Top 20 Heavy Metal Albums of 2011

8. Sylosis – Edge of the Earth:  A classy modern thrash release that has melodic tendencies and intricate song structures was delivered by Sylosis this year.  It’s an ambitious effort that stood out for me in terms of thrash this year.

9. Within Temptation – The Unforgiving:  The Unforgiving is a strong female vocal fronted release that offered a more digestible metal release to the year 2011.  The songs are infused with passion and emotion as can be seen by tracks like “Faster”.

10. Ulcerate – The Destroyers of All:  The fiery inferno of a death metal album offers a moody atmosphere that made it one of the best albums of the genre this year.  This is an album that will appeal to fans of a strong atmosphere and great song-writing.  It’s not perfect, but the dark mood makes it a standout album.  

11. Xerath – II:  This album trumped the release by similar sounding Textures, Dualism, which was also released this year.  An orchestral approach is utilized by the band along with similar jagged riffs to what can be found on the Decapitated release or bands like Meshuggah. 

12. Leprous – Bilateral:  Bilateral is the most avant-garde entry on my list.  It recalls the likes of Arcturus in its style, but has an aura all its own as well.  Every song is interesting and original and the work as a whole breathes with life.

13. Falloch – Where Distant Spirits Remain:  Falloch easily trumped the slightly disappointing release by Agalloch of 2010 for me, offering a similar style, but with the addition of different elements as well.  One can hear the likes of Anathema and Alcest in the band’s sound as well.  The only downside is the immature sounding vocals.

14. Vreid – V:  This was a year that lacked quality black metal releases, but this was the best of the genre for me.  An element of thrash is added to powerful and addictive riffs.  Songs like “Arche” are incredibly solid.  It has some elements that are comparable to bands like Enslaved.

15. Exhumed – All Guts, No Glory:  The only that could be better than the brilliant title of this release is the excellent platter of gore-influenced metal that can be found along with it.  This is one band that carries on the torch of Carcass better than perhaps any other in recent memory.

16. Rwake – Rest:  This is an excellent album in the vein of Neurosis with a Southern influence that brings loads of atmosphere and emotion to the table.  It also closes with the best song on the entire album.

17. Glorior Belli – The Great Southern Darkness:  This album combines the style of Deathspell Omega with a Southern influence akin to bands like Down.  It’s an energetic and thoroughly enjoyable listen. 

18. Nightrage – Insidious:  This is a melodic death metal platter that rivals the releases Omnium Gatherum and Insomnium put out during the year, but is more similar sound to a band like At the Gates.

19. Chthonic – Takasago Army:  This is a middle-eastern style album that evokes comparisons to black metal at times.  It has a fast style that makes for an addictive listen throughout its entire length.

20. Tie:  40 Watt Sun – The Inside Room:  This is a doom album that has a unique sound and almost sounds like an alternative album at times.  The songs stretch on for long lengths of time, but manage to remain poignant throughout.

Tie: Novembers Doom – Aphotic:  This is a doom metal album that crosses similar emotional paths to what My Dying Bride has done in the past and shows a lot of high points overall.  The song “The Dark Host” demonstrates the ability of the band as well as any other song on this album.

As can be readily seen there was a lot of variety and depth to be found in the set of heavy metal releases this year, but a few more near perfect releases would have been welcome.  There was still a lot to be in interested in 2011, however.