As the year 2009 ran out it is time to look back and see which albums were the best in first decade of the 21st century. When I look down the potential canditates, I realize that this is going to be really hard task and I will surely have second thoughts later in the future when I look down the list I assembled tonight. However there will only be killer albums, so I suppose I can live with it, because top10 isn’t nearly enough, but that is what I’m going to do now. Let’s get it on.
10. Cult of Luna – Eternal Kingdom - 2008
This took me lots of time to figure out and quite honestly I gave up once. A month later I had to give it another shot, because it is Cult Of Luna ffs and boom there it was, whole new world. Maybe it isn’t as good as SAtH, but the second best.
9. Satyricon – Now, Diabolical - 2006
Simple without any tricks, but works like suffering in hell.
8. Celtic Frost – Monotheist – 2006
The greatest comeback story of the decade ended after one album and few shows, shame. Luckly I saw them live and it opened my eyes to their music and especially Monotheist hit me with all it’s darkness. I believe the surprise element was the biggest factor for me here, but their gig was one of the best I have ever seen. And don’t even start thinking, how Celtic Frost can surprise a metalhead... yes I am ashamed.
7. Behemoth – Demigod – 2004
Behemoth was the best band on my list after this album came out and really got me into more brutal music. This is filled with “hitsong” after another, with killer chorus’, but after all these years only The Reign ov Shemsu has kept it’s place as a truly great song, maybe because it is not that chorus driven like all the other songs, nevertheless a great album!
6. Enslaved – Mardraum – 2000
I have heard people saying, that this is actually their worst album, but not for me. Hell, I love this album. I don’t know if it is its speed or progressiveness, but this gets me going and gives me a smile. I doubt they were aiming at smiles and happiness, but I’m not into lyrics, so I’ll take what it gives me! Oh and the best gig of the dacade goes to Enslaved!
5. Seventh Wonder – Mercy Falls – 2008
As you all know new Operation: Mindcrime and so on... but it is worthy of all the praises, because this is a quite masterpiece. Personally I’m on a break with this one, because I played it too many times over the six months span and hardly listen it nowadays, but still more than deserveing in top10 albums. A year ago this would have been right at the top with Blackwater Park.
4. Nile – Those Whom The Gods Detest – 2009
This is the album I probably will regret placing it at this spot. It either deservers to be here, higher or out of the list. However at the moment, it is just brilliant in everyway and I’m proudly present it here. I wonder how music what is so fast and chaotic can make so much sense and sounds insanely good. I don’t have a answer, but I don’t need it , I don’t want it, I’ll just enjoy what i’m hearing.
3. Cult of Luna – Somewhere Along The Highway – 2006
Got a paycheck at the work and went straight to the recordstore and bought this album. Salvation sucked me into their world and this album cemented their status as one of my all time favourite bands. A perfect combination of atmospheric and crushing tunes, kinda give you real calm feeling at the times before it gives you a chance to release all the anger. Counting down days to see them live!
2. Communic – Payment Of Existence – 2006
If you like guitar-riffs and progressive music, this is the album for you. I mean WOW, blew my mind after first listen, because I faced something so awesome what I didn’t even know exists. Once I got it some what figured out, it has stayed on my playlist ever since. One of the very few albums if not the only, where I remember the first time I heard it, it was that good!
1. Opeth – Blackwater Park - 2001
First place is a no-brainer for me, it is definitely Opeth and Blackwater Park. This album and this band kept me hooked once I got a hold to their music. Also had a pleasure to check them live two times and both times I was only hoping for the longer set. And in all honesty, is there a better ending for gigs than Blackwater Park, hardly! Unfortunately this was ther peak and after this they haven’t quite reach this level.
Ok there it is. I’m not quite happy with it, but I don’t know what to fix there, that only proves how impossible it is to make such list. There are few mention worthy albums left and some who are still under the microscope and might rise to the list if they can handle some serious playing time.
Mention worthy:
Moonsorrow – Kivenkantaja – 2003
Enslaved – Isa – 2004
Enslaved – Vertebrea – 2008
Hypocrisy – Virus – 2005
Nevermore – This Godless Endeavor – 2005
Nile – Ithyphallic – 2007
Shadow Gallery– Room V – 2005
Under microscope
Sabaton – Art Of War – 2008
Deströyer 666 – Cold Steel... For An Iron Age - 2002 (2005)
Lamb of God – Wrath – 2009
Feel free to type comments and recommendations... I’m always open for new great bands!
Enslaved
