i guess science is kind of cool.

Thanks to Conor and Patrick, I can’t help but feel obliged to write this second part relatively quickly. You guys are lucky I have a general idea of what should comprise the rest of my list, so let’s have at ‘er.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, my top 10 albums of 2011, part 2. Enjoy!

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4. The Hunter – Mastodon

Mastodon are veterans at creating radical music infused with fantastic musicianship and overall excellent songwriting. Luckily, The Hunter capitalizes on all of Mastodon’s strength and is presented as an easy-to-appreciate, no-nonsense album that can be listend to easily. From start to finish, the record doesn’t seem to have many flaws – despite ending. I really enjoyed Mastodon’s more ‘pop’ influenced approach in their songwriting; it ended up working, and The Hunter felt complete despite going miles in the opposite direction when compared to Crack the Skye.

3. Heritage – Opeth

No, I am not trolling you. No, I am not crazy. Yes, I put Heritage at number 3. Haters gonna hate. This album, to me, is wonderful. I don’t care that it’s not really Opeth per se, and I don’t care that they’re picking up a bit of Dream Theater syndrome, Heritage is a wonderful throwback to heydays of progressive rock – the good kind of progressive rock (not metal) – with musical themes that put most of today’s music to shame. Yes, Akerfeldt does all the vocals, and there are no growls to be found, but I don’t care. The band pulls together fabulously to create something that may not be Opeth, but sounds good enough to be worthy of Opeth.

2. Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming – M83

French electronica – whaaaaaat? “Kamil,” you say, “that doesn’t fit in to the apparent trend you have developed in your eponymous top ten list!” I’m well aware, thanks. But again, hear me out – M83’s newest album (more like magnum opus) is whimsically delightful. Yes, the album is poppy as all hell, but it works with M83’s novel deliverance of music. The lyrics are playful, the content is dream-like, and the musicianship (despite being very digital) is to die for. In fact, this album stopped me for about an hour and a half while I was writing my English paper the night before it was due (needless to say, I did well on it – thanks for caring). It’s easy to pick up and enjoy but not so easy to skip through the tracks or – Darwin forbid – stop listening to it. I may sound like I’m praising the living hell out of this album (of which I am), but I really like it. Really, really like it. Check it out, s’il vous plait?

1. 777 – The Desanctification – Blut Aus Nord

Alas, we come to the end of the rabbit hole – the number 1 spot. And what a surprise, another French music act (not that there’s anything wrong with the French, guys)! This black, industrial cesspool of sheer terror is frightening, disturbing, chilling, and oddly satisfying. Listening to this album gives one more than the creeps – it’s a literal trip into a relentless hell of clanging, digital percussion, so rhythmically perfect that it holds time still and relieves the listener of all hope. I can’t really put how epic this album is into words, so I warrant a listen. In fact, if you don’t listen to it, I’ll hunt you down, throw the album into your face while mercilessly pestering you (like your mom telling you to clean up your room). There is brutal horror to be found in 777, the second part of an expectedly kvlt trilogy by Blut Aus Nord. Needless to say, there could be no other album destined to find itself #1 on my list – and that’s a huge statement. Listen to it, what are you waiting for? You scared?

Honourable Mentions:
Ghost – The Devin Townsend Project
Nord (reissue) – Year of No Light
Helplessness Blues – Fleet Foxes

– K.