Heavy Metal's Top 20 albums of 2009

by Andrew Bowcock

This past decade has seen some fantastic development in many areas of heavy metal, including massive steps forward in the genres of symphonic metal, progressive metal, folk metal, metalcore, sludge metal, and melodic death metal…and we’ve begun to see advancements from avant-garde metal as well.  It would be almost impossible for me to narrow down what the best albums of the decade were, so I’ve decided to just show what’s made the top of the list for me in 2009, which it so turns out was one of the most prolific years for metal this past decade.

This was a very difficult pick for a metal nerd such as myself; probably one of the toughest lists I’ve ever had to make period, especially since so many (I’d say even dozens) of wonderful metal albums were released during 2009…and I’m sure there were still plenty I missed.  Keep in mind that metal is a VERY wide genre and everyone has a bias so unfortunately due to the limitations of my pallet you won’t necessarily see an abundance of albums on here from nu metal, sludge, doom, thrash, black metal, or metalcore genres for instance (no offense those genres or their fans, they’re just not always my thing).  However, I try to diversify as far as my ears will allow…

so here are the albums that hooked my eardrums the most this past year:

20)  The Agonist – Lullabies For a Dormant Mind

Now focusing more on their melodic death metal roots, The Agonist’s sophomore release demonstrates a more developed and complete sound of brutality than their first.  The Canadian metalcore quintet unleashes a brutal sound through sweet guitar hooks, harsh mid-tones, and thick breakdowns in the vein of Lamb of God, but with a more melodious twist (including an oddly-placed but beautiful acappella rendition of Swan Lake).  Alissa White-Gluz (who has been voted one of the “Hottest Chicks in Metal” this past year by Revolver in their May 09 issue) has a brash, crushing and confident scream, but she also proves to have a pretty clean singing voice that interludes the brutality and helps usher in some melody amidst the back-breaking beats.

19)  Týr – By The Light Of The Northern Star

Týr is probably one of the most definitive Viking-themed folk metal bands to date.  This Faroese band is one of the boldest, most raw examples of a band using Norse folklore to drive their music, almost to the point where they become the myth themselves.  Folk metal is one of my favorite genres, and when a band can almost convince me that they’re not part of this time I love it even more.  Hold the Heathen Hammer High is probably one of the catchiest songs I heard all year; I dare you to try to get it out of your head after listening to it.

18)  Amorphis – Skyforger

Though Amorphis is one of the bands responsible for spawning the melodic death metal genre in the early 90’s, their sound has vastly morphed and changed over the years (hence the name).  This beastly Finnish force has created a sound that isn’t a stretch to appreciate, and have done so without making it too mainstream or generic.  Their music now is melodic but aggressive, and Tomi Joutsen’s deep vocals match the band’s style well, both when he sings in his deep key and when he breaks into his intense death growls.

17)  Finsterforst – Zum Tode Hin

Whenever I’m more in the mood for epic atmosphere and need something a little less dense than rip-roaring shreds and hooks, the ambient Pagan/Folk metal genre is usually the best way to quench this thirst (something even post-rock fans may appreciate).  Finsterforst’s sound reminds me a lot of Moonsorrow, and creates a shady mood that feels slightly less esoteric than most doom or black metal bands, but every bit as (if not more) mystifying.  Not a single one of the 5 tracks on this album are less than 10 minutes in length, so be prepared for a journey before sliding this beast in.

16)  Dethklok – Dethalbum II

It’s quite interesting (though not surprising) that Dethklok’s first album was the highest-selling “death metal” (stylistic technicality) album of all time.  Being a metal fanatic, I’ve always enjoyed the synthesis of comedic subtlety and brutal extremity in Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse, but above all, Dethklok’s music just kicks ass!  Brendon Small executes his music just as well as he does his comedy, and it seems as if I’m a sucker for whatever he’s involved with.  Oh…and this album’s really cool.

15)  Be’lakor – Stone’s Reach

Hailing from Australia, Be’lakor feels like they could soon become a titan of metal.  Their brand of elegantly-constructed melodeath (melodic death metal) is probably most comparable to Insomnium with touches of Isis and Opeth – but they are in no way a ripoff, nor are they generic.  They occasionally temper medium-fast beats with heavy hooks and double bass very characteristic of the genre, but this does not overshadow the beautiful and memorable melodies that emerge both from heaviness and soft, dulcet regressions which drive the resolute sound that makes Be’lakor a great band.

14)  Eternal Tears of Sorrow – Children of the Dark Waters

With their 2006 release Before the Bleeding Sun EToS proved that they are probably the most atmospheric melodeath band out there.  There’s a certain serenity to their symphonic sound and amorous lyrics that gives their sound a gothic edge that should draw fans of more than just fans of extreme metal.  This album’s sound is similar to the newer, more polished sound they birthed in Before the Bleeding Sun; though it may be a bit darker it is every bit as enchanting.

13)  Katatonia – Night is the New Day

Katatonia is one of those bands with a consistently solid sound that simply keeps putting out strong material.  Though it’s not hard to make the comparison of Jonas Renkse’s voice to Maynard James Keenan’s, Katatonia’s sound never feels too distractingly derivative.  They may not experiment too far beyond their genre unlike their heavier, more intense sister band Opeth, but that doesn’t mean they feel repetitive.   The soulful, brooding mood of Katatonia’s gothic/alternative style carries a calmer, more soothing brand of metal that offers something a bit more relaxing than the typical speed-and-smash.

12)  Amoral – Show Your Colors

Just like Mastodon, this is another band that has entirely shifted their style for their most recent album (but even moreso).  Instead of the melodic/technical death style that used to classify Amoral, they’ve shifted more into the realm of more classic heavy metal…but this does not result in a generic or uneventful sound.  Though the new sound is such a drastic departure from the previous material (as it exclusively features high-pitched clean vocals instead of death growls), Amoral’s slick, thrashy riffage is still present (while still throwing in some memorable breakdowns here and there), maintaining a style characterized by both heaviness and melody, comparable to a unique hybrid of Guns n’ Roses and Trivium.

11)  While Heaven Wept – Vast Oceans Lachrymose

Though they may be classified as “epic doom metal” I’m sometimes tempted to classify While Heaven Wept as “hope metal” since their style (especially on this album) is strangely uplifting.  The hands of these metal maestros strap together an outfit that fuses progressive and doom metal with a bright atmosphere that can almost bring a listener to tears at certain moments.  However, this album isn’t void of moments of quicker tempos or killer guitar riffs: because of this apparent arc creating a sturdy conceptual mood I’m almost tempted to describe their sound as “cinematic.”  This album is an event not to be missed.

10)  Mastodon – Crack the Skye

I’ve never been a huge Mastodon fan.  Needless to say, I was skeptical when everybody kept telling me how great their most recent release was but I felt obligated to check it out.  Wow, what a treat!  Not only has Mastodon altered their entire sound to be more progressive and melodic, but they seem to have grown in their skills, both musically and artistically.  This more prog-ish rendition of Mastodon is definitely something I don’t have a problem getting used to.

9)  Cain’s Offering – Gather the Faithful

This Finnish power metal super group consists of former members of Sonata Arctica as well as current members of Stratovarius, Norther, and Wintersun.  If you even “kind of” like power metal or any of the bands I mentioned, this is definitely worth checking out; it has a very classic edge to it present with fantastic riffs and melodies that have helped define the strongest end of the genre.

8)  Sonata Arctica – The Days of Grays

Being that Sonata Arctica has been my favorite band since about 2004, I was rather disappointed by their 2007 release Unia when they attempted to inch themselves more towards being a progressive metal act (as opposed to the catchy, memorable power metal that I craved) and in turn seemed to diminish the memorability and overall quality of their music.  With The Days of Grays I simply had to hope for the best but didn’t know what to expect.  I was pleasantly surprised that this album delivered a more mature version of Sonata’s progressive sound while fusing with their classic power ballads and melodies.  As always, Tony Kakko’s vocals are fantastic, and the band’s new guitarist Elias Viljanen has proven his competence.  Though a part of me misses the old Sonata, change is inevitable…and I can’t deny that this is still a very good album.  However, if you’re unfamiliar with Sonata, please check out their earlier stuff (anything pre-Unia) first.

7)  Insomnium – Across the Dark

Another one of my personal favorite bands.  Each new Insomnium album is highly anticipated from me, and they have yet to disappoint (some have referred to them as one of metal’s best kept secrets).  This time their blend of melodic death with doom (and some folk) has expanded to include clean vocals for the first time; a welcome touch that works well the way it’s used (but thankfully doesn’t plague the whole album).  Once again the mood left by this album is a somber one which manifests a poetic, tasteful, but powerful and brutal sound.

6)  Luna Mortis – The Absence

As opposed to some of the symphonic female-fronted bands on this list, Luna Mortis is an example of pure, thrashy heavy metal with a badass chick vocalist showing how to properly use her voice better than many male metal vocalists can.  If I could give a “new vocalist of the year” award to Mary Zimmer I would – without being too showy she’s still able to mix her heavy, powerful contralto voice with intense growls reminiscent of Laura Nichol from Light this City.  Her range is perfect for the straight-up heaviness that Luna Mortis delivers, and this perceived fortitude is something I find rather sexy.

4-5)  Devin Townsend – Ki & Addicted

One of the bravest and most dynamic musicians in the metal scene today has to be Devin Townsend.  Ever since parting from his extreme metal act Strapping Young Lad several years ago he has branched out further into different genres, and utilized his love for music to help work out his own demons and struggles in his own life (which apparently include overcoming addictions to drugs, alcohol, and pornography) while also telling fun, over-the-top fictional stories when the mood permits.  It seems that this man has done it all…and yet he’s not done yet!  After being absent from the scene for a while in order to straighten his life out, Townsend has used both of these albums as the first two parts in a therapeutic musical tetralogy where he’s exercising his ability to create original and inspired music without the aid of booze or marijuana.  In my opinion he has succeeded quite well…Ki is a soft, ambient album that occasionally builds in its intensity to extreme heaviness, whereas Addicted is something best described as heavy industrial with a melodic, danceable edge (which are constantly supported by the entrancing voice of Anneke van Giersbergen).  Both albums work well together yet stand alone very well, and are solid manifestations of a serious musician who is able to write honest and compelling music while still remaining very tongue-in-cheek.  I’m really excited to see what he does with the next two albums.

3)  Diablo Swing Orchestra – Sing-along Songs for the Damned & Delirious

Swedish avant-garde metal?  That doesn’t even begin to explain this strange and wonderful band.  Eclectically mixing old school swing, jazz, salsa, pop, and many other toe-tapping genres with heavy metal (even opera) initially sounds ludicrous, but Diablo Swing Orchestra pulls this off better than I could have ever imagined this mixture could be done.  This album is loads of fun: not a single track falls flat, and it will most likely appeal to appeal to a wider audience than the majority of bands limited to the metal classification.

2)  Gwyllion – The Edge of Reason

An unprecedented force of symphonic metal birthed from Belgium has practically taken the cake for me this past year.  Their sound isn’t completely unique to the genre, but that by no means fits this band into the “dime-a-dozen” category.  Rarely has any recent metal release made my spirit soar as high as the ballads that this one has – the powerful female vocals and tightly-constructed songwriting just add to the solid, epic quality that is molded through the incredible production by Jens Bogren (who has worked with Opeth, Amon Amarth, Pain of Salvation, Paradise Lost, and many more).

1)  Epica – Design Your Universe

This is one band I’ve listened to for several years and been continually satisfied with the direction they’ve pushed themselves in.  Simone Simons‘ angelic voice (resonating stronger than ever before) pulls you through the carefully composed melodically heavy, epic atmosphere which is occasionally paralleled against a hard-hitting death metal-esque backdrop.  Epica has once again proven why they are one of the leaders of the symphonic metal scene: their songwriting, musicianship, and production have all continued to improve to the point of making them a force to be reckoned with within the metal scene, possibly even more so than Nightwish (that means watch out, Amy Lee).  I think this is hands-down their best release yet, and overall the strongest release I’ve heard from 2009.

*Note:  Also check out their live album from last year, The Classical Conspiracy, **this** may whet your appetite for it.

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I’d like to thank the MetalCast for keeping it metal and making narrowing this list down harder

Here are just a few other great albums to check out from 2009:

• Adagio – Archangels in Black (progressive neo-classical)
• Between the Buried and Me - The Great Misdirect (progressive tech death/metalcore)
• Converge - Axe to Fall (metalcore)
• Dagon – Terraphobic (melodeath)
• Eluveitie – Evocation I: The Arcane Dominion (Celtic folk metal)
• Ensiferum – From Afar (epic folk metal)
• Fairyland – Score to a New Beginning (symphonic power metal)
• My Dying Bride – For Lies I Sire (doom metal)
• Old Man’s Chid – Slaves of the World (melodic black metal)
• Skyclad – In the…All Together (folk metal)
• Steel Panther – Feel the Steel (glam metal parody)
• Stream of Passion – The Flame Within (progressive symphonic metal)

And no…I didn’t forget Megadeth or Dream Theater, they just unfortunately didn’t make the cut for me this year.

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photo sources:

http://www.metalkingdom.net/

http://www.spirit-of-metal.com/

http://dailyradar.com/

http://dietrichthrall.wordpress.com/

http://www.recordshopx.com/

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/618hP7wI9JL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipV0SvAHZtQ5e3xgnBz_0VBcy7CSdqAxGFkCeD_f3dokTUx_0s9M3IBTy7FUaQ3JB92UM6fG9FUsDbYvTv8xCRnTw92Jiq92gCZzytqXopzRqx41y_X2URrcB-eQwY6O3Tb1QzerHVtD5q/s320/While+Heaven+Wept+-+Vast+Oceans+Lachrymose+.jpg

http://hangout.altsounds.com/

http://www.metaldreams.com/

http://www.hellbound.ca/

http://mediapix.ru/thumbs/2893585284bc50545a43dee51d8e5d6a.jpg

http://www.cmdistro.com/

http://www.insideout.de

http://moralfibre.co.za/

http://www.13t.org/

http://www.gwyllion.com/

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFKNt76ddy1WfM2g916WcgG_xbS_0kT_1zG23bVXKzEpg_B-bnxs-NQCqrPmIIzjjkCl7LKy8SlKbSkFosXexVpOe-tAarOlcMyx-DWXyZnxNmsk9mShNcjJro7Ap9hb7AQBEUJZKqXns/s320/Epica_Design_your_Universe.jpg

other resources:

http://www.imdb.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.metalcastshow.com/

http://www.myspace.com/dagonmetal

[Via http://alternativechronicle.wordpress.com]

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