Randy's Top 10 Albums of 2009
10) Obscura – Cosmogenesis
Reasoning: I'm not the biggest fan of tech-death metal, but Obscura does it right on Cosmogenesis, creating an album that is both skillful and memorable.
9) Kreator – Hordes of Chaos
Reasoning: On Hordes of Chaos Kreator proves it still has the balls of steel required to deliver true thrash metal, leather, spikes and all.
8) Revocation – Existence is Futile
Reasoning: I'll admit I only listened to this album all the way through about a week ago, but I'm glad I did. Existence is Futile provides a look back at what made thrash so great, all while advancing the scene forward in terms of heaviness.
7) Alice In Chains – Black Gives Way to Blue
Reasoning: Alice In Chains surpassed all expectations with Black Gives Way to Blue and William Duvall is an excellent musician to boot.
6) Mastodon – Crack the Skye
Reasoning: Crack the Skye may not be my favorite Mastodon album, hell I'd consider it more prog rock, than metal. But to the mainstream this IS metal and it is GOOD. If an album can bring this much attention to the metal scene, while still being unique, then it deserves the accolades.
5) Candlemass – Death Magic Doom
Reasoning: Candlemass provides the sleeper hit of the year with Death Magic Doom. Stoner/doom metal bands of today just can't compare to the greatness of this band.
4) Ace Frehley – Anomaly
Reasoning: Anomaly may not be metal, but it is great rock 'n' roll. Plus Ace Frehley influenced enough metal dudes to be legit in the scene. See why by checking out this release.
3) Cannibal Corpse – Evisceration Plague
Reasoning: I never was all that into Cannibal Corpse, but "Evisceration Plague" may just be the perfect death metal song. Check out my review of the album here.
2) Shadows Fall - Retribution
Reasoning: Although Shadows Fall's latest album Retribution may have the lamest cover of the top albums of 2009, it has some of the best content. I had almost lost hope with one of my favorite modern metal bands, until hearing this release, which is the band's best since The Art of Balance in my book.
1) God Forbid - Earthsblood
Reasoning: Earthsblood is God Forbid's greatest album and my choice for best album of 2009. Why? Because this album is a breath of fresh air in the metalcore genre - containing excellent songwriting that blends heavy and clean vocals to perfection.
Other Random Awards:
Best Local Metal Album:
Dark Mirror – Portrait of Evil(Des Moines)
Why it got the award: Power thrash metal outfit Dark Mirror saw a lot of changes in 2009, but the band's latest incarnation put out its best album yet. Listen to some tracks on the band's Official Web site.
Also check out:
Identity Crisis – Finding Balance (Iowa City)
(Click here for MySpace)
Most Overrated album of 2009:
Baroness – Blue Record
Why it got the award: There's no doubting Baroness released what is possibly the best album of its career. But best album of the year? I think not. Maybe I just don't fully appreciate "stoner metal," but after favorably reviewing the album I didn't feel a need to listen repeatedly.
Biggest Controversy:
Rammstein – "Pussy" Music Video
Why it got the award: Well, those crazy Germans in Rammstein made a hardcore porn video for the first single "Pussy" off the surprisingly good Liebe Ist Für Alle Da. There isn't much else to say. Check it my original post on the video here.
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