Wow what another great year in concerts.   Logging more than 30 national and countless local shows,  it’s been one busy year.     Stand out shows for me were Amon Amarth and Symphony X. There is absolutely no comparison to seeing a favorite band, superior performance , up close, in a great venue, with great friends.   These shows were the perfect storms.  10 Years, of course,  always ranks in the “best of” category for me as they are my fave.  Seeing them up close at the Social, and State was a huge treat; and the meet n greet with Mark was the icing. 

SURPRISES

This year there were some surprises, like Priest.  Ticket was a gift and wow I was totally blown away by the caliber of show.   Not to mention the seats were 5^th row center, with the ability to walk to the rail for the Zakk Wylde parts.  Another great surprise was Ozzy.   I wasn’t sure I’d love this concert, but he played 5 Black Sabbath songs including War Pigs and I was in heaven. Also mind blowers were Alice Cooper and Def Leppard.  There is something about the “big” popular shows that make it worth the price, they spare no expense I guess, and the shows are simply top notch.   Each of these shows was a surprise to me mostly because of the vocals and the staying power of these artists.  

LET DOWNS

There were some “let downs” as well and from my favorite bands.   Opeth did not play any of their old death metal songs and chose to focus on the new mellower album;  very disappointing for me.  Mastodon, although still a great show, I seriously missed the Crack the Skye tour, it was much more flamboyant and beautiful then this go round at the HOB. I was sad to see Disturbed which will probably be the last time for a while, as they are now on extended hiatus.  Unfortunately David’s voice was not fully mended that day and he was nothing compared to the way he was in earlier show before all of his vocal issues. (or even last year).

ORLANDO BANDS

As far as local Orlando shows, it’s pretty impossible to count the number of shows attended by-show. Instead I made a list below of some memorable bands (below the national list).   There were a countless number of times seeing Traverser, Empyrean and 5 Billion Dead. These bands continue to be a staple (and faves)  in Orlando metal.   Some new bands captured my heart this year, Druid Lord, Prophecy Z14 and Putrescent Secretancy.  These bands have some serious chops and will for-sure make 2012 amazing for local metal.   I was also very happy to finally see Ring of Scars, after their recording break they came back with a vengeance and delivered to us a new album.  Also very cool is our friend Dexter's band Autumn Empire, I'm sure these guys will go far.  And of course there were THEM, and seeing Celeste and meeting her husband Craig who I hope to see frequently for shredding lessons. 

WHAT’s NEXT

2011 certainly was an amazing year for metal.  The HOB, Firestone, and Hard Rock did an outstanding job bringing us some of the best national tours.   2012 is already off to a killer start. Tickets already in hand for Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Symphony X and Rammestein.   

CYNS 2011 LIST: 

NATIONAL SHOWS   Backwards in Date order (starting Dec 11)

1. Adelitas Way,  Art of Dying, Seether
2. Arkona, Korpiklaaini
3. Alice Cooper
4. Mastodon, Dillinger Escape Plan, Red Fang
5. Judas Priest, Black Label Society, Thin Lizzy
6. Sevendust, Eye Empire
7. Five Finger Death Punch, All that Remains,
8. Yngwie Malmsteen, 5 Billion Dead
9. Dream Theater, Trivium
10. Firewind, Nightrage
11. Opeth
12. Eye Empire
13. Fair to Midland, Empyrean
14. 10 Years in Orlando and in St Pete
15. Mayhem Festival, Disturbed, Godsmack, Trivium, Megadeth,
16. Animals as Leaders, Intronaut
17. Big Business
18. Children of Bodom, Obscura, Devin Townsend,
19. Blackguard, Otep
20. Rick Springfield
21. Sick Puppies
22. Def Leppard,  Heart,
23. Primus
24. Deftones, Dillinger Escape Plan
25. Symphony X, Powerglove
26. Danzig
27. Amon Amarth
28. Iron Maiden
29. 98 Rockfest, Stone Sour, Halestorm,  3 Doors Down, Seether, Skillet, Eye Empire,
30. Accept
31. Eye Empire
32. Taylor Dayne
33. Hell Yeah, Buck Cherry, Damned Things
34. Cradle of Filth
35. Ozzy
36. Hinder, My Darkest Day
37. Nonpoint, Straight Line Stitch
38. Trouble

 ORLANDO SHOWS:   These shows are in no particular order and not all inclusive. This is a list of the memorable ones for me.  Some of which I made it out to see on numerous occasions.  

1. Traverser
2. Druid Lord
3. Empyrean
4. 5 Billion Dead
5. Them
6. Ring of Scars
7. Prophecy Z14
8. Putrecent Secretancy
9. Autumn Empire