.:TOP 10 - 2007:.
Like in 2006 I had the pleasure to review and buy new releases of known and unknown/less-known bands. Once more it was quite hard to put together my Top 10 and I again made the mistake of promising this or that album would be added, like in the case of PAGAN'S MIND. The competition showed me this year as well I was wrong and that I should wait until the year is over before selecting my favourites. This extended list was promised many weeks ago, but due to many reasons I finally managed to finish it.
Best of 2007:
01) AFTER FOREVER - After ForeverProbably their best and most versatile album to date, no? This is the second AFTER FOREVER album I have, next to "Inner Circles", which I thought was great as well. But "After Forever" surpasses it in sound, compositions, musicianship... everything.
02) NILE - Ithyphallic
NILE have been releasing kick-ass Death Metal since many years and haven't released one bad album. There might be a less good release, but it will still be a strong one and not disappoint. The successor to "Annihilation Of The Wicked" is a little different in sound and compositions, but the NILE stamp is clearly present and very much so. NILE has never disappointed and "Ithyphallic" confirms their craftsmanship.
03) REBELLION - The History Of The Vikings, Volume II: Miklagard
Power Metal with balls, to correspond with the told tales. "Volume I" was good, but needed several listens to grasp. "Volume II" is simply perfect from start to finish: excellent and powerful sound, wonderful musicianship, intricate compositions, the entire package is outstanding and shows the band has grown over the years, releasing their best album to date.
04) TURISAS - The Varangian Way
"Battle Metal" was good, but I sort of missed something. Yet after finding out what "The Varangian Way" was like, I think I'll add the first one to my collection asap. The follow-up delivers on all fronts and shows TURISAS has made lots of progress over the past few years. This is Epic Metal of first quality.
05) DESTRUCTION - Thrash Anthems
One of Germany's oldest Thrash bands, probably the first and after all these years they are still going strong, despite the problems that left a hole of some 10 years in the band's history. Back in the 1980 they made releases that catapulted them to the throne of Thrash. Many hits were written back then and they are still being played today. As a tribute to that period, Schmier, Marc and Mike re-recorded a whole list of those classics and added two new tracks, showing they have no Thrash lessons to learn from anyone. The mix by Jacob Hansen added extra power, especially on the drums. This is more than a Best Of and therefore very much recommended.
06) COLOSSEUM - Chapter 1: Delirium
Last year the German Funeral Doom band AHAB stood here. This year it's the Finnish Funeral Doom band COLOSSEUM, who released a very solid debut, which is indeed very depressing, dark, melancholic and more along those lines. Fans of DEAD CAN DANCE, LUSTMORD and similar cannot ignore COLOSSEUM. Quality stuff that deserves lots of recognition.
07) THE VISION BLEAK - The Wolves Go Hunt Their Prey
Gothic Metal with balls. My first acquaintance with this German band. Of course, it's not something I listen to everyday, but when I do... oh goodie! Must-have for any Gothic fan, as it's truly a work of art.
08) BE'LAKOR - The Frail Tide
Who would have thought Australia houses such a great band like BE'LAKOR? Their Melodic Death Metal is of a high level and can easily compete with the European bands. One of the surprises of 2007 and diamond in the rough, although at this point it already shines enormously.
09) MACHINE HEAD - The Blackening
These Groove Metallers surprised the world with "Burn My Eyes" in 1994, but knew a change in course afterwards, even going Nu-Metal, which wasn't appreciated by everyone. With "The Blackening" they've gone back to their Thrash roots and made an album equally powerful and good as their debut.
10) EVOKEN - A Caress Of The Void
EVOKEN is one of my favourite Funeral/Death/Doom bands, even though I really started getting into them in 2006. Having to wait for their albums to be delivered ("Quietus" took me almost a year), I'm glad I got this latest release sooner. This album is as qualitative as their previous ones, if not more. Very much recommended material for any Doom fan.
Honourable mentions:
Of course there were also many contenders, but this is again limited to 10...01) SYMPHONY X - Paradise Lost
Together with a.o. DREAM THEATER they're one of the best Progressive bands around and this since many years. Like DT, Russel Allen, Michael Romeo and co. have made a heavier album, without losing sight of the Progressive aspect of the music, even though the songs are more direct than before.
02) SAXON - The Inner Sanctum
One of the best NWOBHM bands, still going strong after almost 30 years. With "Lionheart" (or perhaps even before that one) this British band made a big step, increasing their popularity and it seems they're now bigger than ever. "The Inner Sanctum" mixes old and new, in terms of compositions and is a clear proof that SAXON doesn't have to take lessons from anyone.
03) BEHEMOTH - The Apostasy
The Polish masters of extreme Metal, combining Death and Black Metal. "The Apostasy" is another highlight in their career and very much inline with their top album "Demigod". Also on an international level this band is a serious player.
04) PRIMAL FEAR - New Religion
Often accused of being a JUDAS PRIEST clone, PRIMAL FEAR still are a different band, more Power Metal orientated. "New Religion" is their first on Frontiers Records and brings back some power that was a bit lost on "Seven Seals", which was one of their best albums to date, with songs that came out really well live.
05) MÅNEGARM - Vargstenen
Folk/Viking Metal of the finest sort. Anno 2007 I got to know more bands I only knew by name, but never took the chance to properly check them out. With MÅNEGARM it went quite rapidly, as my collection is almost complete. I can't understand why I ignored them all those years. Anyhow, "Vargstenen" is one their best albums, although they incorporated more Folk here, whereas the previous ones had more Black Metal. Definitely a great release.
06) DREAM THEATER - Sytematic Chaos
After all those years, they're still getting bigger and show the fight for the Progressive throne is hard. "Awake", "Train Of Thought" and now "Systematic Chaos", the band's 3 heaviest albums to bring back the Metal in the band. James LaBrie also adds more roughness to his voice, which suits him very much.
07) SADHARA - To Hell, With Sympathy
Melodic Death Metal and serious competition for ARCH ENEMY, especially Angela Gossow. Katherine Burke is no cat to take without gloves, as she clearly shows on "To Hell, With Sympathy". Clean vocals or harsh, she masters both and can switch from one to the other in a split second. Plus, she plays guitar. For the drums she's got the assistance of Iwan Hendrikx, who shows he's one mighty beast behind the kit. This is a pearl of an album and it shows that labels are wrong not to sign this band.
08) CIRCUS MAXIMUS - Isolate
A band that keeps the Progressive Metal of old DREAM THEATER alive. That deserves a lot of kudos. Excellent musicianship, great vocals, wonderful compositions that can get stuck in your head for weeks. This is one of the finer releases of 2007 that should not be ignored.
09) REVEREND BIZARRE - III: So Long Suckers
Traditional Doom masters, putting the band to sleep with what could be their best release. To make this even better, they put their last compositions on two CDs, for more Doom pleasure (or agony, depending on how you look at it). Definitely recommended material for any self-respecting Doom Metal fan.
10) THERION - Gothic Kaballah
Quite a suprise, this "Gothic Kaballah", especially after the double album "Lemuria/Sirius B", which were of the best albums THERION ever made. "Gothic Kaballah" requires several listens to appreciate the music, but the THERION stamp is clearly there.
'Worst' albums:
Disappointing stuff (in alphabetical order) because of either the vocals, or the musicianship or the songs themselves or anything that made these records put a black mark on 2007 (incl. the production). Just see the relevant reviews for more details why I didn't found them good enough. I selected the worst ones, although there are more.01) ANCIENT CREATION - Evolution Bound
02) BEREAVED - The Spirit Driven By Hate
03) BLOOD STAIN CHILD - Mozaiq
04) DANZIG - The Lost Tracks Of Danzig
05) DEBAUCHERY - Back In Blood
06) DEEP IN HATE - Only The Strong Survive
07) GUTBUCKET - Gutbucket
08) MAEDER - Maeder
09) MEHIDA - Blood & Water
10) MEKONG DELTA - Lurking Fear
11) MELIAH RAGE - The Deep And Dreamless Sleep
12) MOTHERNIGHT - Mothernight
13) REAPERS - World In Chains
14) REBEL MEETS REBEL - Rebel Meets Rebel
Disappointments:
Releases I expected a lot from, but only delivered for a certain part... Here's the shortlist in alphabetical order:EXODUS - The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A
IRON SAVIOR - Megatropolis
KAMELOT - Ghost Opera
MANOWAR - Gods Of War