Blistering.com Staff Picks For 2009 - Part Deux
By: Blistering Staff
Dan is the newest addition to the Blistering staff and is one of the more "legit" metalheads I've come across. Here are his picks for the year... - Ed.
Daniel Barkasi’s Top Albums 10 of 2009
From this metal-obsessed individual’s opinion, 2009 was – for the most part – a fantastic year. Sure, some painfully awful albums popped up, but those were thankfully in the minority. There was certainly no lack of phenomenal releases that assaulted our senses, which is always healthy for this writer’s mental state. So many in fact, that I had to leave off some albums that most certainly will make many best-of lists for this calendar year. No disservice intended for those that missed the cut – Immortal, Fragments of Unbecoming, Swallow the Sun, My Dying Bride, just to name a few – there was just that much of a plethora of amazing sonic goodness to behold. However, that conundrum will always be welcome over struggling to come up with ten releases that in all reality shouldn’t be worthy of such an adornment. The more awesome, the happier I shall be!
1. Insomnium – Across the Dark (Candlelight)
Ever since their debut, In the Halls of Awaiting Insomnium have never failed to impress. Across the Dark is a shining light for all metal fans to embrace. You’re not going to easily find more finely crafted songs anywhere. This could be the landmark album that vaults Insomnium to the very top of the heap.
2. Hypocrisy – A Taste of Extreme Divinity (Nuclear Blast)
As a friend so truthfully stated, thank the Aliens that abducted Peter Tägtgren. He only continuously crafts masterful metal in a style like no other. A Taste of Extreme Divinity is definitely no exception to Mr. Tägtgren’s enduring track record; a punishing record that draws you in more with each listen. Anybody worth their salt should pick this one up.
3. God Dethroned – Passiondale (Metal Blade)
One of the most underrated bands alive, God Dethroned simply releases some of the most consistent, unique brands of death metal there is. They also make you think with intriguing themes – this one being about the plight of a war-torn town known as Passchendaele during World War I. Never even a single average release, God Dethroned once again prove to be the model of consistency. Essential listening.
4. Katatonia – Night is the New Day (Peaceville)
What can be said about Katatonia that already hasn’t been said? Nobody can quite match their sound, with every release varyingly different from the last, all while never losing the haunting and powerful sound that makes this band stand out. Night is the New Day unquestionably continues this theme, further solidifying Katatonia as a top act that is never to be missed. Outright haunting.
5. Kreator – Hordes of Chaos (SPV)
Perhaps being one of the few that liked a good portion of Kreator’s experimental material in the late 90s, their glorious return to their thrash roots with 2001’s Violent Revolution was certainly a welcome step back to their roots. Since then, they’ve continued to be one of the leaders in all of metal, with Hordes of Chaos continuing that trend with unrelenting force. The best thrash album of the year, bar none.
6. Skyfire – Esoteric (Pivotal Rockordings)
It has been five long years since Skyfire released their last album and Esoteric finally ended their drought, and what a way to do it! Skyfire is easily one of the best bands that not too many people know about; surely being near the very top of the keyboard-driven melodic death metal mountain. Their latest further solidifies their sound and is vital listening to any fan of melodic metal.
7. Burnt by the Sun – Heart of Darkness (Relapse)
Burnt by the Sun always have possessed a sound of which no other could quite match. Very much a difficult band to describe stylistically, sheer ferocity has always been a huge piece of Burnt by the Sun’s output. Heart of Darkness doesn’t disappoint one iota, being one of the most in-your-face sonic attacks you’ll ever hear. While it certainly is a downer that this will (supposedly) be their last opus, any band would kill to go out on such an intensive high note.
8. Faust Again – The Trial (Bastardized Recordings)
The criminally underrated Faust Again have never released anything short of spectacular in their career. For those unfamiliar, the Polish five-piece proliferates a combination of all the finer points of the upper echelon of metalcore, complete with an abundance of brutality and melody rivaling the best exports Scandinavia has to offer. They also have a much broader and diversified sound than a lot of their peers, so listening with an open mind is most recommended. The Trial is a near-perfect mix of melody, powerful riffs, pinpoint precision and finely tuned songwriting skills. Prepare to have your mind blown.
9. Impious – Death Domination (Metal Blade)
Fast, relentless and punishing have always been the modus operandi of Impious. The latest from the Swedish death/thrashers is no different, and is most definitely the best of their style to come along this year. There’s just enough variance in this album to keep it fresh, but for the most part, it’s about the thrash, and the getting is absurdly fantastic. Post-listening neck soreness album of the year for sure!
10. Paradise Lost – Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us (Century Media)
As somebody who enjoys all incarnations of Paradise Lost, I don’t view this – or their previous two releases – to be albums that brought them back to prominence. Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us however, surely comes close to equaling their most infamous work and is absolutely one of the most superlative albums in their over twenty-year career. Undoubtedly the darkest album of the year, the goth/doom masters have yet again produced another masterpiece of which nobody should be without. The two bonus symphonic versions of the title track and “Last Regret” are also unreal to behold, so be sure to look for the special edition of the album so you can get those gems.
|
