Top 20 2008

1. Warrel Dane ~ PRAISES TO THE WAR MACHINE

Little did I know that Warrell Dane would create my number 1 release for 2008. Upon first listen I wasn’t overly impressed with PRAISES TO THE WAR MACHINE but it just seemed to grow on me. Danes impassioned vocals brought me back again and again to a disc that wound up by far as my favourite of the year and showcased that Dane was comfortable outside of the confines of Nevermore.

2. Testament ~ THE FORMATION OF DAMNATION

3. Brainstorm ~ DOWNBURST
4. Revolution Renaissance ~ NEW ERA
5. Jorn ~ LONELY ARE THE BRAVE
6. Tobias Sammet’s Avantasia – THE SCARECROW
7. Firewind – THE PREMONITION
8. Evergrey - TORN
9. Airbourne – RUNNIN WILD
10. Edguy ~ TINNITUS SANCTUS
11. Circle II Circle ~ DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR
12. Axel Rudi Pell ~ TALES OF THE CROWN
13. Iced Earth ~ THE CRUCIBLE OF MAN – SOMETHING WICKED PART 2
14. AC/DC ~ BLACK ICE
15. Buckcherry ~ BLACK BUTTERFLY
16. Metallica ~ DEATH MAGNETIC
17. Mötley Crüe ~ SAINTS OF LOS ANGELES
18. Motörhead ~ MOTORIZER
19. Metal Church ~ THIS PRESENT WASTELAND
20. Black Stone Cherry ~ FOLKLORE AND SUPERSTITION

Best New Band

Airbourne

I have already received some opposition for even contemplating making Airbourne best new band. You know what? Fuck it. I have been hearing for ages how they are AC/DC clones but there have been tons and tons of bands who have tried to do what AC/DC has done and fallen flat on their face. Sure, the riffs can sometimes be duplicated but often it is the attitude and heart that’s lacking. Airbourne has both in spades.

Best DVD

Nevermore – Year of the Voyager
I have waited for a decent representation of Nevermore to hit DVD and here it is. I received this dvd just before Christmas and its awesome!!

Dissapointments

Guns n' Roses - Chinese Democracy
Axl should have laid this to rest. What a waste…

Judas Priest – Nostradamus
I just can’t find anything good to say about this. It’s a decent disc I guess but so damn boring..

Biggest hopes for 2009

New Savatage

Its time that the Savatage took some time and put out a new disc. It doesn't take forever (regardless of what Mr Rose says) to put out a great disc.  I would love to hear Zak and Jon together again.. I can dream.. Can't I?