Anyway, I thought I should fill my spare time telling you what I think the 10 best albums released in 2012 were. If you question the relevance of this (or don't like the ramblings of a rock/metal fan) do something else, y'know, it's quite a blank canvas for what you can make of the internet. Sorry - I'll stop being so sarcastic and get on with this.
10 - Halestorm (The Strange Case Of...)
This was the hardest album to pick on the whole list. I had a solid idea of what my top 9 was going to be but then I had to think with the last choice who it meant I would have to leave out. I decided to go with Halestorm - mostly for the fact over the others it is probably a more important album than the others I was considering. It is well known how few female rock stars there are right now, and in Lzzy Hale one may have been unearthed. While this album may contain a few badly constructed ballads (which will come in time with how young this band still is) they clearly know how to write very ballsy (ironically) rock songs. Not quite the finished article but the foundations of a band that will be massive in a few years time, guaranteed.
Album Highlights: Love Bites (So Do I), Mz. Hyde, Freak Like Me
9 - Yellowcard (Southern Air)
This album will appear slightly out of place on this list as it is by far the 'lightest' album to make it into the top 10. It isn't heavy at all - that isn't what pop-rock is about - but Yellowcard are very good at what is is about: catchy tunes, singalongs and bouncing choruses aplenty to be found with this effort. This band is so much more than 'the rock band with a violin'. It works with the music and helps it stand out among many of its rivals in the genre. Listen to this and compare it to, say, All Time Low and you question how Yellowcard are quite small/unsuccessful in comparison to many other bands of its ilk.
Album Highlights: Awakening, Surface Of The Sun, Rivertown Blues
8 - Shinedown (Amaryllis)
Before this album, I was aware of Shinedown. Thought they were ok, but had never properly explored any of their albums. Then one day I saw single Enemies on a music channel and I fell in love, got it on my iPod and played it practically everyday and figured I should get the rest of the album - and its excellent. Full of American radio rock that is done brilliantly. A very varied record with thumping, fast paced anthems at times while at others are soother, piano led songs that can be appreciated for how well put together they are. An album full of songs that deservedly grace arena-sized venues as they do so in the United States.
Album Highlights: Enemies, I'm Not Alright, My Name (Wearing Me Out)
7 - AxeWound (Vultures)
Who else got excited when it was announced that Matt Tuck was going to make a thrash album with Liam Cormier of Cancer Bats on vocals? Me too! As soon as you knew what it was about then you could have a good estimation of what the result was going to be, and it probably is the most predictable sounding album made this year without having to listen to it. Having said that though doesn't mean the work done shouldn't be credited because its brilliant. The heavy riffs of Tuck, the gnarl of Cormier. It just works. When the title track kicks things off (which features an appearance from Avenged Sevenfold's Synyster Gates with a fantastic guitar solo) you know from the album isn't going to let off. Personally I'd still choose to buy a Cancer Bats album or a Bullet For My Valentine album over this - but it's a stormer of a record and well worth listening to if you are fans of the creators' everyday jobs.
Album Highlights: Cold, Exorchrist, Blood Money and Lies
6 - Architects (Daybreaker)
Last years album The Here And Now split many Architects fans with a change in direction from their previous work. In hindsight it probably is the weakest album which Sam Carter sings on, but by no means is it terrible; there are still several excellent songs on it and I actually really like the somewhat controversial ballad Heartburn. Not that I expected a band like Architects to make a song like that. Daybreaker however goes back to their original sound and will have the fans united about them again. The guitars are excellent, so many technical and precise moments on this album that make you appreciate the work of Tom Searle and Tim Hillier-Brook (who unfortunately left the band after recording the album). Carter again shows why he is one of the best vocalists in a post-hardcore band right now with his signature sound stamped all over this record with much authority.
Album Highlights: Alpha Omega, These Colours Don't Run, Father Of Lead
5 - Bury Tomorrow (The Union Of Crowns)
Metalcore is the healthiest it has been for a while. Being at times quite a stagnant genre it is hard to stand out from within it - but the emergence of how strong Bring Me The Horizon and Parkway Drive have been in the past 5 years newer bands are stepping up to the raised bar. Such as Bury Tomorrow. The balancing act of having ferociously heavy, tectonic plate moving verses and huge, melodic choruses is elegantly poised; the fusion of screamer Daniel Winter-Bates and clean vocalist Jason Cameron is brilliant. Also, if they tour somewhere near you please check them out, they are ridiculously good live and are only going to get better with time.
Album Highlights: Knight Life, An Honourable Reign, Royal Blood
Album Highlights: Knight Life, An Honourable Reign, Royal Blood
4 - Cancer Bats (Dead Set On Living)
Yeah, I did say earlier that while AxeWound is great Liam Cormier's day job is ever better - and for this he gets to be part of my Top 10 twice. That's what you get for being one of the best frontman around at the moment, I guess. Anyways, this is brilliant. Cancer Bats are reliable at being brilliant and this is an album that you can easily play over and over again. Without trying to sound cliche this album feels very old school. Everywhere you go it stinks of Black Sabbath. The band were clearly inspired whilst recently spending time playing cover shows of said band. I'm convinced that Tommy Iommi came into the studio and recorded the guitars for the very aptly named track The Void. For a band that has Liam as such a focal point, guitarist Scott Middleton stakes a claim for taking a share of the spoils on Dead Set On Living.
Album Highlights: Bricks and Mortar, Road Sick, D.S.O.L.
3 - Young Guns (Bones)
I knew going into this what my top 3 was going to be, but I know I'll never be happy with the order I've put them as after I listen to each one I think 'Actually, this is the best album to come out this year.' So I've done as best as I can. Just think of it as 3 albums that deserve to be number 1 than question why one is ahead of the other. The night I've written this You Me At Six are playing a sold out show at Wembley Arena (HOW?!! They aren't that good!!). I'll stop at that before I rant away. Anyway, the point was meant to be that soon enough Young Guns will be at that stage. This album is just filled with songs that sound like they should be played to many thousands of people. Gustav Wood is armed with such an anthemic voice - he certainly didn't run out of ammo when recording this album. The title track is the best song made this year, fact. This is the best British alternative rock album since Start Something, fact. I love this record, and so should you.
Album Highlights: Bones, Towers (On My Way), Dearly Departed
2 - Stone Sour (House Of Gold And Bones Part 1)
Corey Taylor has made another album. There. I've said all I need. And number 1 is... Just kidding. I could have stopped there to explain everything why this is an excellent album, but I'll elaborate. Corey Taylor is the best musician in the world right now. Slipknot are the best band ever and this (his 'other' band) are stuperbly good as well. I've been thinking really hard and I honestly can't name a song by Corey Taylor that I genuinely dislike. He shits amazing songs. Style for style he is the best vocalist in the world. I haven't spoken about the actual album yet. This is a concept album which tells the story of a character called The Human (which is essentially based around Corey's life). As with all Stone Sour albums the tracks are varied from hard hitting songs to beautiful acoustic numbers. The best thing about this album is that it is only half of the story with Part 2 due to come out next year. I can go on and on but lets move on, shall we?
Album Highlights: My Name Is Allen, Taciturn, Last Of The Real
1 - While She Sleeps (This Is The Six)
Here it is. The best album made this year. I know what I said about the top 3 being equal but I still had to pick a number 1 and will treat it like it solely deserves the top accolade. The only problem with picking this is that it is fairly predictable being that the majority of the media have been going on about how astonishing this is. But I feel this has been a year where I've agreed with album reviews by critics and magazines more than any other. With While She Sleeps we have another new metalcore band, except they just aren't 'another' band. In terms of what a metalcore album can sound like this album has blown the door down. Pick any song off the album and it sends a shiver down your spine. Its just so raw, so powerful, so emotional. The band are almost a phenomenon. That WSS logo - it's everywhere. In the way that if you see Slipknot live the majority of people will turn up wearing Slipknot shirts (that sounds obvious but the next gig you go to check out how many different band shirts you see and you'll understand what I'm on about) that effect is similar at a While She Sleeps gig. I don't think since Trivium exploded in 2005 there hasn't been a metal band which have the potential to become huge . While Trivium then released The Crusade and are still climbing back from how much it halted their progress While She Sleeps still have the momentum to keep rising. It might be something quite special to witness.
Album Highlights: This Is The Six, Seven Hills, Love At War
