well, the year is almost over, and I don't think there will be anymore new releases in the next week or so that will change my list:
1.Moonsorrow - Varjoina kuljemme kuolleiden maassa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTMNuKzINDw 2. Sorcier des Glaces - The puressence of primitive forests http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4QgoQhXs7I 3. Vektor - Outer Isolation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tAbcWrrIQU 4.Thulcandra - Under a Frozen Sun http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J86nIGgdz50 5. Taake - Noregs Vaapen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKdSwyrpKxU (nice banjo solo in this song...hehe, check it out)
4 and 5 probably change abit, albums from Vreid, Obscura, Primordial and Portrait kinda change with my mood
MQ: your top 5 metal albums of 2011? MQ2: have you listened to the 5 I listed...if so, thoughts?
BQ: your overall thoughts of metal released in 2011, good year or not?
2011-12-21T14:02:54Z
***Dan: I haven't checked out Wolves in the Throne room yet...its on my list of albums to still listen to. Krallice's - Diatoma was better than their previous release, but hasn't caught on yet for me
2011-12-21T15:49:06Z
***Brian: I'd happy to give it a listen! I'll let you know what i think after a few spins
2011-12-21T15:50:09Z
***Brian: I haven't listened to that Klabautamann either.....is it as good as their last one Merkur?
2011-12-22T05:59:46Z
***Some really good albums being mentioned...some i haven't checked out yet...maybe my initial thoughts of a "alright" year should be reconsidered after listening to some more albums
2011-12-22T06:00:12Z
***Ben....is that you?
2011-12-22T09:08:44Z
***DaveK: don't really have a top 5, but i'll be checking these albums out when they hit in 2012 Drudkh Testament Vreid Borknagar Sigh Sodom Naglfar Dornenreich
i'm sure there will be others that i dont know now, that will turn out to be my favourite releases next year
Dave K2011-12-21T17:39:53Z
Favorite Answer
MA:
1. Draconian - A Rose for the Apocalypse (Best gothic doom metal band going right now IMO, too bad this will be Lisa's last album with the band.) http://youtu.be/qbotWc18-bQ
2. Symphony X - Iconoclast (Best progressive metal album of 2011 IMO, even beating out Opeth, Dream Theater, and Pagan's Mind who all had good releases too this year.) http://youtu.be/noZiEJgwQrc
3. Graveyard - Hisingin Blues (An unusual pick as I'm not 100% sure this even qualifies as metal. However if you consider bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath metal then this is a must listen because this album sounds like it was released in 1971 instead of 2011 without sounding like complete rip-offs.) http://youtu.be/927rDDlh4uw
4. Moonsorrow - Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa (This goes without saying, but whether you classify them as black metal or folk, Moonsorrow has yet to release a bad album, in fact most of them would probably be in the Top 5 for that given year and this one is no different.) http://youtu.be/YTMNuKzINDw
5. Chthonic - Takasago Army (although bands like Sigh, Fu Xi, Terminal Lost, and Deep Mountains give them a run for their money, Chthonic has remained my favorite oriental extreme metal band and their newest album doesn't dissapoint.) http://youtu.be/5GKWsmK51UI
MA2:
I have only heard Moonsorrow's new album out of your top 5 but obviously I really liked it. The only reason I didn't place it higher is because it isn't my favorite Moonsorrow album, in fact probably only about 3rd or 4th on my list. On the other hand "A Rose for the Apocalypse" is my favorite Draconian album and "Iconoclast" is possibly my favorite by Symphony X, still too early to decide for sure.
Clearly black metal isn't one of my favorite sub-genres of metal as it is for you so obviously our tastes are going to differ a bit. I do respect your opinion though and find most of your past recommendations to my liking so I will be sure to check these other albums out as well.
BA:
I think it was a pretty average year for metal, there have been better years in the past, including last year IMO, but there have also been far worse years as well. 2012 looks to be shaping up nicely, how about a question for you. What 5 bands that are suppose to release a new album next year are you looking forward to the most?
For me: Nile Meshuggah Epica Katatonia Swallow the Sun also looking forward to the upcoming documentary by Death Angel.
Don't close this , I will edit this a little later.
The Discovery By Born Of Osiris The Great Mass By Septic Flesh Harvest Womb By Fallujah Asylum Cave By Benighted Isolated By The Soulless
Honarable Mentions : Havok : Time Is Up , Vektor : Outer Isolation , Arch Enemy:Khaos Legions , Human Abstract:Digital Veil , Cynic: Carbon Based and I know I am missing others ....
MQ2: I have listened to 3/5 - Moonsorrow,Taake and Vektor - Vektor comes out on to for me but Moonsorrow's release was actually pretty wicked!
BQ3: Personally , I thought 2011 had a great year for metal releases.
Wolves in the Throne Room - Celestial Lineage (definite favourite, this won't change) Krallice - Diotoma Decapitated - Carnival Is Forever (best album by them imo even after all their other albums) **** the Facts - Die Miserable Motorhead - The World Is Yours
I wish I could have placed The Hunter within the list but I can't, I just don't like it that much.
MQ2. Outer Isolation is good and I haven't listened to the rest. BQ. I thought it was good from the stuff I've listened to but there have been loads of albums theis year so I dunno.
***
I love Celestial Lineage and you should really check it out soon! I like it better than Black Casacde but honestly when it all comes down to it it's really the same old newish WITTR but I don't have a problem with that. As for Diotoma I happen to like it the best even over their self titled, it's really interesting.
Shining - VII Född Förlorare Powerwolf- Blood of the saints Opeth- Heritage Wolves in the throne room- Celestial Lineage Draconian- Rose for the apocalypse
..though Havok, My dying bride, Ulver and Vreid were also favourites this year. Biggest let down has to be Morbid Angel...and I wasnt too fussed with Venom either.