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
