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I have recently seen a lot of lists compiled by various magazines/websites of top 10 this, top 10 that, and felt compelled to comment on one in particular that raised my hackles.
OK, so I love a good list as well as the next person, but for a record label to do a top 10 of their greatest albums of the century is treading on dangerous ground. We have to remember in these cases, most people have a short memory and tend to vote for albums that were released in the last few years...or worse still to vote just for the most commercially successful, because, let's face it...that's what it boils down to...a popularity contest.
Have any of you actually seen Roadrunner Records top 10 albums of the century? I mean, Within Temptation on there twice, but no Fear Factory, Devildriver or Sepultura to name just a few that came to mind. Seriously?
For those who have yet to see this abomination, here it is:
http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/roadrunner-reveal-their-top-ten-albums-of-the-century/#comment
To me, lists like this are not only redundant, but are also counter productive as they undermine a huge part of the label's roster and raise the ire of long time supporters..
Of course, everybody has an opinion, but even the most casual Roadrunner fan can see that the list is a waste of time. I am, and always have been a big fan of RR, but I have to admit that I feel let down and disappointed by a "commercial" list such as this, when the label has such a rich history of releasing quality metal.
On that note, I will now contradict myself and publish MY top 10 Roadrunner albums ever....in no particular order, of course....and I expect I have omitted something obvious.
1. Devildriver - Pray For Villains
2. Sepultura - Roots
3. Fear Factory - Obsolete
4. Machine Head - The Blackening
5. Cradle Of Filth - Thornography
6. Deicide - Once Upon The Cross
7. Downer - Downer
8. Trivium - Ascendancy
9. Killswitch Engage - Alive Or Just Breathing
10.Megadeth - Th1rt3een
Even just trying to get down to 10 classic RR albums by 10 different artists was tough and meant not including bands such as Soulfly, Dream Theater, Slipknot, 36CF, Opeth, Murderdolls, Korn, and so on.
Although you may not agree with my choices, I don't imagine there are too many people reading this (obviously!) who would say that the list voted for by the "fans" on the website is more accurate and representative of the label than mine...and that is not arrogance (ok, a bit), but is just a matter of metal history, fact and respect for the bands and the fans that made the label the success it is today.
Edit: Before any pedantic smartarses point it out, I have realised that the RR list is since 2000, whereas mine is all time, but even taking that into account their list is poor. Besides, Why call it "Albums Of The Century" if it's just from 2000-2011?
