Goat - World Music (Rocket Recordings)

Long gone are the days of limited access to music from new bands located on different parts of the earth.  Case in point, Sweeden's new 'it band' Goat who released their debut album earlier this year to nearly universal critical acclaim.  As the title of the album title aptly implies, Goat play a fusion of many different musical styles from around the world, mostly Jazz, Psych Rock, Afro-Rock...you get the point.  Goat are scheduled to perform at the almighty Roadburn Fest in April of next year, I have a feeling they will not disappoint. 
Fav Tracks: 'Diarabi' & 'Goatlord'

My Rating: 9 / 10

Graveyard - Hisingen Blues (Nuclear Blast Records)

One of the things I like about the current state of heavy metal is how bands like Graveyard, who are not full-on heavy metal, are embraced with open arms by critics and fans alike.  Many of the aforementioned placed Graveyard's 2nd full length album very high on their 'Best Albums of 2011 List' and I myself was no different.  Apparently Graveyard are not resting on their laurels, they are about to release another album via Nuclear Blast Records later this month. 
Fav Tracks: 'Buying Truth (Tack & Forlat)' & 'Aint Fit To Live Here'

My Rating: 9.5 / 10

Archie Bronson Outfit - Coconut (Domino Records)

Another album that has dominated play time on my ipod these past couple years is, Archie Bronson Outfit's 3rd full-length entitled, 'Coconut'.  Released in 2010, Coconut is an amazing record of loud and harmonic garage/noise rock.  Very impressive album that I cannot recommend enough, metal fan or otherwise. 
Fav Tracks: 'Shark Tooth', 'Wild Strawberries, & the epic 'Harness (Bliss)'.

My Rating: 10 / 10

Ancestors - Of Sound Mind (Tee Pee Records)

Progressive Metal/Rock is very hit or miss with me and Ancestor's second full-length album entitled, 'Of Sound Mind', definitely falls into the former category.  Using a perfect mixture of keyboards, riffs, and varied tempos, this album, is a Prog Metal gem.  Ancestors are much more than your standard Progressive Metal band though, as I can think of at least 5 of other musical genres at play in this album.  Extra points for showing some serious classical piano skills on a couple tracks as well.
Fav Track: 'Bounty of Age', 'Mother Animal', & 'Challenging' (Challenging is a classical piano piece!)

My Rating: 8.5 / 10

Dukatalon - Saved By Fear (Relapse Records)

I'm trying to concentrate on applying for jobs today so I don't want to spend too much time blogging, sorry to disappoint the 3 of you who regularly stop here.  Anyways, one of my favorite albums of the past 3 years is Dukatalon's debut full-length entitled, 'Saved By Fear'.  Originally released in 2009 by some obscure Isreali label, Relapse Records later got wind of these guys and re-released the album in 2010.  Dukatalon play some of the grimiest sludge metal I have ever heard!  Seriously, I don't think the lead singer/guitarist tries to pronounce the words whatsoever, but rather growls into the microphone for different lengths of time.  These guys fucking destroy and I can't wait to hear more from them (supposedly they are working on a new album for 2013). 
Fav tracks:  'Zx' & 'Mekonenet'

My Rating:  10 / 10

Eraas - Eraas (Felte Records)

Every once in a while I will purchase an album without knowing a single thing about the band, besides perhaps a similar band comparison.  Inevitably, this practice leads to me being let down about 50% of the time.  Eraas self-titled debut, released earlier this year, is an example of the opposite result.  I don't really know how to describe their sound, but the first band/artist that comes to mind for me is UNKLE, one of my all time favorite groups.  Basically, this album is a mix of dark ambient post-punk with various sound effects scattered about.  The album cover appears to be a scared astronaut which might be the best way to describe the overall feel of the album. 
Fav tracks:  'Crescent', & 'Skinning'

My Rating: 7.5 / 10

Mammatus - Mammatus (Holy Mountain Records)

For no particular reason other than being badass, I've chosen the debut full length by the stoner/psych rockers Mammatus entitled, 'Mammatus', as album of the day.  Released in 2006, Mammatus's debut is a brilliant blend of heavy psych, stoner, and fuzz rock which instantly catapulted the band to the top of the stoner/psych scene's proverbial mountain alongside Sons of Otis, Ufomammut, and Samsara Blues Experiment, just to name a few.  According to the Mammatus facebook page, the band is currently mixing album number 3. 
Fav Track:  'Dragon of the Deep Part Two'

Rating:  8.5 / 10

Unearthly Trance - V (Relapse Records)

One of the more consistently brutal and impressive metal bands of the past decade, IMO, is Unearthly Trance.  Released in 2011, their final full-length album entitled, 'V', contains  13 tracks of skull crushing brutality mixed with just a bit of drone for good measure.  The band announced their dissolution earlier this year, only to re-emerge bigger and badder than ever under the name 'Serpentine Path'. 
Fav tracks: 'Into a Chasm' & 'The Leveling'

My Rating: 9 / 10

Horseback - Half Blood (Relapse Records)

One album that is sure to make an appearance on my best albums of 2012 is Horseback's 3rd full length entitled, 'Half Blood'.  I remember reading a review of this album which stated that the combination of musical styles these guys utilize should not work.  I share that reviewer's sentiment, but somehow the odd mix of growling vocals, soft-psychedelic riffs, and drone tempos works perfectly. 
Fav tracks: 'Arjuna' & 'Hallucigenia III: The Emeral Tablet'

My Rating: 9 / 10

Tia Carrera - The Quintessential (Small Stone Records)

Its funny how some musicians can play guitar without any particular sound structure in mind and end up with some of the most killer rock I have heard in some time. Tia Carrera do exactly that on their 4th full length album entitled, 'The Quintessential'. Released in 2009, via the stoner rock kings (Small Stone Records) this album contains 5 songs of heavy, laid-back, and unscripted rock n roll. By the way, normally these guys are strictly instrumental however, the final track on The Quintessential features vocals which are not too shabby. Fav tracks: 'The Unnamed Wholeness' & aforementioned 'Hazy Winter'.

My Rating: 8 / 10