Metal Storm Awards 2005
Ironically, a lot of good albums means a lot of headache for Staff members when it comes to our annual Awards. This year we had to write over 200 short descriptions for the nominees - please excuse the literary quality of some of them, the process was rather hasty. Anyway, the important thing here is of course the voting itself - and now we finally have the results of it!
Most of the winners are quite obvious, but there are also some surprises - both pleasant and unpleasant (like some of the better albums being trampled over by those more popular). Well, that's the nature of any voting - no matter the result, someone is guaranteed to get disappointed...
We have received a lot of feedback from the bands we nominated. Our congradulations to those who have won! Also, huge thanks to those who supported our Awards - we had a massive inflow of new users (over 3000!), let's hope at least some of them stay now that the voting is over
As last year, there's one category that doesn't require voting, but is chosen by the Staff - The Best Drama of the year. You're gonna love this one.
Most of the winners are quite obvious, but there are also some surprises - both pleasant and unpleasant (like some of the better albums being trampled over by those more popular). Well, that's the nature of any voting - no matter the result, someone is guaranteed to get disappointed...
We have received a lot of feedback from the bands we nominated. Our congradulations to those who have won! Also, huge thanks to those who supported our Awards - we had a massive inflow of new users (over 3000!), let's hope at least some of them stay now that the voting is over
As last year, there's one category that doesn't require voting, but is chosen by the Staff - The Best Drama of the year. You're gonna love this one.
Best albums by genre
Alternative Metal
System Of A Down - Mezmerize
Avantgarde Metal
Arcturus - Sideshow Symphonies
Black Metal
Deathspell Omega - Kenose
Death Metal
Nile - Annihilation Of The Wicked
Doom Metal
Candlemass - Candlemass
Folk Metal
Korpiklaani - Voice Of The Wilderness
Gothic Metal
Paradise Lost - Paradise Lost
Grindcore
Napalm Death - The Code Is Red... Long Live The Code
Heavy Metal
Judas Priest - Angel Of Retribution
Industrial Metal
Fear Factory - Transgression
Melodeath/Gothenburg
Dark Tranquillity - Character
Power Metal
Kamelot - The Black Halo
Progressive Metal
Opeth - Ghost Reveries
Suomi Metal
Sentenced - The Funeral Album
Symphonic Metal
Epica - Consign To Oblivion
Thrash Metal
Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor
System Of A Down - Mezmerize
Avantgarde Metal
Arcturus - Sideshow Symphonies
Black Metal
Deathspell Omega - Kenose
Death Metal
Nile - Annihilation Of The Wicked
Doom Metal
Candlemass - Candlemass
Folk Metal
Korpiklaani - Voice Of The Wilderness
Gothic Metal
Paradise Lost - Paradise Lost
Grindcore
Napalm Death - The Code Is Red... Long Live The Code
Heavy Metal
Judas Priest - Angel Of Retribution
Industrial Metal
Fear Factory - Transgression
Melodeath/Gothenburg
Dark Tranquillity - Character
Power Metal
Kamelot - The Black Halo
Progressive Metal
Opeth - Ghost Reveries
Suomi Metal
Sentenced - The Funeral Album
Symphonic Metal
Epica - Consign To Oblivion
Thrash Metal
Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor
Other awards
The Best Cover Song
Demons And Wizards - Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin)
The Best Debut Album
Equilibrium - Turis Fratyr
The Best Demo
Nanowar - Others Bands Play Nanowar Gay!
The Best DVD
In Flames - Used And Abused... In Live We Trust
The Best Video
Dark Tranquillity - Lost To Apathy
The Biggest Letdown
Children Of Bodom - Are You Dead Yet?
Demons And Wizards - Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin)
The Best Debut Album
Equilibrium - Turis Fratyr
The Best Demo
Nanowar - Others Bands Play Nanowar Gay!
The Best DVD
In Flames - Used And Abused... In Live We Trust
The Best Video
Dark Tranquillity - Lost To Apathy
The Biggest Letdown
Children Of Bodom - Are You Dead Yet?
Special award
The Best Alternative Metal Album
1. | System Of A Down - Mezmerize | 229 |
2. | Soulfly - Dark Ages | 211 |
3. | System Of A Down - Hypnotize | 134 |
4. | DevilDriver - The Fury Of Our Maker's Hand | 118 |
5. | Korn - See You On The Other Side | 70 |
6. | Burst - Origo | 64 |
7. | Life Of Agony - Broken Valley | 26 |
8. | Minus 45 Degrees - Mute | 22 |
9. | Cave In - Perfect Pitch Black | 21 |
The Best Avantgarde Metal Album
1. | Arcturus - Sideshow Symphonies | 244 |
2. | The Mars Volta - Amputechture | 95 |
3. | Pelican - The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon The Thaw | 85 |
4. | Fantômas - Suspended Animation | 69 |
5. | Ephel Duath - Pain Necessary To Know | 44 |
6. | Sigh - Gallows Gallery | 38 |
7. | Buckethead - Enter The Chicken | 28 |
8. | Subterranean Masquerade - Suspended Animation Dreams | 15 |
9. | Lightning Bolt - Hypermagic Mountain | 11 |
The Best Black Metal Album
1. | Deathspell Omega - Kénôse | 60 |
2. | Drudkh - Лебединий Шлях (The Swan Road) | 56 |
3. | Shining - IV - The Eerie Cold | 53 |
4. | LIK - | 52 |
5. | Gehenna - WW | 29 |
6. | Krieg - Sono Lo Scherno | 23 |
7. | Mütiilation - Rattenkönig | 22 |
Astrofaes - Those Whose Past Is Immortal | 22 | |
9. | Kataxu - Hunger Of Elements | 18 |
Ondskapt - Dödens Evangelium | 18 |
The Best Death Metal Album
1. | Nile - Annihilation Of The Wicked | 327 |
2. | Obituary - Frozen In Time | 144 |
3. | Bolt Thrower - Those Once Loyal | 131 |
4. | Coprofago - Unorthodox Creative Criteria | 71 |
5. | Gorefest - La Muerte | 66 |
6. | Hate Eternal - I, Monarch | 50 |
7. | Beheaded - Ominous Bloodline | 24 |
8. | Immolation - Harnessing Ruin | 23 |
9. | Withered - Memento Mori | 12 |
The Best Doom Metal Album
1. | Candlemass - Candlemass | 211 |
2. | Swallow The Sun - Ghosts Of Loss | 152 |
3. | Cathedral - The Garden Of Unearthly Delights | 84 |
4. | Mourning Beloveth - A Murderous Circus | 33 |
5. | Tyranny - Tides Of Awakening | 27 |
6. | Evoken - Antithesis Of Light | 26 |
7. | Reverend Bizarre - II: Crush The Insects | 23 |
8. | Pantheïst - Amartia | 22 |
9. | Mournful Congregation - The Monad Of Creation | 17 |
10. | Beatrik - Requiem Of December | 12 |
The Best Folk Metal Album
1. | Korpiklaani - Voice Of Wilderness | 183 |
2. | Moonsorrow - Verisäkeet | 149 |
3. | Mägo De Oz - Gaia II - La Voz Dormida | 96 |
4. | Equilibrium - Turis Fratyr | 91 |
5. | Falkenbach - Heralding - The Fireblade | 76 |
6. | Midnattsol - Where Twilight Dwells | 67 |
7. | Primordial - The Gathering Wilderness | 59 |
8. | Lumsk - Troll | 47 |
9. | Uaral - Sounds Of Pain | 19 |
The Best Gothic Metal Album
1. | Paradise Lost - Paradise Lost | 227 |
2. | Tristania - Ashes | 180 |
3. | Lacrimosa - Lichtgestalt | 121 |
4. | Beseech - Sunless Days | 92 |
5. | The Old Dead Tree - The Perpetual Motion | 43 |
6. | Macbeth - Malae Artes | 40 |
7. | Fields Of The Nephilim - Mourning Sun | 34 |
8. | The Vision Bleak - Carpathia - A Dramatic Poem | 24 |
9. | Evereve - Tried & Failed | 15 |
The Best Grindcore Album
1. | Napalm Death - The Code Is Red... Long Live The Code | 168 |
2. | Cryptopsy - Once Was Not | 146 |
3. | Rotten Sound - Exit | 59 |
4. | Cephalic Carnage - Anomalies | 49 |
5. | Origin - Echoes Of Decimation | 33 |
6. | Cliteater - Eat Clit Or Die | 26 |
7. | Elis - Left In Grisly Fashion | 20 |
8. | Antigama - Zeroland | 11 |
The Best Heavy Metal Album
1. | Judas Priest - Angel Of Retribution | 313 |
2. | Bruce Dickinson - Tyranny Of Souls | 237 |
3. | Black Label Society - Mafia | 175 |
4. | Grave Digger - The Last Supper | 74 |
5. | Freak Kitchen - Organic | 50 |
6. | Nightmare - The Dominion Gate | 49 |
7. | Machine Men - Elegies | 43 |
The Best Industrial Metal Album
1. | Fear Factory - Transgression | 218 |
2. | Nine Inch Nails - With Teeth | 131 |
3. | Jesu - Jesu | 61 |
4. | KMFDM - Hau Ruck | 48 |
5. | Rammstein - Rosenrot | 20 |
The Best Melodeath/Gothenburg Album
1. | Dark Tranquillity - Character | 357 |
2. | Arch Enemy - Doomsday Machine | 245 |
3. | Hypocrisy - Virus | 183 |
4. | Soilwork - Stabbing The Drama | 97 |
5. | Detonation - Portals To Uphobia | 36 |
6. | Aborted - The Archaic Abattoir | 32 |
7. | Nightrage - Descent Into Chaos | 31 |
8. | Hatesphere - The Sickness Within | 24 |
The Best Power Metal Album
1. | Kamelot - The Black Halo | 371 |
2. | Gamma Ray - Majestic | 189 |
3. | Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys - The Legacy | 187 |
4. | Masterplan - Aeronautics | 91 |
5. | Kiuas - The Spirit Of Ukko | 45 |
6. | Shaman - Reason | 42 |
7. | Thunderstone - Tools Of Destruction | 33 |
8. | Heed - The Call | 26 |
9. | Firewind - Forged By Fire | 23 |
10. | Dreamaker - Enclosed | 17 |
The Best Progressive Metal Album
1. | Opeth - Ghost Reveries | 693 |
2. | Dream Theater - Octavarium | 170 |
3. | Beyond Twilight - Section X | 49 |
4. | Porcupine Tree - Deadwing | 43 |
Vanishing Point - Embrace The Silence | 43 | |
6. | Stream Of Passion - Embrace The Storm | 42 |
Riverside - Second Life Syndrome | 42 | |
8. | Green Carnation - The Quiet Offspring | 30 |
9. | James LaBrie - Elements Of Persuasion | 22 |
Shadow Gallery - Room V | 22 |
The Best Suomi Metal Album
1. | Sentenced - The Funeral Album | 358 |
2. | HIM - Dark Light | 178 |
3. | Charon - Songs For The Sinners | 171 |
4. | Lullacry - Vol. 4 | 66 |
5. | To/Die/For - IV | 57 |
6. | Entwine - Sliver | 30 |
The Best Symphonic Metal Album
1. | Epica - Consign To Oblivion | 232 |
2. | Leaves' Eyes - Vinland Saga | 204 |
3. | After Forever - Remagine | 152 |
4. | Epica - The Score - An Epic Journey | 34 |
5. | Stravaganzza - Sentimientos | 30 |
The Best Thrash Metal Album
1. | Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor | 309 |
2. | Kreator - Enemy Of God | 293 |
3. | Exodus - Shovel Headed Kill Machine | 124 |
4. | Meshuggah - Catch Thirtythree | 90 |
5. | Gojira - From Mars To Sirius | 57 |
Annihilator - Schizo Deluxe | 57 | |
7. | Destruction - Inventor Of Evil | 38 |
8. | Biomechanical - The Empires Of The Worlds | 29 |
9. | Dead Head - Haatland | 12 |
10. | Arise - The Beautiful New World | 10 |
The Best Cover Song
1. | Demons & Wizards - Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin) | 206 |
2. | Nightwish - High Hopes (Pink Floyd) | 187 |
3. | Swallow The Sun - Solitude (Candlemass) | 76 |
4. | Fear Factory - I Will Follow (U2) | 52 |
5. | Exhumed - Trapped Under Ice (Metallica) | 51 |
6. | To/Die/For - New Years Day (U2) | 45 |
7. | Entwine - Carry On Dancing (Savage Garden) | 44 |
8. | Anorexia Nervosa - La Chouanne (Forbidden Site) | 28 |
9. | Children Of Bodom - Oops I Did It Again (Britney Spears) | 20 |
The Best Debut Album
1. | Equilibrium - Turis Fratyr | 141 |
2. | Stream Of Passion - Embrace The Storm | 118 |
3. | Savage Circus - Dreamland Manor | 113 |
4. | Tyranny - Tides Of Awakening | 31 |
5. | Wraith Of The Ropes - Ada | 21 |
6. | Hell Militia - Canonisation Of The Foul Spirit | 12 |
AnachroniA - The Endless Agony | 12 | |
8. | Withered - Memento Mori | 11 |
9. | Remembrance - Frail Visions | 10 |
The Best Demo
1. | Nanowar Of Steel - Other Bands Play Nanowar Gay! | 134 |
2. | Evile - All Hallows Eve | 63 |
3. | Kivimetsän Druidi - Taival | 55 |
4. | Nicta - Let The Darkness Welcome You | 35 |
5. | Sarsekim - Paroxysm | 27 |
6. | Led Astray - Denying The Inevitable | 26 |
It Will Come - 47 | 26 | |
8. | Eyeconoclast - Clustered Dead Ending Corridors | 18 |
9. | Bios - Theater Control Law | 17 |
The Best DVD
1. | In Flames - Used And Abused... In Live We Trust | 168 |
2. | Evergrey - A Night To Remember | 103 |
3. | My Dying Bride - Sinamorata | 77 |
4. | Pain Of Salvation - "BE" | 75 |
5. | Sodom - Lords Of Depravity, Part I | 69 |
6. | HIM - Love Metal Archives Vol. 1 | 62 |
7. | The Gathering - A Sound Relief | 50 |
8. | Danzig - Il Demonio Nera | 12 |
The Best Video
1. | Dark Tranquillity - Lost To Apathy | 141 |
2. | Nightwish - Sleeping Sun 2005 | 139 |
3. | Kamelot - The Haunting | 126 |
4. | Sentenced - Ever-frost | 106 |
5. | Korpiklaani - Kädet Siipina | 62 |
6. | Leaves' Eyes - Elegy | 46 |
7. | Novembers Doom - The Pale Haunt Departure | 37 |
8. | Meshuggah - Shed | 34 |
9. | Darkane - Secondary Effects | 22 |
The Biggest Letdown
1. | Children Of Bodom - Are You Dead Yet? | 45 |
2. | Stratovarius - Stratovarius | 23 |
3. | Dream Theater - Octavarium | 21 |
4. | Rammstein - Rosenrot | 12 |
Arch Enemy - Doomsday Machine | 12 | |
6. | Soilwork - Stabbing The Drama | 11 |
Opeth - Ghost Reveries | 11 | |
8. | Fear Factory - Transgression | 10 |
The Best Drama
THE EGG INCIDENT
Once upon a time, Iron Maiden and the Osbournes lived happily on two sides of the pond, having absolutely no troubles, harsh feelings nor blood feud between them. Until the Osbournes decided to invite Iron Maiden to participate in their most fabulous and renowned festival:Crapfest Ozzfest.
While on tour, Bruce Dickinson, being the true english gentleman, couldn't miss the opportunity to poke some fun at Ozzy and his TV-show. He also dared to bring the English flag on stage every evening, when performing The Trooper. In America! When "American boys are going to war alongside the English boys, how dare he forget the American troops on their home turf?!" (Sharon Osbourne's words) She missed the point of the song completely, of course, since it's about the British Light Brigade, with the events dating back to 1854. No Americans participated. Anyway, Sharon was so shaken by these acts of unbelievable ungreatfulness, that she decided to plan and execute the most cunning revenge.
And so, during their final show something went terribly wrong with Maiden's performance. The band had been pelted with eggs, bottle caps, beer cups, spit on, had Eddie delayed from his onstage entrance, had members of the entourage rush the stage with American flags and had the power cut off seven times - all of that orchestrated by the evil mastermind Sharon Osbourne.
First, just as the show started, the intro was interrupted by the loud chanting 'Ozzy, Ozzy' recorded on tape and played from the soundboard. The crowd did their best to drown this highly inappropriate sound with their own 'Maiden, Maiden', but the same thing repeated again a couple of times during the show. The next in line were the egg-throwers, all in the front row, with Ozzfest credentials and entourage bandanas - with full blessing of the security. Many witnesses say Kelly Osbourne was among them as well.
Events escalated when Bruce launched a hard-hitting rant, heating up the audience and advising them to break arms of anyone seen with an egg in hands. He then stated the the next song wouldn't be heard on "Your local cocksucking corporate radio station, wouldn't be seen on MTV anymore, and sure as hell wouldn't be played on a fucking reality TV show" met by a huge roar from the crowd. He continued his attacks throughout the whole show and succeeded in having some egg-throwers removed from the front row. "It's gonna take more than eggs to stop Iron Maiden, NOTHING is going to come between us and our fans, and it will be death before dishonor, this is Iron fucking Maiden!"
During 'Iron Maiden' Eddie, the band's mascot, was purosely delayed, only briefly appearing in the end of the song. After the band left the stage, evil Sharon took the microphone and tried to fake out some praise for the band's performance, but eventually ended up calling Bruce 'a prick', after which she was collectively booed off the stage, never to be seen again. (Well, she has been seen again, of course, but that was such a tempting way to say it...)
That wasn't the end of it, of course. Every publication somehow related to news or music (not mentioning metal music!) was praising the Lord for such a wonderful scandal, and published articles in dozens - thanks to Sharon and Maiden exchanging official statements and Sharon being unable to shut up for a long time since the incident. Fans took sides and poured shit on each others camps, arguing hard who was REALLY right and who was wrong. And Ozzy... Well, Ozzy, as usually, had absolutely no idea what the hell happened anyway...
Once upon a time, Iron Maiden and the Osbournes lived happily on two sides of the pond, having absolutely no troubles, harsh feelings nor blood feud between them. Until the Osbournes decided to invite Iron Maiden to participate in their most fabulous and renowned festival:
While on tour, Bruce Dickinson, being the true english gentleman, couldn't miss the opportunity to poke some fun at Ozzy and his TV-show. He also dared to bring the English flag on stage every evening, when performing The Trooper. In America! When "American boys are going to war alongside the English boys, how dare he forget the American troops on their home turf?!" (Sharon Osbourne's words) She missed the point of the song completely, of course, since it's about the British Light Brigade, with the events dating back to 1854. No Americans participated. Anyway, Sharon was so shaken by these acts of unbelievable ungreatfulness, that she decided to plan and execute the most cunning revenge.
And so, during their final show something went terribly wrong with Maiden's performance. The band had been pelted with eggs, bottle caps, beer cups, spit on, had Eddie delayed from his onstage entrance, had members of the entourage rush the stage with American flags and had the power cut off seven times - all of that orchestrated by the evil mastermind Sharon Osbourne.
First, just as the show started, the intro was interrupted by the loud chanting 'Ozzy, Ozzy' recorded on tape and played from the soundboard. The crowd did their best to drown this highly inappropriate sound with their own 'Maiden, Maiden', but the same thing repeated again a couple of times during the show. The next in line were the egg-throwers, all in the front row, with Ozzfest credentials and entourage bandanas - with full blessing of the security. Many witnesses say Kelly Osbourne was among them as well.
Events escalated when Bruce launched a hard-hitting rant, heating up the audience and advising them to break arms of anyone seen with an egg in hands. He then stated the the next song wouldn't be heard on "Your local cocksucking corporate radio station, wouldn't be seen on MTV anymore, and sure as hell wouldn't be played on a fucking reality TV show" met by a huge roar from the crowd. He continued his attacks throughout the whole show and succeeded in having some egg-throwers removed from the front row. "It's gonna take more than eggs to stop Iron Maiden, NOTHING is going to come between us and our fans, and it will be death before dishonor, this is Iron fucking Maiden!"
During 'Iron Maiden' Eddie, the band's mascot, was purosely delayed, only briefly appearing in the end of the song. After the band left the stage, evil Sharon took the microphone and tried to fake out some praise for the band's performance, but eventually ended up calling Bruce 'a prick', after which she was collectively booed off the stage, never to be seen again. (Well, she has been seen again, of course, but that was such a tempting way to say it...)
That wasn't the end of it, of course. Every publication somehow related to news or music (not mentioning metal music!) was praising the Lord for such a wonderful scandal, and published articles in dozens - thanks to Sharon and Maiden exchanging official statements and Sharon being unable to shut up for a long time since the incident. Fans took sides and poured shit on each others camps, arguing hard who was REALLY right and who was wrong. And Ozzy... Well, Ozzy, as usually, had absolutely no idea what the hell happened anyway...