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

#5 Regina Spektor - What We Saw From The Cheap Seats

Fresh, ingenious, poppish, silly, unpredictable, funny, happy-go-lucky... what else can be said about Regina? She is simply awesome. And, with this record, she proves that there are no limits to imagination, and that an artist should not be caged in one particular music genre. The strange sounds she has us used to are still there. One hightlight is the reworked version of Don't Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas), it will keep you tapping with your feet to the rhythm.

Videos

Don't Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas)

 All The Rowboats (live)

#6 #4

#6 Luca Turilli's Rhapsody - Ascending To Infinity

When Luca Turilli parted ways with former band Rhapsody Of Fire, it would have been easy to think that the magic is gone, that the epic stories from fantasy lands are over. How wrong! Luca Turilli put together his own Rhapsody, and sored to greatness. What a fantastic album. New singer Alessandro Conti is great. Jaw-dropping vocals. The fantasy themes are still there, though now there are more moder elements as well, unimaginable in previous Rhapsody Of Fire records. Luca is in top form here, as he delivers some of the greatest guitar solos he's ever written, plus, he takes over all piano and keyboard duties. A masterpiece.

Videos

Dark Fate Of Atlantis

                                                                               Excalibur (live)

#7 #5

#7 Epica Requiem For The Indifferent

Another masterpiece by Dutch band Epica. Here, Simone's voice features a broader sound, which gives the songs a deeper feeling depending on the context. Flawless production, the usual themes, and an overall halo of perfection shape Requiem For The Indifferent. It is a step forward from the great Design Your Universe, though I wonder if there is much more to explore in this direction.

Videos

Storm The Sorrow

Serenade Of Self Destruction



#8  #6

#8 Teodasia - Upwards

Surprise, surprise! Italian band Teodasia have no only released their first record, but also have they made it to the top 10 albums of the year 2012! Upwards is a consistent album, which does not cease to please the listener at any time. It features Fabio Lione from Rhapsody Of Fire in one of the songs. Amazing record which has set the bar high for future releases.

Videos

Lost Words Of Forgiveness

Temptress



#9 #7

#9 Xandria - Neverworld's End

Xandria's latest album is the first one to feature new singer Manuella Kraller, who, it must be said, does a flawless job. The album is grandiose, entertaining, catchy and could have been on the top 3 of the list if it were not for the fact that it sounds too much like Nightwish circa Century Child era. Great as this album may be, it lacks a bit of originality. Still, it was one of the finest releases of 2012 and, with the new singer, they will surelly put out more awesome music.

Videos

Valentine

Forevermore



#10 - #8

#10 Delta Goodrem - Child Of The Universe

#10 Yes, australian popstar is back with her fourth album, Child Of The Universe. This is a great pop album showing that Delta has a lot to deliver and that her health issues from the past haven't affected her musical skills. Impecable voice lines, catchy choruses, and personal lyrics are some of the elements that can be found in this record. The first single, Sitting On Top Of The World is groovy and the second one Wish You Were Here is heartfelt and touching. The acoustic-versions bonus CD is a must-have.

Videos:

Sitting On Top Of The World

Wish You Were Here (Acoustic)

Check out #9

Best 10 albums of 2012

2012 came to an end. What a year! Packed with music of all genres. Some newcomers, some flops, some artists who consolidated their position....
I've elaborated a list of the 10 albums (LPs, no EPs, nor singles) I liked the most. I chose not to separate the records into categories, so the list will seem a bit too eclectic to many, but well, I like music so much that I listen to many different genres.

Check out the list HERE and enjoy! :-D



Mightydem