Christine: Label Relations Manager

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  Nocturnal Breed — Fields of Rot

  I called out this album back in June, and it's still holding up for me. Thrash has come back in a big way recently, and it's still on the rise, but for my money, Fields of Rot was the little-noticed leader of the pack among 2007's releases. It's got great songs, great lyrics, killer riffs, and even great cover art. Nocturnal Breed has been around for more than a decade, but this release was a long time coming. Perhaps the long wait and underexposure helped to keep this album true to its '80s roots? Maybe it's the Norwegian weather? Who is to say? But why ask questions when it's so damned good? Warning: May induce broken necks.

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  Darkthrone — F.O.A.D.

  As the undisputed kings of the underground, Darkthrone enjoys a certain spot in most metalheads' black hearts. It's hard to find fault with anything Darkthrone releases, whether it's their early death metal release, their genre-defining black metal releases, or their recent punk-influenced/heavy rock-tinged F.O.A.D. Members Fenriz and Nocturno Culto might have changed the style of their releases over time, but one thing is for certain, they remain true to themselves, often in spite of their own livelihoods. They do not play live--for any price--and it's rumored they've been offered hefty sums to do so, yet that's not what it's all about for Darkthrone. Much of the message that comes through on F.O.A.D. is reminding us all what inspired them to get into making music in the first place. Being a fan of Darkthrone might be the measure of how metal you are, but Fenriz will tell you he sold his soul to Manilla Road. And all this time, you thought it was the devil. Favorite track: "Canadian Metal"

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  Shining — V Halmstad

  This is probably my favorite album overall this year. V Halmstad is the kind of album that takes you on a sonic journey, like a film. It's beautifully produced and is best enjoyed from start to finish. One would be missing something just listening to random tracks; it's not that kind of album. Shining incorporates lot of elements that aren't generally found on metal albums (that is, cellos and pianos), and it's very atmospheric without being too ambient. The vocals on this album are in Swedish, but because I only speak English, I am not even sure what the message is; however, it still takes you on an emotional ride that is rather dark yet pleasant. The best way to describe this album is to simply tell you to listen it. It's brilliant. Best time to listen: Sunday night when you are dreading Monday.

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  Melechesh — Emissaries

  Melechesh is a melting pot of nationalities and influences. Originally forming in Jerusalem and later relocating to The Netherlands, the band's inclusion of drummer Proscriptor (Absu) from Texas is what originally got me interested in checking out this band. Melechesh plays a kind of extreme metal based on the indigenous music of the Mediterranean while incorporating Sumerian and Mesopotamian mystical themes. These guys are awesome, and their third release Emissaries is one of my favorites of 2007. Although Proscriptor had left the band prior to this release, Melechesh is still just as good and interesting. They are certainly developing and growing with or without his input. I think these guys are still definitely on the rise and will continue to produce quality stuff that is both powerful and interesting because of its twist on standard themes in metal music. Serve with: Baba ganoush and tabouli.

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  DHG — Supervillain Outcast

  This is an album I really didn't think I'd like, and it did take me a few spins to get onboard, but now I think it's great! Like Shining's V Halmstad, Supervillain Outcast is best enjoyed from start to finish. Tracks on this album can probably stand alone a bit easier than the tracks on the Shining album, but it's still somewhat of a journey as a whole. DHG is another band that's not really using a standard formula (actually, among my choices, really, only Nocturnal Breed is sticking with a standard formula), and I can't really pigeonhole it to a particular style. There are jazz, industrial, noise, and extreme metal elements in the style of this album, and it's really well produced. It's kind of all over the place, and that makes for interesting listening. Given all of the styles incorporated here, I think this release can appeal to a wide range of fans. This is another album that's difficult to articulate in words; just go listen! Good for: driving...but keep checking the rearview mirror or get a radar detector.