My Top 10 Tracks of 2014
What started as a throw-away remark on Twitter has suddenly turned into the content of another blog post on the Blog Of Much Metal. Having explored in great detail my favourite 20 albums of 2014, I happened to wonder aloud about my favourite ten individual songs from last year. The response to my musings was incredible – at least two people replied feigning interest. That’s enough for me; in spite of the rather late timing, it had to be turned into a full blog post immediately!
So, here, in no particular order, are my favourite 10 compositions of 2014…
Evergrey – Archaic Rage
A powerful call to arms that bravely confronts and lays bare one of society’s most stigmatized, feared and misunderstood issues from a very personal perspective. And all this, wrapped up in a sonic tour-de-force; an anthem of epic proportion, capable of sending shivers down my spine every time. A perfect example of why I love heavy metal.
From the album: ‘Hymns For The Broken’
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8B_0p6c1hs&w=560&h=315]
Anathema – The Lost Song, Part 2
Candidates from this album were plenty in number but ultimately, this track had to win. Leigh Douglas sounds angelic atop some subtly gorgeous melodies and the lyrics speak to me directly, allowing me to feel closer to a lost loved through the poignant content. I cry every time I listen. Thank you Anathema.
From the album: ‘Distant Satellites’
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrp3FuxdyHE&w=560&h=315]
Threshold – Autumn Red
It was a toss-up between this, the epic ‘The Box’ and the majestic ballad, ‘Lost In Your Memory’ when it came to Threshold’s entry in this list. However, thanks to some chunky riffing, a greater progressive sheen, strong hooks and some killer vocals from Damian Wilson, this has rightly come out on top.
From The Album: ‘For The Journey’
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTCT1ixm7VM&w=560&h=315]
Distorted Harmony – Every Time she Smiles
The first time I heard this song, my jaw hit the floor. Distorted Harmony had moved from being a Dream Theater clone into a unique force in their own right. The remainder of the album slays but this track had the biggest impact. Blazing fury one second, sophisticated quiet melody the next; challenging complexity but with an intermittent groove capable of moving statues.
From The Album: ‘Chain Reaction’
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf0W1bQbuLw&w=420&h=315]
Haken – Crystallised
With music like this, it’s not hard to see how a 3-track EP made it into my Top 20 albums of 2014 list. ‘Crystallised’ contains everything that I want from Haken and progressive music in general – Nearly 20 minutes of epic, melodic, challenging and occasionally bonkers magnificence. Perfect.
From The EP: ‘Restoration’
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk9Wk96yzBY&w=560&h=315]
Lunatic Soul – Gutter
One of only a couple of tracks in this list that don’t feature somewhere in my top 20 albums list. This particular track is a moody and rather intense atmospheric composition that grabbed my attention thanks to some inspired vocal melodies in the chorus. Riverside’s Mariusz Duda has never sounded so compelling. Try as I might, I can’t stop listening to this song, it’s fantastic.
From The Album: ‘Walking On A Flashlight Beam’
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey9AtjiKxeg&w=420&h=315]
Sólstafir – Lágnætti
I don’t think there is a better band than Sólstafir when it comes to conveying the rugged and isolated beauty of Iceland. This is the opening track of the album and it sets the scene wonderfully. Beginning quietly and serenely, it eventually explodes into a powerful driving rock crescendo that’s breath taking.
From The Album: Otta
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8n8Uy5KmvU&w=560&h=315]
Voyager – The Morning Light
If you’re looking for a piece of music to get the blood flowing and to cheer you up, this could be the song for you. Melodic progressive metal has never sounded so good thanks to a blend of giant hooks, big riffs, powerful vocals and an unashamed pop sheen. This is the Voyager blueprint and ‘The Morning Light’ is their finest hour.
From The Album: ‘V’
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnipNC-GS4E&w=560&h=315]
Flying Colors – A Place In Your World
I have chosen this track as it is rather symbolic of my increasing love for progressive rock, particularly the kind that has a classic 70s feel and slight pop element to it. ‘A Place In Your World’ stands out thanks to a combination of undeniable technical prowess, suble complexity and hooks both vocal and instrumental that make a single listen impossible.
From The Album: ‘Second Nature’
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQmfWxGnCis&w=560&h=315]
Nothing More – I’ll Be Ok
One of the big surprises of 2014. On an album of brilliant modern melodic rock/metal, ‘I’ll Be Ok’ is my standout moment. It is a genuine slab of properly emotional music that doesn’t come across as vacuous like many of Nothing More’s peers. Oh and it has a hook-laden chorus to die for.
From The Album: ‘Nothing More’
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weKWC2yjsrU&w=420&h=315]
