Here are 5 amazing albums from this year that were just shy of making our top
ten. They all deserve your full attention as the honorable mentions of 2012.
1 GOJIRA - L'ENFANT SAUVAGE
There's no doubt that Gojira's "L'enfant Sauvage" (French for "The Wild Child") is an amazing album. To put it simply, one of the best things about Gojira is that they always manage to sound like Gojira. This is a band which proves that musicians don't need to be complex to be musically efficient. Not to say there isn't depth and complexity here. Gojira pummels the listeners eardrums with blasting heaviness and musically creative force. There are so many awesome tracks on this record. The title track, "The Axe", "Explosia", and "Mouth of Kala" are just a few examples of the greatness you can expect from "L'enfant Sauvage". It's a wild ride.
This is the kind of record that will catch you off guard. You go into it expecting one thing and experiencing something entirely different. The Omega Experiment's self-titled debut strikes as a powerful cross between Supertramp and The Devin Townsend Project with a pinch of Meshuggah... Yeah, go ahead and read that again. All of this while bringing a sound of their very own which is hard to describe. When you add it all up, it makes for a mind blowing, unique musical experience. Tracks such as "Stimulus", "Terminus", "Gift", and "Furor" are guaranteed to leave you wanting more goods from The Omega Experiment.
Veil of Maya's fourth full-length record really stood apart from the rest while simultaneously staying rooted. For example, the intro "20/200" sounds like a throwback to "Common Man's Collapse" while the title track is easily the most melodic, open song the band has ever written. "Eclipse" really opened up a whole new dimension of Veil of Maya with an increased focus on musicality. This may have been in part to Misha Mansoor's production and influence, but the fact is this record provides phenomenal music through and through. Stand outs include "Divide Paths", "The Glass Slide", "Vicious Circles", and "Punisher" among others.
4 THE TONY DANZA TAPDANCE EXTRAVAGANZA - DANZA IIII
Not only does The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza have the best band name ever, they always manage to produce devastating, awesome metal. The bands fourth and sadly final album, "Danza IIII: The Alpha - The Omega" is no exception. It's also too cool for Roman numerals. This is an earth-shattering venture into chaotic, technical heaviness. There are many greats on this record like "You Won't", "Canadian Bacon", "Paul Bunyan and the Blue Ox", "Rudy X3", and you can't forget the semi-title track, "The Alpha, The Omega". "Danza IIII" is a worthy end to this band's insane career. R.I.P. Tony Danza... talking about the band, not the actor.
Elitist have been emerging as one of the best Metalcore bands around. Actually, their debut full-length "Reshape | Reason" is easily the best Metalcore record released in 2012. Even with various key line-up changes over recent years, Julian Rodriguez's compositional ability has remained true, even improved in some ways. There is a progressive, creative take on how this band approaches the core, yielding amazing results. With a serious focus on driving melodies and musical execution, Elitist produced a monster of a debut record here. "Square And Compass", "Equinox", and "Unto The Sun" make an aural impact among others.
Here are 5 amazing albums from 2011 that were just shy of making our top ten. They all deserve recognition along with your full attention. These are the honorable mentions of '11.
DECAPITATED - CARNIVAL IS FOREVER
Decapitated is a band that never fails to deliver. This record was an incredible effort from the Polish Technical Death Metal pioneers. It's the full package with heaviness, technicality, and fearsome brutality laced throughout. Even despite the three major line-up changes after a tragic tour bus accident (R.I.P. Witold "Vitek" Kieltyka), the newly formed band managed to put on a great effort with original guitarist and brother Waclaw "Vogg" Kieltyka. Major respect for that. Heavy as hell contributions such as "Homo Sum", "The Knife", and the title track placed this album among the best Tech Death Metal records of the year \m/
Following the amazing "Constellations", August Burns Red came back strong as ever with "Leveler". This album is where the band really defined their sound after transitioning through the previous record. Huge, heavy, and musically sound, "Leveler" was easily among the best Metalcore records of 2011, if not the best. This is ABR at their best and most creative. Hard hitting classics such as "Poor Millionaire", "Internal Cannon" (pass the salsa), "Empire", and leveling title track stand out especially. "Leveler" is filled to the brim with heaviness and conviction. ABR is highly recommended if you're in the market for amazing Metalcore.
It would be a shame to go through 2011's cream of the crop without mentioning Within The Ruin's crushing sophomore effort, "Invade". They aggressively expanded on their sound from "Creature", bringing next level talent, technicality, and brutally creative force. Shredding through 40 minutes of pure heavy greatness, this record was responsible for multiple hospital visits over the past two years \m/ Tracks like "Invade", "Cross Buster", "Behold The Harlot", and "Red Flagged" may cause permanent damage (in the best way possible). "Invade" is a metal classic through and through. If you haven't been in the ruins, get there ASAP.
If there's anything to say about Fair To Midland's sophomore album, it's certainly one of the most interesting records to come out in recent history. Fair To Mindland are a trip in themselves with their unusually high energy level, which they bring in their music and performance alike.And through matching talent with very abstract creativity, the music itself is incredible."Arrows & Anchors" was easily one of the best Progressive Rock albums to be dropped on the world in 2011. Maybe even the best."Whisky & Ritalin", "Musical Chairs", "Rikki Tikki Tavi", and "Amarillo Sleeps on My Pillow" are all great reasons why this album is very much relevant.
Texas based Oh, Sleeper came back stronger than ever with their third full-length, "Children of Fire". There's an impressive balance between fury and musicality on this record. This band has the ability to play out pure dissonant chaos only to transition into well composed melody. Stand out tracks such as "Endseekers", "The Marriage of Steel and Skin", "Hush Yael", and "Dealers of Fame" all bleed with greatness and conviction. This band is sincere and focused in their delivery. All in all, "Children of Fire" is an awesome ride and easily one of the best Metalcore records dropped in 2011. Quite moshable too \m/
