Black Cobra - Invernal (Southern Lord Records)

Black Cobra's 2011 album entitled, 'Invernal', is without a doubt one of my favorite albums of the past 5-10 years.  With so many Sludge/Doom Metal bands these days, I imagine it has to be a challenge to keep a distinct sound associated with your band.  Black Cobra's distinct sound would best be described as supremely intense sludge metal with heavy riffs and unrelenting vocals. 
Fav tracks: 'Crimson Blade' & 'Corrosion Fields'. 

My Rating: 10 / 10

Golden Void - Golden Void (Thrill Jockey Records)

Golden Void, released earlier this year, is the debut full-length from Golden Void, a band consisting of members of Earthless, Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound, and other great psych/stoner bands.  Initially, I wasn't the biggest fan of this album, however, after a few rotations I started to get the sound the band was going for (a sort of stoner/psych/folk hybrid)  Sometimes the best music, and art in general, takes time to digest before you fully appreciate its meaning and significance. 
Fav tracks: 'Virtue', 'The Curve', & 'Atlantis'

My Rating: 7.5 / 10

Demonic Death Judge - The Descent

I honestly have no idea how I came about today's album by Sludge Metal beasts, Demonic Death Judge.  Regardless, 'The Descent', released in 2011, is DDJ's debut full-length released by Inverse Records.  DDJ play hate-filled sludge/stoner metal with a dash of black metal for good taste.  I really like how DDJ are not afraid to slow things down a bit and give the listener's eardrums a chance to regain their bearings. 
Fav track: 'The Descent' (brilliant song!!)

My Rating: 8 / 10

The Devil's Blood - The Time of No Evermore (Ván Records)

One of my favorite albums of 2011 was 'The Thousandfold Epicentre' by The Devil's Blood.  I liked said album so much I sought out the remainder of band's back catalog, which includes today's album, 'The Time of No Evermore'.  Released in 2009, The Time of No Evermore is a hauntingly beautiful slab of classic heavy metal/occult rock with some seriously awesome female vocals.  Apparently, the band lives up to their name in concert as well, full on blood bath and all.   Check it out!! 
Fav tracks: I'll Be Your Ghost' & House of 10,000 Voices.   

My Rating: 9 / 10

Beastwars - Beastwars (Destroy Records)

I'm back!  I never thought regularly updating a blog would be as difficult as it is. 

Beastwars self-titled debut, release in 2011, is a a monster of an album that I somehow managed to put off listening to for an entire year.  Just an all around great album I can't recommend enough. 

My Rating: 9 / 10

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