Top 5 Albums of 2013

Well that time of year has come around again! Before we exit with a festive cheer I thought I would reveal my top five albums and singles of 2013! So without further ado here are my top albums of 2013!

5) Amaranthe – Nexus        

To kick off my top 5 albums is the album Nexus by Swedish/Danish metalcore group Amaranthe. Being well known for mixing melodic pop with death metal is the reason why this band are a personal favourite of mine. The album has a versatile collection of songs from the heartfelt Burn With Me to the upbeat Electroheart I think 2014 could possibly be their year. The album includes a beautiful acoustic rendition of their enchanting ballad Amaranthine.

4) Alter Bridge – Fortress   

At number four is the fourth studio album from the almighty Alter Bridge. This was one of the anticipated rock albums of the year; this masterpiece from the Florida rockers entices you within the first few seconds of opening track Cry Of Achillies and it invites you to listen on to some killer sounding tracks such as Addicted to Pain, Lover and Waters Rising. A spectacular arena tour featuring their friends from Shinedown and Halestorm accompanied this epic album.

3) Bad Pollyanna – Monstrous Child                     

I originally saw this band on a friend's Facebook page. After hearing Hollow for the first time I was blown away at first listen so my expectations of the album were high. Those expectations were exceeded as it opened with Hollow and Awake Now; the amazing melodies, unusual instrument arrangements and the spectacular vocals provided by Olivia Hyde give Bad Pollyanna’s Monstrous Child a fantastic package for a fantastic album.

2) New Device – Here We Stand    

Coming in at number two is the second studio album Here We Stand from New Device. Due to line up changes there was at least a three-year wait for this album from the London rockers but it was most certainly worth it. The album is great pick me up for when you are feeling down; this is demonstrated through songs such as singles Here We Stand and Save Your Life as well as my personal favourite song on the album End Of Hope. So if you like beautifully clear vocals, talented guitarists and rolling drums than this is the album for you.

 1) Heaven’s Basement – Filthy Empire     

At number 1 is Heaven’s Basement’s debut album Filthy Empire. 2013 has possibly been a great year for rockers Heaven’s Basement and this album is crucial evidence. From the profound acoustic ballad The Price We Pay to the high energy I Am Electric this album has innovative and genuinely brilliant rock songs to suit every mood under the sun. Everyone has an album in their collection that they can listen to from start to finish over and over again without growing bored; well Filthy Empire has become that album! Making it my number one album of 2013!

Amaranthe - Amaranthe

I couldn't wait til tomorrow to write a post about this album because it is that good and I may have found another band that fits Tuomaslotte's Bands Of 2011 and Albums of 2011 lists perfectly. I found this album on Spotify under recommendations so I thought 'Why not, I'll give it a listen". On the first listen I was very taken aback by the screamo vocals but once I saw how well it fits together with clean vocals I was amazed; I have possibly listened to the first song Leave Everything Behind for about the fourth time today, I love how this dark metal writes very deep, heavy hearted and poetical lyrics but they put it with such catchy melodies....it's pure genius. There was something different about the melodies in this album, nothing like I have heard in previous metal albums; it has the dirty grungy sounds of metal that mixes with 80s synthesisers. A perfect example of this is put into practise via the track Automatic; the verses give off a dirty grungy melody then the chorus sounds very sort of 80s, I think this technique is genius.

Overall a fantastic album from Swedish/Danish melodic death metallers with a variety of songs from the fast paced dirty Hunger to the heartfelt ballad Amarathine; hope they come to the UK to do a show sometime.

Stand Out Tracks:  Leave Everything Behind, Automatic and Amarathine

Find Amaranthe on Facebook and MySpace