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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
There are so many exceptional moments on this record that I find it difficult to pick favorites. The jazzy interludes, post rock vocals contrasting the extreme, the hyper speed of raw black metal and the “heavy as an elephant” death/doom riffing leave me in awe. These Aussies are ones to watch.
Vyrion - Vyrion
10
BAND'S WEBSITE
BANDCAMP
Obsequiae - Suspended in the Brume of Eos
9
Dense, complex and completely engrossing. I have yet to be bored with Obsequiae's amalgam of black and acoustic tinged folk metal. I fell in love with their self titled demo and this full length debut does not disappoint in anyway. Bindrune Recordings continues to sign some of the best artists making music today.
Fen - Epoch
8
MYSPACE
The cover art of Epoch is a pretty accurate depiction of the music you will find inside. Dark, brooding, enigmatic, etc. One of the best black metal / post rock albums released this year. You would be doing yourself a disservice in not picking this up if you are a fan of Agalloch, Alcest and Woods of Ypres.
Fyrnask - Bluostar
7
MYSPACE
Fyrnd is a one-man, multi-instrumentalist who is the mastermind behind Fyrnask, a black metal "band" from Germany. Bluostar, his full length debut, completely impressed and blew me away in the last half of 2011. Bombastic choirs from hell and dissonant harsh passages stand in stark contrast to the melodic ambient episodes woven inbetween. This is Immortal married to Agalloch in grand fashion in the presence of Emperor.
Hemoptysis and Vektor were the only two thrash bands that really mattered to me in 2011. I have to give a slight edge to Hemoptysis as I have lived with Misanthropic Slaughter a good bit longer. Finally, we have a fresh approach to thrash with some really killer riffs and more originality than so many of the clueless 80s copycat bands that have been trending over the last five to ten years. This was a pleasant surprise. Well deserved of all praise and success they get.
Orchid - Capricorn
5
The 70s heavy rock sound has been coming back in vogue lately with Sweden's Graveyard digging up Zeppelin's bluesy sound and now Orchid who kneel at the altar of the Sabbath. Worshipping your idols can be a tricky path to travel and thankfully both aforementioned bands have wandered their way into greener pastures. Capricorn is as close to Sabbath you are going to get without it being the real thing.  Don't analyze, just revel in it.
Virus - The Agent That Shapes the Desert
2
Virus had some adversity while making their third album The Agent that Shapes the Desert but were able to yet again come out on top. Having been released in January of 2011 it had a chance to get considerable playing time and through the course of the year proved to me its classic status. With an eccentric mix of avant-garde rock and metal, it's contains a stellar collection of songs with mesmerizing staying power. A true gem from these Norwegians.
Black Sun Aeon - Blacklight Deliverance
4
MYSPACE
BAND'S WEBSITE
After last year's expansive two disc set, Routa, Tuomas Saukkonen and company came back with a vengeance on the concise Blacklight Deliverance. Despite its brevity, the album shines just as brightly as its predecessor. Each one word titled song is a reflective and genuine novella about pain and sorrow. Once again Black Sun Aeon shows us who is the master of the melodic doom/death style.
3
Another one man band that makes my list with a set of very memorable songs with addictive melodies. Heavy atmosphere provides a rich backdrop for an intoxicating dive into the dark side. Wandering and expansive odes to existentialism and nature are rife throughout, make this an immensely satisfying listening experience. 
Septicflesh - The Great Mass
1
With heavy symphonic elements woven into the fabric of Gothenburg influenced melodic death metal, Septicflesh has “fleshed out” its innovation and creativity that has been tapped before in the past but not so fully realized as on The Great Mass. The band has honed its compositions to perfection with contrasts of stark light and shadowy fades revealing that brutal and pretty can coexist even if in fleeting, grand moments awash in a dynamic spectrum of sound. The Great Mass is a bountiful feast for the ears.
2011
M. J.
Webmaster, Administrator, Interviewer, Reviewer and Reporter
2011
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Please check out Garett's 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

































MYSPACE
MYSPACE
2011
BAND'S WEBSITE
MYSPACE
MYSPACE
Æðra - The Evening Red
BAND'S WEBSITE
MYSPACE
Please check out Roswell47's full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
Hemoptysis - Misanthropic Slaughter
6
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.
Please check out Peter's full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.