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BEST OF 2011
STAFF TOP 10
  •
THE DEMO CORNER
Jesse  •  M.J.  •  J.A. Burt  •  Peter    
Rottenbucher  •  Chris  •  Phil Wickstrand
Roswell47  •  Garett  •  Greg
STAFF TOP TEN PICKS
STAFF TOP TEN PICKS
STAFF TOP TEN PICKS
And Macabre - just because! Seriously though, it's sick, fun, stupid and heavy all together at once. Actually I think it's a slight step up from Murder Metal, they'll prob never top Dahmer but if they can make albums this entertaining I'm okay with that.
Macabre - Grim Scary Tales
10
BAND'S WEBSITE
MYSPACE
Anthrax - Worship Music
9
MYSPACE
BAND'S WEBSITE
This is to my ears Anthrax's best since Persistence of Time. The songs are well written/performed, show a good deal of variety and maturity, and have the classic Anthrax feel to them. It's quite an accomplishment I think and I have a blast listening to it still.
8
Lineup changes abound this year and this was a radical shakeup for Mercenary, but they still managed to deliver their classic sound. Which is kind of an upbeat, semi-melodic DM, borderline power meets traditional anthemic Metal with a heavy yet accessible sound. I like it because it is so much in contrast to much of what I listen to; it's feel good stuff to bust out some work to.
Hammers of Misfortune - 17th Street
7
BAND'S WEBSITE
Another band that consistently delivers the goods. Some lineup changes again, but their core sound remains and the vox are the best since Scalzi left. A less complex album following up the double album package and previous concept pieces, but a solid release that takes some listens to really digest.
Opeth - Heritage
6
Speaking of chances, Opeth rolled the dice on this one and came up snake eyes. A lot of people flat out hate or are bored to death by it, some fans like it, but not by a lot judging by reviews and words I've read. And a small few even love it. I guess I'm one who falls somewhere between the latter two. Really, after many listens (ten or so) I find it a fantastic departure in that they create a complex mix of jazz/prog/folk/world/rock. It’s distinctively different from Deliverance but a better, more challenging and expansive work. Relax haters; I don't think it's a permanent change, just one they needed to get out of their system and one I'm thankful to have.
5
Shining are a band like Primordial that have established themselves with solid release after release with a unique, noteworthy and brilliant style; even comparatively speaking, with vocals that stand out and their approach of dark and foreboding vibrations. Although, they are quite different in style and in how they approach music and being infamous in their...negativity if you want to call it that. Their continued growth in musicianship and effort to take chances continues to inspire me and solidify my appreciation of their vision with each album.
Insomnium - One for Sorrow
2
This one was a bit of a surprise to be perfectly honest. Some of my favorite bands hail from Finland, and I did see Insomnium live once and enjoyed their set very much, but none of their albums have really captivated me to date - that is until One for Sorrow. So much so, that I will now have to re-evaluate their back catalog. Insomnium draws from many, but they have crafted a outstanding, thick, wall of emotive Metal that stands shoulder to shoulder among their peers.
Graveyard - Hisingen Blues
4
MYSPACE
BAND'S WEBSITE
This is a band quite removed from Metal in many ways, but that can be included easily enough because they draw from that same well that helped in part so much to make Metal what it is. And they do it so exceptionally well that most Metalheads can really dig it. They sound like they stepped straight out of decades past with a hard rocking, blues inspired, catchy 70s' sound of proto-metal handed down by the masters themselves.
3
This is a band that came out of many other bands to floor us with their Willowtip debut. Then an EP that was way too short and now their new full-length takes their classical meets DM approach to new heights. Not the first extreme band to do this style or even so well, but they do it remarkably so to craft as brutal and memorable of an album of this style as I can remember in many years.
An album that while probably not quite as remarkable as its predecessor, is still one that trumps so many others. Primordial are a band consistent in their craft and this album is no exception. In fact, it's one that I think has further solidified their elite status, and sets expectations for their next even higher.
2011
Greg
Reviewer
2011
Please check out Garett's full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
Please check out J. A. Burt's full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
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TO THE TOP
Please check out my full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
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Please check out my full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
STAFF TOP 10 LISTS
Jesse - 2008 2009 2010 2011
M. J. - 2008 2009 2010 2011
J. A. Burt - 2008 2009 2010 2011
Peter - 2008 2009 2010 2011
Rottenbucher - 2008 2009 2010
                          2011
Chris - 2009 2010 2011
Roswell47 - 2010 2011
Phil A. Wickstrand - 2010 2011
Garett - 2010 2011
Greg -  2010 2011
Lynora - 2009 2010
The Stream - 2009 2010
Deathstalker -  2009
Ilmarinen -  2008
Matt -  2008  2009
Kesh -  2009
Dinah -  2009
Phil A. -  2009

































Mercenary - Metamorphosis
Please check out my full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
MYSPACE
BAND'S WEBSITE
MYSPACE
Shining - VII: Född Förlorare
Please check out Chris' full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
MYSPACE
Please check out my full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
2011 was really a mixed bag. A whole lot of solid releases, but few really that stood out IMO. Some surprises, good and bad, but less even than usual I think. So I have to say 2011 stands in the shadow of past really great years like 2009 and 2010. So much so in fact that I probably listened to about half as many albums as prior years of memory. As a result I listened to more of other types of Music than I have in some time. A couple albums in my top ten are a bit of a reflection of that even I think.
Please check out Peter's full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
BAND'S WEBSITE
MYSPACE
2011
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Five albums that given more time to listen to or perhaps on a different day would have bumped something from my top ten.

Dornenreich - Flammentriebe
Metsatöll - Ulg
Portrait - Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae
Wolverine - Communication Lost
Negative Plane - Stained Glass Revelations
YEAR END REVIEW
BAND'S WEBSITE
MYSPACE
Primordial - Redemption at the Puritan’s Hand
1
Please check out Peter's full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
BAND'S WEBSITE
MYSPACE
Fleshgod Apocalypse - Agony
Please check out my full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
BAND'S WEBSITE
MYSPACE