[Single Bullet Theory - Four, the Hard Way] “The lessons I learned are more just lessons you learn as you mature as a person. I learned that I have to expect less from people and you get a lot more bees with honey then vinegar. I have been known to be somewhat difficult to work with, but all that has changed as I have mellowed over the years. I also have learned to take everything at face value and in this business; face value really doesn't even mean that much. You get lied to all the time. So, I have just grown a custom to believing when I see it and hoping for the best.” – Matt Difabio
[Vildhjarta – Bracing for Winter Thall] “The best way to describe our sound would be like Messhugah-riffage, which I see in a lot of heavy metal reviews, and I can see why people label as djent. We’re proud to be part of the scene. We would not exist if it weren’t for Meshuggah and we admire them for their influence on heavy music. I think all of djent wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for Meshuggah [laughs]. Yeah, they’re a major influence. After Obzen, they got a really big push in Scandinavia, so I think every musician in Sweden knows who Meshuggah is. They’re really big.” – Calle Thomer
[Blistering Wraps Up 2011: Anthrax and Omnium Gatherum Reign Supreme] A sprawling recap of the year this is not, for frankly, we don't have the attention span (or mental capacity) to recount every single thing that happened in metal/hard rock in 2011. Skimming off the top, it's a reassurance that the old guard is still standing, new bands of value are coming up through the ranks, and metal is still very much alive. Not to jinx anything, but it probably won't be going away anytime soon...
[Job For A Cowboy's Jon Rice Best-of 2011] I heard something on The Daily Show where there was a study that said “Seventy-five percent of people said 2011 was a bad year or one of the worst years of their lives.” I'm going to subscribe to the 75%. But that's okay because there were so many awesome records that came out this year that it balanced pretty well. You know it’s a killer year when quite a few relatively surefire bands don't make your list but still put out pretty awesome records (Decapitated, Wolves in the Throne Room, etc)...
[Dan Barkasi Best-of 2011] As 2011 dwindles to a close, we once again arrive at the inevitable year-end best-of list. How did this year treat us musically? After meticulously going through all of the great albums that were bestowed upon us in the last 12 months, the verdict can only be very well indeed! With heavy metal music being an insane mish mash of wonderful styles, this music has never been more varied and wide reaching as it is today...
[Sara Heitman Best-of 2011] As with life, this year in music has been filled with pleasant surprises, unexpected disappointments, and new discoveries. Each album expresses an artist's creative evolution; contributing to our ever-changing perceptions. These ten albums have helped to define this year for me, and will continuously remind me of memories associated with 2011...
[Mike Sloan Best-of 2011] Like in previous best-of lists, sometimes an album will place higher (or lower) even though a rating I’ve originally given the album might say otherwise, but naturally as time goes by and moods/attitudes change, an album or two has dropped or ascended the ladder. Either way, this was the toughest best-of list for metal albums yet because the competition was so stiff. Hopefully next year will be even tougher
[Matt Coe Best-of 2011] I feel very fortunate to be in a position to expose my ears to a lot of metal this year. A conservative estimate would be 500 albums passed through my laptop in one form or another for reviewing purposes or listening pleasure in these 12 months. You can debate whether most of them will still get airplay in 2012 or beyond, but for the metal follower, we can’t say that there isn’t a variety of styles and sub-genres right within a few keystrokes of your fingertips...
[Ken McGrath Best-of 2011] There was hardly a day this year that you couldn’t look at news station or website without being constantly reminded about what a state the world is in between economic issues and natural disasters. Good job then that there was some top-notch metal (and non-metal) albums released to rage along to and sooth the ears. It’s doubtful it’ll go down as a groundbreaking year for the genre, but it is cheering to know that when Metallica finally give up the ghost, Machine Head can step proudly into the breach, armed with an ever-growing back catalog of vicious riffage...
[Justin Donnelly Best-of 2011] 2011 has certainly been a busy year in terms of releases. And just like every year, the music released throughout the year brought on its mix of unexpected surprises, stunning gems, sad misfires and absolute barkers. As per usual, I’d like to point out that this is by no means a definitive list of what the best albums/songs of 2011 were. Instead, it’s a list of releases that got me excited, and reaffirmed my belief that even though the music industry is only a former shadow of its once glorious self, there’s no shortage of great music on offer...
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