Falconer - Grime vs. Grandeur. Had this album been released by any band other than Falconer, this would have been a year's highlight and attracted massive attention. But it was Falconer -- and the Blad-less Falconer at that -- so people gave it all kinds of shit. I think it's a great album. It would be great if the band rerecorded both Gobel albums with Blad.

Midnight - Sakada. One of those weird-ass things that I just *get* but nobody else seems to. Sure, it turns to shit closer to the end ("The Cat Song" is likely the worst thing that Midnight ever sang on, that includes a start-to-finish turd known as Strange and Beautiful) but six of the first seven tracks are all music to my ears, and it ends on a high-note with the rerecorded "Painted Skies," featuring Jon Oliva.

Overkill - ReliXIV. Yes, it sounds like ass, especially after the crystal, crispy KillBox13. But the songs are all excellent: starting from Track 3 and on. "Loaded Rack," "Bats In The Belfry," "Pound of Flesh," etc. And it's got the best Overkill closer ever: "The Old School" (the only track from this album they still play).