Here it is--the first part of my top albums of the year list! After 12 months of listening to metal albums, I feel fairly confident in presenting to you 20 from 2011 that you cannot miss. Here's #20-11 for 2011!
#20 Infektion 1813 Endstille (Season of Mist)
Being a big fan of history, German culture, and the German language, I’m probably more than a little biased towards this album by these German black metallers, but holy crap will you listen to some of these riffs?! Not to mention the vicious, ferocious, pissed-off vocals of frontman Zingultus. The last three tracks of this album are especially amazing, and are akin to being dropped out of an Iron Annie into the Ardennes in December of 1944—your chances of survival are about equal for either situation. TOP TRACKS: “Set the World Aflame” “Endstille (Völkerschlächter)”
#19 Running out of Daylight The Living Fields (Candlelight)
If I described these guys as “epic progressive doom metal,” I would probably sound like a pretentious prick. Luckily I would never do that. No sir, you will never see me publish the words “epic progressive doom metal” in one of my articles. Hailing from the Windy City, The Living Fields sometimes display a definite November’s Doom influence, but there’s so much more going on here than the straightforward death/doom of their fellow Chicagoans, with symphonic orchestration and varied vocal work producing a sound that is far less depressing, more experimental, and (dare I say it?) even uplifting at times. TOP TRACKS: “Remnant” “Glacial Movements”
#18 My Blood Artillery (Metal Mind)This album deserves to make it on the strength of the opening track alone. For my money, “Mi Sangre (The Blood Song)” is song of the year with its complex, winding structure, fire-breathing riffs, and hair-raising vocal work. The rest of the album is a bit hit-or-miss, but overall this is still a quality album by these old-school thrashers from Denmark. TOP TRACKS: “Mi Sangre (The Blood Song)” “Ain’t Giving In”
#17 Stoned Acid Witch (Hell’s Headbangers)
Never before has this style of music been so damn fun. Actually, come to think of it, never before has this style of music even existed! Acid Witch play a blend of death, stoner, and doom metal combined with psychedelic keyboards and campy (even goofy) lyrics, a combination that is as fascinating as it is unique. TOP TRACKS: “Live Forever” “If Hell Exists”
#16 Takasago Army Chthonic (Spinefarm)
These veteran metalheads from Taipei, Taiwan play a blistering blend of melodeath and black metal mixed with traditional Taiwanese folk melodies and instruments. There are equal parts soaring melodies, bone shattering riffs, and dizzying blast beats present, capable of satisfying any metalhead, regardless of preference or mood. TOP TRACKS: “Takao” “Kaoru”
#15 Dissimulation Hope for the Dying (Facedown)No one is more shocked than I that a metalcore band could make this list, but the incinerating neoclassical dual guitar attack of James Houseman and Jack Daniels (no that’s not an alcoholic joke---that’s his actual name) makes this an easy pick. That combined with stirring symphonic keyboard work makes this a far more interesting and dynamic listen than your typical run-of-the-mill metalcore album. TOP TRACKS: “Vile Reflections” "Derision"
#14 Tenkterra Obscurity (Trollzorn)
In many ways, this is the album that I wish Amon Amarth had released this year. Sporting many of Amon Amarth’s trademark sounds, such as the epic tremolo riffing patterns and vocals that alternate between death growls and a more blackened scream, Obscurity win no points for originality, but they more than make up for that by incorporating the energy and aggression that is missing from the overly-polished sound towards which Amon Amarth has gravitated. If you found Surtur Rising to be a bit too mellow for your tastes, check out these guys. You won’t be disappointed. TOP TRACKS: “Keldagau” “Brukterer”
#13 Songs for the Slain Winterhymn (unsigned)Never before has metal been as fun as it is on Winterhymn’s self-released debut of epic folk metal. Hailing from northern Kentucky but with hearts of northern Europeans, each track on Songs for the Slain is an ale-swigging adventure of fun and epic glory. I can’t seem to reduce the ridiculous grin that I always find plastered on my face while listening to this album. Grab a frosty mug of ale and enjoy! TOP TRACKS: “Stand Your Ground” "Woad"
#12 Dystopia Iced Earth (Century)Rediscovering his passion for making music, Jon Schaffer has crafted another extraordinary album to add to Iced Earth’s extensive and (mostly) exemplary discography. With this help of newcomer Stu Block, Shaffer manages to--ah who am I kidding…Block carries this recording with his monstrous vocal delivery, managing to combine the best elements of Tim Owens and Matt Barlow into one mind-boggling package. TOP TRACKS: “V” “Tragedy and Triumph”
#11 Insidious Nightrage (Lifeforce)
The entire original lineup is back (albeit as guest spots) on this sizzling chunk of melodic death metal (extra emphasis on melodic). Gus G, Tomas Lindberg, Tom S. Englund, and Apollo Papathanasio all on one album produced by Fredrik Nordstrum…need I say more? If you need more reason to love this album, check out the vocal interplay between Papathanasio and Lindberg on “This World is Coming to an End.” Talk about hair-rasing! TOP TRACKS: “Hate Turns Black” “This World is Coming to an End”
The top ten will be coming in a few days so check back soon!
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