I love the progressive sound these guys produce but with each release Grutle's Black Metal vocals become more of a distraction than anything. Don't get me wrong, I think Grutle's Black Metal screams are top notch but they just don't seem to belong in the new music they are making. Just my opinion but it was enough for them to finaly get thrown off of my top 40 list.

Great Death Metal album but I found the songwriting to be very weak. Yes, we know you guys hate Jesus! Please find another subject matter or at least make it interesting. Besides the lyrics I really enjoyed this album.

I am still very new to the Drone/Doom subgenre but I would have to say this is a very enjoyable album. The one part that kept it from being great for me was the very poor vocal performace.

Really hard band to catagorize since they hail from the US. They mix what sounds like Melodic Death Metal with Symphonic Black Metal. Kick azz album that deserves the attention.

Great slab of Modern Death Metal. It is just a shame that it had to come out at the same time as albums from Dismember, Krisiun, Gojira and many more.

Interesting twist on the typical Black Metal sound. Great album.

"And They Shall Take Up Serpents" was such an unbelievable album that it was difficult for them to top it. "Oblivion Beckons" is a great Thrash album on its own but when campared to their earlier release it is a clear step backwards.

I am not a huge fan of Meshuggah. I find the vocals to be way too monotone to keep me interested. I did like the heavyness of the album but thats about it.

Very similar to "A Storm Of Light" but more enjoyable. Check it out.

I will have to start by saying that I thought their last album was worthless. Not a single song stuck out. This time around I think they did a great job of making an album with songs that can stand out of the crowd (Listen to "Our Common Grave). The only part keeping it from my top 40 is the excessive use of breakdowns. It might grow on me though.

Great Folk influenced Black Metal. Has its strong and weak moments.

Great piece of Blackened Thrash Metal. Several of the songs sound too similar to each other to really keep it up in the top 40 of the year.

I have never truly been a big fan of Cradle Of Filth. With that said I found this album to be a bit more enjoyable than their past couple of releases. It is by no means at the top of the Symphonic Black Metal list this year but it has some good moments.

Your typical modern Black Metal album with very crystal clear production and sound. There is nothing horribly wrong with this album it just lacks the memorable riffs and songs that the Black Metal Elite have on each release.

I highly enjoy this brutal slab of Death Metal. Very exhausting listen when a band plays that fast and hard for that long. Some may have to break this album up into several listens.

Great continuation of the Punk influenced Black N Roll that we saw on F.O.A.D. Great riffs, Dark vocals and Classic Darkthrone Production, what is their not to like? You may be surprised to hear what sounds like the introduction of some slightly clean vocals in a couple of tracks. Great Stuff.

This album was actually at one point one of the most anticipated albums of the year for me. "The Empires Of The World" was a outstanding debut and showcased a band with a very unique sound. Instead of growing and maturing the sound though they kinda went stale. What we have here is still a great album but almost a step back when compared to their debut.

"Fantastic groove based Black Metal album from Malnatt. Their use of Folk influence has dropped when compared to their past releases but when it is used it is used right. If you enjoy the new Black N Roll style that seems to be catching on, then you will love this release."

"Band featuring past members of Nasum. There first release had more of a Grindcore feel to it while Rotting Paradise is more a straight up Death Metal album. Both releases are stellar and deserve your attention."

I am so thankful that these guys finally got their act together. Their 2007 release "Error In Evolution" just plain sucked and was my dissapointment of the year. This album sees the band finally focusing back on the songwriting and at the same time bringing back some much needed heavyness. If you were a fan of "The Crown" you will definatly be happy to hear this album from Johan and company