Metal Awards

Cory's Top 15 albums of 2011

  1. Symphony X - Iconoclast
    No stranger to this spot on the various "top" lists of the world, Symphony X took the successful formula of Paradise Lost and perfected it with Iconoclast. No album has kept me coming back for more like this one, and it is an easy choice for the Album of the Year.
  2. Samael - Lux Mundi
    Samael gets back to their evolution after their "back to roots" effort Above. Heavy, bombastic, and engaging in the way a Samael album should be.
  3. Evergrey - Glorious Collision
    Despite being the sole remaining member of the original line-up, Tom England has brought this band back to the forefront of Progressive Metal with their strongest effort since Recreation Day.
  4. The Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction
    Between the pop melodies of Addicted and the serenity of Ghost, Deconstruction was exactly what I was looking for. Aggressive, heavy as hell, and insane. Once again my mind is blown by the creative depths of Canada's greatest gift to the world.
  5. Iced Earth - Dystopia
    While I enjoyed the previous three albums to varying degree's, perhaps nothing I listened to made me out-right happier this year than the upfront ass-whooping Dystopia delivered. Stu Block fits this band like a glove, and this is the sound of Iced Earth stepping back into the ring as a top contender once again.
  6. Týr - The Lay of Thrym
    Tyr has delivered another fine folk metal offering, but this time with a farther reach than previous efforts. Everyone I have played this album for enjoyed it, and even now as I listen to it again it still sounds great.
  7. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events
    After all the drama of Portnoy's departure and Mangini's selection, Dream Theater get back to business with an album that sounds fresher and more inspired than anything since Train of Thought.
  8. Opeth - Heritage
    This album has been a lightning rod for criticism due to it's passive aggressive nature and lack of growls, but for me the album is aging wonderfully. Each listen reveals a little more, and I find it to be one of Opeth's most intriguing albums, and given their history that is a serious statement.
  9. Leaves Eyes - Meredead
    After three albums of flirting with greatness, Leave's Eyes finally hits the sweet spot in the female-fronted metal world. Liv Kristine's voice is divine as always, and their heavy leaning on Norwegian folk themes pays off big time.
  10. Amon Amarth - Surtur Rising
    Surtur Rising is the punch in the face needed following the good but not great Twilight of the Thundergod, and competes with any of their albums except With Odin On Our Side.
  11. Stratovarius - Elysium
    Album number two following the near terminal drama of years past, and Stratovarius make a strong statement. Better than it's predecessor Polaris, Elysium is probably my favorite Power Metal album of the year.
  12. Nightwish - Imaginarium
    Imaginarium is a damn good album, as you would expect from Nightwish. Now just have to see the movie and hope it lives up to the hype.
  13. Arch Enemy - Khaos Legions
    My first instinct on listening to this album was to write it off as decent, but repeat listens have given it room to grow on me. Not as good as Rise of the Tyrant, Khaos Legions finds its niche somewhere between that album and Wages of Sin, not a bad place to be.
  14. Amorphis - The Beginning Of Times
    Another in Amorphis's long line of quality albums. Not quite at Skyforger or Eclipse level, but still a fine effort from a great band.
  15. Scar Symmetry - The Unseen Empire
    This one allowed me to release a breath I had been holding since Dark Matter Dimensions. The two singer approach is far improved over that album, and though they are still looking up at Scar Symmetry's first three efforts, that gap has been closed somewhat.
Cory's Top 5 surprises of 2011

  1. In Flames - Sounds Of A Playground Fading
    I didn't expect anything of note from this album, but color me surprised that I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. In Flames is officially back on my radar.
  2. Dir en Grey - Durn Spiro Spero
    Leave it to the Japanese to come up with an album that I can find no words to describe. A massive wall of sound with everything but the kitchen sink thrown into it, I am still trying to digest this album a year later, and I am enjoying every second of it!
  3. Van Canto - Break the Silence
    A Cappella metal, and you know what? It works.
  4. Edguy - Age of the Joker
    Tobias has been stretching himself pretty thin, with three Avantasia albums and two Edguy albums in such a short span of time. On Tinnitus Sanctus it showed, but Age of the Joker sounds like he found his second wind, bearing no small resemblance to Hellfire Club and giving Edguy back some of their groove.
  5. Solar Fragment - In Our Hands
    Those needing a Blind Guardian fix need look no further than these gentlemen, who wear their influence on their sleeves and get Hansi's seal of approval via a guest appearance.
Cory's words about 2011
  1. All and all, a very strong year for metal and an amazing year for me personally. Many of my old favorites came back with a vengeance (welcome back Evergrey!), and I was introduced to more new bands than I can name, though there is always a hell of alot more to discover, which I am reminded of by looking at these lists. Aaron Michael Ross, my son, was born in September, and already he is working his was through the classics. I began my Audio Renaissance project during the Christmas break, and it has already gained speed and is evolving into what I hope will be an awesome experience for everyone. Bottom line, 2011 kicked ass but I fully expect 2012 to top it. I hope each of you set your own personal goals and meet or exceed them! Best Wishes, Cory