Best of 2011: Lou’s List

I wasn’t going to put together a list of my favourite albums of 2011. I always end up missing out loads of brilliant albums and then revising the list countless times. But, alas, here I am. You see, starting off 2012 without fully reviewing 2011 just seemed wrong. So, below you will see a list of my favourite albums from 2011. I’ve tried to get the order as accurate as possible, but depending on my mood the order often changes. But this is as close to an accurate list as we’re ever going to get.

I’m interested to read your thoughts on this list, so please feel free to comment below – particularly if I’ve omitted an especially important release from my list. Also, if you share your favourite albums, that’s good too. In fact, I’d suggest clicking here, filling out the form and getting yourself the chance to win a Bloodshot Dawn CD.

Lou’s Favourite Albums of 2011

#1 Kampfar – “Mare”
I was like a cat on a hot tin roof while I was waiting for this little beauty to be released and, when it was, I felt like all of my birthdays had come at once. Kampfar have once again proved that they are masters of the Black Metal art. Every track’s a winner. Click here to read my review.

#2 Taake – “Noregs Vaapen”
This was a close contender for the top spot (in fact, my Top 3 are almost interchangable depending on my mood, the weather and a bunch of other external factors). “Noregs Vaapen” is an absolute masterpiece – it truly is. Amazing compositions, a combination of atmospheres and a banjo. Seriously, what more could you want? Click here to read my review.

#3 Imperial Vengeance – “Black Heart of Empire”
This isn’t just an album, it’s a time machine. As soon as you put this album on and hit ‘play’, you are instantly transported back to the cobbled streets of Victorian London. As with all of my Top 3, every track is perfect; I honestly wouldn’t change a single thing. I’m especially partial to listening to “Upon the Stair”… repeatedly. Click here to read my review.

#4 Omnium Gatherum – “New World Shadows”
This is how melodeath should be done! OG’s constant musical evolution never ceases to impress me. This is a band that just gets better and better with each album! Click here to read my review.

#5 Moonsorrow – “Varjoina kuljemme kuolleiden maassa”
Moonsorrow have taken the word ‘epic’ and claimed it as their own. This album is yet another example of how jaw-droppingly amazing this band is. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to pretend I’m a Viking and wander through the snow… Oh, and click here to read my review!

#6 Insomnium – “One For Sorrow”
If you’ve listened to Insomnium before, you probably had a pretty good idea of what expect from this album. Fantastic melodeath, fantastic musicianship and mesmerising songwriting skills.

#7 Gorath – “Apokálypsis – Unveiling the Age that is not to Come”
With this album, Gorath have cemented themselves as one of my favourite bands. Awe-inspiring from start to finish. Absolutely terrific Black Metal. I really can’t wait to see them at Infernal Damnation Fest IX in May. Click here to read my review.

#8 Saille – “Irreversible Decay”
This was one of the first new albums I heard in 2011 and it remained one of my favourites throughout the whole year. Keep an eye on this band; world domination is not too far away. Click here to read my review.

#9 Sebastian Bach – “Kicking & Screaming”
My list so far has been rather full of metal, but I wanted to get a rock release in here too. With this album Sebastian Bach has proved (without shadow of a doubt) that he still rocks. It isn’t as heavy as “Angel Down”, but it does pack a punch. Also, “Tunnelvision” is one of my favourite songs from this year. Click here to read my review.

#10 Nervecell – “Psychogenocide”
Nervecell are the future of Death Metal. ‘Nuff said. Click here to read my review (it’s rather more detailed than this description!).

#11 December Flower – “When All Life Ends…”
This album was released rather late in the year, so it may have been missed by many. If you like your melodeath then I’d strongly suggest picking this bad boy up! Click here for my review.

#12 Spine Extraction – “Spine Extraction”
Mind-bogglingly good Death Metal. Brutal as Hell and as addictive as Pringles. These guys definitely deserve to get picked up by a decent label soon. If this is what they can do on their own, just imagine what they could accomplish with a label supporting them! Click here to read my review.

#13 Suidakra – “Book of Dowth”
I have to admit that I’d never really listened to Suidakra until this album fell into my lap. I am now working on getting their entire discography. “Book of Dowth” really showcases the band’s talents. Click here to read my review.

#14 Throne of Katarsis – “Ved Graven”
Straight forward Black Metal played perfectly. I’m just gutted that I didn’t get to see the band when they played in London this year (once again, it’s a case of too many gigs, too little money). Click here to read my review.

#15 Dia De Los Muertos – “Satanico Dramatico”
Impressively good Death Metal that’s catchier than the common cold… and it was available for FREE! If this is ever released on CD, I want to get myself a ‘proper’ copy. Click here to read my review.

#16 Byfrost – “Of Death”
A supreme slab of Blackened Thrash Metal performed a band that’s brilliant both live and on record. I really should get around to getting a review online for this one.

#17 Helheim – “Heiðindómr Ok Mótgangr”
I still stand no chance at pronouncing this album title, but the music is AMAZING and that’s what counts! Click here to read my review.

#18 Amon Amarth – “Surtur Rising”
I wasn’t immediately hooked on this album when it was first released, but repeated listens have made me enjoy it more and more. It also brings back happy memories of their gig from the earlier part of the year. Brilliant stuff!

#19 Herfst – “Necrotica”
I think this was released in 2011 (if it wasn’t, I apologise). Herfst have produced an amazing album which combines a number of different influences. Click here to read my review.

#20 Decapitated – “Carnival is Forever”
Despite the fact that (due to that tragic accident) there is only one original member of Decapitated left, this is still unmistakably Decapitated. This is how a comeback is done!

#21 Stillborn – “Los Asesinos Del Sur”
Another previously unknown band for me, and an album that left me wanting to hear more. Fantastically well done! Click here to read my review.

#22 Shining – “VII / Född Förlorare”
An intense, interesting and addictive listening experience. Quite simply, this is a work of art. You need this in your music collection. Click here to read my review.

#23 Vader – “Welcome to the Morbid Reich”
While a certain other Death Metal band was off trying to reinvent the wheel (and, in my opinion, failing), Vader pulled this out of the bag. Ladies and gentleman, this is Death Metal. Welcome to the Morbid Reich!

#24 Edguy – “Age of the Joker”
A more melodic album joins us at number 24. While it didn’t grab me as quickly as Edguy’s previous albums, I’ve found that I love it more and more with each and every listen. Click here to read my review.

#25 Souldrainer – “Heaven’s Gate”
Like December Flower, Souldrainer arrived rather late to the party and released this album towards the end of the year. Ridiculously addictive stuff! Click here to read my review.

#26 The Very End – “Mercy & Misery”
“Mercy & Misery” is a real melting pot of ideas; there’s a lot going on – loads of different influences – and it’s an album that had me wondering why on earth this band isn’t more well known! Click here to read my review.

#27 Abbey ov Thelema – “A Fragment ov the Great Work”
Often weird, always brilliant. This is a journey in the occult world of Abbey ov Thelema, one that takes many different twists and turns, but remains consistantly good throughout. Click here to read my review.

#28 Cryptic Throne – “The Wolves Gather…”
Bloody brilliant atmospheric Black Metal! This is one of those albums that I can listen to repeatedly and never tire of it. Click here to read my review.

#29 Fleshgod Apocalypse – “Agony”
Incredibly impressive Symphonic Black Metal. Love it! I have the feeling that 2012 will end up being the year of Fleshgod Apocalypse (and they certainly deserve it!).

#30 Turisas – “Stand Up and Fight!”
Number 30 is a bit of a wild card. I really wasn’t sure that I was going to like this album when I first heard it… but, once again, repeated listens have worked like a charm! Throw this on and pretend you’re in a Viking Metal Musical! Click here to read my review.

Honorable mention: Vesperian Sorrow – “Stormwinds of Ages” – I listened to this album loads in 2011, but it still hasn’t been officially released. When it does finally get unleashed upon the masses, make sure you buy it. You need it. I wouldn’t want any Loucifer Speaks readers to fall into a coma or collapse and die because they didn’t have enough Vesperian Sorrow in their lives. I’m thinking of your well-being here.

So, there you have it. There is no doubt that I’ve unintentionally missed off something important… but, hey, this list making business is a lot harder than it looks

Now, I await your cries of disagreement…

Wait… When was PLAAG’s album released? If it’s 2011, that needs to go in the list too… See, it never ends!

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