I listen to a lot of music. So much music that I need to make a much larger list than just ten top picks of 2009. When it comes to the Review Busters I always make sure to post music reviews.

For my top picks of 2009 in the music category I decided to try something different. Each release will get a tiny write up either explaining why it is so good or why it wasn’t as high as it should have been due to its review.

If the write up doesn’t please you then make sure to click on the links to read my thoughts on that release. Trust me there are more than just a few short sentences on some of these albums. Make sure to check back for complete reviews on all these releases.

	25. Amorphis “Skyforger” - It took some time for Amorphis to find the right vocalist and sound but it has paid off. Skyforger takes you down a memory lane with old school Amorphis yet at the same time there is enough new to please fans. There is so much happening on this record it will take you awhile to figure out all of the different genres.
	24. Lamb of God “Wrath” - How could I not put Lamb of God on the list? This groove metal release is a fine example on where the genre stands right now. Heavy as fuck and full of surprise with each listen. Wrath will have your ears bleeds and it might even have you change the way you listen to metal music for years to come.
	23. U2 “No Line on the Horizon” - I forgot about this release at first. No Line on the Horizon came out early in the year and it still held strong throughout the year. U2 came back with a sound that could only be described as old U2. This album could very well be the second coming of the band. I just hope they can continue down this path and not the one where there sound is almost mimicking mainstream music to its very core.
	22. Nile “Those Whom the Gods Detest” - Nile, to me, has always made music that sounded the same, exactly the same. Things changed with the bands sixth studio release, Those Whom the Gods Detest. The Egyptian death metal sound is at top of its game here, bull of blast beats and themes that could very well get you into some Egyptian history.
	21. Converge “Axe to Fall” - Converge has never come close to toping their Jane Doe album. Axe to Fall gets the job done and at the same time it shows to all of those other core bands where the genre came from. Converge started it all. Now pay the band some respect.
	20. Psychostick “Sandwich” - When I first listened to this record I was in love. It had the humor that made Psychostick great and it was heavy as hell. If you ever listened to one of those albums that you adored at first but then had second thoughts then this might be that album. It’s still good but not as good as I once thought.
	19. Slayer “World Painted Blood” - Finally Slayer has made a new album that isn’t all about selling records. World Painted Blood is one of those Slayer albums that gets good with each listen. The riffs are fast and heavy and the songs are full of anger. Thank you for not sucking again Slayer.
	18. Between the Buried and Me “The Great Misdirect” - Between the Buried and Me have finally found their sound. The Great Misdirect will take you down a path full of twists and turns that will make your ears bleed.
	17. HORSE the Band “Desperate Living” - I wasn’t sure if Desperate Living was going to enter my CD collection since I gave up on HORSE the Band. Was I wrong! Desperate Living takes HORSE the Band right back on the same track they use to be on.
	16. Paradise Lost “Faith Divides Us Death Unites Us” - This one almost got away from me. Paradise Lost might have delivered their best record to date. Gothic metal might have a different meaning now but Paradise Lost is giving its listeners the real meaning of gothic metal.
	15. The Black Dahlia Murder “Deflorate” - Two years ago Nocturnal was my favorite album of the year. Deflorate is more than less Deflorate 2.0 but that is alright. Deflorate is still going to kick your ass. The Black Dahlia Murder better amaze us next time around.
	14. Dethklok “Dethalbum II” - Part 2? Don’t worry about the weak album title; Dethalbum II is Dethklok at their finest. Instead of doing the same thing from their first album Dethklok decided to be a more serious death metal band. This album is fucking great!
	13. Killswitch Engage “Killswitch Engage” - They are one of my favorite bands but I have to be fair. As good as the bands second self-titled album is there are better albums. Though, you do have to give the album credit for being the best metalcore release of 2009.
	12. Katatonia “Night is the New Day” - What a good album. It took Katatonia a little time to bring out this album and the wait was well worth it. Right now it might not be that high on my list but if you wait another year there is a chance it could be one of my favorite albums of all time. Night is the New Day has that sound that gets better with each listen.
	11. Scar Symmetry “Dark Matter Dimensions” - The cream of the crop when it comes to melodic death metal this year. Scar Symmetry never disappoints with their releases. Dark Matter Dimensions is one of those albums that will please fans of the genre yet at the same time it is one of those albums that will gain the attention of new fans too.
	10. Tantric “Mind Control” - This is not a joke. Tantric’s latest release came out mid way in the year with not too much buzz since most don’t realize Tantric is still around. Mind Control will make you believe in Tantric again with its all around great alternative rock sound. Listen to it now!
	09. Swallow the Sun “New Moon” - Another album that you might have not released came out. New Moon is the best of the best in the doom metal genre in 2009. The sound is there and the band is going that extra mile by improving their sound.
	08. Mastodon “Crack the Skye” - When I got to this point in my list it was hard to place these albums. Mastodon’s latest album is perfect. Saying this album is less than perfect might cause my fist to hit you. The best way to listen to this album is from start to finish. That way you will truly appreciate Mastodon’s latest masterpiece.
	07. Sonata Arctica “The Days of Grays” - Overall 2009 wasn’t the best year for power metal but that does not mean Sonata Arctica’s latest release, The Days of Grays, is bad. This album stands out as a classic, featuring the best from the band with a darker side to the power metal genre. Well worth a listen and a purchase.
	06. 30 Seconds to Mars “This is War” - Third times the charm for 30 Seconds to Mars. Jared Leto can’t screw up his band, it is that simple. This is War will grab your attention from the very start and it will have you repeating the album at least one more time after the first listen. It is that good of an album.
	05. Rammstein “Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da” - 2009 might have been the year for come backs with metal music. Rammstein came back with another great album. Most people paid attention with the bands hardcore sex music video but that was enough to get the album out to the masses. Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da has one of the best music videos and it also features some of the bands best work since their debut release.
	04. Baroness “The Blue Record” - Baroness wowed us with The Red Record and now they are doing it again with The Blue Record. These guys know how to make music. The Blue Record will delight those who are willing to go on an adventure with their ears.
	03. Heavenly “Carpe Diem” - This last minute release got enough play time out of me that some of these other records on my list. Power metal music might have slipped in 2009 but Heavenly made sure that the genre is still alive. Along with the excellent production on the album, Carpe Diem demonstrates the band at their peak real well from the range of vocals to the over the top instrumentation.
	02. Creed “Full Circle” - Critics were way too harsh on Full Circle. The album is not like anything else from the band, which is why it scared most people. Full Circle starts out real heavy and it only lets down at the times when the band is going with a softer song. There is a reason why this was my second pick of 2009. Make sure to check it out.
	01. Burnt by the Sun “Inside Heart of Darkness” - My favorite album of 2009 is also the last full length record from grindcore act Burnt by the Sun. I never thought the band could top their first EP release but they proved me wrong here. Inside Heart of Darkness has everything you ever wanted from this kind of music. It is just a real shame this is the last album from Burnt by the Sun. At least they ended on a high note.