Here are my choices for the top 30 CDs of 2008 (there are 10 per page).
21. Motorhead - 'Motorizer' (SPV)
SPV Records
Motorizer is Motorhead's 24th album. That's a truly remarkable feat. What else is remarkable is that at age 62, Lemmy is going as strong as ever. Guitarist Phil Campbell has been with the band since 1984, and his catchy riffs and blazing solos are the backbone of the Motorhead sound.
The days of radio hits like "Ace Of Spades" or "Eat The Rich" are long gone, but Motorizer has anthems like "Rock Out" and "Back On The Chain" that are as memorable and catchy as any of their singles. It's refreshing to hear a group that's been around so long playing with so much energy and passion, and sounding like they're having a blast doing it.
22. Belphegor - 'Bondage Goat Zombie' (Nuclear Blast)
Nuclear Blast Records
For their seventh studio album, Austrian black metal veterans Belphegor used an author for inspiration. They delved into the disturbing world of Marquis De Sade (sadism comes from his name) to create dark and sometimes twisted lyrical and musical imagery.
Bondage Goat Zombie is a title that will grab your attention, and the music does as well. It's black metal with death metal influences. The songs range from slow, ominous dirges to fast, blast-beat driven evil. There are some typical black metal sounding tracks, but others that are much groovier with excellent guitar riffs and solos.
23. Krisiun - 'Southern Storm' (Century Media)
Century Media Records
Krisiun delivers a potent brand of death metal with Southern Storm. The songs are diverse, with crushing riffs speeding up into frenzied solos. Subtlety and extreme metal don't usually go together, but listen closely and you'll hear small nuances that make these songs very memorable.
Drummer Max Kolesne is able to play the typical death metal blast beats at warp speed, but where he excels is playing drum patterns that are creative and help Krisiun have a distinctive sound. The three brothers in Krisiun decided to cover a song from Sepultura, another Brazilian band with brothers (Max and Igor Cavalera). Their version of "Refuse/Resist" doesn't quite live up to the original, but it does it justice.
24. Dragonforce - 'Ultra Beatdown' (Roadrunner)
Roadrunner Records
Like their previous CDs, Ultra Beatdown is packed with fast, melodic songs and mind boggling shredding. Dragonforce has the knack for kicking off albums with great singles, and "Heroes Of Our Time" is no exception. There are several songs like that with really catchy melodies and superlative guitar work from Herman Li and Sam Totman.
While they have a very distinctive sound, Dragonforce works harder on this CD to add diversity. There are tempo changes, and even a ballad or two. While the guitarists get most of the attention, Z.P. Theart is an underrated singer. His vocals are strong and powerful with a lot of range. Ultra Beatdown is an over the top dose of audio adrenaline that will inspire people to pick up a guitar or Guitar Hero
25. The Sword - 'Gods Of The Earth' (Kemado)
Kemada Records
The Sword have really stepped it up on Gods Of The Earth, their second full-length. Their core sound is fully intact, with plenty of thick, heavy Black Sabbath riffs. The major improvement on this CD is the songwriting. There is much less repetition than on their debut, more diversity, and the songs are catchier with better hooks and more memorable riffs.
Another thing The Sword does on this CD is up the thrash factor. There are many more thrash riffs and influences, which combined with the doomy parts and retro vibe makes for some crushing songs. Gods Of The Earth is a definite progression for The Sword, and has something for fans into newer doom/stoner groups like High On Fire, or those who like the classics like Sabbath.
26. Torche - 'Meanderthal' (Hydra Head)
Hydra Head Records
Meanderthal (which is a great title), is chock full of doomy, sludgy riffs. It's also packed with pop hooks and catchy melodies. Instead of plodding along at slow speeds and demolishing everything in their path, Torche speeds up the tempo, which tempers some of the intensity but really amps up the groove.
Steve Brooks' vocals are melodic, which adds to the music's accessibility. Even though Torche claim they aren't a metal band, there are plenty of metal elements on Meanderthal to satisfy doom/sludge fans. There's also plenty of melody and groove to satisfy rock and maybe even pop fans.
27. Genghis Tron - 'Board Up The House' (Relapse)
Relapse Records
Board Up The House is a very diverse CD. Genghis Tron's sound incorporates everything from grindcore to traditional metal to doom metal to electronica to industrial. Their style has been dubbed "cybergrind." Some songs are thick and heavy with a pounding drum machine, while others are more sparse and introspective with a lot of melody.
The vocals are mostly screams buried in the mix with some melodic singing. Dillinger Escape Plan's Greg Puciato also makes a guest appearance on a track. Putting synths and keyboards into more extreme music is always polarizing (using a drum machine and sequenced bass is even more so), but Genghis Tron does it in a creative and appealing way
28. Cradle Of Filth - 'Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder' (Roadrunner)
Roadrunner Records
Gilles de Rais is the perfect person for Cradle Of Filth to develop a concept album around. His story is a compelling one, filled with twists and turns, good and evil, controversy and lingering questions about his life and crimes. Musically Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder is right in line with what Cradle Of Filth has been doing on their recent albums. It's symphonic black metal with a lot of gothic elements.
The songs are melodic and symphonic, but also are a bit heavier than Cradle Of Filth's last few releases. Dani Filth is a really diverse vocalist, transitioning from growls to screams to yells to melodic singing. Longtime backing vocalist Sarah Jezebel Deva also lends her skills to a couple of songs.29. Ayreon - '01011001' (SPV)
SPV Records
The songs on the CDs are extraordinarily diverse, and Ayreon's plethora of guests just adds to that. Some songs are heavy, dark and bombastic, some are progressive and dreamy while others are melodic and memorable. You'll hear nearly every genre under the sun, including power metal, classical, progressive, industrial, folk, electronica and rock.
Vocally 01011001 is also very eclectic. From mainsream melodic vocals to soaring power metal singing to dark and ominous growls to ethereal female vocals, this album has something for everyone. It's a musical tour de force that takes the listener on a musical journey with an interesting storyline and very well-written songs.
30. Children Of Bodom - ' Blooddrunk' (Spinefarm)
Spinefarm Records
Blooddrunk doesn't deviate much from past Children Of Bodom CDs, with thrashy riffs, shredding guitar solos, prominent synths and melodic hooks. The songs are heavy and dark, thickly constructed with layers of guitars and keyboards and plenty of solos from each. Alexi Laiho's guitar wizardry hasn't diminished at all, and he puts on some dazzling displays.
Laiho's trademark raspy vocals are unmistakable, and delivered with a lot of energy and emotion. Children Of Bodom expertly blend extremity and intensity with melody and catchiness. Blooddrunk isn't one of their all time best albums, but it's another solid effort that will continue Children Of Bodom's ascent to being one of the most popular metal bands in the world.
