The Best Metal Albums Of 2013

Well, here we are. I'm sure you know the drill come the end of any given year. It's time to look at 2013 in review. The following list is the best 20 metal albums I reviewed in 2013. I decided to make it 20 this year because that is more or less the number of albums I felt were really worthy of a mention here. Basically, 20 through 11 are honorable mentions. Very good albums, but perhaps with a little something holding them back from being quite the best or ones that were just edged out. 10 to 1 of course are the really great stuff 2013 had to offer. This wasn't my most prolific year in terms of album reviews, but I also told myself I'd be more laid back in this blog format and not spend all my time doing it. This is just a hobby after all. If you want more, you can feel free to pay me of course. At any rate... On to the countdown of the top 20 metal albums of 2013.


20. Running Wild - Resilient
"Basically, if you liked Shadowmaker or any of their more recent mid-paced album this isn't bad. It sounds like Running Wild and it has that fun, epic pirate quality about it."

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19. ReVamp - Wild Card

"Listening to this one, the basic formula remains intact. This is female fronted gothic material mixed with a nice dark/aggressive edge and backed by some symphonic elements."

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18. U.D.O. - Steel Hammer

"For a straight ahead, no nonsense album, I definitely like this overall. It does a pretty good job of getting you pumped and both the vocals and music have a nice heavy edge."

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17. Amorphis - Circle

"What Circle brings to the table is a somewhat familiar formula at this point of melodic, gothic music and deep vocals mixed with earlier death metal vocals and influences."

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16. Tarja - Colours In The Dark

"I can say as a fan of Tarja, that this album is worth it for fans and still a well above average release. Really, this brings some good new songs for the live stage and a lot of above average/good songs to back it."

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15. Stratovarius - Nemesis

"I guess the best word for Nemesis is uneven. This is about on par with the past couple Stratovarius albums, but with better highlights and more lackluster deep tracks. I'd say this album is worth it for Stratovarius fans and general power metal fans may find it worth it for the strong highlights."

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14. Huntress - Starbound Beast

"Basically, this shows the growth and more consistent energy that I was hoping for out of the band. It's an improvement and this is the kind of sophmore album you want to see. Starbound Beast shows me that Huntress has room to grow and they have the ability to do so."

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13. Queensryche - Queensryche

"I'm not sure the band could have picked a better replacement for Tate than Todd La Torre. The guy sounds like a young Tate vocally, but one who loves Queensryche's metal music and has the passion to make it. This is just a complete rebirth and the band sounds young and hungry."

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12. Timo Tolkki's Avalon - The Land Of New Hope

"This just sounds like a good ensemble of musicians that complement each other well and it makes me want to sing along. All in all, I think this kind of metal opera project suits Tolkki and is a very worthy comeback by him."

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11. Lingua Mortis Orchestra - LMO

"All in all, this is a very good album for Rage fans. It's still pretty much Rage, but there are by far worse things to be. This is a strong classically inspired album from the band."

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Top 10 Metal Albums of 2013

10. Memory Garden - Doomain

"Overall, this has some damn fine songs on it and everything holds up pretty well. The highlights are amazing and even the lesser tracks are good stuff. I'd recommend this to fans of bands like Candlemass and Solitude Aeturnus or anyone who likes their doom metal with epic, melodic wails and some more upbeat moments."

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9. Ashes Of Ares - Ashes Of Ares

"It's not often I write about every track on an album, but barring maybe the single, everything is worth writing about. This is damn fine straight up heavy metal that recalls a very traditional style mixed with the power that power metal should have. Barlow's range is in full force here and it's a pretty perfect album for a superior frontman to be at the helm of."

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8. Motorhead - Aftershock

"Aftershock is just the kind of album that hits the bands strengths and runs with it. There's nothing fancy here, everything's just extremely headbangable. The energy and hooks on Aftershock are just damn great. It's loaded with blues rock hooks, the songs are mostly short and to the point, and everything just rocks. "

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7. Hell - Curse And Chapter

"If you like dark, heavy straight up metal than there is absolutely no reason I can see to like this. The vocals have personality and attitude, the music is involving and energetic, and the album just never relents. If you like NWOBHM music, Mercyful Fate, Venom, Coven, etc this is a must hear."

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6. Avatarium - Avatarium

"Often the music will alternate between punishing doom riffs and lighter fare, which all paints a very somber picture. This is interesting stuff that carries a really bleak feel to it. Vocalist Jennie-Ann Smith is also the perfect choice for this as she's capable of wailing out some powerful projections above the heavier riffs and also brings it back nicely for the mellower passages."

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5. Gloryhammer - Tales From The Kingdom Of Fife

"The band just has total fun with all the things that are in fact really fun about this kind of power metal. This sounds epic and glorious as hell and the songs stick with you. It's hard not to like something with this much energy and catchiness. Gloryhammer basically just indulges in fully nerding out on D&D metal and it completely works."

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4. Trouble - The Distortion Field

"The Distortion Field is simply more than I could have hoped for. Trouble really bring their A game here and this is the classic Trouble I remember. I have to give it to the entire band, but once again I have to give a special mention to Kyle Thomas for staying true to the Trouble sound, but at the same time bringing his own touch."

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3. Poisonblack - Lyijy

"This one hit me hard from the start and never really let go. The sound here is nothing particularly new for Poisonblack, but the material is extremely good with songs that are just loaded with hooks, an energetic pace, and lots of headbangable riffs. Every song from fist pumping opener Home Is Where The Sty Is to the beyond great ballad Maybe Life Is Not For Everyone is noteworthy."

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2. Avantasia - The Mystery Of Time

"This album seems to have found a good delivery method for Tobias and I like that this feels happy and majestic. It actually takes me back to what I liked about early Edguy though this is not exactly the same sound. What The Mystery Of Time is is some very engaging music that keeps my attention with good melodies."

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1. Helloween - Straight Out Of Hell

"What's not to like here? Not a damn thing. This could seriously be a guide on how to do power metal of some kind. Nice energy and melodies can be found throughout Straight Out of Hell and the songwriting is top notch. Throughout this album Helloween seems to find just the right balance between heaviness, catchiness, and the 'happy' moments that have kind of defined the band's career."

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Poisonblack - Lyijy

Gothic Metal
Warner Music Finland
2013








1. Home Is Where The Sty Is
2. Down The Ashes Rain
3. The Flavor Of The Month
4. The Absentee
5. Maybe Life Is Not For Everyone
6. Death By The Blues
7. The Halfway Bar
8. Them Walls
9. Blackholehead
10. Pull The Trigger
11. Elaman Kevat

Poisonblack have been pretty much the model of consistency since their second album. Really, the first one was good too just considerably different vocally. At any rate, the band has been putting out excellent album after excellent album every 1 or 2 years without fail. Lyijy marks their 6th release and I expected nothing less than another great uptempo, rocking gothic metal album in the vein of Sentenced.

Well, my expectations are met and them some with Lyijy. This one hit me hard from the start and never really let go. The sound here is nothing particularly new for Poisonblack, but the material is extremely good with songs that are just loaded with hooks, an energetic pace, and lots of headbangable riffs. Poisonblack hasn't taken any big styistic leaps or gone for much experimentation in their career so far, but I'm also pretty fine with that. When Sentenced disbanded they really did leave a hole in my musical listening that needed filling. I had never heard a band with quite the same rocking approach to this sort of dark material/lyrics. Ville learned a trick or two in Sentenced though and has come to be a fine songwriter all his own. Poisonblack basically manage to come up with a sound that's recognizable as their own/from Sentenced while at the same time keeping the qualities that made Sentenced so great.

For those not well versed in Sentenced or Poisonblack the band basically takes on dark, depressing lyrical fare in typical goth form, but the music is considerably more headbangable and energetic than most. The material is not the sort of gothic fare that gets bogged down in atmosphere. There certainly is a good melodic flare and some slower moments, but in general the music has a straight up metal feel. The riffs have a bit of a hard rocking blues feel at times, but the songs are also distinctly metal in a way that defies sub-genres. Vocally, things are just slightly gruff, but with a lot of feeling. I don't think I could come up with an exact comparison, but Nick Holmes in Paradise Lost has sort of the same approach when he's a bit gruffer. Overall, between the vocals and no nonsense riffs that keep things moving I feel like this band just balances the gothic and metal aspects better than most.

Overall, this is just a really solid album. Every song from fist pumping opener Home Is Where The Sty Is to the beyond great ballad Maybe Life Is Not For Everyone is noteworthy. This is just an album that lacks a weak song. Sometimes it all comes down to a good songwriting session and this is a great one. This has got to be Poisonblack's best album to date.

Highlights: Home Is Where The Sty Is, Maybe Life Is Not For Everyone, The Halfway Bar, The Absentee, Elaman Kevat

Rating - 4.5/5

Poisonblack - Drive

Gothic Metal
Hype

2011

1. Piston Head
2. Mercury Falling
3. A Good Day For The Crows
4. Maggot Song
5. From Now-here To Nowhere
6. Sycophant
7. The Dead-End Stream
8. Futile Man
9. Scars
10. Driftwood

Another year, another Poisonblack album. This one follows quickly on the heels of 2010's Of Rust And Bones. Whenever an album comes out this quickly it always gives me a moment of hesitation. Too often this means the band has pushed out an album too quickly and the product suffers.

I've got to say that this doesn't really seem to be the case though. This is nothing groundbreaking, but it could be easily argued that this band never really has been. Barring the first album perhaps, Poisonblack has always pretty much sounded like a continuation of Sentenced and there hasn't been a great deal of change in the sound since the second album. This one pretty much follows suit. If you've heard the band before then you can expect much of the same. Some upbeat melodic rockers with somber themes, a bit of crunch, and some slower moments. If you're a fan of the Finnish gothic metal/rock sound than you'll probably like this. The songs are solid with good energy and some pretty catchy melodies. If you don't like the style though than this won't change your mind.

Basically, this plays to the band's fanbase and the style. Poisonblack has their niche and they're using it. If you like your gothic metal with some up tempo energy than this is for you. Personally, this band captures the kind of gothic style I like best. Kind of dreary and dark, but it doesn't get bogged down in the atmosphere to the point that the album can't rock out. Nothing new here, but this album succeeds at what it seeks to accomplish I think. Highly listenable and the rating reflects it.

Highlights: Piston Head, Mercury Falling, The Dead-End Stream, Scars

Rating - 4.0/5

Poisonblack - Of Rust And Bones

Gothic Metal
Century Media

2010

1. My Sun Shines Black
2. Leech
3. My World
4. Buried Alive
5. Invisible
6. Casket Case
7. Down The Drain
8. Alone
9. The Last Song
10. My World (Acoustic Bonus)

Really, this band might as well be called 'Replacement Sentenced', but I guess that would be a bit too honest and not as catchy as Poisonblack. This one marks Poisonblack's fourth album and their third in this post-Sentenced sorta vein. I've liked this band from the beginning, including their first album with the different sound & vocals so this is one I was waiting for. Sentenced hold a special place with me as my favorite gothic metal act so really I'm just glad music of this sort is still being made in some form.

Listening to this one I can't say there is much in terms of surprises. This is pretty much the same brand of metalized gothic rock that one would expect of this band or Sentenced. Whether this is under a different name with some different personnel or not, I'm just glad this sort of great Sentenced-esque songwriting continues on. Basically, this album gives me a fix for what I was needing. Nothing really wrong with that. Of Rust And Bone features signature guitar sounds, somber but heavy moods, and some nice vocals from Ville. From start to finish I enjoy all the songs and that's as much as I really ask of any band.

Basically, this is a solid release that is a must for any fan of gothic metal, but particularly of the band and Sentenced. Solid melodies from start to finish and good vocal delivery makes this one stand out in a sea of Finnish gothic metal/rock acts. Just a good sound and memorable songs here.

Highlights: Buried Alive, Casket Case, Leech, The Last Song

Rating - 4.0/5

Poisonblack - A Dead Heavy Day

Gothic Metal
Century Media

2008

1. Intro
2. Diane
3. Left Behind
4. Bear The Cross
5. A Dead Heavy Day
6. Me Myself And I
7. X
8. Human-Compost
9. The Days Between
10. Hatelove
11. Low Life
12. Only You Can Tear Me Apart

Poisonblack started off as a fairly different band than what it has become, but of course that was before the breakup of Sentenced and the exit of the first album's singer. Ever since that I think it's safe to call Poisonblack Ville Laihiala's continuation of Sentenced. Really though I have no complaints as I wasn't ready to say farewell to the great sound of Sentenced nor to Ville's voice.

A Dead Heavy Day shouldn't surprise anyone who heard Lust Stained Despair really as this album is pretty much more of the same. There's no real surprises here as the music rolls along in energized goth rock fashion, keeping things dark and somewhat somber but never getting too bogged down. Sentenced fans should be pleased and I think that's pretty much what is being aimed for here. I can't imagine Ville think's hes reaching outside the box on this album, but it's not always necessary to reinvent the wheel. What this album does is establish a mood while still keeping things headbangable and I for one enjoy what I'm hearing. The songs are in a familiar mold, but all can be distinguished with their own identity and they stick with me.

I wouldn't say this band can yet (if ever) match Sentenced at their best, but I still like having new music in this vein to listen to and I think most Sentenced fans would agree. If you liked Ville in Sentenced than Poisonblack is worth your time.

Highlights: Bear The Cross, Left Behind, Diane, The Days Between

Rating - 4.0/5

Poisonblack - Lust Stained Despair

Gothic Metal
Century Media

2006

1. Nothing Else Remains
2. Hollow Be My Name
3. The Darkest Lie
4. Rush
5. Nail
6. Raivotar
7. Soul In Flames
8. Pain Becomes Me
9. Never Enough
10. Love Controlled Despair
11. The Living Dead

Sentenced have had their funeral, but here is a bit of hope for the fan who has not quite had enough of that band. On this, the second album from Ville's solo band, he assumes the role of vocals as well as guitar. This one was delayed repeatedly and took some time getting here but the wait is over for me at least. For some of the rest of you, it's coming soon.

If you've heard the first Poisonblack album you can pretty much throw out all expectations based on that one. This quite simply sounds nothing like Poisonblack's debut and to me this sound change is quite a welcome one with Sentenced being gone. Poisonblack's debut, while having catchy songs, was pretty typical in it's deep voiced smooth finnish goth approach. From the first riff you have to know something is different on this album as it is a thick and up tempo groover that's much heavier than anything found on the debut by a mile. The vocals roll in over it with a fairly gruff approach and the chorus is very reminescent of Sentenced. While there are musical reminders of that band though, this album does sound different as it has more of a crunch oriented approach and it really works quite well. The sound on here manages to recall what I really enjoyed about Sentenced without just sounding like a total continuation of that band. This just brings the heaviness and energy of Sentenced to a new band with it's own feel.

Honestly this album is everything I'd hoped it would be and more and should be most pleasing to fans of Ville's Sentenced work. I'd say this one is on par with the work of his former band and it's good to see that though Sentenced is no more, Ville's still carrying the torch for ass kicking finnish goth. Poisonblack has just had a serious upgrade and may Ville keep singing for this band and churning out goth with balls. The biggest problem I had reviewing this one was picking favorite songs.

Highlights: Nothing Else Remains, Raivotar, The Living Dead, Soul In Flames

Rating - 4.0/5