Best of 2011 - Lord of the Wasteland

TOP 20 ALBUMS

1. The Devin Townsend Project ~ DECONSTRUCTION/GHOST (Inside Out)

Devin Townsend has had one hell of a prolific year with extensive touring, a pair of EPs and a double album that wraps up the four-record cycle that began with KI and ADDICTED.  Released simultaneously as the chaos/order mindset of DTP’s fearless leader, DECONSTRUCTION is a frantic trip, threshing out Townsend’s most bizarre concept yet, while GHOST is its tranquil, sedated opposite.   This is what happens when artistic freedom is placed in the hands of one of metal’s most unique and talented individuals.

2. Machine Head ~ UNTO THE LOCUST (Roadrunner)

It took four years for Machine Head to follow-up the brilliant THE BLACKENING and it was time well spent.  UNTO THE LOCUST has not unseated THE BLACKENING as the band’s best album but this is an amazing piece of work that showcases Machine Head’s ability to expand upon its sound without forgetting its core strengths.

3. Anthrax ~ WORSHIP MUSIC (Megaforce)
4. Mastodon ~ THE HUNTER (Reprise)
5. DevilDriver ~ BEAST (Roadrunner)
6. Hate Eternal ~ PHOENIX AMONGST THE ASHES (Metal Blade)
7. Jag Panzer ~ THE SCOURGE OF THE LIGHT (SPV)
8. Iced Earth ~ DYSTOPIA (Century Media)
9. Saxon ~ CALL TO ARMS (SPV)
10. Symphony X ~ ICONOCLAST (Nuclear Blast)
11. Crowbar ~ SEVER THE WICKED HAND (E1)
12. Decapitated ~ CARNIVAL IS FOREVER (Nuclear Blast)
13. Evergrey ~ GLORIOUS COLLISION (SPV)
14. Revocation ~ CHAOS OF FORMS (Relapse)
15. Scheepers ~ SCHEEPERS (Frontiers)
16. Origin ~ ENTITY (Nuclear Blast)
17. Pagan’s Mind ~ HEAVENLY ECSTASY (SPV)
18. Deicide ~ TO HELL WITH GOD (Century Media)
19. Vallenfyre ~ A FRAGILE KING (Century Media)
20. Textures ~ DUALISM (Nuclear Blast)

BEST METAL EP

Immolation ~ PROVIDENCE (Scion)
This little gem was released as a free download in October on the unknown label, Scion.  Immolation is still riding the accolades from 2010’s MAJESTY AND DECAY, so to follow that record up with another five tracks this strong, a mere eighteen months later, is damn impressive.

BEST NEW METAL BAND

Vallenfyre
A “supergroup” led by Paradise Lost’s Gregor Mackintosh with help from Hamish Glencross (My Dying Bride) and Adrian Erlandsson (At The Gates; Paradise Lost), Vallenfyre released its debut album, A FRAGILE KING, on Century Media Records on Halloween.  Blending dark, depressing Doom with early Swedish Death metal, Vallenfyre has combined its frontman’s painful loss with its members’ musical history to create a truly stunning and powerful record.

BEST METAL DVD/BLU-RAY

Iced Earth ~ FESTIVALS OF THE WICKED (Century Media)

Sending off vocalist Matt Barlow with a more than suitable swan song, FESTIVALS OF THE WICKED captures Iced Earth at its best—live—with full performances at three European festivals from 2007-2008 spread over two DVDs, as well as a live CD.  Barlow takes the mike at two shows, while Tim “Ripper” Owens’ performance at Wacken Open Air 2007 is also featured.  Essential viewing for any Iced Earth fan, as it closes two chapters of the band’s history…and makes up for the shoddy DVD release of ALIVE IN ATHENS, as well.

BEST METAL BOOK

Jeremy Wagner ~ THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD (kNight Romance)
The debut novel from former Broken Hope guitarist, Jeremy Wagner, THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD is a gripping piece of fiction that deserves all the attention it has received this year.

BEST METAL COMPILATION

Iron Maiden ~ FROM FEAR TO ETERNITY: THE BEST OF 1990-2010 (EMI)
Finally, all the best songs from twenty years of largely forgettable albums rolled into two CDs.  This collection makes it even less likely to ever have to pull out duds like VIRTUAL XI and A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH ever again.

BEST LIVE METAL ALBUM

Avantasia ~ THE FLYING OPERA: AROUND THE WORLD IN TWENTY DAYS (Nuclear Blast)
It’s nice to hear the best parts of Tobias Sammet’s long-running project all rolled into one big show.   We will never see the band tour Canada, so this is about as close to a live performance as we can hope for.

BEST METAL RE-ISSUE

Death ~ HUMAN/INDIVIDUAL THOUGHT PATTERNS/THE SOUND OF PERSEVERANCE (Relapse)
Lavishly reissued in a trio of extensive, multi-disc sets, three of Death’s finest albums finally received the treatment they deserve thanks to Chuck Schuldiner’s family and Relapse Records.  Remixing the original recording is expected but with live tracks, loads of demos and other studio goodies included, HUMAN, INDIVIDUAL THOUGHT PATTERNS and THE SOUND OF PERSEVERANCE have never sounded better.  Let’s hope the band’s other four albums get similar treatment in 2012.

BEST METAL REMAKE ALBUM

Scorpions ~ COMEBLACK (Sony)
When Scorpions announced its plans to retire following 2010’s STING IN THE TAIL, the German veterans could never have expected the outpouring of loss expressed by its fans.  Rethinking that decision, COMEBLACK gives fans seven re-recordings of its biggest hits, as well as six interesting covers.

BEST METAL DISCOVERY

Volbeat
This Danish group has been around since 2005, drawing comparisons to Danzig and Elvis Presley and nods from Metallica along the way.  I had heard the name before—even getting tipped off to check them out when I interviewed fellow Danes, Mercenary, in 2005—but they slipped under my radar…until this year.  I look forward to finally seeing their legendary live show this February when they share the stage of the re-vamped Gigantour with Megadeth, Motorhead and Lacuna Coil.

GREATEST METAL HOPES FOR 2012

Not much on the musical horizon for 2012 but here’s hoping two of my all-time favorite bands—KISS and Van Halen—can each pull off another winning record.

GREATEST METAL DISAPPOINTMENTS

1. K.K. Downing Leaving Judas Priest
Many have said the new guy is no slouch but that timeless duo of Downing/Tipton helped shape heavy metal as we know it.

2. The Break-Up of Jag Panzer
Just a bummer to see this horribly underrated American metal band pack it in after almost 20 years.

3. Alice Cooper ~ WELCOME 2 MY NIGHTMARE
May Satan strike me down Himself but as great as Alice Cooper was up until around 1990, he has been a bandwagon jumper ever since, cranking out one legacy-tarnishing record after another.  WELCOME 2 MY NIGHTMARE, a not-so-subtle sequel to his greatest album ever, finds Alice exploring club music with Ke$ha and employing a cast of characters from his past glories all with dismal results.

4. Chimaira ~ THE AGE OF HELL
Something has been a little “off” in the Chimaira camp the past few years.  Label woes and major lineup changes have not helped but THE AGE OF HELL sees the band take a major nosedive musically.  It might be time to re-think carrying on under the Chimaira name after this.

5. The Haunted ~ UNSEEN
When Peter Dolving returned to The Haunted in 2004, there was a noticeable shift in the band’s sound.  Now on their fourth album with Dolving back in the fold, UNSEEN left me re-examining The Haunted’s back catalogue in order to remember what it was that made these Swedes some damn great in the first place.

6. In Flames ~ SOUNDS OF A PLAYGROUND FADING
A lot of people wrote this band off several albums ago but I have stood my ground, able to find a few positives along the way.  In Flames’ new album, SOUNDS OF A PLAYGROUND FADING, came out back in June and I am still searching for even one positive.

7. Metallica & Lou Reed ~ LULU
I may have been the only person outside of Metallica’s camp to think LULU might be good but I was quickly proven wrong upon my first listen.  Lou Reed’s tuneless rambling is what ultimately did LULU in but his voice was always an acquired taste anyway.  But Metallica will have a really hard time gaining back any respect from metal fans after this serious mis-step.

8. Morbid Angel ~ ILLUD DIVINUM INSANUS
Much like Cryptopsy discovered back in 2008, Morbid Angel found out that universally negative buzz can kill a record before it even gets released.  Such was the fate of ILLUD DIVINUM INSANUS, a record not nearly as bad as the Internet would have you believe or as good as its creators would have you believe.  David Vincent’s chest-thumping was mocked and the quasi-industrial leanings were dated but there are a few highlights.  Just not enough after waiting for eight years to hear a new Morbid Angel record.

The third installment of the South Texas Rock Fest boasted a monster lineup of bands headlined by British legends  Saxon and UFO. Also along for the ride were Quiet Riot, Lita Ford, Dio Disciples, Stephen Pearcy, Warrant and Pretty Boy Floyd. It should be noted that the 2011 edition of South Texas Rock Fest took place in October, making for a much more enjoyable climate than previous years which were either held in the spring or summer under the hot Texas sun. A last minute venue change moved the festival location from the Backstage live venue to the beautiful outdoor Sunken Garden Ampitheatre, probably my favorite venue to see metal bands perform. I have to say that this was by far the best organized and smoothest running South Texas Rock Fest to date and I will look forward to seeing who will fill the roster for the 2012 edition this fall.

KVELERTAK, Toxic Holocaust
@ The Underworld, Camden

Saturday November26, 2011

Review & Photography by Sabrina Dersel

The Underworld is sold out tonight so get ready for a ferocious mosh pit!

Best of 2011 - Carlos M. Llanas

2011 has seen some great album releases.  Both from old bands, and new.  It was a strong year for metal, and we can only hope that next year is even better.  All year long, I sit and compare my favorite albums, and making a list of your those albums can be quite difficult.  I had a tough time making my top 5 list.  Many hours of re-listening, comparing, and most importantly, seeing if you can enjoy some beers with the album =) here is the list of my top 20 albums.  I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.

1. Riot - Immortal Soul

Immortal Soul is my album of the year.  It is a masterpiece from start to finish.  From the moment I first heard tunes like "Riot","Wings are for Angels" and "Whiskey Man"  I knew that this album was going to be one of my top 3 of the year...well...it made #1.  This release is an echoe from the "Thundersteel" album released back in '88 and even has the same line-up.  The return of Tony Moore really made a huge difference , and the guitar wizardry of Mark Reale of course.  The mixture of Tony's soaring vocals and Mark's amazing guitar skill makes this album a must own for fans of the "Privilege of Power" and "Thundersteel" era Riot.  You know an album is good when you get goosebumps every time you listen to it.

2.  Deceased - Surreal Overdose
(Check out the review for June 2011)

This was a very close call and Deceased could have easily been #1.  "Surreal Overdose" is fantastic.  The songs are fast, creepy, and full of energy.  The return of King Fowley on the drums for this album gave it a really old school Deceased sound and feel.  Tunes like "Kindred Assembly" and "Cloned (Day of the Robot)" are nothing shy of incredible.  I almost destroyed my whole house when I first heard this release.  If you like "Blue Prints for Madness" or "Fearless Undead Machines" then pick this bad mother fucker up.  Any fan of Deceased is sure to enjoy this well made album.

3.  Twisted Tower Dire - Make it Dark (Check out Robert Williams review for May 2011)
4.  Arch Matheos - Sympathetic Resonance
5.  Entrench - Innevitable Decay (Check out my 2011 review)
6.  Anvil - Juggernaut of Justice
7.  T.I.R. - Heavy Metal (Check out my 2011 review)
9.  Widow - Life's Blood (Check out my 2011 review)
10. Saxon - Call to Arms
11. U.D.O. - Rev Raptor
12. Evil United - Evil United
13. The Rods - Vengeance
14. Battlerage - True Metal Victory
15. Rhapsody of Fire - From Chaos to Eternity
16. Pegan's Mind - Heavenly Ecstasy
17. Pentagram - Last Rites
18. Stormwarrior - Heathen Warrior
19. Tyr - The End of Thrym
20. Evile - Five Serpent's Teeth

Best New Band:  T.I.R

These guys have been around since the 80's, but their debut album did not release till 2011.  T.I.R is one of the best bands I've heard in a long time.  They are as old school as it gets.  Most of the songs were writen in the 80's so they give off a very legit and classic sound.  If you like old traditional heavy metal, then it would be wise to pick up their album "Heavy metal".  I hope I get to see these guys live sometime.  I just hope I don't have to fly to Italy to do it =)

Best Metal Reissue

Death Strike-Fuckin' Death

Best DVD/Blue-Ray

Grave Digger-The Clans are Still Marching

This DVD was very enjoyable!  Their live sound is fantastic, and their stage presence is great. I have never seen the Digger live before, but this release really made me feel as if I were there.  The setlist was great and the crowd reaction was really good too.

Chris Boltendahl-Vocals
Stefan Arnold-Drums
Jens Becker-Bass
H.P. Katzenburg-Keyboards
Axel "Ironfinger" Ritt-Guitars

Fans of Grave Digger do yourself a favor and pick this up.  If you like their new album and sound you will not be dissapointed.

Best Metal Discovery of 2011

Heavy Chainzz-Hypermatic Hellraisers

This band only released a demo in the 80's, but it fucking RULES.  My brother Andy came to me one day and said "You have to check this out", and I was immediately surprised on how good it sounded. The track "Fighting with Satan" was also on the Satan's Revenge compilation.  If you have not done so please youtube Heavy Chainzz-Fighting with Satan and be prepared to get your ear vaginas pounded.

Best Stadium Concert

Judas Priest w/ Thin Lizzy at the AT&T center in San Antonio, Texas.  The night of October 12th, 2011 was the date of the show.  I remember being anxious all day and waiting to take off from Austin to San Antonio.  Upon arriving me and my brother Andy proceeded to slam beers in the parking lot.  When we entered the venue...Priest was about to go on...we waited in anticipation and then we heard "Rapid Fire" start...my heart melted and my beer was raised high.  The setlist was incredible.  They played songs I've never seen live before like "The Sentinal" and "Nightcrawler", and is by far the best stadium concert of 2011.

Best club/theater Concert

Deceased during the "Goregrowlers Ball" festival on November 19th, 2011.  This was one of the coolest shows I've seen.  Deceased just obliterated the stage and the whole band was bursting with energy.  King was as crazy as ever, but atleast he didn't launch me off the stage to crowd surf.  He usually does it every year lol!  I just wish they had a longer set, but time was running short.  Needless to say, It was just an incredible night.

Best Festival

South Texas Rockfest in San Antonio, Texas on October 7th-8th with Saxon, Dio Desciples, and UFO.  This festival was really fucking good.  Me and my brothers Robert Williams and Andy Gonzales took the trip to San Antonio to do some interviews for Metal-Rules.com and ended up having the time of our lives.  Saxon destroyed with a long set of nothing but classics, and of course, Dio Desciples was incredible too.  To hear some of the songs created by the late great Ronnie James Dio is always an amazing journey.   Brother Williams even got a picture with Wendy Dio!  You better believe we ended up backstage drinking beers.

Best Local Band

Witches Mark is hands down the best band in town. Hailing from Austin, Texas, they keep it true with their style and ability to create catchy and memorable songs. I can't wait for some live shows!!! The band is also home to our very own Robert Williams.  If you have not checked out their first album "A Grim Apparition" I suggest you order yourself a copy; It is metal to the bone.  The mixture of Doom, Power, and hints of Black Metal make this album a must own.  Also, keep an eye for their new album set to release very soon!

Dissapointments of 2011

As we all know, not every year is going to be full of amazing releases or expect everything to sound like you wanted. Here are my disappointments for 2011.

Alice Cooper-"Welcome 2 My Nightmare"
I was very disappointed with the path and choices that Alice Cooper made on his release "Welcome 2 My Nightmare".  Did you seriously think Ke$ha would be a great choice to work with for a Metal/Hard Rock album?  Why in the hell did you use Auto-Tune?  Come on Cooper you let me down! Instead of trying to appeal to a new audience, just stay true to yourself

Queensryche-"Dedicated to Chaos"
This was another disappointment to me this year.  I was really expecting some thing great from this album.  When I first heard that they will be releasing a new record I was excited and even thought about how I wish it sounded like "Operation Mindcrime", but I was dead wrong.  It sounds nothing like it. In fact, it sounds awful.  I don't know what they were tryng to do, but I was very dissapointed in it as a whole.  Robert Williams put it in the best way possible; "It sounds like it belongs on a tampon commercial."

Hopes for 2012

Judas Priest - I saw Judas Priest kick ass all over the stage in 2011.  As good as Richie Faulkner was, I would have loved to have seen K.K. Downing on stage again for the last time.  I hope that in 2011 K.K. returns to Priest and does one last tour.  I know it will probably never happen, but I can sure hope it does.

Core - I hope everything "Core" dies out.  Metal is like an apple...the "Core" belongs in the trash.

Releases - With the way 2011 looked, alot of great bands released some killer albums.  I hope that these bands continue their path of metal glory and don't end up on my "Dissapointments for 2012" section next year.

Interviews -  In 2012, I hope to kick the interiews and reviews into high gear.  I want to interview the best, and see the best concerts.