Well, that was cool. Looking back a year ago, we were gazing at an unprecedented year of new prog-metal releases. It seemed that nearly every “progressive” metal giant had new material destined for our ears. 2011 proved to be a year of sonic expansion. We heard bands get heavier, crazier, more experimental, and dig to the core of their inspiration in order to fill our ears and minds with aural ecstasy. As the year comes to the close, we once again reflect on what new releases have left an impact on the metal loving music scene of 2011:
