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!!!
Topic: The 'What Are Your Favorite Albums of the Year' Thread (Read 11125 times)
