2010's Muffinest Albums

Happy New Year, boys and girls. Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for: it's time for the best full-length releases of 2010! It wasn't easy, considering there were so many excellent releases in 2010, but I've managed to pick my top 15. I can't think of a better way to start the new year, so let's get right down to it.

Who will win the coveted title of NMFY's best album of 2010?

15. 36 Crazyfists "Collisions And Castaways"
The Alaska boys of 36CF did it again, improving on everything they'd done in their last album and then some. Hard-hitting metalcore combined with some incredible melodies earned "Collisions And Castaways" a spot on this year's best albums list.

14. Underoath "Ø (Disambiguation)"
Coming up next is Underoath's latest effort. With a new drummer, a new clean vocalist, and a darker sound,  "Ø (Disambiguation)" is definitely their best work to date. Ambient and heavy, the Florida boys have shown that they've got more than enough fight left in them to keep the heavy coming.

13. Conducting From The Grave "Revenants"
Technical deathcore masters Conducting From The Grave have brought the pain once again. The new members breathe new life into the band, and "Revenants" showcases a ridiculous amount of talent and brutality, the likes of which the metal scene needed.

12. After The Burial "In Dreams"
You may be noticing a trend of "bands got new members and suddenly got even better than they were" going on here. Following that line of thinking, we have After The Burial's "In Dreams". Technical, heavy, and melodic, these progressive metalcore masters absolutely destroy with this new album.

11. The Absence "Enemy Unbound"
Blending the best elements of thrash and death metal, The Absence return with their third full-length entitled "Enemy Unbound". This album hits fast and hard and never lets up. With solos that wreck and choruses that will leave you floored, you definitely need to check this one out.

10. Miss May I "Monuments"
Rise Records, you may have noticed, have put out a lot of good records this year, and this one is no exception. Miss May I are back in action with their sophomore album "Mouments". Wicked guitar work, growling vocals, and soaring melodies earned MMI the number ten spot.

9. War Of Ages "Eternal"
War Of Ages have some of the best guitarists I've ever heard. Period. "Eternal" absolutely delivers with some of the best guitar solos on the planet. The addition of clean vocals to a couple songs adds so much depth to the music that this is their best work so far, and well worth a listen.

8. Sea Of Treachery "Wonderland"
Yet another band with new members, Sea Of Treachery are finally back with a new album. And the time and lineup change give the band a much more fine-tuned sound. Clean vocals play a major role this time around, but the heaviness doesn't suffer even a little. Be sure to pick up "Wonderland" and start your year off right.

7. Embracing Goodbye "Rock & Roll Ain't Dead"
You had to know this was coming. Southern metal is too awesome to just ignore. Embracing Goodbye's gritty vocals and crunchy guitars hit hard, and the melodic portions will have you singing along in no time. These southern boys make sure you know that "Rock & Roll Ain't Dead".

6. As I Lay Dying "The Powerless Rise"
Metalcore maestros As I Lay Dying are back in action with their most incredible release so far. It's obvious that frontman Tim Lambesis's time with Austrian Death Machine has done great things for AILD. Don't miss out on "The Powerless Rise".

5. Alter Bridge "AB III"
Mark Tremonti is one of the best guitarists alive, and anything he writes sounds amazing. The downside is that this level of talent takes time to write. Alter Bridge, his latest group, finally released their third album, and it's exactly what we've come to expect from them. Technical and catchy, "AB III" more than earns its place at number 5.

4. The Showdown "Blood In The Gears"
Southern metal masters The Showdown have returned to bring us a thrash infused good time. The pummeling guitars, gruff vocals, and pounding drums will have you out of your seat and moving before the end of the first song. With elements of southern, thrash, and death metal, with just a splash of hardcore, "Blood In The Gears" is one album you won't want to miss.
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Once again, we've come to the top three. These albums absolutely deserve your time. If you can only pick up a couple albums, make sure these three are on your list.
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3. The Word Alive "Deceiver"
The Word Alive's debut album "Deceiver" is a work of art. With soaring guitars, a perfect blend of screams, growls, and melodic vocals, and a brilliant gift for song-writing, TWA put an incredible amount of passion and energy into this album. At number three, "Deceiver" keeps finding its way back onto my playlist, and it'll find its way back to yours, too.

2. Four Year Strong "Enemy Of The World"
Pop-mosh is here to stay, and Four Year Strong are making sure of that. "Enemy Of The World" is a magnificently executed example of this style. Brilliant guitar-work and harmonized vocals make this album a must have for anyone who enjoys good music.

1. Parkway Drive "Deep Blue"
Brutal, technical, and downright heavy, it should be no surprise that Parkway Drive earned the number one spot with their latest effort "Deep Blue". Expanding on the foundations they've built with their first two albums, the Australian metalcore quintet put forth their best work to date. With a world of potential, I can't wait to see what they do next.

The winner of 2010's Muffinest Album of the year!

There you have it, folks - the top 15 albums of 2010. But don't think that this is the best that the music world has to offer. With a lot of great releases slated for this year, 2011 has the potential to be even better. So, farewell to 2010 - thanks for all the metal - and welcome 2011 - may you bring as many great albums as your predecessor. Happy New Year, my fellow muffiners.

2010's Muffinest EPs

In the spirit of the "best of 2010" lists going around, I figured I'd enlighten you folks as to what I believe the best music of the year has been. And, just because there has been so much good music, you fine human beings are getting a double dose! That's right, not only will you get Pawn's favorite full length albums, but first, you get his favorite EPs! Don't you feel lucky?

Who will win the title of Muffinest EP of 2010 and the right to be known as the muffiny king of 2010's EPs?

Now, without further ado, here are my top 15 picks for the best EPs of 2010:

15. Harp And Lyre "Clumsy Architects"Harp And Lyre have been around for a couple years now, and they're really developing their sound. With a rockin' post-hardcore style mixed with a touch of the south and a little bit of chaos, you definitely don't want to miss out on these guys.

14. Same As Sunday "Earn Your Stripes"
Pop-mosh is on its way up, and Same As Sunday are helping to push it as far as they can. A ridiculously poppy sounding vocalist blends perfectly with wicked guitar riffs. "Earn Your Stripes" is well worth a listen.

13. The Wedding "Distance EP"
The boys of The Wedding are back in action after several years of silence with the "Distance EP". The years have only been kind to them, as this is their best release to date. It's good old rock 'n' roll with a heavier edge to it, so don't miss it!

12. Vanna "The Honest Hearts EP"
Vanna has a special place on my iPod, and they always will. They play a fun little blend of punk, post-hardcore, and metal that makes you want to get up and move. "The Honest Hearts EP" is just what the doctor ordered to tide us over until their next full-length.

11. Ten After Two "If You Don't First"
The first of several Rise Records bands to make this list, Ten After Two have some serious potential. This five song EP shows their post-hardcore/metalcore mastery, and I'm very excited to see what they can do with a full album.

10. Rise To Remain "Bridges Will Burn EP"
London based metalcore outfit Rise To Remain have several EPs under their belts, with the "Bridges Will Burn EP" being their most recent effort. With insane guitars, brutal growls, and catchy melodies, you'll definitely find yourself coming back to this one.

9. It Prevails "Findings EP"
It Prevails plays a wicked little mix of metalcore and melodic hardcore, and they play it well. With two full-lengths already under their belt, this three song EP shows that they put just as much effort into the little releases as they do the big ones.

8. The Suit "The Way That We Fall"
Punk rock and metal have never gone so well together. Gang vocals, ripping guitars, and fast paced beats make The Suit's (formerly Midnight Suit) "The Way That We Fall" a very fun listen. This EP is their first effort under the new name, and new sound, and I can't wait to hear what they do next.

7. Messengers "Anthems"
You guys may remember my full review of this EP earlier this year and my high praise of it. With a brutal combination of thrash and hardcore, Messengers have more than shown how talented they are. With a full-length tentatively slated for 2011, next year is gearing up to be just as good for metal as this year.

6. This Fires Embrace "In Transit"Hard rock/metal outfit This Fires Embrace has managed to fly pretty under the radar, despite having already released an EP and a full-length. With nine songs, you definitely get your money's worth, and the guitar work alone is worth the price of admission.

5. Oh Constantine "Into The Beginning"
The Pennsylvania boys of Oh Constantine are amazing, plain and simple. Talented, heavy, and energetic, this EP shows just how devoted they are to not only their music, but also to their faith. With so much potential, I'd love to see them get signed and have the opportunity to get the national recognition they deserve.

4. Like Moths to Flames "Sweet Talker" 
Next up, we've got the second Rise Records band of the list, and they wreck house. With a brutal style of metalcore mashed with post-hardcore, Like Moths To Flames have found a sound that works brilliantly for them. Keep an eye on these boys, because they're on the way up.
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This brings us to the top three. There is a reason these bands are at the top of my list, and that reason is talent, plain and simple. They have shown a level of musicianship and songwriting that should set the bar for every other band out there. If you only pick up a couple EPs this year, the next three are must haves.
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3. My Ticket Home "The Opportunity To Be"
My Ticket Home (Rise Records band number three) released their second EP, and Rise Records debut, and it keeps finding its way back to my playlists. These guys live on the heaviest end of the post-hardcore spectrum, and they've got an incredible gift for the style.

2. Chapter 14 "Like Trees In November"
Currently comprised of Chad Ackerman and Tanner Sparks, both of Destroy The Runner fame, Chapter 14 plays an alternative/metalcore/post-hardcore style masterfully (if you're familiar with DTR, think "I, Lucifer" sound). With DTR on an indefinite hiatus, Chapter 14 has the perfect chance to step into the spotlight - and they have more than enough talent to do so.

1. The Devil Wears Prada "Zombie EP"
Part of me feels bad giving the number one spot to what is basically a joke concept album, but The Devil Wears Prada have progressed to a much heavier and more technical sound than anything they've released to date. Despite the humorous, almost ridiculous nature of this EP, the musicianship is top-notch, and the atmosphere they created with it absolutely earned it the title of THE MUFFINEST EP OF 2010!

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the muffiny king of 2010's EPs

There you have it, boys and girls - Pawn's picks for 2010's best EPs. Stay tuned, up next is the year's best albums, and there are some serious heavyweights in the running.