2010 Music Half Time Report

Well ladies and gents, the year is more than half way over. So here is my, albeit belated, half time report. It’s been one heck of a year for metal/hard rock and music in general. These are the albums that were most important to me. They aren’t all metal or even rock and roll, but go ahead and try them out. You might be surprised. If we have reviewed the album just click on the album title to check out our full review.

Here they are, in no particular order:

As I Lay Dying – The Powerless Rise
These metalcore giants have truly outdone themselves. This is the best album to date from Lambesis and gang.

Our Last Night – We Will All Evolve
This post-hardcore group is amazing. They have the breakdowns and brutality of a much more mature group (their lead singer started at age seventeen!) and the melodies that will keep those less into brutality around. Give these kids a listen, they deserve it.

Periphery – Periphery
Progressive metal in all its sweepy glory. If you can handle some odd vocals, this album is a must listen to.

Mutiny Within – Mutiny Within
These guys have got talent. Every single band member is absolutely brimming with potential. If you love some melodic hard rock check these guys out. P.S. Chris Clancy, the vocalist, has the most amazing voice I have heard in a long time, if not ever.

Alesana – The Emptiness
Ah, yes. Alesana. Mock if you will but I adore this emo sextet’s latest album. I had a girlfriend who was not as into metal as I and we had to find a compromise. And this was it. For many months this album featured heavily in my playlists. Emo? Yes. Entertaining? Incredibly. For those of you interested we broke up, although not because of her horrible taste in music.

Chelsea Grin – Desolation of Eden
Deathcore. If you don’t like it turn away now, if you do, check out these Utah natives. I have been a fan ever since I was introduced to their demos a few years ago when they were first producing music. Their debut full length is so full of breakdowns you’ll, in the words of Suicide Silence vocalist Mitch Lucker, want to punch a baby. Alright, I misquoted him, so sue me. It’s heavy. High pitched vocals will turn some away but if death-core is your thing then Desolation is an album you will definitely want to check out.

Jesse Hill – Bottoms Up
Although he has had his time in a few local metal bands, local being Seattle and Tacoma for me, his debut solo EP is not. It’s folk; with kazoos, alcohol, melancholy, and parties, Jesse has created a fun album that belongs on any summer soundtrack. Check him out on Myspace here.

Erik Thomas – Time Is In His Hands
Erik Thomas is another guy that has had his time in local metal bands. He even got to open for a Suicide Silence show. But his first solo album is pure instrumental beauty. With technical skill and melodies galore, this is baby making music pure and simple. He is an amazing musician and an awesome guy. Follow him on Twitter here and check him out on Itunes here.

This or the Apocalypse – Haunt What’s Left
TorA has everything you could want in a hardcore band: epic lyrics, sick riffs, and memorable choruses. This is a solid album from start to finish and well worth checking out.

The Browning – The Browning
Trance and electronica meets metal. ‘Nuff said.

Corpus Christi – A Feast For Crows
What does this Ohio group have to offer you ask? Nothing short of amazing lyrics, great breakdowns, and a clean vocalist who doesn’t sound like a girl. Also, this album has one of the coolest intro songs I have ever heard.

Stick To Your Guns – The Hope Division
Orange County hardcore veterans, Stick To Your Guns, have done it again. This album is entitled “The Hope Division” and rightly so. Their lyrics are a far cry from the morbid and depressing lyrics of most modern metal.

Allegaeon – Fragments of Form and Function
Some of the best techdeath I have heard since The Faceless’ Planetary Duality album.

Onward to Olympas – This World Is Not My Home
These Christian, hardcore, North Carolina natives know how to make a catchy album. Heavy at all the right times and melodic when you need a break. Also the title track is one of my all time favorite songs. This album is a popular favorite among a few of the younger writers here at TNR.

The Ghost Inside – Returners
This album is just plain fun and, like Stick to Your Guns, is hopeful in a way that makes them stand out from the crowd. With heavy breakdowns and many, many bass drops these California natives are best played with a good stereo and lots of subs.

In This Moment – A Star-Crossed Wasteland
Maria Brink is an angel.

Norma Jean – Meridional
One of my personal favorite albums of the year. Chock full of emotion and shredding guitars, this southern band has released, once again, a solid album.

Greeley Estates – No Rain, No Rainbow
I almost didn’t mention this album because I cannot stand the production. Everything sounds mashed together and muddled but, musically, it’s such a good album that it deserves mentioning. I first experienced this, as fellow writer Anthony put it, “Hot Topic band” live and was floored by their solid performance. Greeley Estates clearly knows how to write entertaining music, they just need a better producer.

His Name Was Iron – Chariots For Hire
Southern metal in the same vein as Every Time I Die. Grab a beer, pop in Chariots for Hire, and party.

Abigail Williams – In The Absence of Light
I love me some piano. These American black metallers have created an album that is filled to the brim with atmosphere, whether it be the baying of wolves in the background or haunting piano melodies this album drags you in and doesn’t let you go.

The Acacia Strain – Wormwood
The most pissed off album of the year. As Jen put it, “I have a papercut, I hate everything and death to humanity.” The anger gimmick is getting a bit old but dang it, I love these guys. They are solid live, regardless of what Jen says, and have always entertained me when it came to their albums. If you don’t mind blasphemy and extreme anger then these breakdowns are for you. Just remember, the hills have eyes.

For Today – Breaker
Spirit-filled hardcore is what For Today brings to the table. Unapologetically Christian and with lyrics talking about victory and hope, For Today brings an album that will not only kick you in the balls with their brutality, but pick you up and pray for you with their kindness.

Haste the Day – Attack of the Wolf King
I want Jimmy back. But this is an excellent album regardless.

The Breathing Process – Odyssey: (Un)dead
More atmospheric death metal. The keyboardist knows her stuff and is the perfect vocal counterpoint to the screamed vocals. If you like metal of any sort then check out The Breathing Process.

Impending Doom – There Will Be Violence
Deathcore veterans, Impending Doom has finally done it. They created an album that was not only heavy but memorable. Everything about this album is top notch. Another one of the top releases of this year.

Bleeding Through – Bleeding Through
I first got into Bleeding Through after seeing them on tour. They melted my face. So I gave in and bought their next release. It is one of the most pissed off albums so far this year and well worth your money. Catchy riffs and brutal breakdowns melded with symphonic keyboards will make you bob your head to every song.

There is my rather large list everyone. When the year ends I’ll throw together a much more concise top five edition. If any of these bad boys (and girls) strike your fancy or you are just looking for some rockin new tunes, this list will be your guide to 2010′s ample music offering. Thanks for reading!