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
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