WOW! That's all I can say! The standard of music this year has been raised even higher! With some great debut albums hitting the shelves this year and some really great efforts from the more experienced bands, this year has been too close to call. So, after adding last minute points, here is the 2009 album of the year top 10.
10.
Viatrophy
This one took a while to grow on me, but it's a solid debut effort, with maybe 1 or 2 weaker moments, but nevertheless, a band with a good future.
For Fans Of:
Sylosis and technical melodic death metal.
9.
Black Sails at Midnight
This also took a few listens to fully grow on me. But nevertheless won me over, a pretty solid album, with maybe 1 tiny weak moment, but doesn't detract from the quality of the album.
For Fans Of:
Ensiferum
8.
This Is War
Best ever album from the alt/rock trio, very different to the rest of the albums on the chart, but this really was a highlight of the year for me, with some very diverse music on there and some real epic moments.
For Fans Of:
Angels & Airwaves
7.
Portraits
Another debut album, slightly let down by bad screamed vocals, but the clean vocals are amazing and the music behind it is also really good.
For Fans Of:
Many Things Untold
6.
Hollow Crown
Let's get something straight here. I HATE the first 2 albums, bar a couple of songs. I thought it was too full of high-tech wankery. When I listened to this album, I wasn't expecting much, but when I heard it, it AMAZED me. I loved it straight away and was on repeat for quite a long time when it came out early this year. There's quite a few diverse tracks on this record, and the clean vocals are amazing.
For Fans Of: Technical Metal.
5.
Polaris
And now onto the top 5! This album wasn't just great! It was something truly special from the power metal band. After a lackluster self-titled album in 2005, and the depature of their guitarist, they rose from the ashes and produced a solid album, from the sing-a-long "Higher We Go", to the double-bass pedal pounding of "Forever Is Today" to ballad "Winter Skies", this isn't just a great metal album....this is truly a musical masterpiece.
For Fans Of: Any melodic metal fan should love this.
4.
Archangels in Black
AMAZING ALBUM! Prog metal with a vicious twist. After producing 3 very good previous albums, they truly produced a career-best with this effort.
For Fans Of: Symphony X, Dream Theater.
3.
Black Clouds & Silver Linings
Let me start off by saying that DT are my fav band EVER! I have every cd they ever made and every live DVD. EVERY album of their's is a masterpiece in it's own right, and this CD follows the pattern. While it didn't win album of the year this year, it came so VERY close! There was very little in it between the top 3 this year, but that's nothing against this album. Featuring tracks such as the prog-tastic "Count Of Tuscany" and "The Shattered Fortress", this album is one that should be remembered for decades to come.
For Fans Of: JUST LISTEN TO IT! I don't care who you are! :P
2.
Secretos Y Revelaciones
You might call this the "dark horse" album of 2009, the unexpected surprise, call it what you will...but this album is truly amazing. Playing some great heavy melodic metal and singing in Spanish, not one to listen to with a short attention span. This album demands your full attention and gets better with every single listen.
For Fans Of: Great Heavy Metal.
1.
The Days of Grays
Wow! What can I say about this album? From the moment the first note played to the last, you are given a f**king amazing album. This demands 60 minutes of your full attention, but by the time the album is over, you'll want to listen again and again. Although it may take a few listens to fully grow, this album does just that. This is Sonata Arctica's 6th album, and after the change in sound on Unia, this album carries on that pattern, albiet being less complex than Unia. But this album creates it's own unique sound and that's what makes it so great. "Deathaura" is one of the most epic songs ever written as is "Juliet". But take nothing away from the single: "Flag In The Ground". And take nothing away from the rest of the album, as it truly was, the best album this year and therefore wins my "album of the year" for 2009.
Well that's it for 2009, but let's hope the standard can be kept just as high in 2010, if not raised higher. And with new albums from previous winners, Sylosis, and other bands such as Symphony X and Labyrinth, there is hope that the standard will be kept.
Angels & Airwaves
2. Hocus Pocus - 73 Touches (206) 
