OK. So here's what JK and I have cooked up...
1. Only CDs from this decade qualify. This was done, in part, to eliminate/minimize the "nostalgia" factor.
2. All 2006 releases have been disqualified. Not enough time has passed, to properly evaluate these releases. Plus, not everyone has had an opportunity to hear them.
3. Each artist's most recent release was used. We didn't want to get into a debate over which CD was the band's best post-2000 CD.
4. Just to eliminate any cries of impropriety, I used the following, randomly-generated numeric pattern to determine the matchups: 3, 1, 10, 9, 6, 4, 2, 7, 14, 15, 11, 5, 13, 8, 16, 12.
5. Librarius Matallicus was used as the source of all release dates.
6. I'm sure we've forgotten someone. I'm sure someone's favorite band was left out. We tried to list the 64 artists/CDs that generate the most conversation around these parts.
7. Votes should be cast based on quality of the listed releases only. Older and newer (2006) releases should not be considered. Neither should contributions to the genre, historical relevance, etc. be factored in.
Bracket 1
AKERCOCKE - Words that Go Unspoken Deeds that go Undone vs. DARKTHRONE - Sardonic Wrath
KATAKLYSM - Serenity in Fire vs. NOVEMBERS DOOM - Pale Haunt Departure
ARCTURUS - Sideshow Symphonies vs. EMPYRIUM - Weiland
MASTODON - Leviathan vs. SATYRICON - Volcano
AGALLOCH - The Mantle vs. DEATHSPELL OMEGA - Si Monvmentvm Reqvires, Cirvmspice
KAYO DOT - Choirs of the Eye vs. NEUROSIS - Eye of Every Storm
TOOL - Lateralus vs. DRUDKH - The Swan Road
MANOWAR - Warriors of the World vs. PRIMORDIAL - The Gathering Wilderness
Bracket 2
BLUT AUS NORD - The Work Which Transforms God vs. ICED EARTH - The Glorious Burden
MOONSORROW - Verisakeet vs. THYRFING - Farsotstider
ANATHEMA - A Natural Disaster vs. DIMMU BORGIR - Death Cult Armageddon
MANEGARM - Vredens Tid vs. ORPHANED LAND - Mabool
AYREON - The Human Equation vs. ENSLAVED - Isa
MAR DE GRISES - The Tatterdemalion Express vs. SLAYER - God Hates us All
CARPATHIAN FORREST - Defending the Throne of Evil vs. IRON MAIDEN - Dance of Death
NAGLFAR - Pariah vs. ULVER - Blood Inside
Bracket 3
AMORPHIS - Far From the Sun vs. DESTROYER 666 - Cold Steel...For an Iron Age
KREATOR - Enemy of God vs. OPETH - Ghost Reveries
AMON AMARTH - Fate of Norns vs. DECAPITATED - The Negation
KING DIAMOND - The Puppet Master vs. OLD MANS CHILD - Vermin
BLOOD RED THRONE - Altered Genesis vs. HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE - The August Engine
MESHUGGAH - Catch 33 vs. THE CHASM - Spell of Retribution
DARK TRANQUILITY - Character vs. JUDAS PRIEST - Angel of Retribution
NEVERMORE - This Godless Endeavor vs. VITAL REMAINS - Dechristianize
Bracket 4
BRUCE DICKINSON - Tyranny of Souls vs. IN FLAMES - Soundtrack to Your Escape
MY DYING BRIDE - Songs of Darkness, Words of Light vs. TOWNSEND, DEVIN - Accelerated Evolution
BATHORY - Norland II vs. GOJIRA - From Mars to Sirius
MEGADETH - The System has Failed vs. SLOUGH FEG - Atatvism
BEHEMOTH - Demigod vs. GRAVELAND - Fire Chariot of Destruction
MELECHESH - Sphynx vs. SYMPHONY X - The Odyssey
CRADLE OF FILTH - Nymphetamine vs. ISIS - Panopticon
NEGURA BUNGET - 'N Crugu Bradului vs. VADER - The Beast
Zod
1. Only CDs from this decade qualify. This was done, in part, to eliminate/minimize the "nostalgia" factor.
2. All 2006 releases have been disqualified. Not enough time has passed, to properly evaluate these releases. Plus, not everyone has had an opportunity to hear them.
3. Each artist's most recent release was used. We didn't want to get into a debate over which CD was the band's best post-2000 CD.
4. Just to eliminate any cries of impropriety, I used the following, randomly-generated numeric pattern to determine the matchups: 3, 1, 10, 9, 6, 4, 2, 7, 14, 15, 11, 5, 13, 8, 16, 12.
5. Librarius Matallicus was used as the source of all release dates.
6. I'm sure we've forgotten someone. I'm sure someone's favorite band was left out. We tried to list the 64 artists/CDs that generate the most conversation around these parts.
7. Votes should be cast based on quality of the listed releases only. Older and newer (2006) releases should not be considered. Neither should contributions to the genre, historical relevance, etc. be factored in.
Bracket 1
AKERCOCKE - Words that Go Unspoken Deeds that go Undone vs. DARKTHRONE - Sardonic Wrath
KATAKLYSM - Serenity in Fire vs. NOVEMBERS DOOM - Pale Haunt Departure
ARCTURUS - Sideshow Symphonies vs. EMPYRIUM - Weiland
MASTODON - Leviathan vs. SATYRICON - Volcano
AGALLOCH - The Mantle vs. DEATHSPELL OMEGA - Si Monvmentvm Reqvires, Cirvmspice
KAYO DOT - Choirs of the Eye vs. NEUROSIS - Eye of Every Storm
TOOL - Lateralus vs. DRUDKH - The Swan Road
MANOWAR - Warriors of the World vs. PRIMORDIAL - The Gathering Wilderness
Bracket 2
BLUT AUS NORD - The Work Which Transforms God vs. ICED EARTH - The Glorious Burden
MOONSORROW - Verisakeet vs. THYRFING - Farsotstider
ANATHEMA - A Natural Disaster vs. DIMMU BORGIR - Death Cult Armageddon
MANEGARM - Vredens Tid vs. ORPHANED LAND - Mabool
AYREON - The Human Equation vs. ENSLAVED - Isa
MAR DE GRISES - The Tatterdemalion Express vs. SLAYER - God Hates us All
CARPATHIAN FORREST - Defending the Throne of Evil vs. IRON MAIDEN - Dance of Death
NAGLFAR - Pariah vs. ULVER - Blood Inside
Bracket 3
AMORPHIS - Far From the Sun vs. DESTROYER 666 - Cold Steel...For an Iron Age
KREATOR - Enemy of God vs. OPETH - Ghost Reveries
AMON AMARTH - Fate of Norns vs. DECAPITATED - The Negation
KING DIAMOND - The Puppet Master vs. OLD MANS CHILD - Vermin
BLOOD RED THRONE - Altered Genesis vs. HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE - The August Engine
MESHUGGAH - Catch 33 vs. THE CHASM - Spell of Retribution
DARK TRANQUILITY - Character vs. JUDAS PRIEST - Angel of Retribution
NEVERMORE - This Godless Endeavor vs. VITAL REMAINS - Dechristianize
Bracket 4
BRUCE DICKINSON - Tyranny of Souls vs. IN FLAMES - Soundtrack to Your Escape
MY DYING BRIDE - Songs of Darkness, Words of Light vs. TOWNSEND, DEVIN - Accelerated Evolution
BATHORY - Norland II vs. GOJIRA - From Mars to Sirius
MEGADETH - The System has Failed vs. SLOUGH FEG - Atatvism
BEHEMOTH - Demigod vs. GRAVELAND - Fire Chariot of Destruction
MELECHESH - Sphynx vs. SYMPHONY X - The Odyssey
CRADLE OF FILTH - Nymphetamine vs. ISIS - Panopticon
NEGURA BUNGET - 'N Crugu Bradului vs. VADER - The Beast
Zod
