Honourable Mentions - Top of 2021

  Welcome to another list of best albums, counting down the best records of 2021. Just before we get to the top 31 list, we will present some albums that came out that while great, didn't quite make the cut. Without further delay, we are presenting:

 

2021 HONOURABLE MENTIONS (In no particular order)

 

Necromantia - To the depths we descend (The Circle Music)

It's been over a decade since the Greek blackmetallers released their previous album and considering that the band officially split after coming together for this record makes it worthy of listening! A great final chapter filled with awesome heavy riffs and themes which has not anything from the edge that the band is known of. Farewell to Magus Wampyr Daoloth as he descends to the depths!

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Epica - Omega (Nuclear Blast)

Epica is one of those bands that started as a classic symphonic metal band  but slowly evolved with time to have a distinct sound, releasing a couple of interesting albums in latest years including 2014 Top entry and this year's Omega. The blend of Simone Simons' beautiful vocals, harsh vocals, melodic tunes and orchestral score make for a great release with highlights like the "Abyss of Time - Countdown to Singularity".

 

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Orden Ogan - Final Days (AFM Records)

Final Days is a great surprise this year by German power metallers, Orden Ogan, who have evolved from folk to melodic power metal. The record with its sci-fi lyrical themes is very pleasant listen with major replay value thanks to catchy and uplifting tunes overcoming some darker lyrics. Such examples include "In the Dawn of the AI" which has a very memorable chorus made for sing-alongs.

 

 

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Dalriada - Oszelo (H-music)

If you are looking for a pure folk metal album look no further. Dalriada have everything you need from Hungarian poems and tales inspiring their songs to folky guitar/ flute/ bagpipes tunes and finally an amazing blend of male and female vocals. A great release for all the folk fans out there!

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Korpiklaani - Jylha (Nuclear Blast)

 Finland has a breadth of folk metal bands with Korpiklaani being one of the most prominent examples thanks to the contribution of none other than the band's main vocalist Jonne (who has also released personal albums). Jonne might have diverted from the classic Korpiklaani sound adding more of his personal sound to this album and although this might disappoint some hardcore fans it makes for an interesting turn in the band's journey.

 

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Mortal Soil - Mortal Soil (Underground Power Records)

This the first full-length album by Finnish heavy metallers Mortal Soil and it definitely fills the listener with excitement about their future steps in the metal journey. The record is an enjoyable heavy metal blast with great melodic tunes and pure male vocals. A great listen with no dull moments and a definite Ghost-reminiscent vibe that adds to the demonic atmosphere.

 

 

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Evergrey - Escape of the Phoenix (AFM Records)

 

A great album by Evergrey(after the exceptional The Atlantic in 2019), who have also released another album in 2022, signifying a band that still has a lot to give to the genre of melodic (prog) metal.  Tom Englund amazing mellow voice always elevates the songs and makes them memorable.

 

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Significant Point - Into the Storm (Dying Victims Productions)

Significant Point is one of those rare gems coming out of Japan who has a history of symphonic and melodic bands that blasts out all expectation and creates a classic and enjoyable speed album. This is the first full-length record of the band but it sounds like they have found their sound and know how to combine heavy riffs with speed elements while also adding their own touch.

 

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Utmarken - Svåra År (Utmarken)

Utmarken's album makes us wish that there were more folk metal bands who don't hesitate to release their songs in their native language. Although this is quite common in other countries such as Finland, this is less so in Sweden. The sogs in this album (and the previous albums released by the band) prove that this is definitely worth it! Overall, a great blend of metal riffs, lyrics in Swedish and folk sounds (like that of Nyckelharpa).

 

 

 

 

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Sur Austru - Obârșie (Avantgarde Music)

Sur Austru add a twist in the classic black metal sounds with atmospheric folk elements and make for a memorable and unique sound. The folk band from Romania dwel into folklore tales and stories about nature packing it with heavy folk elements from traditional instrumens (such as Bucium, Toaca and flutes). An interesting blend of genres creating a true folk atmosphere.

 

 

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Anneke Van Giersbergen - The Darkest Skies Are the Brightest (Inside Out Music)

It is impossible to not know and love Anneke's unique and beautiful voice that is recognised by a number of diverse projects such as Ayreon, Devin Townsend and The Gathering. She has also made her mark with collaboration including her recent guest in Amorphis' previous album. In her personal album Anneke shows her softer side and shares with us a series of mellow tracks like "I saw a Car" that are great driving companions and can be heard on repeat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

#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".

#3 - Top of 2019

 Darkthrone - Old Star

Darkthrone really outdid themselves this time, that they did. As per their latest recipe, they mixed up equal bits of old metal and aggression and really came up with an excellent package of a release that puts the pedal on the metal and steps on it till there is no tomorrow. In previous albums like The Underground Resistance in 2013 (being a worthy addition to our EPIC Top), they showed some great heavy signs, which are not a surprise to anyone who has had a glimpse at  Fenriz's taste in music, but in 2019 they definitely pooled out their BEST and most EPIC riff, which is none other than the opening riff of the "The Hardship of the Scots! The whole thing really explodes once the first sounds of track are heard, getting better as the song progresses into an excellent mid-track tempo change, making you forget about the more mediocre (!) opening of the album ("I Muffle Your Inner Choir") and wanting to repeat the track until you hate it (a truly impossible possible task). From there onwards, the album keeps raising the stakes with awesome dark and gloomy tracks like the "Old Star" and "Alp Man", with some Candlemass-like vibes that add a doomy element. But do not fear, there are also more solid and classic Darkthrone tracks like "Duke of Gloat" which is a throwback to earlier Norse-forest-dwelling periods of the band and last but not least "The Key Is Inside the Wall" which is another blast from the past but with some awesome heavy riffs to wrap up the album (though you will probably listen to it in repeat-mode). The album's dark mood is summed up by the eerily great cover artwork by Chadwick Saint John which is the perfect fit for one of BEST 2019 releases and at the same time one of Darkthrone's best works!

97.5/100

Below is the music video for the song "The Hardship of the Scots".

#26 - Top of 2019

Axxios - Beneath the Blood Red Sky (Independent)

It is indeed rare to meet new bands that have something new to offer to traditional heavy metal forms. Especially when a new band attempts to blend genres it is often the norm that the end result sounds more as a vomit-inducing thought experiment and less like real music. However Axxios in their debut release offer a blend of traditional/power metal with black metal that transcends the boundaries of thought experiment and goes into the territory of pioneering new ground for metal while at the same time churning out some unforgettable music! The band members are not well-known musicians with decades of experience but young upstarts with their eyes burning aiming to set ablaze current music trends! Dan Baggarly (vocals) does an excellent job of balancing melodic elegies with guttural growls, while Dave Matthews and TJ Fernandez (guitars) provide back-up with a never-ending stream of killer riffing. This is a unique hidden gem among last year's releases!



94/100

Below is the audio track for "Conquests of the Insatiable".  If you enjoy the band, consider supporting them in their Bandcamp page!

#8- Top of 2013

Rotting Christ- Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού (Season of Mist)

"Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού" (which translates roughly as "True to His Own Spirit" in English) is the 11th (!) album of the Greek death/black band, Rotting Christ. The band's early work shifted from grindcore to black with folk/world and atmospheric elements, always adding new and interesting themes in their music. The songs (both music and lyrics) were written by lead vocalist/guitarist  Sakis Tolis (with the exception of the adaptation of the traditional Romanian song titled "Cine iubeşte şi lasă"). The album opens with the very strong  "In Yumen - Xibalba" (with eerie growling vocals and heavy riffs), "P'unchaw kachun - Tuta kachun" (with amazing choirs and melodic guitars) and "Grandis Spiritus Diavolos", all of which are full with a dramatic vibe enhanced by the use melodic chants and choruses. Moving through the record the sounds change from brutal barked vocals (dominating in "Iwa Voodoo") or a mix with traditional melodies (in the "Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού") to whispered sections (in "Русалка") following the feeling/ theme of the each song and closing with the melodic tribal mystical vibe of  "Χ ξ ς' " (which is entirely in Greek and signifies the number 666 in the greek numeral system)!


94/100

#20 - Top of 2013

Darkthrone - The Underground Resistance (Peaceville)


In number 20, we have the newest -as of May 2016- studio album by Norwegian old-school band Darkthrone. Darkthrone, is a very well-known quantity for black metal fans, with very influential albums during the early nineties. In the last decade, Darkthrone have shifted their music tastes from black metal to old-school metal in general. This is also true for this album. It is not a black metal effort; rather it is reminiscent of Bathory in mixing old-school black metal songs with old-school metal songs with an epic undertone present in both. It is an excellent album with a lot of nostalgia and true love for this kind of music by a band that remains uncompromising in their ways. The best tracks of the album for me are "Valkyrie" and the epic finale of "Leave no Cross Unturned" but this is just personal preference and others might find the fast paced "Dead Early" or  "Lesser Men" more attractive. 

92/100

Below is the epic track Valkyrie!