1. Mastodon – The Hunter
Mastodon’s fifth studio album is a real grower of a record, but when it grows it becomes monumental, channelling progressive thunderous riffs, space-age soundscapes and mythical story telling. Rarely would I describe an album as an adventure, but ‘The Hunter’ really is, and it’s arguably the best work from one of the biggest metal bands in the world right now.
2. Architects – The Here & Now
A measured and thoughtful release from Brighton’s best, delivering their fourth album in diverse fashion that both splits current fans and drags in new ones. Many would call it far more ‘mainstream’ than Architects should be, but that’s not a bad thing. The band can only move onto bigger and better things after this, because it keeps the brutality but introduces their softer side, which will open more doors than it closes.
3. Heart in Hand – Only Memories
Probably the best new band of the year for me, I discovered Heart in Hand by accident and have barely been able to stop listening to ‘Only Memories’ since. British melodic hardcore with a definitive edge, this honest and passionate album sets up the band for big things in 2012.
4. Protest the Hero – Scurrilous
One of my favourite bands of the last few years release their third album with not much of a fanfare, building their fan base with solid hard work and a musical style that is equally technically efficient and boundary expanding. It’s exciting, insane and completely visceral in style and substance. Musical porn if it ever existed.
5. Radiohead – The King of Limbs
A haunting and glorious group of songs, Radiohead’s latest release twists the beats of their sound into shapes that never forget how the band started and progressed in the past. They are the only band of their status that really seem to be trying to put out music that provokes thought and emotion without compromising of conspiring to what is popular with modern guitar bands. The songs are put together fantastically and convince me that this band will never release a bad album.
6. Frank Turner – England Keep My Bones
Frank Turner, the humble, impassioned and determined singer-songwriter, has released an album that displays both his displeasures and pleasures in life, never feeling overdone or melodramatic. It’s both witty and heartfelt, which makes Turner a genuinely likeable artist and his songs instant classics even after just a few listens.
7. The Devil Wears Prada – Dead Throne
A devastating album where the songs are short and snappy, combining hostile vocals and soaring choruses with chugging riffs and massive drums. ‘Dead Throne’ is a storming release from a band that are pushing their way to the top of festival line-ups.
8. Trivium – In Waves
‘In Waves’ hits the heights that previous album ‘Shogun’ didn’t, throwing back to the classic Trivium sound with huge songs, albeit with a tinge of slightly more of accessible clean vocals and catchier tunes. Epic aggressive tunes and sweeping instrumentals prove that the band have a lot of legs in them yet.
9. Born of Osiris – The Discovery
An original and unique album that stands out from the crowd of the modern spew of metalcore. It’s one of the heaviest albums of the year while also being one of the most audacious and spirited. Truly amazing.
10. Heights – Dead Ends
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