Best of 2011 so far

[Glen]

I also have Xorigin above Lovex.....I do really like The Lovex album but it does tail off towards the end.

 

As for Shy its a great album, but the problem in my case is that every album above it is a KILLER...so its a dilema. In any other year it would be higher, but 2011 is so damned good.

[TIM (2)]

I also have Xorigin above Lovex.....I do really like The Lovex album but it does tail off towards the end.

 

As for Shy its a great album, but the problem in my case is that every album above it is a KILLER...so its a dilema. In any other year it would be higher, but 2011 is so damned good.

 

Well all you're really doing is adding to the madness then. Xorigin is decent and understand the point about consistency, and both Lovex and Shy have some obvious filler. But they also have moments that genuinely make your spine tingle. Like "Crash My World" (especially the verses), or the chorus of "One". Or the pre-chorus of "Over You" on the SHY. These moments are worth putting up with a couple of fillers, and are what keeps those discs in my CD player when Xorigin is long-since forgotten.

[Jez]

I also have Xorigin above Lovex.....I do really like The Lovex album but it does tail off towards the end.

 

As for Shy its a great album, but the problem in my case is that every album above it is a KILLER...so its a dilema. In any other year it would be higher, but 2011 is so damned good.

 

Well all you're really doing is adding to the madness then. Xorigin is decent and understand the point about consistency, and both Lovex and Shy have some obvious filler. But they also have moments that genuinely make your spine tingle. Like "Crash My World" (especially the verses), or the chorus of "One". Or the pre-chorus of "Over You" on the SHY. These moments are worth putting up with a couple of fillers, and are what keeps those discs in my CD player when Xorigin is long-since forgotten.

 

 

Lovex and Shy are above Xorigin for me too. Lovex is THE most consistent disc this year for me, and currently at nemero uno on my ever increasing list.

[Glen]

I also have Xorigin above Lovex.....I do really like The Lovex album but it does tail off towards the end.

 

As for Shy its a great album, but the problem in my case is that every album above it is a KILLER...so its a dilema. In any other year it would be higher, but 2011 is so damned good.

 

Well all you're really doing is adding to the madness then. Xorigin is decent and understand the point about consistency, and both Lovex and Shy have some obvious filler. But they also have moments that genuinely make your spine tingle. Like "Crash My World" (especially the verses), or the chorus of "One". Or the pre-chorus of "Over You" on the SHY. These moments are worth putting up with a couple of fillers, and are what keeps those discs in my CD player when Xorigin is long-since forgotten.

 

I need to listen to both back to back. I do seem to recall that the Xorigin had a host of great tunes too. If the Lovex does move it will only be a place or 2 cos there's no way it will make top 10 as all those are out and out killers for me :-)

[Nightrain]

Glen - let's not get crazy, i don't understand how Lovex tail off toward the end, as right at the end, 'One' and 'Marble Walls' are just simply spectacular!

 

i have placed Lovex right one step higher over Xorigin and both still gets around 85% from me. Great albums anyway, those two.

[Glen]

Glen - let's not get crazy, i don't understand how Lovex tail off toward the end, as right at the end, 'One' and 'Marble Walls' are just simply spectacular!

 

i have placed Lovex right one step higher over Xorigin and both still gets around 85% from me. Great albums anyway, those two.

 

Yeah its clearly a few spots beneath where it should be....listened again yesterday and its a great album....I still think it tails off at the end, simply because the tracks which come before are so good...like 'Queen Of The Night', '15 Minites', 'Crash My World'.

[Kim_Hp]

Alrighty, here's my best of 2011 so far. I suspect the likes of Shy and Chris Ousey will get in eventually as these are only the ones I've listened to enough to give them a rating. (Heavier releases like Destruction and U.D.O. would also probably make the list but I choose to concentrate on HH related stuff here.)

 

1. Steel Panther - Balls Out

2. Chickenfoot - III

3. Airrace - Back To The Start

4. White Widdow - Serenade

5. Night Ranger - Somewhere In California

6. Reckless Love - Animal Attraction

7. Robin Beck - The Great Escape

8. Infinity - s/t

9. Journey - Eclipse

10. De La Cruz - s/t

11. Fergie Frederiksen - Happiness Is The Road

12. Dynazty - Knock You Down

13. Rob Moratti - Victory

14. Williams/Friedstedt - s/t

15. Newman - Under Southern Skies

16. Mr. Big - What If

17. Houston - Relaunch

18. Greg X - Dream

19. Lionville - s/t

20. Danger Zone - Line Of Fire

[exact3]

I still have to get some releases like Farcry, House of Lords and The Electric Boys, and to get my order from Amazon containing The Slam, Reckless Love, Wolfpakk, White Wizzard, Wolf, The Magnificent, and Theocracy but here are my thoughts

 

1. Haken Visions

2. Hitchcock, Toby Mercury Down

3. Anubis Gate Anubis Gate

4. Cooper, Alice Welcome 2 My Nightmare

5. Leprous Bilateral

6. Sideburn Jail

7. Bullet Highway Pirates

8. Hibria Blind Ride

9. Iced Earth Dystopia

10. Billion Dollar Babies Die for Diamonds

11. Tangent, The Comm

12. ICS Vortex Storm Seeker

13. Whitesnake Forevermore

14. Underride Distorted Nation

15. Megadeth Thirteen

16. Nelson Lightning Strikes Twice

17. Electric Orange Netto

18. Joseph Magazine Night of the Red Sky

19. Artillery My Blood

20. The Poodles Performacracy

[Nightrain]

I still have to get some releases like Farcry, House of Lords and The Electric Boys, and to get my order from Amazon containing The Slam, Reckless Love, Wolfpakk, White Wizzard, Wolf, The Magnificent, and Theocracy but here are my thoughts

 

1. Haken Visions

3. Anubis Gate Anubis Gate

11. Tangent, The Comm

18. Joseph Magazine Night of the Red Sky

 

very unusual pick for a man on the HH forum, kudos to you and those 4 are very good prog albums even though I still find it's very hard to digest Haken's 'Vision' unlike their debut.

 

and BTW, i think Nelson should be left out since it's 2010 release, friend

[exact3]

I still have to get some releases like Farcry, House of Lords and The Electric Boys, and to get my order from Amazon containing The Slam, Reckless Love, Wolfpakk, White Wizzard, Wolf, The Magnificent, and Theocracy but here are my thoughts

 

1. Haken Visions

3. Anubis Gate Anubis Gate

11. Tangent, The Comm

18. Joseph Magazine Night of the Red Sky

 

very unusual pick for a man on the HH forum, kudos to you and those 4 are very good prog albums even though I still find it's very hard to digest Haken's 'Vision' unlike their debut.

 

and BTW, i think Nelson should be left out since it's 2010 release, friend

 

thanks - Haken is one of my favorite bands. I too thought it was a harder listen then their demo or debut but after some listens I really enjoy it.

 

Its funny - my Nelson cd has 2011 Frontiers on it but then also a 2010 date as well. I guess its one of those crossovers.

[heaven&hell]

My 2011 List:

1. Vain - Enough Rope

2. Eden's Curse - Trinity

3. FarCry - Optimism

4. Whitesnake - Forevermore

5. Evergrey - Glorious Collision

6. Riot - Immortal Soul

7. Iced Earth - Dystopia

8. Arch/Matheos - Sympathetic Resonance

9. Sebastian Bach - Kicking & Screaming

10. Megadeth - Th1rt3en

11. Black Country Communion - 2

12. Mr. Big - What If

13. Slash - Made in Stoke

14. Voodoo Circle - Broken Heart Syndrome

15. Chickenfoot - III

16. Warrant - Rockaholic

17. Saxon - Call to Arms

18. Jag Panzer - The Scourge of Light

19. Reckless Love - Animal Attraction

20. Anthrax - Worship Music

 

Honorable Mentions:

Victory - Don't Talk Science

Stratovarius - Elysium

Symphonia - In Paradism

Hell in the Club - Let the Games Begin

Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events

Steel Panther - Balls Out

Beggars & Thieves - We Are The Brokenhearted

Sixx AM - This is Gonna Hurt

Mitch Malloy - II

The Magnificent - S/T

Reece/Kronlund - Solid

Benedictum - Dominion

Scheepers - S/T

Anvil - Juggernaut of Justice

Outloud - Love Catastrophe

Duff McKagan's Loaded - The Taking

Chasing Magic - S/T

Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare

The Poodles - Performacracy

King Kobra - S/T

 

 

Biggest Dissapointments:

1. Black N Blue - Hell Yeah

This isn't a bad album it's just kind of average and even though there are several great songs(Fools Bleed) there are way to many fillers and for an album that took something like 8 years to make and had to live up to the great releases in the 80's this one fell way short.

 

2. Hammerfall - Infected

WTF happened to this band? I've pretty much loved everything they've ever done and sure there stuff is cheesy but it's also fun and it's Metal but this one had some sort of Zombile Apocalypse theme and the songs aren't very good.

 

Turd of the Year:

Queensryche - Dedicated to Chaos

This once great band is just a shell of it's former self. Luckily this cd didn't cost me one cent or I'd ask for my money back. When will Geoff Tate and company finally realize that they are killing their reputation and call it a day or at least try to return to their roots instead not caring what their fans think.

[Nightrain]

Top 100 of 2011

 

100 MYLAND - Light of A New Day, AOR, Point Music

99. GRAND DESIGN - Idolizer, Melodic Rock, AOR Heaven

98. INFINITY - s/t, AOR, Melodic Rock Records

97. ELEVENER - Symmetry In Motion, Melodic Rock, AOR Heaven

96. VOODOO CIRCLE - Broken Heart Syndrome, Heavy Metal, AFM Records

95. HOUSTON - Relaunch, AOR, Spinefarm Records

94. ANVIL - Juggernaut of Justice, Heavy Metal, The End

93. CHICKENFOOT - III, Hard Rock, earMUSIC

92. SENCELLED - s/t, Modern Melodic Rock, Rocket Songs

91. JAMES DURBIN - Memories of A Beautiful Disaster, Modern Rock, Wind-Up

 

90. HALESTORM - Reanimate (EP), Hard Rock, Atlantic Records

89. LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM - Yes, AOR, GMR Music

88. SLASH - Made In Stoke 24/7/11, Hard Rock, Eagle Rock

87. IRON SAVIOR - The Landing, Melodic Metal, AFM Records

86. COLDSPELL - Out From The Cold, Melodic Metal, Escape Music

85. ISSA - The Storm, Melodic Rock, Frontiers Records

84. SHOTGUN ALLEY - s/t, Hard Rock, Hark Music

83. DESTROPHY - Cry Havoc, Hard Rock, Victory Records

82. UNDERRIDE - Distorted Nation, Hard Rock, EPI Records

81. DAUGHTRY - Break The Spell, Modern Rock, RCA

 

80. SWITCHBLADE SCARLETT - White Line Fever, Sleaze / Melodic Rock, Retrospect Records

79. STRATOVARIUS - Elysium, Power Metal, earMUSIC

78. HOLLYWOOD BURNOUTS - s/t EP, Hard Rock, indie

77. WARRANT - Rockaholic, Hard Rock, Frontiers Records

76. TEN - The Stormwarning, Melodic Rock, Frontiers Records

75. HUMAN ZOO - Eyes of The Stranger, Melodic Rock, Fastball Music

74. HAVOK - Time Is Up, Thrash Metal, Candlelight Records

73. DARK FOREST - Dawn of Infinity, Heavy Metal, indie

72. MR.BIG - Live From The Living Room, Acoustic, WHD Entertainment

71. TNA - s/t, Hard Rock, Eonian Records

 

70. FARCRY - Optimism, Melodic Rock, Kivel Records

69. FOREIGNER - Acoustique, Acoustic, earMUSIC

68. TESLA - Twisted Wires And The Acoustic Sessions, Acoustic, Scarlet Records

67. SIXX AM - This Is Gonna Hurt, Modern Hard Rock, Eleven Seven

66. VICTORY - Don't Talk Science, Hard Rock, Golden Core

65. OUTLOUD - Love Catastrophe, Melodic Rock, AOR Heaven

64. POMPEI NIGHTS - Rather Die Than Livin' In Boundaries, Hard Rock, Street Symphonies

63. ANUBIS GATE - s/t, Prog / Power Metal, indie

62. EVILE - Five Serpents Teeth, Thrash Metal, Earache

61. STEVE HACKETT - Beyond The Shrouded Horizon, Prog Rock, earMUSIC

 

60. KING KOBRA - s/t, Hard Rock, Frontiers Records

59. JOSEPH MAGAZINE - Night of The Red Sky, Instrumental Prog Metal, indie

58. MR.BIG - What If, Hard Rock, Frontiers Records

57. HOUSE OF LORDS - Big Money, Melodic Rock, Frontiers Records

56. SERPENTINE - Living And Dying In High Definition, AOR, AOR Heaven

55. LOST IN THOUGHT - Opus Arise, Prog Metal, Inner Wound

54. ROBIN BECK - The Great Escape, AOR, Her Majestys

53. PARADISE, INC - Time, Melodic Rock, Avenue of Allies

52. XORIGIN - State of The Art, AOR, Frontiers Records

51. JOHN WAITE - Rough & Tumble, AOR, Frontiers Records

 

50. DIAMOND LANE - World Without Heroes, Hard Rock, indie

49. MORNING AFTER, THE - Legacy, Modern Melodic Metal, Rising Records

48. PAGAN'S MIND - Heavenly Ecstacy, Prog / Melodic Metal, SPV

47. EDGUY - Age of The Joker, Melodic Metal, Nuclear Blast

46. SANTA CRUZ - Anthem For The Young N' Restless, Sleaze / Hard Rock, indie

45. KIMBALL / JAMISON - s/t, AOR, Frontiers Records

44. STEVEN WILSON - Grace For Drowning, Prog Rock, Kscope

43. ICED EARTH - Dystopia, Power Metal, Century Media

42. RICHIE KOTZEN - 24 Hours, Blues / Funk / Rock, Headroom Inc

41. ROB MORATTI - Victory, AOR, Escape Music

 

40. ALFONZETTI - Here Comes The Night, AOR, AOR Heaven

39. GRAND ILLUSION - Prince of Paupers, Melodic Rock, AOR Heaven

38. NIGHT RANGER - Somewhere In California, Melodic Rock, Frontiers Records

37. BAI BANG - Livin' My Dream, AOR, AOR Heaven

36. MISS BEHAVIOUR - Last Woman Standing, Melodic Rock, Avenue of Allies

35. WILD ROSE - Half Past Midnight, AOR, Retrospect Records

34. BATTLE BEAST - Steel, Heavy Metal, Hype Records

33. WICKED JESTER - Royalty Sux, Sleaze / Hard Rock, Demon Doll Records

32. GOTTHARD - Homegrown - Alive In Lugano, Melodic Rock, Nuclear Blast

31. OPETH - Heritage, Prog Rock, Roadrunner

 

30. RIOT - Immortal Soul, Heavy Metal, SPV

29. DIAMOND PLATE - Generation Why?, Thrash Metal, Earache

28. ALYSON AVENUE - Changes, Melodic Rock, Avenue of Allies

27. WILLIAMS / FRIESTEDT - s/t, Westcoast AOR, AOR Heaven

26. FERGIE FREDERIKSEN - Happiness Is The Road, AOR, Frontiers Records

25. BLACKRAIN - Lethal Dose of, Sleaze / Hard Rock, SPV

24. EDEN'S CURSE - Trinity, Melodic Metal, Metal Mayhem

23. DE LA CRUZ - s/t EP, Hard Rock, indie

22. DREAM THEATER - A Dramatic Turn of Events, Prog Metal, Roadrunner

21. MEGADETH - Th1rt3en, Thrash Metal, Roadrunner

 

20. WHITESNAKE - Forevermore, Hard Rock, Frontiers Records

19. LIONVILLE - s/t, AOR, Avenue of Allies

18. MITCH MALLOY - II, AOR, Honor Music

17. TOBY HITCHCOCK - Mercury's Down, Melodic Rock, Frontiers Records

16. LOVEX - Watch Out!, Modern Melodic Rock, EMI

15. POODLES, THE - Performocracy, Melodic Rock, Frontiers Records

14. STEEL PANTHER - Balls Out, Sleaze / Hard Rock, Universal

13. RECKLESS LOVE - Animal Attraction, Melodic Rock, Universal

12. SHY - s/t, Melodic Rock, Escape Music

11. BIG LIFE - s/t, AOR, AOR Heaven

 

10. WITHIN TEMPTATION - The Unforgiving, Gothic / Melodic Metal, Sony Music

09. NEWMAN - Under Southern Skies, AOR, AOR Heaven

08. WHITE WIDDOW - Serenade, AOR, AOR Heaven

07. HELL IN THE CLUB - Let The Games Begin, Sleaze / Hard Rock, Avenue of Allies

06. SYMPHONY X - Iconoclast, Prog / Power Metal, Nuclear Blast

05. DYNAZTY - Knock You Down, Hard Rock, Stormvox Records

04. VAIN - Enough Rope, Sleaze / Hard Rock, Jackie Rainbow Records

03. MAGNIFICENT, THE - s/t, Melodic Rock, Frontiers Records

02. BAD HABIT - Atmosphere, AOR, AOR Heaven

01. WORK OF ART - In Progress, AOR, Frontiers Records

[heaven&hell]

My 2011 List:

1. Vain - Enough Rope

2. Eden's Curse - Trinity

3. FarCry - Optimism

4. Whitesnake - Forevermore

5. Evergrey - Glorious Collision

6. Riot - Immortal Soul

7. Iced Earth - Dystopia

8. Arch/Matheos - Sympathetic Resonance

9. Sebastian Bach - Kicking & Screaming

10. Megadeth - Th1rt3en

11. Black Country Communion - 2

12. Mr. Big - What If

13. Slash - Made in Stoke

14. Voodoo Circle - Broken Heart Syndrome

15. Chickenfoot - III

16. Warrant - Rockaholic

17. Saxon - Call to Arms

18. Jag Panzer - The Scourge of Light

19. Reckless Love - Animal Attraction

20. Anthrax - Worship Music

 

Honorable Mentions:

Victory - Don't Talk Science

Stratovarius - Elysium

Symphonia - In Paradism

Hell in the Club - Let the Games Begin

Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events

Steel Panther - Balls Out

Beggars & Thieves - We Are The Brokenhearted

Sixx AM - This is Gonna Hurt

Mitch Malloy - II

The Magnificent - S/T

Reece/Kronlund - Solid

Benedictum - Dominion

Scheepers - S/T

Anvil - Juggernaut of Justice

Outloud - Love Catastrophe

Duff McKagan's Loaded - The Taking

Chasing Magic - S/T

Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare

 

 

Biggest Dissapointments:

1. Black N Blue - Hell Yeah

This isn't a bad album it's just kind of average and even though there are several great songs(Fools Bleed) there are way to many fillers and for an album that took something like 8 years to make and had to live up to the great releases in the 80's this one fell way short.

 

2. Hammerfall - Infected

WTF happened to this band? I've pretty much loved everything they've ever done and sure there stuff is cheesy but it's also fun and it's Metal but this one had some sort of Zombile Apocalypse theme and the songs aren't very good.

 

Turd of the Year:

Queensryche - Dedicated to Chaos

This once great band is just a shell of it's former self. Luckily this cd didn't cost me one cent or I'd ask for my money back. When will Geoff Tate and company finally realize that they are killing their reputation and call it a day or at least try to return to their roots instead not caring what their fans think.

 

I forgot to add King Kobra and The Poodles to my honorable mention list.

Both are very good discs IMO.

[exact3]

my top 30 of the year:

 

1. Haken - Visions

2. Toby Hitchcock - Mercury Down

3. The Slam – Hit It

4. Leprous - Bilateral

5. Iced Earth - Dystopia

6. Wolfpakk – S/T

7. Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare

8. Anubis Gate - Anubis Gate

9. Underride - Distorted Nation

10. Reckless Love – Animal Attraction

 

11. Billion Dollar Babies - Die for Diamonds

12. Hibria - Blind Ride

13. Megadeth - Thirteen

14. Bullet- Highway Pirates

15. Theocracy – As the Worlds Bleeds

16. Wolf – Legion of B@stards

17. The Poodles - Performacracy

18. The Tangent - Comm

19. Whitesnake - Forevermore

20. White Wizzard – Flying Tigers

 

21. Sideburn - Jail

22. ICS Vortex - Storm Seeker

23. Electric Orange - Netto

24. Joseph Magazine - Night of the Red Sky

25. Amorphis - The Beginning of Times

26. Artillery - My Blood

27. Hell in the Club - Let the Games Begin

28. Falconer - Armod

29. Believer - Transhuman

30. Rhapsody - From Chaos to Eternity

 

Disappointments

Fair To Midland Arrows and Anchors

Hammerfall Infected

Journey Eclipse

Serenity Death and Legacy

[Jez]

Way too many good releases this year, edging out some of the 'supposed' top names that before release, I would have expected to be included.

 

My top 50 (and bloody hard it was too!!)

 

 

1. Lovex - Watch Out! - Perfect in every way. A modern melodic rock monster

2. The Magnificent - S/T - Bombastic melodic rock at it's best

3. Work Of Art - In Progress - THE best pure AOR disc of the year by quite some.

4. Pendragon - Passion - Still life left in the prog masters. The best prog disc of 2011

5. Within Temptation - The Unforgiving - WT deliver their career best so far.

6. Reckless Love - Animal Attraction - Cheesy as hell, but the most fun disc of the year.

7. Shy - S/T - The bands superb rebirth and maybe their swansong. RIP Steve Harris

8. Saxon - Call To Arms - The old dogs turn out yet another belting metal disc

9. Miss Behaviour - Last Woman Standing - ...and one of the years long standing faves.

10. Sixx: AM - This Is Gonna Hurt - A major surprise and superlative modern rock

11. Arena - The Seventh Degree Of Seperation - First album in 5 years and a prog belter

12. Airrace - Back To The Start - A very fine (albeit shortlived) comeback album

13. Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare - Top quality prequel to the AC classic.

14. Status Quo - Quid Pro Quo - Another major surprise. Their best in years (and years)

15. Toby Hitchcock - Mercurys Rising - Slightly overrated, but it got there in the end

16. Xorigin - State Of The Art - Top notch mix of Melodic Rock and AOR

17. Robin Beck - The Great Escape - Excellent set of songs ably assosted by Christian/Denander

18. Von Hertzen Bros. - Stars Aligned - Eclectic mix of prog and hard rock. Fabulous harmonies

19. Presto Ballet - Invisible Places/ Look What You've Done With The Place EP. - Awesome Kansas influended Prog

20. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events - A new drummer, a new era and an excellent album to back it up

 

21. Mr. Mister - Pull

22. Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now

23. Daughtry - Break The Spell

24. Fate - Ghosts From The Past

25. John Waite - Rough And Tumble

26. Eden's Curse - Trinity

27. Coastland Ride - On Top Of The World

28. Chris Antblad - Century

29. Alyson Avenue - Changes

30. Lionville - S/T

 

31. Bai Bang - Livin' My Dream

32. Black Country Communion - II

33. Sunrise Avenue - Out Of Style

34. Touchstone - The City Sleeps

35. Whitesnake - Forevermore

36. House Of Lords - Big Money

37. Dynazty - Knock You Down

38. Yes - Fly From Here

39. James Durbin - Memories From A Beautiful Disaster

40. Farcry - Optimism

 

41. Chickenfoot - III

42. Fergie Frederiksen - Happiness Is The Road

43. Flamedown - S/T

44. Houston - Relaunch

45. Infinity - S/T

46. Bad Habit - Atmosphere

47. Amaranthe - S/T

48. Stampede - A Sudden Impulse

49. White Widdow - Serenade

50. The Poodles - Performocracy

 

 

Honorable mentions:

 

Legion

Mecca

Mitch Malloy

Kimball/Jamison

Fiona

John Parr

Chris Ousey

Elevener

Grand Illusion

Sencelled

Private Line

Carmen Gray

Destrophy

Shadowman

Issa

The Rods

Newman

 

 

Not so honorable mentions:

 

John Wetton

Nightwish

Steel Panther

Journey

Big Life

Serpentine

Scorpions

Queensryche

Heaven's Basement

[Faron]

Way too many good releases this year, edging out some of the 'supposed' top names that before release, I would have expected to be included.

 

My top 50 (and bloody hard it was too!!)

 

 

1. Lovex - Watch Out! - Perfect in every way. A modern melodic rock monster

2. The Magnificent - S/T - Bombastic melodic rock at it's best

3. Work Of Art - In Progress - THE best pure AOR disc of the year by quite some.

4. Pendragon - Passion - Still life left in the prog masters. The best prog disc of 2011

5. Within Temptation - The Unforgiving - WT deliver their career best so far.

6. Reckless Love - Animal Attraction - Cheesy as hell, but the most fun disc of the year.

7. Shy - S/T - The bands superb rebirth and maybe their swansong. RIP Steve Harris

8. Saxon - Call To Arms - The old dogs turn out yet another belting metal disc

9. Miss Behaviour - Last Woman Standing - ...and one of the years long standing faves.

10. Sixx: AM - This Is Gonna Hurt - A major surprise and superlative modern rock

11. Arena - The Seventh Degree Of Seperation - First album in 5 years and a prog belter

12. Airrace - Back To The Start - A very fine (albeit shortlived) comeback album

13. Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare - Top quality prequel to the AC classic.

14. Status Quo - Quid Pro Quo - Another major surprise. Their best in years (and years)

15. Toby Hitchcock - Mercurys Rising - Slightly overrated, but it got there in the end

16. Xorigin - State Of The Art - Top notch mix of Melodic Rock and AOR

17. Robin Beck - The Great Escape - Excellent set of songs ably assosted by Christian/Denander

18. Von Hertzen Bros. - Stars Aligned - Eclectic mix of prog and hard rock. Fabulous harmonies

19. Presto Ballet - Invisible Places/ Look What You've Done With The Place EP. - Awesome Kansas influended Prog

20. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events - A new drummer, a new era and an excellent album to back it up

 

21. Mr. Mister - Pull

22. Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now

23. Daughtry - Break The Spell

24. Fate - Ghosts From The Past

25. John Waite - Rough And Tumble

26. Eden's Curse - Trinity

27. Coastland Ride - On Top Of The World

28. Chris Antblad - Century

29. Alyson Avenue - Changes

30. Lionville - S/T

 

31. Bai Bang - Livin' My Dream

32. Black Country Communion - II

33. Sunrise Avenue - Out Of Style

34. Touchstone - The City Sleeps

35. Whitesnake - Forevermore

36. House Of Lords - Big Money

37. Dynazty - Knock You Down

38. Yes - Fly From Here

39. James Durbin - Memories From A Beautiful Disaster

40. Farcry - Optimism

 

41. Chickenfoot - III

42. Fergie Frederiksen - Happiness Is The Road

43. Flamedown - S/T

44. Houston - Relaunch

45. Infinity - S/T

46. Bad Habit - Atmosphere

47. Amaranthe - S/T

48. Stampede - A Sudden Impulse

49. White Widdow - Serenade

50. The Poodles - Performocracy

 

 

Honorable mentions:

 

Legion

Mecca

Mitch Malloy

Kimball/Jamison

Fiona

John Parr

Chris Ousey

Elevener

Grand Illusion

Sencelled

Private Line

Carmen Gray

Destrophy

Shadowman

Issa

The Rods

Newman

 

 

Not so honorable mentions:

 

John Wetton

Nightwish

Steel Panther

Journey

Big Life

Serpentine

Scorpions

Queensryche

Heaven's Basement

 

No Night Ranger Jez?

[metalmaniac777]

I'm only required to compile a Top Ten List for Hardrock Haven, so that's all I did, but for what it's worth, here were/are my picks for 2011:

 

1. Destrophy: "Cry Havoc" (everything I love about melodic hard rock)

2. Black Stone Cherry: "Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea"

3. Emphatic: "Damage"

4. Five Finger Death Punch: "American Capitalist" (pure metal perfection)

5. Shotgun Alley: s/t

6. Machine Head: "Unto the Locust"

7. Sebastian Bach: "Kicking and Screaming" (accused of mediocrity, but I really like it)

8. Reckless Love: "Animal Attraction" (pure, cheesy, catchy fun)

9. Vain: "Enough Rope" (the surprise of the year for me)

10. Toby Hitchcock: "Mercury's Down"

 

Honorable mentions:

Anthrax: "Worship Music" (who knew they still had it in 'em?)

Egypt Central: "White Rabbit"

James Durbin: "Memories of a Beautiful Disaster" (waaaaay better than it has a right to be)

Nickelback: "Here and Now"

Pop Evil: "War of Angels"

[Glen]

Final standings for 2011

 

1. The Magnificent - s/t - If someone asked me to describe my musical taste I would simply play this album! Stunning bombastic melodic rock from start to finish. Includes my favourite melodic rocker 'Smoke & Fire' and favourite ballad 'Angel' of 2011

2. Dynazty - Knock You Down (Euro) - Simply put this is the new Skid Row for 2011. The Euro version of this album is the must have - huge production, brilliant vocals and not a filler in sight. Lets hope the next album due this year is even better!

3. Toby Hitchcock - Mercurys Down - Stunning release & proves the songwriting prowess of Erik Martensson. Hitchcock sounds amazing throughout and tracks 6-10 match any song this year

4. Work Of Art - In Progress - Great sophomore release.Best pure AOR album of the year

5. Steel Panther - Balls Out - Who said they couldn't follow up that debut? Arguably better with some huge melodic rockers. 'Tiger Woods' and 'Gold Digging Whore' are their best songs to date!

6. Night Ranger - Growin Up In California - Huge comeback album - back to their classic sound. Essential

7. Edens Curse - Trinity- Never knew this band could produce something this good. Amazing attitude in all songs - lets hope they can continue with a new (and better) singer.

8. Vain - Enough Rope - Another huge comeback album. One of the surprises of the year and up there with the debut as a sleaze/glam classic!

9. Destrophy - Cry Havoc - Best modern rock album this year by some way IMO. Love the direction these guys have taken with every song being a melodic gem!

10. Bad Habit - Atmosphere - Congrats to this band for continuing to produce AOR of this standard! Arguably their best and most consistent album.

11. Miss Behaviour - Last Woman Standing

12. Lionville - s/t

13. Reckless Love - Animal Attraction

14. Shy - s/t

15. Lovex - Watch Out

16. Alfonzetti - Here Comes The Night

17. Journey - Eclipse

18. Within Temptation - The Unforgiven

19. Xorigin - State Of The Art

20. Outloud - Love Catastrophe

 

 

Honourable Mentions - (most probable 21-30 but impossible to separate)

 

Edguy - Age Of The Joker

Beggars & Thieves - We Are The Broken Hearted

Ten - Stormwarning

Grand Design - Idolizer

The Poodles - Performacracy

Bai Bang - Livin My Dream

Adelitas Way - Home School Valedictorian

White Widdow - Serenade

Farcry - Optimism

Mecca - Undeniable

 

 

All in all 2011 was awesome. Most of the albums in that top 30 are great, with the top 10 or so being genre classics IMO. Lets hope that 2012 continues the great run we are enjoying in the MHR scene!

 

Cheers

[Swazi]

Final standings for 2011

 

1. The Magnificent - s/t - If someone asked me to describe my musical taste I would simply play this album! Stunning bombastic melodic rock from start to finish. Includes my favourite melodic rocker 'Smoke & Fire' and favourite ballad 'Angel' of 2011

2. Dynazty - Knock You Down (Euro) - Simply put this is the new Skid Row for 2011. The Euro version of this album is the must have - huge production, brilliant vocals and not a filler in sight. Lets hope the next album due this year is even better!

3. Toby Hitchcock - Mercurys Down - Stunning release & proves the songwriting prowess of Erik Martensson. Hitchcock sounds amazing throughout and tracks 6-10 match any song this year

4. Work Of Art - In Progress - Great sophomore release.Best pure AOR album of the year

5. Steel Panther - Balls Out - Who said they couldn't follow up that debut? Arguably better with some huge melodic rockers. 'Tiger Woods' and 'Gold Digging Whore' are their best songs to date!

6. Night Ranger - Growin Up In California - Huge comeback album - back to their classic sound. Essential

7. Edens Curse - Trinity- Never knew this band could produce something this good. Amazing attitude in all songs - lets hope they can continue with a new (and better) singer.

8. Vain - Enough Rope - Another huge comeback album. One of the surprises of the year and up there with the debut as a sleaze/glam classic!

9. Destrophy - Cry Havoc - Best modern rock album this year by some way IMO. Love the direction these guys have taken with every song being a melodic gem!

10. Bad Habit - Atmosphere - Congrats to this band for continuing to produce AOR of this standard! Arguably their best and most consistent album.

11. Miss Behaviour - Last Woman Standing

12. Lionville - s/t

13. Reckless Love - Animal Attraction

14. Shy - s/t

15. Lovex - Watch Out

16. Alfonzetti - Here Comes The Night

17. Journey - Eclipse

18. Within Temptation - The Unforgiven

19. Xorigin - State Of The Art

20. Outloud - Love Catastrophe

 

 

Honourable Mentions - (most probable 21-30 but impossible to separate)

 

Edguy - Age Of The Joker

Beggars & Thieves - We Are The Broken Hearted

Ten - Stormwarning

Grand Design - Idolizer

The Poodles - Performacracy

Bai Bang - Livin My Dream

Adelitas Way - Home School Valedictorian

White Widdow - Serenade

Farcry - Optimism

Mecca - Undeniable

 

 

All in all 2011 was awesome. Most of the albums in that top 30 are great, with the top 10 or so being genre classics IMO. Lets hope that 2012 continues the great run we are enjoying in the MHR scene!

 

Cheers

 

Not bad at all, my friend ! My top list would look VERY similar.

[Jez]

Way too many good releases this year, edging out some of the 'supposed' top names that before release, I would have expected to be included.

 

My top 50 (and bloody hard it was too!!)

 

 

1. Lovex - Watch Out! - Perfect in every way. A modern melodic rock monster

2. The Magnificent - S/T - Bombastic melodic rock at it's best

3. Work Of Art - In Progress - THE best pure AOR disc of the year by quite some.

4. Pendragon - Passion - Still life left in the prog masters. The best prog disc of 2011

5. Within Temptation - The Unforgiving - WT deliver their career best so far.

6. Reckless Love - Animal Attraction - Cheesy as hell, but the most fun disc of the year.

7. Shy - S/T - The bands superb rebirth and maybe their swansong. RIP Steve Harris

8. Saxon - Call To Arms - The old dogs turn out yet another belting metal disc

9. Miss Behaviour - Last Woman Standing - ...and one of the years long standing faves.

10. Sixx: AM - This Is Gonna Hurt - A major surprise and superlative modern rock

11. Arena - The Seventh Degree Of Seperation - First album in 5 years and a prog belter

12. Airrace - Back To The Start - A very fine (albeit shortlived) comeback album

13. Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare - Top quality prequel to the AC classic.

14. Status Quo - Quid Pro Quo - Another major surprise. Their best in years (and years)

15. Toby Hitchcock - Mercurys Rising - Slightly overrated, but it got there in the end

16. Xorigin - State Of The Art - Top notch mix of Melodic Rock and AOR

17. Robin Beck - The Great Escape - Excellent set of songs ably assosted by Christian/Denander

18. Von Hertzen Bros. - Stars Aligned - Eclectic mix of prog and hard rock. Fabulous harmonies

19. Presto Ballet - Invisible Places/ Look What You've Done With The Place EP. - Awesome Kansas influended Prog

20. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events - A new drummer, a new era and an excellent album to back it up

 

21. Mr. Mister - Pull

22. Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now

23. Daughtry - Break The Spell

24. Fate - Ghosts From The Past

25. John Waite - Rough And Tumble

26. Eden's Curse - Trinity

27. Coastland Ride - On Top Of The World

28. Chris Antblad - Century

29. Alyson Avenue - Changes

30. Lionville - S/T

 

31. Bai Bang - Livin' My Dream

32. Black Country Communion - II

33. Sunrise Avenue - Out Of Style

34. Touchstone - The City Sleeps

35. Whitesnake - Forevermore

36. House Of Lords - Big Money

37. Dynazty - Knock You Down

38. Yes - Fly From Here

39. James Durbin - Memories From A Beautiful Disaster

40. Farcry - Optimism

 

41. Chickenfoot - III

42. Fergie Frederiksen - Happiness Is The Road

43. Flamedown - S/T

44. Houston - Relaunch

45. Infinity - S/T

46. Bad Habit - Atmosphere

47. Amaranthe - S/T

48. Stampede - A Sudden Impulse

49. White Widdow - Serenade

50. The Poodles - Performocracy

 

 

Honorable mentions:

 

Legion

Mecca

Mitch Malloy

Kimball/Jamison

Fiona

John Parr

Chris Ousey

Elevener

Grand Illusion

Sencelled

Private Line

Carmen Gray

Destrophy

Shadowman

Issa

The Rods

Newman

 

 

Not so honorable mentions:

 

John Wetton

Nightwish

Steel Panther

Journey

Big Life

Serpentine

Scorpions

Queensryche

Heaven's Basement

 

No Night Ranger Jez?

 

Hovering around the 50 place area mate. No mean feat this year.

[Glen]

I think he was implying it's better than most of the albums in your list mate ;-)

[Rick]

For me it's been a better modern rock year than anything else.

 

1. New Medicine - Race You To The Bottom (might possibly be 2010, but it's the best thing I've heard all year!)

2. Sixx AM - This Is Gonna Hurt

3. Black Stone Cherry - Between The Devil

4. Adelitas Way - Home School Valedictorian

5. Stealing Eden - Truth In Tragedy

6. Theory of a Deadman - Truth Is

7. Egypt Cental - White Rabbit

8. Night Ranger - Somewhere In California

[TIM (2)]

Here's my list. Very tough choice between the first 3, with 2 & 3 being fairly interchangeable. If the SHY had the 2 obvious filler songs removed it would challenge for the no.1 spot...

 

1. TOBY HITCHCOCK - Mercury's Down

2. WORK OF ART - In Progress

3. THE MAGNIFICENT - S/T

4. SHY - S/T

5. MACHINE HEAD - Unto the Locust

6. TIMES OF GRACE - The Hymn of a Broken Man

7. LOVEX - Watch Out

8. TRIVIUM - In Waves

9. ASKING ALEXANDRIA - Reckless and Relentless

10.SHANNON NOLL - A Million Suns

11.ALYSON AVENUE - Changes

12.GRAND ILLUSION - Prince of Paupers

 

Other notable mentions:-

 

IN FLAMES - Sounds of a Playground Fading

DAVID COOK - This Loud Morning

ROBIN BECK - The Great Escape

NIGHT RANGER - Growin Up In California

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA - Dead Throne

BAD HABIT - Atmosphere

RECKLESS LOVE - Animal Attraction

 

Disappointments/Crap:-

 

NICKELBACK (utter pointless nonsense with about 2 good songs)

ROB MORATTI (bland uninspired & overrated AOR. Get back with Final Frontier you idiot)

ANTHRAX (mediocre return of once-great band)

DAUGHTRY (loved the last album. indifferent about this one)

NIGHTWISH (expecting: great symphonic metal album like their last two. Got: OTT soundtrack nonsense with no hooks)

DESTROPHY (once innovative metal band, now playing cliched 80's hard rock. hopefully it sold nothing and they now fuck off)

[Glen]

Here's my list. Very tough choice between the first 3, with 2 & 3 being fairly interchangeable. If the SHY had the 2 obvious filler songs removed it would challenge for the no.1 spot...

 

1. TOBY HITCHCOCK - Mercury's Down

2. WORK OF ART - In Progress

3. THE MAGNIFICENT - S/T

4. SHY - S/T

5. MACHINE HEAD - Unto the Locust

6. TIMES OF GRACE - The Hymn of a Broken Man

7. LOVEX - Watch Out

8. TRIVIUM - In Waves

9. ASKING ALEXANDRIA - Reckless and Relentless

10.SHANNON NOLL - A Million Suns

11.ALYSON AVENUE - Changes

12.GRAND ILLUSION - Prince of Paupers

 

Other notable mentions:-

 

IN FLAMES - Sounds of a Playground Fading

DAVID COOK - This Loud Morning

ROBIN BECK - The Great Escape

NIGHT RANGER - Growin Up In California

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA - Dead Throne

BAD HABIT - Atmosphere

RECKLESS LOVE - Animal Attraction

 

Disappointments/Crap:-

 

NICKELBACK (utter pointless nonsense with about 2 good songs)

ROB MORATTI (bland uninspired & overrated AOR. Get back with Final Frontier you idiot)

ANTHRAX (mediocre return of once-great band)

DAUGHTRY (loved the last album. indifferent about this one)

NIGHTWISH (expecting: great symphonic metal album like their last two. Got: OTT soundtrack nonsense with no hooks)

DESTROPHY (once innovative metal band, now playing cliched 80's hard rock. hopefully it sold nothing and they now fuck off)

 

I have that Shannon Noll lined up for a listen - a decent modern album that passed me by.

[TIM (2)]

Here's my list. Very tough choice between the first 3, with 2 & 3 being fairly interchangeable. If the SHY had the 2 obvious filler songs removed it would challenge for the no.1 spot...

 

1. TOBY HITCHCOCK - Mercury's Down

2. WORK OF ART - In Progress

3. THE MAGNIFICENT - S/T

4. SHY - S/T

5. MACHINE HEAD - Unto the Locust

6. TIMES OF GRACE - The Hymn of a Broken Man

7. LOVEX - Watch Out

8. TRIVIUM - In Waves

9. ASKING ALEXANDRIA - Reckless and Relentless

10.SHANNON NOLL - A Million Suns

11.ALYSON AVENUE - Changes

12.GRAND ILLUSION - Prince of Paupers

 

Other notable mentions:-

 

IN FLAMES - Sounds of a Playground Fading

DAVID COOK - This Loud Morning

ROBIN BECK - The Great Escape

NIGHT RANGER - Growin Up In California

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA - Dead Throne

BAD HABIT - Atmosphere

RECKLESS LOVE - Animal Attraction

 

Disappointments/Crap:-

 

NICKELBACK (utter pointless nonsense with about 2 good songs)

ROB MORATTI (bland uninspired & overrated AOR. Get back with Final Frontier you idiot)

ANTHRAX (mediocre return of once-great band)

DAUGHTRY (loved the last album. indifferent about this one)

NIGHTWISH (expecting: great symphonic metal album like their last two. Got: OTT soundtrack nonsense with no hooks)

DESTROPHY (once innovative metal band, now playing cliched 80's hard rock. hopefully it sold nothing and they now fuck off)

 

I have that Shannon Noll lined up for a listen - a decent modern album that passed me by.

 

Yeah it's a good one, better than all the other reality-show discs IMO. Been very disappointed by Modern Rock this year. The David Cook is good, so is Adelitas Way, but neither are Top 10 contenders. 2012 can hardly be any worse...