Ok, the time has come for me to post my top 30 heavy metal albums of the year. Of course I don't have every single album that came out this year but remember I am not into all sorts of metal including alot of death metal (though I am into some) and nu metal which isnt metal anyway. Before I get to it.. I did not get around to picking up "Recreation Day" by Evergrey or "Scent Of Human Desire" by Secret Sphere which I have read great reviews on and several other albums as well. It is hard to get around to every single thing you'd like to in one year but this top 30 is based on albums that I own and bought this year. I was originally gonna do a top 20 but I liked alot of the albums this year and just basically said the albums I would have had 21-30 deserve to be mentioned. There were more than 30 for me to choose from as well which shows that some couldnt make it. My favorite types of metal are traditional, power, thrash and (some) black which will influence the way my countdown is. Anyway, here it is, enjoy!
1. GRAVE DIGGER - "RHEINGOLD"
- One of Germany's finest have put out album of the year for me. This album just kills from beginning to end and is a very epic release. The album is inspired by The Ring Of The Nibelungs by Richard Wagner. The opening intro "The Ring" sets the mood for the album and is a perfect opening to the speedy guitar opening for the title track "Rheingold". Not a ballad on the album. Certain songs are slower than others but for the most part the album just rips the entire way through. Personal favorites for me are "Giants", "Dragon", and "Twilight Of The Gods". All the songs rule though. Grave Digger is coming to America in 2004 to play the Brave Worlds and Bloody Knuckles 6 Pack Weekend. I simply cannot wait, it is about time they come to America. -
2. DIMMU BORGIR - "DEATH CULT ARMAGEDDON"
- Black metal's finest band right here has put out an album close to being number 1 for me. Much like Grave Digger (just a different style) they really set an atmosphere with their music. This album fetaures an orchestra which adds even more of a creepy haunting feel to the songs. There is not one bad song on the entire album. "Progenies Of The Great Apocalypse" is my abosolute favorite and I went ape shit when they played it live at the Jersey Hardcore and Metal Fest this past year. Dimmu Borgir show they are a force not to be reckoned with. They are masters of what they do and in my opinion at the top of the black metal throne. I believe this is the bands finest work and it will be hard to top this. -
3. KING DIAMOND - "THE PUPPET MASTER"
- The King promised his best most gruesome album yet and thats exactly what he gave us. Coming equipped with a bonus DVD of King telling the story of the Puppet Master in full make up, this is King's finest release to date. It ranks right up there with "Abigail", "Them", and "Conspiracy" which are essential King albums. King has released alot of great stuff over the years but nothing has been this good since "Conspiracy" in 1989. The story behind the album is gruesome, bloody and down right creepy. Many great songs including a few slower ones but they all keep the flow of the story going perfect. My personal favorites are "Magic" and "Christmas". The title track and "Blood To Walk" are also great. Traditional King vocals, kick ass guitar playing from Andy LaRoque and an awesome effort from the rest of the band. -
4. HELLOWEEN - "RABBIT DON'T COME EASY"
- The pumpkin's are back and hit hard with a more return to form. Their last album "The Dark Ride" did not go over too well with its darker unhappy vibe. I personally loved it but "Rabbit Don't Come Easy" is a return to Happy Helloween! This album when asked my feelings on it I describe as a cross between the highly underated "Better Than Raw" and the classic "Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part 2". The album kicks off with the happy, uplifting and humorous "Just A Little Sign". The band delivers a heavy, fast, and catchy song about growing a boner! The next song "Open Your Life" is my personal favorite on the album and a very meaningful song. The way Andi Deris slams you with the opening version with the lines "Ignorant and wasted is what you are but you could be so much more..." is just moving. The rest of the album kicks alot of ass including the darker and heavier "Back Against The Wall" (which I could imagine on "The Dark Ride"). "Nothing To Say" is an awesome ender with great tempo changes. Helloween have been kicking ass since the 80's but have released nothing but strong solid albums since the arrival of Andi Deris and I see a very bright future for the band. Seeing them live this year was my favorite concert of the year. -
5. BRAINSTORM - "SOUL TEMPTATION"
- I knew not a thing about this band before picking up this album. Boy am I glad I did as it is one of the most powerful releases of 2003. The band plays an amazing style of original power metal. Their lead singer Andy B. Franck is aboslutely amazing and can hit several different styles with his vocals from normal to high pitched. I love the opener "Highs Without Lows" and love the title to that song alone besides the fact it kicks ass. My absolute favorite on the album is "The Leading" which is a very powerful tune and shows Andy hitting some of the finest higher pitched notes I have ever heard. I cannot wait to hear more from this bands past as well as the future and hope to see them live one of these days. I have a new found interest and can see this band being a major force in the future of heavy and powerful metal. -
6. Kamelot - Epica
7. Rage - Soundchaser
8. Iron Maiden - Dance Of Death
9. Seven Witches - Passage To The Otherside
10. Overkill - Killbox 13
11. Stratovarius - Elements Part II
12. Sonata Arctica - Winterheart's Guild
13. Cage - Darker Than Black
14. Dream Theater - Train Of Thought
15. Children Of Bodom - Hate Crew Deathroll
16. Lost Horizon - A Flame To The Ground Beneath
17. Agent Steel - Order Of The Illuminati
18. Destruction - Metal Discharge
19. Dream Evil - Evilized
20. Chinchilla - Madtropolis
21. Wolfcry - Nightbreed
22. Stratovarius - Elements Part 1
23. Sinner - There Will Be Execution
24. Firewind - Burning Earth
25. Nevermore - Enemies Of Reality
26. Arch Enemy - Anthems Of Rebellion
27. Circle II Circle - Watching In Silence
28. Anthrax - We've Come For You All
29. Steel Attack - Predators Of The Empire
30. Galloglass - Legends From Now and Nevermore
1. GRAVE DIGGER - "RHEINGOLD"
- One of Germany's finest have put out album of the year for me. This album just kills from beginning to end and is a very epic release. The album is inspired by The Ring Of The Nibelungs by Richard Wagner. The opening intro "The Ring" sets the mood for the album and is a perfect opening to the speedy guitar opening for the title track "Rheingold". Not a ballad on the album. Certain songs are slower than others but for the most part the album just rips the entire way through. Personal favorites for me are "Giants", "Dragon", and "Twilight Of The Gods". All the songs rule though. Grave Digger is coming to America in 2004 to play the Brave Worlds and Bloody Knuckles 6 Pack Weekend. I simply cannot wait, it is about time they come to America. -
2. DIMMU BORGIR - "DEATH CULT ARMAGEDDON"
- Black metal's finest band right here has put out an album close to being number 1 for me. Much like Grave Digger (just a different style) they really set an atmosphere with their music. This album fetaures an orchestra which adds even more of a creepy haunting feel to the songs. There is not one bad song on the entire album. "Progenies Of The Great Apocalypse" is my abosolute favorite and I went ape shit when they played it live at the Jersey Hardcore and Metal Fest this past year. Dimmu Borgir show they are a force not to be reckoned with. They are masters of what they do and in my opinion at the top of the black metal throne. I believe this is the bands finest work and it will be hard to top this. -
3. KING DIAMOND - "THE PUPPET MASTER"
- The King promised his best most gruesome album yet and thats exactly what he gave us. Coming equipped with a bonus DVD of King telling the story of the Puppet Master in full make up, this is King's finest release to date. It ranks right up there with "Abigail", "Them", and "Conspiracy" which are essential King albums. King has released alot of great stuff over the years but nothing has been this good since "Conspiracy" in 1989. The story behind the album is gruesome, bloody and down right creepy. Many great songs including a few slower ones but they all keep the flow of the story going perfect. My personal favorites are "Magic" and "Christmas". The title track and "Blood To Walk" are also great. Traditional King vocals, kick ass guitar playing from Andy LaRoque and an awesome effort from the rest of the band. -
4. HELLOWEEN - "RABBIT DON'T COME EASY"
- The pumpkin's are back and hit hard with a more return to form. Their last album "The Dark Ride" did not go over too well with its darker unhappy vibe. I personally loved it but "Rabbit Don't Come Easy" is a return to Happy Helloween! This album when asked my feelings on it I describe as a cross between the highly underated "Better Than Raw" and the classic "Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part 2". The album kicks off with the happy, uplifting and humorous "Just A Little Sign". The band delivers a heavy, fast, and catchy song about growing a boner! The next song "Open Your Life" is my personal favorite on the album and a very meaningful song. The way Andi Deris slams you with the opening version with the lines "Ignorant and wasted is what you are but you could be so much more..." is just moving. The rest of the album kicks alot of ass including the darker and heavier "Back Against The Wall" (which I could imagine on "The Dark Ride"). "Nothing To Say" is an awesome ender with great tempo changes. Helloween have been kicking ass since the 80's but have released nothing but strong solid albums since the arrival of Andi Deris and I see a very bright future for the band. Seeing them live this year was my favorite concert of the year. -
5. BRAINSTORM - "SOUL TEMPTATION"
- I knew not a thing about this band before picking up this album. Boy am I glad I did as it is one of the most powerful releases of 2003. The band plays an amazing style of original power metal. Their lead singer Andy B. Franck is aboslutely amazing and can hit several different styles with his vocals from normal to high pitched. I love the opener "Highs Without Lows" and love the title to that song alone besides the fact it kicks ass. My absolute favorite on the album is "The Leading" which is a very powerful tune and shows Andy hitting some of the finest higher pitched notes I have ever heard. I cannot wait to hear more from this bands past as well as the future and hope to see them live one of these days. I have a new found interest and can see this band being a major force in the future of heavy and powerful metal. -
6. Kamelot - Epica
7. Rage - Soundchaser
8. Iron Maiden - Dance Of Death
9. Seven Witches - Passage To The Otherside
10. Overkill - Killbox 13
11. Stratovarius - Elements Part II
12. Sonata Arctica - Winterheart's Guild
13. Cage - Darker Than Black
14. Dream Theater - Train Of Thought
15. Children Of Bodom - Hate Crew Deathroll
16. Lost Horizon - A Flame To The Ground Beneath
17. Agent Steel - Order Of The Illuminati
18. Destruction - Metal Discharge
19. Dream Evil - Evilized
20. Chinchilla - Madtropolis
21. Wolfcry - Nightbreed
22. Stratovarius - Elements Part 1
23. Sinner - There Will Be Execution
24. Firewind - Burning Earth
25. Nevermore - Enemies Of Reality
26. Arch Enemy - Anthems Of Rebellion
27. Circle II Circle - Watching In Silence
28. Anthrax - We've Come For You All
29. Steel Attack - Predators Of The Empire
30. Galloglass - Legends From Now and Nevermore
