THE TOP 8 METAL ALBUMS OF 2010

Here we go, another year in metal has come and gone. While I look to Europe for melodic death metal and power metal, I accept and play the American deathcore bands begrudgingly and the thrash bands happily.
This top 8 needs an asterisk next to it. This list is based off roughly 52 albums, the metal albums of the week at BMT'. So I'm certain things would different under other circumstances.
I must say I am shocked the best 2 metal albums this past year are from Italy. My two favorite metal bands of the past decade are Soilwork and All That Remains. Both of these bands dropped albums this year, and both were uninspiring to me. They were good, but they were only worth a few spins to me, and that sucks.
So with that being said, here is a short and sweet list of my top heavy metal albums of 2010.



8. WITHIN THE RUINS/INVADE: Fun, melodic metal. The speed, vocals and techy guitar work are the best parts of the album, especially the catchy leads. The breakdowns keep this album from a higher position.



7. ELUVEITIE/EVERYTHING REMAINS AS IT NEVER WAS: I love folky melodeath. This album is catchy, problem is the album gets a bit stale as the songs are too similar. I love the vocals as a whole, and the artwork is kickass. Best cut is unquestionably "Quoth the Raven".



6. DRAGONFORCE/TWILIGHT DEMENTIA: Clear, solid live album. I love everything about it, even the cheesy vocal introduction to most of the songs, and the vocals in general. Obviously, the guitars and keyboards totally kickass.



5.CORPUS CHRISTI/A FEAST FOR CROWS: What a surprise. I have to admit I did not see this coming. The combination of catchy as heck choruses and simple yet effective solos will have even the most extreme metal fan singing along and head banging.

4.CREMATORY/BLACK PEARLS: 32 prime gothic/death metal cuts here, a true greatest hits. To someone not too familiar with the band up until a few years ago, this things a real treat. The clean vocals are crushing, the harsh vocals mean and the keys perfect. If the band added solos to their music, I might be inclined to admit they are one of the best metal bands of all time.

3.AMORPHIS/FORGING THE LAND OF THOUSAND LAKES: One of the great metal bands of all time brings us a cool live album with badass cuts such as "Alone" and "House of Sleep". The production is crisp and clear. Arguably the most underrated metal band of all time.

2.MASTERCASTLE/LAST DESIRE: Fast, catchy, heavy yet melodic. That is the theme of my top metal albums of the year, year in and year out. This album fits the mold. The best female fronted hard rock/metal album this year by far. It's groovy, there are long and interesting leads and the catchiest of choruses. Although the album doesn't tire, the middle packs the strongest punch. A pleasant surprise in all aspects.

1.DISARMONIA MUNDI/THE ISOLATION GAME: All the melodeath fans out there needed this release. The new Soilwork was an utter disappointment. This is the real deal folks. Fast, mean and angry. The harsh vocals rule, the clean choruses bring smiles, the riffs are decent, the solos are efficient and the synths are in abundance. The album has substance. All 12 cuts are enjoyable. I think in most years this would barely crack the top 10, but I was not blown away with any of the metal albums I heard in 2010.