Top 10 Albums of 2011

   It has been an excellent year for new music. I have seen releases from some old school bands that I grew up listening to, such as Anthrax, Deicide, Primus, Morbid Angel & Megadeth to name a few. I had the pleasure to come across some new music from noteworthy bands I have never listened to before like Trifixion, Jungle Rot, Born of Osiris, Godsic, Skeltonwitch, Revocation and many more. There has also been a few total abominations this year as well, and you all know damn well what I'm talking about, but I am not writing this to dwell on music that should have gone to the abortion clinic instead of the distributor. I'm here to focus on what I personally consider the best
album releases of 2011.


#10: Born of Osiris - The Discovery (Sumerian)

   The Discovery by Chicago's progressive death metal band 'Born of Osiris' is an apt name for the album title, because it was just that for me. A discovery. I'm not usually too big on keyboards and synthesizers in metal, but these guys do it right. Not too much, and what is there seems to fit perfectly with the technical heavy music & demonized vocals, never sounding cheesy, but instead giving it a really ominous sound overall. Clocking in at just over 45 minutes in length, but with enough variety to keep you intrigued the whole time. I'm still getting to know this one and enjoying every minute I do. If you want to expand your musical tastes, 'The Discovery' is the album for you.


#9: Gorgasm - Orgy of Murder (Brutal Bands)

   Orgy of Murder by Gorgasm is my brutal death metal pick for this years top 10. Formed in 1997 and based out of Lafayette Indiana, these guys are the epitome of a death metal band. Chugging riffs, scary vocals and blast beated all to hell, really there's nothing truly innovative here, it's all been done before by Cannibal Corpse, but this album is better than anything I've heard released from CC in the last 10 years or so. Precise modern recording & competent musicianship, though I would have liked to hear a few solos sprinkled throughout to show off some of chops I know they are capable of. Orgy of Murder will definitely give you your brutality fix, and you cant beat how fun it is to pull up to a red light with the windows down with this shit cranking, and look at the the old lady in the station wagon next to you gasp in complete horror.


#8: Opeth - Heritage (Roadrunner)

   I love this album. I grew up listening to progressive rock because that's what my parents listened to. I honestly only heard a couple tunes from these guys in the past before picking up 'Heritage' (I know, with this being their 10th studio release, that's pretty pathetic), so I am not able to comment on their ascent up to this album. I've heard so many mixed reviews about 'Heritage' from others on the net, but after giving it a shot for myself, I can honestly say that this album is awesome. If your looking to hear some death growls & super heavy riffs, then your in the wrong place, because this is 100% progressive rock and I dig it. Now don't get me wrong, this album is pure evil... but evil in a tasteful, jazzy, and eerily folky kind of way. 'Heritage' by Opeth is a must have for any fan of good progressive music.


#7: Blotted Science - The Animation of Entomology E.P. (Eclectic)

   This is what you call a "supergroup". The original line-up consisted of guitarist Ron Jarzombek (Watchtower), bassist Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse) and drummer Chris Adler (Lamb of God) . Now they have added probably my current favorite drummer in metal today, Hans Grossmann (Obscura, Necrophagist). Wow! Unbelievable talent lies here, and 'The Animation of Entomology' is nearly 25 minutes of stimulating brain food. It definitely takes more than a few listen-thru's to fully grasp everything that's contained within. Did I mention that this is an all instrumental band? Wait a second, no vocals!? Why no vocals you say? Because (in my best gritty, gun-fighting, dirty Mexican accent)... "Vocals? wee don'e need no steenking vocals". I sincerely think that vocals would actually take away from the total awesomeness of everything already going on. These songs tell stories without words. This is the kind of music I can listen to with my pops, who loves good musicianship(HUGE Frank Zappa fan), but is not to keen on the "cookie monster" type of vocals that comes with extreme metal. I cannot wait for a new full length from these dudes.


#6: Decapitated - Carnival is Forever (Nuclear Blast)

   This is one record that I was looking forward to for quite some time, but wasn't sure if my hopes would ever be fulfilled after a horrible accident left 'Decapitated' founder/guitarist Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka without a brother or a drummer. Most people in this situation would just pack it in. Thankfully Kiełtyka realized the best way to honor his brother's life was to keep playing the music they created and loved together. I am so thankful he did too, because 'Carnival is Forever' is fucking unbelievable. Top notch songwriting, musicianship & production. The vocals are easily understandable, yet maintain that fierceness I want to hear when I listen to a tech-death band. Decapitated co-founder Witold "Vitek" Kiełtyka (RIP) should be proud his brother had the strength to move forward and create such an awesome album. I can't wait to see these guys live.


#5: Battlecross - Pursuit of Honor (Metal Blade)

   Pursuit of Honor by Detroit tech-death/thrashers Battlecross was without a doubt the album that got the most play time on my MP3 player this year. Very refreshing to see a new metal band with old-school throwbacks do it how it should be done. Right after a beautifully clean and somewhat misleading guitar intro, your kicked in the face with absolute pure metal energy. 'Push Pull Destroy' pummels your senses with riff-tastic songwriting mastery from guitarists Tony Asta and Hiran Deraniyagala, while the biting screams and guttural growls from vocalist Kyle "Gumby" Gunther will easily tear through the armor of even the toughest of metal heads & leave them whimpering on the floor. The rhythm section is probably my favorite (besides Obscura) of any metal act today, with bassist Don Slater taking full advantage of every string & fret (the bass leads rule!), while drummer Mike Kreger goes "beast-mode" on his massive kit, utilizing every piece of it. This musical beat-down that is 'Pursuit of Honor' continues on for about 35 minutes or so, as the listener traverses through familiar yet uncharted metal territories such as Kaleb, Man of Stone, and Breaking You.  The ass-kicking does not let up until the the final galloping seconds of the epic final track 'Misery', where your then left with an atmospheric guitar/drum outro, which snaps you back into the hear & now and realize that somehow you actually survived that awesome sonic assault. You let your body recover, but for some reason you reach up and press play again. Your a glutton for punishment aren't you? I know I am.



#4: Primus - Green Naugahyde (ATO/Prawn Song)

   Primus was one of my favorite bands growing up, and will most likely always be in my top 5 all time favs. So I just about creamed my jeans when I heard that Primus was releasing their 1st full length album since 1999's "Anti-Pop". Led by the unmistakable Les Claypool and his virtuoso bass playing ability, and backed by guitarist Larry LaLonde & longtime go-to drummer buddy Jay Lane, the power-trio recorded and released 'Green Naugahyde'. Despite some other fans & reviewers saying this basically sounds like just another one of Claypool's numerous side projects, well this is most definitely a Primus record. You can hear harks back to the days of 'Fizzle Fry' and 'Sailing' as well as influences from 'Tales from the Punchbowl' and the highly under-rated 'Brown Album'. You can definitely hear the newer spaced-out sounds on this album that Les has leaned towards in the last 8 years or so, but that is just the way his personal progression has evolved over the years. I love every song on this record, and listening to 'Green Naugahyde' brings back good memories of smoking pot, skateboarding & jamming out all day long to the awesome weirdness that is, and will always be Primus.


#3: Amon Amarth - Suture Rising (Metal Blade)

   Amon Amarth is another band that I'm embarrassed to admit I was not real familiar with before the release of 'Suture Rising'. As soon as the first track 'War of the Gods' kicked in I was immediately intrigued. The music is so powerful, catchy & extremely well done. Almost perfect. Great subject matter, cool cover art and well executed production. Everything about this album is astonishing. Not one weak track out of the whole lot. As a matter of fact, I don't think I can find one flaw throughout the entire 52 minutes of play time, and it's a wonder how this did not end up #1 on my list. This is another group I am looking forward to seeing live on stage. Highly recommended.


#2: The Black Dahlia Murder - Ritual (Metal Blade)

   There's not much that I can say about 'Ritual' that hasn't been said before. The album marks the 5th studio release from Detroit's 'The Black Dahlia Murder', and is also their best to date, thanks in huge part to the uncanny songwriting ability of guitarist Ryan Knight. His riffs and solos are magnificent. The production on this record takes full advantage of today's technology. Every note & nuance is crisp and clear. The simply awe-inspiring drums from Shannon Lucas could not have been done better, as every snare, tom, bass hit & cymbal is strategically placed for absolute effectiveness. All this is tied together in a common theme as lyricist Trevor Strnad tells wicked & murderous tales through his unmatched vocal prowess. This is the kind of album most bands would sell their souls to create, and 'The Black Dahlia Murder' has majorly upped the ante with 'Ritual' while further cementing their grasp at the top of the metal heap.


#1: Obscura - Omnivium (Relapse)

   Well here is my numero uno pick for the best release of 2011. It was not easy with so many awesome albums to see daylight this year, but this one continued to stay a "top-contender" no matter how many times I listened to it. 'Omnivium' had some HUGE shoes to fill after German tech-death wizards Obscura released their amazing 2009 debut 'Cosmogenisis', and I have to admit I had my doubts about these guys being able to outdo themselves after such a strong debut. Thankfully I was totally wrong, and 'Omnivium' takes everything I loved about the first and expands those themes exponentially. Adding some acoustic guitar and clean vocals is usually a no-no for a death metal band, but on here it's done so tastefully that I hope other bands can look at this to see how it should be done. The musicianship on 'Omnivium' is utterly mind-blowing, but how can you go wrong when you take the guitar player & drummer from Necrophagist (yup, Hans Grossmann again folks), and add the bassist from Pestilence to create your own metal supergroup. Obscura founder/vocalist/guitarist Steffen Kummerer did just that, and I thank you Mr. Kummerer. I always look forward to listening to this album whenever I turn on my player, and if I can't listen to it for whatever reason, I am wishing I could. Without a doubt, this album is incredible from start to finish.

- Ian Pfister