Bring Back Glam! Picks the Best Albums of 2010

Avenged Sevenfold, 'Nightmare' via Warner Bros. For the first time, the annual Bring Back Glam! “best of” list was compiled as a team effort instead of just based on my opinion. Since 2010 saw the addition of two writers to this site - Christian Graus and Brian Carvell - it's only fitting they get to weigh in with their favorites of the year.

Please note, this list is not all Glam. It's just rock, heavily weighted toward metal bands in general. There was simply too much good Metal in 2010 to restrict this list to only Glam.

So here's the list:

10. 'The Heart' by Jimmy Gnecco – selected by Brian Carvell
09. 'The Final Frontier' by Iron Maiden – selected by Christian Graus
08. 'Blood of the Nations' by Accept – selected by Christian Graus

What does Christian say about Blood of the Nations? This:

“This whole album is classic metal... where real song writing happens instead of just layer after layer of super heavy riffs and growly vocals, as is so common nowadays. Accept have shown they have a lot of good music still in them. If you love traditional heavy metal, then you need this CD, and you should also check out their live show, which is killer."

07. 'Slash' by Slash (and friends) – selected by Christian Graus and Allyson Crawford
06. 'My Darkest Days' by My Darkest Days – selected by Allyson Crawford
05. 'Sting in the Tail' by Scorpions – selected by Allyson Crawford
04. 'Fever' by Bullet For My Valentine – selected by Allyson Crawford
03. 'Infestation' by RATT – selected by Brian Carvell and Allyson Crawford
02. 'Cold Day Memory' by Sevendust – selected by Brian Carvell and Allyson Crawford

What does Brian say about Cold Day Memory? This:

"The collective mind of Sevendust has the ability think in time signatures and syncopation that is far and away ahead of their peers, and this album is pinnacle-to-date of their ability to deliver amazing songs. Cold Day Memory is, by far, the strongest effort to date from a tragically under-appreciated band that consistently excels, both in the studio and as a live act."

01. 'Nightmare' by Avenged Sevenfold – selected by Christian Graus and Allyson Crawford

So how did I determine Avenged Sevenfold deserved the top spot? Easy. There are three albums on this list I personally returned to over and over: My Darkest Days, Cold Day Memory and Nightmare. It was nearly a toss-up for me when it came to Sevendust and Avenged Sevenfold: both bands put on great live shows and Sevendust's live show was my single favorite memory from this year's Shiprocked cruise. That said, the loss of A7X drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan was just too big to ignore. Avenged Sevenfold is simply an amazing metal band. For those that disagree or say they are “kiddie metal” - you're not paying attention. Their songs are technically amazing and the talent undeniable. The guitar solos are something straight out of the 1980s – true talent. While so many modern bands eschew guitar solos, Avenged Sevenfold embraces them. On Nightmare, the listener travels on a roller-coaster of emotions on the dark side of life. While the future of Avenged Sevenfold is in question – the band doesn't have a permanent drummer at this point – one thing is for certain: the band has arrived. Give them some due.

What are your favorite albums of 2010?

In case you are wondering, my favorite song of the year is "Porn Star Dancing" from My Darkest Days.  It's just too fun to ignore!

Want more "best of" lists? Check out the fine blogs below. All will be revealing their picks for the best of 2010 within the next few days!

All Metal Resource — http://allmetalresource.com/

Hair Metal Mansion — http://hairbangersradio.ning.com/

Hard Rock Hideout — http://hardrockhideout.com/

Heavy Metal Addiction —  http://heavymetaladdiction.com

Heavy Metal Time Machine — http://metalmark.blogspot.com/

Imagine Echoes — http://www.imagineechoes.com/

Metal Excess — http://metalexcess.com/

Metal Odyssey — http://metalodyssey.wordpress.com/

The Ripple Effect — http://www.ripplemusic.blogspot.com/

Hard Rock Nights — http://hardrocknights.com/

Layla's Classic Rock — http://laylasclassicrock.blogspot.com/

The Metal Minute — http://rayvanhornjr.blogspot.com/

Comments

[Brian C.]

I totally forgot about Ironbound. I would have nominated this album for the list...

[Christian]

The Ozzy album is actually pretty good. There's a Ratt special edition ? I have a signed copy, but no bonus materials. Airbourne is also obviousy awesome, but in a way that, for me, is far too generic to qualify for 'best'.

[Christian]

I'd have nominated Avantasia for sure if I'd though of it, and Ozzy. There's no way I'd get behind an Overkill album, unless their recent ones are a ton better than their old ones.....

[Metalboy!]

Gotta say, always loved Overkill and still do. The catchiest of that sort of ilk and one of the coolest band logos in Rock'n'Roll History.

OTSK!

Brian L! You are so right! Wig Wam is killer! Forgot them, how dare I! Stick 'em in "Honorable Mentions".

Christian, I love your reviews. They are so dead on. But this statement,"The best ones are the ones that really push the genre"...

Well, what connotes pushing the boundaries? Slash? Accept? I love those records precisely because, IMHO, they don't push the boundaries of the genre, but, rather, are carrying on the torch of what I love about the genre, right along with my top 10!

Though I'm really not that nuts for Bon Jovi, except for like 3 and a half songs, I do get a kick out of these kids (on the list) that do better Bon Jovi songs than the original, case in point, "Murder 101" by Hansel, my vote for best song of the year, as well!

Trust me, Rock'n'Roll People, take my list and the Glam Metal of everyone else's on here and make 'em your Christmas List if you really want to Bring Back Glam!

[Metalboy!]

Christian!

Yep!

There is a special edition of Ratt, "Infested" with a bonus track, "Scatter", that's better than most, if not all, of the album, actually, my favorite track on it! You can get it on iTunes!

[Metalboy!]

Oh, and more to touche your argument about pushing the boundaries...

Ratt?!

Huh-uh-lo-oh?!

"Infestation" is hardly genre shattering.

And that's precisely what I love about it!

Defenders of the Fate, unite!

[Metalboy!]

Ooops!

Defenders of the FAITH, unite!

Argh! I'm lookin' like a real amateur on that one, donchya know!

[Mike]

I understand what Christian is saying when I here that Crazy Lixx album. It's definitely cringe worthy! IMHO.

[Mike]

Metalboy, to err is Human. To arrgh! is Pirate! lol.

[JAT]

1) Sister Sin, "True Sounds of the Underground" - by far the best Album of the year!!!!
2) Accept, "Blood Of Nations"
3) Ratt, "Infestation"
4) Reckless Love, "Reckless Love"
5) Bad City, "Welcome To The Wasteland"
6) Crazy Lixx, "New Religion"
7) Crash Diet, "Generation Wild"
8) Yngwie Malmsteen, "Relentless"
9) Scorpions, "Sting in the Tail"
10) Sin 4 Sin, "7 Deadly"

[Metalboy!]

Hahaha!!!, Mike!

Man, to me, Sevendust is Cringeworthy. I saw 'em on Shiprocked! and, phew, now THAT made me CRINGE!

Still can't figure out why you people insist this is even listenable!

JAT! Honorable mentions to: Sin 4 Sin and Sister Sin!

[Xandra73]

It's always difficult to do a best albums list since no one can listen to all albums of 2010 and therefore has no overview. So I always stick to my personal favorites. :)

01. Kamelot - Poetry For The Poisoned
02. Slash - Slash
03. Pain Of Salvation - Road Salt One
04. Treat - Coup De Grace
05. Star One - Victims Of The Modern Age
06. Seventh Wonder - The Great Escape
07. Scorpions - Sting In The Tail
08. Wig Wam - Non Stop Rock 'N Roll
09. The Murder Of My Sweet - Divanity
10. Pretty Maids - Pandemonium

[Rhodeislandrock]

Good list.....4 of your albums are in my Top 10 at Heavy Metal Addiction.

I couldn't get into that Slash record at all and I thought it was very disappointing, that one made my 5 Worst of 2010.

I'm going to have to check out the My Darkest Days CD because I'm noticing that it's made a few best of lists.

Steve
Heavy Metal Addition
http://heavymetaladdiction.com/

[Xandra73]

Thanks!

You couldn't? I have to say I listened to Slash's new album with no opinion about it at all. It was one of those albums I felt like I should, just to say it doesn't do anything for me. And then I totally loved it. Biggest surprise for me in 2010.

[Xandra73]

Lol. You didn't even mean me, since you referred to Allyson's post, right? But I love your Top30. Great choices!