1. Freedom Call - The Circle Of Life
So melodically soothing, and still such a drive and energy are rarely found. Freedom Call rarely fails to make me feel just a little bit happier, and that is a huge quality!
2. Piledriver - Metal Inquisition
Brilliant old Heavy Metal! Fun, over the top lyrics and True Metal attitude is delivered to the max! Add to that a rough, mid paced, no-bullshit music style and we have a great record!
3. Heaven's Gate - Livin' In Hysteria
I can't seem to explain exactly why I love the album so much, it just has a fantastic drive, songs that improve my mood, from the rocking coolness of songs like Empty Way To Nowhere to the sweetness of the ballad Best Days Of My Life, and everything in between.
4. Sabaton - Primo Victoria
Very bombastic and dramatic, Primo Victoria tells stories of war and victory. Though I do find some of the lyrics to be just that bit too war worshipping, there's no denying the amazing arrangements, melodies and extreme heaviness of this record creates some truly amazing atmospheres!
5. Metalium - Hero Nation - Chapter Three
Okay, so it's not breaking any new ground. Nevertheless, Metalium have created an energetic and pretty solid album, with soaring guitars, impressive highpitched vocals, lyrics about heroes and battles, and all the other typical Power Metal trademarks.
6. Nightrage - Sweet Vengeance
Melodic but still heavy as can be, Nightrage continue the great Swedish Melodeath tradition from In Flames and At The Gates. With powerful vocals from Thomas Lindberg, a legend in this field, and soaring guitars from the talented Gus G., this album is a winner!
7. Lordi - The Monster Show
Lordi deliver fun, catchy Rock'n'Roll! Not a completely consistent record, The Monster Show still has many good moments of pure and simple party mood music.
8. Gamma Ray - Powerplant
To me, this is just the perfect Power Metal record! It covers every aspect of what I love about the style. The catchiness of Send Me A Sign, the deep felt atmosphere of Strangers In The Night, the simple hard rocking fun of Short As Hell and Heavy Metal Universe, and the epic wonder of Armageddon. It's all there.
9. Ancient Rites - And The Hordes Stood As One
I'm pretty new to the band, and this live recording has been a good way of satisfying my curiosity. Black Metal with a twist of medieval melodies and a tad of 80's influences make for an original and diverse style, ranging from sheer brutal rage to highly melodic bombast, this is great stuff!
10. V/A - The Keepers Of Jericho - A tribute To Helloween
Always great to hear the old Helloween classics, and besides that, the bands participating are all bands I really like, such as Sonata Arctica doing an energized versions of I Want or Rhapsody doing a symphonic version of Guardians. A fun tribute with some strange and entertaining versions of Helloween songs.
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