It’s that time of year again where the Rocksins staff pick their great, good and not so good from the past year. First up this time around is James.
1) Album of the year: Chapters – The Imperial Skies
I reviewed this earlier this year, but in short its one of the best progressive metal albums released in the past few years. Ferocious riffs, disorientating time signatures and even a Pink Floyd-esque song in the middle, this album has it all. For fans of ‘…and Justice For All’-era Metallica and Death. You can read the review of The Imperial Skies on this link right here.
2) Song of the year: The Defiled – Unspoken
Definitely feels like the best thing The Defiled have done yet. Huge chorus, huge riffs, huge synth lines. Just perfect.
3) Gig of the year: Crossfaith – Camden Underworld
Just, wow. Crossfaith are one of those bands you’ll be constantly told are brilliant live, but it’ll take seeing them live for it to really hit just how good. A high octane (and volume) performance in one of London’s best venues. Read the review of this awesome gig right here.
4) Festival performance of the year: Gojira – Bloodstock Festival
Despite missing all their equipment Gojira borrowed enough to blast through a devastating set, complete with guest vocals courtesy of Randy Blythe which saw more than a few members of Team Rocksins lose it in the pit. Read our Bloodstock review of Gojira (as well as the rest of that day, here).
5) Video of the year: Black Chandelier – Biffy Clyro
Delightfully odd, Biffy can still conjure up gargantuan vocal hooks as proved to go with this video:
6) Most disappointing album of the year: Bullet For My Valentine – Temper Temper
The best song on this album was Tears Don’t Fall Part Two. Enough said….
7) Band of the year: Biffy Clyro
From hitting number one in the UK charts with double album – ‘Opposites’ to selling out the 02 arena and producing a, by all accounts festival stealing performance at Reading festival this has been Biffy Clyro’s year without a shadow of a doubt.
