It's the end of the year that means it's time for a "Best of," so here's mine for the world of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. (To read my "Best of" for popular culture click here.)
Band of the Year: Anthrax
Album of the Year: Anthrax-Worship Music
Come Back of the Year: Anthrax:
2011 was the year of Anthrax. Joey Belladonna is back upfront and the band released the long awaited album, Worship Music to such acclaim that some are calling it their best album EVER! Based on the strength of the first seven tracks,I can understand. If that wasn’t enough, Bronx Borough President Rubin Diaz Jr. declared September 14th “Anthrax Day” the same day they opened a small concert called “The Big 4!” with Megadeth, Slayer, and Metallica. And too think ten years ago people were saying they should change their name. And with 2011 at an end, Anthrax isn’t slowing down. They’ll be on tour with Testament, hitting NYC on February 8th at the Best Buy Theatre.
Best New Band: Black Veil Brides: Don’t let their look (a cross between the Crow and early Motley Crue) fool you, these guys rock hard and play for keeps. So much so they've caught the attention of Zakk Wylde, Sebastian Bach, and Nikki Sixx. Black Veil Brides shattered the glass ceiling this year with the album, Set the World on Fire and the single, Fallen Angels. With a unique look, fast tight playing, and sense of showmanship, I expect big things out of these guys in 2012.
What the F**% Was That: Lou Reed and Metallica- Lulu: They get an “E” for effort but unfortunately, the highly anticipated collaboration between Lou Reed and Metallica turned out to be misshapen, mishmash of rambling and feedback. But, I’m a positive person and there are a few diamonds in the rough that is Lulu. Download “Brandenburg Gate,” “Iced Honey,” “The View,” and “Junior Dad.” Avoid the rest.
Overlooked Album/DVD: Slash-Live: Made in Stoke 24/7/11: I never thought I’d put the name “Slash” and the word “overlooked” in the same sentence. Teaming with Alter Bridge vocalist Myles Kennedy, Made in Stoke is a live album composed of material from Slash’s Snakepit, Guns N Roses, Velvet Revolver, and Slash’s solo work. What makes this live album work is how well Slash and Myles Kennedy work together. Myles keeps the spirit and sound of the songs alive while at the same time putting his own unique spin on them, especially on “Ghost,” which is superior to the studio version (and that version has Ian Astbury from the Cult and Izzy Stradlin performing on it).
Concert of the Year: The Big 4- September 14th, Yankee Stadium: Best. Concert. Ever.
Interview of the Year: Eddie Trunk and Joel Peresman, CEO and President of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Foundation: Much has been made of Eddie’s interview with Axl Rose on That Metal Show and as good as it was, his interview with Rock N Roll Hall of Fame CEO Joel Peresman from his Sirius/XM show was a far more interesting conversation. Eddie, one of the most powerful voices in music, has always been an outspoken critic of the HOF and he took this opportunity to not only voice his opinions to the CEO but did so in a respectable manner getting answers that may not be to our satisfaction, but ultimately let us into the inner workings of the nomination and selection process for the Hall. At the end of the day Rush, Deep Purple, and KISS aren’t going in this year, but maybe they’ve found a brand new advocate. Listen here.
Honorable Mentions: Though they weren’t featured in the article (or I didn’t get around to doing a write up) the following bands released good albums or are deserving of some recognition:
· Korn-The Path of Totality
· Trivium- In Waves
· Megadeth- Th1rt3en
· Mastodon- The Hunter
· Rival Sons- Pressure and Time
· Guns N Roses being nominated and voted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.
· Alice Cooper going into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.
· Happy 30th Anniversary to Metallica.
Comments