FULL METAL J ACK ET
ha s br ough t ab out some of the finest albu
year
of a decade. This past is the top ten albums
End of a year, the end ur s of m us ing he re
ties’. After many ho
released of the ‘nough
10 LAMBWRATH
OF GOD
9 Muse – The Resistance
The ONLY British entry, Devon’s own Muse
has come a long way through 5 albums in ten
years. Following on from their smash hit 2006
album ‘Black Holes and Revelations’ and fresh
off the back of their 2007 residency at the then
newly refurbished Wembley Stadium, Muse
returned in late 2009 with The Resistance. With this release the
technical trio have cranked the political axis and conspiracy the-
ories from yesteryear up a notch or two. The Resistance is
loosely based on George Orwell’s ‘1984’ and judging by the lyri-
cal content it is hard not to see why. The opening ‘Uprising’ de-
livers a thumping bass line reminiscent to Blondie’s ‘Call Me’
and questions a the controlling influences of a futuristic govern-
ment. The feeling of nostalgia is stornlgy incorporated into
Muse’s sound, with influences drawn heavily from Queen.
‘United States of Eurasia’ is Muse’s own Bohemian Rhapsody,
not only because Matt Bellamy’s vocals at times mirror those of
the late Freddie Mercury but it retains the abnormality that made
Bohemian Rhapsody a classic. It still manages to hold its own
ground, avoiding cliche and maintaing an original standpoint.
‘Unnatural Selection’ holds nothing back as Bellamy’s voice un-
leashes a heartfelt chorus against those of opposition. Ending
with three part epic ‘Exogenesis’, a work of pure genius that al-
legedly used over 40 musicians in order to complete.if epic was-
n’t used to describe Muse before, it certainly does now.
Top tracks: Uprising, Unnatural Selection
ms
of 2009...
A
sure fire hit from the Virginian met-
allers. Building on the success of
2005’s equally brutal ‘Sacrament’,
Randy Blythe and co have certainly
stepped up their game this time around.
Avoiding the formulaic breakdowns that
plagued earlier releases, Lamb of God have
gone down a more energetic and catastrophic path, treading the
waters more associated with death metal territory. With lead sin-
gle ‘Set to Fail’ regarded as one of the finest songs of their ca-
reer (and also nominated for a 2010 grammy award in the ‘Best
Metal Performance’ category) it is only fitting that the album itself
is regarded as one of their best releases. Other highlights in-
clude the in your face anthem ‘Contractor’ that moves along like
a bullet train and with its shout along chorus, marks it as one of
the fastest songs they’ve released since Black Label. The album
also sounds a lot more cleaner than previous releases, allowing
you to hear the countless riffs much more clearer. If you didn’t
know heavy before, then after listening to Wrath, you’ll be more
than well educated. Be sure to catch them at this years Down-
load Festival ripping up the main stage one devastating circle pit
at a time. Lamb of God’s Wrath will surely be tasted
Top tracks: Set To Fail, Contractor, In Your Words
8 Static-X – Cult of Static:
Evil Disco, as spiky haired front man
Wayne Static dubs his band’s industrial
dance sound, has been ripping up ven-
ues worldwide for over 10 years now. It
continues to desomate the coveted Oz-
zfest each year. Adding guitar solos to
the mix on 2007’s ‘Cannibal’ and ap-
proaching darker lyrical territories si-
lenced those who dismissed Static-X as another trendy
‘nu-metal’ band. On this record, the riffs and samples command
you to get up and dance with aggression. ‘Lunatic’ (previously
heard on the soundtrack to ‘The Punisher: War Zone) which now
sports a brief guest solo from Megadeth’s mastermind Dave
Mustaine, sets you off on a nostalgic journey to the classic ‘Wis-
consin Death Trip’ days and bringing back the aggression the
ban regained after the firing of previous guitarist Trip Eilsen. The
blistering ‘Z28’ and ‘Stingwray’ are destined to stand out at any
live concert, particularly ‘Skinned’ shows the band at their best -
creating the most violent ‘evil disco’ that the fans have loved for
the last ten years. Some might argue that ‘Cult of Static’ is an-
other example of the band staying in their comfort zone, but
when you name an album in appreciation to your loyal fan base,
you may as well giv them what they want yet at the same time
laying the blueprint of things to come.
Top tracks: Z28, Lunatic, Stingwray
 7 CHRIS CORNELL
SCREAM
hen news broke that former Soundgarded/Audioslave

W singer Chris Cornell’s third solo album would be produced

by Timberland, the rock world all but revolted. Many were
quick to dismiss it as the singer’s ‘sell out’ record. Some
even went as far as to dismiss it off of the Billboard 200, lasting only
several weeks on the chart. Despite all of this however, Scream is
actually not as bad as it seems. In fact it’s an overlooked record with
some exceptional R ‘n’ B inspired songs. The title track itself is an
easy listening ‘chill out’ affair guaranteed to get the crowd to sing
along. ‘Part of Me’ strays even further from Cornell’s body of work,
with a backing track reminiscent of Daft Punk. The rock element
however hasn’t been fully abandoned as ‘Never Far Away’ retains
the necessary elements to cons. Recent rumours surfaced that Chris
has returned to the studio to rework ‘Scream’ as a straight up rock
record. After hearing the leaked mix of ‘Never Far Away’ it appears
there is hope in reclaiming those lost fans.

Top tracks: Part of Me, Never Far Away, Scream, Watch Out

6 Devildriver – Pray For Villains: 5 Steel Panther – Feel The Steel

When they’re not out on tour raising hell one
circle pit at a time they’re in the studio churn-
ing out some of the darkest and heaviest
metal of the 21st century. Dez Fafara has cer-
tainly come a long way since his nu-metal
days in Coal Chamber, undoubtedly one of the
worst bands of the last decade (save it Limp Bizkit haters). His
growly vocal range shines on this record and proves that Dev-
ildriver aren’t one trick ponies. Listening to lead single Pray For
Villains, a song about ‘the anti-hero’ the only advice that can be
given is to find the nearest neckbrace, you’ll need it after head-
banging to thiss ong. Devildriver move on to explore their more
adventurous side in ‘I’ve Been Sober’, a sombre effort that intro-
duces clean vocals, a first in Devildrivers 7 year career. Although
not as heavy as the rest of the album it is still brutal in its deliv-
ery, and also one of the more catchy efforts! Accompanied by
devastating screams, growly vocals and guitar solos galore,
Pray For Villains reinforces Devildriver’s position as one of the
top live metal acts of the new wave, and one of the more solid
albums of 2009.
Top tracks: Pray For Villains, Resurrection Blvd. I’ve Been
Sober, Another Night in London
Now whoever said metal had to be serious all
the time? Steel Panther may be a parody
metal band but what they do well is write
catchy heavy metal anthems playing on the
stereotypes of the average hair metal rock
star. It’s so cliched to 80’s metal that it is awe-
some. Such topics include rocking out with your cock out (liter-
ally) and several explicit sexual activites. Such low brow humour
is displayed in songs such as ‘Party All Day’ and ‘Community
Property’ (the only power ballad known to use the word ‘dong’).
Standout track ‘Death To All But Metal’ verbally attacks the
trends and musical artists that succeeded the Motley Crue’s and
the Bon Jovi’s (just be sure to listen out for the sneaky Metallica
riff before the chorus). The subtle references just don’t stop
there, with Party All Day’s suspiciously sounding homage to
Livin’ on a Prayer. The band even have the likes of Kelly Clark-
son queuing at their door to play on stage with them! (The band
regularly hold a heavy metal show on the Las Vegas strip with
countless celebrities joining them onstage to sing). Selling out
venues in the UK on their last tour only emphasises that Steel
Panther are well and truly bringing the fun back into metal. Thar
they blow!
Top tracks: Death To All But Metal, Fat Girl (Thar She Blows)

4 Pearl Jam – Backspacer

2009 has been the year of the comeback, with the live returns of Limp Bizkit and KoRn to name a few Then to-
wards the end of the year we saw an astounding return from grunge legends Pearl Jam. With their ninth studio
album Backspacer (named after the defunct button used on old typewriters, which front man Eddie Veddar uses
to write all his lyrics) they funnily enough take it several steps forward, and is undoubtedly the most up-
beat album of their career thus far. For this they have reunited with leg-
endary producer Brendan O’Brien (Stone Temple Pilots, Rage Against
The Machine), of whom hasn’t worked with Pearl Jam since their 1998 release Yield. In
terms of musical direction this is Pearl Jam at their best and, shockingly to grunge purists,
their poppiest. It moves quick and fast before giving you time to breathe, lasting aproxi-
mately 39 minutes, much shorter than prevfious releases. No longer willing to be sta-
pled to their ‘grunge icon’ status, they have gone as far as incorporating a New Wave
sound into their arsenal whilst retaining the hooks that gained them a loyal following.
Songs such as ‘The Fixer’ (an instant classic and undoubtedly THE perfect summer an-
them) ‘Gonna See My Friend’ and ‘Supersonic’ are some of the highlight sing along an-
thems envoking nothing but positivity in the Pearl Jam camp. Sure Pearl Jam maybe a
little more older and wiser than they once were but it just goes to show that they still know
how to have fun.

Top tracks: Supersonic, The Fixer, Gonna See My Friend, Got Some
 ALICE IN CH AIN S
3 BLACK GIVES WAY TO BLUE

A
fter front man Layne Staleys tragic death by heroin overdose in 2002 it was
widely believed that the Seattle legends’ future died with him. Many were quick
at the mark to attack new front man William Duvall as they felt he could not fit
into Staley’s shoes. It is true that it was going to be no easy task trying to carry
on the Alice in Chains name, making this album very nearly killed Jerry Cantrell at one
point! But thankfully he fought himself back from illness.The creeping opener All Se-
crets Known rips away all doubt with Cantrell's eerie guitar and Sean Kinney's crash-
ing drums. Recent singles 'A Looking in View' and 'Check My Brain' contain the classic
sludgy sound reminiscent of classics such as God Smack and Man in the Box. Duvall
himself truly shines, at times sounding vaguely similar to the late former singer Layne.
The title track, Cantrell’s personal salute to his friend and ‘brother’ Layne, also in-
cludes a beautiful piano melody from the legendary Elton John, who’d have thought?

Top tracks: Last of My Kind, Check My Brain, A Looking in View, Black Gives
Way To Blue

2 DEAD BY
APRIL
R
eleased in their native Sweden in May, Dead By April’s stunning debut crashed into the charts at number
2 (14 copies BEHIND Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown, fending off the returning Eminem to the
number 3 spot). Consisting of former members of various death metal bands this album certainly does
wonders. Incorporating elements of dance, pop, shredding metallic riffs and heart-wrenching aggressive
vocals guaranteed to invoke emotion from its audience. Each song is as infectious as the other, with solid cho-
ruses and catchy riffs it will be no surprise to see the crowd singing along when performed live. Highlight tracks
include ‘Promise Me’ ‘Erased’ and the In Flames inspired ‘Angels of Clarity’ which has garnered some attention
from rock channel Scuzz!. ‘Erased’ begins with a melodic start before launching into a circle pit of tight, heavy riffs while retaining its
pop hooks It’s like Linkin Park listened to too much Swedish Death Metal and went to a pop festival by accident. It is without doubt
one of the more different albums of the last year. Here’s hoping that their success back home can be replicated here, Shinedown
style! Check out an interview with lead vocalist Jimmie Strimmell on page … about touring the UK with Skindred and more about
the album.
Top tracks: Angels of Clarity, Falling Behind, I Made It, Promise Me, In My Arms
 1
With other critics barking at the knees of manufactured
garbage, one band has stood out from the pack, creating a
Leviathan of a record. Released in the first quarter of 2009,
it has since earned them acclaim once more, and is quite
possibly the greatest album of the last few years. So who is
it? Read on to find out...