Cameo critic: Mike Portnoy

Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy is moonlighting in two prog-rock supergroups this year: Hail (with David Ellefson, Ripper Owens and Andreas Kisser) and Transatlantic (with Neal Morse, Peter Trewavas and Roine Stolt). Portnoy pays attention to what other groups are doing. Hence, after citing Opeth as the best band of the decade, he offers his top albums of the the '00s.

JON BREAM

1. Muse, "Absolution" 2. Bigelf, "Cheat the Gallows" 3. Opeth, "Blackwater Park" 4. Spock's Beard, "Snow" 5. The Flaming Lips, "At War With the Mystics" 6. Endochine, "Day Two" 7. Beardfish, "Sleeping in Traffic, Parts 1&2" 8. Metallica, "Death Magnetic" 9. Lamb of God, "Ashes of the Wake" 10. Peter Gabriel, "Up"