Top 5 of 2010!!

Fortunately, after the last article, I was able to pull this one together pretty quickly.  At this point, this really is just a Top 5 of whatever I've listened to in a given year.  Still, this one has some decent variety, this time around.  I did want to shout out The Showdown by Allen/Lande and Kamelot's Poetry for the Poisoned as honorable mentions.  They aren't the greatest albums, but they were decent, which is kind of a theme for this list.  Still, five had to be picked and this is what I came up with.

5. White Wizzard - Over the Top

I remember when metal sites were making a big deal about this band back in the day.  Their attempt at recreating the classic NWOBHM sound made them seem novel, and they were pretty good at it.  Their debut album features tons of catchy riffs and sing-along choruses, so it's easy to see why they excited metalheads back in the day.  Unfortunately, they ran into some serious problems, with lineup changes and getting dropped from their label, but like any classic metal band, they found a way to carry on.  In any case, their debut squeaks onto my list for just being a fun throwback to when metal wasn't dominated by breakdowns and harsh vocals.

4. Atlantean Kodex - The Golden Bough

When I listened to this again, I had a sneaking suspicion this might find itself here, but I wasn't immediately sure.  Despite its peculiar production, the atmosphere they create on this album is incredible, matching the ponderous style of doom metal with ancient myths and folklore.  Like White Wizzard, this is a band that I should have stuck with, and I will likely be following up on their next albums in the next few years.

3. Vega - Kiss of Life

I warned you this was gonna happen!  Drenched in 80s cheese and thick with synthesizers, this album is some very nostalgic, sentimental AOR, and that's why I love it.  While they're more recent albums see them mixing up their formula a little, they definitely started on the right foot with this one.  Full of catchy anthems and warm layers, Vega was on the right track from the beginning.

2. Sabaton - Coat of Arms

While this probably isn't their best album, it's certainly a decent one.  "Screaming Eagles" is clearly the highlight, but the title track and "White Death" are no slouches either.  I can see some folks arguing that Sabaton's albums feel a little interchangeable, but I simply see a lot of consistency.  I don't know if they have a great album in their catalog, but they certainly have some good ones, and this one is solid enough to find itself at #2.

1. Accept - Blood of the Nations

However, once I started putting this list together, the #1 choice was obvious.  Back when I reviewed it five years ago, I was blown away by the rich production, tight riffing, and straight-ahead, no-nonsense approach to songwriting.  While that has always been Accept's main focus, this comeback album came at the right time, punching everyone in the face with excellent traditional metal tracks.  In fact, this might be my favorite Accept album of all time!

New Videos - October 2022!

Happy Halloween!  Sorry for the last of articles this past month.  Things have been busy for me, and I haven't had time to catch up on things like I wanted to.  However, I should be ready to get back on track for the next few months.  In the meantime, I've certainly found some new videos for you.  Turn these up!

Speaking of albums to catch up, Allen/Olzon is very much near the top of that list.  While this single isn't as strong as the other singles, I can't deny the symphonic production really elevates the song without detracting from the two singers' talents.  Solid symphonic pop metal.

One Desire continue their track record of catchy, 80s inspired rockers, full of anthemic melodrama.  It sounds like they're carrying over the symphonic elements that they expanded on with their last album, which will certainly make whatever they do next sound huge.  Definitely on the best bands in the 80s retro rock scene.

Herman Frank and his new buddies have got another stomper metal track for us as their album comes out.  Once again, they got the anthem tone and style down pat, and I'm sure the rest of their debut album is going to be more of the same.  Some very headbang-worthy stuff here.

Now here's a throwback!  I remember when this band first showed up, blowing folks away with their NWOBHM-styled retro metal back in the late 2000s.  However, right away, they had a lot of lineup complications, and the band got kinda kicked around.  I wasn't even sure if they were still a thing, but here they are, blasting away like it's 1982!  Clearly inspired by classic Judas Priest, this track has plenty of guitar leads and riffs to satisfy the inner teenage metalhead of just about anyone.

Speaking of comebacks, this second single for Sword's new album is just as good as the first, going for more of a mid-tempo stomper with a slice of menace on the side.  I love that they have the same lineup as they did in the 80s and are carrying on like they haven't missed a step!  I'm definitely looking forward to hearing more from them on their new album.

Seven Kingdoms is a band I had seen around, but never really gotten to.  However, just based on this single, I think I've been missing out.  Between the high speed shredding and Sabrina Valentine's soaring vocals, this is power metal that demands attention!