Your Top 2011 Albums

cannon wrote: I wanted to ask some of you guys about all the reviews you have done for 2011 releases. Now, you can tell me to go to hell as it's really none of my business but I'm curious how some of you guys have so many releases from this year. Do the artists send you CD promo copies? Send you digital files? All in exchange for a review of an album? Or do you purchase the music, either it be on CD or digitally? Or maybe free downloads from the artist's website, myspace, facebook, etc? I've noticed some members have done many reviews (a dozen or more) on a weekly basis, of course some of them older releases. A small fortune if one is buying CD's.

Thanx for the replies guys. I thought maybe that some of you would recieve promos as I have bought CDs or D/Ls of new releases from 2011 because of the some reviews you guys have written. Must be fun checking the (e) mailbox.  

J-Man wrote: cannon wrote: I wanted to ask some of you guys about all the reviews you have done for 2011 releases. Now, you can tell me to go to hell as it's really none of my business but I'm curious how some of you guys have so many releases from this year. Do the artists send you CD promo copies? Send you digital files? All in exchange for a review of an album? Or do you purchase the music, either it be on CD or digitally? Or maybe free downloads from the artist's website, myspace, facebook, etc? I've noticed some members have done many reviews (a dozen or more) on a weekly basis, of course some of them older releases. A small fortune if one is buying CD's. I also write for Sea of Tranquility (.org), and I get a ton of free new music from that gig. Just the other day I got a box of 15 CD's in the mail, I'm expecting another box soon, and my digital promo collection is waaaay more than I could possibly cover. Of course, I do buy some of my anticipated albums, but I get tons of free promos. I'm on the "mailing list" for quite a few labels/promo companies, so my inbox is stacked with new metal releases.

I'm in the same boat as Jeff, I get promo's from a couple record labels, like a lot of promos, and occasionally I get some Cd's in the mail to review. Then when bands such as Opeth, PoS, DT, and some other of my favorite bands release albums I buy them.

If I read a review of an album and it's description is to what I like to listen to I then will go to youtube and listen to a couple of vids and from there I will D/L the whole album if I like what I hear. If the music really captures my sences I will try and find CD copy. I don't consider myself a "metalhead", just an average Joe who likes to listen to some of sub-genres of metal. So much good music out there past and present.

I'm looking forward to Blut Aus Nord's 777 - The Desanctification

I love the cover artwork, but what�s the music like?

There are too many bands using the name Dark Forest. The one I'm talking about is a heavy/power metal act, kind of a retro sound. I added them to power the other day, but I may move them to trad yet. Their music walks a fine line between the two. I got a promo of the album above, it's out in October, but here's an older song, they got a new singer since, whom I think is much stronger.

Edited by adg211288 - 02 Sep 2011 at 6:17am

Sorry to say it, but we all know DT's album is going to win.
Given the PA heavy influence on the site and general progressive mindset, we all know it's gunna happen
I still wonder how many DT fans really even "listen" to the albums but yeah, it shall be the runaway winner.

I've listened to "A Dramatic Turn of Events" and thus far it seems decent but inconsistent. I'm liking some songs and others bore me to tears. Needs more time of course but it seems like a typical DT album for me, though better than the last few.

I'm really digging "Heritage" by Opeth but do you guys think it qualifies as metal?

Need to try the WITTR album which quite a few are going crazy for.

2011 is finally getting good for me!

The new WITTR album is really bad-ass.  It might just take the number 1 spot on my list after a few more listens.

I think ADTOE is their best since Octavarium, and a solid 4.5 from me. It should definitely be in my top 10 (at least) for the year.