____








____



____
REVIEWS
Featuring Legendary, Local and Undgeround Heavy Metal.
NEW UPDATES
THE BLOG
REVIEWS
INTERVIEWS
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
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

































A surprise entry into the year end list in the sense that like the new Serenity album, it took a while but Baldur grew on me.  My review of it is a reflection of what I felt at that time, but its sheer grandiosity barely beats out other new and worthy candidates by Wolves in the Throne Room and Grayceon.
Skálmöld - Baldur
10
MYSPACE
Týr - The Lay of Thyrm
9
MYSPACE
BAND'S WEBSITE
Not necessarily a comeback by the classic definition, Týr returns to this reviewer’s good graces with this album after an okay effort in By the Light of the Northern Star.
YOB - Atma
8
MYSPACE
BAND'S WEBSITE
YOB announced their return with The Great Cessation in 2009, and this year, they added a few more exclamation points to it this year with an equally strong effort in Atma.
Serenity - Death & Legacy
7
MYSPACE
BAND'S WEBSITE
This album took me a while to get into, but months later, the new Serenity album has grown on me by leaps and bounds.  Death & Legacy is their most accomplished album yet.
Witch Mountain - South of Salem
6
MYSPACE
BANDCAMP
Portland’s best kept secret is now signed to Profound Lore Records and South of Salem is a prime example of what everyone not familiar with the city’s music scene will hear: doom metal with blues-influenced female vocals that will stick in your head long after the album is over.
Insomnium - One for Sorrow
5
MYSPACE
BAND'S WEBSITE
Finland’s best kept secret is finally on a major record label in Century Media and they do not disappoint with an outstanding album in One for Sorrow, their first on the new label.
Metsatöll - Ulg
2
MYSPACE
BAND'S WEBSITE
Estonia’s entry into the folk metal scene remains one of the most consistent bands.  Ulg is perhaps their fastest album of all of their albums, yet it retains many of the charms that permeate their other releases.
Forest of the Soul - Restless in Flight
4
MYSPACE
This emotionally charged folk album from a side project of the guys in Nechochwen only enhances the duo’s reputation as one of the best musicians in any music genre today, let alone metal music.
Sol Invictus - The Cruellest Month
3
MYSPACE
BAND'S WEBSITE
Neofolk doesn’t always make for long term listening material, but Sol Invictus is not your average neofolk group.  The Cruellest Month is on its way to being one of the best neofolk albums ever, and serves as inspiration to some of the best atmospheric doom metal bands today.
40 Watt Sun - The Inside Room
1
BAND'S WEBSITE
Warning had a cult following prior to splitting up before the turn of this decade.  40 Watt Sun more than takes its place and not just because it features former members of Warning.  A stellar debut in The Inside Room that is close to perfection both musically and emotionally.
Please check out my full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
The year 2011 could be the most doom-laden year for metal yet.  From the ashes of Warning came a stellar debut from 40 Watt Sun, which in many ways was the one true clear cut album to make the list without any hesitation.  There were other solid albums, and narrowing it down was a task unto itself, with the new Wolves in the Throne Room, Moonsorrow, and Arkona albums all missing the cut.  Naturally, there were a few letdowns such as the new Turisas album, but those were few and far in between.  2011 has raised the bar for metal music in 2012.
2011
Peter
Interviewer, Reporter, Music and Movie Reviewer
2011
Please check out my full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
Please check out my full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
Please check out my full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
Please check out my full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
Please check out my full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
Please check out my full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
Please check out my full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
YEAR END REVIEW
DISAPPOINTMENT OF 2011
All content © 2012 Metal Psalter Webzine  |  Bands, labels, artists and photographers retain their respective © to their logos, artwork and photos  |  Design and Layout © 2012 Dynamico Designs
TO THE TOP
*Comments:
*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.
Please check out my full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
Please check out my full review by clicking on the album artwork to the left.
PREDICTION FOR 2012
Turisas - Stand Up and Fight!
Profound Lore Records will take over the metal music world by next year’s end.  That may be a slight ex- aggeration, but given its impressive roster of late, their reputation as a record label continues to grow, with the likes of Worm Ouroboros releasing a new album and newly signed Witch Mountain releasing their debut on CD.
A highly anticipated album that was pushed back a couple of times, the ultimate result of the new Turisas album was quite baffling, as it lacked a lot of what made their first two albums so great, namely the lyrics and the lack of any effective hooks.
BAND'S WEBSITE
2011