Top Metal Albums 2011 #3

#3 40 Watt Sun: The Inside Room

You either love or hate Patrick Walker's vocals. It is nasal, whiny, depressive and mellow. Why do I love it? Because on emotional level 40 Watt Sun reached my soul and gave me strength to carry on. This album is all about fighting your inner demons (and boy did I have them) and finding peace with who you are. It is hard to describe it any further, you really need to hear it.

I have played This alone 53 times so far and I am expecting the rotation continues. The Inside Room is the best doom metal record of 2011.

http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/40_Watt_Sun/The_Inside_Room/300030 

Top Metal Albums 2011 #4

#4 Moonsorrow: Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa

This would have been my #1 pick if tracks 2, 4 and 6 were missing. Why? Because I don't get them or maybe I am just too stupid to get the idea behind three short interludes without any music only footsteps, wind blowing or screams. Or wait, did I just get it? After all, this album is about the apocalypse, TEOTWAWKI (the end of the world as we know it). Anyway, due to the interludes I dropped them from #1 spot to #4. Seems unfair and cruel, but I am a huge Moonsorrow fan so I allowed myself to do that.


However the remaining four tracks display epic folk metal with atmosphere that really sends you across the abandoned, slained and burned villages. The hooded warriors wander across the frozen plains fighting coldness, hunger and fear. I read that Ville's vocals were recorded in the a small cottage in the middle of the woods to get that authentic feel. He nailed that project 100%.


Huuto is one of the greatest songs of 2011. Finnish metal album of the year. 
http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Moonsorrow/Varjoina_Kuljemme_Kuolleiden_Maassa/294425

Top Metal Albums 2011 #5

#5 Ulcerate: The Destroyers Of All

I don't know many metal bands from New Zealand, but I am happy to come across with Ulcerate a few years back. Their technical death metal has really its own sound setting these guys apart from others. It is controlled by arrhythmic drumming (meaning the tempo is hard to follow, changing constantly and difficult to play), huge and heavy wall of guitars, crushing atmosphere and deep growls. It is like being run over by a 10,000 ton freight train.


There is not much to complain about this album. The only criticism I have is that the songs don't really differ much from each other. That is a minor flaw, but makes the album not a power play record. 


Check out Cold Coming and join the headbanging movement.
http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Ulcerate/The_Destroyers_of_All/288105

Top Metal Albums 2011 #6

#6 Vektor: Outer Isolation

First time you see the logo, thinking now that is a clear VoiVod rip-off? I don't know about that, but what I do know is that this Arizona based act offers some of the finest 21st century thrash metal. They have the typical thrash sound, but they have an edge which is David Disanto's insane high-pitched screams. They are really uncanny and set these guys apart from the mass, but that is not all. These guys really can play and compose great headbanging songs.


Outer Isolation is their sophomore album and is truly great. Check out Tetrastructural Minds in case you need any proof.
http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Vektor/Outer_Isolation/318576

Top Metal Albums 2011 #7

#7: Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats: Blood Lust

This three piece psychedelic doom outfit from Cambridge was one of the biggest surprises in 2011. Their sound is truly unique combining traditional doom with 70's like psychedelic sound and vibe. The singer Uncle Acid is a mix of King Diamond and Billy Corgan to my ears making it totally enjoyable and extraordinary. The songs are filled with harmonies and vibes and choruses that will be stuck in your head for days.


Their originality and sound was the reason why they climbed so high on my year-end list. Check out the opener I'll Cut You Down which should send you flying across the room.
http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Uncle_Acid_and_the_Deadbeats/Blood_Lust/309042

Top Metal Albums 2011 #8

#8 Omnium Gatherum: New World Shadows

This was last year's best melodic death metal album and I am more than happy a Finnish band took it. Omnium Gatherum stepped up their game tremendously for me topping everything they have done so far. This album is filled the superb musicianship, great melodies and memorable songs. The singer Jukka Pelkonen's vocals are also the best he has delivered so far. His style might not please everyone, but somehow they are fitting to the music.


There are many great tracks to choose from and I choose to pick Soul Journeys.
http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Omnium_Gatherum/New_World_Shadows/291524

Top Metal Albums 2011 #9

#9 While Heaven Wept: Fear Of Infinity

This was my last year's most anticipated album. Their previous effort Vast Oceans Lachrymose was the best album to come out in 2009 and my expectations were running sky-high for this one. Tom Phillips & his crew don't disappoint me with this one, I guess I was only hoping it to be longer and heavier. Don't get me wrong, it still possesses all the elements that makes While Heaven Wept one my favorite bands: stellar vocals, beautiful singing harmonies, great musicianship and emotional songs. 

You have to remember that this is a concept album and all the songs will have to be listened in the chronological order from start to finish. That is executed very well and they pull it off masterfully. Only thing that has changed is that there are also faster power metal like elements, which might not be pleasing to old-school doom metal lovers. All in all, you have to listen to the music as it is without constant comparisons to their previous works. WHW remains one of the best bands currently to me and I am hoping to catch them live soon.

Choosing the right song from a concept album is difficult, but the album closer Finality demonstrates beautifully why you should love this band. 

http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/While_Heaven_Wept/Fear_of_Infinity/299823