20. Haunt - Windows Of Your Heart
Church Recordings - 7.5/10
Every year since 2018, the U.S. powerhouse Haunt has made its way onto my EOY lists. This year and last, they just managed to sneak into the twentieth slot. Although Trevor and co. have dipped a bit in the last few years (likely due to speed of output), there's still never been anything bad. Windows Of Your Heart is a step up from last year's effort, having a little more to distinguish itself, with the hint towards a shift in direction. Fun stuff. Listen Here
19. Sedimentum - Suppuration Morphogenesiaque
Memento Mori - 8/10
Ah, Sedimentum; the band that I didn't even realize wasn't in English until I went to check the lyrics. These Canadians boast a brutal and disgusting brand of death metal meant to invoke the harshest of environments. Treading on the doom side without fully submitting to it, the riffs of Suppuration Morphogenesiaque crush the smallest obstacle in their path, creating an experience matched plenty of times but worth indulging in regardless. Listen Here
18. Skumstrike - Deadly Intrusions
Caligari Records - 8/10
Canada's Skumstrike blew me away in 2020 with their EP Execution Void, and the same label this year delivered their first full length Deadly Intrusions. Sticking to the same harsh formula of discomfort, this outing is meant to continue the ungodly feeling of metal shards and piercing edges through unforgiving vocals, breakneck speeds, and blackened punk/metal energy. Though this formula works better with the shorter format, I couldn't not leave this one off of my list. Truly some of the most unlovable music possible. Listen Here
17. Ghost - Impera
Loma Vista Recordings - 8/10
The Swedish occult rock masterminds Ghost have landed a spot on my list every year they've put out an album. Though this one was admittedly a grower, and likely my least favorite of theirs, it has a lot to measure up to, and the hits here hit harder than ever. While Impera still held on to their pop roots with a firm grip, the integration of heavier songs and advanced tactics gave themselves a broader template. With a little more practice in this realm, they could probably surpass every album since Meliora. Listen Here
16. Kreator - Hate uber alles
Nuclear Blast - 8/10
It's truly amazing how many albums the German thrashers Kreator have managed to put out in the same vein without going stale. Hate uber alles may not be as strong as the last couple they did, but there really isn't a lot to complain about here. Keeping things to the clean side, antifascist anger and tributes to their years in the scene boast a healthy dose of riffs and anthems as always. The latter is what truly seems to keep them relevant, and if it aint broken, don't fix it! Listen Here
15. Armory - Mercurion
Dying Victims Productions - 8.5/10
Man, there's nothing like a good speed metal album that shows its roots without any extra aggression. Especially when it's done with an extra helping of intricacy, like Sweden's Armory. Mercurion takes a progressive step with their fast foundation, coating what's already firm with licks and solos that will fancy anyone with an ear for rhythmic intelligence. Never does it feel too pretentious, and you'll certainly need several listens to capture everything going on. Listen Here
14. Cryptivore - Celestial Existence
Awakening Records - 8.5/10
The Chinese label Awakening Records has managed to get at least one release on my list since my discovery of them, and one of this year's is the Australian one-man act Cryptivore. Celestial Existence is a furious death metal attack on the senses through overly guttural vocals and groovy riffs from start to finish. It's a very quick listen, but so much density is packed into the songs that it feels longer than it is. Another one that may be a bit to take in on first listen, but veteran fans of the genre will love this at first sight. Listen Here
13. Undeath - It's Time... To Rise From The Grave
Prosthetic Records - 8.5/10
Undeath have been on a serious hot streak since their first demo in 2019. The New York based U.S. death metallers have yet to put out a release that isn't impressive, and It's Time... To Rise From The Grave continues this trend. Chunky riffs that refuse to let go of groove under concise vocals and a touch of fun defines this band to the core. Nowhere are we let down, and while I may not quite measure it up to the debut full-length, their sophomore album is worth every minute. Listen Here
12. Begrime Exemious - Rotting In The Aftermath
Dark Descent Records - 8.5/10
I've said it before, I'll continue to say it. Every year, there's one (maybe two) incredible Dark Descent release amongst a bunch of generic death metal, and this year's standout is Begrime Exemious from Canada. Rotting In The Aftermath is a blackened death metal work of art that dials in the blackened elements in a way that doesn't grip the death foundation too hard. The unique output ends up being a gradient of shrieking evil and blasting drums over a majority riff-based record, churning out song after song under a thunderous production. If it's this genre, and it's adjacent to Necrophobic, then it's probably great. Listen Here
11. Roadhog - Gates To Madness
Ossuary Records - 8.5/10
Ever listen to something that seems a so generic that you have to describe it in comparison to other bands, yet they extract all of the best parts and accidently blend up a banger? That's Poland's Roadhog. Gates To Madness isn't their earliest outing, but these younger traditional metal freaks combine rock 'n roll aspects with speedier chugs and modern production for something that weirdly lands beautifully. Aspects of Manowar, Van Halen, or Rainbow come through clear as day, and the odd combo of these types works astonishingly well. Listen Here
10. Maule - Maule
Gates Of Hell Records - 9/10
Maule are a fresh Canadian heavy metal act that crafted a style that owes its roots to the classics but casts a harsher spell atop. Simply titled Maule, their debut is a compelling release that took a bit of time to full immerse into thanks to the odd combo of anger and hope. But because it's handled wonderfully, the finished product is wonderful just that as well. The basslines and heavy bottom are also crucial to holding up the higher momentum, which is understandable for certain bands that go the extra mile. It's the key to success with straightforward genres, and I love their vision. Listen Here
9. Venator - Echos From The Gutter
Dying Victims Productions - 9/10
Austria's Venator made a strong impression on me pretty early on with their debut Echoes From The Gutter. Despite being one of the more straightforward outfits, it's like they had traditional metal songwriting in their blood. Uplifting emotions and memorable choruses cross with catchy rhythms for a smooth ride that does all of the classic tropes nicely. There's a fuller feel with the addition of acoustics and toppings where needed, and the advanced solo work makes for some truly masterful passages. Worthwhile to anyone who likes the earliest styles. Listen Here
8. Predatory Light - Death And The Twilight Hours
20 Buck Spin - 9/10
There's gotta be at least one full on black metal release on every list, right? Look to the U.S. act Predatory Light for this year's strongest. Their second record Death And The Twilight Hours is extremely compelling and lays on doomier sides to a beautiful degree. Very seldom does a band like this win me over with catchiness, but all four of their songs sell me with exactly that. This type of writing obviously calls for longer tracks, and never do they feel like they should be broken down. Rather, progression and return to foundation is evident in every corner, and the sheer conciseness of something so harsh and crushing will win me over nine times out of then. Listen Here
7. Raptore - Blackfire
Dying Victims Production - 9/10
Care for some Latin American heavy metal? Argentina's Raptore are an outfit similar to Venator in their ability to take a basic traditional style and put their own unique identity to it. The sophomore full-length Blackfire is here on a silver platter, and man does it ever taste good. Staying as brief as can be, the special ingredient is injecting clean and uplifting lead guitar passages into a familiar style of riffing, and topping things off with memorable choruses. Not only does this set them apart, but it also acts as a breeding ground for some of the smoothest transitions into solo supremacy. Considering how typical this style is, they manage to do a lot. Listen Here
6. Species - To Find Deliverance
Awakening Records - 9.5/10
Have you ever wanted to listen to Atheist with more nods to thrash metal than death metal? If so, you're in luck. Species are a Polish outfit that squeeze in the same amount of jazz with a beefier dose of thrash, and their debut album To Find Deliverance is truly a masterpiece. Being one of the only albums on my list to fully immerse themselves into the progressive tag, they channel some of the most advanced bass work with spacy atmosphere you'll hear all year. The technology and science fiction obsessed group matches their abrasive vocals to the advanced rhythms, tying in wonderfully to leads that you can't get enough of. Every instrument is utilized to the fullest potential, and I can't get enough replay value out of it. Listen Here
5. Church Of Disgust - Weakest Is The Flesh
Hell's Headbangers - 9.5/10
Despite taking several releases to really sell me, the U.S. act Church Of Disgust managed to win the title of "best death metal record of the year." Weakest Is The Flesh tightened up all of the small complaints I've had about prior releases. Not only is the playing itself far more advanced and the crushing passages more mature, but the memorability and bounciness of the riffs are beautiful. Not too much production is done to drown out the actual musicianship, yet never does this really feel raw or undercooked. Vocally, things have peaked in matching the attitude with the filthy subject matter, and I really can't get enough of this one. If you want an OSDM album to stand out, this is the way. Listen Here
4. Skull Fist - Paid In Full
Atomic Fire Records - 9.5/10
I've been pretty captivated by the Canadian heavy/speed metal act Skull Fist since Chasing The Dream, but Paid In Full have really given that one a run for its money. While they're typically focused on the speedy end of things, this sees a heavier nod towards the traditional metal passages. Powerful guitar leads and anthemic energy permeates every edge of this record, and the advanced writing shows that they're not afraid to step away from the basic idea that originally sold their fans. Some complained, but the uplifting energy on this gave them an entirely new way to channel their brilliance, and I'm now even more excited to see where things are taken in the future. Serious attention to detail becomes apparent, and anyone with an issue here is just full of themselves. Listen Here
3. Evil Invaders - Shattering Reflection
Napalm Records - 9.5/10
Evil Invaders are a Belgian speed/thrash outfit that I've been infatuated with for a few years now, and much like with Skull Fist, they've taken a slight leap towards something a bit more traditional oriented. Maintaining what made them great is still present, mixing well with the new direction. Blending softer styles and emotion into what feels contradicting has never worked so well. Palm mutes and harmonics are done in a way that don't overwhelm the listener. Epic power and vocal clarity have never met chaotic foundation so wonderfully, especially considering that the latter was the main sell with this band. Proper speed metal and bassline placement works as the icing on the cake, and I can safely say this is up there with Feed Me Violence. Listen Here
2. Sumerlands - Dreamkiller
Relapse Records - 9.5/10
Very seldom does something this late in the year fire up my list the way Sumerlands did. Being right in my backyard of Philadelphia, the U.S. rockers have combined AOR influence, traditional metal power, and cleanliness beyond belief into a disc of endless joy. Dreamkiller is the second album, expanding upon the debut immensely. Endorphins are touched through the aforementioned cleanliness, the catchiness of the vocal/guitar combos, and endless feelings of hope in a reality of despair. Albums that need zero hints of aggression to strike a hard chord will always impress me, but especially when it still lets in pockets of heaviness without fury. I may even go as far as saying that power metal ideas are used, but never does it become the center of attention. Truly an immaculate disc. Listen Here
1. Konquest - Time And Tyranny
No Remorse Records - 10/10
And the award for album of the year goes to Italy's Konquest. Not only does Time And Tyranny basically touch the same feelings that Sumerlands does, but they do it entirely under the traditional metal umbrella. Their debut hardly impressed me, but this one surprised me by getting repeat listens one after another. Their Iron Maiden influence has always been clear, but never expanded upon in this way. Moving away from the reliance on choruses, their ability to utilize suspense and progressions in such a little amount of time proves to be immaculate. Brighter melodies take the forefront as often as the faster and more powerful bangers, and the way the two play into each other is god-tier. Imagery of cruising through time and space is nailed without pouring too much into subject matter, and the band's full capacity has been realized without a doubt. Heavieness, passion, suspense, emotion, endorphins, and integrity could all be descriptors, and never does one outdo the other. Listen Here
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