Death Dealer's Top 10 Releases For 2007

Disclaimer:These are my personal opinions,not those of anyone else or
any other reviewer.Everyone has their own tastes in music...These are
mine.You will find this list to be quite different than most reviewers.
I look at end of year lists at other sites and always shake my head at their choices....always choosing artsy,usually long winded albums that most
critics put on their own list?I make my choices based on what I call
listenability(how much did I go back and listen to it over the year)and
overall enjoyment..(isnt this why we listen in the first place?) Anyhow....
Check this out and see if any of mine were on your list....Enjoy!......


1.The Absence - Riders Of The Plague
With this second album The Absence really knocked one out of the park
Combining thrashy riffs and melodic death metal all in one great package
The band made great strides in developing their own style, which results in a much more mature and original sounding album.There are still tons of harmonies, lead melodies and guitar solos on this album, but there’s also more flat out heavy riffs and more complex song structures.

2. Crionics - Neuthrone
Reviewers are all over the map on this one....But I have to say I dug this
from the start and is still in heavy rotation today.I am a sucker for polish
death metal and the production,music is top flight on this one.
This record combined a Blackened mixture of cyber-death metal.....
And their from poland......nuff said !

3. Novembers Doom - The Novella Reservoir
Probably the only album you will find on other reviewers end of year lists.
I cant disagree on this one.. Novembers Doom have really made a dent in
the Death/Doom dominance of Finland in the last few years.This album crushes as much as it soothes with a dark n’ gloomy atmosphere.This album shows a growth in songwriting and an absolute maturity that can not be properly defined....These guys just keep getting better and better.

4. Blotted Science - Machinations Of Dementia
Have you ever got a new album ...put it on and the music bursts out and
kicks your ass, only to be let down by horrible vocals? It has to me so many times I cant count...Sometimes I just want the music.....These 3 master musicians have created a masterpiece of technical death metal.
It features absolutely phenomenal musicianship from the likes of guitarist Ron Jarzombek (Spastic Ink, Watchtower), bassist Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal), and Charlie Zeleny (Behold…the Arctopus, Jordan Rudess).Technically incredible but also very catchy and not boring like alot of others.

5. Detonation - Emission Phase
The best melodic death metal record this year..I.M.O . This band gets better with each release and this one was no different.Emission Phase solidifies on the experience of the band and comes across as a mature and well rounded effort.The most evident improvements are the tight musicianship and the quality of the production. Detonation sound angrier and more in control of their art.If a slab of good quality melodic aggression wakes you up in the morning with a smile..look no further.

6. Vicious Art - Pick Up This Sick Child
I got this one just in time to get in under the deadline and was looking for it to be ass-kicking! ...Was It ever!...These swedish veterans know how to make heavy,brutal,but incredibly catchy death metal.What I really get into is...There seems to be a crushing riff or semi-breakdown in every song they write.If you’re into death metal at all, you have to check out this brutal death metal attack by this monster act.

7. Sotajumala - Teloitus
It is a pleasure to get a piece of music like this one from the swamps of finland.Sotajumala translates to war god...and war is what you get on this one.Crushing down-tuned D.M. with tremendous bellowing vocals and
catchy songs.....not terribly technical but god damn catchy! You may not be able to understand anything the singer is saying but......Who cares anyway.

8. Mental Amputation - Utter Subordination
This here record damn sure took me by surprise !tons of sick riffs, fast blasting drum patterns, nice lead work, dark bass lines and the usual growled vocals that just have to be there to complete the sound of aggression. What makes a great album in today´s measurement standards? Tough question right? It´s not easy to estimate, but the truth is that “Utter Subordination” is a pretty cool album, where almost every song has variation and youthful energy and nice time changes.A Winner!

9. Aborted - Slaughter & Apparatus: A Methodical Overture
Belgium's finest death metal band, Aborted, have released yet another excellent album. "Slaughter and Apparatus" is the fifth album they have put out so far, and it shows that the band is still improving their sound. They may not be the deathgrind that they used to be when they kicked off their career, but even with a change of sound overtime, they prove themselves to be strong and dedicated. If you are looking for an album with crushing riffs, loads of melody, excellent vocal range, and some of the finest drumming, "Slaughter and Apparatus" is the album for you.

10. Deadborn - Stigma Eternal
After the amazing Decades of Decapitation ep,I had been anticipating this release for some time...and they deliver in spades.Ex-necrophagist members bring alot to the table..such as..Fast tempos,blazing riffs,tight
songs,well produced Death Metal...One of the years true highlights !

So there you have it....My Favorites of the year 2007
With all of the releases planned for 2008...it could even be better!....Lets Hope so.

Stay True!....Stay Metal!
Death Dealer