Let’s be honest about the metal albums in 2010: even though was there a solid batch of metal albums out in 2010, the past few years had been a bit better. There was much to be had with the metal scene in 2010 and plenty of decent albums came out, but there weren’t too many that exceeded expectations and stood out.
This list is intended to bring out the best of 2010 in metal and show you what I thought was the best of the metal best in 2010. I know that everybody will be different in their choices and opinions are like a—holes- everyone’s got one. Well, here’s my opinion on what was the best of metal in 2010 (in descending order):
Albums Also Considered: Acacia Strain’s “Wormwood”, Bring Me The Horizon’s “If There is a Hell…”, Parkway Drive’s “Deep Blue”, Kylesa’s “Spiral Shadow” and Dimmu Borgir’s “Abrahadhra”.
10. Exodus- “Exhibit B”- Another band that I didn’t think would ever end up on one of these lists, but the long time Bay Area thrash legends made it sound like 1987 all over again. New-ish lead singer Rob Dukes delivers the growling vocals and the riffs sound like the last 23 years never happened. Check out “Downfall” & “Burn, Hollywood, Burn”
9. Periphery- Self Titled- This band might get saddled with the “Sumerian-core” tag that many bands on that label get pigeonholed as, but the Maryland based Periphery may deliver the most diverse album on this list. Bouncing back and forth between prog rock, metal and thrash, this may be one of those bands that we might only be seeing the beginning of something great. Check out “Icarus Lives” and “Racecar”.
8. Tripkyton- Eparistera Daimones- Celtic Frost’s Tom Warrior did not disappoint fans with his debut release from his new project. Sounding just as bleak and powerful as his work in his legendary black metal group, Triptykon’s music delivers a perfect amount of atmospherics and doom to the mix. Check out the 11 minute “Goetia” and “A Thousand Lies”.
7. Dillinger Escape Plan- “Option Paralysis”- Maybe not as good as their stellar “Ire Works”, but DEP continues to be one of the most unpredictable and genre-veering bands in metal today. Greg Puciato’s voice just keeps getting better and the band’s cult status seems to be growing with every album. Check out “Farewell Mona Lisa” & “Widower”.
6. Overkill- “Ironbound”- Believe me, I never thought I would be putting an Overkill album in the Top 10 of 2010, but Blitz Ellsworth and company delivered some of the most searing thrash this year, even outdoing the new school thrash bands, most of which are 20+ younger than they are. Check out the title track and “The Goal Is Your Soul”.
5. Nachytmystium- “Addicts: Black Meddle Pt. 2”- Blake Judd went back to his influences and his roots to create one of the most heavy, yet accessible releases that the band has put forth. Borrowing more from industrial and hard rock bands, the band still keeps things dark and entertaining. Check out “No Funeral” & “Every Last Drop”.
4. All That Remains- “For We Are Many”- A lot of metal fans are wondering if this is even a metal band anymore with the success and some of the semi-radio friendly singles the Massachusetts band make. Well, listen to the title track and “Some of the People” and tell me that this band can’t still write kick ass metal. Metal purists probably despise this band now, but any band that can get metal a little exposure and do it justice are ok in my band.
3. Cancer Bats- “Bears, Mayors, Scraps, & Bones”- Call ‘em hardcore, call ‘em metal, it doesn’t matter as the Toronto based band ripped out another collection of mosh-incuding material. Already getting big in their native Canada, this is just a band that needs a break and once they do- watch out! Check out “Dead Wrong” & “Black Metal Bicycle”.
2. High On Fire- “Snakes For the Divine”- Something just sounded leaner and meaner with High On Fire’s fifth studio album. Always as raw and tight as ever, Matt Pike and company continued to churn out some of the best stoner metal in music today. Check out: “Frost Hammer” & “Fire, Flood & Plague”.
1. Fear Factory- “Mechanize”- When Fear Factory released a few albums earlier in the past decade, things looked like the band had seen their best days and was on a long downward spiral into obscurity. Well, bringing back original guitarist Dino Cazares was the right step as the band sounded re-energized and put out an album that rivaled their mid-90’s commercial and critical peak. Check out: “Powershifter” & “Fear Campaign”.
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