Best Albums 2020 (End Of Year List)

 1. "Opulent Decay" Spell (Heavy Metal/Hard Rock)
As a whole album I think "For None and All" was a little better; but this album definitely has some really outstanding tracks that are some of the best the band has put out. In particular the title track and "Sibyl Vane" showcase the bands hypnotic metal sound the best.
Recommended Tracks: "Psychic Death", "Opulent Decay", "Sibyl Vane", and "Deceiver".

2. “Blood Hails Steel - Steel Hails Fire” Megaton Sword (Epic Heavy Metal)
Overall a very strong release, Megaton Sword is becoming the band I was hoping Eternal Champion would be.

3. "Subaqueous" Drown (Funeral Doom Metal)
Excellent funeral doom that reaches that point of gravity and elegance that makes this genre special.  Recommended Track: "Drowned VI: Mother Cetacean" 

4. “Ravening Iron” Eternal Champion (Epic Heavy Metal)
Overall a little better than “The Armor of Ire” but still has the same issues. Some tracks are really killer, but others are just good. They have potential to be one of my favorite bands but they just keep falling short, and it doesn’t help that my favorite track on this album is a re-recording of a track from their first demo, which makes me worried they are starting to stagnate.
Recommended Tracks: “A Face in the Glare”, “War at the Edge of the End”, and “Worms of the Earth”.

5. "Termination Shock" Traveler (Heavy Metal)
Seemed like it had less variety than the self-titled album but feels a bit more focused.
Recommended Tracks: "Shaded Mirror", "Termination Shock", and "Terra Exodus". 

6. “Wilderness of Hearts” Lord Fist (Heavy Metal)
Very solid album, classic sounding heavy metal.
Recommended Tracks: "Sisters", and "Princess of the Red Flame". 

7. "Servants of Steel" Ironsword (Heavy Metal)
A lot of Manilla Road influence but more straight forward heavy metal though it leans in epic metal territory. This is my introduction to the band but I will need to check out more from them at some point.
Recommended Tracks: "Rogues in the House", "Upon the Throne", and "Keepers of the Crypt".

8. “Flashback” Haunt (Heavy Metal)
I went into this album with the expectation that it was going to be bad given that “Mind Freeze” had just came out 5 months ago, and in my experience a bad releasing more then one album in a year is a sign that the album is rushed and not going to be well developed. But somehow Trevor William Church managed to do it. While I think “Mind Freeze” as a whole was more cohesive, when I compare the songs individually, I think I like “Flashback” better. I’m really glad Church keeps improving, especially with his voice. There was something off about his voice on the earlier albums that annoyed me, and that is completely gone on this album. 

9."Fear" Valkyrie (Heavy/Doom Metal/Hard Rock)
Recommended Tracks: "Feeling So Low", "Afraid to Live", "The Choice", and "Evil Eye"

10. "Mind Freeze" by Haunt (Heavy Metal)
I’m glad to see Haunt keep improving, this was the first album where I think Trevor William Church really got things right. 

11. “Stygian Crown” Stygian Crown (Doom Metal)
Overall a really great doom metal album, with a bit of death metal punch to the sound of the guitars. Also, a great vocal performance by Melissa Pinion who voice compliments the music really well. 

12. “Pompei” Dark Quarterer (Progressive Metal)
It has less variety than “Ithaca” and no songs really jumped out at me the way they did on that album. But the tracks on “Pompei” have peaks at time that are quite outstanding. 

13. “Refractions” Lowrider (Stoner Metal)
Good bit of variety between the songs.  Unlike a lot of stoner bands that lose my interest because of the whole album blurring together. 

14. "Blessed Be the Hunter" Eisenhauer (Heavy Metal)
The vocals are really outstanding on this album.
Recommended Tracks: "Priestess of Delight"

15. “Ladoga” Olhava (Atmospheric/Post-Black Metal)
Overall, a very solid album. 

16. "Danse de noir" Lord Vigo (Epic Doom Metal)
This so a weird album and most of it didn’t really do anything for me but there was two really outstanding track that had me keep coming back to it and they were the songs I ended up listening to the most this year. They are written well but there is something off about them that just makes them more endearing to me.
Recommended Tracks: "Danse de noir", "At the Verge of Time".

17. “Placebo” Aktor Heavy Metal/Hard Rock
Aktor remain a very unique sounding band, A really good album but the one thing holding it back is the vocal delivery. The vocals just sound to ordinary and I feel it calls for a more unusual delivery. 

18. “Computer Warrior” Oath (Heavy Metal)
Production is a big improvement over “Legacy”.  Album is full of great melodies and energy.

19. “Apocalypse” Nightfear (Power Metal)
A good album but front loaded the second half was forgettable compared to the first half of the album. “The Stranger” was my favorite power metal song I found this year.
Recommended tracks: “We Are Back”, “Shine” “A Better World”, and “The Stranger” 

20. "Hard Enough" Hitter (Heavy Metal/Hard Rock)
Rock/metal that’s pretty standard but with enough of a punch to it, and energy in the vocals to make it fun.

21. "Hypnotized" Midnight Dice (Heavy Metal)
Overall a pretty strong ep.
Recommended Track:"Starblind"

22. “Full Metal Jacket” Shok Paris (Heavy/Power Metal)
Has a few good tracks that make the album worthwhile.
Recommended Tracks: “Full Metal Jacket”, “Do or Die”, “Brothers in Arms”, “Black Boots”, “Up the Hammers”

23. "True Bearings" Freeways (Hard Rock)
The album is dominantly hard rock, but has enough NWOBHM influence to make it appeal to me. It was really the opening track that was really outstanding. The rest was alright.
Recommended Track: "Eternal Light, Eternal Night".

24. “Frozen Wastes” Gigafauna (Progressive Sludge Metal)
I really liked the title track but the rest of the album fell flat to me. 

25. "...and She Leaves Town" "Brûlons une Sorcière" (Post-Black Metal)
There is potential but the whole album felt underdeveloped it only made the list because of "Rêverie...", for some reason that track just stuck with me.

 

Best Albums 2019 (End Of Year List)

0. "Album title" Band (Genre) [score out of 10]
description. Recommended tracks: (If any particularly stand out.)

1. “The Course of Empire” Atlantean Kodex (Epic Doom Metal) [10]
Overall better then "The White Goddess" even though that album had some of my favorite songs by Atlantean Kodex. Almost as good as “The Golden Bough”.

2. “Uncertain Times” Midnight Prey (Heavy/Speed Metal) [10]
A really outstanding album, very unique as well its hard for me to think of bands to compare with this. The vocals have a lot of emotion and the guitar tone is very smooth and worm sounding.
Recommended Tracks: “Black Forest”, “The Tower”, “Uncertain Times”, and “The Fall (Into the Atmosphere)”

3. “Nothing Remains” Carrion Mother (Atmospheric Sludge/Doom Metal) [10]
Good somber atmosphere and the pained vocals compliment it well. When I first listened to this album I was thinking about giving it an 8 out of 10, but it just kept getting better with each listen. 
Reccomended Track: “The Turning Goodbye”

4. “Traveler” Traveler (Heavy Metal) [9]
Its interesting most heavy metal bands tend to sound dominantly like one classic heavy metal band.  Every song on “Traveler” reminds me of different bands. Parts make me think of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Omen, Angel Witch and even in a few parts a little like Sacred Rite and Shok Paris. Recommended Tracks: “Starbreaker”, “Street Machine”, “Fallen Heroes”, and “Speed Queen”.

5. “Winter Ethereal” Arch / Matheos (Progressive Metal) [9]
I haven’t heard the first Arch / Matheos album so I can’t compare it to that, but this album does remind me of the old Fates Warning albums, but more modern sounding.
Recommended Tracks:  “Vermilion Moons”, and “Wanderlust”.

6. “Legends of Human Spirit” ShadowStrike (Symphonic Power Metal) [9]
In resent years I’ve had a hard time finding bands that play in this style that I enjoy and I was starting to wonder if it was just me, but ShadowStrike proved its was just bands writing mediocre music was the problem. This is a really great album that’s lots of fun to listen to.
Recommended tracks: “Heart for Yearning Journey”, “Fly with Me”, “The Fiery Seas and Icy Winds”, “A Dream of Stars” and "Gales of Winter".

7. “Ghastly Waves & Battered Graves” Vulture (Speed/Thrash Metal) [9]
A lot more consistent then their last album “The Guillotine”.  Definitely worth checking out.

8. “Neon City” Angel Sword (Heavy Metal) [9]
This album is my introduction to Angel Sword, I wasn’t sure about the vocals at first but they grew on me as the album went on.  The whole album has good energy with a lot of heart to it, and with each listen the album grew on me more.

9. “New Organon” The Lord Weird Slough Feg (Heavy Metal) [8]
A lot more inspired sounding then “Digital Resistance”
Recommended Tracks: “Being and Nothingness”, “Uncanny”, and “The Cynic”.

10. “Gypsy” Gypsy (HardRock/Heavy Metal) [8]
Overall really good straight forward rock/metal. Nothing amazing but performed with good energy and very enjoyable.

11. “Vortex” Metalian (Heavy/Speed Metal) [8]
A bit more mellow Midnight Rider and Metalian seem to be at their best when playing at high speed. Still a solid album overall.

12. “Forgotten Lands” Booze Control (Heavy Metal) [8]
I liked the last album “The Lizard Rider” better than this album, but its very close. Overall a very solid, and straight forward heavy metal album.

13. “Midnight Impulsion” Dressed to Kill (Heavy Metal) [8]
Surprisingly good NWOTHM album from China that sounds like it really could have been released by a Norther European band back in the 80’s. The album that comes to my mind first while listening to this is   “Unchained”(1986) by Speed Limit.

14. “Pyramid of Terror” Mirror (Heavy Metal) [8]
Overall a very solid album, but the tracks that didn’t fit thematically were the weaker tracks on the album and they hindered it a bit.
Recommended Tracks:  “Pyramid of Terror”, “Apollo Rising”, and “Nitocris”.

15. “新青年”(New Youth) 人間椅子(Ningen-Isu) (Hard Rock/Doom Metal)[8]
Overall a very good album, the one outstanding track was 無情のスキャット(Heartless Scat).

16. Demo “Pour Forth Surquidous” Serpent Rider (Epic Heavy/Doom Metal) [8]
Sounds a lot like Wrathblade mainly because of Nick Varsamis, not entirely the same but anyone that likes  Wrathblade will probably enjoy it.

17. “Forgotten Paths” Saor (Atmospheric Folk/Black Metal) [8]
This is the first album by Saor I’ve listened to since “Roots” as I had overlooked the last few releases. It seems like the band has improved but kept their overall sound relatively the same. Overall a very solid album.

18. “Panopticon” Metal Inquisitor (Heavy Metal) [7]
Overall a pretty decent album but kind of front loaded.

19. “High Fantasy” Gygax (Hard Rock/Heavy Metal) [7]
Overall very solid album but nothing really grabbed me the way “Dice Throwers & Rock n' Rollers” and  “Pure Hearts” did on the last album.

20. “Niralet” Megaton Sword (Epic Heavy Metal) [7]
The vocals are really outstanding, but unfortunately the production on the guitar is kind of flat and holds the album back a little bit. The faster tracks on the album is where the band shines. With a better production and some work on the sound of the guitar this could be an incredible band. 
Recommended Tracks: “Pristine War”, and “For Glory”.

21. “An Oblivion Above” Together to the Stars (Post Black Metal) [7]
The opening track “Timeless” is really outstanding, and meets that chaotic elegance I look for in post black metal, unfortunately the rest of the album doesn’t reach that same level. Still an alright album overall.
Recommended tracks: “Timeless”, and “Oblivion”

22. “The Throne Within” Ram (Heavy Metal) [7]
Overall a good album, but nothing really grabbed me.

23. “Space Nights” Knightmare (Heavy/Power Metal) [7]
Like their last album “Walk Through The Fire” its overall pretty good, but nothing really outstanding.
Recommended Tracks: “Heart Of Stone”, and “Space Nights”.

24. “A Stone Engraved in Red” Ravensire (Epic Heavy Metal) [7]
Overall decent but the songs kind of blurred together for me and after it was over I just thought “That was it?”


25. “Astronoid” Astronoid (Post Rock/Metal) [7]
Decent album but the vocals needed more of a punch to them.

26. “Blind Justice” Frenzy (Heavy Metal) [6]
I really loved the title track, it was a great opener but the rest of the album did nothing for me.
Recommended track: “Blind Justice”

27. “Ragnarok” Mighty Thor (Symphonic Power Metal) [6]
Symphonic power metal in the vain of Luca Turilli/Rhapsody. Doesn’t do much to distinguish its self from those groups.
Recommended Track: “El Poder del Martillo”

28. “State Of Shock” War Cloud (Heavy/Speed Metal) [6]
Had a really strong opening track, the rest of the album is pretty decent.
Recommended Track: “Striker”

29. “Ecosystem” Botanist (Post Black Metal) [6]
Pretty decent album, but nothing Botanist has done since “IV: Mandragora” has really grabbed me. I don’t care for the muffled chanting vocals.

30. “Angel of Light” Angel Witch (Heavy Metal) [6]
This was pretty disappointing; the opening track caught my attention but the rest was pretty bland.
Recommended track: “Don't Turn Your Back”

31. “Dystopia” Summoned Tide (Progressive/Power Metal) [6]
The vocals are really outstanding, music is decent but could use some work. 

32. “If Icarus Could Fly” Haunt (Heavy Metal) [6]
Its an improvement over “Burst Into Flame” but there’s something off about the vocals that holds it back from being great, something about them annoys me but it’s hard to describe. 

33. “Steeping Corporeal Mess” Fetid (Death Metal) [6]
Had some cool moments but overall didn’t really grab me.

34. “Atl Tlachinolli” Blue Hummingbird On The Left (Black Metal) [6]
Not really a fan of black metal outside of the atmospheric or post black metal, but this album caught my attention. Some of the tracks felt like filler but overall a decent album. 

35. “Lost From the Start” Galaxy (Heavy/Power Metal) [6]
Good, but overall needs improvement. They are on the right track though, and have potential to be really great. I will keep an eye on them for future releases. 

36. “The Poisoner” Sanhedrin (Heavy Metal) [6]
Really good vocalist but the music is pretty average.
Recommended Track: “The Getaway”

37. “Mystik” Mystik (Heavy/Speed Metal) [6]
Overall good music and the production sound good, but the vocals need work.

38. “EOS” Starless Domain (Atmospheric Black Metal) [6]
Seems like it would be cool as a backing track for a movie or maybe while your working on a project and want something playing in the background. Not something I would listen to with my full attention.

39. “In Another Time” Tanith (Hard Rock/Heavy Metal) [6]
At times pretty good, but the compositions felt kind of wonky and in parts the guitar playing sounds a little sloppy.  The vocals sound best when they are both singing together, both vocalists are kind of weak on their own.   

40. “Ascension” Paladin Power/Melodic Death Metal) [6]
Decent album, very modern sounding but nothing that really sets it apart from its contemporaries that play in the same style.

41. “Screamer on the Rocks (The Lost Album)” Desire (Heavy Metal) [6]
Album is the same as “Cry at the Sky” only with a different vocalist. Was unfamiliar with the original release until I found this. If you like the original its probably worth checking out. 

42. “Masquerade” Powergame (Heavy Metal) [6]
an alright album, but the vocals kind of hindered it.

43. “Infest The Rats' Nest” King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard (Thrash/Stoner Metal) [6]
Bits of Voivod and Ice Dragon are the first things that come to mind when listening to this. Its a decent album but nothing really outstanding all the fast songs kind of sound the same. I heard some songs from this band on YouTube that leaned more toward Psychedelic rock and I thought that worked better for their sound.

44. “Passage of Mind” Ice Dragon (Psychedelic Rock) [6]

45. “Burn The Night” Riot City (Heavy Metal) [6]
I might be rating this a bit harsh becase a traditional heavy metal band putting “Riot” in their name bothers me, and really asks me to compare them to a great band; and they are not on that level. The vocalist is pretty good but the songs don’t grab me and just feel dull. 

46. "Times of Obscene Evil and Wild Daring" Smoulder[6]
Production was good and really seems like something I would enjoy but I just found the album boring. I will definitely keep an eye on them for future releases though. 

47. “Second to None” Dream Tröll (Heavy Metal/Alternative Rock) [5]
I had heard Dream Tröll once before and didn’t think much of them, but I decided to give a full album a chance. They sound like a heavy metal band for people that listen to modern rock. It reminds me of the stuff I used to hear on the radio back in the early 2000’s before finally quit listening to the radio.       Vocals give off a pop punk vibe, and the production sounds clean, and pretty familiar to what you would here on your typical alt. rock radio station. Its too safe and doesn’t interest me.

48. “Saint Vitus” Saint Vitus (Doom Metal) [5]
I don’t know why the decided to release a second self-titled album. The original self-titled is one of my favorite albums, so they set my expectations very high, and this was a total let down for me. 
Recommended Track: “Last Breath”

49. “Blood of Angels” Spillage  (Heavy/Doom Metal) [5]
This was a very disappointing album. The self-titled album had a distinct sound that made it stand out and feel special. This album felt a lot more generic and lacked energy. I think Lothar Keller must have had a greater influence on the band then just his vocals.