BEST OF 2012...MUSIC

A down year in music overall for me. Nothing super extravagant really stuck out - a lot of good to nearly great albums/releases...here's to hoping 2013 can regain some strength.

#11 Advent Sorrow - Before the Dimming Light EP
Standout Tracks: The Wraith in Silence / Insidious Memories

Debut EP from this Australian band. Good black metal release...looking forward to more from them!

#10 Skyfall Original Soundtrack - ADELE and Thomas Newman
Standout Tracks: Title Song / The Chimera

This will go up the list most likely the more I listen to it. A nice and varied soundtrack.

#9 Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth
Standout Tracks: Tattoo / She's the Woman / Stay Frosty

There was no way after all this time that this could be good. Well it was...and then some. Only wish Michael Anthony had been on bass but all things considered, this was an achievement.

#8 Big Wreck - Albatross
Standout Tracks: A Million Days / Albatross

Ian Thornley got the band back together! One of the most underrated groups on the last 10-15 years.

#7 Prometheus Original Score by Marc Streitenfeld
Standout Tracks: Engineers / Life / Hammerpede / Collision / A Friend From the Past

Worried at this relative unknown scoring such a big film. An excellent result - very atmospheric and mysterious - perfect for the images we see on screen.

#6 Testament - Dark Roots of the Earth
Standout Tracks: Dark Roots of the Earth / True American Hate / Animal Magnetism

Not the revelation that The Formation of Damnation was, but this still rips. Incredible thrash album.

#5 Down IV - Part I - The Purple EP
Standout Tracks: Witchtripper / Open Coffins

Phil and Co. unleash the first part of their scheduled 4 EP juggernaut. I just wish there was more here.

#4 The Dark Knight Rises Soundtrack by Hans Zimmer
Standout Tracks: A Storm is Coming / Underground Army / The Fire Rises / Despair

Zimmer continues his masterwork with the Dark Knight's final film in Nolan's trilogy. Can't wait to hear a complete version of this with more tracks.

#3 The Raid Redemption - Soundtrack by Mike Shinoda and Joseph Trapanese
Standout Tracks: The Arrival / We Have Company

My favorite soundtrack of 2012. So much badass action fight music on here.

#2 Gojira - L'Enfant Sauvage
Standout Tracks: Explosia / The Wild Healer / Mouth of Kala

Best new metal album of 2012 hands down. Slams and destroys.

#1 Pantera - Vulgar Display of Power 20th Anniversary Remaster
Standout Tracks: THE WHOLE DAMN ALBUM

20 years later and it is still perfect from beginning to end. Throw in an extra vault track and this is my favorite album of 2012. It's really not even close.