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!

#1 - Top of 2019

 Grand Magus - Wolf God

And in number one, we could have none other than Grand Magus, the heavy metal Swedes who throughout the years have never ceased releasing albums which are instant classics while gradually evolving from their doom/stoner origins to a more and more EPIC sound (check out Top 2012, 2014, 2016 and the Best of Epic metal!!!). In another solid release, the Wolf God starts off with an amazing acoustic track accompanied by a folky cello,  while "Gold and Glory, sets the mood in an album that it gets really hard to pick a favourite song. From heavy and more slow-paced tracks like "To Live and to Die in Solitude" and "Glory to the Brave" to amazingly melodic and catchy songs like "Brother of the Storm" and " Dawn of Fire" the record doesn't slow down with the small exception of  filler track "Spear Thrower", which nevertheless is catchy as fuck. There are also tracks like the "Wolf God" and "He Sent Them All to Hell" that have that extra layer of HEAVINESS that has become a distinct feature of the band that flawlessly fit in creating the most enjoyable  2019 release! As always, the album is made unique and memorable thanks to the awesome JB, who provides both lead vocals and guitars (both on studio and in live shows)! The album and, the band in general, are perfectly summarised  in the final track "Untamed", where we can sing along with JB: 

From the north

Now hear us roar

From the north

Now hear our call 

98.5/100

Below are the official music videos for the songs "Untamed", "Wolf God" and "Brother of the Storm".

#2 - Top of 2019

Devin Townsend -  Empath (Inside Out)

Devin returned in 2019 with a deeply endoscopic release, reconciling a number of different aspects from his career while at the same time adding new elements to his music, rendering Empath an essential part of Devin's music catalogue. Choosing to do the release under his own name (and not under the DTP moniker) clearly allowed more creative freedom to DT, allowing him to collaborate with a different array of musicians than on DTP releases, while at the same time allow him to converse with the audience more intimately than ever before. The album opens with a small interlude breaking into the chaotic madness that is "Genesis" with multiple musical themes and aspects colliding into a maddening fest of prog. This is followed by the anthemic "Spirits Will Collide", a personal favourite of my co-author here at the blog and a great song to listen to live. The albums continues with Evermore, a very "DTP" song and continues with Sprite, mixing fable and prog into a strange amalgam of sounds. "Hear Me", once again treads on familiar DTP grounds before "Why?" gently pushes the viewer out of its comfort zone into an absurdity of emotional resonance. "Borderlands" which follows is an almost perfect song combining different facets of DT while at the same time providing great entertainment and a quite infectious main riff, while the album closes with the multi-part prog labyrinth of Singularity, where at times elements of DT's earlier releases fuse with influences and personal experiences, providing perhaps not the ending of the album we asked for, but definitely the one we deserve. 

Ultimately, this is  great release, albeit one that may be a tad too much to someone not acquainted with DT's music before, but a record that rewards multiple takes, allowing the audience to discover something different every time it's on. 

98/100

Below are the (numerous) music videos from the album.

#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".

#4 -Top of 2019

 Twisted Tower Dire - Wars in the Unknown (No Remorse Records)

It might have been a while since we last heard from the US heavy/power metallers Twisted Tower Dire but they have not lost their magic touch! With Jonny Aune taking over the lead vocals (since the 2011 Make It Dark) the album blasts its way in with "The Thundering" and its uplifting attitude. There are a lot of melodic additions including "True North" and the memorable "Tear You Apart" which are a great change from the more rough/heavy sounds. "Light the Swords on Fire" is without a doubt that one of the album's highlights and the catchiest track that make you think: "what can they do to top this up?", but the you listen to the "And the Sharks Came Then" which has some of the best guitar riffs in the mid-song interlude and you can hear that Twisted Tower Dire know what their doing when it comes to heavy metal! The album is full of surprises with different tones and styles, with examples like "A Howl in the Wind" which slows down the rhythm while succeeding in creating a more epic vibe with its awesome chorus! The final track "These Ghosts Can Never Leave" is the perfect heavy/power ending to a great release worthy of 2019's Top Tier Albums!

96.2/100

Below are the lyric videos for the songs "True North" and "Light the Swords on Fire".

#5 - Top of 2019

The Lord Weird Slough Feg -  New Organon (Cruz del Sur Music)

Every release from Heavy Metal underground heroes The Lord Weird Slough Feg is a celebration. This could not be more true for New Organon, arriving 5 years after their previous release (the longest the band has gone without new output since their early days).  The course of the band, from 1990 until today, has been lonely but on the other hand their sound hs been a unique old-school heavy metal, thanks to the amazing voice of Mike Scalzi. The restoration of "The Lord Weird" to the band's name signifies a small backtrack to a more heavy and esoteric music, but more hard rocking elements from the latest releases are also evident here, This is a highly addictive release, thanks to the proto-metal infusion with  interesting lyrical themes. Here, the theme of "New Organon" is a  beautifully crafted journey through the history of philosophical thought, ranging from ancient Greece to modernity. Scalzi was always inspired by philosophical quests in his concepts, but he usually clothed them with thinly veiled stories of space pirates. Here, the concepts stand bare and direct, cutting the middle man. The songs themselves, musically range from the more "blues rock feel" of "The Apology" to the metal thrashing of "Uncanny" and 70s rock trippiness of "Coming of Age in the Milky Way". This is an essential release for 2019 and possibly the best work of the band for more than a decade! 

96.2/100

Below is the audio for "Headhunter"

#6 - Top of 2019

 Myrath - Shehili (earMUSIC)

It is true that while their previous album "Legacy" nearly missed our top choices for 2016, we were really looking forward to the next work of Myrath. Tunisia's best-known metal band picks up from where its predecessor left off, this time injecting a greater amount of  straightforward and radio-friendly elements into their music while at the same time (A) honouring their influences (Pain of Salvation, Dream Theater and most importantly Symphony X) and (B) as always incorporating elements of Arabic culture in their music and lyrics. The Tunisians continue diligently in the sound they have chosen and  has now become their trademark: progressive metal full of traditional music from their country, a mix that is even more exciting than the sum of its parts when examined up close. Good examples of the excellent quality of music found in this record are the instant hit "Dance",  the awesome "Wicked Dice", the emotional "Monster In My Closet",  the majestic "No Holding Back",  the oriental proggy journey of "Lili Twil", the sweet melancholy of "Stardust" and the metallic heart of the eponymous track. However, as is almost always the case, it is really worth to listen the album in its entirety to fully appreciate what Myrath did here.  With  flawless production values and a cinematic feel that is rarely felt by contemporary bands, backed by a new company that seems to believe in them and helped put this album in many more people's ears and hearts, the band seem to be on an upward track, with excellent momentum. Now, if you excuse me I am going to press play once more!

96/100

Below are the official music videos for "Dance" and "Not Holding Back"

#7 - Top of 2019

 Atlantean Kodex -The Course of the Empire (Ván Records)

Atlantean Kodex know the secret of Epic Heavy metal and their 3rd full length album adds an EPIC touch to the top and 2019 overall. Their first 2010 release, The Golden Bough, previously seen in the Best of Epic Metal Top, showed that they have the potential for great things from the beginning! The Course of the Empire shines from the amazing intro "The Alpha and the Occident" which transitions into the awesome 9-minute journey that is "People of the Moon", the album is packed with HEAVY guitar riffs, great drumming and interesting clear vocals with a touch of roughness that is exactly what is needed for this epic ride through history! There are different changes across the record between symphonic heaviness (like in "Chariots") and doom gloominess (which can be heard in "A Secret Byzantium") without losing in epicness with some tracks bringing memories of Bathory. When even the shorter transition tracks like the slow-paced "The Innermost Light" and the eerie "Spell of the Western Sea" are that EPIC it is hard to choose a highlight from the album, though the melodic "He Who Walks Behind the Years" with its melancholic vibe would be a worthy candidate. Finally, the massive "The Course of Empire" perfectly compliments the epic intro with its amazing mid-song changes with the 6minute mark being made for sing-alongs! This a solid 1-hour release in the age of barely 40minute heavy metal albums which does not drag out but instead each track adds something different making this worthy of the 6 year wait!

 

95.6/100

Below is the official video for the song "People Of The Moon (Dawn Of Creation)".

#8 - Top of 2019

Rotting Christ - The Heretics (Season of Mist)

Rotting Christ have continued evolving and improving their sound since the beginning of their career, never settling on one style and releasing interesting works like their 2013 release Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού and this year's The Heretics which marks their 13th full length album. Right from the beginning of the album "In the Name of God" sets an awesome heavy and eerie atmosphere exploring the antithesis to a variety of political religious topics. This is a theme that is strongly resonating throughout this record. There are some intriguing guests across different tracks with some examples including Irina Zybina's guest (known from the Russian folk band Грай) in her native Russian in "Ветры злые" and Melechesh Ashmedi's guest in Arabic (known from Melechesh) in "The Voice of the Universe". The band also make some bold moves including the choice to narrate the Orthodox statement of belief over pure black metal sounds in "Πιστεύω" and the adaptation of Poe's "The Raven" as the album's closing track. But do not worry! There are a number of tracks that are oozing the familiar Rotting Christ sound like "Heaven and Hell and Fire" and "Dies Irae" which blend perfectly imposing, heavy and surprisingly catchy sounds. Thanks to Sakis Toli's rough vocals and melodic guitar riffs ("Fire, God and Fear" has by far the best guitar mid-track interlude), with a touch of  orchestral choruses that add to the menacing feeling. Overall, a very strong and unique release showing that Rotting Christ have still a lot to show and never cease to surprise by experimenting with new sounds while maintaining their identity!

95.5/100

Below is the official animated video for the song "In the Name of God".

#9 - Top of 2019

Beast in Black - From Hell with Love (Nuclear Blast)

With the second full length release of Beast in Black with Yannis Papadopoulos, they cement their name as one of the hottest names on the European power metal scene. "From Hell With Love" essentially continues on the same vein as its equally good predecessor "Berserker", while at the same time dipping its toes a little bit on new things: Uplifting songs written for party, disco / power / hard rock mixes and the well-known "pop" epic approach, as a cherry on top. The album starts with the ingenious mainstream riff of "Cry Out For A Hero" and a chorus that puts you "in the mood" in the best possible way. Then come the first "disco metal" references with the titular song followed by the "Sweet True Lies" single with clear references to Bon Jovi. The very clever idea to throw the hits one after the other works well here, with the second awesome single "Die By The Blade" in short order. The first ballad  "Oceandeep", is a wonderful elegiac piece sounding like a lost song from one of the best Nightwish albums. This is  followed by back-to-back heavier tracks "Unlimited Sin" and "True Believer", with the former honouring 80s melodic rock bands ad the latter having an extremely infectious synth intro. The ending of the album is as loud as the beginning, with the heavy-as-fuck (pardon the expression) "No Surrender". In conclusion, Beast In Black are able to do what few other bands can: offer a few moments of guilt-free enjoyment to all those who are afraid to say that they hear anything but heavy metal, having  no shortage of talent in composing hits  "the '80s way", long may they continue to do so!

95.5/100

Below are a number of music videos from the new album!