29.1.12

The "teh_chris Best of 2011" Post

Happy New Year

2012, here we come.
About a month late, I'd like to wish my readers (whoever they are) a Happy New Year. Hopefully, 2012 will be an excellent year for Traditionally Virtual, what with different things happening on the virtual and non-virtual gaming fronts, as well as in the music industry. For now, I'd like to briefly give my picks for Album of the Year 2011.

Album of the Year 2011

2011 was not bad, as far as new music releases. Here is my personal top 5 for 2011:
 
AOTY 2011: Syven - Aikaintaite

This five-track, dark ambient work was my Album of the Year for 2011. Released late in the year, Syven's Aikaintaite is an exploration into dark, heavy, and even primordial music, featuring the Finnish kantele, one of my favorite instruments of all time. An excellent album to throw in if you just want to relax and contemplate life's mysteries.

Puscifer - Conditions of My Parole
The new Puscifer album, Conditions of My Parole, was what I thought would be my AOTY, instead dropped to the number 2 slot for the year. You can read my thoughts about this album here.

Nightwish - Imaginaerum
Nightwish's Imaginaerum is supposed to be a supplement to their similarly titled film that tells the story of a conductor who's on his deathbed, remembering the good old days. The movie itself is supposed to premiere this year. We'll see how good it is when it does get released. As for the album, it's excellent. I'm starting to get used to Anette Olzon's voice since Dark Passion Play, and I hope the band continues with this as time goes on.
Iced Earth - Dystopia

After what I felt was an abject failure in "The Crucible of Man", Iced Earth managed to redeem themselves in their new album, Dystopia. Featuring Stu Block on vocals, this album has the fire that made Iced Earth great back during the "Dark Saga" days. I highly recommend "Anthem", it's an excellent track.
Opeth - Heritage
Rounding out this top five is Opeth's newest release, entitled Heritage. Featuring all clean vocals by Mikael Ã…kerfeldt, I enjoyed this album greatly. Go and listen to it to really understand what I mean.

Anyways, time to look forward, and see what 2012 has to offer us.