The Main List
August Burns Red - Constellations
Come on, it's ABR, is further explanation necessary?
The Black Dahlia Murder - Deflorate
Wow, just wow. I wasn't sure if I was gonna like the album, because I kinda got bored of Nocturnal, but I guess it turns out a new guitarist is all they needed.
Confession - Cancer
See, this album was a bit confusing to me. I'm pretty sure Michael Crafter can actually sing, but they decided to go with auto-tune on this cd. At first it sounded a bit like a step-down production wise from their last album, but Cancer is just so catchy so it makes up.
The Contortionist - Apparition
This one was a bit confusing too. I downloaded their Ep, and listened to it a couple of times but I didn't think it was that great, so I don't really remember why I downloaded this cd, but I did anyways. I have not regretted it one bit. This album definitely beats the Great Misdirect in my list of prog-metal albums this year.
Emmure - Felony
There's no way I could leave my favourite band off this list. I still liked The Respect Issue after Goodbye to the Gallows, but if this album doesn't bring some of the fans who gave up on them, I'm not sure what will.
Fightstar - Be Human
This album was my first actual full album listen of Fightstar, and it was pretty great. I was a fan of Busted those years ago and I heard a couple of songs here and there (of Fightstar) but they seemed pretty average to me. After deciding to download this album I was surprised at what they could actually do. The album ranges from symphonic (Calling on All Stations, War Machine), to poppy (Mercury Summer) to djenty, drop z heavy (Damocles). If you ever had doubts about this band, give Be Human a listen.
For the Fallen Dreams - Relentless
FTFD definitely carried on well with new vocalist Dylan Richter, and I had no doubt that he could keep the bands sound after seeing him live around the time he first joined the band. The one problem I have (and this may be a sophomore thing) but I just can't seem to remember the song titles like with Changes (same this goes for BoO and WoP's new albums).
For Today - Portraits
Very few bands have gotten me interested in their lyrics, but Portraits is so great and original lyrics wise, it just drew me in. Mattie definitely knew what he was doing with his lyrics and the way it would reach out to their listeners. The in depth look at the songs on their Myspace was a nice touch too.
Four Year Strong - Explains It All
Some hardcore/metalcore bands kinda try to force their covers, and sometimes it doesn't always work, but on Explains It All, FYS's covers sound like they should have always sounded like they do.
Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3
In a time like this where most rap/hip-hop sales come from ring tones and singles its kinda hard to see an album packed with great songs, but that's what The Blueprint 3 is. Jay-Z had all the right guest stars and hit the right notes with this one.
Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon: The End of Day
I've heard so much rap/hip-hop fans complaining about Cudi's singing, and so many detractors who think rap takes no talent (talking over music). I however, think that anyone who can actually make me like a song that's related to Lady "Gag" in any way gets my respect. Plus, it includes Ratatat and MGMT. Who can say no to that?
A Loss For Words - The Kids Can't Lose
These guys stand strong in their roots in this new pop-punk scene dominated by girlier vocals (Freshman 15, Chunk! No, Captain Chunk, though I'm a fan of both), keyboards and breakdowns. They've even got a song (Wasted Youth) with a slide guitar riff that just fits in so well.
No Consequence - In the Shadow of Gods
These guys sound like a mix between Sikth and Born of Osiris/Veil of Maya. Any band that can sound as heavy and technical as them in drop D gets my respect.
Scale The Summit - Carving Desert Canyons
8 string "adventure metal". I cant think of any other instrumental band that can paint a picture as well as these guys.
Sleeping Giant - Sons of Thunder
See: For Today - Portraits (I'm lazy).
within the ruins - Creature
Heavy, check. Melodic, check. Breakdowns, check. Super low guitar tuning, check. All of the above at once, check.
Wretched - The Exodus of Autonomy
I'm not sure of any other deathcore bands that sound like these guys right now. The way they entwine the classical elements into their songs reminds me of The Human Abstract's Nocturne.
Honorable Mentions (not great, not meh)
A Day to Remember - Homesick
Austrian Death Machine - Double Brutal
Born of Osiris - A Higher Place
Conducting From the Grave - When Legends Become Dust
Flight of the Conchords - I Told You I Was Freaky
Impending Doom - The Serpent Servant
Molotov Solution - The Harbinger
Oceano - Depths
A Plea For Purging - Depravity
Skindred - Shark Bites and Dog Fights
Stephanie Heinzmann - Roots to Grow
Newcomer List:
Armed With Crayons - Demo
By Blood and Iron - Demo
Carridale - Attack of the Brobots
Blain Subject - The Dischord Theory
In the Midst of Lions - Out of Darkness
Nocturnal Me
With The Punches - Keep It Going
the Meh List (albums/bands I still like, just not top albums worthy/Albums that haven't grown on me yet?):
Animals as Leaders - Animals as Leaders
Before there was Rosalyn - The Fuhrer: An Allegory of a History of Deception
Bury Your Dead - It's Nothing Personal
Dead In Existence - Searching Confidence
Despised Icon - Day of Mourning
Divine Heresy - Bringer of Plagues
Dizzee Rascal - Tounge N' Cheek
Earth From Above - Numbered With the Transgressors
The Great Commission - And Every Knee Shall Bow
Oh, Sleeper - Son of the Morning
Winds of Plague - The Great Stone War
Xerath - I
ZAO - Awake?
Could Have Done Better list:
Between the Buried and Me - The Great Misdirect
Corpus Christi - The Darker Shades of White
The Devil Wears Prada - With Roots Above and Branches Below
Job for a Cowboy - Ruination
Lamb of God - Wrath
LoveHateHero - America Underwater
Miss May I - Apologies are for the Weak
Passion Pit - Manners
Salt The Wound - Ares
The Fail List:
deadwalk- Scandalous
Suicide Silence - No Time to Bleed
Underneath The Gun - Forfeit Misfortunes
August Burns Red - Constellations
Come on, it's ABR, is further explanation necessary?
The Black Dahlia Murder - Deflorate
Wow, just wow. I wasn't sure if I was gonna like the album, because I kinda got bored of Nocturnal, but I guess it turns out a new guitarist is all they needed.
Confession - Cancer
See, this album was a bit confusing to me. I'm pretty sure Michael Crafter can actually sing, but they decided to go with auto-tune on this cd. At first it sounded a bit like a step-down production wise from their last album, but Cancer is just so catchy so it makes up.
The Contortionist - Apparition
This one was a bit confusing too. I downloaded their Ep, and listened to it a couple of times but I didn't think it was that great, so I don't really remember why I downloaded this cd, but I did anyways. I have not regretted it one bit. This album definitely beats the Great Misdirect in my list of prog-metal albums this year.
Emmure - Felony
There's no way I could leave my favourite band off this list. I still liked The Respect Issue after Goodbye to the Gallows, but if this album doesn't bring some of the fans who gave up on them, I'm not sure what will.
Fightstar - Be Human
This album was my first actual full album listen of Fightstar, and it was pretty great. I was a fan of Busted those years ago and I heard a couple of songs here and there (of Fightstar) but they seemed pretty average to me. After deciding to download this album I was surprised at what they could actually do. The album ranges from symphonic (Calling on All Stations, War Machine), to poppy (Mercury Summer) to djenty, drop z heavy (Damocles). If you ever had doubts about this band, give Be Human a listen.
For the Fallen Dreams - Relentless
FTFD definitely carried on well with new vocalist Dylan Richter, and I had no doubt that he could keep the bands sound after seeing him live around the time he first joined the band. The one problem I have (and this may be a sophomore thing) but I just can't seem to remember the song titles like with Changes (same this goes for BoO and WoP's new albums).
For Today - Portraits
Very few bands have gotten me interested in their lyrics, but Portraits is so great and original lyrics wise, it just drew me in. Mattie definitely knew what he was doing with his lyrics and the way it would reach out to their listeners. The in depth look at the songs on their Myspace was a nice touch too.
Four Year Strong - Explains It All
Some hardcore/metalcore bands kinda try to force their covers, and sometimes it doesn't always work, but on Explains It All, FYS's covers sound like they should have always sounded like they do.
Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3
In a time like this where most rap/hip-hop sales come from ring tones and singles its kinda hard to see an album packed with great songs, but that's what The Blueprint 3 is. Jay-Z had all the right guest stars and hit the right notes with this one.
Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon: The End of Day
I've heard so much rap/hip-hop fans complaining about Cudi's singing, and so many detractors who think rap takes no talent (talking over music). I however, think that anyone who can actually make me like a song that's related to Lady "Gag" in any way gets my respect. Plus, it includes Ratatat and MGMT. Who can say no to that?
A Loss For Words - The Kids Can't Lose
These guys stand strong in their roots in this new pop-punk scene dominated by girlier vocals (Freshman 15, Chunk! No, Captain Chunk, though I'm a fan of both), keyboards and breakdowns. They've even got a song (Wasted Youth) with a slide guitar riff that just fits in so well.
No Consequence - In the Shadow of Gods
These guys sound like a mix between Sikth and Born of Osiris/Veil of Maya. Any band that can sound as heavy and technical as them in drop D gets my respect.
Scale The Summit - Carving Desert Canyons
8 string "adventure metal". I cant think of any other instrumental band that can paint a picture as well as these guys.
Sleeping Giant - Sons of Thunder
See: For Today - Portraits (I'm lazy).
within the ruins - Creature
Heavy, check. Melodic, check. Breakdowns, check. Super low guitar tuning, check. All of the above at once, check.
Wretched - The Exodus of Autonomy
I'm not sure of any other deathcore bands that sound like these guys right now. The way they entwine the classical elements into their songs reminds me of The Human Abstract's Nocturne.
Honorable Mentions (not great, not meh)
A Day to Remember - Homesick
Austrian Death Machine - Double Brutal
Born of Osiris - A Higher Place
Conducting From the Grave - When Legends Become Dust
Flight of the Conchords - I Told You I Was Freaky
Impending Doom - The Serpent Servant
Molotov Solution - The Harbinger
Oceano - Depths
A Plea For Purging - Depravity
Skindred - Shark Bites and Dog Fights
Stephanie Heinzmann - Roots to Grow
Newcomer List:
Armed With Crayons - Demo
By Blood and Iron - Demo
Carridale - Attack of the Brobots
Blain Subject - The Dischord Theory
In the Midst of Lions - Out of Darkness
Nocturnal Me
With The Punches - Keep It Going
the Meh List (albums/bands I still like, just not top albums worthy/Albums that haven't grown on me yet?):
Animals as Leaders - Animals as Leaders
Before there was Rosalyn - The Fuhrer: An Allegory of a History of Deception
Bury Your Dead - It's Nothing Personal
Dead In Existence - Searching Confidence
Despised Icon - Day of Mourning
Divine Heresy - Bringer of Plagues
Dizzee Rascal - Tounge N' Cheek
Earth From Above - Numbered With the Transgressors
The Great Commission - And Every Knee Shall Bow
Oh, Sleeper - Son of the Morning
Winds of Plague - The Great Stone War
Xerath - I
ZAO - Awake?
Could Have Done Better list:
Between the Buried and Me - The Great Misdirect
Corpus Christi - The Darker Shades of White
The Devil Wears Prada - With Roots Above and Branches Below
Job for a Cowboy - Ruination
Lamb of God - Wrath
LoveHateHero - America Underwater
Miss May I - Apologies are for the Weak
Passion Pit - Manners
Salt The Wound - Ares
The Fail List:
deadwalk- Scandalous
Suicide Silence - No Time to Bleed
Underneath The Gun - Forfeit Misfortunes
