Nominations for Rock Album of the Year

[majutsu]

Great stuff. I am seeing all the names I expected: Iced Earth (awesome), Killswitch (everyone knows I think they suck, but they deserve the nomination), Shadows Fall (awesome, one of my picks), Lamb of God (good pick, I just don't think it's unique enough to merit greatness), and Unearth (I second From Zero's review, but occasionally I find the album flat and tiresome). I have eliminated picks that, so far, have not been seconded. If you see an album on the above list only mentioned once in this thread, it's because I seconded it On that note, I think I will second and therefore add to the nomination list one of Flah's picks, Converge (which may definitely be the greatest album of the year and the last few years even). Even though it's not circulated widely enough to win the title on elite, it deserves to be mentioned again and again so someone might hear! I am tempted to second the Taken, Flah, to have more "alternative" on the nomination, but that album reminds me of the more popular Unearth album in that I will acknowledge it's greatness readily, but for ill-defined mental reasons I find myself switching it off with irritated boredom a lot. I am always will to nominate Slayer or Mayhem, Samoth, but hypothetical albums don't count, but I totally second the sentiment.

Once more people have added their nominations, I will make a new thread with a poll of the nominations for EF voting. All sincerely seconded nominations for the rock genre will be added to the poll. (If you do things like nominate Hoobastank, you better have a logical argument, or your sincerity or musical taste will be seriously questioned. . . )

 

[from zero]

lol @ the Hoobastank comment.

And young guns, you're right, Jason Bittner is a hell of a drummer.

 

[samoth]

I am always will to nominate Slayer or Mayhem, Samoth, but hypothetical albums don't count, but I totally second the sentiment.

I totally didn't say a word Slayer. I don't really follow them anymore. Is Lombardo the Retardo back with them yet? Nobody does a better endlessly repetitive kick-snare then him.

After the DM scene became too overpopulated with fourth-generation Scandinavian death metal ripoffs, I stopped keeping up. I really only keep track of black metal nowadays. And yes, similar comments can be made about idiotic-looking talentless twentieth-gen Norweigen BM bands oversaturating the market as well, but I feel that that scene's got more going for it in its upper tier lately, at least in what interests me. Let me add that CoF and Dimmu both suck. They lost the true BMers years ago.

Did Manowar release anything this year? They are the true Gods of Metal... so if they did release anything, it automatically tops the list here. Anyone who argues that is not a true metal warrior.

So Shadow's Fall have gotten that popular nowadays, huh? When I saw them at the Rave years ago, I thought they were horrible. Then again, Dimmu broke into the top 100 this year, so I gues anything goes.

I refuse to listen to Iced Earth now. No one can top Barlow.

Didn't Opeth release an album this year? That should be pretty high up on your list.

 

[SVT-TROY]

I need to listen to more of the stuff that is mentioned above. I used to listen to Iced Earth back in the day but haven't heard an album after "Night of the Stormrider". From the stuff that I have heard of; I am impressed with Slipknot's Vol. 3 Subliminal Verses.

 

[got2getripped]

It's a toss up. Iced Earth "The Glorius Burden" (2CD) or Shadows Fall "The War Within"

As for musical genious, I've gotta give it to Iced Earth. The Ghettysburg trilogy is a masterpiece. But for just damn good listening, I've gotta pick Shadows Fall.

I just want to add one thing to From Zero's review of The War Within. The drumming is incredible. There is good reason for Bittner to be getting recognition as one of metal's leading drummers. That man's double bass assault just plain kicks ass.

Iced Earth! is this some kind of joke I never heard these guys till this thread and I wish I never would have. I love hard core music like COF,Dimmu Borgir,Arch Enemy etc. I'm sorry but This band sounds like 80's ass rock with out the 80's.

 

[powerslave]

I'll second God Forbid's "Gone Forever". Great disc!

 

[from zero]

Didn't Opeth release an album this year? That should be pretty high up on your list.

It would ve my first choice if they had. Damnation was released in 2003.

 

[young guns]

Iced Earth! is this some kind of joke I never heard these guys till this thread and I wish I never would have. I love hard core music like COF,Dimmu Borgir,Arch Enemy etc. I'm sorry but This band sounds like 80's ass rock with out the 80's.

Maybe I should've put Cradle of Filth or Cattle Decapitation or Vehemence on my list since they're so hard core. And they have such cool album covers too. If you're another guy who bases how good music is on how hard core it is, then your opinion is as valuable as shit wrapped in aluminum foil with a ribbon made of pubic hair (nah you're entitled to think what you want, but I just really wanted to say that).

BTW, check out Burnt Offerings and tell me it still sounds like 80's rock. Now if you said they have similarities to 80's metal bands like Iron Maiden, I wouldn't argue you there.

Now that I'm done with my rant, I do agree that Dimmu Borgir and Arch Enemy are decent bands, but I'm not a huge fan of either. Don't care for Cradle of Filth at all though.

 

[young guns]

Let me add that CoF and Dimmu both suck. They lost the true BMers years ago.

I refuse to listen to Iced Earth now. No one can top Barlow.

Glad I'm not the only one that thinks CoF sucks.

And I agree that Ripper does not top Barlow.

 

[young guns]

Notable mentions I didn't include in my original post (some already mentioned by others):

Beyond the Embrace - Insect Song (my favorite of the year, but there are some issue with the production)

Killswitch Engage - End of the Heartache

God Forbid - Gone Forever

I haven't heard Lamb of God's or Unearth's new albums so I can't comment on them.