Looking back on 2003, I remember a year with a lot of high quality releases. So many that I didn't find time to hear them all properly. (Nothing new there then...) 2004 is looking to continue this trend. Already the new Wuthering Heights album has set an impressively high standard and I await the new year with excitement. But this is a time to look back, so here are my favorite albums of 2003.
Top 20 albums of 2003
1. Lost Horizon - A flame to the ground beneath -
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With a grade of 9.5 this was my highest rated album of 2003. It showed Lost Horizon developing their inspiring Metal into something even more unique and beautiful. Incredible arrangements blended perfectly with inventive and aggressive dual guitar hamonies and an astonishing vocal performance. This music is able to transcend all boundaries. My favorite album of 2003 without a doubt.
2. Redemption - Redemption -
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Nick Van Dyk created something really special with this release. Injected with a huge atmosphere and things that made me go.. Wow!, this is my favorite of the year in the Progressive Metal genre. "Something wicked this way comes" is also one of my favorite songs of the year with "Part VIII: Departures" being a totally divine passage.
A funny story: I took this album and several others down to the local Hifi centre to test their amplifiers and speakers as I was buying a new stereo system. The only comment from the sales guy as Desperation Part I blasted across the store was
"Is that Metallica?"
3. Rage - Soundchaser -
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My favorite Rage album by far (Ok, so I only have Unity and Welcome to the other side besides this one, but come on...). I was blown away by the melodies, speed, heaviness and the powerful emotions in Peavy Wagner's vocals. There is still a feeling of fun and love for the music in this album and that is exactly what it gives me.
4. Masterplan - Masterplan -
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The outcasts of Helloween created something to match and go beyond what they had done before. The Masterplan debut is one of those rare debuts that gets almost everything right. One of the most exciting new bands of 2003. Discovering the ambitious concept was also one of the biggest laughs at this years
Blind Guardian Open Air.
5. Ray Wilson - Change -
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The former singer of Stiltskin and Genesis released his first solo album under his own name. What a voice, filled with feeling and emotion it mixed perfectly with the mostly acoustic background. A warm and melodic surprise filled with memorable songs. The voice of 2003 for sure and my favorite "Chill out" album of the year.
6. King Diamond - The Puppet Master -
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King Diamond returned with his best album in over a decade, a gruesome triumph of horror Metal. Adding a female singer enhanced the atmosphere and brought emotion to the story in a great way. The limited edition also contained one of the funniest DVD's I have seen in a while. Hopefully 2004 will bring the show to Europe.
7. John Arch - A twist of fate -
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Definitely my favorite comeback of the year. After so many years of silence John Arch (Fates Warning) returned to the scene with two new songs in the Progressive Metal vein. His unique voice was still intact and able to send chills down the spine of old and new fans alike. The way he sings the line
"In the real world you feel real pain" remains one of those magical moments. I was captivated once again and I hope that this is not the last we have heard of this one-of-a-kind singer.
8. Star One - Live on Earth -
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The best and most enjoyable concert I have ever been to (Star One - Live in Hamburg) was almost released as a live album... But no... Instead we got this concert from Rijssen, Holland. It is actually just as good, so I'm not complaining hehe. The double CD and companion DVD was (and still is) a thoroughly enjoyable experience which kept the magic intact. The best live album of 2003 for sure. Fun, respect and improvisation are the keywords here.
9. Dimmu Borgir - Death cult armageddon -
Read review by Anders/
Arch Enemy - Anthems of rebellion -
Read review by David
You could also say that 2003 was a year of personal evolution. Not really having much respect for growling vocals, these two albums suddenly made me realize what I was missing. When done right, as is the case here, there is a great sense of power and atmosphere that could not be achieved in any other way. I have a feeling many other bands are just waiting to be discovered... Hi Anders! :)
10. Sun Caged - Sun Caged -
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After a brilliant live show in Kolding and a very promising promo from 2002 my expectations were very high for this band's self titled debut. Inventive progressive Metal was the course of the day and it didn't disappoint.
11. Dead Soul Tribe - A murder of crows -
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Devon Graves (Formerly known as Buddy Lackey of Psychotic Waltz fame) and his band was back with an intriguing follow up to their debut, which improved on that one in many ways. A very capturing Progressive Metal album with a unique atmosphere.
12. Dream Theater - Train of thought - Read review by
Tommy or
Hashman
The next step for Dream Theater was a heavier and very interesting one. The album is still getting better with each listen and has not found its final place on this list yet.
13. Don E. Vie - Just Enough -
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2003 was the year when Enuff Z'nuff singer Donnie Vie split from the band and released his first solo album. A quite bad production couldn't hide the fact that the songs were fantastic ear hangers. Some of the catchiest songs of 2003 are to be found in here and if you like Rock music and have a weakness for The Beatles then this is essential.
14. Lanfear - The Art Effect -
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Germany's Lanfear created one of the finest combinations Power and Progressive Metal in 2003. The production helped create a massive wall of sound and the highly technical playing with soaring vocals on top made this a very interesting acquaintance.
15. Iron Maiden - Dance of Death - Read review by
Tommy or
Hashman
In my opinion a vast improvement on Brave New World, this was a great return for Iron Maiden. A much improved production and many long, challenging songs made this an album I still listen to frequently.
16. To/Die/For - Jaded -
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To/Die/For took me by surprise. Dominating keyboards and heartfelt vocals combined with heavy guitars and catchy melodies created a unique and atmospheric release. Something for the Metal head with a soft spot.
17. Circle II Circle - Watching in silence -
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Zachary Stevens returned with a new band. Coming across like a rockier version of Savatage most fans were surely pleased. An outstanding album filled with solid songs and Zach's emotional voice that should appeal to almost everybody.
18. Helloween - Rabbit don't come easy -
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Helloween returned with another solid release, showing that they are still in the top league of the Power Metal scene. "Sun 4 the World" was even more powerful when heard Live in Copenhagen.
19. Evergrey - Recreation Day - Read review by
Yoni or
Tommy
"In search of truth" is still my favorite Evergrey album, but Recreation Day is breathing down its neck close behind. A brilliant combination of a dark atmosphere, heavy guitars, huge melodies and Tom S. Englund's unique vocals. One of those that keep growing.
20. Nevermore - Enemies of reality -
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Nevermore was back with a slab of their very special homebred Metal. With a disappointing production to back up the mostly excellent songs it felt like some essential piece was missing. "Seed awakening" remains one of my absolute favorites from 2003 though. What a monster riff!
Honorable mentions
Doomsword - Let battle commence
This Epic Viking Metal band from Italy returned with their third album. A concept album set in the year 866 this tells the tale of Danish army of Ivar the Boneless and their invasion of England. While it is a good album and certainly a must for Doomsword fans, some ideas seem to be recycled from the even better "Resound the horn".
Gary Hughes - Once and future king Part I and II - Read review of
Part I or
Part II
I had waited a long time for Gary Hughes' King Arthur tale. All the people involved made this a project that could only succeed. Not quite matching my skyhigh expectations, it was still one of the highlights of the year. Epic Hard Rock does not come much better than this.
Edenbridge - Aphelion -
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Edenbridge showed a great evolution with Aphelion. The arrangements had gotten better, Sabine's vocals were more varied and many little touches made this an excellent album.
Dogpound - The Hellbum
This Swedish band came as another great surprise. Something for all Hard Rockers to check out. I have been listening to this one regularly for the past month. Watch out for a full review soon.
David Shankle Group - Ashes to ashes
Former Manowar guitarist David Shankle returned with his new band and they delivered a solid Heavy Metal album. Good arrangements, great guitar work and solid but a little anonymous vocals made a very good record. Manowar fans should definitely check this out. This is like "almost-Manowar" with a little dose of "not quite-Symphony X".
Labyrinth - Labyrinth -
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Another album that needs more listens to make it to it's final place on this list. So far it has the ability to become my favorite Labyrinth release ever. At the moment it is slowly edging it's way to the side of the fantastic "Return to heaven denied". What this self titled album has is lots of innovation and variation.
Bob Catley - When Empires burn -
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After the glorious concept album Middle Earth Bob Catley was back with another collection of heavy and bombastic Hard Rock. The change of songwriter from Gary Hughes (Ten) to Paul Hodson made the album take a heavier direction, but still slightly reminiscent of Ten at times (not necessarily a bad thing). A solid release that will please all fans of the two bands. Middle Earth is still my favorite though.
Val'Paraiso - Footprints of angels -
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My old Progressive Metal favorites Sieges Even partly reformed with this band and recorded a very promising 4 track promo. Later they decided to reform Sieges Even with the same members and thus Val'Paraiso is already history.
Slight disappointment of the year
Queensryche - Tribe -
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While Tribe is an improvement over the last two albums, it was not quite the return to form as I was hoping for. Overall a good album with a unique atmosphere, but with Geoff Tate on vocals I guess almost everything will get that description from me though.
Major disappointment of the year
Metallica - St. Anger -
Read review by Tommy & Steen
I had hoped for something more cohesive and inspirational from this band. Instead I found a jumbled mess of music that left me cold. If not for a couple of unintentionally hilarious moments I would not have had the patience to listen to this one as much as I did.
Most memorable events of the year
- Wacken Open Air wins the price again. Nothing compared to these four days of pure fun, Metal and insanity.
- The Enuff Z'nuff tour of England. 5 concerts 5 days in a row with my favorite band. It doesn't get much better than that.
- Blind Guardian Open Air also had so many funny moments and brilliant music that you need to read the report to get the whole picture.
- Within Temptation live in Copenhagen, the after party at TEX and the following chain of events that led to my parents getting quite a shock the next day when they came for a visit.
- The RevelationZ staff meeting which started out very serious but after the meeting had been adjourned, soon descended into an evening of green drinks, loud singing and condescending remarks to Tommy for losing to me in the bowling tournament. Aalborg Metal festival the next day was the best cure for hangover we could think of and it certainly worked out great.
So what are your favorite albums of the year? Did I miss out on something amazing? Let me know below.
Finally, to all the cool people I met and new friends I made in 2003, here's a great Hail to you all! Hope we will meet again soon, somewhere in time...
