Most Aggressively Average Album: In Waves (Trivium)
Even though I wouldn't call myself a Trivium fan, I don't actively hate them. At the same time, nothing about them makes me want to go out of my way to listen to them. In Waves is an example as to why I could not care less about this band. Granted, the album was slightly better than I expected and had a few moments on it that I enjoyed, but the manufactured pop-metal sound does nothing for me. Despite that, there isn't anything offensively awful about it to make me hate it. GRRRR! The indifference is killing me!
The You-Should-Really-Listen-To-This Award: Dystopia (Iced Earth)
Runner(s) Up: "Dystopia" (Iced Earth), "Zerospan" (Charred Walls of the Damned)
Runner Up: Dedicated to Chaos (Queensrÿche)
The You-Should-Really-Listen-To-This Award: Dystopia (Iced Earth)
I could have just called this "My Personal Favorite Album of the Year", but this is also my way of spreading the word about one of my favorite bands. While they may not be everyone's cup of tea, Iced Earth combines my favorite things in metal: fast, heavy, melodic riffs; epic, melodic singing; and some of the best choruses you'll ever hear. Dystopia contains all of that, and the addition of Stu Block makes this album worthy of the IE name. Although it may not be their best record, I would probably put it in the Top 5. So if you haven't already, give this band and album a chance!
Runner Up: Dystopia again. Seriously. Just listen to it.
Best Song: "Fight 'Em Till You Can't" (Anthrax)
When Anthrax released the first single for Worship Music, I became even more excited than I already was. This song has everything you would want from classic thrash-era Anthrax. Its fast, its heavy, Joey Belladonna triumphantly returns, the solo is fantastic, everything about it is awesome. I probably listened to this song for an entire week straight when it was first released, and I was happy to listen to it several times more when the entire album came out.
Runner(s) Up: "Dystopia" (Iced Earth), "Zerospan" (Charred Walls of the Damned)
Come back tomorrow for the final awards, including Album of the Year!
I'LL END YOU!
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