Metal Reflections 2010
Sadly 2010 will forever be remembered for the losses of Ronnie James Dio, Steve Lee and Peter Steele. Dio has a legacy no one could surpass and I consider myself fortunate to have seen Heaven And Hell. Bizarrely The Devil You Know was my number 1 album this time last year. The other 2 were also huge losses in their own right, selfishly I am disappointed I'll never see Gotthard and Type O Negative. All 3 will be missed. Onto better topic let's kick off with what I consider the top 10 albums of 2010
Top 10 Albums
Soulfly Omen
Angra Aqua
Death Angel Relentless Retribution
Black Label Society Order of the Black
Ozzy Osbourne Scream
Overkill Ironbound
James Labrie Static Impulse
Iron Maiden The Final Frontier
Firewind Days of Defiance
Helloween 7 Sinners
Soulfly again. Even I am surprised. Omen though is brilliant and better than Conquer which says a lot. Angra made a welcome return to form although I am biased towards them. The same goes for Death Angel. Any doubts over the Zakk/Ozzy split proved to be unnecessary. Both Black Label Society and Ozzy released stellar albums even if I seemed to be the only one that thought this about Ozzy's Scream. Gus G was not content with one appearance and doubled up with Firewind. As for Iron Maiden, while I love The Final Frontier it didn't fulfill the hype. I think A Matter Of Life And Death is far superior. All in all though a great year for CDs.
Best Live Performances
ACDC
Overkill
Stryper
Devin Townsend
The Eternal
Bon Jovi
Mortal Sin
Voyager
Ace Frehley
Metallica
Exodus
Contrive
3 times I saw ACDC and each time was great. The first night was emotional when they played High Voltage with Bon Scott pictures appeared on the screens. 2010 also marked the first time I saw Overkill, Stryper and Bon Jovi, which was amazing. The local scene was slow but The Eternal, Mortal Sin and Voyager flew the flag.
Best Nights
The Eternal/Meltgsnow/Divine Ascension
Stryper
Lord/The Eternal/Damnation's Day/Winterstorm
Overkill/Mortal Sin
Exodus/Frankenbok/Subtruck
ACDC Night 1
Black Majesty/Eyefear/Orpheus
Voyager/Toehider/79 Revisited
Seeing Meltgsnow was incredible. Meeting Meltgsnow was something else. An experience that is difficult to describe and one that can't be repeated. Having The Eternal headline the night made this my favourite metal night of 2010. Despite them having a forgettable support band Stryper was very special. For a start they were phenomenal live and Michael Sweet's interaction with the crowd wasnot preachy and was what Paul Stanley would like to be able to do. Add to this that my good mate Shane delivered the comment "that it's a Stryper gig there's no way I'm drinking light beer" I got a hug from one of my metal heroes, Mortification mainman Steve Rowe and that I didn't have to wait for a Taxi and you have close to a perfect night. I later joked that it was a night that could convert you to Christianity.
Worst Live Performances
Lamb Of God
Not much to say here, simply not what I enjoy.
Most Disappointing Live Act
Testament
This sums up that were no real let downs this year. With a shorter set and no encore Testament were just not up to the previous times they've been here.
Top Discoveries
Meltgsnow
Scar The Surface
Winterstorm
ReVamp
While I can't say I had any pre conceived ideas Meltgsnow were nothing like what I expected from a metal band from Singapore. Great music and as entertaining as you'll see. Still suffering from the loss of After Forever, it was nice to hear Floor Jansen's voice on the ReVamp album.
2011 should be another solid year. The news of Metal Central is the most exciting. Finally there will be monthly local gigs. It's about time!
Top 10 Albums
Soulfly Omen
Angra Aqua
Death Angel Relentless Retribution
Black Label Society Order of the Black
Ozzy Osbourne Scream
Overkill Ironbound
James Labrie Static Impulse
Iron Maiden The Final Frontier
Firewind Days of Defiance
Helloween 7 Sinners
Soulfly again. Even I am surprised. Omen though is brilliant and better than Conquer which says a lot. Angra made a welcome return to form although I am biased towards them. The same goes for Death Angel. Any doubts over the Zakk/Ozzy split proved to be unnecessary. Both Black Label Society and Ozzy released stellar albums even if I seemed to be the only one that thought this about Ozzy's Scream. Gus G was not content with one appearance and doubled up with Firewind. As for Iron Maiden, while I love The Final Frontier it didn't fulfill the hype. I think A Matter Of Life And Death is far superior. All in all though a great year for CDs.
Best Live Performances
ACDC
Overkill
Stryper
Devin Townsend
The Eternal
Bon Jovi
Mortal Sin
Voyager
Ace Frehley
Metallica
Exodus
Contrive
3 times I saw ACDC and each time was great. The first night was emotional when they played High Voltage with Bon Scott pictures appeared on the screens. 2010 also marked the first time I saw Overkill, Stryper and Bon Jovi, which was amazing. The local scene was slow but The Eternal, Mortal Sin and Voyager flew the flag.
Best Nights
The Eternal/Meltgsnow/Divine Ascension
Stryper
Lord/The Eternal/Damnation's Day/Winterstorm
Overkill/Mortal Sin
Exodus/Frankenbok/Subtruck
ACDC Night 1
Black Majesty/Eyefear/Orpheus
Voyager/Toehider/79 Revisited
Seeing Meltgsnow was incredible. Meeting Meltgsnow was something else. An experience that is difficult to describe and one that can't be repeated. Having The Eternal headline the night made this my favourite metal night of 2010. Despite them having a forgettable support band Stryper was very special. For a start they were phenomenal live and Michael Sweet's interaction with the crowd wasnot preachy and was what Paul Stanley would like to be able to do. Add to this that my good mate Shane delivered the comment "that it's a Stryper gig there's no way I'm drinking light beer" I got a hug from one of my metal heroes, Mortification mainman Steve Rowe and that I didn't have to wait for a Taxi and you have close to a perfect night. I later joked that it was a night that could convert you to Christianity.
Worst Live Performances
Lamb Of God
Not much to say here, simply not what I enjoy.
Most Disappointing Live Act
Testament
This sums up that were no real let downs this year. With a shorter set and no encore Testament were just not up to the previous times they've been here.
Top Discoveries
Meltgsnow
Scar The Surface
Winterstorm
ReVamp
While I can't say I had any pre conceived ideas Meltgsnow were nothing like what I expected from a metal band from Singapore. Great music and as entertaining as you'll see. Still suffering from the loss of After Forever, it was nice to hear Floor Jansen's voice on the ReVamp album.
2011 should be another solid year. The news of Metal Central is the most exciting. Finally there will be monthly local gigs. It's about time!
