List of the Year

So, another year has passed and again a lot of very cool records. For some reason it feels like I haven't had time to listen to even half of the albums I wanted to even if I've spent a lot more time actually listening to music. But I guess that's the way it is... It sure is impossible to listen to exactly everything interesting being released. But at least I got my list together, a little later than usual though.

1. ARCH / MATHEOS – Sympathetic Resonance

I think it’s amazing that John Arch decided to sing again. I can understand that some might have an issue with his voice but I’ve always loved it. These days it has gained some in depth but still holds that squeaky tone. The album is fantastic from start to finish, great songs of course, as always when Jim Matheos is involved in the project. But it really is John’s voice that really takes it to the top of my list.

Favorite track: Stained Glass Sky

2. VICIOUS RUMORS – Razorback Killers

Another great album from Vicious Rumors. I didn’t think so at first though, but that was the case with “Warball” also. Or, killer the first spin and then it went down for a while. Picking it up again a few weeks later it felt like a different album and after that it just kept growing for each listening. Again just like “Warball” did. Vicious Rumors have had a whole bunch of great singers and Brian Allen sure should be counted into that bunch too.

Favorite track: Razorback Blade 

 

3. HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE – 17:th Street

A bit obscure perhaps but a band with a special talent in writing interesting material! This album is a step towards heavier tunes again, a few really heavy ones. Also, that Joe Hutton sounds and phrases the vocal lines as Mike Scalzi really makes this album climb on the scale too.

Favorite track: The Day The City Died

 

4. HELL – Human Remains

Re-unions and all, sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. But most things Andy Sneap puts his mind to tend to fall into my taste. I love the balance between theater and Metal on this album. David Bower has a really special voice and even if I don’t think Martin Walkyier could have done it better it would have been cool to hear it with him. Still this record sounds amazing and I can’t wait until I get the chance to see Hell live.

Favorite track: On Earth As It Is in Hell

 

 

5. ANVIL – Juggernaut Of Justice

There’s no doubt that the Movie about Anvil has increased the interest in the band. And it’s great to hear this new album, the production is smoother than normal but the main difference is the vocal arrangements. Even if all Anvil records has been good this one strikes hard.

Favorite track: New Orleans Voodoo 

 

6. SAXON – Call To Arms

Saxon has really grown into one of my absolute favorite band over the last decade. I’ve always liked them a lot of course, all the classics albums as well as after they came back with “Dogs Of War”. Since then they’ve kept a steady level on the studio albums and this is no exception.

Favorite track: When Doomsday Comes

 

7. ARGUS – Boldly Stride The Doomed

It really is the vocals that make this album. Brian "Butch" Balich really do a fantastic job here. I love the melancholy in his voice and it suites the music perfectly. Musically this album is great too of course but rather standard Heavy/Doom. But it’s nothing wrong with that of course.

Favorite track: Pieces of Your Smile

 

8. COMMUNIC – The Bottom Deep

I don’t think this one is as strong as earlier albums from Communic. Still they hold high enough standard to make it into the list. The performance on this is flawless, Oddleif sings great and the guitars are fantastic. I still miss some real hits as “Frozen Asleep In The Park”, “Ocean Bed” or “Raven’s Cry”.

Favorite track: Flood River Blood

 

9. KRUX – III - He Who Sleeps Among The Stars

With the news about Candlemass disbanding after their next records it was very welcome with a Krux album in this caliber. Even if Candlemass is one of my favorite bands I could live with Krux as a substitute if they release albums this good. Mats Leven rules!

Favorite track: Emily Payne (and the Black Maze)



 

10. SLINGBLADE – The Unpredicted Deeds Of Molly Black

This one is a surprise to me too. I didn’t think it would end up on the list in the end but judging on how much I’ve listened to it, it would be wrong to count it out. I really enjoy the storytelling both in the music and lyrics and it has that roughness to it. I don’t like it when Heavy Metal becomes too polished, or when it’s too basic either. This is a perfect balance in the middle.

Favorite Track: Reverend’s Daughter 

And the ones that almost made it (in alphabetic order);

Doomsword – The Eternal Battle
Falconer – Armod
Ken Hensley – Faster
Jack Starr’s Burning Starr – Land Of The Dead
Jag Panzer - The Scourge Of The Light
Pentagram – Last Rites
Saracen - Marilyn
Tokyo Blade – Thousand Men Strong
Uriah Heep – Into the Wild
Vader – Welcome To The Morbid Reich

And the ones that could have made it if I had listened a bit more (also alphabetically);

Beehler – Messages To The Dead
Blood Ceremony – Living With The Ancients
Cage - Supremacy Of Steel
High Spirits – Another Night
Martyr – Circle Of 8
Riot – Immortal Soul
Venom – Fallen Angels
White Wizzard – Flying Tigers
Widow - Life's Blood
Wolf – Legions Of Bastards

Peter's list of 2011;
 1. Anvil - Juggernaut Of Justice
 2. Hammers Of Misfortune - 17th Street
 3. Pentagram - Last Rites
 4. Saxon - Call To Arms
 5. U.D.O - Rev-Raptor
 6. Argus - Boldly Stride The Doomed
 7. Iced Earth - Dystopia
 8. Krux - He Who Sleep Among The Stars
 9. Jag Panzer - The Scourge Of The Light
10. Beehler - Messages To The Dead

And of course there has been a whole bunch of fantastic gigs as well... Here's a list of a few of the ones who really stood out...



Transsiberian Orchestra – Vienna Concert Hall, Vienna, Austria

A bit pretentious perhaps but this was magnificent, fabulous, fantastic and grand. The setup with the narrator, orchestra and rockband worked perfect and how can it fail when they set Jeff Scott Soto to play the devil. And the arrangement in all was cool too, the rock culture clashed with black tie dress-code and the ones representing the latter almost puked from the volume and light-show.

 

Crimson Glory – Keep It True Festival, Lauda, Germany

I was hesitant that someone actually could take Midnights place and get away with it. Wade Black did a fantastic job on “Astronomica” of course but that didn’t sound like the original band. Todd La Torre has a fantastic voice and sound freaky much like Midnight on occasion. The band too was in great shape of course.  

 Vicious Rumors – Turock, Essen, Germany

I guess I could have set Vicious Rumors on KIT too and that was amazing, it was great to see Mark McGee play again and of course hear Kevin Albert sing. But I really prefer the band today so the crazy concert at Turock when Vicious Rumors played 24 songs was truly amazing.

 

Forsaken – Malta Doom Metal Festival, Rabat, Malta

Best gig of Malta Doom Festival, doubtless. But it was more than that. Ok, I guess recording a DVD boosted the support a bit but the sing-a-long in “Via Crucis” (The Way Of The Cross) sure was a goose bump moment.

 

Iron Maiden – Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden

No comments needed I guess, Maiden can’t fail and this was just another one in the line. Of course it’s extra special when 55.000 fans show up to support the show.

NP: Mystic Force - Man Vs Machine