2011 So Far (Metal Edition, Part 2)

Korpiklaani – Ukon Wacka

I once called these guys a Finnish metal Pogues. For me, that’s a high compliment. They’ve been cranking out albums on close to a yearly basis and they’ve always been solid and enjoyable, even if they all sounded basically the same. So, I’ve been happy only owning one of their albums. This years model is a bit of a change up – more aggressive, more Finnish, more finished. Ukon Wacka is prime party music for that stage when you can’t speak or understand your mother tongue so everything might as well be in a foreign tongue.

Primordial – Redemption at the Puritan’s Hand

If it isn’t my favorite album of the year when all is said and done, it’s only because the next one on this list overtakes it once the cold returns. This record opens up their sound to both space and more classic metal influences (there are some achingly beautiful harmonic guitar runs that immediately bring to mind Judas Priest (or countrymen Thin Lizzy), for example). Alan Averill’s progression as a vocalist continues, with both more guttural power and stronger, more assured stabs at actual melodic singing. The songs are all mini-epics about death. Metal.

Subrosa – No Help For the Mighty Ones

This is doom as idea instead of form. Subrosa’s female vocals and electric violins help them stand out immediately, and they come at their heaviness more from Swans than Sabbath. This isn’t blues, but more like the heaviest folk music going (which is punctuated by their version of folk ballad “House Carpenter”, a cappella and out of time); sadness but not regret. I can’t describe how this all comes together – listen to the opener, “Borrowed Time, Borrowed Eyes” for yourself. Absolute stunner that has only grown with each listen.

Turisas – Stand Up and Fight

The prior two records on this list have impressed me with their artistic strengths and seriousness; Turisas impresses me with their artistic strengths and utter lack of seriousness. This is overblown to the extent it often seems like a musical; I expect painted backdrops and awkward dancing. It is the lack of seriousness in their sound but utter commitment to it that I find so appealing; if you’re going to go over the top, do so with gusto. This band has all the gusto in the world.

 Wight – Wight Weedy Wight

I’m a sucker for heavy psychedelic stoner rock. Not that it compliments my lifestyle, but I just love lots of echo and panning and low thundering grooves. These guys are German, like so much great heavy psychedelia these days.

Witch Mountain – South of Salem

I would love this band even if a dear friend wasn’t the drummer; that he is just means I’m prouder to wear the shirt with their awesome logo on it (I don’t pimp for just anyone, you know). This is heavy classic doom, and, most importantly, it swings. I knew it would, for Nate and I had a long talk about the pocket and it’s importance, and how so much metal has moved away having a bottom anchor. Nate’s drumming and Dave’s bass are a strong anchor, but this anchor has plenty of chain for Uta’s vocals to soar without breaking away, and for Rob’s guitar lines to growl and claw their way to the surface. An amazing debut for this line-up, and I can’t wait for more.

Wolf – Legions of Bastards

Retro metal is my thing this year, and Wolf take the heart of 80s metal in their slavering jaws, still beating and spurting bloody spandex and galloping guitars all over the arena. Yes, that (hopefully) will be the worst mess of a sentence you read today. Wolf will not be the worst thing you hear, however, for this record is astoundingly good. Oh, did I forgot to mention they’re Swedish? Of course they are. Mercyful Priest, I love this stuff. Check out this fan made vid for “Road To Hell” - it’s perfect.

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