Here are my choices for the top 30 CDs of 2008 (there are 10 per page).
11. Evergrey - 'Torn' (SPV)
SPV Records
After bringing in outside producers and focusing and polishing their sound last time around, Torn was produced by the band. The songs are also a return to Evergrey's classic sound: dark, heavy and atmospheric. They've kept some elements of Monday Morning Apocalypse, but overall it's more in the vein of albums like Recreation Day.
The songs on Torn blend power and progressive metal with a lot of melody. The riffs are heavy, and the keyboards are utilized very effectively, injecting atmosphere and mood without being too obstrusive or distracting. Tom S. Englund has a distinctive voice. He sings with a lot of emotion and really sells the lyrics. He also has a good amount of power and range.
12. Hail Of Bullets - 'Of Frost And War' (Metal Blade)
Metal Blade Records
Death metal and war go hand in hand, and Of Frost And War is a concept album about the Eastern front battles of World War II. Hail Of Bullets plays old school death metal that's straightforward and crushing. They do a nice job of changing up tempos so the album doesn't sound like one long song. The lyrics are interesting, and if you read them you might learn something about history.
Martin van Drunen's vocals are an acquired taste. They are raspy and a bit higher pitched than the usual death metal vocals. They take a while to get used to, but his emotional style is perfect for the album's subject matter. Of Frost And War is old school death metal at its finest.
13. Testament - 'The Formation Of Damnation' (Nuclear Blast)
Nuclear Blast Records
On Formation Of Damnation Testament has taken their old school experience and familiarity with each other along with renewed energy and passion to create a CD that's both mature and modern. The return of Alex Skolnick has added an extra dimension to the band's sound. His guitar wizardry and searing solos propel the songs which are intense and heavy, but also have plenty of melody.
Chuck Billy's vocals are aggressive and edgy, whether he's singing or growling. There's been a lot of anticipation for this CD, and if you've never been much of a Testament fan this won't convert you. But for fans and thrash lovers, The Formation Of Damnation is an imperfect but ultimately satisfying release.
14. Soulfly - 'Conquer' (Roadrunner)
Roadrunner Records
Max Cavalera likes to travel the world to get inspiration for his songs, and for Conquer he journeyed to Egypt. In addition to Soulfly's thrashy guitars and tribal rhythms, there are Middle Eastern sounds utilized on the album. It's a furious and intense release, with dark and angry songs. But Soulfly also manages to infuse melody and groove, and this batch of songs is really memorable.
Cavalera is a peerless frontman and excellent vocalist, and his prowess is on full display. But guitarist Marc Rizzo is just as important to Soulfly's sound, and his creative riffs, fills and solos drive the music. Their rhythm section of Bobby Burns (bass) and Joe Nunez (drums) is also rock solid and provides a really strong foundation.
15. Keep Of Kalessin - 'Kolossus' (Nuclear Blast)
Nuclear Blast Records
Kolossus is Keep Of Kalessin's most diverse effort so far. They aren't just a traditional black metal band, although there is plenty of that on the album. You'll also hear thrash metal, black and roll, death metal and a lot of progressive influences. Atmospheric, symphonic songs shift into evil black metal. Groovy, melodic songs transform into epic progressive tunes with great guitar riffs and solos.
There are a lot of different vocal styles. Thebon does a typical black metal rasp, combination thrash style yelling/singing and melodic singing. Keep Of Kalessin is quickly becoming one of the rising bands in black metal, and Kolossus, with its excellent musicianship, songwriting and variety will take them to even higher levels.
16. Hate Eternal - 'Fury And Flames' (Metal Blade)
Metal Blade Records
Fury And Flames is an unrelenting barrage of crushing death metal devastation. The songs are monstrously heavy and brutal, played with great technical skill. The dual guitars sound great, and Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse) is a virtuoso on the bass guitar. In death metal the drums are especially important, and Jade Simonetto's style is fast and thunderous.
Fury And Flames is an angry CD, but Erik Rutan also expresses his grief and frustration through Hate Eternal's music. The raw emotion along with the outstanding musicianship makes this a very powerful CD.17. Cynic - 'Traced In Air' (Season Of Mist)
Season Of Mist
Cynic were destined to be one of the great one album wonders in metal history. 1993's Focus was a masterpiece of progressive death metal, and after its release the band dissolved. But fifteen years they are back together and have recorded a new CD. Prog fans have been waiting for this one, wondering if it could possibly live up to Focus.
Traced In Air answers that with a resounding yes. The band's songwriting is as good as ever, and the modern production makes it come to life even more. The songs are complex and progressive, blending heavy and intense metal parts with airy and jazzy mellow sections. Technically flawless, but with the looseness of improvisation, the CD combines the best of both worlds.
18. Byzantine - 'Oblivion Beckons' (Prosthetic)
Prosthetic Records
Oblivion Beckons is the band's third CD. Byzantine blends modern and technical metal with old school thrash. Complex, precise riffs are punctuated by extended guitar solos. Brutal and aggressive songs evolve into lengthy progressive jams. This is a band that has the discipline and chops to play very technically, and the creativity to explore their experimental and progressive side.
With a CD that is so diverse, the vocalist needs to keep up, and O.J. Ojeda has no problem moving from angry screams to yells to melodic vocals. Oblivion Beckons is an impressive display of musicianship and songwriting, and Byzantine's ability to pull off thrash, technical metal, prog and even an acoustic instrumental makes it a very well done CD.
19. Korpiklaani - 'Korven Kuningas' (Nuclear Blast)
Nuclear Blast Records
Korven Kuningas (which means "King Of The Woods) continues Korpiklaani's trademark style of Finnish humppa. There are uptempo drinking songs along with traditional folk songs using instruments like the violin, flute and accordion. They even slow things down with an acoustic ballad. Korpiklaani performs their music with a lot of energy and joy, and the songs are very melodic with tons of hooks and singalong choruses.
As usual, a lot of Jonne Jarvela's vocals are in Finnish, with some English lyrics as well. Korpiklaani have really perfected their sound on Korven Kuningas. The songs are similar to what they've done in the past, but better written, catchier and more diverse.
20. Warbringer - 'War Without End' (Century Media)
Century Media Records
War Without End takes you back to the old school, with giant riffs and lengthy shredding solos. It's raw and aggressive, but also very catchy and memorable. Warbringer is obviously inspired by classic thrash bands, but aren't a carbon copy of any of them. Instead you'll hear influences of many different bands in their sound, including Slayer, Metallica, Testament, Exodus and many others.
John Kevill is Warbringer's vocalist, and he's a good one. From growls to screams to shouts, his angry and emotional vocals deliver lyrics about war and violence. There are also several gang shoutalong choruses. War Without End is an excellent debut, and Warbringer has the potential to be one of the leaders of the new wave of thrash metal.
