Top 10 Albums of 2011

It might be a bit too early for some of you but I'm personally not waiting for any other albums and I'm procrastinating instead of studying for finals so here goes my list...

1. Scurrilous – Protest the Hero

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKZ-eKBJ9dw

If I had to listen to one band for the rest of my life it would be Protest the Hero. From the cleaver double entendre's in their lyrics with Rody's amazing vocal rage I really enjoyed this album and found it to be a very fitting continuation from their 2008 album 'Fortress'. My all time favorite progressive band.

2.Maastaden - Vildhjarta

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnaClnVnj_c

This right here, this is the epitome of progressive music. Vildhjarta is a new band from Sweden with their debut album Maastaden. The entire album from start to finish was very well polished and extremely balanced and well done. Pure Djent goodness. With a very obvious Meshuggah influence.

3. The Discovery – Born of Osiris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wraoECk6hss

A once Deathcore band turned Progressive Death Metal in their second album 'The Discovery' blew me away! The quality of the vocals, the lyrics, the riffs and the well balanced use of progressive elements that weren't thrown in for the sake of showing of skill. I fell in love with this album and it's message. It's a psychedelic trip in a death metal form.

4.The Compass – Circles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL5rSkq7O_g

Another emerging progressive band with thier debut album The Compass. Definitely worth a listen the entire album was fun with some awesome Djent riffs and a beautiful blend of hard and soft vocals.

5. Take Care, Take Care, Take Care – Explosions in the Sky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20GtVTZE9Wk

Explosions in the sky is a Post Rock instrumental band with very tranquil music. My favorite band to put on in the background while studying or reading a book. Their 6th album 'Take Care, Take Care, Take Care' while shorter than I would have liked did not fail to impress.

6.Camp – Childish Gambino

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL1B_r9nC9k

Donald Glover AKA Childish Gambino the actor on on the TV show Community released his debut album 'Camp' has some great songs. Most Hip - Hop albums tend to have no more than 6 songs with 1 or 2 good songs. Gambino released a 13 track album with an amazing collection of songs. Great diversity for every song, phenomenal lyrical flow and enjoyable beats. The album contained quite a bit of comedic relief while not ruining the it's true meaning and the message Gambino was trying to voice.

7.Digital Veil – The Human Abstract

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29wl7QeUXqg

Pretty good progressive metalcore. Pretty good album over all. Nothing revolutionary however.

8.Goblin - Tyler the Creator

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSbZidsgMfw

Another fantastic Hip - Hop album from one of my favorite rappers Tyler, The Creator, leader of the group Odd Future Wolf Gang. Released his second album 'Goblin' which takes you through song by song that's narrated by a psychologist talking to Tyler. Very dark rapping style.

9.Ritual – Black Dahlia Murder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDEvqdw2fmA

Classic Black Dahlia Murder. Great album.

10.Angles – The Strokes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l09H-3zzgA

I gotta say this album was kind of a let down compared to their last 2006 album 'First Impressions of Earth'. It just felt kind of empty. I guess this is what I should expect from an Indie band that got kinda famous (Arcade Fire's new album was mediocre at best). I still enjoyed it however for The Strokes sound but compared to the last album meh.

I like the Strokes... but do you seriously like Tyler the Creator? He would go under my "worst top ten" list. I haven't even heard of the others, but I guess that's because I'm not a metal fan.

Boov said:

I like the Strokes... but do you seriously like Tyler the Creator? He would go under my "worst top ten" list. I haven't even heard of the others, but I guess that's because I'm not a metal fan.

Yes, he's one of the best contemporary rappers that dosen't talk about all the money he has and clubbing and stupid shit. Has a sick flow and some very dark lyrics. I'm a fan of pretty much all of OFWGKTA.

Bron of Osiris came out with a new album and I was unaware?? OMG thank u so much pathogen, and I almost completely agree with you're list, Tyler the Creator is good but I dont know that he would make a top ten list in my book tho

wooly4 said:

Bron of Osiris came out with a new album and I was unaware?? OMG thank u so much pathogen, and I almost completely agree with you're list, Tyler the Creator is good but I dont know that he would make a top ten list in my book tho

The new Born of Osiris album is their best one yet imo. Childish Gambino has good lyrics that are different from the normal rap lyrics in that they're self-depricating.


I'd place Vildhjarta at number 2 and Born of Osiris as number 1, but that's a sheer personal preference thing. Pathogen knows me no gusta Protest the Hero.

wooly4 said:

Bron of Osiris came out with a new album and I was unaware?? OMG thank u so much pathogen, and I almost completely agree with you're list, Tyler the Creator is good but I dont know that he would make a top ten list in my book tho

Dude It's such a good album.

PathogenX said:

Yes, he's one of the best contemporary rappers that dosen't talk about all the money he has and clubbing and stupid shit. Has a sick flow and some very dark lyrics. I'm a fan of pretty much all of OFWGKTA.

I agree he has a "sick flow", but why do a lot of rappers feel the need to say "fuck" every other word? Have you seen him in an interview? He comes across as the scummiest of scummy people.

I have a question regarding metal... why do so many metal songs seem to be about mortal fear and death? (sorry if I'm stereotyping)

Boov said:

I agree he has a "sick flow", but why do a lot of rappers feel the need to say "fuck" every other word? Have you seen him in an interview? He comes across as the scummiest of scummy people.

I have a question regarding metal... why do so many metal songs seem to be about mortal fear and death? (sorry if I'm stereotyping)

While I agree, the artists personality has nothing to do with this list. I'm judging purely on musical style. You also have to understand where Tyler is coming form and why he acts the way he does. It's pure shock value.

I'd love to see the rest of RTW's top 10.

Alright, let's get down to this.


1. Vildhjarta - Masstaden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxwtm3_FXY4


2. Uneven Structure - Februus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbLz5lNcHi0


3. Fallujah - The Harvest Wombs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOCewEDchOU


4. Ever Forthright - Ever Forthright

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvL6cUfYPW4


5. Protest the Hero - Scurrilous

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWDrdAJMcRs


6. Friend For a Foe - Source of Isolation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEk15DMnI7M


7. Erra - Impulse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqE8nNbf1iY


8. Structures - Divided By

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6qzrNz6Jk0


9. The Empire Shall Fall - Volume II : Solar Plexus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZicPFqHYQU


10. I Am Abomination - Passion of the Heist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m_WfqqRv2M

Top 5 Albums:


1. Camp - Childish Gambino (going to see him in Chicago next year!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONsTnobkeys


2. Ambition - Wale

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFnV48DqUFQ


3. Watch the Throne - Kanye West & Jay-Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfM_wS7qYfY


4. Take Care - Drake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOt9jb9P288


5. Lasers - Lupe Fiasco

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmp6zIr5y4U&ob=av2e

1) skrillex

2) skrillex

3) skrillex

4) skrillex

5) skrillex

6) skrillex

7) skrillex

8) skrillex

9) skrillex

10) skrillex

sooo I totally don't secretly have a copy of adele's 21...

PantyHandler said:

sooo I totally don't secretly have a copy of adele's 21...

Nothing to be ashamed of! She's an epic singer!

ztrain said:

1) skrillex

2) skrillex

3) skrillex

4) skrillex

5) skrillex

6) skrillex

7) skrillex

8) skrillex

9) skrillex

10) skrillex

Nearly everything else > Skrillex

You've just got to search the dark corners of the internet to find all the good stuff. Also, despite people saying "everything on the radio is crap blah blah", if you listen to the right shows at the right times it's a great way to discover new awesome music.

The only album I'm looking forward to that would alter my top which probably won't be out until next year...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcC8roET9yg

ok well I have been thinking about this and I'm still not sure if the list is perfect because there was so much metal this year but here it goes.


1 Vildhjarta-Maastaden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drALbzXjHK4


2 Opeth-heritage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1pi7Dn87mY


3 Mastodon The hunter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3LLX9ThXjI


4 Born Of Osiris-Discovery

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYK-T3foPgs

5 Devin Townsend Deconstruction/Ghost

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuPeOPKkOa0

6 Animals as Leaders- Weightless

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYbu9YRzD3Y

7 Symphony x-Iconoclast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw4SdGv5UzI&feature=related


8 Cynic-carbon based anatomy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKqvViz4jes


9 Neuraxis-Asylon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCs7vHm3E1c


10 Obscura-Omnivium

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpN9nkDw5Mw&feature=artist