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 Andrew Faust's Top 10 of 2005:
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Number 10: |
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Red Sparrowes - At The Soundless Dawn / Neurot
This record shows so much for a band that hasn't been around for that long. With an emotional, instrumental sound, Red Sparrowes crafted seven memorable songs that start strong, and end strong. I would highly recommend this album to any fans of Pelican, ISIS, and Across Tundras. |
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Number 9: |
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Behemoth - Demigod / Century Media
Behemoth is by far one of the greatest black/death metal groups out there. Although this is the first of the band's albums that I've purchased, I have frequently listened to this album throughout 2005, and I really think it's a must-own for anyone who likes metal. Period. With blazing, ferocious tracks, such as "Slaves Shall Serve" and "Demigod," this album stands to be in constant rotation for some time to come.
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Number 8: |
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Curl Up And Die - The One Above All, The End Of All That Is / Revelation
I know many people can go and compare Curl Up And Die to Converge, but this record shows the most solid progression of any band I have heard this year. They take their sound and slow it down -- almost depress it -- and make it a lot more powerful. They still have their fast "Converge-like" tracks, such as "Antidepressants Are Depressing" and "Ultra Carb Diet Carpooling Stupid Fucking Life," but The One Above All... shows a changed band. If you are a fan of Curl Up And Die then you will go head over heels for this. |
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Number 7: |
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Centinex - World Declension / Regain
Wow, Centinex fucking pounds the thrash world a new one with this record. They combine elements of black and death metal, but their sound is mostly rooted in thrash metal. The record has really memorable songs, such as "Synthetic Sin Zero," Wretched Cut," and my personal favorite, "Deconstruction Macabre." It's fast, heavy, and, at times, epic as hell.
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Number 6: |
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Pelican - The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon The Thaw / Hydra Head
Everyone used to describe Pelican as a poor-man's ISIS, but now, with their latest offering, Pelican has defined themselves with their own personal sound. They have delivered six epic songs, all of which are tremendous for their genre.
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Number 5: |
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Terminal - How The Lonely Keep / Tooth and Nail
Terminal hails from Texas and basically hit the scene this year with no previous tours and/or huge shows. They are a perfect blend of two parts Copeland, and one part Acceptance. This is the type of band that, in a year, will have the above mentioned bands opening for them. Although this was recently released, it is easily my favorite feel-good album of the year.
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Number 4: |
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Sigur Ros - Takk... / EMI
Everyone who knows Sigur Ros knows what the band sounds like and how it makes them feel. For me they are very nostalgic and calming. With this new album, we see them do what they do best and show steady progression. Although Takk... wasn't a breakthrough for the band, it is their best material to date. The emotion of this album is higher than ever, especially on the songs "Glosoli" and "Gong." I think anyone who is a fan probably has heard or owns this already, but anyone else should get into this band.
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Number 3: |
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Between The Buried And Me - Alaska / Victory
This is the third album from technical metal/hardcore leaders, Between The Buried And Me, and to be blunt, this is their best work yet. Alaska picks up where the last one left off and then kicks it up a notch. With songs like "Alaska," "Roboturner," and "All Bodies," Between The Buried And Me have proved that they are here to stay, and that their place is on the top.
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Number 2: |
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Darkane - Layers Of Lies / Nuclear Blast
I have owned a scratched, burned copy of Darkane's Insanity for about two years now, and when I saw talk of a new album, I didn't really care. I didn't think Darkane was as amazing as they were hyped up to be. Of course, when I finally got my hands on a copy of Layers Of Lies, I understood. Darkane's latest offering can only be described as one of the best thrash albums in the last five years. Darkane in no way re-invented the metal wheel; they just made a better one. This album offers everything you want in a memorable thrash album, and if you don't pick it up, you're an idiot.
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(Drumroll...)
Album Of The Year: |
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Circa Survive - Juturna / Equal Vision
Although I struggled to pick a number one album, every time I thought about it I came back to Juturna. I have listened to this record more than 20 times through, and each time, it still has the passion and the emotion that it did the first time I listened to it. With former members of This Day Forward, Taken and the former singer of Saosin, Circa Survive might just be a contender for being one of the most relaxing, chilled out, and emotional bands I have ever heard.
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