It only seems like a month since we last did this Top 20 gig and yet here we are. Over the course of 2010 the Soundshock team have been relentlessly scratching their heads and damaging their hearing in order to deliver the definitive Soundshock Top 20 Albums Of Year. Our Editor Lee, Steve Jones and Dave Sherwood take us through it all.

1. ANATHEMA - 'We're Here Because We're Here' [Kscope]

Making an agonising seven year wait very worth it, 'We're Here Because We're Here' epitomises what makes a truly remarkable and beautiful album. Its release being a rather subdued affair and its greatness being quite un-talked about in contrast to a lot of the releases throughout the year, its emotive delivery is subtle and yet powerful. Time will prove that this is not only Anathema's strongest album it is also a classic in the making.
"Read the review here"
 

2. ENSLAVED - 'Axioma Ethica Odini' [Indie]

Having come a long way from their sword swinging black metal roots and swaying ever more into progressive realms, an Enslaved album often comes packaged with a  complacent seal of approval. To say anticipation was high with 'Axioma...' goes without saying. However, no one quite expected just how sublime this album would be. These Bergen brutes have delivered an album truly worthy of the all the acclaim heaped upon them. "Read the review here"

3. WATAIN - 'Lawless Darkness' [Season Of Mist]

In the typical belligerent fashion these blood caked Swedes are famed for, 'Lawless Darkness' proclaimed "black metal shall be reborn". Watain have certainly reinvigorated a tradition of violence and uncompromising attitude to their black shtick.
"Read the review here"

4. THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN - 'Option Paralysis' [Party Smasher Inc/Season Of Mist]

Is there nothing this band can’t do? ‘Option Paralysis’ is the melting face of tech-metal reforming itself anew. But this isn’t just frills for thrills. DEP blew a wide open hole in the avant-garde metal scene, and ten years on at the tail end of the noughties, ‘Option Paralysis’ continues the critical mass expansion. SJ "Read the review here"

5. WINTERFYLLETH - 'The Mercian Sphere' [Candlelight]

In joint fifth place in this year's top 20, this English black metal outfit have had more mouths jabbering that you'd see on Loose Women. Not only for the debate regarding their "national pride" which many of the ignorant claim is racism but mainly the absolute corker 'The Mercian Sphere' is.
"Read the review here"

5. DEFTONES - 'Diamond Eyes' [Reprise]

As glittering and hard-edged as its namesake, ‘Diamond Eyes’ enchants from the opening title track, and with tracks like ‘Sextape’ and ‘You’ve Seen The Butcher’, shows Deftones are more than just mindless riffers. By turns dazzling, mesmerising and cutting, Deftones' sixth album shows that the Sacramento continue to operate in a world of their own. SJ
"Read the review here"

6. IHSAHN - 'After' [Candlelight]

'After' witnesses Ihsahn's post-Emperor career at it's most sophisticated, not just in terms of song writing but also in production. Glaring soundscapes and versatile instrumentation (and some very nifty saxophone playing) are the staples that make 'After' such a captivating album. "Read the review here"

7. TWILIGHT - 'Monument To Time End' [Southern Lord]

Including members from Nachtmystium, Minsk, The Atlas Moth and Isis - Twilight is certainly one hell of a supergroup.  Its atmosphere is dense and its delivery is intelligent and progressive in equal measures. 'Monument To Time End' certainly won't make it highly in many end of year lists, but we at Soundshock recognise greatness when we hear it. "Read the review here"

8. KYLESA - 'Spiralling Shadow' (Season Of Mist)

Another year, another Kylesa album. Whilst last year's 'Static Tension' was frenzied in its attack, 2010's 'Spiralling Shadow' witnesses these Georgian riff-titans refining and pacing their approach and making it a proper solid psych-out. "Read the review here"

9. BURZUM - 'Belus' (Byelobog) 

Definitely the most anticipated release of the year for most, 'Belus' certainly came packaged with a fair amount of expectations and prejudice. To the delight of many Burzum was literally picked up where it was left off before his incarceration. Proving that he is unwavering, Varg Vikernes has created an album that showcases why he is such a pioneer of the black metal scene despite all his best protests. "Read the review here"

10. NEGURA BUNGET - 'Virstele Pamintului' [Code666]

Since 'Om' was released back in 2006 and shot the humble Romanians into the eyes of the press and saw them hailed as one of the most powerful and spirited black metal bands this side of the year 2000, a lot happened to the Negura Bunget. Members left and new members came in and a lot was said in a war of worlds between camps. Despite the controversy, drummer/founding member Negru has delivered another powerful and thundering example of naturally enthused black metal.

11. FEAR FACTORY - 'Mechanize' [Candlelight]

They've had a rather patchy history haven't they? Well they blew sceptics out of the water when 'Mechanize' hit the stereos. With Dino back in the fold, 'Mechanize' was a ferocious return to form. "Read the review here"

12. SWANS - 'My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky' [Young God]

Another reformation that decided to record a new album in 2010, Swans are right up there in the "Eagerly Awaited" league. 'My Father...' was a fantastic and fresh take on the Swans (wall of) sound of old. Michael Gira has delivered a bleak and self-affirming slab of post-punk. "Read the review here"

13. GHOST - 'Opus Eponymous' [Rise Above]

'Opus Enonymous' is one of the most unique records released in the past 20 years. Using Satan-blessed pop riffs to spread the Devil's words to the world, this group of anonymous ghouls will have everyone singing along to their tracks in no time - insanely catchy. Bridging early 70's proto-metal to the legendary Mercyful Fate, wonderfully evil melodies and hypnotic mystery are the backbone to such genius work. Think of 'Opus Enonymous' as an audio book for the Wicked rather than your usual headbanging stuff, and you'll get exactly what this is about. DS  

14. ELECTRIC WIZARD - 'Black Masses' [Rise Above]

Everyone's favourite dope-smoking, Sabbath-riff worshipping occultists released 'Black Masses' quite recently but it hasn't stopped this record from making an entry in Soundshock's list. This a sermon in sludge and doom at its most potent. "Read the review here"

15. TRIPTYKON  - 'Eparistera Daimones' [Century Media]

With Tom G Warrior's last effort with Celtic Frost, 'Monotheist' was hailed by many as album of the year at release and the lights shone brightly on 'Eparistera...' in much the same way. Well, Triptykon certainly delivered an unrelenting monster of an album. "Read the review here"

16. ELUVEITIE - 'Everything Remains (As It Ever Was)' [Nuclear Blast]

  Flying the flag for the pagan-folk metal of 2010, 'Everything Remains...' really saw the band mature into more than just a beer swilling, sword and shield party. Suddenly Eluveitie are getting the recognition they have deserved. "Read the review here"

 17. CHROME HOOF - 'Crush Depth' [Southern] 

Probably one of the most eclectic releases to make an appearance in this year's list, 'Crush Depth' is truly an entertaining lesson in sonic adventuring. It's a stomping disco-doom-rock monument to all things experimental. "Read the review here"

18. CATHEDRAL - 'The Guessing Game' [Nuclear Blast]

Another entry for the English and Cathedral certainly embody English eccentricity. For all it's epic prog leanings, 'The Guessing Game' is doom of epic proportions. "Read the review here"

19. DARKTHRONE - 'Circle The Wagons' [Peaceville]

Our favourite crusty Norwegian punks have churned out another lo-fi mountain trodden classic bunch of riffs. And no one is tired yet it would seem. "Read the review here"

20. IRON MAIDEN - 'The Final Frontier' [EMI]

Well, the legends returned with another album and another face of Eddie.  'The Final Frontier' showed Iron Maiden at their most daring in many ways and yet we still love 'em. "Read the review here"

We at Soundshock thought you need to hear what the musicians say about this year by telling you their favourite 2010 release.

Erik, Watain
Ghost - 'Opus Eponymous'

The best release of 2010 apart from Lawless Darkness would without doubt be the debut album of the Swedish band GHOST. I had extremely high hopes for this one and it still it managed to just blow me away. It has all the skill, genius and passion that most of the music world has been lacking in the past 10 years. An instant classic, that will be remembered for years to come."
 

Robin Staps, The Ocean
The Dillinger Escape Plan - 'Option Paralysis'

An incredible album by an incredible band - every song a hit, all killer no filler and a brutal, unconventional mix with loud samples and lots of stereo-spread... I love it! I've been a fan of this band for at least ten years and being on tour with them and seeing them destroy the stage every single night of the tour was an awesome experience. When you get to know a band personally, it can go both ways: it can totally ruin it for yourself when you find out they're dickheads or it can make you appreciate them even more. Dillinger are really cool, humble dudes and this tour made me fall in love with their music even more than before.

Blake Judd, Nachtmystium/Twilight
BURZUM - 'Belus'

I've been a massive Burzum fan since I was about 13 years old, despite the man behind the bands ridiculous personal politics. Fortunately for me though, I don't let peoples personal politics ruin good music for me. This album was something that I was very "afraid" of when I heard Varg was returning with a metal record. I had no idea what to expect, but was very concerned that it wouldn't be the Burzum that made timeless records like "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss" and "Filosofem". Fortunately, I was wrong. This record, to my ears, sounds like he stepped out of prison and picked up exactly where he left off, uninfluenced by the modern black metal sound that has developed during his 17 years incarcerated. I was very pleased. It did exactly what I wanted it to do and never thought it would. The hair on the back of my neck stood up almost instantly (as it did the first time I heard the track "Det Som Engang Var" from the 'Hvis...' album as a teenager), and it captured my attention beginning to end, taking me on a transcendental musical voyage into the mind of one of metal musics most creative and influential musicians. Ironically, I'm listening to my LP copy of this record as I'm writing this, and it's probably over it's hundredth play in my home. Way to go, Varg. Now if you could just shut your mouth and keep making great music, it'd be a lot easier for other people to realize how genius you are as a musician.  

Sanford Parker, Minsk/Twilight
Swans - 'My Father...' & Killing Joke - 'Absolute Dissent'

It was a tough call deciding what my favorite record of 2010 was. Not because there were so many choices (I couldn’t even come up with ten albums that I heard), but because two of my favorite and most influential bands released albums this year. Swans – My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky and Killing Joke – Absolute Dissent. While the Swans come back was long awaited, brilliant and even better by writing and releasing new material not just doing the typical tour and play what the fans want to hear, and I do think the album is great, but I feel Killing Joke takes the cake in this one. This album from beginning to end is perfect. Unlike previous KJ records that seam to reflect what they as musicians are being influenced by at the time whether it be punk, pop, electro or metal, Absolute Dissent has elements of all these styles and done really well. With that being said I’ll leave you with this question: What other band well into a thirty year career can come back with the original line-up and write one of if not the best album of their existence? I dare you to think of another one…I tried and can’t.

Bard Eithun, Mongo Ninja
Okkultokrati - 'No Light For Mass'

The album that stood out the most for me during 2010 was probably the debut from young Norwegian act Okkultokrati. Entitled No Light for Mass, their debut consists of a hard-hitting blend of sludge, doom, punk and black metal. The production is raw and massive, just like their music. These youngsters might be the next "big thing" on these shores if they play their cards right. Highly recommended!

Ivar Bjornson, Enslaved
Iron Maiden – 'The Final Frontier'

Surprising perhaps, but this was such an energy boost for me as an old Iron Maiden fan. The “Isle of Avalon” track alone is a total evidence that old bands can renew themselves if the spirit is there. Their concert in Bergen this spring was one of the best I’ve seen in my short Metal-life. Up the Irons!

Esko Salow, Fejd
The Crown - 'Doomsday King'

2010 was a year of great expectations as many cool bands released new albums. I guess there are at least ten bands that could "win" my album of the year. But, the band that gets my vote is a comeback act that disappeared from the scene in 2004. 'Doomsday King' is a punch in the face comeback with tracks as "Angel of death 1835" and "Soul Slasher" The Crown really shows how it's done. This is in your face Metal, straight, naked and honest without anything covering their intensions. They are back.

Ben McCrow, The Rotted
Killing Joke - Absolute Dissent
Killing Joke have been my favorite band for many years now. Geordie's unique guitar style, Jaz's Rottweiler-esque vocals, and the pounding, relentless tribal beats -all performed by a bunch of genuinely eccentric characters (something sadly missing in modern rock and metal bands)- gets me every time! When I heard the new album would feature the band's original lineup, to say that I was pant-wettingly excited would be an understatement, and I gotta say, when I finally heard it, i was completely blown away! This could even be their finest work, and is something that no rock, metal or alternative fan should overlook! An absolute triumph, and totally essential!!!  

James Monteith, TesseracT
Chimp Spanner - 'At The Dream's Edge'

Written, performed, recorded, produced and mixed entirely by Paul Ortiz, ATDE is an epic prog-rock journey with so many twists, turns, highs, lows and layers of lushness that it has to be my number one record of 2010. With a movie soundtrack feel thoughout, there’s always something to keep you hooked in, and the melodic lead guitar work is as impressive as it is tasteful. Stunning.
 

Derya Nagle, The Safety Fire
Deftones - 'Diamond Eyes'

Hard to say really, there have been so many great albums out this year, but the one that instantly pops into my head is "Diamond Eyes" by Deftones. From the songwriting, to production, the album creates such a great vibe. I didn't really know what to expect after Chi's accident, and with talk of the songwriting process changing it was hard to gauge what kind of album to expect. Safe to say, I was pleasantly surprised! LOOOOVELY
 

Stephen Crook, ACODA
Lower Than Atlantis - 'Far Q'

Oooh tough question! 'Blessed and Cursed' by Devil Sold His Soul, Periphery's self titled debut and The North Stands for Nothing by While She Sleeps are all up there!  But I think as a collective we all fell in love with Lower Than Atlantis' album 'Far Q'. It's got a high energy, it's honest and to the point and I think they really clicked with their audience. A great sing along record. Saying that 'Disambiguation' by UnderOath has just reached our ears, so that answer could change by the end of the year!

Chris, Alestorm
Jaldaboath - 'The Rise of the Heraldic Beasts'

Finally a band from the UK that isn't shite! I've been listenening to the insane monty pythonic nonsense of Mr Jaldaboath ever since his demo days, and when I found out he was doing a full album of this stuff, I creamed my pants. "Bash the Bishop" is literally the best song ever. Ever. Anyone who is a fan of music that isn't stuck halfway up it's own arse, or can understand that it's possible to make fun songs without being a parody of something, should own this album.
 

Oliver Nikolas Schmid, Lacrimas Profundere
Black Label Society - 'Order of the Black'

Order of the Black is locked and loaded with loads of real riff-tempests, some poetic piano stuff and an arsenal of guitars. (Everybody knows Zakk's unique skills on the guitar, but) this man can do it with just one microphone and one piano also, still creating something special, something that crawls under your skin. Yeah in fact, he does something REAL! The alcohol withdrawal, the parting with Ozzy, nothing can bring this guy down! Although simple and straight-forward, the songs don't drag or bore you. With "Crazy Horse" Zakk unleashes a masterpiece,  "Overlord" bruises everything six feet under and every song is like your ticket to an all-inclusive holiday at The Orange County Farm - including beer and whiskey! Every night there is a Barbecue at the Rockpub next door, and when listening to the grooving "Parade of the dead", it feels like beeing in the first row at a big muddy metal festival. Yet, my personal fave is "Godspeed Hellbound", a fuckin heavy streamroller, while "Southern Dissolution" dig their claws into your auditory canals to stay.  Some people might complain about too many ballads lingering on the record, BUT those Songs are not only fillers! "Shallow Grave" has this main riff I could be jealous of, "Time waits for no one" could be on one of Ozzys records. The sappy and dripping "Can´t find my way home" is soon forgotten when listening to "Black Sunday". On the record's final songs, the band lives and breathes metal again, and makes "Order Of The Black" the amalgamation of some nice, smooth ballads and grandious, yet straight heavy rock songs. Cool, hard-edged and honest, with the middlefinger to all the shit music on TV and radiostations! Yeah, I like it! Well done Mr. Wylde, the next Budwiser is my treat.

Rick Armellino, This or the Apocalypse
Deftones - 'Diamond Eyes'

Deftones have always been a band that provided an incredible model as a group of dudes who could function in a while simultaneously just not givin' a fuck, which I loved. Even at 15 I could identify that they just maintained their own mystique, their own set of rules they periodically broke at their own leisure. After what happened to Chi I think everyone just really wanted to know what was going to happen... You can just hear all of the emotion, the confusion, the self assertions, everything. To TOTA it's a testament of where we were as kids and just how damn relevant that can be today.

Miri, System Divide
Dimmu Borgir - 'Abrahadabra'

Dimmu Borgir is one of my favorite black metal bands since 1996. They had me with their third album 'Enthrone Darkness Triumphant'. I think their music evolved greatly since that album and they are still able to write good album after 14 years of existence and that alone deserves all my respect.  The production on 'Abrahadabra' is fantastic!  Very heavy and powerful. The orchestra is very well done Drum wise I think the drums sound really good on this one and the general atmosphere in the album is very dark and seductive. I was very surprise to hear their single 'Gateways' because it has female vocals and the most unique female vocals I've ever heard. The combination between the female vocals and the orchestra created one of the most exciting and powerful tracks of the year and I hope to hear more of this combination in the future.

Stephan Gebédi, Hail Of Bullets
Triptykon - 'Eparistera Daimones'

Celtic Frost's second demise was a huge shock to me but Tom Warrior has once again proven that he's the ulitmate master when it comes to translating pure darkness into music. A true masterpiece!

James Britton, Anterior
Danzig - 'Deth Red Sabaoth'

"I have been waiting for a new danzig album since 2006's Circle of Snakes and this was worth the wait. After hearing different directions of song writing and some very experimental solo projects I was fucking loving the return to form when he released this monster! I would recommend this for any danzig fan old or new, with songs like "on a wicked night" and "the revengeful" you cant go wrong. Fucking STORMING!!!!  

Robin, October Tide
A Swarm Of The Sun - 'Zenith'

I have to say that the best album I have heard this year is "Zenith" with A Swarm of the sun. "Zenith" is a very moody album that really takes you away to a different place.

 

Devon Brown, Dead Earth Politics
Warbeast - 'Krush The Enemy'

In an era for metal when you have a million choices and only a few really stand out, it’s hard to find the gem that grabs you. Warbeast's debut is one such gem. Aptly titled "Krush the Enemy", this old school thrash album is not a regurgitation of influences by ‘tweens who’ve decided to pay homage to their dad's favorite bands. Warbeast is comprised of the very thrash-masters the young'uns like to emulate such as Bruce Corbitt from Rigor Mortis! Albums like "Krush the Enemy" not only reminding the world that thrash still reigns supreme, but belts out a battle cry from the heart of my home state - Texas!
 

Dave Evans, VISIONS
The Dillinger Escape Plan - 'Option Paralysis'

Without a doubt, my favourite album this year was Option Paralysis, by the Dillinger Escape Plan. Dillinger have never failed to put out a record that wasn't anything other than great, which is a pretty amazing thing for a band that's been around since 1997. Although the direction they've taken with the past couple of albums hasn't been everyone's taste, Option Paralysis is the perfect blend of intensity and melody, which Dillinger do so well, and like no one else.
 

Pin, Aliases
Tim Minchin 'Ready For This?'

Unfortunately as a metal band we are about as un metal and un influenced as you get! Though there have been some good releases in the genre this year we found it hard to name one and came to the conclusion that Tim Minchin's album for 'ready for this?' is our favourite for 2010! The man is a hilarious musical genius!!

Rory Vallely, The Construct
Oceansize - 'Self Preserved While The Bodies Float Up'

Oceansize have really stepped it up with this release, not that their last effort "Frames" was anything other than mindblowing. On "Self Preserved..." they cover so many bases with such minimal effort, and from the opener, "Part Cardiac" with it's massive low tuned guitars, this is without doubt thier heaviest release to date. They haven't lost any of their progressive/post-rock sound either, as the fourth track "Oscar Acceptance Speech" proves, with it's beautiful outro laden with orchestral string sections. The musical wizardry on show here is phenomenal also, with many complex time signatures, though it isn't thrown into the spotlight as with so many other bands. The almost frantic "It's My Tail and I'll Chase It If I Want To", with it's 11/16 timing (by my counting), could easily have sounded quite awkward with such an odd meter, but instead it flows with beautiful precision. All in all a fantastic album, and probably my favourite by Oceansize, with the added bonus that they're from my own hometown of Manchester!