Metal Exiles 2013 Top 20 List
Winery Dogs – S/T
This album deserves top honors on any list because to me, this is a well orchestrated musicians clinic confined to a massive hard rock album. Richie, Mike and Billy are the top musicians in their respective fields and it shows in the compositions that their amazing writers as well, not letting their talents over take the pen.
This album deserves top honors on any list because to me, this is a well orchestrated musicians clinic confined to a massive hard rock album. Richie, Mike and Billy are the top musicians in their respective fields and it shows in the compositions that their amazing writers as well, not letting their talents over take the pen.
Queensryche – S/T
Finally, after years of suffering the band came to their senses, righted the ship and unleashed this massive piece or work on the public. There is not a bad song on this record and it seriously recalls the glory that the mighty Ryche once held.
Finally, after years of suffering the band came to their senses, righted the ship and unleashed this massive piece or work on the public. There is not a bad song on this record and it seriously recalls the glory that the mighty Ryche once held.
Protest The Hero - Volition
This album has only been out a short while this year but it has made a major impact on me. This is a musicians delight as the heavy prog world has another round in the clip. Blistering guitars, intense to guttural vox and rapid fire rhythms all blow your mind on this masterstroke.
This album has only been out a short while this year but it has made a major impact on me. This is a musicians delight as the heavy prog world has another round in the clip. Blistering guitars, intense to guttural vox and rapid fire rhythms all blow your mind on this masterstroke.
Dream Theater – S/T
Dream Theater just keeps getting better. To me, this is one of their best records, hands down. Taking the band further into the realms of cinematic scoring, the songs have taken on a different element that the fans should and will embrace.
Dream Theater just keeps getting better. To me, this is one of their best records, hands down. Taking the band further into the realms of cinematic scoring, the songs have taken on a different element that the fans should and will embrace.
A Pale Horse Named Death – Lay My Soul To Waste
On the drastic heels of And Hell Will Follow Me comes the latest razor to wrist offering from A Pale Horse. This album is darker and even more daunting than the debut and takes fans further into the twisted mind of band mastermind Sal Abruscato. Proceed with caution and your medications.
On the drastic heels of And Hell Will Follow Me comes the latest razor to wrist offering from A Pale Horse. This album is darker and even more daunting than the debut and takes fans further into the twisted mind of band mastermind Sal Abruscato. Proceed with caution and your medications.
Kvelertak - Meir
Kvelertak is Norwegian for "stranglehold" and that is exactly what they with their music. I love the darker music and this gets under my skin. Taking the best elements of doom, death and other extremities, they inject their own reality into it and out comes Meir, their second album and easily the next album you better buy.
Kvelertak is Norwegian for "stranglehold" and that is exactly what they with their music. I love the darker music and this gets under my skin. Taking the best elements of doom, death and other extremities, they inject their own reality into it and out comes Meir, their second album and easily the next album you better buy.
Carcass – Surgical Steel
So we got something we thought we would never see, a new record from grind masters Carcass. If you think the cover is sickening then what you get inside will surely revolt you. This is the return to what carcass does best, unleash hell in its purest form and turn it into pure musical devience.
So we got something we thought we would never see, a new record from grind masters Carcass. If you think the cover is sickening then what you get inside will surely revolt you. This is the return to what carcass does best, unleash hell in its purest form and turn it into pure musical devience.
Filter – The Sun Comes Out Tonight
Ok, here is the pure surprise of the year, the new album from Filter. The Sun Comes Out Tonight shows the extreme musical range that Richard Partick has inside that creative mind of his. From the heavy bitterness of We Hate It to the mellow Surprise, this is the ultimate Filter record.
Ok, here is the pure surprise of the year, the new album from Filter. The Sun Comes Out Tonight shows the extreme musical range that Richard Partick has inside that creative mind of his. From the heavy bitterness of We Hate It to the mellow Surprise, this is the ultimate Filter record.
Fates Warning – Darkness In A Different Light
After so many years away the prog masters that are Fates Warning are finally back and have released the album of their career. I guess all the time away from under the FW banner helped and the creativity was burning to get out. Once Jim and Ray got back together it was over, the metal world was about to get another massive shot from these behemoths.
After so many years away the prog masters that are Fates Warning are finally back and have released the album of their career. I guess all the time away from under the FW banner helped and the creativity was burning to get out. Once Jim and Ray got back together it was over, the metal world was about to get another massive shot from these behemoths.
Stryper – No More Hell To Pay
Don't laugh, this album wrecked my speakers and killed my hearing for a night. This is bar none the heaviest album I have yet to hear from this band and their most cohesive. They come out swinging and do not stop laying it down until the amps are turned off. I do not know what crawled up to get them this amped up but Michael Sweet and company should continue to find that element. Buy this, you will not be disappointed no matter what you like to hear screamed.
Don't laugh, this album wrecked my speakers and killed my hearing for a night. This is bar none the heaviest album I have yet to hear from this band and their most cohesive. They come out swinging and do not stop laying it down until the amps are turned off. I do not know what crawled up to get them this amped up but Michael Sweet and company should continue to find that element. Buy this, you will not be disappointed no matter what you like to hear screamed.
Death Angel – The Dream Calls For Blood
With their forth album since their reunion unleashed upon the public this band should finally be revered as the thrash masters that they are. This is a ball busting album that will leave you shaking and wondering what happened to you. If thrash is your thing you are nothing without The Dream Calls For Blood.
With their forth album since their reunion unleashed upon the public this band should finally be revered as the thrash masters that they are. This is a ball busting album that will leave you shaking and wondering what happened to you. If thrash is your thing you are nothing without The Dream Calls For Blood.
Sepultura – The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart
Around the time of Dante XXI Sepultura (in my opinion) found themselves again. Since then they have laid down some of the best metal of their careers and with The Mediator they have finally claimed their top prize. This is hands down the best album and that includes Chaos AD, this band has found their soul again and are wearing it proudly.
Around the time of Dante XXI Sepultura (in my opinion) found themselves again. Since then they have laid down some of the best metal of their careers and with The Mediator they have finally claimed their top prize. This is hands down the best album and that includes Chaos AD, this band has found their soul again and are wearing it proudly.
Soil – Whole
Ryan McCombs is back and so are the band. After a few lackluster Ryanless records he came to his senses and rejoined the band he should have stayed with and blew the barn doors off. This is an aggressive and seriously angry album that sees Ryan blasting off about whatever is bothering him at the moment and it resulted in a stellar metal album.
Ryan McCombs is back and so are the band. After a few lackluster Ryanless records he came to his senses and rejoined the band he should have stayed with and blew the barn doors off. This is an aggressive and seriously angry album that sees Ryan blasting off about whatever is bothering him at the moment and it resulted in a stellar metal album.
Buckcherry – Confessions
Now its time for some pure debauchery. Josh Todd and company bring it every time and seemingly darker each time out. This album explored the seven deadly sins that intertwined themselves with Josh's personal life and from out of you have their best album, period. I know they blew up in the late 90's but now they are here to stay and its only getting better.
Now its time for some pure debauchery. Josh Todd and company bring it every time and seemingly darker each time out. This album explored the seven deadly sins that intertwined themselves with Josh's personal life and from out of you have their best album, period. I know they blew up in the late 90's but now they are here to stay and its only getting better.
Red Fang – Whales And Leeches
One of my most intimate pleasures is doom laden metal and who else delivers it better than Red Fang? Not many and Whales And Leeches is to this point their defining moment. Down tuned goodness awaits you when you throw this record and if you think the artwork is odd then what awaits you in the grooves will blow your mind.
One of my most intimate pleasures is doom laden metal and who else delivers it better than Red Fang? Not many and Whales And Leeches is to this point their defining moment. Down tuned goodness awaits you when you throw this record and if you think the artwork is odd then what awaits you in the grooves will blow your mind.
Asking Alexandria – From Death To Destiny
Metal has found many genres and whether the band is deserving to be in them is really by taste but where ever you put Asking Alexandria, they are probably the king where they rule. These guys came from nowhere and captured of the ears of their massive growing fan base and with From Death To Destiny if these metalcore(?) giants haven't caught your ear they will and you are missing out.
Metal has found many genres and whether the band is deserving to be in them is really by taste but where ever you put Asking Alexandria, they are probably the king where they rule. These guys came from nowhere and captured of the ears of their massive growing fan base and with From Death To Destiny if these metalcore(?) giants haven't caught your ear they will and you are missing out.
A Skylit Drive - Rise
Have you been pissed off at your relationships in the past like I have, then the new A Skylit Drive is for you. This band has let all of the demons fly with this monstrous album and all of the emotions have been checked off as these guys plow through Rise. This album will make this band a force to be reckoned with, guarantee it.
Have you been pissed off at your relationships in the past like I have, then the new A Skylit Drive is for you. This band has let all of the demons fly with this monstrous album and all of the emotions have been checked off as these guys plow through Rise. This album will make this band a force to be reckoned with, guarantee it.
Ashes Of Ares – S/T
Original Iced Earth singer Matt Barlow has risen again with his own group Ashes Of Ares. If you thought his power was with Iced Earth, you are mostly wrong as Ashes is a masterful piece of work that takes his elements to another level.
Original Iced Earth singer Matt Barlow has risen again with his own group Ashes Of Ares. If you thought his power was with Iced Earth, you are mostly wrong as Ashes is a masterful piece of work that takes his elements to another level.
Katatonia – Dethroned & Uncrowned
Katatonia have taken their sinister record Dead End Kings to a different level with this masterful reworking. Its an amazing piece of work that sheds a light on how many layers exist in their work and how they are not just another metal band. For a different experience, this is a record not to be passed up.
Katatonia have taken their sinister record Dead End Kings to a different level with this masterful reworking. Its an amazing piece of work that sheds a light on how many layers exist in their work and how they are not just another metal band. For a different experience, this is a record not to be passed up.