the real world, cretins, we’ve known that for years. The above five make Metal for the scum, the sheep, those that paddle at the edge of the sea of steel whilst the rest of us dive to its depths, and if you’re reading this full of rage at such a casual trashing of the five bands that have changed your life, then may I respectfully suggest spending a shitload more time at this site because you sure as hell need it.
1.
1.
— 1. Atreyu 2. Avenged Sevenfold 3. Trivium 4. Bullet For My Valentine 5. Bring Me The Horizon What Amy Winehouse is to Jazz and Ben Stiller is to comedy, these are to Metal. Mock them with harsh words, mock them with scornful laughs, mock their very existence and mock people that enjoy listening to them. It’s not that they aren’t extreme or underground enough, oh no. It’s that each and every song they’ve written is exactly the sort of rubbish that mainstream toe-dippers and day-trippers seize upon as being proof that Metal isn’t dead, that Limp Bizkit and Nirvana didn’t kill us after all. Welcome to the real world, cretins, we’ve known that for years. The above five make metal for the scum, the sheep, those that paddle at the edge of the sea of steel whilst the rest of us dive to its depths, and if you’re reading this rage-filled at this casual trashing of the five bands that have given you a new outlook on life, then may I respectfully suggest spending a shitload more time at this site because, heck, you sure need it.
1.
— 1. Atreyu 2. Avenged Sevenfold 3. Trivium 4. Bullet For My Valentine 5. Bring Me The Horizon What Amy Winehouse is to Jazz and Ben Stiller is to comedy, these are to Metal. Mock them with harsh words, mock them with scornful laughs, mock their very existence and mock people that enjoy listening to them. It’s not that they aren’t extreme or underground enough, oh no. It’s that each and every song they’ve written is exactly the sort of rubbish that mainstream toe-dippers and day-trippers seize upon as being proof that Metal isn’t dead, that Limp Bizkit and Nirvana didn’t kill us after all. Welcome to the real world, cretins, we’ve known that for years. The above five make metal for the scum, the sheep, those that paddle at the edge of the sea of steel whilst the rest of us dive to its depths, and if you’re reading this rage-filled at this casual trashing of the five bands that have given you a new outlook on life, then may I respectfully suggest spending a shitload more time at this site because, heck, you sure need it.
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Words / Final Thoughts

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0
— 2007’s been more than an interesting year for me, both on the musical and personal fronts. Of course, I joined MR late in the year as a reviewer, fulfilling an ambition that’s been hovering near the surface since I first joined the forum as someone who’d gotten into Metal through Evanescence and for whom all this ‘Metal’ stuff was a bit heavy. Thankfully, all it took was a few Iron Maiden albums, a chance Darkthrone purchase and many long hours spent exploring the steel world online to bring me around, and although at first I took the whole Black Metal thing too seriously, more recently I’ve realised that life’s as much about the greys as the black and whites and branched out a little. This didn’t help stop my Top Fifteen from being a real pain to choose! Those tearfully culled include Behemoth</> – The Apostasy (Nergal and co. really pushed themselves on this one, producing a fine set of songs that are leaps and bounds above the decent but rather more straightforward Demigod), Municipal Waste – The Art Of Partying (Thrash never sounded so good), Angelcorpse – Of Lucifer And Lightning (reformation of the decade? Old-school Death Metal proves it can still kick serious ass!), Machine Head – The Blackening (call it Metalcore if you want, it’s still a great album), Mithras – Behind The Shadows Lie Madness (not as good as the first two but, heck, if it gets the punters in who’s complaining? Still ten times better than most Death Metal bands could ever hope to be), Alchemist – Tripsis (I underrated this in my review. Excellent band), Vital Remains – Icons Of Evil (never let anyone tell you that Glen Benton is an embarrassment to Metal – just play them this and watch their feeble Christian souls melt away!), Coheed & Cambria – No World For Tomorrow (yet another masterly effort from these alt-prog-whateverers), Obituary – Xecutioner’s Return (the epitome of solid, these guys have never disappointed me, and this is another fine slice of Floridian Death), Deathspell Omega – Fas – Ite, Maledicti, In Ignem Aeturnum (possibly slightly overrated by the kvlt krew, but still a remarkable achievement), and Ministry – The Last Sucker (I can’t believe Al’s bringing this band to an end, but it’s one hell of a final album). Not only did I find it impossible to whittle my list of best albums down to fifteen but also the ordering itself was near impossible. Is Dark Passion Play a better piece of music than Mord Und Totschlag? Impossible to answer without being biased one way or another, and as I equally enjoy poppy Symphonic Metal and underground Black Metal, not a choice I feel comfortable with. So, the order given above is the one that ultimately made most sense to me at the time of writing – it doesn’t mean that one album is better than another. I’d like to thank those who read my reviews and commented, as well as those that read and didn’t comment – and those that commented and didn’t read, and even those that did neither! Also more than deserving of thanks is the entire Metal Reviews Team - or The Gods, as I like to call them - especially Mike, Chris and Alex for showing me around and helping me feel welcome. Guys, it’s been a blast so far, thanks for everything. The forum in general deserves a thank you from me, I’m not going to start naming names but there are some great people on there and they know who they are. Looking forward to another year of talking to you all, and hopefully getting to know some of you better! Feel free to drop me a line either through my email address(es) or MSN IM, all of you… Last and not least: the bands, and the labels that pimp them out to us discerning kerb-crawlers. None of us would be here without them, so here’s to the ones that make the music: you keep bringing on the good stuff, and we’ll keep buying it. Long may they last, from least to greatest. Finally, I’ll destroy any underground credibility I’ve somehow built up by listing a few non-Metal albums that have caught my attention over the year. Kate Nash’s debut album Made Of Bricks was a great guilty pleasure, proving (for me at least!) that not all teenage girls have rubbish music taste. Rufus Wainwright’s Release The Stars was a wonderful piece of songwriting. Manic Street Preachers, Interpol and Foo Fighters all put great albums out, as did Cherry Ghost – their debut recommended for fans of Wilco especially. The Artic Monkeys surprised me with the accessible poppy post-punk of their second album (I’d previously written them off as rubbish – there’s a good deal more depth to this band than I’d thought) and The White Stripes proved yet again you don’t need a great drummer in order to write good songs. No doubt regulars are expecting a good deal of praise from me for Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible – alas, every time I tried to get my hands on a copy fate intervened. I’m sure it’s brilliant, and when I finally have a listen I have every faith that my hopes will be confirmed tenfold. With any luck, if you’re still reading and haven’t left in disgust, you trust my taste enough to stay with me into and beyond 2008. This is a brilliant site - the best Metal-related webzine ever, I believe – and we need you as much as (hopefully) you need us. 2008 has some interesting albums coming, from acts like Metallica, Meshuggah, Judas Priest, Morbid Angel, Opeth, Biomechanical, Testament, Deicide, The Axis Of Perdition (two albums!), Gorerotted, Unearthly Trance, The Haunted, Satyricon, Soilent Green, Voivod, Wintersun, Cryptopsy, Mastodon (here’s hoping, at least), She Said Destroy and Iced Earth to name some off the top of my head, and I have high hopes for them all. I’m also crossing my fingers for new material from two of my favourite bands, British Grinders Napalm Death and Norwegian Progsters Enslaved. In any case, I’m expecting much from the new year’s crop of releases, and it wouldn’t be half as much fun discovering them without an audience to share it with… I hope that all of you reading - and the ones that aren’t - have a great 2008, with health, wealth and happiness all around. It’s been an honour so far to have my feeble scribbling posted on this site for all and sundry – here’s to many more years of the same. Metal Reviews uber alles!
0
— 2007’s been more than an interesting year for me, both on the musical and personal fronts. Of course, I joined MR late in the year as a reviewer, fulfilling an ambition that’s been hovering near the surface since I first joined the forum as someone who’d gotten into Metal through Evanescence and for whom all this ‘Metal’ stuff was a bit heavy. Thankfully, all it took was a few Iron Maiden albums, a chance Darkthrone purchase and many long hours spent exploring the steel world online to bring me around, and although at first I took the whole Black Metal thing too seriously, more recently I’ve realised that life’s as much about the greys as the black and whites and branched out a little. This didn’t help stop my Top Fifteen from being a real pain to choose! Those tearfully culled include Behemoth – The Apostasy (Nergal and co. really pushed themselves on this one, producing a fine set of songs that are leaps and bounds above the decent but rather more straightforward Demigod), Municipal Waste – The Art Of Partying (Thrash never sounded so good), Angelcorpse – Of Lucifer And Lightning (reformation of the decade? Old-school Death Metal proves it can still kick serious ass!), Machine Head – The Blackening (call it Metalcore if you want, it’s still a great album), Mithras – Behind The Shadows Lie Madness (not as good as the first two but, heck, if it gets the punters in who’s complaining? Still ten times better than most Death Metal bands could ever hope to be), Alchemist – Tripsis (I underrated this in my review. Excellent band), Vital Remains – Icons Of Evil (never let anyone tell you that Glen Benton is an embarrassment to Metal – just play them this and watch their feeble Christian souls melt away!), Coheed & Cambria – No World For Tomorrow (yet another masterly effort from these alt-prog-whateverers), Obituary – Xecutioner’s Return (the epitome of solid, these guys have never disappointed me, and this is another fine slice of Floridian Death), Deathspell Omega – Fas – Ite, Maledicti, In Ignem Aeturnum (possibly slightly overrated by the kvlt krew, but still a remarkable achievement), and Ministry – The Last Sucker (I can’t believe Al’s bringing this band to an end, but it’s one hell of a final album). Not only did I find it impossible to whittle my list of best albums down to fifteen but also the ordering itself was near impossible. Is Dark Passion Play a better piece of music than Mord Und Totschlag? Impossible to answer without being biased one way or another, and as I equally enjoy poppy Symphonic Metal and underground Black Metal, not a choice I feel comfortable with. So, the order given above is the one that ultimately made most sense to me at the time of writing – it doesn’t mean that one album is better than another. I’d like to thank those who read my reviews and commented, as well as those that read and didn’t comment – and those that commented and didn’t read, and even those that did neither! Also more than deserving of thanks is the entire Metal Reviews Team - or The Gods, as I like to call them - especially Mike, Chris and Alex for showing me around and helping me feel welcome. Guys, it’s been a blast so far, thanks for everything. The forum in general deserves a thank you from me, I’m not going to start naming names but there are some great people on there and they know who they are. Looking forward to another year of talking to you all, and hopefully getting to know some of you better! Feel free to drop me a line either through my email address(es) or MSN IM, all of you… Last and not least: the bands, and the labels that pimp them out to us discerning kerb-crawlers. None of us would be here without them, so here’s to the ones that make the music: you keep bringing on the good stuff, and we’ll keep buying it. Long may they last, from least to greatest. Finally, I’ll destroy any underground credibility I’ve somehow built up by listing a few non-Metal albums that have caught my attention over the year. Kate Nash’s debut album Made Of Bricks was a great guilty pleasure, proving (for me at least!) that not all teenage girls have rubbish music taste. Rufus Wainwright’s Release The Stars was a wonderful piece of songwriting. Manic Street Preachers, Interpol and Foo Fighters all put great albums out, as did Cherry Ghost – their debut recommended for fans of Wilco especially. The Artic Monkeys surprised me with the accessible poppy post-punk of their second album (I’d previously written them off as rubbish – there’s a good deal more depth to this band than I’d thought) and The White Stripes proved yet again you don’t need a great drummer in order to write good songs. No doubt regulars are expecting a good deal of praise from me for Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible – alas, every time I tried to get my hands on a copy fate intervened. I’m sure it’s brilliant, and when I finally have a listen I have every faith that my hopes will be confirmed tenfold. With any luck, if you’re still reading and haven’t left in disgust, you trust my taste enough to stay with me into and beyond 2008. This is a brilliant site - the best Metal-related webzine ever, I believe – and we need you as much as (hopefully) you need us. 2008 has some interesting albums coming, from acts like Metallica, Meshuggah, Judas Priest, Morbid Angel, Opeth, Biomechanical, Testament, Deicide, The Axis Of Perdition (two albums!), Gorerotted, Unearthly Trance, The Haunted, Satyricon, Soilent Green, Voivod, Wintersun, Cryptopsy, Mastodon (here’s hoping, at least), She Said Destroy and Iced Earth to name some off the top of my head, and I have high hopes for them all. I’m also crossing my fingers for new material from two of my favourite bands, British Grinders Napalm Death and Norwegian Progsters Enslaved. In any case, I’m expecting much from the new year’s crop of releases, and it wouldn’t be half as much fun discovering them without an audience to share it with… I hope that all of you reading - and the ones that aren’t - have a great 2008, with health, wealth and happiness all around. It’s been an honour so far to have my feeble scribbling posted on this site for all and sundry – here’s to many more years of the same. Metal Reviews uber alles!
0
— 2007’s been more than an interesting year for me, both on the musical and personal fronts. Of course, I joined MR late in the year as a reviewer, fulfilling an ambition that’s been hovering near the surface since I first joined the forum as someone who’d gotten into the great genre through Evanescence and for whom all this ‘Metal’ stuff was a bit heavy. Thankfully, all it took was a few Iron Maiden albums, a chance Darkthrone purchase and many long hours spent exploring the steel world online to bring me around, and although at first I took the whole Black Metal thing too seriously, more recently I’ve realised that life’s as much about the greys as the black and whites and branched out a little. This didn’t help stop my Top Fifteen from being a real pain to choose! Those tearfully culled include Behemoth – The Apostasy (Nergal and co. really pushed themselves on this one, producing a fine set of songs that are leaps and bounds above the decent but rather more straightforward Demigod), Municipal Waste – The Art Of Partying (Thrash never sounded so good), Angelcorpse – Of Lucifer And Lightning (reformation of the decade? Old-school Death Metal proves it can still kick serious ass!), Machine Head – The Blackening (call it Metalcore if you want, it’s still a great album), Mithras – Behind The Shadows Lie Madness (not as good as the first two but, heck, if it gets the punters in who’s complaining? Still ten times better than most Death Metal bands could ever hope to be), Alchemist – Tripsis (I underrated this in my review. Excellent band), Vital Remains – Icons Of Evil (never let anyone tell you that Glen Benton is an embarrassment to Metal – just play them this and watch their feeble Christian souls melt away!), Coheed & Cambria – No World For Tomorrow (yet another masterly effort from these alt-prog-whateverers), Obituary – Xecutioner’s Return (the epitome of solid, these guys have never disappointed me, and this is another fine slice of Floridian Death), Deathspell Omega – Fas – Ite, Maledicti, In Ignem Aeturnum (possibly slightly overrated by the kvlt krew, but still a remarkable achievement), and Ministry – The Last Sucker (I can’t believe Al’s bringing this band to an end, but it’s one hell of a final album). Not only did I find it impossible to whittle my list of best albums down to fifteen but also the ordering itself was near impossible. Is Dark Passion Play a better piece of music than Mord Und Totschlag? Impossible to answer without being biased one way or another, and as I equally enjoy poppy Symphonic Metal and underground Black Metal, not a choice I feel comfortable with. So, the order given above is the one that ultimately made most sense to me at the time of writing – it doesn’t mean that one album is better than another. I’d like to thank those who read my reviews and commented, as well as those that read and didn’t comment – and those that commented and didn’t read, and even those that did neither! Also more than deserving of thanks is the entire Metal Reviews Team - or The Gods, as I like to call them - especially Mike, Chris and Alex for showing me around and helping me feel welcome. Guys, it’s been a blast so far, thanks for everything. The forum in general deserves a thank you from me, I’m not going to start naming names but there are some great people on there and they know who they are. Looking forward to another year of talking to you all, and hopefully getting to know some of you better! Feel free to drop me a line either through my email address(es) or MSN IM, all of you… Last and not least: the bands, and the labels that pimp them out to us discerning kerb-crawlers. None of us would be here without them, so here’s to the ones that make the music: you keep bringing on the good stuff, and we’ll keep buying it. Long may they last, from least to greatest. Finally, I’ll destroy any underground credibility I’ve somehow built up by listing a few non-Metal albums that have caught my attention over the year. Kate Nash’s debut album Made Of Bricks was a great guilty pleasure, proving (for me at least!) that not all teenage girls have rubbish music taste. Rufus Wainwright’s Release The Stars was a wonderful piece of songwriting. Manic Street Preachers, Interpol and Foo Fighters all put great albums out, as did Cherry Ghost – their debut recommended for fans of Wilco especially. The Artic Monkeys surprised me with the accessible poppy post-punk of their second album (I’d previously written them off as rubbish – there’s a good deal more depth to this band than I’d thought) and The White Stripes proved yet again you don’t need a great drummer in order to write good songs. No doubt regulars are expecting a good deal of praise from me for Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible – alas, every time I tried to get my hands on a copy fate intervened. I’m sure it’s brilliant, and when I finally have a listen I have every faith that my hopes will be confirmed tenfold. With any luck, if you’re still reading and haven’t left in disgust, you trust my taste enough to stay with me into and beyond 2008. This is a brilliant site - the best Metal-related webzine ever, I believe – and we need you as much as (hopefully) you need us. 2008 has some interesting albums coming, from acts like Metallica, Meshuggah, Judas Priest, Morbid Angel, Opeth, Biomechanical, Testament, Deicide, The Axis Of Perdition (two albums!), Gorerotted, Unearthly Trance, The Haunted, Satyricon, Soilent Green, Voivod, Wintersun, Cryptopsy, Mastodon (here’s hoping, at least), She Said Destroy and Iced Earth to name some off the top of my head, and I have high hopes for them all. I’m also crossing my fingers for new material from two of my favourite bands, British Grinders Napalm Death and Norwegian Progsters Enslaved. In any case, I’m expecting much from the new year’s crop of releases, and it wouldn’t be half as much fun discovering them without an audience to share it with… I hope that all of you reading - and the ones that aren’t - have a great 2008, with health, wealth and happiness all around. It’s been an honour so far to have my feeble scribbling posted on this site for all and sundry – here’s to many more years of the same. Metal Reviews uber alles!
0
— 2007’s been more than an interesting year for me, both on the musical and personal fronts. Of course, I joined MR late in the year as a reviewer, fulfilling an ambition that’s been hovering near the surface since I first joined the forum as someone who’d gotten into the great genre through Evanescence and for whom all this ‘Metal’ stuff was a bit heavy. Thankfully, all it took was a few Iron Maiden albums, a chance Darkthrone purchase and many long hours spent exploring the steel world online to bring me around, and although at first I took the whole Black Metal thing too seriously, more recently I’ve realised that life’s as much about the greys as the black and whites and branched out a little. This didn’t help stop my Top Fifteen from being a real pain to choose! Those tearfully culled include Behemoth – The Apostasy (Nergal and co. really pushed themselves on this one, producing a fine set of songs that are leaps and bounds above the decent but rather more straightforward Demigod), Municipal Waste – The Art Of Partying (Thrash never sounded so good), Angelcorpse – Of Lucifer And Lightning (reformation of the decade? Old-school Death Metal proves it can still kick serious ass!), Machine Head – The Blackening (call it Metalcore if you want, it’s still a great album), Ted Maul - White Label (Drum N'Bass Death Metal, excellent stuff) Mithras – Behind The Shadows Lie Madness (not as good as the first two but, heck, if it gets the punters in who’s complaining? Still ten times better than most Death Metal bands could ever hope to be), Alchemist – Tripsis (I underrated this in my review. Excellent band), Vital Remains – Icons Of Evil (never let anyone tell you that Glen Benton is an embarrassment to Metal – just play them this and watch their feeble Christian souls melt away!), Coheed & Cambria – No World For Tomorrow (yet another masterly effort from these alt-prog-whateverers), Obituary – Xecutioner’s Return (the epitome of solid, these guys have never disappointed me, and this is another fine slice of Floridian Death), Deathspell Omega – Fas – Ite, Maledicti, In Ignem Aeturnum (possibly slightly overrated by the kvlt krew, but still a remarkable achievement), and Ministry – The Last Sucker (I can’t believe Al’s bringing this band to an end, but it’s one hell of a final album). Not only did I find it impossible to whittle my list of best albums down to fifteen but also the ordering itself was near impossible. Is Dark Passion Play a better piece of music than Mord Und Totschlag? Impossible to answer without being biased one way or another, and as I equally enjoy poppy Symphonic Metal and underground Black Metal, not a choice I feel comfortable with. So, the order given above is the one that ultimately made most sense to me at the time of writing – it doesn’t mean that one album is better than another. I’d like to thank those who read my reviews and commented, as well as those that read and didn’t comment – and those that commented and didn’t read, and even those that did neither! Also more than deserving of thanks is the entire Metal Reviews Team - or The Gods, as I like to call them - especially Mike, Chris and Alex for showing me around and helping me feel welcome. Guys, it’s been a blast so far, thanks for everything. The forum in general deserves a thank you from me, I’m not going to start naming names but there are some great people on there and they know who they are. Looking forward to another year of talking to you all, and hopefully getting to know some of you better! Feel free to drop me a line either through my email address(es) or MSN IM, all of you… Last and not least: the bands, and the labels that pimp them out to us discerning kerb-crawlers. None of us would be here without them, so here’s to the ones that make the music: you keep bringing on the good stuff, and we’ll keep buying it. Long may they last, from least to greatest. Finally, I’ll destroy any underground credibility I’ve somehow built up by listing a few non-Metal albums that have caught my attention over the year. Kate Nash’s debut album Made Of Bricks was a great guilty pleasure, proving (for me at least!) that not all teenage girls have rubbish music taste. Rufus Wainwright’s Release The Stars was a wonderful piece of songwriting. Manic Street Preachers, Interpol and Foo Fighters all put great albums out, as did Cherry Ghost – their debut recommended for fans of Wilco especially. The Artic Monkeys surprised me with the accessible poppy post-punk of their second album (I’d previously written them off as rubbish – there’s a good deal more depth to this band than I’d thought) and The White Stripes proved yet again you don’t need a great drummer in order to write good songs. No doubt regulars are expecting a good deal of praise from me for Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible – alas, every time I tried to get my hands on a copy fate intervened. I’m sure it’s brilliant, and when I finally have a listen I have every faith that my hopes will be confirmed tenfold. With any luck, if you’re still reading and haven’t left in disgust, you trust my taste enough to stay with me into and beyond 2008. This is a brilliant site - the best Metal-related webzine ever, I believe – and we need you as much as (hopefully) you need us. 2008 has some interesting albums coming, from acts like Metallica, Meshuggah, Judas Priest, Morbid Angel, Opeth, Biomechanical, Testament, Deicide, The Axis Of Perdition (two albums!), Gorerotted, Unearthly Trance, The Haunted, Satyricon, Soilent Green, Voivod, Wintersun, Cryptopsy, Mastodon (here’s hoping, at least), She Said Destroy and Iced Earth to name some off the top of my head, and I have high hopes for them all. I’m also crossing my fingers for new material from two of my favourite bands, British Grinders Napalm Death and Norwegian Progsters Enslaved. In any case, I’m expecting much from the new year’s crop of releases, and it wouldn’t be half as much fun discovering them without an audience to share it with… I hope that all of you reading - and the ones that aren’t - have a great 2008, with health, wealth and happiness all around. It’s been an honour so far to have my feeble scribbling posted on this site for all and sundry – here’s to many more years of the same. Metal Reviews uber alles!
0
0
— 2007’s been more than an interesting year for me, both on the musical and personal fronts. Of course, I joined MR late in the year as a reviewer, fulfilling an ambition that’s been hovering near the surface since I first joined the forum as someone who’d gotten into Metal through Evanescence and for whom all this ‘Metal’ stuff was a bit heavy. Thankfully, all it took was a few Iron Maiden albums, a chance Darkthrone purchase and many long hours spent exploring the steel world online to bring me around, and although at first I took the whole Black Metal thing too seriously, more recently I’ve realised that life’s as much about the greys as the black and whites and branched out a little. This didn’t help stop my Top Fifteen from being a real pain to choose! Those tearfully culled include Behemoth</> – The Apostasy (Nergal and co. really pushed themselves on this one, producing a fine set of songs that are leaps and bounds above the decent but rather more straightforward Demigod), Municipal Waste – The Art Of Partying (Thrash never sounded so good), Angelcorpse – Of Lucifer And Lightning (reformation of the decade? Old-school Death Metal proves it can still kick serious ass!), Machine Head – The Blackening (call it Metalcore if you want, it’s still a great album), Mithras – Behind The Shadows Lie Madness (not as good as the first two but, heck, if it gets the punters in who’s complaining? Still ten times better than most Death Metal bands could ever hope to be), Alchemist – Tripsis (I underrated this in my review. Excellent band), Vital Remains – Icons Of Evil (never let anyone tell you that Glen Benton is an embarrassment to Metal – just play them this and watch their feeble Christian souls melt away!), Coheed & Cambria – No World For Tomorrow (yet another masterly effort from these alt-prog-whateverers), Obituary – Xecutioner’s Return (the epitome of solid, these guys have never disappointed me, and this is another fine slice of Floridian Death), Deathspell Omega – Fas – Ite, Maledicti, In Ignem Aeturnum (possibly slightly overrated by the kvlt krew, but still a remarkable achievement), and Ministry – The Last Sucker (I can’t believe Al’s bringing this band to an end, but it’s one hell of a final album). Not only did I find it impossible to whittle my list of best albums down to fifteen but also the ordering itself was near impossible. Is Dark Passion Play a better piece of music than Mord Und Totschlag? Impossible to answer without being biased one way or another, and as I equally enjoy poppy Symphonic Metal and underground Black Metal, not a choice I feel comfortable with. So, the order given above is the one that ultimately made most sense to me at the time of writing – it doesn’t mean that one album is better than another. I’d like to thank those who read my reviews and commented, as well as those that read and didn’t comment – and those that commented and didn’t read, and even those that did neither! Also more than deserving of thanks is the entire Metal Reviews Team - or The Gods, as I like to call them - especially Mike, Chris and Alex for showing me around and helping me feel welcome. Guys, it’s been a blast so far, thanks for everything. The forum in general deserves a thank you from me, I’m not going to start naming names but there are some great people on there and they know who they are. Looking forward to another year of talking to you all, and hopefully getting to know some of you better! Feel free to drop me a line either through my email address(es) or MSN IM, all of you… Last and not least: the bands, and the labels that pimp them out to us discerning kerb-crawlers. None of us would be here without them, so here’s to the ones that make the music: you keep bringing on the good stuff, and we’ll keep buying it. Long may they last, from least to greatest. Finally, I’ll destroy any underground credibility I’ve somehow built up by listing a few non-Metal albums that have caught my attention over the year. Kate Nash’s debut album Made Of Bricks was a great guilty pleasure, proving (for me at least!) that not all teenage girls have rubbish music taste. Rufus Wainwright’s Release The Stars was a wonderful piece of songwriting. Manic Street Preachers, Interpol and Foo Fighters all put great albums out, as did Cherry Ghost – their debut recommended for fans of Wilco especially. The Artic Monkeys surprised me with the accessible poppy post-punk of their second album (I’d previously written them off as rubbish – there’s a good deal more depth to this band than I’d thought) and The White Stripes proved yet again you don’t need a great drummer in order to write good songs. No doubt regulars are expecting a good deal of praise from me for Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible – alas, every time I tried to get my hands on a copy fate intervened. I’m sure it’s brilliant, and when I finally have a listen I have every faith that my hopes will be confirmed tenfold. With any luck, if you’re still reading and haven’t left in disgust, you trust my taste enough to stay with me into and beyond 2008. This is a brilliant site - the best Metal-related webzine ever, I believe – and we need you as much as (hopefully) you need us. 2008 has some interesting albums coming, from acts like Metallica, Meshuggah, Judas Priest, Morbid Angel, Opeth, Biomechanical, Testament, Deicide, The Axis Of Perdition (two albums!), Gorerotted, Unearthly Trance, The Haunted, Satyricon, Soilent Green, Voivod, Wintersun, Cryptopsy, Mastodon (here’s hoping, at least), She Said Destroy and Iced Earth to name some off the top of my head, and I have high hopes for them all. I’m also crossing my fingers for new material from two of my favourite bands, British Grinders Napalm Death and Norwegian Progsters Enslaved. In any case, I’m expecting much from the new year’s crop of releases, and it wouldn’t be half as much fun discovering them without an audience to share it with… I hope that all of you reading - and the ones that aren’t - have a great 2008, with health, wealth and happiness all around. It’s been an honour so far to have my feeble scribbling posted on this site for all and sundry – here’s to many more years of the same. Metal Reviews uber alles!
0
— 2007’s been more than an interesting year for me, both on the musical and personal fronts. Of course, I joined MR late in the year as a reviewer, fulfilling an ambition that’s been hovering near the surface since I first joined the forum as someone who’d gotten into Metal through Evanescence and for whom all this ‘Metal’ stuff was a bit heavy. Thankfully, all it took was a few Iron Maiden albums, a chance Darkthrone purchase and many long hours spent exploring the steel world online to bring me around, and although at first I took the whole Black Metal thing too seriously, more recently I’ve realised that life’s as much about the greys as the black and whites and branched out a little. This didn’t help stop my Top Fifteen from being a real pain to choose! Those tearfully culled include Behemoth – The Apostasy (Nergal and co. really pushed themselves on this one, producing a fine set of songs that are leaps and bounds above the decent but rather more straightforward Demigod), Municipal Waste – The Art Of Partying (Thrash never sounded so good), Angelcorpse – Of Lucifer And Lightning (reformation of the decade? Old-school Death Metal proves it can still kick serious ass!), Machine Head – The Blackening (call it Metalcore if you want, it’s still a great album), Mithras – Behind The Shadows Lie Madness (not as good as the first two but, heck, if it gets the punters in who’s complaining? Still ten times better than most Death Metal bands could ever hope to be), Alchemist – Tripsis (I underrated this in my review. Excellent band), Vital Remains – Icons Of Evil (never let anyone tell you that Glen Benton is an embarrassment to Metal – just play them this and watch their feeble Christian souls melt away!), Coheed & Cambria – No World For Tomorrow (yet another masterly effort from these alt-prog-whateverers), Obituary – Xecutioner’s Return (the epitome of solid, these guys have never disappointed me, and this is another fine slice of Floridian Death), Deathspell Omega – Fas – Ite, Maledicti, In Ignem Aeturnum (possibly slightly overrated by the kvlt krew, but still a remarkable achievement), and Ministry – The Last Sucker (I can’t believe Al’s bringing this band to an end, but it’s one hell of a final album). Not only did I find it impossible to whittle my list of best albums down to fifteen but also the ordering itself was near impossible. Is Dark Passion Play a better piece of music than Mord Und Totschlag? Impossible to answer without being biased one way or another, and as I equally enjoy poppy Symphonic Metal and underground Black Metal, not a choice I feel comfortable with. So, the order given above is the one that ultimately made most sense to me at the time of writing – it doesn’t mean that one album is better than another. I’d like to thank those who read my reviews and commented, as well as those that read and didn’t comment – and those that commented and didn’t read, and even those that did neither! Also more than deserving of thanks is the entire Metal Reviews Team - or The Gods, as I like to call them - especially Mike, Chris and Alex for showing me around and helping me feel welcome. Guys, it’s been a blast so far, thanks for everything. The forum in general deserves a thank you from me, I’m not going to start naming names but there are some great people on there and they know who they are. Looking forward to another year of talking to you all, and hopefully getting to know some of you better! Feel free to drop me a line either through my email address(es) or MSN IM, all of you… Last and not least: the bands, and the labels that pimp them out to us discerning kerb-crawlers. None of us would be here without them, so here’s to the ones that make the music: you keep bringing on the good stuff, and we’ll keep buying it. Long may they last, from least to greatest. Finally, I’ll destroy any underground credibility I’ve somehow built up by listing a few non-Metal albums that have caught my attention over the year. Kate Nash’s debut album Made Of Bricks was a great guilty pleasure, proving (for me at least!) that not all teenage girls have rubbish music taste. Rufus Wainwright’s Release The Stars was a wonderful piece of songwriting. Manic Street Preachers, Interpol and Foo Fighters all put great albums out, as did Cherry Ghost – their debut recommended for fans of Wilco especially. The Artic Monkeys surprised me with the accessible poppy post-punk of their second album (I’d previously written them off as rubbish – there’s a good deal more depth to this band than I’d thought) and The White Stripes proved yet again you don’t need a great drummer in order to write good songs. No doubt regulars are expecting a good deal of praise from me for Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible – alas, every time I tried to get my hands on a copy fate intervened. I’m sure it’s brilliant, and when I finally have a listen I have every faith that my hopes will be confirmed tenfold. With any luck, if you’re still reading and haven’t left in disgust, you trust my taste enough to stay with me into and beyond 2008. This is a brilliant site - the best Metal-related webzine ever, I believe – and we need you as much as (hopefully) you need us. 2008 has some interesting albums coming, from acts like Metallica, Meshuggah, Judas Priest, Morbid Angel, Opeth, Biomechanical, Testament, Deicide, The Axis Of Perdition (two albums!), Gorerotted, Unearthly Trance, The Haunted, Satyricon, Soilent Green, Voivod, Wintersun, Cryptopsy, Mastodon (here’s hoping, at least), She Said Destroy and Iced Earth to name some off the top of my head, and I have high hopes for them all. I’m also crossing my fingers for new material from two of my favourite bands, British Grinders Napalm Death and Norwegian Progsters Enslaved. In any case, I’m expecting much from the new year’s crop of releases, and it wouldn’t be half as much fun discovering them without an audience to share it with… I hope that all of you reading - and the ones that aren’t - have a great 2008, with health, wealth and happiness all around. It’s been an honour so far to have my feeble scribbling posted on this site for all and sundry – here’s to many more years of the same. Metal Reviews uber alles!

Joe

Top Albums

1.
3805 — Every album I always think "they'll never top this..." and thankfully I'm always proved wrong, a masterpiece.
1.
3805 — Every album I always think "they'll never top this..." and thankfully I'm always proved wrong, a masterpiece.
1.
3805 — Every album I always think "they'll never top this..." and thankfully I'm always proved wrong, a masterpiece.
1.
3805 — Every album I always think "they'll never top this..." and thankfully I'm always proved wrong, a masterpiece.
2.
Novembre-The Blue — Same reason as above
2.
Novembre-The Blue — Same reason as above
2.
Novembre-The Blue — Same reason as above
2.
Novembre-The Blue — Same reason as above
3.
4045 — One of my first forays into "metalcore" and there's no going back. Blew my mind
3.
4045 — One of my first ventures into "metalcore" and there's no going back. Blew my mind
3.
4045 — One of my first ventures into metalcore and there's no going back. Blew my mind
3.
4045 — One of my first ventures into metalcore and there's no going back. Blew my mind
4.
4027 — Better than Once? Not a chance, but still great and I love Anette's voice and the new sound.
4.
4027 — Better than Once? Not a chance, but still great and I love Anette's voice and the new sound.
4.
4027 — Better than Once? Not a chance, but still great and I love Anette's voice and the new sound.
4.
4027 — Better than Once? Not a chance, but still great and I love Anette's voice and the new sound.
5.
3846 — It takes a lot of listens, trust me, A LOT, to get into this album, but once it clicks you realise it's fantastic. try not listening to it for a month then come back to it, worked for me. "Paid in Full" -best Sonata track ever.
5.
3846 — It takes a lot of listens, trust me, A LOT, to get into this album, but once it clicks you realise it's fantastic. try not listening to it for a month then come back to it, worked for me. "Paid in Full" -best Sonata track ever.
5.
3846 — It takes a lot of listens, trust me, A LOT, to get into this album, but once it clicks you realise it's fantastic. Try not listening to it for a month then come back to it, worked for me. "Paid in Full" -best Sonata track ever.
5.
3846 — It takes a lot of listens, trust me, A LOT, to get into this album, but once it clicks you realise it's fantastic. Try not listening to it for a month then come back to it, worked for me. "Paid in Full" -best Sonata track ever.
6.
4075 — Folk Rock at it's finest
6.
4075 — Folk Rock at it's finest
6.
4075 — Folk Rock at it's finest
6.
4075 — Folk Rock at it's finest
7.
4009 — So much energy and life in this album, lovin it.
7.
4009 — So much energy and life in this album, lovin it.
7.
4009 — So much energy and life in this album, lovin it.
7.
4009 — So much energy and life in this album, lovin it.
8.
3747 — Filled the "Jari" void nicely, probably not better than previous albums but certainly just as good, viking metal played with gusto.
8.
3747 — Filled the "Jari" void nicely, probably not better than previous albums but certainly just as good, viking metal played with gusto.
8.
3747 — Filled the "Jari" void nicely, probably not better than previous albums but certainly just as good, viking metal played with gusto.
8.
3747 — Filled the "Jari" void nicely, probably not better than previous albums but certainly just as good, viking metal played with gusto.
9.
3772 — Very slow, but fantastic doom metal
9.
3772 — Very slow, but fantastic doom metal
9.
3772 — Very slow, but fantastic doom metal
9.
3772 — Very slow, but fantastic doom metal
10.
3819 — Shame singer left after this, but this album is far above the average melodic death releases by other bands.
10.
3819 — Shame singer left after this, but this album is far above the average melodic death releases by other bands.
10.
3819 — Shame singer left after this, but this album is far above the average melodic death releases by other bands.
10.
3819 — Shame singer left after this, but this album is far above the average melodic death releases by other bands.
11.
4150 — Nothing bad can come from this man
11.
4150 — Nothing bad can come from this man
11.
4150 — Nothing bad can come from this man
11.
4150 — Nothing bad can come from this man
12.
4178 — What I expected, but very enjoyable.
12.
4178 — What I expected, but very enjoyable.
12.
4178 — What I expected, but very enjoyable.
12.
4178 — What I expected, but very enjoyable.
13.
4056 — I didn't like it as much as previous albums, but still incredibly original and well written music
13.
4056 — I didn't like it as much as previous albums, but still incredibly original and well written music
13.
4056 — I didn't like it as much as previous albums, but still incredibly original and well written music
13.
4056 — I didn't like it as much as previous albums, but still incredibly original and well written music
14.
3799 — Another quality release from these Brits, shattered Mac has left, but I'm sure they'll just as good.
14.
3799 — Another quality release from these Brits, shattered Mac has left, but I'm sure they'll just as good.
14.
3799 — Another quality release from these Brits, shattered Mac has left, but I'm sure they'll just as good with future releases.
14.
3799 — Another quality release from these Brits, shattered Mac has left, but I'm sure they'll be just as good with future releases.
15.
Mind's Eye-A Gentleman's Hurricane — Tons darker and less fun than their previous, but I'm liking this a lot.
15.
Mind's Eye-A Gentleman's Hurricane — Tons darker and less fun than their previous, but I'm liking this a lot.
15.
Mind's Eye-A Gentleman's Hurricane — Tons darker and less fun than their previous, but I'm liking this a lot.
15.
Mind's Eye-A Gentleman's Hurricane — Tons darker and less fun than their previous, but I'm liking this a lot.

Surprises of the Year

1.
Pain Confessor-Purgatory Of The Second Sun — Sledgehammer to the face, full on metal assult.
1.
Pain Confessor-Purgatory Of The Second Sun — Sledgehammer to the face, full on metal assult.
1.
Pain Confessor-Purgatory Of The Second Sun — Sledgehammer to the face, full on metal assult.
1.
Pain Confessor-Purgatory Of The Second Sun — Sledgehammer to the face, full on metal assult.
2.
3890 — Not at all what I expected, but I'm digging the album.
2.
3890 — Not at all what I expected, but I'm digging the album.
2.
3890 — Not at all what I expected, but I'm digging the album.
2.
3890 — Not at all what I expected, but I'm digging the album.
3.
3.
3.
3.
4.
4.
4.
4.
5.
5.
5.
5.

Disappointments

1.
3855 — Sounds too rushed, almost like offcuts from their previous album "The Black Halo", which was just incredible. "Ghost Opera" however is such a disapointment, no hit songs.
1.
3855 — Sounds too rushed, almost like offcuts from their previous album "The Black Halo", which was just incredible. "Ghost Opera" however is such a disapointment, no hit songs.
1.
3855 — Sounds too rushed, almost like offcuts from their previous album "The Black Halo", which was just incredible. "Ghost Opera" however is such a disapointment, no hit songs.
1.
3855 — Sounds too rushed, almost like offcuts from their previous album "The Black Halo", which was just incredible. "Ghost Opera" however is such a dissapointment, no hit songs.
2.
4152 — Exactly the same reason as Kamelot, these guys were on incredible form with their previous album "The Perfect Machine", a fantastic album, but they messed up badly with "The 25th Hour." I wanted it to be so much better, but it's just not happening.
2.
4152 — Exactly the same reason as Kamelot, these guys were on incredible form with their previous album "The Perfect Machine", a fantastic album, but they messed up badly with "The 25th Hour." I wanted it to be so much better, but it's just not happening.
2.
4152 — Exactly the same reason as Kamelot, these guys were on incredible form with their previous album "The Perfect Machine", which was an incredible album. They messed up badly with "The 25th Hour" and I wanted it to be so much better, but it's just not happening.
2.
4152 — Exactly the same reason as Kamelot, these guys were on incredible form with their previous album "The Perfect Machine", which was an amazing album. They messed up badly with "The 25th Hour" and I wanted it to be so much better, but it's just not happening.
3.
3927 — Seriously. two half hour songs, it's just too much to digest. The music is OK but I find I can't listen to it properly cos I get bored listnening to it. I'd like them to go back to ten minute songs like previous albums.
3.
3927 — Seriously. two half hour songs, it's just too much to digest. The music is OK but I find I can't listen to it properly cos I get bored listnening to it. I'd like them to go back to ten minute songs like previous albums.
3.
3927 — Seriously. two half hour songs, it's just too much to digest. The music is OK but I find I can't listen to it properly cos I get bored listening to it. I'd like them to go back to ten minute songs like previous albums.
3.
3927 — Seriously, two half hour songs, it's just too much to digest. The music is OK but I find I can't listen to it properly cos I get bored after a while. I'd like them to go back to ten minute songs like previous albums.
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Joke of the Year

Words / Final Thoughts

0
— Still got so many releases to check out from last year and still heaps coming in at the start of 2008, it's great! Heavy metal music is flourishing right now and it's fantastic to see so many bands and different styles coming out, rock on! Can't wait for the new In Flames and Children Of Bodom, gonna be great I reckon.
0
— Still got so many releases to check out from last year and still heaps coming in at the start of 2008, it's great! Heavy metal music is flourishing right now and it's fantastic to see so many bands and different styles coming out, rock on! Can't wait for the new In Flames and Children Of Bodom, gonna be great I reckon.
0
— Still got so many releases to check out from last year and still heaps coming in at the start of 2008, it's great! Heavy metal music is flourishing right now and it's fantastic to see so many bands and different styles coming out, rock on! Can't wait for the new In Flames and Children Of Bodom, gonna be great I reckon.
0
— Still got so many releases to check out from last year and still heaps coming in at the start of 2008, it's great! Heavy metal music is flourishing right now and it's fantastic to see so many bands and different styles coming out, rock on! Can't wait for the new In Flames and Children Of Bodom, gonna be great I reckon.