I have decided to make my Top 25 an annual tradition since I received so much good feedback last year. While my choices are sincere, I do reserve the right to use humor and political incorrectness. I was inspired to do this now by the awesome lists at Decible and Brave Words (so far) along with our very own thread here as well.
Without further ado...
25. Triosphere- The Road Less Traveled: Traditional/power metal that is essential for female vocal fans. Doro's bastard daughter sounds great.
24. Masterplan- Time to be King: The only thing weighing it down is Jorn's facial hair. He remains a vocal God.
23. Treat- Coup de Grace: The best FM radio puss rock released this year. "All killer, no filler, baby!"
22. Engel- Threnody: If I can shake my ass to it drunkenly with Chicken Killer at the cabin, then it's going to make my Top 25.
21. Aspera- Ripples: If you are going to do the 90's prog metal, then you better bring it in spades with something special. This song is a prime example...
20. Agalloch- Marrow of the Spirt: If it's good enough for NPR, then it's good enough for me. I'd rate it even higher if not for the shitty vocals.
19. Grand Magus- Hammer of the North: The band evidently decided to do the traditional metal thing and tell the doom fans to fuck off. Good call.
18. Pretty Maids- Pandemonium: Eddie Trunk and I miss the 80's.
17a. Cloverseeds- The Opening: Prog rock/metal that's a bit all over the place. Fantastic production. Bonus points for the old fuck vocalist that looks like Jean Reno.
17.b. Creation's End- A New Beginning: Fuck..forgot this in my original list post so they get a tie. Anyhow, prog with balls!
16. Star One- Victims of the Modern Age: Who gives a shit if Arjen releases the same album again. Sir Russell! Damian! Floor! Swano!
15. Juvaliant- Inhuman Nature: Power metal version of Circus Maximus. This one deserves more exposure. Zod approved as well!
14. Sinbreed- When Worlds Collide: Down and dirty Euro power metal with an emphasis with hooks & awesome vocals. The best of the new breed.
13. Ihsahn- After: Sax in metal! I can totally listen to this due to the mix of clean and whatever you want to call his other vocals. Manly man prog.
12. Flotsam & Jetsam- The Cold: I don't know what happened to the dude, but some woman must have ripped out his heart and stomped on his nuts. I thought we would get something about his dog dying as well, but...
11. Haken- Aquarius: Melodic and diverse...lush and epic... hell, carnival and quirky come to mind as well.
10. Overkill- Ironbound: My favorite thrash disc in years.
9. Accept- Blood of Nations: Monster return that silenced all the doubters. If you missed them at the Showcase, you totally fucked up.
8. Tarja- What Lies Beneath: Total shocker. I thought her debut sucked. This is great and she sounds fantastic. However, the Whitesnake cover remains an abomination. WTF Tarja?
7. Persefone- Shin-Ken: Twistedly dark and progressive. My simple mind even processes it as technical for the most part. I tolerate the vocals because of the awesome music more than other grunters, raspers, and shriekers.
6. Vanden Plas- The Seraphic Clockwork: I knew exactly what to expect before listening and still love it. Call me a selfish bastard because this is one band that I don't want to change.
5. Anathema- Were Here Because Were Here: The most beautiful and uplifting disc of the year. I still get goose bumps and think of my wife when I hear "Dreaming Light."
4. Kamelot- Poetry for the Poisoned: I must be listening to a different cd than everyone else. They are at the top of their game as far as I'm concerned. I'll take the dark goths over the Arabian belly dancers.
3. Seventh Wonder- The Great Escape: They are quiet simply the best melodic progressive metal band today. My wife thinks Tommy is hot so they get an extra bump for that as well.
2. Blind Guardian- At the Edge of Time: They can still bring it with the power and speed. However, nobody..and I mean NOBODY can make me dance at the Ren Fair like them.
1. Kingcrow- Phlegethon: The ultimate headpone listen. The production is immaculate as you can hear every single instrument with clarity. The disc is all over the place as well with elements of folk, Pink Floyd, Alice in Chains, Savatage, and the list goes on and on. If you only sample one song, you aren't going to "get it." This is a disc meant to be listened to in its entirety on a rainy night with the lights off and a glass of wine in your hand.
Without further ado...
25. Triosphere- The Road Less Traveled: Traditional/power metal that is essential for female vocal fans. Doro's bastard daughter sounds great.
24. Masterplan- Time to be King: The only thing weighing it down is Jorn's facial hair. He remains a vocal God.
23. Treat- Coup de Grace: The best FM radio puss rock released this year. "All killer, no filler, baby!"
22. Engel- Threnody: If I can shake my ass to it drunkenly with Chicken Killer at the cabin, then it's going to make my Top 25.
21. Aspera- Ripples: If you are going to do the 90's prog metal, then you better bring it in spades with something special. This song is a prime example...
20. Agalloch- Marrow of the Spirt: If it's good enough for NPR, then it's good enough for me. I'd rate it even higher if not for the shitty vocals.
19. Grand Magus- Hammer of the North: The band evidently decided to do the traditional metal thing and tell the doom fans to fuck off. Good call.
18. Pretty Maids- Pandemonium: Eddie Trunk and I miss the 80's.
17a. Cloverseeds- The Opening: Prog rock/metal that's a bit all over the place. Fantastic production. Bonus points for the old fuck vocalist that looks like Jean Reno.
17.b. Creation's End- A New Beginning: Fuck..forgot this in my original list post so they get a tie. Anyhow, prog with balls!
16. Star One- Victims of the Modern Age: Who gives a shit if Arjen releases the same album again. Sir Russell! Damian! Floor! Swano!
15. Juvaliant- Inhuman Nature: Power metal version of Circus Maximus. This one deserves more exposure. Zod approved as well!
14. Sinbreed- When Worlds Collide: Down and dirty Euro power metal with an emphasis with hooks & awesome vocals. The best of the new breed.
13. Ihsahn- After: Sax in metal! I can totally listen to this due to the mix of clean and whatever you want to call his other vocals. Manly man prog.
12. Flotsam & Jetsam- The Cold: I don't know what happened to the dude, but some woman must have ripped out his heart and stomped on his nuts. I thought we would get something about his dog dying as well, but...
11. Haken- Aquarius: Melodic and diverse...lush and epic... hell, carnival and quirky come to mind as well.
10. Overkill- Ironbound: My favorite thrash disc in years.
9. Accept- Blood of Nations: Monster return that silenced all the doubters. If you missed them at the Showcase, you totally fucked up.
8. Tarja- What Lies Beneath: Total shocker. I thought her debut sucked. This is great and she sounds fantastic. However, the Whitesnake cover remains an abomination. WTF Tarja?
7. Persefone- Shin-Ken: Twistedly dark and progressive. My simple mind even processes it as technical for the most part. I tolerate the vocals because of the awesome music more than other grunters, raspers, and shriekers.
6. Vanden Plas- The Seraphic Clockwork: I knew exactly what to expect before listening and still love it. Call me a selfish bastard because this is one band that I don't want to change.
5. Anathema- Were Here Because Were Here: The most beautiful and uplifting disc of the year. I still get goose bumps and think of my wife when I hear "Dreaming Light."
4. Kamelot- Poetry for the Poisoned: I must be listening to a different cd than everyone else. They are at the top of their game as far as I'm concerned. I'll take the dark goths over the Arabian belly dancers.
3. Seventh Wonder- The Great Escape: They are quiet simply the best melodic progressive metal band today. My wife thinks Tommy is hot so they get an extra bump for that as well.
2. Blind Guardian- At the Edge of Time: They can still bring it with the power and speed. However, nobody..and I mean NOBODY can make me dance at the Ren Fair like them.
1. Kingcrow- Phlegethon: The ultimate headpone listen. The production is immaculate as you can hear every single instrument with clarity. The disc is all over the place as well with elements of folk, Pink Floyd, Alice in Chains, Savatage, and the list goes on and on. If you only sample one song, you aren't going to "get it." This is a disc meant to be listened to in its entirety on a rainy night with the lights off and a glass of wine in your hand.
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