#1 - Top of 2020

Eternal Champion -  Ravening Iron (No Remorse Records)

And the top of the 2020 list is conquered by Eternal Champion who released their 2nd full length album under the title Ravening Iron. This is a worthy sucessor to Armor of Ire which rightfully made it to the Top 3 of 2016 (and the Best of Epic Metal Top). Hailing from Austin, Texas, the band is part of a very promising wave of epic heavy metal bands from the United States, with Visigoth being another great example, that know what Epic Heavy metal is really about. This is also evident from their name, which is a reference to Michael Moorcock's reincarnating hero living in a sword and sorcery multiverse. 

Moving further from the concept, the  album is packed with awesome tracks that ooze EPICNESS while also manage to stick to your mind and can be played on repeat without growing old. This can be heard from the introductory track of the record, "A Face in the Glare" which sets the bar high with its eerie vibe about our hero facing demonic entities (or red demonic eyes) and a very catchy chorus. Speaking of catchy songs with an epic twist, "Ravening Iron" has to be one of the best songs of the band and a highlight of the album which rightfully acts as the titular song. But do not be wary, there are no dull moments in the rest of the album with songs like the super melodic "War at the Edge of the End" and the heavier "Coward's Keep"! The glorious journey into fantasy and swordplay comes to end with the instrumental "The Godblade" that lets you take a breath adding a touch of synth sounds, before jumping into the excellent ""Banners of Arhai" (with some amazingly chilling vocals by the lead singer Jason Tarpey) which kicks off with a ominous oriental riff and showcases how the band is not afraid to delve into the mystic atmosphere of dark magic without sounding corny or dated. Overall, a unique and memorable album that doesn't waste time on pointless ambient tracks or long riffs but blasts its way to the top of 2020 like the warrior blasts his way through his enemies in his quest for glory!

97.5/100

 

Below is the official audio for "Ravening Iron".