Albums of the Year

10   Marilyn Manson - The High End of Low
Not what you expect from a MM album, but an accomplished gothic rock album non the less. A very diversive album and you'll struggle to find two people who have the same feelings about each song.
Download: Leave a Scar

 9   New Model Army - Today is a Good Day
Featuring arguably the best song title of the year in Mambo Queen of the Sandstone City this is a great New Model Army album to finish the decade with, it draws on their direction this decade whilst having more in common with their classic albums than the last couple.
Download: Peace is Only

8   Devildriver - Pray for Villains
Melodic Death Metal at it's best. The eagerly awaited fourth album from Devildriver didn't disapoint. It seems impossible for the press to mention Devildriver without saying that Dez used to front Coal Chamber, so there we go.
Download: Back with a Vengeance

 7   Billy Talent - III
Discovered during the week we were away in Wales, with Rusted in the Rain seemingly being played every other song on Scuzz. A fine slab of americana.
Download: Devil on my Shoulder

6   Arch Enemy - The Root of all Evil
A re-recording of some of the songs from the band's first three albums before Angela Gossow became vocalist. This invaluable for those who want to here the album version of some of the songs they play live, but don't particularly want to check out the original vocalist.
Download: Pilgrim

 5   Slayer - World Painted Blood
A Slayer album that deserves to be mentioned along with the band's classic output of Reign in Blood, South of Heaven and Seasons in the Abyss. A return to form after the servicable, but ultimately tired Christ Illusion.
Download: Americon

4   Weezer - Raditude
After the hard to listen to, but ultimately rewarding Weezer (Red Album) last year, I wasn't sure what direction that this album would take. It's the most instantly accessable (to me) Weezer album since Weezer (Blue Album). I hope they tour the UK next year.
Download: The Girl Got Hot

 3   The Wildhearts - Chutzpah!
It's a Wildhearts album, which means more songs by Ginger. Seriously this guy is the best songwriter of our generation and one of the best live frontmen.
Download: The Only One

2   KISS - Sonic Boom
Who'd have thought it? Not only did KISS release an album this year, but it's a corker! Full of songs doing what KISS do best. Rocking. Obviously each member get's his moment in the spot light, but it's not jaring - the album remains cohesive.
Download: Say Yeah

 1   Megadeth - Endgame
Building on the momentum that Megadeth have been building this decade, Endgame is a tour de force of thrash metal done the way that thrash metal should be. There are no Risks or Cryptic Writings here, this is Mustaine claiming the thrash metal crown back.
Download: Bodies