Hi guys!

Alright, so it's time for a list. The best and worst of 2011 so far. Let's start with the best.

Amon Amarth-Surtur Rising
What made it good: While it brought nothing new to the table, Surtur Rising was able to bring the melodies and structure necessary for a good Amarth album.

Symphony X-Iconoclast
What made it good: Symphony X took it up a notch with this record, utilizing orchestra as well as soaring vocals. The best progressive album to be released so far this year.

Ghost-Opus Eponymous
What made it good: Opus Eponymous was an album that utilized vocal harmonies, catchy hooks, and excellent riffing. Though the lyrics are cheesy, this album is still one of the strongest of the year (so far).

Septicflesh-The Great Mass
What made it good:It's usage of orchestra and choir combined with pulverizing death metal riffs and growling vocals easily make this the best album to be released so far this year.

Foo Fighters-Wasting Light
What made it good:It's Foo Fighters. That should speak for itself.

Now that isn't every great album released this year, but those are ones that came to mind. Now it's time for the worst.

Queensryche-Dedicated to Chaos
Why it's bad:This album attempted to combine progressive metal with dance beats. You can guess how that worked out.

Sirenia-The Enigma of Life
Why it's bad:This thing is just so...boring. A real shame considering this once was one of the best gothic metal bands around.

The Haunted:Unseen
Why it's bad:While its ambitious, the album lacks direction and ends up sounding like a compilation album of several genres.

Forgotten Tomb-Under Saturn Retrograde
Why it's bad:This album basically took Brave Murder Day by Katatonia, changed a few riffs and released a "new" album. Forgotten Tomb might as well change their name to Katacloneia.

And now the worst of the worst...
Morbid Angel-Illud Divinum Insanus
Why it's bad:Well after an 8 year hiatus Morbid Angel returned with what will go down as the St Anger of death metal. It is awful from front to back, as it attempts to be both Combichrist and a death metal band at the same time. Absolutely horrendous album.

So that it. Tell me your best and worst in the comments.

Until next time...
Jzilla \m/