I've realized I've been on GameSpot a lot recently.

Guess I'm back, then.

Yippee.

I'm back for one blog, one special blog, one awesome blog. About albums and music. Specifically, the top 10 albums of 2012. The albums that are the best of the best and don't suck.

Rules? No EPs or mixtapes or collections, just albums. And they needed to have come out in 2012. Which is the best album this year? You shall find out in this list!

PS: This is opinion. If you don't like it, then whatever.

Moving on and on and on. But first tip: to best avoid spoilers of what's next on the list, don't be scroll happy.

-

-

#10: Nine Lives (Deuce)
Released April 24th
Worth-listening: America, Help Me, The One

Hollywood Undead said farewell to their clean vocalist, Deuce, sometime in 2010. Reasons? Who cares, because Deuce now has a solo album out, and it's awesome (Hollywood Undead's next album barely misses 2012 and comes out in January 2013. Sadness). His songs have a varying range of rock-rap, some with heavier rock influences (such as America) and some having more rap than rock (such as Help Me), but it all is done brillantly. From the party-sex-rock anthem Let's Get it Crackin' to the "f*ck you" song Nobody Likes Me, he brings out the greatness he has within him that may or may not been help within while he was with Hollywood Undead, and his debut solo album is worth listening.

-

-

#9: The End is Where we Begin (Thousand Foot Krutch)

Released: April 17th
Worth-listening: War of Change, Courtesy Call, I Get Wicked

Christian bands don't necessarily have to be "Yay God love love love" with their songs. Some can provide awesome songs to be enjoyed by anybody, religious or not. Thousand Foot Krutch's newest (independently released!) album brings such awesome, rocking-inducing songs to the masses that will make you jam and such. Songs such as Let the Sparks Fly and Down truly rock, but there are also songs like War of Change that have more a serious tone with more mature lyrics, but still awesome. And, for you h4rdc0r3 Christians who like to mosh with love and forgiveness, there are some subtle Christian themes and stuff in here, but again subtle for those who aren't Christian or just don't want rock and religion to mix, like how some don't want their peas to touch their mashed potatoes.

-

-

#8: Amaryllis (Shinedown)
Released: March 27th
Worth-listening: Enemies, Unity, I'm Not Alright

The 4th album from Shinedown. I wrote a review of this album a few months ago, when the album came out, you can find it if you dig through my blogs. I'm much too lazy to find it for you. Anyway, this album again is a change of style from their previous albums (their albums have always differenciated a bit from each other, which is nice) and brings some pretty heavy songs (including the anti-bullying anthem of awesome Bully and the anger-filled Enemies) with softer but meaningful songs (like Unity, which is about everybody coming together in peace, holding hands). Shinedown is able to please everyone and still not give up on what makes them awesome: hard rock and meaningful lyrics.

-

-

#7: Murdered Love (P.O.D.)
Released: July 10th
Worth-listening: Murdered Love, Higher, Lost in Forever

Another Christian band? Because they're good usually, that's why. P.O.D. not only bring rockin' songs, but they are most notable for being a pretty awesome rap rock act. Pretty awesome rap rock also. Their newest album isn't different, of course, it's still awesome. It's not just some lousy, throw-away rap lyrics, they have some awesome raps that just blend perfectly with their rockin' sound, and especially notable on songs like Murdered Love and On Fire, where the lead singer Sonny Sandoval will completely rip those tracks up. And, like TFK, they can be enjoyed by all audiences; even the faith-intense song Higher is just epic. Give these guys a listen, they will blow you away.

-

-

Intermission to say that I'm not even listening to any albums on this list at the moment. Also, award for best album that I heard this year that didn't come out in 2012 goes to "All for What" by A Broken Silence, which came out in 2009. Runner-up is "American Capitalist" by Five Finger Death Punch, which came out in 2011.

-

-

#6: The Connection (Papa Roach)
Released: Oct 2nd
Worth-listening: Still Swingin', Before I Die, Silence is the Enemy

If you don't know who Papa Roach is, then you either lack the ability to hear, or have been decorating your rock. Unfortunately, JonTron lost a rock, so you may have lost your home. But fortunately, I can tell you about this album and why it needs your ears. Inspired after the lead singer Jaccoby Shaddix went into a depressive state, the album goes pretty intense with the songs and their meaning and lyrics. Before I Die is a song about how he shall live for the loved one despite what may have happened, and Not That Beautiful being his angst towards her and how he refuses to deal with her sh*t, but then there's stuff like Still Swingin' which is the anthem of never being kept down and how we will always be still swinging! Plus, the album has a slight bit of dubstep influence in it (don't worry dubstep haters, it's very minimal and won't interfere with your rock awesomefest!) and makes the album pretty awesome. Give it a listen.

-

-

#5: Transit of Venus (Three Days Grace)
Released: Oct 2nd
Worth-listening: Sign of the Times, Expectations, Misery Loves my Company

Remember back in May (or June, I dunno) there was that transit of Venus thing everyone was talking about? The day it happened, Three Days Grace revealed the name of their album. That's not really relevant to the album's songs I think, just a coolish name. But the songs are awesome. The band goes in a different direction than with previous albums, and it turns out very, very well. They bring out some great rock-spirited tunes that have great lyrics and great use of instruments and just combine so well like apples and more apples. You got songs like Expectations basically saying "f*ck you expectations" and Misery Loves my Company with how you shan't be ever alone or can't be oppressed so easily with what you have been through, and you have Give in to Me which is... actually, it's just a Michael Jackson cover, but it's a good one! Listen to this now damnit.

Also, the fact that both #6 and #5 came out on the same day and are next to each other on the list is pure coincidence. My friend and I had an argument though over which album was better when they came out, it was funny.

-

-

#4: Lace Up! (Machine Gun Kelly)
Released: Oct 9th
Worth-listening: Stereo, Save Me, End of the Road

The first actually rap-not-rock album on here so far! Now, I was initially on the fence of listening to this album. I was both interested and not interested in this guy, and whether or not I will listen. What made me decide to check this out was when I found M. Shadows and Synyster Gates of Avenged Sevenfold were on the first song of the album (also they released a song for CoD: BlOps 2 and it was a good song), so I decided "This guy has some good songs, might as well. I was mind blown man. Like, this album is truly a masterpiece. He's not some lousy, money 'n' b*tches rapper, he's a true, meaningful rapper. His songs tell a story of his life and struggles, notable on songs such as Invincible and See My Tears, but also has a few other songs that are god damn fun and awesome (especially Stereo). This guy doesn't mess around, he's a great rapper and I predict this guy to continue and tear up those maggots like Lil Wayne and whoever else sells out more than an Apple product on launch day.* LTFU!
*Note: Zman does not approve of Apple.

-

-

Intermission because we are in the top 3 and I will bring you... umm... I don't know. I just wasted your time though. And mine. Sh*t.

-

-

#3: Living Things (Linkin Park)
Released: June 20th
Worth-listening: Roads Untraveled, Victimized, Lies Greed Misery, Lost in the Echo

Everybody knows who Linkin Park is. They have a song playing on every imaginable radio station most likely because of their wide variety of awesome. But people began hating them because they wanted to change styles a bit. This album is still not the style they usually got on their first 3 albums, but it's at #3 for a reason: it's still damn good. So what if it's not super heavy like their older stuff? This is an amazing album, you maggots. Let that one album be, it was a concept album anyway! This one is good though. It still has something heavy in it if you like that (Victimized for example) but even the songs with a bit more electronic rock influence are great songs (like Lost in the Echo or Burn it Down or Lies Greed Misery). So what if it isn't Hybrid Theory 2.0? It's still great and one of the greatest albums this year!

Also I think Linkin Park are fighting to be my fav band, which is currently Aerosmith still.

-

-

#2: House of Gold and Bones Part 1 (Stone Sour)
Released: Oct 23rd
Worth-listening: Gone Sovereign, Absolute Zero, Taciturn, Last of the Real

I became a fan of Stone Sour this year, and for good reason. Corey Taylor, also of Slipknot, brings out the same intense vocals and lyrics, just not as heavy as Slipknot (but still got hard rock in them) and not only make an album, but create a masterpiece. This album has a story to it of a man who must make a life changing important decision that just means everything. But on top of that, the songs don't just tell this story, the songs are just... they go so well together. There's never a moment when you think "this song feels out of place" in anyway, be it miniscule or noticeable. This album is just flowing from song to song and they're perfect. Freaking perfect. What's even better though is that you don't need to listen to each song just so another song makes sense or anything, each song stands on its own but then is combined to blow your mind all over the wall. Stone Sour have created magic here, so listen to this, not that garbage Taylor Swift released the same day that has caught everyone's attention more and god damnit I hate her songs so much, she is the worst artist I've heard. LISTEN TO STONE SOUR PL0x!

Also, one last thing of note for this album: It's a double album. Meaning early 2013 we get ANOTHER Stone Sour album. Another masterpiece possibly. Screw you Swift.

-

-

BEFORE WE GO TO NUMBER 1 let's recap.
Actually, just scroll up and read the names of the albums again and their artists.
NOW WHAT IS NUMBER 1?

-

-

-

MOTHERLOVIN' SLASH.

#1: Apocalyptic Love (Slash)
Released: May 15th
Worth-listening: You're a Lie, Anastasia, Standing in the Sun, One Last Thrill, Apocalyptic Love

Yes, Slash. THAT Slash. Guns 'N' Roses Slash. One of the greatest guitarists ever with his second solo album, which is also a collaborative effort with singer Myles Kennedy who handles all the singing. Why is this number 1? Because it's nothing more than perfect rock. Literally just perfect. This album is perfect. Like, that's it. All the songs will make you rock the hell out, with awesome vocals that completely rock your face off also and never do the songs let up. You never get tired and the songs always remain top-notch high-octane rock. No matter what kind of rock you may listen to, be it modern hard rock or 80s hard rock or punk rock or whatever, you don't hate this album. You don't dislike this album. You don't even find it merely OK. This album is good, great, awesome, outstanding, amazing! It's the rock masters bringing us what we need and why we need it because it's awesome. Hell, you don't even need to like rock to like this album! Just listen to this damnit.

This is the best album of the year. And listen to this album, it's truly amazing and hard to just put it into words.

Now, here's the other 17 albums I've heard this year which are all great and also I recommend.

[spoiler] Aranda - Stop the World: Second album of Aranda, great songs with great lyrics.
Mayday - Take Me To Your Leader: Underground rock-rap band puts a different spin on both rock and rap and brings something new.
My Darkest Days - Sick and Twisted Affair: Awesome album of both fun and deep songs.
Halestorm - The Strange Case Of...: Who says chicks can't sing rock? No one actually, but this album is awesome.
B.o.B - Strange Clouds: A great album from a mainstream rapper who doesn't suck.
The Offspring - Days Go By: Awesome punk with awesome, fun songs to jam to. Would probably be #11 on my list.
Serj Tankian - Harakiri: Songs with political and social messages within, and awesome also.
Reel Big Fish - Candy Coated Fury: F*cking ska.
Flobots - Circle in the Square: The alt rock that brings some interesting songs that have great lyrics.
Slaughterhouse - Welcome to: Our House: Rap group that does what they do well.
Hoobastank - Fight or Flight: A sort-of softer album that has still awesomeness within.
Deadmau5 - Album title goes here: Description of why it's awesome goes here.
Lupe Fiasco - Food and Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album Part 1: Conscious rap with actual MEANING.
Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid m.A.A.d. City: Bringing back west coast rap that is awesome.
Flyleaf - New Horizons: Just awesome.
Aerosmith - Music from another Dimension: F'yea, Aerosmith, bringing awesome rock to awesomeness.
Kid Rock - Born Free: Only good country artist. [/spoiler]

You can probably tell how much time I put into those...

Anyway, that's it. I'm gone for good. Forever. Good bye.

...

...

Except not really. I heard unions were being reformed. Once they do, then I might come back in full force. Until then, I'll just pop my head in a couple times between then.

So, kthnxbai.

One last freakin' gift for you folks here, I'll have a final blog thingy for the best albums of 2012.

When? In a few days. Then I'm gone again forever and ever.

Get pumped.

That is correct, I'm leaving this damned site. It's glitchy, the unions are practically forgotten, and the site has just been slow and screwy. Plus I'm just tired of being here.

I'll come here only for updating the Sonic Music Tournament at SonicSpot, and for posting reviews at TGNGU. Once the tourney is done, I'm out. Maybe I'll return, could be a week, or a couple months, or never.

Other sites and things you can add me on to retain contact with me, if you so wish to do so.

YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/user/zmanrwks
Steam:http://steamcommunity.com/id/zmanrwks
PSN ID: YoismicChaos
3DS FC: 1934-0660-1889
MSN: Zman LikeABoss
Skype: zmanrwks

Good bye all, unless I'm seeing you while I update the SonicSpot tourney or uploading TGNGU reviews.

khtnxbai

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUhOnX8qt3I

Watch it everybody. It is amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh2YFfeUrOA

The song is "Rawkfist" by Thousand Foot Krutch. Just by name and sound, it's an epic song and my perfect theme.

That's really all, except for these few things:

1) Roxie from Pokemon Black 2/White 2 is pretty epic.
2) My TF2 review is up, go read.
3) PYROMANIA

Kbai.

I dedicate this blog to Linkin Park's new album, Living Things, coming out on the 26th. I found a leak >:3

PS: It's a great album.

Anyway, what do I talk about?

Well, I'm actually writing a review as we type!... well, at the moment, it's a blog, but when I'm done with this, I'll continue it! It's on Team Fortress 2. When I'm done with this, I'll soon write a review on Pikmin 2, and you all will see why it's one of my favorite games of all time and why Pikmin 3 is important to me. Time to start reviews again, haven't written one since November. And I'll do it listening to Linkin Park. Maybe some Hollywood Undead and Seether too.

Also, school is about 100% done. I need to do 3 more tests Monday - Wednesday, and then I'm solid. They shall be easy (well, don't know about Spanish...), and then I'm golden for the summer.

Now, for funzies, here's a Kirby Air Ride review I made when I first came here. It's my second (I deleted my first, it was on SMG2), and it's horrible. Enjoy.

Yep. Someone should fix that.

Aww hell yea.

And actual blog I make about recent gaming! Hopefully some will see this. I had 0 comments in my last 2 blogs *sob*

So hi everyone, how are you? Nevermind, I don't care. Anyway, today's blog is video game related. On GameSpot. Blasphemous, isn't it? So, here's how it'sa been going.

Team Fortress 2. I've been playing a lot of that game. Why? Because it's right there, and so fun, and I've improved so much since I first began playing the game when it first went F2P (which has almost been a year now!). At this point, I'm decent or better with all classes. I'm probably best with Pyro, who is easy to learn, yet difficult to master. I haven't mastered, I'm not that good yet, but I'm damn good. Plus I have a rare hat I crafted on him, so get mad. I'm gonna review this game soon, so look out for it. I have a lot to say about the game, that are most likely positive, unless I'm lying now... or in the review...

BTW, my steam account to add me is:http://steamcommunity.com/id/zmanrwks

Next is other games. I haven't touched my PS3 in over a month until yesterday... or the day before... whatever the time zones make it. It's almost midnight at this sentence. Anyway, my brother is addicted to the thing, and bought a metric sh*tton of games I haven't played. This includes Borderlands, Max Payne 3, Batman: Arkham Asylum, and God of War Collection (1 and 2). He also got MW3 and BF3, but I've known for some months (still haven't played either). I myself bought Super Metroid and Majora's Mask today on Wii Shop. I also have inFamous: Festival of Blood.

As to what I've played, I played Borderlands the other day (it's midnight now) as well as Festival of Blood (which I played before, so wasn't new). Borderlands is fun, so far killed Nine Toes (he has 3 balls!), playing as the Hunter. Festival of Blood is fun, and I genuinely enjoy it, but not as fun as the other two in the series. Got to the final chapter, but pissed me off; you are overwhelmed with enemies until you're pushed into a corner with no energy left. Not fun. I'd give the game around 7-8, fun despite some shortcomings.

Yesterday, I played Super Metroid (remember, after midnight since that statement two paragraphs ago!), and it plays like Fusion did, and it's also really fun. I'm somewhere between Brinstar and that first area I forgot the name of... I have Super Missiles! I bought MM, of course, but didn't play yet, nor Max Payne 3, which I will today (Midnight!), as well as MM too (and maybe Metroid Prime soon...). Looking forward to that. I'll play the other games I have eventually. These are priority at the moment.

And of course, as title implies, I've been playing Minish Cap on 3DS, an Ambassador title. What do I have to say? I friggin' love this game. It's just so fun, so enjoyable, so much to check out and explore, it's epic. One of my favorite GBA games. I'm in the Dark Hyrule Castle, gonna take down that maggot Vaati, then go to 100% the game. Got 16 hearts so far, pretty good for first run without seeing walkthroughs or such. If I have to give it a score, it'd be around 9-9.5. So much win. I think I like it more than OoT.

GET THE F*CK AT ME.

Now, I'ma go and work on a TF2 review... after playing TF2... kthnxbai.