Treghet's 2011 List

[treghet]

3.
Artist: Harm’s Way
Title: Isolation
Genre: Hardcore
Label: Closed Casket Activities



Animosity, disdain, and resentment of mankind are the thoughts that occupy the mind when spinning this record. Many bands can produce heavy music, but few have the anger behind them to back it up. This is what hatred sounds like. This is the end of humanity. Harm’s Way has always had a crushing sound, but Isolation takes it to the next level. There isn’t a major change in direction on this album, but the songwriting has vastly improved and the production is out of this world. The guitar tone is absolutely massive and the drums are much more prominent than in No Gods, No Masters. Each song is easy to differentiate from the others, as they all have extremely memorable riffs. The song structures do not follow the typical hardcore format; instead of being centered around a simple chord progression they utilize an array of rhythms that build suspense for the destructive finale. This brings the songs to around three or four minutes, which is quite lengthy for hardcore, but they have pulled it off brilliantly. What Harm’s Way has achieved here is nothing short of remarkable. It’s original, incredibly powerful, and full of rage. After listening to Isolation you’ll come to the realization that people are of no value.

“Breeding Grounds” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZnIxO0LBXI

[treghet]

2.
Artist: Exhumed
Title: All Guts, No Glory
Genre: Death Metal
Label: Relapse Records



After a five year hiatus Exhumed is back with more bone grinding gore metal. The chainsaws have been pulled out of the storage unit and put to use once more. The limbs of expired bodies are dismembered, exposing the undulating sea of maggots gorging on the rotten flesh. Hacking away with the axe, Matt Harvey has fabricated a full spectrum of styles, ranging from death metal and thrash metal to grindcore. All Guts, No Glory is much like an extension of Anatomy Is Destiny, as it continues the more death metal driven formula with heavy influence from Michael Amott, yet still embodies a grindcore essence. The solos are highly diverse, with some being reminiscent of the Gore Metal and Slaughtercult eras and others focusing on enticing melodies that bring about latter Carcass nostalgia. Danny Walker of Intronaut and Murder Construct handles the drums, providing a basis for the carnage. With ripping blast beats and meticulous fills he delivers a cataclysmic impact. Then Matt Harvey’s necrotic screams are at the forefront of the album, butchering the cadavers into mutilated remnants and serving them on a platter. Eight years have passed since Anatomy Is Destiny and Exhumed has made an astounding return, leaving no corpse unscathed.

“Distorted and Twisted to Form” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CXq-wdkCr0

[Seventhzealot]

Originally Posted by treghet

I haven't listened to Embrace of Thorns. I'll have to check them out!

Their latest album, "Praying for Absolution" is my favorite of theirs so it might be a good starting point.

Originally Posted by treghet

2.
Artist: Exhumed
Title: All Guts, No Glory
Genre: Death Metal
Label: Relapse Records



After a five year hiatus Exhumed is back with more bone grinding gore metal. The chainsaws have been pulled out of the storage unit and put to use once more. The limbs of expired bodies are dismembered, exposing the undulating sea of maggots gorging on the rotten flesh. Hacking away with the axe, Matt Harvey has fabricated a full spectrum of styles, ranging from death metal and thrash metal to grindcore. All Guts, No Glory is much like an extension of Anatomy Is Destiny, as it continues the more death metal driven formula with heavy influence from Michael Amott, yet still embodies a grindcore essence. The solos are highly diverse, with some being reminiscent of the Gore Metal and Slaughtercult eras and others focusing on enticing melodies that bring about latter Carcass nostalgia. Danny Walker of Intronaut and Murder Construct handles the drums, providing a basis for the carnage. With ripping blast beats and meticulous fills he delivers a cataclysmic impact. Then Matt Harvey’s necrotic screams are at the forefront of the album, butchering the cadavers into mutilated remnants and serving them on a platter. Eight years have passed since Anatomy Is Destiny and Exhumed has made an astounding return, leaving no corpse unscathed.

“Distorted and Twisted to Form” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CXq-wdkCr0

Loved this record and can't wait to see these songs live. Awesome write-up btw!

[jd091]

Originally Posted by treghet

3.
Artist: Harm’s Way
Title: Isolation
Genre: Hardcore
Label: Closed Casket Activities

Fuck yeah, man! After listening to this way more and more, it's probably my favorite hardcore record of last year. I need to modify my list. Every song is unique, awesome, and unbelievably crushing. Perfect description.

Originally Posted by treghet

After listening to Isolation you’ll come to the realization that people are of no value.

FUCKING BEST BREAKDOWN OF 2011

[hellawaits77ny]

I really gotta checkout Harm's Way.

[treghet]

This last album is one that I haven't seen on anybody's list, on this site and elsewhere. Thank you to those of you who have taken the time to read and reply.

1.
Artist: Deceased
Title: Surreal Overdose
Genre: Death Metal / Thrash Metal
Label: Patac Records



Throughout a career spanning more than twenty-five years Deceased has only released six albums, but every one of them has been no less than exceptional. Surreal Overdose is their first album since 2005, and in that time frame they have conjured some of their strongest material yet. The last few albums have focused on a heavy metal infused sound. Surreal Overdose combines those elements with the speed of the band’s earlier straight death metal albums, Luck of the Corpse and The Blueprints for Madness. There’s much more to it than that, though. Deceased is deeply rooted in the ‘80s and that shines through here. They incorporate aspects from multiple genres and combine them effortlessly for an original take on modern metal. The solos resemble those found on thrash metal classics and there are plenty of melodic leads reminiscent of the NWOBHM days. “Skin Crawling Progress” hits off the album with a plethora of killer riffs and solos. The phenomenal guitar work is accompanied by King Fowley’s unmistakable, horrifying vocal performance. From the Iron Maiden styled approach of “Cloned (Day of the Robot)” to winding, epic closer “Dying in Analog” the band does not relent for a second. Each track is unforgettable from start to finish. Deceased has perfected their sound here and it’s a shame that such a great band has received insufficient acknowledgement for their remarkable work.

“Off-Kilter” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEwMBbJ4_aM

[hellawaits77ny]

Didn't know those guys were still around. Truth be told, I've never check them out, but will have to based on that review. Cool list, Man .

[GarageMetal468]

Originally Posted by treghet

2.
Artist: Exhumed
Title: All Guts, No Glory
Genre: Death Metal
Label: Relapse Records



After a five year hiatus Exhumed is back with more bone grinding gore metal. The chainsaws have been pulled out of the storage unit and put to use once more. The limbs of expired bodies are dismembered, exposing the undulating sea of maggots gorging on the rotten flesh. Hacking away with the axe, Matt Harvey has fabricated a full spectrum of styles, ranging from death metal and thrash metal to grindcore. All Guts, No Glory is much like an extension of Anatomy Is Destiny, as it continues the more death metal driven formula with heavy influence from Michael Amott, yet still embodies a grindcore essence. The solos are highly diverse, with some being reminiscent of the Gore Metal and Slaughtercult eras and others focusing on enticing melodies that bring about latter Carcass nostalgia. Danny Walker of Intronaut and Murder Construct handles the drums, providing a basis for the carnage. With ripping blast beats and meticulous fills he delivers a cataclysmic impact. Then Matt Harvey’s necrotic screams are at the forefront of the album, butchering the cadavers into mutilated remnants and serving them on a platter. Eight years have passed since Anatomy Is Destiny and Exhumed has made an astounding return, leaving no corpse unscathed.

“Distorted and Twisted to Form” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CXq-wdkCr0

So that's 3 people on here that have this in their best of 2011 list! It's really a killer album, and for the first time for a band's new album I can say that leaning heavily on the new album live still makes it an amazing performance regardless.

[Seventhzealot]

Originally Posted by treghet

This last album is one that I haven't seen on anybody's list, on this site and elsewhere. Thank you to those of you who have taken the time to read and reply.

1.
Artist: Deceased
Title: Surreal Overdose
Genre: Death Metal / Thrash Metal
Label: Patac Records



Throughout a career spanning more than twenty-five years Deceased has only released six albums, but every one of them has been no less than exceptional. Surreal Overdose is their first album since 2005, and in that time frame they have conjured some of their strongest material yet. The last few albums have focused on a heavy metal infused sound. Surreal Overdose combines those elements with the speed of the band’s earlier straight death metal albums, Luck of the Corpse and The Blueprints for Madness. There’s much more to it than that, though. Deceased is deeply rooted in the ‘80s and that shines through here. They incorporate aspects from multiple genres and combine them effortlessly for an original take on modern metal. The solos resemble those found on thrash metal classics and there are plenty of melodic leads reminiscent of the NWOBHM days. “Skin Crawling Progress” hits off the album with a plethora of killer riffs and solos. The phenomenal guitar work is accompanied by King Fowley’s unmistakable, horrifying vocal performance. From the Iron Maiden styled approach of “Cloned (Day of the Robot)” to winding, epic closer “Dying in Analog” the band does not relent for a second. Each track is unforgettable from start to finish. Deceased has perfected their sound here and it’s a shame that such a great band has received insufficient acknowledgement for their remarkable work.

“Off-Kilter” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEwMBbJ4_aM

Didn't know they had an album out this year. I checked it out on Spotify and it was pretty damn good. Thanks!

Good list btw!