1.Disarmonia Mundi- Fragments of a D- Generation
This is the best album of this millennium so far. I cannot stress how amazing this is. A Melodic Death Metal Masterpiece from the newest and best of the genre.

2. Pyramaze- Melancholy Beast
There is nothing wrong with a little shameless self promotion, right? Anyways, I would love the album just as much even if I wasn't a contributor. Fans of Iced Earth, Iron Maiden, Kamelot, and Blind Guardian should check us out.

3. Megadeth- The System Has Failed
Dave Mustaine has proven that he still has what it takes to stay at the top of the Metal game. He spills his guts out on this one, creating a record that oozes with passion and personal reflection.

4. Mercenary- 11 Dreams
Denmark's Mercenary have crafted themselves an album that is majestic, epic, melodic, emotional, and heavy as hell (thanks to amazing production from Danish producer Jacob Hansen). 11 Dreams is another reason for me to be as proud as I am to be part of the Danish Heavy Metal movement.

5. Nightwish- Once
Nightwish are one of the best Metal bands of all time in my opinion, and Once is just a natural next step for their evolutionary progression. It seems as though their orchestral arrangements get more and more majestic and epic with each release (and it helps to have a real orchestra on the recording as well).

6. Skyfire- Spectral
An album packed full of amazing and catchy melodies with an original Black Metal influenced Melodic Death Metal style. This equals something that has received a more than significant amount of time in my stereo.

7. Moonlight Agony- Echoes of a Nightmare
Echoes of a Nightmare is a Breathtakingly awesome Power Metal release, full of pompous Pirate melodies and remarkable keyboard work. A more than impressive debut for this group of Swedes (fronted by new Firewind singer Chity Somapala).

8. Evergrey- The Inner Circle
Evergrey just happens to be one of my favorite Metal bands. So upon the release of this masterpiece, I found myself captivated and taken aback by near perfect song writing and top-notch musicianship that is so compellingly displayed throughout. Defying categorization with an incredibly original style and approach, The Inner Circle is yet another landmark of an album for the band.

9. Lilitu- The Delores Lesion
Swedish influenced Dark and Melancholic Heavy Metal from Atlanta, Georgia. The Delores Lesion is so good that I had to join the band as their new keyboardist. Fans of Dark Tranquility and Him should pick this one up.

10. Dream Evil- The Book of Heavy Metal
Hooray for the new heroes of True Metal! Dream Evil are not afraid to be cheesy, and still manage to do so with a level of gusto and integrity that more than makes up for it. Still kicking some stereotypical collective Metal ass, and keeping my interest at the same time on this mighty third release. Read all about it, in The Book of Heavy Metal!

11. Arsis- A Celebration of Guilt
Who would have guessed that something this metallically refreshing would come from the not-so-pleasant land of Newport News, Virginia. I caught these guys live in 2003, and was completely blown away by Front man James Malone's speedy, melodic, and technical guitar riffing. Despite the cheap sounding production, I find myself celebrating and thanking the Gods of Heavy Metal, and not feeling guilty about it in the slightest.

12. Persuader- Evolution Purgatory
If Power Metal took steroids then the result would be Persuader. This band, fronted by vocal powerhouse Jens Carlsson, is no exception to the idea that Heavy Metal should be heavy. My ears are still bleeding from my last listen.

13. Firewind- Forged by Fire
Words cannot describe how much ass this kicks. There is not enough Power in Power Metal to put it in that category. Chity Somapala is a vocal god, and he owns this like Bill Gates owns Microsoft. Gus G. continues to amaze me with his superior and continually evolving mastery of the mighty art of phrasing. End of story.

14. Raunchy- Confusion Bay
Danish Industrial Pop-Metal masters Raunchy are back with a follow up to their so-so debut Velvet Noise. This time they got it right, and seem a hell of a lot more comfortable with their own musical identity. This is a fun listen, and is chock full of sugary-sweet melodies and hooks.

15. Mnemic- The Audio Injected Soul
Mnemic is yet another (the fourth) Danish band that has made my list of the year. I don't see this is a coincidence. Denmark seems to be pumping out new and awesome Heavy Metal material more and more each year. Mnemic are kind of like a more aggressive and heavier version of Raunchy (more of a Fear Factory influence here), except without the Jacob Hansen production on their side. This release more than got my attention though, as it seems to focus more on melodies and hooks than their last one.

16. Killswitch Engage- The End of Heartache
What can I say? Killswitch Engage is one of my biggest guilty pleasures. As Pop and hardcore infused as this may be, it is also full of my beloved Swedish Melodic Death Metal influence. I've seen these guys live twice, and it was addictively entertaining both times. This record has somehow managed to capture the energy of their live performances, perhaps it's through the superior production of guitarist and song writer Adam D.

17. Finntroll- Nattfodd
Nothing like a heavy dose of Finnish Polka-Metal to get your day started. Although not as catchy as their previous effort, Nattfodd still satisfies my thirst for all things Viking. This is just straight up cool.

18. Iron Savior- Battering Ram
I was first introduced to Iron Savior though their previous album Condition Red (which is one of my favorite albums of all time), so my standards for new Iron Savior material have to live up to that to at least make my top five for 2004. Battering Ram didn't really have the staying power that Condition Red had. However, it's still a power packed Metal romp and deserves the respect of being on my list, as well as the praise of any other first-rate Power/True Metal release.

19. Dragonland-Starfall
Another beneficiary of the Thomas S. Englund production works, Dragonland are a cut above the generic crap that pollutes and overcrowds the genre. Think Sonata Arctica without the Finnish feel to it. Starfall satisfies my hunger for keyboard saturated (the best kind) European Power Metal.

20. Primal Fear- Devil's Ground
Last but not least are German True Metal warriors Primal Fear. I thoroughly enjoyed sharing the stage with these guys last September in France, and finally got a taste of what they are capable of live. Let me tell you, they have got their stage performance down to an art form. Although generic, Devil's Ground still has more than it's fair share of memorable anthems for the Heavy Metal age. "Metal is Forever" I one of my favorite songs of the year.


Biggest disappointment of 2004:

Cradle of Filth- Nymphetamine
The title track is amazing, the rest is total rehashed crap. This makes me miss the Cruelty and the Beast days even more.


Top ten favorite songs of 2004:

1.Disarmonia Mundi- "Morgue of Centuries"
2.Megadeth- "The Scorpion"
3. Mercenary- "11 Dreams"
4. Nightwish- "Nemo"
5. Primal Fear- "Metal is Forever"
6. Firewind- "Kill to Live"
7. Raunchy- "Join the Scene"
8. Killswitch Engage- "Rose of Sharyn"
9. Iron Savior- "Break the Curse"
10. Evergrey- "A Touch of Blessing"

Written by Jonah
Tuesday, January 4, 2005