Jared Mehle's 2007 Top Ten

  1. 1.
    Horizons Parkway Drive - Horizons

    There was a period of about 3 months where pretty much the only band I listened to was Parkway Drive. Then a couple months later, I spent another 2 months doing the same thing. So for about half this year, I've been listening to Horizons and Killing With a Smile. I think it's safe to say Horizons is my favorite record of the year. The funny thing about Parkway Drive is that they are hardcore kids. None of them are really into metal. Yet their sound is distinctly more metal than it is hardcore. It's always funny to me how musicians often gravitate towards other genres for their own listening tastes. Another thing that perplexes me is how every record Adam D lays his hands on sounds like gold. The man is a metal god. Watch out Lemmy.

  2. 2.
    Wolfbiker Evergreen Terrace - Wolfbiker

    We've waited 2 years for Evergreen Terrace's new album. They've jumped labels to Metal Blade and they sound better than ever. They still couldn't lose the silly song titles on this one, but then again, the names are hardly what matters. Evergreen Terrace has gone with a little bit more streamlined sound this time. There's lots of screaming, but many times it's blended underneath clean vocals. Still, the result is a happy discord.

  3. 3.
    Career Suicide A Wilhelm Scream - Career Suicide

    I don't know why, but every time I hear a new A Wilhelm Scream record, I need to listen to it a whole bunch before I really like it. After that, I can't stop listening to it. Every single one of their records has made my top 10. Bravo guys, you write the most addictive music.

  4. 4.
    An Ocean Between Us As I Lay Dying - An Ocean Between Us

    As I Lay Dying is a band I've followed for quite awhile. To me, nothing quite characterizes metalcore like this band. As the scene continues to change around them, they've remained pretty much the same. The impressive thing about that is they manage to make it sound fresh. While it's pretty much the same recycled breakdowns and melodic choruses, it doesn't get boring. Hopefully As I Lay Dying can continue the trend.

  5. 5.
    Messengers August Burns Red - Messengers

    This album is a balls out, nothing held back metal assault. New vocalist or old, these guys are talented and sound great. Every noodlely run and every breakdown is solid. From the very moment I heard this record, I loved it. No reaching for the skip button. You don't find many records that resonate with you like that anymore.

  6. 6.
    Sending You Strength Means - Sending You Strength

    After playing This Moment to death earlier in the year, it was time to move on to something new. Cue Means' Sending You Strength. They found a way to make the most melodic songs sound amazingly crunchy. Dylan makes you feel every scream. I had the privilege of catching them live this summer. And they're from Canada. Bonus points!

  7. 7.
    For Those Who Have Heart A Day To Remember - For Those Who Have Heart

    I'm such a sucker for a little melody in my metal. And just as they did in 2005, A Day to Remember hit the spot again with For Those Who Have Heart. The lyrics are bubble gum, the breakdowns are generic, and I love every minute of it. For Those Who Have Heart wins the guilty pleasure of the year award hands down.

  8. 8.
    Star Parallel This Moment - Star Parallel

    Every year there's a few releases that I don't even have on the furthest reaches of my radar. Star<Parallel was one of those albums. I have to credit This Moment for turning my ears on to melodic hardcore. Not long after their album was released, the band changed vocalists. I don't like his style as much, but the music is still good.

  9. 9.
    Deliver Us Darkest Hour - Deliver Us

    Ever since I first heard "Payphones and Pills," I've been hooked on Darkest Hour. They can do no wrong. Undoing Ruin was impeccable and I expected the same from Deliver Us. I fully expected to make this one my #1 before I'd even heard a note. Maybe those expectations were too high, because it didn't quite deliver. I just couldn't get into the songs as I had with past Darkest Hour albums. Still, they've shown they can shred harder than most and they remain one of my favorite artists.

  10. 10.
    Eleven: Eleven Underminded - Eleven: Eleven

    Even though they went in a slightly different direction this time, Underminded have penned some downright vicious tracks on Eleven Eleven. 'Great American Sob Story', 'Croatia', and my all time favorite Underminded song, 'F.U.L.B.J.' The constant between albums is Nick's thoughtful lyrics that tackle a whole lot more than high school relationship drama. As a whole, I didn't enjoy Eleven Eleven as much as Hail Unamerican!, but it still gets me pumped up.

Last Updated: 12/20/2009 09:37AM