#10 - Top of 2020

Wytch hazel - iii: pentecost (bad omens records) 

If you are looking for a melodic hard rock album with a feel-good attitude, look no further than the UK and and amazing Wytch Hazel. The previous album (II: Sojourn) was very interesting but they have managed to evolve their sound with their by far best album so far, III: Pentecost. Armed with a new bassist, Andy Shackleton, the band carries on in their exploration of spirituality, battles and truth with their unique style and the mellow voice of Colin Hendra, the lead vocalist, in the frontlines. After warming up to their retro and uplifting sound with the intro song, you get hit with the awesome "Spirit and Fire", which a very memorable chorus and melodic guitar riffs that are impossible to get out your mind, except by hearing the album on repeat! Other memorable tracks include  and the Lucifer-inspired "Archangel" which has an edgy vide reminiscent of the eerie Ghost-vibe of hard rock/heavy tunes and vocals , and "Dry Bones" which has everything from the best guitar intro riffs to high-pitched vocals that will get any listener pumped for more. The album also has different aspects like the acoustic "The Crown" and the instrumental "Sonata" which change the pace at the right moment, just before the more epic and gloomy "Reap the Harvest" which has a more proggy feeling and a great piano intro/ending. Even if you are no fan of the Christian themes and the album won't entice you to go to church, you will 100% appreciate their ability to write great music and want to listen more of their work in the future!

94.95/100

Below is the official music video for "Spirit and Fire".

 

#11 - Top of 2020

 Haken - Virus (Inside Out Music)

Sometimes life plays funny games, like Haken releasing an album entitled "Virus" in the midst of a huge global pandemic,  with the announcement of the release of the album on April Fool's Day making  some believe it was a joke. Well, let me tell you, Virus is anything but. The heavier approach adopted in "Vector" carries on here with low-tuned guitars, with the aggressive riffing in opener "Prosthetic" showing  the intentions of the band. In "Invasion" the characteristic rhythmic tongue-in-cheek returns, with the vocals and the lyrics building in a clever way on the rhythm section. I would be remiss no to mention "Carousel", one of the most interesting tracks on the album that changes faces and keeps you awake, while "The Strain" has a very catchy main musical theme.

Additionally the five-parter "Messiah Complex" continues the saga of the Cockroach King, which began back in "The Mountain". Without a shred of doubt, Haken have managed to create their own unique sound, and it seems that in their last three works have gradually moved on the heavier end of the spectrum of what they play, without losing their identity. "Virus" is like the last step of a well-designed path. What the next step will be is certainly uncertain but at the same time interesting. We will definitely be there to see it anyway!

94.85/100

Below are the music videos for "Invasion" and "Prosthetic"

#12 - Top of 2020

 Hexecutor - Beyond any human concept Of knowledge... (dying victims prodcuctions)

Hexecutor are one of those rare gems someone can find when looking for new releases in that they play true heavy metal without hesitating to have a rough sound. After a couple of hearings, their songs grow on the listener mainly due to some amazing melodic guitar riffs that can be heard in across all tracks and fit perfectly with the blackened vocals. For those reluctant to overlook the first shock from Jey Deflagratör's intense vocals (and subtle French accent), do not be quick to judge and remember that unique sounds might turn out to be a band's strong point. In their second full length album, named Beyond Any Human Concept of Knowledge..., is packed with heaviness and a strong touch of epicness that peaks with the phenomenal "Tiger of the Seven Seas" and the equally amazing "Belzebuth's Apocryphal Mark", with both going just over 7 minutes of  metal awesomeness! That doesn't mean that the rest of the album is lacking in those elements as the band mixes together thrash, speed and heavy metal tunes, like the shorter but impactful "Danse Macabre", creating an interesting blend of Bathory-like sounds with more virtuosic Fenriz-like guitars. Overall, a great surprise but definitely worthy entry in 2020's top that adds a haunting twist in the heavy metal scene for brave travellers of the seven seas!

94.75/100

Below is the lyric video for "Tiger of the Seven Seas"

 

#13 - Top of 2020

Mekong Delta -  Tales of a Future Past (Butler Records)

The dark Lovecraftian magic of Mekong Delta returns to our bewitchment for a 12th time, in perhaps their most prog-metal infused record yet. Drawing on the style they have created with their latest few albums, Mekong Delta once again produce a great album. The speed is lower this time round, using the patterns they have established throughout their work, creating asymmetrical dark music pieces, with the basslines of their leader Ralph Hubert, featured prominently in the mix. Martin LeMar is by far the most controlled singer to ever have graced the band combining an excellent tone and attitude with a loud and clear voice  "Mental Entropy",  "A Colony of Liar Men", "Mindeater" and "When All Hope is Gone" have certainly a place among to the best compositions by Mekong Delta. The latter, reaching almost  the ten minutes mark will impress the listener with changes in style and a very rich orchestration.  Tales of A Future Past is  a "must" album for all the band's friends and at the same time an excellent and relatively accessible occasion to introduce someone to the mysterious music world of Mr. Hubert and his companions.

94.7/100

Below is the audio track for "A Colony of Liar Men"

#14 - Top of 2020

 Fish -Weltschmerz (7Hz Productions)

Exactly 31 years after leaving Marillion, Fish delivers to us his final musical output. A heavy and difficult decision, an album  full of ominous twists and turns, taking a journey of almost five years to make. Struck by the loss of his father and his mother's dementia, along with health problems, Fish was in trouble with delivering his final piece of music. However, he is used to putting himself in a difficult position. Fish's sensors have been confirmed countless times, and his penetrating observation of modern day targeted this German word that eventually christened the album, a word meaning "global pain", truly prophetic, as it was recorded before the age of  Covid-19, which provided the meaning of the title with an additional semantic weight. Th album is undoubtedly a collection of dark subjects, as the "global pain" in its name demands. "Waverley Steps" investigates suicide, the story of a common human personal disaster that leaves a lonely and impoverished man in a tender winter moment, and "C Song" is written from the standpoint of a man diagnosed with cancer. "Little Man What Now" is inspired by the novel of the same name by German author Hans Fallada, which describes a young couple struggling to survive the financial crisis of the 1930s, with a clear link to the present situation. "Man With a Stick", follows the "stick" in various forms, whether it is a symbol of strength in the course of life and ends up quite the opposite at the end of the road. While, "The Rose of Damascus". is a  15 minute epic about a refugee from Syria, while "Garden of memory" speaks about dementia and its impact on human relationships through the story of a couple. The curtain falls with the titular song, a clear call for resistance to the filth around us, to change things in this world of reckless grabbing. The Scottish warrior with the grey beard always knew that his only weapons were his words. The goal was to write an album that would make the listener wonder "What happens Next". The bard has left the building, indicating it is time for actions and not words...

94.65/100

Below are the music videos for "Weltschmerz" and "The Party's over"

#15 - Top of 2020

 Neal Morse - Sola Gratia (InsideOut Music)

Does Neal Morse ever get time to sleep with all these projects he is involved in? It seems that when you are passionate about your work and find inspiration in your day-to-day life, you use every day to the fullest. Not to be confused with The Neal Morse Band or his involvement with Flying Colors (new release in 2019) or Transatlantic (new release in 2021!), in the 11th album under just his personal name Neal Morse, we can see Morse's his ongoing exploration of religion and spirituality as he presents the story of the apostle Paul, from his persecution of Christians to his conversion. Morse has the support of his The Neal Morse Band members who give the project that extra progginess you might be looking for as the album is packed with amazing prog instrumentals like "Overtune" and "The March of the Pharisees", as well as catchy tracks like "In the Name of the Lord" (with great interludes) which mask the dark themes they discuss, like the stoning of Saint Stephen being discussed in the majestic "Seemingly Sincere" (reaching over 9 minutes). There is also a great sing-along track "Building a Wall" which has a more classic hard rock sound (and a touch of Pink Floyd's themes on the significance of building walls to separate people in history). Wrapping up with the more mellow "Now I Can See/The Great Commission",  Sola Gratia is nothing less than expected from Morse's musicianship which is perfectly supported by his smooth & clear vocals. If you are reluctant to check this out due to its religious themes, you are probably missing out on an awesome concept prog rock album that has all the great elements of classic Prog!

94.6/100

Below are the official music videos  for "In the Name of the Lord" and "Seemingly Sincere".

#16 - Top of 2020

My Dying Bride -  The Ghost of Orion (Nuclear Blast)

People say that Black is typically not a colour. It is the complete absence of colour, the antithesis of light, that is, darkness. My Dying Bride exemplify that saying, going strong for thirty years with ideas born out of these dark moments, distilling them into songs and trying to exorcise the darkness by evoking it.

With their latest album "The Ghost of Orion", the band once more provides us with an excellent example of how sombre doom metal should be played with lyrics that provoke the darkest corners of our soul and music tailor-made to accompany said lyrics. The story behind the creation of this album makes its artistic content even stronger, as the daughter of singer Aaron Stainthorpe was battling cancer at a very young age during the recording of the record, making the content of the album have an extra emotional resonance to people who have faced up against this relentless disease. "Tired of tears", the second track of the album relates this story in a very personal way and, along with opener "Your broken Shore", are among the most beautiful songs the band has ever composed. Among other great compositions are the melodic "To Outlive The Gods", the collaborative effort with folk-metallers Wardruna "Solace", along with the epics "The Long Black Land" and the haunting "The Ghost of Orion".  The album closes out with "The Old Earth", more reminiscent of earlier eras of the band, with brutal vocals from Aaron having a more central role, juxtaposing with the mellow intro. One of the best albums of the band and a release worth having for all fans of great doom metal music. It is worth noting that the band also released an EP in 2020, which relies on their more gothic character which, while not reaching the levels of "The Ghost of Orion", is  a very nice companion piece to this album.

94.5/100

Below is the music video for the song "To outlive the Gods"

#17 - Top of 2020

Armored Saint -  Punching the Sky (Metal Blade)

Sometimes silence is golden. There is very little one can add about Armored Saint and their history, with the band probably receiving less attention than they deserved, while at the same time defining the sound of late 80s and early 90s American heavy metal. Their latest output "Punching the Sky" comes after 5 years from their previous album "Win Hands Down". There are no "surprises" in this release, staying true to its sound as it started in the 80's and evolved little by little through subsequent releases. This means that they continue to create classic melodic heavy metal, which,  freshness and dynamism, clearly benefiting from John Bush's output during his long Anthrax years. The most important difference is that the band has a more intense hard rock approach to its compositions, compared to their 80s roots, offering some songs such as "Lone Wolf" which clearly fall within the bounds of that genre. The album is hands and shoulders (no pun intended) above releases of washed-out idols of older times and show how a band can evolve while at the same time retaining its essence, what truly makes it stand out.

94.5/100

Below is the music video for "Standing in the Shoulders of Giants"

 

#18 - Top of 2020

 Marko Hietala Pyre of Black Heart (Nuclear Blast Records)

Marko Hietala might have become known by joining Nightwish as a bassist and providing some rougher vocals as a support vocalist but he has a very unique mellow but at the same time edgy voice that has led him to get involved in a range of very diverse projects including his own heavy band Tarot for which he is a lead singer, providing supporting vocal for Amorphis but let's not forget his perfect "casting" by Arjen Lucassen for his Theory of Everything progressive metal album (Top 2013) as the vengeful rival. Although he recently announced that he will be stepping down from his role with Nightwish, it doesn't seem he is ready to stop making music as it can be seen from his diverse outputs which include his new solo project. Although the aim was to release his debut as half English, half Finnish the decision was made to first release the album Mustan Sydämen Rovio in 2019 in Finnish with the English version being released in 2020 so this is technically a double entry. Both version are great and enjoyable with Hietala being equally confident in signing and writing lyrics in both languages, though the uniquely-sounding Finnish language adds a folky feeling in every track. The album has been years in the making and presents some more personal themes, including his father's alcoholism which affected him deeply, that would not fit with his other projects and can be heard in tracks like "The Voice of My Father" or "Isäni ääni"" . All tracks have interesting melodies with the catchy "Stones", the more sorrowful "For You" (which has an Ayreon vibe) and the electronic keyboard-based "Star, Sand and Shadow" while the album could be best described as hard rock/prog. Overall, a unique entry that is elevated by Hietala's amazing voice and his great lyrical themes that clearly show he was truly passionate about this album!

 

94.5/100

 Below is official music video for "Stones".

#19 - Top of 2020

Brothers of Metal - Emblas Saga (AFM Records)

Brothers of Metal have definitely grown a lot since their first album, Prophecy of Ragnarök, which showed some interesting elements that have leveled up in the Emblas Saga. Straight from the great intro about the well-known trickster god, "Brood of the Trickster" to the melodic "Powersnake" (talking about Jörmungandr) and the more brooding but mellow "Hel" (telling the story of the queen of the Underground) the band retells the epic Scandinavian sagas under their own heavy/power sounds and great song writing. The combination of female vocals by Ylva Eriksson, rough & clean male vocals by Joakim Lindback and Mats Nilsson and of course epic choruses with strong male vocals elevate all tracks and make them memorable! The list of tracks that are sing-along worthy is long as they achieve a great balance between the catchy Van Canto-like rhythm and one-of-a-kind Sabaton-reminiscent epicness adding their own touch. The most memorable tracks are the uplifting "Chain Breaker",  the heavier "Njord" and the 100% feel-good "One" which show two different aspects of the band's sound! Brothers of Metal do not only excel in heavy riffs but also in more melodic slow-paced songs like "Weaver of Fate" and the Enya-turns-heavy title song "Emblas Saga" which change the album's pace midway preparing the listener for a second and equally awesome dose of power metal epicness! The band goes the extra mile and puts a lot of effort in the presentation of their songs through imaginative, funny and in theme music videos which fit perfectly with the mood and makes you wanna join them for some beer/wine/ale to sing along together!

 

94.45/100

Below are the official music videos for "Njord", "One" and "Chain Breaker".

#20 - Top of 2020

Dynazty -  The Dark Delight (AFM)

Dynazty are a power/rock band from Sweden with little claim to fame up to this release. While their previous two albums have been relatively good showing a steady progress, their latest endeavour "The Dark Delight" shifts the tone in a darker, more visceral direction, resulting in their best release so far. It is still full of melodic pop metal with ‘80s glam references, while Nils Molin remains a great singer, with amazing vocals throughout, which elevate the already pretty good compositions.

The first songs are really  good, while "From Sound To Silence" has some more bombastic drums and a chorus that really takes the song to the next level. "The Man And The Elements" has a more eclectic feel, while "The Road To Redemption" is a slower more introspective track. "The Black" is a light piece (probably the only  mediocre composition in "The Dark Delight"). "Heartless Madness" is by far one of the most stand out compositions here, while "Waterfall" is a must for hard rock fans, as is the ballad "Hologram". There are two parts on the album, power metal and hard rock/AOR, which do not necessary blend, but are presented in succession as the bands quickly shifts gears from one track to the next. We were impressed with how good "The Dark Delight" sounds and are looking forward to the next release from Dynazty!

94.25/100

Below is the lyric video for "Heartless Madness"

#21 - Top of 2020

 HEAT - HEAT II (Avalon Label)   

It seems like some Swedish hard rock bands have found the secret to creating memorable tunes that can become instant hits. H.E.A.T are the perfect example of Whitesnake-reminiscent bands with songs like "Rock Your Body" which stick to your mind and are perfect to lift your mood at any time and day. The band has been active since 2007, but changed their sound along with their lead singer for 10 years. The return of Kenny Leckremo in the lead vocals is a pleasant surprise which notes their return to the earlier days of the first album. Leckremo's energy fits perfectly with the melodic tunes that ooze from all tracks.  The album is packed with awesome tracks like "Adrenaline" and "Dangerous Ground", but there is no doubt that "Rise" is by far the most uplifting song and personal favourite. H.E.A.T have gone back to their heavier but still melodic sound, so if your are looking for an unapologetically upbeat album do not hesitate to check H.E.A.T II out!

 

94.2/100

 Below is the official animated video for "Rise".

#22 - Top of 2020

The  Night Flight Orchestra - Aeromantic  (Nuclear Blast)

What started as a fun side project has slowly grown to the point that it currently is way more popular than its ingredients (Soilwork, Archenemy). Through their fun and kitsch attitude, combined with energetic and positive music, the band has succeeded in creating a very diverse audience which now follows very carefully the next steps of the group.

TNFO quickly became  one of the most creative acts of melodic 80s rock.  In their newest album, the band has retained its creativity with the  spirit of ABBA very much haunting many songs here.  Synth-pop elements are also present, with keys playing a slightly more substantial role in comparison with Aeromantic's predecessors. Highlights include "Divinyls", "If tonight is our only chance" and the excellent "Taurus". In these dark times, TNFO show once more that there can be music that elevates the spirit as well as the heart, while not shying away from the complexities of today.

94.05/100

Below is the music video for "Divinyls"!

#23 - Top of 2020

 Ensiferum - Thalassic (Metal Blade)

Three years after their previous effort, and following two regrettably mediocre releases by their standards (One-Man Army and Two Paths), Finnish epic folk metallers Ensiferum returned with a vengeance, releasing Thalassic in 2020. Bringing keyboardist/vocalist Pekka Montin (Judas Avenger) into the fold, the band embraces all aspects of their music in this album, making their intentions known from the epic intro "Seafarer's Rum". "Rum, Women, Victory", leans on the pirate-y side, which is not the bands forte, and is possibly the weakest moment of the whole album. However, it is nothing but epicness from hereon till the end of the album, with the truly epic "Andromeda" and the power metal anthem "The defence of the Sampo". These are followed by the quite heavy "Run from the Crushing Tide" and the Amorphis-leaning folk metal "For Sirens". For the final three songs of the album, "One with the Sea" and "Cold Northland" are true epics and among the best songs of the bands for more than a decade, while "Midsummer Magic", provides a nice folk breather between the two, as to not overwhelm the listener with epic brutality. In conclusion, this is one of the best recent Ensiferum albums and among the best epic folk metal releases in a while. 

94/100

Below is the music video for "Andromeda"

#24 - Top of 2020

Bütcher - 666 Goats Carry My Chariot (Osmose Productions)

Bütcher blast their way with the EPIC instrumental "Inauguration of Steele" and the heavy speed anthem "Iron Bitch (Unholy Wielder of the Blade)" leaving no doubt that this album will pump the listener with their high-pitched vocals by Hellshrieker (shifting between King Diamond to rabid shrieks), quick-paced guitar riffs and HEAVY-AS-HELL drumming! The album oozes rough epicness which has a dark twist due to the black metal touches (as heard in "Sentinels of Dethe") that are blended perfectly with speed metal. But you are in for a treat as the band takes epic on another level with the title-track "666 Goats Carry My Chariot" and its awesome Bathory-inspired intro and the mid-song heavy metal riffs that need to be heard to be believed! Closing with an amazing acoustic instrumental, "Exaltation of Sulphur", at just 36 minutes, the album is an uncut gem that does not overstay its welcome and has tremendous replay value for every fun of true metal. 

93.68/100

 

Below is the music video for "Iron Bɪtʃt".

#25 - Top of 2020

 Falconer - From a Dying Ember (Metal Blade Records)

After a too long hiatus (see Top of 2014), Falconer released their "swan song" record in 2020 while announcing that they will be splitting up permanently after that.  "From a Dying Ember" remains loyal to Falconer's style with great melodic guitar riffs, folk elements dispersed throughout and of course Mathias Blad's unique and theatrical voice that makes each song memorable. The album is full of little gems like the amazing intro "Kings and Queens", the medieval-like "Fool's Crusade" (with a great acapella interlude) which is follow by an equally awesome instrumental "Garnets and a Gilded Rose" and "Bland sump och dy" which is sung in Swedish. There are also some tracks that change the pace, adding a more melodic twist  like the acoustic "Rejoice the Adorned" which is heavily based on piano. Overall the album is a welcome addition to Falconer's interesting journey as a band continuing to explore music without losing their unique sound. Fans can only hope that this split will not be permanent and at some point in the future we will get to hear more music from them!

93.45/100

Below is the official audio for "Kings and Queens".

#26 - Top of 2020

 Traveler - Termination Shock (Gates of Hell Records)

Less than a year  passed since the debut of Traveler, a very interesting album, among the highest rated classic metal releases of 2019. Today, having raised the bar, "Termination Shock" seems to be directly stylistically related to their debut, as the similarities of their covers leave no room for doubt. Musically the evolution of the band has been rapid, with a shift to more complex structures, a cleaner, clearer and more balanced production and the compositions while losing some of the edge of its predecessor become more interesting and timeless. The greatest comparative advantage of the new album lies in the clearly upgraded, more mature and controlled performances of Jean Pierre Abboud, the best so far in his career, which stand on the front line of "Termination Shock", along with the exemplary, well-groomed guitars by Ries and Schadlich. Ultimately,  only time will reveal if the new material becomes popular (as their predecessor), however I am looking forward to see where the band goes next!

93.33/100

Below is the official audio for the titular track

#27 - Top of 2020

Ironsword -  Servants of Steel (Alma Mater Records)

Portugal's truest band of brothers returns after a 5-year gap. The band had its start back in 1995 and have had a very sporadic output since then. Most original members  beyond singer/guitarist Tann have departed, while he continues his solitary treck into the hidden crevices of true epic metal (Think Manilla Road meets Visigoth). "Servants Of Steel" is an album that can be easily dismissed as "simplistic" but at the same time it is a truly rich and majestic in its straightforwardness. For it is not the complexity of the compositions that makes this album interesting, but the fact that in its simplicity, barbarism, grandeur and a feeling of Robert E Howard at its best, gush forth.  There are no excess interludes here, only heavy metal cut and sewn from the flesh of the enemies to be performed live as the earth is trembling. Tan's voice is a  classic case of  love or hate - his voice is a perfect fit for the genre, but non-fans would easily dismiss it. However Ironsword are like that; with uncompromising heavy metal anthems like "Rogues In The House" or "In The Coils Of Set", baptised in a personal sound. They are  unwavering in what they do as they continue their solitary journey; their manner makes sure that only those worthy of the blessing of Crom will follow!

93.25/100

Below is the lyric video for the song "In the Coils of Set"

#28 - Top of 2020

 Six Foot Six - The End of all  (Scarlet Records)

The End of All is the second full length album by melodic heavy metallers Six Foot Six which came out just in time for the 2020 wrap up (December!) and is once again led by great clear vocals, by lead vocalist Kristoffer Göbel (known by Falconer & Destiny), also on rhythm guitar, spewing amazing guitar melodies. From beginning to end, the album is full of memorable tunes and choruses including awesomely catchy tracks like the intro "Welcome to Your Nightmare", dynamic and groovy twists like the title-track "End of All", as well as more imposing tunes like "In God We Trust" and the Falconer-reminiscent "Blood Will Out"! The band shows how versatile they can be by shifting between different tunes and tempos without losing their melodic side, creating a very interesting album that can be heard on repeat and can be appreciated increasingly the more you listen to it. Highlights include "Last Days of Our Lives" which has some of the best guitar solos & mid-song surprises of the album and personal favourite "Finale Vittoria" which acts as refreshing change of pace! Overall, the Scandinavians know how to create the 100% perfect melodic riffs and are worth keeping an eye on! 

93.21/100

Below is the official music videos for "Welcome To Your Nightmare" and "The Last Days of Our Lives".

 

#29 - Top of 2020

Warbringer -  Weapons of Tomorrow (Napalm Records)

Although thrash has not really been the bread and butter of our blog, we always have a soft spot for bands that try to spicen-up their thrash with a pinch of more diversity. Such is the case of Warbringer and their latest output Weapons of Tommorow, for very rarely have feelings of such epicness been portrayed through the medium of thrash metal which is usually the medium of choice for portraying either (i) dissent or (ii) partying which results in anthems of "angry partying", "joyous rioting" and oft a mix of the two [and when dangerous ingredients are mixed to songs of "angry rioting", but rarely, if ever, of "joyous partying", reserved for genres of a more "speed" predisposition]. Warbringer however evokes images of war on a grand scale and produce such a unique thrash album that makes them completely distinct from other bands of the so-called new wave of thrash that begun in the late 00s. This album, which ranks surely among the best of the new wave of the genre, is no exception and provides clear proof that the band is among the pioneers of an otherwise stale genre, subverting its aesthetics without changing its core, all the while making heads banging and pits thrashing!

93.2/100

Below is the lyric video for "Glorious End".

#30 - Top of 2020

Alestorm - Curse of the Crystal Coconut  (Napalm Records)

The Scottish pirate metal crew is back with their 6th full length album which provided the perfect dose of fun & adventure needed for the dreadful 2020 (also see Top of 2014 and Top of 2017)! Alestorm have definitely not lost their magic touch and have given us a number of quirky and funny tracks such as "Treasure Chest Party Quest" and "Shit Boat" which are not so much on the heavy metal side but make everyone listening to the album miss live concerts even more! Packed with the equally enjoyable but also more epic tracks like " Fannybaws" and "Call of the Waves", the band achieves a balance of the elements that makes them what they are, with the best example being "Tortuga" juggling between electronic elements and epic choruses. However, the most interesting song has got to be none other than "Wooden Leg Part 2" which spans over 8 minutes and between 3 languages to tell the story of The Woodening of a pirate who loses more than a leg in the course of the track! If you are itching to go on a quest for an entertaining album of pirate adventures, look no further than the Curse of the Crystal Coconut! 

93.1/100

 

Below are the official music videos for "Treasure Chest Party Quest", "Pirate Metal Drinking Crew", "Shit Boat" and "Fannybaws"!

#31 - Top of 2020

 Manticora - To Live To Kill to Live (ViciSolum Productions) 

We are kicking off the best albums of 2020 with the newest offering from the exquisite Danish prog/power outfit Manticora. Released back in August, this is a follow-up to 2018's "To Kill To Live To Kill". The album is the culmination of the best period of the band, with an abundance of creativity both on a conceptual and an executional level. The album kicks off with the epic Blind-Guardianesque  "Katana - The Moths and the Dragonflies / Katana - Mud". The oriental interlude that follows paves the way for "The Farmer's Tale pt3", which closes out a trilogy of songs from the previous record, adding a more proggy sound bridging into "Slaughter in the Desert Room" which features a much more darker sound, in addition to the vocal contributions of June Dark (Clandestine).  There is a lot to uncover throughout the album with multiple musical styles intermingling with a very fresh-sounding production. Among our personal favourites are the Katana trilogy of songs which rank among the best power/prog songs all decade long and particularly the head-banging finale "Beheaded". Truly a memorable album among one of the oft-overlooked bands of the European power metal circuit!

93/100

Below is the lyric video for "Katana - Death of the Meaning of Life".

Honourable Mentions - Top of 2020

 Welcome to another list of best albums, counting down the best among 2020 records. Before we get to the meat of the list, we will present some records that came out that while great, didn't quite get there. Without further delay, we are presenting:

2020 HONOURABLE MENTIONS (In no particular order)

Lucifer - Lucifer III (Trooper Entertainment)

 Lucifer, released their 3rd full length album in 2020 and it doesn't lack anything from what makes their sound unique including a retro dark feeling and amazing female vocals which steal the show. The band is not afraid to move between different sounds and styles, from atmospheric tracks like “Leather Demon”, to the more energetic “Flanked by Snakes” and the title-track “Lucifer” without missing out on their doomy beginnings. Worth a listen for those who are into that occult-inspired heavy rock.

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Merkfolk  - Echo (Independent)

 

Merkfolk is a an interesting folk band from Poland who released their third full length album in 2020. All songs are in the band's native language which fits perfectly with a mixture of flute, fiddle and accordion melodies. The record is pure folk with many tracks having a traditional but yet unique sound like "Dwa wina". A great listen by "the bringer of folk" (as the band's name loosely translates)!

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Moon Reverie - Moon Reverie (Rockshots Music)

 

Italian Neoclassical Rockers Moon Reverie truly impressed us with their debut outing from Rockshots last year. Their combination of technical musicianship with beautiful vocal lines and lengthy neoclassical instrumental pieces that demonstrate their virtuosity and their passion for music, was enough to stand out from the rest of the releases in their genre this year, exciting everyone regarding possible future music outputs from the band and  showing how a mildly contrived genre can get new ideas and directions from young and energetic artists that pay tribute to its past while shaping its future.

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Jet Jaguar - Endless Nights (Pride and Joy Music)

Another debut album, this time from Mexican speed/glam metallers Jet Jaguar. A breakout act from Wacken 2017's Open Air Metal Battle, they were able to take full advantage of that fact, by signing to a label (Pride and Joy) that is very good at showcasing new acts in a wider audience, and released a killer debut album, which includes not only hooky songs (such as "Blinding Lights"), but excellent compositions of pure speedy heavy metal! 

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Magnum - The Serpent Rings (Steamhammer)

 Magnum is one of those bands who still remain "true rockers" and ALWAYS deliver on their releases (making it into a number of our earlier Tops including 2016, Hard Rock Top and 2018). Armed with Bob Catley's unique voice, The Serpent Rings (the 21st full length album by Magnum!!!), has all the great traits of band including catchy tunes that are bound to be instant classics like "Where Are You Eden?" and chorus that are made for sing alongs like "Not Forgiven". Definitely worth a listen while waiting to see them live sometime in the future.

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Lord Vigo - Danse de Noir (High Roller Records)

In their 4th full length release, German Doomsters completely flipped the script, and presented a record that differs quite considerably from their previous releases, approaching their doom metal through the lens of the Dio-era albums of Black Sabbath and adding a very distinct 80s Neon/Scifi aesthetic to their distinct epic doom sound. Their experiment was successful for the most part and while we may miss the epicness oozing from their previous releases, this is still a great album unveiling a different aspect of the band, showing that the band is way more than a one-trick pony.

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Aether Realm - Redneck Vikings from Hell (Napalm Records)

 Aether Realm are one of those releases you hear about randomly and gets you hooked right away. Coming from the US, the band has a melodic death sound with a more "radio-friendly" twist that makes them memorable. The album has a number of great tracks including the super-catchy "Goodbye" and the fanbase-dedicated "TMHC" (standing for the Tiny Metal Hand Crew) making it enjoyable to listen through the album. It is worth having this band in mind as they show some great traits differentiating themselves from the classic melodic death metal sound.

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Mike LePond's Silent Assassins - Whore of Babylon (Silver Lining Music)

In their third offering, the personal band of Symphony X's bassist continue playing unadulterated pure heavy metal with touches of speed. prog, power and epic metal sprinkled in at different quantities throughout the record. Lepond has developed over these three releases a personal sound and this is even more evident here, where almost any composition could easily be a hit single, with almost no filler chaff mixed in. Among the best tracks of the album are "Ironborn", "Ides of March" and "Dracul's Son", but virtually any song has the potential to grow into a mega-hit. Highly recommended for all metal-heads with an affinity for late 90's power/heavy metal sound!

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Temperance  - Viridian (Napalm Records)

Italy is known for a breadth of melodic heavy metal bands but not many are as successful in creating memorable and catchy tunes like Temperance. The album is packed with with tracks that stick to your mind and you are bound to listen on repeat with examples like the pumping "I Am the Fire", the melodic "My Demons Can't Sleep" and last but not list the Mission-Impossible2-inspired "Mission Impossible". With the bonus of a blend of great female and male vocals complimenting each other, Viridian makes for an uplifting release worth checking out.

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Boisson Divine - La Halha  (Brennus Music)

It might have been some time since we last heard from French folk band (previously in the 2013 Top) but they still got this unique sound that fits perfectly with their mixture of French and regional Occitan dialect. Straight from the first track "Lo pèla pòrc" to the memorable "Libertat", the album is packed with traditional sounds (including hurdy gurdy, flabuta, boha and accordion). A very interesting 2020 release from the French folk scene, making us wish there were more bands like them!

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Greyhawk - Keepers of the Flame (Fighter Records)

 What a debut album! Greyhawk show signs of great things to come in the future with their Keepers of the Flame. Riding on the wave of great heavy metal bands coming out of the US in the past couple of year, Greyhawk sound like a band to keep in mind with great clear vocals which along with heavy metal riffs make for some memorable EPIC tracks like "Frozen Star" and "Keepers of the Flame". Definitely worth a listen for all those true heavy metal fans!

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The Flower Kings - Islands (Inside Out)

Another year, another great release from Roine Stolt and company this time around, just one short year after the release of the excellent Waiting for Miracles! While not as masterful as its predecessor, Islands manages to be another highly enjoyable release in the long list of beautifully crafted albums by one of the most consistently good prog rock acts out there. Highlights of the record include the single "Broken" and "Tangerine" which interweaves the vocals of Hasse Fröberg with those of Stolt in a truly magical vocal interplay worthy of any previous release of the band!