Album of the Year 2020

[xNickyUrinex]

 

 



01. Hot Mulligan - you'll be fine
02. Downswing - Good Intentions
03. You Will Always - Dependent, Reliant
04. Rot- ...As One
05. The Ghost Inside - The Ghost Inside
06. Be Well - The Weight and The Cost
07. The Acacia Strain - Slow Decay
08. Misery Signals - Ultraviolet
09. End - Splinters From An Ever-Changing Face
10. Stay Inside - Viewing

[chainbreaker]

great question, this year has been what i would class as a musical drought for me, i've listened to lots of 'new' music but nothing released this year.

I would love if people could put a 1 sentence blurb next to there choices so i can figure out if i wanna listen.

Some things that came out this year that i really liked but not sure if AOTY contenders are:

creeper - sex, death and the infinite void
salem - s/t
kaleida - odyssey (deluxe got released this week and has a great nirvana cover on it)
son lux - tomorrows II
gila - energy demonstration
joji - nectar

if anyone got any hardcore/metal etc that i should listen to then pls tell me.

honorable mentions for disappointing me tremendously.

monetochka - Arts and Crafts // Декоративно-прикладное искусство

after her previous album coloring for adults // Раскраски для взрослых
i was expecting just the ultimate russian pop sensation to blow my mind, and this album is so boring lol, wtf she thinking. You ain't madonna you can't be just genre hopping.

sufjan stevens - the ascension

i'm not gonna front i think about dying all the time, and carrie and lowell (previous album) was and still is my soundtrack for it along with my day to day work soundtrack (no correlation, promise) so when i heard new album coming i was ready to end it all, super excited.

This album just ain't it chief. BUT i will give it a chance i will probably need to listen to it probably another 25 times and read the lyrics and then one day the meaning will hit me and then it'll probably be AOTY a year late. But right now, not impressed.

thanks for reading xxxx

[stringypoo]

I’m not ready quite yet because some bands were being silly and decided to release their albums so close to the end of the year. Had those albums been just average I would have been done with this, but I need to let some more listening time pass. Also, this year I plan to make my most detailed list, partly because I found this to be an excellent year in Metal, and I really hope to inspire people to find reason to check out some things they hadn’t.

Anyway, I agree with Chainbreaker. I love a good blurb with each post.

[Unlearner]

I didn't even buy ten albums this year, so I have a top six- and five of them are in no particular order.

1. Protest The Hero - Palimpsest; Protest The Hero have been my favorite band for almost 18 years now and I have never been disappointed by anything they've released. This is my favorite album of the year.

2-6:

Paralysis - Mob Justice

The Black Dahlia Murder - Verminous

Warbringer - Weapons Of Tomorrow

Skeletal Remains - The Entombment Of Chaos

HORSE the Band - Your Fault (only a three-song EP, but it's HORSE)

[stringypoo]

Dec 5, 2020 11:44:24 GMT -5 Unlearner said:

I didn't even buy ten albums this year, so I have a top six- and five of them are in no particular order.

1. Protest The Hero - Palimpsest; Protest The Hero have been my favorite band for almost 18 years now and I have never been disappointed by anything they've released. This is my favorite album of the year.

2-6:

Paralysis - Mob Justice

The Black Dahlia Murder - Verminous

Warbringer - Weapons Of Tomorrow

Skeletal Remains - The Entombment Of Chaos

HORSE the Band - Your Fault (only a three-song EP, but it's HORSE)

I had a feeling I'd see Warbringer, Protest the Hero, HORSE, and Skeletal Remains.  In some way, we seem to have some comparable tastes.  I don't quite have interest in HORSE, but to be fair I also have not given them a listen in ten years or more now.  

I have to say though, Skeletal Remains is the most complicated release for me of the year probably, as I kinda think it is the most amazing sounding release of the year.  The mixing, the vocals, the guitars, the badass drumming...there's hardly anything wrong with it.  And yet, the album just feels so long by the time I'm halfway through it, and somehow nothing really stands out except for that moment near the half-time groove at the end of "Congregation of Flesh" when he shouts that song title catch line.  That moment is just so memorable and fun.  I think I just need to listen to it more, because I've only listened to it about 6 or the 7 times through so far.  I love this band, but something just isn't sticking for me somehow.  And yet, it's seriously like the best Morbid Angel album that Morbid Angel never released.  lol

[Corvus]

#1. Hot Mulligan - You'll Be Fine:

Best Pop Punk album since What You Don't See. Heartfelt and raw, overly descriptive in the way that makes the genre truly great. Something about this release was a breath of fresh air this year. Best songs are SPS and Sunglasses, by a mile.

#2. Caspian - On Circles:

One of the best and most imaginative instrumental albums of all time. Creative, vaguely space-ish, distant and intriguing. Easy album to put on in the background whilst you focus on another task. Album is best listened to in one spin, but top tracks include Wildblood and Collapser

#3. The Ghost Inside - The Ghost Inside

Raw, emotional, engaging. The band's sordid history just connects on a level hard to put into words. Somewhat less melodic and beautiful than previous releases like "Dear Youth" but somehow infinitely more heartfelt. Top songs are The Outcast and One Choice

#4. Misery Signals - Ultravilot

They did it again. Misery Signals are one of the most expressive acts in the metal scene. The carrying melodies that underlie the heavy cadence of the lyrics and overall songwriting is top notch. They've released what may be their best album yet.

#5. Run the Jewels 4 - Run The Jewels 4

Holy fuck, they did it again. Not a huge rap guy but this album is hard to miss. Songs featuring larger than life artists like 2 Chainz, Josh Homme, Zack de la Rocha, & Pharrell help the album to stand out and contextualize just how impressive this release is... this one is hard to miss. Rap Duo RtJ does it again in perhaps their most complete release yet and prove why the deserve all of the clout that they've earned.

6-10 in no specific order:
Currents - The Way It Ends
Invent, Animate - Greyview
The Word Alive - MONOMANIA
Stay Inside - Viewing
The Killers - Imploding the Mirage.

Top 5 tracks of the year:
1. The Killers - My Own Soul's Warning
2. Hot Mulligan - SPS
3. The Acacia Strain - Chhinnamasta
4. Capsian - Collapser
5. Misery Signals - Cascade Locks

[chainbreaker]

Dec 6, 2020 2:32:41 GMT -5 Corvus said:

#5. Run the Jewels 4 - Run The Jewels 4

Holy fuck, they did it again. Not a huge rap guy but this album is hard to miss. Songs featuring larger than life artists like 2 Chainz, Josh Homme, Zack de la Rocha, & Pharrell help the album to stand out and contextualize just how impressive this release is... this one is hard to miss. Rap Duo RtJ does it again in perhaps their most complete release yet and prove why the deserve all of the clout that they've earned.

ive added it to my "to listen" list , u made it sound good.

[Calvinball]

The Ghost Inside - ST
Covet - Technicolor
Plini - Impulse Voices

I listen to way more audiobooks than music nowadays so I didn't seek out a ton of new stuff this year. These three albums were all the big three highlights for sure.

[ElderGoose]

Ulcerate - "Stare Into Death And Be Still" is the only album I can confidently say is an album, if not THE album of the year for me. I've sure listened to a lot of good albums but none really stick it and demand my attention and enjoyment like this one. I always like these lists and topics, gives me loads of new music to binge on a day off

[stringypoo]

Dec 11, 2020 21:11:28 GMT -5 ElderGoose said:

Ulcerate - "Stare Into Death And Be Still" is the only album I can confidently say is an album, if not THE album of the year for me. I've sure listened to a lot of good albums but none really stick it and demand my attention and enjoyment like this one. I always like these lists and topics, gives me loads of new music to binge on a day off

I loved the sound of that album.  After three full spins, I did not continue listening, but only because I found the experience so dense and never really found the unique quality that would have me come back for more.  Some tracks sounded so similar with each other on a level that I lost interest while listening at times.  However, this album has been a few other people's favorite album of the year, and it gives me enough reason to go back and listen again some more times.  For me, 3 times through an album still isn't enough listens.  I'll go back and do my homework.  It truly is a great sounding record.  And definitely an ambitious one.  

[stringypoo]

Okay, it's time for my massive top albums list post.  I always try to do it up big each year.  This year is no different.  While it was not a stellar year in music for some of us, I found it to be a huge year in music.  If you love metal, especially a wide variety of it, this year was a killer one.  My list would look different if some of the best bands in the game hadn't been silly and decided to release albums in December.  So take the top 10 fairly seriously, but I'm also giving my top 11-20 albums because they were all so great to me.  So first 10 are in order.  Here we go!  My wordiest post of the year!  In addition, I have included a listening recommendation for each album.  I would post the YouTube link, but it's inconvenient in China and also makes this post load up slowly.  Hope you guys can find something cool from my list.  

Top 10 Albums of 2020

1. Defeated Sanity- The Sanguinary Impetus (Brutal Technical Death Metal)
Thank goodness I came to my senses and realized this album needed to be heard a lot of times before making a decision on whether or not it stays in my phone for listening. This album is stacked with incredible technical prowess, intensely impressive musicianship, and surprisingly clever songwriting. The album feels quite different from previous material, as it is less heavy feeling in a way with its warmer and almost fuzzier production. While that was somewhat a turnoff on the first two listens, later listens revealed to me that it was absolutely the most suitable production for this album. This is the most rewarding listen of the year for me, and I’ve likely listened through it from start to finish more than 50 times, which is a lot for someone as busy as I am.
Listen to:  "Imposed Corporeal Inhabitation"

2. Warbringer- Weapons of Tomorrow (Thrash Metal)
Warbringer did not just make it this high simply because of the fact that “Defiance of Fate” is my song of the year. This album is so well-written and well-paced, when it finishes it is almost always time to play it again. Thrash metal is not always known for being varied and inventive. I couldn’t say this is inventive either, but it is certainly varied in its presentation, considering the two epic black metal-tinged tracks, the heavier stompers that remind of Demolition Hammer, and the speedier numbers that break into true old school Bay Area Thrash territory. And I love an album that doesn’t mess around. No ambient intro track here, just straight to the songs.
Listen to:  "Defiance of Fate"

3. Bone Church- Acid Communion (Stoner Metal, Heavy Metal)
In case you didn’t know, the largest musical movement that led to heavy metal was the blues. If you ever noticed the blues scales that litter early Black Sabbath material, and Ozzy’s bluesy vocal lines, you can make the connection there, as well as with a ton of other early metal bands. Well, Bone Church aren’t one of those early bands, but they might as well be, as they really play up those early Black Sabbathian heavy metal blues-oriented riffs and vocal lines. I bet if Ozzy ever hears this underground gem, he’ll be stunned by it. There is enough gold in these riffs to make Tony Iommi envious! This is the unknown album every Black Sabbath fan needs right now.
Listen to:  "Witch in the Cellar"

4. King Witch- Body of Light (Epic Heavy, Doom Metal)
This album was my introduction to King Witch, and hot damn is this one a banger! It’s full of surprises, as it is a heavy metal album under the guise of a doom metal album. The tempo changes that happen midway through songs that bring about some of the best guitar work you’ll hear all year is stunning. And vocalist Laura Donnelly is the most impressive female vocalist I’ve ever heard in metal. Just when you think she’s reached her peak in range and intensity, she piles on another layer and octave! She sings with power, which isn’t unheard of with female metal vocalists, but once you’ve heard her, you’ll think everyone else is weak. She especially borrows from the uniquely tense vibrato stylings of Candlemass singer Messiah. One more thing, this album is another to bring in heavy Black Sabbath influences. If you like Black Sabbath, here’s one more album to put in your listening pile.
Listen to:  "Of Rock and Stone"

5. Havukruunu- Uinos Syomein Sota (Epic Black Metal, Viking)
Havukruunu have cracked my top 10 list before, and they’ve certainly done it again with this year’s album. It seems to be that they have even graduated from total obscurity with this one, as there is much more attention on these guys than ever before. This is Pagan black metal not too unfamiliar with that of Moonsorrow, only this being less experimental in the instruments department, and much more manly of a band than Moonsorrow. The opening viking hymn call and response on the first track is so powerful and almost possesses a cinematic quality without need of picture. It erupts into a thunderous sound which epically envelopes this masterpiece. I’m a huge fan of this record, and I don’t even like black metal anymore.
Listen to:  Uinuos Syomein Sota

6. Traveler- Termination Shock (Traditional Heavy Metal)
How could I have a top 10 list that didn’t include Traveler the year they release an album? They’re seriously my favorite band, regardless the fact their album isn’t #1 for me this year. Termination Shock is a familiar sound, but with some unique vocal twists and some toying around with epic writing on a couple of tracks. There is also a big Iron Maiden-inspired track here which bangs with a ton of guitar soloing. The last track was not a solid pick for my tastes initially and took more than 20 listens before I could claim I liked it. I could have certainly pictured a different closing track. Nonetheless, it is a fantastic record for people who love old school traditional heavy metal in the vein of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden.
Listen to:  "Deepspace"

7. Eternal Champion- Ravening Iron (Epic Heavy Metal)
Eternal Champion. For those who are in the know of this band and what makes them awesome, the fact this isn’t my #1 might be a shocker. This absolutely crushes the debut album, which was considered by many fans of true metal to be the greatest album of the decade. Another thing interesting about this band is that despite their style, they feature a guitarist of Power Trip. In some way, there is a Power Trip kind of thrashy/hardcore heaviness about this album and the first album in some areas, making this potentially a gateway band to true heavy metal for some. However, vocals are likely to be a sticking point for many, especially considering this guy has such a uniquely plain voice that projects with power, unlike you’ve probably ever heard before. No vibrato, but huge vocal presence. And many claim he’s the #1 reason the band clicks with them. I’m not personally sold on that idea, but I love this band and this album kicks major ass. Go check it out!
Listen to:  "A Face in the Glare"

8. Protest the Hero- Palimsest (Post Hardcore in my opinion)
Okay, in all honesty, I really don’t know where the new Protest the Hero goes on my list. At times it was easily the best thing I heard all year, and at others I felt burnt out on it. I think the reason is that I really didn’t stop listening to this album once I got it, and to the point that I knew it far too well. It’s a great thing on the initial front, but the fact that I couldn’t simply put it higher on my list says a bit about my listing priorities. Easily one of the catchiest albums of the year, and some of the biggest choruses ever. This band always delivers big. I will gripe about the last track, partly because I don’t enjoy the Trump topic at this point anymore. It’s been done to death. Even though the band doesn’t use his name, it’s clear they’re referencing him. At this point, referencing him in comedy, art, music, etc, is just overdone for me, despite my distaste for Trump as well. Also, I just did not enjoy that song as much as I wanted for an opener. But all in all it’s a killer record.
Listen to:  "From the Sky"

9. Inquision- Black Mass for a Mass Grave (Black Metal)
Inquisition are a very touchy subject nowadays, and before you crucify me for including them on a list, know that my ears do not discriminate. The fact is, this album probably won’t make it onto many year-end lists despite how good it is because too many people refuse to give the band credit for it due to the re-emergence of the illegal activities of the guitarist from 2008. Not going to get into it, but absolutely what went on there was not okay. Me liking this album is not me supporting what he was doing. But when a major metal review site which holds many extremely critical reviewers has three reviews up for the album and all give this album a 100/100% (go see metal-archives to see what I’m talking about), you’ve gotta check it out. And again, I don’t like black metal much. This is in a class of its own in terms of black metal. There are hardly any blastbeats on this record, which is highly uncharacteristic of a black metal record. It’s super melodic at times, and possesses a sound that sometimes I might call “Christmassy.” What supports my feeling is that I listened to this record in a mall that was simultaneously playing Christmas music, and the Christmas bells sounded extremely fitting at times. Aside from that, there are just qualities of this record that shine in a way that I could only fail to describe clearly. Just go hear it if you’re curious. And know that the first listen probably won’t do much for you. I realized its brilliance perhaps on the 3rd full play through.
Listen to:  "Triumphant Cosmic Death"

10. Butcher- 666 Goats Carry my Chariot (Speed Metal, Blackened Speed)
Butcher released this album back in January, but I didn't hear it until December (I'm such an idiot!).  I didn't head over to this one so quickly because I had listened to their previous album and wasn't impressed.  But this album blows the previous one out of the water completely.  Speed metal may be an acquired taste, especially in the vocals department for many, but with a blackened approach to it, it's hard to complain about vocals.  There are qualities of this album that are unmatched by anything else on my list.  This is one of those bands that packs a serious punch in every second of music, and just when you think they couldn't turn it up any more, they shock you with a surprise jolt of energy from out of nowhere that surpasses everything else, such as the way they end the song, "45 RPM Metal."  That is one of my favorite moments in music all year.  Had I not only recently discovered this album, it would probably be much closer to #1 on my list.  
Listen to:  "45 RPM Metal"

11-20 (Not so much in order, although sort of...)

11. Purification- Perfect Doctrine (Doom Metal, Stoner)
In all honesty, Purification would probably be closer to my top 3 spots if I had started listening to it much earlier, as there is a lot I love about this record. The production is fuzzy, there are lots of vocal effects, and wonderful stoner riffs to tie it all together with Black Sabbath in a way. The vocalist is actually the same vocalist as the one who starred in my #1 favorite album of last year (Troll- Legend Master), and he brings a lot of what made his performance on Legend Master so great to this band too. His approach is supremely musical in an almost theatrical kind of way. It would be easy to suspect that he was a vocal and/or acting major in college based on his performance on these songs. His lines are sung with sensitivity to the music and to the lyrics in a way that it almost feels like an emotionally charged conversation, but sung. There are some really cool vibes going on in these songs that make this much more than just another doom/stoner album, but you’ve just gotta hear it for yourself.
Listen to:  "Opium Blade"

12. Hexecutor- Beyond Any Human Conception of Knowledge… (Thrash, Blackened Thrash Metal)
Hexecutor, an insanely talented band whose ambitious approach to thrash metal is extremely unknown to the masses.  I like to think I am the one who brought them to the light, having been the one to get them their first interview for an online metal site.  Since that interview, their first album managed to round up a few high praising reviews, and they were able to have enough support to release this second full-length.  Whether or not their success had anything to do with me, it doesn't matter to me in the end.  I'm stoked to have more from these guys to listen to.  If you like thrash metal with a blackened edge, an almost punky delivery, and yet with a unique concept album delivery, this is for you.  Especially, it's awesome to have a thrash metal album that does not just recycle old familiar thrash riffs.  This one truly has a ton of unique riffs you won't hear anywhere else.  These are the true hidden jewels of French Thrash metal.  
Listen to:  "Danse Macabre"

13. Ripped to Shreds- Luan (Death Metal)
Ripped to Shreds, or more like Andrew Lee, are gaining notoriety in the death metal scene in unique fashion. There are actually two lineups for this band (one plays and tours in US and the other in Taiwan!), which isn’t common at all. The Trans Siberian Orchestra does that, but this band is nowhere as popular nor as well-known, so that’s bizarre formation in my opinion. Anyway, if you love that old first album by Entombed, but maybe want them to tone it down on that HM-2 petal and make it less buzzy, this is the album for you. Musically it is so much like classic Entombed, Carnage, and Dismember, but just less buzzy. And while that is a descriptor that normally causes for alarm, as most of those bands with that sound are totally forgettable, this one just isn’t as forgettable. If you follow any of Andrew Lee’s other several projects, you’ll find his work is of quality.
Listen to:  "Baigujing"

14. Solicitor- Spectral Devastation (Traditional Heavy Metal, Speed Metal)
This one was initially looking like an album of the year for me.  There are some songs on here that rival the best songs on the top 10 albums without a doubt.  This is great old school traditional heavy metal with a slight speed metal feel to it.  The star of the show is the vocalist, a lady with an incredibly powerful voice.  It's not a beautiful voice.  It's scruffy, smoky, and fits the energy of the music perfectly.  She also has an impressive range.  File this release under the same folder as bands like Traveler, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and the like.  Would be higher on my list if the songs in the second half of the album were as solid as the first half.  
Listen to:  "The Red Queen"

15. Skeletal Remains- The Entombment of Chaos (Death Metal)
Okay, honestly, I think THIS IS THE BEST SOUNDING ALBUM ON THIS WHOLE LIST.  I love the throwback old school death metal in the vein of early-mid-era Morbid Angel.  The vocals are tortured and powerful.  The guitar riffs are busy and motivically interesting.  The crunchy heavy half time stomp moments are catchy and crushing.  The guitar solos are slightly atonal and fast in a way reminiscent of many old school death and thrash metal bands like I like.  Somehow, listening to this album is only great for me however if I'm not doing a run from front to back.  It's best in small bursts for me, as it begins to feel very long by the time I've gone from track 1 to track 6.  I think the most difficult thing about it is that I can't find the reasons for why this is.  But don't get me wrong.  This album is a banger, especially if you dig mid-era Morbid Angel.  So go get it!
Listen to:  "Congregation of Flesh"

16. Ironsword- Servants of Steel (Epic Heavy Metal)
The most manly of albums on my list (and also probably most nerdy) is here.  I love stuff like this.  The band is a clear effort of paying homage to the greats of epic heavy metal, Manilla Road.  Just about everything about this screams Manilla Road worship.  And why not, as MR were truly the legendary unsung heroes of epic heavy metal.  This captures everything they did, and puts it into a more polished and heavy sounding production.  The riffs here are just so heavy sounding, despite not being ridiculously fast or angular like those of death metal and thrash metal.  These riffs are more about a feeling than technical prowess and speed.  And the guitar solos are less flashy here, and rather some of the most musical solos I've heard in a long time.  The drums are heavy pounding, really suiting the music and theme so perfectly.  Perhaps the only thing some may dislike is the vocals, but being a longtime Manilla Road fan, I could not feel that way at all.  These vocals are perfect.  Please give this a try.  
Listen to:  "Tower of the Elephant"

17. Ensiferum- Thalassic (Viking, Melodic Death Metal)
I found it to be quite an interesting fact that a number of people have stated recently that Ensiferum were their introduction to metal music.  While I couldn't say it is true for me, surprisingly they were one of the first metal bands I heard, and with a name like that and coming from Finland, it is even more surprising.  This just was not my thing for most of the middle years of my listening to metal.  This is melodic death metal, the European way.  However, recently I find this kind of folksy melodic death metal extremely satisfying.  Not only that, but there are a couple of true folk music bits played on acoustic instruments of the Scandinavian variety that really just make me want to dance.  That sounded cheesy, but it's true.  This one is classy, and the new vocalist who also plays keyboards on this record is the true highlight for me, as his voice is sometimes extremely powerful, high, and soaring.  He truly elevates the music with his powerful voice, especially on the apex of the album, "One with the Sea," where he belts out this super high and strong chant of the title lyric.  Describing the moment doesn't do it justice.  Hope you guys can hear him.  Also, I love Norse mythology, and this band follows that theme. 
Listen to:  "Run from the Crushing Tide"

18. Ambush- Infidel (Traditional Heavy Metal)
Ambush are one of the first bands whose 2020 album I listened to.  Being an early release, I listened to it for a good 3 or 4 months before putting it down for a while.  The catchiness of this album was deceptive, as it didn't strike me as so on the first couple of listens, but before I knew it, I couldn't get the album out of my head.  There isn't anything particularly standout about this one, but the songs are super well executed and the songwriting just works.  The best band comparison out there is the old school traditional heavy metal band, Riot.  If you go listen to Riot's 1988 classic album Thundersteel (a true gem), Ambush's new album is very much in that vein, albeit not as good as Thundersteel.  
Listen to:  "Leave them to Die"

19. Enslaved- Utgard (Viking, Progressive Black Metal)
Okay, this one was a difficult placement.  There is a lot of experimentation on this album.  At times, it reminds of older Enslaved material, while at other times it just continues their ever experimental phase.  I don't like this album as much as their previous album, E, which I don't think means much because that album seriously divided fans, just like this one probably has done.  There are a couple of great epic songs on here with unique choruses and soundscapes, but this is one of the shorter albums they've released in a while.  For me, the coolest feature of this album is the emergence of their drummer doing vocals on the song "Homebound."  That song somewhat goes into post-metal territory, which I normally don't care for.  However, his vocals are just so emotional and powerful.  How could I not love it!
Listen to:  "Homebound"

20. Magnus Karlsson’s Freefall- We Are the Night (Heavy Metal)

If there were ever an album on a top list that I'd say you guys could all just ignore, it's this one.  I already know there is a 99% chance that none of you will care for it.  For me, however, I love this cheese.  There is hardly a more star-studded heavy metal album out there, as every track features legendary vocalists, each with their own track.  One of the ex-Black Sabbath vocalists has a track here, a dude from Trans Siberian Orchestra with a super powerful voice opens the album, and a couple of powerful lady vocalists contribute in the middle.  This album just does it all for me.  It's not as well-written overall as many other releases, most likely due to the fact there are way too many cooks in the kitchen, but the novelty of this many star vocalists made it a very fun listen regardless.  

Listen to:  "Hold Your Fire"

EP of the Year

Living Gate- Deathlust (Death Metal)
Nowadays the trendy sounds in death metal are mostly Swedish Death, cavernous death/doom, and modern spins. While that’s cool and all, Living Gate are like a reboot of another classic sound that has not been revived so often lately, which is that awesome sound of early to mid-era Suffocation. Suffocation were more technical than Living Gate, but many elements of their sound have been captured and portrayed here. You know it’s a great EP when you feel it’s too short and must play it again and again, just like I felt about last year’s EP from Vader.
Listen to:  "Living Gate"

Disappointment of the Year

Dance Gavin Dance- Afterburner (Post Hardcore)
I don't hate this album, but despite 20+ listens to this album, it just does not hold my attention anywhere near as well as all of the previous albums.  One of my favorite bands did not impress me this year when I look at it this way.  Every song sounds good, but nothing really leaves a strong lasting impact.  Oh well.  Better luck next time!

[ElderGoose]

Dec 12, 2020 23:37:49 GMT -5 stringypoo said:

Dec 11, 2020 21:11:28 GMT -5 ElderGoose said:

Ulcerate - "Stare Into Death And Be Still" is the only album I can confidently say is an album, if not THE album of the year for me. I've sure listened to a lot of good albums but none really stick it and demand my attention and enjoyment like this one. I always like these lists and topics, gives me loads of new music to binge on a day off

I loved the sound of that album.  After three full spins, I did not continue listening, but only because I found the experience so dense and never really found the unique quality that would have me come back for more.  Some tracks sounded so similar with each other on a level that I lost interest while listening at times.  However, this album has been a few other people's favorite album of the year, and it gives me enough reason to go back and listen again some more times.  For me, 3 times through an album still isn't enough listens.  I'll go back and do my homework.  It truly is a great sounding record.  And definitely an ambitious one.  

You're not wrong to feel that way, it's definitely not Metal in the style that would seem entertaining, accessible, and maybe even cohesive to most. There's never really any riffs that lead up to and build up to a grand moment that feels like it pays off and absolutely steals the show for that one song. It's just soul-crushingly heavy with a lot of intensity and repetition and exactly like you said, it's just DENSE. Same reason Meshuggah is my favorite metal band and why so many people hate them. One of my favorite metal albums ever, "Obscura" by Gorguts again does exactly this. It's absolutely a slog to listen through, but it's so intense and draining and is exactly why it stands out to me above every other album I remember listening to repeatedly this year. It's what I like in music. Absolutely NONE of my metal-listening friends like it, they'll say they want something with more "soul" which is the complete opposite of this dark robotic-sounding subset of extreme metal that I absolutely can not get enough of. I understand completely why one wouldn't like it, people listen to metal for different reasons. No memorable solos or drum fills, no standout vocal performances, no real "flow" or melodies, it's just hypnotic and heavy dread. Not everyone's cup of tea, please don't feel like you absolutely have to like it just because some dudes on the internet told you it's good. Those are my reasons for liking it, you can listen to and enjoy music for completely different reasons that are just as valid.

[stringypoo]

Dec 13, 2020 23:39:17 GMT -5 ElderGoose said:

Dec 12, 2020 23:37:49 GMT -5 stringypoo said:

I loved the sound of that album.  After three full spins, I did not continue listening, but only because I found the experience so dense and never really found the unique quality that would have me come back for more.  Some tracks sounded so similar with each other on a level that I lost interest while listening at times.  However, this album has been a few other people's favorite album of the year, and it gives me enough reason to go back and listen again some more times.  For me, 3 times through an album still isn't enough listens.  I'll go back and do my homework.  It truly is a great sounding record.  And definitely an ambitious one.  

You're not wrong to feel that way, it's definitely not Metal in the style that would seem entertaining, accessible, and maybe even cohesive to most. There's never really any riffs that lead up to and build up to a grand moment that feels like it pays off and absolutely steals the show for that one song. It's just soul-crushingly heavy with a lot of intensity and repetition and exactly like you said, it's just DENSE. Same reason Meshuggah is my favorite metal band and why so many people hate them. One of my favorite metal albums ever, "Obscura" by Gorguts again does exactly this. It's absolutely a slog to listen through, but it's so intense and draining and is exactly why it stands out to me above every other album I remember listening to repeatedly this year. It's what I like in music. Absolutely NONE of my metal-listening friends like it, they'll say they want something with more "soul" which is the complete opposite of this dark robotic-sounding subset of extreme metal that I absolutely can not get enough of. I understand completely why one wouldn't like it, people listen to metal for different reasons. No memorable solos or drum fills, no standout vocal performances, no real "flow" or melodies, it's just hypnotic and heavy dread. Not everyone's cup of tea, please don't feel like you absolutely have to like it just because some dudes on the internet told you it's good. Those are my reasons for liking it, you can listen to and enjoy music for completely different reasons that are just as valid.

Did you hear Zealotry’s album last year, called At the Nexus of All Stillborn Worlds?  I feel like you’d really dig that record.  It’s real dense and technical in a way that seems like an in-between point of Meshuggah and Ulcerate.  I quite liked the album but once again, it just didn’t hold my attention in long bursts.  They’re so impressive though.  

[stuartoxlade]

10 - Xenobiotic - Mordrake

Some lovely tech-death from Australia. Hadn't heard this band prior to this release but I'm on board for anything going forward. Has a bit of everything I like genre-wise.

9 - Orthodox - Let It Take Its Course

Orthodox with their usual brand of hardcore with added nu-metal elements that you'll either love or hate

8 - Gaerea - Limbo

Portuguese black metal with awesome production

7 - Justice for the Damned - Pain is Power

Australian deathcore. Loved the first JFTD record but this takes it up a notch with the vocals and the guitar tones

6 - Alpha Wolf - A Quiet Place to Die

Australian nu metalcore - I was grabbed by one of their videos which takes animation to fun new levels, but this is some of the best mashup i've heard of genres for a while. Tony Danza-esque riffs at times. Fans of Dealer should eat this up.

5 - Dysphoria - Primal Entropy

If brutal deathcore/mathcore/downtempo is your bag then this Ukranian band are well worth your time. Imagine Red Chord meets The Faceless

4 - Boundaries - Your Receding Warmth

Boundaries have brought back everything I loved about 00's metalcore. Heavy ass vocals, beatdowns and some sick shoutout material primed for live shows

3 - Wake - Devouring Ruin

Canadian grindcore with blackened elements. This album truly is a journey of blast beats, epic song lengths and some of the best grind I've heard in years, with decent production to match

2 - Yashira - Fail to Be

Dark metalcore/post metal from Florida. Yashira are everything I love about heavy metal - crushing vocals, unpredictable mathy guitar timings, and some chugger chugger

1 - END - Splinters from an Ever-Changing face

Superbands don't really get much better than END. All metalcore bands should aspire to this album as it's a classic in the making. Fans of Kurt Ballou-production need to get a load of this.


Non-metal shoutouts:

Hot Mulligan's album this year was the best pop punk I've heard for a long time
Denzel Curry continues to impress in hip-hop
Freddie Gibbs' collab with Madlib is well worth a bash
Really enjoyed the latest Movements record as well

[tao]

Was about to remark to all the -core kids y’all sleeping on Yashira, but stuartoxlade knows the truth.
Also, chainbreaker, check out: Volatile Ways - Condemned to Death, Burdened to Life