How do I view top songwriting versus top albums? The criteria to me relates to songs that resonate the longest over a period of time. Certain material hits me with an immediacy from the opening chords- other songs sustain themselves with the right melody line or chorus hook.
Not always do my favorite songs come from my favorite albums- so there may be a few surprises in here. Do know that I love a variety of metal, and as I get older my open-minded tastes allow for a veritable aural stew to give me the best selections to cure any boredom.
*Click on LISTEN to listen*
1. Shaded Enmity – “No Puedo Dormir” (from Forsaken and Forgotten)
Layer upon layer of guitar harmonies set up the mood of this 7:24 melodic death metal epic. There’s this amazing sense of knowing when to keep the tempo racing and when to lay back for more emotional outpouring in terms of the instrumental and verse transitions. Do not mistake independence for weakness, as Shaded Enmity can keep up with any act in this genre in any part of the world. (LISTEN)
2. Twilight of the Gods (pictured above) – “Fire On the Mountain” (from Fire on the Mountain)
Epic metal with an old school 80’s marching template, there’s nothing wrong with a little ‘fire and brimstone’ lyrical outlook and raw execution from Primoridal’s Alan Averill vocally. Bathory, Candlemass, and Judas Priest would be proud of what Twilight of the Gods unleashed here. (LISTEN)
3. Onslaught – “Chaos Is King” (from VI)
The first two riffs seal this as the best thrash track of the year for me. Slayer and Destruction would be very impressed by the neck-breaking propensity Onslaught delivers here. Be prepared to be sweating profusely after taking in this track on a repeated loop. (LISTEN)
4. Fates Warning – “And Yet It Moves” (from Darkness In a Different Light)
At just a shade over 14 minutes, this epic closer has everything one desires in a progressive metal cut. Opening with quiet but fluid acoustic guitar motions, the off-time drama kicks into high gear during the verses with Ray Alder’s confident multi-level vocals carrying the melody side. The back and forth band interplay keeps your ears engaged and never bored. (LISTEN)
5. Armory – “Dreamstate” (from Empyrean Realms)
Another local power metal band that may be independent, but continues to produce fine songwriting that rivals the best in the genre from Europe. This song may have a lot of Pagan’s Mind and older Iron Savior/ Helloween in terms of keyboard/ guitar interplay, but I just enjoy the surprising tempo changes during the verse and instrumental breaks. For those that miss ‘sing-a-long’ power metal that makes you feel one with the band. (LISTEN)
6. Omnium Gatherum – “Nightwalkers” (from Beyond)
With quiet keyboards and clean guitar opening, the electric guitar trills and double bass syncopation signals another monster melodic death metal winner for me. Six albums in the Finns still astound me, knowing when to go full throttle and when to be atmospheric and progressive- often within the same song. (LISTEN)
7. U.D.O. – “Devils Bite” (from Steelhammer)
Even when U.D.O. decides to get a touch more modern with keyboards and a lower guitar tone, his vocals are still unmistakable- which is what makes this one of the classics from Steelhammer. A song where I follow the drumming just as much as I do the main guitar riff- one I can see in the set list for a while for the band. (LISTEN)
8. Hail Of Bullets – “DG-7” (from III The Rommel Chronicles)
With an opening guitar death knell that resembles a general gearing up for a battle, these Dutch death metal veterans do not disappoint. It also helps to have one of the fiercest voices in Martin van Drunen on the microphone, equal to the spitfire cause. (LISTEN)
9. In Solitude – “Death Knows Where” (from Sister)
The best acts establish a sound based on their favorite bands, then slowly siphon away until they develop their own sound. Sweden’s In Solitude certainly are no longer Mercyful Fate clones with their third album, and “Death Knows Where” puts sinister, psychedelic, and horror rock elements in to great favor. (LISTEN)
10. Death Angel – “Succubus” (from The Dream Calls For Blood)
Bay Area thrash is alive and well in 2013, thanks to new albums from the old guard like Death Angel. Featuring a stair step descending opening riff, Mark’s blood vessel bursting vocals make this a real treat. (LISTEN)
Biggest surprise of 2013: Warbringer – IV: Empires Collapse. Retooling their lineup, the new album sees the California thrash band with late 80’s/ early 90’s influences adding a few traditional bells and whistles, dynamically delivering a much needed ‘hook/songwriting’ element that may win more appeal. Don’t be afraid to pick up the physical product, it includes a full length live DVD celebrating their 5th anniversary of their War Without End album in front of a crazy hometown crowd.
Best newcomer of 2013: Ashes Of Ares. I guess it probably wasn’t much of a shock that ex-Iced Earth vocalist Matt Barlow would come back in some form to metal- joining forces with ex-Nevermore drummer Van Williams and fellow Iced Earth guitarist Freddie Vidales. Their self-titled debut album made enough of impression to secure prestigious festival slots on both sides of the Atlantic, and the future only looks brighter for another US power/ progressive metal band.
Biggest disappointment of the year: Tour cancellations due to Visa issues. I can think of the following bands directly affected by not getting their visa paperwork in on time or being denied visas causing cancellation of their tours in 2013: Hypocrisy (pictured), Artillery, Onslaught, Gama Bomb, Sepultura, Godflesh, and Church of Misery among others. If live shows are the lifeblood of the metal genre to survive, making it difficult for overseas bands to hit your town doesn’t help, and encourages fans to venture to overseas festivals to see their favorite artists.
Most anticipated album of 2014: King Diamond – TBA. Now that he’s fully recovered from triple bypass heart surgery and played some festivals during the summer to rapturous applause, we need a new studio album to further cement his status as one of the elite.