WHAT WERE MY FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2005?

1) STRAPPING YOUNG LAD: Alien
After a so-so third album, SYL comes back with a masterpiece of speed and craziness. Just one of the most unique sounding metal records I've heard in quite some time, Devin's managed to perfectly meld the variety of his solo records with the aggression that is Strapping Young Lad.
2) NILE: Annihilation of the Wicked
Nile just can't release a bad record, the pacing of this cd is just masterful, and the songs are inventive without violating the Nile framework.
3) NAPALM DEATH: The Code Is Red...Long Live The Code
Nothing revolutionary, just angry, angry music, and the Jello Biafra's guest appearance is just the icing on this substantial piece of cake.
4) CHIMAIRA: Chimaira
This band had a lot to live up to, and they managed to do fairly well with this their third album. Not as awesome as "The Impossibility Of Reason" but very close.
5) DESPISED ICON: The Healing Process
The chaotic nature of this album, mixed with amazing musicianship has kept me coming back for more.
6) GOREFEST: La Muerte
A fantastic return from a great band. This may have placed higher except it arrived towards the end of the year and so hasn't had as long to make an impression on me.
7) THE RED CHORD: Clients
Like Despised Icon, the shear craziness, speed, and chaotic time signatures makes each listen of this cd a joy.
8) ARCH ENEMY: Doomsday Machine
It seems the band knows exactly how to put a smile on my face, from odd sounding riffs to machinegun double bass, squawks, etc. Again, like SYL's "Alien", a vast improvement over a slightly disappointing previous album.
9) ORIGIN: Echoes Of Decimation
Just over the top speed, while improving on their last album with better production, this album misses a higher spot simply because it isn't anything terribly different from "Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas".
10) CRYPTOPSY: Once Was Not
A great album marred by horrible production, this could have been in the top 3 if it didn't sound so weak. It makes the top 10 for the songs alone.

Honorable Mention:
DEEDS OF FLESH: Crown Of Souls
DREAM THEATER: Octavarium
DREAM THEATER: Official Bootleg: When Dream And Day Reunite
HATE: Anaclasis
HATE ETERNAL: I, Monarch

WHAT WERE YOUR FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2005?

1) STRAPPING YOUNG LAD: Alien
2) NAPALM DEATH: The Code Is Red...Long Live The Code
3) GOREFEST: La Muerte
4) THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER: Miasma
5) DARK TRANQUILITY: Character
6) OPETH: Ghost Reveries
7) MESHUGGAH: Catch Thirtythr33
8) THE RED CHORD: Clients
9) DEEDS OF FLESH: Crown Of Souls
10) ORIGIN: Echoes Of Decimation