20. Vintersorg – Jordpuls Avant-Garde/Folk Black Metal
I wouldn’t ordinarily include it, but it’s the first listenable Vintersorg album in over a decade.
19. Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will Post-rock
Slightly more boring than their last few albums.
18. Subway To Sally – Schwarz In Schwarz Medieval/Folk Metal
Nothing we haven’t heard before, though the throwback in Kämpfen Wir! was unexpectedly fun.
17. Falls of Rauros – The Light that Dwells in Rotten Wood Folk/Atmospheric Black Metal
Vast improvement over previous albums.
16. Alda – Tahoma Folk/Atmospheric Black Metal
Essentially the same album as #17, but I won’t complain.
15. Sólstafir – Svartir Sandar Progressive Black/Heavy Metal
14. Omnia – Musick & Poetree Celtic Folk
Besides a few painful moments (I Don’t Speak Human, F*** Her Gently), a thankful reprieve from whatever the heck Wolf Love Was (last year’s biggest disappointment).
13. Ghost Brigade – Until Fear No Longer Defines Us Death/Doom Metal
Heard about this one from Fursy’s (of Les Discrets) excellent video for Clawmaster.
12. Skogen – Vittra Atmospheric Black Metal
11. ASP – Fremd Gothic Metal/Electronic
More electronic and less folk, but still immaculately produced and a catchy album.
10. Burlap to Cashmere – Burlap to Cashmere Mediterranean Folk/Rock
Much more mature than their 13-year-old debut.
9. Wolves in the Throne Room – Celestial Lineage Atmospheric Black Metal
The song titles make me think of Xasthur (not a good thing). Nonetheless the ambient pieces are interesting, and it’s strong overall.
8. Heretoir – Heretoir Post-Black Metal
7. Faun – Eden Celtic Folk
6. Yggdrasil – Irrbloss Folk Black Metal
5. Woven Hand – Black of the Ink Apocalyptic Folk
It’s labelled alt-country, but if “apocalyptic folk” describes anything, it’s this. It’s an acoustic album, but maybe for this reason much more compelling than his other albums.
4. Mamiffer – Mare Decendrii Ambient
3. Tengger Cavalry – Sunesu Cavalry/The Mantra Throat singing/folk black metal
The combination of throat singing and Mongolian folk with black metal is killer.
2. Deafheaven – Roads to Judah Post-Black Metal
1. Tenhi – Saivo Neofolk
Really the only spectacular release this year.
Best Debut: Seidr – For Winter Fire Doom Metal
Best EP: Alcest – Le Secret Post-Black Metal
Ok, it’s a re-release, but the songs are re-recorded (and much better produced) so it counts as a 2011 release.
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