Chris Galea
Important releases in 2010
AEON ZEN “The Face Of The Unknown”

ARRYAN PATH “Terra Incognita”

BACK FROM ASHES “261”

FORBIDDEN “Omega Wave”

KALMAH “12 Gauge”

KROKUS “Hoodoo”

MAGION “Close To Eternity”

MALEVOLENT CREATION “Invidious Dominion”

METAL REQUIEM “Unorthodox” MICHAEL HARRIS “Tranz-Fused”

ODYSSICE “Silence”

ORPHANED LAND “The Neverending Way Of ORwarriOR”

PATHFINDER “Beyond The Space, Beyond The Time”

PICTURES OF PAIN “The Reckoning”

PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI “AD 2010 – La Buona Novella”

RHAPSODY “The Frozen Tears Of Angels”

SCORPIONS “Sting In The Tail”

SENES “De-Evolution Of Theory”

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA “Beethoven’s Last Night” (re-release)

TRINAKRIUS “Massacro” (re-release)

WHILE HEAVEN WEPT “Triumph Tragedy Transcendence”

Best band webpage
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA (“Night Castle” promotion) – www.nightcastlealbum.com MEMENTO NOSTRI – www.mementonostri.com
Best visual releases (didn’t see many but…..)
WHILE HEAVEN WEPT “Triumph Tragedy Transcendence”
Newcomer 2010
DAMNATION ANGELS EKHO FIRE GALLOWBRAID GREG(O)RIAN LOATHE TOMMY VITALY
Best films
“Black Death” (dir. Christopher Smith) “Buried” (dir. Rodrigo Cortés) “Exam” (dir. Stuart Hazeldine) “Mary And Max” (Adam Elliot) “Valhalla Rising” (dir. Nicholas Winding Refn)
2010 in (about) 210 words
There was no shortage of top-quality releases in 2010 but, more significantly, each Metal sub-genre seemed to have its own share of brilliance. For example, Death Metal fans were able to delight in grinding their brain cells with Malevolent Creation’s “Invidious Dominion”, Thrash fans were able to immerse themselves into Death Angel’s “Relentless Retribution” or Forbidden’s “Omega Wave”. You get the idea. 2010 also brought forth several excellent debuts, or at least highly promising ones. During the year we saw a number of Metal bands penetrate the charts of various countries (such bands included Rhapsody, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Death Angel.)

From the touring aspect, there were several successful tours (both critically and attendance-wise), such as Apocalyptica’s European tour and the ultimate Thrash Metal bonanza of Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax. Several established festivals drew the crowds of Metal faithful, as expected, while other new Metal festivals sprang forth around the world.

On a more negative note, the year will also be remembered for the death of highly influential Metal personalities, one of the most notable being that of Ronald Padavona, more affectionately known as Ronnie James Dio, who at the dawn of May 16th succumbed to stomach cancer. No man is immortal, certainly, but Dio’s passing shocked us all.

What with the global village we’re living in as well as technology accessibility, it seems that in 2011 the significance of Metal gigs and festivals as media for the convergence and unity of Metalheads will be all the more manifest. In conceding myself one last bit of rhetoric, it clearly seems that the flame of Metal burns strong!!

Haydee G
Important releases in 2010
God Dethroned – Under the Sign of the Iron Cross Dark Fortress – Ylem Dimmu Borgir  – Abrahadabra Keep of Kalessin – Reptilian Catamenia – Cavalcade Kalmah – 12 Gauge Borknagar – Universal Ragnarok – Collectors of the King Death Angel – Relentless Retribution Star One – Victims of the Modern Age Exodus – Exhibit B: The Human Condition Myrath – Desert Call Nevermore – The Obsidian Conspiracy Freedom Call – Legend Of the Shadowking Gamma Ray – To the Metal Derdian – New Era Pt. 3 – The Apocalypse Rhapsody of Fire – The Frozen Tears of Angels Wuthering Heights – Salt Kiuas – Lustdriven Kamelot – Poetry for the Poisened Helloween – 7 Sinners Angra – Aqua Sabaton – Coat of Arms Firewind – Days of Defiance Teräsbetoni – Maailma Tarvitsee Sankareita
Live show 2010
HammerFall Ensiferum w/ Korpiklaani
Newcomer 2010
None that comes to mind…
Things you could have been without in 2010
Hm – I can’t complain about anything, really.
Wishes for 2011
I made the same wish for last year and I will again this year: The release of Wintersun’s ‘Time’.
Kenn Jensen
Important releases in 2010
Seventh Wonder – The Great Escape Nevermore – The Obsidian Conspiracy Kamelot – Poetry for the Poisoned Star One – Victims of the Modern Age Vanden Plas – The Seraphic Clockwork Orphaned Land – The Never Ending of ORwarriOR Spock’s Beard – X

Honorable mention: Transatlatic – The Whirld Tour 2010 (Boxset)

Live show 2010
Newcomer 2010
Anthriel MindSplit The Shadow Theory
Things you could have been without in 2010
The sad passing of the greatest of them all: Ronnie James Dio (R.I.P) Still no job…
Wishes for 2011
A new job! Great new albums from: Jag Panzer, Symphony X, Trivium, Evergrey, Pagan’s Mind, Circus Maximus, Redemption and Threshold
Laurence Y.M.
Important releases in 2010
Nevermore – The Obsidian Conspiracy Burzum – Belus
Live show 2010
Anvil @ Norway Rock Festival Norway Rock Festival generally
Newcomer 2010
Can’t come up with any name atm, it’s not you, it’s just me.
Things you could have been without in 2010
a.o. Pete Steele, Ronnie James Dio’s passing away All personal things that happened made sense in the end.
Wishes for 2011
Pursuing my learning career within performance arts A good record by my all-time favourites: Amorphis, Black Debbath, Faith No More…
Maria D.S.
Important releases in 2010
BONDED BY BLOOD ‘Exiled to Earth’ – on the approved standards in the thrash metal BONDED BY BLOOD develop the style in music aspect, in aggressive option and in lyrics field. The thrash opera is full of crystal clear riffs and vocals which have their own face. This is not the step which METALLICA made with ‘Kill ‘em All’. But I have never imagined that someone could redesign an already classic gender so well. If I had reviewed this album I would be tempted to give the maximum points 100/100.GRAVE ‘Death Unhallowed Box’  – the fashion of re-releases with bonuses has its bad sides but not in this case. This band was underrated for a long time. Its first albums created the European death metal. Now GRAVE offers us a brilliant collection from all of their music recorded (without the last two albums). This includes all of their demos! It is time not so familiarized with GRAVE to hear what Swedish death metal is! And please stop with the slobbery melodies!
Live show 2010
‘Sofia Rocks’ powered by SONISPHERE Festival.The DVD ‘The Big 4’ continues to break different charts. It is a pleasure for me to watch it but the mood and the emotions of the audience from the evening of 22, July 2010 are not recorded in it. Because only the Bulgarian public was waiting these bands (METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX) as nobody else! And only the Bulgarian public gave like for the like to all needed to be forgiven!
Newcomer 2010
There is no significant newcomer this year.
Things you could have been without in 2010
In 2010 thrash metal on the Island is silent! ABADDEN and SAVAGE MESSIAH are a cold comfort!
Wishes for 2011
I wish to POWER OF METAL, to its readers and to all stakeholders to hear more funeral doom bands 🙂 The game is worth the candle!
Martin Schjönning
Important releases in 2010
Faanefjell – Trollmarsj Troll – Neo-Satanic Supremacy God Dethroned – Under the Sign of the Iron Cross Burzum – Belus Xasthur – Portal of Sorrow Abigail Williams – In the Absence of Light Eastern Front – Blood on Snow Sabaton – Coat of Arms Darkthrone – Circle the Wagons Watain – Lawless Darkness (and most probably Motörhead – The Wörld is Yours)
Live show 2010
Hackneyed, WoA
Worst live show 2010
Alice Cooper, WoA
Newcomer 2010
Faanefjell
Things you could have been without in 2010
The death of Dio, Peter Steele and Paul Gray (R.I.P.) The disbanding of Exmortem, Xasthur and Red Harvest Judas Priests announcing that they will not tour after 2011
Wishes for 2011
The total recovery of Nergal! More time for concerts
Peter Laursen
Important releases in 2010
Overkill – Ironbound Scorpions – Sting in the tail Krokus – Hoodoo Star One – Victims of the modern age Demonica – Demonstrous Battalion – Underdogs Mastic Scum – Dust Brain Drill – Quantum Catastrophe
Live show 2010
Newcomer 2010
Demonica
Things you could have been without in 2010
The death of Ronnie James Dio
Wishes for 2011
I have none.
Reinier de Vries
Important releases in 2010
Orphaned Land – The Never Ending Way of ORWarriOR Boil – A New Decay Nevermore – The Obsidian Conspiracy Exodus – Exhibit B: The Human Condition Darkwater – Where Stories End A Tortured Soul – Lucifer’s Fate 8-Point Rose – Primigenia Helstar – Glory of Chaos Pictures of Pain – The Reckoning God Dethroned – Under the Sign of the Iron Cross Cradle of Filth – Darkly Darkly, Venus Aversa Kamelot – Poetry For the Poisened Helloween – 7 Sinners Avenged Sevenfold – Nightmare Flotsam and Jetsam – the Cold Shadow Gallery – Digital Ghosts Angra – Aqua Dimmu Borgir – Abrahadabra Rammstein – Liebe ist Für Alle Da Volbeat – Beyond Hell/Above Heaven Death Angel – Relentless Retribution
Live show 2010
Heathen – Bolwerk Sneek, May 15th Nightmare – Dokke’m Open Air, June 12th
Newcomer 2010
Boil A Tortured Soul 8-Point Rose
Things you could have been without in 2010
You really don’t want to know, too personal to put on the site and too painful and insulting for some people that are not aware of what happened. I would destroy lives (as they partly did mine) of some people that at this moment still think they have a perfect one. 2010 took away my belief and trust in several people who I thought I could trust. It destroyed part of the joy I had and it did change my personality in a bad way. I became another person, I have to live with that even I don’t yet know how to do it ………. It will take a long time before I trust (some) people again….

Some of you are really false assholes, doing nice but putting a knife in the back; and you know who you are!!

Wishes for 2011
I just wish to be happy again and that it will be a better year than 2010. I wish my children a perfect year full of love and joy, both of you are my engine.
Steen Schön
Important releases in 2010
Enslaved – Axioma Ethica Odini Ihsahn – After Star One – Victims Of The Modern Age Accept – Blood of the Nations Royal Hunt – X Sahg – Sahg III    Orphaned Land – The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR Melechesh – The Epigenesis Atheist – Jupiter Burzum – Belus    Tetrafusion – Altered State Slough Feg – The Animal Spirits Finntroll – Nifelvind Keep of Kalessin  – Reptilian Deathspell Omega – Paracletus Barren Earth – Curse of the Red River High on Fire – Snakes for the Divine Death Angel – Relentless Retribution Angelus Apatrida – Clockwork                Kylesa – Spiral Shadow
Live show 2010
Megadeath and Suicidal Tendencies at CopenHell Ihsahn and Lock Up at Wacken Open Air
Newcomer 2010
Wolfp.a.c.k.
Things you could have been without in 2010
A lot of it!
Wishes for 2011
A better year than 2010.
 

Thomas Nielsen

Important releases in 2010
Dimmu Borgir  – Abrahadabra Cradle of Filth – Darkly, Darkly Venus Aversa Death Angel  – Relentless Retribution Evocation – Apocalyptic Facebreaker – Infected The Burning – Hail the Horde Raunchy – A Discord Electric Salem – Playing God and Other Short Stories Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier Immolation  – Majecty and Decay Danzig – Deth Read Sabaoth Anacrusis – Hindsight Anathema – We’re Here Because We’re Here Jon Oliva’s Pain – Festival Triptykon – Eparistera Daimones Unleashed –  As Yggdrasil Trembles Nevermore – The Obsidian Conspiracy
Live show 2010
Friday at Aalborg Metal Festival – what a death metal day! (Macabre, Dawn of Demise, Waking the Cadaver, Crocell, Immolation, Pestilence, Napalm Death) or The Devil’s Blood in Fredericia, Denmark.
Newcomer 2010
Triptykon!
Things you could have been without in 2010
Steele, Dio, Gray, I salute you. R.I.P. Me missing Wacken!
Wishes for 2011
Peace and love and happiness stuff. And shitloads of METAL, of course…the Big Four making it here would be nice, but it seems that ‘only’ Slayer and Megadeth will be here.

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