Since we had the whole MS album art awards, I figured I would try and list out my favourites.
This is not in any order and has no relation to the music, there are bands in here that I don't like, but the artwork is still great.
I'm not quite sure of some of the illustrators and designers on some covers, so they have been left blank, if you do know who did them, let me know. If you think there are some artists that I would dig coz of similar work, just leave me a shout.
This list is not finished so I will keep adding covers that I like.
I don't like Derek Riggs work too much so don't ask me why an Iron Maiden cover is not on the list.

1. Baroness - Red Album

2. Baroness - Blue Record

3. Mastodon - Leviathan

4. Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Agorapocalypse

5. Kvelertak - Kvelertak

      View entire list ››

Well so far this year has been quite a let-down when it comes to quality metal. Many of you will probably disagree, but to each his own.

So in order for me to even make a list containing 10 entries I had to fetch them from a year ago which had some really fantastic post-July releases!

1. Vale of Pnath - The Prodigal Empire

2. Vildhjarta - Måsstaden

3. Circus Maximus - Nine

      View entire list ››

These are my picks of "must haves" of 2011 for those who enjoy progressive, technical, djent, and/or experimental metal and hybrids thereof. Derived from over 50 2011 metal releases I purchased and many more that I heard but did not buy. Maybe you missed a masterpiece that I've identified here -- I know I've found a few from others' lists!

1. Leprous - Bilateral

2. Tesseract - One

3. Unexpect - Fables Of The Sleepless Empire

4. Cynthesis - DeEvolution

5. Blotted Science - The Animation of Entomology

      View entire list ››

Well it seems to be the popular thing to do (creating a 2011 faves list) so why shouldn't I jump on the bandwagon too...

Alphabetically of course...although if I was going to put one at the top it would be Archspire (it's unfortunate I haven't seen it on many lists)...

1. Abysmal Dawn - Leveling The Plane Of Existence

2. After Oblivion - Vultures

3. Archspire - All Shall Align

4. Before The Dawn - Deathstar Rising

5. Beyond Creation - The Aura

      View entire list ››

Ordered best to worst. This is entirely my opinion.

1. Insomnium - One For Sorrow

2. Graveyard - Hisingen Blues

3. Havok - Time Is Up

4. Toxic Holocaust - Conjure And Command

5. Deafheaven - Roads To Judah

      View entire list ››

1. The Black Dahlia Murder - Ritual

2. Protest The Hero - Scurrilous

3. Abysmal Dawn - Leveling The Plane Of Existence

4. Skeletonwitch - Forever Abomination

5. Decapitated - Carnival Is Forever

      View entire list ››

Ned Stark's picks for this year. Work In Progress.

1. Thy Catafalque - Rengeteg

2. Fleshgod Apocalypse - Agony

3. Vektor - Outer Isolation

4. Illogicist - The Unconsciousness of Living

5. Blotted Science - The Animation of Entomology

      View entire list ››

1. Opeth - Heritage

2. Mastodon - The Hunter

3. Septicflesh - The Great Mass

4. Pain Of Salvation - Road Salt Two

5. Machine Head - Unto The Locust

      View entire list ››

My tops of this year. If you wanna know anything about those albums or got suggestions PM me!

1. Thy Catafalque - Rengeteg

2. Leprous - Bilateral

3. Devin Townsend - Deconstruction

4. Minushuman - Bloodthrone

5. Textures - Dualism

      View entire list ››

Quite a polarizing year, this one. On one hand, some releases redefined crap itself. On the other hand, we've got quite a few great and awesome albums. All in all, it was a bit disappointing for me, but I won't complain much indeed (unless I compare it with 2007 of course)...

1 to 5: Cream of the crop, by preference order.

1. Lazuli - (4603 Battements)

2. Thy Catafalque - Rengeteg

3. Devin Townsend - Deconstruction

4. Terra Tenebrosa - The Tunnels

5. Unexpect - Fables Of The Sleepless Empire

      View entire list ››

1. Devin Townsend - Deconstruction

2. Septicflesh - The Great Mass

3. Fleshgod Apocalypse - Agony

4. Insomnium - One For Sorrow

5. Textures - Dualism

      View entire list ››

Best (and worst) of 2011 (thus far).
Partially ordered (thus far).
Subject to change, as I see fit.

What a wonderful year, I have to say! This year has seen me expand my tastes like never before. Discovered so many great new acts, while many metal stalwarts delivered the goods as expected. A truly memorable year, and one that I will forever cherish, as far as me being an avid music enthusiast is concerned.

1. Septicflesh - The Great Mass

2. Omnium Gatherum - New World Shadows

3. Sylosis - Edge Of The Earth

4. Heavenwood - Abyss Masterpiece

5. Insomnium - One For Sorrow

      View entire list ››

My top albums of the year, roughly in order.

1. Ouroboros - Glorification Of A Myth

2. Vektor - Outer Isolation

3. Xerath - II

4. Vildhjarta - Måsstaden

5. Havok - Time is Up

      View entire list ››