It's been a qwhile since the interwebs has let me grace its wonderful cyclone of information and spectacle, but it's time to go through some albums that have dropped since Spring has sprung. I was kind of anticipating 2011 to be a good year in metal, and so far (apart from a few exceptions), it has not been a letdown.
In no particular order:
Tesseract - One
While they more or less cheated be sandwiching their EP from 2010 into their full length, One is a must have for any progressive metal aficionados. Another one of those bands in that "djent" category that really shouldn't exist (it's just a sound!), they have a knack for blending ambient sounds with heavy riffs to make one tasty album (no pun intended).
The Soulless - Isolated
Another UK band, The Soulless present their take on modern American-stylised metalcore (think August Burns Red with a little more crunch). While this album has a few bright spots (the opening track "Unaltered" is pretty impressive), overall it is fairly unoriginal and somewhat boring. They have some chops, and execute fairly well, but it's more or less all been done before.
Scale The Summit - The Collective
This band has certainly come a long way since their debut Monument in 2007. Their lead guitarist, Chris Letchford, is one of the brightest young guitarist in metal today, and his feel for a broad range of sound is clearly present throughout The Collective. No one element feels overused, and the lack of vocals never proves to be an issue.
Protest The Hero - Scurrilous
Not many bands in the metal/hardcore scene really dish out the shock factor quite like Protest does. When 2008's Fortress was released, folks not in the know quickly discovered what Rody Walker and company were all about: blowing minds. Obviously it's unfair to expect the same "awe factor," but the band continued to build on their last performance and put together an excellent album, mixing their humor and brilliant song structures almost to perfection.
Legend - The Pale Horse
Meh. Sounds like regurgitated Bury Your Dead with some modern deathcore/moshcore elements. Good music to fold your laundry to, or get punched in the face by your jealous bro who's hat you accidentally knocked off in the pit. Other than that, exceptionally unoriginal and repetitive.
The Human Abstract - Digital Veil
Pull me. From the gallows. Never has a band needed a member as much as THA needed A.J. Minette. His resurgence with the band (after a few years of studying music theory at University of Southern California) brought to life some amazing tunes in their second full-length with his presence. Not only are the songs complex, they are also captivating and catchy, a blend that is hard to reach and often missed. Not to mention new front man Travis Richter brings energy and humility the the old one was missing.
Emery - We Do What We Want
A very fitting album title for a band that has tread waters all over the underground music scene. Ranging from heavy breakdowns to ballad-esque melodies, this album encompasses their entire career covering all the bases, doing what they want.
Born Of Osiris - The Discovery
One of the most hyped metal releases for 2011, The Discovery definitely delivers. Another band that initially relied on shock-factor to gain fans, their maturation as musicians is noticeable throughout this album. Nothing gimmicky; just solid experimental metal while keeping that "BOO" sound that so many metal heads have come to love.
Becoming The Archetype - Celestial Completion
I have always been a fairly big proponent of Becoming The Archetype, but this album completely shook my understanding and appreciation of them in the most positive way. Spoiler alert: there is a ska song mixed in there. This band pushed themselves to new creative heights, doing things that most bands today can't comprehend. Pulling from various influences and giving it their own little twist, easily one of my favorite albums of the year.
As Blood Runs Black - Instinct
After what seemed like an endless prolonging, their sophomore album was finally released in March, nearly five years after their popular debut Allegiance hit the scene. After a slew of lineup changes, ABRB kept up their death metal influenced metalcore sound, but I can't help but think their sound is still stuck in that time frame of 2006. While there is plenty to enjoy in Instinct, it didn't leave the lasting impression that I was expecting/hoping for.
Arsonists Get All The Girls - Motherland
Yet another band that pushes their creative limits in the metal world, Arsonists hit their stride in Motherland. While they may never quite recapture the sporadic nature of their first two releases, their sound is easily more refined, without softening themselves or compromising the strangeness of their arrangements. Very fun listen all the way through.
And earlier when I said this was in no particular order, turns out it was in reverse alphabetical order. Oops.
Here are some releases coming up that are making me salivate like Paula Dean in a staring contest with a stick of butter:
August Burns Red - Leveler (June 21)
The Black Dahlia Murder - Ritual (June 21)
In Flames - Sounds of a Playground Fading (June 21)
Unearth - Darkness In The Light (July 5)
All Shall Perish - This Is Where It Ends (July 26)
iwrestledabearonce - Ruining It For Everybody (July 26)
