Metal Reflections 2008
2008 was one of the best years in metal in the short time I've been involved in following the greatest music in the world. Looking back it's unbelievable to think what bands I saw. At least 7 of the gigs I witnessed were acts that ranked highly on my list of bands I wanted to see. Like everybody else though I'm going to start with my favourite albums of the year.
Top 10 Albums
Soulfly Conquer
Mercenary Architect Of Lies
Testament The Formation Of Damnation
Motorhead Motorizer
Motley Crue Saints Of Los Angeles
ACDC Black Ice
Firewind The Premonition
The Screaming Jets Do Ya
Dominici O3 A Trilogy Part III
Judas Priest Nostradamus
I must confess that I didn't buy nearly enough albums last year although I can't imagine I would have found anything better than Soulfly's Conquer. It was the standout album and I don't even consider myself a fan of theirs. Mercenary and Testament delivered some of their finest work to date and I thought either one would be my top choice earlier in the year. The rest is mostly made up of albums from bands that many felt were over the hill. Motorhead just continue on with the strong releases, Motley Crue surprised me with a stunning return to form, ACDC and The Screaming Jets again showed what true Australian rock is and Judas Priest put out an epic album that even they underrated.
Best Live Performances
Saxon
Iron Maiden
Vanishing Point
Rage Against The Machine
Amon Amarth
Helloween
Mortal Sin
Judas Priest
The Angels
Crimsonfire
Ozzy Osbourne
Def Leppard
WASP
Cheap Trick
Divine Ascension
Contrive
I was conflicted about not having Iron Maiden in top spot seeing as how they're my favourite band and they were phenomenal on both nights I saw them. Honestly though Saxon could not be topped and I'm sure the few of us who got to see them would agree. They played the most comprehensive set with stacks of memorable moments. Vanishing Point were outstanding all 4 times I saw them with their final show in Australia for the year being an absolute classic. For insanity Rage Against The Machine were the winners without doubt. They were amazing and well and truly lived up to the hype. Lastly I'll talk about the fathers of power metal Helloween. I loved them and I'll always remember them because I seemed to enjoy their performance more than my mate who was the one that got me into them.
Best All Round Gigs
Screaming Symphony Benefit Show
Vanishing Point/Divine Ascension/Vampora
Helloween/Vanishing Point/Black Majesty
Iron Maiden Night 2
Mortal Sin/Contrive
WASP Night 2
Saxon/Black Majesty/Lord
Iron Maiden Night 1
WASP Night 1
Def Leppard/Cheap Trick
I again stress the importance of recognising what a perfect night of metal is. It has to be the full experience. Killer bill, surrounded by mates new and old where you end up with memories that will last a lifetime. This was the Screaming Symphony Benefit Show. I'm pleased to have a local gig in top spot even if it was an easy selection. Check out my reviews if you want more information as to why these were the gigs of the year.
Worst Live Performances
Faster Pussycat
Sevendust
Lauren Harris
Going in I knew little about Faster Pussycat and I didn't see anything that made me want to check them out further. A very average band that I thought would have impressed me. I've always loathed Sevendust while Lauren Harris is just not that interesting.
Most Disappointing Live Act
Dream Theater
I will never get over Dream Theater's performance. I am a big fan of the band and was anxious to see them. I don't feel that way now. Allegedly they played for 3 hours and yet they didn't play anywhere near enough of there well known songs. This would be ridiculous at the best of times, with it being their first trip to Australia it was practically unforgivable. Their ending of a medley that amounted to nothing when they could have played Pull Me Under or Metropolis will haunt me for years.
Top Discoveries
Divine Ascension
Damnation's Day
Nothing
Journey
Cheap Trick
Dokken/Lynch Mob
Leverage
Every year bands grab my attention for the right reasons and this year there were plenty of new discoveries. Divine Ascension were the real find and this wasn't all due to their frontwoman. They are an awesome band who I can't wait to see again. As usual a couple of bands presented themselves who I should have known more about. This year it was Journey and Cheap Trick who are both tremendous hard rock bands.
If 2009 is half as good we are set for another excellent year of metal, bring it on.
Top 10 Albums
Soulfly Conquer
Mercenary Architect Of Lies
Testament The Formation Of Damnation
Motorhead Motorizer
Motley Crue Saints Of Los Angeles
ACDC Black Ice
Firewind The Premonition
The Screaming Jets Do Ya
Dominici O3 A Trilogy Part III
Judas Priest Nostradamus
I must confess that I didn't buy nearly enough albums last year although I can't imagine I would have found anything better than Soulfly's Conquer. It was the standout album and I don't even consider myself a fan of theirs. Mercenary and Testament delivered some of their finest work to date and I thought either one would be my top choice earlier in the year. The rest is mostly made up of albums from bands that many felt were over the hill. Motorhead just continue on with the strong releases, Motley Crue surprised me with a stunning return to form, ACDC and The Screaming Jets again showed what true Australian rock is and Judas Priest put out an epic album that even they underrated.
Best Live Performances
Saxon
Iron Maiden
Vanishing Point
Rage Against The Machine
Amon Amarth
Helloween
Mortal Sin
Judas Priest
The Angels
Crimsonfire
Ozzy Osbourne
Def Leppard
WASP
Cheap Trick
Divine Ascension
Contrive
I was conflicted about not having Iron Maiden in top spot seeing as how they're my favourite band and they were phenomenal on both nights I saw them. Honestly though Saxon could not be topped and I'm sure the few of us who got to see them would agree. They played the most comprehensive set with stacks of memorable moments. Vanishing Point were outstanding all 4 times I saw them with their final show in Australia for the year being an absolute classic. For insanity Rage Against The Machine were the winners without doubt. They were amazing and well and truly lived up to the hype. Lastly I'll talk about the fathers of power metal Helloween. I loved them and I'll always remember them because I seemed to enjoy their performance more than my mate who was the one that got me into them.
Best All Round Gigs
Screaming Symphony Benefit Show
Vanishing Point/Divine Ascension/Vampora
Helloween/Vanishing Point/Black Majesty
Iron Maiden Night 2
Mortal Sin/Contrive
WASP Night 2
Saxon/Black Majesty/Lord
Iron Maiden Night 1
WASP Night 1
Def Leppard/Cheap Trick
I again stress the importance of recognising what a perfect night of metal is. It has to be the full experience. Killer bill, surrounded by mates new and old where you end up with memories that will last a lifetime. This was the Screaming Symphony Benefit Show. I'm pleased to have a local gig in top spot even if it was an easy selection. Check out my reviews if you want more information as to why these were the gigs of the year.
Worst Live Performances
Faster Pussycat
Sevendust
Lauren Harris
Going in I knew little about Faster Pussycat and I didn't see anything that made me want to check them out further. A very average band that I thought would have impressed me. I've always loathed Sevendust while Lauren Harris is just not that interesting.
Most Disappointing Live Act
Dream Theater
I will never get over Dream Theater's performance. I am a big fan of the band and was anxious to see them. I don't feel that way now. Allegedly they played for 3 hours and yet they didn't play anywhere near enough of there well known songs. This would be ridiculous at the best of times, with it being their first trip to Australia it was practically unforgivable. Their ending of a medley that amounted to nothing when they could have played Pull Me Under or Metropolis will haunt me for years.
Top Discoveries
Divine Ascension
Damnation's Day
Nothing
Journey
Cheap Trick
Dokken/Lynch Mob
Leverage
Every year bands grab my attention for the right reasons and this year there were plenty of new discoveries. Divine Ascension were the real find and this wasn't all due to their frontwoman. They are an awesome band who I can't wait to see again. As usual a couple of bands presented themselves who I should have known more about. This year it was Journey and Cheap Trick who are both tremendous hard rock bands.
If 2009 is half as good we are set for another excellent year of metal, bring it on.
