With the year coming to a close, I would like to share my thoughts on my favorite metal/hardcore/DumbNewGenre albums of 2011. There were a lot of anticipated records that dropped this year, some surprising, plenty disappointing, and others fulfilling as expected. All in all, a good year in the heavy music scene. Here are my favorite 15 albums of 2011.
Top 15 of 2011
15. Molotov Solution - Insurrection (BlkHeart Group)
Probably the heaviest album I heard all year, Molotov rocked it in their third full-length release. It would be lazy and easy to lump them in the generic deathcore scene, but their creative and punishing riffs made this album stand out above the rest in a relatively muddled genre.
Song to blast: The Final Hour (feat. Adam Warren of Oceano)
15. Molotov Solution - Insurrection (BlkHeart Group)Probably the heaviest album I heard all year, Molotov rocked it in their third full-length release. It would be lazy and easy to lump them in the generic deathcore scene, but their creative and punishing riffs made this album stand out above the rest in a relatively muddled genre.
Song to blast: The Final Hour (feat. Adam Warren of Oceano)
I thoroughly enjoyed the direction Tosin Abasi took the band in their sophomore effort. A lot more of an electronic feel, and overall better sound structure than their first album. It also shows the rest of the band got a little more involved in the songwriting process, and it did not hurt one bit. Excellent instrumental album.
Song to blast: Odessa
BTA have gotten to the point in their careers musically where they can pretty much do what they want, and their fans will still eat it up. Plenty of experimentation in this album (wait, is that a ska song in there??) while bringing back all the elements that make them a great band: heavy and melodic.
Song to blast: The Magnetic Sky
The fourth album from this metalcore outfit from Pennsylvania, this album was a tad disappointing. While Leveler certainly is a fantastic cd, it is probably my least favorite album from them. No knock on the musicianship of these guys, just not the memorable songs that their previous albums possess.
Song to blast: Internal Cannon
Of Legends, formed by former members of Sky Eats Airplane, Periphery and The Secret Handshake, put together a formidable first release. Centered around the idea of the zombie apocalypse (which better happen), this album takes complex drumming and time signatures and then beats your ears to a pulp with heavy riffs.
Song to blast: Save the Humans
IWABO took the next step from a more comedic metal to a legitimate progressive metal band. While they still retain their humorous element, they have proven to doubters that they are indeed a creative force in the genre, pushing limits with their unique vocals and odd guitar working. Very impressive from start to finish.
Song to blast: Karate Nipples
A lot of people, and I mean a lot of people, were disappointed with the musical direction Architects took after a crushing third release, Hollow Crown. With that said, this record is fantastic from beginning to end. More emphasis put on vocalist Sam Carter's singing voice, which is very Dallas Green-like, while still maintaining an active and heavy sound.
Song to blast: Delete.Rewind
Oh, Sleeper have, in my mind, arrived at greatness in the metal community. Initially drawing comparisons to Underoath, the band has now carved out a niche with their melodic overlays complimented by their aggressive guitar/vocals. Also, their "soft" songs are incredible, a very good touch to a fun album from beginning to end.
Song to blast: Endseekers
Musically, this is probably the most impressive album that came out this year. However, for whatever reason, the replay value of this album just is not as high as some of the others on my list. From front to back, though, the creativity of guitarist AJ Minette is on full display and makes for a great listen.
Song to blast: Digital Veil
Easily one of the most anticipated releases of the year, Born Of Osiris continue to grow musically and take flight in popularity. A fantastic use of the keys (not just for novelty sake) along with their expected creative guitar work, BOO took off from a spastic metal band to a full-fledged progressive metal force.
Song to blast: Recreate
I never really got into Of Mice & Men when they put out their debut album, but after reading on MetalSucks that it was worth a listen, I checked it out and was blown away. Very nasty riffs across the board, this album is fun and catchy and not the least bit like their peers on Rise, separating themselves from the other "post-hardcore" bands out there.
Song to blast: O.G. Loko
Another highly anticipated album from the jokingly self-proclaimed "band that invented deathcore," ASP did not disappoint. Much more of the heavier elements from their second album were brought back, while still keeping the melodic element brought by their talented guitarist Francesco Artusato.
Song to blast: There Is Nothing Left
Once again, Protest have found a way to reinvent themselves and continually push the boundaries of progressive metal. Front man Rody Walker had more to do with the song writing process in this album, and it cleverly shows. Also, his singing voice is put on display more in this effort, and it is easily one of the best in the business.
Song to blast: C'est La Vie
One of the best DIY bands around, Stray From The Path put out a great album with their third release. Strong messages throughout the album about the condition of the music scene today, as well as personal heartache from members of the band. The band is finally beginning to get the credit they deserve as being one of the more creative and hardworking hardcore bands in the scene, and this album encompasses that perfectly.
Song to blast: Death Beds
Still cannot get over how awesome this album is. Seriously. From front to back, it's like a journey. Each song flows into another perfectly. The drumming is frantic, the guitar-work is precise, the vocals lay the foundation and the keys bring it all together. "Progressive Deathcore" is the flavor-of-the-week in the underground metal community right now, but no one really did it better this year than Arsonists. Their "Surf Metal" style along with their Nintendo-esque sound brought to fruition my favorite album of the year.
Song to blast: The Whole Album!
Honorable Mentions
Against The Flood - Home Truths (Siege of Amida Records)
Attila - Outlawed (Artery Recordings)
Counterparts - The Current Will Carry Us (Victory Records)
The Famine - Architects of Guilt (Solid State Records)
Structures - Divided By (Sumerian Records)
Tesseract - One (Century Media)
Trivium - In Waves (Roadrunner Records)
Unearth - Darkness In The Light (Metal Blade)
Favorite Non-Metal Album of 2011
Bayside - Killing Time (Wind-up Records)
Bayside - Killing Time (Wind-up Records)
