 | Blog author: Alex Stojanovic Happy New Year everyone! On behalf of all of us here at Metal Master Kingdom, we want to wish our readers all the best for 2018! It looks like it's going to be a good year. |
Okay, so like I did in the previous two years, I decided to do another top 10 list of the albums that turned 5 years old. This time, I'm turning the clock back to 2013. I should also note that after this year, I won't do the 5 year thing anymore because I've already done top 10 lists for the years that followed 2013, but I will do more lists going back in time. As I stated in my 2012 list (see here), that was the year I joined Metal Master Kingdom, but in that year, all I was doing was album reviews. I wasn't able to do much because I was still in college and things were pretty hectic, as many of you can relate to.
2013 however was another pivotal year in my life because it was the year I graduated from college. After that, I had much more time on my hands and was able to put more of my focus into MMK. I then took the next step and started stepping into the world of interviews later in the year and did my very first interview with Ted Aguilar of Death Angel (see here). Being that it was my first interview, I remember I was really excited, but at the same time, I was nervous as hell. However, as we started to roll, I felt more relaxed and when we finished, I said that it was a lot of fun and I wanted to do more, and here we are!
Some of the biggest losses in the music world for 2013 were Clive Burr, Chi Cheng and of course Jeff Hanneman, but also Trevor Bolder, Claudio Leo and Joey LaCaze just to name a few. R.I.P. to all of them.
One of the high points of the year however was that after 15 years of being disrespectfully snubbed, Rush were FINALLY inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame (Blah blah blah!), along with Heart. I still love watching the video of the band's acceptance speech with Alex Lifeson's iconic speech, and the video where the inductees were being announced, and when Rush was announced, the applause was just insane. It was the best way of saying "IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME!" Not even The Beatles got that kind of reception. Watch it here.
Focusing on the releases of the year, there were a lot of great releases that came out. Let's get down to business. Down below are my top 10 albums from 2013.
2013 however was another pivotal year in my life because it was the year I graduated from college. After that, I had much more time on my hands and was able to put more of my focus into MMK. I then took the next step and started stepping into the world of interviews later in the year and did my very first interview with Ted Aguilar of Death Angel (see here). Being that it was my first interview, I remember I was really excited, but at the same time, I was nervous as hell. However, as we started to roll, I felt more relaxed and when we finished, I said that it was a lot of fun and I wanted to do more, and here we are!
Some of the biggest losses in the music world for 2013 were Clive Burr, Chi Cheng and of course Jeff Hanneman, but also Trevor Bolder, Claudio Leo and Joey LaCaze just to name a few. R.I.P. to all of them.
One of the high points of the year however was that after 15 years of being disrespectfully snubbed, Rush were FINALLY inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame (Blah blah blah!), along with Heart. I still love watching the video of the band's acceptance speech with Alex Lifeson's iconic speech, and the video where the inductees were being announced, and when Rush was announced, the applause was just insane. It was the best way of saying "IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME!" Not even The Beatles got that kind of reception. Watch it here.
Focusing on the releases of the year, there were a lot of great releases that came out. Let's get down to business. Down below are my top 10 albums from 2013.
10. ANNIHILATOR - Feast
Unfortunately this is the last Annihilator album to feature Dave Padden, who was in my opinion the band's best vocalist, next to Coburn Pharr. When you compare Feast to some of the previous albums, there's nothing really too different to be found, except for some good solid Canadian thrash, and that's exactly what Jeff Waters and company are best at. I would have to say that Feast is my favourite of the Annihilator albums of the last decade. I obviously wasn't really a fan of the track "Perfect Angel Eyes". Kind of a corny song for Annihilator, but tracks like "Deadlock", "Smear Campaign", "Demon Code", "Fight The World" and "One Falls, Two Rise" are awesome.
Unfortunately this is the last Annihilator album to feature Dave Padden, who was in my opinion the band's best vocalist, next to Coburn Pharr. When you compare Feast to some of the previous albums, there's nothing really too different to be found, except for some good solid Canadian thrash, and that's exactly what Jeff Waters and company are best at. I would have to say that Feast is my favourite of the Annihilator albums of the last decade. I obviously wasn't really a fan of the track "Perfect Angel Eyes". Kind of a corny song for Annihilator, but tracks like "Deadlock", "Smear Campaign", "Demon Code", "Fight The World" and "One Falls, Two Rise" are awesome.
09. HATRIOT - Heroes Of Origin
After he departed from Exodus in 2004, Steve "Zetro" Souza ducked under the radar a bit, although he never left the metal scene. He was a part of Dublin Death Patrol with Testament's Chuck Billy and they did a couple of records together. He was also in a band called Tenet with Jed Simon of Strapping Young Lad for a record, but he then returned again later with Hatriot in 2011, which also featured his son Cody on bass. His other son Nick, who plays drums in the band came into the picture just after the release of their four track demo in 2012. This feels more like a proper return for Zetro. The band's first album Heroes Of Origin is a monster that delivers 10 solid tracks of pure, uncompromising thrash, just how we like it. Right from "Suicide Run" at the start, all the way through the title track at the end, there's no holding back. Guitarists Kosta Varvatakis and Miguel Esparza deliver some ass-whipping riffs perfect for starting up mosh pits. With the Souzas, Cody and Nick are awesome in the rhythm section, and of course Zetro is sounding as amazing as ever. Great album, and the follow-up Dawn Of The New Centurion kicks major ass as well.
After he departed from Exodus in 2004, Steve "Zetro" Souza ducked under the radar a bit, although he never left the metal scene. He was a part of Dublin Death Patrol with Testament's Chuck Billy and they did a couple of records together. He was also in a band called Tenet with Jed Simon of Strapping Young Lad for a record, but he then returned again later with Hatriot in 2011, which also featured his son Cody on bass. His other son Nick, who plays drums in the band came into the picture just after the release of their four track demo in 2012. This feels more like a proper return for Zetro. The band's first album Heroes Of Origin is a monster that delivers 10 solid tracks of pure, uncompromising thrash, just how we like it. Right from "Suicide Run" at the start, all the way through the title track at the end, there's no holding back. Guitarists Kosta Varvatakis and Miguel Esparza deliver some ass-whipping riffs perfect for starting up mosh pits. With the Souzas, Cody and Nick are awesome in the rhythm section, and of course Zetro is sounding as amazing as ever. Great album, and the follow-up Dawn Of The New Centurion kicks major ass as well.
08. SODOM - Epitome Of Torture
As far as the Sodom records of the last decade are concerned, their best in my opinion is Epitome Of Torture. This album is also one of the best thrash albums of 2013. Onkel Tom's vocal performance is as strong as ever. In my opinion, his thrash voice is so much better than his black metal voice to be honest. With a healthy amount of raging thrashers like "My Final Bullet", "Shoot Today, Kill Tomorrow", "Stigmatized", "Katjuschka" and "S.O.D.O.M." and a few mid-tempo headbangers like "Cannibal", "Into The Skies Of War" and "Tracing The Victim", there's plenty to love here. Sodom's latest album Decision Day is not as good as Epitome Of Torture. Matter of fact, it was more of a mediocre album, so I certainly hope that with their next album, they can re-capture the majesty from Epitome.
As far as the Sodom records of the last decade are concerned, their best in my opinion is Epitome Of Torture. This album is also one of the best thrash albums of 2013. Onkel Tom's vocal performance is as strong as ever. In my opinion, his thrash voice is so much better than his black metal voice to be honest. With a healthy amount of raging thrashers like "My Final Bullet", "Shoot Today, Kill Tomorrow", "Stigmatized", "Katjuschka" and "S.O.D.O.M." and a few mid-tempo headbangers like "Cannibal", "Into The Skies Of War" and "Tracing The Victim", there's plenty to love here. Sodom's latest album Decision Day is not as good as Epitome Of Torture. Matter of fact, it was more of a mediocre album, so I certainly hope that with their next album, they can re-capture the majesty from Epitome.
07. VOLBEAT - Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies
When it comes to Volbeat, I don't think there's any topping Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies. It's the band's most diversified album to date, and their best in my honest opinion. The base of the album is rock, but they've incorporated a number of different influences from metal and punk, to pop and mariachi, and they scored a home run. I listened to this album a lot when it came out, and still do. I listen to this one the most of all the Volbeat albums. That's not saying the other albums are bad. They're all great in their own way. The latest record Seal The Deal & Let's Boogie is a great album as well, but if I had to take one Volbeat album on a desert island with me, it would be this one. There's also a wide variety of special guests on here from Sarah Blackwood of Walk Off The Earth to King Diamond. I don't think those two names have been used in the same sentence before. This would also be the band's first album with Rob Caggiano and their last with bassist Anders Kjolholm.
When it comes to Volbeat, I don't think there's any topping Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies. It's the band's most diversified album to date, and their best in my honest opinion. The base of the album is rock, but they've incorporated a number of different influences from metal and punk, to pop and mariachi, and they scored a home run. I listened to this album a lot when it came out, and still do. I listen to this one the most of all the Volbeat albums. That's not saying the other albums are bad. They're all great in their own way. The latest record Seal The Deal & Let's Boogie is a great album as well, but if I had to take one Volbeat album on a desert island with me, it would be this one. There's also a wide variety of special guests on here from Sarah Blackwood of Walk Off The Earth to King Diamond. I don't think those two names have been used in the same sentence before. This would also be the band's first album with Rob Caggiano and their last with bassist Anders Kjolholm.
06. TRIVIUM - Vengeance Falls
To this day, there will always be so many people calling Trivium's Vengeance Falls a Disturbed album, simply because David Draiman produced it. It's a TRIVIUM album people! Sure, the Disturbed influence is clearly evident, and a couple of those types of moments didn't work for me, but calling it a Disturbed album is just ludicrous. Focusing on the good points of Vengeance Falls, Matt Heafy's vocal performance is fantastic. Ever since In Waves, his vocal performance on each successive album has improved from its predecessor. The riffs from Matt and Corey Beaulieu are super chunky, the bass from Paolo Gregoletto is huge and Nick Augusto's drum performance surpasses his performance on In Waves. Some of the record's high points include "Vengeance Falls", "No Way To Heal", "At The End Of This War" and "Incineration: The Broken World", as well as the fact that Heafy's vocals are 100% pure.
To this day, there will always be so many people calling Trivium's Vengeance Falls a Disturbed album, simply because David Draiman produced it. It's a TRIVIUM album people! Sure, the Disturbed influence is clearly evident, and a couple of those types of moments didn't work for me, but calling it a Disturbed album is just ludicrous. Focusing on the good points of Vengeance Falls, Matt Heafy's vocal performance is fantastic. Ever since In Waves, his vocal performance on each successive album has improved from its predecessor. The riffs from Matt and Corey Beaulieu are super chunky, the bass from Paolo Gregoletto is huge and Nick Augusto's drum performance surpasses his performance on In Waves. Some of the record's high points include "Vengeance Falls", "No Way To Heal", "At The End Of This War" and "Incineration: The Broken World", as well as the fact that Heafy's vocals are 100% pure.
05. PRETTY MAIDS - Motherland
After Pretty Maids released the phenomenal Pandemonium album in 2010, following it up definitely seemed like a challenge. I definitely wouldn't say that Motherland beats Pandemonium, but it's still a fantastic album. The production really stands out because it's nice and beefy, making Ken Hammer's riffs sound really heavy. Even though I've never been a fan of love songs, "Bullet For You" is an exception. Although the lyrics are pretty predictable and a little corny, the melodies and the overall catchiness have me bobbing my head and both singing and humming the chorus and the verses every time. The same can be said about tracks like "Mother Of All Lies", "Motherland", "Sad To See You Suffer", "I See Ghosts", "Who Want Where When Why" and "Why So Serious".
After Pretty Maids released the phenomenal Pandemonium album in 2010, following it up definitely seemed like a challenge. I definitely wouldn't say that Motherland beats Pandemonium, but it's still a fantastic album. The production really stands out because it's nice and beefy, making Ken Hammer's riffs sound really heavy. Even though I've never been a fan of love songs, "Bullet For You" is an exception. Although the lyrics are pretty predictable and a little corny, the melodies and the overall catchiness have me bobbing my head and both singing and humming the chorus and the verses every time. The same can be said about tracks like "Mother Of All Lies", "Motherland", "Sad To See You Suffer", "I See Ghosts", "Who Want Where When Why" and "Why So Serious".
04. EVILE - Skull
As we sit here right now, Skull is still the latest offering from Evile. After Ol Drake announced his departure from the band a few months after the release of the album, the band went on a long search for a worthy replacement because Drake left behind some major shoes to fill. Skull is a great culmination of the three albums that preceeded it, and there's definitely a big Enter The Grave feel to it due to it being a bit more aggressive, but I still don't think it beats Five Serpent's Teeth and Infected Nations. However, tracks like "Underworld", "Skull", "The Naked Sun", "Tomb" and "Outsider" are some of the high points of this album. The difference between the previous two albums and Skull is the production. Infected and Five Serpent's both had a more polished production, where Skull is a bit more raw.
As we sit here right now, Skull is still the latest offering from Evile. After Ol Drake announced his departure from the band a few months after the release of the album, the band went on a long search for a worthy replacement because Drake left behind some major shoes to fill. Skull is a great culmination of the three albums that preceeded it, and there's definitely a big Enter The Grave feel to it due to it being a bit more aggressive, but I still don't think it beats Five Serpent's Teeth and Infected Nations. However, tracks like "Underworld", "Skull", "The Naked Sun", "Tomb" and "Outsider" are some of the high points of this album. The difference between the previous two albums and Skull is the production. Infected and Five Serpent's both had a more polished production, where Skull is a bit more raw.
03. ONSLAUGHT - VI
Ever since reforming in 2005 and releasing three studio albums since, Onslaught have become more vicious with each successive album. Their most recent album VI is just another step up that ladder and songs like "Chaos Is King", "Children Of The Sand", "Slaughterized", "Dead Man Walking" and "Enemy Of My Enemy" are pure evidence of that. Seriously, Nige Rockett and Michael Hourihan are machines. When you have a conversation about thrash, it's unfair that Onslaught hardly to never gets mentioned. With 2018 marking five years since we've had new music from Onslaught and with a new album due this year, it makes me wonder how they're going to top this one. If they make the next album more vicious than this one, my head's going to just explode.
Ever since reforming in 2005 and releasing three studio albums since, Onslaught have become more vicious with each successive album. Their most recent album VI is just another step up that ladder and songs like "Chaos Is King", "Children Of The Sand", "Slaughterized", "Dead Man Walking" and "Enemy Of My Enemy" are pure evidence of that. Seriously, Nige Rockett and Michael Hourihan are machines. When you have a conversation about thrash, it's unfair that Onslaught hardly to never gets mentioned. With 2018 marking five years since we've had new music from Onslaught and with a new album due this year, it makes me wonder how they're going to top this one. If they make the next album more vicious than this one, my head's going to just explode.
02. SAXON - Sacrifice
Ever since Lionheart, Saxon have been releasing some of their best records that can proudly sit alongside Wheels Of Steel, Strong Arm Of The Law and Denim & Leather. Call To Arms was where I became a Saxon fan, but when Sacrifice was about to come out, I heard a teaser of the title track, and I remember thinking: "Holy shit, this is gonna be HEAVY!" It turned out to be one of Saxon's heaviest and best records, and that's all thanks to Andy Sneap handling production duties. "Sacrifice", "Made In Belfast", "Warriors Of The Road", "Guardians Of The Tomb", "Stand Up & Fight" and "Wheels Of Terror" are all standout tracks. Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt deliver some tasty riffs on this record as they always do and Biff Byford sounds fantastic vocally as usual. Another instant classic for sure.
Ever since Lionheart, Saxon have been releasing some of their best records that can proudly sit alongside Wheels Of Steel, Strong Arm Of The Law and Denim & Leather. Call To Arms was where I became a Saxon fan, but when Sacrifice was about to come out, I heard a teaser of the title track, and I remember thinking: "Holy shit, this is gonna be HEAVY!" It turned out to be one of Saxon's heaviest and best records, and that's all thanks to Andy Sneap handling production duties. "Sacrifice", "Made In Belfast", "Warriors Of The Road", "Guardians Of The Tomb", "Stand Up & Fight" and "Wheels Of Terror" are all standout tracks. Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt deliver some tasty riffs on this record as they always do and Biff Byford sounds fantastic vocally as usual. Another instant classic for sure.
01. DEATH ANGEL - The Dream Calls For Blood
When Death Angel returned with a new lineup after losing two original members within less than a year's time, they released the unbelievable Relentless Retribution record, which was their heaviest album in years. After touring relentlessly for three years in support of the record, the heaviness and the speed went up a few notches on the next album The Dream Calls For Blood, to the point where the album was put on parallel with The Ultra-Violence. For those that have the deluxe edition of the album and saw the Making-Of documentary, you'll remember Ted Aguilar comparing The Dream Calls For Blood following Relentless Retribution to Master Of Puppets following Ride The Lightning, by saying that it's "still fierce, still heavy, but just the next level." I would have to 100% agree with that comparison. You can hear how much the band grew as musicians over the course of a three year period between the two albums. The quality of both the songwriting and musicianship increased. You can always count on Death Angel to deliver quality thrash. One of the band's best, and the best album of 2013.
When Death Angel returned with a new lineup after losing two original members within less than a year's time, they released the unbelievable Relentless Retribution record, which was their heaviest album in years. After touring relentlessly for three years in support of the record, the heaviness and the speed went up a few notches on the next album The Dream Calls For Blood, to the point where the album was put on parallel with The Ultra-Violence. For those that have the deluxe edition of the album and saw the Making-Of documentary, you'll remember Ted Aguilar comparing The Dream Calls For Blood following Relentless Retribution to Master Of Puppets following Ride The Lightning, by saying that it's "still fierce, still heavy, but just the next level." I would have to 100% agree with that comparison. You can hear how much the band grew as musicians over the course of a three year period between the two albums. The quality of both the songwriting and musicianship increased. You can always count on Death Angel to deliver quality thrash. One of the band's best, and the best album of 2013.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS (No Order)
| Killswitch Engage Disarm The Descent  | Black Sabbath 13  | Carcass Surgical Steel  |
| Battlecross War Of Will  | Amon Amarth Deceiver Of The Gods  | Alice In Chains The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here  |
Some of the other albums that also came out that year were from Deicide, Newsted, Artillery, Suffocation, U.D.O. and Sevendust. There you have it. My top 10 albums of 2013! I'm currently working on lists of my favourite albums turning 10 from 2008, as well as albums turning 30 from 1988 and albums turning 35 from 1983. There are also still some Best Of 2017 lists to come, so keep your eyes open for those to come in the coming days and weeks. Thank you very much for reading. What were/are YOUR favourite albums from 2013?
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