MetalReviews

Awards 2008

14 reviewers shared their picks for 2008.

← 2007 2009 →

Chris

Top Albums

  1. 1.
    Avantasia - The Scarecrow — If you don't think of this as the continuation of the first two its an unbelievable gem, and might be the last work from Toby that still has bombast and panache in it. (Hope not but well...)
  2. 1.
    Avantasia - The Scarecrow — If you don't think of this as the continuation of the first two its an unbelievable gem, and might be the last work from Toby that still has bombast and panache in it. (Hope not but well...)
  3. 2.
    Stormwarrior - Heading Northe — Beating GammaRay in their own turf, can't wait to hear what's next in store from them
  4. 2.
    Stormwarrior - Heading Northe — Beating GammaRay in their own turf, can't wait to hear what's next in store from them
  5. 3.
    Firewind - The Premonition — An album that doesn't seem to be anything special at first but that quickly grows and stay with you... as always with Firewind, great material !
  6. 3.
    Firewind - The Premonition — An album that doesn't seem to be anything special at first but that quickly grows and stay with you... as always with Firewind, great material !
  7. 4.
    Sabaton - The Art Of War — While its the weakest of the last 3 albums, its still an awesome one.
  8. 4.
    Sabaton - The Art Of War — While its the weakest of the last 3 albums, its still an awesome one.
  9. 5.
    In Flames - A Sense Of Purpose — A great album despite the hate of old fans, its clear IF has taken a different path, some will like it some won't, I personaly like both old and new material
  10. 5.
    In Flames - A Sense Of Purpose — A great album despite the hate of old fans, its clear IF has taken a different path, some will like it some won't, I personaly like both old and new material
  11. 6.
    Lordi - Deadache — Can't believe nobody reviewed this :), the best Lordi album since the debut, he's back !
  12. 6.
    Lordi - Deadache — Can't believe nobody reviewed this :), the best Lordi album since the debut, he's back !
  13. 7.
    Bob Catley — An album I wanted to review but couldn't find the time, a great album, not as amazing as the previous one but still a great album for fans of Bob and Magnum
  14. 7.
    Bob Catley — An album I wanted to review but couldn't find the time, a great album, not as amazing as the previous one but still a great album for fans of Bob and Magnum
  15. 8.
    Royal Hunt - Paradox II - Collision Course — Awesome come back to the sound of Paradox, it feels, breathes and sweats like the old classic, a gem not to miss !
  16. 8.
    Royal Hunt - Paradox II - Collision Course — Awesome come back to the sound of Paradox, it feels, breathes and sweats like the old classic, a gem not to miss !
  17. 9.
    Rage - Carved In Stone — If anything Rage is consistent, except maybe when they go progressive, but fortunately it happens rarely. While not earth shattering, this album is simple but perfectly executed, not a single boring moment, great Rage overall !
  18. 9.
    Rage - Carved In Stone — If anything Rage is consistent, except maybe when they go progressive, but fortunately it happens rarely. While not earth shattering, this album is simple but perfectly executed, not a single boring moment, great Rage overall !
  19. 10.
    House Of Lords - Come To My Kingdom — A really hidden gem, an album that should please the fans of Hard-Rock and then some
  20. 10.
    House Of Lords - Come To My Kingdom — A really hidden gem, an album that should please the fans of Hard-Rock and then some
  21. 11.
    Equilibrium - Sagas — They did it again !
  22. 11.
    Equilibrium - Sagas — They did it again !

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
    Dragonfly - Alma Irae — The best album I've heard since Edguy Vain Glory Opera, period ! Should get released properly soon, maybe even with an english lyrics version, so keep your eyes open
  2. 1.
    Dragonfly - Alma Irae — The best album I've heard since Edguy Vain Glory Opera, period ! Should get released properly soon, maybe even with an english lyrics version, so keep your eyes open
  3. 2.
    Seventh Avenue - Terium — This album took my by surprise, from a band I had heard nothing from before, the pure power and amazing melodies of Terium will drive your soul to musical ecstasy (well it did drive mine anyway). Can't wait for what's next.
  4. 2.
    Seventh Avenue - Terium — This album took me by surprise, from a band I had heard nothing from before, the pure power and amazing melodies of Terium will drive your soul to musical ecstasy (well it did drive mine anyway). Can't wait for what's next. I even think I might have been harsh with only 91 / 100 :).
  5. 3.
    Dawn of Destiny - Rebellion in Heaven — Another album I wish I had reviewed in 2008, an impressive, female vocal driven band, half-way between Axxis and Nightwish (with a dash of old-school Sonata Arctica), very powerful and majestic !
  6. 3.
    Dawn of Destiny - Rebellion in Heaven — Another album I wish I had reviewed in 2008, an impressive, female vocal driven band, half-way between Axxis and Nightwish (with a dash of old-school Sonata Arctica), very powerful and majestic !

Disappointments

  1. 1.
    Edguy - Tinnitus Sanctus — Its now clear the direction of the band takes and its one that is not acceptable for old time fans in my opinion. To each his own and I can respect Tobias choice's, after all its HIS music, but to me Edguy is dying and losing what once made it my favorite band after X-Japan.
  2. 1.
    Edguy - Tinnitus Sanctus — Its now clear the direction of the band takes and its one that is not acceptable for old time fans in my opinion. To each his own and I can respect Tobias choice's, after all its HIS music, but to me Edguy is dying and losing what once made it my favorite band after X-Japan.
  3. 2.
    Iced Earth - The Crucible of Man - Something Wicked Part 2 — While over-exited with the return of Barlow, I must admit the album had literally no impact on me, and found the first part more interesting (even though I loathed the vocals !)... maybe in time I can listen to it more in depth and change my mind. First impression was abysmal though.
  4. 2.
    Iced Earth - The Crucible of Man - Something Wicked Part 2 — While over-exited with the return of Barlow, I must admit the album had literally no impact on me, and found the first part more interesting (even though I loathed the vocals !)... maybe in time I can listen to it more in depth and change my mind. First impression was abysmal though.

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
    —

    Too many releases, so little time. I've been spedning more time on trying to make the site better (the next version should correct the bugs of V2) and as a result I had less time for reviews this year. I miss reviewing but my current personal and financial situation makes it even more difficult for me to review as I did in the past. I still will review from time to time as I really love doing it, in the hope that things get better in all fronts (personal, financial & technical for the site) so I can devote my free time to this activity (reviewing) that I love so much.

    2009 started amazingly in my opinion with Iron Fire's inhuman new album To the Grave (in my to-do list of reviews for the next few weeks btw !), I've been waiting for this since their debut and they are finally back ! If you liked Thunderstorm, then you cannot afford to miss To The Grave, already one album of the year for 2009 :). The new Grave digger also seemed interesting at first listen but will require more in-depth listens before I can make any judgement. I also guess Axxis will release a new album in 2009 and I can't wait to see if they manage to keep the bar as high as they have set it since their return (with Eyes of Darkness as an exception, though the title song is one of the best ever from the band, the rest of the album was a bit flat). Also awaiting with huge anticipation is the second Wintersun album, Jari and the guys had terrible computer issues during the recording of their follow-up to debut, which was one of the best melodeath albums of all time (to me that is !). So I'm waiting eagerly, hoping that this new album, Time, will be as good if not better than Wintersun was.

    I have lost complete hope that Edguy will get back on track with the Power Metal wagon, its clear to me Toby is trying to be a sort of Bon Jovi personae and while his music is still of great quality, its lost punch and power and it saddens me very much. I'm sure TONS of fans are really disappointed, and while I could accept the low-tone of Avantasia' Scarecrow, by simply not thinking of it as Avantasia but a Tobias Sammet side-project, the new Edguy is so soft it hurts me. Avantasia at least had a few really bombastic songs, something that is nowhere to be found on the all-too-commercial-trying-to-get-high-in-the-charts Tinnitus Sanctus :(. Edguy's past glory will be sadly missed in the current metal scene, on the other hand the next generation of bands like Seventh Avenue and Storwarrior might just manage to get the flame burning and deliver what we excepted from Edguy, Gamamray and others who seem to be really losing speed lately.

    Happy (late) new year to everyone and have a heavy 2009 year !

    Chris
  2. 0
    — Too many releases, so little time. I've been spedning more time on trying to make the site better (the next version should correct the bugs of V2) and as a result I had less time for reviews this year. I miss reviewing but my current personal and financial situation makes it even more difficult for me to review as I did in the past. I still will review from time to time as I really love doing it, in the hope that things get better in all fronts (personal, financial & technical for the site) so I can devote my free time to this activity (reviewing) that I love so much. 2009 started amazingly in my opinion with Iron Fire's inhuman new album To the Grave (in my to-do list of reviews for the next few weeks btw !), I've been waiting for this since their debut and they are finally back ! If you liked Thunderstorm, then you cannot afford to miss To The Grave, already one album of the year for 2009 :). The new Grave digger also seemed interesting at first listen but will require more in-depth listens before I can make any judgement. I also guess Axxis will release a new album in 2009 and I can't wait to see if they manage to keep the bar as high as they have set it since their return (with Eyes of Darkness as an exception, though the title song is one of the best ever from the band, the rest of the album was a bit flat). Also awaiting with huge anticipation is the second Wintersun album, Jari and the guys had terrible computer issues during the recording of their follow-up to debut, which was one of the best melodeath albums of all time (to me that is !). So I'm waiting eagerly, hoping that this new album, Time, will be as good if not better than Wintersun was. I have lost complete hope that Edguy will get back on track with the Power Metal wagon, its clear to me Toby is trying to be a sort of Bon Jovi personae and while his music is still of great quality, its lost punch and power and it saddens me very much. I'm sure TONS of fans are really disappointed, and while I could accept the low-tone of Avantasia' Scarecrow, by simply not thinking of it as Avantasia but a Tobias Sammet side-project, the new Edguy is so soft it hurts me. Avantasia at least had a few really bombastic songs, something that is nowhere to be found on the all-too-commercial-trying-to-get-high-in-the-charts Tinnitus Sanctus :(. Edguy's past glory will be sadly missed in the current metal scene, on the other hand the next generation of bands like Seventh Avenue and Storwarrior might just manage to get the flame burning and deliver what we excepted from Edguy, Gamamray and others who seem to be really losing speed lately. Also a great thank you to my brother Danny for inviting me to Wacken this year, something I could never afford with my current pitiful financial situation. Great shows, great memories, thanks bro ! Happy (late) new year to everyone and have a heavy 2009 year ! Chris

Danny

Top Albums

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
  4. 1.
  5. 1.
    Sabaton - The Art Of War — The best True Metal Band Ever !!!
  6. 1.
    Sabaton - The Art Of War — The best True Metal Band Ever !!!
  7. 1.
    Sabaton - The Art Of War — The best True Metal Band Ever !!!
  8. 2.
    Lordi - Deadache
  9. 2.
    Lordi - Deadache
  10. 2.
    Lordi - Deadache
  11. 2.
    Lordi - Deadache
  12. 2.
    Lordi - Deadache — Again :-)
  13. 2.
    Lordi - Deadache — Again :-)
  14. 2.
    Lordi - Deadache — Again :-)
  15. 3.
  16. 3.
  17. 3.
  18. 3.
  19. 3.
  20. 3.
  21. 3.
  22. 4.
  23. 4.
  24. 4.
  25. 4.
  26. 4.
    Firewind - The Premonition — Greek Metal Steel !
  27. 4.
    Firewind - The Premonition — Greek Metal Steel !
  28. 4.
    Firewind - The Premonition — Greek Metal Steel !
  29. 5.
  30. 5.
  31. 5.
  32. 5.
  33. 5.
  34. 5.
  35. 5.
  36. 6.
  37. 6.
  38. 6.
  39. 6.
  40. 6.
  41. 6.
  42. 6.
  43. 7.
  44. 7.
  45. 7.
  46. 7.
  47. 7.
  48. 7.
  49. 7.
  50. 8.
  51. 8.
  52. 8.
  53. 8.
  54. 8.
  55. 8.
  56. 8.
  57. 9.
    Eluveitie - Slania
  58. 9.
    Bullet For My Vallentine - Scream Aim Fire
  59. 9.
    Bullet For My Vallentine - Scream Aim Fire
  60. 9.
    Bullet For My Vallentine - Scream Aim Fire
  61. 9.
    Bullet For My Vallentine - Scream Aim Fire
  62. 9.
    Bullet For My Vallentine - Scream Aim Fire
  63. 9.
    Bullet For My Vallentine - Scream Aim Fire
  64. 10.
  65. 10.
  66. 10.
  67. 10.
  68. 10.
  69. 10.
  70. 10.
  71. 11.
  72. 11.
  73. 11.
  74. 11.
  75. 11.
  76. 11.
  77. 11.
  78. 12.
    Axel Rudi Pell - Tales Of The Crown
  79. 12.
    Axel Rudi Pell - Tales Of The Crown
  80. 12.
    Axel Rudi Pell - Tales Of The Crown
  81. 12.
    Axel Rudi Pell - Tales Of The Crown
  82. 12.
    Axel Rudi Pell - Tales Of The Crown
  83. 12.
    Axel Rudi Pell - Tales Of The Crown
  84. 12.
    Axel Rudi Pell - Tales Of The Crown
  85. 13.
  86. 13.
  87. 13.
  88. 13.
  89. 13.
  90. 13.
  91. 13.
  92. 14.
    Sturm Und Drang - Rock n Roll Children
  93. 14.
    Sturm Und Drang - Rock n Roll Children
  94. 14.
    Sturm Und Drang - Rock n Roll Children
  95. 14.
    Sturm Und Drang - Rock n Roll Children
  96. 14.
    Sturm Und Drang - Rock n Roll Children
  97. 14.
    Sturm Und Drang - Rock n Roll Children
  98. 14.
    Sturm Und Drang - Rock n Roll Children
  99. 15.
  100. 15.
    Eluveitie - Slania
  101. 15.
    Eluveitie - Slania
  102. 15.
    Eluveitie - Slania
  103. 15.
    Eluveitie - Slania — Swiss Made :-)
  104. 15.
    Eluveitie - Slania — Swiss Made :-)
  105. 15.
    Eluveitie - Slania — Swiss Made :-)

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
  4. 1.
  5. 1.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — They are back !!!!
  6. 1.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — They are back !!!!
  7. 1.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — They are back !!!!
  8. 2.
  9. 2.
  10. 2.
  11. 2.
  12. 2.
  13. 2.
  14. 2.
  15. 3.
  16. 3.
  17. 3.
  18. 3.
  19. 3.
  20. 3.
  21. 3.
  22. 4.
  23. 4.
  24. 4.
  25. 4.
  26. 4.
  27. 4.
  28. 4.
  29. 5.
  30. 5.
  31. 5.
  32. 5.
  33. 5.
  34. 5.
  35. 5.

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
    — Crisis, crisis, crisis ... Human being always find its way in difficult times. We will survive too this crisis too. You rise, you fall, your down, then you rise again What don't kill you make you more strong You rise, you fall, your down, then you rise again What don't kill you make you more strong Metallica, Broken, Beat & Scared (Death Magnetic, 2008) Hail Metal !!! Hail Metallica.
  2. 0
    — Crisis, crisis, crisis ... Human being always find its way in difficult times. We will survive too this crisis too. You rise, you fall, your down, then you rise again What don't kill you make you more strong You rise, you fall, your down, then you rise again What don't kill you make you more strong Metallica, Broken, Beat & Scared (Death Magnetic, 2008) Hail Metal !!! Hail Metallica.
  3. 0
    — Crisis, crisis, crisis ... Human being always find its way in difficult times. We will survive too this crisis too. You rise, you fall, your down, then you rise again What don't kill you make you more strong You rise, you fall, your down, then you rise again What don't kill you make you more strong Metallica, Broken, Beat & Scared (Death Magnetic, 2008) Airbourne at Wacken !!!!!! The best concert this year for my eyes, for my ears, for my soul. Thank you guys. Hail Metal !!! Hail Metallica.
  4. 0
    — Crisis, crisis, crisis ... Human being always find its way in difficult times. We will survive too this crisis too. You rise, you fall, your down, then you rise again What don't kill you make you more strong You rise, you fall, your down, then you rise again What don't kill you make you more strong Metallica, Broken, Beat & Scared (Death Magnetic, 2008) Airbourne at Wacken !!!!!! The best concert this year for my eyes, for my ears, for my soul. Thank you guys. Hail Metal !!! Hail Metallica.
  5. 0
    — Crisis, crisis, crisis ... Human being always find its way in difficult times. We will survive too this crisis too. You rise, you fall, your down, then you rise again What don't kill you make you more strong You rise, you fall, your down, then you rise again What don't kill you make you more strong Metallica, Broken, Beat & Scared (Death Magnetic, 2008) Airbourne at Wacken !!!!!! The best concert this year for my eyes, for my ears, for my soul. Thank you guys. Hail Metal !!! Hail Metallica.
  6. 0
    — Crisis, crisis, crisis ... Human being always find its way in difficult times. We will survive too this crisis too. You rise, you fall, your down, then you rise again What don't kill you make you more strong You rise, you fall, your down, then you rise again What don't kill you make you more strong Metallica, Broken, Beat & Scared (Death Magnetic, 2008) Airbourne at Wacken !!!!!! The best concert this year for my eyes, for my ears, for my soul. Thank you guys. Hail Metal !!! Hail Metallica.
  7. 0
    — Crisis, crisis, crisis ... Human being always find its way in difficult times. We will survive this crisis too. You rise, you fall, your down, then you rise again What don't kill you make you more strong You rise, you fall, your down, then you rise again What don't kill you make you more strong Metallica, Broken, Beat & Scared (Death Magnetic, 2008) Airbourne at Wacken !!!!!! The best concert this year for my eyes, for my ears, for my soul. Thank you guys. Hail Metal !!! Hail Metallica.

Marty

Top Albums

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
    Uriah Heep - Wake The Sleeper — A return to the classic Heep sound
  4. 1.
    Uriah Heep - Wake The Sleeper — A return to the classic Heep sound!
  5. 1.
    Jon Oliva's Pain - Global Warning — One of Jon's best albums. Not as heavy but his songwriting, melodic sense and singing voice have never been better!!
  6. 1.
    Jon Oliva's Pain - Global Warning — One of Jon's best albums. Not as heavy but his songwriting, melodic sense and singing voice have never been better!!
  7. 2.
  8. 2.
  9. 2.
    Blaze Bayley - The Man Who Would Not Die — A great heavy metal album and his best yet!
  10. 2.
    Blaze Bayley - The Man Who Would Not Die — A great heavy metal album and his best yet!
  11. 2.
    Blaze Bayley - The Man Who Would Not Die — A great heavy metal album and his best yet!
  12. 2.
    Blaze Bayley - The Man Who Would Not Die — A great heavy metal album and his best yet!
  13. 3.
  14. 3.
  15. 3.
    Almah - Fragile Equality — For Angra fans...to tide you over for while
  16. 3.
    Almah - Fragile Equality — For Angra fans...to tide you over for while
  17. 3.
    Almah - Fragile Equality — For Angra fans...to tide you over for while
  18. 3.
    Almah - Fragile Equality — For Angra fans...to tide you over for while
  19. 4.
    Bob Catley - Immortal
  20. 4.
    Bob Catley - Immortal
  21. 4.
    Bob Catley - Immortal — Another solid album from Bob
  22. 4.
    Bob Catley - Immortal — Another solid album from Bob
  23. 4.
    Uriah Heep - Wake The Sleeper — A return to the classic Heep sound!!
  24. 4.
    Uriah Heep - Wake The Sleeper — A return to the classic Heep sound!!
  25. 5.
  26. 5.
  27. 5.
    Order Of Nine - A Means To Know End — Grear traditional metal
  28. 5.
    Order Of Nine - A Means To Know End — Grear traditional metal
  29. 5.
    Order Of Nine - A Means To Know End — Grear traditional metal
  30. 5.
    Order Of Nine - A Means To Know End — Great traditional metal
  31. 6.
  32. 6.
  33. 6.
    Rage - Carved In Stone — Another fine album from Peavy Wagner and co.
  34. 6.
    Rage - Carved In Stone — Another fine album from Peavy Wagner and co.
  35. 6.
    Rage - Carved In Stone — Another fine album from Peavy Wagner and co.
  36. 6.
    Rage - Carved In Stone — Another fine album from Peavy Wagner and co.
  37. 7.
  38. 7.
  39. 7.
    Judas Priest - Nostradamus — O.K. it wasn't the big epic that was promised but it still has some great songs
  40. 7.
    Judas Priest - Nostradamus — O.K. it wasn't the big epic that was promised but it still has some great songs
  41. 7.
    Judas Priest - Nostradamus — O.K. it wasn't the big epic that was promised but it still has some great songs
  42. 7.
    Judas Priest - Nostradamus — O.K. it wasn't the big epic that was promised but it still has some great songs
  43. 8.
  44. 8.
  45. 8.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — The album Metallica simply had to make...their best in decades!
  46. 8.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — The album Metallica simply had to make...their best in decades!
  47. 8.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — The album Metallica simply had to make...their best in decades!
  48. 8.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — The album Metallica simply had to make...their best in decades!
  49. 9.
  50. 9.
  51. 9.
    Moon Safari - [blomljud] — Amazing and lush progressive rock
  52. 9.
    Moon Safari - [blomljud] — Amazing and lush progressive rock
  53. 9.
    Moon Safari - [blomljud] — Amazing and lush progressive rock
  54. 9.
    Moon Safari - [blomljud] — Amazing and lush progressive rock
  55. 10.
  56. 10.
  57. 10.
    House Of Lords - Come To My Kingdom — One of the better melodic hard rock albums from 2008
  58. 10.
    House Of Lords - Come To My Kingdom — One of the better melodic hard rock albums from 2008
  59. 10.
    House Of Lords - Come To My Kingdom — One of the better melodic hard rock albums from 2008
  60. 10.
    House Of Lords - Come To My Kingdom — One of the better melodic hard rock albums from 2008
  61. 11.
  62. 11.
  63. 11.
    Grand Magus - Iron Will — More traditional metal and less "doomy" this one's still a killer!
  64. 11.
    Grand Magus - Iron Will — More traditional metal and less "doomy" this one's still a killer!
  65. 11.
    Grand Magus - Iron Will — More traditional metal and less "doomy" this one's still a killer!
  66. 11.
    Grand Magus - Iron Will — More traditional metal and less "doomy" this one's still a killer!
  67. 12.
  68. 12.
  69. 12.
    Stormwarrior - Heading Northe — Consistency is a rarity with power metal bands anymore but these guys are the exception.
  70. 12.
    Stormwarrior - Heading Northe — Consistency is a rarity with power metal bands anymore but these guys are the exception.
  71. 12.
    Stormwarrior - Heading Northe — Consistency is a rarity with power metal bands anymore but these guys are the exception.
  72. 12.
    Stormwarrior - Heading Northe — Consistency is a rarity with power metal bands anymore but these guys are the exception.
  73. 13.
  74. 13.
  75. 13.
    Whitesnake - Good To Be Bad — A great mix of 70's and 80's Whitesnake without sounding stale and dated.
  76. 13.
    Whitesnake - Good To Be Bad — A great mix of 70's and 80's Whitesnake without sounding stale and dated.
  77. 13.
    Whitesnake - Good To Be Bad — A great mix of 70's and 80's Whitesnake without sounding stale and dated.
  78. 13.
    Whitesnake - Good To Be Bad — A great mix of 70's and 80's Whitesnake without sounding stale and dated.
  79. 14.
  80. 14.
  81. 14.
    Firewind - The Premonition — Their best in a while...
  82. 14.
    Firewind - The Premonition — Their best in a while...
  83. 14.
    Firewind - The Premonition — Their best in a while...
  84. 14.
    Firewind - The Premonition — Their best in a while...
  85. 15.
  86. 15.
  87. 15.
    Ayreon - 01011001 — Arjen Lucassen can simply do no wrong!
  88. 15.
    Ayreon - 01011001 — Arjen Lucassen can simply do no wrong!
  89. 15.
    Ayreon - 01011001 — Arjen Lucassen can simply do no wrong!
  90. 15.
    Ayreon - 01011001 — Arjen Lucassen can simply do no wrong!

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
    Nazareth - The Newz — Wow!! Big surprise!! A great hard rockin' Nazareth album fromthese veterans
  4. 1.
    Nazareth - The Newz — Wow!! Big surprise!! A great hard rockin' Nazareth album fromthese veterans
  5. 1.
    Nazareth - The Newz — Wow!! Big surprise!! A great hard rockin' Nazareth album fromthese veterans
  6. 1.
    Nazareth - The Newz — Wow!! Big surprise!! A great hard rockin' Nazareth album from these veterans
  7. 2.
  8. 2.
  9. 2.
    Powerworld - Powerworld — Great new power metal band
  10. 2.
    Powerworld - Powerworld — Great new power metal band
  11. 2.
    Powerworld - Powerworld — Great new power metal band
  12. 2.
    Powerworld - Powerworld — Great new power metal band
  13. 3.
  14. 3.
  15. 3.
    Alpha Galates - A Stimulus For Reason — Modern progressive rock from Toronot...with a twist...
  16. 3.
    Alpha Galates - A Stimulus For Reason — Modern progressive rock from Toronot...with a twist...
  17. 3.
    Alpha Galates - A Stimulus For Reason — Modern progressive rock from Toronot...with a twist...
  18. 3.
    Alpha Galates - A Stimulus For Reason — Modern progressive rock from Toronto...with a twist...
  19. 4.
  20. 4.
  21. 4.
    Dokken - Lightning Strikes Again — A return to the classic Dokken sound
  22. 4.
    Dokken - Lightning Strikes Again — A return to the classic Dokken sound
  23. 4.
    Dokken - Lightning Strikes Again — A return to the classic Dokken sound
  24. 4.
    Dokken - Lightning Strikes Again — A return to the classic Dokken sound
  25. 5.
  26. 5.
  27. 5.
    Seventh Avenue - Terium — I never cared for earlier albums but this one's excellent!
  28. 5.
    Seventh Avenue - Terium — I never cared for earlier albums but this one's excellent!
  29. 5.
    Seventh Avenue - Terium — I never cared for earlier albums but this one's excellent!
  30. 5.
    Seventh Avenue - Terium — I never cared for earlier albums but this one's excellent!

Disappointments

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
    Avantasia - The Scarecrow — A pretty solid hard rock album, all the bombastic elements of previous Avantasia albums has all but disappeared
  4. 1.
    Avantasia - The Scarecrow — A pretty solid hard rock album, all the bombastic elements of previous Avantasia albums has all but disappeared
  5. 1.
    Avantasia - The Scarecrow — A pretty solid hard rock album, all the bombastic elements of previous Avantasia albums has all but disappeared
  6. 1.
    Avantasia - The Scarecrow — A pretty solid hard rock album, all the bombastic elements of previous Avantasia albums have all but disappeared
  7. 2.
  8. 2.
  9. 2.
    Iced Earth - The Crucible of Man - Something Wicked Part 2 — With very few great "songs" Jon is simply running out of ideas and riffs
  10. 2.
    Iced Earth - The Crucible of Man - Something Wicked Part 2 — With very few great "songs" Jon is simply running out of ideas and riffs
  11. 2.
    Iced Earth - The Crucible of Man - Something Wicked Part 2 — With very few great "songs" Jon is simply running out of ideas and riffs
  12. 2.
    Iced Earth - The Crucible of Man - Something Wicked Part 2 — With very few great "songs" Jon is simply running out of ideas and riffs
  13. 3.
  14. 3.
  15. 3.
    Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force - Perpetual Flame — This could've been so much better. Ripper Owens was not used to his full potential
  16. 3.
    Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force - Perpetual Flame — This could've been so much better. Ripper Owens was not used to his full potential
  17. 3.
    Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force - Perpetual Flame — This could've been so much better. Ripper Owens was not used to his full potential
  18. 3.
    Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force - Perpetual Flame — This could've been so much better. Ripper Owens was not used to his full potential
  19. 4.
  20. 4.
  21. 4.
    Def Leppard - Songs From The Sparkle Lounge — An attempt at re-visiting the 70's glam rock era just didn't work
  22. 4.
    Def Leppard - Songs From The Sparkle Lounge — An attempt at re-visiting the 70's glam rock era just didn't work
  23. 4.
    Def Leppard - Songs From The Sparkle Lounge — An attempt at re-visiting the 70's glam rock era just didn't work
  24. 4.
    Def Leppard - Songs From The Sparkle Lounge — An attempt at re-visiting the 70's glam rock era just didn't work
  25. 5.
  26. 5.
    Kaledon - Legend Of The Forgotten Reign Chapter 5 - A New Era Begins — With a new vocalist, this band has totally changed theor sound
  27. 5.
    Kaledon - Legend Of The Forgotten Reign Chapter 5 - A New Era Begins — With a new vocalist, this band has totally changed theor sound
  28. 5.
    Kaledon - Legend Of The Forgotten Reign Chapter 5 - A New Era Begins — With a new vocalist, this band has totally changed theor sound
  29. 5.
    Kaledon - Legend Of The Forgotten Reign Chapter 5 - A New Era Begins — With a new vocalist, this band has totally changed their sound

Joke of the Year

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
    Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy — This shoud've been an Axel Rose solo album. A virtual mess because of bing way over produced, there are actually some great song ideas here. This should never haev taken 15 years to finish!!
  3. 1.
    Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy — This shoud've been an Axel Rose solo album. A virtual mess because of bing way over produced, there are actually some great song ideas here. This should never haev taken 15 years to finish!!
  4. 1.
    Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy — This shoud've been an Axel Rose solo album. A virtual mess because of bing way over produced, there are actually some great song ideas here. This should never haev taken 15 years to finish!!
  5. 1.
    Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy — This should've been an Axel Rose solo album. A virtual mess because of being way over produced, there are actually some great song ideas here. This should never have taken 15 years to finish!!
  6. 2.
  7. 2.
    Lauren Harris - Calm Before The Storm — Simply riding on daddy's coat tails.....not much in the line of real talent here...just a famous last name and an even more famous father
  8. 2.
    Lauren Harris - Calm Before The Storm — Simply riding on daddy's coat tails.....not much in the line of real talent here...just a famous last name and an even more famous father
  9. 2.
    Lauren Harris - Calm Before The Storm — Simply riding on daddy's coat tails.....not much in the line of real talent here...just a famous last name and an even more famous father
  10. 2.
    Lauren Harris - Calm Before The Storm — Simply riding on daddy's coat tails.....not much in the line of real talent here...just a famous last name and an even more famous father

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
    — Well Once again there were far too many albums that I didn't get a chance to check out. Some no doubt would've made my best of lists but I have to cut it off somewhere! The infusion of fresh new blood and lots of new reviewers has really rejuvenated the site. With an average of 20 new reviews a week over the last couple of months, we are now able to cover an even wider range of metal. I really like the more varied styles being reviewed as it seemed that Metalreviews.com was straying way too far into the extreme and black metal direction. There's always room for those types of metal in our weekly reviews but I'll be trying to cover the more traditional and power metal reviews (as always!). Once again a big thank you to the Metalreviews team - we really do make a great team and are always quick to help each other out behind the scenes even though most of us have never met each other in person!! Thanks also to you, the readers. Keep the comments and posts coming...it's what makes Metalreviews.com so much better than any other site out there. Cheers and here's to a great 2009. Marty
  2. 0
    — Well once again there were far too many albums that I didn't get a chance to check out this past year. Some probably would've made my best of lists but I have to cut it off somewhere! The infusion of fresh new blood with lots of new reviewers has really rejuvenated the site. With an average of 20 new reviews a week over the last couple of months, we are now able to cover an even wider range of metal. I really like the more varied styles being reviewed as it seemed like Metalreviews.com was straying way too far into the extreme and black metal direction. There's always room for those types of metal in our weekly reviews but I'll be trying to cover the more traditional and power metal reviews (as always!). Once again a big thank you to the Metalreviews gang - we really do make a great team and are always quick to help each other out behind the scenes even though most of us have never met each other in person!! Thanks also to you, the readers. Keep the comments and posts coming...it's what makes Metalreviews.com so much better than any other site out there. Cheers and here's to a great 2009. Marty
  3. 0
    — Well once again there were far too many albums that I didn't get a chance to check out this past year. Some probably would've made my best of lists but I have to cut it off somewhere! The infusion of fresh new blood with lots of new reviewers has really rejuvenated the site. With an average of 20 new reviews a week over the last couple of months, we are now able to cover an even wider range of metal. I really like the more varied styles being reviewed as it seemed like Metalreviews.com was straying way too far into the extreme and black metal direction. There's always room for those types of metal in our weekly reviews but I'll be trying to cover the more traditional and power metal reviews (as always!). Once again a big thank you to the Metalreviews gang - we really do make a great team and are always quick to help each other out behind the scenes even though most of us have never met each other in person!! Thanks also to you, the readers. Keep the comments and posts coming...it's what makes Metalreviews.com so much better than any other site out there. Cheers and here's to a great 2009. Marty
  4. 0
    — Well once again there were far too many albums that I didn't get a chance to check out this past year. Some probably would've made my best of lists but I have to cut it off somewhere! The infusion of fresh new blood with lots of new reviewers has really rejuvenated the site. With an average of 20 new reviews a week over the last couple of months, we are now able to cover an even wider range of metal. I really like the more varied styles being reviewed as it seemed like Metalreviews.com was straying way too far into the extreme and black metal direction. There's always room for those types of metal in our weekly reviews but I'll continue to fly the flag for more traditional and power metal reviews (as always!). Once again a big thank you to the Metalreviews gang. We really do make a great team and are always quick to help each other out behind the scenes even though most of us have never met each other in person!! Thanks also to you, the readers. Keep the comments and posts coming...it's what makes Metalreviews.com so much better than any other site out there. Cheers and here's to a great 2009. Marty
  5. 0
    — Well once again there were far too many albums that I didn't get a chance to check out this past year. Some probably would've made my best of lists but I have to cut it off somewhere! The infusion of fresh new blood with lots of new reviewers has really rejuvenated the site. With an average of 20 new reviews a week over the last couple of months, we are now able to cover an even wider range of metal. I really like the more varied styles being reviewed as it seemed like Metalreviews.com was straying way too far into the extreme and black metal direction. There's always room for those types of metal in our weekly reviews but I'll continue to fly the flag for more traditional and power metal reviews (as always!). Once again a big thank you to the Metalreviews gang. We really do make a great team and are always quick to help each other out behind the scenes even though most of us have never met each other in person!! Thanks also to you, the readers. Keep the comments and posts coming...it's what makes Metalreviews.com so much better than any other site out there. Cheers and here's to a great 2009. Marty

Ben

Top Albums

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
  4. 1.
  5. 1.
  6. 2.
  7. 2.
  8. 2.
  9. 2.
  10. 2.
  11. 3.
  12. 3.
  13. 3.
  14. 3.
  15. 3.
  16. 4.
  17. 4.
  18. 4.
  19. 4.
  20. 4.
  21. 5.
  22. 5.
  23. 5.
  24. 5.
  25. 5.
  26. 6.
    Ted Poley - Smile
  27. 6.
    Ted Poley - Smile
  28. 6.
    Ted Poley - Smile
  29. 6.
    Ted Poley - Smile
  30. 6.
    Ted Poley - Smile
  31. 7.
  32. 7.
  33. 7.
  34. 7.
  35. 7.
  36. 8.
  37. 8.
  38. 8.
  39. 8.
  40. 8.
  41. 9.
  42. 9.
  43. 9.
  44. 9.
  45. 9.
  46. 10.
  47. 10.
  48. 10.
  49. 10.
  50. 10.

Surprises of the Year

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

Disappointments

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
  4. 1.
  5. 2.
  6. 2.
  7. 2.
  8. 2.

Joke of the Year

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
  4. 1.

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
    —

    2008 was a year with the least amount of new metal that I listened to. I just can't find much excitement in what is coming out. My cd buying habits have switched from scouring the streets for something new to filling out my collection. This year alone I got fabulous gems such as Steel Prophet's first two albums, Viper's Soldiers Of Sunrise, everything by Magnum, and demos from Stormwarrior and Blind Guardian. Maybe it is because the traditional heavy metal sound (Maiden, Priest, Saxon) is what I fell in love with first so naturally I gravitate towards that sound. That old sound, that authentic sound.

    This list is dreadfully short. That is because these are basically the handful of 2008 releases that came my way. The top one on the list Marcello - Vestry sits atop the only five cds that got me going this year. And by got me going I mean plays well within the triple digit club. It kicks so much ass it was my Surprise Of The Year as well. Everything else after the top five, take as hearty recommendations.

  2. 0
    —

    2008 was a year with the least amount of new metal that I listened to. I just can't find much excitement in what is coming out. My cd buying habits have switched from scouring the streets for something new to filling out my collection. This year alone I got fabulous gems such as Steel Prophet's first two albums, Viper's Soldiers Of Sunrise, everything by Magnum, and demos from Stormwarrior and Blind Guardian. Maybe it is because the traditional heavy metal sound (Maiden, Priest, Saxon) is what I fell in love with first so naturally I gravitate towards that sound. That old sound, that authentic sound.

    This list is dreadfully short. That is because these are basically the handful of 2008 releases that came my way. The top one on the list Marcello - Vestry sits atop the only five cds that got me going this year. And by got me going I mean plays well within the triple digit club. It kicks so much ass it was my Surprise Of The Year as well. Everything else after the top five, take as hearty recommendations.

  3. 0
    —

    2008 was a year with the least amount of new metal that I listened to. I just can't find much excitement in what is coming out. My cd buying habits have switched from scouring the streets for something new to filling out my collection. This year alone I got fabulous gems such as Steel Prophet's first two albums, Viper's Soldiers Of Sunrise, everything by Magnum, and demos from Stormwarrior and Blind Guardian. Maybe it is because the traditional heavy metal sound (Maiden, Priest, Saxon) is what I fell in love with first so naturally I gravitate towards that sound. That old sound, that authentic sound.

    The discovery of Danger Danger through Marcello - Vestry is neck and neck with unearthing Magnum/b>. I've probably spent well over half my listening time the first six months of 08 listening to MAgnum and Danger Danger related material since August.

    This list is dreadfully short. That is because these are basically the handful of 2008 releases that came my way. The top one on the list Marcello - Vestry sits atop the only five cds that got me going this year. And by got me going I mean plays well within the triple digit club. It kicks so much ass it was my Surprise Of The Year as well. Everything else after the top five, take as hearty recommendations.

  4. 0
    —

    2008 was a year with the least amount of new metal that I listened to. I just can't find much excitement in what is coming out. My cd buying habits have switched from scouring the streets for something new to filling out my collection. This year alone I got fabulous gems such as Steel Prophet's first two albums, Viper's Soldiers Of Sunrise, everything by Magnum, and demos from Stormwarrior and Blind Guardian. Maybe it is because the traditional heavy metal sound (Maiden, Priest, Saxon) is what I fell in love with first so naturally I gravitate towards that sound. That old sound, that authentic sound.

    The discovery of Danger Danger through Marcello - Vestry is neck and neck with unearthing Magnum/b> in terms of sheer greatness. I've probably spent well over half my listening time during the first six months of 08 listening to Magnum and Danger Danger related material since August.

    These best of lists are dreadfully short. That is because these are basically the handful of 2008 releases that came my way. The top one on the list Marcello - Vestry sits atop the only five cds that got me going this year. And by got me going I mean plays well within the triple digit club. It kicks so much ass it was my Surprise Of The Year as well. Everything else after the top five, take as hearty recommendations.

  5. 0
    —

    2008 was a year with the least amount of new metal that I listened to. I just can't find much excitement in what is coming out. My cd buying habits have switched from scouring the streets for something new to filling out my collection. This year alone I got fabulous gems such as Steel Prophet's first two albums, Viper's Soldiers Of Sunrise, everything by Magnum, and demos from Stormwarrior and Blind Guardian. Maybe it is because the traditional heavy metal sound (Maiden, Priest, Saxon) is what I fell in love with first so naturally I gravitate towards that sound. That old sound, that authentic sound.

    The discovery of Danger Danger through Marcello - Vestry is neck and neck with unearthing Magnum in terms of sheer greatness. I've probably spent well over half my listening time during the first six months of 08 listening to Magnum and Danger Danger related material since August.

    These best of lists are dreadfully short. That is because these are basically the handful of 2008 releases that came my way. The top one on the list Marcello - Vestry sits atop the only five cds that got me going this year. And by got me going I mean plays well within the triple digit club. It kicks so much ass it was my Surprise Of The Year as well. Everything else after the top five, take as hearty recommendations.

Alex

Top Albums

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
    Draconian - Turning Season Within — There is just something in the way these guys reflect grief which always connects with me
  3. 2.
  4. 2.
    Amon Amarth - Twilight Of The Thunder God — Some say there was nothing new presented on this album ... perhaps that is why I liked it. Amon Amarth has become predictably good
  5. 3.
  6. 3.
    Grand Magus - Iron Will — Superb mixture of power, melody and gruff. Those unfamiliar with the band who heard the album for the first time immediately asked me what "old school" band this is
  7. 4.
  8. 4.
    Unleashed - Hammer Battalion — It is absolutely sad for me to see when these originators of the genre release their best album in years and get no votes in our readers' poll
  9. 5.
  10. 5.
    Darkestrah - The Great Silk Road — Epic, mysterious, enveloping and enchanting black metal from Kyrgyzstan via Germany
  11. 6.
  12. 6.
    Mourning Beloveth - A Disease for the Ages — Another slab of suffocating penetrating doom
  13. 7.
  14. 7.
    Grayceon - This Grand Show — This California trio is no one-trick pony, their experimental mostly instrumental quirky rock rules again
  15. 8.
  16. 8.
    Daylight Dies - Lost to the Living — This not so young band, not anymore anyways, continues to mature
  17. 9.
  18. 9.
    Judas Priest - Nostradamus — I love it for what it is, never failing to remember the fact they were my first metal band ever in 1984
  19. 10.
  20. 10.
    Dawn of Demise - Hate Takes Its Form — Surprisingly good death metal from the little known Danish act
  21. 11.
  22. 11.
    Dismember - Dismember — The veterans still got it, at least in spots
  23. 12.
  24. 12.
    Evergrey - Torn — A comeback album, for me personally anyway, but needed time to click
  25. 13.
  26. 13.
    Lord Belial - The Black Curse — What was previously an also run Swedish black metal act rose above itself
  27. 14.
  28. 14.
    Týr - Land — Their pagan schtick has not worn thin with me yet, I am still proud to have written reviews about this band on our site before they became so well known
  29. 15.
  30. 15.
    Kataklysm - Prevail — Disappointing in spots, not all songs are of equal quality, but where it ripped it left the hole wide open

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
    Darkest Era - The Journey Through Damnation — Young dark Irish act to be watched
  3. 2.
  4. 2.
    Ironsword - Overlords of Chaos — Can't miss, if you love Conan tales
  5. 3.
  6. 3.
    Kerbenok - O — Frankly, I did not see such rich and involved tapestry coming from this German duo only after one EP
  7. 4.
  8. 4.
    Pussygutt - She Hid Behind Her Veil ... — This funeral doom procession is guaranteed to suffocate the life out of you. Proceed with caution ....
  9. 5.
  10. 5.
    Lahmia - Forget Every Sunrise — Well executed, enjoyable melodic death metal in the style of Dark Tranquillity

Disappointments

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
    Poisonblack - A Dead Heavy Day — And I gave their debut 90+ long time ago. What the hell was I thinking ...
  3. 2.
  4. 2.
    Abysmal Dawn - Programmed to Consume — I had huge expectations for it after a very strong debut, but it lacked distinct hooks and memorability.
  5. 3.
  6. 3.
    Keep of Kalessin - Kolossus — This one is on the list because it was nowhere near Armada
  7. 4.
  8. 4.
    Dantesco - Pagano — Everyone seemed to like it, but me
  9. 5.
  10. 5.
    Equilibrium - Sagas — The genre is simply becoming overpopulated

Joke of the Year

  1. 1.
    Enemy of the Sun - Shadows
  2. 1.
    Enemy of the Sun - Shadows — Waldemar Sorychta ought to be embarrassed of himself
  3. 2.
    Rigor Sardonicous - Vallis Ex Umbra De Mortuus
  4. 2.
    Rigor Sardonicous - Vallis Ex Umbra De Mortuus — Another kvlt album I fail to grasp
  5. 3.
  6. 3.
    Copremesis - Muay Thai Ladyboys — Cover art is shocking
  7. 4.
  8. 4.
    Blackwinds - Flesh Inferno — This is so generic it hurts
  9. 5.
  10. 5.
    Wolves of Hate - Battle Hymns and War Songs — Trying hard to play Viking does not Vikings make

Aleksie

Top Albums

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 2.
  4. 2.
  5. 3.
  6. 3.
  7. 4.
  8. 4.
  9. 5.
  10. 5.
  11. 6.
  12. 6.
  13. 7.
  14. 7.
  15. 8.
  16. 8.
  17. 9.
  18. 9.
  19. 10.
  20. 10.
  21. 11.
  22. 11.
  23. 12.
  24. 12.
  25. 13.
  26. 13.
  27. 14.
  28. 14.
  29. 15.
  30. 15.

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 2.
  4. 2.

Disappointments

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 2.
  4. 2.
  5. 3.
  6. 3.
  7. 4.
  8. 4.
  9. 5.

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
    — Metal on!

Adam

Top Albums

  1. 1.
  2. 2.
  3. 3.
  4. 4.
  5. 5.
  6. 6.
  7. 7.
  8. 8.
  9. 9.
  10. 10.
  11. 11.
  12. 12.
  13. 13.
  14. 14.
  15. 15.

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
  2. 2.
  3. 3.

Disappointments

  1. 1.
  2. 2.

Joke of the Year

  1. 1.

Goat

Top Albums

  1. 1.
    Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao —

    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. 1.
    Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao —

    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…
  3. 1.
    Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao —

    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…
  4. 1.
    Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao —

    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…
  5. 1.
    Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao —

    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…
  6. 1.
    Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao —

    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…
  7. 1.
    Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao —

    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…
  8. 1.
    Enslaved - Vertebrae — You knew it couldn't be anything else. The True Kings of Norway are back, and just as I expected the moment that I heard that they were releasing a new album, Vertebrae is a masterpiece of Post-Black, Viking, and Progressive Metal mastery.
  9. 1.
    Enslaved - Vertebrae — You knew it couldn't be anything else. The True Kings of Norway are back, and just as I expected the moment that I heard that they were releasing a new album, Vertebrae is a masterpiece of Post-Black, Viking, and Progressive Metal mastery.
  10. 1.
    Enslaved - Vertebrae — You knew it couldn't be anything else. The True Kings of Norway are back, and just as I expected the moment that I heard that they were releasing a new album, Vertebrae is a masterpiece of Post-Black, Viking, and Progressive Metal mastery.
  11. 1.
    Enslaved - Vertebrae — You knew it couldn't be anything else. The True Kings of Norway are back, and just as I expected the moment that I heard that they were releasing a new album, Vertebrae is a masterpiece of Post-Black, Viking, and Progressive Metal mastery.
  12. 1.
    Enslaved - Vertebrae — You knew it couldn't be anything else. The True Kings of Norway are back, and just as I expected the moment that I heard that they were releasing a new album, Vertebrae is a masterpiece of Post-Black, Viking, and Progressive Metal mastery.
  13. 1.
    Enslaved - Vertebrae — You knew it couldn't be anything else. The True Kings of Norway are back, and just as I expected the moment that I heard that they were releasing a new album, Vertebrae is a masterpiece of Post-Black, Viking, and Progressive Metal mastery.
  14. 1.
    Enslaved - Vertebrae — You knew it couldn't be anything else. The True Kings of Norway are back, and just as I expected the moment that I heard that they were releasing a new album, Vertebrae is a masterpiece of Post-Black, Viking, and Progressive Metal mastery.
  15. 1.
    Enslaved - Vertebrae — You knew it couldn't be anything else. The True Kings of Norway are back, and just as I expected the moment that I heard that they were releasing a new album, Vertebrae is a masterpiece of Post-Black, Viking, and Progressive Metal mastery.
  16. 1.
    Enslaved - Vertebrae — You knew it couldn't be anything else. The True Kings of Norway are back, and just as I expected the moment that I heard that they were releasing a new album, Vertebrae is a masterpiece of Post-Black, Viking, and Progressive Metal mastery.
  17. 1.
    Enslaved - Vertebrae — You knew it couldn't be anything else. The True Kings of Norway are back, and just as I expected the moment that I heard that they were releasing a new album, Vertebrae is a masterpiece of Post-Black, Viking, and Progressive Metal mastery.
  18. 1.
    Enslaved - Vertebrae — You knew it couldn't be anything else. The True Kings of Norway are back, and just as I expected the moment that I heard that they were releasing a new album, Vertebrae is a masterpiece of Post-Black, Viking, and Progressive Metal mastery.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. 2.
  27. 2.
  28. 2.
  29. 2.
    Opeth - Watershed — Nearly the best album of the year, but a very respectable second for the Swedish masters. I hope they include more Avant-Garde influence next time around...
  30. 2.
    Opeth - Watershed — Nearly the best album of the year, but a very respectable second for the Swedish masters. I hope they include more Avant-Garde influence next time around...
  31. 2.
    Opeth - Watershed — Nearly the best album of the year, but a very respectable second for the Swedish masters. I hope they include more Avant-Garde influence next time around...
  32. 2.
    Opeth - Watershed — Nearly the best album of the year, but a very respectable second for the Swedish masters. I hope they include more Avant-Garde influence next time around...
  33. 2.
    Opeth - Watershed — Nearly the best album of the year, but a very respectable second for the Swedish masters. I hope they include more Avant-Garde influence next time around...
  34. 2.
    Opeth - Watershed — Nearly the best album of the year, but a very respectable second for the Swedish masters. I hope they include more Avant-Garde influence next time around...
  35. 3.
    Iced Earth - Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked part I —

    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.
  36. 3.
    Iced Earth - Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked part I —

    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.
  37. 3.
    Iced Earth - Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked part I —

    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.
  38. 3.
    Iced Earth - Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked part I —

    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.
  39. 3.
    Iced Earth - Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked part I —

    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.
  40. 3.
    Iced Earth - Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked part I —

    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.
  41. 3.
    Iced Earth - Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked part I —

    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.
  42. 3.
    Esoteric - The Maniacal Vale — Doom in its ultimate incarnation. You will not get it in one listen, so have patience!
  43. 3.
    Esoteric - The Maniacal Vale — Doom in its ultimate incarnation. You will not get it in one listen, so have patience!
  44. 3.
    Esoteric - The Maniacal Vale — Doom in its ultimate incarnation. You will not get it in one listen, so have patience!
  45. 3.
    Esoteric - The Maniacal Vale — Doom in its ultimate incarnation. You will not get it in one listen, so have patience!
  46. 3.
    Esoteric - The Maniacal Vale — Doom in its ultimate incarnation. You will not get it in one listen, so have patience!
  47. 3.
    Esoteric - The Maniacal Vale — Doom in its ultimate incarnation. You will not get it in one listen, so have patience!
  48. 4.
    Nightwish - Dark Passion Play —

    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.
  49. 4.
    Nightwish - Dark Passion Play —

    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.
  50. 4.
    Nightwish - Dark Passion Play —

    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.
  51. 4.
    Nightwish - Dark Passion Play —

    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.
  52. 4.
    Nightwish - Dark Passion Play —

    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.
  53. 4.
    Nightwish - Dark Passion Play —

    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.
  54. 4.
  55. 4.
  56. 4.
  57. 4.
    Origin - Antithesis — Death Metal evolves. Brutality never felt so good...
  58. 4.
    Origin - Antithesis — Death Metal evolves. Brutality never felt so good...
  59. 4.
    Origin - Antithesis — Death Metal evolves. Brutality never felt so good...
  60. 4.
    Origin - Antithesis — Death Metal evolves. Brutality never felt so good...
  61. 4.
    Origin - Antithesis — Death Metal evolves. Brutality never felt so good...
  62. 4.
    Origin - Antithesis — Death Metal evolves. Brutality never felt so good...
  63. 5.
    L’Acephale – Mord und Totschlag —

    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…
  64. 5.
    L’Acephale – Mord und Totschlag —

    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…
  65. 5.
    L’Acephale – Mord und Totschlag —

    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…
  66. 5.
    L’Acephale – Mord und Totschlag —

    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…
  67. 5.
    L’Acephale – Mord und Totschlag —

    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…
  68. 5.
    L’Acephale – Mord und Totschlag —

    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…
  69. 5.
  70. 5.
  71. 5.
  72. 5.
    Burst - Lazarus Bird — Hardcore ain't dead! No, it's gone Prog, in the best release from the genre since Refused.
  73. 5.
    Burst - Lazarus Bird — Hardcore ain't dead! No, it's gone Prog, in the best release from the genre since Refused.
  74. 5.
    Burst - Lazarus Bird — Hardcore ain't dead! No, it's gone Prog, in the best release from the genre since Refused.
  75. 5.
    Burst - Lazarus Bird — Hardcore ain't dead! No, it's gone Prog, in the best release from the genre since Refused.
  76. 5.
    Burst - Lazarus Bird — Hardcore ain't dead! No, it's gone Prog, in the best release from the genre since Refused.
  77. 5.
    Burst - Lazarus Bird — Hardcore ain't dead! No, it's gone Prog, in the best release from the genre since Refused.
  78. 6.
    Akercocke - Antichrist —

    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.
  79. 6.
    Akercocke - Antichrist —

    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.
  80. 6.
    Akercocke - Antichrist —

    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.
  81. 6.
    Akercocke - Antichrist —

    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.
  82. 6.
    Akercocke - Antichrist —

    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.
  83. 6.
    Akercocke - Antichrist —

    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.
  84. 6.
  85. 6.
  86. 6.
  87. 6.
    Ayreon - 01011001 — Still getting into this band, but I know a Prog masterpiece when I see one.
  88. 6.
    Ayreon - 01011001 — Still getting into this band, but I know a Prog masterpiece when I see one.
  89. 6.
    Ayreon - 01011001 — Still getting into this band, but I know a Prog masterpiece when I see one.
  90. 6.
    Ayreon - 01011001 — Still getting into this band, but I know a Prog masterpiece when I see one.
  91. 6.
    Ayreon - 01011001 — Still getting into this band, but I know a Prog masterpiece when I see one.
  92. 6.
    Ayreon - 01011001 — Still getting into this band, but I know a Prog masterpiece when I see one.
  93. 7.
    Corpsing – The Stench Of Humanity —

    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…
  94. 7.
    Corpsing – The Stench Of Humanity —

    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…
  95. 7.
    Corpsing – The Stench Of Humanity —

    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…
  96. 7.
    Corpsing – The Stench Of Humanity —

    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…
  97. 7.
    Corpsing – The Stench Of Humanity —

    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…
  98. 7.
    Corpsing – The Stench Of Humanity —

    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…
  99. 7.
  100. 7.
  101. 7.
  102. 7.
    Meshuggah - obZen — The cover art's still crap, but the music ain't. Another classic from the polyrhythmic maestros. If you don't like it, you haven't listened long enough, simple as that.
  103. 7.
    Meshuggah - obZen — The cover art's still crap, but the music ain't. Another classic from the polyrhythmic maestros. If you don't like it, you haven't listened long enough, simple as that.
  104. 7.
    Meshuggah - obZen — The cover art's still crap, but the music ain't. Another classic from the polyrhythmic maestros. If you don't like it, you haven't listened long enough, simple as that.
  105. 7.
    Meshuggah - obZen — The cover art's still crap, but the music ain't. Another classic from the polyrhythmic maestros. If you don't like it, you haven't listened long enough, simple as that.
  106. 7.
    Meshuggah - obZen — The cover art's still crap, but the music ain't. Another classic from the polyrhythmic maestros. If you don't like it, you haven't listened long enough, simple as that.
  107. 7.
    Meshuggah - obZen — The cover art's still crap, but the music ain't. Another classic from the polyrhythmic maestros. If you don't like it, you haven't listened long enough, simple as that.
  108. 8.
    Ulver - Shadows Of The Sun —

    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.
  109. 8.
    Ulver - Shadows Of The Sun —

    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.
  110. 8.
    Ulver - Shadows Of The Sun —

    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.
  111. 8.
    Ulver - Shadows Of The Sun —

    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.
  112. 8.
    Ulver - Shadows Of The Sun —

    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.
  113. 8.
    Ulver - Shadows Of The Sun —

    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.
  114. 8.
  115. 8.
  116. 8.
  117. 8.
    Gonin-Ish - Naishikyo-Sekai — A last surprise entry to the list. Japan proves that it can do Prog Metal as well as us on the west end of the planet.
  118. 8.
    Gonin-Ish - Naishikyo-Sekai — A last surprise entry to the list. Japan proves that it can do Prog Metal as well as us on the west end of the planet.
  119. 8.
    Gonin-Ish - Naishikyo-Sekai — A last surprise entry to the list. Japan proves that it can do Prog Metal as well as us on the west end of the planet.
  120. 8.
    Gonin-Ish - Naishikyo-Sekai — A last surprise entry to the list. Japan proves that it can do Prog Metal as well as us on the west end of the planet.
  121. 8.
    Gonin-Ish - Naishikyo-Sekai — A last surprise entry to the list. Japan proves that it can do Prog Metal as well as us on the west end of the planet.
  122. 8.
    Gonin-Ish - Naishikyo-Sekai — A last surprise entry to the list. Japan proves that it can do Prog Metal as well as us on the west end of the planet.
  123. 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.
  124. 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.
  125. 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.
  126. 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.
  127. 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.
  128. 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.
  129. 9.
  130. 9.
  131. 9.
  132. 9.
    Iced Earth - The Crucible of Man - Something Wicked Part 2 — Fine, it's not quite as awesome as the first part was, but it's still pretty damn amazing.
  133. 9.
    Iced Earth - The Crucible of Man - Something Wicked Part 2 — Fine, it's not quite as awesome as the first part was, but it's still pretty damn amazing.
  134. 9.
    Iced Earth - The Crucible of Man - Something Wicked Part 2 — Fine, it's not quite as awesome as the first part was, but it's still pretty damn amazing.
  135. 9.
    Iced Earth - The Crucible of Man - Something Wicked Part 2 — Fine, it's not quite as awesome as the first part was, but it's still pretty damn amazing.
  136. 9.
    Iced Earth - The Crucible of Man - Something Wicked Part 2 — Fine, it's not quite as awesome as the first part was, but it's still pretty damn amazing.
  137. 9.
    Iced Earth - The Crucible of Man - Something Wicked Part 2 — Fine, it's not quite as awesome as the first part was, but it's still pretty damn amazing.
  138. 10.
    Therion - Gothic Kabbalah —

    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.

  139. 10.
    Therion - Gothic Kabbalah —

    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.

  140. 10.
    Therion - Gothic Kabbalah —

    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.

  141. 10.
    Therion - Gothic Kabbalah —

    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.

  142. 10.
    Therion - Gothic Kabbalah —

    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.

  143. 10.
    Therion - Gothic Kabbalah —

    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.

  144. 10.
  145. 10.
  146. 10.
  147. 10.
    The Monolith Deathcult - Trivmvirate — Death Metal evolves (again!). An experimental twist that'll ensnare you like no other band can, a big step forwards for these guys
  148. 10.
    The Monolith Deathcult - Trivmvirate — Death Metal evolves (again!). An experimental twist that'll ensnare you like no other band can, a big step forwards for these guys
  149. 10.
    The Monolith Deathcult - Trivmvirate — Death Metal evolves (again!). An experimental twist that'll ensnare you like no other band can, a big step forwards for these guys
  150. 10.
    The Monolith Deathcult - Trivmvirate — Death Metal evolves (again!). An experimental twist that'll ensnare you like no other band can, a big step forwards for these guys
  151. 10.
    The Monolith Deathcult - Trivmvirate — Death Metal evolves (again!). An experimental twist that'll ensnare you like no other band can, a big step forwards for these guys
  152. 10.
    The Monolith Deathcult - Trivmvirate — Death Metal evolves (again!). An experimental twist that'll ensnare you like no other band can, a big step forwards for these guys
  153. 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…
  154. 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…
  155. 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…
  156. 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…
  157. 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…
  158. 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…
  159. 11.
  160. 11.
  161. 11.
  162. 11.
    Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! — I've loved this album since I preordered it. Rock music has never sounded so good.
  163. 11.
    Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! — I've loved this album since I preordered it. Rock music has never sounded so good.
  164. 11.
    Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! — I've loved this album since I preordered it. Rock music has never sounded so good.
  165. 11.
    Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! — I've loved this album since I preordered it. Rock music has never sounded so good.
  166. 11.
    Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! — I've loved this album since I preordered it. Rock music has never sounded so good.
  167. 11.
    Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! — I've loved this album since I preordered it. Rock music has never sounded so good.
  168. 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.
  169. 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.
  170. 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.
  171. 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.
  172. 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.
  173. 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.
  174. 12.
  175. 12.
  176. 12.
  177. 12.
    Soulfly - Conquer — Chock full o'riffs, Sepultura's latest is going to have to be really, really good to beat this return to glorious form for the dreadlock'd wonder.
  178. 12.
    Soulfly - Conquer — Chock full o'riffs, Sepultura's latest is going to have to be really, really good to beat this return to glorious form for the dreadlock'd wonder.
  179. 12.
    Soulfly - Conquer — Chock full o'riffs, Sepultura's latest is going to have to be really, really good to beat this return to glorious form from the dreadlock'd wonder.
  180. 12.
    Soulfly - Conquer — Chock full o'riffs, Sepultura's latest is going to have to be really, really good to beat this return to glorious form from the dreadlock'd wonder.
  181. 12.
    Soulfly - Conquer — Chock full o'riffs, Sepultura's latest is going to have to be really, really good to beat this return to glorious form from the dreadlock'd wonder.
  182. 12.
    Soulfly - Conquer — Chock full o'riffs, Sepultura's latest is going to have to be really, really good to beat this return to glorious form from the dreadlock'd wonder.
  183. 13.
    Entombed - Serpent Saints —

    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.
  184. 13.
    Entombed - Serpent Saints —

    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.
  185. 13.
    Entombed - Serpent Saints —

    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.
  186. 13.
    Entombed - Serpent Saints —

    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.
  187. 13.
    Entombed - Serpent Saints —

    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.
  188. 13.
    Entombed - Serpent Saints —

    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.
  189. 13.
  190. 13.
  191. 13.
  192. 13.
    Detrimentum - Embracing This Deformity — A nightmare set to music.
  193. 13.
    Detrimentum - Embracing This Deformity — A nightmare set to music.
  194. 13.
    Detrimentum - Embracing This Deformity — A nightmare set to music.
  195. 13.
    Detrimentum - Embracing This Deformity — A nightmare set to music.
  196. 13.
    Detrimentum - Embracing This Deformity — A nightmare set to music.
  197. 13.
    Detrimentum - Embracing This Deformity — A nightmare set to music.
  198. 14.
    The Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works —

    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.
  199. 14.
    The Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works —

    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.
  200. 14.
    The Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works —

    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.
  201. 14.
    The Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works —

    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.
  202. 14.
    The Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works —

    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.
  203. 14.
    The Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works —

    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.
  204. 14.
  205. 14.
  206. 14.
  207. 14.
    Benighted - Icon — Why are they so brutal to me?
  208. 14.
    Benighted - Icon — Why are they so brutal to me?
  209. 14.
    Benighted - Icon — Why are they so brutal to me?
  210. 14.
    Benighted - Icon — Why are they so brutal to me?
  211. 14.
    Benighted - Icon — Why are they so brutal to me?
  212. 14.
    Benighted - Icon — Why are they so brutal to me?
  213. 15.
    Megadeth - United Abominations —

    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.
  214. 15.
    Megadeth - United Abominations —

    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.
  215. 15.
    Megadeth - United Abominations —

    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.
  216. 15.
    Megadeth - United Abominations —

    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.
  217. 15.
    Megadeth - United Abominations —

    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.
  218. 15.
    Megadeth - United Abominations —

    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.
  219. 15.
  220. 15.
  221. 15.
  222. 15.
    We Insist! - Oh! Things Are So Corruptible — Um... it's really good.
  223. 15.
    We Insist! - Oh! Things Are So Corruptible — Um... it's really good.
  224. 15.
    We Insist! - Oh! Things Are So Corruptible — Um... it's really good.
  225. 15.
    We Insist! - Oh! Things Are So Corruptible — Um... it's really good.
  226. 15.
    We Insist! - Oh! Things Are So Corruptible — Um... it's really good.
  227. 15.
    We Insist! - Oh! Things Are So Corruptible — Um... it's really good.

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
    Dam - The Difference Engine —

  2. 1.
    Dam - The Difference Engine —

    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.
  3. 1.
    Dam - The Difference Engine —

    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.
  4. 1.
    Dam - The Difference Engine —

    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.
  5. 1.
    Dam - The Difference Engine —

    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.
  6. 1.
  7. 1.
  8. 1.
  9. 1.
  10. 1.
    Scar Symmetry - Holographic Universe — OK, so maybe Melodeath does still have something to offer! Very good album, keeps you coming back for more.
  11. 1.
    Scar Symmetry - Holographic Universe — OK, so maybe Melodeath does still have something to offer! Very good album, keeps you coming back for more.
  12. 1.
    Scar Symmetry - Holographic Universe — OK, so maybe Melodeath does still have something to offer! Very good album, keeps you coming back for more.
  13. 1.
    Scar Symmetry - Holographic Universe — OK, so maybe Melodeath does still have something to offer! Very good album, keeps you coming back for more.
  14. 1.
    Scar Symmetry - Holographic Universe — OK, so maybe Melodeath does still have something to offer! Very good album, keeps you coming back for more.
  15. 2.
    Ava Inferi -The Silhouette —

  16. 2.
    Ava Inferi -The Silhouette —

    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.
  17. 2.
    Ava Inferi -The Silhouette —

    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.
  18. 2.
    Ava Inferi -The Silhouette —

    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.
  19. 2.
    Ava Inferi -The Silhouette —

    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.
  20. 2.
  21. 2.
  22. 2.
  23. 2.
  24. 2.
    Kiuas - The New Dark Age — The second-best Powet Metal release of the year!
  25. 2.
    Kiuas - The New Dark Age — The second-best Powet Metal release of the year!
  26. 2.
    Kiuas - The New Dark Age — The second-best Powet Metal release of the year!
  27. 2.
    Kiuas - The New Dark Age — The second-best Powet Metal release of the year!
  28. 2.
    Kiuas - The New Dark Age — The second-best Powet Metal release of the year!
  29. 3.
    Centurions Ghost - The Great Work —

  30. 3.
    Centurions Ghost - The Great Work —

    Cathedral ain’t the only limeys around reshaping Doom in their own, spectacular image. An excellent album that lasts well beyond a few listens.
  31. 3.
    Centurions Ghost - The Great Work —

    Cathedral ain’t the only limeys around reshaping Doom in their own, spectacular image. An excellent album that lasts well beyond a few listens.
  32. 3.
    Centurions Ghost - The Great Work —

    Cathedral ain’t the only limeys around reshaping Doom in their own, spectacular image. An excellent album that lasts well beyond a few listens.
  33. 3.
    Centurions Ghost - The Great Work —

    Cathedral ain’t the only limeys around reshaping Doom in their own, spectacular image. An excellent album that lasts well beyond a few listens.
  34. 3.
  35. 3.
  36. 3.
  37. 3.
  38. 3.
    A Storm Of Light - And We Wept The Black Ocean Within — Water-fuelled atmospheric goodness.
  39. 3.
    A Storm Of Light - And We Wept The Black Ocean Within — Water-fuelled atmospheric goodness.
  40. 3.
    A Storm Of Light - And We Wept The Black Ocean Within — Water-fuelled atmospheric goodness.
  41. 3.
    A Storm Of Light - And We Wept The Black Ocean Within — Water-fuelled atmospheric goodness.
  42. 3.
    A Storm Of Light - And We Wept The Black Ocean Within — Water-fuelled atmospheric goodness.
  43. 4.
    The Chronicles Of Israfel - Starborn, Tome I —

  44. 4.
    The Chronicles Of Israfel - Starborn, Tome I —

    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.

  45. 4.
    The Chronicles Of Israfel - Starborn, Tome I —

    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.

  46. 4.
    The Chronicles Of Israfel - Starborn, Tome I —

    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.

  47. 4.
    The Chronicles Of Israfel - Starborn, Tome I —

    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.

  48. 4.
  49. 4.
  50. 4.
  51. 4.
  52. 4.
    Arkan - Hilal — Arabian-flavoured Death Metal that's worth listening to!
  53. 4.
    Arkan - Hilal — Arabian-flavoured Death Metal that's worth listening to!
  54. 4.
    Arkan - Hilal — Arabian-flavoured Death Metal that's worth listening to!
  55. 4.
    Arkan - Hilal — Arabian-flavoured Death Metal that's worth listening to!
  56. 4.
    Arkan - Hilal — Arabian-flavoured Death Metal that's worth listening to!
  57. 5.
    Nuclear Blast Allstars - Into The Light —

  58. 5.
    Nuclear Blast Allstars - Into The Light —

    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.

  59. 5.
    Nuclear Blast Allstars - Into The Light —

    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.

  60. 5.
    Nuclear Blast Allstars - Into The Light —

    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.

  61. 5.
    Nuclear Blast Allstars - Into The Light —

    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.

  62. 5.
  63. 5.
  64. 5.
  65. 5.
  66. 5.
    Pin-Up Went Down - 2 Unlimited — Didn't see this one coming from the leftfield, but it's an excellent listen!
  67. 5.
    Pin-Up Went Down - 2 Unlimited — Didn't see this one coming from the leftfield, but it's an excellent listen!
  68. 5.
    Pin-Up Went Down - 2 Unlimited — Didn't see this one coming from the leftfield, but it's an excellent listen!
  69. 5.
    Pin-Up Went Down - 2 Unlimited — Didn't see this one coming from the leftfield, but it's an excellent listen!
  70. 5.
    Pin-Up Went Down - 2 Unlimited — Didn't see this one coming from the leftfield, but it's an excellent listen!

Disappointments

  1. 1.
    —

  2. 1.
    —

  3. 1.
    Blut Aus Nord - Odinist —

    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.

  4. 1.
    Blut Aus Nord - Odinist —

    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.

  5. 1.
    Blut Aus Nord - Odinist —

    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.

  6. 1.
    Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King — Yuck. The world's best Death Metal horde turn to complete shit. That's what happens when you hire some emocore amateur instead of physically forcing Lord Worm to remain.
  7. 1.
  8. 1.
  9. 1.
  10. 1.
    Don Caballero - Punkgasm — This band was hyped to me so, so much before I played Punkgasm and was promptly bored out of my mind. Awful album.
  11. 1.
    Don Caballero - Punkgasm — This band was hyped to me so, so much before I played Punkgasm and was promptly bored out of my mind. Awful album.
  12. 1.
    Don Caballero - Punkgasm — This band was hyped to me so, so much before I played Punkgasm and was promptly bored out of my mind. Awful album.
  13. 1.
    Don Caballero - Punkgasm — This band was hyped to me so, so much before I played Punkgasm and was promptly bored out of my mind. Awful album.
  14. 1.
    Don Caballero - Punkgasm — This band was hyped to me so, so much; before I actually listened to Punkgasm and was promptly bored out of my mind. Awful album.
  15. 1.
    Don Caballero - Punkgasm — This band was hyped to me so, so much; before I actually listened to Punkgasm and was promptly bored out of my mind. Awful album.
  16. 1.
    Don Caballero - Punkgasm — This band was hyped to me so, so much; before I actually listened to Punkgasm and was promptly bored out of my mind. Awful album.
  17. 2.
    —

  18. 2.
    —

  19. 2.
    Nile - Ithyphallic —

    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.
  20. 2.
    Nile - Ithyphallic —

    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.
  21. 2.
    Nile - Ithyphallic —

    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.
  22. 2.
  23. 2.
  24. 2.
  25. 2.
  26. 2.
    Extreme Noise Terror - Law Of Retaliation — The British Grind legends that aren't Napalm Death prove just why. Bor-ing!
  27. 2.
    Extreme Noise Terror - Law Of Retaliation — The British Grind legends that aren't Napalm Death prove just why. Bor-ing!
  28. 2.
    Extreme Noise Terror - Law Of Retaliation — The British Grind legends that aren't Napalm Death prove just why. Bor-ing!
  29. 2.
    Extreme Noise Terror - Law Of Retaliation — The British Grind legends that aren't Napalm Death prove just why. Bor-ing!
  30. 2.
    Extreme Noise Terror - Law Of Retaliation — The British Grind legends that aren't Napalm Death prove just why. Bor-ing!
  31. 2.
    Extreme Noise Terror - Law Of Retaliation — The British Grind legends that aren't Napalm Death prove just why. Bor-ing!
  32. 2.
    Extreme Noise Terror - Law Of Retaliation — The British Grind legends that aren't Napalm Death prove just why. Bor-ing!
  33. 3.
    —

  34. 3.
    —

  35. 3.
    Arch Enemy - Rise Of The Tyrant —

    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.

  36. 3.
    Arch Enemy - Rise Of The Tyrant —

    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.

  37. 3.
    Arch Enemy - Rise Of The Tyrant —

    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.

  38. 3.
    Children Of Bodom - Blooddrunk — Yikes. Technicality, fine, but where did the songs go?
  39. 3.
    Aborted - Strychnine.213 — Blimey, how far down this road are Aborted going to go? Listen to Rotten Sound instead.
  40. 3.
    Aborted - Strychnine.213 — Blimey, how far down this road are Aborted going to go? Listen to Rotten Sound instead.
  41. 3.
    Aborted - Strychnine.213 — Blimey, how far down this dreadful road are Aborted going to go? Listen to Rotten Sound instead.
  42. 3.
    Aborted - Strychnine.213 — Blimey, how far down this dreadful road are Aborted going to go? Listen to Rotten Sound instead.
  43. 3.
    Aborted - Strychnine.213 — Blimey, how far down this dreadful road are Aborted going to go? Listen to Rotten Sound instead.
  44. 3.
    Aborted - Strychnine.213 — Blimey, how far down this dreadful road are Aborted going to go? Listen to Rotten Sound instead.
  45. 3.
    Aborted - Strychnine.213 — Blimey, how far down this dreadful road are Aborted going to go? Listen to Rotten Sound instead.
  46. 4.
    —

  47. 4.
    —

  48. 4.
    Forgotten Woods - Race Of Cain —

    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.

  49. 4.
    Forgotten Woods - Race Of Cain —

    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.

  50. 4.
    Forgotten Woods - Race Of Cain —

    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.

  51. 4.
  52. 4.
    Krisiun - Southern Storm — Come on guys, mix it up a little already.
  53. 4.
    Krisiun - Southern Storm — Come on guys, mix it up a little already.
  54. 4.
    Krisiun - Southern Storm — Come on guys, mix it up a little already.
  55. 4.
    Krisiun - Southern Storm — Come on guys, mix it up a little already.
  56. 4.
    Krisiun - Southern Storm — Come on guys, mix it up a little already.
  57. 4.
    Krisiun - Southern Storm — Come on guys, mix it up a little already.
  58. 4.
    Krisiun - Southern Storm — Come on guys, mix it up a little already.
  59. 5.
    —

  60. 5.
    —

  61. 5.
    Epica - The Divine Conspiracy —

    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.
  62. 5.
    Epica - The Divine Conspiracy —

    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.
  63. 5.
    Epica - The Divine Conspiracy —

    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.
  64. 5.
  65. 5.
    Bloodbath - The Fathomless Mastery — COMEBACK OF THE YEAR! Not.
  66. 5.
    Bloodbath - The Fathomless Mastery — COMEBACK OF THE YEAR! Not.
  67. 5.
    Bloodbath - The Fathomless Mastery — COMEBACK OF THE YEAR! Not.
  68. 5.
    Bloodbath - The Fathomless Mastery — COMEBACK OF THE YEAR! Not.
  69. 5.
    Bloodbath - The Fathomless Mastery — COMEBACK OF THE YEAR! Not.
  70. 5.
    Bloodbath - The Fathomless Mastery — COMEBACK OF THE YEAR! Not.
  71. 5.
    Bloodbath - The Fathomless Mastery — COMEBACK OF THE YEAR! Not.

Joke of the Year

  1. 1.
    —

  2. 1.
    —

  3. 1.
    —

  4. 1.
    Atreyu —

  5. 1.
    Atreyu —

  6. 1.
  7. 1.
  8. 1.
    Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King — Run away with me, Flo. We'll live in the mountains and make our living by attacking passers-by, Sawney Bean style. Please. Just don't make another album as terrible as The Unspoken King...
  9. 1.
    Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King — Run away with me, Flo. We'll live in the mountains and make our living by attacking passers-by, Sawney Bean style. Please. Just don't make another album as terrible as The Unspoken King...
  10. 1.
    Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King — Run away with me, Flo. We'll live in the mountains and make our living by attacking passers-by, Sawney Bean style. Please. Just don't make another album as terrible as The Unspoken King...
  11. 1.
    Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King — Run away with me, Flo. We'll live in the mountains and make our living by attacking passers-by, Sawney Bean style. Please. Just don't make another album as terrible as The Unspoken King...
  12. 1.
    Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King — Run away with me, Flo. We'll live in the mountains and make our living by attacking passers-by, Sawney Bean style. Please. Just don't make another album as terrible as The Unspoken King...
  13. 1.
    Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King — Run away with me, Flo. We'll live in the mountains and make our living by attacking passers-by, Sawney Bean style. Please, you're still the best drummer in Death Metal. Just don't make another album as terrible as The Unspoken King...
  14. 1.
    Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King — Run away with me, Flo. We'll live in the mountains and make our living by attacking passers-by, Sawney Bean style. Please, you're still the best drummer in Death Metal. Just don't make another album as terrible as The Unspoken King...
  15. 1.
    Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King — Run away with me, Flo. We'll live in the mountains and make our living by attacking passers-by, Sawney Bean style. Please, you're still the best drummer in Death Metal. Just don't make another album as terrible as The Unspoken King...
  16. 2.
    —

  17. 2.
    —

  18. 2.
    —

  19. 2.
    Avenged Sevenfold —

  20. 2.
    Avenged Sevenfold —

  21. 2.
    Dagoba - Face The Colossus — Modern Metal at its worst.
  22. 2.
    Dagoba - Face The Colossus — Modern Metal at its worst.
  23. 2.
    Dagoba - Face The Colossus — Modern Metal at its worst.
  24. 2.
    Dagoba - Face The Colossus — Modern Metal at its worst.
  25. 2.
    Dagoba - Face The Colossus — Modern Metal at its worst.
  26. 2.
    Dagoba - Face The Colossus — Modern Metal at its worst.
  27. 2.
    Dagoba - Face The Colossus — Modern Metal at its worst.
  28. 2.
    Dagoba - Face The Colossus — Modern Metal at its worst.
  29. 3.
    —

  30. 3.
    —

  31. 3.
    —

  32. 3.
    Trivium —

  33. 3.
    Trivium —

  34. 3.
    Head - Save Me From Myself — Whatever foul deeds fellow reviewer James may to do me in the future, he'll still have my undying thanks for reviewing this turd.
  35. 3.
    Head - Save Me From Myself — Whatever foul deeds fellow reviewer James may to do me in the future, he'll still have my undying thanks for reviewing this turd instead of me.
  36. 3.
    Head - Save Me From Myself — Whatever foul deeds fellow reviewer James may to do me in the future, he'll still have my undying thanks for reviewing this turd instead of me.
  37. 3.
    Head - Save Me From Myself — Whatever foul deeds fellow reviewer James may to do me in the future, he'll still have my undying thanks for reviewing this turd instead of me.
  38. 3.
    Head - Save Me From Myself — Whatever foul deeds fellow reviewer James may to do me in the future, he'll still have my undying thanks for reviewing this turd instead of me.
  39. 3.
    Head - Save Me From Myself — Whatever foul deeds fellow reviewer James may to do me in the future, he'll still have my undying thanks for reviewing this turd instead of me.
  40. 3.
    Head - Save Me From Myself — Whatever foul deeds fellow reviewer James may to do me in the future, he'll still have my undying thanks for reviewing this turd instead of me.
  41. 3.
    Head - Save Me From Myself — Whatever foul deeds fellow reviewer James may to do me in the future, he'll still have my undying thanks for reviewing this turd instead of me.
  42. 4.
    —

  43. 4.
    —

  44. 4.
    —

  45. 4.
    Bullet For My Valentine —

  46. 4.
    Bullet For My Valentine —

  47. 4.
    36 Crazyfists - The Tide And Its Takers — Always a pity to see a great band turn to absolute shit. Guys, metalcore is so 2003!
  48. 4.
    36 Crazyfists - The Tide And Its Takers — Always a pity to see a great band turn to absolute shit. Guys, metalcore is so 2003!
  49. 4.
    36 Crazyfists - The Tide And Its Takers — Always a pity to see a great band turn to absolute shit. Guys, metalcore is so 2003!
  50. 4.
    36 Crazyfists - The Tide And Its Takers — Always a pity to see a great band turn to absolute shit. Guys, metalcore is so 2003!
  51. 4.
    36 Crazyfists - The Tide And Its Takers — Always a pity to see a great band turn to absolute shit. Guys, metalcore is so 2003!
  52. 4.
    36 Crazyfists - The Tide And Its Takers — Always a pity to see a great band turn to absolute shit. Guys, metalcore is so 2003!
  53. 4.
    36 Crazyfists - The Tide And Its Takers — Always a pity to see a great band turn to absolute shit. Guys, metalcore is so 2003!
  54. 4.
    36 Crazyfists - The Tide And Its Takers — Always a pity to see a great band turn to absolute shit. Guys, metalcore is so 2003!
  55. 5.
    —

  56. 5.
    —

  57. 5.
    —

  58. 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.

  59. 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.

  60. 5.
    Trivium - Shogun — It's Trivium! They'll always be shitty!
  61. 5.
    Trivium - Shogun — It's Trivium! They'll always be shitty!
  62. 5.
    Trivium - Shogun — It's Trivium! They'll always be shitty!
  63. 5.
    Trivium - Shogun — It's Trivium! They'll always be shitty!
  64. 5.
    Trivium - Shogun — It's Trivium! They'll always be shitty!
  65. 5.
    Trivium - Shogun — It's Trivium! They'll always be shitty!
  66. 5.
    Trivium - Shogun — It's Trivium! They'll always be shitty!
  67. 5.
    Trivium - Shogun — It's Trivium! They'll always be shitty!

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
    —

  2. 0
    —

  3. 0
    —

  4. 0
    —

  5. 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!
  6. 0
    — Whoa, and that was 2008! What a year for Metal! As ever, the albums that I couldn't fit in the little boxes above are worth a mention (just think of this section as your 'Awesome bands to check out' list) and here they all are: Angst Skvadron - Flukt, Aura Noir - Hades Rise, The Berzerker - The Reawakening, Caïna - Temporary Antennae, ColdWorld - Melancholie², Cynic - Traced In Air, Dark Suns - Grave Human Genuine, Destruction - D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N, Guapo - Elixirs, Hail Of Bullets - ...Of Frost And War, Janvs - Vega, Jarboe - Mahakali, Khold - Hundre Ar Gammal, Klimt 1918 - Just In Case We’ll Never Meet Again, Lugubrum - Albino De Congo, Melvins - Nude With Boots, Moonspell - Night Eternal, Obtest - Gyvybës Medis, Pilgrim Fathers - Short Circular Walks In The Hope Valley, Psycroptic - Ob(Servant), Rotten Sound - Cycles, Septicflesh - Communion, Soilent Green - Inevitable Collapse In The Presence Of Conviction, Steve Von Till - A Grave Is A Grim Horse, Stille OpprØr - S.o2, To-Mera - Delusions, Transcending Bizarre? - The Serpent’s Manifolds, Trinacria - Travel Now Journey Infinitely, Unearthly Trance - Electrocution, Volbeat - Guitar Gangsters And Cadillac Blood. Otherwise, it's been a pleasure spitting forth these little words, and having them hoovered up by you eager Metalheads and -headresses. As ever, Metal is an industry supported by the people out there like yourselves, not the bands, and the more you listen the better it does. So, what more needs saying? Keep listening! Thanks and kudos to my fellow Metal Reviewererererers, especially Chris, Alex, Adam and James, and they all know why. Welcome aboard to the new guys, again, Thomas and Charles especially.
  7. 0
    — Whoa, and that was 2008! What a year for Metal! As ever, the albums that I couldn't fit in the little boxes above are worth a mention (just think of this section as your 'Awesome bands to check out' list) and here they all are: Angst Skvadron - Flukt, Aura Noir - Hades Rise, The Berzerker - The Reawakening, Caïna - Temporary Antennae, ColdWorld - Melancholie², Cynic - Traced In Air, Dark Suns - Grave Human Genuine, Destruction - D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N, Guapo - Elixirs, Hail Of Bullets - ...Of Frost And War, Janvs - Vega, Jarboe - Mahakali, Khold - Hundre Ar Gammal, Klimt 1918 - Just In Case We’ll Never Meet Again, Lugubrum - Albino De Congo, Melvins - Nude With Boots, Moonspell - Night Eternal, Obtest - Gyvybës Medis, Pilgrim Fathers - Short Circular Walks In The Hope Valley, Psycroptic - Ob(Servant), Rotten Sound - Cycles, Septicflesh - Communion, Soilent Green - Inevitable Collapse In The Presence Of Conviction, Steve Von Till - A Grave Is A Grim Horse, Stille OpprØr - S.o2, To-Mera - Delusions, Transcending Bizarre? - The Serpent’s Manifolds, Trinacria - Travel Now Journey Infinitely, Unearthly Trance - Electrocution, Volbeat - Guitar Gangsters And Cadillac Blood. Otherwise, it's been a pleasure spitting forth these little words, and having them hoovered up by you eager Metalheads and -headresses. As ever, Metal is an industry supported by the people out there like yourselves as much as the bands, and the more you listen the better it does. So, what more needs saying? Keep listening! Thanks and kudos to my fellow Metal Reviewererererers, especially Chris, Alex, Adam and James, and they all know why. Welcome aboard to the new guys, again, Thomas and Charles especially.

James

Top Albums

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
    The Mars Volta - The Bedlam In Goliath — Amputechture may have been The Mars Volta's finest hour yet, but this more agressive follow up is nearly as good.
  4. 1.
    The Mars Volta - The Bedlam In Goliath — Amputechture may have been The Mars Volta's finest hour yet, but this more agressive follow up is nearly as good. The fact that this band can consistently put out 70+ minutes of amazing music nearly every year is nothing less than incredible, in a world where so many bands peter out after their debut.
  5. 1.
    The Mars Volta - The Bedlam In Goliath — Amputechture may have been The Mars Volta's finest hour yet, but this more agressive follow up is nearly as good. The fact that this band can consistently put out 70+ minutes of amazing music nearly every year is nothing less than incredible, in a world where so many bands peter out after their debut.
  6. 1.
    The Mars Volta - The Bedlam In Goliath — Amputechture may have been The Mars Volta's finest hour yet, but this more agressive follow up is nearly as good. The fact that this band can consistently put out 70+ minutes of amazing music nearly every year is nothing less than incredible, in a world where so many bands peter out after their debut.
  7. 1.
    The Mars Volta - The Bedlam In Goliath — Amputechture may have been The Mars Volta's finest hour yet, but this more agressive follow up is nearly as good. The fact that this band can consistently put out 70+ minutes of amazing music nearly every year is nothing less than incredible, in a world where so many bands peter out after their debut.
  8. 1.
    The Mars Volta - The Bedlam In Goliath — Amputechture may have been The Mars Volta's finest hour yet, but this more agressive follow up is nearly as good. The fact that this band can consistently put out 70+ minutes of amazing music nearly every year is nothing less than incredible, in a world where so many bands peter out after their debut.
  9. 1.
    The Mars Volta - The Bedlam In Goliath — Amputechture may have been The Mars Volta's finest hour yet, but this more agressive follow up is nearly as good. The fact that this band can consistently put out 70+ minutes of amazing music nearly every year is nothing less than incredible, in a world where so many bands peter out after their debut.
  10. 1.
    The Mars Volta - The Bedlam In Goliath — Amputechture may have been The Mars Volta's finest hour yet, but this more agressive follow up is nearly as good. The fact that this band can consistently put out 70+ minutes of amazing music nearly every year is nothing less than incredible, in a world where so many bands peter out after their debut.
  11. 2.
  12. 2.
  13. 2.
  14. 2.
    Gregor Samsa - Rest — As a big Kayo Dot fan, I was rather surprised to find that mainman Toby Driver's finest hour actually came in the form of little known side-project Gregor Samsa. Orchestral flourishes, haunting piano lines and stunningly pretty female vocals combine to create one of the year's most beautiful records.
  15. 2.
    Gregor Samsa - Rest — As a big Kayo Dot fan, I was rather surprised to find that mainman Toby Driver's finest hour actually came in the form of little known side-project Gregor Samsa. Orchestral flourishes, haunting piano lines and stunningly pretty female vocals combine to create one of the year's most beautiful records.
  16. 2.
    Gregor Samsa - Rest — As a big Kayo Dot fan, I was rather surprised to find that mainman Toby Driver's finest hour actually came in the form of little known side-project Gregor Samsa. Orchestral flourishes, haunting piano lines and stunningly pretty female vocals combine to create one of the year's most beautiful records.
  17. 2.
    Gregor Samsa - Rest — As a big Kayo Dot fan, I was rather surprised to find that mainman Toby Driver's finest hour actually came in the form of little known side-project Gregor Samsa. Orchestral flourishes, haunting piano lines and stunningly pretty female vocals combine to create one of the year's most beautiful records.
  18. 2.
    Gregor Samsa - Rest — As a big Kayo Dot fan, I was rather surprised to find that mainman Toby Driver's finest hour actually came in the form of little known side-project Gregor Samsa. Orchestral flourishes, haunting piano lines and stunningly pretty female vocals combine to create one of the year's most beautiful records.
  19. 2.
    Gregor Samsa - Rest — As a big Kayo Dot fan, I was rather surprised to find that mainman Toby Driver's finest hour actually came in the form of little known side-project Gregor Samsa. Orchestral flourishes, haunting piano lines and stunningly pretty female vocals combine to create one of the year's most beautiful records.
  20. 2.
    Gregor Samsa - Rest — As a big Kayo Dot fan, I was rather surprised to find that mainman Toby Driver's finest hour actually came in the form of little known side-project Gregor Samsa. Orchestral flourishes, haunting piano lines and stunningly pretty female vocals combine to create one of the year's most beautiful records.
  21. 3.
  22. 3.
  23. 3.
    Kayo Dot - Blue Lambency Downward — 2008 has been a very good year for Toby Driver, in my eyes at least. This foray into far jazzier territory may have alienated many fans, but those who leave their preconceptions at the door will find sinister chamber music at its best.
  24. 3.
    Kayo Dot - Blue Lambency Downward — 2008 has been a very good year for Toby Driver, in my eyes at least. This foray into far jazzier territory may have alienated many fans, but those who leave their preconceptions at the door will find sinister chamber music at its best.
  25. 3.
    Kayo Dot - Blue Lambency Downward — 2008 has been a very good year for Toby Driver, in my eyes at least. This foray into far jazzier territory may have alienated many fans, but those who leave their preconceptions at the door will find sinister chamber music at its best.
  26. 3.
    Kayo Dot - Blue Lambency Downward — 2008 has been a very good year for Toby Driver, in my eyes at least. This foray into far jazzier territory may have alienated many fans, but those who leave their preconceptions at the door will find sinister chamber music at its best.
  27. 3.
    Kayo Dot - Blue Lambency Downward — 2008 has been a very good year for Toby Driver, in my eyes at least. This foray into far jazzier territory may have alienated many fans, but those who leave their preconceptions at the door will find sinister chamber music at its best.
  28. 3.
    Kayo Dot - Blue Lambency Downward — 2008 has been a very good year for Toby Driver, in my eyes at least. This foray into far jazzier territory may have alienated many fans, but those who leave their preconceptions at the door will find sinister chamber music at its best.
  29. 3.
    Kayo Dot - Blue Lambency Downward — 2008 has been a very good year for Toby Driver, in my eyes at least. This foray into far jazzier territory may have alienated many fans, but those who leave their preconceptions at the door will find sinister chamber music at its best.
  30. 4.
  31. 4.
  32. 4.
    Krallice - Krallice — Mick Barr and Colin Marston aren't the two men you'd imagine crafting the black metal record of the year, but with their first attempt that's just what they've done. Krallice carries on in the spirit of the seminal Dead As Dreams, but with a cleaner, more technical edge that belies their roots.
  33. 4.
    Krallice - Krallice — Mick Barr and Colin Marston aren't the two men you'd imagine crafting the black metal record of the year, but with their first attempt that's just what they've done. Krallice carries on in the spirit of the seminal Dead As Dreams, but with a cleaner, more technical edge that belies their roots.
  34. 4.
    Krallice - Krallice — Mick Barr and Colin Marston aren't the two men you'd imagine crafting the black metal record of the year, but with their first attempt that's just what they've done. Krallice carries on in the spirit of the seminal Dead As Dreams, but with a cleaner, more technical edge that belies their roots.
  35. 4.
    Krallice - Krallice — Mick Barr and Colin Marston aren't the two men you'd imagine crafting the black metal record of the year, but with their first attempt that's just what they've done. Krallice carries on in the spirit of the seminal Dead As Dreams, but with a cleaner, more technical edge that belies their roots.
  36. 4.
    Krallice - Krallice — Mick Barr and Colin Marston aren't the two men you'd imagine crafting the black metal record of the year, but with their first attempt that's just what they've done. Krallice carries on in the spirit of the seminal Dead As Dreams, but with a cleaner, more technical edge that belies their roots.
  37. 4.
    Krallice - Krallice — Mick Barr and Colin Marston aren't the two men you'd imagine crafting the black metal record of the year, but with their first attempt that's just what they've done. Krallice carries on in the spirit of the seminal Dead As Dreams, but with a cleaner, more technical edge that belies their roots.
  38. 4.
    Krallice - Krallice — Mick Barr and Colin Marston aren't the two men you'd imagine crafting the black metal record of the year, but with their first attempt that's just what they've done. Krallice carries on in the spirit of the seminal Dead As Dreams, but with a cleaner, more technical edge that belies their roots.
  39. 5.
  40. 5.
  41. 5.
    Fucked Up - The Chemistry Of Common Life — The name may smack of slightly needless provocation, but Fucked Up might well be the most exciting hardcore band around today. An experimental, shapeshifting, brute of an album.
  42. 5.
    Fucked Up - The Chemistry Of Common Life — The name may smack of slightly needless provocation, but Fucked Up might well be the most exciting hardcore band around today. An experimental, shapeshifting, brute of an album.
  43. 5.
    Fucked Up - The Chemistry Of Common Life — The name may smack of slightly needless provocation, but Fucked Up might well be the most exciting hardcore band around today. An experimental, shapeshifting, brute of an album.
  44. 5.
    Fucked Up - The Chemistry Of Common Life — The name may smack of slightly needless provocation, but Fucked Up might well be the most exciting hardcore band around today. An experimental, shapeshifting, brute of an album.
  45. 5.
    Fucked Up - The Chemistry Of Common Life — The name may smack of slightly needless provocation, but Fucked Up might well be the most exciting hardcore band around today. An experimental, shapeshifting, brute of an album.
  46. 5.
    Fucked Up - The Chemistry Of Common Life — The name may smack of slightly needless provocation, but Fucked Up might well be the most exciting hardcore band around today. An experimental, shapeshifting, brute of an album.
  47. 5.
    Fucked Up - The Chemistry Of Common Life — The name may smack of slightly needless provocation, but Fucked Up might well be the most exciting hardcore band around today. An experimental, shapeshifting, brute of an album.
  48. 6.
  49. 6.
  50. 6.
  51. 6.
    Leviathan - Massive Conspiracy Against All Life — So, here it is at last, after over a year of delays and legal battles. Which would all count for naught if it wasn't any good, of course. Luckily it is, and it'd be a great shame indeed if Wrest does make good on his threats to lay the Leviathan name to rest for good.
  52. 6.
    Leviathan - Massive Conspiracy Against All Life — So, here it is at last, after over a year of delays and legal battles. Which would all count for naught if it wasn't any good, of course. Luckily it is, and it'd be a great shame indeed if Wrest does make good on his threats to lay the Leviathan name to rest for good.
  53. 6.
    Leviathan - Massive Conspiracy Against All Life — So, here it is at last, after over a year of delays and legal battles. Which would all count for naught if it wasn't any good, of course. Luckily it is, and it'd be a great shame indeed if Wrest does make good on his threats to lay the Leviathan name to rest for good.
  54. 6.
    Leviathan - Massive Conspiracy Against All Life — So, here it is at last, after over a year of delays and legal battles. Which would all count for naught if it wasn't any good, of course. Luckily it is, and it'd be a great shame indeed if Wrest does make good on his threats to lay the Leviathan name to rest for good.
  55. 6.
    Leviathan - Massive Conspiracy Against All Life — So, here it is at last, after over a year of delays and legal battles. Which would all count for naught if it wasn't any good, of course. Luckily it is, and it'd be a great shame indeed if Wrest does make good on his threats to lay the Leviathan name to rest for good.
  56. 6.
    Leviathan - Massive Conspiracy Against All Life — So, here it is at last, after over a year of delays and legal battles. Which would all count for naught if it wasn't any good, of course. Luckily it is, and it'd be a great shame indeed if Wrest does make good on his threats to lay the Leviathan name to rest for good.
  57. 7.
  58. 7.
  59. 7.
  60. 7.
    Protest The Hero - Fortress — A little bit of a grower for me (despite finding it a little flawed in my review, it's been one of my most played records of the year), Protest The Hero are very much a young band with a lot of momentum behind them. And when they're coming off a record as good as Fortress, the sky really is the limit.
  61. 7.
    Protest The Hero - Fortress — A little bit of a grower for me (despite finding it a little flawed in my review, it's been one of my most played records of the year), Protest The Hero are very much a young band with a lot of momentum behind them. And when they're coming off a record as good as Fortress, the sky really is the limit.
  62. 7.
    Protest The Hero - Fortress — A little bit of a grower for me (despite finding it a little flawed in my review, it's been one of my most played records of the year), Protest The Hero are very much a young band with a lot of momentum behind them. And when they're coming off a record as good as Fortress, the sky really is the limit.
  63. 7.
    Protest The Hero - Fortress — A little bit of a grower for me (despite finding it a little flawed in my review, it's been one of my most played records of the year), Protest The Hero are very much a young band with a lot of momentum behind them. And when they're coming off a record as good as Fortress, the sky really is the limit.
  64. 7.
    Protest The Hero - Fortress — A little bit of a grower for me (despite finding it a little flawed in my review, it's been one of my most played records of the year), Protest The Hero are very much a young band with a lot of momentum behind them. And when they're coming off a record as good as Fortress, the sky really is the limit.
  65. 7.
    Protest The Hero - Fortress — A little bit of a grower for me (despite finding it a little flawed in my review, it's been one of my most played records of the year), Protest The Hero are very much a young band with a lot of momentum behind them. And when they're coming off a record as good as Fortress, the sky really is the limit.
  66. 8.
  67. 8.
  68. 8.
  69. 8.
    Opeth - Watershed — Any fears that Opeth's output would suffer after the departure of both Peter Lindgren and Martin Lopez were easily allayed by the first crushing chord of Heir Apparent. Watershed may be a little more obtuse after the more accessible Ghost Reveries, but it's just as strong, and remarkable for a band on their ninth album.
  70. 8.
    Opeth - Watershed — Any fears that Opeth's output would suffer after the departure of both Peter Lindgren and Martin Lopez were easily allayed by the first crushing chord of Heir Apparent. Watershed may be a little more obtuse after the more accessible Ghost Reveries, but it's just as strong, and remarkable for a band on their ninth album.
  71. 8.
    Opeth - Watershed — Any fears that Opeth's output would suffer after the departure of both Peter Lindgren and Martin Lopez were easily allayed by the first crushing chord of Heir Apparent. Watershed may be a little more obtuse after the more accessible Ghost Reveries, but it's just as strong, and remarkable for a band on their ninth album.
  72. 8.
    Opeth - Watershed — Any fears that Opeth's output would suffer after the departure of both Peter Lindgren and Martin Lopez were easily allayed by the first crushing chord of Heir Apparent. Watershed may be a little more obtuse after the more accessible Ghost Reveries, but it's just as strong, and remarkable for a band on their ninth album.
  73. 8.
    Opeth - Watershed — Any fears that Opeth's output would suffer after the departure of both Peter Lindgren and Martin Lopez were easily allayed by the first crushing chord of Heir Apparent. Watershed may be a little more obtuse after the more accessible Ghost Reveries, but it's just as strong, and remarkable for a band on their ninth album.
  74. 8.
    Opeth - Watershed — Any fears that Opeth's output would suffer after the departure of both Peter Lindgren and Martin Lopez were easily allayed by the first crushing chord of Heir Apparent. Watershed may be a little more obtuse after the more accessible Ghost Reveries, but it's just as strong, and remarkable for a band on their ninth album.
  75. 9.
  76. 9.
  77. 9.
    Cynic - Traced In Air — Cynic clearly missed the memo about reunions being a pale imitation of former glories. Traced In Air picks straight up after Focus, as if the last fifteen years never even happened, and the fact that their music still sounds fresh today shows just how ahead of their time they were back in 1993. Let's hope we don't have to wait another fifteen years for the next one.
  78. 9.
    Cynic - Traced In Air — Cynic clearly missed the memo about reunions being a pale imitation of former glories. Traced In Air picks straight up after Focus, as if the last fifteen years never even happened, and the fact that their music still sounds fresh today shows just how ahead of their time they were back in 1993. Let's hope we don't have to wait another fifteen years for the next one.
  79. 9.
    Cynic - Traced In Air — Cynic clearly missed the memo about reunions being a pale imitation of former glories. Traced In Air picks straight up after Focus, as if the last fifteen years never even happened, and the fact that their music still sounds fresh today shows just how ahead of their time they were back in 1993. Let's hope we don't have to wait another fifteen years for the next one.
  80. 9.
    Cynic - Traced In Air — Cynic clearly missed the memo about reunions being a pale imitation of former glories. Traced In Air picks straight up after Focus, as if the last fifteen years never even happened, and the fact that their music still sounds fresh today shows just how ahead of their time they were back in 1993. Let's hope we don't have to wait another fifteen years for the next one.
  81. 9.
    Cynic - Traced In Air — Cynic clearly missed the memo about reunions being a pale imitation of former glories. Traced In Air picks straight up after Focus, as if the last fifteen years never even happened, and the fact that their music still sounds fresh today shows just how ahead of their time they were back in 1993. Let's hope we don't have to wait another fifteen years for the next one.
  82. 9.
    Cynic - Traced In Air — Cynic clearly missed the memo about reunions being a pale imitation of former glories. Traced In Air picks straight up after Focus, as if the last fifteen years never even happened, and the fact that their music still sounds fresh today shows just how ahead of their time they were back in 1993. Let's hope we don't have to wait another fifteen years for the next one.
  83. 10.
  84. 10.
  85. 10.
    Thrice - The Alchemy Index Volumes III & IV: Air & Earth — After the slightly underwhelming Fire & Water, Thrice hit back twice as strong with Air & Earth. Air is a collection of some of the strongest rock songs of the year, while the acoustic Earth disc more than justifies the asking price in its' own right. And, seeing as a portion of the profits go to charity, you really have no excuse not to pick this up.
  86. 10.
    Thrice - The Alchemy Index Volumes III & IV: Air & Earth — After the slightly underwhelming Fire & Water, Thrice hit back twice as strong with Air & Earth. Air is a collection of some of the strongest rock songs of the year, while the acoustic Earth disc more than justifies the asking price in its' own right. And, seeing as a portion of the profits go to charity, you really have no excuse not to pick this up.
  87. 10.
    Thrice - The Alchemy Index Volumes III & IV: Air & Earth — After the slightly underwhelming Fire & Water, Thrice hit back twice as strong with Air & Earth. Air is a collection of some of the strongest rock songs of the year, while the acoustic Earth disc more than justifies the asking price in its' own right. And, seeing as a portion of the profits go to charity, you really have no excuse not to pick this up.
  88. 10.
    Thrice - The Alchemy Index Volumes III & IV: Air & Earth — After the slightly underwhelming Fire & Water, Thrice hit back twice as strong with Air & Earth. Air is a collection of some of the strongest rock songs of the year, while the acoustic Earth disc more than justifies the asking price in its' own right. And, seeing as a portion of the profits go to charity, you really have no excuse not to pick this up.
  89. 10.
    Thrice - The Alchemy Index Volumes III & IV: Air & Earth — After the slightly underwhelming Fire & Water, Thrice hit back twice as strong with Air & Earth. Air is a collection of some of the strongest rock songs of the year, while the acoustic Earth disc more than justifies the asking price in its' own right. And, seeing as a portion of the profits go to charity, you really have no excuse not to pick this up.
  90. 10.
    Thrice - The Alchemy Index Volumes III & IV: Air & Earth — After the slightly underwhelming Fire & Water, Thrice hit back twice as strong with Air & Earth. Air is a collection of some of the strongest rock songs of the year, while the acoustic Earth disc more than justifies the asking price in its' own right. And, seeing as a portion of the profits go to charity, you really have no excuse not to pick this up.
  91. 11.
  92. 11.
  93. 11.
  94. 11.
    Boris - Smile — 2007 was a slightly funny year for Boris, being a awful lot less prolific than usual. 2008 saw a return to business as usual, and Smile is a storming tour around every facet of Boris' heavy psych-rock.
  95. 11.
    Boris - Smile — 2007 was a slightly funny year for Boris, being a awful lot less prolific than usual. 2008 saw a return to business as usual, and Smile is a storming tour around every facet of Boris' heavy psych-rock.
  96. 11.
    Boris - Smile — 2007 was a slightly funny year for Boris, being a awful lot less prolific than usual. 2008 saw a return to business as usual, and Smile is a storming tour around every facet of Boris' heavy psych-rock.
  97. 11.
    Boris - Smile — 2007 was a slightly funny year for Boris, being a awful lot less prolific than usual. 2008 saw a return to business as usual, and Smile is a storming tour around every facet of Boris' heavy psych-rock.
  98. 11.
    Boris - Smile — 2007 was a slightly funny year for Boris, being a awful lot less prolific than usual. 2008 saw a return to business as usual, and Smile is a storming tour around every facet of Boris' heavy psych-rock.
  99. 12.
  100. 12.
  101. 12.
  102. 12.
    Decrepit Birth - Diminishing Between Worlds — An album I'm somewhat embarrased to say I haven't listened to as much as I should have, Decrepit Birth take you back to 1993 for some death metal that the late, great Chuck Schuldiner would be proud of.
  103. 12.
    Decrepit Birth - Diminishing Between Worlds — An album I'm somewhat embarrased to say I haven't listened to as much as I should have, Decrepit Birth take you back to 1993 for some death metal that the late, great Chuck Schuldiner would be proud of.
  104. 12.
    Decrepit Birth - Diminishing Between Worlds — An album I'm somewhat embarrased to say I haven't listened to as much as I should have, Decrepit Birth take you back to 1993 for some death metal that the late, great Chuck Schuldiner would be proud of.
  105. 12.
    Decrepit Birth - Diminishing Between Worlds — An album I'm somewhat embarrased to say I haven't listened to as much as I should have, Decrepit Birth take you back to 1993 for some death metal that the late, great Chuck Schuldiner would be proud of.
  106. 12.
    Decrepit Birth - Diminishing Between Worlds — An album I'm somewhat embarrased to say I haven't listened to as much as I should have, Decrepit Birth take you back to 1993 for some death metal that the late, great Chuck Schuldiner would be proud of.
  107. 13.
  108. 13.
  109. 13.
  110. 13.
    Winterfylleth - The Ghost Of Heritage — A moment of greatness from the criminally weak UKBM scene (how many Cradle Of Filth rip-offs do we need?). Winterfylleth are a far more exciting proposition, playing epic, folky black metal that really is world class.
  111. 13.
    Winterfylleth - The Ghost Of Heritage — A moment of greatness from the criminally weak UKBM scene (how many Cradle Of Filth rip-offs do we need?). Winterfylleth are a far more exciting proposition, playing epic, folky black metal that really is world class.
  112. 13.
    Winterfylleth - The Ghost Of Heritage — A moment of greatness from the criminally weak UKBM scene (how many Cradle Of Filth rip-offs do we need?). Winterfylleth are a far more exciting proposition, playing epic, folky black metal that really is world class.
  113. 13.
    Winterfylleth - The Ghost Of Heritage — A moment of greatness from the criminally weak UKBM scene (how many Cradle Of Filth rip-offs do we need?). Winterfylleth are a far more exciting proposition, playing epic, folky black metal that really is world class.
  114. 13.
    Winterfylleth - The Ghost Of Heritage — A moment of greatness from the criminally weak UKBM scene (how many Cradle Of Filth rip-offs do we need?). Winterfylleth are a far more exciting proposition, playing epic, folky black metal that really is world class.
  115. 14.
  116. 14.
  117. 14.
  118. 14.
    Venetian Snares - Detrimentalist — I'm sure some of you will run for cover at Mr Aaron Funk's latest offering, but those who stay will be certainly get a treat, It's one of his more intense releases, taking in a more jungle-influenced sound. If you're like me and love challenging music in all its' forms, Detrimentalist could well be your entry into the exciting world of breakcore.
  119. 14.
    Venetian Snares - Detrimentalist — I'm sure some of you will run for cover at Mr Aaron Funk's latest offering, but those who stay will be certainly get a treat, It's one of his more intense releases, taking in a more jungle-influenced sound. If you're like me and love challenging music in all its' forms, Detrimentalist could well be your entry into the exciting world of breakcore.
  120. 14.
    Venetian Snares - Detrimentalist — I'm sure some of you will run for cover at Mr Aaron Funk's latest offering, but those who stay will be certainly get a treat, It's one of his more intense releases, taking in a more jungle-influenced sound. If you're like me and love challenging music in all its' forms, Detrimentalist could well be your entry into the exciting world of breakcore.
  121. 14.
    Venetian Snares - Detrimentalist — I'm sure some of you will run for cover at Mr Aaron Funk's latest offering, but those who stay will be certainly get a treat, It's one of his more intense releases, taking in a more jungle-influenced sound. If you're like me and love challenging music in all its' forms, Detrimentalist could well be your entry into the exciting world of breakcore.
  122. 14.
    Venetian Snares - Detrimentalist — I'm sure some of you will run for cover at Mr Aaron Funk's latest offering, but those who stay will be certainly get a treat, It's one of his more intense releases, taking in a more jungle-influenced sound. If you're like me and love challenging music in all its' forms, Detrimentalist could well be your entry into the exciting world of breakcore.
  123. 15.
  124. 15.
  125. 15.
  126. 15.
  127. 15.
    Nachtmystium - Assassins: Black Meddle Part I — Nachtmystium's dip into more straightforward, catchier territory may have angered some, but most lesser mortals will be felled by the likes of the rage-fuelled Your True Enemy. Elsewhere, a more psychedelic touch abounds, particularly in the unusual keyboards and Gilmour-esque soloing.
  128. 15.
    Nachtmystium - Assassins: Black Meddle Part I — Nachtmystium's dip into more straightforward, catchier territory may have angered some, but most lesser mortals will be felled by the likes of the rage-fuelled Your True Enemy. Elsewhere, a more psychedelic touch abounds, particularly in the unusual keyboards and Gilmour-esque soloing.
  129. 15.
    Nachtmystium - Assassins: Black Meddle Part I — Nachtmystium's dip into more straightforward, catchier territory may have angered some, but most lesser mortals will be felled by the likes of the rage-fuelled Your True Enemy. Elsewhere, a more psychedelic touch abounds, particularly in the unusual keyboards and Gilmour-esque soloing.
  130. 15.
    Nachtmystium - Assassins: Black Meddle Part I — Nachtmystium's dip into more straightforward, catchier territory may have angered some, but most lesser mortals will be felled by the likes of the rage-fuelled Your True Enemy. Elsewhere, a more psychedelic touch abounds, particularly in the unusual keyboards and Gilmour-esque soloing.

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
  4. 1.
  5. 1.
  6. 1.
    Have A Nice Life - Deathconsciousness — Have A Nice Life came out of nowhere this year with an ambitious double album that sounds like Interpol squaring off to Xasthur. Deathconsciousness may be overlong and flawed, but it's highs are some of the best songs released this year.
  7. 1.
    Have A Nice Life - Deathconsciousness — Have A Nice Life came out of nowhere this year with an ambitious double album that sounds like Interpol squaring off to Xasthur. Deathconsciousness may be overlong and flawed, but it's highs are some of the best songs released this year.
  8. 1.
    Have A Nice Life - Deathconsciousness — Have A Nice Life came out of nowhere this year with an ambitious double album that sounds like Interpol squaring off to Xasthur. Deathconsciousness may be overlong and flawed, but it's highs are some of the best songs released this year.
  9. 1.
    Have A Nice Life - Deathconsciousness — Have A Nice Life came out of nowhere this year with an ambitious double album that sounds like Interpol squaring off to Xasthur. Deathconsciousness may be overlong and flawed, but it's highs are some of the best songs released this year.
  10. 2.
  11. 2.
  12. 2.
  13. 2.
    Grim Landscape - Satan Leads My Sword — Despite the fairly stock black metal imagery, Grim Landscape manage to play a firmly orthodox for of black metal without every seeming contrived. What a great shame they're utterly unknown, then.
  14. 2.
    Grim Landscape - Satan Leads My Sword — Despite the fairly stock black metal imagery, Grim Landscape manage to play a firmly orthodox for of black metal without every seeming contrived. What a great shame they're utterly unknown, then.
  15. 2.
    Grim Landscape - Satan Leads My Sword — Despite the fairly stock black metal imagery, Grim Landscape manage to play a firmly orthodox for of black metal without every seeming contrived. What a great shame they're utterly unknown, then.
  16. 2.
    Grim Landscape - Satan Leads My Sword — Despite the fairly stock black metal imagery, Grim Landscape manage to play a firmly orthodox for of black metal without every seeming contrived. What a great shame they're utterly unknown, then.
  17. 3.
  18. 3.
  19. 3.
  20. 3.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — I think I speak for everyone when I say that we were expecting a step up from St Anger. I certainly wasn't expecting songs as powerful as All Nightmare Long and The Judas Kiss, Not perfect by any means, but for a band who've spent a fairly extended period in the wilderness, this is a welcome comeback.
  21. 3.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — I think I speak for everyone when I say that we were expecting a step up from St Anger. I certainly wasn't expecting songs as powerful as All Nightmare Long and The Judas Kiss, Not perfect by any means, but for a band who've spent a fairly extended period in the wilderness, this is a welcome comeback.
  22. 3.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — I think I speak for everyone when I say that we were expecting a step up from St Anger. I certainly wasn't expecting songs as powerful as All Nightmare Long and The Judas Kiss, Not perfect by any means, but for a band who've spent a fairly extended period in the wilderness, this is a welcome comeback.
  23. 3.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — I think I speak for everyone when I say that we were expecting a step up from St Anger. I certainly wasn't expecting songs as powerful as All Nightmare Long and The Judas Kiss, Not perfect by any means, but for a band who've spent a fairly extended period in the wilderness, this is a welcome comeback.
  24. 4.
  25. 4.
  26. 4.
  27. 4.
    Satyricon - The Age Of Nero — A pretty solid effort from a band I'd written off after the fairly dull Now, Diabolical
  28. 4.
    Satyricon - The Age Of Nero — A pretty solid effort from a band I'd written off after the fairly dull Now, Diabolical
  29. 4.
    Satyricon - The Age Of Nero — A pretty solid effort from a band I'd written off after the fairly dull Now, Diabolical
  30. 4.
    Satyricon - The Age Of Nero — A pretty solid effort from a band I'd written off after the fairly dull Now, Diabolical
  31. 5.
  32. 5.
    Disturbed - Indestructible — After hearing a good chunk of this through a younger sibling, this collection of incredibly catchy modern rock songs managed to worm their way into my head. I couldn't hate this if I tried.
  33. 5.
    Disturbed - Indestructible — After hearing a good chunk of this through a younger sibling, this collection of incredibly catchy modern rock songs managed to worm their way into my head. I couldn't hate this if I tried.
  34. 5.
    Disturbed - Indestructible — After hearing a good chunk of this through a younger sibling, this collection of incredibly catchy modern rock songs managed to worm their way into my head. I couldn't hate this if I tried.
  35. 5.
    Disturbed - Indestructible — After hearing a good chunk of this through a younger sibling, this collection of incredibly catchy modern rock songs managed to worm their way into my head. I couldn't hate this if I tried.

Disappointments

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
  4. 1.
  5. 1.
  6. 1.
  7. 1.
  8. 1.
    Darkthrone - Dark Thrones And Black Flags — After The Cult Is Alive and F.O.A.D seemed to mark something of a comeback for Darkthrone, they decided to spoil it all by releasing what sounds like a collection of riffs not good enough for the last album. Thumbs down.
  9. 1.
    Darkthrone - Dark Thrones And Black Flags — After The Cult Is Alive and F.O.A.D seemed to mark something of a comeback for Darkthrone, they decided to spoil it all by releasing what sounds like a collection of riffs not good enough for the last album. Thumbs down.
  10. 1.
    Darkthrone - Dark Thrones And Black Flags — After The Cult Is Alive and F.O.A.D seemed to mark something of a comeback for Darkthrone, they decided to spoil it all by releasing what sounds like a collection of riffs not good enough for the last album. Thumbs down.
  11. 2.
  12. 2.
  13. 2.
  14. 2.
  15. 2.
  16. 2.
  17. 2.
    Pyramids - Pyramids — Surely a band associated with Toby Driver can't suck this hard?
  18. 2.
    Pyramids - Pyramids — Surely a band associated with Toby Driver can't suck this hard?
  19. 2.
    Pyramids - Pyramids — Surely a band associated with Toby Driver can't suck this hard?
  20. 3.
  21. 3.
  22. 3.
  23. 3.
  24. 3.
    Belphegor - Bondage Goat Zombie — Despite their legendary status, Belphegor wear out their welcome pretty quick this time round.
  25. 3.
    Belphegor - Bondage Goat Zombie — Despite their legendary status, Belphegor wear out their welcome pretty quick this time round.
  26. 3.
    Belphegor - Bondage Goat Zombie — Despite their legendary status, Belphegor wear out their welcome pretty quick this time round.
  27. 4.
  28. 4.
  29. 4.
  30. 4.
  31. 4.
    Taake - Taake — Not bad by any means, but a bit lacking coming from the man who released Nattestid Ser Porten Vid.
  32. 4.
    Taake - Taake — Not bad by any means, but a bit lacking coming from the man who released Nattestid Ser Porten Vid.
  33. 4.
    Taake - Taake — Not bad by any means, but a bit lacking coming from the man who released Nattestid Ser Porten Vid.

Joke of the Year

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
  4. 1.
  5. 1.
  6. 1.
  7. 1.
  8. 1.
    Head - Save Me From Myself — Head somehow saves Woods Of Ypres from the wooden spoon with one of those rare albums that manages to do literally everything wrong.
  9. 1.
    Head - Save Me From Myself — Head somehow saves Woods Of Ypres from the wooden spoon with one of those rare albums that manages to do literally everything wrong.
  10. 1.
    Head - Save Me From Myself — Head somehow saves Woods Of Ypres from the wooden spoon with one of those rare albums that manages to do literally everything wrong.
  11. 2.
  12. 2.
  13. 2.
  14. 2.
  15. 2.
  16. 2.
  17. 2.
  18. 2.
    Woods of Ypres - Woods III: The Deepest Roots And Darkest Blues — An album bad enough to almost kill black metal outright.
  19. 2.
    Woods of Ypres - Woods III: The Deepest Roots And Darkest Blues — An album bad enough to almost kill black metal outright.
  20. 2.
    Woods of Ypres - Woods III: The Deepest Roots And Darkest Blues — An album bad enough to almost kill black metal outright.
  21. 3.
  22. 3.
  23. 3.
  24. 3.
  25. 3.
  26. 3.
  27. 3.
  28. 3.
    Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King — Well, it's a curio at the very least. Cryptopsy's staggering own goal may have been one of the most embarrasing moments of the year, but as with the infamous St Anger, there's a peverse enjoyment to be gleaned from watching a once-mighty band piss all over their legacy.
  29. 3.
    Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King — Well, it's a curio at the very least. Cryptopsy's staggering own goal may have been one of the most embarrasing moments of the year, but as with the infamous St Anger, there's a peverse enjoyment to be gleaned from watching a once-mighty band piss all over their legacy.
  30. 3.
    Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King — Well, it's a curio at the very least. Cryptopsy's staggering own goal may have been one of the most embarrasing moments of the year, but as with the infamous St Anger, there's a peverse enjoyment to be gleaned from watching a once-mighty band piss all over their legacy.

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
    —

    Well, that was 2008, and it was an interesting year at the very least. Metallica made something of a comeback, Crytopsy made a desperate grab towards the Metal Hammer crowd, and Chinese Democracy proved that it was a lot more interesting when it wasn't actually released. Most notably for me of course, I started writing for the fine institution that is Metal Reviews. And as corny it is to say it, it genuinely has changed my life. I've heard so much new music since my tenure here started, and what's more, it's also completely changed the way I look at music. I may not have got it right all the time (look at my reviews of Voyager and Thirteen Blues For Thirteen Moons for proof), but generally I've had a blast (although pulling my hair out attempting to review the new Horna was not a highlight of my year). 2009 has brought us great new releases from Animal Collective and Absu already this year, and it's set to bring us more from the likes of Mastodon, Immortal and Wolves In The Throne Room. With any luck I'll get to write about some of these, and I hope you enjoy reading the reviews as much as I'll enjoy listening to them. Oh, and of course, thanks to the team for making me very welcome here, particularly Zadok for showing me the ropes.

Thomas

Top Albums

  1. 1.
    Enslaved - Vertebrae — The mighty vikings are back with an album that slays everything in its way. Fantastic.
  2. 1.
    Enslaved - Vertebrae — The mighty vikings are back with an album that slays everything in its way. Fantastic.
  3. 1.
    Enslaved - Vertebrae — The mighty vikings are back with an album that slays everything in its way. Fantastic.
  4. 2.
    Grand Magus - Iron Will — Awesome record by the former doom metallers.
  5. 2.
    Grand Magus - Iron Will — Awesome record by the former doom metallers.
  6. 2.
    Grand Magus - Iron Will — Awesome record by the former doom metallers.
  7. 3.
    Equilibrium - Sagas — My first encounter with these guys. I was absolutely blown away
  8. 3.
    Equilibrium - Sagas — My first encounter with these guys. I was absolutely blown away
  9. 3.
    Equilibrium - Sagas — My first encounter with these guys. I was absolutely blown away
  10. 4.
    Whitesnake - Good To Be Bad — Great modern hard-rock.
  11. 4.
    Whitesnake - Good To Be Bad — Great modern hard-rock.
  12. 4.
    Whitesnake - Good To Be Bad — Great modern hard-rock.
  13. 5.
    Seventh Wonder - Mercy Falls — Awesome Swedish Prog Metal
  14. 5.
    Seventh Wonder - Mercy Falls — Awesome Swedish Prog Metal
  15. 5.
    Seventh Wonder - Mercy Falls — Awesome Swedish Prog Metal
  16. 6.
    Helheim - Kaoskult — More please!
  17. 6.
    Helheim - Kaoskult — More please!
  18. 6.
    Helheim - Kaoskult — More please!
  19. 7.
    Pyramaze - Immortal — Another good one from these guys
  20. 7.
    Pyramaze - Immortal — Another good one from these guys
  21. 7.
    Pyramaze - Immortal — Another good one from these guys
  22. 8.
    Suspyre - When Time Fades... — Great Prog from the US
  23. 8.
    Suspyre - When Time Fades... — Great Prog from the US
  24. 8.
    Suspyre - When Time Fades... — Great Prog from the US
  25. 9.
  26. 9.
  27. 9.
  28. 10.
    Tankard - Thirst — Tankard delivers as usual
  29. 10.
    Tankard - Thirst — Tankard delivers as usual
  30. 10.
    Tankard - Thirst — Tankard delivers as usual
  31. 11.
    Communic - Payment of Existence — Another solid effort from these Norwegians.
  32. 11.
    Communic - Payment of Existence — Another solid effort from these Norwegians.
  33. 11.
    Communic - Payment of Existence — Another solid effort from these Norwegians.
  34. 12.
    Meshuggah - obZen — Very Nice
  35. 12.
    Meshuggah - obZen — Very Nice
  36. 12.
    Meshuggah - obZen — Very Nice
  37. 13.
  38. 13.
  39. 13.
  40. 14.
    Serenity - Fallen Sanctuary — Nice Power Metal from Austria.
  41. 14.
    Serenity - Fallen Sanctuary — Nice Power Metal from Austria.
  42. 14.
    Serenity - Fallen Sanctuary — Nice Power Metal from Austria.
  43. 15.
    Norma Jean - The Anti-Mother — Spectacular hardcore!
  44. 15.
    Norma Jean - The Anti-Mother — Spectacular hardcore!
  45. 15.
    Norma Jean - The Anti-Mother — Spectacular hardcore!

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
    The Batallion - Stronghold of Men — Not what you'd expect from a bunch of established black metallers. Great!
  2. 1.
    The Batallion - Stronghold of Men — Not what you'd expect from a bunch of established black metallers. Great!
  3. 1.
    The Batallion - Stronghold of Men — Not what you'd expect from a bunch of established black metallers. Great!
  4. 2.
    Warpath - Damnation — Winner of Terrorizer's "Best Unsigned Band of 08 award". Deserved."
  5. 2.
    Warpath - Damnation — Winner of Terrorizer's "Best Unsigned Band of 08 award". Deserved."
  6. 2.
    Warpath - Damnation — Winner of Terrorizer's "Best Unsigned Band of 08 award". Deserved."
  7. 3.
    Decrepit Birth - Diminishing Between Worlds — I'm not surprised taht this is good. I'm surprised that I actually like this alot!
  8. 3.
    Decrepit Birth - Diminishing Between Worlds — I'm not surprised taht this is good. I'm surprised that I actually like this alot!
  9. 3.
    Decrepit Birth - Diminishing Between Worlds — I'm not surprised that this is good. I'm surprised that I actually like this alot!
  10. 4.
    Holy Martyr - Hellenic Warrior Spirit — Nice surprise from Italy
  11. 4.
    Holy Martyr - Hellenic Warrior Spirit — Nice surprise from Italy
  12. 4.
    Holy Martyr - Hellenic Warrior Spirit — Nice surprise from Italy
  13. 5.
    Soilent Green - Inevitable Collapse In The Presence Of Conviction — Another band I shouldn't like, but highly enjoyed.
  14. 5.
    Soilent Green - Inevitable Collapse In The Presence Of Conviction — Another band I shouldn't like, but highly enjoyed.
  15. 5.
    Soilent Green - Inevitable Collapse In The Presence Of Conviction — Another band I shouldn't like, but really enjoyed.

Disappointments

  1. 1.
    Jorn - Lonely Are the Brave — Meh. This wasn't nearly as good as I expected.
  2. 1.
    Jorn - Lonely Are the Brave — Meh. This wasn't nearly as good as I expected.
  3. 1.
    Jorn - Lonely Are the Brave — Meh. This wasn't nearly as good as I expected.
  4. 2.
    Opeth - Watershed — Ghost Reveries please.
  5. 2.
    Opeth - Watershed — Ghost Reveries please.
  6. 2.
    Opeth - Watershed — Ghost Reveries please.
  7. 3.
    Keep of Kalessin - Kolossus — Sloopy playing, boring songs. Nowhere near Armada.
  8. 3.
    Keep of Kalessin - Kolossus — Sloopy playing, boring songs. Nowhere near Armada.
  9. 3.
    Keep of Kalessin - Kolossus — Sloopy playing, boring songs. Nowhere near Armada.
  10. 4.
    Cloudscape - Global Drama — Even though I rated them pretty high in the review, this is nowhere near the quality of their previous efforts.
  11. 4.
    Cloudscape - Global Drama — Even though I rated them pretty high in the review, this is nowhere near the quality of their previous efforts.
  12. 4.
    Cloudscape - Global Drama — Even though I rated them pretty high in the review, this is nowhere near the quality of their previous efforts.
  13. 5.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — Meh.. Better, but they still have a long way to go.
  14. 5.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — Meh.. Better, but they still have a long way to go.
  15. 5.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — Meh.. Better, but they still have a long way to go.

Joke of the Year

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
  4. 2.
    Exodus - Let There Be Blood — Now this is a fucking joke. Even though I was curious
  5. 2.
    Exodus - Let There Be Blood — Now this is a fucking joke. Even though I was curious
  6. 2.
    Exodus - Let There Be Blood — Now this is a fucking joke. Even though I was curious
  7. 3.
    Evergrey - Torn — Yes... Bash me.
  8. 3.
    Evergrey - Torn — Yes... Bash me.
  9. 3.
    Evergrey - Torn — Yes... Bash me.
  10. 4.
    Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King — My first impression of Cryptopsy was not good.
  11. 4.
    Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King — My first impression of Cryptopsy was not good.
  12. 4.
    Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King — My first impression of Cryptopsy was not good.
  13. 5.
    Trivium - Shogun — Not as awful as their previous stuff. But still.
  14. 5.
    Trivium - Shogun — Not as awful as their previous stuff. But still.
  15. 5.
    Trivium - Shogun — Not as awful as their previous stuff. But still.

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
    — This has been a great year for me and for the music I love the most. I'm really glad I started to review for the site, which has given me more time with the music I love and the opportunity to do interviews with my heroes as well as getting hold of loads of new stuff that otherwise would've gone unheard of. I want to thank the entire team for making me feel welcome, and especially Zadok and Chris for their guidance.
  2. 0
    — This has been a great year for me and for the music I love the most. I'm really glad I started to review for the site, which has given me more time with the music I love and the opportunity to do interviews with my heroes as well as getting hold of loads of new stuff that otherwise would've gone unheard of. I want to thank the entire team for making me feel welcome, and especially Zadok and Chris for their guidance.
  3. 0
    — This has been a great year for me and for the music I love the most. I'm really glad I started to review for the site, which has given me more time with the music I love and the opportunity to do interviews with my heroes as well as getting hold of loads of new stuff that otherwise would've gone unheard of. I want to thank the entire team for making me feel welcome, and especially Zadok and Chris for their guidance.

Pete

Top Albums

  1. 1.
  2. 2.
  3. 3.
  4. 4.
  5. 5.
  6. 6.
  7. 7.
  8. 8.
  9. 9.
  10. 10.
  11. 11.
  12. 12.
  13. 13.
  14. 14.
  15. 15.

Surprises of the Year

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

Disappointments

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

Joke of the Year

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

Jerrol

Top Albums

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 2.
  4. 2.
  5. 3.
  6. 3.
  7. 4.
  8. 4.
  9. 5.
  10. 5.
  11. 6.
  12. 6.
  13. 7.
  14. 7.
  15. 8.
  16. 8.
  17. 9.
  18. 9.
  19. 10.
  20. 10.
  21. 11.
  22. 11.
  23. 12.
  24. 12.
  25. 13.
  26. 13.
  27. 14.
  28. 14.
  29. 15.
  30. 15.

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
    Magician - Tales Of The Magician — Possibally my favorite debut CD in the last few years.
  2. 1.
    Magician - Tales Of The Magician — Possibally my favorite debut CD in the last few years.
  3. 2.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — It did not completely suck.
  4. 2.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — It did not completely suck.
  5. 3.
    HellRazor - In The Wild — Great debut. Can't wait for the next album.
  6. 3.
    HellRazor - In The Wild — Great debut. Can't wait for the next album.

Disappointments

  1. 1.
    AC/DC - Black Ice — After eight years I was (for some odd reason) expecting something fresh instead of just a rehash of old. Hell, I liked the Airbourne album more.
  2. 1.
    AC/DC - Black Ice — After eight years I was (for some odd reason) expecting something fresh instead of just a rehash of old. Hell, I liked the Airbourne album more.
  3. 2.
    Warrel Dane - Praises To The War Machine — When I bought this CD I was hoping I was buying the album of the year. It unfortunatly bearly sqeeked into my top 15. Overall a let down in my book.
  4. 2.
    Warrel Dane - Praises To The War Machine — When I bought this CD I was hoping I was buying the album of the year. It unfortunatly bearly sqeeked into my top 15. Overall a let down in my book.
  5. 3.
    Judas Priest - Nostradamus — After the first spin I hated it, after a few more spins I learned to love it...unfortunally after a few more I hated it again.
  6. 3.
    Judas Priest - Nostradamus — After the first spin I hated it, after a few more spins I learned to love it...unfortunally after a few more I hated it again.

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
    — 2008 was a strange year for me. Having spent most of my time looking for older metal offerings, I lost touch briefly with the current metal situation. I still kept up some but I normally purchase around 150-200 CDs of current releases. When I compiled my CDs for this years awards I realized that I had only gotten around 50 this year, so my favorites now will possibly not be my favorites for 2008 in the future. Fortunately, I have been given the chance to review for my long time favorite review site so things will definitely be different for 2009. I want to thank the entire MetalReviews staff for this opportunity and hope to be able to contribute more to this site in the coming year. May Heavy Metal continue to reign supreme in 2009!

Charles

Top Albums

  1. 1.
    Cynic - Traced In Air — I first realised how good this record was when I saw this band supporting Opeth, and it dawned on me that they were totally upstaging the group I consider to be one of my favourites of all time. No other band has a sound like this; capable of switching between ideas in split seconds and virtually every beat a masterclass in sonic craftsmanship. Let’s hope the next one comes along quicker than this did. Peerless.
  2. 1.
    Cynic - Traced In Air — I first realised how good this record was when I saw this band supporting Opeth, and it dawned on me that they were totally upstaging the group I consider to be one of my favourites of all time. No other band has a sound like this; capable of switching between ideas in split seconds and virtually every beat a masterclass in sonic craftsmanship. Let’s hope the next one comes along quicker than this did. Peerless.
  3. 1.
    Cynic - Traced In Air — I first realised how good this record was when I saw this band supporting Opeth, and it dawned on me that they were totally upstaging the group I consider to be one of my favourites of all time. No other band has a sound like this; capable of switching between ideas in split seconds and virtually every beat a masterclass in sonic craftsmanship. Let’s hope the next one comes along quicker than this did. Peerless.
  4. 1.
    Cynic - Traced In Air — I first realised how good this record was when I saw this band supporting Opeth, and it dawned on me that they were totally upstaging the group I consider to be one of my favourites of all time. No other band has a sound like this; capable of switching between ideas in split seconds and virtually every beat a masterclass in sonic craftsmanship. Let’s hope the next one comes along quicker than this did. Peerless.
  5. 2.
    Nachtmystium - Assassins: Black Meddle Part I — In terms of the ongoing fusion of black metal to prog rock, this probably got a bit overshadowed in 2008 by Enslaved’s increasingly admired output. But this makes it in my top 15 and that doesn’t because Assassins is just way more fun. The exploratory meandering is kept rooted by down-to-earth, relentless anthems, meaning that this album withstands many repeated listens.
  6. 2.
    Nachtmystium - Assassins: Black Meddle Part I — In terms of the ongoing fusion of black metal to prog rock, this probably got a bit overshadowed in 2008 by Enslaved’s increasingly admired output. But this makes it in my top 15 and that doesn’t because Assassins is just way more fun. The exploratory meandering is kept rooted by down-to-earth, relentless anthems, meaning that this album withstands many repeated listens.
  7. 2.
    Nachtmystium - Assassins: Black Meddle Part I — In terms of the ongoing fusion of black metal to prog rock, this probably got a bit overshadowed in 2008 by Enslaved’s increasingly admired output. But this makes it in my top 15 and that doesn’t because Assassins is just way more fun. The exploratory meandering is kept rooted by down-to-earth, relentless anthems, meaning that this album withstands many repeated listens.
  8. 2.
    Nachtmystium - Assassins: Black Meddle Part I — In terms of the ongoing fusion of black metal to prog rock, this probably got a bit overshadowed in 2008 by Enslaved’s increasingly admired output. But this makes it in my top 15 and that doesn’t because Assassins is just way more fun. The exploratory meandering is kept rooted by down-to-earth, relentless anthems, meaning that this album withstands many repeated listens.
  9. 3.
    Tankard - Thirst — This had to be in there, as 2008’s most enjoyable (and therefore best) thrash album. Normally I would demand more originality from something going into my top three, but Thirst deserves special admiration this year for emerging alongside countless imitators of the 80s thrash sound, and showing them all how it is done.
  10. 3.
    Tankard - Thirst — This had to be in there, as 2008’s most enjoyable (and therefore best) thrash album. Normally I would demand more originality from something going into my top three, but Thirst deserves special admiration this year for emerging alongside countless imitators of the 80s thrash sound, and showing them all how it is done.
  11. 3.
    Tankard - Thirst — This had to be in there, as 2008’s most enjoyable (and therefore best) thrash album. Normally I would demand more originality from something going into my top three, but Thirst deserves special admiration this year for emerging alongside countless imitators of the 80s thrash sound, and showing them all how it is done.
  12. 3.
    Tankard - Thirst — This had to be in there, as 2008’s most enjoyable (and therefore best) thrash album. Normally I would demand more originality from something going into my top three, but Thirst deserves special admiration this year for emerging alongside countless imitators of the 80s thrash sound, and showing them all how it is done.
  13. 4.
    Týr - Land — Tyr were pretty much continuing where they left off with this record, but that becomes a very good thing when accompanied by songwriting that is this good. Not a single weak track, from what must surely be the best folk metal band in the world.
  14. 4.
    Týr - Land — Tyr were pretty much continuing where they left off with this record, but that becomes a very good thing when accompanied by songwriting that is this good. Not a single weak track, from what must surely be the best folk metal band in the world.
  15. 4.
    Týr - Land — Tyr were pretty much continuing where they left off with this record, but that becomes a very good thing when accompanied by songwriting that is this good. Not a single weak track, from what must surely be the best folk metal band in the world.
  16. 4.
    Týr - Land — Tyr were pretty much continuing where they left off with this record, but that becomes a very good thing when accompanied by songwriting that is this good. Not a single weak track, from what must surely be the best folk metal band in the world.
  17. 5.
    Arghoslent - Hornets of the Pogrom
  18. 5.
    Arghoslent - Hornets of the Pogrom
  19. 5.
    Arghoslent - Hornets of the Pogrom
  20. 5.
    Arghoslent - Hornets of the Pogrom
  21. 6.
    Mourning Beloveth - A Disease for the Ages — The funereal doom sound can be pretty tiresome at times, as bands use the fact that they play long songs very slowly to present themselves as masters of sorrow and misery. Not so Mourning Beloveth, who are the real deal. This album is full of bleaker than bleak moods, conveyed by some of the heaviest riffs and the most overpowering sound this side of Jupiter.
  22. 6.
    Mourning Beloveth - A Disease for the Ages — The funereal doom sound can be pretty tiresome at times, as bands use the fact that they play long songs very slowly to present themselves as masters of sorrow and misery. Not so Mourning Beloveth, who are the real deal. This album is full of bleaker than bleak moods, conveyed by some of the heaviest riffs and the most overpowering sound this side of Jupiter.
  23. 6.
    Mourning Beloveth - A Disease for the Ages — The funereal doom sound can be pretty tiresome at times, as bands use the fact that they play long songs very slowly to present themselves as masters of sorrow and misery. Not so Mourning Beloveth, who are the real deal. This album is full of bleaker than bleak moods, conveyed by some of the heaviest riffs and the most overpowering sound this side of Jupiter.
  24. 6.
    Mourning Beloveth - A Disease for the Ages — The funereal doom sound can be pretty tiresome at times, as bands use the fact that they play long songs very slowly to present themselves as masters of sorrow and misery. Not so Mourning Beloveth, who are the real deal. This album is full of bleaker than bleak moods, conveyed by some of the heaviest riffs and the most overpowering sound this side of Jupiter.
  25. 7.
    Opeth - Watershed — Good old Opeth, thoroughly deserving of the success they are now enjoying many years into their career. Watershed doesn’t quite electrify me the same way as their earlier records did, but I was young then and I am jaded now. It’s still a great record, as their sound continues to evolve at a sedate pace, into something nobody will probably ever dare to imitate, it is so iconically theirs.
  26. 7.
    Opeth - Watershed — Good old Opeth, thoroughly deserving of the success they are now enjoying many years into their career. Watershed doesn’t quite electrify me the same way as their earlier records did, but I was young then and I am jaded now. It’s still a great record, as their sound continues to evolve at a sedate pace, into something nobody will probably ever dare to imitate, it is so iconically theirs.
  27. 7.
    Opeth - Watershed — Good old Opeth, thoroughly deserving of the success they are now enjoying many years into their career. Watershed doesn’t quite electrify me the same way as their earlier records did, but I was young then and I am jaded now. It’s still a great record, as their sound continues to evolve at a sedate pace, into something nobody will probably ever dare to imitate, it is so iconically theirs.
  28. 7.
    Opeth - Watershed — Good old Opeth, thoroughly deserving of the success they are now enjoying many years into their career. Watershed doesn’t quite electrify me the same way as their earlier records did, but I was young then and I am jaded now. It’s still a great record, as their sound continues to evolve at a sedate pace, into something nobody will probably ever dare to imitate, it is so iconically theirs.
  29. 8.
    Aura Noir - Hades Rise — In my opinion, maybe the purest distillation of what metal is at its heart on this list. Brutally primitive in some ways, and completely off the wall in others, tracks such as Iron Night and The Stalker are some of the best songs of 2009.
  30. 8.
    Aura Noir - Hades Rise — In my opinion, maybe the purest distillation of what metal is at its heart on this list. Brutally primitive in some ways, and completely off the wall in others, tracks such as Iron Night and The Stalker are some of the best songs of 2008.
  31. 8.
    Aura Noir - Hades Rise — In my opinion, maybe the purest distillation of what metal is at its heart on this list. Brutally primitive in some ways, and completely off the wall in others, tracks such as Iron Night and The Stalker are some of the best songs of 2008.
  32. 8.
    Aura Noir - Hades Rise — In my opinion, maybe the purest distillation of what metal is at its heart on this list. Brutally primitive in some ways, and completely off the wall in others, tracks such as Iron Night and The Stalker are some of the best songs of 2008.
  33. 9.
    The Mars Volta - Bedlam in Goliath — Didn’t have to think too much about this... another excellent Mars Volta record.
  34. 9.
    The Mars Volta - Bedlam in Goliath — Didn’t have to think too much about this... another excellent Mars Volta record.
  35. 10.
    Decrepit Birth - Diminishing Between Worlds — Technical death metal can end up pretty soulless if not done right, but Diminishing Between Worlds was. Plenty of feeling and melody run through this; my favourite album of its type in 2008.
  36. 10.
    Decrepit Birth - Diminishing Between Worlds — Technical death metal can end up pretty soulless if not done right, but Diminishing Between Worlds was. Plenty of feeling and melody run through this; my favourite album of its type in 2008.
  37. 11.
    Belphegor - Bondage Goat Zombie — Ferocious and grim blackened death with a powerful and extremely catchy sound. Combined with nonsensical lyrics and a tongue in cheek style which doesn’t detract from the overall ambience. Nothing else is needed.
  38. 11.
    Belphegor - Bondage Goat Zombie — Ferocious and grim blackened death with a powerful and extremely catchy sound. Combined with nonsensical lyrics and a tongue in cheek style which doesn’t detract from the overall ambience. Nothing else is needed.
  39. 12.
    Soilent Green - Inevitable Collapse In The Presence Of Conviction — Soilent Green are a great band, and this record showcases their pretty singular mix of sludgy rage and compositional gymnastics perfectly. They generate riffs and songs that couldn’t have been dreamt up by anyone else.
  40. 12.
    Soilent Green - Inevitable Collapse In The Presence Of Conviction — Soilent Green are a great band, and this record showcases their pretty singular mix of sludgy rage and compositional gymnastics perfectly. They generate riffs and songs that couldn’t have been dreamt up by anyone else.
  41. 13.
    Earth - The Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull — Remarkably easy and enjoyable to listen to, this is the first Earth album that I have listened to repeatedly because it pleases my ears, rather than because it might make me look like a learned sage of drone music. Supremely atmospheric and evocative.
  42. 13.
    Earth - The Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull — Remarkably easy and enjoyable to listen to, this is the first Earth album that I have listened to repeatedly because it pleases my ears, rather than because it might make me look like a learned sage of drone music. Supremely atmospheric and evocative.
  43. 14.
    Virus - The Black Flux — This deserves a lot of credit for both being wilfully strange, challenging and generally “avant-garde”, whilst simultaneously being a lot of fun. Very cool album with plenty of repeat value.
  44. 14.
    Virus - The Black Flux — This deserves a lot of credit for both being wilfully strange, challenging and generally “avant-garde”, whilst simultaneously being a lot of fun. Very cool album with plenty of repeat value.
  45. 15.
    Esoteric - The Maniacal Vale — Ohhh, go on then... this album lasts about six and a half hours and I don’t think I’ve yet managed to get through it all in one go, but I’ll be damned if it doesn’t get through far more ideas in that time than you’d give a band like this credit for. Good, good times.
  46. 15.
    Esoteric - The Maniacal Vale — Ohhh, go on then... this album lasts about six and a half hours and I don’t think I’ve yet managed to get through it all in one go, but I’ll be damned if it doesn’t get through far more ideas in that time than you’d give a band like this credit for. Good, good times.

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
    MyndSnare - Conditioned: Human — Hopefully some people will have listened to this Indian band after I gave them a glowing review, in my very first week at the sight. If not, well, do so now. Heavily influenced by classic mid-period Death, but with the beginnings of a sound of their own as well, I hope that Myndsnare manage to attract more attention in 2009.
  2. 1.
    MyndSnare - Conditioned: Human — Hopefully some people will have listened to this Indian band after I gave them a glowing review, in my very first week at the sight. If not, well, do so now. Heavily influenced by classic mid-period Death, but with the beginnings of a sound of their own as well, I hope that Myndsnare manage to attract more attention in 2009.
  3. 2.
    Acid Witch - Witchtanic Hellucinations — One other forumite has also been doing an admirable job of championing Acid Witch, who play a fairly original amalgamation of bluesy psychedelia and grim doomdeath. Witchtanic Hellucinations was their debut, and hopefully it won’t be long before we hear more from them.
  4. 2.
    Acid Witch - Witchtanic Hellucinations — One other forumite has also been doing an admirable job of championing Acid Witch, who play a fairly original amalgamation of bluesy psychedelia and grim doomdeath. Witchtanic Hellucinations was their debut, and hopefully it won’t be long before we hear more from them.
  5. 3.
    Satyricon - The Age Of Nero — A very odd choice to put in a “surprises” list, but I gained a new appreciation for the band in 2008 that I never expected to find. This album seemed pretty average to me on first listens, but then I saw them live... I’ve seen an awful lot of live music, but I’ve never seen anything as powerful as Mother North that night. So, er, yeah, that’s not on this record, but tracks like Black Crow on a Tombstone also really gained a new lease of life as I started to understand them more.
  6. 3.
    Satyricon - The Age Of Nero — A very odd choice to put in a “surprises” list, but I gained a new appreciation for the band in 2008 that I never expected to find. This album seemed pretty average to me on first listens, but then I saw them live... I’ve seen an awful lot of live music, but I’ve never seen anything as powerful as Mother North that night. So, er, yeah, that’s not on this record, but tracks like Black Crow on a Tombstone also really gained a new lease of life as I started to understand them more.
  7. 4.
  8. 4.
  9. 5.
    Coffins - Buried Death — Supremely scuzzy doomdeath, again that nearly made the top 15. A heavy and oppressive sound, and neato zombie cover art.
  10. 5.
    Coffins - Buried Death — Supremely scuzzy doomdeath, again that nearly made the top 15. A heavy and oppressive sound, and neato zombie cover art.

Disappointments

  1. 1.
    Taake - Taake — Just not that interesting, not that atmospheric, not that many worthwhile riffs, too much aimless meandering. Taake can definitely do better than this.
  2. 1.
    Taake - Taake — Just not that interesting, not that atmospheric, not that many worthwhile riffs, too much aimless meandering. Taake can definitely do better than this.
  3. 2.
    Behexen - My Soul for His Glory — Actually, it really pains me to put this in the disappointments bit, because I do dig this album. But as those who read my review will know, Behexen are one of my favourite contemporary black metal artists and I was hoping for something to surpass By the Blessing of Satan, rather than fall into its shadow.
  4. 2.
    Behexen - My Soul for His Glory — Actually, it really pains me to put this in the disappointments bit, because I do dig this album. But as those who read my review will know, Behexen are one of my favourite contemporary black metal artists and I was hoping for something to surpass By the Blessing of Satan, rather than fall into its shadow.
  5. 3.
    Bloodbath - The Fathomless Mastery — Actually, it really pains me to put this in the disappointments bit, because I do dig this album. But as those who read my review will know, Behexen are one of my favourite contemporary black metal artists and I was hoping for something to surpass By the Blessing of Satan, rather than fall into its shadow.
  6. 3.
    Bloodbath - The Fathomless Mastery — Actually, it really pains me to put this in the disappointments bit, because I do dig this album. But as those who read my review will know, Behexen are one of my favourite contemporary black metal artists and I was hoping for something to surpass By the Blessing of Satan, rather than fall into its shadow.
  7. 4.
    Destruction - D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N — Might be a bit unpopular putting this in, but it just didn’t do it for me. Too much of it was mid-paced and “groove” influenced. The title track really, really worked live, however.
  8. 4.
    Destruction - D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N — Might be a bit unpopular putting this in, but it just didn’t do it for me. Too much of it was mid-paced and “groove” influenced. The title track really, really worked live, however.
  9. 5.
    Deicide - Till Death Do Us Part — Yes, I like flamboyant, legs akimbo soloing, and if there is less of it, then I will probably like the album less. Sorry, Glen!
  10. 5.
    Deicide - Till Death Do Us Part — Yes, I like flamboyant, legs akimbo soloing, and if there is less of it, then I will probably like the album less. Sorry, Glen!

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
    — I appreciate being given the chance to write for metalreviews, and I appreciate all the e-friends I have made in the forums. Hopefully the stuff I do fits in here. Cheers, everyone!
  2. 0
    — I appreciate being given the chance to write for metalreviews, and I appreciate all the e-friends I have made in the forums. Hopefully the stuff I do fits in here. Cheers, everyone!

Khelek

Top Albums

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
    In Flames - A Sense Of Purpose — I have been an In Flames fan for a long time and I was disappointed with the last couple albums. I feel this one was a real breath of fresh air for the band.
  3. 1.
    In Flames - A Sense Of Purpose — I have been an In Flames fan for a long time and I was disappointed with the last couple albums. I feel this one was a real breath of fresh air for the band.
  4. 1.
    In Flames - A Sense Of Purpose — I have been an In Flames fan for a long time and I was disappointed with the last couple albums. I feel this one was a real breath of fresh air for the band.
  5. 2.
  6. 2.
    Ayreon - 01011001 — Another masterpiece of epic proportions, but I expect no less from mastermind Arjen Lucassen
  7. 2.
    Ayreon - 01011001 — Another masterpiece of epic proportions, but I expect no less from mastermind Arjen Lucassen
  8. 2.
    Ayreon - 01011001 — Another masterpiece of epic proportions, but I expect no less from mastermind Arjen Lucassen
  9. 3.
  10. 3.
    Amon Amarth - Twilight Of The Thunder God — The Viking metal machine produces another classic album, although not as relentlessly catchy as With Oden On Our Side, it is excellent nonetheless.
  11. 3.
    Amon Amarth - Twilight Of The Thunder God — The Viking metal machine produces another classic album, although not as relentlessly catchy as With Oden On Our Side, it is excellent nonetheless.
  12. 3.
    Amon Amarth - Twilight Of The Thunder God — The Viking metal machine produces another classic album, although not as relentlessly catchy as With Oden On Our Side, it is excellent nonetheless.
  13. 4.
  14. 4.
    Volbeat - Guitar Gangsters And Cadillac Blood — I just got into this band a couple months ago and I don't think I've heard any newer hard rock band that writes anything as original or has such a great, unique sound.
  15. 4.
    Volbeat - Guitar Gangsters And Cadillac Blood — I just got into this band a couple months ago and I don't think I've heard any newer hard rock band that writes anything as original or has such a great, unique sound.
  16. 4.
    Volbeat - Guitar Gangsters And Cadillac Blood — I just got into this band a couple months ago and I don't think I've heard any newer hard rock band that writes anything as original or has such a great, unique sound.
  17. 5.
    Eluveitie - Slania
  18. 5.
    Eluveitie - Slania — The perfect blend of folk and melodic death metal
  19. 5.
    Eluveitie - Slania — The perfect blend of folk and melodic death metal
  20. 5.
    Eluveitie - Slania — The perfect blend of folk and melodic death metal
  21. 6.
  22. 6.
    Warrel Dane - Praises To The War Machine — The solo album of Nevermore's extremely talented vocalist really impressed me with its combination of melody and heaviness.
  23. 6.
    Warrel Dane - Praises To The War Machine — The solo album of Nevermore's extremely talented vocalist really impressed me with its combination of melody and heaviness.
  24. 6.
    Warrel Dane - Praises To The War Machine — The solo album of Nevermore's extremely talented vocalist really impressed me with its combination of melody and heaviness.
  25. 7.
  26. 7.
    Tiamat - Amanethes — While not as impressive as some of their earlier work, this is still a solid gothic metal album.
  27. 7.
    Tiamat - Amanethes — While not as impressive as some of their earlier work, this is still a solid gothic metal album.
  28. 7.
    Tiamat - Amanethes — While not as impressive as some of their earlier work, this is still a solid gothic metal album.
  29. 8.
  30. 8.
  31. 8.
  32. 8.
  33. 9.
  34. 9.
  35. 9.
  36. 9.
  37. 10.
  38. 10.
  39. 10.
  40. 10.
  41. 11.
  42. 11.
  43. 11.
  44. 11.
  45. 12.
  46. 12.
    All Shall Perish - Awaken The Dreamers — One of the few solid metalcore acts still out there kicking ass
  47. 12.
    All Shall Perish - Awaken The Dreamers — One of the few solid metalcore acts still out there kicking ass
  48. 12.
    All Shall Perish - Awaken The Dreamers — One of the few solid metalcore acts still out there kicking ass
  49. 13.
  50. 13.
  51. 13.
  52. 13.
  53. 14.
  54. 14.
  55. 14.
  56. 14.
  57. 15.
  58. 15.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — I almost feel guilty for liking this, but I can't help it! There will never be another ...And Justice For All, but I still enjoyed this album far more than their previous few.
  59. 15.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — I almost feel guilty for liking this, but I can't help it! There will never be another ...And Justice For All, but I still enjoyed this album far more than their previous few.
  60. 15.
    Metallica - Death Magnetic — I almost feel guilty for liking this, but I can't help it! There will never be another ...And Justice For All, but I still enjoyed this album far more than their previous few.

Surprises of the Year

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
    AC/DC - Black Ice — I wasn't sure if the guys still had it in them, but they managed to record another kick ass hard rock album!
  3. 1.
    AC/DC - Black Ice — I wasn't sure if the guys still had it in them, but they managed to record another kick ass hard rock album!
  4. 1.
    AC/DC - Black Ice — I wasn't sure if the guys still had it in them, but they managed to record another kick ass hard rock album!
  5. 2.
  6. 2.
    Trivium - Shogun — While not as good as their first two records in my opinion, Shogun shows that the guys have stopped trying to prove themselves and just write some good, headbanging stuff.
  7. 2.
    Trivium - Shogun — While not as good as their first two records in my opinion, Shogun shows that the guys have stopped trying to prove themselves and just write some good, headbanging stuff.
  8. 2.
    Trivium - Shogun — While not as good as their first two records in my opinion, Shogun shows that the guys have stopped trying to prove themselves and just write some good, headbanging stuff.
  9. 3.
    Stigma - When Midnight Strikes! — A surprisingly well executed blend of grind and deathcore that destroys everything in its path!
  10. 3.
    Stigma - When Midnight Strikes! — A surprisingly well executed blend of grind and deathcore that destroys everything in its path!
  11. 3.
    Stigma - When Midnight Strikes! — A surprisingly well executed blend of grind and deathcore that destroys everything in its path!
  12. 4.
    Pharaoh - Be Gone — I had never heard this power metal machine before, but you can be sure I'll be listening to more of their stuff after hearing this very enjoyable album
  13. 4.
    Pharaoh - Be Gone — I had never heard this power metal machine before, but you can be sure I'll be listening to more of their stuff after hearing this very enjoyable album
  14. 4.
    Pharaoh - Be Gone — I had never heard this power metal machine before, but you can be sure I'll be listening to more of their stuff after hearing this very enjoyable album
  15. 5.
    Celestia - Frigidiis ApotheosiA: AbstinenciA GenesiiS — Bleak, cold, atmospheric – everything that black metal should be
  16. 5.
    Celestia - Frigidiis ApotheosiA: AbstinenciA GenesiiS — Bleak, cold, atmospheric – everything that black metal should be
  17. 5.
    Celestia - Frigidiis ApotheosiA: AbstinenciA GenesiiS — Bleak, cold, atmospheric – everything that black metal should be

Disappointments

  1. 1.
    Dragonforce - Ultra Beatdown
  2. 1.
    Dragonforce - Ultra Beatdown — The guitars get faster as the songwriting gets worse
  3. 1.
    Dragonforce - Ultra Beatdown — The guitars get faster as the songwriting gets worse
  4. 1.
    Dragonforce - Ultra Beatdown — The guitars get faster as the songwriting gets worse
  5. 2.
    Children of Bodom - Blooddrunk
  6. 2.
    Children of Bodom - Blooddrunk — Bland, boring, unfortunately the band has been going in this direction for a while, but this was the first album that really had nothing for me.
  7. 2.
    Children of Bodom - Blooddrunk — Bland, boring, unfortunately the band has been going in this direction for a while, but this was the first album that really had nothing for me.
  8. 2.
    Children of Bodom - Blooddrunk — Bland, boring, unfortunately the band has been going in this direction for a while, but this was the first album that really had nothing for me.
  9. 3.
    Aborted - Strychnine.213 — I really enjoyed The Archaic Abattoir and the two albums previous to that, but the most recent two have been mostly lackluster unfortunately

Joke of the Year

  1. 1.
  2. 1.
  3. 1.
  4. 1.

Words / Final Thoughts

  1. 0
    — 2008 was another great year for metal. Some of my favorite bands released albums that were really great. I also began writing for this website late in the year and so far it has been quite enjoyable. From where I'm sitting it looks like 2009 will be even better!
  2. 0
    — 2008 was another great year for metal as some of my favorite bands released albums that were really great. I also began writing for this website late in the year and so far it has been quite enjoyable. From where I'm sitting it looks like 2009 will be even better!