1. Slayer God Hates Us All (American)
Anger and emotion as only Slayer does best. A return to form. -Ronald Smith, Kingston ON
After all these years this band has put out an album filled with more anger than I thought was possible. -Shaun Cowan, Calgary AB
When Slayer played here, random scaries kept yelling "Slayer!" in the streets. Yikes. -Stephen Guy, Montreal QC
2. Tool Lateralus (Volcano/Zomba)
Without these guys metal would be dead in the water. -Nathan Terry, London, ON
If all heavy music was as unique and brilliant as this, I would have a new favourite genre. -Neil Brewer, Fredricton NB
Wakes me out of deep sleeps and makes me want to dance. -Roberta Ferguson, Winnipeg MB
3. System Of A Down Toxicity (American)
Just when I thought that mask-wearing lunatics would take over the world, here comes a band that relies on its skills instead of theatrics. -Andrew Keachie, Sault Ste. Marie ON
A clever mix of "rhaugh blaugh!" heaviness, erratic NoMeansNo ramblings and gorgeous melodies that can be listened to over and over and over again without sounding tired or annoying or unoriginal. -Natalie Vermeer, Chilliwack BC
4. Converge Jane Doe (Equal Vision)
Ouch! I like the screaming! -Derek Clark, Calgary AB
Emotive, powerful, crushing and utterly new metalcore that pushes the limits of what we consider loud and hard. Trevor Stark, Burlington ON
5. Fantômas The Director's Cut (Ipecac)
Only in the mind of Mike Patton can he interpret these movie songs, successfully adding truthful lyrics. The album sounds original while at the same time capturing the essence of classic Mancini and Morricone. Simply put, a masterpiece. -Jamie Regier, London ON
Who knew that Mike Patton would get better after Faith No More. -Jared Mcketiak, Winnipeg MB
Anger and emotion as only Slayer does best. A return to form. -Ronald Smith, Kingston ON
After all these years this band has put out an album filled with more anger than I thought was possible. -Shaun Cowan, Calgary AB
When Slayer played here, random scaries kept yelling "Slayer!" in the streets. Yikes. -Stephen Guy, Montreal QC
2. Tool Lateralus (Volcano/Zomba)
Without these guys metal would be dead in the water. -Nathan Terry, London, ON
If all heavy music was as unique and brilliant as this, I would have a new favourite genre. -Neil Brewer, Fredricton NB
Wakes me out of deep sleeps and makes me want to dance. -Roberta Ferguson, Winnipeg MB
3. System Of A Down Toxicity (American)
Just when I thought that mask-wearing lunatics would take over the world, here comes a band that relies on its skills instead of theatrics. -Andrew Keachie, Sault Ste. Marie ON
A clever mix of "rhaugh blaugh!" heaviness, erratic NoMeansNo ramblings and gorgeous melodies that can be listened to over and over and over again without sounding tired or annoying or unoriginal. -Natalie Vermeer, Chilliwack BC
4. Converge Jane Doe (Equal Vision)
Ouch! I like the screaming! -Derek Clark, Calgary AB
Emotive, powerful, crushing and utterly new metalcore that pushes the limits of what we consider loud and hard. Trevor Stark, Burlington ON
5. Fantômas The Director's Cut (Ipecac)
Only in the mind of Mike Patton can he interpret these movie songs, successfully adding truthful lyrics. The album sounds original while at the same time capturing the essence of classic Mancini and Morricone. Simply put, a masterpiece. -Jamie Regier, London ON
Who knew that Mike Patton would get better after Faith No More. -Jared Mcketiak, Winnipeg MB