Overkill - Ironbound Seeing them live again was awesome. Seeing them live performing the masterworks of Ironbound was a liberating expierience.
Krieg - The Isolationist Maximum madness. I have come to expect a combination of brilliance and brutality from Krieg. Wrest on bass makes this album that much more powerful and star studded.
Dark Fortress - Ylem This album bears the intensity and voraciousness that can match any BM but has the shine and craftsmanship worthy of the score and more.
Note - Top 15 is not in order.
2009 was an excellent year for Metal. I entered 2010 with concerns about how the year could even come close to 2009. I was pleasantly surprised with some outstanding releases descending from Valhalla early in the Spring. It was a really fun first year with MR and I plan on continuing to review good work for all of you. Let's hope 2011 slays as much as the last 2 years, and plenty of great material hits my desk.