The Album Review:

	Judgment Committee Reviews



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Abyss's Top Ten:

1. Immortal- At the Heart of Winter
Wilderness inspired blackness, so well performed you forget about the iron girdles that they wear.
2. Enslaved- Blodhemn
The masters of modern black metal, this masterpiece caps off a trio of amazing releases.
3. Solitude Aeturnus- Adagio
Slow, dark, and brooding. This band's best work to date.
4. Children of Bodom- Hatebreeder
Some say too happy sounding, but I hear an amazing sense of melody infused with underlying harshness.
5. Testament- The Gathering
Proves thrash has a place in the next millennium
6. Vital Remains- Dawn of the Apocalypse
American black/death showing aggression lives on both sides of the pond.
7. Dimmu Borgir- Spiritual Black Dimensions
Those who label this band a sellout are really missing out on something special. Beautifully produced and played.
8. In Aeturnum- Forever Blasphemy
Swedish death that forsakes the Gothenburg scene for a vicious, brutal sound. Melody be damned!
9. Hypocrisy- Hypocrisy Groundbreaking yet again. Thank God the fans spoke up and the band listened and returned.
10. Emperor- IX Equilibrium
These guys continue to break new ground, one of the first true black bands continues to create new genres.

Death's Top Ten:

1. Dream Theater - Metropolis Part II: Scenes From a Memory
A masterful musical statement and an unprecedented return to form. Following the disappointing 'Falling Into Infinity,' 'Metropolis 2' landed with the impact that Metallica would have had if 'Load' had sounded more like 'Master of Puppets Part 2.' Dream Theater delivered an uncommercial, intricate, and complex concept album of monumental heaviness, technicality, and songwriting brilliance. In other words, exactly what long-time fans wanted to hear. Anything but album of the year accolades would be insulting.
2. Testament - The Gathering
Like Dream Theater, Testament chose the end of the century to live up to it's own name. High praise to Chuck and Eric for not fucking around and bringing in the best to keep the beat. Sure, it came late in the game, but can you honestly say that this isn't one of the greatest thrash records ever recorded? I can't.
3. Nevermore - Dreaming Neon Black
Nevermore is one of the greatest metal bands ever to grace this planet earth. And 'Dreaming Neon Black' is their finest hour. Majestic, intense, and crushingly beautiful. Sanctuary meets Forbidden? Enough said.
4. Control Denied - The Fragile Art of Existence
A fitting addition to the great Schuldiner legacy. Pure metallic bliss. The culmination of a lifetime's search for metal transcendence.
5. Arch Enemy - Burning Bridges
The best metal guitarwork of the year. Excellent songwriting amidst a soncially pleasing maelstrom of riffs. Technical and true. Melodic ferocity of rare ilk.
6. Crimson Glory - Astronomica
A classic album from a veteran name. Wade Black has a strong claim to top vocal performance of 1999. The rare reunion which surpasses the legend.
7. Vital Remains - Dawn of the Apocalypse
A multi-layered sonic journey through blackness. Old-school, American metal embedded in a modern, European-influenced core.
8. Machine Head - The Burning Red
Fuck what the band looks like -- the album smokes. For those for whom heaviness and attitude render image irelevant.
9. Iced Earth - Alive in Athens
This is the 'Live After Death' of turn-of-the-century metal. An excellent package, with all the greats performed with clearly articulated instrumentation and sound. A milestone for modern American power metal.
10. Overkill - Necroshine
As always, Overkill delivers a shredding package of fresh fodder for the live show. Somebody get these guys a lifetime achievement award. Upholding the tradition once again.

Hel's Top Ten:

1. Testament - The Gathering
To me, this album is basically the perfect metal album. An effortless combination of both death AND clean vocals with some of the heaviest classic thrash riffs recorded. Yes, my opinion, but add Lombardo on drums and you realize it's hard to argue with me.
2. Nevermore - Dreaming Neon Black
A close second. Great imagery with an intriguingly vague concept weaving it together. I've often wished I could devote a few hours to pouring over the lyrics and listening to the hypnotic heavyness.
3. Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory
I'm proud to say that I figured out the story the first time I listened to it. Yes, this one does have a definite story and the band is willing to disclose the hazy parts. Toss in some amazing music and even more amazing musicianship, and you've got a tough contender for the top spot.
4. Overkill - Necroshine
Believe it or not, this didn't make it into my top five because they are my favorite band. This is here because, after seeing them live twice since this album was released, I was amazed to listen to this album and realize how many of the songs are now mixed seamlessly in my mind with older favorites. This is a result of consistent quality music and integrity. The same reasons why Overkill is my favorite band.
5. Skinlab - Disembody: The New Flesh
The first time I heard this band, it was live, they were opening for Exodus in San Francisco. I was SO blown away. I have dug them ever since and, in my opinion, this is their best album yet. If you've not yet seen their heavy craziness live, I recommend it.
6. In Flames - Colony
I love this album. I love In Flames. These melodies stick in my head like few other songs that I like. It's a great thing to have stuck in your head. As opposed to those sugary pop songs that latch on to your brain like leeches and make you want to rip your ears off... And I like the return of the mechanized castle artwork a lot too.
7. Iced Earth - Alive in Athens
I know I'll get shit for having a live album on my list, I know it's not all-new 1999 material, but I've got to include this one because it's simply a great set of cds. I've always loved the cartoon-style artwork and they haven't given us this much since 'The Days of Purgatory, if you get the 3 cd set, you get even more! Yeah, it's not as much as 'Days of Purgatory', I wish it had more, but beggars can't be choosers, and I really like that the cd's are painted differently. I'm also glad to have this, because I would have otherwise put The Melancholy E.P. here, and I'd have caught even more shit for putting an E.P. which contains two cover songs.
8. Arch Enemy - Burning Bridges
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, this is a great album with great musicianship. If you want more details, go to the Album Review Archive and read my review.
9. Children of Bodom - Hatebreeder
Abyss gave this to me for my birthday and, next to my Star Wars Mos Espa Podrace LEGOS System, my favorite out of those presents. I spent much of the summer with this hectic mayhem in my discman.
10. Vital Remains - Dawn of the Apocalypse
It's Christmas-time, and shopping for presents in Manhattan is maddening. This album is a great antidote for that madness and about as polar opposite from Christmas songs as you can get. Not to mention, a great album to boot. A perfect Christmas gift for an angry metalhead, all you last minute shoppers.

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	1. Immortal- At the Heart of Winter Wilderness inspired blackness, so well performed you forget about the iron girdles that they wear.

	2. Enslaved- Blodhemn The masters of modern black metal, this masterpiece caps off a trio of amazing releases.

	3. Solitude Aeturnus- Adagio Slow, dark, and brooding. This band's best work to date.

	4. Children of Bodom- Hatebreeder Some say too happy sounding, but I hear an amazing sense of melody infused with underlying harshness.

	5. Testament- The Gathering Proves thrash has a place in the next millennium

	6. Vital Remains- Dawn of the Apocalypse American black/death showing aggression lives on both sides of the pond.

	7. Dimmu Borgir- Spiritual Black Dimensions Those who label this band a sellout are really missing out on something special. Beautifully produced and played.

	8. In Aeturnum- Forever Blasphemy Swedish death that forsakes the Gothenburg scene for a vicious, brutal sound. Melody be damned!

	9. Hypocrisy- Hypocrisy Groundbreaking yet again. Thank God the fans spoke up and the band listened and returned.

	10. Emperor- IX Equilibrium These guys continue to break new ground, one of the first true black bands continues to create new genres.

	1. Dream Theater - Metropolis Part II: Scenes From a Memory A masterful musical statement and an unprecedented return to form. Following the disappointing 'Falling Into Infinity,' 'Metropolis 2' landed with the impact that Metallica would have had if 'Load' had sounded more like 'Master of Puppets Part 2.' Dream Theater delivered an uncommercial, intricate, and complex concept album of monumental heaviness, technicality, and songwriting brilliance. In other words, exactly what long-time fans wanted to hear. Anything but album of the year accolades would be insulting.

	2. Testament - The Gathering Like Dream Theater, Testament chose the end of the century to live up to it's own name. High praise to Chuck and Eric for not fucking around and bringing in the best to keep the beat. Sure, it came late in the game, but can you honestly say that this isn't one of the greatest thrash records ever recorded? I can't.

	3. Nevermore - Dreaming Neon Black Nevermore is one of the greatest metal bands ever to grace this planet earth. And 'Dreaming Neon Black' is their finest hour. Majestic, intense, and crushingly beautiful. Sanctuary meets Forbidden? Enough said.

	4. Control Denied - The Fragile Art of Existence A fitting addition to the great Schuldiner legacy. Pure metallic bliss. The culmination of a lifetime's search for metal transcendence.

	5. Arch Enemy - Burning Bridges The best metal guitarwork of the year. Excellent songwriting amidst a soncially pleasing maelstrom of riffs. Technical and true. Melodic ferocity of rare ilk.

	6. Crimson Glory - Astronomica A classic album from a veteran name. Wade Black has a strong claim to top vocal performance of 1999. The rare reunion which surpasses the legend.

	7. Vital Remains - Dawn of the Apocalypse A multi-layered sonic journey through blackness. Old-school, American metal embedded in a modern, European-influenced core.

	8. Machine Head - The Burning Red Fuck what the band looks like -- the album smokes. For those for whom heaviness and attitude render image irelevant.

	9. Iced Earth - Alive in Athens This is the 'Live After Death' of turn-of-the-century metal. An excellent package, with all the greats performed with clearly articulated instrumentation and sound. A milestone for modern American power metal.

	10. Overkill - Necroshine As always, Overkill delivers a shredding package of fresh fodder for the live show. Somebody get these guys a lifetime achievement award. Upholding the tradition once again.

	1. Testament - The Gathering To me, this album is basically the perfect metal album. An effortless combination of both death AND clean vocals with some of the heaviest classic thrash riffs recorded. Yes, my opinion, but add Lombardo on drums and you realize it's hard to argue with me.

	2. Nevermore - Dreaming Neon Black A close second. Great imagery with an intriguingly vague concept weaving it together. I've often wished I could devote a few hours to pouring over the lyrics and listening to the hypnotic heavyness.

	3. Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory I'm proud to say that I figured out the story the first time I listened to it. Yes, this one does have a definite story and the band is willing to disclose the hazy parts. Toss in some amazing music and even more amazing musicianship, and you've got a tough contender for the top spot.

	4. Overkill - Necroshine Believe it or not, this didn't make it into my top five because they are my favorite band. This is here because, after seeing them live twice since this album was released, I was amazed to listen to this album and realize how many of the songs are now mixed seamlessly in my mind with older favorites. This is a result of consistent quality music and integrity. The same reasons why Overkill is my favorite band.

	5. Skinlab - Disembody: The New Flesh The first time I heard this band, it was live, they were opening for Exodus in San Francisco. I was SO blown away. I have dug them ever since and, in my opinion, this is their best album yet. If you've not yet seen their heavy craziness live, I recommend it.

	6. In Flames - Colony I love this album. I love In Flames. These melodies stick in my head like few other songs that I like. It's a great thing to have stuck in your head. As opposed to those sugary pop songs that latch on to your brain like leeches and make you want to rip your ears off... And I like the return of the mechanized castle artwork a lot too.

	7. Iced Earth - Alive in Athens I know I'll get shit for having a live album on my list, I know it's not all-new 1999 material, but I've got to include this one because it's simply a great set of cds. I've always loved the cartoon-style artwork and they haven't given us this much since 'The Days of Purgatory, if you get the 3 cd set, you get even more! Yeah, it's not as much as 'Days of Purgatory', I wish it had more, but beggars can't be choosers, and I really like that the cd's are painted differently. I'm also glad to have this, because I would have otherwise put The Melancholy E.P. here, and I'd have caught even more shit for putting an E.P. which contains two cover songs.

	8. Arch Enemy - Burning Bridges I've said it before, and I'll say it again, this is a great album with great musicianship. If you want more details, go to the Album Review Archive and read my review.

	9. Children of Bodom - Hatebreeder Abyss gave this to me for my birthday and, next to my Star Wars Mos Espa Podrace LEGOS System, my favorite out of those presents. I spent much of the summer with this hectic mayhem in my discman.

	10. Vital Remains - Dawn of the Apocalypse It's Christmas-time, and shopping for presents in Manhattan is maddening. This album is a great antidote for that madness and about as polar opposite from Christmas songs as you can get. Not to mention, a great album to boot. A perfect Christmas gift for an angry metalhead, all you last minute shoppers.