Rough Edge: Christopher J. Kelter's "Best of 2008"

THE BEST OF 2008
Our East Coast Editor, Christopher J. Kelter, tells you what you should have listened to last year

Honorable mentions for new albums in 2008: Whitechapel, Trivium, Black Mountain, In Flames, Joe Satriani, Ohm:, Trey Gunn

TOP 20 OF 2008

25. Mogwai – The Hawk is Howling
Mogwai get “loud” again – the dynamics are impressive.

24. Byzantine – Oblivion Beckons
Thrashing goodness all around – hard to believe these guys might be done.

23. King’s X – XV
Another solid effort from rock’s most underappreciated band.

22. Torche – Meanderthal
Torche called their style “thunder pop” – it’s a very apt description.

21. Meshuggah – ObZen
Slightly disappointing overall, but still a cool record.

20. Firewind – The Premonition
The best “power metal” album of the year.

19. Bloodbath – The Fathomless Mastery
Bloodbath take their homage to old-school Swedish death metal on a little
vacation by way of Florida and end up with a great album – not bad for a
“side project.”

18. Swallow the Sun – Plague of Butterflies
Yes, it is an EP, but Swallow the Sun impress with this epic track.

17. The Sword – Gods of the Earth
Riffs, more riffs, and finally, more riffs. Very cool.

16. AC/DC – Black Ice
Typical AC/DC fare, but still worth the wait.

15. Gojira – The Way of All Flesh
Technical and progressive – and a breath of fresh metallic aire.

14. Moonspell – Night Eternal
Moonspell’s inspired run continues.

13. Intronaut – Prehistoricisms
Don’t believe the hype, but it’s OK to like this album for what it is – a
creative tour de force.

12. Cynic – Traced in Air
While everyone was waiting for the latest efforts from Metallica and Guns
‘N Roses it was Cynic that was my most anticipated album for 2008.

11. Metallica – Death Magnetic
A fine effort from the band that is probably most responsible for my two
decade plus foray into the metal realm.

10. Omnium Gatherum – The Red Shift
I’m not sure if others share my feelings on this solid effort from
Finland’s greatest melodic death band.

9. The Haunted – Versus
Stream of conscious lyrics bolstered by a return to a more standard The
Haunted neo-thrash sound.

8. Scar Symmetry – Holographic Universe
A phenomenal blend of aggression and melody.

7. Amon Amarth – Twilight of the Thunder Gods
Surprisingly creative and impressive effort.

6. Cult of Luna – Eternal Kingdom
An inspired effort with the source of inspiration literally being the
unearthed diary of a madman

5. Nachtmystium – Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt. 1 (and Worldfall EP)
Probably the most intriguing metal albums of 2008.

4. Earth – The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skull
Earth broke through the collective conscious of the metal masses – and for
good reason.

3. Opeth – Watershed
The grand masters create another masterpiece.

2. Enslaved – Vetebrae
Enslaved are the reason I have returned to listening to black metal with a
keen ear.

1. Burst – Lazarus Bird
Burst literally explode with creativity with “Lazarus Bird” - top honors
in 2008 by the tiniest of margins.

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