.:TOP 10 - 2008:.
It has taken a very long time for me to make this list. Was it because the choice was this time harder? Because there were more releases I wanted to add, because I changed the list several times? Or because there was a lack of energy to write it all down? Whatever it was, it's somewhat late, but better late(r) than not.
Best of 2008:
01) AMON AMARTH - Twilight Of The Thunder GodThe Swedish Vikings scored high with their before-last album, "With Oden On Our Side", which was one of their best - if not THE best - albums, even if each of the previous ones is also very much worth having. With "Twilight Of The Thunder God" AMON AMARTH made an album as good as the last one and perhaps even better. The fact remains that AMON AMARTH stands for qualitative Melodic Death Metal and they have shown it once more.
02) AUVERNIA - Towards Eternity
I got to know this band when they sent a request for a review. And I can assure you, these Argentinians know how to make great Progressive Power Metal. Adding elements from Death and Black Metal helps to give the music extra power and feel. Although unsigned, AUVERNIA created an album that can easily compete with bigger, signed bands in the genre. Therefore I truly believe they deserve all the attention they can get and "Towards Eternity" should open the eyes and ears of many on this globe. The start was very good, what will the follow-up be like?
03) MAR DE GRISES - Draining The Waterheart
Doom Metal from Chile and not your typical Death/Doom band, as MAR DE GRISES create a wonderful atmospheric version of it. Furthermore, they aren't scared of making the music a bit Progressive. From start to finish you're on a journey to places not of this world. The album "Draining The Waterheart" was somehow one of the Doom Metal surprises of 2008 and it would be discriminating not to acknowledge the band's potential and qualities.
04) SERENITY - Fallen Sanctuary
"Words Untold & Dreams Unlived" was the debut of this Austrian Progressive Metal band. It was good, but things could only get better. And that was perfectly done with "Fallen Sanctuary". For this new album the band used more symphonics, created more powerful songs and asked Jacob Hansen for the mixing and mastering. Everything combined made this new album splendid, tremendous and more. Anyone into Symphonic Metal meets Progressive meets Power just cannot look past SERENITY and "Fallen Sanctuary".
05) DRACONIAN - Turning Season Within
One of my favourite Doom Metal bands. Each release so far has been very good, with mainly "Arcane Rain Fell" being a pearl of an album. The expectations for "Turning Season Within" were high and the Swedes delivered! Even if the Metal has gone more Gothic, but there's still enough Doom left for the band to be put under the Gothic/Doom Metal label. Or in short: pure f-ing quality. I'm glad to have the album and somehow I'm glad I can finally add this band to my Best Of list.
06) JON OLIVA'S PAIN - Global Warning
Jon Oliva, mr. SAVATAGE, the Mountain King... who doesn't know him and his previous or present band? "Global Warning" is the follow-up to "Maniacal Renderings", which was - more than "'Tage Mahal" - a SAVATAGE album like in the olden days, since Jon found tapes of old Criss Oliva riffs. The new album continues that style, but makes the listening experience more diverse and interesting thanks to the brainstorming between Jon and his new crew. Since SAVATAGE is no more, JON OLIVA'S PAIN is the band to check and follow-up. Recommended Heavy/Power Metal.
07) MADE OF HATE - Bullet In Your Head
The Polish CHILDREN OF BODOM, you could call them. But that would be disrespectful, as MADE OF HATE is no exact clone and definitely has potential and talent to be better than the Finnish band. The band's debut, "Bullet In Your Head" contains catchy songs, spanning Power Metal, Melodic Death Metal and Thrash Metal, giving the required sound via a powerful and clear production. This is a talented band and deserve the attention.
08) KRISIUN - Southern Storm
Brazilian Death Metal, what's more to say? The title, "Southern Storm" fits perfectly, as you get a storm of brutal riffs and thundering drums. Montonous? Hell, no! KRISIUN has found new inspiration after the reasonably good "Assassination" and presents an album that a danger to the ears and show this trio is an violent force that won't be easy to stop or slow down.
09) EDENBRIDGE - MyEarthDream
"MyEarthDream" was the first album that made me adjust my opinion about EDENBRIDGE. It's pure and simple an example of great Symphonic Metal. Everything is so much better than before, at least what I heard of old material. Even after having seen the band live in 2005 or so, I wasn't convinced about the band's potential, so I never properly listened to their discography. And then this new album came out.
10) UNLEASHED - Hammer Battalion
Swedish Death Metal, qualitative and solid for many years. "Midvinterblot" was first real acquaintance with this band and I like(d) it a lot. Logically I also like "Hammer Battalion". And this even made want to check out the band's back catalogue, so I bought the box Century Media released last year: "Immortal Glory". That saves me from having to listen to each release to find out which to buy and going to the shop each time in case one or more aren't available.
Honourable mentions:
Of course there were also many contenders, but this is again limited to 10...01) AMASEFFER - Exodus: Slaves For Life
History and Metal go hand in hand and this Progressive Metal album is another proof of this collaboration. In addition, it's a topic that has not yet been tackled this way. And this is only the first part.
02) EQUILIBRIUM - Sagas
Melodic Death with Folk influences. A young band that knows how to create a solid and entertaining album. Energy and passion combined.
03) ISOLE - Bliss Of Solitude
Swedish Doom Metal in vein of CANDLEMASS and SOLITUDE AETURNUS. Each album is a solid slab of Doom and this third release is no different. ISOLE are a band that deserves all the credit they can get. Excellent Doom Metal!
04) ELUVEITIE - Slania
The Folk/Pagan Metal band of the year? They gained popularity very rapidly and with the music they make, who can blame them? The band's first album was very good, this sophomore release is a confirmation and a step farther. Watch out for their next assault.
05) RED DESCENDING - Where Dreams Come To Die
Melodic Death Metal with symphonic/orchestral elements. As far as I know, not a lot of bands take this direction, save for HOLLENTHON and SKYFIRE, to name just these. RED DESCENDING hails from Australia and shows this nation hides more pearls than VANISHING POINT, BLACK MAJESTY, DESTRÖYER 666, AC/DC and others.
06) METALLICA - Death Magnetic
A return to form? Either way, METALLICA badly needed to make an album like this. Sure, the olden days are over, but such an album is better than the last studio pieces they put out.
07) BENEDICTUM - Seasons Of Tragedy
Great sophomore album. This has everything the debut album lacked. Plus, they're a great live band as well. Quality Power Metal!
08) THYRFING - Hels Vite
This Viking Metal band was on the right path to world domination. Or better, they were one of the better bands in the genre. With this newest release the Finnish once again confirm they're a force to reckon with. Recommended for Pagan Metal fans.
09) ALGHAZANTH - Wreath Of Thevetat
I don't listen to Black Metal that much, at least not in its purest form. Since ALGHAZANTH features SWALLOW THE SUN's singer, all the more reason to hear how he pulls it off in a more extreme genre. And he does well, very well. It's with great pleasure that I added this album to my list.
10) ESOTERIC - The Maniacal Vale
The British Funeral Doomsters are known for their psychedelic Doom Metal. It can indeed drive you crazy. As a result, this newest output is not one to take lightly. It does demand time and persistance to sit the ride through, but in the end it's worth it.
'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 2008 (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) AYIN ALEPH - Ayin Aleph I
02) BURNED IN EFFIGY - Burned In Effigy
03) DANTESCO - Pagano
04) EDGUY - Tinnitus Sanctus
05) FIGURE OF SIX - Aion
06) GRENOUER - Lifelong Days
07) HAK-ED DAMM - Black Tortured Metal
08) QUADRIVIUM - Adversus
09) STUCK MOJO - Southern Born Killers
10) STUCK MOJO - The Great Revival
11) SUIDICE - Dying D.I.Y.
12) UNINVITED GUEST - Malice In Wonderland
Disappointments:
Releases I expected a lot from, but only delivered for a certain part... Here's the shortlist in alphabetical order:01) AVANTASIA - The Scarecrow
02) DEDICTED - Argonauts
03) KROSSBREED - Carved In Stone
04) NIKKI PUPPET - Power Seeker
05) ROSS THE BOSS - New Metal Leaders
06) SQUEALER - The Circle Shuts
07) TÝR - Land
08) X-WORLD/5 - New Universal Order