Top 15 Metal Albums of 2010

There are a lot of different ways people go about ranking albums in a given year. Some people go strictly on musical ability, others list only their favorite bands, and some go just on how much they played that album. I like to do a little bit of all three, but mainly this is more of a "favorite" albums list than a "best" albums list. My musical knowledge is somewhat limited compared to others, but I know deliciousness when I hear it and I also know crap when I hear it. Some albums are less "metal" than others on here, but if it resonated enough with me I put it on here.

Tasty EP's to give a spin:

Beneath The Massacre - Maree Noire 
This EP is absolutely crushing. Canadian tech-death outfit BTM keep it interesting without just trying to cram as many notes into each song as possible. Very fluid and a fun listen throughout.

TesseracT - Concealing Fate EP

Part of the "Djent" movement, TesseracT bring a nice blend of clean vocals with a chug-chug sound. Think a more mellow Periphery. Should be interesting to see where this band is headed.

Structures - All of the Above

Awesome debut by another Canadian band, Structures' EP has an interesting blend of time changes and natural breakdowns to go with some sweet riffs. Have listened to them way too much since I got this.

The Devil Wears Prada - Zombie EP 

Very aggressive and humorous release by TDWP. The ridiculous movie quotes and sound effects were a nice touch to a sound that I hope these guys explore more seriously. Too chorusy still, however.

Torche - Songs For Singles

Some people were disappointed by the new Torche songs, but I was impressed. They maintain that uncanny catchiness while keeping their stoner sludge sound alive, without making it sound exactly like Meanderthal.

Top 15 of 2010

15. We Butter The Bread With Butter - Der Tag an dem die Welt unterging 

Very hard to classify this German metalcore band other than "awesome". Their mix of electro sound with heavy metal and ridiculous pig squeals in their native tongue are quite catchy. Nothing out of the ordinary instrumentally, but the way the album is executed makes it enjoyable to listen to more than once, with a unique blend of generally opposite genres.

Song to check out: Der Tag an dem die Welt unterging

14. After The Burial - In Dreams

It was hard deciding to put this in the Top 15 or to throw it on the most disappointing list. Having listened to it multiple times, it has gotten better with each listen. However, it certainly doesn't come close to competing with Rareform and left me wanting more. There are still catchy riffs and creative breakdowns, and they still maintain that same bounce to them, but the songs just aren't as memorable. It still is a good album, and I am still glad I purchased it, but I just want more.

Song to check out: My Frailty

13. Through The Eyes of the Dead - Skepsis

After deciding to self produce this album, TTEOTD made great strides on this album. "Deathcore" is becoming a very muddled genre but here is a standout album in that genre. Great riffs combined with some brutal and not forced breakdowns make for a nice release. Some songs are more memorable than others, but overall the energy and depth to Skepis is far ahead a lot of their contemporaries. Also, the vocals carry more weight than one would expect for a non-singing band because this guy just sounds so pissed the whole album, very awesome.

Song to check out: The Manifest

12. I The Breather - These Are My Sins

While this album hasn't been out long, I have had a difficult time taking it out of my cd player since I bought it. Again, nothing really out of the ordinary from these guys, but man is their stuff catchy. A generous mix of August Burns Red-type song structures with a little poor-man's Born of Osiris sporadicness, this album has a lot of aggressiveness to it while staying fairly accessible. I can imagine I The Breather will become quite popular. A little too much fluff on the album to make it great, but still a fun listen.

Song to check out: Forgiven

11. This Or The Apocalypse - Haunt What's Left

Another band that doesn't really reinvent the wheel, but executes very well. After working with Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler in production, their overall sound really became refined on this album. Each of their songs display solid guitar work, while no two songs sound alike, doing a nice job of mixing up their structures and doing a better job of creating their own unique blend of metalcore. No longer are these guys one of the ABR "little brothers". They will be holding their own in the metal community for quite some time

Song to check out: Hellish

10. The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza - Danza III: The Series of Unfortunate Events

If for some reason you think you know the boundaries of the guitar, please think again. Or at least get back to me after you listen to this album. Just watching the production videos for this album were incredible, let alone listening to the whole deal. Very chaotic, very heavy and very very good, Danza III picks up where their last album left off, only improving their overall sound. My only beef is that the first half of the album is more interesting than the second half, or this would be the clear cut album of the year.

Song to check out: Yippie-Kay-Yay Motherfucker

9. Periphery - Periphery

The long awaited self-titled debut from Periphery generally left fans either completely stoked or utterly abandoned. With a new vocalist (Spencer Sotello) to complete these instrumental wizards, this album is extremely well crafted from start to finish. Misha "Bulb" Mansoor is one of the better guitarists in metal right now, and the groove and aggression this band brings is very refreshing in a muddled genre. Awesome all around.

Song to check out: Light

8. Chiodos - Illuminaudio

Much was made about the departure of vocalist Craig Owens from the band before the recording of this album, but man did they get better or what! Chiodos was kind of hit and miss with me, but their new album delivers in a way I didn't think they could. A strong mesh of catchiness (Brandon Bolmer's clean and screaming vocals are much better than Owens') and heaviness, Illuminaudio sounds like a mix between Coheed & Cambria and blessthefall. Strong beginning and a good flow throughout the whole album. Definitely a surprise and not a disappointment.

Song to check out: Modern Wolf Hair

7. Haste The Day - Attack of the Wolf King

With this being the final release from Haste The Day, there isn't a better way these guys could have gone out. Wolf King is more or less a culmination of their previous works, with added talent on the drums and at guitar to put the band to new heights. While only one original band member remained for their final days, this album has a great blend of melody and raw power while keeping that noticeable Haste The Day sound. Hats off to one of the torch bearers in Christian metal for sticking through multiple lineup changes and putting together a great album in their final go-around.

Song to check out: Travesty

6. The Acacia Strain - Wormwood

So many bands out there try to be heavy, for being heavy's sake. Not only do 99% of them suck, but most of them are actually popular. But there stands The Acacia Strain, taking their heavy brand of metal and hardcore to a different level. The doom and roughness of this album trumps everything they've done to date, and while it took a little while for me to warm up to this album, the songs are there to make this album awesome. I can't wait to see some of their new material live.

Song to check out: The Hills Have Eyes

5. As I Lay Dying - The Powerless Rise

Unlike metalcore contemporaries Killswitch Engage, AILD took their sound and made it less accessible and took pride in their work rather than going for a radio audience and watering down their music. This album showcases their guitar work brilliantly. A lot heavier than their previous material, The Powerless Rise strays from the chorus/solo/breakdown formula and brings a lot more of a thrash element to the table, which is quite pleasant. Good to see these guys keeping it raw amidst their popularity, maybe opening some eyes to "true" metalheads.

Song to check out: Beyond Our Suffering

4. The Chariot - Long Live

This is another one of those albums where a group's career has led to this kind of release. The Chariot took their chaotic blend of punk and hardcore, mixed it with a little Georgia soul and took it to the next level. Awesome energy, awesome riffs, extremely catchy while still remaining out of control, Let Live's only real issue is that it is too short! Check this album out regardless of what type of music you like, it breaks so many boundaries that it's not even funny. Perfectly encompasses their live energy into album form.

Song to check out: David De La Hoz

3. Norma Jean - Meridional

I was starting to doubt the craziness that fueled Norma Jean through their first two albums when The Anti-Mother came out. Good album, but nothing like the scariness that resonated in the early years. Meridional took a giant leap back to the brutality they used to stand for, and refined it a bit and made a great album. Extraordinarily memorable from front to back, lyrically and musically this album is amazing. A record label switch was much needed (as was the case with The Chariot) and with it grew the creative licensing of Norma Jean and a bold future for this group.

Song to check out: The Anthem of the Angry Brides

2. The Dillinger Escape Plan - Option Paralysis

I saw these guys at Warped Tour on the main stage and almost NO ONE was watching because everyone went to go check out Whitechapel and Of Mice and Men or some crap like that...so sad. Dillinger is on top of their game right now, and this album is just about flawless. Mike's vocals are to notch as usual, and the band took a step back towards not being able to comprehend what they're playing while still keeping the songs memorable and catchy. Hard to do with their style of metal. Hats of to DEP, one of the real hard workers in the industry.

Song to check out: Farewell Mona Lisa (but seriously check out all of them)

1. Veil of Maya - [id]

Now that's what I'm talking about. This is exactly what I want to hear when I wake up in the morning, when I take a shower, when I am at work, when I drive, when I eat, and when I sleep. This is the best 29 minutes in audio form I have had all year. So so good from front to back. Lots of complexities while being fairly accessible, especially for only having one guitarist (one of the best around might I add). Seeing them live confirmed their credibility as being amazing, and this album pushed their "Sumeriancore" sound to the limit. The replay-ability of [id] is unlimited as well. Go out there and get this album if you haven't gotten to listen to it before. Brutal, melodic, chaotic and as memorable as they come.

Song to check out: Unbreakable

Honorable Mention: Other albums worth giving a listen

Ion Dissonance - Cursed
Very aggressive and very heavy, good technical metal from our Canadian brethren.

Coheed & Cambria - Year of the Black Rainbow

Better use of ex-Dillinger drummer Chris Pennie; awesome prog rock and solid all the way through.

A Plea For Purging - The Marriage of Heaven and Hell

A slight change in sound, but still pretty decent all around. Good metalcore with brutal honesty and aggression.

Whitechapel - A New Era of Corruption

Not a fan of these guys before this album, but it really is a good piece of work throughout.

The Contortionist - Exoplanet

Unique sound with depth and melody that is often mixed together poorly. Rings of Meshuggah and BTBAM.

Demon Hunter - The World Is A Thorn

Nothing too out of the ordinary, but member changes alowed for a little more aggressiveness it seemed.

The Sword - Warp Riders
Spacy album, very creative story telling throughout. A little more rock than previous releases, but still sweet.

Mnemic - Sons of the System
Never heard of them until this album, good bounce and flow to it. Nice mix of harsh and clean vocals.

Powerglove - Saturday Morning Apocalypse

Hilarious. Metal covers of cartoon songs, surprised this hasn't happened earlier. Well executed.

Stick To Your Guns - The Hope Division
Awesome hardcore band, good album. A little more depth than their previous work. Great energy.

The Great American Beast - Domestic Blood
Southern fried metal going to work, very catchy and very raw. A little more wild than, say, MATSOD.

Kvelertak - Kvelertak
Just got this album recently after reading good reviews, very catchy Norwegian metal. Solid album.




Favorite Non-Metal Album:


Foxy Shazam - Foxy Shazam

This guy's voice is outstanding, like a modern day Freddy Mercury. Very fun album, lots of good guitar work as well.



Disappointments: Albums that left me wanting a lot more

Within The Ruins - Invade
No memorable songs whatsoever. Good guitar work but that's about it.

Parkway Drive - Deep Blue
Not a terrible album by any means, but I have high expectations with these guys and they just didn't deliver on this one.

MyChildren MyBride - Lost Boy
Bad album, definitely took many steps back from their debut; showed they have a musical ceiling and they hit it.

Underoath - Disambiguation
Again, not a bad album but nothing memorable enough to make me want to listen to it again.

Bleeding Through - Bleeding Through
Common theme here is lack of memorability, and this qualifies as well. Good guitar work but no good songs.

All That Remains - For We Are Many
Another step in the radio direction for ATR and it is hurting their sound that was so captivating in their first two albums.

Bullet For My Valentine - Fever
Another step off my radar for these guys. It hurt to listen to this all the way through.

Yes I know Bring Me The Horizon and A Day To Remember, who are touring together early next year, both came out with new albums this year. And they both blow so hard.

It's About That Time of Year

Time to get retrospective and look back at the top metal/rock/heavy/deathy/techy/br00tal/'core albums from 2010. 

I tried to go out of my box as much as possible this year to try and check out material I wouldn't normally listen to or am not familiar with.

That being said, there were a lot of good albums that came out this year, some of which I didn't get to listen to, some of which I really didn't like, and some of which I listened to more than I probably should.

Before I get my list out, feel free to comment on what your favorite album or albums were from 2010, regardless of genre. I love checking out lots of stuff, so long as it isn't country or the auto-tuned malarkey you hear on the radio. It was a fairly decent year for music, so check back soon for my little old list.

Thanks and have a good New Year and Holiday season.

Oregon State vs. Oregon: Notes and Thoughts

With a bowl birth on the line and a chance to knock rival Oregon Ducks out of the National Championship game, the Beavers couldn't hang with the top ranked Ducks, falling 37-20 in front of a record crowd. The Beavers got on the board first with a Jacquizz Rodgers touchdown reception, but couldn't take advantage of a couple crucial Oregon turnovers. After getting within ten points late in the third quarter, 23-13, the Ducks put up two more scoring drives to seal the Beaver's fate.

- This year's Civil War was a microcosm of both teams' seasons. All year long, the Ducks kept their opponents within in reach for half of the game before squashing any hopes of a comeback late in the game. The Beavers played well for the most part, but missed some crucial third down conversions and failed to stop Oregon when they needed to. Coupled with batted balls at the line of scrimmage and giving up too many yards on the ground, it was an uphill battle all game long for the Beavers, much like most of the season.

- The Beavers needed to go for it on fourth down each time they were in the red zone. Down 20-7, and after a nice march down the field, OSU settled for three. Again, down 23-10, the Beavs went for the easy points to try to cut it within ten. I understand the philosophy of getting points when you can, but not against a team that gets a good chunk of their scores in the fourth quarter. Not converting on fourth would not have made much of a difference, but if they were able to get in the end zone at least once, they would have had less of a sense of urgency after the Ducks got back on the board.

- Defensively, OSU was in good position most of the game. However, having two running backs go over 100 yards on the day is nothing to ignore. Too many times the defense crashed in on quarterback Darron Thomas, who barely carried the ball that day. With the inability to contain outside running all year long, the defense needed to dare Thomas to carry the load and take some hits. Instead, LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner were able to convert key third downs as well as break off enough long runs to keep the Ducks ahead.

- A good sign for the Beavers on Senior Day was that James Rodgers was not among any of the seniors honored that afternoon, further solidifying his likely return for 2011. In his absence, Markus Wheaton kept progressing as the season went along, capped off with a tremendous Civil War performance, gaining nearly 150 yards in the air. Not to mention the stellar grabs by Jordan Bishop and the excellent efforts by Joe Halahuni. The Beavers will definitely have their share of weapons next season, it's just a matter of getting the ball in their hands...

- ...Which means Ryan Katz needs to shake off his woes from the season and focus on the positives and learn from his mistakes. After his multi-interception performance in the Husky game earlier in the season, Katz never seemed to regain the swagger he had. Often times he held on to the ball too long looking for an open receiver, leading to unnecessary sacks and hurting overall field position. His protection by the offensive line was good for the most part, it's just a matter of knowing where everyone is on the field, something most young quarterbacks tend to struggle with. Especially in Mike Riley's system. Still, he had one of the better seasons for an OSU quarterback and easily the best debut season of any of Riley's qb's over the past few years.

- Looking ahead to next season, it hurts that the Beavers won't get the extra practice time that a bowl game allows. Although there will not be any post season play, one can imagine the bitter taste left in the underclassmen's mouths. Apart from the freshmen of the 2007 class that red-shirted that season (and James Rodgers), none of the Beavers have beaten the Ducks. You can bet that will be a motivating factor during the off-season to improve and continue to fight to get back into conference title contention. Next year marks the first season of the Pac-12, and with the way the divisions are split up, the North division runs through Eugene. Expect a much improved Beaver squad in 2011. After OSU's last losing season in 2005, the 2006 team went on to win 10 games, with wins over USC and Oregon to mark one of the most successful campaigns in school history (Also, the beginning of that year brought in the infamous "Can Riley" brigade). With the presumed return of the Rodgers brothers, a seasoned quarterback and young play makers emerging on both side of the ball, optimism, motivation and hunger for redemption will be ringing in Corvallis all throughout the off-season.

Civil War Week: Game Prediction

With Saturday's kickoff for the 114th Civil War less than 24 hours away, all the build up and speculation will finally be put to rest and the game will actually be played. With ESPN's College Game Day on campus, the hype and buzz around Corvallis has never been higher. While the last two Civil Wars certainly had high stakes, this one tops both of them. The nation has been intrigued and captivated by the year the Oregon Ducks have had, while the Beavers' routine late-season improvement has evaded this year's squad. With a national audience tuning in to see if the Ducks can set their place in the BCS National Championship Game, the atmosphere will be unmatched.

If you're a Duck fan: Your team is this close to taking the program to a whole new level. A win in the Civil War not only puts the Ducks in the title game, but takes another step toward separating themselves from the in-state rivals. Going into a madhouse that is Reser, the Ducks will need to take the crowd out of the game early, something they haven't done on the road this season. With the Beavers struggles against mobile quarterbacks doubled with their injuries across the front seven, Oregon is foaming at the mouth. There can't be any sign of overconfidence however, because OSU plays at their best when the pressure is off, which it will be on Saturday. The Ducks will need to play relentless on both sides of the ball for the entire game, or their dream season could slip away.

If you're a Beaver fan: This is the perfect opportunity to put the enemy back in their place. With all the pressure on the other side, it's put up or shut up time for the Beavers. Back in the role as the spoiler coming off a thumping at the hands of Stanford, most people outside of Corvallis are overlooking OSU. There is no reason not to, but Beaver fans know that it's not about wins and losses and perception, it's about the game on the field Saturday. Just ask USC. There are few coaching staffs that can put together a game plan like Mike Riley and company, and if (that's a big if) the players can execute and play with the passion they had two Saturdays ago, the Ducks will be in for a surprise.

The bottom line is: There was a blurb in Sports Illustrated about how the Oregon-Oregon State rivalry is less hate oriented and more creative dislike towards each other. I have yet to see anything this week that makes me think that is true. The two schools legitimately don't like each other and the way their football teams play is as stark a contrast as the universities themselves. Oregon knows what's at stake. Their poise throughout the entire season won't evaporate in one game. Oregon State also knows what's at stake. Not only would a loss to the Ducks send them to the national title game, but the Beavers would be stewing over a third straight loss to their bitter rivals while missing out on a bowl game for the first time since 2005. That being said, the Ducks have gotten away with some close calls on the road all year, pulling away late in the game to give an almost deceptive final score. On the road in Corvallis, this will be their toughest road test to date. At 5-6, the Beavers certainly have had a letdown season, but still have the players and play-makers on both sides of the ball to make this more of a contest then the prognosticators are forecasting. The Beavers have the Ducks right where they want them. College football seems to always have a wacky way of ending the season, and this year it will be in Corvallis. The Ducks will let the Beavers hang for too long, and behind a fired up crowd and energized team, OSU will pull off the shocker of the year, taking advantage of the opportunity at hand. Beavers 31, Ducks 29

Civil War Week: Keys To The Game - Beavers

It's been a strange season for Beaver fans during the 2010 season. After hanging with two top five programs in the early going and coming away with a road win over then-No. 9 Arizona, the team has been hard to predict. With impressive wins over USC and Cal on their resume, OSU has also fell to the likes of lowly UCLA and Washington State. At 5-6, the Beavers need a win in the Civil War to become bowl eligible, and to play spoiler to Oregon's perfect season. Here are their keys to victory:

• Sustain long scoring drives. The best defense against Oregon's offense? Keeping Darron Thomas and company off the field. The Beavers will need to open up holes for Jacquizz Rodgers to keep the clock moving and keep the ball moving. OSU has shown the ability to milk the clock when needed, and if Quizz and the running game are productive, this will give quarterback Ryan Katz  manageable third down opportunities and a higher chance to keep the ball out of the Ducks' hands.

• Don't settle for field goals. In last year's match up, the Beaver offense was able to move the ball down the field frequently against the Ducks, but too many drives ended with field goals instead of touchdowns. That ended up being one of, if not the, deciding factor in not being able to come out victorious. With the Ducks constantly being a play away from putting up six on the board, OSU cannot afford to not get in the end zone when the opportunity arises.

• Be proactive on defense. The Beaver defense is at their finest when they are blowing plays up at the line of scrimmage, led by defensive tackle Stephen Paea. Paea has been nearly unstoppable the past two weeks, tossing aside offensive linemen left and right. Oregon has one of the most sound and conditioned offensive line in the country, a major key to their success. If the defense can constantly make Thomas uncomfortable in a hostile environment and keep the crowd involved, there's no reason the Beavers can't stay in the game until the end.

Before the season began, the Beavers were selected to wear Nike Pro Combat uniforms designed in the image of the 1967 "Giant Killers" uniforms. Little did we know that the number one team in the country would be rolling into Corvallis on the date selected to don the jerseys. If the Beavers can keep the crowd involved the entire game and sustain some consistency on offense, there could be another slaying of a giant by the end of the game.

Civil War Week: Keys To The Game - Ducks

Many fans and writers around the country were beginning to write the Oregon Ducks off back in Spring with the series arrests, suspensions and dismissals brought unwanted national attention to Eugene. Now nearing the end of the college football season, the Ducks are one win away from playing for the National Championship. With a point-a-minute offense and an underrated defense, Oregon must win in Corvallis to secure a place in the title game. Here are their keys to success.

• Shake off the slow starts. In their five road games this season, the Ducks have given their opponents glimmers of hope in each game before being able to pull away (or in the case of the Cal game, sneak away) with a victory. Going into their most hostile environment of the year against a Jekyl and Hyde squad like Oregon State, another slow start is the last thing the Ducks want to try to wade through again. As the Beavers showed two weeks ago against USC, when they have any type of momentum they are a formidable team. However, if the Ducks can finally jump on a team away from Autzen, the Beavers could be packing up and thinking about 2011 by halftime.

• Shut down Quizz. The OSU offensive line has had trouble making holes for Jacquizz Rodgers most of the year, and going against a quick and disruptive defensive front like the Ducks will be a tough task. If Oregon can consistently blow up plays in the backfield and force Ryan Katz to beat them through the air, their offense can get back on the field more frequently and wear out a thin Beaver defense.

• Focus on the task at hand. It seems kind of absurd to not take the Civil War seriously, but with the ultimate prize just 60 minutes away and playing against an inferior opponent, human nature could sneak in and have players looking ahead just a little bit. Many fans and writers are writing off the Beavers, and if any of the members of the team do the same they are in for a long game. OSU essentially only has pride to play for, and unlike the last two seasons have no pressure on their side. While the Ducks have shown all year that they can focus and close out games, one miscue or head in the clouds could ruin their dream season.

On paper the game doesn't appear to be too close a match up, but in a rivalry game you can throw the records out. If the offense can get off to a hot start and rattle a fragile quarter back across the field, the Ducks should be in good shape to play in Glendale a week from New Year's.