got-djent.com's favourite releases of 2011: editors' picks

The got-djent.com moderation team goes through a lot of music in a year. As our 'favourite releases of 2011' reader poll already showed, some excellent tunes came out in 2011. But, as we all know, popularity and quality don't necessarily correlate. Some music never seems to get the attention it deserves.

Today, the got-djent.com moderators are pitching a couple of albums to you that they feel are worth hearing, but didn't make the 'favourite releases of 2011' list - some of the 'hidden gems' in djent. Contrary to our poll, which was based on over 800 site users' votes, the list presented below is based on the opinions of individual got-djent.com staff members, and it is important to realise that it does not represent the opinion of got-djent.com as a whole. Since it is one of our main goals to be a neutral community platform, we feel that this disclaimer is appropriate and indeed necessary.

Below, you'll find recommendations for 14 albums, as well as streaming, downloading and purchasing options where applicable. If a free download link is provided, that means the album was released for free by the artist(s). All free downloads are 100% legal.

All Tomorrows - Opilion

This album stood out to me instantly because, like all great South American metal, it is pure rage. The guitars roar, the drums and bass hit hard and the voice will grab your innards and make you feel the burn. Think very heavy death metal with huge riffs, ridiculous groove and true melodic balance (the latter of which can be very well hidden). The dynamic variety and impossible rhythmic accuracy set this apart from any computer-programmed bedroom release: this band are one, they play as one. Gojira and fellow South Americans Sepultura spring to mind in terms of power and lyrical content, and the early writing of Meshuggah is forever prevalent. This album will make you think about our world, make you feel insecure, make you feel violent. And, above all, it will make you think: "why didn't I listen to this band before?" - Zyglrob

stream from Bandcamp
purchase from Bandcamp

Beyond Our Eyes - Ancient

As far as instrumental music goes, this EP has got to be one of my most listened to albums from last year. The EP is in some ways mechanical, but most of the guitar parts are from groove heaven. The chords behind every song make you feel like you are actually trapped inside some kind of ‘Ancient’ tomb, always struggling to emerge from the madness. I spend a lot of time seeking out music that is instrumental and guitar-based, and ‘Ancient’ is a perfect example of what other instrumental artists should try to attain. Front to back, ‘Ancient’ seems to maintain one common theme throughout and it never breaks flow. Keep an eye out for all of 'Beyond Our Eyes' releases, especially if you like heavy hitting instrumental guitar tracks. - Jules

stream from Bandcamp
free download from MediaFire
purchase from Bandcamp

Deely - Unframed

Being a logical development of the debut EP 'Ineave', ‘Unframed’ turned out to be a really catchy and peculiar album, abound in cool melodies. This time, Huczek ventured deeper into electronic-acoustic experiments that added considerable airiness and ambiance to the sound. However, notwithstanding the presence of the new musical elements, measured and abrasive guitar riffs didn't vanish and, as before, add heaviness and a bit of aggression to the compositions. Having made an emphasis on electronic-ambient and acoustic components, Tomasz managed to achieve an inimitable blend of various sound colors and tints, harmony and aggression, calm and rage. To get a picture of what it sounds like, try to imagine the mellow part of the sound, peculiar to the representatives of Polish djent scene (Gru, Jakub Żytecki) and add to it the aggression along with the insanity of Meshuggah-esque riffs. If you’re looking for a great combination of heaviness and melodiousness, this album is definitely for you. - Clarity

stream from Bandcamp
free download from Bandcamp
purchase from Bandcamp

Gardenjia - Ievads

'Ievads' from Italy-based Gardenjia (ex SheWalksInBeauty) can be considered one of the little "underground" gems of the last year. Off-kilter rhythms and sonic crushes brought by the continuous low-end assault of "chunking" guitars à la Meshuggah are the main musical theme here, along with some intermediate sections reminiscent of Cynic and Devin Townsend. The vocals performed by Raffaele Galasso are very intense, full of pathos and in the end pretty unique, not to mention the lyrics, which talk about delicate subjects like ALS ('Gardenjia') and animal vivisection ('A Beast Called Man'), along with oneiric and visionary themes ('Stones As Dry Leaves'). The band themselves put a particular effort into the mixing and recording of the EP, which sounds well polished and clear. Outstanding tunes and brilliant songwriting abilities make this a killer debut EP, and a required listen if you're looking for something fresh and original in a nearly-saturated scene. - breakdown

stream from Bandcamp
free download from Bandcamp

Gradjent - Flow System

I know what everyone probably thought when they saw Gradjent and their album ‘Flow System’ float by on the “recent releases” column: “lol they named their band after djent.” Honestly, if that was you, shut up and listen to it. If you have even a mild appreciation for pop-rock, clean singing, and you’re surfing this website, you’ll dig it, and hopefully your prejudice will turn into a little respect: them folks have some balls of steel. Like a baseball (of steel!) to the back of the head of a left-fielder, Gradjent comes out of nowhere with a noticeably tasteful talent for texturing and a surprisingly catchy, clean vocal melody. Hell, even the photography for the cover is excellent, like it belongs as a pre-packaged Windows desktop background. The definition of straight-up djent prog, it convinced me never to shy away from abstract-singular-named bands with the token, stigmatized “dj” ever again. Get it; you’ll have fun listening without trying to analyze it to the bone, looking for syncopated triplets to figure out how to tap your foot. - Meowzer

stream from SoundCloud
free download from Rapidshare

Halcyon - Pastures

Perhaps some people would object to calling this a djent album due to the abundance of guitar leads and solos, but it's definitely there. Hailing from Australia, Halcyon are a duo that plays catchy melodic instrumental progressive metal, with the occasional groovy interlude. What sets them apart is their extensive use of clean (and even acoustic!) guitar and prominent bass lines, which is definitely unusual in this genre, and they manage to make it work really well. Fans of instrumental prog cannot pass this one by. If you're into Animals As Leaders, Jakub Żytecki, Gru and the like, you should definitely check this out. - benanne

stream from Bandcamp
purchase from Bandcamp

Invocation - EP

Comprised of four tracks of roughly equal length, which flow perfectly into each other, this EP represents quite a monolithic structure. When listening, you don't even think about skipping of the tracks. Effectively combining top-notch vocal work with grooviness, aggression and melodiousness, Invocation managed to create quite an outstanding release. Each piece is in its place, splendidly integrated into the musical fabric. Exceptionally executed ambient melodic riffs are the icing on the cake. Apparently they were influenced by the work of another British band, TesseracT, which by no means makes them less unique or stand alone. All these elements create an unbelievable atmosphere and make the songs stuck in your head for a while. Even after a long time of listening to the EP, at the end of the day you find yourself unconsciously banging your head to this music or admiring the beauty of ambiances. Still unconvinced? Well, your loss. - Clarity

stream from Bandcamp
free download from Bandcamp
purchase from Bandcamp

Joncofy - Rorschach Inkblots

I remember Joncofy being around back when djent was still a marginal phenomenon, but nevertheless 'Rorschach Inkblots' is their first real release, apart from their demo 'Life'. Joncofy take a lot from TesseracT when it comes to the role ambience plays in their music. But overall, they mostly remind me of progressive metal band Riverside; probably thanks to vocalist Math_max's excellent cleans. Check out the last three minutes of the opening track or the middle section of 'Naenia' to see what I mean. The music is interspersed with some heavier moments, which add some variety without sounding forced. That said, if it's heaviness you're looking for, this EP is probably not for you. If you enjoy great clean vocals and soaring melodies however, check this one out. - benanne

stream from Facebook
free download from joncofy.com

Lifeforms - Synthetic

I picked Lifeforms' five song EP ‘Synthetic’ because, despite being short, it packs a huge punch. The EP really jumped out at me on first listen, it has a great balance between being technical and never losing a main melody. The mastering is very polished, and the sonic booms make you feel like grabbing a drum and beating it yourself. The breakdowns on Synthetic are really fun and the clean guitars still give depth to each song. The vocals are mainly screamed, but a clean vocal section nicely ties all the songs together. The band was recently signed to Lifeforce Records and they have an album coming out in June. I can’t wait to hear what they put out next, and recommend Lifeforms to anyone who likes bands similar to Structures or Volumes. - Jules

stream from Bandcamp
purchase from Bandcamp

Liquorworks - Moist Computer

One of innumerable instrumental EPs released in 2011, Liquorworks' Moist Computer is a proggy, deliciously varied listen. Liquorworks takes the best of Dream Theater's instrumental noodling, mixing it with some big orchestral keys and a Chimp Spanner-esque feel for epic song construction. Each of the three songs on here has its own unique identity and there is not a minute of wasted time, giving the listener a short but very sweet journey. Indeed, the band's ability to make 5 minute songs feel like towering prog saga's shows their compositional abilities! - Klonere

stream from SoundCloud
free download from liquorworks.wippiespace.com

Nerve End - Axis

If you’ve ever listened to Devin Townsend’s music, you’ll know what makes it special. Sublime riffs, soaring guitar solos, and “that voice” make each song immense. Starting with simple harmonic and rhythmic building blocks, the music gradually layers up to produce an overall package which could crush atoms. Well, ‘Axis’ has all of these facets and more: the amazing manipulation of vocal capabilities, coupled with huge guitars, plentiful groove, and massive bass all come across without fault. This is straight-up melodic metal, but in an esoteric way: definitely accessible, but their musicianship is so advanced from others of this category that you couldn't compare them. So grab a copy, let the melodies sink in, and you’ll be in awe before you’ve even realised it! - Zyglrob

stream from Bandcamp
free download from Bandcamp
purchase from Bandcamp

On Impact - On Impact

I’m no composition savant, but I know it when I hear clean production and a unique sound. These guys will impact (see what I did there?) your face and your psyche with an iron fist from angles you didn’t know existed, all without saying a word. On Impact’s EP is an exhibition of all the niches djent has penetrated. It will take you from chaotic grooves and jazzy quick-picking action all the way to electro and slow Meshuggah-style hardcore riffs. If you’re a djazz fan, you’ll be able to tell they are just what you’re looking for after just the first two tracks. Animals As Leaders breakdowns, Periphery humor and electro interludes, Ever Forthright tone and groove, Cloudkicker repetition and syncopation style, and a dash of the classic jazz tradition of “even bass gets a solo” make this one stand out among the rest of the instrumentals on my “hits” list. And, most importantly, they do it all with their own unique flavor. Anyone could argue influence from anywhere in the metal world all day for On Impact, and, in all likelihood, not even begin to cover all the bases. - Meowzer

stream from Bandcamp
free download from Bandcamp

Red Enemy - What We Are Contained In, Is What We Are Worth

To those of us looking for some straight up, aggressive groove, look no further than Red Enemy's debut EP. With no-nonsense bruising riffs (No One Will Remember Our Names) and well-placed breakdowns (Prodigal Son), What We Are Contained In Is What We Are Worth is the perfect hardcore EP. A special nod must go to the production which is refreshingly clear but with a nasty bite to both guitars and vocals alongside the lyrics which are quite astute and intelligent. - Klonere

purchase from iTunes

Vectors - Vectors

What immediately stands out during the listening of this debut EP by Spain-based Vectors are the vocals performed by Javier Pérez, which successfully achieve bringing dynamism and freshness to the compositions, naturally switching from harsh and growled vocals to melodic and passionate singing, the latter of which is more accentuated throughout the chorus sections of the four tracks. Instrumentally, the band did a great job, creating an overall soundscape revolving around groove and deep tonal rhythms alternating with atmospheric progressive passages. Think about it as a mix between the groove and atmosphere of Textures, combined with the warm and angry voice of vocalist Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. With the addition of great production and mixing values, these guys are an interesting band to watch for in the near future. - breakdown

stream from Bandcamp
free download from Sendspace
purchase from Bandcamp

Featured on:

4 weeks 3 days ago Australian Djent-lemen