MMA Collaborator's Top Albums of 2014
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Forum Name: Top 10s and lists
Forum Description: List all your favourites here
URL: http://www.MetalMusicArchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10516
Printed Date: 21 Nov 2024 at 1:48pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 10.16 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: MMA Collaborator's Top Albums of 2014
Posted By: adg211288
Subject: MMA Collaborator's Top Albums of 2014
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2015 at 4:42pm
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The Metal Music Archives Collaborators Top Albums of 2014 What's this? A best of 2014 list appearing in July 2015? What's going on here? Yep, it's a bit unusual isn't it? But it actually makes a great deal of sense. Had we done this in January or even February releases from late 2014 wouldn't have had time to get much of a look in, and that's a bit unfair in our book. We also judged it better if our contributors, the site's collaborators and admins, had time to fully digest as many releases as they could from 2014 in order to present the best submissions possible and not regret them later because they didn't include that awesome album they only found out about in March or April. Previously when we've done this we collect a lot of data and tally it up to come up with a best of year list. This year though we decided to do things a little differently and present separate lists from each contributing collaborator, containing five albums each, with some collaborators also opting to include a one you may have missed entry for the year, as well as a recommendation out of MMA's Metal Related section, which were excluded from the main lists in order to keep the main results metal based, after last year's win for a Metal Related release. An advanced warning: not all the album covers you see will be safe for work. This is metal after all! The lists now follow, ordered by user name. For technical reasons we've split them across two posts. We hope you enjoy the MMA Top Albums of 2014. Feel free to comment, share your own favourites and so forth. 666sharon666's Picks of 2014 Collaborator: Power Metal and Traditional Heavy Metal Teams. 1. Falconer - Black Moon Rising Power Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/falconer/black-moon-rising" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/falconer/black-moon-rising 666sharon666 says: "Power metallers Falconer switch back to English lyrics after the Swedish language Armod, and also up the aggression to create their fastest, heaviest record that lessens the folk side but adds some thrash metal. Superb." 2. Hail Spirit Noir - Oi Magoi Black Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/hail-spirit-noir/oi-magoi " rel="nofollow - - 666sharon666 says: "Probably one of the more unique black metal acts around right now and certainly one of the best. An excellent combo of black metal with psych and prog influences that surpasses their already strong debut Pneuma in every way." 3. Sinbreed - Shadows Power Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/sinbreed/shadows" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/sinbreed/shadows 666sharon666 says: "If you want true German power metal of the Blind Guardian ilk then Sinbreed is a band you need to listen to. Features Marcus Siepen and Frederik Ehmke of Blind Guardian in the line-up." 4. Cruachan - Blood for the Blood God Folk Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cruachan/blood-for-the-blood-god " rel="nofollow - - 666sharon666 says: "It's getting harder by this point to decide which two albums will make the cut for my #4 & #5 positions, there are a quite a few releases that I think deserve a place here. Ultimately folk metallers Cruachan have to get #4 since this album ended up being quite a surprise to me. I've enjoyed all of the band's work but I don't think they've climbed above being simply 'solid' since 2002's Folk-Lore, so to suddenly produce what in my mind is their best album, was a complete shock." 5. Anubis Gate - Horizons Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/anubis-gate/horizons" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/anubis-gate/horizons 666sharon666 says: "The Danish melodic progressive metal band are on an incredible run of strong releases and they show no sign of letting up any time soon. Horizons brings some softer more progressive rock based elements to their sound but still offers up several symphonic and power metal sections as well. Henrik Fevre is firmly established as their lead singer now after Jacob Hansen's surprise departure a couple of albums previously and even further departures leaving them with no original members doesn't seem to have fazed them." One You May Have Missed: Lascaille's Shroud - Interval 02: Parallel Infinities - The Abscinded Universe Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/lascailles-shroud/interval-02-parallel-infinities-the-abscinded-universe" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/lascailles-shroud/interval-02-parallel-infinities-the-abscinded-universe 666sharon666 says: "I had to really think about this but at the end of the day I felt this was the only real choice. This is a one man progressive death metal act and Interval 02 is a double disc effort featuring several guest vocalists, many long tracks including two twenty plus minute epics and as a bonus it's completely free." Metal Related Recommendation: Transatlantic - Kaleidoscope Metal Related
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/transatlantic/kaleidoscope" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/transatlantic/kaleidoscope 666sharon666 says: "Mike Portnoy' symphonic prog act that also features Neal Morse, Roine Stolt and Pete Trewavas returns with their fourth album together, their first since their 2009 comeback album The Whirlwind. In complete honesty it's their weakest for me, but still excellent." adg211288's Picks of 2014 Admin: Symphonic Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Folk Metal and Black Metal Teams. 1. Anubis Gate - Horizons Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/anubis-gate/horizons " rel="nofollow - - adg211288 says: "Anubis Gate's fourth album The Detached is one that I count as one of the best albums ever made and while latest effort Horizons doesn't steal it's crown I have to say that that it sure gives it a run for its money. A new line-up which has actually left them with no original members certainly hasn't harmed this incredible run of top quality melodic progressive metal albums that began with 2007's Andromeda Unchained. These guys have become my most played prog act and in my mind they're the betters of the likes of Dream Theater, Symphony X, Evergrey and pretty much any other major prog metal act you care to name." 2. MindMaze - Back from the Edge Power Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/mindmaze/back-from-the-edge " rel="nofollow - - adg211288 says: "MindMaze put out a solid debut called Mask of Lies in 2013 that was much more in the traditional heavy metal vein so Back from the Edge is a great case of both evolving their sound (to progressive power metal) and upping their game immensely in terms of songwriting. I'm a power metal nut so it should be no surprise that a shift from trad to power would meet with my approval, but if anything it's the prog side of this album where the band really excels. On a completely unrelated note regarding my appreciation of it, they also feature Symphony X bassist Mike LePond." 3. Cruachan - Blood for the Blood God Folk Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cruachan/blood-for-the-blood-god" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cruachan/blood-for-the-blood-god adg211288 says: "This is one of those albums I got to really late, despite being a massive fan of the band. I was really missing out as it is easily their second best work. A nice blend of the black metal style of their last album Blood on the Black Robe and the more pronounced Celtic flavours of the back catalogue create a folk metal album of varied styles and vocals, more blackened than fully based around black metal and if anything made all the more effective by it." 4. MaYaN - Antagonise Death Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/mayan/antagonise " rel="nofollow - - adg211288 says: "This one is probably one of the most epic things I've ever heard. MaYaN don't completely fit the death metal side of the prog/symphonic death metal mould although I would always primarily call them a death metal act. They're doing something that can draw comparisons to the likes of Septic Flesh or Fleshgod Apocalypse but they're doing their own thing that also includes some power metal elements as well as three lead vocalists including soprano Laura Macrì who really brings meaning to the symphonic death metal opera tag that they've applied to themselves in the past, though if there is a fault here it's that the lady in question is sadly given the least singing time. But compositional this one rivals the best works of leader Mark Jansen's better known band Epica, of which MaYaN could be considered a more extreme version of." 5. Arch Enemy - War Eternal Death Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/arch-enemy/war-eternal " rel="nofollow - - adg211288 says: "I did actually review a couple of 2014 albums slightly higher than this one, but I couldn't really not include it in my five as it's no doubt my most played album of 2014 and that's something that came by complete surprise. I've liked Arch Enemy for quite a while but they've never been a favourite of mine and they've never earned a five star rating from me, until now that is. I don't think I'll ever work out how they managed it after so long, I certainly don't think it has anything to do with a vocalist change from Angela Gossow to Alissa White-Gluz, but I have to say that this is easily the best and most epic melodic death metal album I've ever heard." One You May Have Missed: Skyliner - Outsiders Power Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/skyliner/outsiders" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/skyliner/outsiders adg211288 says: "Skyliner bring a technical flair to the power metal genre with their debut full-length album, something that even the proggiest of power metal acts don't really have. The bass playing is particularly insane. There are keyboards but this one is absolutely a guitar driven power metal record with a 0% cheese content. I've seen some complain about the vocals which is confusing, because they suit the music perfectly and the album brings all of speed, catchiness and even a 20+ minute epic to close." Metal Related Recommendation: Purson - In the Meantime Hard Rock
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/purson/in-the-meantime%28ep%29" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/purson/in-the-meantime(ep) adg211288 says: "This is actually only an EP, and overall not actually as heavy as their debut album The Circle and the Blue Door from 2013, though I do think it has a contender for some of their heaviest stuff in I Will Be Good, but in many ways it's just as good and also serves to further diversify the band's heavy psych sound. If you like band's with more metallic releases such as Blood Ceremony, Jex Thoth or Mount Salem, Purson will surely appeal too." aglasshouse's Picks of 2014 Collaborator: Alternative Metal, Metalcore and Hard Rock Teams. 1. DragonForce - Maximum
Overload Power Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/dragonforce/maximum-overload" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/dragonforce/maximum-overload aglasshouse says: "Exploding onto the scene once again with the most impressive metal instrumentation in the last five years, DragonForce takes the cake for the greatest album of 2014. Strong thundering riffs accompany the rolling drums in in a frenzied dance that attacks your senses in the most fantastic way. Maximum Overload is an album that is hard to explain with words the brilliance the whole 75 minute time presents the listener. This fantasy and technological themed epic power-fest is an album that outstrips many other albums in its genre." 2. In
Flames - Siren Charms Alternative Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/in-flames/siren-charms " rel="nofollow - - aglasshouse says: "Continuing a ballsy change that angered many a fan, the semi-new (and in my opinion improved) Groove-metal based In Flames blasts all other alt metal releases in the year out of the water with Siren Charms. In Flames is a band I've never had much interest in mainly due to my disinterest in most death metals, but after Siren calls came about my opinion has changed due to this album. Whilst still being able to play with the skill of a high-class death band, In Flames also utilizes the playing style of an alternative metal band, including creative time signatures and melodic riffing, with ease. With Siren Charms, In Flames has comfortably placed themselves in the alternative niche whilst still maintaining their image quite well." 3. Anubis
Gate - Horizons Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/anubis-gate/horizons " rel="nofollow - - aglasshouse says: "My first time listening to Anubis Gate has been simply fantastic with their 2014 release of Horizons. What intrigued me most about this album was how steadily consistent every inch of it was. From the composition being excellently put together to the quality of the instrumentation, Anubis Gate manages to keep up with this year's releases with this mix of choral effects and prog metal mixed with subtle ambiance making for a great album for the ages. " 4. Helstar - This
Wicked Nest Thrash Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/helstar/this-wicked-nest" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/helstar/this-wicked-nest aglasshouse says: "Helstar, a band that had remained consistently impressive over the years, has remained justly fantastic with their latest release. Still using their past skills that they could easily use in the 80's, these old, Texas based thrash metallers have remained pristine with their fantastic work of insane riffs and clever composition. This Wicked Nest shows that even after all this time Helstar can easily wow any metal fan." 5. Judas
Priest - Redeemer of Souls Traditional Heavy Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/judas-priest/redeemer-of-souls" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/judas-priest/redeemer-of-souls aglasshouse says:
"Although comparatively not as strong as their early works in the 70's and 80's, Judas Priest's Redeemer of Souls easily takes the classic traditional metal from their early works into a well sculpted modern classic. Due to the obvious old age of the band members, the music may not be as strong as when they were spry but over the ages Priest has shown that their timeless. Judas Priest remains in rock as one of metal's giants then and still to this day." Andyman1125's Picks of 2014 Honorary Collaborator 1. The Contortionist - Language Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/the-contortionist/language" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/the-contortionist/language Andyman1125 says: "It's always nice to watch a band mature over the years, and that's exactly what happened with The Contortionist. From their origins as a deathcore act, this band slowly implemented more and more progressive elements until they had produced the masterful work of atmospheric pleasure that is Language. The album has flaws here and there, but as a continuous listen, this album definitely produced the most pleasurable experience this year." 2. Animals as Leaders - The Joy of Motion Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/animals-as-leaders/the-joy-of-motion" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/animals-as-leaders/the-joy-of-motion Andyman1125 says: "Tosin Abasi will never fail to impress me. Without a doubt he is perhaps the most impressive guitarist in the prog metal scene, far exceeding the brute skill of former favorites like John Petrucci with his immense skill and dexterity. The Joy of Motion not only shows Abasi's unhealthy ability to play guitar, but also how Animals as Leaders has progressed so much further than a pseudo-solo project. The three band members really meld together on this album, and each of their voices are equally present, giving this album a truly unique tone in the AaL catalog. 3. Cynic - Kindly Bent to Free Us Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cynic/kindly-bent-to-free-us%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - Andyman1125 says: "It became clear after Traced in Air that Paul Masvidal and co. were almost uncomfortable with the death metal origins they came from. TiA was clearly an evolution from Focus, but it was nowhere near what they had started as. Kindly Bent to Free Us is simply a continuation of this. It may not be Cynic's strongest output, but it shows the absolutely remarkable compositional voice of the band and how sometimes, a band simply cannot stay in the same style forever. While Cynic clearly is Cynic, this album shows how different they can be without changing their name. 4. Mastodon - Once More 'Round the Sun Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/mastodon/once-more-round-the-sun%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - Andyman1125 says: "Mastodon is a classic in the experimental/sludge prog metal scene. The band's ferocious energy and ability to produce ear-splittingly heavy riffs have made them a fan favorite for years. 2014's offering is no different. While it's clear they're moving away from the spacey experimental epics of Crack the Skye and moving towards shorter, more popular-form chorus-based songs, the band still brings an incredible amount of energy and ferocity into their music which makes it a blast to listen to." 5. Agalloch - The Serpent & The Sphere Black Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/agalloch/the-serpent-and-the-sphere" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/agalloch/the-serpent-and-the-sphere Andyman1125 says: "Agalloch are perhaps the quintessential experimental black/folk metal band. The very essence of the band is a winter night deep in the forest. The Serpent and the Sphere warms this up a bit, but only because it feels as though the album is played around a dim campfire in the forest. The album is haunting, chilling, and downright vicious at parts. There are also many very calming parts, especially the acoustic interludes, which adds to the remarkably stark atmosphere Agalloch so effortlessly produces." One You May Have Missed: Ne Obliviscaris - Citadel Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/ne-obliviscaris/citadel" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/ne-obliviscaris/citadel Andyman1125 says: "The band received an amazing amount of praise for their debut Portal of I, and their sophomore effort seemed to slip through the cracks, at least so it appeared to me. I found it rather late, and I thought I had been following the band. This albums is just as good as the first, and brings that same level of clinically clean production to the ferocious riffs and instrumentation. It's a treat for prog death fans." Metal Related Recommendation: Motorpsycho - Behind the Sun Hard Rock
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/motorpsycho/behind-the-sun" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/motorpsycho/behind-the-sun Andyman1125 says: "Motorpsycho has been doing some remarkable things the past few years, with their last four albums being absolutely wonderful. Behind the Sun proves no different, with a new set of hard rockin' songs very akin in style to their last album, Still Life Eggplant, with one song, "Hell," being a continuation of that album. Motorpsycho seems to have mastered their own sound, and after 16 studio albums in 23 years, I guess that's not all that surprising. The album is jam packed with melody, riffs, and energy, and was a blast to listen to." bartosso's Picks of 2014 Honorary Collaborator 1. Cloak of Altering - Plague Beasts Black Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cloak-of-altering/plague-beasts" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cloak-of-altering/plague-beasts bartosso says: "Plague Beasts consists of pretty much the same ingredients, with a stronger emphasis put on electronic and noise aspects of the music. (...) For the most part Mories' songwriting is as strong as ever. Unrelenting, polyphonic assault of devilish tremolos, ominous symphonic synthesizers and seemingly chaotic syncopation suck you into a whirlwind of beautiful insanity. You can actually see the genuine passion put into this music as it bleeds out of your ears." 2. Hail Spirit Noir - Oi Magoi Black Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/hail-spirit-noir/oi-magoi" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/hail-spirit-noir/oi-magoi bartosso says: "That's what the three latest Opeth albums should be like. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean the sound (although they fit in the same eclectic "niche" of extreme prog), I mean creativity. Every track on Oi Magoi boils with imagination and artistic passion that many top extreme metal acts have long lost... or never had to begin with. It's a blend of black metal, psychedelic rock, eclectic prog but most of all there's one and only spirit (noir) to bind all these elements together." 3. Behemoth - The Satanist Death Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/behemoth/the-satanist" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/behemoth/the-satanist bartosso says: "The band is not afraid to venture into a slower, apocalyptic doom metal sound, or to explore sinister realms of atmospheric black metal. With its flawless pacing, eclectic approach and flying solos, however, The Satanist is first and foremost a heavy metal album. A very heavy metal album. Heavy as hell." 4. Agalloch - The Serpent & The Sphere Black Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/agalloch/the-serpent-and-the-sphere" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/agalloch/the-serpent-and-the-sphere bartosso says: "Every so often I catch myself turning a blind eye to anything that, in my humble opinion, Agalloch does wrong. Songwriting is sometimes rough, and pathos sometimes too abundant. Yet still this music is so honest and genuine that I can't help but get carried away with it." 5. Babymetal - Babymetal Alternative Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/baby-metal/babymetal" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/baby-metal/babymetal bartosso says: "Teenage japanese gothic lolitas dancing and singing j-pop tunes over otherwise pretty much speed-death-thrash metal arrangements is not something you can go by unshaken. Some people grumble about the band being manufactured by a big record label and the girls being just another bunch of mindless Japanese idols. I say: fuck that." Metal Related Recommendation: Kayo Dot - Coffins on Io Metal Related
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/kayo-dot/coffins-on-io" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/kayo-dot/coffins-on-io bartosso says: "My favourite album overall this year. Amazing blend of retro synth pop, post punk and avant-garde rock. Almost completely different from Hubardo, yet it's still got the unmistakable Kayo Dot vibe to it. Love it." bonnek's Picks of 2014 Honorary Collaborator 1. Thantifaxath - Sacred White Noise Black Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/thantifaxath/sacred-white-noise" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/thantifaxath/sacred-white-noise bonnek says: "Progressive Black Metal from Canada. Think 'Red' King Crimson played with razor sharp guitars and ultra-agressive Black Metal shrieks and growls. There's even some (electric) violin!" 2. Morbus Chron - Sweven Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/morbus-chron/sweven" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/morbus-chron/sweven bonnek says: "Second album from this retro Death Metal Swedish bunch. They took an entirely different direction this time, imagine the guitar arpeggios and progressions from early Psychotic Waltz mixed with the vocals from Obituary. Nicely wrapped in a very warm organic production." 3. Triptykon - Melana Chasmate Doom Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/triptykon/melana-chasmata" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/triptykon/melana-chasmata bonnek says: "Not as mindblowing as Warrior's 2 preceding releases but still, this veteran keeps delivering!" 4. Evergrey - Hymns for the Broken Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/evergrey/hymns-for-the-broken" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/evergrey/hymns-for-the-broken bonnek says: "A couple of candidates for this spot, Hail Spirit Noir being the most obvious one. Instead I'll give it to Evergrey who created - I'll be severe - their first decent album since 'In Search Of Truth'. Not that they did't had a good song now and then but this album is a complete return to form. (And that from someone normally not to be spotted around anything melodic metal and quite allergic to 'return to form' hypes)." bonnek's Metal Related Recommendations of 2014: Opeth - Pale Communion Motorpsycho - Behind the Sun Kayo Dot - Coffins on Io Bosh66's Picks of 2014 Admin: Sludge Metal, Avant-Garde Metal, Metalcore and Hardcore & Crust Teams. 1. Architects - Lost Forever // Lost Together Metalcore
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/architects/lost-forever-lost-together" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/architects/lost-forever-lost-together Bosh66 says: "Architects is an English progressive metalcore band who released its sixth album, Lost Forever, Lost Together, in 2014. Melodic at times, crushingly heavy at others and intricately reflective elsewhere, the album sees the band dampen down some of the mathcore technicality of earlier releases. Other bands tread the same avenues as Architects, but Architects delivers its take on metalcore so well." 2. Cynic - Kindly Bent To Free Us Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cynic/kindly-bent-to-free-us" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cynic/kindly-bent-to-free-us Bosh66 says: "With any references to its progressive death metal origins well and truly consigned to those metal music archives, Cynic has delivered with its third album a top quality progressive metal album. While showing regard to bands like Crimson and Floyd, Cynic rarely sounds retrospective. Kindly Bent is a great modern progressive metal album." 3. Epica - The Quantum Enigma Symphonic Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/epica/the-quantum-enigma" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/epica/the-quantum-enigma Bosh66 says: "Album number six for Dutch symphonic metal band Epica, and what an album it is. Heavier, more progressive and more power metal influenced than 2012’s Requiem, the album is a top drawer offering. Lush epic arrangements, heavy delivery and fantastic vocals from Simone Simons." 4. Mastodon - Once More 'Round the Sun Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/mastodon/once-more-round-the-sun" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/mastodon/once-more-round-the-sun Bosh66 says: "It seems a long time since I picked up Blood Mountain on the recommendation of a friend, back in 2006. Musically, that album seems a long time away too when listening to Once More 'Round the Sun as the wall of sludge that once was offered is now replaced by a much more mature if at times less focussed progressive metal sound. That said, this album sounds more like a progression from Crack the Skye than The Hunter." 5. Sabaton - Heroes Power Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/sabaton/heroes" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/sabaton/heroes Bosh66 says: "One of the more consistent power metal bands around, Sabaton released Heroes in 2014 and in many ways it’s more of the same; well written and well-delivered war stories. And that consistency is perhaps the real surprise given the implosion of the band after Carolus Rex which saw four band members leave and only two remain. A great album, and one of my more played albums during 2014." One You May Have Missed: Autocatalytica – Autocatalytica Avant-Garde Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/autocatalytica/autocatalytica" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/autocatalytica/autocatalytica Bosh66 says: "A band that first grabbed by attention in 2012 with its impressive Horror Vacui EP, Autocatalytica have returned with a full-length album in 2014. This is a real math metal maelstrom of avant-garde chaos that never quite loses control. At 50 minutes long this isn’t an album to kick off your shoes and relax to, although the soft –hard dynamic often found in metal is here too, but the album never drags. And for some unfathomable reason, the band offers this piece of art completely for free. Check them out on Bandcamp." Metal Related Recommendation: Enabler - La Fin Absolue du Monde Hardcore & Crust
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/enabler/la-fin-absolue-du-monde%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - Bosh66 says: "Enabler is a hardcore / metalcore band from Wisconsin who released its second album in 2014. With a furious delivery that never loses the melody of a good punk tune or a memorable thrash riff and even throws in some well-targeted experimentation, this is one hell of an album and highly recommended." Colt's Picks of 2014 Admin: Proto Metal, Hard Rock and NWoBHM Teams. 1. Evergrey - Hymns for the Broken Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/evergrey/hymns-for-the-broken%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - Colt says: "Technically perfect with excellent songwriting all delivered with the power and emotion you expect from Evergrey." 2. Helstar - This Wicked Nest Thrash Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/helstar/this-wicked-nest%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - Colt says: "Mixing old and new Helstar return with yet another truly memorable release." 3. Sanctuary - The Year The Sun Died Traditional Heavy Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/sanctuary/the-year-the-sun-died%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - Colt says: "Has it really been twenty five years? Sanctuary are back. The expected comparisons to Nevermore have come, and this could have been a Nevermore album, if it was it would have been one of the better ones." 4. Wolf - Devil Seed Traditional Heavy Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/wolf/devil-seed%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - Colt says: "A cult band and largely unknown but have been producing top notch releases for 16 years, this is yet another." 5. Accept - Blind Rage Traditional Heavy Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/accept/blind-rage%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - Colt says: "What can you say about this band that hasn't already been said. 14 albums in and they have produced another blinder." Metal Related Recommendation Rival Sons - Great Western Valkyrie Hard Rock
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/rival-sons/great-western-valkyrie%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - Colt says: "The fifth release in as many years and written in just six weeks. You would be forgiven for thinking that was too many too quick but you would be wrong, this album puts them up there with some of the big names of the genre. Just awesome." DippoMagoo's Picks of 2014 Collaborator: Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, Gothic Metal and Progressive Metal Teams. 1. Sabaton - Heroes Power Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/sabaton/heroes" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/sabaton/heroes DippoMagoo says: "The most addictive power metal album I've heard in years. It breezes through every time, and every track gets me equally excited on every listen, even the ballad. The short length actually helps to make it all the easier to get hooked on, and play repeatedly: It's by far my most played album since I've been keeping track of my amount of listens on Rate Your Music." 2. Epica - The Quantum Enigma Symphonic Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/epica/the-quantum-enigma" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/epica/the-quantum-enigma DippoMagoo says: "Pretty much a combination of everything I love about them. It retains some of the progressiveness and deep arrangements of their later albums, but also brings back some of the catchiness and Simone's operatic vocals from the first two albums, plus I love the increased emphasis on the choirs." 3. Dynazty - Renatus Power Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/dynazty/renatus" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/dynazty/renatus DippoMagoo says: "This one caught me by surprise, because I didn't expect much, but it ended up being a really catchy modern power metal album with occasional prog elements. What really enhances, though, is the singer who gave probably my favorite vocal performance of the whole year, especially on the 7 minute "Salvation", which was probably my favorite song of the year. Definitely my biggest surprise of 2014." 4. Freedom Call - Beyond Power Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/freedom-call/beyond" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/freedom-call/beyond DippoMagoo says: "For a while I was hoping they'd quit their experimenting and go back to their glory days, particularly their classic Eternity. Well, that's pretty much what this album is again: Just a bunch of epic power metal tunes with huge choruses, excellent harmonies and a few occasional surprises which work much better than anything they attempted on their previous few albums." 5. Viathyn - Cynosure Power Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/viathyn/cynosure" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/viathyn/cynosure DippoMagoo says: "This one gets both a home country bias and a special bias of me interacting with one of their members prior to its release, but I had already loved their debut before I even spoke with him, and this album improved on everything I wanted it to: Better production, better vocals, and the songwriting is even more dynamic than before. The first two songs along give you an idea of how creative the band can be, and it certainly doesn't stop there. Easily my favorite prog/power metal album from last year." One You May Have Missed: Brainstorm - Firesoul Power Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/brainstorm/firesoul%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - DippoMagoo says: "I had several options to pick from here. Hell, a couple of my top 5 have very few ratings. But I picked this one because it's probably less of an acquired taste compared to anything else I could have gone with. I'd describe it as Euro power metal with an edge. It's similar to their past works, except the songwriting is much tighter, and the melodies are much stronger. It also deserves a special mention for having the second best vocal performance I heard last year." Metal Related Recommendation: Kissin' Dynamite - Megalomania Hard Rock
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/kissin-dynamite/megalomania" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/kissin-dynamite/megalomania DippoMagoo says: "It has metal elements, but it's probably more hard rock than anything. Easily the most enjoyable album of this style that I've heard in the last few years, especially due to the vocals and some pretty cool keyboard effects, most notably on the single "DNA"." ------------- Earn Money Online (NOT a scam): https://premium.gg2u.org?referrer=adg211288" rel="nofollow - GG2U https://adamsfilmcorner.quora.com/" rel="nofollow - Adam's Film Corner on Quora |
Replies:
Posted By: adg211288
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2015 at 5:20pm
|
Dobbie03's Picks of 2014 Collaborator: Black Metal and Death Metal Teams 1. At
the Gates - At War with Reality Death Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/at-the-gates/at-war-with-reality " rel="nofollow - - Dobbie03 says: "ATG's return. Only one word comes to mind.....epic." 2. Godflesh - A
World Only Lit By Fire Industrial Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/godflesh/a-world-lit-only-by-fire " rel="nofollow - - Dobbie03 says: "This along with ATG were high on my want list. Godflesh brought their new album along with a new heaviness. Godflesh have always been heavy but A World..... is something else." 3. Lord
Mantis - Death Mask Sludge/Post-Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/lord-mantis/death-mask " rel="nofollow - - Dobbie03 says: "Dirty filthy Black Metal, highly recommended." 4. Morbus
Chron - Sweven Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/morbus-chron/sweven " rel="nofollow - - Dobbie03 says: "Dirty filthy Death Metal, nah not really just enjoyable semi proggie Death Metal. Gets an unjustified 2.88 from my RYM friends, but deserves a good 4.5 out of 5." Metal Related Recommendation: Sólstafir - Ótta Metal Related
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/solstafir/otta" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/solstafir/otta Dobbie03 says: "Icelandic Post Rock....just magic." Collaborator: Doom Metal and Death Metal Teams 1. At the Gates - At War with Reality Death Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/at-the-gates/at-war-with-reality " rel="nofollow - - Nightfly says: "This album has grown and grown on me since it was released to become my top metal album of 2014. Not only is it a great comeback, it surpasses anything they released in the 90’s. Melodic death metal at its best." 2. Mastodon - Once More 'Round the Sun Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/mastodon/once-more-round-the-sun" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/mastodon/once-more-round-the-sun Nightfly says: "Not their greatest but an album full of great riffs and hooks that gets under your skin and won’t let go." 3. Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls Traditional Heavy Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/judas-priest/redeemer-of-souls" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/judas-priest/redeemer-of-souls Nightfly says: "After the controversial Nostradamus (still a very good album in my opinion) Priest get back to what they do best – no nonsense trad metal." 4. Vader - Tibi Et Igni Death Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/vader/tibi-et-igni" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/vader/tibi-et-igni Nightfly says: "Not groundbreaking, just Vader doing old school death metal at its finest. When opener Go To Hell really kicks in it'll pin you to the wall!" 5. Decapitated – Blood Mantra Death Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/decapitated/blood-mantra" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/decapitated/blood-mantra Nightfly says: "As good as any of death metal bands on the Polish scene and a return to the form of Organic Hallucinosis. A good year for Poland with Decapitated, Vader and Behemoth all releasing strong death metal album." One You May Have Missed: Orange Goblin - Back from the Abyss Doom Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/orange-goblin/back-from-the-abyss" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/orange-goblin/back-from-the-abyss Nightfly says: "If Sabbath influenced metal/stoner is your thing then look no further." Metal Related Recommendation: Opeth - Pale Communion Metal Related
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/opeth/pale-communion" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/opeth/pale-communion Nightfly says: "Actually my album of the year but as Opeth aren’t Metal anymore then they don’t qualify here. It is however heavy prog at its very best." rushfan4's Picks of 2014 Collaborator: Errors and Omissions Team 1. Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls Traditional Heavy Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/judas-priest/redeemer-of-souls" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/judas-priest/redeemer-of-souls rushfan4 says: "As much a lifetime achievement award as anything else but many kudos to the Metal God and company with their latest release. Halford doesn't have the screams that he once had, but this is still a top notch release." 2. Evergrey - Hymns for the Broken Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/evergrey/hymns-for-the-broken" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/evergrey/hymns-for-the-broken rushfan4 says: "Progressive metal done well. After a couple of less than stellar releases, Evergrey have returned to stellar form with this one." 3. Exodus - Blood In, Blood Out Thrash Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/exodus/blood-in-blood-out " rel="nofollow - - rushfan4 says: "Mmm...mmm old school thrash. Exodus brings back the singer from their classic period and with it comes the classic sound." 4. Accept - Blind Rage Traditional Heavy Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/accept/blind-rage " rel="nofollow - - rushfan4 says: "Old school metal done just the way I like it. Accept have gone "Balls to the Wall" once again, even without Udo." 5. Sanctuary - The Year The Sun Died Traditional Heavy Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/sanctuary/the-year-the-sun-died" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/sanctuary/the-year-the-sun-died rushfan4 says: "Sanctuary complete my set of veteran metal acts with fine comeback albums in 2014. An old school collab with old school tastes." One You May Have Missed: Xandria - Sacrificium Power Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/xandria/sacrificium" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/xandria/sacrificium rushfan4 says: "Xandria released my top album two years ago and returned this year with a new singer but a powerful power metal sound." siLLy puPPy's Picks of 2014 Collaborator: Errors and Omissions Team 1. Behemoth - The Satanist Death Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/behemoth/the-satanist%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - siLLy puPPy says: "Satan made me listen to this and I liked it. It takes the classic Behemoth sound, slows it down and reflects on Lucifer's glorious past." 2. Cynic - Kindly Bent To Free Us Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cynic/kindly-bent-to-free-us" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cynic/kindly-bent-to-free-us siLLy puPPy says: "I simply bent over and this is what freed me. Although I miss the death growls, the music is more intricate than ever. Progressive and daring." 3. Ne Obliviscaris - Citadel Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/ne-obliviscaris/citadel" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/ne-obliviscaris/citadel siLLy puPPy says: "This bulwark defends us from mediocrity. A splendid advancement from their debut." 4. Arch Enemy - War Eternal Death Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/arch-enemy/war-eternal%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - siLLy puPPy says: "War is always more interesting with female battle cries. Yet another solid release from one of traditional x death metal's most consistent acts." 5. Mayhem - Esoteric Warfare Black Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/mayhem/esoteric-warfare" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/mayhem/esoteric-warfare siLLy puPPy says: "This warfare doesn't have to be enjoyed by a select club. Carrying on the jangly dissonant black metal of "Ordo ad Chao." Won't disappoint." Time Signature's Picks of 2014 Admin: Death Metal, Thrash Metal, Traditional Heavy Metal, Proto Metal and Hardcore & Crust Teams. 1. Deus Otiosus - Rise Death Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/deus-otiosus/rise%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - Time Signature says: "Rise is another bull's eye from Deus Otiosus, and, frankly, this is one of the best death metal releases I have ever heard." 2. Kolony - Sledge Traditional Heavy Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/kolony/sledge" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/kolony/sledge Time Signature says: "This is bona fide progressive metal to me. Many people might not agree with this, but Kolony's Sledge is just too complex and eclectic to fit into any one single metal subgenre other than progressive metal. There are plenty of quirks and progressive elements in the music anyway. The compositions are far from simplistic, and are characterized by a progressive dynamism, and the musicianship and production are both top notch." 3. Cea Serin - The Vibrant Sound of Bliss and Decay Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cea-serin/the-vibrant-sound-of-bliss-and-decay" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cea-serin/the-vibrant-sound-of-bliss-and-decay Time Signature says: "This album has been worth waiting for. Drawing on a slightly more hard-edged sound than your stereotypical progressive metal band, Cea Serin treats the listener to extremely strong progressive metal tunes that are both challenging and enjoyable, and which combine epicness with aggression." 4. Mekong Delta - In a Mirror Darkly Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/mekong-delta/in-a-mirror-darkly%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - Time Signature says: "Fans of progressive metal in general, and progressive thrash metal in particular should definitely check out this album. With its relentless onslaught of twists and turns and quirks lurking around every corner, In a Mirror Darkly truly challenges the listener in a most welcome way." 5. Psychostick - IV: Revenge of the Vengeance Alternative Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/psychostick%28united-states%29/iv-revenge-of-the-vengeance" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/psychostick(united-states)/iv-revenge-of-the-vengeance Time Signature says: "Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" Triceratopsoil's Picks of 2014 Collaborator: Avant-Garde Metal and Sludge/Post-Metal Teams. 1. Old Man Gloom - The Ape of God (II) Sludge/Post-Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/old-man-gloom/the-ape-of-god-ii%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - Triceratopsoil says: "So, so heavy, atmospheric, great loud music. An all out journey and an onslaught on your senses." 2. Agalloch - The Serpent & The Sphere Black Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/agalloch/the-serpent-and-the-sphere" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/agalloch/the-serpent-and-the-sphere Triceratopsoil says: "Agalloch further proves how consistent they are. Another classic album, few low points if any." 3. Old Man Gloom - The Ape of God (I) Sludge/Post-Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/old-man-gloom/the-ape-of-god-i" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/old-man-gloom/the-ape-of-god-i Triceratopsoil says: "More driving and hard than the other version of The Ape of God, and every bit as good." 4. Hail Spirit Noir - Oi Magoi Black Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/hail-spirit-noir/oi-magoi%C2%A0" rel="nofollow - - Triceratopsoil says: "A little more keyboardy than I usually like my metal, but damn trippy and still really heavy metal. Great band in an interesting niche." 5. Giant Squid - Minoans Sludge/Post-Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/giant-squid/minoans" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/giant-squid/minoans Triceratopsoil says: "Much in the same style as 2011's EP Ceynotes, which is A-OK with me because I've gone far too long without new Giant Squid." One You May Have Missed: Scott Walker + Sunn O))) - Soused Doom Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/sunn-o/soused-with-scott-walker" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/sunn-o/soused-with-scott-walker Triceratopsoil says: "A noisy, abstract, droning collaboration that plays very well to both artists' strengths and signature sounds. Won't appeal to most listeners, overall a very unique and adventurous listen. I greatly enjoyed it, but it's not going to picking up any top positions on this site so I've listed it here instead of as my #1 album." Metal Related Recommendation: Swans - To Be Kind Metal Related
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/swans/to-be-kind" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/swans/to-be-kind Triceratopsoil says: "It's a testament to how brilliant this album is that it beat Kayo Dot's Coffins On Io to get my shout out here. Rather heavy without ever being quite metal, long repetitive post-kraut grooving bliss. I'm even more of a Swans fanboy now." UMUR's Picks of 2014 Admin: Death Metal, Thrash Metal, Doom Metal and Grindcore Teams. 1. Cynic - Kindly Bent To Free Us Progressive Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cynic/kindly-bent-to-free-us" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cynic/kindly-bent-to-free-us UMUR says: "Cynic has gradually since their recording comeback in 2008, moved away from their technical/progressive "death" metal style, and towards a progressive alternative metal style, and the transition is complete on "Kindly Bent To Free Us". It´s a well composed and quite adventurous release, which sounds very little like Cynic originally did, but still manages to sound unmistakably like them. A unique sounding listening experience with a spiritual touch." 2. Cretin - Stranger Grindcore
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cretin/stranger" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/cretin/stranger UMUR says: "Oh hell yeah...Cretin is back after a very long recording break. A recording break which was mainly a consequence of lead vocalist/guitarist Dan Martinez transition/sex change from male to female, and the ensuing self awareness process, that such a radical life changing experience is bound to generate. He is now a woman named Marissa Martinez. That doesn´t hinder "Stranger" from being one badass old school deathgrind album with an attitude, and featuring quite a few adventurous details. Highly recommendable if you´re a fan of the crossfield between grindcore and death metal done the old school way." 3. Bloodbath - Grand Morbid Funeral Death Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/bloodbath/grand-morbid-funeral" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/bloodbath/grand-morbid-funeral UMUR says: "The masters of retro Swedish death metal are back with a vengeance...absolutely killer old school Swedish death metal release. Gritty, filthy, and murky, just like our momma used to make them. And this time with Nick Holmes (Paradise Lost) on vocals." 4. Machine Head - Bloodstone & Diamonds Thrash Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/machine-head/bloodstone-and-diamonds" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/machine-head/bloodstone-and-diamonds UMUR says: "It´s funny because I´m actually not a huge fan of Machine Head, and never have been, but objectively seen I just have to bow in the dust, when I listen to an album like "Bloodstone & Diamonds", which is so well written, produced, and performed. It´s not an album I was instantly hooked on, but after giving it more spins, the intricate compositional details, and the characteristic grooves got under my skin, and they have stayed there." 5. At The Gates - At War with Reality Death Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/at-the-gates/at-war-with-reality" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/at-the-gates/at-war-with-reality UMUR says: "Here´s another band I have never been a huge fan of, even though I´ve of course listened to their albums and have followed them (but more The Haunted, when they evolved into that band) since the early 90s. "At War with Reality" is a major comeback album by At The Gates though, and it has reignited my interest in the early part of their discography. Melodic death metal with thrashy leanings, and an epic and quite melancholic atmosphere. If that sounds like something you might enjoy, I can highly recommend "At War with Reality"." Metal Related Recommendation: Motorpsycho - Behind The Sun Hard Rock
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/motorpsycho/behind-the-sun" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/motorpsycho/behind-the-sun UMUR says: "Another great psychedelic hard rock release by Motorpsycho, who seems to just get better and better the older and more experienced they have become. I´m a huge fan, and "Behind The Sun" doesn´t change that." Unitron's Picks of 2014 Collaborator: Industrial Metal and Power Metal Teams 1. Helstar - This Wicked Nest Thrash Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/helstar/this-wicked-nes" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/helstar/this-wicked-nes t Unitron says: "With how much quality is in all of Helstar's albums, I was expecting just as much quality here as with the other albums. What I got was just what I expected and even more. Helstar just keeps getting better and better, with this release having powerful political lyrics, brutal riffing a plenty, stellar vocals, and everything I want in thrash metal. James Rivera's voice is as amazing as ever screaming through all the amazing tacks, especially the menacing 'Souls Cry'. This album further proves Helstar's place in my favorite bands." 2. Psychostick - IV: Revenge of the Vengeance Alternative Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/psychostick%28united-states%29/iv-revenge-of-the-vengeance" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/psychostick(united-states)/iv-revenge-of-the-vengeance Unitron says: "Do you want some metal that's both hilarious and fucking awesome? Well then, Psychostick is for you. From what should be a metal anthem 'Obey the Beard', to the hysterical mocking of Deathcore in 'So. Heavy.', Psychostick beats the likes of Weird Al with their zany lyrics. Not to mention the music kicks ass too, with an awesome combination of thrash metal, alt metal, and hardcore/metalcore this band does not disappoint. If you have a goofy sense of humor and want some good headbanging fun, then this is for you." 3. Myrkur - Myrkur Black Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/myrkur/myrkur%28ep%29" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/myrkur/myrkur(ep) Unitron says: "This EP that I happened to come across by an ad on this very site, struck me with complete awe. After listening to it, I was simply blown away. The way that this one-woman project combines the menacing beauty of chamber music and the flowing rawness of black metal just sounded beautiful. Myrkur's ability to go from haunting choir vocals to black metal snarls and screams is amazing. A couple of the songs aren't even metal, and just really beautiful Scandinavian folk songs. Easily a masterpiece of black metal in my eyes, and a new favorite artist." 4. Chevelle - La Gárgola Alternative Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/chevelle/la-gargola" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/chevelle/la-gargola Unitron says: "This was a surprise. I actually was on my way to a record store, when I heard the song 'Take Out the Gunman' on the radio. The combination of Pete Loeffler's Tool-esque vocals, the industrial elements, and the whole atmosphere of the song was amazing. So, needless to say, what was meant to be a trip to get a different album I wanted turned out to be getting my first 2014 album purchase. After listening to the rest of the album, I was blown away. The Mastodon influences in 'Ouija Board' were surprising yet welcoming to hear, and Loeffler's vocals really screamed passion. I actually think Loeffler's gave his best vocal performance yet on this album, really shining on 'Hunter Eats Hunter' and 'Under the Knife'. I can't forget the beautiful ambient closer of 'Twinge', truly amazing. This album, in my eyes, shows Chevelle growing into something more. I can't wait for what they have coming next." 5. Kobra and the Lotus - High Priestess Power Metal
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/kobra-and-the-lotus/high-priestess" rel="nofollow - http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/album/kobra-and-the-lotus/high-priestess Unitron says: "I absolutely adored KATL's self-titled from 2012, and this album does all that the previous album did and more. Adding in more styles and having a great balance between slower melodic songs and fast-paced headbangers, makes this a true masterpiece. Even though at it's heart this album is power metal, KATL is not afraid to show their traditional metal roots and add a bit of thrash in the awesome 'I am, I am'. Kobra Paige's vocals flow beautifully and sound amazing in songs like 'Hold on' and 'Battle of Wrath'. A perfect follow-up to an already perfect predecessor." Unitron's Honourable Mentions of 2014: Arch Enemy - War Eternal Obake - Mutations ------------- Earn Money Online (NOT a scam): https://premium.gg2u.org?referrer=adg211288" rel="nofollow - GG2U https://adamsfilmcorner.quora.com/" rel="nofollow - Adam's Film Corner on Quora |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 3:46pm
|
Thanks for the hard work Adam, and great lists everybody! Plenty of albums I never got the chance to check out here. I'm glad Bartosso listed my 2nd favourite non-metal album of the year (Coffins on Io) as it didn't fit into my list. |
Posted By: aglasshouse
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 3:52pm
| I think I'm going to listen to all of the music on this list! Nice job everyone. |
Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 4:07pm
Great Work Adam. I know how much Work you had to put into this  .
Hmm...I didn´t know a new Giant Squid album was out...nice  ------------- http://www.lyngby-boldklub.dk/" rel="nofollow - Forever TRUE - Forever BLUE! https://rateyourmusic.com/~UMUR" rel="nofollow - UMUR on RYM |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 4:10pm
|
^ http://giantsquid.bandcamp.com/album/minoans |
Posted By: Bosh66
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 4:29pm
Plaudits indeed. Great job 
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Posted By: Nightfly
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 4:44pm
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Nice one Adam! Thanks for your hard work putting this together. I always find the diverse choices of these lists interesting as well as a few things to check out that I've missed. Many of other people's choices that didn't make my top 5 I rate highly myself like Behemoth, Exodus, Helstar, Bloodbath, Agalloch and Cruachan to name a few.
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Posted By: bartosso
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 4:47pm
Holy fuck, that's some amazing work! You're the man, Adam  ------------- http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: adg211288
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 4:56pm
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Thanks everyone. Hope you all find something new that you've missed out on so far. I'm most interested in the latest Helstar myself, which popped up on a few people's lists. Now that it's finally all together it's nice to be able to sit back and comment on a few of the albums included that didn't make the cut on mine. That Falconer album is a beast. I played a few tracks from it last night while working on this and I'm actually wondering if I didn't sell it short by not going to the full five stars when I reviewed it. Much like their earlier Among Beggars and Thieves album it seems to get better every time. Glad to see that Lascaille's Shroud got a look in somewhere. Another brilliant album. I like it so much that even though it's a free download I still bought a CD copy (very limited run done through a crowdfunding website). Going to need to give that one a spin again and soon. I'm not sure why I've never bothered with the new Ne Obliviscaris album, seeing as their debut got a 5 star/100% review from me. I need to change that. Couple of albums on here from bands I like but I only listened to once despite giving high first impression ratings to: Mastodon and Evergrey. For me the Sanctuary comeback album isn't as good as their 80's work. They're a fairly new discovery for me though and that is definitely the album I know the least well. Accept is an album I need to listen to. Despite not knowing their early stuff at all I enjoyed their previous two albums quite a bit, especially Blood of the Nations. Viathyn is another band I need to hear ASAP. Nice to see Xandria mentioned. I'm a pretty big fan of that album myself but for me it is a step back from their last one which meant it was never going to make the cut for my top 5 when it was such a good year for me. Kobra and the Lotus, now there's a another album/band I love. They always seem to end up with a 4.5 star review from me, yet they addict me a lot more than some stuff that got a higher rating due to the initial wow factor, one of the reasons I'm reviewing new stuff at a slower pace now. Awesome band. ------------- Earn Money Online (NOT a scam): https://premium.gg2u.org?referrer=adg211288" rel="nofollow - GG2U https://adamsfilmcorner.quora.com/" rel="nofollow - Adam's Film Corner on Quora |
Posted By: powermetal2000
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 5:27pm
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Babymetal? Excuse me while I run and puke. |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 5:30pm
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I can't stand the stuff either, man, but there's no accounting for taste |
Posted By: bartosso
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 5:45pm
OUTRAGEOUS-DESU-NYAAAAA! ^^ I WANT THIS MAN BANNED! ------------- http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/ |
powermetal2000 wrote:Posted By: aglasshouse
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 5:51pm
| He does sort of have a point. |
Posted By: Unitron
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 6:49pm
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Fantastic list! In my honorable mentions, I would have included Anubis Gate's 'Horizons', but unfortunately I didn't give it another listen in time.  ------------- If I say fuck two more times that's forty-six fucks in this fucked up rhyme |
Posted By: DippoMagoo
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 6:56pm
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Some great stuff here, as expected. Great job by Adam putting it together, of course. As for my thoughts: I honestly had a hard time picking just 7 albums, because as some folks here would know, I tend to listen to hundreds of albums in a year (my RYM list for 2014 has 328 albums, for example,) so narrowly it down even to 30 would probably be tough. WIth that being said, there's obviously a bunch of stuff here that fell just a bit short of making it for me, most notably Mayan (exactly one spot short of making it,) Anubis Gate, Mindmaze, Evergrey, Dragonforce and Agalloch (not really something most people would expect me to like, but I love most of their albums, for some reason.)
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Posted By: bartosso
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 7:13pm
Get yourself some sense of humour guys, it comes in handy on message boards. And also, if you are implying that an album on my list is in such a bad taste that it provokes food poisoning, you are just rude.
If you had read my review, you'd have known that imo Babymetal is not a great album in itself but a cool cultural phenomenon that caused a big - and imo a positive - stir in the community. I'm glad that many metalheads, myself included, don't consider metal sacred. To most people Babymetal is just an entertaining distraction from the more serious stuff they normally listen to. It's catchy, well played and there's enough real metal in it to get a non-metalhead into the genre. I mean, seriously, what's not to like ;d ------------- http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: aglasshouse
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 7:38pm
| I don't consider metal sacred but I also don't think Babymetal scaled more than a cultural anomaly. I don't think you should feel bad for liking them of course, just I agree with Peter in the way that they aren't that enjoyable. That's all. Let's not make a big riot out of it. |
Posted By: bartosso
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 7:46pm
 ------------- http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: aglasshouse
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 8:12pm
Bartosz, I assume from your list that you thought 2014 was a good year for black metal, eh? 
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Posted By: bartosso
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 8:32pm
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Heh, well, if I'm to be honest I don't think it was a particularly good year in general as I was not really blown away by anything (well, I was blown away by Kayo Dot but it's not metal). But yeah, all of these 4 albums kind of stem from the black metal aesthetic but it only proves how fertile the black metal ground is for all kinds of post modern experimentation. So yes, in that sense I think it was a good year for black metal ------------- http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Jbird
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2015 at 9:45pm
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I can't say I've heard much of the ones that got posted. The Evergrey…half of the album was very good, the other half was just ok. Not nearly as good an album as In Search Of Truth or Torn. Never bothered with the Falconer. I own one Falconer album, and it sucks. Chapters From A Vale Forlorn. Never bothered with anything else they've done. I've been meaning to check out that MindMaze. I have their debut which I thought was decent but needed a bit better production, and the vocals needed a bit more oomph, not that either were bad, mind you. Loved the guitar work on it. He might not be the next Michael Romeo, but his playing and phrasing made me want to hear more. I really need to listen to a lot more of these.
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Posted By: aglasshouse
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2015 at 1:33am
That's fair.
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Posted By: Dobbie03
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2015 at 2:10am
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Great work, thanks for putting it together Adam. |
Posted By: powermetal2000
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2015 at 2:23am
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To be honest, I only posted that as a wind up. See it worked. I really don't like them, though I guess they aren't that bad. I've heard crappier serious bands. |
Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2015 at 2:52am
I agree. I didn´t give a single 5 star rating to any 2014 album. Lots of great albums, but not any masterpieces among the albums I listened to. ------------- http://www.lyngby-boldklub.dk/" rel="nofollow - Forever TRUE - Forever BLUE! https://rateyourmusic.com/~UMUR" rel="nofollow - UMUR on RYM |
Posted By: 666sharon666
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2015 at 3:35am
| Great lists everyone! There's quite a few here I don't know that I'm going to have to look up now. |
Posted By: adg211288
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2015 at 11:35am
I gave quite a few 5 stars out...maybe too many. I'm trying to be a bit harder this year with my ratings. Haven't given any 5 stars out for 2015 yet. A couple of albums tempted me, but I held back. ------------- Earn Money Online (NOT a scam): https://premium.gg2u.org?referrer=adg211288" rel="nofollow - GG2U https://adamsfilmcorner.quora.com/" rel="nofollow - Adam's Film Corner on Quora |
Posted By: bartosso
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2015 at 10:49am
^I wouldn' worry about that too much, Adam :) I know my recent stance on ratings may seem a little bit extreme to some, but... well I really think rating should only indicate how much you liked the album, not how good, bad or "close to/far from perfection" you think it is. If you like something a whole lot, why not give it 5 stars? Again, just my opinion, but I believe it's just more natural to think of ratings as highly subjective addition to the review, not a basis for it. ------------- http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: adg211288
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2015 at 4:08pm
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I'd simply like to curb my higher ratings a bit as I'm finding myself questioning some of them a lot of the time. Take 2014 releases, I gave 14 out of 110 releases 5 stars, yet some of them I've not once felt inclined to listen to again since finishing up my review and that doesn't sound like 5 stars was really justified to me. I've come to realise that I can still really love an album and give it a 4.5 or even 4 and that ratings like 3.5 and 3 are still pretty respectable, positive ratings. I think part of the reason has been that previously I've tried to cram as many promos into my review schedule as possible (labels and promoters sometimes put the pressure on as well), so I probably haven't judged every release as well as I could. Taking things slower this year has allowed me to do that a whole lot better. I expect I'll have a nagging promoter on my back before long but I'm past caring. I'm a happier listener since changing the way I do things. If they decide to remove me from their promo lists then so be it. ------------- Earn Money Online (NOT a scam): https://premium.gg2u.org?referrer=adg211288" rel="nofollow - GG2U https://adamsfilmcorner.quora.com/" rel="nofollow - Adam's Film Corner on Quora |
Posted By: Nightfly
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2015 at 4:27am
| I've always been prudent in dishing out 5 stars as very few albums are that good, most having a few weak areas. Anything from 3.5 stars upwards is still a very good album of course. In 2014 none of the albums I rated got 5 stars - some 4.5 and a lot of 4's though. 2015 is a similar story so far but there are I suspect some great albums to come. |
Posted By: Nightfly
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2015 at 11:12am
2 bands I was unfamiliar with before this list took me to them, that I've since checked and really impressed by are Hail Spirit Noir and Anubis Gate. 
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Posted By: powermetal2000
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2015 at 2:08pm
Chapters from a Vale Forlorn does not suck! Go wash your mouth out with soap. |
Posted By: bartosso
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2015 at 2:24pm
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^ Fight! Fight! Fight! <grabs popcorn> ------------- http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: 666sharon666
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2015 at 12:54pm
I think you got a taste of your own medicine there after your Babymetal comment.  Though I do agree with you on this one. Chapters from a Vale Forlorn is an excellent album. |
Posted By: Jbird
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2015 at 1:46pm
| Don't get me wrong, I Love me some good power metal, and I've heard tracks from their first album, and tracks from Grime & Grandeur that I really like. But CFAVF just hit me the wrong way. I felt a couple of songs on it were just plain down right silly. |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2015 at 2:05pm
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I'll settle this, power metal is butts |
Posted By: bartosso
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2015 at 3:11pm
Diplomacy level: Expert  ------------- http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - http://shrineofllyria.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: powermetal2000
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2015 at 2:26pm
| Power Metal > anything else. |
Posted By: Unitron
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2015 at 9:45pm
Too bad I was late in hearing Sevendust's 2014 acoustic album, then I would have had a metal related recommendation.  ------------- If I say fuck two more times that's forty-six fucks in this fucked up rhyme |
Posted By: m@x
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2015 at 9:13pm
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Nice job guys !
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Posted By: adg211288
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2016 at 9:22am
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Article fixed. Collabs, please do not mess with the image uploads for the releases featured here (or any of the other collab best of year presentations). All the images are of a perfectly acceptable standard for the site already. If you change one, you are not replacing that image file on the site but creating a new file, which removes the image anywhere else it has been used, including this presentation (which a lot of work went into). ------------- Earn Money Online (NOT a scam): https://premium.gg2u.org?referrer=adg211288" rel="nofollow - GG2U https://adamsfilmcorner.quora.com/" rel="nofollow - Adam's Film Corner on Quora |
Posted By: Unitron
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2016 at 11:20am
What image was changed? ------------- If I say fuck two more times that's forty-six fucks in this fucked up rhyme |
Posted By: adg211288
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2016 at 12:04pm
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I don't want to point out which specfic ones were broken as I don't want to name and shame anyone in particular, but there were several between the 2013 and 2014 lists. Just making a polite request that no one change the images used; they were all carefully selected before the presentations were put together to all use the same resolution (500x500 - which is more than enough considering the max size you'll ever see on MMA without purposefully opening the images is much smaller). ------------- Earn Money Online (NOT a scam): https://premium.gg2u.org?referrer=adg211288" rel="nofollow - GG2U https://adamsfilmcorner.quora.com/" rel="nofollow - Adam's Film Corner on Quora |