Its getting to be about that time; the calendars are turned to the last page, Fox News has brought back its "War On Christmas", you can't go anywhere without hearing awful Christmas music, there is even a movie out called "New Year's Eve", and lists of the best albums of the year are popping up everywhere. Because I have no imagination, here's mine.
A note: this is a record blog, so only albums that have been given a proper vinyl release have been considered(that means Blotted Science's newest doesn't get a spot). Further, this is my list of my favorites. No other criteria is considered, so if you want to hear my opinion keep reading.
10. Julianna Barwick - The Magic Place
"The Magic Place" is by far the oddball of this list, one that I suspect few people reading this will be able to get into. Julianna Barwick wrote and recorded this album mostly alone, and it shows. There is very little here, vocals, a few piano or guitar chords, and a ton of effects. Loop after loop is created and intertwined with the other to form an exclusively ambient album. Very different from what I normally listen to, this is music that is not meant to be over analyzed and dissected. Julianna Barwick is best listened to as background music, or as the soundtrack to your own thoughts.
9. Blashphemophagher - The III Command Of The Absolute Chaos
8. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events
The eleventh album(twelfth if you count the EP "A Change Of Seasons") by prog giants Dream Theater is the first to feature a drummer other than Mike Portnoy. Portnoy left the band last year, and it caused a shitstorm on teh internets. People claimed that Dream Theater would completely suck without Portnoy, others praised the band for plugging the hole of the sinking ship. In April of this year the band announced that Mike Mangini would be Portnoy's permanent replacement behind the drum set. Just a few months later, in September, the band put out "A Dramatic Turn Of Events".
The album is more or less standard fare for Dream Theater, progressive metal as the band helped to define. Some tracks on this album, like the debut single "On The Backs of Angels", are complex heavy prog metal compositions. These songs show off Mangini's skills pretty well, the man can certainly play and Portnoy isn't really missed much. The slower ballads are somehow not as gripping and emotional as those in the band's past though. A solid prog metal album, if not the best in this band's discography; but an average Dream Theater album is better than best album of many.
7. Krallice - Diotima
In the 1990's American black metal was the punchline of many jokes, Europe was the only trve evil. The last decade saw things start to change with bands like Absu and Nachtmystium making waves in the American black metal scene. Formed in 2008, Krallice is another band from the good ol US of A that proves good black metal can come from the "land of the free". "Diotima" is black metal, not the European misanthropic kind, but an American interpretation which focuses more on atmosphere. Krallice borrow a lot from from progressive music and incorporate it into black metal. They're not the first the band to do this, and not even the best to do it in 2011, but Diotima is an thoroughly engaging piece of black metal that doesn't seek to destroy you. Highly recommended.
6. Russian Circles - Empros
Beauty. I can't quite put into words how beautiful "Empros" really is. Russian Circles' newest release is layers upon layers of harmony and melody, atmosphere, emotion, and above all a sense of self awareness. This band contains no vocals, yet the music speaks to the listener in very clear language. One could call "Empros" post-rock, but it transcends even that ever transcendental genre. Stop reading this, put this album on, close your eyes, and lose yourself.
5. Ladytron - Gravity The Seducer
An unusual choice for me, Britain's Ladytron play what can best be described as "synthgaze" or "post synthpop". Think equal parts Depeche Mode and Explosions In The Sky. I personally love 80s snythpop and new wave; the aforementioned Depeche Mode, The Human League, Thompson Twins, Flock of Seagulls, etc. are favorites of mine. So about a decade ago when the genre seemed to get a shot of epinephrin and come back from the dead I was excited. Ladytron was one of the bands leading the charge back then, yet I don't think they really hit their stride until this year. "Gravity The Seducer" is a lesson to all the overdriven guitar amp post rock that seems to be all the rage these days. Beautiful, atmospheric, music can also be very accessible and pop oriented. I wouldn't have believed it if you told me a few years ago, but Ladytron has done it!
4. Opeth - Heritage
One of the biggest names in prog metal, Opeth have had a long and successful career. The band has come a long way from their death metal-ish beginings, evolving into an extreme prog metal band, and then more recently getting more prog and less metal. "Heritage" is the next step in that evolution; there is no metal here. What we have here is 70s style prog rock, like King Crimson and Deep Purple had a baby. I love 70s prog rock, really love it, that genre is right up there with 80s metal for my favorite. So naturally I was not like some Opeth fans who hated this effort simply because it is not metal. "Heritage" is still Opeth, and still awesome.
3. Symphony X - Iconoclast
Middletown, New Jersey's prog metal powerhouse Symphony X have been going strong since 1994, but 2011 is has been their year for sure. "Iconoclast" is perhaps their best album, well "The Divine Wings Of Tragedy" still beats it by a little bit, and the reaction in terms of album sales and on tour has been among the best the band has ever gotten. This band blends progressive elements with power metal and ballads to form an almost perfect concept album. The conflict between man and machine is the theme to be found here and everything from the imagery, lyrics, and musical dynamics tells that story.
One of the best singers in metal, Russell Allen's performance is definitely a highlight. He somehow manages to be very technical, yet extremely emotional. When Allen screams "Victory or death!" in the track above, you really feel as if you are being called into battle. Of course the guitar virtuoso, Michael Romeo, is not to be overshadowed and has an amazing performance as well. Above all though, "Iconoclast" is strongest in composition. Every movement in every song plays a part in the overall narrative and the album would be lacking without just a single one. The intertwining of keys, drums, bass, and guitar are superb; its almost as if they were one instrument. A standout among all of the prog that came out this year.
2. Hammers of Misfortune - 17th Street
Hammers Of Misfortune are a strange band. On some level they're just another progressive metal band, and if one were to listen to select tracks from "17th Street", like "Grey Wednesday", that characterization would seem wholly appropriate. That said, this album actually doesn't have a whole lot of metal on it. I hesitate to even call this a metal album. Some tracks sound like 70s rock, something Deep Purple may have written, others are piano ballads that are not even rock in any form. "17th Street" is an enigma; definitely progressive, but progressive what? Well whatever it may be, it works. This album works on every level; the musicianship and composition is top notch, the variety keeps the listener engaged and guessing(you never know what is coming next), and John Hutton's vocals tie this seemingly directionless effort together perfectly.
1. Wolves In The Throne Room - Celestial Lineage
Well this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that reads this blog, I'm a huge Wolves fanboy. I've been a big fan since they debuted in 2006 with "Diadem of 12 Stars", and this release is their best since that one. What we have here is the shining stars of American black metal proving again why they are the most talked about band in the scene, hell maybe even in all of black metal. "Celestial Lineage" is on the surface long winded, atmospheric, trance-like, black metal; but once you really get into it the album is much more. Heavy dissonant riffs under shrieking vocals often transition to beautiful clean melodic lines. Haunting interludes of chants and clean female vocals(provided by the excellent Jessika Kenny), are juxtaposed to blast beats. All of this is done flawlessly, the listener never notices obvious transitions. "Celestial Lineage" creates an ambiance, an atmosphere, which you will get lost in. The most amazing thing about this album is that it was all accomplished by just two people, Nathan and Aaron Weaver, and there is no bass guitar anywhere on the record. A masterpiece and my favorite album of 2011.
A note: this is a record blog, so only albums that have been given a proper vinyl release have been considered(that means Blotted Science's newest doesn't get a spot). Further, this is my list of my favorites. No other criteria is considered, so if you want to hear my opinion keep reading.
10. Julianna Barwick - The Magic Place
"The Magic Place" is by far the oddball of this list, one that I suspect few people reading this will be able to get into. Julianna Barwick wrote and recorded this album mostly alone, and it shows. There is very little here, vocals, a few piano or guitar chords, and a ton of effects. Loop after loop is created and intertwined with the other to form an exclusively ambient album. Very different from what I normally listen to, this is music that is not meant to be over analyzed and dissected. Julianna Barwick is best listened to as background music, or as the soundtrack to your own thoughts.
9. Blashphemophagher - The III Command Of The Absolute Chaos
Short, chaotic, and tons of riffs! Italy's Blasphemophager deliver an intense blast of black/death metal that will attempt to crush you. I typically don't like death metal, in fact it is my least favorite metal sub genre. I love most of the 80s stuff, but once the 90s hit death metal went to shit. So when I heard about a new death metal album that was among the best of Nuclear War Now!'s lineup this year I was skeptical. Upon hearing this album though, I was immediately swayed. "The III Command Of The Absolute Chaos" is everything a death metal album should be; heavy, aggressive, intense, and chock full of riffs. None of the genre's pitfalls are present here. The vocals manage to be engaging, the riffs varied and interesting, and the production is such that it does not become a muddy wall of noise. While its short, clocking in at just under 34 minutes, this album doesn't leave the listener wanting. Top notch extreme music.
8. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events
The eleventh album(twelfth if you count the EP "A Change Of Seasons") by prog giants Dream Theater is the first to feature a drummer other than Mike Portnoy. Portnoy left the band last year, and it caused a shitstorm on teh internets. People claimed that Dream Theater would completely suck without Portnoy, others praised the band for plugging the hole of the sinking ship. In April of this year the band announced that Mike Mangini would be Portnoy's permanent replacement behind the drum set. Just a few months later, in September, the band put out "A Dramatic Turn Of Events".
The album is more or less standard fare for Dream Theater, progressive metal as the band helped to define. Some tracks on this album, like the debut single "On The Backs of Angels", are complex heavy prog metal compositions. These songs show off Mangini's skills pretty well, the man can certainly play and Portnoy isn't really missed much. The slower ballads are somehow not as gripping and emotional as those in the band's past though. A solid prog metal album, if not the best in this band's discography; but an average Dream Theater album is better than best album of many.
7. Krallice - Diotima
In the 1990's American black metal was the punchline of many jokes, Europe was the only trve evil. The last decade saw things start to change with bands like Absu and Nachtmystium making waves in the American black metal scene. Formed in 2008, Krallice is another band from the good ol US of A that proves good black metal can come from the "land of the free". "Diotima" is black metal, not the European misanthropic kind, but an American interpretation which focuses more on atmosphere. Krallice borrow a lot from from progressive music and incorporate it into black metal. They're not the first the band to do this, and not even the best to do it in 2011, but Diotima is an thoroughly engaging piece of black metal that doesn't seek to destroy you. Highly recommended.
6. Russian Circles - Empros
Beauty. I can't quite put into words how beautiful "Empros" really is. Russian Circles' newest release is layers upon layers of harmony and melody, atmosphere, emotion, and above all a sense of self awareness. This band contains no vocals, yet the music speaks to the listener in very clear language. One could call "Empros" post-rock, but it transcends even that ever transcendental genre. Stop reading this, put this album on, close your eyes, and lose yourself.
5. Ladytron - Gravity The Seducer
An unusual choice for me, Britain's Ladytron play what can best be described as "synthgaze" or "post synthpop". Think equal parts Depeche Mode and Explosions In The Sky. I personally love 80s snythpop and new wave; the aforementioned Depeche Mode, The Human League, Thompson Twins, Flock of Seagulls, etc. are favorites of mine. So about a decade ago when the genre seemed to get a shot of epinephrin and come back from the dead I was excited. Ladytron was one of the bands leading the charge back then, yet I don't think they really hit their stride until this year. "Gravity The Seducer" is a lesson to all the overdriven guitar amp post rock that seems to be all the rage these days. Beautiful, atmospheric, music can also be very accessible and pop oriented. I wouldn't have believed it if you told me a few years ago, but Ladytron has done it!
4. Opeth - Heritage
One of the biggest names in prog metal, Opeth have had a long and successful career. The band has come a long way from their death metal-ish beginings, evolving into an extreme prog metal band, and then more recently getting more prog and less metal. "Heritage" is the next step in that evolution; there is no metal here. What we have here is 70s style prog rock, like King Crimson and Deep Purple had a baby. I love 70s prog rock, really love it, that genre is right up there with 80s metal for my favorite. So naturally I was not like some Opeth fans who hated this effort simply because it is not metal. "Heritage" is still Opeth, and still awesome.
3. Symphony X - Iconoclast
Middletown, New Jersey's prog metal powerhouse Symphony X have been going strong since 1994, but 2011 is has been their year for sure. "Iconoclast" is perhaps their best album, well "The Divine Wings Of Tragedy" still beats it by a little bit, and the reaction in terms of album sales and on tour has been among the best the band has ever gotten. This band blends progressive elements with power metal and ballads to form an almost perfect concept album. The conflict between man and machine is the theme to be found here and everything from the imagery, lyrics, and musical dynamics tells that story.
One of the best singers in metal, Russell Allen's performance is definitely a highlight. He somehow manages to be very technical, yet extremely emotional. When Allen screams "Victory or death!" in the track above, you really feel as if you are being called into battle. Of course the guitar virtuoso, Michael Romeo, is not to be overshadowed and has an amazing performance as well. Above all though, "Iconoclast" is strongest in composition. Every movement in every song plays a part in the overall narrative and the album would be lacking without just a single one. The intertwining of keys, drums, bass, and guitar are superb; its almost as if they were one instrument. A standout among all of the prog that came out this year.
2. Hammers of Misfortune - 17th Street
Hammers Of Misfortune are a strange band. On some level they're just another progressive metal band, and if one were to listen to select tracks from "17th Street", like "Grey Wednesday", that characterization would seem wholly appropriate. That said, this album actually doesn't have a whole lot of metal on it. I hesitate to even call this a metal album. Some tracks sound like 70s rock, something Deep Purple may have written, others are piano ballads that are not even rock in any form. "17th Street" is an enigma; definitely progressive, but progressive what? Well whatever it may be, it works. This album works on every level; the musicianship and composition is top notch, the variety keeps the listener engaged and guessing(you never know what is coming next), and John Hutton's vocals tie this seemingly directionless effort together perfectly.
1. Wolves In The Throne Room - Celestial Lineage
Well this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that reads this blog, I'm a huge Wolves fanboy. I've been a big fan since they debuted in 2006 with "Diadem of 12 Stars", and this release is their best since that one. What we have here is the shining stars of American black metal proving again why they are the most talked about band in the scene, hell maybe even in all of black metal. "Celestial Lineage" is on the surface long winded, atmospheric, trance-like, black metal; but once you really get into it the album is much more. Heavy dissonant riffs under shrieking vocals often transition to beautiful clean melodic lines. Haunting interludes of chants and clean female vocals(provided by the excellent Jessika Kenny), are juxtaposed to blast beats. All of this is done flawlessly, the listener never notices obvious transitions. "Celestial Lineage" creates an ambiance, an atmosphere, which you will get lost in. The most amazing thing about this album is that it was all accomplished by just two people, Nathan and Aaron Weaver, and there is no bass guitar anywhere on the record. A masterpiece and my favorite album of 2011.
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