Rating: 4.5/5
…
While the most Strapping-esque release in the Devin Townsend Project’s four-album series, Deconstruction is a deranged mess (I mean this in a very, very good way) which should be distanced from everything Devin has previously done. If this album doesn’t prove to you that metal is one of the most ductile genres — that is, when in the right hands, and Townsend’s hands are certainly “right” — then I have no idea what will.

The included list of bands are an alphabetical order by band name rather than order of appearance, either on the live show or on my list posted here on MindOverMetal.org… guess you’ll need to listen and/or read up to find out!

I thought continuing the top 13 was a good way to go, but for every album I thought of, a parallel arose. So the list turned out as it did (with top slots held by bands found on few metallic year-end lists). Plus more stuff came to mind in the process—perhaps categories will be in order next year.

It’s only natural to expect something this majestic from one of Emperor’s pillars, but the fact that Ihsahn consistently delivers music of this caliber solidifies his deserved reputation as a leader in not just black metal, but the music world at large.

The first pick for Best of 2010!