The AV Club's 30 Best Metal Albums of the Decade

Not only is it about time for Best of the Year lists to start popping up, we've got some Best of Decades to look forward to, as well.

Here's the first, courtesy of The Onion's AV Club. Discuss.

(alphabetical)

• Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Frozen Corpse Stuffed With Dope (2002)
• Amon Amarth, Twilight Of The Thunder God (2008)
• Anaal Nathrakh, The Codex Necro (2001)
• Baroness, Blue Record (2009)
• Blut Aus Nord, The Work Which Transforms God (2003)
• Boris, Pink (2005)
• Converge, Jane Doe (2001)
• Deftones, White Pony (2000)
• The Dillinger Escape Plan, Ire Works (2007)
• Earthless, Rhythms From A Cosmic Sky (2007
• Electric Wizard, Dopethrone (2000)
• Goatwhore, Carving Out The Eyes Of God (2009)
• Harvey Milk, Life… The Best Game In Town (2008)
• High On Fire, Blessed Black Wings (2005)
• Isis, Oceanic (2002)
• The Mars Volta, Frances The Mute (2005)
• Mastodon, Leviathan (2004)
• Melechesh, Djinn (2001)
• The Melvins, (A) Senile Animal (2006)
• Meshuggah, Catch Thirtythree (2005)
• Opeth, Watershed (2008)
• Orthrelm, OV (2005)
• Pelican, The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon The Thaw (2005)
• Pig Destroyer, Phantom Limb (2007)
• Queens Of The Stone Age, Songs For The Deaf (2002)
• Skeletonwitch, Breathing The Fire (2009)
• Slayer, Christ Illusion (2006)
• Sleep, Dopesmoker (2003)
• The Sword, Age Of Winters (2006)
• System Of A Down, Toxicity (2001)

Hook of the Day - The Hidden Hand "The Key, Travesty As Usual"

Been a little while since we've posted anything. On such a gloomy day here in Chicago, thought a little Doom would hit the spot...

Hook of the Day - Skeletonwitch "Repulsive Salvation"

The new Skeletonwitch record is thrashtastic. Buy it.


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Album (P)review: W.A.S.P. "Babylon"

by Myche

I just want to get this off my chest before I start reading any reviews that tell me otherwise: the new W.A.S.P. album is very good - their best for as long as I remember. Admittedly, I'm the guy who always throws W.A.S.P. around when talking about underrated metal bands - and I've been listening to them ever since seeing them as an opener for KISS on the Asylum tour (W.A.S.P. was supporting my still favorite of theirs, The Last Command).

So no big surprise that I checked this out. Well, I'm glad I did. It's the classic W.A.S.P. sound through and through. Big sound. Similar in slam-potential to "Mercy" from Dominator. One knock some people will have is that out of nine tracks, two are covers. But the original songs are so strong, I'm not complaining at all. Hats off to Blackie if he felt that he wrote seven good songs and didn't want to screw it up with more filler. You could probably make the argument that he may have painted himself in a corner for volume with The Neon God.

I doubt this will win over new fans or people that never really liked W.A.S.P. But old fans need to make sure not to miss this.

Here's the first two tracks on the album, "Crazy" and "Live To Die Another Day".

P.S. Pretty kick-ass album art as well...

Hook of the Day - The Gates of Slumber "Ice Worm"

Not much of a video, but no matter, the song rules.

Hook of the Day: Converge "Axe to Fall"

Do yourself a favor and buy Converge's "Axe to Fall" when it comes out later this month.

Hook of the Day - Alice in Chains "Check My Brain"

Yes, I know you feel guilty for liking this song so much. Just enjoy it. Layne would have wanted it that way.

Favorite Iron Maiden Songs Since 1990

MARK
1. Dream Of Mirrors
2. Paschendale
3. Fear Of The Dark
4. Brighter Than A Thousand Suns
5. The Age Of Innocence
6. Chains Of Misery

WAYNE
1. The Wicker Man
2. Thin Line Between Love & Hate
3. The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg
4. Tailgunner
5. Brave New World
6. Be Quick Or Be Dead

MYCHE
1. The Wicker Man
2. Dream Of Mirrors
3. Fear Of The Dark
4. For The Greater Good Of God
5. Ghost Of The Navigator
6. Brave New World

Happy 60th Birthday, Phil Lynott!

I highly recommend watching every bit of this 10 minute clip. Lock your door and focus. It's worth it...

Hook of the Day - Jeff Loomis "Jato Unit"

by Myche

I regretably took Jeff Loomis' "Zero Order Phase" off of my Top 6 Albums of last year at the last minute. I'm kind of kicking myself since I play this shredfest more than any on my list. Here's an attempt to make it right. I think there is a fine line between what's good and what's crap on a heavy instrumental piece. To me, this easily falls into the former group. It's not all about speed, but it has that. But there's a groove as well that you certainly can sink your teeth into.

Hook of the Day - The Devin Townsend Project "Coast"

Okay, time to take a break from all this grindcore I've been jamming. Howsabout we chill out with a new Devin tune?

Thanks to MetalSucks for the heads up!

Hook of the Day - Entombed "Wolverine Blues"

I'm reading an excellent book called Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal & Grindcore by Decibel Magazine editor-in-chief Albert Mudrian. I just read an interesting bit about Swedish death metal badasses Entombed.

Apparently, the title track to their classic Wolverine Blues album was NOT a reference to the Marvel Comic character of the same name, but rather to a killer in a James Ellroy novel who had an obsession with the, you know, animal.

That didn't stop the geniuses at Columbia Records from gettin' on the horn and doing a tie-in.

Jeez.

Brutal Legend Video Game

This game looks pretty awesome. I may have to finally breakdown and get a gaming console.

I've only watched the first of these developer walkthroughs, but it was most promising. The dudes that bang their head against the wall with the thick necks are awesome. Rob Halford motivational slogans. Guitar solos galore. It appears that this was created by fans of metal.

Looks like a winner...

How about some metal at Wrigley?

by Myche

Elton John and Billy Joel at Wrigley Field this year? The promoters are playing it way too safe. For next year, I propose the (1st annual?) Campbell's Soup Mmmm Good Metal Spectacular (CSMGMS for short). The show kicks off with (Yngwie) Malmsteen shreding the National Anthem on a rooftop out in left field. Then we create an opening band wave from all the rooftops moving towards right field with Metal Church, Macabre, Machine Head and Meshuggah.

The show then moves into Wrigley and kicks off with Megadeth, then Motorhead. Manowar takes the stage next, playing every song they've ever written and ending their set with a 30-minute fireworks display in which each propulsion is shot from a secretly installed mortar under each seat in the stadium. Joey DeMaio then comes back on the stage and launches his bass in the air, piercing a hyrdogen-filled blimp flying overhead which explodes on impact.

Amongst the smoke and wreckage, Melvins close the show.

Who's with me?

More Over-The-Top News from Manowar

by Myche

I just couldn't make this stuff up:



Obviously Eric Adams had his work cut out for him singing in 16 languages, but I bet Joey DeMaio worked twice as hard translating bass for each song...

Mike Jackson

Yup. I called him Mike.


A big thumbs up to my fellow 'Hooks so Big' brethren for their kind words about Michael Jackson. There is no way to deny it. I don't know anyone who can dispute his legacy. We were all there.

Its taken me a long time to put my thoughts down. This death has shocked and depressed me more than I could have ever imagined. I cried more than a few times over this loss. It's funny how, I never met the man, yet he affected me so much.

I have never given up on him. I bought 'Dangerous' when it was released. I bought 'Invincible' when it was released. You HAD to!! it was Mike Jackson!! I have never not had his whole discography on my MP3 player, and I listen to it whenever I wanted something upbeat and fun. He about covers it. I bought the Thriller tape on the same day I bought 'Love at First Sting.' I remember walking past Magoo's and seeing all those posters of the cover of the album and that little tiger he was holding, and just thought..."That guy HAS to be cool if he hangs out with tigers...."

"P.Y.T" Written by James Ingram (another favorite)
"Smooth Criminal"
"Unbreakable"
Jamming with Meredith.
Love is a feeling.

Nothing I'm writing is going to be new. We all know this stuff. As Meredith said to me over Text..."He was ours."


He was so beyond anything that we could comprehend. He reached a level of fame that few see. I feel so bad for all the scrutiny of him. He had to do the best he could with what he had. I'm not going to entertain any negative press about him. I'm just not going to. He became weird because of him reacting to the press and everyone who wanted a piece of him. He didnt deserve that, and doesnt deserve negativity after his premature passing. His contribution to the world is more than any of us could imagine in giving. And he gave what he could to make us all happy. He gave back to the world. He thrilled us all.

and I called him Mike.

Michael at his peak...

by Myche

Excellent post Wayne - very appropriate.

I was just about to post something myself. What the hell, this is worthy of double coverage. In fact, I know that Mark is probably the biggest Michael fan of all of us, so maybe he will come up with his own as well...

I must admit, all of the extra-curricular activities surrounding MJ in the last 15 or so years have made it very hard to embrace how much I loved him at one time. It's complicated to say the least. I don't think anyone can imagine what kind of life he was thrown into or how that affects a person. Similar things happened to Elvis, and while each of them would have to take responsibility for themselves, I think the pressures are endless when you reach that level of superstardom.

But before the controversies, man, I was into Thriller big time. I also picked up Off The Wall because I wanted MORE (and that album is a JAM). I remember opening my bedroom window, placing one of my JCPenney speakers in it and cranking my stereo to 10. Then I rode my bike down the street to see how far I could still hear it (about a block). Personally, I settled into "P.Y.T." as my favorite off of Thriller. There are two parts of that song that I used to pump out a completely exaggerated pelvic thrust to like I MEANT it (if you know the song, you know what I'm talking about).

So for my video remembrance of Michael, I'm going for a pretty obvious pick. In my opinion, it is Michael at his peak. He looks great - it's kind of hard for me to remember when he looked this "normal." This performance is just downright fierce, and is probably up there with Elvis and the Beatles on Sullivan as far as music moments of TV go (I love the screams you hear when he introduces his signature move). Just a huge performance. He looks young, hungry and healthy. This is how I would like to remember the man...

Hook of the Day - Michael Jackson & Freddie Mercury "State of Shock"

Everyone of a certain age has a positive, non-controversial early Michael Jackson memory, and mine was seeing Michael and his brothers on the 1984 Victory Tour at Knoxville's Neyland Stadium. It was my second concert ever (1st was Air Supply), and it blew my mind. The opening act was a juggler who got good-natured jeers when he did a routine with "Purple Rain" as his background music. (My first exposure to artistic rivalries, years upon years before Vince Neil v. Axl Rose or Tupac v. Biggie) The Jacksons also did a pretty sweet-ass King Arthur scene onstage.

MJ wrote our Hook of the Day with Queen's Freddie Mercury. Ultimately, the version that went on the Jacksons' Victory album had MJ and Mick Jagger on lead vox, but here you have that rare demo version. You can listen to the Jagger version here. (Sorry, couldn't find an embeddable clip)

RIP MJ...thanks for the tunes

Devin Townsend Preview!

So we are all digging the first installment of Devin Townsend's 4-CD project, entitled Ki. Devin has said in interviews that the next CD will be the heaviest of the lot. Sounds like that is true judging for this clip (the song is "Universe"):



I can't wait. In the meantime, I'll snack on Ki.

Sweet-ass guitar, by the way...

MP3 Randomization: 06-24-09

MYCHE:

Manowar "Kill With Power"
W.A.S.P. "The Invisible Boy"
Gov't Mule "Which Way Do We Run?"
Billy Joe Shaver "Good Christian Soldiers"
Gov't Mule "New World Blues"
Savoy Brown "Stay While The Night Is Young"

WAYNE

Converge "No Heroes"
Motorhead "I'm Your Man"
Foo Fighters "Hell"
AC/DC "Rocking All the Way"
Frank Zappa "Scrutinizer Postlude"
Jimi Hendrix "Crosstown Traffic"

MARK
Meshuggah "ObZen"
Slayer "Reborn"
Indigo girls "Shame on you"
Teenage Fanclub "Can't feel my soul"
Devin Townsend Band "Life is All Dynamics"
Devin Townsend Band "Physicist"