In the mean time here are links to my other blogs:

My blog on Social Media and Business Advice is called BUSINESS SUITS AND COMBAT BOOTS and is over at Web Espresso USA where I work as a Social Media Consultant. Thanks for giving this big mouth another soap box to stand on!

My blog about stories from my life, art, poetry (that I write) and film reviews a.k.a. my collective unconscious:  has been inactive of late. I’m hoping to get to it here and there when I have time. It’s called THE RED PILL BLOG. Check it out and if you have any feedback to share, I’d love to hear it!

The times are indeed a-changing. When I was a little shaver a rock or metal album was typically thirty minutes or so with 8- 10 songs on an album. Over time a strong rock or metal album was usually around an hour long in length. When CD’s came along with the 79 minute limit some bands saw this as an invitation to write longer songs (especially in extreme metal) or use the space for secret tracks or other Easter eggs. With the modern digital age we live in it seems bands are concentrating on shorter albums and better quality music through fewer songs. I tend to consider an EP less than 30 minutes although that sometimes it hard to keep a hold of. Here are the ten short players I really loved this year in metal.

1. THE EMPIRE SHALL FALL – Volume I: Solar Plexus (Angle Side Side)

This masterful mix of rock and metal is all capped off by the astounding vocals of Jesse Leach. The first in a series of concept albums, this music is inspired and exciting to hear at the same time. Terrific heavy songs with tracks you wish would never actually end. There is also a lot of sonic versatility and the lyrical depth you’ve come to expect from Leach and company. Review: http://nefariousrealm.com/homenew/?p=615

2. BLOTTED SCIENCE- The Animation of Etymology (Eclectic Electric)

This is where three legends come along and out-djent, out-prog and out-death metal a bunch of kids half their age. Alex Webster (CANNIBAL CORPSE) Ron Jarzombeck (SPASTIC INK/WATCHTOWER) and Hannes Grossman (OBSCURA) punctuate this brief EP with brilliant playing, inventive cuts and almost an almost symphonic feel to the movements. Best use of time signatures and modes by any band in 2011.           Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=27107

3. JUNIUS/ROSETTA: Split Single (Translation Loss)

The genius of both bands turning in epic scale tracks on a split just speaks to the talent of both. JUNIUS had their brilliant album come out about a month after this dropped so it may have been over looked a bit. The ROSETTA track just increases the respect they have garnered and makes their next full length a must have. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=25074

4. DEATH RAY VISION – Get Lost or Get Dead (Self-Released)

With the ability to make music rather cheaply these days super-groups are everywhere it seems. However, few of these bands truly merit the term super like DEATH RAY VISION does. Made up of members of some of Massachusetts finest metal musicians and biggest bands, the band kicks a shit ton of ass on thrash and hardcore (but not metalcore) influences EP. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=19230

5. DYING FETUS – History Repeats (Relapse)

What is better than a new DYING FETUS album? Nothing! We will have to wait until next spring for that. But the band did something awesome for themselves and their fans when they went into the studio and cut some amazing covers. By doing their own take on songs by CANNIBAL CORPSE, BOLT THROWER, DEHUMANIZED, NAPALM DEATH and BROKEN HOPE the band gave us some insight to what bands inspired them and also how much they crush in the process. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=21788

6. CYNIC – Carbon Based Anatomy (Season of Mist)

As a teaser of their next album CYNIC continues to churn out interesting progressive music. Although it is a far cry from their more brutal origins, the music is no less compelling and the Masvidal/Reinert due still has a lot of mojo in their hearts. That and they had me at songs about alien life forms. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=27017

7. JOB FOR A COWBOY- Gloom (Metal Blade)

While a lot of other technical death metal bands go for the money shot of the glorious cacophony JFAC remembered something important on their EP. They remembered the golden rule. Not the one about 3-ways. The rule about the quality song coming first and the “look at me” chops second.. This sample of what is to come form their next album shows plenty of skills, but the grooves and great writing make it a cut above the rest. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=20550

8. ALEKHINE’S GUN – Meditations in Wrath (Self-Released)

Blackened death metal, hardcore and thrash inspired jams and bone rattling guttural vocals make this band the one to watch in the competitive New York scene. Toss in intelectual lyrics and subject matter for context and you have a force to be reckoned with. I’m hoping for a full-length soon rather than later because I can’t get enough of this band. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=21063

9. PRIMATE – Draw Back A Stump (Primitive Recordings)

Another band for the (fairly) super-group category with members of BRUTAL TRUTH, MASTODON and others. Full of buzz-saw riffs and unrelenting grindcore prowess. So harsh and purely metal you will mosh around your house and then punch yourself in the face from happiness. And it has a pretty great BLACK FLAG cover on it too for full effect. Review:http://www.metal-army.com/?p=19807

10. CASKET ROBBERY – Self-Titled (Self-Released)

What unsigned death metal band do you know of that put out two great EP’s in the same calendar year? These mid-western gore mongers and purveyors of all things death metal had two must have releases this year. I put this one slightly ahead of their recent new one, but only because it was part of the soundtrack of my summer. Chock full of grooves, death riff madness and murder. Review:http://www.metal-army.com/?p=21960

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

THE AGONIST

LUNGLUST/WESTERN SYNDROME

BLACK FACE

TIGER FLOWERS

DESMALDO

WITHIN THE RUINS

CRADLE OF FILTH

DESOLATE

PERIPHERY

THE RESSURECTION SORROW

NEMHAIN

7HORNS7EYES

CARNIFEX

WHITECHAPEL

IMMOLATION

ZOMBIFICATION

TOXIC HOLOCAUST/MIDNIGHT Split

MONGREL

EYES LIKE CYANIDE

Next up- TOP METAL AND ROCK CONCERTS OF 2011

51. CRAFT – Void (Southern Lord)

52. SUBROSA – No Help For the Mighty Ones (Profound Lore)

53. TODAY IS THE DAY – Pain Is A Warning (Black Market Activities)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=24403

54. PESTILENCE – Doctrine (Mascot Records)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=21404

55. FALL OF THE ALBATROSS – Entanglement (Self-Released)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=21969

56. KYNG – Trampled Sun (REALID Records)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=27476

57. ALL PIGS MUST DIE – God Is War (Southern Lord)

58. GLORRIOR BELLI – The Great Southern Darkness (Metal Blade)

59. MACABRE – Grim Scary Tales (Willowtip)

http://www.metal-army.com/?p=16616

60. PRIMORDIAL – Redemption At The Puritan’s Hand (Metal Blade)

61. BLACK TUSK – Set The Dial (Relapse)

http://www.metal-army.com/?p=27285

62. KEN MODE – Venerable (Profound Lore)

63. SOURVEIN – Black Fangs (Candelight)

64. EXHUMED – All Guts, No Glory (Relapse)

65. SKELETONWITCH – Forever Abomination (Prosthetic)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=26580

66. A STORM OF LIGHT – As The Valley Of Death Becomes Us…. (Profound Lore)

67. CRONE – Endless Midnight (Translation Loss/Waylon Recordings)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=21887

68. LANDMINE MARATHON – Gallows (Prosthetic)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=24569

69. RED FANG – Murder The Mountains (Relapse)

70. JUNGLE ROT – Kill On Command (Victory)

http://www.metal-army.com/?p=20525

71. BRAND NEW SIN – United State ( Goomba Music)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=27222

72. STRAIGHT LINE STITCH – The Fight Of Our Lives (eOne Metal)

73. AUTOPSY – Macabre Eternal (Peaceville)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=20576

74. DARK CASTLE – Surrender To All Life Beyond Form (Profound Lore)

75. AMON AMARTH – Surtur Rising (Metal Blade)

76. EARTH – Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I (Southern Lord)

77. FALLOCH – Where Distant Spirits Remain (Candelight)

78. HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE- 17^th Street (Metal Blade)

79. LOCK UP – Necropolis Transparent (Nuclear Blast)

http://www.metal-army.com/?p=21819

80. BLACK COBRA – Invernal (Southern Lord)

81. SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA – The Coruption of Mercy (Listenable Records)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=21528

82. IN FLAMES – Sounds of A Playground Fading (Century Media)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=21056

83. COMMORANT- Dwellings (Self-Released)

84. RUSSIAN CIRCLES – Empros (Sargent House)

85. VADER – Welcome To The Morbid Reich (Nuclear Blast)

86. PAIN- You Only Live Twice (Nuclear Blast)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=20772

87. FYRNASK – Bluostar (Temple of Torturous)

88. DESTRUCTION – Day of Reckoning (Nuclear Blast)

89. EVILE – Five Serpents Teeth (Earache)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=24100

90. BLACK SEPTEMBER – The Forbidden Gates Beyond (Prosthetic)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=21711

91. KORN- Path of Totality (Roadrunner)

92. DEVILDRIVER- Beast (Roadrunner)

93. VILDHJARTA- Måsstaden (Century Media)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=27750

94. DIR EN GREY – Dum Spiro Spero (Firewall/Sony)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=23270

95. CAVALERA CONSPIRACY – Blunt Force Trauma (Roadrunner)

96. DEICIDE – To Hell With God (Century Media)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=17445

96. WHITE ARMS OF ATHENA – Astrodrama (Prosthetic)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=23445

97. RETURN TO EARTH – Automata (Metal Blade)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=23242

98. HATE ETERNAL – Phoenix Amongst The Ashes (Metal Blade)

99. LEPROUS – Bilateral (Insideout Music)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=24191

100. INSOMNIUM – One For Sorrow (Century Media)

Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=27204

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

UNEXPECT

LITURGY

KAURA

ARSONISTS GET ALL THE GIRLS

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

GRAYCEON

ABYSMAL DAWN

PATHOLOGY

HANK III

GHOUL

HATESPHERE

DEAFHEAVEN

GOREAPHOBIA

TRAPPED UNDER ICE

ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET

18 WHEELS OF JUSTICE

XIBALABA

MAYAN

HARPOON

RINGWORM

ARCH/MATHEOS

EAST OF THE WALL

TEXTURES

COLLESEUM

BRUCE LAMONT

DISMA

40 WATT SUN

BRUTAL TRUTH

GHOST

DARKEST ERA

BORN OF OSIRIS

PROTEST THE HERO

SCYTHIA

NEURAXIS

BLACKGUARD

CHILDREN OF BODOM

THREAT SIGNAL

Next Posts: Top EP’S/Split Singles and Top Concerts of 2011…

26. FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE- Agony (Nuclear Blast)

Another band it seems is becoming trendy to hate on. Blame their terrific new album and psychotic stage show for their fast ascent to haterville. Although they have fully committed to symphonic death metal on Agony, they are not one dimensional at all. The thing about this band is that if you strip away the orchestral arrangements and the melodic vocals, these songs would still work great as death metal songs. The band can pull off any technical guitar parts their peers can too. Insanity level hyperblast beats with beats approaching 300 bpm and the best melodic male singing I’ve heard since ICS Vortex. All that combined puts FgA over the top for me. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=22509

27. TOXIC HOLOCAUST – Conjure And Command (Relapse)

With a stable lineup in tow for two albums in a row Joel Grind has finally released the monster band his earlier music promised. Appealing to fans of crossover thrash, punk rock, hardcore and black metal TH mashes it up in a way that makes sense and never sounds forced. Grind’s interesting lyrical style rises above the typical din and elevates the entire album. The artwork by Daniel Shaw is pure, understated evil and caps off the complete package like few did in 2011.

28. OBSCURA- Omnivium (Nuclear Blast)

It is fair to say that OBSCURA made the album I have been waiting years from…from NECROPHAGIST! Just kidding. OBSCURA has set the bar forward for progressive, technical death metal by leaps and bounds. Although front man Steffan Kummerer told me over the summer his music was a “walk in the park”, he and co-guitarist Christian Muenzner play against each other brilliantly. Drummer Hannes Grossman (also of BLOTTED SCIENCE fame) is also a premiere talent behind the kit too.

29. KRALICE – Ditoma (Profound Lore)

I’m not sure why every dope band and their mother is coming out of NYC (mostly Brooklyn) lately. KRALICE is one of the best death metal bands around with their crazy experimental song writing and killer, brutal vocals. The cliché has been said before, but KRALICE is the thinking man’s modern death metal band deserving of your ear-ttenion.

30. WORLD UNDER BLOOD – Tactical (Nuclear Blast)

Deron Miller doesn’t care what you or I think about his music. He made that very clear in my interview with him. What he does care about deeply is metal music. He made a record he wanted to make on his terms and schedule and despite what fans want from him (more from the defunct CKY), he follwed his own muse. Although the odds are against it, I truly hope we get even more of his twisted vision for technical death metal in the future.

31. ABZU – Absu (Candelight)

Trippy, evil American black metal that doesn’t blunt its savagry for the sake of musical diversity. This is the metal equilvalent of peanut butter on crackers: it stays with you long after you are done listening to it. Really upper echelon songs and lyrics. Plus it features the lead guitar of Blasphemer from MAYHEM!

32. THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – Ritual (Metal Blade)

By far my favorite of all of TBDM’s albums. Without devolving into a full concept album, they kept the theme consistent and the music is a sick, brutal masterwork. Shannon Lucas has joined the upper tier of dm drummers. Trevor Strnad has reached a pinnacle as a vocalist and lyricst as well. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=20925

33. CAVE IN – White Silence (Hydra Head)

When CAVE IN makes a new album it isn’t just a cause for celebration, it is an event. With no boundaries musically and pulling from every influence they have, the band writes terrific songs capable of taking your ears on a crazy journey. This is the band many in modern metal have emulated and like to name check, but remain too original to be ripped off and too great to be overlooked. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=21190

34. CHTHONIC – Takasago Army (Spinefarm Records)

Taiwanese black metal champions have perfected their blend of trraditional island instruments and the best of symphonic black metal. Full of twists and turns the record has great writing, tight arrangements, sick dynamic flourishes and one of the best vocalists in all of metal (Freddy Lim). The tremendous political story behind the music is more real and compelling than all of the gore and evil found in most of the genre. All of this makes this album a great listen end to end. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=24518

35. MEGADETH – Th1rt3en (Roadrunner )

I really wanted to love this album, but only wound up liking it. The most straight-ahead sounding Deth album since Countdown To Extinction has some fine songs, great playing and singing. The return of David Ellefson, crucial to the classic sound of the band can’t be understated either. Still, the fact that almost half of the songs are re-recordings or rehashed ideas bummed me out to no end. Then again a decent Deth album is usually better than many other bands’ best efforts. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=27322

36. ANIMALS AS LEADERS- Weightless (Prosthetic)

The leaders of the new school of metal (djent) proved to be no fluke on their first full band produced album. Tosin Abasi, Javier Reyes and Navene Kopperweis seem to have boundless energy and imagination for songwriting and playing ability. They aren’t the first band in the metal realm to bring a jazz bands’ sensibility to the fore, but they are doing it the best of the current bunch right now. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=27619

37. ARCH ENEMY- Khaos Legions (Century Media)

Now this is more like it! When a band rediscovers its’ mojo you just feel good for them. Making a killer album shouldn’t have been such a surprise to many, but the band combined all of the elements that make it great in fourteen tight tracks. One of the signature sounds in metal is the attack of Angela Gossow’s voice and the Amott brothers guitar tones. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=20762

38. ALL SHALL PERISH – This Is Where It Ends (Nuclear Blast)

ASP are a bit unheralded compared to some other bands I can think of, but no one does deathcore like they do. Crushing grooves, sick riffs, furious beats, shredding solos all capped off with Eddie Hermida’s great growling delivery. Keep your eyes on these guys as I feel this album is the beginning of bigger things to come for them. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=22273

39. TESSERACT – One (Century Media)

It’s been a tumultous year for TESSERACT. It’s had to be a critical darling and alienate your fan base in the same year but they did it. The album is a prog-djent work out of the highest order with song craft you expect from more seasoned vets. The addition of new lead singer Elliott Coleman made some waves over his predecessor Dan Tompkins, but in the long run they will be better off. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=18564

40. KITTIE – I’ve Failed You (eOne Metal)

I like that at this stage of their career KITTIE continues to churn out no nonsense metal songs that are heavy yet, very catchy. The band turned in the best record of their lives and a more personal one at that. Morgan Lander has perfected her pained vocal howls of misery and has become one of the more underrated singers in the current scene. It’s an album chock full of grinding riffs, beastly grooves and varied tempos. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=23733

41. TOTIMOSHI – Avenger (At A Loss)

One of the more crininally overlooked bands of today is TOTIMOSHI. Their eclectic song mix and economical style of riffing makes for some potent songs. Blending stoner rock groves, classic sounding psychedelia and metal in a seamless fashion. The songs lyrics also have a terrific obtuseness to them unique to the band that is really enjoyable. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=21826

42. RWAKE- Rest (Relapse)

Another band that brillaintly mixes and matches influences into a crazy musical stew. Heavy and melodic southern metal, the album manages to be really rough and complex without sacrificing any subtleties. Punishing riffs and harsh vocals give way to shimmering gentle parts  and back again. Bonus points for the sci-fi references late in the album lyrics. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=24535

43. CHIMAIRA – Age of Hell (eOne Metal)

I’m sure CHIMAIRA would rather be known for their musical prowess than the headlines and turnmoil they have been through of late. Age of Hell is full of songs with punishing grooves and the bands trademark sound. Plus the album contains some of the best work of front man Mark Hunter’s career lyrically and vocally. In spite of the upheaval the band continues to go through, their ability to create memorable heavy songs is undiminshed. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=22860

44. SEPULTURA- Kairos (Nuclear Blast)

It is very popular to hate on the current Cavalera-less incarnation of the band. I say bullshit on that! Another great concept record with choice songs by Andres Kisser and crew and more vocal mastery from Derrek Green. Kisser turned in some of the most inspried solos of 2011 on this album too. Too bad it will be last Seps album with the now departed drummer Jean Dolabella who was down right dominating here. Review: http://nefariousrealm.com/homenew/?p=424

#45. GIANT SQUID – Cenotes (Translation Loss)

This is a case where a ranking doesn’t tell the whole story. GS’s mix of prog/doom eclectism really turns me on and Cenotes is truly a musical trip and a half. The band puts together some great arrangements and concepts beyond what you expect from typical metal bands. Jackie Perez Gratz is an unsung musical force in modern metal as well.

46. THE HUMAN ABSTRACT – Digital Veil (eOne Metal)

Now that they seem to be breaking up, sadly Digital Veil looks to be the bands swan-song. That’s a shame since it was a piece of brillaince. Great songs, not overly contrived source material, and great melodies. Flat out brilliant guitar work and production of A.J. Minette. Bummer. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=18213

47. YOB – Atma (Profound Lore)

YOB are doom metal masters carrying on the tradition of SABBATH, ST. VITUS and PENTAGRAM. Atma is achingly heavy and requires a patience to get into it. Once you sink your ears into it, it is very rewarding. Terrific character and power in the songs from this trio that always sounds like an army of dudes at war with their amps.

48. NOVEMBERS DOOM – Aphotic (The End Records)

Another band that truly deserves a higher profile than they have. Front man Paul Kuhr’s gothic-doom vision begat more dark and  epic songs, terrific atmospherics and challenging lyrics that cover Aphotic from first note to final beat. The album also has notable star turns from notable names like Anneke Van Giersbergen, violinist Rachel Barton-Pine and Dan Swano. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=20839

49. ACARO – The Disease of Fear (Self-Released)

ACARO is brutal, modern metal done right for fans of LAMB OF GOD, MACHINE HEAD and SHADOWS FALL. As one of the leaders of the competitve Boston metal scene they stepped up their game appropriately here and proved to be a force to be reckoned with musically for the future. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=20532

50. UNEARTH – Darkness In The Light (Metal Blade)

UNEARTH made a comeback record when they truly didn’t naeed to. They also made a throwback record with the bands thrash inspired, melodic metalcore sound they helped originate returning in spades. Ken Susi and Buz McGrath can rival shredding guitar duo in the business and the production from Adam Dutkiewitz is tight. Review: http://nefariousrealm.com/homenew/?p=1808

I hope you have enjoyed first two year end posts. They will resume again in a day or two. After Halloween Christmas is the most celebrated holiday by metal heads. That may not be so obvious if you are into anti-christian black metal, most death metal “pagan metal” or viking metal bands as well. However, religious convenrtions and bickering aside rock and metal has a long history celebrating the Christmas season.

Werd! m/ m/

One of the msot celebrated collaborations ever on holiday music was David Bowie and Bing Crosby’s version of “Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy”. Bowie has always been a chamelon and it was cool crossover of generations at the time.

The Thin White Duke and The Bingster!

Later on references to Christmas were tongue in cheek or meant to be offensive. I give you the immortal KING DIAMOND’s “No Presents For Christmas” and VENOM’s “Black Xmas”

The King!

“No Presents For Christmas!”

VENOM m/

“Black Xmas”

More recently there have been some great artists celebrating the holidays through heavy music. TRANSIBERIAN ORCHESTRA which was co-founded by memebers of SAVATAGE have sold 7 Million tickets to their annual holiday tours since 1993. They take their top flight musicianship and metal pedigree to the max on these terrific originals and classics through shows and albums….

TSO

DIO lent his voice to this series of Holiday Metal albums

The late great RONNIE JAMES DIO brought the holiday spirit up with the horms when he took on this classic!

DIO!

This year has brought a lot of Christmas releases by modern artists. STP and Ex-VELEVET REVOLVER singer SCOTT WEILAND just put out “The Most Wonderful Time of The Year” album of music. It’s decent, but nothing to get to exited about. I have no qualms about him wanting to do the record, only that rather than just singing he sort of aped a DEAN MARTIN or BING CROSBY affectation to his voice that is really lame. COREY TAYLOR at his recent unplugged show dissed Scott saying rather than put out an album for profit, do something for charity. Taylor ought to know since his bahumbug to Christmas song “Merry @#@#^@#^ Christmas” raised quite a lot of hohoho dough in 2010.

Corey Taylor

Two of my favorites ever in this category are ROB HALFORD’S HALDFORD III: Winter Songs and TWISTER SISTER’S Twisted Christmas albums. These are totally metal takes on classic songs and the singing is great on each!

HALFORD is THE (Christmas) METAL GOD!

Halford!

TWISTED SISTER!

Twisted Sister!

ZAKK WYLDE and HOLY GRAIL are other artists with some fun Christmas albums out this year worht checking out. Oh and “I’m The Man” by ANTHRAX totally has the main riff from “Hava Nagila” in it, but it is not really meant to be a Hanukkah song really.

Merry Metal Christmas!

Keefy m/

Lo and behold brethren! Here is the next installment of my year end, best of, super cool, buy one now, selling out fast, get one today, prices are slashed, hurry right now best albums list. The last five spots shuffled between about 13 bands, it was that close for me. This was toughest part of my work this year. Once you read through the list and see who I left off so far (uh-oh!) you understand what I mean!

#6. ANTHRAX – Worship Music (Megaforce Records)

ANTHRAX turned in an triumphant record, although few thought they would a year ago. I’m sure a lot of people wrote them off a long ago, but I’m proud to say I never did. Although they have never made a bad record, nobody could have expected the record to be so damn righteous and true. Most of all for Joey Belladonna to have such a dominating vocal performance and be the highlight of the album was really inspiring. While only a good third of the album can be said to be “thrash” the band has often varied up their sound with great mid-tempo grooves. Tracks like “Earth On Hell”, “The Giant” and the epic “In The End” are immense. “In The End” should never come out of the bands live show. MVP worthy performances were also turned in by Frank Bello and Charlie Benante who unbelievably continues to get better and better. Did I mention another sick job of album cover art by Alex Ross? Ok. Just did it. Here is the link to my original review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=24935

7. MACHINE HEAD -Unto The Locust (Roadrunner)

How? That is the question I had going in. How can you top arguably the two-best back to back efforts of any band this past decade? How do you go about building a better mousetrap? The correct answer is: you don’t try to. You stay relevant by being yourself and growing in other directions. What band gets to this level and still takes singing and guitar lessons? Robb Flynn and company do. Flynn and Phil Demmel are one of the top guitar duos in the game and still let it fly on every song. Dave McClain proves to be an upper echelon skinsman and it’s not a party without Adam Duce on the bass. Power grooves, great solos and classical cantatas? Amazing. They dialed down some of the musical acrobatics and focused on better songs, which I liked. “I Am Hell”, “Darkness Within”, “Be Still And Know” and “Who We Are” stack up against any music in the bands near twenty year career. I’m proud to say my first review specifically for this blog was this album.

8 . MASTODON – The Hunter (Reprise)

It was clear that MASTODON wasn’t going to make another Crack The Skye. Not at all. The experience of CTS and the resulting success had an unusual effect on the band. Where other bands retreat to what is safe to keep the trend going, The Hunter saw the band breaking many of their own conventions to make a superb follow up. Maybe the best thing about it is Brent Hinds stepped back a bit and blended in better with the band. As a result Bill Kelliher and Brann Dailor shined brightly and contributed even more than before. Elements of every album are present, but no elemental theme here. Just heavy, funky, trippy and quirky songs from these dirt merchants. http://www.metal-army.com/?p=26105

9. REVOCATION – Chaos of Forms (Relapse)

Of all of the new guard of metal bands today REVOCATION gets points from me for risk taking. Choosing to leave the safety of the neo-thrash ghetto (they will argue they were never strictly thrash influenced) the favorite sons of Allston, MA let their hair hang down blending a love of tech death metal, thrash, rock, salsa and whatever else tickles their considerable fancies. Brilliant guitar player Dave Davidson is one of the best shredders I’ve heard since the great DIMEBAG left us, but humble enough not to let that talk go to his head. This is an exciting band just scratching the surface of what they can do. Here is the link to my original review:http://www.metal-army.co m/?p=22242

10. IWRESTLEDABEARONCE – Ruining It For Everybody (Century Media)

The hyperactive genre benders can take a joke, but dishes em out even better. Actually they don’t take themselves too seriously at all which is a breath of fresh air in the 2011 metal scene. The whole “we’re turning black metal” gag aside (brilliant PR move btw), this album is a keeper and likely the one other bands behind them will be judged against. How many albums can you say are brutal and silly a fuck fun at the same time? Very few. Technical death metal, techno dance grooves, jazz, 80′s synth pop and gospel hymns are just a few of the styles touched upon. The icing on the cake is Krysta Cameron’s intoxicating vocal stylings. Every song is scary good and their relative youth makes me think this is the beginning of something big. And they are gonna keep being weird and spazzy coz it pisses you off even more. Ohhhh sick burn! Reviewed at NRP! http://nefariousrealm.com/homenew/?p=102

11. OPETH – Heritage (Roadrunner)

Lucky for OPETH that MOBID ANGEL was around to take the heat off of them this year. While every reviewer, scene trolls and nerds plundered and mauled the rep of the former majestic death metal legends, OPETH fans ran from upset, mildly disappointed, to thrilled and back to blind hate. If you have been on board with their last few albums, this album direction should be no surprise. No matter what people think about Michael Akerfeldt and his no brutal vocals new direction on this outing, Heritage is the album he was born to make. Progressive rock influenced through and through, just like all the greats from YES to EMERSON LAKE AND PALMER. Great song-craft is on display with a level of musicianship and class few others can muster. Perhaps not everyone’s cup of tea who followed the band in the early days, but I’d rather see a band follow its passion that die trying to please people. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=26124

12. KRISIUN – The Great Execution (Century Media)

KRISIUN snuck in here later in the year and turned in a killer effort. Straight up, no nonsense modern death metal that kicks your ass all day and night. Super props for experimenting with more dynamics, different song lengths and the brilliant production work of Andy Classen (again). Otherwise it is the usual carnage of KRISIUN. The retro analog sound of the album was an ear opener and a real audiophiles/classic death metal fans dream. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=27315

13. USX- The Valley Path (Neurot Recordings)

At the intersection of sludge, psychedelia and nature lies The Valley Path. A single epic track that speaks to the soul and the mind like few releases have done this year. Sick waves of layered parts just envelope you and change you after just one listen. North Carolina collective US CHRISTMAS abbreviated their name for this distinct release. They have already added to their earthy mystique and have played this live a few times as a completed piece. We will surely be riveted by what ever the next step is for them.

14. CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED – Cold Winds On Timeless Days (Metal Blade)

For the second installment of Richard Christy’s (DEATH/CONTROL DENIED/ICED EARTH) return to the metal realm he came back a year later even more ready for blood. From the first note to the last it is a killer record. The super-group of singer Ripper Owens, producer/guitarist Jason Suecof and bassist Steve DiGiorgio did justice to Christy’s composition with blistering playing full of aggression and grace at the same time. Every song is a masterpiece of metal, technicality and best of all they all carry what can now be said to be Richard’s trademark writing style. Here’s hoping they make one new album a year for a long time to come.

15. OTEP – Atavist (Victory)

Joey James Hernandez and Otep created one of the best covers this year.

By breaking down everything the band was before and rebuilding it nearly from scratch, OTEP was able to make a complete album of great songs with zero compromise. Otep herself penned some of her most insurgent lyrics and pushed herself to new heights as a growler and a singer. The collection of musical talent from Gil and Rani Sharone, Collyn McCoy and Tony Campos were the perfect foil for the complex, brutal music in the spirit of the bands’ first album. The album also has some surprise turns musically like “We Dream Like Lions”. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=19645

16.CROWBAR- Sever the Wicked Hand (E1 Music)

Is it possible that Kirk Windstein is making the best music of his career- twenty-five years after it began? The answer is yes. The linchpin of bands like DOWN and KINGDOM OF SORROW revels in his own muse and voice in the band that is his baby. Sludge and thrash mix perfectly as the band just blows through groove after groove. It sounds like classic CROWBAR, but at the same time reinvigorated and fresh. Huzzah to Kirk for clean living and dirty, dirty riffs.

17. THE ATLAS MOTH- An Ache For The Distance (Profound Lore)

This Chicago quintet brings the doom and gloom as they fry our brains right in our skulls. Bringing together heaviness and psychedelia like few others, the band have created what I believe musically is the album they will be remembered for. If you are a fan of great lyrics this also another album setting the bar high for all others to follow in the genre. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=24385

18. DECAPITATED – Carnival Is Forever (Nuclear Blast)

Bands talk about “make or break” albums, but many will never know the size if the heart Vogg Kieltyka has and the will to match it. What he has gone through to bring this band back from the brink. The shadow of the van accident that claimed Vogg’s brother Vitek looms large since he wrote half of the album prior to his death. Rather than try to live up to past incarnations of the band, Vogg masterminded a straight-ahead inspired, death-thrash classic with the essence of what made the band great still intact. Vogg is one of the best guitarists and writers in all of metal, period. Great debuts from new drummer Krimh Lechner and vocalist Rafael Piotrowksi too.

19. JUNIUS- Reports From The Threshold of Death (Prosthetic)

Multi-instrumentalist/Front man Joseph E. Martinez often gets most of the praise heaped on him for Boston’s JUNIUS. While it is all deserved the entire band as unit crafted the sonic gem that is this album. Purposeful and articulate, the music is not for the impatient or those needing the money shot type of music that is becoming so prevalent today. This is post-metal for the thinking and feeling metal-head. A frightening thought to be true. Scarier still is how on repeated listening I keep finding new elements for my ear to cling to. The bands power is in its laid back delivery, but similar to ISIS or TOOL they are sneaky awesome and creative wit hsurges of energy that just take you over. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=27295

20. VALLENFYRE- A Fragile King (Century Media)

The brainchild of PARADISE LOST guitarist Gregor Mackintosh an no less than a super-group with members of MY DYING BRIDE, DOOM and AT THE GATES. Unlike most super-groups, VALLENFYRE blends the styles of all of its member bands in equal measures. They funneled these influences through a centrifuge of grief creating a death and doom metal vortex of the highest order. Mackintosh coming to the fore as a singer an front man is quite compelling and every track is strong with no filler. I”m hoping they can bring their live show to the USA in 2012. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=27444

21. DREAM THEATER – A Dramatic Turn Of Events (Roadrunner)

Despite the very public turmoil the band has been through the last year and a half they managed to move on just fine. They circled the wagons, wrote a tremendous new album and hired a guy like them in Mike Mangini. Not only is Mike a top player, but he fit in like a glove bringing in his own flavor to the group. To top it off when people expected a lighter album from the group they turned in one of their heaviest albums to date. It was also cool to hear John Petrucci’s terrific production on the album as well. The future looks bright, ironic name and all.

22. HULL- Beyond The Lightless Sky (The End Records)

I had a gut feeling that I was gonna like this record before it came out. Then I heard it and was blown away by the playing and songwriting abilities of this band. Prog jams, multi-layered vocal attacks, blast-beat heavy death metal, soulful guitar solos and assorted other weirdness make up a stew of awesomesauce. Drummer Jeff Steiber turned in one of the standout drum performances of the year as well. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=24279

23. ICED EARTH – Dystpoia (Century Media)

I hate to admit it, but I initially underestimated Dystopia. I have been a fan of the band for many years so I will only blame myself for the oversight. When I heard the album I was totally floored! It is hard in this day and age to be consistent one album to the next, let alone four or five in a row. With new singer Stu Block (INTO ETERNITY) in tow Jon Schaffer and company unleash the new model ICED EARTH, with the same ferocity of their prior releases. Block stepped right in and owned the lead vocalist spot and the band, which was reinvigorated by some new blood turned in great performances. Schaffer’s concept album about the perils of totalitarianism hit uncomfortably close to home for modern times in America. Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=27003

24. ORWELL- AVOHFASIH (Self-Released)

ORWELL is the finest unsigned band I’ve heard this year. They used to be a pretty good thrash inspired modern metal band, but produced this brilliant concept album about devastating losses, grieving and moving on. In the process they transcended the genre entirely. Elements of groove, prog, melody and harshness all coexist together. There is great lyrical depth in this album too. Not just that, but they also gave it away for free on their website. Nice! Review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=22293

25. TIMES OF GRACE – The Hymn Of The Broken Man (Roadrunner)

Rather than attempt to recapture past glories, former bandmates in KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Jesse Leach and Adam Dutkiewitz crafted one of the years best albums. Equal parts classic rock and subtle metalcore references, this was a record chock full of excellent songs, terrific melodies, ripping solos and deft beats. Naturally it was all topped off by the majestic voice of Leach, who is still one of the top singers in any genre of music. Few albums will free your spirit, leave you smiling ear to ear and rock so hard as this one does.

Next post: 26-100….

Leave your feedback and comments below and tell me what you think!

Keefy m/

Depending on who you talk to people either love or hate these end of year lists. Or is it love to hate them? I have been doing these lists in one way shape or form for many years and it suits me just fine. I love lists! The purpose of this one is not for me to lord over anybody else’s taste. My goal is to bring to light some great music I heard this year and share if with the few people who may or may not read this. I welcome comments and critiques from you all below. I actually hope you disagree with me and tell me where to stick it! But also, maybe I missed somebody awesome you can tell me about too. I listened to an estimated 380 albums, countless other EP’s (I have a separate list for them), split singles and one cassette! It is a gargantuan task that I mainly do for love, a lack of good common sense and not much sleep. My list will always be based my attempt at judging these albums based on a serious grading criteria (could be due to all of this Grad School stuff I’m doing) blended with my own tastes. That is, based on what I like and listen to for enjoyment as well as what gets send to me. I also based number of plays on my as a factor- as in I listened to it for “work” and then could not stop playing it. That definitely happened a few times, certainly with most of the top 20. The mundane questions do still linger: can you really judge art? What do I know anyway versus the next “expert”. Can you listen to the entire gamut of every sub-genre of metal and lump them all in one list? Well, I can, I do and I did! I got some neat hate mail last year after my list ran on Metal Army America so I’m hoping for much more this year. I guess I must be doing something right since I have haters now. Come At Me Bro, I’m ready!

Part I- 1-5-ish

#1.TOMBS- Path of Totality (Relapse)

The complete package.

From the first caustic notes of “Black Hole Of Summer” I knew that this was going to be more like an out of body experience than a standard album listen. Although I had liked Winter Hours, I wasn’t really prepared for what was coming on this release. Not that they did anything differently, just harsher and better. The perfect blend of art rock sensibilities with black and death metal inspiration. Add in some brilliant lyrics and sick playing and you have a masterpiece. My friend Urith recently described their music perfectly: “they just hit you with waves and waves of sound”. Few bands can be incredibly brutal and still control dynamic subtleties without compromising. Very few. TOMBS writes memorable riffs that are catchy, obtuse and droning at times and still brash enough for the hardest metal fans. With great bass playing and powerhouse drumming added to the mix, this band has it all. Producer John Congelton (BARONESS) did a great job keeping everything sonically balanced. Meanwhile front man Mike Hill screams, howls and occasional sings all full of wrought iron emotions you feel every inch of. A concept album lyrically about primal, instinctual fear The Path of Totality takes you on a journey both to the recesses of your mind and deep into your souls. Here is the link to my original review. http://www.metal-army.com/?p=20003

PREVIOUS ALBUMS OF THE YEAR

2010: EXODUS: Exhibit B

2009: MASTODON: Crack The Skye

2008:OPETH: Watershed

2007: MACHINE HEAD: The Blackening

2006: MASTODON: Blood Mountain

2005: MESHUGGAH: Catch Thirty-Three

2004: MACHINE HEAD: Through The Ashes Of Empires

THE REST OF THE BEST ALBUMS OF 2011

Live Photo by DEV Photography 2011.

(TIE)2. THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT – Deconstruction

2. THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT- Ghost ( both InsideOut Music)

A tie? At number 2? Yes. If you haven’t already fucked off and went to play Skyrim or whatever the kids are doing these days online, thanks. Yes, I put two albums by the same band as a tie at number two because a) both albums are amazing and because b) it’s my list and you can piss off! So, that out of the way we already knew Devin Townsend ruled beyond compare. Die hard STRAPPING YOUNG LAD fans still can’t get their heads around the fact that Devy is still Heavy, but in a different way. Still the bookends of the grandiose, four-album arc that began with Ki and Addicted. In Deconstruction Devin and his band have answered the ultimate question about his talent, it is in fact limitless. I think it is the best, most complete album of his career and there is almost nothing he can’t do and nothing the band can’t play behind him. Sweet melodies, the grandeur and spectacle of the best prog rock, tight musicianship and brilliant writing. And it is heavy as fuck too! With an all-star cast of equal giants in music like IHSAHN, PAUL KUHR, MIKAEL AKERFELDT, ODERUS URUNGUS and many more, it becomes an aural spectacle to behold. Then there is Ghost which honestly is more my favorite of the two works. Every bit of Deconstruction that is chaotic, beautiful madness, Ghost is gentle, naked and righteous. It is like the Wish You Were Here of the Devin catalog and I’m so stoked there is a part II coming soon. Devin is the modern heir to FRANK ZAPPA’s legacy, although he clearly is on his own path.  Like ZAPPPA Devin is brilliantly smart and hilariously funny. Not bowing to any other muse, but his own twisted mind.

3. ORIGIN- Entity (Nuclear Blast)

This was pretty much a lock for near the top of the list from the get go. Tech Death may have had its minute in the Sun as a trend a few years back, but along comes ORIGIN with this album and flips the script again. This album just cooks. Without being to avant garde or jazzy like many of their peers -ORIGIN just slays with technically virtuosity and sick amounts of musicianship. I was lamenting the loss of vocalist James Lee for a long time before the album, because to me he was perfect for the band. As it turns out it doesn’t really matter who does the vocals, because as choice as some of the vocals are here, it all comes down to the music. Super brutal and inhumanly fast music. Tracks like “Expulsion of Fury”, “Conceiving Death” and “Saliaga” are just ripping tracks that are among the best in the bands history. Individually Paul Ryan, Mike Flores and John Longstreth are some of the best players in all of metal. United as one, they are like an evil Justice League of talent and killer ability. Having added ex-SKINLESS vocalist Jason Keyser live they are truly a force to be reckoned with.

4. WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM- Celestial Lineage (Southern Lord)

The brothers Weaver have reverence for two things: nature and music.

Is it possible for there to be a movement and a backlash against that movement at the same exact time? To me this was a banner year for USBM bands, but that is like saying a Kardashian commented on CERN. I was in fact, blown away by all of the quality releases by popular and underground bands. Brothers Aaron and Nathan Weaver are artists of the highest order and they are fully unpretentious and humble, even though some hipsters are slagging them off. Oh wait… that’s right, hipsters’ opinions don’t matter. Moving right along, Celestial Lineage is the third and final chapter in a trilogy of concept albums. But instead of a X-Men The Last Stand, they turned in a Return of The Jedi type performance. The story is as bold and detailed as the music. That is really the payoff here. Brooding, doomy, dirge laden, bleak and haunting all at once. Their trademark passages of melodic beauty meld with thunderous drumming and riffs galore to paint a backdrop for their world. “Astral Blood” is the best track on the album in my opinion, but the entire album is great top to bottom. Here is the link to my original review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=22955

5. TRAP THEM- Darker Handcraft (Prosthetic)

TRAP THEM’s Darker Handcraft was another record I jammed out to for months. If I heard some un-reviewable crap record (there was lots of that) I would put on this record to wipe the slate between my ears clean. Raw, angry and powerful this record is the sound of true rebellion. The band has a lot in common with the early work of CONVERGE, so it’s no surprise Kurt Ballou produced them. He did a great job capturing this band at the height of their powers. Vocalist Ryan McKenney has one of the best voices in modern metal. He is the perfect foil the music the band creates full of hardcore insanity, d-beat crust, the best classic death metal sounds and grindcore influences. Also, lyrically this album is one of the finest this year has seen with McKenny’s fantastic, horrid thoughts splayed out for everyone to hear aloud like sneaking a peek at a madman’s’ journal. It comes down to great songs and TRAP THEM writes great songs. When you hear this album you can’t help but think this is the sound of metal in 2011 and that sound is beyond good. Here is the link to my original review: http://www.metal-army.com/?p=18015

Next post: 6-25……..

(Note: This blog review originally ran on the Heavy Metal Buzz Radio Blog. Just filling a slot as I prepare one more blog and then my year end lists, thanks for your patience metalheads)

ANTHRAX has been riding high of late and perhaps for the first time since the early 1990s, the band is where is firing on all cylinders musically and commercial success wise. With the release of the excellent Worship Music(Megaforce) album and the recent Big Four concerts the band is undertaking their first headline tour of America in several years. Making this night even more special for fans of thrash was the inclusion of TESTAMENT and DEATH ANGEL providing a real treat for hungry fans. Plus it was National Metal Day and I couldn’t think of a more appropriate show to witness and rock out at in person.

DEATH ANGEL's Mark Osgeuda is one of the best performer's in metal.

DEATH ANGEL hit the stage first and were immediately on fire. The crowd was clearly amped for them which was nice to see. The band always puts on a great show and tonight was no exception despite the short set time. The entire band was really active and running all over the place, especially singer Mark Osegueda and lead guitarist Rob Cavestany. They opened with “I Chose The Sky” and Rob’s guitar was so loud it was deafening compared to any other club show I have been to this year. Mark is a wild man, running all over the place and screaming his ass off. He really makes the show fun for the fans and himself too. The entire band was lock tight as well. Guitarist Ted Aguilar jammed out with Cavestany a bunch of times and they were really in a zone, feeding off of each other. The rest of the set was highlighted by some great tracks like “Evil Priest”, “Relentless Retribution” and the closer “Thrown To the Wolves”.

TESTAMENT was in the middle slot tonight. They could easily be headlining by themselves and have been putting on great shows for years and years. They have been killing it with the current lineup of the band and were augmented tonight by drumming god Gene Hoglan who is filling in for the injured Paul Bostaph. They flat out crushed it playing a hot set of songs and playing balls out great. The straw that stirs the drink is front man Chuck Billy. He is so killer as a singer and stage performer it is hard to not give him your undivided attention. He also had a cool glowing mic stand held in his typical half-staff style. Starting with the one-two punch of “The Preacher” and “The New Order” was just a terrific choice. The band really knows their fan base well and always mixes up the old with the new songs. Guitarist Eric Peterson and lead axeman Alex Skolnick just blaze and sounded great together. Along with bassist Greg Christian, they really have found their musical center again. Billy alternated between his melodic voice and his growling evilness with ease and mastery. Another old-school gem to hear was “Envy Life” off of Practice What You Preach. It was heart warming to hear so many fans know the track. Of course Hoglan was excellent filling in with his insane fills and triple fast kick drums. I might have appreciated it if Gene under played just a touch for the sake for the songs, but that is a personal point for me and not a knock on “The Atomic Clock” at all. The best mosh pit of the early night was during “Henchmen Ride” with its breakneck speed and thrash tempos. After a few songs from the classic The Gathering album, they closed with another classic jam, “Disciples of the Watch”. As they took their customary group bow, I was thrilled to have heard such a complete performance from the band.

Chuck Billy of TESTAMENT has a lightsaber microphone stand.

At last the stage was readied for ANTHRAX. As I looked around I could not believe how nearly sold out The Palladium was. The rafters were teeming with headbangers and even the aisles leading to the floor were jam packed. The ominous banner hung from the rafters and you just felt like the crowd was going to explode at any second. As a siren went off announcing the band was coming to the stage I have to say I must have had a grin on my face a mile wide in anticipation.

ANTHRAX proves to still be one of the premier legacy bands in thrash.

For their part the band was every good as advertised and delivered to the fullest. Opening with “Earth On Hell”, the track is tailor made for the live setting with blast beats and razor wire riffs. Just like on Worship Music, Joey Belladonna was dominating as the lead signer. I doubt many would say that about his first tenure in the band, so this is a real compliment to how great he is right now. ANTHRAX is often counted among one of the best live bands of the 1980s American thrash era and everyone in the band was going off tonight. You expect Scott Ian and Frank Bello to be animated madmen night after night, but even shredder Rob Caggiano got into the act with some great showmanship. “Fight Em Til You Can’t” is another new song and the entire crowd seemed to loudly echo and chant the words. It was awesome. Finally we got our old-school jammage on with “Caught In a Mosh” and “Antisocial”. Fun times and these fast thrashin hits that had everybody singing along. More of the new material came next in the form of “I’m Alive” and “The Devil You Know”. They are excellent songs and go over really well live too. Scott Ian hasn’t just made his career on writing great riffs and lyrics, but he might be the best single performer in metal who is not a front man. He gives his all, for every second is on stage. Of course the fans tonight wanted to revel in the history of the band, so especially with Joey in tow tracks like “Indians” and “NFL” cut the deepest. Not enough credit goes to Charlie Benante as one of the best drummers in metal history. He continues to perform at a super high level after all these years and went about his business with class and power on this night. The encore was extra long and full of tremendous performances. I’m not sure I have heard three songs in a row this year as amazing as “Among The Living”, “Madhouse” and “Metal Thrashing Mad”.  Joey once again was the star of the show with his sick range better and stronger than ever. Then after a little goofing around by Scott and Charlie with the “I’m the Man” main riff Scott led the band through a spirited run of SEPULTURA’s “Refuse/Resist” with Scott on lead vocals. After the chorus the band launched in to their closer “I Am The Law” and an amazing show was brought to a close. If you love thrash metal catch this tour and see three of the genre’s lasting greats tear it up!

Joey Belladonna dominated live, just as he did on "Worship Music".

Charlie still don't cheat!

Set List:

Earth On Hell
Fight Em Till You Can’t
Caught in a Mosh
Antisocial
I’m Alive
The Devil You Know
Indians
In The End
Got The Time
NFL
Encore:
Among The Living
Madhouse
Metal Thrashing Mad
I’m The Man/Refuse Resist tease
I Am The Law

PS: After this tour ended all three bands announced a second leg of this tour! So cool! The info can be found here!

By Keith (Keefy) Chachkes

“Mom’s gonna fix it all soon. Mom’s coming around to put it back the way it oughtta be.” ~by Maynard James Keenan

TOOL- Geniuses. Damn weirdos. Pretentious herbs. Guilty as charged!

Another couple of news items sprang up today that were too important to ignore. TOOL has announced a spate of tour dates in early 2012 with the first bunch going on sale next Saturday. The full dates will be revealed soon (please do the East Coast, please….). This is great news for a variety of reasons. Although TOOL has transcended the art- metal of their early days the are undeniably one of the greatest bands ever. Ever. I’m not going to try to conceal what an uber fanboy I am at all here. I AM TELLING YOU FOOLS-TOOL ARE THE KINGS OF ROCK, THERE ARE NONE HIGHER! Okay, sorry about the caps lock. I get carried away at the mere mention of my favorite band ever not named PINK FLOYD or LED ZEPPELIN. Alex Grey’s artwork for TOOL is even my background on twitter (@Keefy) and has been from day one. This tour gives me great hope that the long rumored next album (2012 will be six years fellas, just saying) is closer to being done than not. Since iconic front man Maynard James Keenan’s other band PUSCIFER has dates planned for mid-February – this won’t be a long jaunt at all. Still, there is a TOOL concert and then there is everyone else. It’s more like an out of body experience with no aid of drugs really. Go to this tour at all costs, especially if you have never seen them before. That is all. Thank you.

METALLICA flew OZZY and GEEZER in to honor them. Because they can. So there! Blllllppppppppfffffttt!

In less stunning, yet interesting news METALLICA has a surprise (not really) EP out today. Building off of the good will that was last week’s 30^th Anniversary concert series for the band, they have put out an exclusive EP of the four “new” songs that are leftovers from the Death Magnetic album. As I opined yesterday, the songs are okay with moments of greatness, but mainly just okay. Still, the new music release makes sense since the videos are all over the internet and likely downloaded a zillion times already. Between the concerts and this release the band gets a modicum of grace back after the Lulu fiasco of a month ago. After that crap this stuff sounds brilliant, even though it’s not.

Not half bad.... for leftovers.

The father of all death metal guitarists Chuck Schuldiner of the band DEATH died ten years ago today from complications from a long battle with brain cancer. For the people who still fight against socialized healthcare- please bite me!

And on a positive note- the New England Hardcore and Metalfest announced it’s 14^th annual lineup with some terrific bands. Always a blast and run by the one man scene maker, Scott Lee who has my sincere respect and gratitude. I’ll cover that business in another blog soon.

TOOL owns you! Stay metal!

@Keefy

“Welcome to our sanguinary sect of worship Feel at home in our black conventicle as we anathematize.” ~ Dave Mustaine from Megadeth’s “The Conjuring”

As the year winds down it is usually a slow time for rock and metal, but this week was full of stories and news items worth commenting on. Let’s get into it!

Corey Taylor and his best friend Jason jam out on some songs.

Last Sunday night I saw Corey Taylor of SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR do a book reading/spoken word/acoustic show at The Middle East In Cambridge, MA. Corey was entertaining, soulful and poignant as he read from his book Seven Deadly Sins (He read a passage of the “Greed” chapter). A full review is coming soon.

I followed up Sunday night with a pre-dawn phone call with Mark Evans, original bassist of AC/DC and author of Dirty Deeds. Mark was terrific and I can’t wait for everyone to read this interview. Read my review of the book here.

The single is out now!

LAMB OF GOD unveiled their new video for their first single “Ghost Walking”off of their new album Resolution. It’s pretty straight forward, but crushing as you’d expect. This album will is one of the most anticipated of 2012.

Will they even all show up? Who knows!

Among the inductees into the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME class of 2012 are the members of GUNS N ROSES. Sigh. I don’t have all blog long to post about why the RNRHOF is a crock and a sham. Yes. GnR belongs there, not debatable despite the short career span- officially. But no, they should not be in before countless other bands who have been passed over for years and years. Ugh and Grrrrrr as well.

EPHEL DUATH, the avant garde metal group has turned into a supergroup for their next recording. Joining David Tiso are legendary vocalist Karyn Crisis (CRISIS), bassist Steve DiGiorgio (TESTAMENT/SADUS/DEATH) and Marco Minneman. Pretty cool.

We already knew SOULFLY has a new album coming out in 2012. They released all of the details and I have to say I am excited. Read about it here!

RIP Cory Smoot. Glad I got to know you a little bit.

Sadly the news of the cause of death of GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot was revealed. Sadly because he did at all. It was a pre-existing heart condition that took the life of the 34 year old metaller/guitarist producer that performed in GWAR as Flattus Maximus. Corey was cool and I haven’t actually been able to write a live review since doing the last one, his last show. I hate the internet and death. That is all I have to say on that matter.

MY RUIN, for the second year in a row released a killer album on their own terms, with their own vision. Yep, it’s totally killer! m/. Get it from them directly and for free right now! Fingers crossed for a too long delayed US tour in 2012.

MY RUIN had their record release party in LA this weekend.

For the seventh year in a row- we had to ponder life without Dimebag Darrell Lance Abbott of PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN fame. Read my two cents worth. From where I sit he is the greatest lead guitarist in metal of all time, bar none. What a tragedy and a tragic loss. At least I’m glad we had him in the first place.

Dave gets his moment and then some at the last Metallica at 30 concert.

On a lighter and more celebratory note: Metallica celebrated 30 years in existence this week with a bunch of exclusive shows in San Francisco at the legendary Fillmore. This must have been awesome as the band flew in guest stars from far and brought in others from nearby. OZZY, GEEZER BUTLER, ROB HALFORD KING DIAMOND AND MERCIFUL FATE, JASON NEWSTED, APOCALYPTICA, SCOTT IAN, LEMMY, DANZIG, JERRY CANTRELL, ARMORED SAINT, DEATH ANGEL, DIAMOND HEAD and countless others as well. Best of all was Dave Mustaine jamming on five songs with the band and getting the respect from them and the fans. It is overdue, but I know Dave appreciated it. Shoutout to my hero Dave, whose lyrics this segment is named! Also the band chose to debut four new songs that didn’t get on to Death Magnetic. This is good because perhaps the band is finally remembering to edit themselves again, which they haven’t done basically from 1991-2009. This bodes well for their next album. There will also be a DVD release in 2012 commemorating these shows so there is also that to look forward to as well!

Stay warm and stay metal! m/

@Keefy