Yes, I'm bringing up the rear of this year's "Best of Lists".
My methodology is relatively simple. I look at what I listened to the most this year and played on the show. I understand that this means that albums released earlier in the year will tend to rank higher, but if a late stellar release was out there, it would rise to the top.
So get ready and here we go!
1. The Bronx Casket Co. - Antihero (Entertainment One Music)
The fourth album from Overkill's D.D. Verni and Seven Witches' Jack Frost was just plain fun. Released in March, it was an album that I kept coming back to again and agian.
2. Taletellers - Radicalizer (Metalville)
I'll be honest, I knew nothing of this band until I received this, their second album. As soon as I heard the track Mary Anne, I was hooked. Some say their sound is reminiscent of Priest circa British Steel. I say that's only possible if they ran head on into Dokken. Some have written it off as derivative, but again it's a FUN listen.
3. Necros Christos - Doom of the Occult (Sepulchural Voice)
I don't know if I've ever chosen a pure Death Metal act this high. Why? Probably the production. This is clear as a bell and I like it. Dense, thick, and while a long listen, I can actually say I listened to this from start to finish, more than once.
4. Anthrax - Worship Music (Megaforce)
I admit, I'm an Anthrax fan. They have always been one of my top four bands. The return of Belladonna could have been a back for the cash grab, but turned out to be a great return to the fold. Now if they can just keep the line up solid, and stop some of the back biting that has hurt this band in the past, maybe we can keep Scot Ian off the TV, and back onstage.
5. Children of Bodom - Relentless, Reckless Forever (Spinefarm)
Living up to your past is never fun, and since Hate Crew Deathroll people have made it their hobby to piss all over CoB. Why? They're fun, they don't take themselves too seriously and yeah, they don't have lyrical depth... But with album number seven, those who have been waiting for Hate Crew II, you may not be totally satisfied but you can lay off a little now.
6. Galgamex - Galgamex (Self Released)
My highest ranking Canadian band this year, why? One, when you think Deathgrind, you don't think Vangroovy. Two, any album that at the end of listening makes you ask, "Is that all, I want more!" is a good album. I still have to see them live, I'm hoping that will happen in 2012.
7. Obscura - Omnivium (Relapse)
I'm not the guy to beat the Technical Death Metal drum to loudly, but damn, if there was ever a band to pick up the mantle from the late Chuck Schuldiner and his legacy...
8. Amon Amarth - Sutur Rising (Metal Blade)
This is probably another case of an album benefiting from an early release date. It's not their strongest ever release but there is something there that keeps you going back to it for a good dose of Viking Metal!
9. Scythia - ...of Exile (Self Released)
I looked forward to this release from Vancouver's Scythia to continue the trilogy started back on ...of War. With its combination of Folk, Pagan and Progressive sounds and the use of a non traditional metal instrument (oboe) it never grates on the nerves like some folk metal can. A good roller coaster of a ride, I eagerly await the end of the tale.
10. Famous Underground - Famous Underground (Babylon Music Group)
I will admit to knowing Nick Walsh for a very long time. Most notably, as the lead singer of Slik Toxik, whom I met back in 1991 down in Los Angeles. Nick should write a book on how to survive the music industry (hint, hint - I know a writer...) and he has come back with a group that reinvigorates Canadian Hard Rock and he just may be the man to win the first Hard Rock Juno and the first Metal/Hard Music Juno, some twenty years later...
You may not agree with these choice, they are simply a reflection of the bands and albums that I just happened to go back to for my Metal dose in 2011.
Here's to a great 2012 and more great music!
Kevin
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