It's that time of year It's now well past that time of year. This has been saved as a draft since early December; at least it's given me a bit more time to digest all the music? Although I've enjoyed a whole bunch more, these are the top of the crop. I always find it hard to rank music, especially when from highly variable genres and taking diverse influences, but this is the best of my efforts. I thought I'd go for a top 12, just to be a little different.
1. Kylesa - Spiral Shadow
I really slept on this album and even after listening to it a couple of times, I didn't really 'get it'. A few more listens through and, wow, I finally did. I can honestly say, there isn't a single song on this album that isn't brilliant. The record ebbs and flows, in and out, combining the use of dual guitars, vocalists and most curiously, dual drummers. I can't really explain it in words, you really have to listen to this (no, not as a soundtrack whilst doing something else, but really listen to it). The only (and I stress only) gripe I have with this is the length; 40 minutes is no where near long enough! I'm really excited to be seeing them at soundwave and definately plan on checking out all of their back catalogue. Definately deserving of the top spot.
2. Agalloch – Marrow of the Spirit
This is the very long awaited follow up to 2006's Ashes Against The Grain from one of my all time favourite bands Agalloch. Said record was absolutely phenomenal and had I done one of these lists way back when, it would have without a doubt come in at number 1. Albeit taking quite a different musical direction, following a couple of listens of this record, again, I got it. From the violin introduction to the 12 1/2 minute black metal opener and beyond, it seems this band can do no wrong. Seriously, close to the best album of 2010 and better than everything else by a long shot.
3. Daysend – Within the Eye of Chaos
Again, one of those favourite bands of mine that released an album this year. Although still promoting a melodic death sound, the band has seemed to take on a more American rather than European approach. There are many great songs on this album, showcasing improved instrumental skills and allowing their live show (of which I've seen about 6? times) to improve tenfold. Great local band, great album.
4. Kvelertak – Kvelertak
I won't lie, what originally attracted me to this band was both the bizarre name and artwork obviously done by the bloke in Baroness who does theirs. I have written about this before on here, but again I'll reinforce that this album is weird in that it takes so vast influences as to combine black metal, punk and good ol' rock and roll. A fantastic debut giving an insight into a very exciting future.
5. Kamelot – Poetry of the Poisoned
Kamelot's last few albums in Ghost Opera and The Black Halo have been some of my highlights in recent years, from a band probably unlike any other I actively listen to. Although I don't find it as great as Ghost Opera, this album sports some great tracks and is one of those you can listen to over and over without it getting old. Probably the only complaint I have is the shorter songs, for some reason it just makes the album feel a bit disorganised.
6. Meltgsnow – Black Penance
This is the second album, I believe, from Singaporean band Meltgsnow. I had never heard of the band prior to being introduced via The Racket, but immediately dug what they were doing. They play some kind of fusion of many genres again, labelling themselves as "goth metal" although I feel that title far from flattering. A really cool and unusual album from a country where I would not expect to find music as great as this.
7. Iron Maiden - The Final Frontier
The 15th studio album from metal giants Iron Maiden. Although a good album, with quite a few catchy songs, and much better than their work in the 90's, it doesn't quite work it's way into my Maiden favourites Number of The Beast, Piece of Mind, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son and Brave New World. A good album that just makes me more and more anxious about seeing them (twice!) next February.
8. Terror – Keepers of the Faith
This is probably my favourite non-metal album of the year, a massive record from LA giants Terror. Although I have enjoyed this band for ages and seen them numerous times, I felt their last couple of albums while still okay were not that fantastic. This, however, is definately the best traditional hardcore album of the year. Just take a look around at any hardcore show or on any forums etc to see how much this album is being jocked. Again, I'm really excited to be seeing them at soundwave.
9. Miles Away - Endless Roads
Oddly enough, this is yet another album that took me quite a few listens to get into. I suppose you'd call it their 4th full length, following from Rewind, Repeat, Consequences, their self titled and a few EP's along the way. Up until this point my favourite work of theirs was always their demo and debut, but this release knocks them from the top spot, reclaiming their more melodic sound. I can (and have) listened to this over and over and don't get sick of it, an indicatory feature of a great record. Again, as with the Kylesa album, my only gripe is the length, falling at around about the 25 minute mark. It's really great to see a record as good as this coming from our country and to see a band who's been around as long as Miles Away still being active in the local scene.
10. The Chariot - Long Live
This is the 4th studio album from the Georgian mathcore band The Chariot, released only a year after their 3rd Wars and Rumours of Wars. I've always had a bit of a soft spot for this band since their debut as I really admired the fact that it was recorded in it's entirety live. This album, though quite a bit cleaner sounding than previous efforts, unmistakably boasts the bands sound. Check out the video for David De La Hoz if not this entire album.
11. The Sword – Warp Riders
For whatever reason I've been listening to a lot of this type of heavy/stoner metal in the past few months. Bands like Baroness, High on Fire, Sleep and of course The Sword have frequently been heard eminating from my laptop's speakers. They are yet another band I eagerly await to see play Soundwave, especially after missing them on their recent tour with Metallica. The album is just a good, straight forward, enjoyable metal album that you can just imagine having a BBQ or hanging out at the beach or something to. A really enjoyable introduction to this band for me.
12. Fear Factory – Mechanize
I always forget this came out this year as it was released so early on, but nontheless it definately makes its way into my top albums. Seeing the return of Dino, this album is a massive return to form for these metal veterans. After their past couple of very below average albums following some of their classics, this album has really reignited my interest in the band. Honestly this is literally 10 times better than their last two and a great listen.
Next up is their At Your Mercy 7". This was released prior to the album as a promotion of sorts, typical of Bridge 9 records. It features two album tracks plus an unreleased cover. If it wasn't for my eagerness to hear their new material and collector tendencies, I wouldn't have bought this. Nonetheless, despite the cool music, I was actually kind of diappointed with the overall package. The sleeve just feels/looks lower quality than their other releases, it is apparently a clear/solid blue mix yet appears some kind of indistiguishable hybrid and the dust sleeve doesn't fit properly into the cover. Luckily, the sound quality never falters and there is a The Path of Resistance cover to sweeten the deal, and it's this reason we really buy records, right? The label and large hole are cool though. I tried to take a photo of it; I especially like the last line on the back.
Finally, here is their Hang Your Head 7" I ordered from Six Feet Under last year. It features 4 tracks off the release, the rest being CD exclusives from previoues releases, from what I understand? Plus the digital download of this included an extra song with guest vocals from the Trapped Under Ice frontman. I've already mentioned the music so I won't go into that, aside from reinforcing how much of a step up their new work is. The package is really neat and professionally completed, only bad thing I can say is the wax itself looks kind of weird, being supposedly orange with a white/blue splatter. I really like the lyric card again, especially that 3D looking grave. Rockin'
