A Year In Metal - Highlights Of 2010 By The MS Staff/Elite
| Written by: | Thryce |
| Published: | 03.01.2011 |
A much wiser man than me once quoted: "writing about music is like dancing about architecture".
With that said... let's have a look at what the Metal Storm Staff/Elite team considers to be the metal highlights of 2010. Because it sure as hell has been a whirlwind year...
What seems to look as an FBI most wanted-list at first glance, is actually a sharp and revealing end-of-year recap of 2010. This article is packed with several major releases as well as overlooked gems and other obscure classics, and about everything else you always/never wanted to know about the humble Staff/Elite creatures roaming this board.
Needless to say, this'll get pretty interesting/heavy/weird pretty fast... so wherever you are right now - your room/mom's basement, the cubicle at work, on the toilet with your smartphone, in your car (keep your eyes on the road, fool!) - sit back, relax and enjoy the show!
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| Angelique Favorite Album: Blind Guardian - At The Edge Of Time Best Home-Country Album: Apocalyptica - 7th Symphony Most-Played Song: "Sacred Worlds" by Blind Guardian Biggest Disappointment: Elvenking - Red Silent Tides, and of course so many metal legends passing away  Metal Moment Of 2010: Well this year was quite non-metal for me so the fact that the year finally ended must be it! And 2011? All excited about Falkenbach - Tiurida finally coming out on January! Hopefully many many festivals and gigs!! |  |
 | Baz Anderson Favorite Album: Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini Best Home-Country Album: Cradle Of Filth - Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa Most-Played Song: "Who Is Mr. Madman?" by Helloween Most Promising Band: Lordaeron Biggest Disappointment: Angra - Aqua Best Concert: Annihilator in Sheffield Metal Moment Of 2010: Twisted Sister closing Bloodstock 2010 And 2011? Judas Priest's farewell. |
| BitterCOld Favorite Album: Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini Best Home-Country Album: High On Fire - Snakes Of The Divine Most-Played Song: "Circle The Wagons" by Darkthrone Most Promising Band: Shattered Hope / Rising Biggest Disappointment: Enslaved playing in town for the second time in two years, and for the second time in two years the headliners only letting them have about 40 minutes. I guess they were afraid of being upstaged. Best Concert: Mastodon/BTBAM/Baroness/Valient Thorr Metal Moment Of 2010: Being selected to receive one of 300 or so promo copies of Shattered Hope's Absence. Made me feel Kvlt. And 2011? Wintersun... Time. HAHHAHHAhahahhahahhHAHahaha! No, seriously, Anthrax - Worship Music. |  |
 | Daniell Favorite Album: Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini Best Home-Country Album: Nothing that can be called "the best". Most-Played Song: "Lightening" by Enslaved Most Promising Band: Byfrost Biggest Disappointment: Agalloch - Marrow of the Spirit Best Concert: Sonisphere Festival. Metal Moment Of 2010: Sonisphere Festival. And 2011? Hoping for a new Slayer album. And some new, fantastic finds, like this year's Byfrost. |
| Darkside Momo Favorite Album: Orphaned Land - The Neverending Way Of ORWarriOR Best Home-Country Album: Orphaned Land - The Neverending Way Of ORWarriOR. Hey, the world is my country. Or else it woud be, well, Alcest or Deathspell Omega. Nice, sure, but I'm not a big fan right now. Most-Played Song: "Codeword: Uprising" by Orphaned Land Most Promising Band: Neuromist Best Concert: Can't decide between Devin Townsend at Hellfest, Nevermore at Hellfest, Dark Tranquillity in Paris, or Sleepytime Gorilla Museum in Paris, and Orphaned Land in Nantes. Biggest Disappointment: None particularly, but the new Nevermore, Dark Tranquillity and Mekong Delta weren't as good as I'd hoped (even if they're not bad). Metal Moment Of 2010: There are 2. The whole metal week I spent in Paris with four awesome shows; the other was when I watched the Hellfest 2010 DVD, there's a very special moment on that one  And 2011? Hellfest and Metal Storm, of course! |  |
 | Jason W. Favorite Album: Triosphere - The Road Less Travelled Best Home-Country Album: Place Of Skulls - As A Dog Returns Most Played Song: "A Serenade To The Sea" by Mandrake Most Promising Band: Diabulus In Musica (signed) / Avariel (unsigned) Best Concert: My Silent Wake, Akelei, and Place Of Skulls at Dutch Doom Days IX Biggest Disappointment: Rotting Christ - Aealo Metal Moment Of 2010: All of the feedback I received from the Dutch Doom Days IX pictures I took. And 2011? Metal Female Voices Festival IX in Belgium, and hopefully at least 1 more weekend of metal as well! |
| GT Favorite Album: Wuthering Heights - Salt Best Home-Country Album: Wuthering Heights - Salt Most-Played Song: "Wheel Of Time" by Blind Guardian, or "The Desperate Poet" by Wuthering Heights Best Concert: Rammstein at Copenhagen Live (the only metal concert in 2010 I'm afraid) Biggest Disappointment: Not being able to attend Wacken. Metal Moment Of 2010: Been a very un-metal year for me. 2011 can only get better. And 2011? Going to Wacken again! |  |
 | Ivan Favorite Album: Hardcore Superstar - Split Your Lip (yes, I know... it was hugely entertaining though) Most-Played Song: "One More Time" by James LaBrie Most Promising Band: Whispered Best Concert: Arch Enemy at Ruisrock, Turku Biggest Disappointment: Kamelot and Iron Maiden equally Metal Moment Of 2010: MS gathering at my wedding. Also, stumbling upon a Riverside fan in Hong Kong. And 2011? Hope to get my ass to Wacken or Hellfest and meet as many MS people as possible  |
| Ivor Favorite Album: Echoes - Nature |Existence / Kingcrow - Phlegethon / Sky Architect - Excavations Of The Mind Most Promising Band: Echoes / Sky Architect Biggest Disappointment: Portnoy leaving Dream Theater Best Concert: Freak Kitchen in Gießen, Germany, in February Metal Moment Of 2010: Seeing Freak Kitchen three times while a year ago in December I had no clue I'd see them at all. And 2011? Seeing what Dream Theater comes up with. Seeing something cool I haven't yet seen. And some good festivals. |  |
 | Jeff Favorite Album: Mar De Grises - Streams Inwards Best Home-Country Album: Alcest - Écailles De Lune / Klone - Black Days Most-Played Song: "Farewell, Mona Lisa" by The Dillinger Escape Plan Most Promising Band: Kvelertak Biggest Disappointment: The death of Mr. Dio. Best Concert: Twisted Sister at Hellfest Open Air 2010 And 2011? Hellfest 2011 of course!  |
| jupitreas Favorite Album: Project: Failing Flesh - Countdown From Ten Best Home-Country Album: Effect Murder - Architects Of Sense Most-Played Song: "Royal" by Deftones (based on last.fm statistics, which ignore my portable mp3 player) Biggest Disappointment: Seeing The Cult live. They really sucked. Most Promising Band: The Crinn and Fractured Insanity Best Concert: Decapitated live in Warsaw Metal Moment Of 2010: Sadly, nothing specific comes to mind. This was a pretty un-metal year for me, besides the odd gig. And 2011? No real expectations since they lead to disappointment. |  |
 | Lucas Favorite Album: I don't know... I don't care about years of release. Best Home-Country Album: No idea. Most-Played Song: "Circle" by Esoteric, on the The Maniacal Vale. Yeah, I know it's not a 2010 release but it's best goddamn song ever, so it's still my pick. Most Promising Band: Expectations create disappointments. What has been released is important, not what might to be released. In other words, I have no single clue. Biggest Disappointment: Probably myself not finding the necessary amount of time to really delve deep this year. Best Concert: I don't know, I rarely care about concerts, probably something at Hellfest. Metal Moment Of 2010: Definitely, without a fucking doubt, me discovering aTelecine. A Noise/Industrial/Black combo featuring Sasha Grey. Yep, that's correct. And it freak-fucking-ing rules! I had a review ready but unfortunately my laptop crashed. And 2011? I'll most probably be on a never-ending quest to arrange an interview with aforementioned aTelecine  And hopefully, I'll find more time to search for true gems, because 2010 was really a bad year for me in that respect. |
| Susan Favorite Album: Tristania - Rubicon Best Home-Country Album: American bands Ephemeral Sun, Kamelot, and Torche all impressed me greatly this year. Most-Played Song: "Protection" by Tristania and "L'Échappée" by Les Discrets Most Promising Band: 2010 was an excellent year for metal, one of the best in recent memory. Lots of new and new-to-me bands released quality music and the competition was stiff. My most promising band was Iran's Ahoora with their 3rd album Awkward Diary. Biggest Disappointment: This year's output of folk and viking metal... very few strong releases overall. Best Concert: Agalloch in Seattle this December. Excellent set-list of new songs and old favourites, high energy from the band. Metal Moment Of 2010: Meeting so many MS staff and elite at Ivan's wedding this summer in Estonia. Awesome week hanging out with you guys. And 2011? Looking forward to Hellfest 2011, this will be my first pilgrimage to Clisson. Also I'm excited for the new Silent Stream Of Godless Elegy album and to hear what their collaboration with Season of Mist has brought about. |  |
 | Marcel Hubregtse Favorite Album: Procession - Destroyers Of The Faith Best Home-Country Album: Akelei - De Zwaarte Van Het Doorstane Most-Played Song: "Cocaine Wizard Woman" by Las Cruces Most Promising Band: Terzij De Horde Best Concert: Place Of Skulls - Dutch Doom Days IX, Baroeg, Rotterdam Biggest Disappointment: The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull and its aftermath making it impossible for quite a few bands to make it to Roadburn 2010. One of those was Candlemass who would do special show, playing Epicus Doomicus Metallicus in its entirety with their original vocalist Johan Langquist handling all the vocals. But that was not to be. Metal Moment Of 2010: The afterparty of day 1 at Dutch Doom Days with the sing along sessions to some doom classics. And 2011? Nothing really. Like all other years I will wait and see what it brings us. Hopefully as good a year metal releases wise as 2010. Yes, 2010 was a great year for metal if one just dug a little deeper and wasn't fixated on the bigger names and labels in the metal world. |
| Promonex Favorite Album: Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini Best Home-Country Album: Blind Guardian - At the Edge of Time Most-Played Song: "Ulvetid" by Kvelertak Most Promising Band: Todtgelichter Biggest Disappointment: Ozzy outliving Dio Best Concert: Ulver at Hellfest Metal Moment Of 2010: Landing a job as DJ in Frankfurt's premier metal bar. And 2011? In 2010 I've seen 207 performances by 190 bands. Let's see what 2011 will bring |  |
 | Raiden Favourite Album: Darkthrone - Circle The Wagons (it was the one I played the most at least) Best Home-Country Album: Black Majesty - In Your Honour (I think Australia produced more good albums this year rather than great ones while still having a lot of good releases; if that makes any sense. This was perhaps one of the best of these good ones.) Most-Played Song: "Those Treasures Will Never Befall You" by Darkthrone (seemed to get a lot of play time in my car!) Most Promising Band: Although they've released two albums now, I actually liked Enforcer's new release more so than their first one (which I did also enjoy). They seem to be quite a high rising Heavy Metal band that still have a bit of oomph behind them. Biggest Disappointment: One that springs to mind is the new Flotsam & Jetsam album; I was expecting something quite good, but ended up hearing quite forced and below par songs. Other than that, the new Folkearth album was an extremely clumsy arrangement of folk and metal; it was as if both of them got slapped together as an afterthought and no one bothered to try to get everything to mix in properly. By contrast the Battlecry album from Folkodia was great! There are probably others, but not that I can think of straight away. Best Concert: Nile/Hate Eternal in Melbourne Metal Moment Of 2010: My hometown opened a new metal store (bringing the grand total of metal stores in my area to one!) And 2011? Looking forward to seeing Iron Maiden live again. |
| Thryce Favorite Album: War From A Harlots Mouth - MMX Best Home-Country Album: The NULLL Collective - De Monstris Most-Played Song: apparently "Of Words And Ravens" by The Flight Of Sleipnir Most Promising Band: Clinging To The Trees Of A Forest Fire / The Man-Eating Tree Biggest Disappointment: The Ocean - Heliocentric Best Concert: That one NYHC evening in April: Life Of Agony, playing River Runs Red. Metal Moment Of 2010: Making the Pantera shout-out to Metal Storm happen without having to drop on my knees. And 2011? One word: Trancecore! Trancecore will continue its unstoppable rise, with truly brilliant bands such as Fail Emotions (this song > you), Attack Attack! and We Butter The Bread With Butter making it really big and dominating the Metal Storm landscape any time soon... well yeah, that, or a new Pig Destroyer would be nice too. |  |
 | wrathchild Favorite Album: As usual, I didn't check a lot of new albums, but this one had my attention: Mรคgo De Oz - Gaia III - Atlantia Best Home-Country Album: Unfortunately, it seems the new Manigance wasn't released this year, as scheduled... Most-Played Song: "A Voice In The Dark" by Blind Guardian Best Concert: Blind Guardian in Paris Biggest Disappointment: Dio's passing... Metal Moment Of 2010: Those 3 days in Estonia for Ivan's wedding, perhaps not a true "Metal moment" but a hell of a "Metal Storm moment" And 2011? Not sure about listening to new stuff as I'll probably set myself to digging some bands I stumbled upon in the past, such as Avalanch, Superior and Imago Mortis, etc. Though of course I'll check the new Manigance when it's out |
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| Guest Favorite Album: The Meads Of Asphodel - The Murder of Jesus the Jew, although including albums that merely contained metal it would probably be Igorrr - Nostril Best Home-Country Album: Suppose technically it would be The Meads but lets go for TenHornedBeast - Hunts & Wars, or perhaps Cathedral - The Guessing Game or hell, even Ramesses - Take the Curse. Was a great year for UK doom. Most Played Song: "The Invisible Mountain" by Horseback (from The Invisible Mountain album) and "Addicted To God" by The Meads Of Asphodel Most Promising Band: US progressive extreme metal outfit Castevet and epic doom misery-makers (and possible Warning replacement) Pallbearer Best Concert: Electric Wizard at the Electric Ballroom, London Biggest Disappointment: Probably Nevermore's woefully average follow up to one of the greatest albums of the last decade (or this decade depending on your views) and Dawnbringer's new one lacked the subtle blackness of their stellar In Sickness and In Dreams record but black metal in general seemed to be well under par this year. Metal Moment Of 2010: Being made an elite on here was pretty boss. And 2011? My first Hellfest hopefully and the possible impending 777 release which could be life changing considering what it's intended to be. Also getting reviews out on a more routine and regular basis. |  |
 | Dane Train Favorite Album: Jars of Clay - The Shelter, oh wait, if you want a Metal album, then it would be Place Of Skulls - As A Dog Returns Best Home-Country Album: Place Of Skulls - As A Dog Returns Most-Played Song: "Coming Home" by James LaBrie Most Promising Band: Bloodline Severed. Every time I see them play I am floored. Biggest Disappointment: Not being able to have my meeting with Peter Steele. Best Concert: Iron Maiden with Dream Theater Metal Moment Of 2010: Being in a band that plays Stoner Doom versions of ancient hymns. And 2011? Finding out who the new drummer of Dream Theater will be, releasing our first album and doing some touring. Oh! and a new Becoming The Archetype album! |
| KwonVerge Favorite Album: Now that's a tough one. Funker Vogt's Blutzoll or Unheilig's Große Freiheit. But I'm not sure yet, well, ok. Nevermind. Or In Strict Confidence - La Parade Monstrueuse. Best Home-Country Album: Transcending Bizarre? - The Misanthrope's Fable or Nightfall - Astron Black And The Thirty Tyrants? Well, I guess both! Most-Played Song: Quite many, probably "Friendly Fire" by Funker Vogt. Most Promising Band: Ophelia of course! Biggest Disappointment: Rotting Christ's latest album maybe... Best Concert: Gogol Bordello and a sociopolitical greek hip hop fest. Metal Moment Of 2010: Now that's personal, writing again for Metal Storm. And 2011? We'll see during 2011. |  |
 | Doc G. Favorite Album: High On Fire - Snakes For The Divine Best Home-Country Album: A tie between Rusted Dawn - The Black Tides Of War, or Barn Burner - Bangers Most Played Song: "No Funeral" by Nachtmystium Most Promising Band: Mares Of Thrace Biggest Disappointment: A lot of crappy albums, but none which had any high expectations from me in the first place. The biggest "disappointment" for me would have to be Bison B.C.'s Dark Ages, which was actually a very good album, but nowhere near as awesome as Quiet Earth. So I guess no actual disappointments in the truest sense of the word. Best Concert: High On Fire with Skeletonwitch and Russian Circles Metal Moment Of 2010: Being strangled to the point of passing out in the middle of a Blind Guardian show. And 2011? Hopefully will be more like 2009, release quality wise. Not to say 2010 was bad, but 2009 was just one hell of a solid year release wise. |
| Forged Soul Favorite Album: meh, kind of a bland year for me, but I always have a place in my heart for anything Blind Guardian does. We are the Void from Dark Tranquillity was pretty good. Best Home-Country Album: Joe Bonamassa - Black Rock, not metal I know, but it really was a baddass album. Most-Played Song: probably "Curse My Name" by Blind Guardian Most Promising Band: Don't yet know. Biggest Disappointment: Nevermore - The Obsidian Conspiracy Best Concert: Blind Guardian or seeing UFO from a back stage balcony Metal Moment Of 2010: Free beer at Kuma's Corner or jamming with Chris Poland. And 2011? My Album!!! |  |
 | hanna of steel Favorite Album: Shining [NOR] - Blackjazz Best Home-Country Album: The Chasms - Index Of Spirits Most-Played Song: "Spiral Shadow" by Kylesa (or so Last.fm tells me) Most Promising Band: No idea, I probably haven't heard them yet. Biggest Disappointment: The vocalist leaving my favourite "unknown" band King Fear & The Court Of Wolves Best Concert: Haven't been to any this year Metal Moment Of 2010: Being made an Elite. And 2011? Who knows - the best is yet to come (maybe). |
| Nefarious Favorite Album: Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini Best Home-Country Album: Haken - Aquarius Most-Played Song: "The Smoke" by In Mourning Most Promising Band: Kvelertak Best Concert: Hatred - Dubai, UAE Biggest Disappointment: Mike Portnoy leaving Dream Theater Metal Moment Of 2010: Going to an underground metal gig with my friends from Nervecell, getting hilariously drunk with them, and chatting up this cool metal chick, and trying to impress her with my knowledge of all things metal, only to find I know nothing compared to her. She is now my gf And 2011? Leaving the sweltering summer heat of Dubai behind to travel to Wacken and Bloodstock  |  |
 | Troy Killjoy Favorite Album: October Falls - A Collapse Of Faith Best Home-Country Album: Forteresse - Par Hauts Bois Et Vastes Plaines Most-Played Song: "A Million Moons" by Imperium Dekadenz Most Promising Band: An Autumn For Crippled Children Biggest Disappointment: Agalloch Metal Moment Of 2010: Dimmu Borgir supporting Korn. Comments Thryce: Quote: And 2011? The internet!  |
| White Winter Sun Favorite Album: Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini Best Home-Country Album: Pensées Nocturnes - Grotesque Most-Played Song: "Sapari" by Orphaned Land Most Promising Band: Kvelertak Biggest Disappointment: Iron Maiden - Final Frontier Best Concert: I cannot choose between Ghost Brigade at Hellfest Open Air 2010, Asphyx at Hellfest Open Air 2010 and Orphaned Land in Paris. Metal Moment Of 2010: Hellfest of course! And 2011? Hellfest 2011 in June and to spend a lot of time on MS. |  |
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| Promonex Cathemeral Posts: 9720 From: Germany  |
Written by corrupt on 05.01.2011 at 12:29 What do you think of Agrypnie then? Their new album has been a highlight for me as well.
---- All life begins with Nu and ends with Nu... This is the truth! This is my belief! ...At least for now. - The Mystery of Life, Vol. 841 Ch. 26
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| DrunkenFuck Thrasher! Posts: 455 From: Denmark  |
Written by BitterCOld on 05.01.2011 at 19:55 What? The new Overkill and Death Angel are kickass! Shame on you then
---- THRASH!!!
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| Angelic Storm Melodious Posts: 6675 From: UK  |
Written by DrunkenFuck on 05.01.2011 at 21:25 Id put the new Heathen and Forbidden before the new Death Angel, but that's just me! hehe
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| corrupt With a lowercase c Posts: 3121 From: Germany  |
Written by Promonex on 05.01.2011 at 20:40 I'm at work right now and Volkswagen block myspace. But I've been looking at their lyrics and they read really well. I will look at them. Thanks for the pointer.
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| DrunkenFuck Thrasher! Posts: 455 From: Denmark |
Written by Angelic Storm on 05.01.2011 at 23:51 Oh yeah, totally forgot about the new Forbidden! Heathen wasn't really me. Lee's Exodus stuff shines through too much if you ask me. Liked their earlier stuff way better! Remember listening to my fathers Breaking the Silence LP as a child when he wasn't home. Good times 
---- THRASH!!!
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| BitterCOld The Ancient One Posts: 15250  |
My "serious" 2011 hope/hype/anticipating moment is, in all seriousness, Motorhead, Clutch, and Valient Thorr playing North America this year. and Motorhead is the band I am least interested to see on that bill, which says a lot.
---- get the fuck off my lawn. Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
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