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Metal Odyssey – Stone Picks His Top 30 METAL Albums Of 2012

2012 was a GRAND year for METAL. Each day that I live and breathe, it’s a GRAND day for METAL. Here are the TOP 30 METAL ALBUMS that made my 2012 METAL year complete. Okay, there’s really 32 METAL albums on this list, cause there’s 2 ties. Oh darn. It’s like the legendary Lenny Wolf of Kingdom Come would say: It is what it is. My personal METAL Crème de la crème of 2012 is below and let those METAL bells toll.

These are the METAL albums released during 2012 that I turned to most often and highly recommend to ALL. Each album below bestows the METAL qualities my METAL senses and soul yearns for. I want to thank each and every band below for existing and creating these albums. METAL BE THY NAME.

* Links you’ll find on this list will take you to the reviews and/or other features I wrote, in regards to that respective album. Thank you for your supporting METAL and Metal Odyssey!

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#30

PHARAOH – BURY THE LIGHT

Pennsylvania has its share of terrific METAL bands and PHARAOH is one of them. This is a band and album that exclaims quality from every angle.

PHARAOH – ‘Bury The Light’ – Weaves Both Melodic and Epic Metal, While Keeping It Heavy

#29

AVATAR – BLACK WALTZ

AVATAR are from Sweden and they are a BIG reason why the future of METAL looks to be so grand.

AVATAR ‘Black Waltz’ Is Dark, Extreme, Modern and Groove Laden… Metal Bliss

AVATAR “Torn Apart” (Official Video) – Mandatory Metal From Sweden!

#28

ZOMBIEFICATION – REAPER’S CONSECRATION

Old School, gut wrenching and blood soaked Death Metal is alive and well with Zombiefication.

ZOMBIEFICATION “Reaper’s Consecration” – An Ominous and Brutal Death Metal EP

#27 

GRAVEYARD – THE ALTAR OF SCULPTED SKULLS

Once again, Old School, blood splattered and scary as shit Death Metal is alive and well… and GRAVEYARD will kick your ass if you disagree. METAL be thy name.

GRAVEYARD ‘The Altar Of Sculpted Skulls’ – Death Metal That’s Built To Kick Your Ass

#26

CANNIBAL CORPSE – TORTURE

Death Metal would not be the same without CANNIBAL CORPSE being around touring and making new records. F’n brutal and skull crushing is TORTURE. Whoa.

CANNIBAL CORPSE “TORTURE” – A Death Metal and Headbanging Must For The Metal Masses

#25

DRAGONFORCE – THE POWER WITHIN

With new lead vocalist, Marc Hudson, DRAGONFORCE has transformed themselves into an even more powerful band. I tremendously applaud the vocals of Marc Hudson; becoming a fan (and not just a casual listener) of this band due to THE POWER WITHIN. Fabulous songs and POWER throughout!

DRAGONFORCE “The Power Within” – Rises To New Melodic Power Metal Heights; Features New Vocalist Marc Hudson

#24

COHEED AND CAMBRIA – THE AFTEMAN: ASCENSION

My favorite Progressive Metal album of 2012. Metal Odyssey promoted COHEED AND CAMBRIA at each and every step, leading up to this album’s release. The Afterman: Ascension lived up to its positive pre-release billing to my ears… and then some.

#23

FEAR FACTORY – THE INDUSTRIALIST

Burton C. Bell and Dino Cazares are Industrial Metal icons. ‘Nuff said. Okay, this album is a thunder slap of Industrial Metal on my brain.

FEAR FACTORY – Let’s Ponder The Concept Of ‘The Industrialist’

#22

ADRENALINE MOB – OMERTA

This supergroup led by the legendary Mike Portnoy is THE REAL METAL DEAL. Wouldn’t be surprised to see this album #1 on other end-of-year lists throughout the METAL community.

ADRENALINE MOB “Omertà” – 5 Quick Reasons To Buy This Album

#21

SAINT VITUS – LILLIE: F-65 

SAINT VITUS IS BACK! This album is already a DOOM METAL classic in my METAL world.

#20

MUNICIPAL WASTE – THE FATAL FEAST

Thrash Metal is FUN again! Oops, did I just say that? Yes I did and MUNICIPAL WASTE can Thrash with the best of ’em. I wish this band was around in 1984… their classic Thrash sound sure makes me think they were.

#19

OVERKILL – THE ELECTRIC AGE

OVERKILL. F’N. RULES. The most consistent Thrash Metal band that ever lived continued their legendary consistency and superiority in 2012 with THE ELECTRIC AGE.

OVERKILL ‘The Electric Age’ – Once Again, A Reminder Of Thrash Metal Supremacy

#18

BEAK – EYRIE

BEAK ‘EYRIE’ – An Extreme, Modern and Uncompromising Post-Metal Album Debut

JASON GOLDBERG of BEAK – A Metal Odyssey Interview!

If one of them “world-known” and/or popular METAL labels has any eye on the METAL future, they will sign BEAK today and be thankful Stone told ’em so. Metal be thy name.

#17

NIGHTQUEEN – FOR QUEEN AND METAL

Founding member & guitarist Rex Zeco has one hell-of-a-band with NIGHTQUEEN. Symphonic/Power Metal is elevated to psyche-you-out heights with FOR QUEEN AND METAL. Keely Larreina on vocals is nothing short of fabulous.

NIGHTQUEEN ‘For Queen And Metal’ – An Indelible Debut Album Of Heavy Metal

#16 (Tie)

BAD BRAINS – INTO THE FUTURE

The Hardcore Punk meets Reggae meets Rock meets METAL sound of the iconic BAD BRAINS cannot be duplicated. Ever since I bought INTO THE FUTURE, I have been a student of this band once again. I can’t put my finger on it, yet this new BAD BRAINS album carries me off into a who-gives-a-f**ck state of mind; helping me to cope with all the unnecessary bad shit happening in the world today.

#16 (Tie)

BLACK TORA – RAISE YOUR FISTS 

This 5 song EP from BLACK TORA is an ultra-potent dosage of old school Heavy Metal that screams relevance simultaneously. From Mcallen, Texas, Chris Daniel (vocals & bass), RazorDave (guitar) and Nicky X (drums) have made a lasting METAL impression on me. ALL 5 songs kick some serious Heavy Rockin’ ass and I’m psyched-out to tell you just that.

BLACK TORA “Never Enough” – Official Music Video Is All About: Psych-You-Out Of Your Brains Heavy Rock!

BLACK TORA ‘RAISE YOUR FISTS’ EP – Available NOW on iTunes!

#15

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY – S/T

One of the greatest bands ever to incorporate Rock ‘N Roll, Punk, Heavy Metal, Stoner, Sludge and… well, the genres are endless with C.O.C. and at the end of the day this band is atop the METAL food chain looking down at the countless bands they’ve influenced. BUY THIS ALBUM!!

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY – ‘Corrosion Of Conformity’ – Get Ready Cause This Heady Album Transports The Very Heavy, Very Steady

#14

TESTAMENT – DARK ROOTS OF EARTH

Seeing this band live in 2012 was one of the greatest moments in my METAL life. DARK ROOTS OF EARTH may very well be the BEST Thrash Metal album of 2012.

#13

LAMB OF GOD – RESOLUTION

The METAL musicianship of LAMB OF GOD takes a back seat to no METAL band in the land. There, I said it. Long live Randy Blythe, Mark Morton, Will Adler, John Campbell and Chris Adler. RESOLUTION is that CD that I carry around with me… just to make sure it’s safe and sound.

#12 (Tie)

IRON SAVIOR – THE LANDING

I love this album so much it makes me cry. Really. I’m not kidding around.

IRON SAVIOR ‘The Landing’ – German Power Metal Force Returns, In A Mammoth Way!

#12 (Tie)

REVERENCE – WHEN DARKNESS CALLS

From KID ROCK’s hometown comes the Power Metal (Supergroup) famously known as REVERENCE. If Classic Metal, American-made Power Metal or any METAL is your addiction, then REVERENCE is REQUIRED METAL ear candy! These seasoned Metallions kick METAL ass. Period.

REVERENCE – Too Late (Official Video) Is Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day!

#11

DOWN – PURPLE EP

Philip Anselmo on vocals, Jimmy Bower on drums, Pat Bruders on bass, Pepper Keenan on guitar and Kirk Windstein on guitar = DOWN. If you don’t do DOWN… you aren’t METAL.

#10

69 CHAMBERS – TORQUE

69 Chambers has so much upside as a band that it’s downright scary. Musical talent personified. From Rock to METAL, 69 Chambers can play it all and I’ll be doing headstands over Torque for many years to come!

69 CHAMBERS “The Peep Hole” – Official Music Video: Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day!

69 CHAMBERS “Cause And Effect” Featuring Chrigel Glanzmann – Official Music Video Is Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day!

#9

DORO – RAISE YOUR FIST

HAIL DORO, THE HEAVY METAL QUEEN! This DORO album is so terrific, it underscores why DORO is synonymous with: Heavy Metal Legends.

DORO “Raise Your Fist” – Heavy Metal Queen’s New Album Is: Stone’s METAL Pick Of The Day!

#8

THE WRETCHED END – INROADS

When the super-legendary Samoth makes a new record with his band… Stone listens. This very, very heavy album is very dark and very, very, very good. A top ten METAL album in any METAL year on record, for me.

THE WRETCHED END “INROADS” – This Dark & Extreme Metal Album Is: Stone’s METAL Pick Of The Day!

#7

3 INCHES OF BLOOD – LONG LIVE HEAVY METAL

3 INCHES OF BLOOD gets it. This is an album that is Classic METAL from front-to-back and side-to-side. LONG LIVE HEAVY METAL is Classic METAL whoop-ass that I crave.

3 Inches Of Blood “Long Live Heavy Metal” – This Album Is: Stone’s METAL Pick Of The Day!

#6

TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION – PEACEMAKER

Red Dirt Metal. Best get to know what that is. Best way to find out is BUY this THC album known as PEACEMAKER. This album is not recommended by Stone… it’s HIGHLY F’N RECOMMENDED by Stone.

TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION ‘PEACEMAKER’ – A Paramount Hard & Heavy Rock Album; One You Should Be Required To Own

BIG DAD RITCH of TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION – An Exclusive Interview With The Champion Of Red Dirt Metal

#5

SIX FEET UNDER – UNDEAD

UNDEAD is the BEST Death Metal album released in 2012. Chris Barnes and his band should take a METAL bow for this one. Unless you lose your hearing from playing this album super F’n LOUD, UNDEAD is as close to Death Metal perfection as you’re gonna hear.

SIX FEET UNDER “UNDEAD” – A Merciless Sonic Experience Of Death Metal

#4

ORANGE GOBLIN – A EULOGY FOR THE DAMNED

This album is mandatory METAL. ORANGE GOBLIN has created an album here that is the METAL icing on their catalog of GREAT METAL.

ORANGE GOBLIN – ‘A Eulogy For The Damned’: This Album Is Mandatory Metal, My Metal Brethren

#3

SOULFLY – ENSLAVED

SOULFLY is easily one of the finest METAL bands that ever existed. If you’ve never listened to SOULFLY, start with ENSLAVED and work your way backwards through their exemplary METAL catalog. METAL diversity is what makes SOULFLY so damn powerful and ENSLAVED is an instant METAL classic for me.

SOULFLY ‘ENSLAVED’ – Soulfly Has Raised Their Own Bar Of Metal Excellence

#2 

PRIMAL FEAR – UNBREAKABLE

PRIMAL FEAR has psyched me out of my METAL brains more times than I can count. PRIMAL FEAR has done it again with UNBREAKABLE. This album is so pumped-up with ultra-powerful METAL sound, feel and vibes that it’s not only “unbreakable”… it’s F’n unstoppable! Metal be thy name!

PRIMAL FEAR ‘Unbreakable’ – The Time Is NOW To Join The METAL NATION

#1

ANGEL WITCH – AS ABOVE, SO BELOW

Kevin Heybourne (guitar, vocals & founding member) has resurrected ANGEL WITCH back to True METAL prominence. This once NWOBHM pioneering band has reminded their faithful that METAL history can repeat itself with As Above, So Below. The atmosphere and raw, classic METAL (era) vibes that are projected from this album are jaw-dropping to an old school Metalhead like myself.

As Above, So Below has put me into a retrospective METAL la-la dream world. To say that this album is perfect in so many ways is not over-stretching any truths on my METAL part. The mood that this album puts me in is difficult to explain; it’s as if I’m once again introduced to what METAL was and is supposed to sound like. I suppose that’s cause to label the affects this ANGEL WITCH album has had on me as… priceless.

METAL BE THY NAME.

ANGEL WITCH “As Above, So Below” Is: Stone’s METAL Pick Of The Day!

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LONG LIVE METAL.

METAL UNITES US ALL.

Stone.