The end of another year, which seems to have flown by. This is a list of those albums I have enjoyed the most this past year. All come highly recommended. As usual I have a long list (30+) of albums which I never found time to listen to properly, so if your favorite is missing, let me know below.
Top 20 albums of the year 20041. Orphaned Land - Mabool: The story of the Three Sons of Seven - Read reviewThis band from Israel created an amazing album which has just about everything. It came out at the beginning of the year, but today it still holds up just as well. If you like challenging music then this is where you should be.
2. Ayreon - The human equation - Read reviewAyreon mastermind Arjen Lucassen was back with an album that drew out all the strong points of his earlier work. The result was a hugely enjoyable and long lasting voyage into a sea of emotions. The claustrophobic album of the year.
3. Rhapsody - Symphony Of Enchanted Lands II - The Dark Secret - Read reviewIn terms of production this is the best Rhapsody album yet. In terms of the actual songs it is very close to my favorite, Symphony of Enchanted lands part I. A few bad calls keeps the album from being a complete victory. Still, Symphonic Metal does not come any better than this.
4. Wuthering Heights - For the madding crowd - Read review by TajsIs there such a thing as Hobbit Metal? Well, Wuthering Heights creates highly enjoyable music with wonderful melodies and this is an album not to be missed. I have a feeling most people will like this if they give it a chance.
5. Pain Of Salvation - BE - Read review by TommyThe most experimental album from Pain of Salvation yet. That says a lot and this is surely an album that grows with time. You won't find anything like this anywhere else.
6. Nightwish - Once - Read review by MatthewTuomas Holopainen has composed another great selection of songs. The guitars made this the hardest Nightwish album yet, and also one of the best. Right up there with Oceanborn and Century Child.
6½. Platitude - Nine - Read review by TommyI purchased this last minute addition right after reading Tommy's review half a year ago, but for various reasons only found time to listen to it last week. Really amazing album and a big step forward since their debut. The music is entertaining, melodic and challenging. Definitely an album to dig into during the christmas holiday. Run out and buy it if you haven't already.
7. Aina - Days of rising doom - Read reviewFantasy Metal done the right way. Another project with several lead singers, including an impressive Michael Kiske. The well done packaging and music managed to capture a good atmosphere and stand apart.
8. Iced Earth - The Glorious Burden - Read reviewRipper Owens takes over the vocal duties and shows he is the right guy for Iced Earth. The final trilogy of songs is unforgetable.
9. Jon Oliva´s Pain - ´Tage Mahal - Read reviewSavatage singer Jon Oliva still has the magic touch. A cool collection of songs.
10. Lake of Tears - Black Brick Road - Read review by AlannaOne of the unique bands of this world were back with an album which confirmed their wonderful strangeness. One for those dark cloudy winter days.
11. Ten - Return to Evermore - Read review by AlannaA long time favorite luckily returned to their epic Hard Rock style with an album filled with memorable songs.
12. Evergrey - The Inner Circle - Read reviewEvergrey took on a religous theme with their usual flair for creating a distinct dark atmosphere.
13. Threshold - Subsurface - Read reviewSubsurface continued the high quality Prog Metal Threshold is known for.
14. Chris Caffery - Faces - Read reviewExcellent debut from Savatage guitarist Chris Caffery. It is heavy metal that hits you hard and fast. "Pisses me of" has my vote for funniest song of the year.
15. Edguy - Hellfire Club - Read review by TommyOne of Germany's finest Power Metal bands created one of their best albums with Hellfire CLub.
16. Enuff Z'nuff - ?Another great collection of songs from these Beatles inspired hard rockers. But as a hard core fan I would have loved some more new material.
17. Pyramaze - Melancholy beast - Read reviewOne of this years best debuts. Power Metal with the fantastic Lance King on vocals.
18. Cans - Beyond the gates - Read reviewHammerfall vocalist Joacim Cans created a surprisingly solid old-school heavy metal album. Good riffs and memorable songs made this is a very pleasant companion.
19. Persuader - Evolution Purgatory - Read review by NinaFeel free to be blown away by this powerful piece of Heavy Metal. The huge vocals and extremely powerful music is bound to strike you down.
20. Heavenly - Dust to dust - Read reviewHeavenly's best album by far. This vampire concept story saw the band take a big step forward. I dare you not to jump up and down to Lust for life.
Disappointment of the year:
Within Temptation - The silent force - Read reviewAfter waiting for almost four years since the absolutely wonderful Mother Earth I found The Silent Force to be so not worth the wait. Going for a straight ahead commercial and catchy approach the band threw the long lasting appeal out the window and after 15 listens this album is no fun anymore.
