Top 10 Albums of 2007
Well another year has come and gone, and like many, it was I year that I made a fair number of CD purchases. So I thought I'd take the time and sound off on my favourites of the year.
Runners up:
Job For a Cowboy - Genesis
Darkest Hour - Deliver Us
Hellyeah - Hellyeah
Cephalic Carnage - Xenosapien
Dream Theater - Systematic Chaos
Obituary - Xecutioner's Return
Shadows Fall - Threads of Life
3 Inches of Blood - Fire Up the Blades
Iced Earth - Framing Armageddon
10. Exodus - The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A
Long hailed as one of the most brutal of the 1980s Thrash bands, Exodus have had something of a major comeback in the past few years, thanks in no small part to guitarist/leader Gary Holt's excellent riffs and writing talents. However, with The Atrocity Exhibition, the band takes one hell of a leap forward, complete with 8-minute songs, tons of solos, and newly returned drummer Tom Hunting's pounding double-bass attack. Definitely recommended for fans of good old-fashioned thrash with a modern twist, though some songs do get slightly repetitive.
9. As I Lay Dying - An Ocean Between Us
As I Lay Dying are something of a guilty pleasure of mine. Metal purists simply dismiss them as yet another band in the oversaturated metalcore genre, but the truth is that these guys have spent years refining and developing their own sound, and it's with this album that they've finally hit it. Nearly entirely gone are the genre's signature breakdowns, instead replaced with blisteringly fast leads and really cool melodic interludes (and even the occaisional solo), completed by frontman Tim Lambesis' excellent growling and drummer Jordan Mancino's relentless pounding. The boys have finally come into their own.
8. Megadeth - United Abominations
Yet another of the most distinctive 80s thrash bands, Megadeth spent the greater part of the 90s in a total slump, nearly going the same route as longtime rivals Metallica into a tepid swamp of mediocre hard rock. However, Megadeth have returned in full force with United Abominations, and the results are even better than many have hoped. While not quite reaching the status of the legendary Rust in Peace album, this album full on shreds, with Dave Mustaine delivering some of his most pissed-off material yet, while flanked by an incredibly well-rounded lineup of new musicians that deliver one hell of an inspired performance. Welcome back Megadeth. We missed you.
7. Behemoth - The Apostasy
There was one band that definitely stuck out like a Satanic sore thumb on this year's Ozzfest lineup, and that was Poland's legendary death metallers Behemoth. Having hit the death metal big time with 2005's Demigod, Behemoth could have easily chosen to rehash that album and churn out a profit. However, what we got instead was The Apostasy, a ruthless, all-out attack on the listener's eardrums, with frontman Nergal's roars resonating clearly against the churning guitars, while drummer Inferno beats you over the head with his bass kit and brings you back for more. The chaos is rounded out by the appearance of orchestral choirs, jazz piano, and a cryptic vocal cameo from Warrel Dane, frontman for the band Nevermore, which really made this album the most distinctive death metal release of 2007.
6. Arch Enemy - Rise of the Tyrant
Arch Enemy have become a definite juggernaut in the modern metal scene, thanks in no small part to the band's intense and elaborate riffs, as well as the gutteral roars and undeniable stage presence of frontwoman Angela Gossow. All was not well in the past few years however, as the band began to lose a large amount of their edge both due to their largely apathetic album Doomsday Machine and the departure of longtime axeman Christopher Amott. However, with Amott's return to the band and a newly rejuvinated passion, the band have released their best offering to date, complete with white-hot guitar work and more gutteral vocal work than ever before.
5. Dethklok - The Dethalbum
Hitting the world like a sonic blitzkrieg, Dethklok are without a doubt the most brutal band of all time, thanks in no small part to their exploits on the Metalocalypse TV show. This CD, the soundtrack to said show, is full of the most brutal music to rip faces off to ever, going the extra distance so as to feature legendary drummer Gene Hoglan on every song. This music will make you puke up blood and like it, after which you'll gladly sacrifice yourself at the altar of Dethklok. Brutal.
4. DevilDriver - The Last Kind Words
Proof positive that evolution is the key to a bigger and better sound, DevilDriver have delivered their definitive release that has baffled all of the band's haters and paved the way for some of the greatest metal in years. The band has taken everything that made their previous effort, The Fury of Our Maker's Hand, so memorable, and improved upon it, resulting in an album that is unwaveringly heavy while at the same time exceptionally catchy, thanks in no small part to the band's diverse vocals, machine-gun guitar work, and some of the best drumming ever witnessed on a metal record.
3. Chimaira - Resurrection
Over a year ago, Chimaira were one of the most hard-working bands in metal with the least to show for it. After their previous album received next to no promotion from their label, Chimaira decided to jump ship and begin the recording process themselves, and after a label change and the return of longtime drummer Andols Herrick, Chimaira are a beast with new fangs. This new batch of songs capture the band at their peak, with vocalist Mark Hunter delivering some of his most fierce and scowling vocals ever, while guitar duo Rob Arnold and Matt Devries cut through with excellent leads and a constant rhythmic attack. The songs even cover a diverse range of topics, ranging from homelessness (No Reason to Live) to incest (The Flame), and it's all these elements combined that make Resurrection one of the biggest middle fingers ever waved at a former label.
2. Down - Over the Under
Now THIS was an unexpected gem. Down have always been held in high regard due to its status as a supergroup, featuring members of Pantera, Crowbar, Corrosion of Conformity, and Eyehategod, and have consistently delivered prime examples of sludgy, doomy southern metal. However, the past few years saw the band go through innumerable hardships, with singer Phil Anselmo's constant battle with severe back pain and surgery, the destruction of the band's hometown of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina, and the loss of a mutual friend in former Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott. However, the band have channeled all of these hardships into creative force, and have returned with an album that owes a lot to classic 1970s rock and souther blues and that maintains a sound that is both mellow and epic at the same time. Not metal in the typical sense, just damn amazing.
1. Machine Head - The Blackening
Wow. WOW. Never has the world of metal seen such a story of a phoenix rising from the ashes that it has seen with Machine Head. The band has gone through a long series of musical ups and downs, with their early material competing with Pantera as some of the best neo-thrash of the 1990s, while soon afterwards they made the descent into some of the most uninspired nu-metal to ever be heard. After nearly losing their record deal and making something of a comeback with 2003's Through the Ashes of Empires, Machine Head have released what could possibly be the most essential metal release this side of the 80s. With no songs less than 5 minutes in length (and 4 of them breaking the 9 minute mark), The Blackening is a thrash metal firestorm, complete with shout-along choruses, haunting melodic interludes, furious drumming, and so many solos that no doubt can be left that Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel are the true successors to Glen Tipton and K.K. Downing as the masters of dueling guitar. Many have said that this album is the next Master of Puppets, but the truth is that that statement is an insult to how amazing this album is. There isn't a repetitive moment to be found here, and even after countless listens, my hairs still stand up on the back of my neck every time the solo to "Halo" comes on. Congratulations guys, you deserve every bit of praise you receive for this and more.
Well another year has come and gone, and like many, it was I year that I made a fair number of CD purchases. So I thought I'd take the time and sound off on my favourites of the year.
Runners up:
Job For a Cowboy - Genesis
Darkest Hour - Deliver Us
Hellyeah - Hellyeah
Cephalic Carnage - Xenosapien
Dream Theater - Systematic Chaos
Obituary - Xecutioner's Return
Shadows Fall - Threads of Life
3 Inches of Blood - Fire Up the Blades
Iced Earth - Framing Armageddon
10. Exodus - The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A
Long hailed as one of the most brutal of the 1980s Thrash bands, Exodus have had something of a major comeback in the past few years, thanks in no small part to guitarist/leader Gary Holt's excellent riffs and writing talents. However, with The Atrocity Exhibition, the band takes one hell of a leap forward, complete with 8-minute songs, tons of solos, and newly returned drummer Tom Hunting's pounding double-bass attack. Definitely recommended for fans of good old-fashioned thrash with a modern twist, though some songs do get slightly repetitive.
9. As I Lay Dying - An Ocean Between Us
As I Lay Dying are something of a guilty pleasure of mine. Metal purists simply dismiss them as yet another band in the oversaturated metalcore genre, but the truth is that these guys have spent years refining and developing their own sound, and it's with this album that they've finally hit it. Nearly entirely gone are the genre's signature breakdowns, instead replaced with blisteringly fast leads and really cool melodic interludes (and even the occaisional solo), completed by frontman Tim Lambesis' excellent growling and drummer Jordan Mancino's relentless pounding. The boys have finally come into their own.
8. Megadeth - United Abominations
Yet another of the most distinctive 80s thrash bands, Megadeth spent the greater part of the 90s in a total slump, nearly going the same route as longtime rivals Metallica into a tepid swamp of mediocre hard rock. However, Megadeth have returned in full force with United Abominations, and the results are even better than many have hoped. While not quite reaching the status of the legendary Rust in Peace album, this album full on shreds, with Dave Mustaine delivering some of his most pissed-off material yet, while flanked by an incredibly well-rounded lineup of new musicians that deliver one hell of an inspired performance. Welcome back Megadeth. We missed you.
7. Behemoth - The Apostasy
There was one band that definitely stuck out like a Satanic sore thumb on this year's Ozzfest lineup, and that was Poland's legendary death metallers Behemoth. Having hit the death metal big time with 2005's Demigod, Behemoth could have easily chosen to rehash that album and churn out a profit. However, what we got instead was The Apostasy, a ruthless, all-out attack on the listener's eardrums, with frontman Nergal's roars resonating clearly against the churning guitars, while drummer Inferno beats you over the head with his bass kit and brings you back for more. The chaos is rounded out by the appearance of orchestral choirs, jazz piano, and a cryptic vocal cameo from Warrel Dane, frontman for the band Nevermore, which really made this album the most distinctive death metal release of 2007.
6. Arch Enemy - Rise of the Tyrant
Arch Enemy have become a definite juggernaut in the modern metal scene, thanks in no small part to the band's intense and elaborate riffs, as well as the gutteral roars and undeniable stage presence of frontwoman Angela Gossow. All was not well in the past few years however, as the band began to lose a large amount of their edge both due to their largely apathetic album Doomsday Machine and the departure of longtime axeman Christopher Amott. However, with Amott's return to the band and a newly rejuvinated passion, the band have released their best offering to date, complete with white-hot guitar work and more gutteral vocal work than ever before.
5. Dethklok - The Dethalbum
Hitting the world like a sonic blitzkrieg, Dethklok are without a doubt the most brutal band of all time, thanks in no small part to their exploits on the Metalocalypse TV show. This CD, the soundtrack to said show, is full of the most brutal music to rip faces off to ever, going the extra distance so as to feature legendary drummer Gene Hoglan on every song. This music will make you puke up blood and like it, after which you'll gladly sacrifice yourself at the altar of Dethklok. Brutal.
4. DevilDriver - The Last Kind Words
Proof positive that evolution is the key to a bigger and better sound, DevilDriver have delivered their definitive release that has baffled all of the band's haters and paved the way for some of the greatest metal in years. The band has taken everything that made their previous effort, The Fury of Our Maker's Hand, so memorable, and improved upon it, resulting in an album that is unwaveringly heavy while at the same time exceptionally catchy, thanks in no small part to the band's diverse vocals, machine-gun guitar work, and some of the best drumming ever witnessed on a metal record.
3. Chimaira - Resurrection
Over a year ago, Chimaira were one of the most hard-working bands in metal with the least to show for it. After their previous album received next to no promotion from their label, Chimaira decided to jump ship and begin the recording process themselves, and after a label change and the return of longtime drummer Andols Herrick, Chimaira are a beast with new fangs. This new batch of songs capture the band at their peak, with vocalist Mark Hunter delivering some of his most fierce and scowling vocals ever, while guitar duo Rob Arnold and Matt Devries cut through with excellent leads and a constant rhythmic attack. The songs even cover a diverse range of topics, ranging from homelessness (No Reason to Live) to incest (The Flame), and it's all these elements combined that make Resurrection one of the biggest middle fingers ever waved at a former label.
2. Down - Over the Under
Now THIS was an unexpected gem. Down have always been held in high regard due to its status as a supergroup, featuring members of Pantera, Crowbar, Corrosion of Conformity, and Eyehategod, and have consistently delivered prime examples of sludgy, doomy southern metal. However, the past few years saw the band go through innumerable hardships, with singer Phil Anselmo's constant battle with severe back pain and surgery, the destruction of the band's hometown of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina, and the loss of a mutual friend in former Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott. However, the band have channeled all of these hardships into creative force, and have returned with an album that owes a lot to classic 1970s rock and souther blues and that maintains a sound that is both mellow and epic at the same time. Not metal in the typical sense, just damn amazing.
1. Machine Head - The Blackening
Wow. WOW. Never has the world of metal seen such a story of a phoenix rising from the ashes that it has seen with Machine Head. The band has gone through a long series of musical ups and downs, with their early material competing with Pantera as some of the best neo-thrash of the 1990s, while soon afterwards they made the descent into some of the most uninspired nu-metal to ever be heard. After nearly losing their record deal and making something of a comeback with 2003's Through the Ashes of Empires, Machine Head have released what could possibly be the most essential metal release this side of the 80s. With no songs less than 5 minutes in length (and 4 of them breaking the 9 minute mark), The Blackening is a thrash metal firestorm, complete with shout-along choruses, haunting melodic interludes, furious drumming, and so many solos that no doubt can be left that Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel are the true successors to Glen Tipton and K.K. Downing as the masters of dueling guitar. Many have said that this album is the next Master of Puppets, but the truth is that that statement is an insult to how amazing this album is. There isn't a repetitive moment to be found here, and even after countless listens, my hairs still stand up on the back of my neck every time the solo to "Halo" comes on. Congratulations guys, you deserve every bit of praise you receive for this and more.