METALEATER.COM
September 3, 2010
Metaleater 2009 Recap

Here we are at the end of another year, but more mind-blowing is that we've also reached the end of another decade. As 2009 passes, we enter into 2010. Metal continues to garner more interest with each passing month and thus, sustain a higher level of popularity - and that's a good thing.

Once again, the METALEATER crew has cast our votes for 2009's best. METALEATER salutes veteran Swedish death metallers HYPOCRISY for earning the top spot of "Spin Of The Year 2009", and all of the other bands whose releases found their way onto our year-end recap. Another great year for Metal indeed, and 2010 is sure to be even better.

Cheers.

METALEATER's Top 30 Metal Releases Of 2009

METALEATER Spin Of The Year 2009

HYPOCRISY - A Taste Of Extreme Divinity
  1. HYPOCRISY - A Taste Of Extreme Divinity [Nuclear Blast]
  2. BEHEMOTH - Evangelion [Metal Blade]
  3. SCAR SYMMETRY - Dark Matter Dimensions [Nuclear Blast]
  4. IMMORTAL - All Shall Fall [Nuclear Blast]
  5. MEGADETH - Endgame [Roadrunner]
  6. GOD DETHRONED - Passiondale [Metal Blade]
  7. ARCH ENEMY - The Root Of All Evil [Century Media]
  8. TENET - Sovereign [Century Media]
  9. SUIDAKRA - Crogacht [Wacken Records/SPV]
  10. HEAVEN & HELL - The Devil You Know [Rhino]
  11. PARADISE LOST - Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us [Century Media]
  12. THE PROJECT HATE - The Lustrate Process [Vic Records]
  13. DAATH - The Concealers [Century Media]
  14. GRAVE DIGGER - Ballads Of A Hangman [Napalm Records]
  15. INSOMNIUM - Across The Dark [Candlelight]
  16. CANNIBAL CORPSE - Evisceration Plague [Metal Blade]
  17. SUFFOCATION - Blood Oath [Nuclear Blast]
  18. LAMB OF GOD - Wrath [Epic/Roadrunner]
  19. NILE - Those Whom The Gods Detest [Nuclear Blast]
  20. HAMMERFALL - No Sacrifice, No Victory [Nuclear Blast]
  21. ENSIFERUM - From Afar [Spinefarm]
  22. AMORPHIS - Skyforger [Nuclear Blast]
  23. CANDLEMASS - Death Magic Doom [Nuclear Blast]
  24. KATATONIA - Night Is The New Day [Peaceville]
  25. YOB - The Great Cessation [Profound Lore]
  26. WARBRINGER - Waking Into Nightmares [Century Media]
  27. SIRENIA - The 13th Floor [Nuclear Blast]
  28. TIM "RIPPER" OWENS - Play My Game [SPV]
  29. DARK FUNERAL - Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus [Regain Records]
  30. SKELETONWITCH - Breathing The Fire [Prosthetic]

Tony Antunovich

Top 25 Releases Of 2009

  1. HYPOCRISY - A Taste Of Extreme Divinity [Nuclear Blast]
  2. BEHEMOTH - Evangelion [Metal Blade]
  3. U.D.O. - Dominator [AFM]
  4. VADER - Necropolis [Nuclear Blast]
  5. NILE - Those Whom The Gods Detest [Nuclear Blast]
  6. ARCH ENEMY - The Root Of All Evil [Century Media]
  7. GOD DETHRONED - Passiondale [Metal Blade]
  8. IMMORTAL - All Shall Fall [Nuclear Blast]
  9. GRAVE DIGGER - Ballads Of A Hangman [Napalm Records]
  10. CANNIBAL CORPSE - Evisceration Plague [Metal Blade]
  11. ENSIFERUM - From Afar [Spinefarm]
  12. TENET - Sovereign [Century Media]
  13. SUFFOCATION - Blood Oath [Nuclear Blast]
  14. MEGADETH - Endgame [Roadrunner]
  15. LAMB OF GOD - Wrath [Epic/Roadrunner]
  16. W.A.S.P. - Babylon [Demolition Records]
  17. SIRENIA - The 13th Floor [Nuclear Blast]
  18. INSOMNIUM - Across The Dark [Candlelight]
  19. TIM "RIPPER" OWENS - Play My Game [SPV]
  20. DELAIN - April Rain [Sensory Records]
  21. SCAR SYMMETRY - Dark Matter Dimensions [Nuclear Blast]
  22. CAGE - Science Of Annihilation [Independent]
  23. HEAVEN & HELL - The Devil You Know [Rhino]
  24. WARBRINGER - Waking Into Nightmares [Century Media]
  25. SKELETONWITCH - Breathing The Fire [Prosthetic]

Top Disappointments Of 2009

  1. RONNIE JAMES DIO taking ill. Get well soon!
  2. METAL CHURCH breaking up.
  3. SONATA ARCTICA - The Days Of Grays [Nuclear Blast] - Way to bland for my taste. I expected a lot more from these guys at this stage of their career.
  4. DARKANE - Demonic Art [Nuclear Blast] - The vocals just killed it - so sad.
  5. HAMMERFALL - No Sacrifice, No Victory [Nuclear Blast] - Okay, up until now it's been great, but the cheese is getting a tad moldy.
  6. EDGUY - Tinnitus Sanctus [Nuclear Blast] - Come on guys, "The Savage Poetry" days were not that long ago, were they?

Top Live Shows Of 2009

  1. SOTHIS - Seattle, WA - El Corazon - North America's finest Black Metal horde keep getting better and better.

High Expectations For 2010

  1. IRON MAIDEN - Let's hope we see a new album in 2010!
  2. KING DIAMOND - Hopefully King's back is healed enough to get back into the studio and record a new album!
  3. ARCH ENEMY back on North American soil.
  4. A new MORBID ANGEL album please?
  5. The return of DECAPITATED.

Brian Davis

Top 25 Releases Of 2009

  1. HYPOCRISY - A Taste Of Extreme Divinity [Nuclear Blast]
  2. AUGURY - Fragmentary Evidence [Nuclear Blast]
  3. DAATH - The Concealers [Century Media]
  4. ARCH ENEMY - The Root Of All Evil [Century Media]
  5. ALICE IN CHAINS - Black Gives Way To Blue [Virgin/EMI]
  6. EVILE - Infected Nations [Earache]
  7. LAZARUS A.D. - The Onslaught [Metal Blade]
  8. GOD DETHRONED - Passiondale [Metal Blade]
  9. BEHEMOTH - Evangelion [Metal Blade]
  10. DECEMBER'S COLD WINTER - Ablaze All Shrines [Independent]
  11. OLD MAN'S CHILD - Slaves Of The World [Century Media]
  12. SUFFOCATION - Blood Oath [Nuclear Blast]
  13. LUNA MORTIS - The Absence [Century Media]
  14. MEGADETH - Endgame [Roadrunner]
  15. GRIEF OF WAR - Worship [Prosthetic]
  16. CANNIBAL CORPSE - Evisceration Plague [Metal Blade]
  17. SCAR SYMMETRY - Dark Matter Dimensions [Nuclear Blast]
  18. DIVINE HERESY - Bringer Of Plagues [Century Media]
  19. DEAD SOUL FUNERAL - DSF 2009 Demo [Independent]
  20. SYNESTESIA - Feeniks [Kampas]
  21. SKELETONWITCH - Breathing The Fire [Prosthetic]
  22. TENET - Sovereign [Century Media]
  23. LAMB OF GOD - Wrath [Epic/Roadrunner]
  24. ECHOES OF ETERNITY - As Shadows Burn [Nuclear Blast]
  25. SUCCESS WILL WRITE APOCALYPSE ACROSS THE SKY - The Grand Partition And The Abrogation Of Idolatry [Nuclear Blast]

Top Disappointments Of 2009

  1. The disbanding of SENATE, whose album "The Great Northern Scenekill" is one of the greatest Metal albums ever to come from Canada (or anywhere, for that matter). Best of luck guys, thanks for the classic.
  2. SAMAEL - Above [Nuclear Blast] - All the hype about the best album since "Ceremony Of Opposites" and this is it? Really?
  3. DARKANE - Demonic Art [Nuclear Blast] - Fantastic music massacred by horrible, horrible vocals.
  4. CLUTCH - Strange Cousins From The West [Weathermaker] - The candle still burns but the flame is flickering.
  5. EX-DEO - Romulus [Nuclear Blast] - The idea with a side project is to make music that doesn't sound like your full-time band...isn't it?

Top Live Shows Of 2009

  1. RUSTMINE - Portland, OR - The Tonic Lounge - The birthday to end all birthdays!
  2. ABIGAIL WILLIAMS/AUGURY/GOD DETHRONED - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven - A phenomenal trio of bands, and any night with two full GOD DETHRONED sets is a night to remember.
  3. SOTHIS - Seattle, WA - El Corazon - One of the most elite and crushing American Black Metal bands to be found. Their live show is the sensory equivalent of a nail studded ACME anvil being dropped on your head.
  4. RUSTMINE - All the other shows we saw this year. You guys are family, a thousand thanks.
  5. DEAD SOUL FUNERAL - Tacoma, WA - Hell's Kitchen - Show stealers every time they play. To be this good this soon shows frightening potential.

High Expectations For 2010

  1. DECAPITATED - A new line-up, a new album, a new tour. Vogg will make Vitek proud, guaranteed.
  2. RUSTMINE - "Animosity" - The new material is already excellent; the finished product should be incredible.
  3. American Carnage Tour - MEGADETH, SLAYER and TESTAMENT. That says it all.
  4. NERVECELL on tour in North America. LifeForce signed them to a much deserved record deal in 2009; time to Preach the Venom on American soil.
  5. MORBID ANGEL's long awaited 8th album. They've had 7 years, they have David Vincent back in the ranks, they have ZYKLON's Destructhor on 2nd guitar - this better be good!

Philip Wickstrand

Top 25 Releases Of 2009

  1. PORCUPINE TREE - The Incident [Roadrunner]
  2. MASTODON - Crack The Skye [Reprise]
  3. ELUVEITIE - Evocation I: The Arcane Dominion [Nuclear Blast]
  4. DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT - Addicted [InsideOut Music]
  5. KORPIKLAANI - Karkelo [Nuclear Blast]
  6. SLOUGH FEG - Ape Uprising [Cruz Del Sur]
  7. SUIDAKRA - Crogacht [Wacken Records/SPV]
  8. ARKONA - Goi, Rode Goi! [Napalm Records]
  9. CANDLEMASS - Death Magic Doom [Nuclear Blast]
  10. SKYCLAD - In The... All Together [Scarlet Records]
  11. CHTHONIC - Mirror of Retribution [Spinefarm]
  12. LAST EMPIRE - Heir To The Throne [Last Empire Records]
  13. WINO - Punctuated Equilibrium [Southern Lord]
  14. KATATONIA - Night Is The New Day [Peaceville]
  15. HAMMERFALL - No Sacrifice, No Victory [Nuclear Blast]
  16. GRAVE DIGGER - Ballads Of A Hangman [Napalm Records]
  17. AMORPHIS - Skyforger [Nuclear Blast]
  18. YOB - The Great Cessation [Profound Lore]
  19. WALKEN - Walken [Independent]
  20. EX- DEO - Romulus [Nuclear Blast]
  21. EDGUY - Tinnitus Sanctus [Nuclear Blast]
  22. CAULDRON - Chained To The Nite [Earache]
  23. DREAM THEATER - Black Clouds & Silver Linings [Roadrunner]
  24. SAMAEL - Above [Nuclear Blast]
  25. ABSU - Absu [Candlelight Records]

Top Disappointments Of 2009

  1. The end of the Heathen Crusade festival.
  2. There were fewer good tours in 2009 than in years past, especially during the summer months, though there were more great local and regional shows than any other year I can remember, so that takes the sting out of it.
  3. BOOK OF BLACK EARTH getting thrown off the MOONSPELL tour. I'm not even a fan of these guys, but they're good dudes and I think it's a load of garbage that they got kicked off the tour just a couple of days into it. Officially, nobody is saying anything, but if you pay attention, you may be able to divine the truth of what happened.
  4. The fact that there are still enough meatheads out there to make the LIMP BIZKIT reunion a financial success.
  5. The economy preventing people from going to more shows.

Top Live Shows Of 2009

  1. Paganfest North America II w/ KORPIKLAANI, PRIMORDIAL, MOONSORROW, BLACKGUARD, SWASHBUCKLE, OAKHELM and TERRA MORTE - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
  2. MASTODON w/ KYLESA and INTRONAUT - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
  3. Fall Into Darkness festival day 3 w/ YOB, LUDICRA, WITCH MOUNTAIN, SAVIOURS and ATRIARCH - Portland, OR - Berbati's Pan
  4. Seismic Emanations Fest III w/ CULL, NORSKA, NETHER REGIONS, STONEBURNER, PARANAUT, ARANYA, PARADE OF STORMS, FACEPILOT and MONGOLOID VILLAGE - Portland, OR - Plan B
  5. YOB w/ BROTHERS OF THE SONIC CLOTH and IOMMI STUBBS - Portland, OR - Ash Street Saloon

High Expectations For 2010

  1. More great shows featuring bands from the Pacific Northwest. We have a glut of talented Metal bands, young and old. Everybody knows bands like AGALLOCH, NEVERMORE, THE ACCUSED, QUEENSRYCHE, METAL CHURCH (R.I.P.) and to a lesser extent, YOB, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, BOOK OF BLACK EARTH, SAMOTHRACE and ENGORGED. But we also have an enormous amount of amazing bands that aren't so well known, such as LAST EMPIRE, EALDATH, OAKHELM, BURIALS, ARANYA, NORSKA, GREY, ATRIARCH, CHRISTIAN MISTRESS, THEE LETTING FORTH OF FIRE, LEECH, CULL, NETHER REGIONS, WITCH MOUNTAIN, ALMOST IS NOTHING, WITH EYES ABSTRACT, EXCRUCIATOR, A((WAKE)), CEREMONIAL CASTINGS, LESBIAN, BROTHERS OF THE SONIC CLOTH, ALDA, IRON CIRCUS, DARKBLACK, STONEBURNER, ANON REMORA and HC MINDS. Support your local music!
  2. Paganfest III. Hopefully they'll bring over some configuration of HEIDEVOLK, EQUILIBRIUM, ARKONA, VARG, THYRFING and/or WINTERSUN for this year's tour. They've got the North American label backing and they've never been over to this side of the pond, so why not?
  3. The foolish hope that there will be some amazing American Metal festival that's worth traveling for. Having Fall Into Darkness and Seismic Emanations in my hometown is great, but there's something very satisfying in traveling for a fest. Heathen Crusade and Bay Area Rock Fest are sadly no more. New England Metal & Hardcore is always made up of either bands I can't stand or bands I've already seen, but playing shorter sets. ProgPower's lineup for 2010 is good, but features way too many bands that have previously toured the States to be worth flying to Atlanta for. Maryland Death Fest just isn't my cup of tea. So while it's doubtful I'll find something I want to travel for, I can still hope.
  4. FINNTROLL, MOONSORROW and SWALLOW THE SUN touring together, you say? Joygasm!
  5. A new THERION album is expected sometime during the year. Fanboy that I am, I will have it first day.

Donald Rottenbucher

Top 25 Releases Of 2009

  1. HEAVEN & HELL - The Devil You Know [Rhino]
  2. SATAN'S HOST - Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection 999 [Moribund Cult]
  3. GORGOROTH - Quanto Possunt Ad Satanitatem Tarahunt [Regain Records]
  4. THE CHASM - Farseeing The Paranormal Abysm [Lux Inframundis]
  5. THE GATES OF SLUMBER - Hymns Of Blood And Thunder [Rise Above]
  6. NASHVILLE PUSSY - From Hell To Texas [SPV]
  7. GOD DETHRONED - Passiondale [Metal Blade]
  8. MEGADETH - Endgame [Roadrunner]
  9. IMMORTAL - All Shall Fall [Nuclear Blast]
  10. GRAVE DIGGER - Ballads Of A Hangman [Napalm Records]
  11. HYPOCRISY - A Taste Of Extreme Divinity [Nuclear Blast]
  12. SUFFOCATION - Blood Oath [Nuclear Blast]
  13. GWAR - Lust In Space [Metal Blade]
  14. BELPHEGOR - Walpurgis Rites - Hexenwahn [Nuclear Blast]
  15. CANNIBAL CORPSE - Evisceration Plague [Metal Blade]
  16. DYING FETUS - Decend Into Depravity [Relapse]
  17. CANDLEMASS - Death Magic Doom [Nuclear Blast]
  18. VOMITORY - Carnage Euphoria [Metal Blade]
  19. KISS - Sonic Boom [Kiss Records]
  20. ASPHYX - Death...The Brutal Way [Ibex Moon Records]
  21. DARK FUNERAL - Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus [Regain Records]
  22. EX DEMENTIA - The Red Mass [HPGD Productions]
  23. BLACK ANVIL - Time Insults The Mind [Relapse]
  24. SEPULTURA - A-Lex [SPV]
  25. TIM "RIPPER" OWENS - Play My Game [SPV]

Top Disappointments Of 2009

  1. Metal Blade for not releasing VOMITORY's "Carnage Euphoria" stateside.
  2. BOLT THROWER still refusing to record new material.
  3. GOREFEST for calling it quits.
  4. SLAYER - "World Painted Blood" [American Records/Sony Music]
  5. Tom Gabriel Fischer for proving to be a drama queen throughout the year.
  6. RONNIE JAMES DIO taking ill.

Top Live Shows Of 2009

  1. HEAVEN & HELL - Rochester Hills, MI - Meadowbrook Music Theater
  2. KISS - Detroit, MI - Cobo Hall

High Expectations For 2010

  1. Complete recovery of RONNIE JAMES DIO
  2. New releases from: CATHEDRAL, THE CROWN, JAG PANZER, BORKNAGAR, ARMORED SAINT and UNLEASHED
  3. Hopefully new material from: TESTAMENT, SOLITUDE AETURNUS, DIO and HAIL OF BULLETS

Sean Bester

Top 25 Releases Of 2009

  1. SCAR SYMMETRY - Dark Matter Dimensions [Nuclear Blast]
  2. THE PROJECT HATE - The Lustrate Process [Vic Records]
  3. DARK AGE - Acedia [AFM]
  4. SUIDAKRA - Crogacht [Wacken Records/SPV]
  5. ANIMALS AS LEADERS - S/T [Prosthetic]
  6. THREAT SIGNAL - Vigilance [Nuclear Blast]
  7. INSOMNIUM - Across The Dark [Candlelight]
  8. BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - The Great Misdirect [Victory]
  9. AMORPHIS - Skyforger [Nuclear Blast]
  10. IMPERIAL VENGEANCE - At The Going Down Of The Sun [Candlelight]
  11. DECADENCE - Chargepoint [Massacre]
  12. DISARMONIA MUNDI - The Isolation Game [Coroner]
  13. ENSIFERUM - From Afar [Spinefarm]
  14. PARADISE LOST - Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us [Century Media]
  15. ARCH ENEMY - The Root Of All Evil [Century Media]
  16. RAM-ZET - Neutralized [Ascendance]
  17. LEAVES' EYES - Njord [Napalm Records]
  18. SKYFIRE - Esoteric [Pivotal Rockordings]
  19. SUSPERIA - Attitude [Candlelight]
  20. KATATONIA - Night Is The New Day [Peaceville]
  21. ANAAL NATHRAKH - In The Constellation Of The Black Widow [Candlelight]
  22. LACUNA COIL - Shallow Life [Century Media]
  23. SONATA ARCTICA - The Days Of Grays [Nuclear Blast]
  24. SIRENIA - The 13th Floor [Nuclear Blast]
  25. CHILDREN OF BODOM - Skeletons In The Closet [Spinefarm]

Top Disappointments Of 2009

  1. THE OLD DEAD TREE break up. While not OPETH, they were a great alternative for those wanting fewer slowdowns. I still believe they'll reform tomorrow.
  2. Where in Hell's Kitchen is SATARIEL's "White Ink"?!
  3. Because of the popularity jump of "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band", my mainstreamer friends now think they know more about Metal than I do.
  4. THIS ENDING's "Dead Harvest". I waited forever for this?
  5. New SKYFIRE should have topped off my list. It's still a better than decent album, but not nearly what I was hoping for.

Top Live Shows Of 2009

  1. SUIDAKRA, ALESTORM, TYR - Toronto, ON. - The Opera House
  2. SONATA ARCTICA - London, ON. - The Music Hall

High Expectations For 2010

  1. New SOILWORK!!! Featuring the return of Peter Wichers, the most brilliant soloist I've ever heard. It'll be interesting what happens without Ola Frenning in the band as well. Ideally, "A Predator's Portrait 2" would be most preferable, and would probably send me into hysterics.
  2. New material from OMNIUM GATHERUM?
  3. Dave Mustaine stops blogging... A guy can hope.
  4. SILENBT CIVILIAN's sophomore effort. The debut blew me away, and I'm expecting the new one to be even better.
  5. More exciting things from METALEATER!

Brian Krasman

Top 25 Releases Of 2009

  1. COBALT - Gin [Profound Lore]
  2. BARONESS - Blue Record [Relapse]
  3. KYLESA - Static Tension [Prosthetic]
  4. IMMORTAL - All Shall Fall [Nuclear Blast]
  5. BLOODY PANDA - Summon [Profound Lore]
  6. CULTED - Below The Thunders Of The Upper Deep [Relapse]
  7. BEHEMOTH - Evangelion [Metal Blade]
  8. SUNN 0))) - Monoliths And Dimensions [Southern Lord]
  9. TOMBS - Winter Hours [Relapse]
  10. XASTHUR - All Reflections Drained [Hydra Head]
  11. YOB - The Great Cessation [Profound Lore]
  12. KATATONIA - Night Is The New Day [Peaceville]
  13. KRALLICE - Dimensional Bleedthrough [Profound Lore]
  14. CONVERGE - Axe To Fall [Epitaph]
  15. KHANATE - Clean Hands Go Foul [Hydra Head]
  16. FUNERAL MIST - Maranatha [Norma Evangelium Diaboli]
  17. KOWLOON WALLED CITY - Gambling On The Richter Scale [Perpetual Motion Machine]
  18. BERGRAVEN - Till Makabert Vasen [Hydra Head]
  19. 1349 - Revelations Of The Black Flame [Candlelight]
  20. GOD DETHRONED - Passiondale [Metal Blade]
  21. PARADISE LOST - Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us [Century Media]
  22. ISIS - Wavering Radiant [Ipecac]
  23. LITURGY - Renihilation [20 Buck Spin]
  24. PORTAL - Swarth [Profound Lore]
  25. A STORM OF LIGHT - Forgive Us Our Trespasses [Neurot]

Top Disappointments Of 2009

  1. MASTODON's "Crack The Skye" [Reprise]. I just can't get into it. I've tried and tried, and I'm not one of these people upset they changed their sound. They didn't sell out. They did nothing wrong. I just can't get into the songs, and considering this was one of my most anticipated albums of the year, it's instead become my biggest disappointment. But I love the band to death, and I'm going to keep trying anyway.
  2. RONNIE JAMES DIO diagnosed with stomach cancer. From the sounds of things, the disease was caught early and Dio should be able to make a recovery. I can't help but believe that if the little guy could fight off the disease himself with his trusty sword, that cancer wouldn't know what hit it! Speedy recovery to you, sir.
  3. ANTHRAX still refuses to either retire or give us the lineup we want! They brought on that new guy - you know, that new guy - and he was, meh. Rumors have them talking to John Bush. Fine. But you know, maybe you should just bring back Joey Belladonna, do a reunion record people would care about, and go out all guns blazing.
  4. KILLSWITCH ENGAGE - "Killswitch Engage" [Roadrunner]. I'm actually beyond the point of really getting excited about them at all. But I admit they make some catchy songs, and they're so ridiculous, you can't help but like them at least a little bit. But this record? Wow. Way, way phoned in.
  5. EVILE - "Infected Nations" [Earache]. Someone wake me up when Cliff Burton comes back to life.

Top Live Shows Of 2009

  1. SUNN 0)))/EAGLE TWIN- Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls
  2. THE DECEMBERISTS/HEARTLESS BASTARDS- Pittsburgh, PA - Byham Theater
  3. NEKO CASE/JASON LYTLE - Homestead, PA - Sandcastle Amphitheate

High Expectations For 2010

  1. THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's new album "Option Paralysis", due in March on Party Smasher/Season Of Mist. Just from the online studio diary they've posted, it sounds like this one's going to be a crusher. Yeah, yeah, people are going to whine about the melodic songs, but seriously, it's what they do. It's what makes them stand out. And they happen to be good at it. New drummer Billy Rymer sounds like he's going to bring some punishment to the table, and I'm sure Ben Weinman is going to have mind-dissolving guitar work that'll make calculators worldwide go haywire. Very, very excited about this one.
  2. TRIPTYKON'S debut album. Tom Gabriel Fischer's departure from CELTIC FROST was a horrible day. "Monotheist" was a work of pure brilliance, and it seemed CELTIC FROST's future was wide open. Uh, then they dissolved. But Fischer quickly announced the TRIPTYKON project, and only now are we finally hearing full songs from the band. Album drops in February, and I'm now shopping for dark curtains with which to shroud my windows.
  3. NACHTMYSTIUM's "Black Meddle Part 2" will be the follow-up to my personal No. 1 album from last year. I expect more weirdness, more deviation from the so-called Black Metal path, and possibly my No. 1 record for 2010.
  4. WOLD'S "Working Together For Our Privacy", which comes out on Profound Lore. Anyone unfamiliar with this project, I can only sum it up as a suffocating tornado of noise and chaos that contains very little rhyme, hardly any reason, and likely will frighten the pants off most people who hear it.
  5. Captain Lame here, but my impending marriage to my lovely fiancee Christina, who tolerates all of my Metallic tendencies, kind-heartedly laughs when I get all pumped up talking about KING DIAMOND and IRON MAIDEN, and who even recites lyrics such as, "Burn me down, shoot me in the chest", and "Thor, Odin's son, protector of mankind, rise and meet your fate, your destiny awaits", without prompting. And she doesn't even LIKE Metal.

Miguel Miranda

Top 25 Releases Of 2009

  1. TENET - Sovereign [Century Media]
  2. MEGADETH - Endgame [Roadrunner]
  3. PARADISE LOST - Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us [Century Media]
  4. RAMMSTEIN - Liebe Ist Für Alle Da [Universal]
  5. SCAR SYMMETRY - Dark Matter Dimensions [Nuclear Blast]
  6. LAMB OF GOD - Wrath [Epic/Roadrunner]
  7. HAMMERFALL - No Sacrifice, No Victory [Nuclear Blast]
  8. PARADOX - Riot Squad [AFM Records]
  9. SAXON - Into the Labyrinth [SPV/Steamhammer]
  10. BEHEMOTH - Evangelion [Metal Blade]
  11. RUDRA - Brahmavidya: Transcendental I [Trinity Records Hong Kong]
  12. NO REMORSE NO RETREAT - Warbringer [Iron Age Records]
  13. CANNIBAL CORPSE - Evisceration Plague [Metal Blade]
  14. DEVILDRIVER - Pray For Villains [Roadrunner]
  15. IMMORTAL - All Shall Fall [Nuclear Blast]
  16. WARBRINGER - Waking Into Nightmares [Century Media]
  17. DAATH - The Concealers [Century Media]
  18. THE PROJECT HATE - The Lustrate Process [Vic Records]
  19. CROWN THE LOST - Blind Faith Loyalty [Cruz Del Sur]
  20. NILE - Those Whom The Gods Detest [Nuclear Blast]
  21. DECADENCE - Chargepoint [HTI Records/Spiritual Beast]
  22. BLOODSHEDD - Spare No One [Tower Of Doom]
  23. AT WAR - Infidel [Heavy Artillery Records]
  24. DARK FUNERAL - Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus [Regain Records]
  25. EPICA - Design Your Universe [Nuclear Blast]

Top Disappointments Of 2009

  1. SEPULTURA - A-Lex [SPV/Steamhammer] - A boring groovefest of a concept album that had its moments, then teetered and collapsed under its own bloated design. Sad. Awesome cover though.
  2. PRIMAL FEAR - 16.6 [AFM Records] - Getting an awesome Swedish shredder named Magnus Karlsson into the fold barely saved this stinkfest from bad reviews. Blessed by a few great songs, the bottom line is "16.6" just doesn't pull the trigger anymore. Too by-the-numbers. Too lifeless. Can these guys stop falling back on staid Speed Metal and focus on refreshing (heavy) music?
  3. EDGUY - Tinnitus Sanctus [Nuclear Blast] - So long as the band is happy with their new direction, good for them. Not good for us ardent fans, though. Hard Rock-ish EDGUY leaves much to be desired.
  4. SAVAGE MESSIAH - Insurrection Rising [Candlelight] - Not the jaw dropping debut album many among the press claimed it to be. Solid enough, yet forgettable save for a good song or three. You've heard this stuff before.
  5. SKINLAB - The Scars Between Us [Stand And Deliver] - Suffers the same fate as SEPULTURA's "A-Lex", bloated and far too lengthy for comfort. A comeback album that had no devout audience to come back to. A tragic, misunderstood affair. Only time can ever do justice to SKINLAB's legacy.

High Expectations For 2010

  1. TESTAMENT - "The Formation Of Damnation" needs a follow up!
  2. NEVERMORE - It has been four, long, painful, sorrowful, sucky years of waiting for those of us bowled over by "This Godless Endeavor". This new one better deliver, or else.
  3. BIOMECHANICAL - Where in the world is John K? Toiling inside a studio somewhere, I hope, preparing an unholy masterpiece that'll raise the bar for all Metal bands who aspire to greatness.
  4. RUDRA -The groundbreaking "Brahmavidya" cycle of albums needs a fitting conclusion. Despite their present obscurity, RUDRA's discography will live on for generations to come, the object of both veneration and worship.
  5. BENEDICTUM -The heaviest female fronted power Metal sextet have no shortage of eager male fans drooling for new material, apparently.
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