It's that time...Top of 2011!

Here's mine:

1. Vicious Rumors - Razorback Killers
2. Orchid - Capricorn
3. Anthrax - Worship Music
4. Saxon - Call To Arms
5. Cauldron - Burning Fortune
6. Widow - Life's Blood
7. Wolf - Legions Of Bastards
8. Twisted Tower Dire - Make It Dark
9. Portrait - Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae
10. White Wizzard - Flying Tigers
11. Megadeth - Thirteen

I wrote a little post about it over at my blog: http://themetalblogofmetal.blogspot.com/2012/01/but-it-goes-to-eleven.html

1. Borealis - Fall From Grace
2. Stratovarius - Elysium
3. Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare
4. Cauldron - Burning Fortune
5. Crimson Shadows - Glory on the Battlefield
6. HammerFall - Infected
7. Warbringer - Worlds Torn Asunder
8. Alestorm - Back Through Time
9. Deicide - To Hell With God
10. Steel Panther - Balls Out

Havok - Time is Up
Obscura - Omnivium (did anyone else here even hear this album?)
Artillery - My Blood
Manilla Road - Playground of the Damned
Megadeth - Th1rt3en
Tokyo Blade - Thousand Men Strong

Required Fields wrote:

Obscura - Omnivium (did anyone else here even hear this album?)

I did, but it wasn't near my top 10. It's a good album, but I just find that style of music lacks memorable songwriting.

My top 15:
1.STONEWALL:VICTIMS OF EVIL
2.CAULDRON:BURNING FORTUNE
3.STEEL HORSE:IN THE STORM
4.RIOT:IMMORTAL SOUL
5.SYMFONIA:IN PARADISUM
6.GAE BOLGA:VIOLENT METALSTORM
7.JOURNEY:ECLIPSE
8.EDEN´S CURSE:TRINITY
9.KING KOBRA:S/T
10.ANVIL:JUGGERNAUT OF JUSTICE
11.DREAM THEATER:A DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS
12.NIGHT RANGER:SOMEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA
13.RALF SCHEEPERS:S/T
14.ANTICHRIST:FORBIDDEN WORLD
15.HAMMERFALL:INFECTED
Disapointments:
SEBASTIAN BACH:KICKING&SCREAMING
ANTHRAX:WORSHIP MUSIC

Iced Earth - Dystopia
Anthrax - Worship Music

1. Havok - Time Is Up
2. Anthrax - Worship Music
3. Junius - Reports From The Threshold Of Death
4. Mastodon - The Hunter
5. Exhumed - All Guts No Glory
6. Midnight - Satanic Royalty
7. Skeletonwitch - Forever Abomination
8. Opeth - Heritage
9. Widow - Life's Blood
10. Absu - Abzu
11. Portrait - Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae
12.Revocation - Chaos Of Forms
13. Black Tusk - Set The Dial
14. Saxon - Call To Arms
15. Insomnium - One For Sorrow
16. Wino - Adrift
17. Symphony X - Iconoclast
18. Pentagram - Last Rites
19. Hammers Of Misfortune - 17th Street
20. Riot - Immortal Soul

Eyesore wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Quote :

You got Medium Rare? Lucky. I couldn't find it anywhere. =(

Well, if you know where to look, wink-wink. I don't normally do that sort of thing, but it's such a rare release (and in vinyl no less), they aren't giving fans much of a choice. If it ever gets a legit release on cd, I'll get it. Unitl then, too bad Dave. I'm downloading it.

It did get a CD release...with Q magazine or something, right? But you had to pay for a subscription, which came out to like $50. Not worth it.

Anyway, didn't know Rival Sons had more than one album. Good to know. I dig them, just had high expectations for some reason.

Yea right, like I'd pay $50 for a magazine subscription. HA!!

Rival Sons has one other album and I believe a 'digital only' ep out.

Temple of Blood wrote:

I'm surprised there is so little love for the new WARBRINGER album.

It is a very enjoyable slab of well-played thrash metal.

I didn't care for their last album, Waking Into Nightmares, all that much, so I'm not terribly interested in their new one. Musically they're cool, but the vocalist leaves a little to be desired. He's a bit one-dimensional. Sounds the same in every song. A little variation in his delivery could help.

I only got 2 from 2011.... Both thrashed my head in, though!

Havok - Time Is Up
Mortal Sin - Psychology Of Death

I'll just post my Top 10 here, the rest can be read at my blog: http://metalexcess.com/

1. Whitesnake – Forevermore
2. Sixx:A.M. – This Is Gonna Hurt
3. Riot – Immortal Soul
4. Warrant – Rockaholic
5. Alice Cooper – Welcome 2 My Nightmare
6. Steel Panther – Balls Out
7. Megadeth – Thirteen
8. Anthrax – Worship Music
9. Sebastian Bach – Kicking & Screaming
10. Reckless Love – Animal Attraction

Megadeth - Th1rt3en
Iced Earth - Dystopia
Anthrax - Worship Music
Destruction - Day Of Reckoning
Artillery - My Blood
Vicious Rumors - Razorback Killers

I just got my artillery copy. very good album. would make my top ten probably.

I didn't hear nearly enough new music in 2011. I hope to rectify that this year. I'm using the year end list posted all over the internet to compose a want list, the best of 2011.

My Top 5:
1) Black Veil Brides - Set The World On Fire
2) Sixx A.M. - This Is Gonna Hurt
3) Megadeth - TH1RT3EN
4) Demonaz - March Of The Norse
5) Arch Enemy - Khaos Legions

Biggest Anticipation For 2012:
Kiss - Monster
Van Halen - A Different Kind Of Truth
KISS and Motley Crue together on tour this fall.

The best I could do:

I heard and liked the most:
Iced Earth – Dystopia
Jag Panzer - The Scourge Of Light
Vicious Rumors - Razorback Killers
Ghost - Opus Eponymous
Mr. Big - What If...
Iron Maiden - From Fear To Eternity
Stratovarius - Elysium
Wolf - Leigons Of Bastards
Symphony X - Iconoclast
Opeth - Heritage


I either have not heard at all & want to OR have not heard enough to form an opinion:
Megadeth - Th1r3en
While Heaven Wept - Fear Of Infinity
Deceased - Surreal Overdose
Amorphis - The Beginning Of Times
Saxon - A Call To Arms
Seven Witches - Call Upon The Wicked
Iced Earth - Festivals Of The Wicked DVD
Queensryche - Dedicated To Chaos
Anthrax - Worship Music
Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events
Redemption - This Mortal Coil
Machine Head - Unto The Locust
Sebastian Bach - Kicking & Screaming
Warbringer - Worlds Torn Asunder
Skeletonwitch - Forever Abominator
Riot - Immortal Soul
Isole - Born From Shadows
cage - Supremacy Of Steel
Mystic Prophecy - Ravenlord

I haven't spent as much time with some of these as I'd like to, so this is subject to change. But as of now:

1- Powerwolf - Blood of the Saints (These guys continue to simply infect me with their sound)
2 - Vicious Rumors - Razorback Killers (amazing slab of raging metal)
3 - Artillery - My Blood (This and the next one could flip-flop)
4 - Havok - Time Is Up
5 - Scar Symmetry - The Unseen Empire (Unique sound, I like the feel of this)
6 - Kaktus Project - Superstion (All-star project a la Avantasia. Very good)
7 - Theocracy - As the World Bleeds (amazing songwriting. Time might make this higher)
8 - Becoming the Archetype - Celestial Completion (These guys make brutal music that is still somehow beautiful)
9 - Wisdom - Judas (Melodic powermetal that just soars)
10 - Cage - Supremacy of Steel (Not on par with their last two, but really very good and probably their heaviest at times, if that's possible)
11 - Iron Savior - The Landing (they have a sound I just can't resist)
12 - Scheepers - S/T (Great!! On par with his other stuff, at least)
13 - Jag Panzer - The Scourge of Light (Their best in years. This might get higher with time)
14 - Wizard - Of Wariwulfs and Bluotvarwes (They keep chugging along. Solid for them)
15 - Tyr - The Lay of Thrym (This one isn't as amazing to me as Northern...but it's still good)
16 - Helsar - The Glory of Chaos (Churning, very solid heavy metal)
17 - Falconer - Armod (It might just be Falconer fatigue that keeps this one low, but these guys are as good as ever)
18 - Ancient Bards - Soulless Child
19 - Pathfinder - Beyond the Space, Beyond the Time (got a feeling with more time to absorb this might easily be a top-10)
20 - Alestorm - Back Through Time (A nice return to form, in my opinion)

Over three weeks late, but better late than never.

I ranked my top 5. After that, I just listed them:

1. Satan's Host - By the Hands of the Devil

Excellent, unique album. I'm still hooked on this one. It was hands down my favorite this year.

2. Assaulter - Boundless!
Former Destroyer 666 member Simon Bezerker's new band. I have not seen them mentioned here before. Probably due to the fact that they are categorized as "Blackened Thrash." However, I would hardly call this release "blackened." It is not riddled with blast beats or poor production, and the vocals are not nearly as harsh as traditional BM. I would compare the vocals to Endless Pain/Pleasure to Kill era Kreator. The lyrics? I don't find them to be over blasphemous or anything. I guess it's up to the listener. Here's a sample:



I actually prefer their debut, "Salvation Like Destruction," the production is a little more raw, which gives the guitars an odd guitar tone, yet it somehow works. Those that like blackened thrash should definitely check out that release as well. Still, "Boundless!" was the best thrash album of the year for me.

3. Psycho - Pain Addict Pigs

I wouldn't even know how to categorize these guys, as they incorporate a mix of death, black, grind, and even traditional metal. Due to the vocals, this is more for the extreme listeners.

4. Endstille - Infektion 1813

Kickass German black metal. I like black metal, and this release was killer. A new vocalist gave them a slightly different sound.

5. Destruction - Day of Reckoning

I'm a fanboy, so take these comments for what it's worth. They didn't disappoint. I'll admit that it took more listens than I thought it would, but I keep wanting them to top "The Antichrist." It's not going to happen. However, this album is just as good, if not better, than some of the thrash being released by their peers.

Ravencult - Morbid Blood
Havok - Time Is Up
Flame - March into Firelands
In Solitude - The World. The Flesh. The Devil
Jag Panzer - The Scourge of the Light
Macabre - Grim Scary Tales
Anthrax - Worship Music
Portrait - Crimen Laesae Majestatis Divinae
Tsjuder - Legion Helvete
Anguished - Cold
Jungle Rot - Kill on Command
Barnburner - Bangers II: Scum of the Earth
Satan's Host - Celebration for the Love of Satan
Destroyer 666 - To the Devil his Due
Ghost - Opus Eponymous (US release date was 2011) if I made a top 10, this would have been #6

I plan on having my top list this weekend. I need to figure out the most correct order which is not easy with all the 2011 releases I have.

Spiner202 wrote:

1. Borealis - Fall From Grace
2. Stratovarius - Elysium
3. Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare
4. Cauldron - Burning Fortune
5. Crimson Shadows - Glory on the Battlefield
6. HammerFall - Infected
7. Warbringer - Worlds Torn Asunder
8. Alestorm - Back Through Time
9. Deicide - To Hell With God
10. Steel Panther - Balls Out

I am still hesitating about buying the new Stratovarius. It's been sitting on the shelves for months at a nearby store.

Should i go for it??

Speedmetalfreak wrote:

Spiner202 wrote:

1. Borealis - Fall From Grace
2. Stratovarius - Elysium
3. Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare
4. Cauldron - Burning Fortune
5. Crimson Shadows - Glory on the Battlefield
6. HammerFall - Infected
7. Warbringer - Worlds Torn Asunder
8. Alestorm - Back Through Time
9. Deicide - To Hell With God
10. Steel Panther - Balls Out

I am still hesitating about buying the new Stratovarius. It's been sitting on the shelves for months at a nearby store.

Should i go for it??

Absolutely. I only had one Stratovarius album prior to this (Elements Pt. 1) which I didn't like, so I was hesitant too. I took a chance and it blew me away. I like it better than the other four albums I have of theirs (Visions, Infinite, Elements Pt. 1, and Polaris).

For me, Stratovarius has never been able to top Destiny. However, I do think the new one is better than Polaris.

My list will be even later comming. I don't have my list of 2011 releases with me this weekend and I can't trust my memory not to miss any.

A little late, but what the heck!

1. Hell - Human Remains
2. Satan's Host - By the Hands of the Devil
3. Necros Christos - Doom of the Occult
4. Journey - Eclipse
5. Cianide - Gods of Death
6. Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats - Blood Lust
7. Midnight - Satanic Royalty
8. While Heaven Wept - Fear of Infinity
9. 40 Watt Sun - The Inside Room
10. Boris - Heavy Rocks 2011

Non-metal/rock favorites:

Boris - Attention Please (more of a shoegaze/alternative rock/electro record, pretty cool)
SLBMG - Ski or Die
J Mascis - Several Shades of Why
Al Di Meola - Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody
Paul Simon - So Beautiful or So What
Faberyayo - Head Banger Boogie

Dave the Boss wrote:

A little late, but what the heck!

Damn! Talk about waiting til the last minute...

Now for mine:

1-Iced Earth-Dystopia
2-Alice Cooper-Nightmare 2
3-Powerwolf-Blood Of The Saints
4-Serenity-Death And Legacy
5-Theocracy-As The World Bleeds
6-Megadeth-Th1rt3en
7-Grave Robber-You’re All Gonna Die
8-Turisas-Stand Up And Fight
9-Anvil-Juggernaut Of Justice
10-Edguy-Age Of The Joker
11-Mr. Big-What If…
12-Alestorm-Back Through Time
13-Lance King-A Moment In Chiros
14-Anthrax-Worship Music
15-Michael Monroe-Sensory Overdrive
16-Hammerfall-Infected
17-Cage-Supremacy Of Steel
18-Symphony X-Iconoclast
19-Amorphis-The Beginning Of Times
20-Redemption-This Mortal Coil
21-Dream Theater-A Dramatic Turn Of Events
22-U.D.O.-Rev Raptor
23-Journey-Eclipse
24-Night Ranger-Somewhere In California
25-Nelson-Lightning Strikes Twice
26-Leaves’ Eyes-Meredead
27-Whitesnake-Forevermore
28-House Of Lords-Big Money
29-Rhapsody Of Fire-From Chaos To Eternity
30-Jag Panzer-The Scourge Of The Light
31-Warrant-Rockaholic
32-Neal Morse-Testimony Two
33-Pagan’s Mind-Heavenly Ecstasy
34-White Wizzard-Flying Tigers
35-Dropkick Murphys-Going Out In Style
36-Visions Of Atlantis-Delta
37-Motorhead-The World Is Yours
38-Riot-Immortal Soul
39-Evanescence-s/t
40-Stratovarius-Elysium
41-Blackguard-Firefight

1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 17, 22, 23, 26, 29, 30, 37, 39, & 40 Were a step up from their previous releases IMO.

7, 16, 18, 19, 21, 27, 28, 32, 33, & 34 Were a step or so down from previous albums IMO.

4, 12, 20, 24, & 35 Were equal (or close to) the quality of their previous albums IMO.

Horable mentions:

Weird Al Yankovic-Alpocalypse
Stryper-The Covering

I don't count parodies, live albums, or cover albums.

Ones I had but sold off while keeping digital copies that got wiped out. I can't count because I lost them before I could give them real good listens from these artists:

Evergrey
Within Temptation

Didn't get around to getting the releases from:

Falconer
Opeth
Mastodon
Saxon
Becoming The Archetype
Sheepers
Sabastian Back
and maybe some others that have slipped my mind