2002 in my own words (or how the Dragon was reborn)

2002 should have been the year of the dragon according to the Chinese horoscope in my opinion, but in reality it was the year of the horse. This was the year when Dio released »Killing The DRAGON«, Dream Evil released »DRAGONslayer« and Rhapsody released »Power Of The DRAGONflame«. Bands such as DRAGONland and DRAGONheart came out with new albums as well.
Probably 2003 (the year of the goat) will continue this trend as, for example, DRAGONforce are already set to release new stuff.
 
What do I actually want to say about all this DRAGONstuff? Well, first of all Metal is back! And when Power Metal is growing stronger and stronger, we get lots of references to the 1980's. The songs are more about science and fiction than reality again, and maybe that is what Metal should be about. A moment to relax your brain and just dream away to the mystical landscapes described in the lyrics!
 
2002 was also the first year for our site Daylight Suffering, and my start as a CD reviewer. I have listened to lots of new stuff this year, maybe more than healthy, but hey, Metal rocks, right?
 
Metal is back after some weak years and all I can wish for is that the future will keep a big place for all good bands out there!
 
2002 was a great Metal year in my opinion. After a weak year in 2001, my hopes were not set high, but Dream Theater kicked off the year in a magnificient way already in January. After that the standard was set. And knowing that classic acts like Dio, Manowar and HammerFall were going to release new records just made you wonder how much you actually could expect.
 
Writing a top 10 list of the best albums this year was kind of tricky. Lots of releases to choose from, but I had to choose from the ones reviewed at Daylight Suffering, and after some thinking and listening the choice was done. Number 1 - 3 wasn't so hard to choose, but the order of the next 7...
 
1. Dream Theater - Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence (as close to a perfect album you can come)
2. Freak Kitchen - Move (a real delight to hear)
3. Entwine - Time Of Despair (melancholy and melody in a great mix)
4. Mob Rules - Hollowed Be Thy Name (a collection of great songs)
5. Paradise Lost - Symbol Of Life (their best in years)
6. Wolf - Black Wings (Iron Maiden for the 21st century)
7. Dio - Killing The Dragon (Dio is always Dio)
8. Silverchair - Diorama (talented kids)
9. Avantasia - The Metal Opera Pt.II (some of the best singers together on one album)
10. W.A.S.P. - Dying For The World (Blackie is underrated)
 
/Mårre