This is pure heavy metal right here. No nu-metal feces, just pure metal. These guys play metal for the sake of playing metal, and I find that attractive in a band.
2. Damnation—Opeth
This is an Opeth album, so of course it’s going to be on my list of the greatest CDs of the year. This is the perfect album to pop in when you just feel like relaxing (or in my case, when you’re sick). Come to think of it, this is the perfect album for just about anytime. A must for any mortal human being.
3. Stop At Nothing—Dying Fetus
I’m a sucker for groovy-yet-technical death metal with awesome breakdowns, and that’s exactly what these guys play.
4. Permission to Land—The Darkness
This is quite possibly the greatest CD ever. I believe Rolling Stone was correct (wow, that’s a first!) when they stated that this CD “plays like a greatest hits compilation” (or something like that). Really good stuff, especially the vocals. Sure, they’re odd and could be considered at times annoying to old people, but they’re also extremely entertaining and spellbounding.
5. We’ve Come For You All-Anthrax
I bought this album entirely off of the fact that I loved their single, “Safe Home”. The rest of the album did not disappoint. In fact, it exceeded my expectations. There’s not much else to say other than this is a nice, well-rounded, solid metal album that every fiend should own. I hear their next single is going to be “What Doesn’t Die” and the video will feature zombies…KEWL!
6. Accelerated Evolution—The Devin Townsend Band
I knew Mr. Townsend from Strapping Young Lad, but I bought this album solely due to the fact that Metal Maniacs magazine gave it such high praises. After giving this album a listen, I couldn’t help but agree with them 100%. This music is really undescribable…just check it out for yourself if you haven’t already.
7. Through the Eyes of Alice Cooper—Alice Cooper
I knew this was going to be good from the second I downloaded “Novacaine” from the Coop’s official website. This is pure rock sung by Alice Cooper, and it is good. That’s all I have to say.
8. Bringer of Blood—Six Feet Under
I knew this one was going to be good (I’m a rabid and obsessive SFU fan), but I didn’t know it was going to be THIS good. This is catchy death metal. It sounds weird, I know, but it’s true. I found myself throating “Murdered in the Basement” on more than one occasion. SFU’s best release to date.
9. Life Is Killing Me—Type O Negative
Even if you’re not a fan of rock or metal, you should still give this a listen because the lyrics are so damn funny. If, however, you’re not a fan of rock or metal, you suck badly and this album will rip you a new one. This is really great stuff right here.
10. Dance of Death—Iron Maiden
I must admit that I’m an Maiden poser (I only know their biggest hits), but I picked up this album because I felt like it and I was amazed, especially on the song, “Dance of Death”. That three-guitar solo is worth the 14.99 alone.