3 More Months To Go - Top 20 Of 2008
Like I've been doing, these are my top 20 albums as of October
1st. It is in order for the most
part, but it gets really hairy from 8-11, and then 12-15, and
16 to about 23 so this will be
fluctuating a lot in these last 3 months. I've heard just about
50 albums from this year so far,
and there's still much more I need to look into (including some
non metal stuff). |
| 1 |  | Equilibrium
Sagas
So yeah, all the greatness of viking and wanking rolled into one flawless, if not a bit long album. Still
has
not grown off me 20 listens later. |
| 2 |  | Demians
Building an Empire
I seem to be the only one who really loves this album here, but although I will admit it drags in a few
spots
(notably in Sand) the emotion conveyed is incredibly powerful. Every nuance of the music meshes
together flawlessly, and the climax section in the middle of "Sand" is possibly my favorite musical
moment
of 2008. |
| 3 |  | Mirrorthrone
Gangrene
Haven't listened to this in a few months actually...should get back to that, but I remember every song
well. I often read the lyrics while listening to this album as well, it makes the experience all the better
when you can hear the fantastic "stories" Vladimir weaves together. |
| 4 |  | Burst
Lazarus Bird
My opinion of this could change, but i've given lis 6 listens in less than 2 weeks and so far it's only
gotten
better each time. I discover something new with every listen, and can never decide on a favorite track. |
| 5 |  | Scar Symmetry
Holographic Universe
Shame Alvestam left, one of my favorite vocalists in metal...and this album features him at his greatest.
The title track and the second Ghost Prototype track are among my favorite songs of 08. |
| 6 |  | Protest the Hero
Fortress
I listened to this recently after putting it off for a bit (I rediculously overplayed it at first...about 25
listens it
the first month) and realized I still really, really love this. I do prefer Kezia, however. |
| 7 |  | In Mourning
Shrouded Divine
Has grown off me a bit, but this is prog/melo death done correctly. |
| 8 |  | Iskald
Revelations of Reckoning Day
I started a review for this, but can't guarentee when i'll have it out. That aside this is a fantastic melodic
black metal album. Brings old Enslaved to mind, only crisper, and faster...and better. |
| 9 |  | The Mars Volta
The Bedlam in Goliath
Gets a bit long in some spots but overall a fantastic album, especially the "title" track. |
| 10 |  | Amon Amarth
Twilight of the Thunder God
Vikings. Are. Motherfucking. Epic. |
| 11 |  | Cynic
Traced in Air
This has been fluctuating from around 8-11ish. I really love the whole sound of this album, but it's way
too
short imo, and often ends right when I start really getting into it. The Space For this is my favorite, and
that solo in The Unknown Guest gets me every time. |
| 12 |  | Textures
Silhouettes
Also has been going up and down my placings a lot. Sometimes I think it's a bit oring, other times I'm
immersed all the way through. Old Days Born Anew, The Sun's Architect, an To Erase A Lifetime are
fantastic proggy trhasy death shit that keep my headbanging, while the clean vocals in Awake give me
chills. |
| 13 |  | Arghoslent
Hornets of the Pogrom
Again like the previous two albums, this has been going up and down my placings, a lot, especially of
late.
I've been enjoying this more recently, so it could get a little higher. Every track (except Dog and Broom
and maybe In Coffles They Were Led) are worthy of being my favorite track...too hard to choose, but for
now I think it may be Swill of the Knaves... |
| 14 |  | Arsis
We Are the Nightmare
Don't like this as much as I used too but the sheer technical aspects of the music still blow me away,
even
if it feels a bit overdone (especially in the percussion section) at times. Shattering the Spell is still one
of
my favorite tracks from this year. |
| 15 |  | Gates of Winter
Lux Aeterna
Has grown off me immensely as of late, but I can still respect that it's epic as fuck. Winter Flight rules. |
| 16 |  | Avantasia
The Scarecrow
I really dislike the ballads, but the rest of the album is so cheesy its amazing. All of the non ballad
tracks
put me in a cheery mood no matter what. My favoirte track right now is Another Angel Down. |
| 17 |  | Have a Nice Life
Deathconsciousness
Album really is too long, but when this album has it, it has it really, really good. |
| 18 |  | Opeth
Watershed |
| 19 |  | Meshuggah
ObZen |
| 20 |  | Enslaved
Vertebrae |
|
