2004

1. Dismantled - Postnuclear

2. Imperative Reaction - Redemption

3. Cruciform Injection - Epilogue

4. Epsilon Minus - Reinitialized

5. Vàli - Forlatt

6. Within Temptation - The Silent Force

7. Android Lust - Stripped & Stitched

8. Ministry - Houses Of The Molé

9. Flesh Field - Strain

10. L'âme Immortelle - Gezeiten

After a rash of phenomenal offerings in 2003, 2004 was all too disappointing. None of the "major" scene bands who released albums in 2003 were able to follow up with another solid record the next year, and only Epsilon Minus makes a back to back appearance in the Top 10 (mostly due to a lack of competition). The top three choices are all noteworthy picks, however. One happy result of 2004 was that several bands were able to garner their first Top 10 award.

2004 favorites beyond the dark electronica world include The Multi-Platinum Debut Album and Telicatessen from Def Jux labelmates Hangar 18 and Rob Sonic, respectively; Hot Fuss from The Killers; and Far From The Madding Crowd by power metal group Wuthering Heights.