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3
Inches Of Blood - Advance And Vanquish I'm not quite sure why this band isn't huge while dime a dozen false metal bands are selling out huge venues. This is an truely epic album, and if Iron Maiden or Dio put this out it would be hailed as an instant classic. Yet, '3 Inches' still seem to be working the underground. As jaw dropping as this record is, their live show is just unstoppable. A few weeks back I watched them peel the corpse paint off the black metal kids faces. I challenge anyone to find a better straight up metal song than 'Deadly Sinners'. You fucking can't. Metal track of the year. Selected Track: Deadly Sinners - 4.1mb |
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Arsis
- Celebration of Guilt I was blind sided by this band after reading their review on Aversion Online. The two songs Arsis had to download on their label's website were better than most technical metal tracks I had heard the entire year. I'm a sucker for tight, high-tech death metal and these guys have that sound down. It doesn't hurt that they are from Northern Virgina...I hope they make it out west. Fans of Darkest Hour, and 'Heartwork' era Carcass take note. Selected Track: The Face Of My Innocence - 7.4mb |
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Converge
- You Fail Me Everytime Converge releases an album, it makes this list. I guess that's because they keep putting out great records. Yeah, I didn't really like 'When Forever Comes Crashing' but past that Converge have been putting out rock solid music. This album is a bit tighter and less crazy than 'Jane Doe', which I happen to really enjoy. This album puts them at the top of their game. Inspiring. Fantastic artwork and inspiring lyrics. Keep em' coming. Selected Track: Black Cloud - 2.6mb |
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Further
Seems Forever - Hide Nothing Yes, this is a bit on the emo side...and yes, I think their past albums had that Dashboard guy on vocals. I'm going to look past all that. Why? Jon Bunch, the former frontman of Sense Field sings on this record. I've always loved his voice and this record is the one I always hoped Sense Field would make. Selected Track: Make It A Part |
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Jimmy
Eat World- Futures This pick is even more mainstream and Mtv centered. So what. This is great pop music and their best since 'Clarity'. It can't all be horn throwing metal...OK, maybe it can be, but this is a solid record that happens to be popular. Good for them. Selected Track: Kill |
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Mastodon
- Leviathan Heavy. Heavy. Heavy. I'm sure this will be on many top ten lists and for good reason. This band has a pummeling sound that is both classic and fresh at the same time. Layered, solid, thumping hard rock. (I have to add that I wasn't too impressed with the DVD mix included with the deluxe edition...could have been a tad better...but the album is close to perfect and the live tracks on the DVd are great). Selected Track: Naked Burn - 4.2mb |
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Morrissey
- Your Are the Quarry |
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Patton
Oswalt - Feelin' Kinda Patton Patton is a funny, funny man. I saw him open for David Cross early in the year and he killed it.He buried Cross that night, and if you haven't seen him...do so (just make sure he's sober). Every track on this is side splitting. If you are a fan of Cross, Attell and the like...this will be your favorite new comedy album. Selected Track: I Hate Hippies - 2.6mb |
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Probot
- S/T What a concept. Gather your favorite metal singers and get them to sing tunes you've written . Although my list would have been slightly different Grohl has made some inspired choices...Lemmy from Motorhead, . Cronos from Venom, and King Diamond among others. The songs don't disappoint. 'Shake Your Blood' is certainly a stand out. Selected Track: Shake Your Blood - 3.4mb |
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Slayer
- Still Reigning DVD THE. ENTIRE. REIGN. IN. FUCKING. BLOOD. ALBUM. LIVE. FUCKING. RAINING. BLOOD. LITERALLY. DAVE. FUCKING. LOMBARDO. SLAYER. FUCKING. SLAYER. It's a DVD...but it's Slayer, so fuck the rules. SLAYER. Selected Track: Every fucking one, go buy the DVD |
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Thanks for the support in 2004