After much deliberation, quantification, perspiration and anticipation, it is our pleasure to announce to you our top 5 albums from the year 2009. Helping us out with this list is the undisputed queen of live music reviews, Jamie Harvey a.k.a. the Hard Rock Chick. Each day this week we’ll be presenting a new album that we felt deserved some recognition as being one of the best from the Bay Area in ‘09.

This past year, without a doubt, has been the year of the unsigned and independent label. All of those bands out there trying to make a name for themselves had a great opportunity in ‘09. The “big guns” (Testament, Metallica, Exodus,etc.) all either had albums in ‘08, or are expecting albums in ‘10. This year’s list, perhaps sounding a little unpolished in the studio, contains no less proportion of “heavitude” than other lists you might have come across in the past. With that said, let’s get to the list!

Coming in at #5:

Walken - “Walken”

Screaming, thrashing and melodic, with a touch of hardcore and punk is how one would describe Walken. The band’s self-titled album, released in November, showcases the band’s multi-faceted approach to their loudness. We could go on about all the different styles blended into their music, but the review of their album here is probably the most thorough you will ever read.

We were made aware of Walken recently after they played a few shows in the city with some other up-and-coming Bay Area metal bands, asking the obvious question: “What the hell does Walken mean?” Well, we still don’t know, but their website, www.walkenroll.com, might offer some clues. You’ll notice that when a few of the guys aren’t playing in Walken, they’re playing around town in another well known Bay Area band, Grayceon.

Walken have been constantly creating a unique style of metal for the past 10 years. Walken’s music combines various genres and styles off music resulting in an eclectic blend of metal. Taking heavy bluesy metal paired with classical melodies, Walken creates high energy sporadic songs.

For an unsigned band, Walken seem to have quite a bit figured out. For this we give them a spot in the Bay Area’s Loudest Albums from 2009. You can get a hold of their self-titled album here, from Relapse Records. The band is playing a show with Death Angel and Skinlab on the 18th at Slim’s.

Stay tuned tomorrow to see who comes in at #4!