My 40 Favourite Albums of 2010: 20-11

*DISCLAIMER! All rankings are based on 3 major factors. 1. I actually have to like the album. Nothing is included because it's on everyone else's list or because I think it would make my list look better. 2. I can listen to it no matter what I am in the mood for. 3. Overall play count/I actually paid money for it.  Remember, this is my opinion. It's not overly analytical. Most, if not all, rankings are VERY fluid. Don't get your panties in a bunch because your favourite band is lower than "that fucking piece of shit band!"*

As I get in to the Top 20, the reasoning changes slightly. There is usually some element that vaults the album in to this higher ranking. It could be that it's just really, really, really good, or a leap forward, or a comeback/return to form, or there is just something really unique about it. Enjoy the best of 2010.

#20.  Iron Maiden - The Final Frontier (ENG, EMI):  I got in to Iron Maiden in a weird way. It was A Matter of Life and Death that made me appreciate them. Before that, Dickinson's vocal style didn't appeal to me. I had a copy of Number Of The Beast back in high school (got it in a Columbia House metal grab bag with some weird Hendrix disc, The Best of Slaughter, a Varga (!) CD and something else) and sold it to a pawn shop. Then I got a used copy of Piece of Mind on cassette back in '09 and I was hooked. The Final Frontier may not be an all time Maiden classic but it's damn close. Dickinson, Steve Harris and the boys sure know how to write epic songs! There isn't a dud to be found here. I may have listened to this album more than any other last year. Thanks in large part to the fact that I could play it anywhere, in any company and it wouldn't scare anyone. (Unlike #19) It amazes me that a band can still be this good over 30 years into their career. Standout track "Where the Wild Wind Blows"

#19. Unearthly Trance - V (USA, Relapse):  For some reason I had Unearthly Trance confused as far as what style of metal they were. I thought they were operatic like Katatonia or Dark Tranquility or some other band I haven't given the time of day to. Or even the My Dying Bride kind of doom. I don't know where I got that idea from but motherfucker was I wrong! This is fucking DOOOOOOOOM! From the pits of Hell, the world is ending, beasts unleashed upon creation, fucking DOOM! I made a comment before and referred to V as "bowel evacuatingly heavy". I stand by that. They put the power in power trio with their earthquake inducing, thunderous riffs. At times, guitarist/vocalist Ryan Lypinsky reminds me of Floater vocalist Robert Wynia (Glyph remains one of my all time favourite albums). But most of the time his unearthly (hehe) screams sound like his voice is made of pure disgust for the human race. Vocals can make or break an album for me and these beastly bellows are a big reason V landed in my Top 20. Standout track: "Into a Chasm"

#18.  Ludicra - The Tenant (USA, Profound Lore):  This year's list has more black metal on it than ever before. Part of my growing interest in BM is due in large part to Ludicra, among others (as you will see). They opened my eyes to a bigger part of what black metal could be. Before listening to The Tenant I thought all black metal was bleak, monotonous, lo-fi Norwegian BM or keyboard laden, symphonic BM like Dimmu or CoF. (Neither of which you will find on this list) What's more, vocalist
Laurie Sue Shanaman made me reconsider what female vocals in metal were all about. ( I just thought Angela Gossow was a freak) Where traditional black metal (to me) feels like it's being bombarded by the wind, and is forced to endure it, Ludicra embrace the wind and use it to soar above the world full of sorrow and ugliness. The Tenant is an incredibly dynamic album that can go from beautiful to downright nasty on a dime. It earns #18 based largely on The Sickest Riff Of The Year on standout track "In Stable".

I had a revelation!

Years and years ago I had a copy of Piece of Mind by Iron Maiden (I think I did). I got it from Columbia House in a 5 CD Metal Pack. I also got a Hendrix disc, Mass Slaughter, a Metal Blade comp and one other one. Maybe Vargas. At the time, I listened to it, didn't like the vocals and pawned it. None of my friends were into classic metal (Black Sabbath excepted) so Maiden went forgotten for years. Then I got Guitar Hero and played "Run to the Hills" and "Wrath Child". I really liked it. Then my buddy gave a bunch of his old cassettes for me to listen to in my van. One was Piece of Mind. Months went by when it was over looked. Being usurped by Nirvana, Black Sabbath and Metallica. Back in February I found a pair of Iron Maiden "The Trooper" Vans high-tops at a clearance store. I bought them because they were wicked cool. (I still hadn't listened to the tape). Every time I wore them I felt like a bit of a hypocrite. Like I was only wearing them to look cool. It reminded me of the "Take off your t-shirt" video. But I COULD name a song, so I wasn't that big a poser. Then, this morning, when my wife borrowed my iPod dock from my van, I threw on Piece of Mind. Hells yeah!! What the hell was wrong with me back in '95?! Why did it take another 14 years for me to check it out?! (Granted, I did listen to A Matter of Life and Death several times and enjoyed it very much) It's awesome!! I think "To Tame a Land" is the best track. The B-side is just amazing. I doubt I will be buying their back cat tomorrow or anything, but if I see one, I'm snatching it. Steve Harris is incredible.
So, the moral of the story is: Sometimes awesomeness has to wait, but given enough time, the proverbial "palm slap to the forehead" moment will come.

N.B. I have been checking out older bands that I never gave a chance to over the last few years. Motorhead for example. Haven't been disappointed yet.
P.S. I bought Metal Health by Quiet Riot on cassette today. I doubt it will have the same effect on me as Piece of Mind. But it was only a buck.