| My Top 10 For 2013 |
| 1 |  | Amorphis
Circle
While it feels like Amorphis have been treading the same waters for a few years
now, Circle sees the band releasing one of their strongest records to date. Crushing
riffs, soothing melodies, and phenomenal vocals all make this a fantastic album from
beginning to end. Favorite song: Enchanted by the Moon |
| 2 |  | Anssi Kela
Anssi Kela
After a long hiatus, Anssi Kela returned with a very different record, which ended
up being his biggest commercial success since the early 2000's. Filled with a lot of
interesting instrumentation and 80's-style keyboard work, this is an album that
really throws you for a loop, but in a good way. Favorite track: Miten syd?mmet
toimii? (How Do Hearts Work?) |
| 3 |  | Avantasia
The Mystery of Time
You would think that by this point the Avantasia formula would start to sound
tiring, but surprisingly no. Instead Tobias Sammet manages to create the strongest Avantasia album to date. The Mystery of
Time combines all the elements from
previous Avantasia albums into one nice package. Favorite track:
Black Orchid |
| 4 |  | Dream Theater
Dream Theater
A huge step up from 2011's A Dramatic Turn of Events, the band's self-titled album
puts less focus on technicality and guitar wankery, and more on songs. The slight
symphonic edge also adds to the quality of the album. Favorite track: The Looking
Glass |
| 5 |  | Michael Monroe
Horns and Halos
Horns and Halos picks-up right where 2011's Sensory Overdrive left-off, but adds
a slightly punkier edge to it. Horns and Halos is full of snotnosed rockers from beginning
to end, and rarely gives the listener a chance to catch a breath. But really isn't
that what an album like this should be? Favorite track: Stained Glass Heart |
| 6 |  | Amon Amarth
Deceiver of the Gods
Manowar look-out! This is as "true" as heavy metal can get. It's Amon Amarth,
need I say more? Favorite track: Deceiver of the Gods |
| 7 |  | Avenged Sevenfold
Hail to the King
Without a doubt the most controversial album of the year. At first I (like many) did
not like the album, but as time has passed I've grown to like it more and more. Like
I said in my review, it's A7X's Black album. It's simple, it's big, it's catchy, and it's
good because of these reasons. It's the musical equivalent of summer action
blockbuster. It's silly, it's dumb, but you can't help but enjoy it. Favorite track: Shepherd of Fire |
| 8 |  | Children Of Bodom
Halo of Blood
For a while now it's felt like COB have been going through the motions. But with
Halo of Blood it feels like they've tapped into that Finnish darkness and melancholy
that made their first records so great. While I did enjoy the band's previous record,
Relentless Reckless Forever, Halo of Blood feels much more like a Bodom album than
anything the band has released post-Hate Crew Deathroll. Favorite track: Scream
for Silence |
| 9 |  | HIM
Tears on Tape
While it may not be the huge comeback many fans were hoping for, Tears on Tape
still sees HIM tapping into their roots. Tears on Tape feels very much like a garage
band recording an album, with it's gritty and dirty production. While I do personally
prefer the 2010's Screamworks, Tears on Tape is still a worthy addition to the
band's catalog. Favorite song: Into the Night |
| 10 |  | Queensryche
Queensryche
While it may be marred by some poor production, the Todd La Torre-fronted
Queensryche prove with this albums why they and not Tate are the ones who are
worthy to carry the Queensryche name. Favorite track: In This Light |
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