mercredi 19 Jan 2011, 1h53m

what can i say about the year 2010? quite a few great records were released, quality comebacks and reunions for some and great debuts. i can't say i wasn't biased about some records, in fact i totally was.

i couldn't make my mind up about positions 6 through 10, so they come in pairs, which technically makes it not top 10, but rather top 15, but oh well. anyway, let the charts roll!

honorable mentions:
* comeback kid - symptoms + cures
* terror - keepers of the faith
* sage francis - li(f)e
* Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! - Something For Nothing
* Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives
* Yakuza - Of Seismic Consequence
* Continuance - Carry Ourselves
* your memorial - atonement
* as they sleep - dynasty
* demon hunter - the world is a thorn
* norma jean - meridional

10
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as I lay dying "the powerless rise"
upside down kingdom sums this record up philosophically. it is a concept in and of itself. musically this release is harder to get into than was their 2008's an ocean between us, that was more accessible, i guess. how can this relentless guy Tim Lambesis have time for projects and records and production and whatnot and keep doing with quality? (i'm actually waiting for his third austrian death machine record that i'm sure will continue to raise brows in its own humorous way.)
standout tracks: upside down kingdom, without conclusion and the only constant is change

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war of ages "eternal"
AILD's little brother, war of ages, released another record in 2010. if their previous effort kind of just brushed me off without leaving any lasting impact on me, eternal on the other hand proved to be worth it! apart from their melodic metalcore, it boasts a few collaborations, the most notable of which is one with Sonny Sandoval (of p.o.d.). the only downside to this record is its brevity, but on account of it this records begs to be listened to more.
standout tracks: eternal (feat. Sonny sandoval) and instrumental

09
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kvelertak "kvelertak"
this CD flew under my radar until the beginning of 2011, when i suddenly started seeing this name everywhere. so i decided to give this record a listen, and man! wasn't that one of the greatest records of the year. hardcore and black metal with rock n' roll influences. great and catchy release with no tracks to skip and none that really stand out. it's beautiful in its entirety.

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kylesa "spiral shadow"
this CD's story is just like the story of kvelertak, and in many "best" lists for 2010 they are found in the same ballpark. in fact they often play back to back in my player. mellow sludge with female on vox. what's not to like? and it's not too droned out and overtly long (which at times is exactly what keeps me from listening to more sludge.)
standout tracks: don't look back and Spiral Shadow

08
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for today "breaker"
this next CD of for today has more hardcore tinges than their previous efforts. on top of that Matt showcases his poetic and spoken word abilities in the interludes which tie the record into one coherent story.

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the showdown "blood in the gears"
their previous release, backbreaker, left me cold in spite of many positive reviews. blood in the gears on the other hand displayed maturity and plausible melting of the two – death metal a chorus of obliteration and southern-metal temptation come my way, both of which i devoured when they came out.
standout track: Diggin' My Own Grave

07
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grave maker "ghosts among men"
this is as tough guy hardcore as it gets. hard to pinpoint any standout tracks, though, because of its musical onslaught that flows from one track to another with so much tensity and aggression and angst. in the course of listening to this record one wants to punch holes in everything and everyone.
standout tracks: ghosts among men, melt to the mold and laid to rest

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my epic "yet"
what does one do with my epic? i simply fell in love with their first Facedown record. yet is passionate record that bleeds red. listening to it makes you feel as though you are invited into inner sanctum of the author. everything that makes him who he is – his doubts and fears, joys and sorrows. It's the perfect record for self-discovery, for journey between “not-where-i-was” and “not-where-i'm supposed-to-be”. YET…
standout track: lower still

06
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slash "slash"
slash finally did it – he released his solo record. and is it a great return? every track displays him collaborating with everybody from master Ozzy to fergie! Rock'N'Roll is far from being dead, when this guy holds his own! and that he does with beauty!
standout tracks: Gotten (feat. Adam Levine), Watch This (feat. Dave Grohl & Duff McKagan) and We're All Gonna Die (feat. Iggy Pop)

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mojo & october light
this entry is totally partial! i've been waiting for Mojo to return since the O.C. Supertones disbanded. and now this record displays his awesome ability to mix ska, nerd rock and rap skills. this release is on par with the supertones, but lacks the band feel to it – it sounds like his own endeavor rather than a band effort. but i dig it nonetheless.
standout tracks: Wreckin' Ball Sound, My Greatest Sin and Everything Will Be Made Right

05
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close your eyes "we will overcome"
another up and coming band CLOSE YOUR EYES that play hardcore with passion, melody and ease akin to a day to remember. this CD is perfect with no skips and no letdowns. there are plenty of breakdowns and singalongs that sweep you along screaming “this is my worship, this is my life”…
standout track: Song for the Broken and Wake Up!

04
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brett detar "bird in the tangle"
zao's alumni and the juliana theory frontman brett detar's solo record came as a surprise, especially knowing his previous works with aforementioned bands. records like these make me proud that i listen to country/americana. the even greater thing about this awesome music is that it was given by Brett for free!
standout tracks: all of them, but especially stand out tracks Cocaine Whiskey and Heroine and This World Ain't Got Nothing

03
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dessa "a badly broken code"
what can i say? the Minnesota's finest doomtree franchise keeps growing on me. this year dessa threw me off the loop. i'm stunned, astonished, surprised, bedazzled… you get the point. eclectic, polished and yet raw, soft yet angry. spotless production of perfect rap skills and beats. she is golden!
standout tracks: Children's Work, Matches to Paper Dolls, The Crow, Seamstress and more.

02
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johhny cash "american vi: ain't no grave"
this release is aptly subtitled ain't no grave and that's exactly what happens with this record – no grave can stop the Man in Black to continue inspiring, haunting, bringing to tears, etc. his ragged-old, raspy, beautiful voice makes melody so secondary. after being six feet under (bodily) and in heaven (spiritually) for over 7 years now, i can most assuredly say he's still got it!.
standout tracks: sheryl crow's Redemption Day, Satisfied Mind, I Don't Hurt Anymore and Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream… but it is better listened to in its entirety.

01
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living sacrifice "the infinite order"
i was waiting for this one to come out since conceived in fire. this band has been my favorite for the last years or so. Bruce Fitzhugh, Rocky Gray, Lance Garvin and Arthur Green have returned and returned with a loud BANG! metal and melody, aggression and passion… i'm not going into great details about how great this record is, you just have to spin it for yourself. for those who know me this record is unsurprisingly on the very top of 2010!!!!
standout tracks: where do i begin? all of them? Rules of Engagement, Organized Lie, Apostasy, God Is My Home and all the hidden track Of My Flesh of My Heart