Recent content by Piffle

If the new album is too chaotic for you, maybe you'll like this smoothed out version.

That new Light the Torch is awesome. It might sneak into my top 10 this year. I just re-discovered it about a week ago and it has been hitting me just right. I'm a big Riverside fan too, but that new one is really unmemorable for me. It isn't bad or anything, just doesn't do anything for me...

I think this is the most overlap I've ever had with your top 20. At least half of mine is overlap. Still a bunch of stuff I haven't heard, so thanks for that as usual! One thing missing is the new Antimatter, which is probably cd of the year for me (maybe tied with Poets of the Fall). Two...

As usual, I like a lot of the same stuff you like, and also have a lot I haven't heard. Love reading your list. My big surprise this year is that most of my favorite releases are from bands that I hadn't heard of or didn't like their previous releases much (the only 2 big exceptions being...

First full song. I like.

This is an extremely powerful and emotional album that I just found, and it is going to sneak into my top 10 at the last minute here. Awesome vocal performance, and unfortunately the only one we will ever get from Aleah as she passed away from cancer earlier this year. Give this one a shot if...

This is good! Not hearing the Voyager though. Sounds like a mix of Shattered Skies, Chaos Divine, and Empire to me.

This has been the best year for music for me for a long time. I think about 20 things from your top 50 will make mine, and there might be 20 I haven't heard yet! Hard to keep up with everything that comes out these days. That's why I always enjoy your lists. Some stuff that will probably...

For Anthem, I'd definitely recommend the album Immortal. They did a short studio-live DVD during this period that is excellent too.

Red Handed Denial (Lauren Babic) - Protest the Hero style with a female singer. What's not to like. Lauren also does a bunch of good covers, my favorite being this one that really showcases her clean power and screams in one song. Helion Prime - sci-fi themed, nice "normal" female singer

Surprised there isn't more buzz about this one. This is my song of the year, and that's in a crowded field of good stuff so far this year. Matt, please make more of this stuff. You knocked this one out of the park.

Plenty of stuff I missed this year, apparently. The top 10 releases for me that I'm a bit surprised to see didn't make your list are Gentle Storm and Unleash the Archers. Those both actually might be top 5 for me. This is the best year for metal releases in recent memory, IMO.

New guy doesn't sound bad, but his voice doesn't have the depth/texture/warmth (not sure the exact word I'm looking for) that Dan's does. Also going to reserve judgement til more comes out. I'm a big Skyharbor fan, so I can't imagine not liking any of their new stuff, even if the new guy is a...

I was at this show. It was the first time I've driven up to Vancouver for a show (WTF, no Seattle show?). This venue is AWESOME. Best acoustics I've ever heard at a venue. They were recording this show for a DVD.