2010 Top Ten Releases

Well here they are.

1. Bring Me the Horizon: There is a Hell Believe Me I've Seen It, There is a Heaven Lets Keep it a Secret.

This album is ferocious from the beginning track Crucify Me to the closer The Fox and the Wolf. What I enjoy most is the vocal delivery that spills forth with such honest enthusiasm. On top of that the vocals adapt to the mood of the music and the lyrical content. Another attribute that makes this album great is BTHM's adoption of some of the programming tricks they learned from friends who did remixes of their previous album. For all the screaming and growling this album is quite accessible to new metal heads largely due to the chant along crowd choruses. The opening track is one of the most epic openers I've heard in years. It features every sonic component that this album has to offer.

2. Rob Zombie: Hellbilly Deluxe 2

The album that inspired me to actually start this blog and get thoughts out of my mind and onto the screen. See the February review. Zombie delivered the goods this summer on the Mayhem Tour.

3. Deftones: Diamond Eyes

I have loved everything this band has put out, however that doesn't mean the public agrees with me. The Deftones have always been an intriguing metal band because their music doesn't lend well to pummeling a stranger in a mosh pit. However they are definitely a metal band and when you hear Chino scream you know it. What the Deftones do that sets them apart is incorporate subtle elements of chill-techno, and nu-metal into their songs. They are not competing against anyone in sub-genre battles. No one sounds like the Deftones and no one has come close to matching their ability to go heavy-soft-heavy without making it oh so obvious.

4. Mushroomhead: Bedtime Stories for Ugly Children

Mushroomhead made their main stage entrance with Slipknot and they've been associated with the nine since then for reasons unrelated to their music. Both bands wear masks and have 6 plus members. Mushroomhead is far more nuanced than Slipknot. A major reason would be the fact that they have two vocalists. The obvious difference between the vocalists is that one typically sings and the other yells but on this album vocal harmonies and give take sessions abound. It was a difficult decision to place this album in the top five because the weakest half of the album is the first 5 tracks, but once you hit "Holes in the Void" Mushroomhead hits their stride.

From this point on the remaining albums all are interchangeable so I am judging them by their opening tracks and at the moment I can't make up my mind. If I go with titles is has to Soilwork with "Late for the Kill, Early for the Slaughter", if it is on instrumental riffage then The Sword and High on Fire lead the way. If I pick mood then Zoroaster takes the next spot. Finally consideration are vocalist centric bands and Distrubed and All That Remains are throwing knock-out punches.

I'll go with songs names.

5. Soilwork: The Panic Broadcast

A veteran Swedish metal band who has forever been in the shadow of In Flames and similar American bands like Killswitch Engage; Soilwork know how to write ass kicking melodic metal songs. Its a shame they can't get the recognition they deserve in the States. Their lead singer "Speed" is unbelievable. He definitely has All That Remains singer beat in the ability to scream/growl/sing/speak categories. And that song name that put them in the lead: "Late for the Kill, Early for the Slaughter."

6. High on Fire: Snakes of the Divine

This trio pound out massive stoner-metal riffs. Their goal on each album seems to be to create the biggest cohesive wall of sound that they can. Stand-outs include the title track and Bastard Samuri.

7. The Sword: Warp Riders

This is one of those albums that I am eternally grateful that I stumbled across. Inspired by classic metal bands written in the modern style. Not a throwback but a gesture of respect. A seamless concept album.

8. Distrubed: Aslym

The nu-metal surivors have put together a great album that focus' on their strengths. It plays like a greatest hits album.

9. Zoroaster: Matador

Great album. Read full review from an earlier post.

10. All That Remains

A solid metalcore album from beginning to end. While the lead singer isn't as good as Soilwork's he is still delivers an outstanding performance. Plenty of headbanging tracks litter this album. Check out "Some of the People, All of the Time."

COMING SOON

In the near future look for two new articles: Best of 2010, and Sophomore Albums that Succeed.