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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: Sigz on December 19, 2011, 04:00:53 PM
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gogogogogo
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Arch/Matheos - Sympathetic Resonance
Opeth - Heritage
Those two are a step above the rest.
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I don't have *that* many, it seems.
Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction
Primus - Green Naugahyde
"Weird Al" Yankovic - Alpocalypse
Alestorm - Back Through Time (about 3/4 of it anyway)
That's all I can think of that really made me sit up and take notice. The new Megadeth was a bit disappointing, the new Anthrax was alright, the new Blackfield was quite good but I haven't really gotten into it quite yet (ditto with the new Steven Wilson), the new Opeth was decent, I haven't heard the new Mastodon but I liked the two or three tunes I heard. Ghost by DTP was quite strong too, but I thought I'd limit it to just one album per artist. I've been recommended the Arch/Matheos record but I haven't heard it yet. Ditto with the new Nightwish record (though it's not out in my country until next year).
EDIT: I don't know if this really counts but Beyond Magnetic is pretty cool too.
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1. Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction
2. Floex - Zorya
3. Eisley - The Valley
4. Fair to Midland - Arrows and Anchors
5. Grayceon - All We Destroy
6. Above & Beyond - Group Therapy
7. Necro Deathmort - Music of Bleak Origin
8. Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
9. So Hideous, My Love... - To Clasp a Fallen Wish with Broken Fingers
10. The Human Abstract - Digital Veil
Thrice, Ulver, Unexpect, and Battles are all really close runners up as well.
Also, special mention to the A State of Trance 500 and Universal Religion Chapter 5 mixes, which are both mindblowingly awesome.
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1. Steven Wilson - Grace for Downing
2. Neal Morse - Testimony Two
3. Devin Townsend Project - Ghost
4. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
5. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
6. Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction
7. Death Cab for Cutie - Codes and Keys
8. Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
9. Radiohead - The King of Limbs
10. Opeth - Heritage
Disappointment of the Year: dredg - Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy
Also, I still haven't listened to the new Wilco album to properly rate it, but I like it thus far, and I could see it eventually bumping the Radiohead and Opeth albums (both of which I like, but are definitely big drop-offs for both) down a notch.
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Right, let's see. I don't actually have too many, but these I think are worth mentioning:
1. Haken - Visions
2. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
3. The Devin Townsend Project - Ghost
4. Leprous - Bilateral
5. The Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction
6. Opeth - Heritage
7. Scale The Summit - The Collective
8. Tesseract - One
I have yet to listen to Grace for Drowning and The Color Spectrum, which will probably end up in there as well, based on their previous efforts.
This year has been more of a year discovering stuff that was already out there. It was (among others) a year of me getting more in depth with Devin's music, discovering dredg, The Dear Hunter, Anathema, Thrice and Post-Rock.
And:
10. Opeth - Watershed
Wait, what? :P
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Whoops. :lol
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1. Redemption - This Mortal Coil
2. Toby Hitchcock - Mercury's Down
3. Stratovarius - Elysium
4. Work of Art - In Progress
5. Fullforce - One
6. Scar Symmetry - Unseen Empire
7. Amorphis - The Beginning of Time
8. Voyager - The Meaning of I
9. Symphony X - Iconoclast
10. Arch/Matheos - Sympathetic Resonance
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In rough order:
Emilie Simon - Franky Knight
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo OST
Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows - A Triptychon of Ghosts Parts 2 and 3
Sarah Fimm - Near Infinite Possibility
Florence + the Machine - Ceremonials
Kate Bush - 50 Words for Snow
Bright Eyes - The People's Key
Thrice - Major/Minor
Noisuf-X - Dead End District
Bjork - Biophillia
Honorable mentions:
Anathema - Falling Deeper
Opeth - Heritage
Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
Tori Amos - Night of Hunters
Voltaire - Riding a Black Unicorn
VNV Nation - Automatic
Aesthetic Perfection - All Beauty Destroyed
Gary Numan - Dead Son Rising
Skinny Puppy - Handover
Radiohead - King of Limbs
This was a great year, so it was very, very hard to pick favorites...
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Wait, Emilie Simon has a new album? WHY WAS I NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS
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Wait, Emilie Simon has a new album? WHY WAS I NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS
I DON'T KNOW BUT YOU NEED TO GO GET IT. IT'S SO GOOD.
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1. Redemption - This Mortal Coil
2. Toby Hitchcock - Mercury's Down
3. Stratovarius - Elysium
4. Work of Art - In Progress
5. Fullforce - One
6. Scar Symmetry - Unseen Empire
7. Amorphis - The Beginning of Time
8. Voyager - The Meaning of I
9. Symphony X - Iconoclast
10. Arch/Matheos - Sympathetic Resonance
Wolf ... Finally had a listen. It's f'n brilliant! Four times over the weekend. Love it!
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Fuck it, made a top 25. This was such a rad year for music, I really dig every album on this list and there were quite a few that I was bummed to have to leave out.
(Loosely) ordered 25 favorites:
1. Floex - Zorya
2. Pain of Salvation - Road Salt Two
3. Crash of Rhinos - Distal
4. Bomb the Music Industry! - Vacation
5. Destroyer - Kaputt
6. The Dear Hunter- The Color Spectrum
7. Laura Stevenson and the Cans - Sit Resist
8. Kate Bush - 50 Words for Snow
9. Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver
10. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
11. Devin Townsend - Deconstruction
12. Mélanie Laurent - En T’Attendant
13. Tyler the Creator - Goblin
14. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
15. Bright Eyes - The People's Key
16. Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
17. James Blake - James Blake
18. The Antlers - Burst Apart
19. Thrice - Major/Minor
20. Ulver - War of the Roses
21. Polkadot Cadaver - Sex Offender
22. Opeth Heritage
23. Gotye - Making Mirrors
24. Fair to Midland - Arrows and Archers
25. Bjork - Biophillia
Others I also enjoyed:
Giles Corey - Giles Corey
Eisley - The Valley
Ben Howard - Every Kingdom
Laura Marling - A Creature I Don't Know
Neverending White Lights - Act III: Love Will Ruin
Petter Carlsen - Clocks Don't Count
Radiohead - The King of Limbs
Rachael Yamagata - Chesapeak
Beruit - The Rip Tide
Stateless - Matilda
Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math
Cunninlynguists - Oneirology
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There are a couple more I still need to buy, but here's how I rank the ones I have purchase so far:
1. Dream Theater - ADTOE: Their best album in years. Currently competing with I&W for the top 3 DT albums.
2. Redemption - This Mortal Coil: A top contender. Perhaps not as musically creative or diverse as Snowfall, but packed with emotion. Love the bonus covers disk.
3. Arch/Matheos - Sympathetic Resonance: Seems a shame to rank this album at #3, but it is only because the top 2 are so good.
4. Neal Morse - Testimony 2: Not Neal's best work, but very, very good.
5. Within Temptation - The Unforgiving: Love this band. The album feels a bit "safe" and mainstream, but there's nothing wrong with that.
6. Trivium - In Waves: Biggest surprise for me in 2011.
7. Megadeth - Th1rt3en: Solid return to form.
8. Journey - Eclipse: Just when I had written them off, they put out an album that has more solid tunes than anything they have released in a long, long time.
9. Symphony X - Iconoclast: There's some good stuff on here, but, like PL, it feels like a chore to get through the entire album.
10. The Anabasis - Back From Being Gone: Two ways to look at this. (1) A completely unknown band that wasn't even on my radar puts out a debut album that cracks my top 10. Or (2) well, it finished ahead of Sebastian Bach, but... :) I'm a "glass if half full" kind of guy, so rest assured, the fact that this made my top 10 is a compliment to the album and the musicians who recorded it. This album literally came out of nowhere for me.
11. Sebastian Bach - Kicking And Screaming: Some really cool moments, but...overall, this album doesn't work for me. Hard to put into words why, but I just feel like I should like it more than I actually do.
12. Leaves' Eyes - Meredead: There's nothing wrong with this album, but it just feels like the leftovers that weren't good enough to make Vinland Saga. And given that we've had an EP and a full length album after Vinland Saga, this would be "leftovers disk volume III." I kind of feel like I should rank it ahead of Sebastian Bach because I just have this general feeling that I like this album slightly more as a whole. But here's the thing: I can at least remember how a couple of tunes on Bas' album go. This album? Not a one. So there you have it.
13. Stryper - The Covering: Seeing this guys live earlier in the year really rekindled my interest in them. They still bring it, and I will likely always have a soft spot for them. But The Covering is just an okay covers album.
Live albums:
1. Neal Morse - Testimony 2: Really, really tough to choose between this one and TA. But there are a couple of unexpected tunes on this one that give it an ever so small edge.
2. Transatlantic - More Never Is Enough
3. Def Leppard - Mirror Ball
Albums I have yet to purchase:
-Rodrigo Y Gabriela
-The Jelly Jam
-Queensryche - Dedicated to Chaos (once I can find it in the used bin)
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Here's Ryan's list (zxlkho).
**Note from Ryan: It's ranked. Though after like 30 or so it's just a clusterfuck and not in any specific order.
1. Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
2. The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum (The Complete Collection)
3. Submotion Orchestra - Finest Hour
4. Thrice - Major/Minor
5. Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math
6. EMA - Past Life Martyred Saints
7. Swarms - Old Raves End
8. Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver
9. Protest the Hero - Scurrilous
10. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
11. Mastodon - The Hunter
12. Kimbra - Vows
13. Opeth - Heritage
14. Cloudkicker - Let Yourself Be Huge
15. James Blake - James Blake
16. Frank Turner - England Keep My Bones
17. Gotye - Making Mirrors
18. Fair to Midland - Arrows & Anchors
19. Polkadot Cadaver - Sex Offender
20. Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials
21. Floex - Zorya
22. Tim Hecker - Ravedeath, 1972
23. Radiohead - The King of Limbs
24. Kryptic Minds - Can't Sleep
25. Stateless - Matilda
26. O'Brother - Garden Window
27. Russian Circles - Empros
28. Haken - Visions
29. Lunatic Soul - Impressions
30. Sleepmakeswaves - ...And So We Destroyed Everything
31. Eisley - The Valley
32. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
33. Anathema - Falling Deeper
34. Blackfield - Welcome to my DNA
35. Zomby - Dedication
36. This Will Destroy You - Tunnel Blanket
37. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross - The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
38. Ulver - Wars of the Roses
39. Explosions in the Sky - Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
40. My Morning Jacket - Circuital
41. dredg - Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy
42. The Decemberists - The King is Dead
43. Wild Beasts - Smother
44. The Human Abstract - Digital Veil
45. The Horrors - Skying
46. In Flames - Sounds of a Playground Fading
47. Devin Townsend Project - Ghost
48. Trivium - In Waves
49. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
50. Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction
51. Pain of Salvation - Road Salt Two
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1. Redemption - This Mortal Coil
2. Toby Hitchcock - Mercury's Down
3. Stratovarius - Elysium
4. Work of Art - In Progress
5. Fullforce - One
6. Scar Symmetry - Unseen Empire
7. Amorphis - The Beginning of Time
8. Voyager - The Meaning of I
9. Symphony X - Iconoclast
10. Arch/Matheos - Sympathetic Resonance
Wolf ... Finally had a listen. It's f'n brilliant! Four times over the weekend. Love it!
Yeah man, it's bloody amazing, still listen to it regulary. Glad you are digging it, it needs so much more attention. One of the finest melodic rock album I've heard in ages. What impressed me the most was how much balls the album had, only one real ballad and the rest of the album just ploughs through. Great vocals, great guitars, just fucking great.
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Portugal. The Man - In the Mountain in the Cloud
Hands down the best album of 2011.
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By the way, I didn't really listen to enough new music this year to formulate a list, but I can say with confidence that my AOTY is The Color Spectrum.
6. Trivium - In Waves: Biggest surprise for me in 2011.
Bosk knows what's up.
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In Waves would be number 11 on my list.
What happened to letters anyway?
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Long story short: he was temp banned, but asked for it to be permanent.
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I somehow always miss the good shit!! :lol
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He cares so little about this place that he asked to be permaban, but still feels the need to post by proxy. Should have just stuck around letters.
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Yeah I miss letters :(
Though I disagree with the last 5 of his list immensely!
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1. Mastodon-The Hunter There are a lot of albums that I thought were amazing or really great this year, but I think this album, or at least songs from this album, have been in constant rotation for me since it was released. Its not Mastodon's best work, but its still really fucking good. The only weak track is "Thickening."
Standouts: "Stargasm," "Spectrelight," "Black Tongue," "Octopus Has No Friends," "The Hunter"
2. Steven Wilson-Grace For Drowning Here is an artist that managed to meet expectations after his fantastic debut solo album, and take it in an entirely different direction. The callbacks to bands like King Crimson are obvious, but hold your interest with better hooks, melodies, lyrics, and proggy instrumental sections. It also avoids the biggest modern prog music pitfall: sounding too much like the era it draws influence in.
Standouts: "Index," "Postcard," "No Part of Me," "Deform to Form a Star," "Remainder the Black Dog"
3. Eisley-The Valley Definitely a bit of a departure for the band. Less lighthearted whimsy and more broken-hearted angst, but is a fantastic, brutally honest, and most importantly hopeful album from start to finish. It may even surpass their debut.
Standouts: "Mr. Moon," "Better Love," "Ambulance," "Please"
4. Devin Townsend Project-Ghost So light, so pretty sound, yeah. Perfect for when you just want to relax.
Standouts: "Feather," "Kawaii," "Ghost," "Blackberry," "Texada"
5. Darren Korb-Bastion Original Soundtrack Think of the Firefly soundtrack through the eyes of Ravi Shankar and Trent Reznor. Mostly instrumental save 4 songs, but insanely catchy and energetic. It works great cutting down baddies in the game and as a standalone piece of music. The best experience is playing the game then listening to the soundtrack, as certain songs have an even deeper significance than is readily apparent.
Standouts: "Brusher Patrol," "A Proper Story," "Terminal March," "Build That Wall (Zia's Theme)," "Mother I'm Here (Zulf's Theme)," "Spike in a Rail"
6. Dream Theater-A Dramatic Turn of Events An album that makes me glad MP ended up leaving the band. Without him I doubt they could have made this. Gone are the boring "verse/chorus/verse/chorus/solo tradeoffs/chorus again" structures of previous albums and replaced with something refreshing while still sounding very much like DT's classic sound. Bonus points for two of the most emotional DT ballads ever. Only "Lost Not Forgotten" and "This is the Life" bring the album down.
Standouts: "Bridges in the Sky," "Far From Heaven," "Beneath the Surface," "Breaking All Illusions"
7. Bright Eyes-The People's Key Completely different than all their other stuff. Its a bit more rock than its folky predecessors with a few post rock and indie rock vibes thrown in, but the lyrics are just as poignant and well-written as ever, and the music is still amazing.
Standouts: "Beginner's Mind," "Firewall," "One For You, One for Me," "Ladder Song," "Triple Spiral"
8. Polkadot Cadaver-Sex Offender Not quite as good as their debut, but still chock full of super-fun metal songs that will make you feel like you've been sexually assaulted. Influences ranging from electronica to Twilight add really cool vibes to all of the songs, making it a totally unique release for those who like aggressive, fun, disturbing music.
Standouts: "Bloodsucker," "Slaughterhouse Striptease," "Sex Offender," "Forever and a Day," "Mongoloid"
9. Braids-Native Speaker Super-good indie rock album. Very weird, ethereal album with female vocals. If you haven't heard it, check it out on Spotify. Guarantee you've never heard anything quite like this. I can only see it getting better and better the more I listen to it.
Standouts: "Lemonade," "Native Speaker," "Plath Heart," "Little Hand"
10. Fair to Midland-Arrows and Anchors A solid follow-up to Fables, its full with a lot of hard rock with progressive elements, such as the epic nature of "The Greener Grass" and the wacky turns that "Rikki Tikki Tavi" takes. Vocalist Darroh Sudderth is an acrobatic vocalist, in that he's a pleasure to listen to and a joy to watch (just look up some live vids. He climbs scaffolding).
Standouts: "The Greener Grass," "Coppertank Island," "Musical Chairs," "Golden Parachutes," "Whiskey and Ritalin"
Just missing the cut are The Dear Hunter, Bon Iver, Russian Circles, Radiohead, and Thrice. Need to check out stuff like James Blake, Death Cab, and the GWTDT OST soon. I've heard great things.
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Nice list and writeups SDN!
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I wish you hadn't posted that. I'm tempted to switch out Sex Offender for The Dear Hunter. But now I can't or else your post may be meaningless and I can't do that to you.
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I wish you hadn't posted that. I'm tempted to switch out Sex Offender for The Dear Hunter. But now I can't or else your post may be meaningless and I can't do that to you.
Sex Offender >>>> TSC
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I wish you hadn't posted that. I'm tempted to switch out Sex Offender for The Dear Hunter. But now I can't or else your post may be meaningless and I can't do that to you.
Sex Offender >>>> TSC
What's TSC? The Sigz Catastrophe?
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:facepalm: derp TCS
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I wish you hadn't posted that. I'm tempted to switch out Sex Offender for The Dear Hunter. But now I can't or else your post may be meaningless and I can't do that to you.
Well I haven't heard Sex Offender and I loved TCS so go for it! Actually their are a few albums I haven't heard on your list but I like the ones I've heard and the writeups are good so I'll try and check them out.
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I could have easily made a top 30, but I stopped at 20 just for the sake of relative brevity:
1. Obscura, Omnivium
2. Symphony X, Iconoclast
3. Dream Theater, A Dramatic Turn of Events
4. Between the Buried and Me, The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues
5. Arch/Matheos, Sympathetic Resonance
6. Mastodon, The Hunter
7. Machine Head, Unto The Locust
8. Haken, Visions
9. Anomalous, Ohmnivalent
10. Anthrax, Worship Music
11 Unexpect, Fables of The Sleepless Empire
12 While Heaven Wept, Fear of Infinity
13. Devin Townsend Project, Ghost
14 Russian Circles, Empros
15. Ever Forthright, self-titled
16. Iced Earth, Dystopia
17. Thulcandra, Under A Frozen Sky
18. Fleshgod Apocalypse, Agony
19. Hope For The Dying, Dissumulation
20. Animals As Leaders, Weightless
(edit): CRAP. I forgot Machine Head. Sorry, Cynic!
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Sweet. I was wondering if I should have made my own thread on this, or wait for a thread like this. I will show off my top 55 albums on this (Still doing write ups for the top 15, so The Top 20 will be next time.) and all the EPs I've listened to all year:
Albums 55-21 in Random Order: Part 1
Obscura- Omnivium
What can you say about Obscura what Obscura can't do on their own? They are one of the best Progressive Death Metal bands going right now. The perfect combination of Death, Morbid Angel, Opeth, and Dream Theater *Probably in that order for influences* Omnivium is their best album to date. All the Prog Death Metal on this album makes me jump for joy. And it doesn't get boring as many of these style albums seem to do from time to time. Seeing these guys live twice yer also helped a lot (once headlining, once opening for Children of Bodom) Such killer music. I'm hoping by the time of their next album that they will be at the top of the Prog Death Metal gambit. They deserve it.
ICS Vortex- Storm Seeker
The greatest singer in Black Metal....that doesn't sing in the style of Black Metal. His clean vocals are unstoppable in Black Metal, and proving on his solo album, Storm Rider, he is proggy as all hell, with a very Devin Townsend sense of humor to him. This very epic sounding album combines the best of what ICS Vortex is known for. I honestly wouldn't mind if he quit Black Metal all together and just made these style albums. Its so damn good.
Evergrey- Glorious Collision
Evergrey is back in top form after 2 albums that, while still were Evergrey, just didn't fit right with me. They are still progressing their sound instead of keeping the traditional Inner Circle, In Search Of Truth, Recreation Day style. Its more modern sounding in the Swedish Progressive Power Metal style, but it's still very much Evergrey. The Phantom Letters is probably one of the top 5 songs ever written by the band. Overall, it's just a killer album. I hope Evergrey keeps being this strong.
Alestorm- Back Through Time
The song Scrapping The Barrel, basically says everything about this album and band altogether. Everyone thinks Running Wild did this already and better back in '84. SCREW THAT! I love Running Wild, but Alestorm kicks just as much ass, if not more. Back Through Time is their most diverse album running all over they can in the world of Power/Pirate Metal, even Black Metal in the song Death Throes of The Terrorsquid. Their playing and songwriting and lyrics are getting better with each album. It is a gimmick? Of course it is! But who really cares as long as the music behind it is worth checking out and enjoying? Back Through Time is the best example of this.
Battle Circus- Battle Circus
The band that Muse could have been if they kept getting better with Absolution, instead of just sucking. Battle Circus sadly broke up this year, not long after releasing this, their 2nd album, after just moving to the States. Bad timing eh? Battle Circus is a great Progressive Rock band that takes all of what Muse was known for being cool for, adding some double bass from time to time, better musicianship and going even more abstract. It is a phenomenal album from start to finish. This will not be a known album sadly, especially they never even had a chance to tour for it in any capacity. But this will be one of my favorite underground albums of 2011.
Animals As Leaders- Weightless
Animals As Leaders debut, self titled album is flawless. Weightless is perfection. When I first heard this album it still perfectly describes it. It's as if Tosin joined Cloudkicker. This isn't the in your face shredder album with short interludes that the self titled album was. This is much more beautiful, Melodic and overall better songwriting. And I'm saying that as a huge fan of the debut. When Djent inevitable dies out. AAL will keep going because they know how to change for the better and not sound like every other band that attempts to copy them. This album again is perfection.
Thomas Giles- Pulse
One of the most unexpected albums on the list. As a huge Between The Buried And Me fan, this album is almost the antithesis of every BTBAM album. Electronic, Progressive Rock, Pop, it's very singer/songwriter, but it is a killer album. Sleep Shake is one of the best songs Thomas Giles has ever written in any project he's been a part of. For anyone who doesn't dig BTBAM, or for Metal fans that needs something heavy but different, Pulse is the album for you.
UneXpect- Fables Of The Sleepless Empire
UnXpect got their biggest credibility for being a supporting band in the Euro version of Progressive Nation 2009 with Dream Theater, Opeth and Bigelf. The best way to describe UneXpect is basically taking a female Mike Patton, and creating Prog Metal. Fables is their most....commercial album. If you listen to their previous work, you'll understand what I mean by that. This album is still fucked up as all hell. But it's very accessible, poppy and catchy, all while still being the UneXpect that people have come to know and love. There isn't too much Female Fronted Metal I listen to, but these guys are spectacular.
dredg- Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy
About 98% of all dredg fans hate this album, or after time realized it's an ok album. When I first heard dredg was going to make this kind of album filled with Dark Pop songs. I was scared shitless. but once I listened to it with an open mind. It became one of my favorite non-metal albums of the year. Don't expect the Prog greatness of their past 3 albums on this. It's a short, sweet Pop Rock album. That's all I expected from these guys. They know what they doing. Their greatness of killer Prog rock will be back on the next album I can feel it.
Last Chance To Reason- Level 2
Last Chance To reason is one of my favorite discoveries of the year. Their first album Level 1, is a more Deathcore style album that, while I do dig, didn't really capture my interest. Then they released Level 2 this year. A Progressive Death Metal masterpiece. Combining the best of Cynic, Between The Buried and Me, Dream Theater, video games, and Classic Prog all in one album.having seen these guys twice in a 3 week span, made me even more of a fan. Hanging out with the guys after both shows made me a lifetime supporter. From what I understand, Level 3 is going to be even better. I can't wait to hear it. I will also be interviewing these guys sometime early next year. If you haven't yet, and want to hear some Killer Progressive FUCKING Metal, check out Last Chance To Reason!
Machine Head- Unto The Locusts
It's amazing how Machine Head can put out 2 killer albums, then 2 fantastically shitty albums, then 3 perfect albums in a row. Unto The Locusts is what happens when you make a shorter, less drawn out version of The Blackening. It was the right move. Killer Groove Metal mixed with some catchy tunes and even a Rush cover (Witch Hunt). Besides having Roadrunner pick out their opening bands for their headlining tours, these guys are doing no wrong. This album is just a killer metal album.
Long Distance Calling- Long Distance Calling
To be completely honest, I'm still bummed about this album. 2009's Avoid The Light is the perfect Progressive Post Metal album. the S/T album is more of a Instrumental Metal album. But that said, it's still better then almost all other bands that like to experiment. The songs are still memorable and very cool to listen to. and features Armored Saint's John Bush on the only song with vocals, Middleville. If you need a kickass instrumental Metal album that's not Djenty in any sense of the onomatopoeia. Check this out...then immediately pick up the album, Avoid The Light.
World Under Blood- Tactical
I have been waiting since 2006 for this album to FINALLY be released. and it didn't disappoint at all. This is MELODIC Death Metal in every sense of the term. CKY's Derron Miller can do no wrong in any project he does. This is a killer album of some of the best Death Metal on the planet. While it is very, VERY, Melodic, that's what makes it so perfect. Also their covers of Megadeth and Malevolent Creation is just badass. I really hope the next album won't take another 6 years to make.
Vektor- Outer Isolation
One of the best Progressive Thrash bands around, right along side Revocation. While I'm still new to the band (having only discovered them back in January with 2009's Black Future) I dare say Outer Isolation destroys it. It's thrashy, it's proggy, the vocals are very Death, early Slayer (The high pitch screams) inspired. the music is the great combination of influences that other bands should take notice of so they can become better bands. These guys are going to be getting bigger and better. Check them out now, while they are still the band in your back pocket.
Amon Amarth- Sutur Rising
The AC/DC of Viking Metal have returned. Yews you won't hear anything that you haven't heard on their previous albums, but does that really matter? It's Heavy, It's Brutal, It's Melodic, It's Epic. That's all I want from Amon Amarth. Their cover of System Of A Down's Aerials is also a welcomed touch (The first Amon Amarth song with real clean vocals) I gotta give them credits, this band proves that sticking to your first roots, isn't always a bad thing. It's a kickass album.
Wormrot- Dirge
I don't listen to much Grindcore, but when I do....it better knock the shit out of me. That's what Wormrot does. Arguably one of the greatest Grindcore albums ever written. and very, very short (17 minutes, it's not an EP, it's an album). And for me it's the perfect length. I can only go about 20-25 minutes of hearing Grindcore before I gotta switch it to something else, so this works perfectly. If you are new to Grindcore, but don't want to check out the classic Grindcore albums just yet. Check out Dirge from Wormrot. The only way you could ever be disappointed is if you hated the genre to begin with.
Amorphis- The Beginning Of Times
Amorphis has done no wrong in my eyes (That's right you read it...NO WRONG) The Beginning Of Times is continuing on from Skyforger in a better way. Every song is just as catchy as the next, while still being Proggy and Folky and just overall great songwriting. I heard great rumors that Amorphis will be touring with Nightwish in 2012 in the states, let's hope this is a full scale tour!!!
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Albums 55-21 in Random Order: Part 2
Tesseract- One
The last Djent album to be featured in this list. TesseracT's One is the Fates Warning Of Djent. While it has elements of Djent, they are much better then the term gives them credit for. Although they lost their vocalist back a few months ago. I'm still holding hope that they will be able to still be as badass as One was. This whole album is just killer.
Omega Massif- Karpatia
One of my favorite discoveries of the year. Heavy, Sludgey, Doomy, Proggy, and Instrumental. Damn what a perfect combination. Omega Massif takes all the best parts of Post Metal, gets rid of the boring shit, and replaces it with Dynamics and heaviness that needs to be in all future Post Metal bands. It's not too often I can be blown away like this. Omega Massif did it. Check this shit out!
Thulcandra- Under The Frozen Sun
Classic Black Metal. From members of the band, Obscura. I love Black Metal, and this album....DAMN! it is perfection. If you are looking for everything that made Black Metal good, before it got so mundane this album is for you!
Old Silver Key- Tales Of Wanderings
Neige and Drudkh on the same album, how could this possibly suck? It can't! It's the perfect Post Rock (with vocals) album. While there are some elements of Black Metal it's few and far between, no black Metal screams, just musically It's all in clean English and very romantic and beautiful. I'm a sucker for these kinds of albums, and I gotta admit I love every track. Whenever you are feeling down or lonely, or if you are in love, this album is for you!
Symphony X- Iconoclast
Some people say this is SX's best album, some say it sucks because there is no variety and it all sounds like one long double album song. I happen to believe it's the album Paradise should have been. While there are some great songs on Paradise Lost, it overall wasn't up to par. Iconoclast on the other hand is amazing. Not their best by any means, but god damn! If you like heavy Progressive Metal. Check out Iconoclast. It's well worth it.
Charred Walls Of The Damned- Cold Winds on Timeless Days
In speaking of albums that should have been better. That's how I feel about the Self Titled album from Charred Walls Of The Damned. Richard Christy is one of my biggest drumming influences. but after repeated listens, the Self Titled album gets hard to listen to. NO SO on Cold Winds Of Timeless Days. This album is perfection. Ripper Owens knows how to use his voice on this album (One of the bigger problems with the S/T album) This is pure Progressive Power Metal. It's such a shame that this will not be toured behind extensively. I really wanna see these guys live. This album is why.
The Anabasis- Back From Being Gone
Epic Progressive Metal. What more could a guy like me need? Featuring Ryo from Spock's Beard. This album is just perfection in my eyes. Is the production perfect, no, but what would you expect from an unsigned band. But it is loud clear, and very awesome to listen to. Every song is just as fun to listen to as the next. Including all the epic songs involved. (Only 6 songs on this one, 3 epics.) IF you need a refresher on amazing Progressive Metal. Check out my good friends in, The Anabasis!
Darkest Hour- The Human Romance
Darkest Hour lost all my interest when they dropped Kris Norris, and decided that Devin Townsend wasn't good enough for them to produce their albums anymore. But they got it back with this one. With Peter from Soilwork manning the producing. They made a Melodic Thrash/ Melodic Death Metal album. That is very damn catchy and enjoyable from front to back. Something I thought I would ever be able to say again. If you liked The Kris Norris era of Darkest Hour, Check out The Human Romance!
sleepmakeswaves- ...and so we destroyed everything
Again another example of what Post Rock is suppose to be. Un-boring dynamic, instrumental Rock music. This was an album I had been meaning to check out all year, then when i finally got around to it. i couldn't shut it off. While the band name, album title and song titles are a bit...hipster. The music more then makes up for it! If you need a break from the Post Rock monotony. get this NOW!!!
Arch/Matheos- Sympathetic Resonance
John Arch with the current instrumental line up of Fates Warning. honestly, what would be better? It appears as those there is some bad blood or something going on with Matheos and Ray Adler (Nether side is going into details) But regardless, you should just consider this the newest Fates Warning album. There's no reason not to. It is just badass from start to finish. Midnight Serenade is the perfect Prog Metal single, and every song is just awesome. Although there is only 6 songs. It is jam packed and a full fledged Prog Metal album. Definitely worthy of being one of the best Prog Metal albums of the year.
Woods Of Desolation- Torn Beyond Reason
The best straight up Black Metal album of the year. Hand down. It has everything...EVERYTHING you need in a Black Metal release. Its sad, it's angry, it's dark, and always ironically uplifting (Like most black Metal albums in my opinion, just based on the fact the actual music gives off that kinda feeling). Australia's Woods Of Desolation made the perfect Black Metal album this year. It's been in and out of my top 20 all year. Sadly it didn't make the mark. But this will go down as a must have for all you Black Metal purists.
Fleshgod Apocalypse- Agony
Symphonic Death Metal at it's finest. It makes me feel so shitty of a drummer to know that he has only been playing 3 years now, and recorded this album. How the fuck can someone play blast beats this fast, precise, and relentless after only playing drums for 3 years? But the album itself has all the symphonic backgrounds I love that Dimmu Borgir ruined in Black Metal and just the brutality of Death Metal that is lacking in Death Metal. It's not very technical outside the drums. just fast, heavy and brutal. Sometimes that's all you need in Death metal. I don't have much Death Metal in my list this year. but this I couldn't do without!
Times Of Grace- The Hymn Of The Broken Man
Killswitch Engage.....I mean Times Of Grace put out a very solid Metalcore album with a ting of Post Rock way in the beginning of this year. This is how I wish the last KSE album actually sounded. and I have a feeling the new KSE due to come out fall 2012 will sound a bit like this. Jesse has been sorely missed by myself and other fans for years. It's great to hear him back where he belongs, working with Adam D.
Fucked Up- David Comes To Life
There's not much Hardcore I listen to, but when I do, again like Grindcore, it better knock the shit out of me. This is old school Hardcore, mixed with Punk Rock and an overall Epic Concept feel through out. Like if Black Flag started working with Green Day consulted by The Ramones. Every song is very catchy and just badass. It's one of the red-headed step children albums on my list simply because I don't listen to this genre much. But Fucked Up is bringing back what used to be great about it, before it was over saturated in the Mid-90s. Hipster loved or not. I Love Fucked Up!
Beardfish- Mammoth
Anyone miss 70's Prog like I do? Well now you don't have to with Beardfish. Beardfish has been around for a long time now. but Mammoth is easily the best album the band has ever written. 70's Prog mixed with Zappa style humor and musical styles and some of the best musicianship in Prog today. Those that aren't looking for Technical Prog Metal, and just want some sometimes heavy Prog Rock mixed with what made 70's Prog awesome. Check out Beardfish!
Anaal Nathrakh- Passion
This is the album you get when you combine every style of Metal into one band. Industrial and Black Metal, Death Metal and Grindcore being the main influences. As if Strapping Young Lad, didn't get extreme enough. IF you're not into this style of music at all. I only recommend listening to this in very small doses, but if you give it a chance you might actually start to appreciate it. It's fucked up *no pun intended from the review above* but it is spectacular.
Falloch- Where Distant Spirits Remain
Alcest, Agalloch and Primordial mixed together makes for one of the best damn albums of the year. This was originally in my top 20, but it does belong more in the top 25. Some consider this bland and boring. I consider it a masterpiece. The main reason this isn't in my top 20, is that I wanted more variety in my top 20 list. This album is perfection in every sense of the word. If you like Blackened Post/Folk Metal (Agalloch, Alcest, Primordial) do yourself a favor and enjoy Falloch. It's too damn good to ignore.
Zebulon Pike- Space Is The Corpse of Time
Minnesota's own Zebulon Pike (recently featured on National Public Radio as their band of the day), combines the best of music as they say in their own words "The music of from 1975 to 1979. An Instrumental band that is Black Sabbath and Rush mixed together. The doom sludgy, Metal of Sabbath, and the progginess of early Rush. These 5 songs make up 49 minutes of the Stoner Prog Metal, that no one has really took much time to try to create. Zebulon Pike did it perfectly. Check this out if you need to fill the void that Sleep isn't proggy enough, and Prog isn't slow enough.
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Hmm I'll have to think about my top 50...
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My favorite is Foo Fighter's Wasting Light, that is for certain. The rest not so sure, working on a list now.
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Heretic's Top 25 Albums of 2011
Presented in a mannerly fashion
25. Machine Head - Unto the Locust
Having only listened to this a few times, I can't accurately judge my ranking of this, but the last few songs were really, really good.
24. Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
A good, solid rock release, and much better than their previous offerings.
23. Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math
This album was pretty good, and with more listens I feel like it will probably move up on the list. The title track is awesome.
22. The Human Abstract - Digital Veil
A solid release. Definitely lost appeal over time, though.
21. Red - Until We Have Faces
While I'm not a huge fan of more mainstream-rock sounding bands, this band isn't completely cliche, and for that, it gets a spot here. A few of the songs aren't really worth listening to, but overall it's a solid album.
20. Opeth - Heritage
Didn't like this at all at first, though it grew on me. I'm a fan of the first few tracks. Things seem to blend together towards the middle, though-- yet they end on a good note with Folklore and Marrow of the Earth. Interested to see what Opeth does next.
19. Vildhjarta - Masstaden
This album is dark, heavy, intense. Not many moments to breathe on this one, but it's still pretty awesome.
18. Maybeshewill - I Was Here for a Moment, Then I Was Gone
An amazing post rock album that doesn't fall into the staleness of the genre.
17. Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver
A gorgeous album, full of lush instrumentation and a sound that wasn't explored at all on For Emma. I love the emotional aspect of this album, and, unlike most, really liked that 80s song that closes the album.
16. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
I feel slightly flamboyant putting this on my list, but I feel that way listening to it to so w/e. A fun, catchy pop album.
15. Symphony X - Iconoclast
A perfection of the sound of Paradise Lost, Iconoclast is a heavy, intense release. It definitely needs more progressive and slower moments, as "When All is Lost" is definitely the best song on this album.
14. Trivium - In Waves
While Shogun is still stronger than this album, In Waves is still a solid release, with some really good songs.
13. Protest the Hero - Scurrilous
Giving Rody the pen for this album was an odd decision, one that I feel like worked for the most part-- although I miss some of the storytelling aspect from the previous albums. This album is quite satirical in places, and it's very catchy. I miss the heavier vocals, though.
12. The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum (Complete Collection)
This collection of EPs is one of the best out there. The Green EP is my favorite thing TDH have ever released, and the other EPs are just as strong.
11. Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
Deform to Form a Star. That is all.
10. Ever Forthright - Ever Forthright
I was a fan of Periphery's debut, and this album is similar to that in a lot of ways, just with a saxophone and better vocals. However, I feel like Periphery is going to surprise us all with their 2012 offerings, so for now, though I feel Ever Forthright's debut has been stronger, who knows.
9. Cloudkicker - Let Yourself Be Huge
Beacons was an album that I felt like didn't have a dull moment on it. LYBH continues that trend, albeit in a softer, more acoustically driven way. Overall, the album is very strong, and the closing title track is one of Sharp's best.
8. Scale the Summit - The Collective
Instrumental prog at its best.
7. Haken - Visions
While I liked Aquarius, it didn't strike me as a gem of the prog genre, despite being very nice. Visions, on the other hand, is absolutely fantastic, and shows the band tightening up their sound, perfecting it, and adding a new cohesiveness that was definitely needed. "Deathless" is my favorite song from the album, and probably my favorite by them in general.
6. Between the Buried and Me - The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues
Despite this being an EP, it still makes my list as one of the best releases of the year. "Lunar Wilderness" is perhaps one of their greatest songs yet, and the whole EP just has a space-y atmosphere to it.
5. August Burns Red - Leveler
I was incredibly impressed by the experimentation introduced on Constellations, and this release just took that further in some parts. While I'd like to see them tackle even more new terrain, this album is still great, "Salt & Light" being my favorite of the tracks.
4. Thrice - Major/Minor
"Words in the Water" is my favorite song of 2011, and the album that it's on is definitely one of the best things I've heard all year. While Beggars was amazing, this release just takes that sound and furthers it, even strips it down in a few places.
3. Mastodon - The Hunter
I really liked Crack the Skye, but this release took Mastodon from a band in my library to one of my absolute favorites. The album, as a whole, is just fun. Stargasm.
2. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
Though I wasn't as disappointed as some people with BC&SL, this release impressed me to no end. Definitely my third favorite album they've put out, behind I&W and SDOIT. Would have probably been even more well- received had the whole lolMikePortnoy drama not occured, but then we wouldn't have gotten this album, so all's well that ends well, or whatever.
1. Fair to Midland - Arrows and Anchors
Fables is one of my favorite albums ever, and the follow-up is right there with it. All of the songs are fantastic- "Short-Haired Tornado" being my favorite. "The Greener Grass" is also magnificent, and I definitely want them to do more longer songs in the future.
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Wow very nice JR! And the rest of you too! These are a lot of fun to read!
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I finally got my haul from cmdistro which has a few more 2011 releases (Leprous, Haken, Cynic, Riverside), so I want to wait before I post anything.
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1. Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction: Easily one Devin's best albums (in the top 3 alongside Addicted and Ziltoid), in short it's a fucking trip. Absurdly dense, psychotic as hell, and an amazing listen from start to finish. The only real weak spot to me are the really awkward vocal melodies at the beginning of The Mighty Masturbator.
2. Floex - Zorya: Man, this album came out of nowhere. Seth had been raving about it for ages, and I finally listened to it a month ago or so and have been obsessed with it since. The combination of acoustic instruments and gorgeously textural electronic work is beautiful, whimsical, and hypnotic.
3. Eisley - The Valley: Eisley's third album did not disappoint in any way, shape or form. Maintaining Eisley's tradition of fantastic songwriting coupled with gorgeous melodies, The Valley shows a much more mature side of the band in the lyrics, which deal with the broken relationships the band had been recovering from.
4. Fair to Midland - Arrows and Anchors: Man, this band probably writes the most consistently awesome choruses of any band out there today. Virtually every song on the album is both unique and catchy as hell, and Darroh's voice is one of the highlights of the band, from his soaring high voice to his absurdly epic growls.
5. Grayceon - All We Destroy: While their previous albums have been very good, Grayceon has truly come into their own with All We Destroy. While they maintain the intricate finger picked metal riffs, dense drumming, and damned heavy cello playing that's always been their trademark, they've really stepped their game up in the composition department. The highlight of the album is definitely 'We Can', an incredible 17 minute epic with a middle section that is one of my favorite sections of music from this year.
6. Above & Beyond - Group Therapy: For me the highlight discovery of 2011 was trance music, which has pretty much consumed my life for the last 9 months or so. Out of all the artists in the genre I've discovered, Above & Beyond is easily amongst the best, and moreover is a group that I feel a lot of non-EDM fans would still enjoy, as it avoids the cliche'd repetitive 'UNCE UNCE UNCE UNCE' sound that seems to turn a lot of people off from trance/EDM (dunno why, I fucking love it). Anyways, Group Therapy is a great album album all in all. It's lush, melodic, happy, and hypnotic, and I'd recommend that everyone give it a try, even if they're not normally a fan of "techno"*. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I7ZVfdn_0w
7. Necro Deathmort - Music of Bleak Origin: Another album that came out of nowhere, I had never heard of the group until I saw this album at #1 on Steven Wilson's AOTY list, where he described them as "Nine Inch Nails produced by Sunn O)))" - a description that had me immediately check them out. Music of Bleak Origin is an amazing fusion of drone metal and industrial elements. Acoustic drums provide rhythm to a dense tapestry of dirty electronics and distorted guitars in what is probably the darkest release on this list. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bo4YFzXkL0
8. Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning: While not as good as Insurgentes by any means, Grace For Drowning expands on Steven Wilson's solo outings by covering a huge range of styles, from the King Crimson Red-era progginess on songs like Sectarian to the dark industrial trip of Index. It's heavy, it's beautiful, and while it probably would have been better as a single disc, it's still a fantastic listen.
9. So Hideous, My Love... - To Clasp a Fallen Wish with Broken Fingers: Oh my, where to begin. Basically, take Explosions in the Sky, remove every once of happiness and hope from their music, mix in a healthy portion of hardcore, black metal, and general desperate anger along with some screaming and you have So Hideous, My Love. While post-rock has always had a general morose, melancholic feeling to it, this band has taken the genre and twisted it into a tempest of anger that's both unique and incredible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z5hjK5bluU
10. The Human Abstract - Digital Veil: I was at first rather disappointed when The Human Abstract released the first single, however after some more listens their new sound (and singer) really clicked with me, and after hearing the album proper I was sold. While they maintain the mathy, neo-classical metalcore that had on Nocturne, THA has updated their sound with a more death-y singer and quite a bit more metal. It's a great sound, coupled with the band's solid and at at times intricate composition you've got a damned good prog metalcore album, and one that stands above the other releases from this year (Protest the Hero, I'm looking at you).
*I swear to god, the next person who says "ew I don't like techno" when I tell them I like trance is going to die a horrible, horrible death.
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Awkward melodies at the beginning of the Mighty Masturbator? Don't you mean the beginning of Planet of the Apes?
Also, I think Decon would be much better if Pandemic had been replaced by Ho Krll. Its a bit more of a preparation song for the title track after the insanity that is Masturbator, and Pandemic just isn't that good.
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:facepalm: yeah I do.
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As always, Sigz excels at being one classy motherfucker.
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Hmm looks like I'll enjoy that Necro Deathmort album... I'll check it out! :tup
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Top 10 Albums
1. The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum (Complete Collection)
2. Bright Eyes - The People's Key
3. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
4. Eisley - The Valley
5. Devin Townsend - Ghost
6. The Decemberists - The King Is Dead
7. Death Cab For Cutie - Codes and Keys
8. Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math
9. Mastodon - The Hunter
10. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Honorable Mentions
Florence and the Machine - Ceremonials
Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
Devin Townsend - Deconstruction
Childish Gambino - Camp (lol)
The Black Keys - El Camino
Foo Fighters -Wasting Light
Top 3 Songs
Bon Iver - Beth/Rest
M83 - Midnight City
The Black Keys - Lonely Boy
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I discovered a lot of music this year, but not a lot of music that was released this year. As such, my list is pretty short.
1) Flaming Row - Elinoire. It's criminal how unknown this is. Absolutely incredible Prog Metal music. Great collaboration of a lot of brilliant musicians, including Gary W from Shadow Gallery
2) Dream Theater - ADTOE. Brilliant return. Awesome balance between prog, and metal.
3) The Anabasis - Back From Being Gone. See what Bosk and JR said.
4) Toby Hitchcock - Mercury's Down. So nice to re-discover good amazing melodic rock. I thought it had been mostly abandoned in the 90s.
5) The Magnificent - S/T. As we all wait patiently (I can just see :spider: >:( raging) wait for Circus Maximus to record, it's nice to hear something from Michael Eriksen.
6) Work of Art - In Progress. More with the Melodic Genre.
The last three are all from the label Frontier. Nice set of artists they have there.
That's pretty much it for my 2011 finds.
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My top 10 of 2011, Part 1: 20-11
20.) Anthrax- Worship Music
I will be the first guy here to always say Bush>>>Belladonna. I got into Anthrax during the Bush years, John Bush is my my kinda singer and We've Come For You All is their best album (haters gonna hate) That said. Belladonna and Anthrax in general stepped up their game on this one. I was fully expecting this one to go over like Chinese Democracy because of all the controversy surrounding it. I was happily mistaken. Killer thrash and Hard Rock are fully represented on this one. And I dare say one of the best Thrash Albums of 2011.
19.) Hotel Of The Laughing Tree- Terror And Everything After
One of the red-headed step children albums on this list, and it very well deserves to be in my top 20. These guys cover everything there is in Rock music, from Alternative to Hard Rock, to Folk Rock and everything in between. No two songs sound the same and overall...it's just a kickass Rock album. Metal purists, even you will admire the musicianship that goes in this album. It's too good to ignore just because it's not tr00 and kvlt.
18.) Primordial- Redemption at The Puritan's Hand
Having only discovered these guys this year. I'm pissed at myself for not finding out about them earlier. Primordial is the perfect Irish Folk Metal/Black Metal band. Mostly Blind Guardian style clean vocals with the occasional Black Metal backups or screams in verses. The music....HOLY FUCK....IT IS EPIC! If you love true evil heavy metal, this album is for you. I will give anything for Primordial to tour in 2012.....ANYTHING!
17.) Devin Townsend- Ghost
Devin Townsend is my musical god for a reason. He can be pure fucking metal, a prog Metal icon, a fake Punk, or in this case a folk Rock master. Those that know me will be shocked to see Ghost this low in my top 20. The biggest Reason being. I love this album to death, but Unless I need some meditation or a peaceful break/sleep. I can't listen to this album all the time. It's too peaceful to enjoy over and over again. As a Rock/Metal fan, peaceful music calms me down and it's great to sleep too (I mean that in a very good way) but for Ghost it proves that Devin can play anything he sets to mind to, and god damn, he created his second most beautiful album to date (Nothing tops Terria....ever!)
16.) Pagan's Mind- Heavenly Ecstasy
Pagan's mind is always going to be in one of these two categories: 1.) better then Dream Theater or 2.) Worse then Dream Theater. It's undeniable. There is a lot of similarities. DT will forever be my favorite band, but Pagan's Mind....it's idiotic to ignore these guys. They have the perfect Progressive Power Metal touch. On Par with Symphony X and a fuckload better then Circus Maximus. Eyes of Fire is one of my favorite songs of 2011 for a reason...just listen to this masterpiece of a song, and you'll understand why. It hit me like a ton of bricks and does to this day.
15.) Opeth- Heritage
Opeth have really polarized themselves from the Death Metal scene by releasing their 2nd album without Growls or Death Metal of any kind with Heritage. It is a pure 70's Prog album with lots of elements of Folky and and acoustic Music as well. Songs like Slither show they are still just as heavy as ever. I will admit it does get boring in the 3rd quarter of the album, but the rest of the album is great. and well worthy of a top 20 spot. Nothing in top 10, but Top 20 for sure.
14.) Wolves In The Throne Room- Celestial Lineage
Many people say WITTR are the band responsible for the new wave of Atmospheric Black Metal. It's really hard to disagree. They do everything that I love in Black Metal. Just as evil as any Emperor or Darkthrone but enjoyable to any Post Rock/Post Metal fan.I Dare say this is their most Epic album to date. This album is one of the best Black Metal albums to be released in recent time. Hipsters love this style....and even that doesn't drive me away from the great music behind it. I hope one day I'll get to see them live.
13.) Leprous- Bilateral
Easily one of the best Prog albums to ever be released. And the only reason why this isn't higher is because of the lack of time I have been able to digest this album before having to of made my top 20 list/Radio show. Every song is killer from start to finish, my personal favorite being the album closer, Painful Detour. Leprous is also the current backing band for Ihsahn. It's a great combination for sure. If you like your Progressive Metal with a bit of Ihsahn style's Norwegian Blackened metal, and quirky as hell. This is the album for you. Don't ignore this amazing album!
12.) Fair To Midland- Arrows And Anchors
Fair to Midland can do no wrong. Some the say the production isn't the best on this album, but I always look past production and focus on the songs at hand. That's what this album has, fantastic songwriting and structure. Very catchy hooks, and and overall scene of power you don't hear in popular Progressive Rock/Metal. I might even go as far to say that I prefer this to Fables...I'm not quite there yet, but right now they are dead even.
11.) Deafheaven- Roads To Judah
Four of the most perfectly crafted Post Rock/Black Metal songs ever made....especially for a debut album! And they have been scaring off Hipsters while being on tour with Russian Circles this year...another 10 points added to their awesomeness. haha. But seriously. This is EXACTLY what I'm looking for in the Post Rock and Black Metal worlds and Deafheaven combined them perfectly. Please do yourself a favor and get this album ASAP! You will be so glad that you did.
Coming up next time. 10-6!
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Some more great stuff! I will have to check these out.
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Thanks man! Glad you're digging it!
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I'm gonna post mine next week, technically there's still some left of 2011. :P
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1. Dark Castle - Surrender To All Life Beyond Form
2. Fuck The Facts - Die Miserable
3. Obscura - Omnivium
4. Mastodon - The Hunter
5. Devin Townsend - Deconstruction
6. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
7. Black Tusk - Set The Dial
8. Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
9. Blue Ox - Stray Dogs On Pity Island
10. Decapitated - Carnival is Forever
11. Opeth - Heritage
12. Exhumed - No Guts No Glory
13. Indian - Guiltless
14. In Solitude - The World, The Flesh, The Devil
15. Rotten Sound - Cursed
16. Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You
17. Revocation - Chaos of Forms
18. Skeletonwitch - Forever Abomination
19. Septic Flesh - The Great Mass
20. Unexpect - Fables of The Sleepless Empire
21. Children of Bodom - Relentless Reckless Forever
22. Autopsy - Macabre Eternal
23. Tombs - Path of Totality
24. Gridlink - Orphan
25. Deafheaven - Road to Judah
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Top 10 albums:
1. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events
Favourite song: "Breaking All Illusions"
2. Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
Favourite song: "Walk"
3. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Favourite song: "The Death of You And Me"
4. Yes - Fly From Here
Favourite song: "We Can Fly"
5. Opeth - Heritage
Favourite song: "Folklore"
6. Mastodon - The Hunter
Favourite song: "Curl of the Burl"
7. Symphony X - Iconoclast
Favourite song: "The End of Innocence"
8. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Favourite song: "Hurts like Heaven"
9. Kasabian - Velociraptor!
Favourite song: "Days Are Forgotten"
10. Iced Earth - Dystopia
Favourite song: "Anthem"
Top 5 songs:
1. Dream Theater - Breaking All Illusions
2. Foo Fighters - Walk
3. Opeth - Folklore
4. Kasabian - Days Are Forgotten
5. Mastodon - Curl of the Burl
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I might do write-ups at some point, but here's my list at the moment:
1. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
2. Kimbra - Vows
3. Florence + the Machine - Ceremonials
4. Metallica and Lou Reed - Lulu
5. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
6. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
7. Tiki Taane - In the World of Light
8. Beirut - The Rip Tide
9. Machine Head - Unto the Locust
10. Bic Runga – Belle
There's quite a bit of stuff I still want to hear, but considering I normally only hear about two or three albums the year they come out, I actually made a big effort this year. The list is still a bit thin though. Both 9 and 10, I only listened to a few times, and wasn't into very much.
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In no particular order-
Whitesnake - Forevermore
King Kobra - King Kobra
Rhapsody of Fire - From Chaos to Eternity
Scar Symmetry - The Unseen Empire
Steel Panther - Balls Out
ADTOE still deserves a mention for being a good album, but I'm not sure where it fits with the rest.
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I have yet to hear three albums I really want to by Also Eden, Touchstone, and Theocracy, but I'll post my favorites without making it a top ten to make it fair.
Animals As Leaders - Weightless
Another solid release by this band. After a while, I don't think it's as strong as the debut, but I still enjoy putting it on
Favorite track: "An Infinite Regression"
Arch/Matheos - Sympathetic Resonance
A very good release. John Arch sounds amazing, though his voice gets a little grating sometimes, and sometimes it sounds like he's just singing the same things over and over, but on a good day I really like it.
Favorite track: "Any Given Day (Strangers Like Me)"
Between The Buried And Me - The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues
A great EP that satisfies my need for BTBAM while waiting for a new release. Love how it almost runs like one whole track.
Favorite track: "Lunar Wilderness"
Chevelle - Hats Off To The Bull
Just another solid album by one of my favorite bands.
Favorite track: "The Meddler"
The Decemberists - The King Is Dead
I really enjoyed the more folksy direction they went in with this one. I thought I wouldn't.
Favorite track: "Down by the Water"
Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events
This brought me out of my DT slump. Fantastic record. Everyone else has pretty much said everything I could say about this, though.
Favorite track: "Breaking All Illusions"
Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
With most FF albums I only like a few songs and don't really care about the rest. This one is different. Most of the songs on this record are awesome. Damn shame that a few have been so overplayed on the radio that i can't stand them anymore.
Favorite track: "Burning Bridge"
Foster The People - Torches
Just an all-around solid debut that I eventually warmed up to.
Favorite track: "Helena Beat"
Haken - Visions
I've been warming up to this one a lot lately. Not quite as good as the debut, but still a very high-quality output.
Favorite track: "Visions"
Journey - Eclipse
It's unusual that I like an album this much from a band this late into their career. The sound is a bit more aggressive, darker, but maintains Journey's trademark sound. And Arnel is really coming into his own here.
Favorite track: "Edge Of The Moment"
Scale The Summit - The Collective
This band just keeps improving. There's a bit more "atmosphere" to this release than the last one.
Favorite track: "Secret Earth"
The Strokes - Angles
This was actually my introduction to the band, and even after hearing the first three albums, I like this one the most. Just really catchy, poppy tunes.
Favorite track: "Metabolism"
Yes - Fly From Here
Awesome record. I already love Drama, and had seen the new singer live and known him from Mystery. I know that the suite is leftover Buggles stuff, but it's sooooo good. "Into The Storm" is awesome too with that "armies of angels" chorus.
Favorite track: "Fly From Here" (the whole suite)
Songs that deserve a mention even if I didn't find the album amazing:
Beardfish - "And The Stone Said 'If I Could Speak'"
Coldplay - "Princess Of China"
Cynic - "Carbon-Based Anatomy"
The Dear Hunter - Anything from Black or Red
Glass Hammer - "Nothing Box"
Kanye West & Jay-Z - "No Church In The Wild"
Karmakanic - "Can't Take It With You"
Korn - "Chaos Lives In Everything"
Lupe Fiasco - "Letting Go", "Words I Never Said"
My Morning Jacket - "Victory Dance", "Holdin' On To Black Metal"
Opeth - "The Devil's Orchard"
Panic! At The Disco - "The Ballad Of Mona Lisa"
Red Hot Chili Peppers - "The Adventures Of Raindance Maggie" (overplayed to hell, though)
Steven Wilson - "Deform To Form A Star", "Index"
Biggest Disappointment of 2011:
Incubus - If Not Now, When?
How about when you have some actual good songs to put out? Man that was frustrating to listen to.
Overall, good year musically.
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Yeah, the Incubus was absolutely terrible. So disappointing.
I discovered a lot of music this year, but not a lot of music that was released this year. As such, my list is pretty short.
1) Flaming Row - Elinoire. It's criminal how unknown this is. Absolutely incredible Prog Metal music. Great collaboration of a lot of brilliant musicians, including Gary W from Shadow Gallery
2) Dream Theater - ADTOE. Brilliant return. Awesome balance between prog, and metal.
3) The Anabasis - Back From Being Gone. See what Bosk and JR said.
4) Toby Hitchcock - Mercury's Down. So nice to re-discover good amazing melodic rock. I thought it had been mostly abandoned in the 90s.
5) The Magnificent - S/T. As we all wait patiently (I can just see :spider: >:( raging) wait for Circus Maximus to record, it's nice to hear something from Michael Eriksen.
6) Work of Art - In Progress. More with the Melodic Genre.
The last three are all from the label Frontier. Nice set of artists they have there.
That's pretty much it for my 2011 finds.
Great to see Toby and Work of Art getting some more recognition, amazing melodic rock. I still haven't ordered the Magnificant, but I will do it, if it's up there with the other two, I will be a happy man!!
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10. Peter, Bjorn & John - Gimme some
9. King Crimson ProjeKct - A Scarcity of miracles
8. Evergrey - Glorious colision
7. Megadeth - TH1RT3EN
6. Van der Graaf Generator - A Grounding in numbers
5. Yes - Fly from here
4. Radiohead - The King of limbs
3. They might be giants - Join us
2. Stratovarius - Elysium
1. Dream Theater - A Dramatic turn of events
It was a pretty good year. :smiley:
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Haken - Visions
I will do a special mention to this album as I think it's the best of 2011. I came to know Haken this year and listened to both releases. I don't think I had been this mind blown by a prog metal band since DT which is a lot to say for these guys. Visions is a more cohesive album than Aquarius but I think both of them stand on the same spot to me. This album has great intrumentation but not overly flashy, there's a great flow from one song to the other and I would be really hard pressed to find a weak spot. I love all of the songs in it. 10/10
Here are the other top 9 in no particular order. And yes, I am aware of the uber prog list I have.
Devin Townsend - Ghost
The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum (Complete Collection)
Karmakanic - In a Perfect World
Pendragon - Passion
Arena - The Seventh Degree of Separation
Black Country Communion - 2
Neal Morse - Testimony 2
Agents of Mercy - The Black Forest
Pagan's Mind - Heavenly Ecstacy
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I don't like to rank them but here were my big SPINNERS of the year.
Pagan's Mind - Heavenly Ecstasy
Dream Theater - A Dramatic Grammy Winner
Symphony X - Iconoclast
Devil Driver - Beast
Death Angel - Relentless Retribution
In Flames - Sounds of a Playground
Limp Bizkit - Gold Cobra
Machine Head - Unto The Locust
Pat Matheny - What's It All About
Redemption - This Mortal Coil
Scar Symmetry - Unseen Empire
The Crimson Armada - Conviction
Unearth - Darkness In The Light (highly recomend this one for the growler/scream-o fans)
August Burns Red - Leveler
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10. Yes - Fly From here - Actually my introduction to Yes, and I like it.
9. Steven Wilson - A Grace for Drowning - Still getting familiar with it, and it gets better every time.
8. Fair to Midland - Arrows and Anchors - Cool beans.
7. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto - I like the music on this disc thing.
6. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues - Unique, pretty and creative.
5. Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction - oh dear my head is exploding so intense music
4. Haken - Visions - Haken delivers once again, stellar album.
3. Thrice - Major/Minor - Me gusta times infinity
2. Devin Townsend Project - Ghost - Easily one of the most beautiful albums ever by anyone.
1. The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum - oh god smile everywhere, EVERYWHERE
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Whoa, thank you very much bosk1, Jrundquist and jingle.boy :) It's really an honor to have my music mentioned in any of these lists.
As for me, I think my favorites (in no particular order) this year were:
Arch/Matheos - "Sympathetic Resonance"
I did not expect to like this album so much, mostly because Arch's voice can sometimes annoy be, but he's aged well and I think he did a great job. The guitar sound on this album is just monstrous and the riffs and songwriting are incredible.
Redemption - "This Mortal Coil"
It took a while for it to grow on me, but I definitely enjoy this album quite a bit. Doesn't quite match up to their last couple, but still very, very well done.
Dream Theater - "A Dramatic Turn of Events"
Best album they've released in a decade. While the previous 4 album had moments of brilliance, they were also dotted with chucks of fail, particularly some of the lyrics on the most recent albums. My expectations were very low going into this one, but Dream Theater managed to easily exceed them.
Lost In Thought - "Opus Arise"
Awesome debut from a young band that shows a lot of promise. Definitely borrowing quite heavily from the Dream Theater template of what progressive metal is, but not to the point where I'd call them a clone. Some of the best vocals I've heard this year and stunning production values.
Eumeria - "Rebel Mind"
Another great debut album from another up and coming progressive metal outfit. The vocalist has some serious pipes and the players are all exceptional.
Haken - "Visions"
Probably my new favorite progressive metal band. Every time I listen to this album I am amazed by how quickly it goes by.
2011's Disappointments:
Symphony X - "Iconoclast"
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....riff, riff, gargle with glass vocals, riff, riff.....goofy, juvenile lyrics, riff, riff.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Opeth - "Heritage"
Could have been better by either changing the running order of the tracks or just doing less of that sort of free-jazz stuff.....too big of a long slow mellow bottomless pit of boredom in the middle of the album, which is too bad because there are some moments of brilliance sprinkled throughout especially the beginning and the last few tracks.
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Journey - Eclipse
It's unusual that I like an album this much from a band this late into their career. The sound is a bit more aggressive, darker, but maintains Journey's trademark sound. And Arnel is really coming into his own here.
Favorite track: "Edge Of The Moment"
:tup
Eclipse was a very pleasant surprise.
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9. Opeth - Heritage - This album was just good enough to make me not completely forget about Opeth. There's some good parts here and there but overall... fuck Heritage.
8. Lou Reed/Metallica - Lulu - Not sure why but I enjoyed taking this album in... like a colored mans dick.
7. The Devin Townsend Project - Ghost - I really didn't expect to care much for this, but there are quite a few great bits. Looking forward to letting this sink in more in the future.
6. Mastodon - The Hunter - Not as good as CTS, but very solid. Like the Brann vocal songs.
5. Thomas Giles - Pulse - Very fun album. Surprised me with how much it all clicked with me.
4. Between The Buried & Me - The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues - Yeah it's an EP, but no fucks given. Specular Reflection is a top 10 all time song for me now.
3. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events - I love the album... just not as much as I hoped I would have. Some where in the middle when compared to other DT releases.
1 & 2. The Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction - Oh my god I have never heard more properly done insane music in my life. Top 3 album for me. Exceeded all expectations.
Top 5 songs.
1. DTP - Deconstruction - I want this song played at my funeral.
2. BTBAM - Spceular Reflection - The paint on the skip back a track button is worn out because this song.
3. DT - LNF - Dat unison...
4. A7X - Not Ready To Die - Much better than what I would have expected from a song made for a video game. Sad to hear the first official "post-Rev" song.
5. Mastodon - Dry Bone Valley - Sold, fun, quick song.
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Whoa, thank you very much bosk1, Jrundquist and jingle.boy :) It's really an honor to have my music mentioned in any of these lists.
You're very welcome. It's great stuff.
Eumeria - "Rebel Mind"
Another great debut album from another up and coming progressive metal outfit. The vocalist has some serious pipes and the players are all exceptional.
I just had a few listens to this as of last week. I like, but I find they are trying TOO hard to be progressive. Their time changes are all over the place. I dunno, maybe I'll get used to it with a few more listens, but it sounds (at times) very disorganized and cumbersome. But you're right, killer pipes, and tons of talent.
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Pendragon - Passion
Nemo - Révolu$ion
Yuka & Chronoship - Water Reincarnation
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Well MP just posted his:
https://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/tm.aspx?high&m=2735040&mpage=1#2735040
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1) Dream Theater-ADTOE
2) Neal Morse-Testimony 2
3) Devin Twonsend-Deconstruction
4) Red-Until We Have Faces
5) Fair to Midland-Arrows & Anchors
6) Theocracy-As The World Bleeds
7)Redemption-This Mortal Coil
8) Arch & Matheos-Sympatheitic Resonance
9) Steven Wilson-Grace For Drwoning
10)The Anabasis - Back From Being Gone
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Well MP just posted his:
https://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/tm.aspx?high&m=2735040&mpage=1#2735040
Cool to see that he likes the Dear Hunter, I guess. The other stuff seems standard fare for him.
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1. ADTOE
2. Night Ranger- Somewhere In California
3. Steel Panther- Balls Out
4. Myrath- Tales Of The Sands
5. Redemption- This Mortal coil
6. Beggars And Thieves- We Are The Broken Hearted
7. chickenfoot- III
8. Mecca- Undeniable
9. Eumeria- Rebel mind
10. Within Temptation- The Unforgiving
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Lowdz, The Night Ranger was pretty good, but I still need to spin it more. The Mecca sounds good, I've been meaning to get that also. B&T must be good to be in your list already!
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15. Lulu - Metallica & Lou Reed
14. El Camino - The Black Keys
13. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo OST - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
12. Codes and Keys - Death Cab for Cutie
11. Wasting Light - Foo Fighters
10. Iconoclast - Symphony X
9. Circuital - My Morning Jacket
8. Heritage - Opeth
7. Worship Music - Anthrax
6. Ghost - The Devin Townsend Project
5. Sympathetic Resonance - Arch/Matheos
4. Th1rt3en - Megadeth
3. Grace for Drowning - Steven Wilson
2. Deconstruction - The Devin Townsend Project
1. A Dramatic Turn of Events - Dream Theater
0. The Hunter - Mastodon(just bought it today. Woah.)
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1) Symphony X- Iconoclast
2) Anthrax- Worship Music
3) Saxon- Call to Arms
4) Dream Theater- ADTOE
5) Iced Earth- Dystopia
6) Steel Panther- Balls Out
7) Sebastian Bach- Kicking and Screaming
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1. The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum - Full collection or not, this was the most interesting assortment of songs from any artist this year. The amount of ground The Dear Hunter was able to cover on this assortment of EPs is astonishing, and yet it all sounds carefully composed, and masterfully written.
Highlights: Filth and Squalor, Deny it All, The Dead Don't Starve.
2. Mastodon - The Hunter - A very close second, The Hunter was a total joy to listen to again and again. Mastodon was able to take everything that was awesome from their previous 4 albums, and throw it together, coupled with more mature songwriting. What emerges is a damn-near perfect album from beginning to end.
Highlights: Curl of the Burl, Blasteroid, Octopus Has No Friends.
3. Protest the Hero - Scurrilous - Protest the Hero continues their domination of Canadian metal with Scurrilous. While Fortress was fantastic, PtH has tightened their songwriting and made the songs more listener-friendly. Scurrilous is surprisingly accessible, and seeing some of these songs live was sweet.
Highlights: C'est la Vie, Dunsel, Sex Tapes.
4. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events - I was pleased that A Dramatic Turn of Events was such a success. The whole band feels restored and creative again. This album is still surprising me with every listen. DT's most solid album in many, many years.
Highlights: This is the Life, Breaking All Illusions, Bridges in the Sky.
5. Duran Duran - All You Need is Now - The most unexpectedly great album to come out of 2011 for me. All You Need is Now feels like the album Duran Duran have been meaning to write for several decades. With great hooks, and compelling melodies, I can't go long without listening to this album.
Highlights: All You Need is Now, Mediterranea, Other People's Lives.
6. Scale the Summit - The Collective - A great step-up in both songwriting, and sound quality, The Collective is one of the best instrumental albums ever released. Period.
Highlights: The Levitated, Black Hills, Whales
7. Devin Townsend - Deconstruction - Lots of fun. While I found Ghost to not hold up as well on it's own, Deconstruction works as well as a stand-alone album as it does part of the DTP. Long, bombastic songs about cheeseburgers won me over. I still have lots to discover about this album, but Devy did not let me down.
Highlights: Juular, The Mighty Masturbator, Deconstruction.
8. Wolverine - Communication Lost - A criminally overlooked band, Wolverine never fails to produce some of the most sensitive, yet epic albums I've heard. Communication Lost is terrific. Following the same sonic qualities as Still, Wolverine blends quiet, thoughtful passages and explosive melodies together so seamlessly. And the vocals are 'gasmic.
Highlights: Embrace, Into the Great Nothing, Pulse.
9. Karmakanic - In a Perfect World - A really cool release from a newly-discovered band. The vocal melodies really hooked me, and they still amaze me every time I listen to In a Perfect World. Also, the bass playing is ridiculous.
Highlights: 1969, When the World is Caving In, Can't Take it With You
10. Haken - Visions - Everyone knows Haken is awesome. The darling of the prog-metal world's new album is appropriately awesome. With every listen, Haken rises in my favourite artists list.
Highlights: Portals, Shapeshifter, Visions.
Biggest Disappointments:
Symphony X - Iconoclast - Iconoclast simply sounded like a less-inspired Paradise Lost. Instead of the wonderful soaring vocals, we get Russell Allen's snarls. While they may be great on one or two songs, filling an entire album with the same damn riffs and vocal lines is just boring.
Opeth - Heritage - Heritage, while not a bad album, was just not what I was hoping for. I may grow to like this album in time, but for now it's just a messy album that I don't really enjoy listening to. While I miss the growls a lot, it's the sloppy songwriting that ruined Heritage for me. At least I can listen to Slither over and over again.
dredg - Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy - "Letdown" is pretty much the universally agreed word to describe Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy. Although there were some good songs found on the album, as a whole it just doesn't sound like dredg. I could not get into the electric beats, and the lack of dredg's signature guitar wails was saddening. Also The Tent is an abomination.
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1. Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning (Album of the Year)
This album is a masterpiece. There's not one minute that I don't love.
2. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
I was really surprised by this album. I knew it was going to be good but I never expected it to be this good. All the members shine especially Rudess and Myung.
3. Opeth - Heritage
Even though many were dissapointed with this, I like Opeth's new style. I just wish I was able to catch them on tour.
4. Black Country Communion - 2
I really liked the debut but this is so much better. Derek's keys were prominent and he didn't sound like a sideman.
5. Joe Bonamassa - Dust Bowl
He's one of my favorite guitar players and this album is in my top 3 favorite Bonamassa albums. The originals are some of his best.
6. Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
I'm new to this band and post rock in general but I was blown away. I need to check out their other stuff.
7. Blackfield - Welcome to My DNA
Even though Steven Wilson only wrote one track (the best on the album imo) all the songs are great, solid pop rock tracks. It did take a few listens to grow on me.
8. Warren Haynes - Man in Motion
Excellent soul album from Warren Haynes. I don't listen to much soul music, but Warren is a great musician and he's even better live.
9. Van Der Graaf Generator - A Grounding In Numbers
This came as a complete surprise. While its not as good as their classics, its still a great VDGG album.
10. Tedeschi Trucks Band - Revelator
Great album that I listened to a lot over the summer. I love Derek Trucks' style.
If anyone's intrested, I made a list with rankings for all the albums I've listened to this year.
https://www.last.fm/user/jviola95/journal/2011/03/29/4au9fo_2011_albums_%28so_far%29
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Top 10 of 2011!
10.) Redemption- This Mortal Coil
Easily Redemption's best album? Some complain about the production now being what Snowfall was, or some riffs sound similar to other songs. but that is meaningless to me. This album is Prog Metal perfection! And no I'm not just saying that because I named their live DVD 'Frozen in The Moment'. haha This is one of the most hard hitting albums lyrically I've heard since Evergrey's Recreation Day. and call me a pussy all you want, I did cry when I hear No Tickets To The Funeral. Having lost many people in my life to cancer, this got to me the first time very much. Like the aforementioned Recreation Day, this album starts off being so depressing and by the end gives you all the hope in the world. Based on True events from Guitarist, Nick Van Dyk beating Blood Cancer. This album takes you through hell and back and never lets go. Plus Ray Adler kicks ass on it. Check this out for one of the best Prog Metal albums in the longest time.
9.) Novembers Doom- Aphotic
It's not too often that a Doom Metal or Death Metal album will make it in my top 10. Top 20, yes but top 10 is rare. There has to be something that grabs me and never lets go. That's exactly what Aphotic Did for me. Novembers Doom's best album to date. It is much proggier then their previous work, but also contains elements of great acoustic work, and one of the most killer blues inspired solos in one of my favorite songs of 2011, Buried. If you are new to Death or Doom Metal and need an album to break yourself in, Get Aphotic. It will change your world for the better!
8.) Scale The Summit- The Collective
BEST INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM IN OVER A DECADE! quote me on that in any way you want. This album has everything that I'm looking for in an instrumental album. Melodic, Heavy, Emotional driven, and Beautiful. A major departure from their 2 previous album. The Collective is a very dark album using minor scales 9AKA sad sounding scales for you non music nerds) and has some of their best songs they have written including Origin Of Species, Whales, and the most perfect ending song Drifting Figures. If you think all music needs to have a singer to be any good, first, go fuck yourself, and second get your head out of your ass and start appreciating some real talent. A great place to start is Scale The Summit.
7.) Iced Earth- Dystopia
Iced Earth has come back bigger and stronger then ever. When I first heard Matt Barlow was leaving the band, AGAIN, my heart sank. Matt Barlow is one of my favorite singers of all time and the thought of anyone replacing him again was unimaginable....until Stu Block, formerly of Into Eternity, was chosen by Jon Schaffer to blow all of the doubters away. And GOD DAMN he really did. I was a huge Into Eternity fan, but a much bigger Iced Earth fan, so this pleased me very much. The entire album is a loose concept about the way of the world of government is slowly becoming using various movies to landscape the idea. While the music is obviously...Iced Earth. It is badass. Anthem, really truly is their Anthem. It saddens me that they are not going to be able to make it to Minnesota in 2012 (SOMEBODY PLEASE CHANGE THIS!) but I really want to see this lineup in Iced earth stick. They are too incredible to have it fall apart. and Dystopia shows this pint very damn well.
6.) 3- The Ghost You Gave To Me
3 is the King's X of Prog Metal. They are the best band that deserves to be heard...that is not. They are also 4 of the coolest dudes I've ever had the pleasure of hanging out with. I got into 3 when Wake Pig was released and fell in Love, The End Is Begun made me a lifetime fan, and The Ghost You Gave To Me made me one of their forever diehard fans. The song, Only Child is easily the best song they have ever written. I hate using the term, but there's no other way to describe it. it's EPIC!!! The whole album is filled ids Prog Rock and Prog Metal masterpieces. I will do anything I can to support these guys in any way I can. They deserve it, and if 3 comes you way GO SEE THEM LIVE, it will easily be one of, if not the best live show you will ever see!
5.) Revocation- Chaos Of Forms
This band, along with Vektor are the bands that are saving metal, in my humble opinion. Taking Thrash Metal and adding so much more to it. Funk, Death Metal, 70's Prog. Chaos Of Forms is utter perfection. While the vocals are definitely a Death Metal/Thrash style (No cleans here, not even on their cover of Faith No More's Surprise! You're Dead!) The music will win you over if you are a true music fan The title track and The Watchers are the best examples of this. There's not too much more I can say other then, if you want Thrash to actually be something more then PBR, Alcohol-Driven Dudefest...check out Revocation.
4.) Dream Theater- A Dramatic Turn Of Events
Probably the most controversial album in Prog in 2011. The first album without Bandleader Mike Portnoy behind the drums. While I'll leave out the politics about that situation. I will say this album is absolutely perfection. The whole album reminds me of Images And Words, not necessarily muscially but the overall feel, a rebirth if you will. Breaking All Illusions is one of the best songs ever made by DT without question. Top 10 for sure. And Mike Mangini is the perfect replacement for Mike Portnoy. On the first listen I closed my eyes and I honestly couldn't even tell Portnoy was out of the band. Mangini fits right in. And this album is 9 killer songs of Progressive Rock and Metal that deserves a fair shot. No matter what side you are on..... Fuck Politics and enjoy the music!
3.) Mastodon- The Hunter
Mastodon has only gotten better and better with every release, kinda like Between The Buried and Me. Crack The Skye is their Colors. The Hunter is their The Great Great Misdirect. Some are torn because it's not Crack The Skye pt. 2. I for one think it's a more concise, stripped down version of Crack The Skye. Shorter songs, heavier, and just as memorable. I will go on record saying Creature Lives is one of their best songs just because of how out in left field it is. Stargasm is my absolute favorite off the album. I'm actually pretty shocked it hasn't been played live yet. Then again This Mortal Soil was the best song off Blood Mountain, and that has never been played live. But regardless. this is as close to Mainstream Progressive Metal as a band is going to get without sucking, you better enjoy it. haha
2.) Daniel Jakubovic- Elef Kirot
The best damn album I have ever heard where I couldn't understand one word that is being sung. That shows how meaningless the lyrics are if the music behind it can tell the story. (The lyrics are in Hebrew by the way) Daniel Jakubovic recorded EVERYTHING on this album with exception to some violin and sax solos provided by his father. This is an album that was meant for me when I was 14 years old. The perfect combination of Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal and Pop Rock, with international influences. Please. Please.....PLEASE!!!! do yourself a favor and go to the bandcamp page for Danial Jakubovic and listen to this album...then immediately buy it. It is sooooo worth it. This is meant for real music fans!
1.) Devin Townsend- Deconstruction *South Park Doctor Voice*- "Who didn't see this one coming a mile away huh folks?"
Yes without question, Deconstruction is my absolute favorite album of 2011. If not the best Metal album ever made (although my favorite album will forever be Terria, although with the description of Epicloud, that just might win me over to put it at number 2) This album literally has EVERYTHING a Metal fan is looking for, every genre of Metal you can think of. It's Strapping Young Lad meets Frank Zappa. All of the guest stars on this album are also showing their true appreciation for the man known as Hevy Devy. The Mighty Masturbator (No pervs, it's not about that) is 16 minutes of epic proportions. and Poltergeist is the perfect ending to the chapter of SYL style music. Am I sad it's gone? kinda. But I'm a bigger Dev solo fan then SYL, so more HEVY DEVY please! IF you need an absolute mindfuck from beginning to end. This album is for you. If you want a Metal album that is what Metal is all albout (good and bad), this album is for you. If you want the greatest thing Dev has ever written musically, lyrically, and overall ball out crazy and beautiful. THIS ALBUM IS FOR YOU!
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1.Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction
2.Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
3.Between The Buried and Me - The Parallax EP
4.Symphony X - Iconoclast
5.Unexpect - Fables of a Sleepless Empire
6.Leprous - Bilateral
7.The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum EP's
8.Protest The Hero - Scurrilous
9.Scale The Summit - The Collective
10.Decapitated - Carnival is Forever
Other pretty ok albums:
Obscura - Omnivium
Death Cab For Cutie - Codes and Keys
Dim Mak - The Emergence of Reptilian Altars
Devin Townsend Project - Ghost
Hate Eternal - Phoenix amonst the Ashes
Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
Septicflesh - The Great Mass
The Black Dahlia Murder - Ritual
Dissapointments:
Opeth - Heritage
Origin - Entity
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Lowdz, The Night Ranger was pretty good, but I still need to spin it more. The Mecca sounds good, I've been meaning to get that also. B&T must be good to be in your list already!
The B&T is good. It's a bit one-paced and lacks an uptempo rocker or two but the songs as they are are quality.
Can't remember if I put the Chris Ousey on the list (and I'm too lazy to look!) but that's good too. Mike Slamer plays and produces so there is plenty of oomph in the guitars.
With the Night Ranger: I was never a fan back in the day but loved this new one. I've heard a couple of their other albums and there are a few "nods" to the past on the new one. Maybe Tiago needs to have a look! Good songs very well played though. A harder edge than their old stuff too.
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I wasn't really able to get as much new music this year as I would have liked. Thinking back I belive the only new release albums I got this year were:
Bright Eyes- The People's Key
My Morning Jacket- Circuital
Radiohead- The King of Limbs
Adele- 21
Devy- Deconstruction & Ghost
DT- ADTOE
Thrice- Major/Minor
I may be forgetting some but I can't really rememember. I'm thinking of a few that feel like they were earlier this year but might have actually been last year- it's funny how the year goes by so fast but when you think back to January/February etc. it seems like so long ago.
Every album I listed is great, but my favorites this year were probably Major/Minor and Ghost. Deconstruction and A Dramatic Turn of Events both got heavy play when they first came out but I haven't really listened to either much lately. I think I'm just not as into metal as I used to be. What are you gonna do.
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9. Karmakanic - In a Perfect World - A really cool release from a newly-discovered band. The vocal melodies really hooked me, and they still amaze me every time I listen to In a Perfect World. Also, the bass playing is ridiculous.
Highlights: 1969, When the World is Caving In, Can't Take it With You
If you liked that album then you are going to LOVE "Who's The Boss In The Factory" as well as "Wheel of Life" which are both, imho, better albums than IAPW. I don't toss around the term "Masterpiece" too often, but "Wheel of Life" is an astonishing piece of work.
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1. Unexpect - Fables of the Sleepless Empire
2. Ulver - Wars of the Roses
3. The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum (The Complete Collection)
4. Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction
5. Thrice - Major/Minor
6. Frank Turner - England Keep My Bones
7. Radiohead - The King of Limbs
8. Amon Tobin - ISAM
9. Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
10. CunninLynguists - Oneirology
11. Gotye - Making Mirrors
12. The Decemberists - The King is Dead
13. Bright Eyes - The People's Key
14. Dir en grey - Dum Spiro Spero
15. Björk - Biophilia
16. Floex - Zorya
17. Matthew Herbert - One Pig
18. Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials
19. Mike Patton - The Solitude of Prime Numbers
20. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
21. Sigur Rós - INNI
22. Music for Money - Flying Birds
23. Polkadot Cadaver - Sex Offender
24. Eisley - The Valley
25. Devin Townsend Project - Ghost
26. Opeth - Heritage
27. Fair to Midland - Arrows and Anchors
28. dredg - Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy
29. Mastodon - The Hunter
30. Pain of Salvation - Road Salt Two
I still need to hear Above & Beyond, Mogwai, Tesseract, Kimbra, Cynic, Submotion Orchestra, Primus, Necro Deathmort, Shpongle, Emilie Simon, Protest the Hero and a few others.
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I don't usually like adding "cover" albums to my years best lists, but 3 stood out this year
1) Stryper-The covering-Thee guys still kick ass
2) Redepmtion-The covers (2nd cd) of This Mortal Coil
3) Puddle Of Mudd-REdiscovered
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1. Adele - 21
2. Emily Barker & The Red Halo - Almanac
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Grace for Drowning easily tops my list...
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because trolling is fun (https://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/8727-the-top-50-albums-of-2011/)
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because trolling is fun (https://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/8727-the-top-50-albums-of-2011/)
I didn't recognize a single band on the first page. XD
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Uh oh. Just got Theocracy last night. Spinning now. Top 10 shakeup imminent...
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10. Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
9. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
8. Decapitated - Carnival Is Forever
7. White Denim - D
6. Mastodon - The Hunter
5. Myrath - Tales Of The Sands
4. Portugal. The Man - In The Mountain, In The Cloud
3. Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction
2. Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi
1. Devin Townsend Project - Ghost
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Dream Theater - ADTOE
Protest the Hero - Scurrilous
BTBAM - The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues
Kimbra - Vows
Tesseract - One
Born of Osiris - The Discovery
Fair to Midland - Arrows & Anchors
World Under Blood - Tactical
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Man, this will be really tough as there was so much amazing music in 2011! I'll have a think and rank every album I've heard from this year, and I'll do brief writeups for the top however many I can be bothered to do them for. :P
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Zebrahead - Get Nice. Its a bit more upbeat and back to the punk, hip hop fun. I find this band so unique and metal at the same time.. Im not sure if its quite as well done as Phoenix, but I am enjoying it almost daily.
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I have a really hard time deciding what's this year's absolute best so here's a top 5 that all share the #1 spot.
- Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction
- Devin Townsend Project - Ghost
- Leprous - Bilateral
- Steven Wilson - Grace For Drowning
- Unexpect - Fables Of The Sleepless Empire
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because trolling is fun (https://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/8727-the-top-50-albums-of-2011/)
I didn't recognize a single band on the first page. XD
not indie enough
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because trolling is fun (https://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/8727-the-top-50-albums-of-2011/)
If I have albums that both Pitchfork AND DTF have neglected in my top ten does that mean I'm the most indie kid ever? :P
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because trolling is fun (https://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/8727-the-top-50-albums-of-2011/)
If I have albums that both Pitchfork AND DTF have neglected in my top ten does that mean I'm the most indie kid ever? :P
Relax, it probably just means you have bad taste.
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:lol
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:lol
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lolpitchfork
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In no particular order:
Radiohead - The King of Limbs
Blackfield - Welcome to My DNA
Opeth - Heritage
Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
Devin Townsend - Ghost
Within Temptation - The Unforgiving
Yes - Fly From Here
Nightwish - Imaginaerum
Haken - Visions
Wolves in the Throne Room - Celestial Lineage
Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
Bjork - Biophilia
Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Animals as Leaders - Weightless
Mastodon - The Hunter
Scar Symmetry - The Unseen Empire
Cynic - Carbon Based Anatomy (yes, I know it's not actually an album)
Steve Hackett - Beyond the Shrouded Horizon
Scale the Summit - The Collective
Amon Amarth - Surtur Rising
Fair to Midland - Arrows and Anchors
Ulver - Wars of the Roses
3 - The Ghost You Gave to Me
Myrath - Tales of the Sands
Symphony X - Iconoclast
Anthrax - Worship Music
Septic Flesh - The Great Mass
Obscura - Omnivium
Moonsorrow - Varjoina kuljemme kuolleiden maassa
In Flames - Sounds of a Playground Fading
Altar of Plagues - Mammal
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29. Moonsorrow - Varjoina kuljemme kuolleiden maassa
Glad to see Moonsorrow on someone's list. Huuto is one of the most epic songs I've ever heard.
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29. Moonsorrow - Varjoina kuljemme kuolleiden maassa
Glad to see Moonsorrow on someone's list. Huuto is one of the most epic songs I've ever heard.
But not good to see them so low! That album is great.
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>no particular order
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>no particular order
Sorry, I guess I missed it because it was numbered :)
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Yeah I did the same mistake at first! :tup
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Sorry for the confusion, guys. I'm used to numbering things when I make lists.
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5. Lou Reed & Metallica: Lulu
4. Within Temptation: The Unforgiving
3. The Devil Wears Prada: Dead Throne
2. Rise to Remain: City of Vultures
*Drum roll*
1. Septic Flesh: The Great Mass
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10/10 albums:
1. The Dear Hunter – The Color Spectrum: The Complete Collection – I still slightly prefer Act III, but this collection of EPs just covers so much and does all the different styles so well. Incredible album.
2. Haken – Visions – I wasn’t sure if a second album would be as good as Aquarius, which itself had surprised me with how good it was after the enjoyable but flawed demo. But for me Visions surpasses everything else they’ve done and is a lot more coherent than Aquarius. Masterpiece.
3. Dream Theater – A Dramatic Turn of Events – Amazing album that has become my number 2 DT record. I’ve liked all of DT’s recent output and Black Clouds in particular is very high in my DT rankings, but this album just seems that little bit more refined.
4. Thrice – Major/Minor – As with TDH, this album isn’t quite as special for me as Beggars, but it’s still a really fantastic album. There are so many great songs and no real duds at all, and the whole vibe of the album is really amazing.
9/10 albums:
5. Hiromi – Voice – This has fast become one of my absolute favourite jazz albums; she’s an incredible player but on this album her musicality and song-writing have really come to the forefront. Amazing album!
6. Protest the Hero – Scurrilous – Love this album, the band have really refined their song-writing a bit as this album contains so many great melodies. My favourite album of theirs.
7. Devin Townsend – Ghost – Devy showing that he really can make great music in any style, beautiful album.
8. Pain of Salvation – Road Salt Two – Another fantastic album from them, can’t actually decide which I prefer out of this and RS1, but both are great.
9. Petter Carlsen – Clocks Don’t Count – Amazing album, really a lot of exciting and dramatic than his first, and his voice is just angelic. Everyone should check this album out!
10. Manchester Orchestra – Simple Math – Only discovered these guys very recently but they’ve managed to crack my top 10 for the year with this album. Great indie-rock a la TDH, maybe not quite as exciting but with a lot of the same qualities.
11. Tori Amos – Night of Hunters – Always been a bit of a Tori Amos fan but this album is simply the best thing I’ve heard from her. Atmospheric and gorgeous.
12. Fair to Midland – Arrows and Anchors – Didn’t quite live up to my expectations after Fables which is one of my favourite albums, but still an amazing album in its own right!
13. Opeth – Heritage – Very interesting and unusual album from Opeth. Because of the production it doesn’t have the power that most of their stuff does, but there is something very beautiful about it. Amazing stuff.
14. Devin Townsend – Deconstruction – My brain struggles to cope with this album, and yet it’s strangely addictive and really very enjoyable. Devy seems incapable of doing any wrong these days!
15. Ulver – Wars of the Roses – This has quickly become one of my favourite Ulver albums, I like the way it has more energy than the previous album but is less dark than many of the ones before that. Amazing stuff!
16. Mastodon – The Hunter – Always been a moderate fan of Mastodon; didn’t really like the older stuff but dug Crack the Skye quite a lot. However they’ve really hit their stride with this latest album!
8/10 albums
17. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light – probably their best album.
18. Dredg – Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy – screw the haters, I love it!
19. Within Temptation – The Unforgiving – bit samey, but lots of great stuff.
20. In Flames – Sounds of Playground Fading – excellent return to form.
21. Stateless – Matilda – lovely album.
22. Amplifier – The Octopus – another return to form, nearly as good as their debut.
23. The Decemberists – The King is Dead – really nice folk music.
35. Blackfield – Welcome to my DNA – very solid album on a par with the first two.
24. Karmakanic – In a Perfect World – not as fantastic as Who’s the Boss, but still very good.
25. Between the Buried and Me – Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues (EP) – lots of good stuff in here.
26. Amorphis – The Beginning of Times – very solid album, but nothing very unexpected.
28. Florence & The Machine – Ceremonials – not as exciting as her first but a really nice album still.
29. Machine Head – Unto the Locust – probably their most consistent, but without such high highs.
30. Textures – Dualism – their best album, these guys get better and better.
31. Bright Eyes – The People's Key – very interesting album full of great ideas.
27. Steven Wilson – Grace for Drowning – mostly a really great album, but let down slightly by filler.
32. Anathema – Falling Deeper – amazing idea and beautiful sound.
33. Wolverine – Communication Lost – solid release from these guys, slightly lacking punch though.
34. Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band – That's How We Roll – return to form, really fun jazz album.
36. The Aristocrats – The Aristocrats – very enjoyable jam-rock.
37. Mother Mother – Eureka – Fun album, nice return to form after a slightly dull second album.
7/10 albums
38. Sylosis – Edge of the Earth
39. James Blake – James Blake
40. Radiohead – The King of Limbs
41. Unexpect – Fables of the Sleepless Empire
42. The Antlers – Burst Apart
43. Cher Lloyd – Sticks + Stones
44. Noel Gallagher – Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
45. Bon Iver – Bon Iver, Bon Iver
46. Symphony X – Iconoclast
47. Evanescence – Evanescence
48. Rebecca Ferguson – Heaven
49. Foster the People – Torches
50. Kit Downes Trio – Quiet Tiger
51. Evergrey – Glorious Collision
52. Shpongle – The God Particle (EP)
53. Sarah Fimm – Near Infinite Possibility
6/10 albums
54. Polkadot Cadaver – Sex Offender
55. Trivium – In Waves
56. Megadeth – Th1rt3en
57. Alestorm – Back Through Time
58. Children of Bodom – Relentless Reckless Forever
5/10 albums
59. Matt Cardle – Letters
60. DisasterPEACE – Rise of the Obsidian Interstellar
lol/10 albums
61. Lou Reed & Metallica – Lulu
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I forgot to put Eden's Curse's Trinity in my top 10. Amazing melodic, hard rock album.
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Rich, you make me sick.
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Top 5 (however the amount that each is better than the other is quite small)
Foster the people - Torches
Bon Iver - Bon Iver
The dear hunter - The color spectrum
Radiohead - The king of limbs
Sleeping with sirens - Let's cheers to this
I haven't listened to too many
awesome year for music
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Rich, you make me sick.
:sadpanda: Why?
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Top 5
5.Neal Morse-T2
4.Mastodon-The Hunter
3.Dream Theater- ADTOE
2.BTBAM-Parllax
1.Devin Townsend-Deconstruction
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Herrr is mine.
Click here to listen to a song I selected from each album.
10. Radiohead – King of LimbsImage
9. Primus – Green Naugahyde
8. Jack Conte – VS4
7. Opeth – Heritage
6. DeWolff – Orchards/Lupine
5. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
4. Danger Mouse & Danielle Lupi – Rome
3. Spinvis – Tot Ziens, Justine Keller
2. Steven Wilson – Grace for Drowning
1. FAT32 – FAT32
1. FAT32 – FAT32 (Experimental)
I’m not really sure if this album deserves the first place of the list. It’s really painful to give Steven Wilson the second place. But this album is just, so surprising and creative! I’ve had a reputation as an extremely tight energetic psychotic live duo (keys and drums). And I was really put off by the idea of a studio album of these guys. It’s music that’s only meant to be played live. Well as it turns out. I was wrong! Of course there’s nothing like the live experience of these guys. But they’ve captured the energy really well in the recording. It’s just a great chaotic energetic mass of experimental noise Nintendo-core polka. It’s not an album for everyone. But if you are willing to try something completely fresh and you like extreme. FAT32 will rock you world.
2. Steven Wilson – Grace For Drowning (Prog/Jazz/Experimental)
Musically speaking by far my favourite album of 2011. Steven Wilson explored the more classic side of prog. Which isn’t really such a weird thought. Considering that the same man remastered the whole King Crimson discography the past years. You can expect some lengthy weird free-jazz solo’s, choirs, King Crimsonesque riffs. But of course Steven also managed to stay true to his own sound. And his ambient and electronic side, in songs like Index. This is an album EVERYONE should have.
3. Spinvis – Tot Ziens, Justine Keller (Pop/Rock/Experimenteel/Sfeer)
Erik de Jongh (Spinvis) is a Dutch pop pioneer. Well known for his far fetched weird poetic lyrics. This is the first album as Spinvis since 2008. In between 2008 and 2011 he did some projects that I really didn’t care for. So I was kind of sceptical about this album. But it took only one session to realize that I was seriously wrong. This album is a masterpiece! Beautiful instrumental experiments, weird lyrics and his soothing sweet voice to glue the whole thing together.
4. Danger Mouse & Danielle Lupi – Rome (Spaghetti western/Soundtrack/Pop)
I’ve got just a few words on this record. A masterpiece! With Jack White as a guest vocalist, you really can’t go wrong. Top Notch.
5. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues (Folk/Pop)
This really is the best thing that happened in pop music in a couple of years. Must have.
6. DeWolff – Orchards/Lupine (60′s/70′s/Psychedelisch/Rock)
DeWolff is a young Dutch psychedelic rock band. And are known for their use of the Hammond, their clothing style and their unbelievable live shows. On this album they’ve used a somewhat different songwriting strategy. Instead of jamming until they’ve got songs. A lot on this album was actually deliberately composed. And this is something you mustn’t underestimate! Their best record till this date.
7. Opeth – Heritage (Prog)
To be honest, I’ve just heard this album this week for the first time. It’s still Opeth, but completely ignoring their metal elements. The song writing has become even more important on this album. And by taking a step away from metal. A lot of musical doors that would’ve otherwise been closed are opened now. A very brave step for a progressive death metal band.
8. Jack Conte – VS4 (Indie, Alt. Rock)
A CD filled with good songs and some exceptional greatness. I love the fact that he put a little chamber orchestra together for some of the songs on this album. Like “Off With His Head” and “Away”. Check him out on youtube. You won’t be disappointed
9. Primus – Green Naugahyde (Experimental Rock)
PRIMUS IS BACK! With a weird ass slapbass progressive funk redneck style comedy extravaganza. I really didn’t expect their comeback would be this awesome!
10. Radiohead – The King of Limbs (Alt. Rock, Electronic)
This was after Steven Wilson his new album my most anticipated record. I really hoped Radiohead would add more instruments and less synths/drumcomputers. This didn’t happen. But after a number of listening sessions I started enjoying a great part of this album.
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I don't much rate or rank things because I usually don't really care. Tiers are much better for me:
Great releases (albums that can be played without hesitation of enjoyment)
Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver
Thrice - Major/Minor
The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum
Hillsong United - Aftermath
Codes in the Clouds - As the Spirit Wanes
Eisley - The Valley
Cloudkicker - Let Yourself Be Huge
Good releases (not as good as the above but still very, very enjoyable)
Mogwai - Earth Division (EP)
Cynic - Carbon Based Anatomy
Neal Morse - Testimony 2
Radiohead - The King of Limbs
Disasterpeace - Deorbit
Disasterpeace - Rise of the Obsidian Interstellar
Mediocre releases (won't get much or any playtime from me)
Opeth - Heritage
Within Temptation - The Unforgiving
Releases that I cannot fairly place yet or haven't listened to (I'll get around eventually and I want to)
Scale the Summit - The Collective*
August Burns Red - Leveler*
Amplifier - The Octopus
Amplifier - We're Here Because We're Here
Mastodon - The Hunter*
John Mark McMillan - Economy
Derek Sherinian - Oceana
Redemption - This Mortal Coil
dredg - Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy
Falling Up - Your Sparkling Death Cometh
Evergrey - Glorious Collision
Kimbra - Vows*
* means I have listened to it and I remember enjoying it, just needs more listens to place
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So here`s top 10 albums list:
01. Noel Gallagher`s High Flying Birds
02. Devin Townsend - Ghost
03. Paradise Lost - Draconian Times (Remaster)
04. The Devil`s Blood - A Thousandfold Epicenter
05. Megadeth - Thritheen
06. Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
07. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
08. Devin Townsend - Deconstruction
09. Anathema - Falling Deeper
10. Burzum - Fallen
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Myung's Top 10 2011
(dreamtheater.net)
10. Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
9. Blackfield - Welcome to My DNA
8. The Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You
7. Trivium - In Waves
6. Staind - s/t
5. Radiohead - The King of Limbs
4. Yes - Fly From Here
3. Megadeth - TH1RT3EN
2. Opeth - Heritage
1. Death Cab for Cutie - Codes and Keys (Chemistry, lyrics, and production)
Rudess's
10. Devin Townsend - Deconstruction
9. Symphony X - Iconoclast
8. Radiohead - The King of Limbs
7. Black Country Communion - 2
6. Beardfish - Mammoth
5. The Aristocrats - s/t
4. Apparat - The Devil's Walk
3. Modeselektor - Monkeytown
2. Opeth - Heritage
1. Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning (Although yes, I did play on this album, that is NOT why I chose it! It is an album full of mystery and imagination, melody and sonic adventure. There is real inspiration to be found and the best music happens when one can tap into the muse like Steven Wilson. )
Petrucci's
10. Steel Panther - Balls Out Buy :metal
9. Bon Iver - s/t
8. Adele - 21
7. The Aristocrats - s/t
6. Young the Giant - s/t
5. Joe Bonamassa - Dust Bowl
4. Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot III
3. Opeth - Heritage
2. Trivium - In Waves
1. Red - Until We Have Faces (I just love everything about the Red album. The songwriting, playing and production are all stellar!)
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Pretty cool that Petrucci likes Bon Iver.
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Who doesn't like Bon Iver?
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Who doesn't like Bon Iver?
I don't dislike Bon Iver, but I don't like it either. It just doesn't do anything for me.
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Yeah I listened to the newest album and was just bored as all get out.
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1. Steven Wilson - Grace For Drowning
2. Gorillaz - The Fall (I'm going to randomly count Snoop Dogg's song featuring Gorillaz as the main composer, 'Sumthin' Like This Night'. Not that it matters. It's just sex, pure sex)
3. Radiohead - The King of Limbs
4. Opeth - Heritage
5. Thomas Giles - Pulse
6. Between The Buried and Me - The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues
7. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
8. Chevelle - Hats Off To The Bull
A few of these switch around, like Opeth and DT; but I think that covers it... What a great year.
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So here`s top 10 albums list:
01. Noel Gallagher`s High Flying Birds
02. Devin Townsend - Ghost
03. Paradise Lost - Draconian Times (Remaster)
04. The Devil`s Blood - A Thousandfold Epicenter
05. Megadeth - Thritheen
06. Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
07. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
08. Devin Townsend - Deconstruction
09. Anathema - Falling Deeper
10. Burzum - Fallen
Even accounting for personal taste no album of Noel Gallgher's should ever r ank above a DT album... ;D
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1. Haken - Visions
2. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
3. The Devin Townsend Project - Ghost
:tup Here's my list:
1. Haken – Visions
2. Dream Theater – A Dramatic Turn of Events
3. Devin Townsend – Ghost
4. Protest the Hero – Scurrilous
5. Steven Wilson – Grace for Drowning
6. The Dear Hunter – The Color Spectrum
7. Wolverine – Communication Lost
8. Long Distance Calling – Long Distance Calling
9. Discipline – To Shatter All Accord
10. Caligula’s Horse – Moments from Ephemeral City
11. Explosions in the Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
12. Opeth – Heritage
13. Scale the Summit – The Collective
14. Anathema – Falling Deeper
15. Bon Iver – Bon Iver, Bon Iver
16. Presto Ballet – Invisible Places
17. Neal Morse – Testimony 2
18. Ozric Tentacles – Paper Monkeys
19. Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
20. Animals as Leaders – Weightless
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The TAC Top 10:
1. Dream Theater- A Dramatic Turn Of Events What can I say. My most anticipated release in a long time, and it delivered. One hiccup with BMUBMD, but the rest of this album is perfect. I am still listening to this often and it keeps getting better.
2. Theocracy-As The World Bleeds This is a great follow up to the masterpiece Mirror Of Souls. A great combo of Power Metal and classic early 80's speed/thrash. Terrific vocals, great songwriting, very melodic, just all around fantastic.
3. Saxon- Call To Arms Saxon has been on a very solid run over the last 10 years, but I think Call To Arms is the best of the bunch. They've taken the modern Saxon and infused it with their own early 80's influence to give us an incredible album. Hammer Of The Gods may be my song of the year!.
4. Enbound-And She Says Gold This is my "find" of the year. Debut album by a Swedish quartet. Great playing and vocals. Not quite Power, not quite Thrash, but a very melodic blend. Here's a promo vid for Combined The Souls https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV4qO80k3iI
5. Arch/Matheos- Sympathetic Resonance Wow, where the fu%k did this come from and who the hell expected this. This is an incredible accomplishment. A great album. John Arch sounds incredible, and Jim Matheos sounds so inspired. You really have to hear this to believe it.
6. Redemption- This Mortal Coil Another incredible album from Redemption. Fantastic playing and this might be my favorite album by them. A bit more digestable than Snowfall, yet grander in stature. You can hear Nick's passion in his words and music. A stunning album.
7. Gary Moore- Live At Montreax 2010 Gary's last concert is documented here as he returns to his 80's rock catalog for the 2010 summer tour. He also has old friend Neil Carter back in the band. The show features 3 great new tracks that would've been included on his next album, an Irish rock record. Gary Moore was the first live artist I saw on stage (my first concert Def Lep/Krokus/Gary Moore 3/25/83) and I've been a huge fan ever since.
8. Anthrax- Worship Music This album really took me by surprise, and it has truly grown on me with each listen. To hear Charlie and Frank chugging along like that brings back so many memories. I'm Alive gives me goosebumps.
9. Iced Earth- Dystopia I did not expect this. Their best most complete album since Something Wicked.!
10. Motorhead- This World Is Ours Like Saxon, Motorhead has continued to churn out one solid album after another. But This World Is Ours seems to stand out a bit more. It feels really inspired and Phil Campbell really stands out on this. Great..umm..melodies make this very memorable. Brotherhood Of Man is up for the TAC song of the year.
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^ Thank you!
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Okay, came back home today, so here's my favorite albums in 2011.
I'll narrow it down to 10 on this list, but my complete list is covering my top 80 releases in 2011, so if you're interested you can check that out. At: https://www.sputnikmusic.com/list.php?memberid=538698&listid=91715
1. The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum
Where to start with this one? 2 ½ hours of music, and out of 36 songs, there are only one or two who I feel are slightly weaker then the rest, mostly due to being a bit too repetitive.
However, this monster reaches so many styles, it covers so much ground, that I would definitely consider it for an album to take with me to a deserted island, I can listen to this no matter what mood I'm in.
It's also impossible to pick a favorite EP or song, some days I would say the Blue EP, some days it's the Yellow, some days it would be the White, The Color Spectrum just has so much quality.
2. Pain of Salvation - Road Salt Two
A fairly nice surprise. I didn't really care much for Road Salt One, at the time I thought it was a good album but not much more. Road Salt Two however is a much better album, the lows are much higher, and the highs are much higher.
The Physics of Gridlock - Possibly their best song since BE. (which has a few amazing ones)
All in all I would rank this as their fourth best album, but seeing as I generally don't like the 70's thing, this has a really warm place in my heart.
3. Amplifier - The Octopus
Another really EPIC album, this is a double album by one of the more modern Progressive bands, Amplifier.
Their take on the genre is very wall of sound/Porcupine Tree meets Oceansize-ish at times, but they have a very distinctive sound after all, and since Oceansize broke up, this is one of my high hopes.
This double album is very epic, has a great mix of different type of songs, and I think it's an album that many here on the forum would love. If you're into bands like Porcupine Tree, Oceansize or Anathema (to name a few), I would recommend this.
4. Tori Amos - Night of Hunters
This album really surprised me, man it was SO good when I first heard it.
After the initial reaction it just kept on growing, a song like "Star Whisperer" clinged on very early, but the rest of the album clicked more and more, and it has the potential to grow even more then it already has.
Really good classical-music, a genre I should check out more.
5. Petter Carlsen - Clocks Don't Count
Another album that really surprised me this year, I hadn't heard his music before, but I knew Sander was praising him a lot, so a new album was a good opportunity to check him out.
The album was better then I had expected, and I can only hope that his coming albums will be as good.
Atmospheric, singer/songwriter-ish, poppy and catchy, I can see why Anathema loves this guy.
6. Steven Wilson - Grace For Drowning
Majestic and epic, I'm not quite sure how to else describe it. Most people here already know it, so there's not much more to add.
7. Kimbra - Vows
A big surprise, I thought it would be stereotype/boring pop-music (not that I dislike pop!), but the album really surprised me, and "Cameo Lover" has become one of my most played songs in 2011.
The girl has talent, and the music is not your "everyday"-music.
8. Cloudkicker - Let Yourself Be Huge
My favorite Post-Rock album this year.
It may be short, but the music it has is just really beautiful and soothing, and it makes me feel at peace.
9. Thrice - Major/Minor
More solid then Beggars, but not quite as good as Vheissu or The Alchemy Index.
Still, a superb album.
10. Bass Communion - Cenotaph
Ambient, dark and majestic. Could easily have been my favorite Steven Wilson-album this year, but as of now GfD is slightly higher.
However, with time I feel like this album can surpass it.
Oh yeah, don't forget to check my full list. ;) (the link above)
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Loving reading all these lists! I'll come up with one of my own someday :)
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My ranking. Some albums are missing, as I still haven't listened to them enough to decide where to place them, but I don't think those will rank very high.
6/10 (Mostly good but with flaws, or ones that still haven't completely clicked with me)
61. Sect - Doomsday
60. Spellcaster - Under the Spell
59. Giant Claw - Midnight Murder
58. Fen - Epoch
57. Falls of Rauros - The Light That Dwells in Rotten Wood
56. Rotten Sound - Cursed
55. No Fuzz - Whatever
54. Días de Septiembre - Días de septiembre
53. Natalie Walker - Spark
52. This Station of Life - Antithetic
51. Obliti Devoravit - Obliti Devoravit
50. Lisabi - Au Diable Les Bananes
49. Dornenreich - Flammentriebe
48. Radiohead - The King of Limbs
47. Boris - Attention Please
46. Ulver - Wars of the Roses
45. Side of Despondency - Cancellation
44. Within Temptation - The Unforgiving
43. Lantlôs - Agape
42. King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - Diamond Mine
41. Black Cobra - Invernal
40. Disfigured - Amputated Gorewhore
39. Raein - Sulla linea d'orizzonte tra questa mia vita e quella di tutti
38. Non Dolet - Inner
37. Love Inks - E.S.P.
36. Departures - When Losing Everything Is Everything You Wanted
35. Lights - Siberia
34. Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto - Summvs
7/10 (Good ones)
33. Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction
32. Animals as Leaders - Weightless
31. Natural Snow Buildings - Waves of the Random Sea
30. Katy B - On a Mission
29. Cultura Tres - El mal del bien
28. Boris - Heavy Rocks
27. Opeth - Heritage
26. Kate McGill - Replaced
25. Essence - Lost in Violence
24. Moradin - Ancient Stone and Mystic Woods
23. Æthenor - En form for Blå
22. Petrychor - Effigies and Epitaphs
21. Aksumite - The Gleam of Wetted Lips
20. disasterPEACE - Rise of the Obsidian Interstellar
19. Bruce Lamont - Feral Songs for the Epic Decline
18. Ash Borer - Ash Borer
17. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
16. АукцЫон - Юла
15. Leyland Kirby - Eager to Tear Apart the Stars
14. Alkalys - A Pack of Lies
13. Emmon - Nomme
12. Frank Turner - England Keep My Bones
11. Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes
8/10 (Great ones)
10. Earth - Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light 1
9. Крода - Schwarzpfad
8. Unexpect - Fables of the Sleepless Empire
7. Blut aus Nord - 777 - Sect(s)
6. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
5. Boris - New Album
4. Moonsorrow - Varjoina kuljemme kuolleiden maassa
3. Emilie Simon - Franky Knight
2. CunninLynguists - Oneirology
1. Wolves in the Throne Room - Celestial Lineage (Best of the Year)
No nines or tens for me this year, unfortunately. But other than that it was a great one. Hope 2012 is just as good or better.
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Cool list Iarwain!
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Alright, I'm throwing Noel Gallagher's solo album onto my list. This is actually a pretty fun album.
I... don't plan on listening to Beady Eye though.
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1. The Magnificent - S/T
2. Nightwish - Imaginaerum
3. Redemption - This Mortal Coil
4. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events
5. Evanescence - S/T
6. Symphony X - Iconoclast
7. Within Temptation - The Unforgiving
8. Shattered Skies - Reanimation EP
9. Iced Earth - Dystopia
10. Disturbed - The Lost Children
I might be forgetting something. I would have liked to put Theocracy's new album on this list but it's not 2008 and the album isn't Mirror Of Souls... Oh, and 10 is pretty much a throw away since it's a collection of B-sides. Still better than Asylum...