...of 2009

The end of 2009 has passed and my listening of new releases this year was worse than that of last year. Needless to say, this edition of 'best of' will be less wholesome than last years. I've altered some of the catergories to make it more economical.

Best Album

Dream Theater ~ Black Clouds and Silver Linings

Dream Theater apologise to their fanbase for releasing the poor Systematic Chaos in '07 by releasing Black Clouds and Silver Linings. Darkness meets heaviness in a convincing display of profound emotion. Lengthy numbers full of adventure ('The Count of Tuscany'), prog rock styled nostalgia ('The Best of Times') and themed frustration ('The Shattered Fortress'). The erratic solos have been considerably turned down with a focus more on overall composition as opposed to individual passages. Unfortunately, Portony's poor vocal efforts are around but are much less dominant than on their previous full-length. The songs are intensely visual and despite the remarkable duration of this album, it all sails by too quickly. Dream Theater are back. For real.

Honourable mentions: Porcupine Tree ~ The Incident; Putrid Pile ~ House of Dementia

Best EP
Lifelover ~ Dekadens


Sweden's finest DSBM band must be hard at work, with Dekadens following the recently released album Konkurs. Lifelover entreat the audience to a varied and uncomforable journey of solitude. From the sleek 'Luguber Framtid' to the dramatic 'Myspys' (with a rhythm that reminds me of Aura Noir for some reason) to the punchy 'Androider', this EP showcasing the band pushing their limitations further away. Can they ever disappoint?

Honourable mentions: Pain of Salvation ~ Linoleum; Victimizer ~ Ressurrected Abominations

Best Song
Dream Theater ~ 'A Nightmare to Remember'
The opener from Black Clouds and Silver Linings is one of the best songs Dream Theater have penned in a while. The song opens strikingly heavy, with a tinged gothic edge before creeping into sinister territory, unfolding an adventure. The heavy passages are juxtaposed with a peaceful and medical one rich in textures and haze. There is a lot to praise in this songs (and unfortunately, Portnoy's vocals are hell bent on tainting the ending). The instruments support each other with no painful contradictions. Nothing is too distracting or over the top. LaBrie's vocals are beautifully versatile, underscoring this track as nothing short of magnificent.

Honourable mentions: Porcupine Tree ~ 'Time Flies'; Megadeth ~ 'This Day We Fight'


Biggest Disappointment
Queensryche ~ American Soldier


I probably enjoyed this album substantially more than everyone else but it is still disappointing by my standards. I like Tribe and Operation Mindcrime II but this album lacks the dynamic nature of the latter and the moving creativity of the former. Most people detract this album for its patriotic American concept, but I can look past that. It's the music that disappoints me. The ballad is terrible - Tate's daughter should NOT be on this album. She is distracting and not a particularly decent child singer. The rapping depletes the album further as does the tedious 'modern rock', heavy guitar riffage as can be heard during the chorus of 'If I were King' - what is otherwise a commendable and memorable rock song. I can deal with Queensryche not wanting to continue to uphold the metal banner but just be intelligent about the creative process. There are some gems in this album but it's covered in a fair amount of embarrassment to wade through. How this band have fallen from grace. I still retain my faith in them though, probably because they remain one of my favourites.

Honourable mentions: Dying Fetus ~ Descend into Depravity

Best Cover Art
The 11th Hour ~ Burden of Grief

Maybe I'm simply being lazy and can't be arsed to check out other album art this year but this cover is amazing (unlike the album...). In fact, it was so good I decided to sketch the crow with decent results. You know precisely what to expect from looking at the cover and that's what good album art does. Unusual yet moody tones, smoky atmospheres, a stone clock with the final number showing 23, branches in Autumn and the centre-piece - a painted crow looking rather sinister. The glowing light makes it look somewhat less melodramatic, although the over the top nature of the cover can not be disputed. Having said that, death/doom metal is hardly reserved. The detail on the crow is profound and a marvel to stare at. The effect of the individual features is a success. The realism is so great that the textures shine right through. Artist Mick Koopman should be very proud of this effort and the band were more than lucky to be able to work with him.

Honourable mentions: Pain of Salvation ~ Linoleum; Diablo Swing Orchestra ~ Sing-Along Songs for the Damned and Delirious

Best Lyrics

Porcupine Tree ~ 'Time Flies'

Freak Kitchen probably would have stole this section but I can't find their lyrics online. Listening to them make me smile as they've updated their inventory with all the fashionable pop culture staples like Facebook, optical mice etc. But this behemoth of a track literally flies by because it's so astonishing. Lyrically, it's concerned with archetypal and personal prog nostalgia but the way their written adds a maudlin and cute quality to them. They just feel so personal and have some great metaphors like 'suburb of heaven'. Catchy stuff.

Honourable mentions: Megadeth ~ 'Endgame'; Katatonia ~ 'Forsaker'

Best Newcomer

Fleshgod Apocalypse ~ Oracles

Think death metal-era Behemoth but with intricate spurts of technicality and classical interludes thrown in for good measure. Fleshgod Apocalypse are a remarkably talented trio, releasing their debut Oracles this year. Coupled with a compelling live show, this band is certainly worth keeping an eye on in the future. Hopefully a follow up explores more territories and doesn't stagnate the mediocre tech death scene.

Honourable mentions: Kalisia ~ Cybion; White Wizzard ~ High Speed GTO

Best Live Show

Kampfar, Underworld, London, 16th February

I was overtly thrilled when Kampfar anounced their UK debut show, an exclusive London date with coheadlining band Vreid and support from Iskald. Fortunately, Kampfar were last on and Dolk was a tremendous frontman, the audience never taking their eyes off him. His growls were intensive and enduring throughout. The setlist was beautifully varied, showcasing rarities and favourites from all of their albums. Opening with 'Vantro' as their intro tape they launched into a full-on attack with 'Inferno' and never laxed their iron grip. The encore was 'Bukkeferd' from their debut, which was surprising. Such a shame the audience did not react so enthusiastically and predictably 'Ravenheart' was the track greeted with the best ovation. People ruin the metal shows but without them, they cannot exist. Anyhow, these Norse pagans are lined up for Hellfest this year and I hope to be in attendance. I can imagine Dolk shining in an open air environment.

Honourable mentions: Putrid Pile, The Gaff, London, 1st July; Dream Theater, Manchester Apollo, Manchester, 9th October

Best Festival

Hellfest Open Air 2008, Clisson, 19th ~ 21st June

If I was to be calling this one based entirely on social factors, it would be awarded to Hard Rock Hell but based purely on line up and organisation, than France's premier metal festival reigns victorious again. Pulling out a line up that particularly excited the prog factor in me with Dream Theater, Queensryche and Pain of Salvation (all in one day) among others, I couldn't lose. Add in New York death metal favourites of mine Skinless and Immolation, along with bands who avoid London like Aura Noir and Manowar and this festival had me sold. I'd never see Motley Crue perform live because they are so poor but being one of my favourite bands and at the festival, I could watch them headlining without exclusively dropping a large sum of money to see them. I thought it would be impossible to top last year's line up, but I was indeed wrong. The festival itself ran smoothly despite the surge in numbers. Socially, it was hit-and-miss thanks to the conclusion of my two year relationship (avoid doing weekend long festivals with your ex and said ex's object of jealousy) but a great weekend of metal was not ruined by social politics. I talked to more people this year and yes, festivals surely due attract the mentally-touched metalheads in armies. The line up for 2010 so far looks stunning (Kampfar, Sabaton, Freak Kitchen, Urgehal and more) and has effectively confirmed my attendance. I suspect this time next year, I'll be listing Hellfest as festival of the year again.

Honourable mentions: Bloodstock Open Air, Catton Hall, 14 ~ 16th August; Hard Rock Hell III, Prestatyn, 4th - 5th December

Best Discovery

Forced Entry (US)

This year I discovered plenty of new bands I'd never heard of before but the best of these were Seattle's Forced Entry, a thrash metal band who formed in 1985. I discovered them via Metal Inquisition at the start of last year and was interested in the idea of technical thrash metal. Their second album As Above, So Below from '91 is incredible. It's technical thrash metal without being progressive such as bands like Atheist, Cynic, Anacrusis etc. They have their own particular style with angular riffs, well-timed pinched harmonics, amazing audible bass lines and their own style of thrashy vocals. The lyrics were usually intelligent (especially for thrash metal) but the band never took themselves too seriously, penning such party tracks as 'How We Spent Our Summer Vacation' and 'We're Dicks'. Unfortunately they only released two albums and one EP before being overpowered by the grunge movement and were coerced into splitting up after a flood of issues out of their control. It seems a travesty that bands like Sacred Reich made it (sort of) whilst Forced Entry are condemned to complete thrash metal obscurity, despite doing something creative and intelligent. What's worse is the contemporary thrash metal revival, spearheaded by such trite and unoriginal bands like Evile and Municipal Waste who rehash old ideas from thrash metal's heyday and consider themselves mind-blowing. Forced Entry need to reunite and bring real innovative thrash metal to the world. I truly believe they are metal's most underrated band and I listen to all the metal subgenres profoundly. I pray they will reunite this year, as they once did in 2002. They rereleased As Above, So Below last year so you never know. They're so compelling that I dedicated my Summer to them. This band is proof that there is no justice in the world. They truly deserve to be making a living off their music.

Honourable mentions: Internal Bleeding; Joyless

~~~

And that's about it. 2009 was a decent year of metal but I never got round to acquiring all the releases I so desired. Last year was a particularly busy year and I just didn't have the time. Hopefully 2010 will be less hectic and I can satisfy my desires. Already planned for release this year are the new Sabaton, Scythe, Nevermore and Dream Evil. Hopefully the live scene will be just as good, if not superior.