FULL METAL J ACK ET ms
ha s br ough t ab out some of the finest albu
year
of a decade. This past is the top ten albums
of 2009...
End of a year, the end ur s of m us ing he re
ties’. After many ho
released of the ‘nough
10 LAMBWRATH
OF GOD A
sure fire hit from the Virgin-
ian metallers. Building on the
success of 2005’s equally
brutal ‘Sacrament’, Randy Blythe
and co have certainly stepped up
their game this time around. Avoiding the familiar
riffs that plagued previous albums, and treading
the waters more associated with death metal ter-
ritory. With lead single ‘Set to Fail’ regarded as
one of the finest songs of their career it is only
fitting that the album itself is regarded as one of
their best releases. Other highlights include the
in your face anthem ‘Contractor’ that moves
along like a bullet train. If you didn’t know heavy
before, then after listening to Wrath, you’ll be
more than well educated. Be sure to catch them
at this years Download Festival ripping up the
main stage one devastating circle pit at a time.
9 Muse – The Resistance 8 Static-X – Cult of Static:
The ONLY British entry, Devon’s Evil Disco, as spiky haired
own Muse has come a long way front man Wayne Static dubs
through 5 albums in ten years. Fol- his band’s industrial dance
lowing on from their smash hit sound, has been ripping up
2006 album ‘Black Holes and Revelations’ Muse venues worldwide for over 10
crank the political axis and conspiracy theories years now. It continues to des-
from yesteryear up a notch or two. The opening omate the coveted Ozzfest each year. Adding
‘Uprising’ delivers a thumping bass line reminis- guitar solos to the mix on 2007’s ‘Cannibal’ and
cent to Blondie’s ‘Call Me’. ‘United States of approaching darker lyrical territories silenced
Eurasia’ is Muse’s own Bohemian Rhapsody, those who dismissed Static-X as another trendy
not only because Matt Bellamy’s vocals at times ‘nu-metal’ band. On this record, the riffs and
mirror those of the late Freddie Mercury but it samples command you to get up and dance with
retains the abnormal elements of said song and aggression. ‘Lunatic’ (previously heard on the
much more, all the while with its own original soundtrack to ‘The Punisher), The blistering
take. ‘Unnatural Selection’ holds nothing back ‘Z28’ and ‘Stingwray’ are destined to stand out
as Bellamy’s voice unleashes a heartfelt chorus at any live concert. ‘Cult of Static’, named in ap-
against those of opposition. Ending with three preciation to Static’s loyal fan base, fits as both a
part epic ‘Exogenesis’ if epic wasn’t used to de- fitting tribute the fans as well as a blueprint of
scribe Muse before, it certainly does now. things to come.
7 CHRIS CORNELL
SCREAM
W
hen news broke that this album would be
produced by Timberland, the rock world all
but revolted. Despite this, Scream is an
overlooked record with some exceptional R ‘n’ B in-
spired songs. The title track itself is an easy listen-
ing ‘chill out’ affair guaranteed to get the crowd to
sing along. The rock element however hasn’t been
fully abandoned as ‘Never Far Away’ retains the
necessary elements to cons. Recent rumours sur-
faced that Chris has returned to the studio to re-
work ‘Scream’ as a straight up rock record. After
hearing the leaked mix of ‘Never Far Away’ it ap-
pears there is hope in reclaiming those lost fans
6 Devildriver – Pray For Villains: 5 Steel Panther – Feel The Steel
When they’re not out on tour rais- Now whoever said metal had to be
ing hell one circle pit at a time serious all the time? Steel Panther
they’re in the studio churning out may be a parody metal band but
some of the darkest and heaviest what they do well is write catchy
metal of the 21st century. Dez Fafara has cer- heavy metal anthems playing on the stereotypes
tainly come a long way since his nu-metal days of the average hair metal rock star. Such low
in Coal Chamber, undoubtedly one of the worst brow humour is displayed in songs such as
bands of the genre. His growly vocal range ‘Party All Day’ and ‘Community Property’ (the
shines on this record in songs such as the title only power ballad known to use the word
track and the elegant ‘I’ve Been Sober’, a song ‘dong’). Standout track ‘Death To All But Metal’
that introduces the first use of clean vocals in verbally attacks the trends and musical artists
Devildrivers career. Accompanied by devastat- that succeeded the Motley Crues and Bon Jovi’s
ing screams, growly vocals and guitar solos ga- (just be sure to listen out for the sneaky Metal-
lore, Pray For Villains reinforces Devildriver’s lica riff before the chorus). Selling out venues in
position as one of the top live metal acts of the the UK on their last tour only emphasises that
new wave, and one of the more solid albums of Steel Panther are well and truly bringing the fun
2009. back into metal. Thar they blow!
4 Pearl Jam – Backspacer
2009 has been the year of the comeback, with the live returns of Limp Bizkit and
KoRn to name a few Then towards the end of the year we saw an astounding return
from grunge legends Pearl Jam. With their ninth studio album Back-
spacer (named after the defunct button used on old
typewriters, which front man Eddie Veddar uses to
write all his lyrics) they funnily enough take it several steps forward,
reuniting with legendary producer Brendan O’Brien (Stone Tem-
ple Pilots, Rage Against The Machine) and incorporating a New
Wave sound into their arsenal whilst retaining the hooks that
gained them a loyal following. Songs such as ‘The Fixer’ (an in-
stant classic and undoubtedly THE perfect summer anthem)
‘Gonna See My Friend’ and ‘Supersonic’ are some of the highlight
sing along anthems which goes to show that although Pearl Jam
are older and wiser they still know how to have fun.
ALICE IN CH AIN S
3 BLACK GIVES WAY TO BLUE
A
fter front man Layne Staleys tragic death by heroin over-
dose in 2002 it was widely believed that the Seattle leg-
ends’ future died with him. Many were quick at the mark to
attack new front man William Duvall as they felt he could not fit
into Staley’s shoes. The creeping opener All Secrets Known rips
away all doubt with Cantrell's eerie guitar and Sean Kinney's
crashing drums. Recent singles 'A Looking in View' and 'Check
My Brain' contain the classic sludgy sound reminiscent of clas-
sics such as God Smack and Man in the Box. The title track it-
self includes a beautiful piano melody from Elton John, who’d
have thought?
2 DEAD BY
APRIL
R
eleased in their native Sweden in May, Dead By April’s stunning debut crashed
into the charts at number 2 (14 copies BEHIND Green Day’s 21st Century
Breakdown, fending off the returning Eminem to the number 3 spot). Incorpo-
rating elements of dance, pop, shredding metallic riffs and heart-wrenching aggres-
sive vocals guaranteed to invoke emotion from its audience. Highlight tracks include
‘Promise Me’ ‘Erased’ and the In Flames inspired ‘Angels of Clarity’. It’s like Linkin
Park listened to too much Swedish Death Metal and went to a pop festival by accident. It is without
doubt one of the more different albums of the last year Check out an interview with lead vocalist
Jimmie Strimmell on page … about touring the UK with Skindred and more about the album.
1
With other critics barking at the knees of the whatever
genre is of ‘the now’, one band has stood out from the
pack, creating quite possible the finest album of the
last decade. Released in the first quarter of 2009, it has
since become a modern classic, and is quite possibly
the best album of the lasty few years. So who is it?
Read on to find out...
