These are my picks for the top ten albums of 2004. Whether you agree or disagree with me - leave a message below letting me know what you think!


1. EDGUY - Hellfire Club
This album has spent more time in my CD player this year than any other CD on this list. From the opening, heavy-ass notes of Mysteria all the way to the closing, sappy-ass notes of The Spirit Will Remain, Edguy has once again created a nearly perfect collection of Melodic Power Metal.

2. DRAGONFORCE - Sonic Firestorm
Although their debut album was quite plain apart from the guitar playing, Sonic Firestorm came from out of nowhere and destroyed most of its competition in the Melodic Power Metal genre. This time around, the vocals are MUCH improved, the songwriting is creative and fun, and most of all the guitar playing is the best guitar work on any metal album of last year. A bold statement, but anyone that has heard this album will most likely agree. Mind blowing.

3. ANGRA - Temple of Shadows
Another wonderful Power Metal album with a Brazilian tint to it that makes me glad I'm such a Power Metal whore. The rhythms and melodies create an intensely unique metal experience that all fans of music should love. Check it out!

4. SONATA ARCTICA - Reckoning Night
I've seen some pretty poor reviews for this one, which surprises the hell out of me. Although it does take a few spins to grow on the listener, once it does, a real gem of a metal album is revealed. Like their debut album Ecliptica, I absolutely love all ten tracks on this CD. Speedy, melodic, and the perfect addition to the Sonata Arctica catalogue - Reckoning Night may be their best album to date.

5. HEAVENLY - Dust to Dust
Their second album Sign of the Winner was great, but it lacked any real power, which was a problem for some metal fans. Heavenly obviously felt the same way, as their latest offering Dust to Dust kicks up the heaviness notch a considerable amount. Evil and Lust For Life are catchy beyond words, with huge choirs blowing shit apart with bombast. Apart from two or three tracks that are only slightly above average, this whole album kills.

6. WUTHERING HEIGHTS - Far From the Maddening Crowd
This is the only album I've heard from the Danish band Wuthering Heights, but after listening to it over and over I will definitely check out the rest of their stuff. It reminds me slightly of Blind Guardian's Somewhere Far Beyond album, which is my personal favorite of theirs, although Wuthering Heights has a lot more folk flava than BG. Vocalist Nils Patrick Johansson is amazing, with an incredible range and forceful delivery. Get this CD now!

7. NIGHTWISH - Once
Although my favorite Nightwish album is still Oceanborn, their newest opus comes in at a close second. If you want your metal overflowing with gorgeous operatic vocals and lush, sweeping orchestral arrangements, you can't go wrong with Once. A must buy for all fans of Melodic Metal.

8. ICED EARTH - The Glorious Burden
I've always loved Iced Earth, but when Tim Owens came on board as the new vocalist last year it made my love of the band grow immensely. I know this may be heresy among fans, but I was never a big fan of Barlow. I liked him and everything, but Owens' voice suits this music much better in my opinion. Just listen to The Reckoning, specifically that ungodly scream towards the end, and tell me this isn't perfect Heavy Metal. You can't!

9. ENUFF Z'NUFF - ?
Any time Enuff Z'Nuff comes out with a new album, it's almost guaranteed to be fantastic in my book. They could continue to release older tracks like this for the next ten years and I would be perfectly happy. Anything these guys do is brilliant! Great album.

10. AINA - Days of Rising Doom
Although I was expecting an Avantasia clone, and was briefly disappointed when I learned this was not the case, after multiple listens this album grew on me quite a bit. The stark contrasts in vocal styles between, say, Tobias Sammet and Glenn Hughes, create quite a unique metal record that gets better after each listen. A musically eclectic release, and one I would recommend to everyone.


Biggest Disappointment:

SKYLARK - Wings
What. A. Piece. Of. Shit.

Written by Matthew
Wednesday, January 12, 2005