Albums of the Year 2008

A little late, but here's my lowdown on the top 5 Albums of 2008. There are some albums I haven't actually got hold of yet, so they won't get a mention, but this is probably a blessing in disguise as the past year has been a very strong one in terms of new rock and metal music. Enjoy.

1. Avantasia - The Scarecrow | The first two albums from Edguy singer Tobias Sammet's solo project formed an ambitious and epic power metal opera which starred myriad legends from the genre, including Hansi Kürsch, Kai Hansen, Alex Holzwarth and Michael Kiske. Although the project itself was an incredible feat, save for a few stand-out tracks, neither album offered anything different which hadn't already been repeated ad infinitum by other artists. The Scarecrow is Sammet's coming-of-age, an insightful masterpiece combining the best elements of his earlier projects with a darker, more evocative side and a sound which, no doubt in part due to the input of producer and guitarist Sascha Paeth, pushes the boundaries of modern metal. Followed up by a spectacular arena tour in the summer, this is the album that will define the future of the genre.
   
2. Amanda Palmer - Who Killed Amanda Palmer? | Since the first Dresden Dolls album was released in 2003, singer and pianist Amanda Palmer has come on in leaps and bounds. The band's second album, Yes, Virginia showed more complex songwriting and a greater variety to Palmer's vocals, and her first solo effort continues this trend. The almost complete absence of drums reduces the madcap side of the Dolls' work, and allows Amanda's voice and piano more freedom, giving her the chance to write closer to the heart without entirely cutting out the theatricals. In a sense, the songs seem more mature, despite the fact that many of them were written before the Yes, Virginia material. All in all, this album displays a more intelligent and self-aware side of Amanda than we have seen before, whilst maintaining the unhinged edge to her voice and persona which made her so great in the first place.
   
3. Battle Circus - The Half-Light Symphony | A very promising debut from a band with one of the most pretentious names in history. The New Zealanders have been making their name on tour around Europe with Amanda Palmer, displaying excellent musicianship without ever taking anything away from the actual music. As it happens, the moniker couldn't be more appropriate - the album tempers a perfectly constructed 45 minute vision of nuclear holocaust with the sinister wit of a clown laughing as the big top burns. Refreshing and thought-provoking, with the right promotion this band could go far.
   
4. In Flames - A Sense of Purpose | If 2006's Come Clarity signalled the return of the Swedish metallers to their peak after 2 disappointing albums, then A Sense of Purpose has simply served to continue the trend. Although perhaps not as powerful in its statement as its predecessor (to older fans this will almost certainly be more of a grower than an immediate favourite), it has seen the band continue to steamroller across Europe, headlining major festivals along the way. In places it hints at a return to the softer, more mainstream approach which earned such critcism on Soundtrack to Your Escape, but these tendencies are tempered by a quality of riff and level of sophistacation which that album lacked. It seems to some extent that the band are still trying to perfect a new sound without pulling away too much from the roots that got them to where they are today, and if that's the case, this is definitely a step in the right direction.
   
5. Van Canto - Hero | If the world's (probably) only "hero metal a-capella" band hadn't made an impression on the European metal scene before, this album, coupled with a stunning live performance at Wacken Open Air 2008, should make people sit up and take notice. Made up of one drummer and five vocalists, share the singing of lyrics and instrumental parts between them, the record consists half of well-written and unashamedly cheesy power metal written by "lead guitarist" Stefan Schmidt, and half of covers of well-known classic metal and rock songs which showcase the band's talent. It's refreshing and ever more rare these days to see a band take such a radically different approach to music, and to hear them pull it off so well is even more satisfying. The only worry is not with the material itself, but that this could be an indication that bands feel they have to go to this kind of extent to get noticed, a situation which could lead to groups like Van Canto enjoying very short careers before being dropped when their "novelty value" wears off. But if anything can be done to prevent this, Hero has put Van Canto in the perfect position to take action.
   

Special Mention - Guns 'n' Roses - Chinese Democracy - I've not heard this myself yet, but it would be remiss of me to not congratulate Axl Rose (albeit with a smattering of sarcasm) on the release of his implausible maserpiece. After 14 years and 3 different line-ups, the man gets all he deserves with this. Read into that what you will...