Damn, I have to put these in order??? But... they are all number ones! Hmmm, not easy... not easy at all...
1. After Forever - Invisible Circles
See my review of this album
here. Probably one of the cds that spent the most time in my cd player this year. Melodic and hauntingly beautiful at times and heavy as hell other times but never letting go of the beautiful melodies. Female vocals with balls.
2. Ayreon - The Human Equation
For me there is no question here. This is the best
Ayreon album ever. Some of the best singers on the face of the earth lay down the vocals on mr. Arjen Lucassen's best compositions. What more can you ask? The sound is perfect with that special
Ayreon sound which I'm sure I'm not the only one who has come to love. Some more guest solos could have been great, but I guess you can't have everything. A definite must-buy.
3. Hypocrisy - The Arrival
Another new discovery for me. At first I found it a bit boring, but that was just until I'd listened to it a few times and the beautiful melodies came out. Death metal about as melodic as it gets. Man, I love the screams of Peter Tägtgren, they go right into your spinal cord and make you relax. Amazing how a scream can be so soothing. How can a melodic death metal cd like this with a production which is next to perfect not make you sit back and relax with a smile on your lips.
4. Wuthering Heights - Far From the Madding Crowd
See my review of this album
here. Progressive folk metal at it's best. Beautiful melodies, great solos and one of the best singers out there.
Wuthering Heights is definitely a band that stands out just from the mixture of genres they represent but luckily it also works. Now the rest of the world needs to open up their eyes for this great band. And some touring would be nice too!
5. Necrophagist - Epitaph
This German technical death metal band was a new discovery for me, but I am very happy that I found this gem because they seriously kick ass! The guitars are very melodic and complex with the most amazing solos. Growler and guitarist Muhammed Suicmez has a very deep growl and plays a rythm guitar that doesn't really sound like anything else I've heard. I could write a whole review just about the solos on this cd. Melodic and warp speeded, they are reason enough to buy the cd, but with the whole album at this quality, there is no excuse not to get this one if you enjoy technical death metal. Not for the weak of heart.
6. Deicide - Scars of the Crucifux
This was the first time I heard anything from the famous
Deicide. I thought this was some not-so-serious music made just to bash christians, but there is more to it than that. Granted, mr. Glen Benton does have something against christianity, but this doesn't stop
Deicide from writing quality death metal which is both technical and interesting. Great growling and amazingly groovy from time to time. Production could have been a lot better, though.
7. King Diamond - Deadly Lullabues Live
See my review of this album
here. I have seen
King Diamond live one single time in my life, but that concert is something I will remember the rest of my life. And here finally comes a live cd to match that experience. Forget the old Abigail live cd, this is just on another level. Not just the best
King Diamond live cd, but one of the very best live cds I have ever heard. Magical is all I can say.
8. Mayhem - Chimerra
I was just blown away by the hypnotic effect this cd has. With the incessantly pounding double bass drums creating an almost trance-like feeling on some songs.
Mayhem is one of the pioneering black metal bands who, luckily for us, decided this time to make a black metal cd with a good production (gasp!). Maniac's snarling vocals and Hellhammer's drumblasts from hell are highlights here, where the guitars are mostly massive walls.
9. Evergrey - The Inner Circle
Absolutely one of the stronger
Evergrey albums. Once again they showcase how talented these guys really are but never at the expense of the songs who are as strong as ever. I love the way they show how it is possible to write beautiful and haunting yet musically interesting songs. Tom's voice so full of emotions like no other singer I have ever heard is the center on most songs and the whole band backs it up to create this beautiful and captivating music. Besides it has one of the best productions I have heard in a long time.
10. Heavenly - Dust to Dust
I don't listen that much to powermetal but this cd caught my ears. This is quite dark and fast with some very good musicians. Maybe not that innovative but still they have that something that just makes it better than so many other powermetal cds.
