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The temptation when compiling a list such as this is to try to be cool, by choosing bands nobody has heard of or to follow the crowd and to choose the obvious albums by the usual suspects. I have done neither - in fact, I have left out great releases by the likes of Devildriver, Machine Head, Sepultura and Crowbar among others.
Instead, I have done what the title suggests, and have chosen the albums I genuinely think were the best released in 2011. I spent weeks trying to eliminate albums (finding getting from 30 to 20 especially tough), and after many hours and the occasional headache, I have come up with the following list. Of course, as always with lists such as this, I’m 99.9% sure that I will change my mind almost as soon as it is posted. This, however, is the list I’m posting as “Best of 2011”.
There is, as always, no number order here (other than Nightwish, which gets the “album of the year” award), as I feel that is not only difficult, but ultimately unnecessary. Instead, the list is alphabetical by band name.
Note: As much as I wanted to include the brilliant “For Cause and Consequence” by Earthtone9 and “†” by Crosses, I decided that at 4 tracks and 5 tracks respectively, they really can’t be considered albums.
Alestorm Back Through Time
Album Number 3 and surprisingly, there is still no sign of the ”gimmick” wearing thin. This is another clutch of energetic drinking/party songs/shanties that will bring a smile to your face and make you want to down a pint of rum (although this isn’t recommended). Well done, mad Scottish chaps. Yar!
Recommended track: The Sunk'n Norwegian
Amorphis The Beginning Of Time
The ever-consistent Amorphis deliver the goods yet again. Can this band do no wrong? Since Tomi joined the ranks, they have released high quality album after high quality album. Masters of song writing and melody, these Finns are always guaranteed a place on my year-end list.
Recommended track: Battle For Light
Anterior Echoes Of The Fallen
A Welsh Melodeath band? Damn right! This matches, and in most cases, totally destroy s anything that came out of Scandinavia in 2011. Anyone missing the glory days of the sub-genre could do a lot worse than these lads. Although, I feel it should be said that there is as much influence on this album from the likes of Trivium and latter-era In Flames as there is from the “Gothenburg” sound. There are huge riffs, solos, melodies and most importantly, great songs to be found in abundance here.
Recommended track: Blood In The Throne Room
Anthrax Worship Music
A fantastic return to form, this managed to silence (most of) the critics and cynics. Featuring a superb vocal performance by Joey Belladonna (a man even I had written off), and some of the finest songwriting ever committed to record by this legendary act. More than deserving of a place, not only in this list, but in the top 3 Anthrax albums ever. Welcome back, guys!
Book Of Black Earth The Cold Testament
The name, Seattle conjures up images of plaid shirts and scruffy, greasy-haired oiks and/or reluctant rock stars, but this couldn’t be further away from the Grunge sound the city is (in)famous for. This is dirty, blackened thrash/death metal that takes no prisoners. The crushing riffs and abrasive vocals go straight for the throat. TCT contains some of the nastiest, filthiest guitars I have heard all year. Lovely stuff! (“Not my words, Michael, but the words of Shakin’ Stevens”).
Children Of Bodom Relentless Reckless Forever
Yes, this is bombastic, completely over the top and at times, more than a little ridiculous. But would you expect anything less from these crazy Finns? The difference this time, however, is that the band has remembered to compliment their technical ability with a crop of great songs. Of course, the occasionally unnecessary guitar wankery and gorgonzola keyboards are still present, but for the first time in over a decade, this is a fully-realised, well-structured and more importantly, completely enjoyable COB record.
Recommended track: Was It Worth It?
Criminal Akelarre
I will ashamedly admit that I had never heard this great band before, despite them being around for 20 years. Although clearly, and undeniably influenced by classic Sepultura, they more than make up for the slightly over-familiar sound by throwing a lot of weight behind their punk-infused thrash metal attack. This is definitely a band that deserves a lot more attention.
Cruachan Blood On The Black Robe
Finally ditching the weak link in the feeble-voiced Karen Gilligan, this is the sound of a band rejuvenated and seemingly reveling in the heavier direction it has taken. This is true Celtic war music. Traditional Irish music meets furious metal with near perfect results. The harsh vocals compliment the new, heavier style on display here perfectly. Having said that, the 2 songs here featuring Karen as guest vocalist, are among the best on the album. I suppose less is more…as they say.
Recommended track: I Am Warrior
The Haunted
The Haunted released perhaps the most baffling album this year with this collection of Tool goes grunge songs. After over a decade as darlings of the extreme music press, with a post-thrash style all of their own, this band of ex-At The Gates members divided opinion in a way that no other heavy album this year came close to. Although the sound may be different to the point of requiring a possible change of band name, this is nonetheless, a great album. Although, probably best avoided by ardent thrash fans/extreme metal purists alike.
Hell Human Remains
I’ll spare you the back story here, but to cut a long story short, this band has overcome tragedy in the most triumphant way imaginable by finally releasing their debut 25 years after the demo material was recorded…and believe it or not, it’s well worth the wait. This isn’t here as a sympathy vote though. This is old school NWOBHM brought kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Essential.
In Solitude The World, The Flesh, The Devil
Another day, another young Swedish band releasing a Trad metal album, you might well think. On the surface you’d be right, but just one listen to this album and you will be struck by just how unique a take on the sound they have brought to the table. This is reminiscent of early-Maiden, Mercyful Fate and Candlemass, but it is more than the sum of its parts. Debut of the year. Amazing.
Korn The Path Of Totality
Never afraid of experimentation, Korn have turned to the latest musical revolution/trend, Dubstep on album number 10, and have emerged shining as always. While not the first band under the metal umbrella to try their hands at Dubstep, they are certainly the first to truly embrace it and to record an album of all new material featuring leading lights of the scene. It doesn’t always quite hit the mark, but when it does it works so well that you can’t help but admire Korn and their unwavering Midas touch. It emphasises just why this band has had such staying power, having outgrown and outlived the long-dead Nu-Metal genre.
Recommended track: Narcissistic Cannibal
Mastodon
This is another of those bands that I never truly got. After a baffling 6 years of wondering what it was that I was missing, Mastodon have finally released an album that I feel is deserving of the unbelievable level of praise heaped onto them by an adoring music press. This is prog rock brilliance. Eclectic, quirky and, while wearing their influences proudly on their collective sleeves, the finished product sounds fresh, vibrant and perhaps most interestly, totally original.
Megadeth Th1rt3en
Album number 13 and not only does MegaDave show no signs of slowing down, but he also shows no sign of stagnating as a songwriter. This album is as strong as any other to carry the Megadeth name in the near 30 year history of the band. This is a tour de force of metal. Not thrash, not speed, just metal. This is the sound of the gauntlet being well and truly thrown down. One of 2 “Big Four” bands to make this list in 2011. Whoever would have thought it?
Recommended track: Black Swan
Nightwish Imaginaerum
I have never liked Nightwish. I feel that I had to get that out of the way before I drop the bombshell that this once reviled band have released an album that I don’t just rate, but has entrenched itself firmly and without any genuine competition, right at the top of my albums of 2011 list. This is an epic, masterfully written, performed and presented piece of art. Musically this takes in Celtic, folk, jazz, metal, pop, and just about any other genre you care to mention, twists it around some astonishing vocal work from Miss Olzon, and takes you for a ride around the bizarre carnival that is Imaginaerum. Truly a work of deranged genius!
I can't recommend a track as this is best listened to as a whole.
Powerwolf Blood Of The Saints
I have never been a huge fan of Power Metal, but every now and again a band will come along that just grabs my attention immediately. Powerwolf is the latest in that line. They stand out from the (very) over-crowd power metal crowd thanks, in part, to the bizarre, werewolf theme, annoyingly catchy songs and truly unique concept story. This album got right under my skin and the songs in my head. I was quite literally singing them for weeks.
Primus Green Naugahyde
Primus return after an 8 year hiatus and effortlessly continue right where they left off. The band hasn’t missed a beat. As eccentric as ever, Les Claypool’s trademark nasal-vocal whine and phenomenal bass playing are instantly recognisable, as is the wacky songwriting and subject matter. This isn’t just another Primus record, this is a genuinely brilliant Primus record. Good to have the crazy bastards back.
Recommended track: Lee Van Cleef
Shining VII: Född Förlorare
More passionate, moody post black metal on album number 7 from Sweden’s Shining. Swinging between soft piano passages and black metal, often within the same song, this is an eclectic, passionate collection that is, as usual, dripping with despair and self-loathing. This is a depressive record, but it is filled with so much beauty that it had to be included here.
Recommended track: Människa O'avskyvärda Människa
Skindred Union Black
Skindred finally hit their stride on album number 4, sounding confident to the point of being borderline cocky, as they knock out song after song of their very unique mix of reggae, metal, punk and dubstep. It is all thrown into the mix and comes out as a razor sharp mixed bag of brilliance. No two songs sound the same, so the album never gets a chance to be lose your attention, and at around 45 minutes in length, it never outstays it’s welcome. This band always had the potential, but until now, hadn’t quite got it right. Already one of, if not the, best live acts on the British circuit, the magic now seems to have seeped into the studio too.
Recommended track: Warning
Svartsot Maledictus Eris
If you’re not yet familiar with Svartsot, they are purveyors of catchy, but slightly twee folk death metal. The one trump card in their favour is the use of gruff, death metal style vocals as opposed to the usual black metal and or/clean style. The songs are instantly memorable and irritatingly infectious. Highly recommended for those already into the genre and even for those who have kept their distance until now. Welcome in…join us. We have mead!
Recommended track: Gud Giv Det Varer Ved!
