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Progman74
10. MIND KEY-pulse of a graveheart
9. REDEMPTION-snowfall on judgement day
8 INDUKTI-idmen
7 ASHENT-deconstructive
6.DREAM THEATER-black clouds and silver lineings
5.CROWN THE LOST-blind faith loyality
4. DGM-frame
3 WHILE HEAVEN WEPT-vast oceans lachrymose
2.ADAGIO-archangel in black
1.
ANUBIS GATE-the detached
TOP HEAVY METAL
ALBUMS OF 2009
RavenCross's Top 10 of 2009

2009 was a REALLY good year for metal. The music
kept coming relentlessly- the good, the bad,and the
ugly. Still, it was fairly easy to come up with a TOP 10
this year as the cream always rises to the top. As
always my main preference in metal is power metal
so the list is a little top heavy with that sub genre.

At this time I'd like to thank the P-Town crew (JB,
Felix and Vod) for keeping me in the loop with their
invaluable contributions, opinions  and suggestions
regarding metal. I would also like to thank my friend
and fellow metal  connoisseur RAYMOND (Everybody
Loves Him) for his insight as well.

Drum roll please-

1)
CRYSTAL VIPER- METAL NATION

I knew that following up last year's masterpiece
"Curse of The Crystal Viper" was gonna be damn
near impossible and I sort of expected a "sophome
slump" from this incredible outfit from Poland.  
WRONG!  This effort surpasses the previous disc in
every way- no small feat either. Picking out individual
tracks is an exercise in futility as EVERY track just
burns with intensity  and simply oozes quality! For
lovers of power (or traditional) metal this is a MUST
listen! Go for it!

2) ZANDELLE- FLAMES OF RAGE

Another near masterpiece from a band that been
nipping around the edges for quite some time.
Attacking with ferocity from the opening track and
setting up for the final onslaught, the epic
"Eradicated Existence" this cd never lets up. This last
tune is what an epic should be- a slow builder, never
meandering around, and then just slamming it home
at the end. This cd is damn good stuff!

3) FOOL'S GAME- REALITY DIVINE

Another entry from the Cruz Del Sur label this one
was a long time in coming (eh JB?) but soooooo
worth the wait. Consisting of an amalgam of players
from PHAROAH, MANTICORA, MALMSTEEN and
others this power/prog cd is a definite grower and
just gets better with each listen. Take the time to
check this out and be amazed!

4) MEGADETH- ENDGAME

Mustaine and company continue to cement their
legacy with this follow up to "United Abominations". I
thought that UA was a fantastic record but this shits
all over that one. Powerful, heavy,crushing- all
adjectives apply here. If you havent heard this yet
(HA!) you better hurry- I understand it's becoming
hard to get now!

5) LAZARUS A.D. - THE ONSLAUGHT

Want thrash? You got it with this burner!  This thing,
so reminiscent of Testament's early stuff that it's
kinda eerie. Tons of cool riffs,leads, great drumming
and lyrics this cd is definetly an ONSLAUGHT!!!!!  
Old/modern thrash (does that make sense?) this cd
will make you smile even as you are pounding the
table! NOW HEAR THIS!!!!!!!

6) HELLTRAIN- ROCK AND ROLL DEVIL

Got this off the net for free which gives the lie to the
old saying "if it's free it can't be any good " WRONG-
this cd just rock from start to finish. A good freind
heard this and said it made her "happy", Great
description! A bunch of dudes who don't take
themselves seriously  but rock like hell at the same
time. An exercise in Motorheadish death metal give
this a listen and get happy!!!!!

7) RONNY MUNROE- THE FIRE WITHIN

I read somewhere that this is the best metal cd no
one will ever hear. I can echo that thought. Having
seen this man with Metal Church I was amazed at his
voice. Still am!  This record is full of Metal
Church-isms (got a problem with that?) yet Ronny still
manages to put his own stamp on ALL the songs and
there are NO bad ones on here. Listen to this before
it gets away! Cant praise this one enough!

8) MYSTIC PROHECY- FIREANGEL

Surpassing all their previous works with this one (and
believe me their previous works were astounding)
this cd, while not redefining power metal just simply
NAILS the genre. Vocally, musically, and lyrically
"Fireangel" have issued a real powerhouse here. If u
like power metal (and who doesn't?) then listen to
this baby and see what it's all about!

9) KREATOR- HORDES OF CHAOS

One helluva comeback cd from these dudes who are
without question the inventors of
"punky/hardcorish/thrash" this fucker RULES!!!!!  
After a couple of mis-steps in their illustrious career
they deliver a totally "live feel" on this one as it was
recorded live, in one take, no overdubs or studio
trickery, and just smack you in the face. Raise "the
Flag of Hate" one more time!!!!!!

10)  NOVEMBERS DOOM- INTO NIGHTS REQUIEM
INFERNAL

A stunning achievement from another band who have
been around a helluva long time. A dark.gloomy,
melancholy effort that will leave you chilled to the
bone. Certainly not uplifting in any way, its a record
you need to listen to on those long winter nights
when all seems lost. And when you finally nod off and
awaken the next day you will be glad you listened in
that you can appreciate what you have and what lies
ahead!  

That's all folks! BURN YOUR BRAINS!!!!
The Wrath Of Vod METAL of 2009

1 - Savage Messiah - Insurrection Rising
2 - Megadeth - Endgame
3 - Slayer - World Painted Blood
4 - Kreator - Hordes Of Chaos
5 - Evile
6 - Meliah Rage - Masquerade
7 - Defiance - The Prophecy
8 - Paradox - Riot Squad
9 - Savage Circus - Of Doom and Death
10- Disaster Peace
11 - Ronny Munroe - The Fire Within
12 - Sacred Oath - ST
   Johnny Blackout's
metal defined 2009 - top 30

1     Skyclad - in the…All Together
2     Bibleblack - The Black Swan Epilogue
3     Mystic Prophecy - Fireangel
4     DGM - Frame
5     The Dauntless - Death Row Poet
6     Kreator - Hordes Of Chaos
7     Savage Messiah - Insurrection Rising
8     Paradox - Riot Squad
9     Mastodon - Crack The Skye
10   Icon In Me - Human Museum
11   Centaurus-A - Side Effects Expected
12   Thunderstone - Dirt Metal
13   Redemption - Snowfall On Judgement Day
14   Ronny Munroe - The Fire Within
15   Woe Of Tyrants - Kingdom Of Might
16   Artillery - When Death Comes
17   Defiance - The Prophecy
18   Graveworm - Diabolical Figures
19   Sacrifice - The Ones I condemn
20   Narnia - Course Of A Generation
21   Slayer - World Painted Blood
22   Amorphis - Skyforger
23   Gama Bomb - Tales From Grave Outer Space
24   The Fading - In Sin We'll Find Salvation
25   Dagon - Terraphobic
26   Wolf - Ravenous
27   Frozen Tears - Slaves
28   Wildestarr - Arrival
29   Old Man's Child - Slaves Of The World
30   Rumpelstiltskin Grinder - Living For Death
Lion's Share -Dark Hours
Cripper - Devil Reveals
The Agonist - Lullabies For The Dormant Mind
Amoral - Show Your Colors
As You Drown - Reflection
Crown The Lost - Blind Faith Loyalty
Daath - The Concealers
Darzamat - Solfernus' Path
Divine Heresy - Bringer Of Plagues
Flashback Of Anger - Splinters Of Life
Lay Down Rotten - Gospel Of The Wretched
Nightrage - Wearing A Martyr's Crown
Revocation - Existence Is Futile
Sons Of Season - Gods Of Vermin
Tracedawn - Ego Anthem
Winds Of Plague - The Great Stone War
Criminal - White Hell
Pathosray - Sunless Skies
Adagio -  Archangels In Black
Blood Red Throne - Souls Of Damnation
Disaster Peace - Disaster Peace
Disbelief - Protected Hell
Dreaming Dead - Within One
Emergengy Gate - Rewake
Gwar - Lust In Space
God Dethroned - Passiondale
God Forbid - Earthsblood
Heaven And Hell - The Devil You Know
Herman Frank - Loyal To None
Iron Fire - To The Grave
Malefice - Dawn Of Reprisal
Reanimator - Ignorance Is No Excuse
Persefone - Shin-Kin
Séance - Awakening Of The Gods
This Ending - Dead Harvest
Savage Circus - Of Doom & Death
November's Doom - Into Night's Requiem
Lamb Of God - Wrath
Dark Age - Acedia
Raven - Walk Through Fire
Zandelle - Flames Of Rage
Scar Symmetry - Dark Matter Dimensions
Felixrox’s Top 15 of 2009

Well 2009 has been a very fun year of listening & very
heavy in the departments of Thrash N Burn & Prog/Power.
(Choice cuts in the parenthesis.)

1.
Kreator- Hordes of Chaos (Escalation)
2. Megadeth- Endgame (Endgame)
3. Helstar- King of Hell (Tormentor)
4. Lazarus AD- The Onslaught (Revolution)
5. Immortal-All Shall Fall (Arctic Swarm)
6. November's Doom- Into Nights Requiem Infernal
(Empathy’s Greed)
7. Redemption- Snow Falling on Judgement Day (Peel)
8. Zandelle- Flames of Rage (Flames of Rage)
9. Fools Game- Reality Divine (Sowing Dead Seeds)
10. Mystic Prophecy- Fireangel (Revolution Evil)
11. Crystal Viper-Metal Nation (Anvil of Hate)
12. Lions Share- The Dark Hours (Heavy Cross to Bear)
13. Herman Frank- Loyal to None (Father Buries Son)
14. Grave Digger- Ballads of a Hangman (Hell of Disillusion)
15. Criminal - White Hell (Bastardom)

Honorable Mentions (not in any particular order, but all
very kick ass albums)

Slayer- World Painted Blood
Havok- Burn
Old Man’s Child-Slaves of the World
UDO- Dominator
Tenet- Sovereign
Cage- Science of Annihilation
Shadows Fall- Retribution
Wolf- Ravenous
Heaven N Hell- - The Devil You Know
WASP- Babylon
Futures End- Memoirs of a Broken Man


Too much metal, never enough time!