The blog has been pretty vacant the past month, so in an attempt to breathe some life into the old girl (she's really not that old) I've compiled a list of my 10 Favorite Albums and 5 favorite EP's of 2010.
I hate trying to make lists because you always forget something and chances are by the time I put these up here I'll want to change some around. So for that reason I've also put a list of honorable mentions at the bottom.
You may have noticed the album art for Circle of Contempt's album Artifacts in Motion above. Released in November 2009, it obviously doesn't fit in a list of albums for 2010. But I will say it is the one album I've listened to the most this year - and for those who know me, considering some of the albums you'll see below, you might be slightly surprised by that.
So here goes nothing and it's going to get a bit long:
Jay's Top 10 Favorite LP's of 2010
10. Dimmu Borgir - Abrahadabra
I reviewed Dimmu's most recent release about two months ago, describing how the trio of Shagrath, Silenoz and Galder, together with a near 100 member orchestra, released their first album in three years and one of Dimmu's best works in the past decade.
Abrahadabra truly puts the emphasis on the Symphonic and provides a renewed vigor to the famous symphonic black metal practitioners.
Favorite Track: Gateways
9. After the Burial - In Dreams
While the overall sound of After the Burial's most recent release is a slight change of pace from their previous release (Rareform), it was a welcome one. The music is technical, and both melodic and powerful. The vocals are excellent and the production quality of the album is truly excellent. In Dreams was an album I was hotly anticipating and came along providing me with some much needed inspiration during some particular moments during the past month.
Favorite Track: To Carry You Away
8. I The Breather - These Are My Sins
Prior to listening to I The Breather's first full-length, I had only heard snippets of their work. Their album was released only a few short weeks ago, but managed to impress me enough to both make my top 10 list for 2010, but to also surpass a slew of albums that I hadn't anticipated that it would.
The groups first album provides plenty of furious fretwork, chuggy breakdowns and some lovely, meaty djentings.
Favorite Tracks: High Rise & Doomsday
7. Kylesa - Spiral Shadow
Sludge Metal has always been one of my favorite genres of metal. Kylesa is a group I've known for years and remains in my top 3 along with Mastodon and Baroness. Kylesa's most recent work is truly a step up and a standout album in 2010 for many reviewers and metal fans alike. My personal description for Spiral Shadow is a blend of Priestess meets Mastodon and Baroness, and anyone who knows the sounds of those three groups should instantly know how good this album sounds.
Favorite Tracks: Spiral Shadow & Tired Climb
6. Dillinger Escape Plan - Option Paralysis
There's not really much that you can say negatively about the pioneers of Mathcore, especially when with their fourth release they continue to provide the same dynamic mix of technicality, brutality and discord that they are now infamous for. Option Paralysis is DEP's first release in three years and continues to push the bar in terms of the talent that these guys continue to bring to the scene.
Favorite Tracks: Gold Teeth On A Bum & Farewell, Mona Lisa
5. Deftones - Diamond Eyes
The past few years have been difficult for Deftones with bassist Chi Cheng's car accident in 2008 which has resulted in him being in a coma, and the decision to indefinitely delay their sixth album Eros. This year however, Diamond Eyes was released and provided plenty of nostalgia worthy Deftones quality and excellent tracks from start to finish. Their newest release is both refreshing and a great kickback, with tracks sounding familiar to some of their earliest recordings.
Favorite Tracks: Rocket Skates & CMND/CTRL
4. Veil of Maya - [id]
One of the bands I've lauded the most since the spawning of this blog, Veil of Maya released their third album this year. [id] continues to provide the same quality technical, prog death metal sounds that was prominent on The Common Man's Collapse. I was lucky enough to see VoM twice this year and their performance and sound quality is just as great, if not better, live. This is an album that any true prog/death metal fan should not miss.
Favorite Tracks: Unbreakable & Namaste
3. Cloudkicker - Beacons
Ben Sharp has only recently stepped out of the veil of mystery to give some interviews to the likes of Metal Injection and others. Better known as Cloudkicker this one man outfit has continued to provide listeners with intriguing, technical and high quality instrumental works over the past two years. Best of all his work is all free, and now pay what you please. Sharp is one of those rare individuals who truly makes music purely out of a love and enjoyment for it, and it shows.
Favorite Tracks: We're goin' in; we're going down & Amy I love you
2. Periphery - Self-Titled
I know a few people who will probably shit a brick when they see Periphery's self titled debut album at no. 2 on my list, but the decision wasn't simple. Misha Mansoor, and company finally released their hotly anticipated debut album this Spring, showcasing tunes familiar to longtime fans. One of the most recognizeable groups in the Djent circuit, Periphery showcases their talents on each and every track they play, with ludicrous riffs and flawless drumming by Matt Halpern to set the standard.
Favorite Tracks: Racecar, Jetpacks Was Yes! & Icarus Lives
1. The Ocean - Heliocentric / Anthropocentric
Some people would say that including two albums as a number one would be cheating, but in this case it happens to be two phenomenal albums released by the same band.
The Ocean released their magnum opus Heliocentric and Anthropocentric in 2010, nine months apart. While both albums can be taken in separately, they are both linked and according to the group represent a fundamental and philosophical critique of Christianity, with many central themes prevalent throughout each record.
The double album is The Ocean's first release in three years, since Precambrian and is without any other real way to describe it: a masterpiece. The music is both powerful, moving and unrestrained, and the way the themes are conveyed from one track to the next makes for a very remarkable listening experience. I could easily give away my personal top honors to different groups on this list, but The Ocean are the most deserving by far.
Favorite Tracks (H): The Origin of Species & The Origin of God
Favorite Tracks (A): The Grand Inquistior II & Heaven TV
Honorable Mentions
Ihsahn - After
Parkway Drive - Deep Blue
Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza - Danza III: The Series of Unfortunate Events
Soilwork - The Panic broadcast
Decrepit Birth - Polarity
Nachtmystium - Addicts
Blind Guardian - At the Edge of Time
Bison B.C. - Dark Ages
Fear Factory - Mechanize
The Sword - Warp Riders
ONAN - Hell is Other People
Now for a glance over some of my favorite, somewhat shorter releases of the year.
Jay's Top 5 Favorite EP's of 2010
5. Tight Rope - The Infinite Being
Hailing from Boston, MA Tight Rope quickly caught my attention when a friend of mine suggested one of their tracks to me. A strong EP from a talented outfit, The Infinit Being showcases some solid and meaty guitar work, and equally strong vocals by Eric Lee.
Favorit Tracks: Legion Atrophic & Ascendance
4. Cloudkicker - A New Heavenly Body (a.k.a. ]]][[[ )
Originally released in early 2010, the EP simply entitled ]]][[[ was re-released by Ben Sharp nearly a month ago, sporting improved sound quality. The slightly improved sound quality (which was already high to begin with) was not the only change. The EP gained a new title, and each track also finally gained a title, having originally been titled #, % and $, respectively.
Favorite Track: What It Is Impossible Not to Know and What It Is No Longer Permissible To Believe in the United States (a.k.a. #)
3. Structures - All of the Above
Hailing from Toronto, Structures is a group I've showcased on the Blaarg before. They've played a variety of shows in Ottawa over the past year, including a headlining performance two weeks ago, and the first time I encountered them, opening for Periphery in April. Their debut EP is powerful and a great foot into the door. This is a band that is definitely going places.
Favorite Tracks: Transitions & Encounter...
2. Volumes - The Concept of Dreaming
Volumes released their debut EP in mid-November, and after catching a few of their tracks early in the summer, it was a release that I was looking forward to. Combining elements of metalcore and groove metal with some fine djentings, and two strong vocalists, The Concept of Dreaming was a pleasant (and brutal) surprise to cap off the year that was.
Favorite Tracks: Intake & Wormholes
1. TesseracT - Concealing Fate
It may not be the full-length album that fans of TesseracT have been getting antsy for over the past year, but the group did at least finally release something to appease the masses. Concealing Fate is TesseracT's six part masterpiece, finally dispelling question of what parts three through six would actually sound like. The groups debut album One is scheduled to be released in 2011 - leaving a lot of fans skeptical but at least now hopeful, as the band has been signed by Century Media.
Favorite Track: The whole damned EP.
My apologies for the absolutely ridiculous length of this post, but hopefully it gives some people some quality music to not only check out, but enjoy - assuming they haven't already. And that would mean they just need to bust out the jams once again.
And so concludes Jay's first Year in Review, Music Edition. Keep on the lookout for some more new garbage to hit the Blaarg in the coming days/weeks.
- J
