Albums of 2003

[Eagle]

Well for speaking for myself it's been another excellent year of metal so in no particular order here's my top ten studio albums of the year:

Galloglass - Legends from now and nevermore
Human Fortress - Defenders Of The Crown
Brainstorm - Soul Temptation
Taraxacum - Rainmaker
Power Quest - Neverworld
Falconer - The Sceptre of Deception
Highland Glory - From the cradle to the brave
Sonata Arctica - Winterheart's Guild
Evergrey - Recreation Day
Masterplan - Masterplan


Others that only just missed out but are very highly recommended indeed include:

Lost Horizon - A Flame To The Ground Beneath
Mercury Rain - Dark Waters
Dream Evil - Evilized
Godiva - Godiva
Paragon - The Dark Legacy
Steel Attack - Predator Of The Empire
Majesty - Reign In Glory
Stratovarius - Elements pt2
CircleIICircle - Watching In Silence
Children Of Bodom - Hatecrew Deathroll

Live albums has to be:

Edguy - Burning Down The Opera
Gamma Ray - Skeletons In The Closet
Blind Guardian - Live

I also suspect the Hammerfall live album to be rather splendid but I've not heard it as yet

 

[WIntersReflection]

The Sonata Album is quite good, particularly in the lyrical department. They really improved there and they are right back to writing one.
I am really curious about the Hammerfall one I have the Blind Guardian cd though and IT RULES!

Well for speaking for myself it's been another excellent year of metal so in no particular order here's my top ten studio albums of the year:

Galloglass - Legends from now and nevermore
Human Fortress - Defenders Of The Crown
Brainstorm - Soul Temptation
Taraxacum - Rainmaker
Power Quest - Neverworld
Falconer - The Sceptre of Deception
Highland Glory - From the cradle to the brave
Sonata Arctica - Winterheart's Guild
Evergrey - Recreation Day
Masterplan - Masterplan


Others that only just missed out but are very highly recommended indeed include:

Lost Horizon - A Flame To The Ground Beneath
Mercury Rain - Dark Waters
Dream Evil - Evilized
Godiva - Godiva
Paragon - The Dark Legacy
Steel Attack - Predator Of The Empire
Majesty - Reign In Glory
Stratovarius - Elements pt2
CircleIICircle - Watching In Silence
Children Of Bodom - Hatecrew Deathroll

Live albums has to be:

Edguy - Burning Down The Opera
Gamma Ray - Skeletons In The Closet
Blind Guardian - Live

I also suspect the Hammerfall live album to be rather splendid but I've not heard it as yet

 

[anvil(old)]

I'm not sure about top ten yet but top five

1. Enslaved - Below The Light
2. Thus Defiled - Weeping Holocaust Tears
3. Grave Digger - Rheingold
4. Forest Stream - Tears of Mortal Solitude
5. Masterplan - Masterplan

 

[dragonmaiden]

Ohhh...as usual I will have to give this some thought! Have to agree on the live albums though Eagle! They are all excellent!

 

[heavenly]

Helloween - Rabbit don't come easy
Hammerfall - One crimson night
Masterplan - Masterplan
Sonata arctica - Winterheart's guild
Adagio - Underworld
Shakra - Rising

For bad albums...:
Stratovarius - elements part 1&2

For 2004, I'm waiting:
Heavenly - Dust to Dust ... so awesome!!!
Rhapsody
Luca Turilli
Power Quest ( european release ) - Neverworld
Manigance

 

[Valo Nightstalker]

top ten albums of the year for me are:

Sonata Arctica - Winterheart's Guild
Edguy - Burning Down The Opera
Children Of Bodom - Hatecrew Deathroll
Katatonia - Viva Emptiness
kamelot - Epica
Mercury Rain - Dark Waters
Dragonforce - Valley Of The Damned
Masterplan - Masterplan
Poisonblack - Escapexstasy
HIM - Love Metal

 

[Dream Thief]

Wow, this is going to be off the top of my head and I'll try to put them in some order.

1) Sonata Arctica - Winterheart's Guild
2) Dragonforce - Valley of the Damned
3) Norther - Mirror of Madness
4) Kamelot - Epica
5) Silentium - Sufferion (Hamartia of Prudence)
6) Bob Catley - When Empires Burn
7) For My Pain - Fallen
8) Stratovarius - Elements Part 2
9) Edenbridge - Aphelion
10) Opeth - Damnation

Honourable mentions go out to:

Children of Bodom - Hatecrew Deathroll
Graveworm - Engraved In Black
Carpathian Forest - Defending the Throne of Evil
Nightrage - Sweet Vengeance
Royal Hunt - Eyewitness
Crimson Moonlight - The Covenant Progress
Immortal Souls - Ice Upon the Night
Rob Rock - Eyes of Eternity
Wizard - Odin

For live CD's the two that spring to mind are Blind Guardian and EdGuy.

Also, the top ten is subject to change as there are three albums I want but have not heard yet. These are:

Power Quest - Neverworld (on it's way from Japan now so won't have to wait long)
Adagio - Underworld
Axenstar - Far From Heaven

 

[NeverDying]

First I wanna say hi to everyone. I've been reading the forum for quite a time and I've decided to start posting.

So here's my top ten this year

1- Norther - Mirror Of Madness

2-The Crown - Possessed 13

3-Dimension Zero - This Is Hell

4-Sonata Arctica - Winterheart's Guild

5- Blind Guardian - Live

6- Graveworm - Engraved In Black

7-Marduk - World Funeral

8-Lost Horizon - A Flame To The Ground Beneath

9-Enslaved - Below the Lights

10-Nightrage - Sweet Vengeance



Biggest deception:

Children Of Bodom - Hate Crew Deathroll

Stratovarius - Elements part 2

Opeth - Damnation

Metallica - Saint Anger

One I havn't heard yet that may end up in the top 10

PowerQuest - NeverWorld

Hammerfall - One Crimson Night

Dark Tranquillity - Live Damage

Impaled Nazarene - All That You Fear

 

[Valo Nightstalker]

First I wanna say hi to everyone. I've been reading the forum for quite a time and I've decided to start posting.

Hi there and welcome

 

[Dream Thief]

Well, I may be changing my list sooner than I thought. Neverworld is now in the UK and was sent this morning. I should have it tomorrow.

I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!

Steve, I'll have to give you my verdict on it. This is one of my most anticipated albums of the year and I know it won't disappoint me.

 

[Ayeka]

Only have enough albums for a Top 5 and even that's just for the sake of it really favourite albums of this year definately Dance of Death by Iron Maiden and Valley Of The Damned by DragonForce.

 

[heavenly]

Totally agree with you Ayeka: DRAGONFORCE RULES and they'll play with HEAVENLY soon!

 

[Ayeka]

And I won't see them! :'( I might have to start hassling them about playing the local venues sometime. Nobody is safe :hehe:

 

[dragonmaiden]

OK ...Here goes with my top whatever!! These are the songs that have made my heart swell this year!

1. Sonata Arctica - Winterheart's Guild
2. Porcupine Tree - In Absentia
3. Evergrey - Recreation Day
4. Opeth - Damnation
5. Masterplan - Masterplan
6. Brainstorm - Soul Temptation
7. Helloween - Rabbit Don't Come Easy
8. Human Fortress - Defenders of the Crown
9. Kamelot - Epica
10. Iron Maiden - Dance of Death

As far as live albums go I think it has been a cracking year. Burning Down The Opera and BG Live have had many a play.....and my first listen to One Crimson Night makes me think that it will be a firm favourite from now into the New Year and beyond!!