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Submitted by Neil (1/6/01):

• SOLEFALD - NEONISM
  Even though this Norwegian duo, is in fact in college, they can still krank out a damn good CD. I found it a rather refreshing alternative to all the black metal bands that say they're playing music from a mandate from hell, or that they're satan's angels (or any other stupid stuff like that) while in the middle of singing over their mom's vacuuming upstairs. Solefald is a completely unbiased band who mixes 10 parts black metal with 5 parts pounding guitar riffs along with 2 parts breakbeats. Do yourself a favor and buy the best CD ever.
• IN FLAMES - CLAYMAN
  In Flames is reminiscent of a fine red wine... they definitely get better with age. Every time they put out an album I think that they can't top it, but a year or two later they manage to pull it off somehow. Clayman is definitely one of their deepest, most beautiful albums to date. As if their music wasn't enough, their lyrics are incredible. Definitely a must have.
• SERBERUS - IN ETERNITY (ep)
  Not much metal comes out of the rocky mountain regions, but out of what does is some of the greatest in the U.S (Cephalic Carnage... woohoo!). Serberus blew me away because they really manage to break the molds of conventional death metal, while retaining some familiar tone that I just can't put my finger on. Definitely check this one out.
• NASUM - HUMAN 2.0
  Nasum... need I say more?? With that word comes the cream of the crop of grindcore. If you liked Inhale/Exhale, definitely check this one out because it is pretty much the same but with better lyrics.
• DYING FETUS - DESTROY the OPPOSITION
  Okay, maybe their lead singer does resemble Cookie Monster. But doesn't any good death metal band's? This is a must for fans of Exhumed, because the two bands have very much in common, only the styles of dying fetus are much more lathargic and plain than Exhumed (as well as the fact that Exhumed makes DF's cover art look like a catholic church flyer!). My favorite song off of it is praise the lord cuz it just rocks.
• CRADLE of FILTH - MIDIAN
  Is it me, or did Danny Filth finally take his balls out of the vice?? That is the main reason I bought this album; I've always liked CoF's music, but couldn't stand the British witch vocals. I find this album to be a great compromise of both.
• The DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN - CALCULATING INFINITY
  By now, you've probably realized that I'm a big fan of Relapse Records. This band definitely has their own thing goin on. It's kinda scary cuz it all sounds jumbled up and disorganized, until you really listen. Then you come to the shocking realization that everything fits snuggly into place.... definitely avant garde.
• VADER - LITANY
  They may be kinda old, but I couldn't pass this one up because I am an avid fan of Polish death. Well, I think they still sound exactly the same, except better production on their new disc. Let's put it this way... If I ever drove a tank ito battle, I would definitely bring this album along.
• GROUND ZERO - HEALING LEPRACY
  I liked this band so much my first listen, because it sounded like the DEP and old V.O.D and Luddite Clone all welded together into one giant grindcore mess that can't be stopped.
• TIAMAT - SKELETON SKELETRON
  Ever wonder what Type O Negative would sound like if they were as dark and gothic as they advertized? Tiamat is definitely a great band to listen to if you like slow and dark music. It's not as heavy as Wildhoney, but it carries much much much more weight and wreaks twice as much havoc. Oh yeah, and they do a great cover of the Rolling Stone's "Sympathy for the Devil" on their new disc too. Definitely worth checkin' out if you haven't already.

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  Submitted by Sickness718 (1/6/01):
  1. Deftones - White Pony
  2. Mudvayne - L.D. 50
  3. Lynn Strait Tribute
  4. Soulfly - Primitive
  5. Pantera - Reinventing the Steel
  6. Iron Maiden - Brave New World
  7. Disturbed - The Sickness
  8. NIB II

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  Submitted by Auggs (1/6/01):
  This has been a fuck of a year for metal, since lots of amazing bands have put out amazing records, and although many are to be left out, here are my top ten:

  10. IRON MAIDEN'S BRAVE NEW WORLD
  After their previous album (that in my opinion was 100% awful) they came back with fury to make the very good album that BNW is. It isn't the best Maiden album ever but it shows an experienced band doing what nobody can imitate and doing it good.

  9. NILE'S BLACK SEEDS OF VENGEANCE
  This band is a non-stop death metal attack and this album is pure, fast and relentless death metal. Over and out.

  8. IN FLAME'S CLAYMAN
  Even though there isn't a bad IF release so far, I have felt all of them to be rather stale and monotonous and always under the shadow of their great The Jester Race. Excellent album but more of the same.

  7. VADER'S LITANY
  The fastest and most aggressive album of the year. Brutal, fast, played to perfection, incredibly technical and accurate. Amazing!!

  6. HYPOCRISY'S THE ABYSS
  Peter is amazing, every song he writes and puts his fingers on turns out to be something amazing. Not as good, in my opinion, as their previous release but a more than excellent release.

  5. THE CROWN'S DEATHRACE KING
  An amazing release that makes you go fucking nuts with their catchy fast riffs and rock & roll death metal. An amazing band with an amazing talent.

  4. DARK TRANQUILLITY'S HAVEN
  The best Gothenburg band that exists. Thought they may never come out with an album as good as The Gallery or The Mind's I ever again, they are always moving forward, innovating and making beatiful, heavy releases. Perfect!!

  3. CRADLE OF FILTH´S MIDIAN
  I have heard that they were not as musically complex as with previous releases and that their music was more tuned down. I don't know, but with songs as good as "The Ghost in the Fog" and many others, this turned out to be an amazing album. COF goes on.

  2. NEVERMORE'S DEAD HEART IN A DEAD WORLD
  This is probably one of the strongest, most talented and musically enjoyable bands out there. Their music is just done without a flaw and it always stays mesmerizing. Another amazing release from an amazing band.

  1. MORBID ANGEL'S GATEWAYS TO ANNIHILATION
  First of all, cause its Morbid Angel, the best band there is. Second because they are not afraid to evolve and try different approaches with every album. Third because this is the best death metal album of the year and the best album of the year. I am a MA fucking fanatic and this guys do everything right. With the talent in Trey and Pete alone, I dont see how you could go wrong. A milestone!!! Amazing!!

  Also other albums that have to be mentioned:
  Enslaved's Mardraum
  Borknagar's Quintessence
  Shadows Fall Of One Blood

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