Top Picks for 2002?
- Thread starter Final_Vision
- Start date
Iced Earth 
, but I'm taking a wild guess and saying Neal isnt a power metal so you shouldnt expect from that dread lock wearin bastard 
, but I'm taking a wild guess and saying Neal isnt a power metal so you shouldnt expect from that dread lock wearin bastard 
IcedEarth556
Metal Keyboardist
I love Iced Earth but I'm not gonna get the Dark Genesis Box Set. I already have Iced Earth, Night of the Stomrider, Burnt Offerings and Days of Purgatory so theres really no reason for me to get it. Theres a small chance I'll get the tribute CD but I don't think I will.
It's not a ploy to get people's money, its just for those who can't find thier earlier CDs or don't like the production on them. My friends likes Iced Earth but never got their early CDs so he just got this box set and he was satisfied.
It's not a ploy to get people's money, its just for those who can't find thier earlier CDs or don't like the production on them. My friends likes Iced Earth but never got their early CDs so he just got this box set and he was satisfied.
Stormrider586
From Here to Death...
My friends likes Iced Earth but never got their early CDs so he just got this box set and he was satisfied. [/B][/QUOTE]
That's how it was with me.
That's how it was with me.
neal
wizard in black
well i have all of IE's cds already, so i didnt need to get the boxed set. i prefer to have the older cds with their current production, becuase if you polish them up too much, its just going to make the old singers sound even worse. and i think ALL boxed sets are a ploy to get your money. they take advantage of hardcore fans that will buy everything again just to have everything released by that band. AND i stand by my 'js can lick my nuts' statement becuase he is a dickhead. i dont agree with just about everything that comes out of his mouth, and i think that everything post burnt offerings is a big pile of shit (execpt the somthing wicket trillogy, that kills). he is WAY over-rated, and abuses the tripplets to no end. i can play tripplets that fast too, woohoo! as far as the cover cd goes...i read the track list when it came out and it didnt interest me at all. i dont remember exactly whats on it, but im pretty sure maiden is the only band that i like on there. so um, sorry i think your idol is a cock or whatever.
-neal
-neal
neal
wizard in black
i have albums by:Originally posted by Final_Vision
Iced Earth
avantasia
helloween
edguy
noturnal rites
white skull
looks like your wild guess was wrong hehe.
-neal
neal
wizard in black
however, im not the biggest powermetal fan, and its true that once IE quit thrash and started playing more simple, boring, powermetal i did lose interest.
-neal
-neal
Stormrider586
From Here to Death...
Maybe you can play triplets as fast as he can, but can you write music/lyrics as good as him? Probably not. Whatever though, this isn't gettin anywhere so fuck it. I'm not changing my opinion that he is a musical genius.
neal
wizard in black
Stormrider586
From Here to Death...
AddeJ-Skinfected
Shadow chaser...
Well... I haven´t bought that many cds this year unfortually. 
Have been a bit short on cash...
But here is my list anyway:
1. Opeth - Deliverance
Wow... ****... This album is a perfect follow up on "Blackwater park".
2. Soilwork - Natural Born Chaos
This is how I wished In Flames WOULD sound! Love this album alot!
3. Arch Enemy - Wages of sin
Extremely good musicians! Love their guitar handling! And that girl! Wooow...
4. In Flames - Reroute to remain
Well... You all may think I am a lunatic but this album ain´t that bad. I really like it. "The Jester Race" is my absolute favourite album by In Flames. This is not close to it but to me it´s better than most of their other releases...
5. Hate Eternal - King of all kings
Weee... Here we talk speeeed!!! Darn, that guy know how to beat the drums up!
Other nice releases:
Darkane - Expanding senses
Disharmonic Orchestra - Ahead
Sentenced - The cold white light....
Have been a bit short on cash...
But here is my list anyway:
1. Opeth - Deliverance
Wow... ****... This album is a perfect follow up on "Blackwater park".
2. Soilwork - Natural Born Chaos
This is how I wished In Flames WOULD sound! Love this album alot!
3. Arch Enemy - Wages of sin
Extremely good musicians! Love their guitar handling! And that girl! Wooow...
4. In Flames - Reroute to remain
Well... You all may think I am a lunatic but this album ain´t that bad. I really like it. "The Jester Race" is my absolute favourite album by In Flames. This is not close to it but to me it´s better than most of their other releases...
5. Hate Eternal - King of all kings
Weee... Here we talk speeeed!!! Darn, that guy know how to beat the drums up!
Other nice releases:
Darkane - Expanding senses
Disharmonic Orchestra - Ahead
Sentenced - The cold white light....
neal
wizard in black
Stormrider586
From Here to Death...
MadeInNewJersey
nursing my wounds
I love these threads too, especially as we get towards the end of the year...here's my top 20 (in progress & in order):
1. Dark Tranquillity Damage Done (5) - what more needs be said about this album? Ass-kicking, taking names Gothenburg (sp?) metal and a triumphant return to form for one of the pioneers.
2. Vader Revelations (5) - Wow. Brutality & melody perfectly blended into a single neck-snapping platter.
3. Symphony X The Odyssey (4.9) - I wasn't a fan of these buys until this album. I am now.
4. Arch Enemy Wages Of Sin (4.9) - Another masterpiece from Sweden and IMO their best overall album.
5. Nile In Their Darkened Shrines (4.8) - Proof positive that not everything good & brutal comes from overseas. Not only thought-provoking and well-written, but completely against the grain as well. A seriously insanely crafted metal album for the new millennium.
6. Beyond The Embrace Against The Elements (4.7) - Hands down the best newcomers on the scene. Nobody knows about these guys and yet this under-the-radar Metal Blade release combines the best of 1995 In Flames, 1988 Iron Maiden and 1985 Bay Area thrash. Get this album now.
7. Kalmah They Will Return (4.7) - Another album so very few people talk about (except the smart sets of ears on this forum), yet one of the finest nuts-to-bolts records of the year. No weak tracks and quite a few anthems to be remembered for many, many years.
8. Soilwork Natural Born Chaos (4.5) - A controversial release to be sure, but for those of us who approach every album with open ears, a damned fine record.
9. Immortal Sons Of Northern Darkness (4.5) - The king of all riffs writes an album with possibly the greatest riffs since Master of Puppets. Sure it's slowed down a bit, but I dare you to say the music on this album is crap.
10. Blind Guardian A Night At The Opera (4.5) - Almost too much to be digested, the quality of the songwriting & production is undeniable. Several standout tracks.
11. Vanden Plas Beyond Daylight (4.5) - My biggest surprise of the year. A prog metal band that actually still plays metal music and combines their skills with the very best of Yes-type song crafting.
12. Norther Dreams Of Endless War (4.5) - It's far too tempting to just call these boys Bodom clones. That's unfair and selling them short. This album fucking kills.
13. The Crown Crowned In Terror (4.5) - Buckle in, strap yourself down, and press play. 45 minutes later pick your brain up off the floor and cram it back in your head.
14. Summoning Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame (4.5) - Something different for the metal underground. A superbly crafted atmospheric masterpiece based on the most epic possible sounds that could be influenced by Tolkien & LOTR.
15. Insomnium In The Halls Of Awaiting (4.5) - Another excellent album from Scandinavia that very few people talk about (except here again). Awesome mid-to-late-90s Swedish sound captured perfectly in 2002.
16. Vehemence God Was Created (4.5) - Equal parts Death, Morbid Angel & Dream Theater. The best example of modern progressive brutal death metal.
17. Ablaze My Sorrow Anger, Hate And Fury (4.4) - This album might rise in my rankings with more listens, because it does certainly get better and better and better. Do NOT drive to this album, as the excessive headbanging you'll experience is NOT conducive to road safety.
18. Destroyer 666 Cold Steel For An Iron Age (4.4) - A very, very cool underground blackened death band with more than a hint of old-school thrash going on. A very underrated record for sure.
19. Ragnarok In Nomine Satanas (4.4) - If Immortal had broken up, this would far and away be the best black metal release of the year. Searing lead guitars, swirling riffs that induce violent headbanging whether you like it or not, and ridiculously insane drumming make this a very enjoyable 40 minutes.
20. Arcturus The Sham Mirrors (4.3) - Different for sure, but very, very good nonetheless. Nowhere near the greatest album ever as some may have you believe, an excellent avant garde metal release for fans of Depeche Mode, Immortal & Soilwork.
Still to be rated/listened to: Thryfing, Vintersorg, Shaman, Opeth, Shadows Fall, Raventhrone, Novembers Doom, Eidolon, Superior, Nightwish, White Skull, Bathory and many more. Hopefully I'll get to them all before New Years'
1. Dark Tranquillity Damage Done (5) - what more needs be said about this album? Ass-kicking, taking names Gothenburg (sp?) metal and a triumphant return to form for one of the pioneers.
2. Vader Revelations (5) - Wow. Brutality & melody perfectly blended into a single neck-snapping platter.
3. Symphony X The Odyssey (4.9) - I wasn't a fan of these buys until this album. I am now.
4. Arch Enemy Wages Of Sin (4.9) - Another masterpiece from Sweden and IMO their best overall album.
5. Nile In Their Darkened Shrines (4.8) - Proof positive that not everything good & brutal comes from overseas. Not only thought-provoking and well-written, but completely against the grain as well. A seriously insanely crafted metal album for the new millennium.
6. Beyond The Embrace Against The Elements (4.7) - Hands down the best newcomers on the scene. Nobody knows about these guys and yet this under-the-radar Metal Blade release combines the best of 1995 In Flames, 1988 Iron Maiden and 1985 Bay Area thrash. Get this album now.
7. Kalmah They Will Return (4.7) - Another album so very few people talk about (except the smart sets of ears on this forum), yet one of the finest nuts-to-bolts records of the year. No weak tracks and quite a few anthems to be remembered for many, many years.
8. Soilwork Natural Born Chaos (4.5) - A controversial release to be sure, but for those of us who approach every album with open ears, a damned fine record.
9. Immortal Sons Of Northern Darkness (4.5) - The king of all riffs writes an album with possibly the greatest riffs since Master of Puppets. Sure it's slowed down a bit, but I dare you to say the music on this album is crap.
10. Blind Guardian A Night At The Opera (4.5) - Almost too much to be digested, the quality of the songwriting & production is undeniable. Several standout tracks.
11. Vanden Plas Beyond Daylight (4.5) - My biggest surprise of the year. A prog metal band that actually still plays metal music and combines their skills with the very best of Yes-type song crafting.
12. Norther Dreams Of Endless War (4.5) - It's far too tempting to just call these boys Bodom clones. That's unfair and selling them short. This album fucking kills.
13. The Crown Crowned In Terror (4.5) - Buckle in, strap yourself down, and press play. 45 minutes later pick your brain up off the floor and cram it back in your head.
14. Summoning Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame (4.5) - Something different for the metal underground. A superbly crafted atmospheric masterpiece based on the most epic possible sounds that could be influenced by Tolkien & LOTR.
15. Insomnium In The Halls Of Awaiting (4.5) - Another excellent album from Scandinavia that very few people talk about (except here again). Awesome mid-to-late-90s Swedish sound captured perfectly in 2002.
16. Vehemence God Was Created (4.5) - Equal parts Death, Morbid Angel & Dream Theater. The best example of modern progressive brutal death metal.
17. Ablaze My Sorrow Anger, Hate And Fury (4.4) - This album might rise in my rankings with more listens, because it does certainly get better and better and better. Do NOT drive to this album, as the excessive headbanging you'll experience is NOT conducive to road safety.
18. Destroyer 666 Cold Steel For An Iron Age (4.4) - A very, very cool underground blackened death band with more than a hint of old-school thrash going on. A very underrated record for sure.
19. Ragnarok In Nomine Satanas (4.4) - If Immortal had broken up, this would far and away be the best black metal release of the year. Searing lead guitars, swirling riffs that induce violent headbanging whether you like it or not, and ridiculously insane drumming make this a very enjoyable 40 minutes.
20. Arcturus The Sham Mirrors (4.3) - Different for sure, but very, very good nonetheless. Nowhere near the greatest album ever as some may have you believe, an excellent avant garde metal release for fans of Depeche Mode, Immortal & Soilwork.
Still to be rated/listened to: Thryfing, Vintersorg, Shaman, Opeth, Shadows Fall, Raventhrone, Novembers Doom, Eidolon, Superior, Nightwish, White Skull, Bathory and many more. Hopefully I'll get to them all before New Years'
IcedEarth556
Metal Keyboardist
Damn markgugs, I bet you have like 50 2002 CDS. I am defiantley gonna look into Beyond the Embrace after what you said about them.
My list has already changed around since my first post but I'm gonna wait until the end of the year to post a new list.
My list has already changed around since my first post but I'm gonna wait until the end of the year to post a new list.
I have 1 mp3 of Beyond the Embrace.......definitly cool shit. Reaaaaaally reminds me of Whoracle era In Flames. ]
@markgugs list, i didnt even know there were that many releases this year lol
@markgugs list, i didnt even know there were that many releases this year lol
neal
wizard in black
MadeInNewJersey
nursing my wounds
I probably have closer to 150 2002 CDs. 
There's nothing I like more than when new releases come out!
I've digested a bunch more, and there's very little change, but the new Opeth is SUPERB. I'm not Opeth fanboy, I just listen to the music, but it's an awesome album and has cracked my top 10, settling in nicely in between Beyond the Embrace & Kalmah.
The new Vintersorg is, well, eh. The new Shadows Fall also didn't blow me away as I'd hoped it would. It's very good, but I have SO MUCH metal, it's gotta do better than that. I will say, however, that the new Iron Savior (a band I had written off for good) is very good as long as you've accepted what you're getting (i.e. speedy Euro-power metal done exceptionally well).
There's nothing I like more than when new releases come out!I've digested a bunch more, and there's very little change, but the new Opeth is SUPERB. I'm not Opeth fanboy, I just listen to the music, but it's an awesome album and has cracked my top 10, settling in nicely in between Beyond the Embrace & Kalmah.
The new Vintersorg is, well, eh. The new Shadows Fall also didn't blow me away as I'd hoped it would. It's very good, but I have SO MUCH metal, it's gotta do better than that. I will say, however, that the new Iron Savior (a band I had written off for good) is very good as long as you've accepted what you're getting (i.e. speedy Euro-power metal done exceptionally well).
neal
wizard in black
ditto on the new shadows fall. i was hoping for an improved 'of one blood' with better production and maybe some progression, but instead got some american almost numetal crapfest with fucking slipknot 'yelling' instead of screaming and sub par riffing. theres a few really great moments, but 'of one blood' smokes it overall.
-neal
-neal
