Top 20 of 2011... And the Rest of 2011

Ok so I was debating on weather or not to do this early or to actually wait until the new year to do it.  Obviously I'm not waiting, but I decided to go ahead and do this list now because there just really isn't anything else that I'm super interested in what's left of the year.  This year has been a crazy musical experience.  I've discovered many many new master pieces which some are in my top 20, and I've also had to force myself, and pain through some other listens.  So this year I've gotten a lot of great stuff, and a few major upsets, and then a bunch that just will fill the shelves.  The ones that fill the shelves may have many good things about them, but they also had either a few distinctive upsets, or were just full of let downs the whole way through.  Because I listen to all kinds of music, and can't see myself listening to just metal, or just rock or whatever I have a mix of music in my top 20.  Obviously if this was a top 20 in metal of 2011 some of the releases wouldn't be in there.  Even stuff like Opeth because it is not a metal regardless if it's done by the progressive death metal masters themselves.  I remember when I started doing this blog almost a year ago.  One of my first posts was my top 20 of 2010.  I had a lot of fun doing that because if you know me, you know I like making lists.  I have spirals full of lists from everything from best thrash artist, best death metal bands, best guitar players and so on, and so on.  I mean that's where a lot of my lists on here got started was on paper thinking about who I should immortalize as the best this or that on my blog.  Lets just say I've consumed endless hours writing in spirals.  Thinking about what I love, music.  So for this one I'm pretty siked about it, and want to really put my favorites down because I have listened to some really really great ones that will travel with me forever, and I want everyone to know about them.  So without further adieu, her is my top 20 releases of 2011, and the rest.  Enjoy. 

-20-

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

The first non metal release of my top 20.  This album kind of came out of left field for me.  I've know about the Fleet Foxes for a while.  living in Austin it's kind of hard not to, but I never really gave them a proper chance.  After listening to this one I went and got the rest of their material.  It's such a classic folk, mellow rock vibe that really has great old school integrity.  These guys know their craft and do it very very well.  Great release, and their earlier stuff is just as good.  I highly recommend these guys if you're into guys like Neil Young, The Beatles, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, just really the classic folk rock artists of the 60's, and 70's

-19-

Tesseract - One



This metal release is unlike any progressive metal I've heard in a long time.  You can tell that these guys are influenced by so many different styles of music, but it even goes much deeper than just showing their influences.  They really have created their own distinctive style of music.  There are really rich vocal harmonies, and a great guitar tone that really hasn't been heard before in progressive metal.  The intricate timing, and melodic interludes make this album one of my favorite prog metal records to listen to this year.

-18-

Bon Iver - Bon Iver

The second non metal release on my countdown.  This record really is like no other in existence.  The rich vocal texture, and lush guitar, and piano set Bon Iver aside from all the other artists that are trying to do what these immensly talented guys are doing without what seems like any effort at all.  Thee are an astounding talent that posses so much insight on what makes music beautiful, and brings it without flaw.  This one will be spinning in my ears for a long long time. 

-17-

Revocation - Chaos of Forms

Revocation are really doing the death-core really really well.  There particular breed of the style packs a lot of thrash elements in it as well.  With very fast intriguing guitar solos that make wonder how is he doing that, to intensely fast drumming.  Everything on this record is very well composed and nothing really seems forced, or hurried at all.  These guys really pulled of a great thrashy death-core record that I am enjoying very much. 




-16-
Steven Wilson - Grace For Drowning

If you know me you know that Porcupine Tree, and pretty much anything Steven Wilson touches will be obsessions of mine.  This is Steven's second solo effort, and it's much different in many ways than his first effort insurgentes, and alike in many as well.  This record is dark, sinister, and evil at moments.  Then it's passionate, soothing, and really tantric at moments as well.  His usage of electronics are wonderful.  They don't sound fake, or to abundant to make the record sound prosthetic by any means.





-15-
Animals As Leaders - Weightless

This is the only purely instrumental record on my top 20.  Before this one came out Scale the Summit was taking the cake.  When this one came out if floored me.  I couldn't grasp the musicianship behind some of the sounds that are coming out of this peace of work.  It is a majestic journey through electronics, bombastic drumming, and absolutely amazing guitar technique that leaves you without breath after listening to this record.  These guys are making a major name for themselves, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for Animals As Leaders.  I see big things coming for these guys.

-14-

Crowbar - Sever the Wicked Hand

This was my first buy of 2011 and still is going strong.  I revisited it the other day in trying to come up with this list, and there was just no way it couldn't be included somewhere on here.  This record shows the return of kirk windstein.  Mastermind behind this majorly influential band through out the years, Down, and Kingdom of Sorrow with Jammy Jasta.  His guitar technique, and sound can be noticed from a mile away.  Probably because he's standing off in the distance yelling, and jamming the heavy monster that is his guitar.

-13-

Demonaz - March of the Norse

In case of you who don't know.  Demonaz is really the counterpart to the black metal masters Immortal.  He's been a part of the black metal scene for a really long time, and has influenced so many other bands with his distinctive style of guitar playing.  This release marks his first solo effort and really gives us a taste of things to come, and gives this record a true place at the top of his style all his own.  There is nothing like Demonaz, and it's good to see him return to playing guitar after not for a long time due to his medical issues with his arm problems.  So there will great things to come from Demonaz in the near future.  So get really metal world.

-12-

Dir En Grey - Dum Spiro Spero

This is another band that really came out of left field for me.  I had discovered them a while back when I was doing my daily researching, and found that they were included on some Korn tours.  Johnathan Davis had said that he hadn't seen intensity, and real extremism like these guys do in a really long time.  Let me just say these guys being all Chinese are some of the biggest under estimated metal heads of all time.  They will scare you at how intense they are.  The singer is other worldly with his voice, and his absolutely insane antics on stage.  This record is controlled chaos at it's best, and it sounds so damn good.  Despite the fact I can't understand a word he says being all sung in Chinese.

-11-

Unearth - Darkness In the Light

This is by far the best metal-core record of the year.  There were some good ones out this year, but this one really knocked it out of the park for me.  The guitar, the drums, the bass were all really really well composed, and the vocals were very crisp, and well done as well.  They keep improving on each of their releases.  The March was a decent release, and this one shows their ability to really improve each record.  I know these guys will continue to give us fist pumping, head banging metal-core in the future, and I'll be right there in the crowd with my head a banding, and my horns up high. 

-10-

Megadeth - Th1rt3en

Of course Megadeth right.  No this record is on here because it is that good really.  I really enjoyed this one.  Dave Mustain has given us some of the most memorable guitar licks in the past, and this record shows his ability to keep delivering timeless guitar melodies.  I really like United Abominations in 2007, and I wasn't really impressed with Endgame in 2009.  So this one really gives me hope that these guys can still really kick thrash metals ass.  Oh and not to mention this shows the return of bass master Dave Ellefson.  Maybe that's why it's just that good.

-9-

Skeletonwitch - Forever Abomination

Skeletonwitch is a band that I discovered this year.  I downloaded their earlier stuff, and was really really digging it.  So I went and picked up their new one.  I didn't want to listen to any teaser tracks, or demos from youtube or anything because I really wanted to be shocked, or get a fresh reaction with this anticipateted release for me.  Let me just say.  I was smiling the second I put it in.  I love the thrash over tone, and the mesh of great black metal, and death metal vocals.  These guys really know how to kick heavy metals ass hard, and will be forever one of my favorite newer metal bands for sure.

-8-

Obscura - Omnivium

This is technical death metal at it's best.  The speed, the melodies, the bass work.  Oh my god the bass work on this record is amazing.  He uses a slide fret less bass at times and it adds such a distinctive quality that only Obscura seem to really be doing in the metal scene.  The lyrics are great, pretty much everything about this record is top notch.  I can't really explain the cover though.  I'm not sure whats going on.  Is like a venus fly trap with major teeth eating a tad pole or egg or some kind.  I'm not really sure.  Oh well. 

-7-

In Solitude - The World, The Flesh, The Devil

This has such a great classic element to it that really makes you think these guys are old farts that have been doing it for a long time.  While not being fresh or green to the scene these guys haven't been around for a really long time.  There are Iron Maiden influences, Black Sabbath, Candlemass, Blue Oyster Cult, Judas Priest, Celtic Frost.  I mean everything classic.  Makes for a great return to the days of old with new age production so I highly recommend this record for anyone who loves the old school vibes of heavy metal.

-6-

Toxic Holocaust - Conjure and Command

Man can I just say this is some of the best metal I've heard in a long time.  I would also have to say that I haven't liked all of what Toxic Holocaust has given us in the past, but the last two record have shown great improvement on each one.  This one though they really have set the bar high to top.  I'm not sure how much higher you can go with undeniable perfection on Conjure and Command.  There's a punk aesthetic, a very venom influence, with early thrash intensity that really make this record such a one of a kind.  This record is perfect for someone who loves early thrash, and venom.  With a punk flair to it.

-5-

Insomnium - One For Sorrow

Insomnium are a group that I discovered this year, along with others that really have blown me away like Ghost Brigade and a few others.  Like Opeth these guys really are climbing to the top of my favorite bands of all time list, and this release really furthers that reason.  It is pretty much perfect in so many ways.  This breed of death metal is starting to really become the for front of my listening abundance.  Along with guys like Daylight Dies, Opeth, and Now Insomnium. 

-4-

Mastodon - The Hunter

I can't say enough good things about Mastodon.  They are really one of my favorite bands of all time now.  I've listened to them for a while now, and still learn something new from them every day.  You can hear the evolution of their music from their early drone, sludge, prog metal stuff.  Which is great.  To a more progressively driven experience.  The use of vocal harmonies between the guys really give this record a rich vocal melody experience, and of course Bran Dailor's drumming skills are as good as ever.  This record is different from any Mastodon release to date so I get why some people are divided in it reception.  I really like experimenting, and change so this record is just as good as any other Mastodon masterpiece done before.

-3-

Machine Head - Unto the Locust

Machine Head have really been at the top of my likings for a long time now, and after The Blackening in 2007 it couldn't of gotten any better.  That record was named best metal record of the decade by the way.  So with as much as I liked The Blackening as I think everyone else did also there was a lot of expectations, and anticipation for this record.  I usually don't listen to demo tracks of the early realese stuff so I can really saok it all up when it comes out.  But I'd have to say I did with this one because I just couldn't wait any longer.  My first impression was not very high I'd have to say.  When I got the record though my opinion was blown away.  The opening track sets you up for wild and crazy ride, and it really is.  This record is really really good hinse why it's so high on my list.  Is it as good as The Blackening.  I'd have to say no, but then again not much out there is.  So Machine Head do it again with Unto the Locust.  I just hope I don't have to wait as long for the next instalment of Machine Head this next time around.  Cause I'll tell ya when 2009 rolled around I was really ready for some new Machine Head.  It was worth the wait so it's not all bad I guess.

-2-

Graveyard - Hisingen Blues

I can't get enough of this record.  I love everything about it.  I can't say a single bad thing about this release.  Everything from the album art, the music, to the lyrics are done absolutely perfect.  These guys posses such a classic integrity that I don't think is being done like this by any one else.  They sound like something that's straight out of the 70's.  I highly recommend this release to anyone who fancies old school elements, with a new age flair.  Graveyard will rise as one of my favorite bands for sure if they keep delivering high quality eargasims like this wonderful piece of work.  I hope I can get a copy of the blue splatter vinyl edition.  It's a work of tremendous art, and I want it so bad.

-1-

Opeth - Heritage

And of course if you know me you could've expected this one to be up here.  Although when I got this record I hadn't gotten Graveyard yet, and I'd have to say those two were fighting for the one spot for sure.  This record packs so much talent and exhilaration that I almost start crying when I listen it's that good to me.  I know why a lot of people were doggin this record a lot.  Saying it's not a metal record, and there are no death growls that we've come to know Opeth for.  But honestly I totally respect Opeth more for doing this than giving us the same old thing.  Now that's not to say that I like this style of Opeth more than the standard vein.  Blackwater Park, or Still Life will never be beat in my opinion, but I still really really love this record.  The melodies, the progressive drumming.  Man the drumming is immensely well composed.  With such a jazz richness, and the usage of melotrone, stand up bass, and flute make this record such a 70's prog homage with distinctive Opeth flair that makes Heritage stand out above all at times.  They will have to work hard to top this one next time around.  I think the reason they got number one is Leigh and I went to see Opeth this year after Heritage came out, and we didn't go see Graveyard when they came to Austin.  So maybe that's why.  Seeing them live really put all the musicianship into perspective for me.  They are wonderful live let me just say.

This is the whole record, just in case you were wondering.

The Rest

So there are a lot of good ones in here, and some that aren't so good.  I'll be quick with these because if I wanted to really praise them I would've done a complete review of them, or they would've been in my top 20.  I was thinking about doing runners up, but I'm not going to do that this year.  There were some really good ones like I said this year, some I have listened to but werent able to get.  So if something isn't on here and you're like what about this one.  I probably have listened to it, but honestly if I didn't care enough to go ut and get it.  It wasn't that good anyway, or pricking my interest.  Because I have made some stupid purchases this year.  Um lets see just to name a few Morbid Angel, Limp Bizkit, and Evanescence.  So here they are the rest of the stuff I've been consuming my year with in 2011.  The ones that I think are still really good will be in red text, and the ones that will just float on by will be in black.

The Black Dahlia Murder - Ritual                                  Protest the Hero - Scurillous  



Sylosis - Edge of the Earth                                            Vader - Welcome to the Morbid Reich

All Shall Perish - This Is Where It Ends                        The Devil Wears Prada - Dead Throne

The Gates of Slumber - The Wretch                              Anthrax - Worship Music

Ics Vortex - Storm Seeker                                           Pain of Salvation - Road Salt Two



Tombs - Path of Totality                                               Omnium Gatherum - New World Shadows

Skinny Puppy - Handover                                             Amon Amarth - Surtur Rising                         

Lazarus A.D. - Black Rivers Flow                                 Darkest Hour - The Human Romance



Fleshgod Apocalypse - Agony                                       Deicide - To Hell With God

Giant Squid - Cenotes EP                                             Suicide Silence - The Black Crown

The Haunted - Unseen                                                  Motorhead - The World Is Yours

Scar Symmetry - The Unseen Empire                           Between the Buried & Me - The Parallex...

Krallice - Diotima                                                         Origin - Entity

Warbringer - Worlds Torn Asunder                              Trivium - In Waves

Ulcerate - The Destroyers of All                                   The Human Abstract - Digital Veil



Trap Them - Darker Handcraft                                      Cavalera Conspiracy - Blunt Force Trauma

Arch Enemy - Khaos Legions                                       Yob - Atma

                                    



Ghost Brigade - Until Fear No Longer Defines Us        Chimaira - The Age of Hell  

Havok - Time Is Up                                                     Oh, Sleeper - Children of Fire



Earth - Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light                Assassin - Breaking the Silence

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light                                         August Burns Red - Leverler



Winds of Plague - Against the World                            Autopsy - Macabre Eternal

Cold - Superfiction                                                       Iced Earth - Dystopia





Staind - Staind                                                              In Flames - Sounds of A Playground Fading



Becoming the Archetype - Celestial Completion           Nightwish - Imaginarium

Jungle Rot - Kill On Command                                     Pentagram - Last Rites

Incubus - If Not Now , When?                                     R.E.M. - Cllapse Into Now



Belphagor - Blood magick Necromance                        Maruta - Forward Into Regression



Seether - Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray       Nurzum - Fallen



Times of Grace - Hymn of A Broken Man                   Liturgy - Aesthithica 

Scale the Summit - The Collective                                 Disma - Towards the Megalith

Lunatic Soul - Impressions                                             Otep - Atavist

Mike Patton - The Solitude of Prime Numbers              Red Fang - Murder the Mountains





Metallica and Lou Reed - Lulu                                      Born of Osiris - The Discovery

Mogwai - Harcore Will Never Die, But You Will         Bush - The Sea of Memories

Devin Townsend Project - Ghost                                  Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction





Morbid Angel - Illud Divinum Insanus                           Chevelle - Hats Off To the Bull



Limp Bizkit - Gold Cobra                                             Children of Bodon - Relenless, Reckless, Forever

Blackfield - Welcome To My DNA                              DevilDriver - Beast

Amorphis - The Beginning of Times                              Decapitated - Carnival Is Forever

Evanescence - Evanescence                                          Destruction - Day of Reckoning

So there they are pretty much everything that's been consuming my year in music.  I've gotten a lot of stuff this year and I'm still spinning a lot of these releases, so some of them may move up the likings, and some may move down.  Only time will tell.  SO I hope you liked my top 20.  Some of them like I said are in no way a metal release, and some are some of the heaviest stuff I've heard in a long time.  I really am enjoying the Insomnium, and a few others.  So until next time stay hard, stay heavy.