The Brave Picks Top 30 Of 2009 countdown continues! Each day in December we will deliver one of the essential records of the year - as voted by the scribes here at BraveWords.com.

Double-bass drum roll please ....

#21 - ASPHYX - Death... The Brutal Way (Century Media)

Formed back in 1987, Dutch death metal forefathers returned in 2009 with a reunion album of epic proportions, aptly titled Death…The Brutal Way. The current line-up features the brutal attack of returned frontman Martin van Drunen (vocals), Wannes Gubbels (bass/vocals), Paul Baayens (guitar, also in THANATOS) and Bob Bagchus (drums) on nine sure-fire and punishing anthems emerging as the only true successor to 1992’s The Last One On Earth.

Says Drunen: "This is Asphyx in its purest form. Our long-time fans know what to expect and we're damn sure we didn't disappoint them. Check it out and bang your head to this one. Be sure to have some cold beers in the fridge for the thirst that comes up afterwards!"

BraveWords.com - Brave Picks Top 30 Of 2009

#30 - DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT - Addicted (InsideOut)

#29 - GOD DETHRONED - Passiondale (Metal Blade)

#28 - KISS - Sonic Boom (Kiss Records/ Walmart)

#27 - GORGOROTH - Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt (Regain)

#26 - CHEAP TRICK - The Latest (Cheap Trick)

#25 - EX DEO - Romulus (Nuclear Blast)

#24 - SWALLOW THE SUN – New Moon (Spinefarm)

#23 - KATATONIA - Night Is The New Day (Peaceville)

#22 - KREATOR - Hordes of Chaos (Steamhammer)

#21 - ASPHYX - Death... The Brutal Way (Century Media)