LORD OF THE WASTELAND’S BEST OF 2010
TOP 20 ALBUMS OF 2010
1. Triptykon ~ EPARISTERA DAIMONES
The build-up to this record, personally, was phenomenal. Hearing that Celtic Frost had imploded following the gargantuan MONOTHEIST, followed by the teaser snippets of songs posted on the Triptykon MySpace page had me foaming at the mouth upon the day of release. That sort of anticipation usually leads to disappointment but EPARISTERA DAIMONES surpassed all expectations by delivering a crushingly heavy, dark abyss of a record that has held up strongly through the year.
2. Fear Factory ~ MECHANIZE
Much like Triptykon, Fear Factory had an awful lot riding on its new record. With Dino Cazares back in the fold and Christian Olde Wolbers and Raymond Herrera out, Fear Factory fans expected a lot, but at the same time, weren’t sure what to expect. MECHANIZE picks up right where OBSOLETE left off a dozen years earlier but still sounds fresh and modern. One of the band’s best releases to date.
3. Melechesh ~ THE EPIGENESIS
4. Accept ~ BLOOD OF THE NATIONS
5. Orphaned Land ~ THE NEVERENDING WAY OF ORWARRIOR
6. Ratt ~ INFESTATION
7. Dommin ~ LOVE IS GONE
8. Deftones ~ DIAMOND EYES
9. Therion ~ SITRA AHRA
10. Overkill ~ IRONBOUND
11. Death Angel ~ RELENTLESS RETRIBUTION
12. Scorpions ~ STING IN THE TAIL
13. Halford ~ MADE OF METAL
14. Dimmu Borgir ~ ABRAHADABRA
15. Avantasia ~ ANGEL OF BABYLON/THE WICKED SYMPHONY
16. Intronaut ~ VALLEY OF SMOKE
17. Immolation ~ MAJESTY AND DECAY
18. Dark Tranquillity ~ WE ARE THE VOID
19. The Crown ~ DOOMSDAY KING
20. Forbidden ~ OMEGA WAVE
BEST NEW BAND OF 2010
Dommin
A mix of Danzig, Volbeat and 80s Goth-rock, Dommin’s debut album, LOVE IS GONE, brought a fresh twist to heavy music in 2010. Lots of hooks and dark melodies made this record one that had a lot of re-plays over the year.
BEST METAL DVD/BLU-RAY OF 2010
Rush ~ BEYOND THE LIGHTED STAGE
Flawless in its production, broad and all-encompassing in its content, this Blu-Ray is the crown jewel for any Rush fan.
BEST LIVE ALBUM OF 2010
Down ~ DIARY OF A MAD BAND
This one has been dogged by delays for a few years but Down made it worth the wait by including a snazzy package and accompanying documentary DVD.
BEST EP OF 2010
Beneath The Massacre ~ MARÉE NOIRE
These Canadians were among the first in the deathcore genre and still know how to annihilate everything its path with well-timed breakdowns, rapid-fire guitars and sub-guttural vocals.
BEST COMPILATION/COLLECTION OF 2010
Lamb Of God ~ HOURGLASS: THE ANTHOLOGY
Not really a "hits" package but it certainly includes the bulk of Lamb Of God’s best moments.
BEST METAL-RELATED BOOK OF 2010
MUSTAINE ~ Dave Mustaine & Joe Layden
Megadeth’s mainman finally unleashes his autobiography on the masses. Full of interesting stuff…but Megadave’s ego has never been bigger!
BEST DISCOVERY OF 2010
Forbidden
This Bay-Area thrash band never really found its way on to my radar back in the late-eighties but Forbidden’s new CD, OMEGA WAVE, made me go back and explore what I overlooked on their first two records, 1988’s FORBIDDEN EVIL and 1990’s TWISTED INTO FORM.
BEST CONCERT OF 2010
Ozzy Osbourne/Halford
The last few times I saw Ozzy live were less than memorable, so I went into this show more for Rob Halford’s solo material than for The Prince of Darkness. The addition of new guitarist Gus G. has really added some spark to Ozzy’s live show, though, and witnessing him tear through a set of many long-lost gems allowed him to rise to the top of the year’s concert heap.
WORST CONCERT OF 2010
Great White
Jack Russell’s health issues have all but silenced a once powerful voice and a strong frontman. Many in the crowd were saddened and embarrassed at Russell’s current state as she struggled to hit even the mid-range notes of the band’s biggest songs. The show must go on but when the show is reduced to the singer barely able to sing and performing while seated on a stool or hobbling around on a cane, it may be time to draw the curtain.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS OF 2010
1. Airbourne ~ NO GUTS NO GLORY
The anthemic RUNNIN’ WILD set the bar high for these Aussie rockers and NO GUTS NO GLORY was a big letdown. Not a bad CD but doesn’t possess the same unforgettable songs that stick in your head as its predecessor did in 2007.
2. All That Remains ~ FOR WE ARE MANY
THE FALL OF IDEALS was a great CD but OVERCOME and this year’s FOR WE ARE MANY crossed over into auto-tuned hell. That and an obvious reliance on studio production tricks leave me in fear of where this band is headed.
3. Gamma Ray ~ TO THE METAL
Gamma Ray has been on a steady decline for years but TO THE METAL was a real stinker. Generic power metal at its worst.
4. Nevermore ~ THE OBSIDIAN CONSPIRACY
Somehow Nevermore has come up with its first dud, following the genius of THIS GODLESS ENDEAVOR and ENEMIES OF REALITY. All the necessary elements are there—Warrel’s vocals and Jeff’s guitars are top-notch—but something got lost along the way.
5. In This Moment ~ A STAR-CROSSED WASTELAND
Following the incredible maturity shown on its sophomore effort, 2008’s THE DREAM, In This Moment decided to forget about Maria Brink’s stellar voice and writing hook-filled songs. Instead, the band reverted back to the generic screaming and paint-by-numbers songs found on its debut. What the hell were they thinking????
GREATEST HOPES FOR 2011
1. New CDs from Morbid Angel, Sodom, Deicide, Pig Destroyer, Neuraxis, DevilDriver, Evergrey, Within Temptation and Amon Amarth.
2. The Devin Townsend Project ~ DECONSTRUCTION and GHOST
3. King Diamond/Mercyful Fate DVDs
4. More time available to devote to writing and contributing to the mighty Metal-Rules.com!!!!!!!
5. Trans-Siberian Orchestra adds Calgary on to its winter tour schedule again.
