Top Albums of Q1/2015

1. Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase.
SW delivers an album that is emotional, dark and musically brilliant with highlight to the fantastic guitars and keyboard. HCE is an absolute masterpiece of modern progressive music.
Highly original and building on SW's style, but with "in your face" influences from  Simon & Garfunkel and late Beatles to Pink Floyd, Genesis, Steve Morse and Led Zeppelin. This musical journey is addictive! Once you start playing the album you want to enjoy the experience from start to finish while entering a sea of emotions with up-and-downs. Kudos!

2. Enslaved - In Times

Without repeating themselves but keeping their signatures, "In Times" is another great addition to Enslaved discography. "Only" 6 songs, with the shortest ticking 8:11! Each of those songs is a journey in itself, with ups-and-downs, that makes the album's 54 min fly by. The pathway into progressive metal continues, but with one new element: A subtle and interesting post-metal influence. Several moments it makes me think of Deafheaven which is fantastic. The clean and growling vocals contrast beautifully over a series of awesome riffs throughout the album. In sum, the Norwegians of Enslaved continue to evolve their magnificent and already proven sound with another masterpiece.

3. Blind Guardian - Beyond The Red Mirror

This album is certainly Blind Guardian's best album in many years. The sequel of the fantastic "Imaginations..." from 1995 has all the traditional BG elements: Epic, big choruses and complex arrangements. Additionally, as in the wonderful opener "The Ninth Wave", BtRM includes orchestra and choirs that beautifully add to mix. But differently than the last few albums, they tuned down a notch in the complexity, actually some songs are very direct and thrashy, like "The Holy Grail". Overall great album for old fans and power epic metal lovers in general.

4. Periphery - Juggernaut: Alpha/Omega
What happens when you put on a blender Meshuggah, Jazz Guitars, Slipknot and melody? Well, that's Periphery's double and conceptual album Juggernaut. But don't get me wrong, the albums are very concise and one song builds on each other. It's actually one album with two parts (Alpha and Omega). I really like the recurring themes and melodies throughout the album.
As previously, the songs mix extreme aggressiveness with melody and catchy choruses. And a bit more accessible than the previous albums. Spencer vocal range and variation of styles is even more impressive than previously heard. The guitar trio led by Mansoor is not only highly technical but also very original. This is where djent meets jazz. Loved the guitar solo on Rainbow Gravity for example. For the sake of modern metal, I hope Periphery stays on track and continue to grow!.

5. Danko Jones - Fire Music
The straight and direct punk-rock from the power trio Danko Jones is very entertaining. The vocal style makes me think that this is Metallica covering Bad Religion. That's not usually my kind of music, but couldn't help headbanging throughout the 37 min of rock-and-roll. Can't wait to see those guys in a summer festival afternoon. Cheers!

6. Neal Morse - The Grand Experiment

The almost 27 min "Alive Again" is the album's highlight. The opener "The Call" and title track are also great songs. The other two, not so much. The Yes and Rush influences are very clear, but in a modern and fresh way. As we would expect the keyboard solos and drumming from Portnoy are fantastic. Highly recommended progressive rock.  

7. Angra - Secret Garden

The fellow Brazilians have had their share of ups and downs and changes. I was never a big fan, but I certainly like many of their songs from different past albums. So when it came to check Secret Garden I was skeptical. But when "Newborn Me" started I was very pleased with the contribution of the outstanding Fabio Lione. And then the guitar solo including a Spanish guitar went by and I was sold. The rest of the record is very solid with fantastic vocals and guitar performances. The cherry at the top are the great contributions from Simone Simons and Doro.

8. Enforcer - From Beyond
The well written and executed speed/thrash metal from Enforcer pleasantly brings us back to the 80's. The thrash riffs and high-pitched vocals are the signatures here. The music is simple and straightforward traditional metal, nothing new. But, it is always great to enjoy this nostalgia from some current good bands.

9. Ensiferum - One Man Army
What I like about Ensiferum's new record is that their folk influences are there, but they don't beat around the bush and essentially deliver a very straightforward death metal. It's headbanging from start to finish while raising your beer glasses.

10. S.O.T.O - Inside The Vertigo
I've always been a fan of Jeff Scott Soto, most notably his contributions to Malsmteen and Axel Rudi Pell. And now he is back with a new band and a much heavier sound than latest works. The guitar riffs are worthy of a Lamb of God album, listen to "Wrath" for example. The almost 9 min "End Of Days" adventures into more epic and progressive areas. And "Inside The Vertigo" brings back the ARP feel. Overall a very strong and heavy record that combines the inspiration of many of his previous bands.