Metal Reflections 2009
It's that time of year again. Time to reflect on metal in 2009. Probably a bit weaker than years gone by, which is more of a statement about how amazing previous years have been rather than a criticism. Anyway let's get to it with the Top 10 Albums of 2009
Top 10 Albums
Heaven And Hell The Devil You Know
Megadeth Endgame
Leaves Eyes Njord
Saxon Into The Labyrinth
Stryper Murder By Pride
Slayer World Painted Blood
Anarion Beneath It All
Queensryche American Soldier
Sonata Arctica The Days of Grays
Dream Theater Black Clouds & Silver Linings
I don't buy enough CDs in a year. I'm sure Kreator and Katatonia would have made my top 10 if I'd bought them. Still what is there is reasonably strong. Heaven and Hell was always going to be number 1. In my opinion it's the second best Dio fronted Sabbath album behind Mob Rules. Megadeth released the heaviest CD they've done in years, exactly what many fans have craved for. Leaves Eyes delivered the best album they have ever done while Saxon and Stryper just keep going strong. As for KISS not making it, well most are being way to generous with their appraisal of Sonic Boom. Honestly it was more difficult to leave out Ace Frehley's Anomaly.
Best Live Performances
Alice Cooper
Death Angel
Arch Enemy
Megadeth
Queensryche
The Eternal
Kreator
Dream Theater
Pegazus
Lord
Voyager
Amon Amarth
Eyefear
Alice Cooper's performance was as good as anyone I've ever seen. Well over 20 songs, great combination of old and new material, simply as close to perfect as you are likely to get. Death Angel would have been number 1 almost any other year. Like Alice it was the first time I'd seen them, which is always appealing. Thrash doesn't come much better. Locally The Eternal put on an outstanding show early in the year while Pegazus and Lord provided traditional power metal at it's best.
Best All Round Gigs
Kreator/Mortal Sin
Voyager/Anarion/79 Revisited
Lord/Alarum/Divine Ascension
Dream Theater/Pain Of Salvation Night 2
Pegazus/79 Revisited
Lord/Deadthings/White Widow
Only a handful of all round great gigs this time. Kreator with Mortal Sin doesn't need any explanation. Quality thrash is the best to see live. The crowd is always into every song unlike most gigs. Local shows predominantly make up the rest because smaller venues are far more interesting and these days I seem to know more people than ever, which always makes it fun.
Worst Live Performances
Suffocation
Double Dragon
I wouldn't bother seeing either of these bands again. There were others but they were so average they were forgotten before the night was over.
Most Disappointing Live Act
Slayer
It's hard to acknowledge it given what a fan of Slayer I am, unfortunately though they were the disappointment of the year on the live front. Of course this was all due to Tom Araya being to ill to sing. While it was good of them to carry on the music wasn't enough and following Megadeth didn't help the situation. The only highlight was Paul Haug getting on stage to sing Dead Skin Mask, something I'm sure he'll never forget.
Top Discoveries
Voyager
79 Revisited
Pain Of Salvation
Amazing what bands are out there that I know nothing about. Perth's Voyager came to Melbourne and impressed beyond belief. I was skeptical going to the gig but was blown away. Definitely check them out.
Now it's 2010 and with ACDC, Ace Frehley and Stryper all set to go, the year is looking promising.
Top 10 Albums
Heaven And Hell The Devil You Know
Megadeth Endgame
Leaves Eyes Njord
Saxon Into The Labyrinth
Stryper Murder By Pride
Slayer World Painted Blood
Anarion Beneath It All
Queensryche American Soldier
Sonata Arctica The Days of Grays
Dream Theater Black Clouds & Silver Linings
I don't buy enough CDs in a year. I'm sure Kreator and Katatonia would have made my top 10 if I'd bought them. Still what is there is reasonably strong. Heaven and Hell was always going to be number 1. In my opinion it's the second best Dio fronted Sabbath album behind Mob Rules. Megadeth released the heaviest CD they've done in years, exactly what many fans have craved for. Leaves Eyes delivered the best album they have ever done while Saxon and Stryper just keep going strong. As for KISS not making it, well most are being way to generous with their appraisal of Sonic Boom. Honestly it was more difficult to leave out Ace Frehley's Anomaly.
Best Live Performances
Alice Cooper
Death Angel
Arch Enemy
Megadeth
Queensryche
The Eternal
Kreator
Dream Theater
Pegazus
Lord
Voyager
Amon Amarth
Eyefear
Alice Cooper's performance was as good as anyone I've ever seen. Well over 20 songs, great combination of old and new material, simply as close to perfect as you are likely to get. Death Angel would have been number 1 almost any other year. Like Alice it was the first time I'd seen them, which is always appealing. Thrash doesn't come much better. Locally The Eternal put on an outstanding show early in the year while Pegazus and Lord provided traditional power metal at it's best.
Best All Round Gigs
Kreator/Mortal Sin
Voyager/Anarion/79 Revisited
Lord/Alarum/Divine Ascension
Dream Theater/Pain Of Salvation Night 2
Pegazus/79 Revisited
Lord/Deadthings/White Widow
Only a handful of all round great gigs this time. Kreator with Mortal Sin doesn't need any explanation. Quality thrash is the best to see live. The crowd is always into every song unlike most gigs. Local shows predominantly make up the rest because smaller venues are far more interesting and these days I seem to know more people than ever, which always makes it fun.
Worst Live Performances
Suffocation
Double Dragon
I wouldn't bother seeing either of these bands again. There were others but they were so average they were forgotten before the night was over.
Most Disappointing Live Act
Slayer
It's hard to acknowledge it given what a fan of Slayer I am, unfortunately though they were the disappointment of the year on the live front. Of course this was all due to Tom Araya being to ill to sing. While it was good of them to carry on the music wasn't enough and following Megadeth didn't help the situation. The only highlight was Paul Haug getting on stage to sing Dead Skin Mask, something I'm sure he'll never forget.
Top Discoveries
Voyager
79 Revisited
Pain Of Salvation
Amazing what bands are out there that I know nothing about. Perth's Voyager came to Melbourne and impressed beyond belief. I was skeptical going to the gig but was blown away. Definitely check them out.
Now it's 2010 and with ACDC, Ace Frehley and Stryper all set to go, the year is looking promising.
