Best albums
1. Porcupine Tree
The Incident
Yet another masterpiece penned by Steven Wilson, how the hell was
that possible? The Incident is a 55-minute song cycle that peaks with
Time Flies where Steve pays homage to Pink Floyd in the best of ways.
For me, this is how good music can get nowadays.
2. Katatonia Night Is The New Day
After a long wait Katatonia returned with a dark and heavy album full
of soaring melodies. The production is very well balanced with depth that
fit the songs like hand in glove. Probably their strongest effort so far,
together with Viva Emptiness.
3. Riverside Anno Domini High Definition
Polands finest delivered yet another gem with ADHD. They still work
in the progressive rock/metal area and they are doing just fine, to say
the least. To rank their discography is an impossible task since they
now have 4 strong and even albums without any flaws whatsoever.
4. Long Distance Calling Avoid The Light
I have never been a fan of instrumental music, but Germanys Long
Distance Calling changed my perception of things. Their dynamic song structures
range from heavy passages to atmospheric beauty.
5. Amorphis Skyforger
Eclipse was close to a masterpiece, Silent Waters almost as good. Amorphis
2010 offering Skyforger didnt fail to impress either and quality-wise
it was as good as the first mentioned. When Tomi Joutsen joined ranks
with Amorphis this band stepped up into the elite.
Runner-ups: The Mars Volta
Octahedron, Mastodon Crack The Skye,
Paradise Lost - Faith Divides Us - Death
Unites Us, Candlemass - Death Magic Doom,
Ensiferum From Afar
Biggest disappointments
- Kamelot @ Sweden Rock Festival
The rain fell and so did Kamelot. Boring setlist and a poor performance.
- Megadeth Endgame
Sure, the riffs are there but where are the melodies?
Best live concerts
1. Porcupine Tree (Stockholm, Sweden)
2. Y&T (Sala, Sweden)
3. Opeth (Örebro, Sweden)
4. Flogging Molly (Norje, Sweden Rock Festival 2009)
5. Riot (Norje, Sweden Rock Festival 2009)
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