Here are my picks for Top Ten Metal & Hard Rock Albums of 2010 on my iPod.
1. Deth Red Sabaoth - Danzig
Diva Danzig reclaims his dark crown once again by putting out an amazingly dark, moody, and rockin' album that harkens back to his glorious American Recordings days (c. 1988-1994) under the dynamic thumb of guru/producer Rick Rubin. There's enough sexual tension and ball-busting rock/metal found on "Ju Ju Bone", the thoughtful "On a Wicked Night", and "Black Candy", which are great examples that Danzig still has some blood left in him after years of dormancy.
2. Stone Temple Pilots - Stone Temple Pilots
After Weiland got bounced from Velvet Revolver and came back with his tail between his legs with the other guys from STP to (hopefully) recreate the magic of their grunge years, expectations were somewhat high when they reunited and eventually released their self-titled album after a seven-year hiatus. Fortunately for fans, the STP magic is still there! Gone are the grungy likeness of their Seattle compatriots and in place are a number of 60s pop-influenced rock that sounds uncannily modern and refreshing. It's a fun and breezy record and catchy as all hell, especially the radio-singles, and suggestively-titled "Between the Lines" and "Take a Load Off".
3. Relentless Retribution - Death Angel
No lie, but I just started hearing this song about two days ago and I'm only listening to it for the second time, but I can say that the right mix of the band's familiar thrash and some of it's newer, mellower heavy rock sound makes this a compelling album. The use of Rodrigo and Gabriela towards the end of "Claws in So Deep" is a pretty radical and bold choice to end a song after a couple minutes of thrash, but it works.
4 The Wörld Is Yours -Motörhead
It's Motörhead at their same, usual rockin' best. The formula hasn't changed, so true fans of the band won't be disappointed. Newer metal fans might not care about it, but it's a step up from 2008's Motörizer and probably one of the better albums of the year.
5. The Final Frontier - Iron Maiden
I wasn't too thrilled by this one. Frontman "Bruce Bruce" sounds rather bored by the sound of his own voice and the riffs are all too familiar and overworked, perhaps even overdone, but after a couple listens - as with all albums - it starts to grow on you. There's isn't one track on here that can be singled out really, but instead must be listened to from start to finish in order to be appreciated and enjoyed. Still, one has to wonder, could this album very well be Maiden's final frontier?
6. Exhibit B: The Human Condition - Exodus
Thrashin' goodness from the old boys of the Golden Gate city. However, it's way too long for its own good and can get pretty boring midway through. It's aimless and boorish at times, and with no breaks or stop-off points, it can get tedious. Exhibit A had more focus and aim, yet this one seems to run all over the place. Still, there's enough sonic brutality to keep fans happy and maintain the band's name among the high metal ranks of thrash.
7. Scream - Ozzy Osbourne
How much life does Ozzy really have left? If this album is any indication, perhaps a good ten year left, and I say that rather smugly. Ozzy follows up his last record 2007's Black Rain with a rather tepid offering. When you reach the halfway mark, you begin to understand why guitarist Zakk Wylde was eventually dumped in favor of something young, fresh and new... in this case, junior-leaguer Gus G. of Firewind. Let's at least rejoice in the fact that Ozzy didn't keep the old moniker "Soul Sucka" as the album's title -- even if Scream isn't any better or original, in both name and quality material.
8. Omen - Soulfly
Will there ever come a time when Max Cavalera DOESN'T use a guest-vocalist on one of his albums? Granted, the dude lacks proper English-speaking skills, but does that mean we have to suffer through another douchebag from another douchebag band to sing the words for him, and thereby pushing Mr. Cavalera's own contributions to backup singer? In this case, it's Greg Puciato of Dillinger Escape Plan who blows Cavalera away on the track "Rise of the Fallen", which really doesn't go anywhere except the incessant chant of its title. The production seems rushed, and given the recent turmoil in the press between former bassist Bobby Burns and the head-honcho (uh, yeah, I mean Cavalera), it's no wonder that the album loses a certain feeling of comradery and brotherhood that can be found in other releases. Omen feels somewhat stale and dated, but after a few listens, it really doesn't matter much.
9. Ironbound - Overkill
Starts off great and really works its magic, but Overkill just miss the mark at regaining some semblance of their glory. Some nice touches here and there, and they bring themselves into a fitting comparison to anything Exodus and Testament are doing right now, but I feel like at this point, can they come up with anything a little more original than the chant call of "Bring Me the Night" or "Ironbound" or the constant girly screams from "Blitz" Ellsworth? I seriously doubt it!
10. Audio Secrecy - Stone Sour
Pushing themselves ever closer to the mainstream, Stone Sour releases another example of Corey Taylor's desire to do just that! It's really a "take-it-or-leave-it" situation here. If you like the band, or a horny girl who wants to jump Taylor's bones (and I really can't understand WHY!), then you'll definitely cream your panties as he croons and warbles his way through this overlong and somewhat frustrating exercise of pain and misery, in light of the tragic death of Slipknot bandmate and bassist Paul Gray.
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