Metal Reviews

Top surprises? What does this mean? Bands we came to expect to suck (like Metallica) who suddenly release something good (unlike Metallica)? Or bands that noone heard of before, who come out of the blue with a killer album? Or both?

Both really. Just look at some of the past staff best-of awards if you're unsure. It could even be a band you've slept on, that you finally listened to and they blew you away.

I voted btbam/receiving end of sirens/symphony x because i didn't really like their early stuff but like their new album, The End because they changed their style pretty drastically, and Grayceon just 'cause I have no idea what they sound like =p

I edited the name of this topic so it can be used as a discussion topic.

Two things:
1. lol @ how different our tastes are, there're hardly same 2 albums in our top 15 lists.
2. noone else disappointed with manowar this year ?

Im pretty sure not many had the courage to listen to it. I didnt.

It's not a great album but it isn't a bad album either... I am not dispappointed as I wasn't expecting anything from it.

haha yeah, I think each end of year poll I've been here for has gotten more decentralized

I am shocked that no one got into Dreamland's new album considering the "starpower" involved. Hell, the only reason I knew anything about it was because it was a promo. Thanks Locomotive!

But on a serious note, i'll be buying that one certainly, and soon. I need the lyrics in a comfy palm sized package.

does anyone else find it weird how the top threads for some of the individual genres and disappointments has more votes than overall? o.O

Not me. A lot of people don't buy 15 albums that are released in a single year...

well you dont *need* 15 albums... i think a couple people posted partial lists o.p

So, the polls are practically closed. I voted Co&Ca as my album of the year. I'm as surprised as you are, honestly. Maybe because it's the only album this year I can see myself really listening to in years to come. Although last year had many good releases, there wasn't really anything that made we go "Wow!" last year. I'll probably discover something awesome from 2007 this year though. I can't be bothered to go through everyone's votes to find out where everything ranked. Usually the results are pretty surprising. Last year With Oden On Our Side grabbed best album even though I can't recall anyone particularly liking it.

I thought it was a good album. I would rate it about 78%. Not something that would make my top 15 though. Maybe top 30 to 50 somewheres, keeping in mind Ive listened to and became familiar with 62 albums in 2007.

WTF @ the dude who voted Symphony X as a disappointment.

+92398478q3297498032

Maybe he expected the second coming of christ?

Cool, I wanted to see if anyone had heard this album

I'm a huge fan of latter day hammerfall and Andy LaRoche's production style (how he helps the younger bands arrange thier stuff) so it makes sense I'd pick something both were involved with.

"Disappointment" isn't really the best word for it, or much of any of my list really, as I don't really have much in the way of expectations for albums when I listen to them. So take it with that in mind...

As for Symphony X, I listed it because, although I was pleased to hear a better sounding production than on the last release (and more keys this time around), I couldn't get over the fact that I initially heard a song I'd basically already heard from them. In fact, there were several moments throughout the album when there was just too much deja-vu/been there and done that for my taste.

And actually, there were a few of us dudes who listed that particular album.

Form the Top 15 overall voting thread:


Read the rules unreal youre not supposed to write anything but votes in the voting thread.

Yeah, I didn't expect anything either, but I was disapointed with how they set out their tour setlist. (not that I had the chance to go mind)

I've only recently become a fan so I think that the album was out before I started listening to them.