It's That Time of Year Again
Another year comes to a close and we turn our eyes towards what has
defined it. With that in mind i've reviewed dozens of albums to come up
with what i feel are the most noteworthy releases of this year. 2005
hasn't had a shortage of disappointing albums, but there was still
plenty of good music to enjoy. I had a tough time sorting my top list
as there were so many choices to consider that were all roughly equal.
Very few albums stood out as clear choices for the top spots (unlike
last year). Whether you want to chalk this up to there being too many
good albums this year, or not enough instant classics, is up to you.
Tramz Top 20 Metal & Related Albums of 2005:
1) After Forever - Remagine: I was never really an AF fan, but when Joost van den Broek teamed up to assist with writing the music, he did wonders. What he has done with After Forever has filled their potential. This is bound to be an unpopular choice for my 2005 album of the year, but i am standing by it. Floors' voice is strong and passionate, the music is interesting and exciting with the perfect amount of operatic singing. Sure, the last few songs aren't quite as strong as the rest, but this is still an exeptional album. After Forever + Joost = A Winner.
2) Opeth - Ghost Reveries: An interesting album that introduced several new elements to the Opeth sound. It manages to combine the undistorted melancholy of Damnation with the heavier elements of classics such as Blackwater Park to create something new, complex, and unique. One thing that impresses me is when a group creates sprawling musical works of considerable length (which is something Opeth is known for). Ghost Reveries is no exeption with 4 of it's 8 songs clocking in at over 10 minutes. Always impressive.
3) Dark Tranquillity - Character: This is simply a fantastic album. In my opinion, one of their best. It captures the essence of their classics while sounding fresh, new and original. It has great guitaring, good energy, and just the right amount of keyboards.
4) Mors Principium Est - The Unborn: 2003's Inhumanity was one of the best debut's i can think of and this sophmore full length effort does not disappoint. Mors Principium Est definitely belongs at the top of the melodic death scene.
5) Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor: It is about time Nevermore got their due. They've been at this for roughly 15 years and they are just now starting to really get the attention they deserve. This Godless Endeavor may well be their best album to date.
6) Hypocrisy - Virus: I can't say that i am really a fan of their older work, but i did enjoy last year's The Arrival. Now with Virus, they prove that they are definitely a band worth paying attention to.
7) Rapture - The Silent Stage: While not quite as good as 2002's Songs for the Withering, this is still quite a noteworthy work from a band that deserves more attention than it gets. Any Death/Doom head that hasn't given Rapture a try needs to stop slacking.
8. Kreator - Enemy of God: Thrash music just isn't nearly as good as it was in the glory days of Megadeth, Metallica, and Slayer, but every so often, a worthy album does see the light of day. With Enemy of God, Kreator has combined memorable lyrics, catchy riffs/melodies, and engaging guitars alongside top notch percussion.
9) Kamelot - The Black Halo: Normally, i am not into the brand of power metal that Kamelot is known for, but with The Black Halo, Kamelot has quite simply hit the sweet spot.
10) Shadow Gallery - Room V: In my opinion, this is the best prog release of 2005.
11) Battlelore - Third Age of the Sun: Now i enjoy LoTR, but normally i frown on LoTR inspired music. Nor have i been all that impressed with their previous efforts, but on Third Age of the Sun, Battelore just nails it. If nothing else, they draw their inspiration from the books, not the movies. This is a major plus for me.
12) Epica - Consign to Oblivion: A most under-rated album. At first listen, i found this album boring, but I've since come to appreciate the symphonic goodness that can be found here. Not to mention that Simone Simons sounds great on this one. Very emotional and powerful.
13) Dream Theater - Octavarium: Dream Theater is one of those groups that you either love or simply do not understand why others love them. Often hailed as music for intelligent people, one can understand why some out there might consider them a bit dry and passionless. Me, i fall somewhere in between. I don't worship at the altar of DT, but i certainly do enjoy their art. Octavarium might not be their best album, being their most commercial/accessable album since Falling Into Infinity. However this is not something the band will dispute. In fact, when asked, Mike Portnoy has said that the difference between Octavarium and Falling Into Infinity is that on Falling they had monumental pressures from the record company and producers. Now, with Octavarium, they are able to make the album the way THEY want. So they consider this *their* version of Falling Into Infinity. Take that for what you will, however all of that aside, i still think this album is a fine addition to their catalog.
14) November's Doom - The Pale Haunt Departure: One of the best doom metal albums this year.
15) Old Man's Child - Vermin: A top shelf album from this under-rated black metal outfit from Norway.
16) Paradise Lost - Paradise Lost: Much like their excellent 2002 album, Symbol of Life, Paradise Lost is as good as goth metal gets.
17) Siebenburgen - Darker Designs & Images: Now this album is some black metal i can definitely get into. A kind of heavy/black hybrid, which uses secondary female vocals to a good effect. While some people see this album has yet another 2005 disappointment, i see it as worth the attention of any metal fan.
18. Naglfar - Pariah: While there isn't much to be found here that couldn't be found on their 2003 album Sheol, this is still a solid, if short album from these swedish black metalers.
19) Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 3 - The Legacy: Helloween is another band i haven't paid much attention to in the past, however The Legacy is a worthwhile album. While some may believe the second cd was just unnecessary/too accessable, and that The Legacy isn't quite the classic that the previous two Keeper albums were, i say that often people won't let a new album ever seem to be on par with treasured classics. It is just human nature. While it isn't perfect, and the second cd IS more accessable than the other material, The Legacy is a fine cd that certainly has it's moments, and so it deserves a place on this list.
20) Edguy - Superheroes EP: I had expected this ep to rank much higher. What happened? Last years Hellfire Club was so unbelievably amazing, yet this doesn't even come close to that level of awesomeness. Still, this is a decent and enjoyable EP.
Best Metal Album Missed in 2004: Three Inches of Blood - Advance & Vanquish: I did not discover this album until very early 2005 else it would have certainly been on my top list of 2004, so it deserves this Tramz-Award.
The 10 Most Disappointing Albums of 2005:
1) Stream of Passion - Embrace The Storm: It failed to rise above the level of generic shlock, so it is my number one disappointment. Don't believe me? Listen to Nostalgia and see if it doesn't remind you heavily of My Immortal. That isn't to say that i can't enjoy this album at all, but i expected so much more and it failed to deliver.
2) Arch Enemy - Doomsday Machine: For the most part, they slowed down their speed and aggression for a more accessable album. This is not a good thing.
3) Leaves Eyes - Vinland Saga: With the exeption of the single (Elegy), this album was a complete snorefest.
4) Norther - Solution7 EP: Death Unlimited was one of the best albums of 2004, but this EP is just disappointing.
5) Tristania - Ashes: This album is no Beyond The Veil, that's for sure. It is completely lackluster.
6) James Labrie - Elements of Persuasion: When the hell did James join Linkin Park? At best this is an interesting album for james, much harder than his work with Dream Theater and it contains several elements generally frowned on by the metal community: electronic elements, edits and the occasional dj scratching. Now i like many of those things, just not in my metal. This album has a few redeeming moments, but not nearly enough to save it from being an overall disappointment.
7) Trail of Tears - Free Fall Into Fear: This album just plain and simply failed to live up to expectations. Not that it is completely unlistable, a few of the songs are ok, but after 2002's A New Dimension of Might, i expected alot more and Free Fall just fails to deliver.
8. Lullacry - Vol. 4: This album has grown on me a bit, but it still isn't anywhere as good as Crucify My Heart. I think Lullacry had their moment in the sun, but the moment is over.
9) Soilwork - Stabbing The Drama: Soilwork continues it's journey towards a more mainstream metal sound. At times, this album treads dangerously close to metalcore. Not that it doesn't have it's shining moments (Nerve and the title track come to mind), but this album could have been better. I fear for the future quality of this band.
10) Demons & Wizards - Touched By The Crimson King: The 2000 self-title is considered by many to be a modern classic. A great album all around. Unfortunately 5 years later we get a follow up that simply did not live up to the legacy. Not that it is a bad album, but somehow one just expected more.
Tramz Top 5 Non-Metal Albums:
Because you can't compare apples and oranges, i've seperated my list into metal and non-metal..
1) Bloc Party - Silent Alarm: Thee post-punk album of 2005, and for good reason. Great dancable percussion, good guitaring and some wonderful energy. If you haven't heard this one by now, crawl out of your cave and look around. You're missing the world as it changes.
2) Coldplay - X&Y: Coldplay may be a rampant mainstream success and some may try to say it is a Radiohead-wannabe. But so what? This is still a mighty fine album.
3) Antimatter - Planetary Confinement: Known for somber, melancholy music that i can only describe as conveying impressions of someone who has reached that peace which accompanies the final decision to commit suicide. No fear, no doubt, no more uncertainty - just a somber peace. This album takes a step back, not that it doesn't have traces of the comforting sound of their prior works, but it seems to be an album for someone who has made the choice to live and cope with the world, rather than leave it. The other big change from previous albums is the reliance on live instrumentation. Gone are the electronic elements that could be found on Saviour and Lights Out. For music to comfort you during your depressive moods, you can't beat Antimatter.
4) Sage Francis - A Healthy Distrust: While not as quite good as his Non-Prophets Hope album from 2003, Sage still brings intelligent political rapping (check Slow Down Gandhi) from the college backpacky crowd at it's finest. The wit here is downright funny if not occasionally disturbing.
5) VNV Nation - Matter+Form: It may not be Standing/Burning Empires, but it still is a good album. When VNV Nation puts out a new cd it is always something to look forward to. For those of us who like EBM/Futurepop, this is one group that has yet to disappoint.
Honorable Mentions:
Gang of Four - Return The Gift: Rerecording their classic songs and presenting it as a new release may not sit well with some who would have liked to see a new studio album, but revisiting Gang of Four's best songs with modern production values is a welcome addition to this years musical endeavors. Those into the whole post-punk/indie vibe a la Bloc Party and Interpol who don't know their history should give this one a listen. It proves that what is old is new.
Beck - Guero: The original Loser came back with another quality album this year. While there aren't really any songs with the instant appeal of "Where It's At", Beck has put together a subtle grower with Guero. Tracks like E-Pro, Girl, and Hell Yeah are the ones to check.
Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams: Yet more proof of the down note that is 2005, Jack's 2003 album On and On was definitely superior to In Between Dreams, but there is no denying the joy that is Jack Johnson's laid back summertime vibe.
Ladytron - Witching Hour: Electroclash pioneers escape being trapped in that short lived genre and create a decent album that is noteworthy for the entirely addicting single Destroy Everything You Touch alone.
Best Non-Metal Album Missed in 2004: Incognito - Adventures In Black Sunshine: YES! The Cog is back to form. After two lackluster albums (2003's Who Needs Love and 2001's Life, Stranger Than Fiction), they have done it again. Maysa Leak is back, and this was not an album to miss for all jazzfunk enthusiasts. Unfortunately i did not buy this one until early 2005, so it missed my 2004 list.
And so another year in music comes to a close. Let us hope 2006 brings us less disappointments and more instant classics.
Tramz Top 20 Metal & Related Albums of 2005:
1) After Forever - Remagine: I was never really an AF fan, but when Joost van den Broek teamed up to assist with writing the music, he did wonders. What he has done with After Forever has filled their potential. This is bound to be an unpopular choice for my 2005 album of the year, but i am standing by it. Floors' voice is strong and passionate, the music is interesting and exciting with the perfect amount of operatic singing. Sure, the last few songs aren't quite as strong as the rest, but this is still an exeptional album. After Forever + Joost = A Winner.
2) Opeth - Ghost Reveries: An interesting album that introduced several new elements to the Opeth sound. It manages to combine the undistorted melancholy of Damnation with the heavier elements of classics such as Blackwater Park to create something new, complex, and unique. One thing that impresses me is when a group creates sprawling musical works of considerable length (which is something Opeth is known for). Ghost Reveries is no exeption with 4 of it's 8 songs clocking in at over 10 minutes. Always impressive.
3) Dark Tranquillity - Character: This is simply a fantastic album. In my opinion, one of their best. It captures the essence of their classics while sounding fresh, new and original. It has great guitaring, good energy, and just the right amount of keyboards.
4) Mors Principium Est - The Unborn: 2003's Inhumanity was one of the best debut's i can think of and this sophmore full length effort does not disappoint. Mors Principium Est definitely belongs at the top of the melodic death scene.
5) Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor: It is about time Nevermore got their due. They've been at this for roughly 15 years and they are just now starting to really get the attention they deserve. This Godless Endeavor may well be their best album to date.
6) Hypocrisy - Virus: I can't say that i am really a fan of their older work, but i did enjoy last year's The Arrival. Now with Virus, they prove that they are definitely a band worth paying attention to.
7) Rapture - The Silent Stage: While not quite as good as 2002's Songs for the Withering, this is still quite a noteworthy work from a band that deserves more attention than it gets. Any Death/Doom head that hasn't given Rapture a try needs to stop slacking.
8. Kreator - Enemy of God: Thrash music just isn't nearly as good as it was in the glory days of Megadeth, Metallica, and Slayer, but every so often, a worthy album does see the light of day. With Enemy of God, Kreator has combined memorable lyrics, catchy riffs/melodies, and engaging guitars alongside top notch percussion.
9) Kamelot - The Black Halo: Normally, i am not into the brand of power metal that Kamelot is known for, but with The Black Halo, Kamelot has quite simply hit the sweet spot.
10) Shadow Gallery - Room V: In my opinion, this is the best prog release of 2005.
11) Battlelore - Third Age of the Sun: Now i enjoy LoTR, but normally i frown on LoTR inspired music. Nor have i been all that impressed with their previous efforts, but on Third Age of the Sun, Battelore just nails it. If nothing else, they draw their inspiration from the books, not the movies. This is a major plus for me.
12) Epica - Consign to Oblivion: A most under-rated album. At first listen, i found this album boring, but I've since come to appreciate the symphonic goodness that can be found here. Not to mention that Simone Simons sounds great on this one. Very emotional and powerful.
13) Dream Theater - Octavarium: Dream Theater is one of those groups that you either love or simply do not understand why others love them. Often hailed as music for intelligent people, one can understand why some out there might consider them a bit dry and passionless. Me, i fall somewhere in between. I don't worship at the altar of DT, but i certainly do enjoy their art. Octavarium might not be their best album, being their most commercial/accessable album since Falling Into Infinity. However this is not something the band will dispute. In fact, when asked, Mike Portnoy has said that the difference between Octavarium and Falling Into Infinity is that on Falling they had monumental pressures from the record company and producers. Now, with Octavarium, they are able to make the album the way THEY want. So they consider this *their* version of Falling Into Infinity. Take that for what you will, however all of that aside, i still think this album is a fine addition to their catalog.
14) November's Doom - The Pale Haunt Departure: One of the best doom metal albums this year.
15) Old Man's Child - Vermin: A top shelf album from this under-rated black metal outfit from Norway.
16) Paradise Lost - Paradise Lost: Much like their excellent 2002 album, Symbol of Life, Paradise Lost is as good as goth metal gets.
17) Siebenburgen - Darker Designs & Images: Now this album is some black metal i can definitely get into. A kind of heavy/black hybrid, which uses secondary female vocals to a good effect. While some people see this album has yet another 2005 disappointment, i see it as worth the attention of any metal fan.
18. Naglfar - Pariah: While there isn't much to be found here that couldn't be found on their 2003 album Sheol, this is still a solid, if short album from these swedish black metalers.
19) Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 3 - The Legacy: Helloween is another band i haven't paid much attention to in the past, however The Legacy is a worthwhile album. While some may believe the second cd was just unnecessary/too accessable, and that The Legacy isn't quite the classic that the previous two Keeper albums were, i say that often people won't let a new album ever seem to be on par with treasured classics. It is just human nature. While it isn't perfect, and the second cd IS more accessable than the other material, The Legacy is a fine cd that certainly has it's moments, and so it deserves a place on this list.
20) Edguy - Superheroes EP: I had expected this ep to rank much higher. What happened? Last years Hellfire Club was so unbelievably amazing, yet this doesn't even come close to that level of awesomeness. Still, this is a decent and enjoyable EP.
Best Metal Album Missed in 2004: Three Inches of Blood - Advance & Vanquish: I did not discover this album until very early 2005 else it would have certainly been on my top list of 2004, so it deserves this Tramz-Award.
The 10 Most Disappointing Albums of 2005:
1) Stream of Passion - Embrace The Storm: It failed to rise above the level of generic shlock, so it is my number one disappointment. Don't believe me? Listen to Nostalgia and see if it doesn't remind you heavily of My Immortal. That isn't to say that i can't enjoy this album at all, but i expected so much more and it failed to deliver.
2) Arch Enemy - Doomsday Machine: For the most part, they slowed down their speed and aggression for a more accessable album. This is not a good thing.
3) Leaves Eyes - Vinland Saga: With the exeption of the single (Elegy), this album was a complete snorefest.
4) Norther - Solution7 EP: Death Unlimited was one of the best albums of 2004, but this EP is just disappointing.
5) Tristania - Ashes: This album is no Beyond The Veil, that's for sure. It is completely lackluster.
6) James Labrie - Elements of Persuasion: When the hell did James join Linkin Park? At best this is an interesting album for james, much harder than his work with Dream Theater and it contains several elements generally frowned on by the metal community: electronic elements, edits and the occasional dj scratching. Now i like many of those things, just not in my metal. This album has a few redeeming moments, but not nearly enough to save it from being an overall disappointment.
7) Trail of Tears - Free Fall Into Fear: This album just plain and simply failed to live up to expectations. Not that it is completely unlistable, a few of the songs are ok, but after 2002's A New Dimension of Might, i expected alot more and Free Fall just fails to deliver.
8. Lullacry - Vol. 4: This album has grown on me a bit, but it still isn't anywhere as good as Crucify My Heart. I think Lullacry had their moment in the sun, but the moment is over.
9) Soilwork - Stabbing The Drama: Soilwork continues it's journey towards a more mainstream metal sound. At times, this album treads dangerously close to metalcore. Not that it doesn't have it's shining moments (Nerve and the title track come to mind), but this album could have been better. I fear for the future quality of this band.
10) Demons & Wizards - Touched By The Crimson King: The 2000 self-title is considered by many to be a modern classic. A great album all around. Unfortunately 5 years later we get a follow up that simply did not live up to the legacy. Not that it is a bad album, but somehow one just expected more.
Tramz Top 5 Non-Metal Albums:
Because you can't compare apples and oranges, i've seperated my list into metal and non-metal..
1) Bloc Party - Silent Alarm: Thee post-punk album of 2005, and for good reason. Great dancable percussion, good guitaring and some wonderful energy. If you haven't heard this one by now, crawl out of your cave and look around. You're missing the world as it changes.
2) Coldplay - X&Y: Coldplay may be a rampant mainstream success and some may try to say it is a Radiohead-wannabe. But so what? This is still a mighty fine album.
3) Antimatter - Planetary Confinement: Known for somber, melancholy music that i can only describe as conveying impressions of someone who has reached that peace which accompanies the final decision to commit suicide. No fear, no doubt, no more uncertainty - just a somber peace. This album takes a step back, not that it doesn't have traces of the comforting sound of their prior works, but it seems to be an album for someone who has made the choice to live and cope with the world, rather than leave it. The other big change from previous albums is the reliance on live instrumentation. Gone are the electronic elements that could be found on Saviour and Lights Out. For music to comfort you during your depressive moods, you can't beat Antimatter.
4) Sage Francis - A Healthy Distrust: While not as quite good as his Non-Prophets Hope album from 2003, Sage still brings intelligent political rapping (check Slow Down Gandhi) from the college backpacky crowd at it's finest. The wit here is downright funny if not occasionally disturbing.
5) VNV Nation - Matter+Form: It may not be Standing/Burning Empires, but it still is a good album. When VNV Nation puts out a new cd it is always something to look forward to. For those of us who like EBM/Futurepop, this is one group that has yet to disappoint.
Honorable Mentions:
Gang of Four - Return The Gift: Rerecording their classic songs and presenting it as a new release may not sit well with some who would have liked to see a new studio album, but revisiting Gang of Four's best songs with modern production values is a welcome addition to this years musical endeavors. Those into the whole post-punk/indie vibe a la Bloc Party and Interpol who don't know their history should give this one a listen. It proves that what is old is new.
Beck - Guero: The original Loser came back with another quality album this year. While there aren't really any songs with the instant appeal of "Where It's At", Beck has put together a subtle grower with Guero. Tracks like E-Pro, Girl, and Hell Yeah are the ones to check.
Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams: Yet more proof of the down note that is 2005, Jack's 2003 album On and On was definitely superior to In Between Dreams, but there is no denying the joy that is Jack Johnson's laid back summertime vibe.
Ladytron - Witching Hour: Electroclash pioneers escape being trapped in that short lived genre and create a decent album that is noteworthy for the entirely addicting single Destroy Everything You Touch alone.
Best Non-Metal Album Missed in 2004: Incognito - Adventures In Black Sunshine: YES! The Cog is back to form. After two lackluster albums (2003's Who Needs Love and 2001's Life, Stranger Than Fiction), they have done it again. Maysa Leak is back, and this was not an album to miss for all jazzfunk enthusiasts. Unfortunately i did not buy this one until early 2005, so it missed my 2004 list.
And so another year in music comes to a close. Let us hope 2006 brings us less disappointments and more instant classics.