Epic Albums Of That Year (Or The Ones I Can Remember)

I'm a music freak. I can sit with headphones on listening to music on my ipod, computer or phone or listen to Cd's all day long. I still buy Cd's (when I have money). I spend hours memorizing songs, albums or information about my favourite artists. I read/watch every interview their involved in, follow them on Facebook/Twitter and whatever else, (the scariest thing is I don't have a Twitter). I watch all their videos whether its a live performance or a music video on You Tube. You could say I have a slight obsession with music, and yes, I have damaged my hearing - I have that wonderful ringing in my ears, tinnitus right?- with my constant need to blast music out loud, mainly through earphones/headphones which would make it worse. The last concert I was at didn't help my hearing either, in fact it may have damaged it more!!

I began to get obsessed with music at 11 years old (the summer of 2004). I know compared to most music lovers I had a late start, but the funny thing is I can't remember my life before discovering music. How did I do it? Well it was through the trusty radio. I was messing around in the kitchen when Green Day's "American Idiot" came on. Something in me clicked. I turned the volume up and listened. That same year I discovered Slipknot.

So now I'm going to force myself to pick my favourite album of the year, from 2004 until now (2011). This is going to be very, very hard for me and is going to take a very long time, but here goes!!

2004
2004 was the year I discovered music, as I've already mentioned. As Green Day were the first band I got into and "American Idiot" was the first album I bought then it only seems right that it is my album of 2004. With huge anthem songs such as "American Idiot"and "Wake Me Up When September Ends" and the epic 9 minutes, 8 seconds masterpiece that is "Jesus Of Suburbia" which tells the story of a teenager growing up in what I assume is the slums. That is a song that many teens can relate to. "Are We The Waiting?", "St Jimmy", "Give Me Novacaine, "She's A Rebel", "Extraordinary Girl", "Letterbomb", "Homecoming" and "Whatsername" all carrying on the story of Jesus as he becomes St Jimmy, the rebellious young punk who Jesus kills in "Homecoming Part 1" (That's just my take on the album!!) Just thinking about the album plays the tale in my head which is something I love about this album. Of course we can't forget the party and the hangover songs of the album which are "Holiday" and "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams". In my view "American Idiot" was the album of 2004, it stole the limelight and marked Green Days return. Now years down the line it's still recognized as a classic album and in tens year time it still will be.

2005
Now I was a music freak!! "American Idiot" changed my life in 2004. My interest in music grew and I gradually began to discover more and more bands (most of the metal genre). One of the bands I discovered, who quickly became one of my all time favourites were Orange County metallers Avenged Sevenfold. In 2005 they released their third album "City Of Evil." It had clean vocals, Guns 'N Roses meets Iron Maiden guitar riffs, some epic drum solos and amazing artwork within it. The biggest songs from the album came in the form of opening tracks "Beast And The Harlot"and "Burn It Down" which beautifully flow into each other. "Bat Country" is the punk anthem of the album, taking inspiration from the novel "Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas" by Hunter S. Thompson. "Seize The Day"and "MIA" are the real tearjerkers and who could leave out the song that stands out the most? "The Wicked End" complete with orchestral instruments, the kind you would expect in a film (for some strange reason "Harry Potter" comes to mind and I'm not a "Harry Potter" fan, if anything I found those films utter crap) "Strength Of The World" is the longest song on the album, in fact it is 9 minutes, 15 seconds of pure genius. Trust me the songs on this album may be long, Iron Maiden inspired, but they are damn good!

2006
Now I had to make the choice between A7X and Wednesday 13 for the 2005 album. For some reason (probably because it's so late at night that I'm doing this) my brain has decided not to think of any 2006 albums. After 5 minutes it remember that I have a copy of "Fang Bang" lying on the table beside my bed. So "Fang Bang" by Wednesday 13 rocked my 2006. And how could it not? It's a fun album! It has tongue-in-cheek humour as all Wednesday 13 albums do and it features tracks such as "Happily Ever Cadaver" which deals with necrophilia and cross dressing. There are also the songs which pay tribute to horror movies such as "Til Death Do Us Party" and "Haddonfield". And for those who say the tattoo blog, yes "Faith In The Devil" is one of my favourites and therefore makes this album even better! UK fans were also treated to a bonus track; a cover of Motorhead's "R.A.M.O.N.E.S". To sum it up this album is fun, funny and certainly worth a listen to!

2007
This is another year that I'm struggling to choose an artist for. I decided to settle on the woman with one of the greatest and most unique voices I've ever heard. Otep Shamaya has vocals to kill for! In 2007 Otep released "The Ascension". Her voice never fails to occasionally freak me out (just listen to the track "House Of Secrets" and you'll see what I mean) I'm actually jealous of her amazing voice. "Eet The Children", the opening track, sends shivers down my spine every time I listen to it. It's a song which leaves many people arguing over its meaning, whether it be cannibalism or abortion. On each song on the album, Otep shows her vocal skills, whether it be by screaming, singing or raging, she does it well and that it why "The Ascension" is an amazing album and it is why I have included it in my countdown.

2008
This year marked the return of my favourite band of all time. Slipknot. In 2008 they released "All Hope Is Gone", another calmer album that their first 2 in terms of lyrics and vocals. More singing less screaming. That didn't stop songs such as "Dead Memories", "Sulfur" and "Vendetta" being catchy as ever. In fact it didn't stop "Psychosocial" becoming the next 'Knot anthem (if you ever see them live then this song is a killer!) ".Execute" is the opener and what an opener! Ending with the line "All freedom is lost; All hope is gone". Then "Gematria (The Killing Name)" blasts out straight away. That one is again one of my favourites! "Snuff" and "Child Of Burning Time" are very slow and personal songs. They're a beautiful songs. Another set of tearjerkers. As is "'Til We Die", which is a song with a true message about the mighty nine. This is hopefully not the last we here of Slipknot. I for one will be devastated if they do call it a day. And for all those reasons combined (the immense songs, the fact that it was still in my Cd player in 2009 and the band's unknown future) is why I have chosen "All Hope Is Gone" as my album of 2008.

2009
2009 was another year where I'm torn between 2 totally immense albums. But I have to pick one so after much thought (and I mean much) I have decided to choose Devildriver's 2009 release "Pray For Villains". I waited so long to hear this album after catching them at Download that year. And I wasn't let down. With such monstrous songs it's very difficult for me to pick a favourite! I couldn't if you put a gun to my head and forced me to. The whole album left me longing for more and the special edition even comes with a cover of Iron Maiden's "Wasted Years". An amazing cover of an amazing song. I can't say anymore other than listen to the album!! You will not be disappointed!

2010
This was easy. After hearing about the Murderdolls return at the beginning of 2010 there was only one album I longed for. (I actually said "I need this!" when they announced their tour!) As soon as it was released on the 30th August (UK) 2010 I bought it. I'd been waiting very impatiently for it and it was totally worth it. Wednesday 13's voice is at its best, deep and razor sharp. The song's are heavier with more guitar solo's. Just listen to the intro of "My Dark Place Alone" and you'll hear what I mean! "Chapel Of Blood", "Bored Til Death", "Pieces Of You," "Homicide Drive"... I could be hear all day listing my favourite tracks. So as I said with the Devildriver album, just go and listen to "Women And Children Last." Like the Murderdolls live shows, it's a fun album made for you to party to! I won't lie, typically nearly every song has some form of the word "fuck" in it, which is also like a Murderdolls show. This is the reason why it has TWO parental advisory stickers on it. But listen to it! I urge you! Listen to the special edition! And if you are a fan of Motley Crue then songs "Bloodstained Valentine" and "Drug Me To Hell" feature Mick Mars! But seriously. Listen. To. It. (I'm not being biased here 'cause I'm a huge fan...)

2011
Okay we've caught up with the present date. How can I pick an album for 2011? It's only March!! Well I can. The Defiled released "Grave Times" on Valentines Day. I won't lie, I got a free copy with Metal Hammer and I'm totally skint at the moment so the free copy will have to do! But it hasn't left my Cd player since (well maybe once for the above album). Again this is an album that I cannot single out any song because they are all immense. "Call To Arms" is the lead single and what a lead single it is! Everything about that song is sheer brilliance! And it's even more brilliant if you hear it live! I have the song "Metropolis" replaying through my head as I type this. The version I have isn't the full length album so I know I'm missing out on the extras (one day I will get it!) but one other thing that really made me choose this album is the rework of The Defiled's triumphant song "The Resurrectionists." Trust me this is another album that is worth a listen to. You will not be disappointed.

There we go. However these are just a few of the albums that have really stood out for me. I'm a huge Slipknot, Murderdolls, Wednesday 13 (and anything he's involved with, including Bourbon Crow) and A7X fan so every one of their albums is special to me. Other albums such as Rammstein's "Mutter" or Dope's "Felons And Revolutionaries" and "Group Therapy" are just examples of my all time greats. Hell if you've got time then I'd advise you to check out Pinkly Smooth's "Unfortunate Snort" EP/album. That is a stroke of genius.

I could go on and on for days just talking about music. It's a huge part of my life and through it I've learnt to survive when I feel at my worst. In a way, music both changed and saved my life. And given me tinnitus...