Post by GL on Jan 2, 2012 12:32:06 GMT -5
This one actually turned out to be one of the better years for the genre, no surprise after what was a strong offering last year and then continuing into this crop of releases. One of the better aspects about this year is that it's definitely gaining in popularity, a sign that we maybe moving away from the screaming and growling style of vocal and into these kinds, which would be a great sign as it allows bands with actual talent to shine through. So, with two strong years in the books, might a third be a possibility? It certainly looks promising.
10. Morton-Come Read the Words Forbidden
These Ukrainian newcomers that have a very bright future, I’m more than impressed with what they’ve done on their debut and look to be on their way to bright things. Fueled by a strong, driving guitar tone that really packs quite a punch, this one manages to spit out some great riffs and solos from such a young band, some interesting tempo change-ups and a healthy mixture between melodic interludes and full-on thrashing madness, making for some rather intriguing times where it seems the band has something going for them, as well as the fact that there’s obvious tendencies throughout the songs to showcase a band-member’s talents, from the thumping drumming, slinky bass grooves and passionate vocals, yet there’s still enough indications that this is a rookie band come through painfully clear. From the muddy drum sound that, while it manages to show they can hit the proper notes, doesn’t have any power behind it and really should hit harder than it does, the fact that it’s a little bland at times where it seems to rest on a familiar groove and riff for extended portions does grow pretty weary at times, but as a newcomer to the scene these can be overlooked as room for progression and hopefully they can move on to greatness with their potential to get there.
9. Wizard-…Of Wariwulfs and Blutovarwes
When it comes to Traditional Heavy Metal, Germany needs to be represented in the rankings and fortunately, along with several other fine entries later on, they’ve come through strongly with a superb starting effort here. Recalling more recent Manowar at times, especially in the muscular rhythm section that really manages to contain a lot of rather impressive moments with its forceful style, angular style and catchiness, it drives the rest of the band to that melodic point in the choruses which really makes this one so interesting. That in itself makes for some great moments as the chorus makes the songs so catchy that when the band speeds up or slows down into a nice mid-tempo groove, it retains a lot of its power and memorable qualities that is a great mix throughout the album, as the varied style of songs also keeps the songs nicely moving along without much need for any other spice or additional effects. All in all, this is a rather fine release and continues a long tradition of quality German Heavy Metal.
8. Helstar-Glory of Chaos
A bit more Thrash-infused than most of the other choices, this here is still a rather fun and enjoyable release that falls squarely in the genre without much argument. Much more riff-based than their past work, that’s the first thing that really sticks out here which is not a bad thing with the amount of great riffs brought out through the album, with each song really packed with lots of riffs that make for a great guitar-centric record that’s filled with interesting time-changes, tone changes and energy in the intense delivery to create a fairly enjoyable album. While the speed is matched in the drumming, the tiny, hollow double-bass sound is pretty worrisome due to the lack of punch they project even at their best, fastest points, and overall it really draws the album down a tad. Thankfully, James’ fantastic vocals make-up for some of that, but the drum sound is a big-enough problem that the rest of the album’s positives isn’t enough to make up for that glaring flaw.
7. Stormwarrior-Heathen Warrior
Once again, a list of this kind of metal wouldn’t be complete without representation from Germany, and these old-timers are one of the better examples of the style. With their old-school sound beefed up with a more modern technology, it still allows their older qualities to shine through which is nicely on display here with the full-speed drumming, great guitar pyrotechnics and that love-it-or-leave-it gravelly-style of vocals that they’ve always had, but here it’s nice to have them a little more modern-sounding than in the past. Indeed, the new production really gives their guitar-work shine even more with some fun and enjoyable solos that tend to take up more proportionate time in the songs, and the extended amount of time with the solos aren’t a bad thing at all. As mentioned, the vocals can be a problem but here, while the production did wonders for the guitars, it makes the drums so tiny they’re not as explosive and thunderous as they’ve usually been, a distracting quality that keeps this one from really moving up the list any more.
6. U.D.O.-Rev Raptor
Continuing the long tradition of Germanic Metal goodness, the new album from the former Accept frontman has provided some quality along the lines and this one definitely does so as well. Strangely deciding to stay more in the mid-tempo sector, that has the unfortunate development of keeping Udo in the mid-range as well where he doesn’t shine as much as when he can let loose with the highs, or even the gravelly style he had in the past few albums, and that severely hampers the songs to a large degree. On the plus side, the snarl is still there and the band performs the relatively simple and stripped-down songs with a great sense of passion and power, even though it’s still possible to see that they’re itching to bust free and up the tempo and intensity. A bit of a step-back, but still incredibly strong effort here.
5. Portrait-Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae
Choosing Mercyful Fate as inspiration is certainly not a bad thing, especially when you come across as good as this one is at imitating them, even without the horror-inspiration lyrics. Old-school to the tee, filled with those glorious tones and riffs that are just so eerily reminiscent of the early 80s style of playing, packed with energy and passion that alone this stuff would be killer as the pounding drums and killer riffing takes it right back to that time-period, and the epic-length of the songs allows for everyone to really get a chance to shine throughout. Managing to make the merger even more complete is the nearly-identical note-for-note copying of King Diamond’s vocal style on those albums, and it is nearly identical in fact that it makes one wonder if you’ve accidentally placed a Mercyful Fate album on instead. The lack of identity is an issue, but this is such a great band to imitate that you’ve still got a great band out of it so it really shouldn’t matter what’s being copied.
4. Tyr-The Lay of Thrym
Viking themes and lyrics wrapped up with Traditional Heavy Metal music and quality is an impressive mixture, and these guys make it work big-time here on their finest work yet. Filled to the brim with absolutely thunderous melodies, an improved production job that really lays the songs out there in all their glory and just no shortage of spectacular riff after spectacular riff, sonically this is one of the strongest releases of the year and is so much more muscular and forceful than their past work, which was already pretty strong to begin with. Added together with those beautiful Viking vocals and the huge backing choruses, it all wraps itself together into a fantastic mixture that is insanely catchy and unique out there, which fits well with the music created. Due to the fact that most of the songs deal with the same topic, it tends to make it hard to distinguish songs from each other when the same lyrics are used as different song titles throughout the album which does tend to knock this down somewhat, but overall it’s a minor quibble on a fun, enjoyable album.
3. Powerwolf-Blood of the Saints
After a spectacular album last time around, they return with yet another really enjoyable and entertaining release that has a lot of great points going for it. Returning with the same operatic, keyboard-infused brand of Heavy Metal, that allows for a never-ending series of just plain catchy songs that are just a blast to listen to, along with a rather catchy and memorable round of glorious choruses and never-ending round of riffs that stay in your head for days, creating the perfect sing-along brand of songs that never forget their Heavy Metal background. Stepping up the performances immensely, the drumming is even more thunderous than before and the riffs and solos are just that much better than before, and it’s just a wonderful, fun and enjoyable package. It’s a little cheesy at times, but that’s not a real problem with the record and more of a personal preference, as this one is just so much fun to listen to that it’s easily overlooked and doesn’t really become a problem.
2. Charred Walls of the Damned-Cold Winds on Timeless Days
With one of the strongest line-ups around and a simply superb debut, how is it followed it? Simple, a sophomore release even better than the first one, which seems a little hard to do but this does it in spades and without much of a challenge at all either. With the sheer talent involved, granted that wouldn’t happen, but it’s still a blast to hear them step up their game and increase the technicality in the riffs, overload the melodies and enhance the speed, which in turn equals sheer nirvana. With every song trying to out-do the next in terms of relentless hyper-speed drumming, thick bass grooves, scorching solos and jaw-dropping vocals, this one doesn’t disappoint on any level and just gets better and better with every listen. It even manages to beat out the dreaded fear of every song melting into each other with some fantastic writing, giving enough individuality and personality to each song that it’s easy to get into the album without struggling to know where you are, a fantastic quality in a band regardless of experience and just makes this one so much fun.
1. Jag Panzer-The Scourge of the Light
Initially, it needs to be said: RIP to a wonderful band and one of the best of the style, you will be missed.
Now, with that out of the way, it should be mandatory for all retiring bands to release your final release in the vein of this album, which is an absolute monster and ends their storied legacy on a simply marvelous note. With the band all playing to the hilt, featuring some amazing riffs, Harry soaring and shrieking as best he can and quite possibly the best melodies they’ve ever created, this is a fantastic release that sees them at their peak, which is a blast to listen to. On top of the thrashing, they manage to incorporate enough differences and song-structure change-ups, from piano to acoustic interludes and their gorgeous backing vocals on the choruses, this is about as good and beautiful as they’ve sounded in a long time which makes it an easy choice to award them this spot, in spite of the fact that they’re no longer going to be around. So long, guys, you put yourselves out on top and that’s great to hear.
10. Morton-Come Read the Words Forbidden
These Ukrainian newcomers that have a very bright future, I’m more than impressed with what they’ve done on their debut and look to be on their way to bright things. Fueled by a strong, driving guitar tone that really packs quite a punch, this one manages to spit out some great riffs and solos from such a young band, some interesting tempo change-ups and a healthy mixture between melodic interludes and full-on thrashing madness, making for some rather intriguing times where it seems the band has something going for them, as well as the fact that there’s obvious tendencies throughout the songs to showcase a band-member’s talents, from the thumping drumming, slinky bass grooves and passionate vocals, yet there’s still enough indications that this is a rookie band come through painfully clear. From the muddy drum sound that, while it manages to show they can hit the proper notes, doesn’t have any power behind it and really should hit harder than it does, the fact that it’s a little bland at times where it seems to rest on a familiar groove and riff for extended portions does grow pretty weary at times, but as a newcomer to the scene these can be overlooked as room for progression and hopefully they can move on to greatness with their potential to get there.
9. Wizard-…Of Wariwulfs and Blutovarwes
When it comes to Traditional Heavy Metal, Germany needs to be represented in the rankings and fortunately, along with several other fine entries later on, they’ve come through strongly with a superb starting effort here. Recalling more recent Manowar at times, especially in the muscular rhythm section that really manages to contain a lot of rather impressive moments with its forceful style, angular style and catchiness, it drives the rest of the band to that melodic point in the choruses which really makes this one so interesting. That in itself makes for some great moments as the chorus makes the songs so catchy that when the band speeds up or slows down into a nice mid-tempo groove, it retains a lot of its power and memorable qualities that is a great mix throughout the album, as the varied style of songs also keeps the songs nicely moving along without much need for any other spice or additional effects. All in all, this is a rather fine release and continues a long tradition of quality German Heavy Metal.
8. Helstar-Glory of Chaos
A bit more Thrash-infused than most of the other choices, this here is still a rather fun and enjoyable release that falls squarely in the genre without much argument. Much more riff-based than their past work, that’s the first thing that really sticks out here which is not a bad thing with the amount of great riffs brought out through the album, with each song really packed with lots of riffs that make for a great guitar-centric record that’s filled with interesting time-changes, tone changes and energy in the intense delivery to create a fairly enjoyable album. While the speed is matched in the drumming, the tiny, hollow double-bass sound is pretty worrisome due to the lack of punch they project even at their best, fastest points, and overall it really draws the album down a tad. Thankfully, James’ fantastic vocals make-up for some of that, but the drum sound is a big-enough problem that the rest of the album’s positives isn’t enough to make up for that glaring flaw.
7. Stormwarrior-Heathen Warrior
Once again, a list of this kind of metal wouldn’t be complete without representation from Germany, and these old-timers are one of the better examples of the style. With their old-school sound beefed up with a more modern technology, it still allows their older qualities to shine through which is nicely on display here with the full-speed drumming, great guitar pyrotechnics and that love-it-or-leave-it gravelly-style of vocals that they’ve always had, but here it’s nice to have them a little more modern-sounding than in the past. Indeed, the new production really gives their guitar-work shine even more with some fun and enjoyable solos that tend to take up more proportionate time in the songs, and the extended amount of time with the solos aren’t a bad thing at all. As mentioned, the vocals can be a problem but here, while the production did wonders for the guitars, it makes the drums so tiny they’re not as explosive and thunderous as they’ve usually been, a distracting quality that keeps this one from really moving up the list any more.
6. U.D.O.-Rev Raptor
Continuing the long tradition of Germanic Metal goodness, the new album from the former Accept frontman has provided some quality along the lines and this one definitely does so as well. Strangely deciding to stay more in the mid-tempo sector, that has the unfortunate development of keeping Udo in the mid-range as well where he doesn’t shine as much as when he can let loose with the highs, or even the gravelly style he had in the past few albums, and that severely hampers the songs to a large degree. On the plus side, the snarl is still there and the band performs the relatively simple and stripped-down songs with a great sense of passion and power, even though it’s still possible to see that they’re itching to bust free and up the tempo and intensity. A bit of a step-back, but still incredibly strong effort here.
5. Portrait-Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae
Choosing Mercyful Fate as inspiration is certainly not a bad thing, especially when you come across as good as this one is at imitating them, even without the horror-inspiration lyrics. Old-school to the tee, filled with those glorious tones and riffs that are just so eerily reminiscent of the early 80s style of playing, packed with energy and passion that alone this stuff would be killer as the pounding drums and killer riffing takes it right back to that time-period, and the epic-length of the songs allows for everyone to really get a chance to shine throughout. Managing to make the merger even more complete is the nearly-identical note-for-note copying of King Diamond’s vocal style on those albums, and it is nearly identical in fact that it makes one wonder if you’ve accidentally placed a Mercyful Fate album on instead. The lack of identity is an issue, but this is such a great band to imitate that you’ve still got a great band out of it so it really shouldn’t matter what’s being copied.
4. Tyr-The Lay of Thrym
Viking themes and lyrics wrapped up with Traditional Heavy Metal music and quality is an impressive mixture, and these guys make it work big-time here on their finest work yet. Filled to the brim with absolutely thunderous melodies, an improved production job that really lays the songs out there in all their glory and just no shortage of spectacular riff after spectacular riff, sonically this is one of the strongest releases of the year and is so much more muscular and forceful than their past work, which was already pretty strong to begin with. Added together with those beautiful Viking vocals and the huge backing choruses, it all wraps itself together into a fantastic mixture that is insanely catchy and unique out there, which fits well with the music created. Due to the fact that most of the songs deal with the same topic, it tends to make it hard to distinguish songs from each other when the same lyrics are used as different song titles throughout the album which does tend to knock this down somewhat, but overall it’s a minor quibble on a fun, enjoyable album.
3. Powerwolf-Blood of the Saints
After a spectacular album last time around, they return with yet another really enjoyable and entertaining release that has a lot of great points going for it. Returning with the same operatic, keyboard-infused brand of Heavy Metal, that allows for a never-ending series of just plain catchy songs that are just a blast to listen to, along with a rather catchy and memorable round of glorious choruses and never-ending round of riffs that stay in your head for days, creating the perfect sing-along brand of songs that never forget their Heavy Metal background. Stepping up the performances immensely, the drumming is even more thunderous than before and the riffs and solos are just that much better than before, and it’s just a wonderful, fun and enjoyable package. It’s a little cheesy at times, but that’s not a real problem with the record and more of a personal preference, as this one is just so much fun to listen to that it’s easily overlooked and doesn’t really become a problem.
2. Charred Walls of the Damned-Cold Winds on Timeless Days
With one of the strongest line-ups around and a simply superb debut, how is it followed it? Simple, a sophomore release even better than the first one, which seems a little hard to do but this does it in spades and without much of a challenge at all either. With the sheer talent involved, granted that wouldn’t happen, but it’s still a blast to hear them step up their game and increase the technicality in the riffs, overload the melodies and enhance the speed, which in turn equals sheer nirvana. With every song trying to out-do the next in terms of relentless hyper-speed drumming, thick bass grooves, scorching solos and jaw-dropping vocals, this one doesn’t disappoint on any level and just gets better and better with every listen. It even manages to beat out the dreaded fear of every song melting into each other with some fantastic writing, giving enough individuality and personality to each song that it’s easy to get into the album without struggling to know where you are, a fantastic quality in a band regardless of experience and just makes this one so much fun.
1. Jag Panzer-The Scourge of the Light
Initially, it needs to be said: RIP to a wonderful band and one of the best of the style, you will be missed.
Now, with that out of the way, it should be mandatory for all retiring bands to release your final release in the vein of this album, which is an absolute monster and ends their storied legacy on a simply marvelous note. With the band all playing to the hilt, featuring some amazing riffs, Harry soaring and shrieking as best he can and quite possibly the best melodies they’ve ever created, this is a fantastic release that sees them at their peak, which is a blast to listen to. On top of the thrashing, they manage to incorporate enough differences and song-structure change-ups, from piano to acoustic interludes and their gorgeous backing vocals on the choruses, this is about as good and beautiful as they’ve sounded in a long time which makes it an easy choice to award them this spot, in spite of the fact that they’re no longer going to be around. So long, guys, you put yourselves out on top and that’s great to hear.