|
User
Reviews 130
Approval 97%
Soundoffs 39
News Articles 235
Band Edits + Tags 335
Album Edits 1,321
Album Ratings 1419
Objectivity 75%
Last Active 02-16-18 5:17 pm
Joined 12-18-08
Review Comments 8,576
| Metalstyles' End Of The Year List
naah not another "best of 2009" list (mostly haha), just cool stuff I've gathered from this year. Lacking many essentials cuz I've been rather busy in the second half of 2009, but hell, I'm still happy with this year, heard lots of awesome tunes. Here's 30 albums that I (at least try to) listen to weekly: | | 1 |  | Crossbreed
KE 101
If you're surprised this is number 1 on my list, you must not know me at all haha. been repping this album since it came out, but sadly not many people have proceeded to check this out, possibly due to the band's nu metal roots. Be assured though, this is 100% industrial metal and quality industrial at that. 4.5 | | 2 |  | The Shizit
The Shizit
Objectively speaking, this is possibly this year's best industrial record as I'm a bit biased towards Crossbreed haha. Props go to my friend, Trey Spencer for bugging me to check this out. Digital Hardcore that will most certainly rock your player for months to come. 4.5 | | 3 |  | No-Big-Silence
Starstealer
Industrial metal had a great year and Starstealer is just another proof of that. Most versatile 2009 industrial album? Quite possibly so. 4.5 | | 4 |  | Butcher Jones
No Gods West Ep
The first attmept to create stellar rock music by the ex-members of an alternative metal band Sixstitch. Great southern tinged hard rock, and while only 6 tracks long, this is one of my most played albums from this year. Vocalist reminds me of a better Axl Rose. Fans of this should also dig up Sixstitch's material. 4 | | 5 | | Be'lakor
Stone's Reach
My favourite melodeath record from 2009. Although I still stubbornly state The Frail Tide is just a tad better, this is nevertheless an awesome sophomore album by the band. Riffs are damn well thought-out, and I'm simply jizzing to those chaotic cymbal fills. Vocals could be more diverse, but that's a very minor gripe I have. 4 | | 6 |  | Cilice
Deranged Headtrip
One of the most overlooked metal albums of this year. Heavy riffs, nice little prog elements and a cool vocalist to boost. Very Meshuggah-ish. 4 | | 7 |  | DevilDriver
Pray For Villains
Actually the first album I heard from these guys. Now I have all their albums. Nuff said. 4 | | 8 |  | Ensiferum
From Afar
I love Petri Lindroos' voice. I know it's not the best imaginable, but to me, he just sounds so charismatic. Plus, oddly enough, he sounds even better live. Galloping rhythms and energetic guitar playing dominate this album along with Petri's rusty screams. The two epics this record has are also very well-executed, not becoming tiring nor overdone at all. 4 | | 9 |  | Impious
Death Domination
Just good, a bit standar fare, but nevertheless brilliantly executed death/thrash. Not gonna preach about this any longer, anyone interested just check the review. 4 | | 10 |  | Dark Age
Acedia
The catchiest album of 2009, regardless of genre. If someone can name an even catchier album, then bring it! Super catchy melodeath is always welcome in my library. 4 | | 11 |  | Malefice
Dawn Of Reprisal
another criminally overlooked death/thrash record from this year. Vocalist may not be everyone's cup, but the riffs make up for it. Clean vocal passages are also epic as hell. 4 | | 12 |  | Mudvayne
Mudvayne
This band is not dead yet. Initially thought the album is going to suck balls, but I was pleasantly surprised. The verse riff to "Beautiful and Strange" is kicking! Overall this is an excellent effort and I'm definitely looking forward to Mudvayne's future endeavors. 4 | | 13 |  | Heaven And Hell
The Devil You Know
What can I say, its Ronnie and the gang all together again and I'm definitely appreciating the results. Here's to hoping that Dio will get well soon and that the Heaven And Hell project will have a worthy follow-up to this doom-influenced heavy metal album. 4 | | 14 |  | Dope
No Regrets
OH NOES, ITS NU METAL! yes, you heard correctly, this is nu metal done in 2009 (well, more bordering on the alt.metal genre with this album but w/e) and it's done damn well. This album, this album alone just proves that the genre is not completely extinct yet. Before this album, a much needed reformation took place inside the band and it seems the new members (Angel on drums and Tripp on bass) have brought the energy and determination back into Dope. Edsel (vocals) and Virus (guitar) are at the top of their game and Virus, with his playing, turns No Regrets into quite a diverse album for nu metal. No Regrets is the bands best album, 2009's best nu metal album and an overall solid effort. Anyone with a taste for some nu should check this out. Have it as a 4.5, but it has grown off me just a bit, so it's a 4. Not gonna change my personal rating though, as some trolls gave this 1's. | | 15 |  | Amorphis
Skyforger
I think a big part of the reason why people dislike this so much is because for some odd reason, everyone were waiting a Silent Waters part 2. Well, I didn't wait for a SW pt.2; I was waiting for a good, mellow metal album and more or less, that's exactly what I got. The prog rock elements are working like they should, Tomi Joutsen's vocals are top notch, although they remain in his two-three note comfort zone, and teh songs jsut sound pretty and beautiful to me. Excellent album, definitely loving it. 4 | | 16 |  | Soulfallen
Grave New World
Dark metal from finland. Drum patterns are a bit annoyingly similar, but overall, a great dark album. More people besides me and Jingledeath need to give this a shot. Nothing spectacular, but good none the less. 3.5 | | 17 |  | 16Volt
AMERICANPORNSONGS
well look-i-look, another industrial metal album. Another rec courtesy of Trey Spencer who I need to thank overall for introducing me to tons of great music. Album's a bit overwhelming and long, but most of the tunes make up for it. 3.5 | | 18 |  | Woe Of Tyrants
Kingdom Of Might
And another (somewhat) progressive melodic death metal record. I'm sure the kvlt'er kinds shall not approve haha. The music is great and I like the small metalcore influence this has too. One thing that brings this album down for me though is the upbeat atmopshere. I mean, what were they thinking? The music is all good and rather technical and shiz, but it sounds happy-ish? I mean seriously, WTF boys. Stilla great album and one of the best melodeath albums of 2009. 3.5 | | 19 |  | HateTimesNine
Shadows
haha, for me, the legacy of LisbonGirls. It's a good melodic metalcore album and it's catchy as hell with some really neat solos placed inside the songs. Features the vocalist from Divine Heresy (btw, Divine Heresy's album was way more mediocre than this). 3.5 | | 20 |  | Shadows Fall
Retribution
Yeah pumping some more mainstream into this list haha. I've always found Shadows Fall to be a very likable band. They've been doing their own metalcore-mixed-with-melodeath thing for many years now, and have done it quite well. I expected Retribution to be rather average, but it turns out the album is a decent grower and I'm definitely diggin the sound of this. It's very much like The Art Of Balance imo, with better production. 3.5 | | 21 |  | Katatonia
Night Is The New Day
good album. About as good as I expected, aka - great but nothing too mindblowing. It's another grower and I'm diggin this mellow-ish metal with doomy undertones. 3.5 | | 22 |  | Fractal Gates
Altered State Of Consciousness
Another chaotic progressive melodeath album, similar to Be'lakor. Altered State Of Consciousness is Fractal Gates' first effort and there definitely are some ruvid edges, but the atmposphere and some neat riffs here and there save this album. The vocalist is also pretty powerful-sounding. A good first effort and I definitely enjoyed this. 3.5 | | 23 |  | Profane Omen
Inherit The Void
A placeholder album, becasue as it turns out, one of my picks for this list was from last year. Just plain, straight up fun groove metal. Nothing too flashy, but the first 3 tracks (excluding the intro track) are excellent. Rest is ok too. 3 - 3.5 | | 24 |  | D Creation
Silent Echoes
I have a feeling I listened to too much melodeath this year. D Creation's Silent Echoes is a good metalcore/melodeath hybrid. I'm already getting tired of writing these deions for this list so I'm just gonna leave this one at that. Good metalcore/melodeath with swell vocals. 3.5 | | 25 |  | Samael
Above
Not many bands mix industrial and back metal together well. Luckily, Samael are one of those rare bands who do. The nice cold atmosphere this has is perfect and I did like the vocals too quite a bit. Hugely recommended as this is something that should be right up sputnik's alley. 3/3.5 | | 26 |  | Asphyx
Death... The Brutal Way
Death metal that rasputin likes - you know it's good. 3.5 | | 27 |  | Chevelle
Sci-Fi Crimes
Good hard rock is good hard rock. Was overrated here for some time, but the average of 3.7 now is quite fitting. Album is catchy and the vox are quite unique. 3.5 | | 28 |  | Plasticdeity
Who Am I?
this...is...strange. At first, I thought this might be one of the stupidest things I have ever heard, but then I got intrigued just like that. Harsh drums with the occasional (shitty haha) guitars and aggressive electronics. Void of any vocals and has a rather lo-fi production. The double bass presented creates one of the most murky sounds I've ever heard. I'm still not completely sure how I feel about this, but at least it is quite interesting. Rating is between a 3 and a 3.5 and because of its strangeness, this deserves a spot here. | | 29 |  | Unanimated
In The Light Of Darkness
Pretty standard-fare blackened death metal. Absolutely nothing that hasn't been heard before but it's entertaining so it gets the job done. This should probably be replaced with Behemoth's 2009 effort, but I still haven't listened to that one enough so here's Unanimated instead. If you enjoyed Behemoth, chances are you'll enjoy this one too. 3.5 | | 30 |  | Nevesis
Demo (2009)
This little stoner rock band from Estonia exhibits great potential on this mere 10 minute Ep. I usually wouldn't include anything this short on any "best of" or "end of..." list, but the 3 songs presented here are just so good that I feel this should be at least on one 2009 list. Vocalist is brilliant btw. And besides, who could dislike a song with a title such as "Starfish porn"? 3.5 | |
Metalstyles
12.23.09 | ughh, this took so damn much of my time cuz I was tired but still determined to finish this today, before christmas as I don't know if I'll be on sputnik much after christmnas and before new year.
2009 was a great year and you've been great too, sputnikers | BallsToTheWall
12.23.09 | 21 is alright, 26 and 29 rule. | greg84
12.23.09 | Glad that CiLiCe is also your no. 6. I have to check out 3 and 4. It looks they're up my alley. Also, major props for 27, 17 and 12. Good list, but where are Future of the left, Therapy? and The Paper Chase. Their albums just blew me away this year. Just way ahead of any other releases this year. | jingledeath
12.23.09 | nice list bro, some good stuff on here and some that are not for me i guess | coneren
12.23.09 | Fuck, I forgot 7 was around all year. I need it | Observer
12.23.09 | Good list man but more importantly, it's pretty original.
Many end of the year lists here tend to be rather similar and as a result, somewhat pointless. | LepreCon
12.23.09 | 13 is my favourite album from this year, but good list all round | BassDemon333
12.23.09 | Nice list man. 1, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 20 were all awesome albums that came out this year. Havent heard the rest.
I owe you for getting me into Crossbreed haha. Good shit. | Relinquished
12.23.09 | I knew 1 and 2 would be at the top.
Nice list. Very different than the other ones. | Metalstyles
12.23.09 | thank you guys, appreciated
Greg - Therapy? I'm definitely going to check out, just haven't gotten to it yet, but idk if I'm around during the period that falls between christmas and new year. The other two you mentioned I have no knowledge about.
Irad - thank you man, appreciated
Coneren - yes u do
Observer - yeah I agree with that. I mean, sure, it's up to everyone to decide their own albums of the year, but too many lists are almost exactly the same which makes them kind of boring to view. It's like you already know what's going to be on it even before clicking it.
Conor - thanks man and yeah 13's good, but it's not my aoty. Still a very decent effort by Ronnie and co. | Metalstyles
12.23.09 | also thank you Relinquished adn Bass. Oh and you're welcome for Crossbreed Bass, my pleasure :) | Zoo
12.23.09 | I love you bro but there's so much missing it's scary, only 21 cracked my top 100. I'm pretty sure 18 is from last year too. | Metalstyles
12.23.09 | haha yea, I'm sure there is stuff missing. And the fact I don't really like pure black metal doesn't help the case either haha.
and damn, you're right, 18 is from last year, I need to replace it with something | Metalstyles
12.23.09 | just to avoid confusion, I raised Woe Of Tyrants from 23 to 18 and put Profane Omen on that 23 spot. Profane Omen should be number 30 ideally, because it didn't make the cut first time around, but I'm too lazy to re-do all the placings from 18 - 30, so here, now you know how it should be :) | pizzamachine
12.23.09 | 17 is a wad of crazy! 8, 12, 21 and 22 are all good. I'm checking everything else out ASAP. | Metalstyles
12.23.09 | haha, if you feel like it, but isn't 25 albums a bit excessive ;)? Anyway, glad to see your enthusiasm and thanks man | pizzamachine
12.23.09 | No prob heh, I just like your stuff, I'm already liking Plasticdeity (much to my dismay)! | Metalstyles
12.23.09 | Plasticdeity is definitely the most extravagant from the list. It sounds like nothing I have ever herd before, so if you turn out disliking it, the other stuff is more common in style, so to say. | DaveyBoy
12.23.09 | Who are all these people? LOL. Good stuff Magni. I guess I should give a couple of these a listen. The roulette wheel lands on #14 & #27.
| Metalstyles
12.24.09 | hahahahah Davey, these are all my friends (except coneren, not saying I don't like him, just don't know who he is either haha). Thanks Davey and nice, I'm sure you'll enjoy 27, and get back to me about what you thought of 14. | Mordecai.
12.24.09 | 8 and 15 a very average | JWT155
12.24.09 | Glad to see DevilDriver, great record. | Metalstyles
12.24.09 | JWT - yes it is. I prefer The Last Kind Words as my favourite Devildriver record, but Pray For VIllains doesn't lose by much
Mordecai21 and Dryden - it's cool, I just happen to like those records. I like them enough in order to put them on this list :) | MassiveAttack
12.24.09 | Lots of metal for a metal kind of guy. I'll be making my list shortly. Probably on the 30th BAM! | Metalstyles
12.24.09 | yeah I made my list earlier than I originally planned because I don't know yet wether I am able to be on sputnik during the period that falls between Christmas and New Year's eve, or not. Still, looking forward to reading your list when it's done, although I don't believe we have any albums that match haha. | Deviant.
12.24.09 | I tip my hat to this list | LepreCon
12.24.09 | 7 and 8 were also surprisingly good in that I've never been too big a fan of DD and I'd never heard of Ensiferum before, but those are some kickass albums. | Metalstyles
12.24.09 | cool Deviant, I'd tip my hat to you in response if I would have a hat I could tip. Too lazy to go search my closet now to find out if I have, so a simple thank you very much will have to do haha
Agreed Conor, in that those records are kickass. As my description suggest, i had never heard anything by DD either, but that album blew me away and prompted me to look up their whole discography. Ensiferum just made a great record as always. | opblaaskonijn
12.24.09 | Thanks for making me check out 6, digging that stuff. Very nice. | Metalstyles
12.24.09 | no problem, always happy to be of assistance | DaveyBoy
12.24.09 | LOL... When I said "Who are all these people", I was not referring to the users who have commented... I was referring to the bands. Hahahahaha. | ameypv
12.24.09 | dude check out Ulcerate,isis,asphyx,gwynbledd,cormorant,btbam,architects,exivious,circle of contempt,enmerkar,wodensthrone,vried 09 albums if ya havent already. and also sound awake :P | ameypv
12.24.09 | oh you have asphyx :) ntl props for heaven and hell | Metalstyles
12.24.09 | ahh shit man, I totally forgot Gwynbleidd, yeah i like it too, it should be in the top 30, but I'm too lazy to change it now haha. Ulcetrate is on my list and I'll definitely check that out. Never been a huge Isis fan, but it must be noted I haven't given them too much time to grow on me either. BTBAM can suck my balls ;). Wodenthrone isn't for me, sorry. The others i might look into, thanks for the recs. | jingledeath
12.24.09 | "BTBAM can suck my balls ;)"
fuck yea man | LG
12.24.09 | I tip my hat to you Magnus. 1,2,7,10,11,12,24 and 27 are all great albums. Yes you were right, I love you for 19. | Metalstyles
12.24.09 | thank you very much man, good to see that despite the flaming, you're still lurking around every once in a while | Fugue
01.09.10 | Haha, well can't say I was surprised at 1 and 2. What I am surprised at is the lack of Ulcerate on this list. Thought that would be right up your street dude. | Metalstyles
01.09.10 | I haven't got to Ulcetrate yet. Just been so busy | Fugue
01.09.10 | Dude that's no excuse. Would easily slot into your top 5! | LG
01.09.10 | Man still think you should raise your rating to a 4 for H8x9. Albums is just sooooo goooood. Styles I need to thank you btw for introducing me to Dark Age: Neon Gardens, Zeitgeist, Halo Meridian and Kingdom Nevercome are so fucking catchy. | Metalstyles
01.09.10 | that I don't know, as my whole top 15 is super prescious to me. But I will check it at some point. Hopefully sooner rather than later | Metalstyles
01.10.10 | @Lisbongirls
you're welcome, but HateTimesNine will stay at 3.5 for me ;). I don't think it is THAT good, yes it's great, but not excellent imo. | LG
01.10.10 | You're breaking my heart baby |
|
