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

Vale of Pnath - The Prodigal Empire (2011)

Genre: Technical Death Metal/Melodic Death Metal

Release Date: August 9, 2011

1. Legacy of Loss (5:27)

2. Mental Crucifixion (5:27)

3. Brain Butchers (4:42)

4. The Prodigal Empire (3:11)

5. Borne Extinction (5:43)

6. Poisoned by Prosperity (2:33)

7. Time of Reckoning (3:56)

8. Sightless (4:36)

9. Cerulean Eclipse (6:00)

I first heard about this band (via Allegaeon’s Facebook page) on the day this record was released.  Anytime I hear about a new or “up and coming” technical death metal band I get very excited.  Technical prowess is one of the biggest reasons I am drawn to death metal, and let me tell you, Vale of Pnath has no shortness of technical instrumentation in their compositions.  

The Prodigal Empire is the first full length album by the Denver technical melodic death metal outfit.  For those who have heard their 2009 EP, this record builds on the sound they created on that release and takes it to a whole new level.

Mental Crucifixion

(really cool riff around 4:49)

This is the best album I’ve had the pleasure of listening to so far this year.  It has everything that one could want in a technical death metal record: intricate guitar work, melodic elements, a brutal drum attack, heavy bass to complement the mix, and a solid interchange between black and death metal vocals.  Oh, and with lyrics inspired by the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie Total Recall, what’s not to love?

"Start the reactor"

In my opinion, the pinnacle of the album is the last three tracks that close out The Prodigal Empire.  “Time of Reckoning” begins with a marching guitar riff that continues without pause alongside the backbeat of the drums and bass.  Eventually, towards the middle/end of the song, melody begins to cut through the mix.  The last half of this song is truly beautiful and any fan of melodic death metal should love it.

“Sightless” is the most brutal of the last three tracks.  I won’t even ramble on about it here.  Just go listen to it for yourself (link below, of course).

Time of Recknoning

Sightless

Every so often I listen to the final song on a record and think to myself: “that was the best song they could have written to end this album”.  “Cerulean Eclipse” is a perfect conclusion to The Prodigal Empire.  It is an excellent representation of all the best elements of the album – especially in terms of technicality and melody.  The riff that cuts in at roughly 35 seconds into the track is my favorite guitar part on the whole album.  Everything that follows thereafter is mind-blowing as well.  I dare you not to like this song.

Cerulean Eclipse

I strongly recommend The Prodigal Empire to any fan of death metal music (particularly those who like technical or melodic death metal).  It is an absolutely brilliant record that has been in my regular listening rotation for weeks (and will probably remain there for many weeks to come).  Vale of Pnath represents one of the brightest spots in American death metal today and I am excited to see what they’ll bring to the table in the future.  Hopefully, they’ll go on tour soon and play their awesome brand of death metal all over the country.  GO CHECK THEM OUT NOW!!

Final Rating: 10/10 

MASTERPIECE

3 Favorite Songs from the Album: Mental Crucifixion, Time of Reckoning, Cerulean Eclipse