Well, it's New Year's Eve, so without any further ado, here are the albums that rocked my world in 2012, in no order other than alphabetical...
Note: Before everyone gets technical on me, I consider Imaginaerum a 2011 album, so this is why it is not on the list for me this year, even though it was not released in the U.S. 'till January. I could put it on the list, but...well, I saw Nightwish 4 times this year, so I think it goes without saying that it got a lot of listens this year no matter what.
And normally I don't vote a favorite album either; but well, all bets are off whenever Rush puts an album out, and
Clockwork Angels is amazing.
Concert-wise, I only saw one other band besides Nightwish this year, but I'll still make a list.
Onward!
Favorite albums:
Angelical Tears—
The Eleventh Hour
Delain—
We Are the Others
Diablo Swing Orchestra—
Pandora's Piñata
Kamelot—
Silverthorn
Lacuna Coil—
Dark Adrenaline
Nightwish—
Imaginaerum: The Score
Rush—
Clockwork Angels
Soundgarden—
King Animal
Stratovarius—
Under Flaming Winter Skies
Tarja—
Act 1
The Prog Collective—
The Prog Collective
Von Smith—"Hopeless" (CD-single)
Favorite concerts:
Nightwish: January 19th, 2012 (the "Rubber Band of Wolves" secret gig); Key Club; Hollywood, CA
Nightwish: January 21st, 2012 (the opening show of the Imaginaerum tour); Gibson Amphitheater; Los Angeles, CA
Nightwish: October 5th, 2012 (best birthday ever!); The Grove; Anaheim, CA
Nightwish: October 6th, 2012 (on the eve of our Oceansouls); House of Blues; San Diego, CA
Rush: November 19th, 2012 (my 3rd Rush show); Gibson Amphitheater; Los Angeles, CA
Surprises of the year:
Anette's departure from Nightwish: Whether you liked her or not, most people did not see this one coming, most especially not in the middle of a tour!
Geoff Tate's departure from Queensryche: Same here; this was another shocker, except most fans (like myself) were more shocked that it took so long to happen!
Rush FINALLY getting into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: After 15 years of being ignored, they finally got nominated for the first time; and even better, they get inducted on their first nomination! This is a celebration for not only all Rush fans, but for all fans of music with integrity; showing that you can be a band that plays by your own rules and can still sell a lot of records, be successful, and be respected by the mainstream. Go Rush!
Things to look forward to in 2013:
Rush and Heart getting inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!
Tuomas' Scrooge McDuck album!
New albums from bands with new line-up changes, such as Stratovarius with their new drummer Rolf, and Queensryche with new-and-improved singer Todd LaTorre.
And as always, more concerts!
See you in 2013!