(Some) Staff Best Of 2011

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[MetalCrypt]

Five of the nine staff present their Best Of 2011 (and a few disappointments): http://www.metalcrypt.com/pages/bestof.php?year=2011

 Freedom Call - Land of the Crimson Dawn

[hermer the metallian]

Overall pretty good lists except for one minor problem:


NO HOLY MARTYR 


Other than that, i agree with most of the albums here.

[bj_waters]

Do you know if more people will be adding to this list or will it be just these five?  I know it isn't mandatory, but I'd kind of like to know if this is a final version or if more reviewers are going to be added to it.

[Lord of the Underground]

I am glad that Symphony X did another awesome job. I hate that Septic Flesh gave a mediocre effort on their recent album (I still enjoy the hell out of OW and SD though  ). I will have to check out some of the bands on this years list. Looking forward to seeing more reviewers lists 

[Sargon the Terrible]

Overall pretty good lists except for one minor problem:


NO HOLY MARTYR 


Other than that, i agree with most of the albums here.

They were on my list initially before I pared it down.  The problem is that Invincible loses momentum in the second half of the album, and the whole samurai theme just never worked for me.  It has some great spots, but was overall a letdown.

[Mouse]

Anthrax??

[hermer the metallian]

They were on my list initially before I pared it down.  The problem is that Invincible loses momentum in the second half of the album, and the whole samurai theme just never worked for me.  It has some great spots, but was overall a letdown.

I don't see it that way. First i think that they made a smart move to steer away from the all too common roman/spartan theme. Second, the last song "Zatoichi" is my favorite song of the whole album. Anyway, like i wrote before these are pretty good lists, is just that i was disappointed that Invincible is not among them. But on the other hand, there are some records here that i haven't heard and i am looking forward to find out if they are as good as advertised.

[Menternor]

And I was about to ask if there was going to be such a list this year.
Kinda makes me sad that I have listened to only a couple of the albums in there.

Hmm...it doesn't matter, I'm sure I'll have more time this year.

[Sirliftsalot48]

Overall pretty good lists except for one minor problem:


NO HOLY MARTYR 


Other than that, i agree with most of the albums here.

How is Doomsword not on there too?

[Nosrac1691]

Ah, I'm glad this was posted. I was going to wait a few days before I began to bitch and nag. 

[Sargon the Terrible]

How is Doomsword not on there too?

Eh, this new Doomsword is ok, but it just never grabbed or moved me.  I don't dislike it, it's just kind of there.

[Feoreunn]

That's a lot of love for Symphony X, an album which I do not dislike, but was not at all wowed by either. And every time someone mentioned it here, I tried it again without success. Surprised to see Serenity in your list of disappointments, Foley.

[Chris Foley]

That's a lot of love for Symphony X, an album which I do not dislike, but was not at all wowed by either. And every time someone mentioned it here, I tried it again without success. Surprised to see Serenity in your list of disappointments, Foley.

I had high hopes for it, but it really rubbed me the wrong way. Felt very... by the numbers.

Great lists, it's always interesting to see how the lists differ here. I'll have to check out some of the releases I hadn't previously heard. Currently listening to Vulvagun thanks to Larry's list, this is right up my street!

[Sirliftsalot48]

Eh, this new Doomsword is ok, but it just never grabbed or moved me.  I don't dislike it, it's just kind of there.

It really grabbed me.  It took a few more listens than normal, but I really enjoy it.  Surprised to hear it didn't have the same effect on you.  I completely agree on Twisted Tower Dire and Manilla Road being disappointments.  It made me sad that those albums weren't great.

[Lord John]

Listening to Powerquest ATM.  It grows on you even though it is happier than a Unicorn ridden by a Care Bear.  I originally hated it for ages for being so incredibly happy and same-old, same-old formulaic song after song but on their own, the songs really hold up to the test for being unashamedly cheesy and fun.

Symphony X's Iconoclast seems the most widely regarded "Best" if these lists are anything to go by.  A good album although I prefer Paradise Lost.  Domination is my favourite song of theirs.