Top 10 Metal Albums of 2011

I know I'm a few months behind on revealing my top 10 metal albums of 2011, but here it is - better late than never.  It was difficult to compile this list because there were a ton of great releases this past year.  Many great albums are not represented on this list and I'm sure some of you will dispute that.  Nonetheless, these are the albums that I believe were the best overall in 2011.  I apologize in advance for the lack of black metal (which is a sub-genre of metal that I don't listen to much or keep up on).


10. Monumental Torment - Elements of Chaos

This band has one of the more interesting back stories I've heard recently.  Monumental Torment was formed in Russia in 2009.  While working on the project, the Russian duo added vocalist Lloyd Moore Jr., who was living in Phoenix, Arizona.  Since then, the two Russian guys have split and so has the original vocalist, leaving Monumental Torment with an entirely new cast of members (none of whom are featured on Elements of Chaos).  

Fortunately, Monumental Torment didn't make all their lineup changes before dropping this brilliant album.  Elements of Chaos is one of the most technical and brutal albums to hit the market in 2011.  The ultra-fast and cleanly picked guitar work of Artem Gultaev are complimented well by punishing vocals of Lloyd Moore Jr.  Iaonn Komkov's bass play also adds to the grinding sound.  The only downside to the album is that the drums are computer generated.  They don't sound bad, but the double bass and blast beats are so fast that I'll be shocked if they have actually found a drummer that can play these parts live (I really hope I'm proven wrong on this point).  Electronic drums aside, this was one of my favorite releases of the year.  

9. Obscura - Omnivium

Obscura returns with the release of their third full length album, Omnivium.  What I love about this band (and this album) is the way they seamlessly blend melodic and technical death metal.  The lasting influence of Cynic, Atheist, and Death bleeds through on this album.  But Obscura is forging ahead on their own path, building on these foundations.  They toured the US in 2011 in support of this release with melodic death metal legends, Children of Bodom.

8. Machine Head - Unto the Locust

After four years, Machine Head's much anticipated follow up to their masterpiece album The Blackening (2007) has been unleashed on the world.  Unto the Locust is fashioned in the same musical style as their last album and, while not quite as impressive, the result is fantastic.  Some of the highlights on the album are "Locust", "Be Still and Know", and "Darkness Within".

7. Scorned Deity - The Monarchy Memoirs

Michigan natives, Scorned Deity, took the melodic death metal scene by storm with the release of their debut album, The Monarchy Memoirs.  Melodic death metal is flooded with tons of similar-sounding bands, so it's a tough genre to stand out in.  Scorned Deity is one of the bands that not only stands out, but shines brightly.  They've really taken the Gothenburg Sound and made it their own.  Keep your ears on this band.

6. Fleshgod Apocalypse - Agony

Fleshgod Apocalypse are back and better than ever with the release of their second full length album, Agony.  FA have definitely upped the ante on this record - faster drumming (Francesco Paoli is one of the best drummers in the world in my opinion, and he's the main reason I listen to this band), interesting orchestral elements (they now have a full time keyboardist), and an overall brutal sound that is well... apocalyptic.   Behold... Agony.

5. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events

Following the unexpected departure of drummer Mike Portnoy, Dream Theater had a lot to prove.  Everyone really stepped up their game to make this album and the result is absolute brilliance.  Some of the most technical stuff I've ever heard from DT can be found on A Dramatic Turn of Events.  Dream Theater has shown they are capable of churning out amazing music, with or without Portnoy.

4. Revocation - Chaos of Forms

With guitarist David Davidson being named the best guitarist in modern metal by Metal Sucks and the release of their third full length album, 2011 was a good year for Revocation.  Their music continues to change from album to album (from the standpoint of overall sound and atmosphere, not style), with pleasing results each time.  Definitely check out Chaos of Forms!

3. Visceral Disgorge - Ingesting Putridity

The debut album from Visceral Disgorge is arguably the most disgustingly heavy album to come out in 2011 (or hell, even in the past five years).  Grotesque lyrics, blast beats, indistinguishable guttural vocals, and grinding riffs abound on this 44 minute LP.  Ingesting Putridity blasts through my speakers on a regular basis and should be emitting from your stereo as well (given that you're a fan of brutal death metal...).

2. Hate Eternal - Phoenix Amongst the Ashes

Hate Eternal has proven once again that they are still one of the best in the game.  Phoenix Amongst the Ashes is arguably the best release yet from these veterans of death metal.  Eric Rutan's compositions pay heed to not only heavy riffs and technicality (which is present in all good death metal music) but also to creating an ominous audio atmosphere capable of enthralling the listener.  I'm sure I'll be listening to this record for years to come.

1. Vale of Pnath - The Prodigal Empire

In my opinion, Vale of Pnath's The Prodigal Empire was unquestionably the best metal album to come out in 2011.  There is no shortage of memorable riffs, blazingly technical passages, and excellent instrumental work all around.  Vale of Pnath has really raised the musical bar in technical death metal with this record.  I am really looking forward to hearing what they put out in the coming years.

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order)...

Pathology - Awaken to the Suffering

Cerebral Bore - Maniacal Miscreation

Origin - Entity

Krisiun - The Great Execution

All Shall Perish - This is Where it Ends (yes, I know it's deathcore)

The Black Dahlia Murder - Ritual

Neuraxis - Asylon

As Blood Runs Black - Instinct (yes, I know it's deathcore)

Insomnium - One for Sorrow

Symphony X - Iconoclast

Beyond Creation - The Aura

Mastodon - The Hunter

Decapitated - Carnal is Forever

Unexpect - Fables of the Sleepless Empire

Wretched Posts New Song, "Repeat... The End is Near"

Wretched has posted a new song, "Repeat... The End is Near" from their forthcoming album Son of Perdition (set to hit stores March 26th) on their Facebook account.  The video, up on the Victory Records Youtube account, features guitarists Steven Funderburk and John Vail performing the track alongside tabs to the song.

What struck me most about this track is how different it sounds from their previous work.  The guitar parts are reminiscent of other Wretched tracks pretty much only in tone.  And the vocal parts are quite different from their last two albums (they did get a new vocalist, but I heard him live this summer and he performed their other songs just like previous vocalists).  Beyond the Gate was released only a little over a year ago, so I was not expecting such a drastically different sound from Wretched.  I'm very interested to hear what the rest of the album will be like now that I've heard this song.  Check it out:

Allegaeon Posts New Track from Forthcoming Album

Allegaeon has posted a song from their forthcoming album, Formshifter, which is set to hit stores in the U.S. on May 8, 2012.  The track is called "Tartessos: The Hidden Xenochryst" and it's streaming live on Metal Blade Records' Youtube channel.  Check it out below:

Revocation - Chaos of Forms (2011)

Genre: Death Metal/Thrash Metal/Extreme Metal

Release Date: August 16, 2011

1. Cretin (3:03)

2. Cradle Robber (4:25)

3. Harlot (2:51)

4. Dissolution Ritual (4:37)

5. Conjuring the Cataclysm (4:34)

6. No Funeral (3:55)

7. Fractal Entity (1:43)

8. Chaos of Forms (4:30)

9. The Watchers (4:12)

10. Beloved Horrifier (4:09)

11. Dethroned (4:57)

12. Reprogrammed (4:03)

Last year, the website Metal Sucks named Revocation guitarist/frontman David Davidson the best guitarist in modern metal.  With the advent of technical death metal, there is some stiff competition out there.  Thus, to be called the best modern metal guitarist isn't an easily earned title or something to be taken lightly.  Usually I am skeptical of top guitarist lists because, in my opinion, they're usually way off.  But in this case, if Davidson doesn't deserve to called the best guitarist in modern metal, he is at least worthy of the top 5.  This guy has some mad skills and they are displayed to the fullest on Revocation's latest release.

Chaos of Forms is the third album from the Boston extreme metal act.  Revocation blends elements of death metal, thrash metal, speed metal, and everything in between to create a brutal audio assault that is nothing short of brilliant.  Davidson employs every guitar technique in the book in a varied and exciting way that never gets boring or repetitive.

Cretin

It's difficult to parallel Revocation with other bands in the genre simply because they have a rather unique sound.  Much of this has to do with Davidson's guitar work.  In one passage he can blend dissonant riffs, switch up to melodic leads, and then employ a blazing thrash metal style tremolo picking.  His riffs are constantly changing between styles, which makes it very enthralling to listen to.  One song that provides a great example of how he combines all these elements is the eleventh track on Chaos of Forms, "Dethroned".

Dethroned

Cradle Robber

While delivering up some menacing guitar riffs, Davidson also handles the vocals and offers up a stellar performance on the microphone on this album.  Davidson's vocals are arguably just as unique as his guitar playing and really give Revocation a bludgeoning sound that all metal fans should appreciate.

While the bass and drums on this record are by no means groundbreaking, they provide the perfect backdrop to Davidson's top notch guitar work and guttural vocals.  Phil Dubois-Coyne (drums) and Anthony Buda (bass) have proven their skills on previous Revocation releases in any case, so it's not all that disappointing to see the bass and drums recede into a background role on Chaos of Forms.

Revocation builds on their previous releases, Empire of the Obscene (2008) and Existence is Futile (2009), and develops their song writing and structure to new heights on this record.  Personally, Empire of the Obscene is still my favorite Revocation album, but Chaos of Forms is an amazing record and one of the best releases to come out in 2011.  I look forward to their continued contributions to the metal scene.

Final Rating: 9/10

3 Favorite Songs from the Album: Cretin, Cradle Robber, Conjuring the Cataclysm

Beneath the Massacre - Incongruous (2012)

Genre: Technical Death Metal

Release Date: February 14, 2012

1.  Symptoms (3:06)

2. Hunted (2:27)

3. Left Hand (2:42)

4. Hopes (3:32)

5. It (2:57)

6. Light (2:50)

7. Incongruous (1:04)

8. Pedestal (3:31)

9. Grief (2:15)

10. Damages (3:49)

11. Unheard (2:55)

Incongruous, which came out on Valentine's Day (how romantic?!), was one of the most highly anticipated releases unleashed in the early months of 2012.  It's been almost four years since the last full length Beneath the Massacre record dropped, so fans have been waiting quite some time for this album.

This record has everything we've come to expect from a BTM release: ultra-fast drumming, insane sweep picking and tapping guitar parts, fat bass tracks, and crushing vocals (oh and a few breakdowns as well).  One thing that became clear to me as I was listening to Incongruous is all the band members have improved at their instruments dramatically.  This record is pretty much a clinic displaying the unfathomable skills of Beneath the Massacre's instrumental work.

Symptoms

Christopher Bradley (guitar), Dennis Bradley (bass), and Justin Rousselle (drums) all most certainly have musical chops.  This is undeniable, but this is not to say this album is without its' problems.  Incongruous is a rather difficult album to digest at times.  There isn't much variety in the guitar riffs or the drum tracks throughout the record.  Most times it just seems to be a collection of insane blast beats, sweep tapping licks, ultra-fast double bass, interspersed tremolo picking riffs, etc, etc, ad infinitum.  I've listened to this release all the way through several times now and there aren't many parts that stick out in my mind.  While previous BTM albums, such as Mechanics of Dysfunction (2007), had a number of memorable riffs, Incongruous is unfortunately lacking in this department.

I get the feeling that Beneath the Massacre was looking to push their boundaries in terms of technicality on this release (which they certainly did).  However, they sacrificed some variety and originality in the process and I think that's unfortunate.  No one is going to dispute that these guys are proficient at their instruments.  Every song shouldn't have to be arranged to show what crazy sweep tapping riff Bradley can play or how fast Rousselle can pummel his drum kit.

Left Hand

I don't want to spend this whole review doling out criticism though because Incongrous is a really good album that has plenty of bright spots.  My favorite track on the record is the fifth one, entitled "It".  "It" shows what incredible potential Beneath the Massacre has to craft music that is not only technical for the sake of being technical, but also incredibly catchy and memorable as well.  They display their technical prowess on this track without sacrificing melody or brutality.

It

One aspect of this record that impressed me was Elliot Desgagne's vocals.  While I've always felt that Desgagne's technique has complimented Beneath the Massacre's instrumental style well, his vocals have never really stood out to me in comparison with other vocalists in the genre (like Derek Rydquist of The Faceless, just to name one).  He has really come into his own on this release and his vocal style sounds more refined than on their previous records.

Ultimately, while I don't feel this is BTM's best record, it is an excellent release and one that continues to grow on me the more I listen to it (in large part, the more I listen to "It").  I like the direction Beneath the Massacre's sound is going in and I hope they continue to develop both their technical skills and variety (though, the latter is what they need more of at this point).  When people come to me for death metal recommendations, Beneath the Massacre is always one of the first bands I mention.  This won't be changing anytime soon and I am rather pleased with the latest release from this Canadian technical death metal outfit.

Final Rating: 8.5/10

3 Favorite Songs from the Album: Symptoms, It, Damages

Psycroptic - The Inherited Repression (2012)

Genre: Technical Death Metal

Release Date: February 7, 2012

1. Carriers of the Plague (6:07)

2. Forward to Submission (3:56)

3. Euphorinasia (4:54)

4. The Throne of Kings (4:04)

5. Unmasking the Traitors (3:55)

6. Become the Cult (4:11)

7. From Scribe to Ashes (3:50)

8. Deprivation (5:44)

9. The Sleepers Have Awoken (4:08)

Wow.  Psycroptic have outdone themselves once again.  Coming off their latest release, Ob(Servant) (2008), I found it difficult to conceive that this Australian tech-death quartet would release an album even better than that excellent record.  Much to my delight, I was mistaken.  Psycroptic has crafted another masterpiece.

The Inherited Repression marks the fifth full length release for Psycroptic, and in my opinion, it's their best album to date.  This is not something I'm putting lightly.  I consider Ob(Servant) among my all-time favorite albums and it's a masterpiece in its' own right.  I've spent the last two weeks alternately listening to both those records so I could figure out which one I thought was better.  The Inherited Repression wins by a hair.

One of the things I love most about technical death metal is that the genre keeps getting pushed to new extremes each and every year.  A large factor in determining this trend is the fact that the musicians who started the genre are all getting better at playing their respective instruments as time goes by.  In addition, many of these bands (Psycroptic among them) are developing a more mature sound with each new release.  On the whole, this is the most mature-sounding album Psycroptic has recorded.

Carriers of the Plague

One aspect of this album that makes it stand out from other technical death metal releases is the flow of the music.  The songs aren't just a collection of notes and complex riffs thrown together in order (many other technical acts are guilty of this type of song construction).  The drums and guitar really groove and weave together well, making each track feel more organic than contrived.

I don't want to downplay the technicality of this release, though, because the songs on here are very intricate.  Joe Haley effortlessly blends chord progressions with elaborate fills that connect his riffs together.  His legato playing style is, in my opinion, developed to its highest level yet on The Inherited Repression.

Unmasking the Traitors

This song really gives the listener a good example of Joe Haley's signature legato guitar style.

Dave Haley's drumwork is also superb and his skills are put on display well here.  What separates his playing from that of many other drummers in the genre is his variety and flow.  Haley doesn't constantly lay down blast beats and ridiculously fast double bass play (although these aspects are present at times, as they should be on a death metal record).  He alternates between a mixture of different styles instead of just blasting his kit as fast as humanly possible.  Interesting cymbal work, alternately slow and fast-paced beats, and varied tom fills can all be found throughout the record.  "From Scribe to Ashes" is a good example that highlights Dave Haley's variations:

From Scribe to Ashes

The bass is not very prominent on this record, but in the end, this doesn't detract from the quality of the release.  Cameron Grant's bass work provides a solid backdrop to some heavy and groovy riffs but isn't featured as much as some other technical death metal acts, like The Faceless or Anata.

The vocals on this record are interesting in that they bear little resemblance to Psycroptic's earlier works, such as The Isle of Disenchantment (2001) and Symbols of Failure (2006).  They aren't classic death metal vocals, but are a closer kin of modern thrash metal records.  In any case, Jason Peppiatt makes it work and delivers a great vocal performance on The Inherited Repression.

In conclusion, Psycroptic has proven their worth yet again as one of the most interesting technical death metal bands in the world.  I predict this album will be one of the best death metal records to drop in 2012 and it will certainly be blasting through my speakers for months to come.  You owe it to yourself to listen to The Inherited Repression.  What are you waiting for?!

Final Rating: 10/10

MASTERPIECE

3 Favorite Songs from the Album: Carriers of the Plague, Unmasking the Traitors, Deprivation

Honorable Mention: Every other song on the album...