Solitude

Solitude

Monday, January 9, 2012

Top Metal Albums 2011 #50-41

#50 Loss: Despond
Funeral Doom (USA)

#49 Krisiun: The Great Execution
Death Metal (Brazil)

#48 Symphony X: Iconoclast
Progressive Metal (USA)

#47 Havok: Time Is Up
Thrash Metal (USA)

#46 Argus: Boldly Stride The Doomed
Traditional Doom (USA)

#45 Blood Ceremony: Living With The Ancients
Doom Metal (Canada)

#44 Necros Christos: Doom of the Occult
Death/Doom Metal (Germany)

#43 Anthrax: Worship Music
Heavy/Thrash Metal (USA)

#42 Colosseum: Chapter 3: Parasomnia
Funeral Doom (Finland)
Funeral Doom is one tough genre to master. I am slowly learning and beginning to understand why at times it is the perfect way for someone to express solitude, isolation and paganism.


Colosseum's final act was released one year after Juhani Palomäki's passing (RIP) and On The Strand Of Nightmares is the perfect funeral march in his honour. Colosseum make my list at #42.

#41 Machine Head: Unto the Locust
Thrash Metal (USA)
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Top Metal Albums 2011 #40-31


#40 Mastodon: The Hunter
Progressive Metal (USA)

#39 Devin Townsend Project: Deconstruction
Progressive Metal (Canada)

#38 Isole: Born From Shadows
Doom Metal (Sweden)

#37 Brymir: Breathe Fire to the Sun
Pagan/Folk Metal (Finland)

#36 Sólstafir: Svartir Sandar
Metal (Iceland)

35 Vader: Welcome To The Morbid Reich
Death Metal (Poland)
If there is one thing I have learnt about Vader, it is that they don't let you down. Peter and his crew have been around since the 80's and they show no signs of fatigue.The latest, entitled Welcome To The Morbid Reich, has all the qualities of a stellar death metal album: furious guitar riffs, ballsy vocals and relentless drumming.

The opener Return To The Morbid Reich pretty much tells you the name of the game. Vader enters my list at #35.


#34 Novembers Doom: Aphotic
Death/Doom Metal (USA)

#33 Alghazanth: Vinum Intus
Black Metal (Finland)

#32 Comatose Vigil: Fuimus, Non Sumus...
Funeral Doom (Russia)

#31 Fleshgod Apocalypse: Agony
Brutal Death Metal (Italy)
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Top Metal Albums 2011 #30-21


#30 Disma: Towards The Megalith
Death Metal (USA)

#29 YOB: Atma
Stoner/Doom Metal (USA)
You must have noticed that YOB can be found on many year end lists, it also made mine at #29. The trademark for this Oregon based band are the epic songs consisting of huge riffs with downtoned guitars, various tempo changes within a single song and thick atmosphere.


At first these guys didn't really click with me, but the opener Prepare The Ground and this closer Adrift In The Ocean changed my mind.


#28 Iced Earth: Dystopia
Heavy Metal (USA)

#27 Rwake: Rest
Sludge Metal (USA)

#26 Altar Of Plagues: Mammal
Black Metal (Ireland)
How often would you use black metal and Ireland in the same sentence? Well, now you can when you listen to Altar Of Plagues. Guess the trve black metal elitists call this hipster or post black metal, but I don't care.


Mammal has only four songs clocking at 52 minutes offering massive, obscure, violent, depressive and even progressive moments yet making it intriguing and accessible. Altar Of Plagues on my list at #26. Check out the opening track Nepture Is Dead.


#25 Insomnium: One For Sorrow
Melodic Death Metal (Finland)

#24 Riot: Immortal Soul
Heavy/Speed Metal (USA)
In less than year ago I knew nothing about Riot. Now I am more than happy this more than 35 year old band caught my attention. Immortal Soul has all the great elements and moments of a 80's tradiotional heavy/speed metal album updated to 21th century.


Fall Before Me hit me like a hammer and the chorus will be stuck in your head for days. These guys deserve the #24 position.


#23 Týr: The Lay Of Thrym
Folk Metal (Faroe Islands)

#22 Arch / Matheos: Sympathetic Resonance
Progressive Metal (USA)
How many of you remember Fates Warning? Then you must remember John Arch, who still possesses one of the most unique and controversial voices in metal. You either love him or hate him.


Mr. Arch didn't tour for more than 10 years but returned to his day job being a carpenter. Needless to say his voice is still top notch at the age of 52 and the reunion with ex-Fates Warning guitarist Jim Matheos works like a charm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwcL04CYews


#21 Satan's Host: By The Hands Of The Devil
Death/Speed/Thrash Metal (USA)
One of the craziest combination of genres is here: speed metal, thrash and black metal all blended together with clean vocals, sounds like a failure? Satan's Host is making it work with superb vocal delivery of Harry Conklin (ex-Jag Panzer) and singing harmonies, fierce blast beat drumming and relentless riffing.

By The Hands Of The Devil has that infernal and enchanting magic to it, you cannot help but surrender. SH takes #21 position my list.
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Top Metal Albums 2011 #20-11

#20 Esoteric: Paragon Of Dissonance
Funeral Doom (UK)
#20 on 2011 year end's list goes to Esoteric. These guys have been around for 20 years now and Paragon Of Dissonance happens to be the first funeral doom album I purchased. The times they are a changing since the 80's I first put Twisted Sister on my cassette recorder and thought "Boy, this is heavy".

Abandonment is a great example of Esoteric sound: slow, crushing and heavy but yet melodic and approachable. The second half of this song literally blew me away, it is just that good.


#19 Amon Amarth: Surtur Rising
Death Metal (Sweden)

#18 Wolves In The Throne Room: Celestial Lineage
Black Metal (USA)
Black metal truly hit me this year. I finally let go of all my prejudices and my mind was blown away many times. One of these bands is Wolves In The Throne Room. Their critically acclaimed Two Hunters and especially I Will Lay Down My BonesAmong the Rocks and Roots was the final blow.

I was lucky to catch them live in November in Tampere and heard the above mentioned song, truly great! Their latest might be the last black metal album according to some sources and the opening track Thuja Magus Imperium captures all the great elements on this album. WITTR enter my list at #18.

#17 Septic Flesh: The Great Mass
Death Metal (Greece)

#16 Ghost Brigade: Until Fear No Longer Defines Us
Atmospheric Sludge (Finland)
Ok people: Ghost Brigade's third release is great. First of all Until Fear No Longer Defines Us has one of the coolest album covers of 2011. It starts oddly with a melodic outro sounding prelude and then explodes into Clawmaster, which is goddamn awesome and one of the finest moments in this album.

I expect these guys will have bigger audiences and lots of international gigs in the future, they are force to be reckoned with. Why didn't they make my top 15 is a question of mood and when I was compiling my list and dragging artists up and down they ended at #16. They could have easily hit top 10 on some other day.

#15 Darkest Era: The Last Caress Of Light
Folk Metal (Northern Ireland)
When I first heard The Morrigan I knew I was going to love this band.Darkest Era hails from Northern Ireland and consists of three young lads and two lassies playing folk/celtic metal. The Last Caress Of Light is only their debut album yet showing great potential, good vocals and songwriting skills.

I urge you to check out this band and I am expecting great things from these guys in the future. Darkest Era #15 on my top 2011 list.


#14 Kroda: Schwarzpfad
Pagan Black Metal (Ukraine)


#13 Light Bearer: Lapsus
Sludge Metal (UK)
Sludge is another genre that I knew nothing a few years ago. I am glad I expanded my view cause I ended finding many great bands. London's pride Light Bearer seems to get only better and better the more I listen to it. There are elements of post hardcore, ambient sludge and progressive metal, but it all blends well together. Lapsus is only their debut album, so my mind is pretty much blown how talented these guys are.

Lapsus ends with this self-titled song and it is massive clocking nearly 18 minutes. Especially the ending should give you chills like it did to me. Take a good seat in your armchair, light up the fire and let these guys expand your horizons. My pick #13.
http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Light_Bearer/Lapsus/301480


#12 Cormorant: Dwellings
Progressive Metal (USA)

#11 Thy Catafalque: Rengeteg
Avant-garde Metal (Hungary)
My first encounter with Thy Catafalque was back in 2009 when Roka Hasa Radio ended on many year end lists. I decided to check this band out and didn't regret it. The mastermind behind this one-man avant-garde metal project is Tamas Katai. What is extraordinary about this band is that he sings in Hungarian language and the music varies from synth driven industrial sound to gloomier guitar driven progressive metal.

Fekete Mezök (translated Black Fields) is the opener of the Rengeteg and displays all the great elements of this album. Highly recommended! TC makes it #11 just dropping out of top 10.
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Sunday, January 8, 2012

2011 Honorary Mentions

This is a collection of EP's and non-metal albums which didn't make my top 66 list, but I decided to make this honorary mentions section to give credit to these outstanding bands/artists.

Syven: Aikaintaite
This Finnish duo plays dark folk music with totally unique atmosphere. You could describe their sound as sitting in an Indian tent, smoking water pipe and looking into the frozen night sky filled with stars. I return to this album every time I want to connect with my spirituality and inner struggles. Check out Syvyys the opening track of the album.

Tenhi: Saivo
Tenhi is Finnish dark neofolk band formed in 1996. Their sound is quite unique consisting of poetic vocals with whispers and shaman like atmosphere. There is something really soothing in Tyko Saarikko's vocals and it brings calmness and peace. This album is a masterpiece in its genre to my ears and I can warmly recommended it to anybody who are into folk and atmospheric music. Check out Saivon Kimallus / Siniset Runot.


Kauan: Kuu..
Kauan is a dark folk duo from Russia. What is special with this band is the fact that the singer Anton Belov decided to write the lyrics in Finnish. You can hear that his pronunciation is not native, but it doesn't really bother you. I can warmly recommend this album when you need I break from the world and just want to stare at the candle burning and connect with your thoughts. Check out Tähtien Hiljainen Laulu.

Graveyard: Hisingen Blues
Despite its name, I wouldn't say we are on metal ground, I would categorize these guys as psychedelic rock from the 70's. In my books this is a like a resurrection of Doors with a bit harder guitar sound but equally amazing vocals. The album closer The Siren is one of the greatest rock songs in 2011 IMO.

Steven Wilson: Grace for Drowning
Steven Wilson is the mastermind behind Porcupine Tree and Blackfield. This is his third solo album and I am sure there is not a single progressive rock fanatic who would call this album a failure. Actually, it is filled with versatile songs and different moods and is highly recommended for any prog music lover. Check out Index.


The Devil's Blood: The Thousandfold Epicentre
The Devil's Blood originates from The Netherlands and play occult psychedelic rock. Their sound could be described as occult seating in a dark room filled with smoke and red velvet. While you a bit mesmerized what is going to happen next the female singer Farida Lemouchi steps in and steals the show. Check out Fire Burning.

Immolation: Providence (EP)
This is some of finest death metal from USA. These guys have been around more than 20 years and don't seem to settle down. Providence has five fast-paced in-your-face DM with groovy riffs and great attitude! Check the self-titled track Providence.

Agrypnie: Asche (EP)
I don't know the reason why Asche is called an EP since it contains close to 50 minutes music. These guys come from Germany playing melodic black/death metal. I am totally enjoying this when I need to hear good, epic metal with outstanding musicianship and stellar songs. Check out Augenblick.

Blotted Science: The Animation of Entomology
This is instrumental technical death metal with outstanding musicianship (especially drumming) and great compositions. Usually I get bored to instrumental music if there isn't anything to keep me interested, but I don't have that problem with these guys. Check out Vermicular Asphyxiation and yes, the video is a bit creepy so viewer discreation is adviced. 

Blut Aus Nord: 777 - Sect(s) / 777 - The Desanctification
French Blut Aus Nord offers some of the most bizarre black metal. There are industrial elements in it and the guitar sound sets them apart from others. They already have a vast fanbase and I can totally get it. There are moments on both albums which are extraordinary, but for some reason these guys haven't really clicked with me. 777 trilogy will be completed later 2012 as the final albums completes. You cannot blame them for lack of motivation. Check out Epitome 02.

Animals As Leaders: Weightless
It was only this year I stumbled across these talented guys. AaL is a progressive instrumental act from Washington D.C. Their sound could somehow be described as softer and lighter version of Meshuggah, but that is not entirely true. Check out Isolated Incidents and make up your own mind. Highly recommended!
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Album Of The Year 2011

#1 Primordial: Redemption at the Puritan's Hand
In the end nothing could really prevent Primordial from taking the number one spot. This is currently the best music metal has to offer. I probably listened to about 150 albums in 2011 and my list is based on that. Sure with repeated listens and extra time (quit my job?), the list could be different but there is no use in second guessing. 

Redemption at the Puritan's Hand is a pretty straightforward album as singer Nemtheanga (Alan Averill) once said in an interview. It deals with death and all things related to it. Primordial's music has been labelled as Folk/Celtic/Black metal, but the vocals are not growls. In fact the vocals are main reason why I love this band. They cut straight to my senses and connect emotionally and spiritually. It was actually only 2011 I first caught them live and when Nemtheanga shouted "We are Primordial from the Republic of Ireland!" goosebumps were all over me. I was immediately sold and seeing him give 100% with painted mask makes you proud to be alive and wakes your warrior spirit.

Primordial 15.7.2011 Hammer Open Air

The great thing about RatPH is that it seems to grow with each listen. Out of the eight tracks, I have tagged four loved tracks to my Last.Fm profile. Bloodied Yet Unbowed, Lain With the Wolf, God's Old Snake and Death of the Gods offer the finest moments in metal in 2011. You need to hear and own this album.
http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Primordial/Redemption_at_the_Puritan%27s_Hand/298845


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Top Metal Albums 2011 #2

#2 Woods Of Desolation: Torn Beyond Reason
Right you got it, this is where I got my blog's name from. Why didn't this make to number one? Well, it did and stayed there for many weeks but in the end it had to step down. Woods Of Desolation put out the finest black metal album of 2011, hands down. If there is only one black metal album you want to hear from last year, pick Torn Beyond Reason. TBR consists of screamo vocals, tremelo guitars and blastbeat drumming. Doesn't really turn you on? The atmosphere, emotional songs and melodic parts are the thing here making WoD a winner in my books. The production is also respecting the black metal roots, so don't expect crystal clear sounds.

Torn Beyond Reason is utterly crushing and devastating, yet soothing and beautiful. 

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