If you've been reading Metal-Rules.com for a while, you know that we
compile our "best of" lists to derive the top albums of the
year. Below is the overall top 30 derived from each staff
member's top 20 of the year. Within each staff members list is their best DVD of 2005, best new band,
greatest hopes for 2006, and of
course their disappointments for 2005. As always, some restrictions are placed on our lists. The top albums are for
North American releases
from 2005 that all full albums (no EP's or demos). They also have
to be new studio albums for 2005, not re-recordings, re-releases, or live
material. For best new band, the restriction is that the band's debut
full-length album (not including demos or EP's) has to be a 2005
release.
2005 was an eventful year for Metal-Rules.com
with a whole new look to the site being unleashed, the launch of Metal Rules
Radio, and as well as the departure and subsequent gain of some new staff
writers. 2005 marked the release of 2 long-awaited reunion albums, both of which
are in our top 10.
2005 also saw some unfortunate loses including
the untimely death of ex-Metal Church vocalist David Wayne, the loss of ex-Vader
drummer Krzysztof "Doc" Raczkowski, and the loss of one of metal's true
innovators - Denis "Piggy" D'Amour of VoiVod. One bright spot for fans of VoiVod
is that we'll have several new VoiVod albums to look forward to that will
contain the last recordings Piggy made. Either way, each will be remembered and
will live on through their music.
The Top 30
Heavy Metal Albums of 2005
1. Nevermore -
This Godless Endeavor
Nevermore takes the title with
a
total knockout coming way ahead of the pack in scoring. Nevermore
continue to Never-bore it’s listeners with the release of THIS
GODLESS ENDEAVOR. The band never repeats itself, but maintains a
distinct identity amidst a sea of mediocrity. On the band’s previous
album, ENEMIES OF REALITY, guitarist Jeff Loomis pushed the envelope
with his lead guitar acrobatics to what many thought were the
limits. With the addition of second lead guitarist, Steve Smyth, the
ante has once again been raised.
Rob Halford’s return to Judas
Priest was the inevitable reunion that many hoped for. With ANGEL OF RETRIBUTION the band has
eliminated the modern elements that were so prominent on
DEMOLITION and have gone back to a much more classic sound. Most Priest
fanatics could have done with another 10 releases in the long gap
between 1990's PAINKILLER and this 2005 release, but at least it's
here now. ANGEL OF RETRIBUTION, for the most part, lived up to expectations. While it might not be perfect, it has been embraced.
Following close behind Judas
Priest we have a band that has quite the Priest influence, namely
Gamma Ray. MAJESTIC continues on in the vein of speedy, and ballsy,
power metal. Unlike many other bands who play under what is today
called power metal, Gamma Ray has not watered down their aggression
nor their song tempos to follow recent trends in the genre. Instead,
they lead the pack with yet another glorious album, MAJESTIC.
4.
Primal Fear– Seven Seals
SEVEN SEALS is a
strong album showing mature song writing with a diversity that was
sometimes lacking on Primal Fear's recent releases. Earlier in
2005, reports from the band announced that there would be some
musical experimentation on the new album. Many fans were quite
worried but all worry was in vain. The band’s sound is not changed
but enhanced, and more importantly, diversified making this one of,
if not the, best Primal Fear albums so far!
By far one of the most
influential Finnish bands, the emptiness Sentenced has now left in
their wake will be extremely hard to fill. We've now reached the end of an era for one of Finland's finest. At least they went out with a
bang! So here we are, our final words on what is the
death of an absolutely amazing band. All we have left to offer
is a heartfelt THANK YOU to the boys for gracing us with so much
suicide over the years. Our hearts may be heavy, but we wish them
nothing but the best. We’re sure we’ll be hearing something or other
from them soon!
Like Priest, this is another
reunion album that has been a long time in the making, and was well
worth the wait! The sound of this self titled album is that of a
band which hasn’t missed a beat, which is especially impressive
given the fact that there hasn’t been a “classic line-up” Candlemass
album since 1989’s TALES OF CREATION. Sounding fresh and vital, Candlemass seem to have taken their time with this record, and it
shows. While there are subtle links to the past, the album is a
confident step forward into the metal world, showing there is much
more to Candlemass than mere nostalgia. To hear this classic lineup
performing this classic sound in 2005 was just the shot in the arm
the metal world needed.
Dark Tranquillity’s
latest opus, CHARACTER, sees the band making an unexpected about
face and returning to the sound of early classics like GALLERY and
THE MIND’S I but bringing along the keyboards of DAMAGE DONE. This
works so well it is a wonder they didn't try it earlier. Dark Tranquillity have
truly outdone themselves. Overlapping the “classic” sound with new,
progressive ones, they have given fans the best of both worlds.
Speed, aggression, melody, intelligent lyrics, stellar musicianship
and accessibility are combined on one jaw-dropping album, giving
CHARACTER the ability to rank among the all-time favorites of old
fans and undoubtedly bring them legions of new ones.
Kreator is at it
again! The German masters of thrash (and pretty much the flagship of
the genre) return with their new offering ENEMY OF GOD. This is one of
those albums that will stand out when you first hear a couple of tracks, it’s downright memorable. Kreator remains a
well greased, cold, mean, and loud machine and ENEMY OF GOD is sure
to keep fans of Kreator more than happy.
Standing heads and shoulders
above anything the band has released since the unfuckwith-able
RUSTED ANGEL, the newest Darkane platter is one deathly serious,
juggernaut of a record. Following up the disappointing-at-times
EXPANDING SENSES effort, LAYERS OF LIES is a deeply textured and
thought out record. It’s damn near perfect, to tell you the truth.
For the past 5 years Kamelot has been
no stranger to Metal Rules. Their unwavering path to perfection
continues with THE BLACK HALO, the band’s first release for SPV. If
you’ve been into the band over the past five or so years, you will
no doubt love the new album. Some minor changes are in store, but
nothing drastic as the band matures into one of the world’s top
notch power/prog/melodic-metal bands.
14.
Helloween - Keeper Of The
Seven Keys: The Legacy
15. Hypocrisy –
Virus
16. Savage Circus -
Dreamland Manor
17. Biomechanical - The Empires Of
The Worlds
18. Arch Enemy –
Doomsday Machine
19. Brainstorm –
Liquid Monster
20. Usurper –
Cryptobeast
Number 21 to 30:
21. Iommi –
Fused
22. Primordial –
The
Gathering Wilderness
23. Morgana Lefay -
Grand Materia
24. Deceased -
As the
Weird Travel On
25. Annihilator –
Schizo
Deluxe
26. Mercenary -
11 Dreams
27. Scar Symmetry -
Symmetric In Design
28. Thunderstone –
Tools of Destruction
29. Immolation -
Harnessing Ruin
30. Countess -
Spawn of Steel
Individual Staff Lists For 2005
Includes: top 20, best new band, best DVD, greatest hopes
for 2006, and disappointments of 2005.
EvilG Top 20 Albums
1. Gamma Ray - Majestic Kai
Hansen is the man! I thought I was going to have a hard time picking
my #1 album of the year, that is until I heard MAJESTIC. As always,
Gamma Ray continues to show why they are leaders of the power metal
genre. While other similar bands have decided to water things down,
Gamma Ray keep it heavy, speedy, and as such continues to be right
up my alley!!
2. Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor This
album is worthy of #1 status, if you aren't a Gamma Ray freak! THIS
GODLESS ENDEAVOR somehow managed to push the envelope of brutality,
creativity, shredding, AND melody. Not many come close to balancing
these ingredients so perfectly as Nevermore. I wonder where they
will take things next.?
3. Primal Fear - Seven Seals
4. Kamelot - The Black Halo
5. Imagika - Devils on Both Sides
6. Sentenced - The Funeral Album
7. Morgana Lefay - Grand Materia
8. Judas Priest - Angel of Retribution
9. HammerFall - Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken
10. sHEAVY - Republic?
11. Helloween – Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy
12. Circle II Circle - The Middle of Nowhere
13. Iommi - Fused
14. Bruce Dickinson - Tyranny of Souls
15. Yngwie Malmsteen – Unleash the Fury
16. Kreator - Enemy of God
17. Exodus – Shovel Headed Killing Machine
18. Demons & Wizards - Touched By the Crimson King
19. Savage Circus - Dreamland Manor
20, Thunderstone - Tools of Destruction
Best New Band
Does Persuader meets Blind Guardian sound good to you? It
sure as hell did to me! I had a hard time coming up with a new band
for this section and I was almost willing to leave it empty this
year. Thank the metal gods for Savage Circus and that I finally
heard this album in December.
Best DVD
Edguy
- Superheroes
Although this DVD was not perfect (it's too
short) it's the best metal DVD I've seen in 2005. With luck, Edguy
will one day get to release a double length DVD with lots of live
performance around the world filmed over different years, a
documentary about the band’s history, and a second DVD containing a
load of behind the scenes crazy stuff that Edguy has become famous
for in the past couple years.
Runner Up: Mötley Crüe: Carnival of Sins LIVE
Although I'm still not happy that the Crue didn't put
out a studio album in 2005, their live performance is still magic.
Disappointments
Albums:
1. Soilwork - Stabbing the Drama The nu-elements on this totally lost me.
I've loved all the Soilwork albums up to this one. This sounds too
much like Linkin Dork or any one of a 100 faceless bands. To let the
band slip into this territory is a crime.
2. Arch Enemy – Doomsday Machine This album was decent, but still a
disappointment when compared to AE’s previous works. The lead guitar
playing was as always, jaw-dropping, but that didn’t save the album
this time out.
3. GZR -
OHMWORK Iommi's solo album so ruled while this was
so lame. For one of the greatest bassists to stoop to this nu-level
is mind-boggling. His other solo albums were not this bad... what
happened?
Other disappointments:
1. R.I.P. - Denis "Piggy" D'Amour, VoiVod VoiVod were a band that
have always been ahead of their time. Piggy was a true innovator and
although he'll be missed, his presence will continue to be felt
through his music.
2. No new Savatage album
Yeah, we know TSO pays the bills, and we have Caffery
solo albums, Jon Oliva's solo stuff, and even Circle II Circle...but
what I'd like to see/hear is Zak and Jon both as the lead vocalists
for a reunited Savatage with a new studio album. Leave the
TSO stuff for November and December and do Savatage for the rest of
the year...please?
3. The pervasiveness of "core" in metal
A couple of bands in the
metalcore style are ok, but the trend has become the new mallcore
and needs to die. Hearing bands adopt this sound who previously had
their own identity is also just sad.
4. No new
Mötley Crüe album It has been written, that
those who tour as a nostalgia/greatest hits act do not have a
future. So come now children of the beast, be strong and write some
new HEAVY METAL material in the Shout at the Devil vein!!!
Greatest Hopes For 2006
1. New Albums From... New
studio albums from IMAGIKA, ANTHRAX, DEATH ANGEL, INTO ETERNITY, JAG
PANZER, MOONSPELL. CELTIC FROST, MOTORHEAD, BLIND GUARDIAN, QUEENSRYCHE (can QR properly follow
up the best concept album ever made? - Operation Mindcrime).
2. Pipe dreams for 2006 New Savatage album, Slayer releases an album worthy of following
up SEASONS IN THE ABYSS (I had these 2 in the list last year
damn it!), some real metal bands play in Newfoundland...
Rick Top 20 Albums
1. Nevermore - This Godless
Endeavour This
CD stands head and shoulders above the rest of the pack from 2005.
After stumbling with ENEMIES OF REALITY Dane, Loomis and company
roar back with a new guitar player, Steve Smith, and an even more
potent blend of aggression and melody. Danes anguished vocals are
the perfect counterpoint to Lommis’ and Smith’s organized chaos.
Truly a masterpiece.
2. Kamelot - The Black Halo
This
disc took some time to grow on me and almost didn’t make it into the
top 5. No other band does it quite like Kamelot. The vocals of Roy
Khan are a breath of fresh air amid a genre of Michael Kiske clones.
The best part about this release is that Kamelot has yet to truly
reach their peak and that bodes well for the future of one of North
America’s greatest bands.
3. Thunderstone – Tools of Destruction
4. CircleIICircle – The Middle of Nowhere
5. Judas Priest - Angel of Retribution
6. Bruce Dickinson - Tyranny of Souls
7. Primal Fear - Seven Seals
8. Sentenced – The Funeral Album
9. Brainstorm - Liquid Monster
10. Savage Circus - Dreamland Manor
11. Sheavy – Republic?
12. Gamma Ray – Majestic
13. Iommi – Fused
14. Demons & Wizards - Touched By the Crimson King
15. Morgana Lefay - Grand Materia
16. Hammerfall - Chapter V
17. Helloween – Keeper of the 7 Keys Part III: The Legacy
18. Rob Rock - Holy Hell
19, Symphorce – Godspeed
20. James LaBrie – Elements of Persuasion
Best New Band
Savage Circus
Blind Guardian’s loss is the metal worlds gain. With Blind
Guardian’s new direction Thomas Stauch was having trouble getting
his compositions to fit with the bands new sound. Instead of seeing
his work sit idle he formed a new band with Piet Sielk and members
of Persuader and the result is DREAMLAND MANOR, one of the strongest
releases of the year.
Best DVD
Evergrey
–
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER is Evergrey’s ALIVE.
Well at least it should be. Listening to this band on CD is no match
for seeing them live on stage. Tom S. Englund has crafted one of the
most interesting DVDs of the year which includes not only a live
show but a plethora of interviews, videos and other unique content.
Disappointments
1. Piggy is gone. R.I.P.
2. GZR: OHMWORK
Why Geezer even bothered is beyond me…
Greatest Hopes For 2006
1. Queensryche Operation Mindcrime: Part II
Hopefully this won’t find its way into my
disappointments for 2006. With Ronnie James Dio playing the part of
Doctor X, I have high hopes for this CD. I just don’t know if there
is a way to do justice to and make a sequel to possibly the greatest
concept album of all time.
2. Will Riot Release a new CD?
I pray to the metal gods every year for a
new Riot Cd so why should I change this year??
Lord of the Wasteland Top 20 Albums
1.
Opeth - GHOST REVERIES
Many fans doubted the bands’
jump to Roadrunner Records but Opeth hit back at their critics with
GHOST REVERIES, their most interesting, varied and eclectic piece of
work yet. The ultimate Opeth album.
2.
Mercenary -
11 DREAMS
Released overseas in late 2004, 11 DREAMS wasn’t released in North
America until January 2005, but still packs just as much wallop 11
months later. The accolades heaped upon this album are deserved on
every account. Perfection, plain and simple.
3. Communic ~ CONSPIRACY IN MIND
4. Despised Icon ~ THE HEALING PROCESS
5. Beneath The Massacre ~ EVIDENCE OF INEQUITY
6. Nevermore ~ THIS GODLESS ENDEAVOR
7. Judas Priest ~ ANGEL OF RETRIBUTION
8. Soilwork ~ STABBING THE DRAMA
9. Strapping Young Lad ~ ALIEN
10. Rudra ~ BRAHMAVIDYA: PRIMORDIAL I
11. Watch Them Die ~ BASTARD SON
12. Hypocrisy ~ VIRUS
13. Primal Fear ~ SEVEN SEALS
14. Bolt Thrower ~ THOSE ONCE LOYAL
15. Brand New Sin ~ RECIPE FOR DISASTER
16. As I Lay Dying ~ SHADOWS ARE SECURITY
17. Old Man’s Child ~ VERMIN
18. Bruce Dickinson ~ TYRANNY OF SOULS
19. Behemoth ~ DEMIGOD
20. Clutch ~ ROBOT HIVE/EXODUS
Best New Band
TIE:
Communic
Not just another Scandinavian power or death outfit, but a
bit of Evergrey-ish dark prog mixed with Nevermore’s vocal
style and a megaton of thrash riffs pepper the haunting
CONSPIRACY IN MIND.
Beneath
The Massacre
The latest brutal gem from Canada’s heavy metal Mecca of
Quebec. Their 5-song debut, EVIDENCE OF INEQUITY, on Galy
Records crushes with all the intensity of Neuraxis, Ion
Dissonance and classic Cryptopsy wrapped in one tight
package.
Best DVD
Union
~ DO YOUR OWN THING LIVE!
This band featuring Bruce
Kulick (ex-KISS) and John Corabi (ex-Motley Crue/Ratt) got a raw
deal a few years ago but seems to be having somewhat of a resurgence
in Europe, Japan and Australia. This DVD shows why.
RUNNER-UP:
Evergrey ~ A NIGHT TO
REMEMBER
A 2-DVD set (and separate companion CD) recorded live in Sweden with
a string section and choir backing the band. Fans of Evergrey
couldn’t ask for anything more; those waiting to check them out will
need nothing else.
Disappointments
1. Children of Bodom ~ ARE YOU DEAD YET?
This officially marks the
end of an era for long-time CoB fans. Mainstream success has found
them and the new CD is a real departure even from HATE CREW
DEATHROLL’s sound. Watered-down riffs and simplistic songs have
drawn lukewarm reviews from the metal media but it seems to be going
the opposite direction as mainstream media. Expect big things
(including a rumoured spot on Ozzfest) in 2006.
2. Combat Records
What was once a mighty underground haven for bands like Possessed,
Megadeth, Dark Angel, Death, etc. has risen Phoenix-like from the
ashes of the 80s…with garbage, non-metal bands like Horse The Band,
Look What I Did and At All Costs. The last time a name has been
disgraced this bad, it had ST. ANGER after it.
3. Metalcore
What started out a few years ago as a nifty trend with bands like
Killswitch Engage and As I Lay Dying mixing Swedish metal riffs and
hardcore breakdowns has devolved into a cesspool of half-baked
clones that seem to pop up by the dozen each week. Much like hair
metal & nu-metal, the market glutting and relentless signing by
labels has turned this genre into a joke.
4. Fear Factory ~ TRANSGRESSION
Last year’s ARCHETYPE had
fans giving Fear Factory a second chance after the abysmal
DIGIMORTAL. But TRANSGRESSION, a rushed, mediocre album that came so
soon after soured many of those fans once again. One step forward,
two steps back.
5. GZR ~ OHMWORK
A 60-year old man who founded one of the most influential heavy
metal bands of all time has no business churning out tired, D-grade
nu-metal.
6. Paths of Possession
A side-project of Cannibal Corpse’s George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher
was released with little to no fanfare and with good reason. The
tracks sound like they were written 8-10 years ago with Fisher’s
vocals phoned in over top.
Greatest Hopes For 2006
1. Emperor/Celtic Frost North American Tour
Could go either way. Will Black metal ghouls get their scowl on with
Goth kids and artsy hipsters or will people have long out-grown or
forgotten the avant-garde metal created by Celtic Frost in the
mid-to late-80s and both bands’ late period experimentation that
isolated a lot of core fans? Early buzz is huge but outside of New
York and Los Angeles, what will turnouts be like?
2. New Into Eternity CD
The ever-revolving line-up over the past two releases has confused
many fans but with a solid framework finally in place and 2005 chock
full of exposure on various tour packages, the seed has been
planted. It’s up to the band now to deliver.
3. Ozzfest 2006
While hardly perfect, the
past two trips across the U.S. have breathed new life into a sagging
metal scene. It seems that for the most part, Ozzy & Sharon have
realized that North American fans are hungry for “real” metal, so if
the trend continues, 2006 will bring another excellent line-up.
4. New Anthrax CD
The renewed and invigorated Anthrax remains tight-lipped about
recording a new CD with the “classic” line-up but if the energy and
fun they had on stage in 2005 is any indication, they will pick up
right where PERSISTENCE OF TIME left off in 1991.
5. More Great Shows Coming To Vancouver
Call me greedy but after
covering over 40 shows for Metal Rules in 2005, I can only hope for
more bands to grace our fine city in 2006. Are you listening
Testament, Primal Fear and Hypocrisy??
6. Paul Stanley’s solo CD
As a long-time KISS fan, Gene Simmons’ ASSHOLE release from 2004 was
a disjointed, pompous embarrassment. It’s up to Paul Stanley to give
fans what will likely be the closest thing to a new KISS album we
will ever see again. Early word is good that it will.
Arto
Lehtinen
Top 20 Albums
1.
Candlemass - S/T
The Legendary Swedish doom mongers released one hell of an epicus
doomicus metallicus masterpiece in every aspect which stands for the
pure and well known Candlemass’ doomworld from the beginning to the
end.
2.
Arch Enemy -
Doomsday Machine
The Ammott Bros’ vicious and ripping guitarworks are excellent here,
the album contains a plenty of ass kicking songs with the brutal
vocalist with angelic voice of Angel Gossow.. Killer stuff )
3. Exodus - Shovel Headed Kill Machine
4. Bolt Thrower : Those Once Loyal
5. Kreator : Enemy Of God
6. Dark Funeral : Attero Totus Sanctus
7. TurboNegro : Party Animal
8. Usurper : Cryptobeast
9. Obituary : Frozen In Time
10. Immolation : Harnessing Ruin
11. Nile : Annihilation Of The Wicked
12. Crucified Barbara : In Distortion We Trust
13. Falkenbach : Heralding – The Fireblade
14. Desaster : AngelWhore
15. Napalm Death : The Code Is Red…Long Live The Code
16. Soulfly : The Dark Ages
17. Gamma Ray : Majestic
18. Icarus Witch : Rose On White Lance
19. Judas Priest : Angel Of Retribution
20. Deceased : As The Weird Travel On
Best New Band
Crucified Barbara
This absolutely is
Crucified Barbara as these four Swede ladies know how to rock loud
and hard !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Runner up: Icarus
Witch - old school heavy metal seems to live in the States.
Disappointments
1. Nuclear Assault’s comeback album was...not
that good
2. A lot of b-class power metal albums came out
3. The Rammstein album “Rosen Rot” didn’t top
their previous outputs.
4. Death of the VOIVOD guitarist Piggy – This is
not fair!
5. Death of the former Metal Church vocalist.
Greatest Hopes For 2006
1. Old School Metal Records will become as big as
Nuclear Blast, Metal Blade...
2. New Testament and Morbid Angel albums!
Marko Syrjala
Top 20 Albums
1. Alice Cooper -
Dirty Diamonds
2. Helloween -
Keeper Of The Sseven Keys: The Legacy
3. Judas Priest: Angel
Of Retribution
4. Black Label Society: Mafia
5. Annihilator: Schizo Deluxe
6. U.D.O: Mission X
7. L.A Guns: Tales from the Strip
8. Sentenced: The Funeral Album
9. Bruce Dickinson: Tyranny Of Souls
10. Iommi: Fused
11. Gamma Ray: Majesty
12. Paradise Lost: s/t
13. Kreator: Enemy of God
14. Joe Lynn Turner: The Usual Suspects
15. Children Of Bodom: Are You Dead Yet !
16. Exodus: Shoved Headed Kill Machine
17. Glenn Hughes: Soul Mover
18. Stratovarius: s/t
19. TNT: Far From the Sun
20. Deep Purple: Rapture of the Deep
Best New Band
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
I don’t usually follow new
bands too much and I would like to say Eddie Ojeda… but because he
might not fit into the "new" band category, it would say BULLET FOR
MY VALENTINE
Best DVD
KISS: Rock the Nations
Runner up: Mötley
Crüe: Carnival of Sins LIVE
Disappointments
1. Yngwie Malmsteen: Unleash the Fury
I don’t know if there is anything positive to say about this album? Cover
art is horrible, songs are weak, production is lacking, and even
Doogie’s usually brilliant vocals sound tired and uninspired. A huge
disappointment!
2. Brides Of Destruction: Runaway Brides
This one is musically even worse but it does have better cover art
than Yngwie's album. This albums sounds like a collection of amateur
band demo tracks which are recorded with poor cassette recorder or
something like that!? Because I really liked Brides debut album so
this one is a huge disappointment. Nikki Sixx and Ginger (The
Wildhearts, Silver Ginger 5) have helped Tracii to write this album
but it’s still musically one of his weakest albums to date. Also,
what the hell has happened to London’s voice? It sounds horrible!
Good luck in the future Tracii and by the way, your old band mates
won this year 6-0…
3. Masterplan: Aeronautics
Well this one is a way
better than my other two disappointments, but it’s simply not good
enough when you remember how good the first album is.
Greatest Hopes For 2006
1. Paul Stanley’s LONG awaited solo album...
...which
should finally be released!!
2. Possible 2006 re–unions
Helloween with Michael
Kiske and Kai Hansen, Sepultura with Max Cavalera and who knows what
else??
3. New albums from:
Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Quiet Riot,
Glenn Hughes, Michael Schenker, Krokus and Skid Row. Sounds very
promising at this point?
4. Festivals:
Swedenrock, Bang Your Head, Tuska, Gods of Metal
and other European metal festivals. It’s only getting better all the
time!!
Waspman
Top 20 Albums
1. Nevermore – This Godless Endeavor
I’m
not quite sure how the hell they did it, but over a decade into
their career, Nevermore managed to create their most vicious and
exciting album yet. Simply, THIS GODLESS ENDEAVOUR is a work of
metallic genius, topping even Nevermore’s own excellent catalogue.
How could anyone else stand a chance? One of my easiest choices for
album of the year.
2. Primordial – The Gathering Wilderness
Lost
track of these guys for a while, but glad I’m back on board, ‘cause
THE GATHERING WILDERNESS is a hypnotic ride that is not to be
missed. Really, Primordial are in a league of their own, a band
without peer. That fact alone speaks volumes about how damn good
this album is.
3. Dark Tranquillity – Character
4. Gamma Ray – Majestic
5. Helloween – Keeper of the Seven Keys (The Legacy)
6. Usurper – Cryptobeast
7. Fireball Ministry – Their Rock Is Not Our Rock
8. Iommi – Fused
9. Starbreaker – Starbreaker
10. Biomechanical – The Empires of the World
11. Exodus – Shovel Headed Kill Machine
12. High On Fire – Blessed Black Wings
13. Judas Priest – Angel of Retribution
14. Labyrinth – Freeman
15. Annihilator – Schizo Deluxe
16. Damn 13 – Black Heart, Northern Soul
17. Brainstorm – Liquid Monster
18. Moonlight Agony – Echoes of a Nightmare
19. Supervillain – Earthquake Machine
20. As I Lay Dying – Shadows Are Security
Best New Band
Damn 13 – Black Heart, Northern Soul
Yeah sure, frontman Adam Sewell has been through the rock ‘n roll
ringer, but Damn 13 is a new band dammit! Don’t know what it is, but
these Canadians sure know how to tap into a pure, fuzzy vibe that is
painfully authentic. Fact is, BLACK HEART, NORTHERN SOUL is one of
the most stirring albums released this year, new band or not.
Disappointments
1. Demons & Wizards –
Touched By The Crimson King
There were a lot of
disappointments this year, but for me, none more so than the
blindingly average second effort from Schaffer and Kursch. How the
hell two great metal minds like that could come up with something so
second rate boggles the mind. Sure, there are a couple of great
songs on here, but overall, this album is easily shelved after about
two listens.
2. Dream Theater – Octavarium
With this yawn-inducing effort, Dream Theater has finally come down
off of the high they’d been riding since 1999. Lighter and far less
interesting than usual, OCTAVARIUM is a merely average effort from
the band, and with a group this talented, average is just not good
enough.
Greatest Hopes For 2006
1. New Megiddo album
It feels like forever since THE ATAVISM OF EVIL, so will 2006 bring
about a new Armageddon-riding blot? Let’s hope so.
2. Glue-Sniffing Dream:
A worthy Slayer album.
Yeah, I know, it probably won’t happen, but I can dream, right?
3. Dragonforce – INHUMAN RAMPAGE
January 9th is just around the corner, and I can’t wait!
Luxi
Lahtinen Top 20 Albums
1. Deceased - As the Weird Travel On
2. Domination Black – Fearbringer
3. Ritual Carnage - I, Infidel
4. Immolation – Harnessing Ruin
5. Centurions Ghost – A Sign of Things to Come
6. Candlemass – Candlemass
7. Moonsorrow – Verisäkeet
8. Usurper – Cryptobeast
9. Nevermore – The Godless Endeavor
10. Annihilator – Schizo Deluxe
11. Avenger of Blood – Complete Annihilation
12. Naglfar – Pariah
13. Necrophagia - Harvest Ritual Volume 1
14. Bruce Dickinson – Tyranny of Souls
15. Isole – Forevermore
16. Kreator – Enemy of God
17. Judas Priest – Angel of Retribution
18. Machine Men – Elegies
19. Bolt Thrower – Once Those Loyal
20. Exodus – Shovel Headed Kill Machine
Best New Band
Domination Black
Just wait ´til you hear these Finns´ debut album
Fearbringer and
you'll know exactly why I chose them as the best new band for 2005.
Horror-oozing, thrashy Heavy Metal reigns supreme!!!
Disappointments
1. Children of Bodom – ARE YOU DEAD YET?
A review by `MetalChick´ in Metal-Rules.com pretty much summed it up
for me:
“The kings of melodic power Death Metal have succumbed to their
worldwide fame. They’re following in the footsteps of bands like In
Flames and Soilwork; going down the toilet, to be frank”.
I have no need to add anything else to this...
Greatest Hopes For 2006
1. Heathen
Definitely a new album from the mighty Heathen!!! Their excellent
4-song demo already raised my expectation towards it pretty damn
high, I can tell...
2. Jumalation
A debut album from the Finnish old school thrashers Jumalation will
definitely be on the top of my ´must-get´ -list. The mighty slogan
“Thrash-´til-death” should describe this particular release in
question more than enough... ;=)
3. Also, new albums from...
Onslaught, Holy Terror, Demigod and at least from Maiden (?) will
definitely be something to look forward to...
4. A reunion of Forbidden...
...would of course be totally cool, too, but I guess that won´t be
happening ever again... :=/
Madman
Top 20 Albums
1.
Morgana Lefay -Grand Materia
Quite probably the best
comeback EVER! The band updated and changed while keeping that
thrashing power metal sound in tact. I don’t think I’ve heard the
band sound better.
2. Slough Feg – Atavism
Talk about a great track
record. Slough Feg never disappoints.
3. Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor
4. Manilla Road - Gates of Fire
5. Toxic Holocaust - Hell on Earth
6. Deceased - As the Weird Travel On
7. Countess - Spawn of Steel
8. Kamelot - The Black Halo
9. Usurper - Cryptobeast
10. Dantesco - De La Mano De La Muerte
11. Hammerwhore - Hammerwhore
12. Gamma Ray - Majestic
13. Grand Magus - Wolf's Return
14. HavocHate - Cycle of Pain
15. October 31 - No Survivors
16. Centinex - World Declension
17. Scar Symmetry - Symmetric in Design
18. Judas Priest - Angel of Retribution
19. Immolation - Harnessing Ruin
20. Impaled – Death After Life
Best New Band
Dantesco
Came out of nowhere and upped the ante for epic doom metal.
Best DVD
Judas Priest
Rising in the East
No fancy extras, no behind the scenes footage, just a great concert
from the metal gods. Rob and the boys still have the energy and
power to produce one of the most spectacular live experiences one
can have.
Disappointments
1. Kreator – Enemy of God
I absolutely cannot see why they see fit to rehash the lesser
material from Violent Revolution, not to mention that people praise
this album like its one of the better releases of the year.
2. Candlemass – Candlemass
Rather lacklustre comeback. I was hoping for so much more. It’s
missing that old mood and feel of early Candlemass.
3. Overkill –
ReliXIV
The first real stinker from Overkill, even the best songs here are
rather mediocre. Maybe time has finally caught up with the band?
Greatest Hopes For 2006
1. Rage – New Album
If the studio reports are anything to go by, this could be the album
of the year and possibly the best album Rage has released with its
current lineup.
2. Into Eternity – New Album
Probably the best band out of Canada right now and with so many
shows last year that had such energy and intensity, I can only
imagine what this new lineup can achieve.
3. To discover...
...as many new and interesting
bands as I have in this past year and that maybe 2006 can keep up the
great string of releases that started in 2005… with new releases
from many of my favourite bands (Kataklysm, Rage, Into Eternity
etc.) I can see next year being a great one.
Anders Sandvall
Top 20 Albums
1. Hardcore Superstar – S/T
2. D.A.D. – Scare Yourself
3. Primal Fear – Seven Seals
4. Soilwork – Stabbing The Drama
5. Darkane – Layers Of Lies
6. Starbreaker – S/t
7. Destruction – Inventor Of Evil
8. Candlemass – S/t
9. Zan Clan – We Are Zan Clan Who The Fuck Are You??
10. Soul Sirkus – World Play
11. Face Down – The Will To Power
12. Bruce Dickinson – Tyranny Of Souls
13. Hypocrisy – Virus
14. Arch Enemy – Doomsday Machine
15. Brazen Abbot – My Resurrection
16. The Project Hate – Armageddon March Eternal
17. Kreator – Enemy Of God
18. Evil Masquerade – Theatrical Madness
19. Tony Martin – Scream
20. Dragonlord – Black Wings Of Destiny
Best New Band
Crucified
Barbara
In Distortion We Trust
New Swedish all female act
that plays glam/sleaze hard rock that both the rock’n’roll fans as
well as more mainstream audiences can appreciate.
Best DVD
In Flames:
Used and Abused...In Live We Trust
Runner-up:
Evergrey – A Night To Remember
Disappointments
1. Allen/Lande – The Battle
Even not the two monster singers couldn’t take the poor album
higher.
2. Masterplan – Aeronautics
Compared to the more or less masterpiece debut, this album fell flat
to the ground.
3. Alien – Dark Eyes
This reunion feels old and tired. Maybe Jim and Tony should have
done something else besides reunite Alien. I strongly doubt that
even the older fans are going to like this.
4. Danzig’s live show at Mejeriet in Lund
This was a disappointment
on all levels with only 150 people in a venue for 1000.
5. Meeting Max
Cavalera...
...only to find out that he refuses to sign the older Sepultura
albums. his reason for not signing was that he’s not a part of
the band. Has he forgotten that he was one of the founding members?
I think he should be proud of what Sepultura has achieved.
Greatest Hopes For 2006
1. Maybe a reunion tour for Biohazard...
...with the
original line-up?
2. Sweden’s continuing production of...
...great metal
acts in all genres...and that Sweden keeps on dominating the metal
scene throughout the world.
3. Iron Maiden
Releasing a new studio album and
hitting the road once again.
4. Glam/sleaze...
...will keep on rising and the power
metal genres fall.
5. Hardcore Superstar and Debase
Get the
acknowledgment they so strongly deserve.
Brat
Top 20 Albums
1. Machine Men - Elegies
2. Vanishing Point - Embrace the Silence
3. Savage Circus - Dreamland Manor
4. Sentenced - The Funeral Album
5. Sha(a)man - Reason
6. Aquaria - Luxaeterna
7. Apocalyptica - Apocalyptica
8. Black Majesty - Silent Company
9. Dreamtale - Difference
10. Thunderstone - Tool of the Devil
11. Nevermore - This Godless Endeavour
12. Warmen - Accept the Fact
13. Kiuas - The Spirit of Ukko
14. Yngwie Malmsteen - Unleash the Fury
15. Gamma Ray - Majestic
16. Cloudscape - Cloudscape
17. Pathogen - Bloodline
18. Children of Bodom - Are You Dead Yet?
19. Dead Soul Tribe - The Dead World
20. Vision Divine - The Perfect Machine
Best New Band
Pathogen
(Perth, Australia)
This band blew away the crowds during their national support slot
during the Children of Bodom tour in Australia.
Runner-up:
Kiuas (Finland) Although not witnessed live yet, their debut album
has lots of promise.
Best DVD
Edguy
- Superheroes
This DVD
captured the true nature of Edguy.
Runner-up: Twisted Sister - Live at Wacken
Disappointments
Stratovarius - S/T
Greatest Hopes For 2006
Nope so much a hope, but I'm really exited about
what's ahead for Nightwish.
Jacobo
Top 20 Albums
1. Primordial – The Gathering Wilderness
2. Behemoth – Demigod
3) Rapture – Silent Stage
4) Slumber – Fallout
5) Amon Amarth – Fate of Norns
6) Kreator – Enemy of God
7) Mors Principium Est – The Unborn
8) Detonation – Portals of Uphobia
9) Dark Tranquillity – Character
10) Draconian – Arcane Rain Fell
11) Neaera – The Rising Tide of Oblivion
12) Opeth – Ghost Reveries
13) Evereve – Tried and Failed
14) Hypocrisy – Virus
15) Swallow the Sun – The Morning Never Came
16) Paradise Lost – Paradise Lost
17) Epoch of the Unlight – The Continumm Process
18) Judas Priest – Angel of Retribution
19) Mercenary – 11 Dreams
20) Arch Enemy – Doomsday Machine
Best New Band
Slumber
Without a doubt Slumber. Their debut Fallout is a beautiful
Doom/Goth/Death Metal masterpiece that will have you slicing your
wrist in no time. Killer and emotive stuff!!!
Best DVD
It may sound weird, but I am not a fan of Metal
DVD´s. Hopefully next year the Lords of Chaos movie will be my first
ever Metal DVD. Let’s see.
Disappointments
1. Dream Theater - Octavarium
2. Extol – The Blueprint Dives
3. Sentenced – The Funeral Album
4. Metalcore
Greatest Hopes For 2006
1. That my second child is a boy (I don’t like
knowing the sex beforehand) and eventually the greatest headbanger
ever!!!
2. That Machine Head release a new CD in 2006. They
are back on the track and can´t wait to hear their new offering.
3. I also hope that Sepultura re-unite with Max
Cavalera and leave all their childish issues behind. I want to feel
a kick ass tribal Metal punch in the face and this would be the only
way to get my fix!!!
4. I want to see Metalcore dissapear forever. It is
nothing but a bad and cheap rehash of Melodeath.
5. And last but not least, I want a new Disilussion
CD. These guys are the promise of what’s to come in Metal!!!
Metal George
Top 20 Albums
1. Darkane - Layers
of Lies
2. Lordi - The
Monster Show
3. Scar
Symmetry-Symmetric in Design
4. Witchcraft-Firewood
5. Widow-On Fire
6. Reverend Bizarre-Crush the Insects
7. Ulver-Blood Inside
8. H.I.M.-"Dark Light"
9. Audrey Horne-No Hay Banda
10. Kiuas-The Spirit of Ukko
11. Masterplan-Aeronautics
12. Helloween-Keeper of the Seven Keys-The Legacy
13. Hypocrisy-Virus
14. Cathedral-The Garden of Unearthly Delights
15. Spiritual Beggars-Demons
16. Exodus-Shovel Headed Kill Machine
17. Axis of Perdition-Deleted Scenes From the Transition Hospital
18. Craft-Fuck the Universe
19. Akercocke-Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone
20. Charon-Songs For the Sinners
Best New Band
Scar Symmetry
Classy, Melodic Death Metal untainted by silly New Wave haircuts and
too-tight T-Shirts, yay!!
Best DVD
Evergrey - A
Night to Remember
Disappointments
1. Opeth - Ghost
Reveries
A band whose time has passed, unfortunately.
2. Behemoth -
Demigod
Somewhere, Karl Sanders is counting his royalty checks...
3. Terror 2000 -
Terror For Sale By far the most
embarrassing piece of metal released this year. Inane vocals/lyrics
courtesy of Speed Strid, and a cacophonic wind-tunnel of forgettable
riffs made this album my frisbee bitch for about 4 months.
4. Various other
follow-ups...
...which, while not terrible, fell WAY below the benchmark (Impaled,
The Duskfall, Destruction...I'm looking in your direction...)
5. Metalcore still
exists.
Greatest Hopes For 2006
1. Less Metalcore
bands wearing girls clothing.
2. Cheaper gig prices.
3. Cheaper gas prices to GET to the gigs.
4. Better line-ups at gigs (see Number One)
5. More quality releases than this year.
Swissman
Top 20 Albums
1. Candlemass -
Candlemass
2. Darkane - Layers
of Life
3. Dew Scented - Issue
6
4. Exodus - Shovel Headed Kill Machine
5. Arch Enemy - Doomsday Machine
6. Holy Moses - Strength, Will and Passion
7. Reckless Tide - Repent or Seal you Fate
8. Children of Bodom - Are you Dead yet?
9. Vile - The New Age of Chaos
10. Dragonlord - Black Wings of Destiny
11. Face Down - Will to Power
12. Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor
Disappointments
1. Judas Priest -
Angel of Retribution
2. No Death Angel Album :(
Greatest Hopes For 2006
- Celtic Frost world
domination
* Anger As Art becomes a household name
* Jumalation devastating thrash attack
* Candlemass US tour
* Accept US tour
* Coroner reunion
* Poltergeist reunion
* Messiah reunion just one more time. :)
* Death Angel album
Gabriel C. Zolman Top 20 Albums
1. Fields of the
Nephilim – Mourning Sun
2. Biomechanical -
The Empires of the Worlds
3. Blood Ritual - The
Black Grimoire
4. Brainstorm - Liquid Monster
5. Crotchduster - Big Fat Box of Shit
6. Darkest Hour - Undoing Ruin
7. Dark Tranquillity - Character
8. Ewigkeit - Conspiritus
9. Ingurgitating Obliveon - Voyage Toward Abhorrence
10. Judas Priest - Angel of Retribution
11. Mercenery - 11 Dreams
12. Naglfar - Pariah
13. Nevermore - this Godless Endeavor
14. Nile - Annihilation of the Wicked
15. November’s Doom – the Pale Haunt Departure
16. Opeth - Ghost Reveries
17. Paradise Lost - S/t
18. Sangre – En Memoria
19. Sentenced - The Funeral Album
20. To/die/for - iv
Best New Band
BECOMING THE
ARCHETYPE
Best DVD
NECROPHAGIA – Nightmare Scenarios
Disappointments
AKA: DUDE, YOU SUCK:
1. Fear Factory – Archetype
About half of this was decent…and then I saw it live—and they ruined
even that.
2. Six Feet Under –
13
Hating this band is almost a sport, at this point. An easy one.
3. HIM – Dark Light
As happy as I am to see them bringing Goth back to the
mainstream…this is soooo not hetero.
4. Utuk Xul – Goat
Of Black Possession
This has the honor being the worst album I think I’ve ever heard.
Think of the magnitude of that.
5. Extol – The
Blueprint Dives
Score one for Ol’ Splitfoot! Sorry Jesus; but hey—you still have Eva
O. and Saviour Machine!
Greatest Hopes For 2006
1. DOWN III
2. MINISTRY – Rio Grande Blood
3. MZ. EVA O. & HER GUNS.
4. The new CELTIC FROST.
5. GHOUL becoming the next ACCUSED.
6. SPLATTERHOUSE defeating ABORTED in a cage match.
etc....
Duke
Top 20 Albums
1. Grand Magus - Wolf's Return
2. Nevermore - This Godless
Endeavor
3. Cathedral - The Garden of
Unearthly Delights
4. Slough Feg - Atavism
5. Countess - Spawn of Steel
6. Stonegard - Arrows
7. Judas Priest - Angel of Retribution
8. Thyrfing - Farsotstider
9. Cryptopsy - Once Was Not
10. Hypocrisy - Virus
11. Candlemass - S/T
12. Spiritual Beggars - Demons
13. Primal Fear - Seven Seals
14. Grave Digger - the Last Supper
15. Strapping Young Lad - Alien
16. Bruce Dickinson - Tyranny of Souls
17. Savage Circus - Dreamland Manor
18. Kreator - Enemy of God
19. Meshuggah - Catch 33
1. Savatage finally recording
something - but I´m not holding my breath.
2. New Blind Guardian.
Shaq
Top 20 Albums
1. Nevermore - This Godless
Endeavour
2. Kamelot - The Black Halo
3) Opeth - Ghost Reveries
4) Circus Maximus - The 1st Chapter
5) Biomechanical - Empires of the Worlds
6) Dark Tranquility - Character
7) Savage Circus - Dreamland Manor
8) Epica - Consign to Oblivion
9) Hypocrisy - Virus
10) Sentenced - The Funeral Album
11) Primal Fear - Seven Seals
12) Scar Symmetry - Symmetric in Design
13) Brainstorm - Liquid Monster
14) Masterplan - Aeronautics
15) Kreator - Enemy of God
16) Rob Rock - Holy Hell
17) Gamma Ray - Majestic
18) Dragonlord - Black Wings of Destiny
19) Circle II Circle - The Middle of Nowhere
20) Strapping Young Lad - Alien
Best New Band
Circus Maximus
Best DVD
Evergrey - A Night to Remember
Disappointments
1) Children of Bodom - Are You Dead Yet?
2) Arch Enemy - Doomsday Machine
3) Overkill - ReliXIV
4) Soilwork - Stabbing the Drama
5) Stratovarius - S/T
If you've been reading Metal-Rules.com for a while, you know that we
compile our "best of" lists to derive the top albums of the
year. Below is the overall top 30 derived from each staff
member's top 20 of the year. Within each staff members list is their best DVD of 2005, best new band,
greatest hopes for 2006, and of
course their disappointments for 2005. As always, some restrictions are placed on our lists. The top albums are for
North American releases
from 2005 that all full albums (no EP's or demos). They also have
to be new studio albums for 2005, not re-recordings, re-releases, or live
material. For best new band, the restriction is that the band's debut
full-length album (not including demos or EP's) has to be a 2005
release.
Kai
Hansen is the man! I thought I was going to have a hard time picking
my #1 album of the year, that is until I heard MAJESTIC. As always,
Gamma Ray continues to show why they are leaders of the power metal
genre. While other similar bands have decided to water things down,
Gamma Ray keep it heavy, speedy, and as such continues to be right
up my alley!!
This
album is worthy of #1 status, if you aren't a Gamma Ray freak! THIS
GODLESS ENDEAVOR somehow managed to push the envelope of brutality,
creativity, shredding, AND melody. Not many come close to balancing
these ingredients so perfectly as Nevermore. I wonder where they
will take things next.?
Evergrey
– 
1.
Opeth - GHOST REVERIES
2.
Mercenary -
Union
~ DO YOUR OWN THING LIVE!
1.
Candlemass - S/T
2.
Arch Enemy -
Judas Priest
