Adrien Begrand

Hellbound.ca’s Top 20 Albums of 2011, Part 3

We asked all of the contributing writers here at Hellbound.ca to submit their Top 10 albums of 2011, which we then compiled into a master list, assigning points to all their choices (10 points for #1, down to 1 point for #10). After tabulating the results, we have created Hellbound.ca’s Top 20 Albums of 2011. For part three of our continuing series, here is albums #10 through 6…

Eyehategod – Live

Eyehategod Live is ugly, abrasive, and a bit of a mess, but fans of the band wouldn’t have it any other way. And seeing how Eyehategod will likely never play a show north of the border, this is a live set for Canadian fans to savour, not to mention seethe with envy of their neighbours to the South.

Shooting Guns – Born to Deal in Magic: 1952-1976

In the hands of a producer who specializes in this style of music (this band was born to work with Sanford Parker), these guys could be capable of a record that sounds even more massive. For now, though, we’re perfectly content listening to one hell of a fun debut, one of the very best Canadian metal/rock albums of 2011, singer or no singer. Besides, with grooves this contagious, who needs a singer, anyway?

Children of Bodom/Devin Townsend Project/Septicflesh/Obscura @ Odeon, Saskatoon, SK, July 3, 2011

“Children of Bodom has done a remarkable job building a very loyal fanbase in Canada, and it’s gotten to the point where the band dramatically outsells the United States per capita north of the border. They are loved here, and as usual their fourth performance in Saskatchewan in four years was met with great enthusiasm.”

Adrien Begrand reviews the July 3rd Saskatoon performance by Children of Bodom, Devin Townsend Project, Septicflesh and Obscura at the Odeon. Photos by Darcy Begrand.

In Solitude – The World.The Flesh.The Devil

It’s great seeing bands from our continent carrying the proverbial torch, but it seems these Swedes have an incredible knack for making themselves sound like they came from a 1983 Banzai Records compilation rather than 2011. When a band takes that vintage style and absolutely nails it, like Portrait, like Ghost, like Year of the Goat, like Helvetets Port, like Bullet, and in this particular case, like In Solitude, it’s enough to make any metal geezer over the age of 40 realize that there just might be hope for metal after all.