Top 10 Albums - 2014

And yes, 2014 is gone now and it has left behind a huge heap of albums from which I have selected my favorite 10, and it was hard to do so, I must say. Although I always lean towards guitar-driven rock albums, you will find many surprises as you unveil each of my favorite records. Music, in my opinion, should not be constrained to just one genre, after all, if you like a song, what can you do about it? Thank you for reading. Enjoy my selection, and leave your comments.


10 - War Eternal (Arch Enemy) - The addition of new singer Alissa White-Gluz was definitely a hit. The band keeps bringing contricated riffs which lay a strong base for Alissa's growls to take over the songs. A very powerful album which features what is probably the best song of the year 20014: War Eternal.

War Eternal Video

9 - 1989 (Taylor Swift) - Taylor Swift's fifth album marks the end of the transition from country-pop to full pop. And even though this change must have deterred many people from listening to this album, the end result is a very solid record, full of catchy hooks and ingenious lyrics. Behind the pop-icon image, there is an artist who really enjoys what she is doing and those feelings permeate the record. My favorite song: Blank Space.

Blank Space Video

8 - Broken Crown Halo (Lacuna Coil) - They did it again. The Italian band came back in 2014 with a very solid album, with a polished sound that confirms why they are one of the best bands in the planet. Although they haven't ventured too far from their typical sound, they have taken their trademark sound to new levels. Andrea and Cristina sound in top shape and the mix is perfect, which gives the record a perfect balance between vocals and instruments. Recommended song: I Forgive

I Forgive (But Not Forget) Video

7 - Massive Addictive (Amaranthe) - Amaranthe is one of my newest discoveries. A three-singer band which combines pop melodies with heavy metal riffs. Their third album is a bit more cohesive than their previous two efforts, as though they have found exactly where they want to go with their sound. A short album packed with high-octane songs. Recommended song: Drop Dead Cynical

Drop Dead Cynical Video

6 - Space Police/Defenders Of The Crown (Edguy) - How Edguy's frontman Tobias Sammet manages to keep two big music projects (Edguy and Avantasia) at top level year after year remains a mystery to me. This guy is bringing out one record per year, and what a record this is. Funny yet witty lyrics, catchy choruses, epic songs and even two tongue-in-cheek bonus tracks on the special edition. This is an album that proves that no matter how bad a cover is, one should never judge a book... an album by its cover.

Love Tyger Video

5 - World On Fire (Slash) - 17 tracks, over one hour of music, dozens of riffs, soaring vocals.... needless to say more. Slash & Myles Kennedy are back with one of the best rock albums I have heard in some time. What surprises me the most is that the man in top hat has released 3 original-content albums in 5 years! Quite remarkable. If you are in for unforgettable solos, killer riffs and high-pitched vocals, this record is for you.

World On Fire

4 - Tearing Down The Walls (H.E.A.T.) - Yes, they sound like an 80s rock band, yes, there is nothing new in this genre, yes.... wait... H.E.A.T. is here to prove that there is always something new that can be done with an old genre. This band sounds so fresh that it will take the listener back to the hair-rock golden age. A bit reminiscent of the old Bon Jovi, this album will keep you humming to all of its songs.

Shot At Redemption

3 - Hydra (Within Temptation) - Following the path of The Unforgiven, Hydra is an album that will blow your mind. All the trademark sounds are there, but in this record the band has pushed the borders of symphonic metal music to include besides pop, some hip-hop, a blend that a priori seems impossible. This diversity gives another twist to Within Temptation's music, giving them more elements to continue crafting hit after hit in their future records.

And We Run

2 - The Life And Times Of Scrooge (Tuomas Holopainen) - This is probably the year's biggest surprise. When Nightwish's mastermind Tuomas Holopainen said that his solo project would be something completely different from his main band, I did not know what to expect. An album based on a children's comic book... how could that be possible? When I listened to the album for the first time I was in awe! Such perfection. A great part of it consists mostly of instrumental music. There are no big operatic voices or guitar riffs. The music is subtle, captivating and it paints images in the listener's mind. Not a sinble second in this record is out of place, everything is perfectly crafted. An unexpected surprise.

A Lifetime Of Adventures

1 - The Quantum Enigma (Epica) - Epica's 6th effort is a real masterpiece. Epic choirs, clean female voices, male growls, amazing guitar solos, complex guitar riffs, a full orchestra... when all these alements are put together in the right places, the result cannot fall short from spectacular. Epica has been delivering high-quality music for a long time, but what sets this record apart from the rest is its cohesion. For the first time, I can say that I can listen to a whole Epica album without skipping any track. Simone has improved her singing quite noticeably and the final result is mind-blowing. A well deserved #1 spot in my 2014's best albums list.

Victims Of Contingency

   I hope you have enjoyed my list. Many good albums have been left out and many more I have probably overlooked. 2014 was a great year music wise. 2015 promises some great music by some of my favorite artists (Nightwish and Muse, for instance), so it's time to turn the page and start discovering new music. Thank you for reading and I really appreciate your comments.

Amaranthe - The Nexus Video

   Amaranthe is about to release their second album and here is the first single The Nexus. As it is customary for this band, the video was directed by the great Patric Ullaeus. It shows the band members lying in some sort of coffins as if they were the subject of study in what looks to be a military base somewhere bitterly cold (their homeland Sweden perhaps). Suddenly, a knob is turned and they come back to life... Lots of action, shots, kicks, runs, etc.: entertainment guaranteed.
   As for the music, all the characteristic elements are there: growls, clean male and female voices, a powerful base line, a stellar guitar solo and a catchy chorus will keep everybody singing this song over and over.

This band is gaining momentum, no signs of stopping. Amaranthe are back, and in great shape!  9/10

Watch the video HERE

Bon Jovi - Because We Can

So here is Bon Jovi's new single Because We Can taken from their forthcoming album to be released in a couple of months. If there is one thing that Bon Jovi know how to master is their skills to write catchy tunes with lyrics every average person can relate to. This is by no means their best song. On the contrary, it sounds clichéd, and tired. It reminds a bit of Captain Crash from the Crush era, blended with some sort of pro-Obama jingle. It is not a bad song, no, but with so many great hits under their belt, we can only hope that the songs in the new album will live up to their predecessors.  6/10

Video: Because We Can

#1 Muse - The 2nd Law

Yes, we have reached the top spot on the top-10-albums list and that spot belongs to Muse! The English band put out with a superb album. The 2nd Law is broad in terms of musical styles, aggressive at times, mellow at some other times. Mathew Bellamy had no fear to take steps in unknown territory, to achieve terrific results. The incorporation of dubstep elements, the fact that bass player Christopher Wolstenholme got to sing to songs, the grandiose beat and the ultra-rare double-harmonic scale solo on Survival (official song to the London Summer Olympic Games 2012) makes Supremacy stand out from the rest of the albums. Muse risked to get away from their comfort zone bring out the most awesome album of the year. Kudos to Muse!!!!!

Videos:

Madness

Survival (live Olympic Games Closing Ceremony)

#2

#2 Lacuna Coil - Dark Adrenaline

Italian band Lacuna Coil's 2012 album is packed with hits. Both singers Cristina and Andre complement each other extremely well in this record, their voices harmonizing in typical Lacuna Coil fashion.Dark Adrenaline peaked at #15 on Billboard, becoming the band's most succerssful album to date. It features heavy tracks, mellow tracks, a cover of R.E.M.'s Losing My Religion and a bonus DVD with six short films showing Cristina's visions after taking a mysterious drug called Dark Adrenaline. A must have!

Videos

Trip The Darkness

                                                           End Of Time

#3 #1

#3 Lacrimosa - Revolution

This album came out in late 2012 and climed easlily to the top spots on the list. From the first time I listened to it I know it would be a 2012's favorite. The sound is a bit less symphonic than in previous efforts, such as Echos or Lichtgestalt; it is rawer, yet it sounds familiar. The lyrics are more direct than in previous albums. Still, this is a true Lacrimosa record. The Revolution has taken over!

Videos

Revolution

Feuerzug (live)



#4 #2

#4 Sister Sin - Now And Forever

Swedish rockers put out their new album Now And Forever and, with it, they secured a top spot among the 2012's highlights. This record is fierce; it leaves you with little time to breathe. It is a machine gun shooting guitar riffs, melodic hooks, screams non stop. This is the type of albums one wants to blast out in the car while driving, hard to stop listening to. Hard rock with a touch of vitage sound. Can't go wrong with it!

Videos

End Of The Line

Hearts Of Cold


#5 #3