I haven't heard too too much music (A few of your Music Board guys have heard scores more, I'm sure), but I think I'll chime in here and do my part.
I've already been skimming articles from different sources, each placing a different album on the pedestal. Dillinger Escape Plan's sophomore effort, Miss Machine, has been awarded the honor. Leviathan, from breakthrough act Mastodon has also been handed the prestigious honor. As for the former, I can't say I've listened to too much of the so-called "math metal" goliaths. I've listened to bits and pieces, but abruptly stopped because it didn't quite hit the mark with me. The latter, I have to say, I have not listened to. Unimpressed and frankly disappointed with their 2002 release, Remission, Mastodon left me wanting more, but just did not offer me enough in Remission to give me the kick in the ass to purchase Leviathan.
Not making myself available to two contenders already, I feel as though I may be biased. Who knows what else made the top lists this year? In any event, I'm going to present a few nominations here.
First up on my list is God Forbid's latest record, Gone Forever. Though only nine tracks long, the album sits heads and shoulders above their 2001 release, Determination. Carving themselves a nice niche in the NWOAHM (New Wave of American Heavy Metal) movement with catchy riffs, blistering guitar solos, and energetic live show, God Forbid's Gone Forever should be in any metalhead's collection this year.
Next up is Israel's own Orphaned Land, with their album, Mabool. The album is completely different from anything I've heard in recent years. Combining elements of rock, metal, and their own native sounds, Mabool (chronicling (sp?) the Biblical story of the Great Flood) is an odd, unpredictable, and downright enjoyable piece of music. Tracks like Halo Dies and Ocean Land offer both clean and death-ish vox, simple song structures, and killer lead guitars. The closer, The Storm Still Rages Inside, is one of the best epic songs I've ever heard, to be honest. Clocking in at over 9 minutes (a huge chunk of it instrumental, showcasing those lead guitars again for several minutes), the track fades into the sound of the roaring ocean, and finally, silence. A stunning work indeed.
Next up is Unearth's Metal Blade debut, The Oncoming Storm. High expectations were had, and high expectations were met. Unearth have proved, without a doubt, that they themselves are worthy of wearing the crown in the metalcore genre. Masterfully combining elements of good old American hardcore and Gothenburg-style Euro-metal, The Oncoming Storm packs quite the punch ... and shoves it right in your face. Opening with The Great Dividers, you know you're in for a treat with this record. Subsequent songs like This Lying World and Black Hearts Now Reign pack enough breakdowns and blast beats to fill an entire album. And Zombie Autopilot. Well, the solo in that song is one of the best ones all year.
Killswitch Engage gets another nod from me. Their third album, second from Roadrunner Records, The End of Heartache, is an emotional metal masterpiece. New frontman Howard Jones takes on the job flawlessly, and provides beautiful melodies alongside frightening screams. Tracks like Take This Oath, Rose of Sharyn, and When Darkness Falls (which also appeared on last year's Freddy vs Jason soundtrack) are among the bands best ever. With enough Slayer-like riffs to please any metalhead, along with breakdown after breakdown to keep the hardcore kids happy, The End of Heartache, even if it doesn't get the Best of 2004 award, is surely sitting mountains above the rest.
You didn't think this post would be without Lamb of God, did you? Establishing themselves at the front of this NWOAHM movement, Lamb of God released Ashes of the Wake in 2004 in the eager hands of the metal community. Sonically superior to past releases, Ashes has been pampered with flawless production, giving the listener an entirely new Lamb of God listening experience. Be sure to check out the tracks: Now You've Got Something to Die For, the instrumental title track, and the best cut from the record, The Faded Line. If that doesn't get you in the mood to join a Wall of Death, well, you should just stop listening and jump off a building, because you're useless.
My last nomination will go to Century Media alumni Shadows Fall. Their 4th release, The War Within, is arguably their best to date, is a 10-track fury of pure heavy metal. Following the critically acclaimed 2002 The Art of Balance was not an easy task, but this group from Boston did it. And they did it amazingly well. The opener, The Light That Blinds, grabs you right by the throat, and just does not let go. The album has some of the best riffs I've heard all year, not to mention the sick lead guitar assault. Solos are definitely in the spotlight throughout the entire album, with two of the best all year (joining Unearth's Zombie Autopilot) coming from the tracks Stillness and Inspiration on Demand. Ladies and gentlemen, this is fucking metal.
Sorry this post was so long. I wanted to do something a little different and write a little more than I usually do.
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