I once again managed to listen to quite a lot of music from the year that has gone, so I hope that you can sense my difficulty in making such a highlight list type of thing. My fields of interest mainly lie within the Heavy/Power/Progressive/Rock area. Some albums could continue to grow slightly and there are a bunch of releases I never got around to checking out too, but I have once again tried to pick out twenty albums that made a special impression.and the rest has also gotten a few words along the way. Please feel welcome to comment with some of your favourite releases.
Top 20 Albums 1. Sieges Even. The Art Of Navigating By The Stars. Read review by Steen
This one simply blew me away. Each member astounds with his unique exploring and excessive creativity. The guitars are used in ways I never thought possible and the vocals are so refreshingly uncomplicated, contrasting the vast musical web of pure genius thinking.
2. Redemption. The Fullness Of Time. Read review
A massive concept build upon a set of extremely strong pillars. Ray Alder sings these emotional songs with huge empathy and the rhythm section inspires all the way through.
3. Bon Jovi. Have A Nice Day. Read review
I have heard this one over and over and it only gets better with time. As on all Bon Jovi releases we find a couple of songs that don't quite live up to the rest, but even those songs keep growing on this one. Groovy, rocking, touching, life confirming, and genius.well it's just Bon Jovi for crying out loud.
4. Allen - Lande. The Battle. Read review by Alanna
A superb combination of Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and Power Metal, oozing with smoking guitars, catchy melodies and overwhelming vocal passages.
Come Alive is so powerful and energized that it should have a fair chance of bringing someone back from the dead.
5. Kamelot. The Black Halo. Read review by Steen
This band just got a thing for stunning atmospheres. A comprehensive and haunting concept with an abundance of thrilling progressive twists.
6. Hartmann. Out In The Cold. Read review by Alanna
Refreshing, harmonious and emotionally profound. His voice captures these feelings so beautifully, take the breathtaking
I Will Carry On as a magnificent example.
7. Gotthard. Lipservice
Cathy Hard Rock with a huge powerful drive. One great song after the other, tremendous melodies, groovy riffs and melodic refrains.
8. Starbreaker. Starbreaker. Read review by Alanna
A powerful melodic Heavy Rock album with long durability and thick crunchy guitars.
9. Nevermore. This Godless Endeavor. Read review
Mean, groovy, trashy, melodic and immensely well played. A super strong disc with an intensity level that leaves you grasping for air.
10. Beyond Twilight. Section X. Read review
A sophisticated web spun in dark waters. Innovative Progressive Metal with expressive scenarios, expect something out of the ordinary.
11. Dogpound. A Night In The Gutter. Read review by Steen
Raw and yet very catchy Hard Rock with crunchy hooks and memorable refrains, this really rocks hard.
Steel My Heart has one of the heaviest riff and coolest choruses I have heard in a long time.
12. James LaBrie. Elements Of Persuasion
Dream Theater singer put out this highly interesting album, being ingenious in both sound and approach. His voice is and has always been brilliant and this great mix of hardness and softer tones makes up a comprehensive experience. Through what at times is a fairly cold sound his warm voice burns right through.
13. RPWL. World Through My Eyes. Read review by SteenLooking for a Progressive Rock album with tons of catchy melody lines, experimenting structures and hypnotic atmospheres then this is definitely worth checking out, a spellbinding album.
14. Labyrinth. Freeman. Read review by Matthew
Their odd ideas are exactly what make their music that extra inch interesting. Advanced Power/Prog Metal of high calibre.
15. Kreator. Enemy Of God
A comprehensive and great Trash album with excellent musicianship on all fronts. There is just such a deep impact incorporated into these songs that you feel them right to the bone.
16. Opeth. Ghost Reveries
This was about what I expected for this talented band. Huge dark epics and a special ability for creating massive structures that somehow comes together in remarkable ways. I don't think it's just as mesmerizing all the way but it seems that the band is almost incapable of making bad calls.
17. Riverside. Second Life Syndrome. Read review
Gloomy and atmospheric prog with stunning hypnotizing vocal melodies. They produce this truly remarkable and effectual veil of wonder.
18. Vision Divine. The Perfect Machine. Read review
Intelligent and slightly Progressive Power Metal with a thrilling vocal performance.
19. Stream Of Passion. Embrace The Storm. Read review by Steen
Melancholic, dreaming and very emotional. Another great album from Arjen but it still needs some kind of fulfilment to enter the line of his best works.
20. Pagan's Mind. Enigmatic: Calling. Read review
I foresee a grand future for this explosive Progressive Power Metal band, combining intelligent song writing and embracing atmospheres in very dynamic ways.
Other Stuff Worth Checking Out (Alphabetical Order)
Annihilator. Schizo Deluxe
You can't help but feeling excited from time to time here, it's surely not lacking any intensity. Some cuts are clearly stronger than others but overall I'm pleased with the result.
Anubis Gate. A Perfect Forever
Second album from the Danish Power Metal band, a big plus is their ability to combine both traditional, trashy and progressive elements into their music.I'm just missing more memorable threads to bind things tighter together.
Arena. Pepper's Ghost
Progressive Rock songs made with an eye for the important minor details, not overly entertaining but well carried out.
Astral Doors. Evil Is Forever. Read review
Nothing wrong with a bit of old school action. Overall this is a good and solid piece of work including a few highlights in-between.
Brainstorm. Liquid Monster. Read review
I was expecting a bit more, something that really got my blood running. Anyway they know their stuff as musicians and came up with a tight Power Metal release.
Bruce Dickinson. Tyranny Of Souls. Read review
This is a very good album having some intense and very interesting ideas, my expectations were even higher though, it could have had more meat on it.
Candlemass. Candlemass. Read review by Steen
A charismatic, doomy, and raw album with an unsettling soul. My first but very pleasant experience with this very distinct band.
Chris Caffery. W.A.R.P.E.D
Hard-hitting second album from Savatage guitarist, at its fiercest moments these songs are very explosive, which of course is a good thing. In a few occasions it just becomes too weird and experimental.the spoken parts just don't do it for me.
Circle II Circle. Middle Of Nowhere. Read review by Hashman
The band has managed to create their own groovy style and at its most melodic moments it's really successful, they are just not exactly found in abundance on this their second release.
Circus Maximus. The 1st Chapter. Read review by Steen
All in all a strong disc and I see a big potential here. They play with great confidence but unfortunately the creations become too unoriginal at times.
Communic. Conspiracy In Mind. Read review by Steen
An interesting and very technical Progressive Metal debut. I seem to loose focus in some of these very lengthy tracks but overall there are lots of cool ideas to be found.
D:A:D. Scare Yourself
The Danish veterans returned with a stripped down Hard Rock approach, leaving the softer tones almost out and the raw drive back in. The result was a fresh and energetic release with most of the songs being very forceful or catchy.
Demons & Wizards. Touched By The Crimson King. Read review
Somehow this never really evolved the way I hoped it would. Some simple and unexciting elements holds it back, even though we a times get glimpses of these two titans bombastic abilities.
Dream Theater. Octavarium
Can an overall good album still be a disappointment? I guess the answer comes close to being a yes when the band is called Dream Theater. The musicianship is of course fantastic but this is their least successful album ever in my opinion, lacking both memorable elements and dynamic structures.it seems fragmented and unfocused.
Edge Of Forever. Let The Demon Rock N' Roll. Read review by AlannaDiverse Hard Rock profiting by huge hooks and some memorable vocal lines. The production is rather old school, which has its own charm but unfortunately the thin drums suffer from it.
The keyboard adds that extra level of harmony to whole thing.
Exodus. Shovel Headed Kill Machine
Well-played and fierce Trash Metal that keeps you awake even in you weariest hour.
Firewind. Forged By Fire
That
Tyranny track still kicks ass and all in all this is a competent and successful Power Metal release.
Force Of Evil. Black Empire
From time to time it rocks, but I find it too predictable and standard in its approach.
Frameshift. An Absence Of Empathy. Read review by Hashman
Captivating concept and a thorough execution, not everything clicks but most of it is highly innovative stuff.
Freak Kitchen. Organic
The music is unmistakeable Freak Kitchen but the songs are mostly somehow stripped from the great melodies and ideas that were so present on Move. It's not bad but I'm still a bit let down.
Freedom Call. The Circle Of Light. Read review by Nina
I miss a bit more speed and heaviness, but I can't say that the catchy melodies have dried out.
Gamma Ray. Majestic. Read review
It's a decent and tight album, but a far cry from their finest hour.
Grave Digger. The Last Supper
Not among their best but still very good stuff. Classic raw Power Metal with an eye for vigorous choruses.
Hammerfall. Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken. Read review by Nina
I guess it will never be quite the same as the two magnificent first albums, the formula seems a bit worn out and the attempt for a big epic with
Knights Of The 20th Century falls flat. Anyway they pull home a decent offering through the rock solid Power Metal they still master so firmly.
Headrush. Headrush. Read review by Alanna
Overall good guitar driven Hard Rock with progressive tendencies.
Helloween. Keeper Of The Seven Keys - The Legacy
Why bother with two discs here, there are surely passages that are rather unnecessary. Anyway there are some outstanding songs along the way as
Come Alive and
Light The Universe.
Ill Niño. One Nation Underground. Read review by Steen
Aggressive and yet melodic, this is my first experience with the band and definitely a positive one.
Iron Mask. Hordes Of The Brave
Spectacular, well-produced and melodic Power Metal. The vocals are fantastic and the arrangements keeps growing. And oh yeah Oliver Hartmann also appears on three songs.
Ivanhoe. Walk In Minefields
Between the not overly exciting stuff some cool ideas and arrangements pops up, a neat Progressive Metal album.
Jaded Heart. Hellvua Time. Read review by Alanna
What a treat this was. Lush keys, soaring refrains and sweet melodies.
Judas Priest. Angel Of Retribution. Read review by Hashman
Some of the magic has remained and they still have that impressive drive intact, but I'm a little disappointed, it lingers too much on simple arrangements.
Karelia. Raise
The band falls within the Symphonic Power Metal genre, brining along some untraditional thinking. Unfortunately the sections have a tendency to be rather fragmented, but overall a decent effort.
Kino. Picture
A very experimenting Progressive Rock release with many harmonious moments, I just can't help but feeling that it looses focus now and then.
Lanfear. Another Golden Rage. Read review by Steen
Unique band with an experimenting and very layered approach. It at times somehow gets a bit blurred, but it's a solid and ingenious album.
Machine Men. Elegies
This is a straight ahead classic Heavy Metal release with a fresh and energetic take on things, mastering both melody and atmosphere.
Majestic Vanguard. Beyond The Moon
A diverse and refreshing album with some catchy stuff on it, not afraid to get stuck in one category style-wise.definitely worth checking out for fans of Melodic Metal in general.
Malpractice. Deviation From The Sun
Within the rather complicated web of smart arrangements some harmonious melodies pop up here and now. A firm piece of Progressive Metal.
Masterplan. Aeronautics. Read review
A very good album with some thrilling elements as the smash hit
Wounds, not reaching the soaring highs of the debut though.
Mattsson. War
Between a lot of standard stuff some intriguing and very symphonic passages surface.
Neal Morse. ?. Read review by Hashman
I really liked the One album and this is also a quality release but it hasn't got the same smooth flow and I miss more really expressive moments.
Nocturnal Rites. Grand Illusion. Read review
Well-crafted and catchy Power Metal with an open eye for new experimentations
Overkill. ReliXIV. Read review by Hashman
Nice to see someone sticking to their roots 100%. This is not a fantastic release but alone their joyful attitude puts a smile on my face.
Paragon. Revenge
A for shot from the genius that was Law Of The Blade. It's still a raw and forceful collection of old school Power Metal.
Place Vendome. Place Vendome. Read review by Steen
It's a very polished and placid result, unfortunately only a couple of songs have that long lasting effect, the rest settles as plain to all in all good.
Presto Ballet. Peace Among The Ruins
This one came along like a breath of fresh air, a great album full of playful vibes and diverse approaches.
Primal Fear. Seven Seals
A really strong release offering plenty of variation, a stellar production and tight performances.
Royal Hunt. Paper Blood. Read review by Alanna
Overall good is the term that best describes what to expect from this release. André knows his stuff but the really stirring melodies only enter the scene sporadically.
Russel Allen's Atomic Soul. Atomic Soul. Read review by Alanna
Refreshing to hear Russel flirt with some classic Hard Rock music, his awesome voice could fit anything; he just has that unique expressive touch.
Saidian. .For Those Who Walk The Path Forlorn
It surely got better and more interesting after a number of listenings; a strong point is a dose of catchy choruses.
Savage Circus. Dreamland Manor
This is more Blind Guardian that Blind Guardian them selves, if you think of the first half of their career that is. Forceful drumming, superb raw vocals, unluckily some rather dull lyrics and lots of bombast. more variation could be wished for but it remains an intense release.
Secret Sphere. Heart & Anger. Read review
A solid effort from the expressive Symphonic Power Metal unit, having lots of music on it and most of it really well put together.
Shadow Gallery. Room V. Read review by Steen
A big scaled follow up to the fantastic Tyranny, having several memorable passages of both melody and emotion. A very good album, I just think it has a tendency to loose the thread in some of the lengthier tracks.
Shakra. Fall. Read review by Michael
Shakra offers a raw dose of groovy Hard Rock, unfortunately only a few songs really shine bright.
Shaman. Reason
I find this album fascinating; it's a unique and elaborate take on Melodic Metal. Thrilling vocals and mesmerizing moods are key words.
Spock's Beard. Octane. Read review
High class Progressive Rock with ingenious and heart-felt moments.
Stratovarius. Stratovarius. Read review by Nina
I'm afraid I have to rate this the least best album in their career, in glimpses I hear their true captivating potential but too much of this becomes monotone and boring. I accept they went ahead and tried a more mid-tempo approach, it's the actual melodies and choruses that fail to really stand out in most occasions.
Stride. Imagine
There is something very soothing about this album, it's not outstanding but manages to leave a positive and cunning impression.
Supreme Majesty. Elements Of Creation
A nice but also very safe collection of Heavy Metal in the classic vein. Problem is that not much really stands out on this album.
Sworn. Visionary Control
Well-executed raw Metal with a bunch of dynamic melodies and ideas, but lacking that extra finesse in becoming really fascinating.
Symphorce. Godspeed. Read review
A compact and tense record with a straight to the point attitude, a minor highlight for sure.
The Darkness. One Way Ticket To Hell.And Back. Read review by MichaelThis energized Rock N' Roll nostalgia just gives me a rush. This is very infectious stuff rapped in a powerful production.
Thy Majestie. Jeanne D'Arc
Not exactly a stand out release but it's a solid piece of professional Power Metal with some successful attempts to create large and varied song structures.
To/Die/For. IV. Read review by Steen
Unique, sedative and melancholic are all words that come to mind when evaluating this release. Unfortunately the choruses and melodies vary in quality throughout the record, not all having the same effusive effect.
Tribuzy. Execution
A quite intriguing project that never really becomes fantastic, but has a high quality level all the way through. Mixing classic Metal vocals and melodies with vigorous Power Metal rhythm action.
U.D.O. Mission X
I wasn't expecting anything revolutionary and if the song writing had been better it wouldn't have mattered at all. Again we find some really powerful songs and a bunch that sound way too uninspiring.
Vanishing Point. Embrace The Storm
Thick atmospheric prog from Australia. This is a very good album showing a unique way of expressing a melting pot of styles. The vocals lack some vigour here and there but in general I really like this one.
Yargos. To Be Or Not To BeA strange album having both great melodies but also arrangements that flies to high and never really come full circle. Threshold vocalist Mac McDermott has a warm and soothing voice and most of this record works out nicely.
Zero Hour. A Fragile Mind
Progressive Metal with a lot of instrumental structures of varied quality. A decent album with a cool atmospheric closing track.
Disappointments Of The Year
Deadsoul Tribe. The Dead Word
Last years January Tree was a moody and interesting album but this time the music never really opens up and remains rather monotone and uninspiring. It has its soothing and enjoyable moments but overall I was expecting more.
Running Wild. Rogues En Vogue. Read reviewA dull and standard sounding album with a few melodic goodies, I sure hope that Rolf will find some of the old form again next time.
Live Experiences Of The Year (Alphabetical Order)
D:A:D. Read live review
A tight and cool performance, most of their new stuff held up very on stage.
Nightwish. Read live review
The bombastic effect was felt very much indeed, a solid gig.
Wacken Open Air. Read live reviewAnd so we returned once again to get wasted and have our ears cleaned out. Edguy stole the show with a spellbinding show, but there were also other memorable moments. It was a joyful experience to finally see Accept in hard rocking action.
