Manky's 2011 Year-End Review Extravaganza!

[mankvill]

TOP ALBUMS

Okay. Here we go.

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51.

Gravewürm - Blood Of The Pentagram



A description of this album would make it sound like my album of the year, but sloppy performances and uninspired music make this supremely underground band just come off as bad. Their hearts are definitely in the right place, though.

[mankvill]

50.

Brutal Truth - End Time



I know. But I just can't get into Brutal Truth. They seem content with repeating themselves album after album, filled with the same boring grindcore that lacks all the creativity of the rest of the scene. I feel bad for not liking this, but I can't help it.

[mankvill]

49.

Exeloume - Fairytale of Perversion



All this album is is Exeloume's love letter to their favorite thrash bands. It's definitely not a horrendous album, but it's just something we've all heard a million times before.

Highlight: Faceless Children

[mankvill]

48.

Amon Amarth - Surtur Rising



Despite having a few great songs, the Motorhead of melodic death metal have cranked out another passable record. Their few albums before this were fantastic, but it looks like they might be falling into a rut now.

Highlight: Destroyer Of The Universe

[mankvill]

47.

Mitochondrion - Parasignosis



Another one I'm pretty surprised I didn't absolutely love. To me, this album just sounds like Portal without the special brand of unpredictable chaos that makes Portal so good. Also not a huge fan of most of the vocals on this album.

Highlight: Parasignosis

[mankvill]

46.

Cauldron - Burning Fortune



This album definitely rocks, but there are parts that just don't click at times. It should satisfy both fans of Helloween-type speed metal and cheesy Def Leppard hard rock ballads. Neither of which I'm a huge fan of.

Highlight: Frozen in Fire

[mankvill]

45.

Maim - Deceased to Exist



This album seriously rips, but if you've heard an album by Dismember or Unleashed, then you will find nothing new or exciting here. It's a shame, because this is a real headbanger.

Highlight: Purged Through Napalm

[mankvill]

44.

Vomitory - Opus Mortis VIII



The same with Maim, I'm upset that this isn't higher on my list. It's solid and a great metal record, but at the end of the day, it's just your standard Swedish death metal. I think Sweden had a great year for death metal in 2011.

Highlight: Hate In A Time Of War

[mankvill]

43.

Abysmal Dawn - Leveling The Plane Of Existence



A lot of people slag on them, but I think Abysmal Dawn is great at making really fast, in your face death metal. Leveling The Plane Of Existence is no different. The mix on the album leaves a bit to be desired, though.

Highlight: The Sleeper Awakens

[mankvill]

42.

Altar of Plagues - Mammal



Hopefully, the first big shock for everyone reading this.

This album is definitely not bad. Not bad at all. But I definitely don't think it lives up to the hype. I think we're at that point that this type of black metal (the long, expansive, ethereal tracks) can have some bands considered "all flash, no substance" and I think this album comes dangerously close to it. The three real black metal tracks on here are great, but it just reminds me of Xasthur, Wolves In The Throne Room, Drudkh, etc. I like the production a lot, but other than that, I don't think it brings much to the table. Also, the third track absolutely kills the momentum of the album.

Sorry Brad.

Neptune Is Dead