Albums released in 2011
There were some notable metal albums released this year which I thought I’d add my 2 cents here.
Trivium – In Waves
This is an album I had been anticipating even from 2010 when I first heard about it being released. I must say it didn’t disappoint. What was apparent was that the band pursued some new visual element almost being theatrical in appearance as well as their music videos. I’m not the biggest fan of screaming vocal style employed on most of the songs here, but the guitar playing is nice and tight in most of the songs found on this album.
Machinehead – Unto the Locust
I was late getting on the Machinehead bandwagon. So late in fact, I did not know who they were when I saw them opening up for Metallica last year at the Forum. I would have head-banged HARD during such epic as Halo which I’m certain they played… What a waste I didn’t know who they were back then. Fast forward to present day, this is now one of my favorite metal bands of all time. The harmonized dueling guitar playing between Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel is just epic for lack of better words. Robb has mentioned several times during interviews that the new record wasn’t meant to be Blackening II. I can’t say whether the new album was better or worse than the Blackening, yet I can safely say it was very enjoyable. The band did not rest on its laurels and ventured into some new ideas which I loved dearly.
Anthrax – Worship Music
Somehow still considered to be a part of “Big 4″, Anthrax released an album this year which took me by a bit of surprise. The album was definitely far more polished than I thought it would be. But speaking honestly, there had to be a lot of massaging going on during the production. If you watched on screen or at venues, Joey can’t really sing consistently in key as well as not able to hit high notes. Yet the vocals are downright good in these recordings which is very puzzling.
Megadeth – Th1rt33n
Many critics have declared this album being at the same level as their monumental albums from heydays of Megadeth. I am not sure if I would go that far but this was a great output from the band. It is true Megadeth had a period where they put out albums that lacked a bit but in my opinion, they weren’t as bad as the ones that were put out by arch-rival, Metallica. This album definitely showed Mustaine and crew heading into the right direction. The songs were aggressive like before and tight technical playing was as expected. I don’t think Dave is as angry as he used to be which takes some anger out of new songs but they are still very enjoyable.
Metallica & Lou Reed – Lulu
Let’s be fair. This is not an official studio album of Metallica. This is a project collab album. Having said that, this album to me is downright not listenable. There are some ‘tallica moments in this album but this should not have been… I await Metallica’s new album eagerly to right the ship.
Other mentions:
Whitesnake – Forevermore (not really metal, but Aldrich’s playing is so tasty)
Rise Against – Endgame
In Flames – Sounds of Playground Fading
Dream Theater – A Dramatic turn of Events (same ol’ from DT but this time minus Portnoy)
