#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"