I feel kinda obligated to write this journal. As a matter of fact, I've made this listing in several times contributing to different forums, but I somehow feel this one to be the list. I've made some changes to my list as the year approaches the end. This is based partly on my play counts in Last.fm and partly somewhat objective idea of how good the album really is. Of course things are subject to changes but this is how I see things on 31th December, 2010.
Here it goes:
1. The Sword - Warp Riders
Not the top album based on play counts but objectively the best album of the year. I think The Sword simply hit the jackpot with this one. Perfect riffs, songs, lyrics (I love concept albums) and cover art. Sound fusion between stoner rock, hard rock, old school heavy rock spiced with their very own distinctive style of playing music. Their best album and a future classic.
2. Dark Tranquillity - We Are The Void
I had to be honest with this album. It generally wasn't received with big cheers but nevertheless it is by far my most played album of the year and as totally subjective fan boy, its a great album from the band I love so much. But continuing being honest, it isn't as good as Fiction was as a whole. Some songs are top notches and some are more or less average quality of the band often noted for the overall top level of the whole discography. I liked particularly of Arkhangelsk, Her Silent Tongue and Iridium for they all represent a new direction in bands sound. Dark Tranquillity has always been developing toward something new and I really hope these songs lead the way. Anyway more than 1000 songs played from We Are The Void -album speaks for itself.
3. Barren Earth - Curse Of The Red River
After Our Twilight, this was one of the most anticipated new release in addition to We Are The Void by Dark Tranquillity. It didn't let me down although the album was a bit less heavier I was expecting it to be. Curse Of The Red River is typical debut album from a super group. The influences of the other/former projects are clearly audible but I can't say it really matters since those include bands like Moon Sorrow, Kreator Amorphis, Mannhai and Swallow The Sun. Result is solid album of progressive death metal and I've spent several hours of my year listening to it.
4. Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini
I love this band. Every record is different than the previous one, the style changes every time but the band are somehow able to maintain to level and the central idea from album to album. Vertebra was mind blowing stuff and so is Axioma Ethica Odini. It maintains the progressive touch of Vertebra but while Vertebra explored the softer frontiers in the band's music, Axioma takes a huge step toward much rawer and aggressive expression. This isn't the most easiest album to start with, but in the end it is rewarding experience.
5. Brant Bjork - Gods & Goddesses
This was perfect summer album but it is a damn good album no matter the season. There is no other person who could make such floating, dreamy and groovy stuff than Brant Bjork. Man's a master, what can I say. This record flirts with stoner, blues and classical rock but the atmosphere is unique. Just listen to Radio Mecca and imagine yourself to some beach bar somewhere in California...
6. Throes Of Dawn - The Great Fleet Of Echoes
This is one of my most played albums. Beautiful, relaxing and solid records. With The Great Fleet Of Echoes this band somehow appears to found peace and certainty of the style they want to make music and the end result is very appealing and mature. I enjoyed their live performance as well.
7. Overkill - Ironbound
There were many great thrash metal releases this year, but this one stroked me most. Perhaps the most solid entity of them all and filled with so many hit tracks a winner was found. Thrash vets keep astonishing me year after year with their never ending energy and ability to deliver year after year. I got the chance to see them live in Tuska Open Air and their gig was one of the best.
8. High On Fire - Snakes For The Divine
With the best single track of this year, the title song Snakes For The Divine, Matt Pike and others made one killer album. Although the ride gets a little more relaxed toward the end, this album made a new definition to "heavy". Such a crushing riff storm kicked my ass worth for the 7th position.
9. Monster Magnet - Mastermind
With the ugliest covers released in this year, Mastermind totally surprised me. It continued to grew on me (and actually this is the first list I write where Mastermind makes to the top ten) to the very end of this fine year.With lots of great songs, riffs and groovy touch, I know this one will appear often on my play list.
10. Deathchain - The Death Gods
The biggest surprise of the year and also the best death metal release. Everything just clicked in this album. I simply can't sit still while listening this one, the riffs are awesome. Some Bloodbath influences are clear but yet they are able to use familiar features in new, fresh ways and end result is such a strong record. End track Cthulhu Rising is one of the best songs released this year, an epic 12 minutes long masterpiece. More of this and I continue smiling.
_____________________________________________________________________
This is so damn difficult to narrow the top list to ten (or to twenty, makes to difference). There's always albums that could have as well made to the top ten and only reason why they didn't is, that I don't either remember them or I just don't feel like it today. Here are some of those great, great records:
Electric Wizard - Black Masses
Solace - A.D.
Howl - Full Of Hell
In Mourning - Monolith
Sigh - Scenes From Hell
Soulfly - Omen
The Wounded Kings - The Shadow Over Atlantis
Triptykon - Eparistera Daimones
Watain - Lawless Darkness
Happy New year!
Here it goes:
1. The Sword - Warp Riders
Not the top album based on play counts but objectively the best album of the year. I think The Sword simply hit the jackpot with this one. Perfect riffs, songs, lyrics (I love concept albums) and cover art. Sound fusion between stoner rock, hard rock, old school heavy rock spiced with their very own distinctive style of playing music. Their best album and a future classic.
2. Dark Tranquillity - We Are The Void
I had to be honest with this album. It generally wasn't received with big cheers but nevertheless it is by far my most played album of the year and as totally subjective fan boy, its a great album from the band I love so much. But continuing being honest, it isn't as good as Fiction was as a whole. Some songs are top notches and some are more or less average quality of the band often noted for the overall top level of the whole discography. I liked particularly of Arkhangelsk, Her Silent Tongue and Iridium for they all represent a new direction in bands sound. Dark Tranquillity has always been developing toward something new and I really hope these songs lead the way. Anyway more than 1000 songs played from We Are The Void -album speaks for itself.
3. Barren Earth - Curse Of The Red River
After Our Twilight, this was one of the most anticipated new release in addition to We Are The Void by Dark Tranquillity. It didn't let me down although the album was a bit less heavier I was expecting it to be. Curse Of The Red River is typical debut album from a super group. The influences of the other/former projects are clearly audible but I can't say it really matters since those include bands like Moon Sorrow, Kreator Amorphis, Mannhai and Swallow The Sun. Result is solid album of progressive death metal and I've spent several hours of my year listening to it.
4. Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini
I love this band. Every record is different than the previous one, the style changes every time but the band are somehow able to maintain to level and the central idea from album to album. Vertebra was mind blowing stuff and so is Axioma Ethica Odini. It maintains the progressive touch of Vertebra but while Vertebra explored the softer frontiers in the band's music, Axioma takes a huge step toward much rawer and aggressive expression. This isn't the most easiest album to start with, but in the end it is rewarding experience.
5. Brant Bjork - Gods & Goddesses
This was perfect summer album but it is a damn good album no matter the season. There is no other person who could make such floating, dreamy and groovy stuff than Brant Bjork. Man's a master, what can I say. This record flirts with stoner, blues and classical rock but the atmosphere is unique. Just listen to Radio Mecca and imagine yourself to some beach bar somewhere in California...
6. Throes Of Dawn - The Great Fleet Of Echoes
This is one of my most played albums. Beautiful, relaxing and solid records. With The Great Fleet Of Echoes this band somehow appears to found peace and certainty of the style they want to make music and the end result is very appealing and mature. I enjoyed their live performance as well.
7. Overkill - Ironbound
There were many great thrash metal releases this year, but this one stroked me most. Perhaps the most solid entity of them all and filled with so many hit tracks a winner was found. Thrash vets keep astonishing me year after year with their never ending energy and ability to deliver year after year. I got the chance to see them live in Tuska Open Air and their gig was one of the best.
8. High On Fire - Snakes For The Divine
With the best single track of this year, the title song Snakes For The Divine, Matt Pike and others made one killer album. Although the ride gets a little more relaxed toward the end, this album made a new definition to "heavy". Such a crushing riff storm kicked my ass worth for the 7th position.
9. Monster Magnet - Mastermind
With the ugliest covers released in this year, Mastermind totally surprised me. It continued to grew on me (and actually this is the first list I write where Mastermind makes to the top ten) to the very end of this fine year.With lots of great songs, riffs and groovy touch, I know this one will appear often on my play list.
10. Deathchain - The Death Gods
The biggest surprise of the year and also the best death metal release. Everything just clicked in this album. I simply can't sit still while listening this one, the riffs are awesome. Some Bloodbath influences are clear but yet they are able to use familiar features in new, fresh ways and end result is such a strong record. End track Cthulhu Rising is one of the best songs released this year, an epic 12 minutes long masterpiece. More of this and I continue smiling.
_____________________________________________________________________
This is so damn difficult to narrow the top list to ten (or to twenty, makes to difference). There's always albums that could have as well made to the top ten and only reason why they didn't is, that I don't either remember them or I just don't feel like it today. Here are some of those great, great records:
Electric Wizard - Black Masses
Solace - A.D.
Howl - Full Of Hell
In Mourning - Monolith
Sigh - Scenes From Hell
Soulfly - Omen
The Wounded Kings - The Shadow Over Atlantis
Triptykon - Eparistera Daimones
Watain - Lawless Darkness
Happy New year!
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