Rock Realms - The Rock Realms Awards 2000-2009

THE ROCK REALMS AWARDS 2000 - 2009

There's no doubt the Noughties produced some stonking albums, but there is a definite lack of all-time classics. The top albums here are exceptional, but the quality drops down to merely 'bloody excellent' surprisingly quickly.

Runners-Up are in no particular order.

ALBUMS OF THE NOUGHTIES

WINNER: Journey - 'Arrival'

Arrival marked the 'arrival' of new vocalist Steve Augeri. It also marked the arrival of arguably the most rounded Journey album to date.

2ND: Grand Illusion - 'Ordinary Just Won't Do'

I still can't work out exactly why this album is so brilliant. It's completely over the top and by rights I should hate it...but I don't. Brilliant.

3RD: Chimaira - 'The Impossibility Of Reason'

the absolute definition of what a metal record should sound like. Heavy music doesn't get any more accessible than this. Shame they've turned a bit cack since...

4TH: Halford - 'Resurrection'

Judas Priest without Rob Halford were merely okay. Rob Halford without Judas Priest, on this album at least, was astonishingly good.

5TH: Slipknot - 'Iowa'

I remember sitting there open mouthed the first time I heard this. The first Slipknot album was a pile of messy noise. This one almost redefined what metal should sound like.

6TH: Place Vendome - 'Place Vendome'

Place Vendome is only a side project. On this evidence, if they were a proper band, they would rule the world.

7TH: Pride Of Lions - 'Pride Of Lions'

Almost the perfect melodic rock album, this combination of Jim Peterik (Survivor) and Toby Hitchcock is simply magnificent.

8TH: House Of Lords - 'World Upside Down'

Better than anything they've done before or since, this album catapulted House Of Lords up with big hitters. Another of those releases that sounds like a greatest hits package.

9TH: Sunstorm - 'Sunstorm'

Another project band, and an album consisting of covers and other songs by various writers, yet it flows serenely and boasts s compliment of tracks to die for.

10TH: Various Artists - 'A Tribute To Abba'

Yes, I know it's a compilation album...but it's so good it really does deserve its place here. I don't know anyone who has heard it who doesn't like it. There's nothing else on this list I can say that about.

RUNNER-UP: Tak Matsumoto Group - 'TMG 1'

Who'd have though combining the vocalist from Mr. Big with a Japanese guitarist could make for such a cracking release? I didn't, but I do now!

RUNNER-UP: Stan Bush - 'In This Life'

Bit of a dark horse this one. It's easy to forget just how good it is until you listen to it. It'll make you fall in love with music all over again.

RUNNER-UP: Killswitch Engage - 'Alive Or Just Breathing'

Killswitch Engage are one of the best live bands on the planet. This album proves beyond a doubt they can be bloody handy on record too.

RUNNER-UP: TNT - 'My Religion'

One of the last albums TNT record with Tony Harnell on vocals is also by far and away their best. Every song is a masterpiece.

RUNNER-UP: Voodoo Hill - 'Wild Seed of Mother Earth'

Glenn Hughes is the master of funk. Who'd have thought his voice would sound so good with a background of heavy metal? Oh how we love this album!