It’s that time of the year kiddies! Time to look back on the year and see how we did, or didn’t. Let us commemorate 2011 with subjective best-of lists and various retrospect; not because we enjoy looking back on the memories, because we like disagreeing with memories magazines and TV shows chose as the best and worst of the year. It’s a sick and daunting pleasure we all partake in whether we know it or not.
This year I am compiling a list worthy of some outrage or conversation at the very least. I will attempt to fight subjectivity, beat around the proverbial bush. However, my scope of interest in exclusive and plenty of things will go unmentioned. If anything, I hope my ‘list’ makes you rethink 2011, or even turn you on to some things you may have missed.
Comeback of the Year
Mike Watt/ Hyphenated-Man. Who doesn’t love seeing punk’s greatest mind favorite bass player revisit the sounds that made him the musician he is today? Watt did what many have failed to do: return to his roots without sounding too cheesy.
Decapitated/Carinvale is Forever. Death Metal took a huge blow when the band lost Vitek in 2007 in an icy car crash. And while Vogg took time to mourn and regroup, countless tech-death-core bands sprung up from the bands influence. Decapitated’s return couldn’t have come at a better time, when Death Metal needs it the most. It’s time to show the kids how it’s done.
Heavy of the Year
Yob/Atma; Dark Castle/Surrender to All Life: These guys both took heaviness back from the Nuerisis bands and took the meaning of heavy to great bounds. The fact that they’ve been touring buddies for most of the past two years makes it even sweeter. These albums crush everything their path.
Bi-Polar Award: Metallica
If there’s one band that knows how to push buttons and somehow still reign in equal amount of praise it’s Metallica. The last months of 2011 have been tough for their fans. Lulu has further upset fans waiting for the band to crawl out of the hole they dug with St. Anger. And while sides have been made on the issue, the collaboration with Lou Reed has no doubt gotten people talking about Metallica, again.
However, they have seemed to somewhat made up for the most challenging album of the year with a trip down memory lane. The band took residency at San Francisco’s Fillmore music venue to celebrate sticking around for 30 years. With a cast of influences, past members and various tributes Metallica has reminded their fans why they’re still around. From appearances by past members (David Mustaine and Ron McGovney on the same stage. Can I get a hallelujah?) members of bands whose songs they've covered, Metallica haven't forgotten their roots. Now if only those roots would make another good album.
Rad Demos
Lycus (demo)/Anhedonist (The Drear)
Funeral Doom has been picking up more steam in the last year or so. I've found myself reading about Loss and Mournful Congregation, amongst the handful of bands. However, the demos for Oakland's Lycus and Seattle's Anhedonist have been in constant play in my iPod/stereo/whatever. Both bring out my favorite aspects of old school Death Metal (not the fast stuff, if you can imagine that) and Asunder style dirges, without sounding boring. With Doom in general getting more and more press, I would not be surprised to see full lengths from either bands in 2012.
Up and Coming
Vastum’s 2011 release, Carnal Law, got me excited about Death Metal again. There’s a good share of Metal bands in the Bay Area playing perfectly acceptable and awesome music, but when was the last straight-up Death Metal album you heard? This isn’t fused with grind, doom, any kind of ambience (which is all good and fun, and actually what makes the Bay Are scene good. Just straight up Death Metal ala old school. Not a single blast beat to be found. Total Bolt Thrower meets crust worship. While their one pager in Decibel was a small triumph, they deserve more press. With a roster that bodes members of Hammers of Misfortune and Acephalx, everyone will be talking about these guys in no time. I hope.
Obligatory Thank You Award: Mastodon
Say what you want when a legitimately good metal band gets really big. And how can you blame a band like Mastodon? A band who's mission statement has been to progress with each album? How can you point the finger at them for bringing new, good music to the masses who's idea of metal is still Slipknot and System of a Down? The Hunter was a great second album in the band's journey to explore new sounds. The bands official break from concept writing has been a huge success. It's not only one of the more challenging albums of the year but highly refreshing to hear such a caliber of songwriting. We should be thankful that a band like Mastodon, who's approach to metal's progressive side has been welcomed with open arms (although I'm pretty sure opening for Slayer countless times didn't hurt either). I know that a lot of people would rather see John Gossard be raking in the big bucks with his return to Black Metal glory. It could be a lot worse.
