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Yeah, the first one is old as shit, so...

Nevermore: You know, try as hard as I might, I really can't think of anything bad to say outside of the fact that Jeff Loomis is an insufferable, egomaniacal fucktard. Also, they need to get Kernon back for production; I like being able to, you know, HEAR THE FUCKING BASS.

Megadeth: One of the most inconsistent careers ever, TSHF was a really bad comeback, UA was scarcely better outside of Sleepwalker and maybe a couple others, and MegaDave is a massive douche. Also, what's with the associating with all the nu-metal and core shit?

Protest the Hero: Way too many scenefags for fans, rather iffy live (they do try though, I will give them credit for that), and they associate themselves with way too many shit bands.

Judas Priest: You can't mention them without hearing some irritating fortysomething shout "YEAH FUCKIN' PRIEST!!" when they probably listened to them only because they temporarily adopted a glam aesthetic. Also, Nostradamus was a flop if there ever was one.

Testament: Somewhat spotty career, way too much association with nu-metal and core, and The Gathering is overrated as fuck.

Skeletonwitch: Scenefags have picked them up, plus you dudes really need to quit associating yourself with all the core shit.

Slayer: Kerry King is pretty much the biggest thing holding them back, plus you've got all the associating with nu-metal and core, and the pandering to scenefags.

Warbringer: Seriously, stop associating with all the core faggotry. Playing along with Slipknot made my respect for these guys drop a lot.

Scar Symmetry: Typical scenefag problems, plus the inability to find a good songwriting median. The catchier they try to make it, the mallier it sounds, and the mathier material sounds WAY too much like it was lifted directly from some random Meshuggah song.

Sabbat: You fuckers need to release some new shit. Also, just as a little note to Andy: you need to a). stop producing for shit bands and b). stop being such a nazi about bass.

I have a dream that one day metal elitists will take their heads out their arses, and realise taste is purely subjective, such that "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all genres are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the grim frostbitten hills of Norway, the black metalheads and the gangsta rappers will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even Gothenburg, a place sweltering with shitty melodeath, and rife with generic sellouts, will be transformed into an oasis of progressive soul nurturing music.

I have a dream where bands will not be judged by how 'catchy their riffs are' but by how well they accomplish what they set out to do.

Who's with me?

Between the Buried and MeBurzumOpethDimmu BorgirNileDream TheaterNevermoreMastodonIsisNeurosisMeshuggahThe OceanMayhemDarkthroneEmperorSymphony XSikThAfter the BurialThe Dillinger Escape PlanBorisBehemothAgallochToolAyreonSlayerIn FlamesDeftonesLamb of GodNightwishChildren of BodomTriviumKatatoniaAmon AmarthDragonForceGojiraCradle of FilthArch EnemyDevilDriverStrapping Young Lad

I’m redoing my lists because I previously I might have been catering too much to releases I personally loved, and not enough on the absolute musts of this first decade of the century. Therefore, my redux will now begin. Once again, there is no order to any of these lists, it’s all random. Also, only one album per band.

Opeth- Blackwater Park


While there can be arguments made for any of Opeth's albums released in this decade, it's next to impossible to argue against any decisions. My choice is Blackwater Park because throughout each of its 8 songs, virtually no flaws are to be found. The songwriting is some of the best in the band's long career, the acoustic and heavy passages are masterfully segued into one another, and is responsible for some of Opeth's most beloved material to date.

Nevermore- This Godless Endeavor


Nevermore were always a unique heavy metal band. They escape conventional genre tags and continue to forge their own path, led by god-like talents of Warrel Dane and Jeff Loomis. This Godless Endeavor, along with Dreaming Neon Black, stands as the watershed moment in their career and the quality of this album is probably one of the reasons the band has yet to release a follow-up. It wil be no easy task, since this release fires on all cylinders.

Anaal Nathrakh- The Codex Necro


In the discussion of most unrelenting and brutal black metal to date, this is a no brainer. The power and heft that comes out of the riffs and light speed percussion, not to mention the venemous vocals lend themselves to create a black metal album that's as intimidating as one can find these days. One lyric sums up the sound perfectly: "Down on your knees!"

Ensiferum- s/t


Ensiferum's debut album is energetic, folky, and fun as hell. Contrasted with the more black metalish folk sounds of Finntroll, Ensiferum bring a sound more akin to power and melodeath, and does it ever work well. Without a doubt, Ensiferum made a huge mark on the folk metal scene with their debut album alone and continue to do so today. They've yet to best this work althoug they've come close.

Summoning- Oath Bound


Let's all face it, none of us can ever expect to create the kind of musical art Summoning have shown us in the last 10 years. Their last three albums form a triforce of black metal perfection, but Oath Bound doesn't so much surpass any quality shown on those previous two efforts. Instead, what it does is raise the bar for what can be done within the metal form. Summoning transcend their genre and channel the spirit of Tolkien better than anyone while they're at it, and it's powerful enough to inspire even the most stout-hearted listener. Might and glory awaits you...

Windir- 1184


There are few, if any, that can match the talent and engaging melodies that Windir were able to form.. You have to wonder if Valfar knew he was writing a song about his inevitable death. It's both tragic and full of wonderment when you listen to this album and come to the last song on the album only to realize that it serves as the perfect monument to Valfar's genius. His mark upon the metal world will always be felt thanks to this masterpiece.

Agalloch- The Mantle


There's a reason why this has made so many people's lists of "Favorites of all-time" within just seven years of its release. Agalloch are one of those bands that put out memorable album after memorable album, and The Mantle is no exception. You could really make the same argument for Ashes Against the Grain, but The Mantle is the one that put them on the map and finally revealed their greatness (after their classic debut) to many who were gladly willing to follow them. Another band that needs no classification, Agalloch sound like no one else.

Darkspace- Dark Space III


Easily one of the most startling new bands of this first decade, Darkspace are an underground gem to those who will understand just what it is they are doing not just for black metal, but for music in general. Their use of minimalism is second to none, and no other band can create the atmosphere of being in space better than they can. Dark Space III stands as the culmination of everything they've done thus far and is a must listen to anyone.

Immortal- Sons of Northern Darkness


Always one of the leader of the second wave of black metal in Norway, their revitalized and epic new sound came with the now classic At the Heart of Winter. While Damned in Black was a worthy album in its own right, it didn't capture that freezing and frostbitten aura the band always excelled at. Sons of Northern Darkness picks up the pieces of At the Heart of Winter and assembles them into a modern black metal classic. The production has never sounded so well and it brings out their music in the best possible way. Guitars slice, drums pound like ice, and Abbath's vocals call forth legions from the darkest and coldest regions on Earth to battle. Sons of Northern Darkness is without a doubt Immortal's crowning achievement.

Negură Bunget- Om


If you ever wondered what progressive black metal was all about, look no further than these Transylvanian gods. Like Darkspace, this band is paving the way for the future of black metal but instead of channeling the vast darkness of space, Negură Bunget take a difference approach. Their influenced by philosophical and natural aspects of life, and their music reflects that with its sometimes otherwordly sounds. I struggle with words for Om because they simply won't do justice here. If you haven't experienced Om, then you're in for the experience of a lifetime.

Nile- In Their Darkened Shrines


While some may argue Annihilation of the Wicked as being their best, I find it difficult to not see In Their Darkened Shrines as the masterpiece that it is. Not only do I find it more brutal sound-wise, but the Egyptian atmosphere that Nile has always been inspired to create is found here in a way not heard on other albums. Whether it's the pefectly implemented synths or technical riffage or all out assault of the drums, Nile proved once and for all that they were a juggernaut in the modern death metal scene and haven't looked back since.

Arcturus- The Sham Mirrors


When it comes to the avant-garde approach to metal, perhaps there is none better than Arcturus, specifically this album where they excel at their craft in every song. Of course, it helps when all of your members are essentially "Norwegian royalty", including the lovely talents of Garm. Clever use of electronics, near perfect riffage, and flawless drumming from Hellhammer round out this package. Add to that an original approach to songwriting and you have a winner.

Drudkh- Blood in Our Wells


Isis- Oceanic


Devin Townsend- Terria


Boris- Pink


Xasthur- Nocturnal Poisoning


Akercocke- Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone


Amon Amarth- Versus the World


Ásmegin- Hin Vordende Sod & Sø


More albums are to come, so don’t complain about any absences just yet…

I WAS THE BEST

fuck all other lists

I've had a long list of artists I need to listen to or need to listen to more of sometime for some time now and felt I should put it up on Last.fm incase anyone is willing to suggest me tracks or albums for the listed artists. Forgive me if any of the artist have been placed under the wrong genres. Most of these artist are there for me to refer to sometime in the future whenever I'm wanting to listen to more of a certain genre.

black metal

1349
Abaddon Incarnate
Agatus
Bal-Sagoth
Belphegor
Blut aus Nord
Dark Funeral
Darkthrone
Dragonlord
Graveworm
Hellhammer
Immortal
Leviathan
Mercyful Fate
Negurã Bunget
Primordial
Rotting Christ
Summoning
Ulver
Vintersorg

death metal (including melodic death metal)

Atheist
Dark Tranquillity
Gojira
Kalmah
Mael Mordha
Necrophagist
Norther
Obituary
Vader

doom metal

Aarni
Accept Death
Bongzilla
Buried at Sea
Burning Witch
Cathedral
Cirith Ungol
Daylight Dies
Doomsword
Grand Magus
Grief
HeavyLord
High on Fire
Hooded Menace
Iron Monkey
Lazarus Blackstar
Mammatus
My Dying Bride
Neurosis
OM
Pentagram
Place of Skulls
Reverend Bizarre
Rwake
Saint Vitus
Solitude Aeturnus
Spirit Caravan
The Hidden Hand
Trouble
Ufomammut
Umbra Nihil
Void of Silence
Warning
Weedeater
Yearning

folk metal

Alkonost
Bucovina
Cruachan
Equilibrium
Odroerir
Scald
Skyclad
Svartby
Waylander

traditional metal/hard rock/misc.

Angel Witch
Anvil
Armored Saint
Battlelore
Blue Öyster Cult
Brocas Helm
Budgie
Def Leppard
Dokken
Grim Reaper
Hawkwind
Iron Butterfly
King Diamond
Nevermore
Omen
Samson
Scorpions
Satan
Thin Lizzy

industrial metal

KMFDM
Ministry
Mnemic

power metal

3 Inches of Blood
Axenstar
Brainstorm
Circle II Circle
Dark Moor
Dragonland
Dream Evil
Firewind
Freedom Call
Heavenly
Jag Panzer
Kamelot
Machine Men
Magica
Majesty
Pagan's Mind
Power Quest
Primal Fear
Pyramaze
Rage
Skylark
Stormwarrior
X JAPAN

progressive metal

Age of Nemesis
Ayreon
Blotted Science
Communic
Dysrhythmia
Evergrey
Gordian Knot
James LaBrie
John Petrucci
King's X
Pain of Salvation
Planet X
Platypus
Psychotic Waltz
Spastic Ink
Threshold
Vanden Plas
Zero Hour

progressive rock

Genesis
Jethro Tull
Spock's Beard
Tool

speed metal

Animetal
Exciter

symphonic metal

Epica
Haggard
Therion
Trans-Siberian Orchestra

thrash metal

Annihilator
Destruction
Die Apokalyptischen Reiter
Evile
Exhorder
Testament

All recommendations are appreciated.

Just a li'l list for me. Interesting albums to be released in 2010. Will hopefully update as more information surface.

Orphaned Land - The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR (January)
Nevermore - The Obsidian Conspiracy (January)
Kamelot (early 2010)
Pain of Salvation - Road Salt (April and September)
Avantasia - The Wicked Symphony & Angel of Babylon
Seventh Wonder
Symphony X
Lunatic Soul

1. Opeth - Ghost Reveries - Progressive Metal


2. Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor - Progressive Metal


3. God Is an Astronaut - All Is Violent, All Is Bright - Post-Rock


4. Helrunar - Frostnacht - Black Metal


5. Rivendell - Farewell - The Last Dawnl - Folk Metal


6. The Boss Hoss - Internashville Urban Hymns - Country Rock


7. Riverside - Second Life Syndrome - Progressive Rock


8. The Darkness - One Way Ticket to Hell ...and Back - Hard Rock


9. Queens of the Stone Age - Lullabies To Paralyze - Stoner Rock


10.Disturbed - Ten Thousand Fists - Alternative Metal

[> no order <]

Bloodwork (3x)
Finsterforst
Disbelief
Drone
Amon Amarth
Korpiklaani
Turisas
Einherjer
Endstille
Vreid
Ensiferum
Equilibrium
Belphegor
Excrementory Grindfuckers
Motörhead
Bullet For My Valentine
Rage
Enslaved
Schandmaul
Onkel Tom Angelripper
Der W
In Extremo
Black Messiah
Tracedawn
Metsatöll
Obscurity
Nebukadnezar (2x)
Nevermore
Taake
Arch Enemy
Destruction
Triosphere
God Dethroned
Unlight
Abigail Williams
Deströyer 666

and many local, very unknown bands...


comment, if you want to ! ;)