1. Alexisonfire (Distort)
Screaming and thrashing. Tasty goods. Alyssa Gaukel, Chilliwack BC
Sure the whole screamo thing is becoming cliché, but Alexisonfire are fun and talented. If only the clear vocalist was the lead singer. Craig Martell, Halifax NS
Seeing these boys play in a basement is still better than some big venue any day, but I'll still pay to see them. It's so great to see local talent finally getting the respect they deserve. Amanda Sist, Barrie ON
A wonderful combination of bruising hardcore and searing melodies. Refused may be fuckin' dead, but they have been reincarnated as Alexisonfire. Phil Bardach, Toronto ON
2. Metallica St. Anger (Elektra)
This one leaves all the wannabes in the dust. Rick Lamming, St. Thomas ON
Not since the glory days of Cliff Burton have Metallica's bass lines sounded so damn good. Ben Joseph, Toronto ON
Pure raw rock from metal masters. Robert Moore, Calgary AB
3. The Blood Brothers Burn, Piano Island, Burn (Artist Direct)
A pacemaker on the fritz. Genevieve Bouchard, Montreal QC
The Blood Brothers album is very good, absolutely crazy and chaotic. "Ambulance vs Ambulance" might be the song of the year. Caley Middleton, Kelowna BC
Spastic, disturbed, screamy. What's not to love about this album? Poetically written screeched-out lyrics, although with a dark, disturbed content, over crazy no wave music. Plus, you can dance to it. No really, you can. Ted Berger, Regina SK
4. Every Time I Die Hot Damn! (Ferret)
In a genre where being a straight-faced tough guy is just as important as making good music, ETID do the unthinkable by actually having fun with their songs and lyrics. Insanely technical runs, melodic vocals that are often more frightening than any cookie monster growl, and those brilliantly sarcastic lyrics make Hot Damn! the most rewarding hardcore album of the year. But don't despair, tough guys! There are plenty of floor-shaking breakdowns to keep you fucking shit up all night long. Matt Zagurak, Montreal QC
Very hard, very fast, and that's all that counts. Jay Olsen, Sarnia ON
Every song is a winner, and that's rare to find on an album nowadays. Nick Meyer, Bolton ON
5. Tomahawk Mit Gas (Ipecac)
Patton is the king. Trell Huether, Toronto ON
Duane Denison and Mike Patton hack into Jimmy Page and Tony Iommi's mainframe of heavy metal and change the homepage into something completely bizarre, avant-guard and disturbing. Daniel Sylvester, Tecumseh ON
Mike Patton comes off his extended attention deficit trip to put in some studio time with ex-members of the Jesus Lizard and Helmet. The results are not as riff-oriented as on their self-titled debut, though the sound is way more exploratory and interesting. This is the metal record for people who wish Matmos toured with Slayer instead of Björk. James Missen, Ottawa ON
Patton + another release = golden resume. Greg Jackson, Surrey BC
Screaming and thrashing. Tasty goods. Alyssa Gaukel, Chilliwack BC
Sure the whole screamo thing is becoming cliché, but Alexisonfire are fun and talented. If only the clear vocalist was the lead singer. Craig Martell, Halifax NS
Seeing these boys play in a basement is still better than some big venue any day, but I'll still pay to see them. It's so great to see local talent finally getting the respect they deserve. Amanda Sist, Barrie ON
A wonderful combination of bruising hardcore and searing melodies. Refused may be fuckin' dead, but they have been reincarnated as Alexisonfire. Phil Bardach, Toronto ON
2. Metallica St. Anger (Elektra)
This one leaves all the wannabes in the dust. Rick Lamming, St. Thomas ON
Not since the glory days of Cliff Burton have Metallica's bass lines sounded so damn good. Ben Joseph, Toronto ON
Pure raw rock from metal masters. Robert Moore, Calgary AB
3. The Blood Brothers Burn, Piano Island, Burn (Artist Direct)
A pacemaker on the fritz. Genevieve Bouchard, Montreal QC
The Blood Brothers album is very good, absolutely crazy and chaotic. "Ambulance vs Ambulance" might be the song of the year. Caley Middleton, Kelowna BC
Spastic, disturbed, screamy. What's not to love about this album? Poetically written screeched-out lyrics, although with a dark, disturbed content, over crazy no wave music. Plus, you can dance to it. No really, you can. Ted Berger, Regina SK
4. Every Time I Die Hot Damn! (Ferret)
In a genre where being a straight-faced tough guy is just as important as making good music, ETID do the unthinkable by actually having fun with their songs and lyrics. Insanely technical runs, melodic vocals that are often more frightening than any cookie monster growl, and those brilliantly sarcastic lyrics make Hot Damn! the most rewarding hardcore album of the year. But don't despair, tough guys! There are plenty of floor-shaking breakdowns to keep you fucking shit up all night long. Matt Zagurak, Montreal QC
Very hard, very fast, and that's all that counts. Jay Olsen, Sarnia ON
Every song is a winner, and that's rare to find on an album nowadays. Nick Meyer, Bolton ON
5. Tomahawk Mit Gas (Ipecac)
Patton is the king. Trell Huether, Toronto ON
Duane Denison and Mike Patton hack into Jimmy Page and Tony Iommi's mainframe of heavy metal and change the homepage into something completely bizarre, avant-guard and disturbing. Daniel Sylvester, Tecumseh ON
Mike Patton comes off his extended attention deficit trip to put in some studio time with ex-members of the Jesus Lizard and Helmet. The results are not as riff-oriented as on their self-titled debut, though the sound is way more exploratory and interesting. This is the metal record for people who wish Matmos toured with Slayer instead of Björk. James Missen, Ottawa ON
Patton + another release = golden resume. Greg Jackson, Surrey BC