2011 has been an outstanding year for music. The problem I have now is that with so many amazing new albums, epic gigs and awesome festivals picking out the top-whatever list is far from easy. But as the traditions of the festive season demand that we eat too much, drink too much and spend time with people we don’t particularly like, they also demand that top-10 lists are produced…
So here we go.
10. Killing Joke, Sonisphere – Back to their best, great at WGT but just off the scale at Soni.
9. Michael Schenker, The Holmfirth Picturedrome – Good to see Schenker back on top of his game, apart from the music this gig was most memorable for the sight of a pissed Pete Way headbutting the headstock of his own Bass. Priceless.
8. Bat Sabbath, Sonisphere – Just about the most fun had at any gig all year, The Cancer Bats playing a selection of Sabbath classics to a packed tent was the perfect end to Sonisphere 2011.
7. Turisas, Damnation – They came, they saw, they conquered.
6. Wolfsbane, The Borderline – What can I say, the Howling Mad Shitheads are back and better than ever. If only every reunion was as good as this one…
5. Pat McManus, Hard Rock Hell – One of my heroes from my younger days, Pat was a last minute addition to the HRH bill. One of the most entertaining performers you could ever hope to see, and one of the best guitarists in the world to boot.
4. Furyon, High Voltage – The day Furyon came of age. They drew the biggest crowd of the day at the Metal Hammer stage, no mean feat considering they were the first band on. Brilliant band, brilliant guys and surely destined for world domination.
3. Morbid Angel, Sheffield Corporation – Forget all the bullshit you may have heard (or even said) about their last album, Morbid Angel are just incredible live.
2. Hell, MFN Club – Hell’s comeback show was one that no one there will forget in a hurry. No one does the whole theatrical metal thing quite like this in the UK anymore, and I can’t wait to see them in the same place on New Years Eve.
1. Fields Of The Nephilim, Wave Gotik Treffen - Leipzig is a long way to go for a music festival, but while everyone else was getting wet, muddy and miserable at Download I was sitting in the sunshine drinking fruit mead while watching an eclectic range of bands. I did spend most of the weekend wondering if I had made the right choice, but there has not been a moment at a gig this year that can compare with The Nephilim playing Moonchild. Sublime.
Right, if you’re still with me, It’s top 10 albums of the year time…..
10. Nightvision – Consequence Of Sin
Mainstream rock it may be, but there is no denying that Nightvision have an incredible arena-rocking sound with a real mass appeal potential.
9. Sepultura : Kairos
Finally laying the ghost of, you know, that bloke who was with them last Century….
8. Evile – Five Serpents Teeth
The time is right for a massive renaissance of Thrash Metal methinks, and on the strength of 5ST, Evile deserve to be right at the front of it.
7. Crooked Necks – Alright Is Exactly What It Isn’t
Odd, ambient, atmospheric, there is something slightly disconcerting about this one. it’s certainly haunting but there’s always the impression that, just out of focus, something dark is lurking just below the surface.
6. The Waterboys – In A Special Place
Ok, definitely not Metal but The Waterboys have been one of my favourite bands for, well, ever. These original demo recordings give an insight into the evolution of the songs that would one day go to make up This Is The Sea and this is a must-have album for the band’s fans.
5. Turisas – Stand Up And Fight
Pompous, over the top, theatrical, silly, erm, silly. Awesome fun, showtunes meets metal…
4. Imperial Vengeance – Black Heart Of Empire
The Gentlemen of Imperial Vengeance returned with tales from the dark underbelly of Victorian London. Complex, involved and deep, very few bands can conjure up images of another time and place quite like Metal’s Chas ‘n’ Dave.
3. Morbid Angel – Illud Divinum Insanus
I like it, I like it a lot. So there.
2. Abysmal Dawn : Levelling The Plane Of Existence
An early arrival this year, this is a simply stunning example of how good Death Metal can be. There are tunes and everything and even way back in February I knew it would take something special to knock it off top spot.
1. Hell : Human Remains
Something special. Best album this year, this decade, this century. A near perfect record which reminded me why I got into music in the first place. Awesome.
The quality of the music coming out this year has been so high that I could probably have changed 6 or so of those and still been happy with the final list. Here’s hoping that 2012 is another bumper year…
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