Making these retrospective Top 10 album lists has been quite the wild ride. Not only do I get to showcase my occasionally controversial personal bias (You got me!), but I get to look back on the state of the metal scene at a particular point in time, what trends were occurring within, etc. And I must say, when compiling the 2004 list, something struck me immediately. This year, more than ever, the veterans were out for blood. It was high time to strike back after a near decade reign of nu metal, and boy did these bands do so. Without further ado, here are our Top 10 Metal Albums of 2004.
10. Hirax – The New Age of Terror
Thrashing its way to #10 on our list is Hirax’s comeback album, The New Age of Terror. Despite forming alongside Metallica, Slayer, Exodus, and pioneering thrash metal, Hirax never achieved the fame and fortune of their peers. Their two albums, Raging Violence (1985) and Hate, Fear and Power (1986) never rose above cult status. By 1989, the band was history. Fast forward roughly a decade later and frontman Katon W. de Pena reformed Hirax for a series of reunion shows, which eventually culminated in The New Age of Terror. Those in the know rejoiced. Not only was Hirax back, but they were more hostile than ever. The New Age of Terror is a little under 40 minutes of raw, ripping thrash metal specializing in lethal speed and balls-out aggression. Nearly 20 years later and we’re still giving our necks a workout to this one.
9. Enslaved – Isa
To say Enslaved were on a tear in the early 2000s would be an understatement. The progressive black metal masters had released an album every year except 2002, each album managing to out-prog the last. On their 8th album, Isa, Enslaved concocted yet another mesmerizing collection of otherworldly prog-black suites with emphasis on cutting edge musicianship and hypnotic atmosphere. It’s hard to believe this is the same band of savage vikings who stormed the underground a decade earlier with Frost, although the aptly titled “Return to Yggdrasill” pays homage to these early days. Guest appearances from Darkthrone’s Nocturno Culto and Immortal’s Abbath among others further add to the album’s so-called black metal “cred”. In other words, Enslaved weren’t the only Norwegians with a penchant for the golden age of prog!
8. Nocturnal – Arrival of the Carnivore
Two decades after the likes of Sodom, Kreator, and Destruction first made waves in the underground with their bestial black thrash attack, Germany remained a breeding ground for all things high speed and unholy. Look no further than Nocturnal. Formed in 2000, these Teutonic lunatics drew heavily from their forefathers on their debut assault, Arrival of the Carnivore. From beginning to end, this album thrashes harder than hurricane winds, with no shortage of devilish darkness to boot. The riffage boasts the primitive murk of Venom and Bathory’s debut, while the arrangements and overall delivery screams Germania circa ’85. Whether it be the punkish “Burn This Town”, blistering “Merciless Murder”, cryptic “Temples of Sin”, or any cut in between, there’s no filler to be found on Arrival of the Carnivore.
7. Jag Panzer – Casting the Stones
2004 was as busy a year as ever for Jag Panzer. June of that year saw the release of their long awaited “lost album”, Chain of Command. While there is a case to be made for its inclusion on this list, it is by and large considered a retrospective release, hence why we’re featuring the Panzer’s second release of 2004, Casting the Stones. Their first album of all original music since 2001’s Mechanized Warfare, Casting the Stones most certainly lies on the pompier/prog side of the power metal spectrum. Seriously folks, I don’t know if they were hanging out with Blind Guardian or what, but I’m convinced even Hansi Kürsch was intimidated by the majesty of cuts like “Feast or Famine” and “Achilles”. Not to mention, there’s no shortage of fierce Ample Destruction era throwbacks like “Starlight’s Fury” and “Legion Immortal”. In other words, this is everything you’d want in a Jag Panzer album.
6. Pagan Altar – Lords of Hypocrisy
Pagan Altar was kvlt before kvlt was a thing. The English doom legends were among the earliest purveyors of the Sabbath sound, forming 1978, releasing a scarce demo in 1982, and seldom playing live outside of the occasional sporadic ritual. Yes, you read that last part correctly. Fast forward to 2004 and the father/son duo of Terry (vocals) and Alan Jones (guitars) resurrected Pagan Altar for Lords of Hypocrisy. Originally written and recorded between 1982 and 1984, Lords of Hypocrisy was rerecorded for its proper release some 20+ years later. Touching upon everything from Sabbathian doom and gloom (“The Lords of Hypocrisy”), Wishbone Ash pastoralism (“Sentinels of Hate”), and retro prog exploration (“Armageddon”), Lords of Hypocrisy throws things back to the heavy 70s, when the metal was loud and the rules were nonexistent.
5. TNT – My Religion
TNT were one of the finest bands of the 80s glam metal scene. From 1984’s Knights of the New Thunder onwards, they were absolutely untouchable. The caliber of their songwriting and musicianship was light years ahead of their peers. I’d even go so far to brand them “the Scandinavian Dokken”, if only for comparison. Well, come the late 90s, TNT fell prey to the alt rock bandwagon that so many of their era did, resulting in 2 modern rock missteps. Come 2004, however, they returned like nothing happened with the brilliant My Religion. Every song on this album is pure melodic hard and heavy bliss, each riff and hook searing your very soul. Tony Harnell’s vocals soar with the same angelic finesse they did 20 years earlier, acting as the figurative cherry on top of these arena metal anthems.
4. Brocas Helm – Defender of the Crown
When Brocas Helm released Defender of the Crown in 2004, most answered with one of two responses: “Who?” or “They’re still around?!”. Indeed Brocas Helm were alive and well in the 21st century. Despite being largely relegated as an epic metal relic of yesteryear, the iconic power trio came storming back 16 years after the release of their last album, Black Death (1988), with Defender of the Crown. This no-nonsense collection of epic metal mania boasted all the classic tropes headbangers came to know and love about Brocas Helm in the 80s: wild arrangements, unadulterated heaviness, and fantastical lyricism bordering on the barbaric (“Skullfucker” anyone?). As far as I’m concerned, this album is just as strong as Into Battle (1984) and Black Death, an absolute cult masterpiece. With the bar raised this high, it’s no wonder Brocas Helm haven’t released any new albums since.
3. Motörhead – Inferno
As Lemmy approached his 60th year on planet earth, he remained steadfast in his commitment of fronting the loudest and filthiest band on earth, Motörhead. Their 18th album, Inferno, was proof positive that even in this band’s advanced age, they remained a force to be reckoned with. While Motörhead never released a bad album, there’s no denying that Inferno is stronger than most. In fact, I’d argue it was their finest since Bastards (1993). Every cut on here sticks with the unforgettable ferocity of the band’s late 70s/early 80s heyday, running the gamut from breakneck speed (“Terminal Show”, “Fight”) to swaggering rock n’ roll (“Suicide”, “Life’s a Bitch”). The acoustic “Whorehouse Blues” serves as an unexpected surprise closer for an album chock full of motörcharged metal, but feels oh so right.
2. Exodus – Tempo of the Damned
The greatest reunion album that never was? You better believe it. Exodus’ Tempo of the Damned was initially intended to mark the return of original vocalist, Paul Baloff. This unfortunately never materialized due to Baloff’s unexpected 2002 passing, leading to the eventual return of late 80s vocalist Steve “Zetro” Souza. Considering the last time we heard from Exodus was on their early 90s groove metal misstep, Force of Habit, expectations were high, and let me tell you something: They did not disappoint. Tempo is hands down the band’s strongest album since Bonded. The whole affair is an absolute hate-fest, packed with misanthropic lyrics, brutal drumming, and violent mosh riffs. It’s no wonder cuts like “War is My Shepherd” and “Blacklist” remain staples of their setlist to this day. With 2024 right around the corner, perhaps a 20th anniversary Tempo tour is due? Hmmm…
- Saxon – Lionheart
Nobody in their right mind would deny that Saxon is one of the greatest traditional metal bands of all time. Their career plays out like a denim and leather clad highlight reel. And then, one day, when nobody was paying attention, they said, “You know what? How about we become one of the greatest power metal bands of all time too?” So they did! The influence of bands like Helloween and Grave Digger were present on past Saxon albums, yes, but Lionheart doubled down on these leanings and went for the jugular. How else could one explain cuts like “To Live by the Sword”, “English Man o’ War”, and the immortal title track? This isn’t just the greatest metal album of 2004, but a top 5 album of Saxon’s career, and that speaks volumes. Full your heads with power metal thunder!
Honorable Mentions
- 3 Inches of Blood – Advance and Vanquish
- Aura Noir – The Merciless
- Dio – Master of the Moon
- Lamb of God – Ashes of the Wake
- Power from Hell – The True Metal
Tempo of the Damned is #1 for me. I wasn’t one year into metal (discovered it in the summer of ’03 with Ozzy), and had already come across the album and when I heard “Shroud of Urine” I couldn’t help but bang my head violently. It was my first Exodus exposure ha! I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone that. Fate of Norns, Wintersun and Probot are also great albums from that year, tho I would hear them much later.
I love “Inferno” (2004), but the best since “Bastards” (‘93)? That would be “Sacrifice” (1995), mi amigo.