Best of 2010 – Waspman
1. Blind Guardian – At the Edge of Time
This year I got what I asked for as BG came back with yet another masterpiece.
2. Accept – Blood of the Nations
Who would have thought that replacing Udo was what the band needed to make another kick-ass album? This is easily the shocker of the year and the best Accept album since BALLS TO THE WALL.
3. Atlantean Kodex – The Golden Bough
4. Nevermore – The Obsidian Conspiracy
5. Sons of Liberty – Brushfires of the Mind
6. Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier
7. Fozzy – Chasing the Grail
8. Dark Tranquillity – We Are the Void
9. Kalmah – 12 Gauge
10. Ufomammut – Eve
11. Helloween – 7 Sinners
12. Melechesh - The Epigenesis
13. Sabaton – Coat of Arms
14. Wuthering Heights – Salt
15. Vanden Plas – The Seraphic Clockwork
16. Cradle of Filth – Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa
17. High On Fire – Snakes for the Divine
18. Soulitude – Wonderfool World
19. Black Label Society – Order of the Black
20. Halford – IV – Made of Metal
Best new band
First Signal – First Signal
Melodic hard rock just doesn’t get any better than this.
Best EP/MCD
Acrassicauda – Only the Dead See the End of the War
The story behind the band is fascinating (check out the HEAVY METAL BAGHDAD dvd), but fortunately Acrassicauda put out four of the best thrash songs of the year.
Best Metal DVD/Blu-Ray
The Big Four
A metal concert doesn’t get much bigger or better than this. A true event.
Discovery of 2010
Atlantean Kodex – The Golden Bough
THE GOLDEN BOUGH is absolutely mind-blowing epic metal. I must hear more.
Best Live Album
Jeff Scott Soto – Live At Firefest 2008
JSS is a pro and this album proves he can get it done on his own.
Disappointments of 2010
The Passing of Ronnie James Dio
This one goes without saying. Goodbye Ronnie, and thanks for sharing your brilliance with us for all these years.
Jorn – Dio
There’s no doubt that Jorn’s heart was in the right place, but this covers album just falls flat.
Masterplan – Time to be King
Not a good year from Jorn Lande in my eyes. This album just smacks of rehashed filler – I expect more from a band this loaded with talent.
Ratt – Infestation
All of the ingredients of an awesome Ratt album are there, but somehow the end results just don’t click with me at all.
Greatest Hopes for 2011
New kick ass Jag Panzer album
…with officially released cover art, track listing and everything! The wait is killing me.
Seeing Accept/Sabaton live
I’ve been dying to see these bands live for years and I’ll finally get the chance this year!
Seeing Judas Priest live…for the last time (?!?)
If it is true that the band is going to quit touring after this year, here’s hoping they go out in style and put on their biggest stage show ever.
