Wow, there are so many good choices and I think it was a wonderful year in many ways. Here's a few of mine for this year in no particular order (along with a commentary, sorry Sixx for copying bro!)
W.E.T. - S/T
On paper this collaboration looked like a sure hit but when I heard it I was blown away. Wonderful compositions from the main songwriters from Eclipse and Work of Art and JSS sounds fantastic on vocals. This is one magical debut and my hard rock/AOR record of the year.
Danger Danger - Revolver
Another wonderful surprise. Ted returns to the fold and they release a fantastic album mixing the magic from the past with a more contemporary sound. Rock solid!
Winger - Karma
Now, this a return to form! Kip, Reb and the rest of the gang gave us a true follow up to the fantastic Pull and it is their heaviest yet. Enough hooks to keep you humming along and enough riffs to make the air guitar dude in you smile!
Nile - Those Whom the Gods Detest
I've been following these guys since Annihilation and they are truly a class act in the death metal genre. Ithyphallic was a bit of a dissapoitment for me but they really picked it up with this one. The production is much better and Kollias is a monster drummer. Karl continues with the Egyptology class in the liner notes and his partner in crime, Dallas, assists him in creating a monster of a record.
Lazarus A.D. - The Onslaught
I'm glad these guys remastered this one and it is truly a great thrash record. They are young, hungry and have hooks. That's all I ask
Thunderstone - Dirt Metal
I was sad to hear that their original singer left but no worries, new vocalist Rick Altzi's somewhat raspier vocals does the job perfectly as Nino continues to write his trademark melodic-yet-a-bit-thrashy brand of metal. Well done
Bloodbound - Tabula Rasa
One night at Rolando's house he informed that these guys had released a new record this year. I dug Nosferatu but I still though it was just ok. On this one the band really shifts direction and Urban helps them get there with a wonderful performance. I hope they continue down this path.
House of Lords - Cartesian Dreams
Since World Upside Down, James Christian has been on a roll and this record just continues that streak. Great melodic metal/rock from him and his new collaborators but the hooks remain the same. Rock on!
Overkill - Ironbound
I've been waiting a long time for Blitz and the boyz to release a solid album and with this one they've finally done it. The tempos are up and the band sounds really renewed and ready to rock. These veterans still have a little bit of gas left in the tank. The six-plus minutes of the title track should be enough to convince you that this is old school thrash of the highest caliber.