For 2009 it *was* Black Clouds and Silver Linings by Dream Theater. I say was as it came out on June 23rd and exceeded my expectations. For 2008 it was a tie between Watershed by Opeth and obZen by Meshugah.
Both are brilliant albums.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.