And I really should go to the gym too... I've seen these groups at Facebook stating like, go to the gym 100 times before midsummer. I must admit that drink 100 beers before midsummer sounded more tempting but I really do need the exercise. So, why not combine the two? For every minute spent working out, I get 1cl of beer in reward! Deal!!!???
That I haven't been home very much really showed around Christmas when I started to sort out the newly bought records, update the records list and so on. A lot of records was still in shrink-wrap even though I've had them for months. Also, records I don't remember buying showed up. Of course it was fun to find them and also spend a lot of time listening to it all. There was some really nice discoveries but in the end, the pile of records listed as "could have made it to top ten if I'd listened more" became way to large to be really good. It sure feels like I've missed out on a lot. So absolutely, a bit more focused on incoming records and try to listen to them as soon as they come. Those piles is a bit because of the TPL packages. Earlier I got 3-4 batches of records each month, now it's a BIG one every 6 weeks or so which makes it harder to keep up and also, that most is on vinyl makes it hard to listen in the car...
Anyway, there's been a lot of records spinning during the year, some more than others of course. And this is the top 10;
1. ACCEPT - Blind Rage
Again ACCEPT shows they are a force to be reckoned with. I was a bit hesitant towards this album before I heard it, I'd formed an idea that it should be a repetition of "Blood of the Nations" and "Stalingrad", a bleak copy or so. It sure sounds like the mentioned two but it still is damn good! Of course it is, since it is at no 1... I'm not sure that it beats the earlier two but it still is a mighty fine moment in Metal history.
Favorite track: "Trail of Tears" (but I also need to say "The Curse")
2. ICED EARTH - Plagues of Babylon
This was a bit of a surprise. ICED EARTH has always been good but the last few albums has passed rather unnoticed. Of course, it's my own fault, getting hit by this one I picked up "Dystopia" also and that too is amazing. Stu Block sounds fantastic, a bit different from Barlow of course, but the best is that he's a Metal Head and he sure wants to be on stage and the band seems to enjoy themselves very much these days and that's why they release killer records.
Favorite track: "The Culling"
3. GRAND MAGUS - Triumph and Power
I was actually a bit disappointed with this album when I first got it and listened to it for the first time. It felt a bit too mellow. It has been the same thing with all GRAND MAGUS albums since "Iron Will" though so I gave this one a rest (read; forgot about it completely for months) and when digging it out again it all fell into place. I think the second half of the record is absolutely phenomenal. First half is absolutely not bad, not at all, but it feels a bit adjusted and stiff and not at all as vibrant as the second half. If it have had the same nerve straight through, it would have been no 1.
Favorite track: "The Naked and the Dead"
4. RIOT V - Unleash the Power
Damn... This one struck hard. Strong songs and very catchy melodies. The most fascinating is that it really sounds Riot, like Privilege of Power but still not a copy of it. And to tap Todd Michael Hall as the vocalist makes it even more perfect. Damn he's good.
Favorite track: "Land of the Rising Sun"
5. SANCTUARY - The Year the Sun Died
The album really is better than a fifth place and it would have been in top if it had been the Warrel Dane logo on it rather than Sanctuary. So with that, the record was a bit of a disappointment. I wanted a straight forward Heavy Metal record, or at least I expected it to be that. Still, this is an amazing record but it took a while to grind down my own idea of what it should be and appreciate what I got.
Favorite track: "Question Existing Fading"
6. ALL SEEING EYES - Trinity Road
This was actually a really big surprise. I got it as a promo in my mail and I normally don't check many of the download promos since there's no time and most of the is Black Metal. This one teased with Ben Jackson and I'm really glad I dug into it. 18 magnificent tracks of prog/power Metal and absolutely no fillers or low points. Amazing album!
Favorite track: "The Cube"
7. STEEL PROPHET - Omniscient
I was confused to start with, I thought the record was a bit messy but slowly and surely things fell into place. Also, getting the real record took everything up a bit since the sound of the promo I had to review wasn't the best. Also, the info about this album prior to getting the physical CD (still waiting for the vinyl) was non existent. Still, it's a damn good record and I really hope I'll get to hear a few of these tracks live!!!
Favorite track: "Through time and Space"
8. ASTRAL DOORS - Notes from the Shadows
One of Sweden's finest Classic Metal bands who has released a steady stream of good albums over the years and this is no exception. I love their vocal harmonies and very strong melodies and there's not many vocalists around that beats Patrik these days. Somewhere between Dio and Coverdale...
Favorite track: "I Die Alone"
9. BEHEMOTH - The Satanist
I was absolutely blown away by Behemoth's performance at Trägår'n in Gothenburg. Their performances are sure 100% perfection. I mean, to have the whole drum raiser set on fire, or the visual effect of giving the bassplayer and guitarist wings (as very fateful figures of course) with light effects. And that they have music to back it up with sure helps.
Favorite track: "O Father O Satan O Sun!"
10. OVERKILL - White Devil Armory
Yes, another full on from Overkill. Perhaps "Ironbound" still is a bit stronger but they sure are on fire these days. You know what you get with Overkill and it's always high quality.
Favorite track: "Pig"
And the ones just outside the list, alphabetically;
Evil Masquerade - The Digital Crucifix
Grave Digger - Return Of The Reaper
Hirax - Immortal Legacy
Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls
Magnum - Escape From The Shadow Garden
Masters Hammer - Vagus Vetus
Portrait - Crossroads
Slough Feg - Digital Resistance
Tankard - R.I.B
Wolf - Devil Seed
It sure was hard, records was moving in and out of the list. It actually took a couple of weeks to decide and a lot of evaluation for the last few spots on the list. Reviewing it again now, maybe it would have looked different... It sure was a huge bunch to chose from at least.
And the big pile that could have/should have made it into the list if I either gotten my thumb out sooner or actually gotten the records in time to have a chance to listen;
Ace Frehley - Space Invader
Apostle of Solitude - Of Woe and Wounds
Darkest Era – Severance
Elvenstorm - Blood Leads to Glory
Entombed AD - Back To The Front
Falconer - Black Moon Rising
Harmony - Theater of Redemption
Gus G. - I Am The Fire
Hands of Orlac - Figli del Crepuscolo
Hatriot - Dawn Of The New Centurion
Isole - The Calm Hunder
Midnight - No Mercy for Mayhem
Palace – The 7th Steel
Panzer - Send them All to Hell
Persian Risk - Who Am I?
Primordial - Where Greater Men Have Fallen
Reino Ermitano - Conjuros de Poder
The Skull - For Those Which Are Asleep
Triptykon - Melana Chasmata
Tyranex - Unable to Tame
If some record should have a special place here, it is absolutely Hellion "Karma's Bitch". It doesn't qualify in the lists since it's not a full length album (stupid rule really). I'm really glad they are back at least. "The Black Book" is one of my favorite albums ever. Seeing Ann Boleyn with Detente a few years ago was amazing but I sure hope I'll get to see Hellion live too! And that SOON!
Another, which I've missed completely and actually was released in 2013 that I need to mention is Salem's "Forgotten Dreams". I don't know why I've missed this one and shame on me for that. Getting it and giving it a spin sure blew me away. Amazing album that both feels Old School, modern and damn vital.
And Peter's Top 10 of the year list;
1. Judas Priest – Redeemer of Souls
2. Overkill – White Devil Armory
3. Grave Digger – Return of the Reaper
4. Portrait – Crossroads
5. Palace – The 7th Steel
6. AC/DC – Rock or Bust
7. Darkest Era – Severance
8. Accept – Blind Rage
9. Apostle of Solitude – Of Woe and Wounds
10. Slough Feg - Digital Resistance
We actually discussed if it would have been fun to list the records that has meant the most or had the biggest impact over the year, new or old. That would have been quite interesting because there's so many forgotten pearls in the collection so it's bound to show up one forgotten or bypassed goodie every year... But perhaps next year! And this is how the rest of the Metal Kaoz crew voted;
There has of course been a lot of good concerts also but I think I take another blogg entry for those! Thinking back of 2014 I realized I've done a hell load of fun things, the downside I haven't had very much time to enjoy them very much. It's been good weekends followed by stressful weeks at work and very little rest. It's not the optimal way of living, I know but I do need to have the fun to be able to handle the weeks also... At least on a few occasions. And, I wouldn't want to miss to see my favorite bands play live either, especially when they're playing quite close by. So again, I'll try to take it a bit easy and try to relax more to be able to enjoy all the fun things I do fully!!! (and have a beer for every workout I do!!!)
Cheers
E
NP: Panzer - Send Them All to Hell
