The 3 Most Controversial Albums in Metal for 2011

Top 3 List

3. Liturgy: Aesthetica

I already included this one as one of my five worst albums of the decade, so you know where I stand. But there were actually quite a few people who like it, and it has made several best-of-the-year lists. Most of the controversy came about not because of the music itself (which, even its supporters would have to admit, borders on the ridiculous in places) but because of all the pretentious things their frontman has said. And not only pretentious, but almost anti-metal--like his assertion that black metal doesn't have to be negative.

2. Leviathan: True Traitor, True Whore

While facing charges of sexual assault, Leviathan's Wrest had the stones to release an album with a title that could be interpreted in a few ways--none of which make him look any better. Plenty of people have talked about it, but really, what did you expect? This guy is true, unapologetic black metal to the core.

1. Opeth: Heritage

Forget felony charges hanging over your head, the real headline this year is "Most Beloved Band in Metal, No Longer a Metal Band." Opeth's switch to prog rock honestly should have come as no surprise to anyone who's followed them for the past decade, but it's still quite a shock to get through the whole album without hearing a single one of those magnificent death growls. Just as controversial are the wide range of opinions on the album, from absolute hate to open embrace.

All 2011 List Week Posts:

- The 5 Worst Metal Albums
- Top 5 Rejected Names for New Korn Album
- Best Metal Album Cover
- The Top 5 Ways Classic Bands Will Shit on Their Legacies in 2012
- The Top 3 Non-Metal Albums
- The Top 3 Metal EP's
- The Top 8 Blog Posts on Full Metal Attorney
- The Best Metal Song
- The 2 Biggest News Items in My Personal Life
- Promoter Exchange
- The Top 25 Metal Albums: 25-11
- The Top 10 Metal Albums