Aaron Price
Feature Writer and Reviewer
FIRELINK Firelink
I have a soft spot for any band that incorporates video games into their music. Especially one that has written an entire album based on one of the best series out there, Dark Souls. Firelink's self-titled album is a hefty black metal release that takes you through some of the most frustrating sections of the first game.
Listen to "Where Demons Bore."
IGORRR Spirituality and Distortion
I have no idea why I listened to this, I did like the other album I heard from Igorrr. That being said, this was probably the most unique and unexpected releases so far in 2020. With so many different tones from trap to black metal, there's no chance in predicting what will come next on this release.
Listen to "Downgrade Desert."
RAIDER Guardian of the Fire
Influenced by some of the best Melo-Death and thrash bands out there, Canada's Raider dropped their debut album to a great response. This is a band that can jump from Kreator or Sodom over to Unleashed in a heartbeat and still sound completely natural and original.
Listen to the title track.
RE-ARMED Ignis Aeternum
Re-Armed have released not only one of the best, but one of the most interesting Melo-Death albums so far in 2020. Mixing sounds from bands like Unleashed, Amon Amarth, and Gojira, Ignis Aeternum is full of unexpected twists and turns.
Listen to "Beyond the Horizon."
VAMPIRE SQUID Reinventing the Eel
This album deserves to be here for the sea-based puns alone (I'm looking at you "C.C.C.C.C.C.C."). Not only are the song titles great, but the mixture that Vampire Squid find between hefty Tech-Death tones and a hint of deathcore makes for a great, aggressive listen. In the words of Dethklok, "it's metal, for fish!"
Listen to "Silence of the Clams."
Matt Bacon
Feature Writer and Reviewer
AVERSIO HUMANITATIS Behold The Silent Dwellers
These Spanish black metallers have put out one of the most promising releases that have come from the underground all year. There is a breadth to Behold The Silent Dwellers that is truly impressive. They bring the horror back into black metal by building on the music of acts like The Great Old Ones but doing it in a way that is wholly their own.
Listen to Behold the Silent Dwellers in its entirety.
ELDER Omens
To say that Elder have been on a thrilling trajectory for years now would be an understatement. Omens is a huge step forward for the band who evolved from stoner doom into prog magic across the span of just a few records. Omens is wonderfully proggy but remains crushingly heavy. This is some of the smartest music to come from the stoner scene in recent years.
Listen to Omens in its entirety.
FELLWARDEN Wreathed In Mourncloud
This is one of the most impressive, epic, nature-inspired black metal records I have ever heard. There is an immense breadth to the compositions here and Fellwarden can’t help but fascinate with their immaculate execution. Wreathed In Mourncloud is a monumental statement and one that will follow the listener for months after hearing it.
Listen to Wreathed in Mourncloud in its entirety.
INSECT ARK The Vanishing
Insect Ark have been on a stunning upward trajectory this past couple of records. While many thought 2018’s Marrow Hymns was truly excellent, The Vanishing is a new pinnacle for the band. When it comes to ambient doom, I will never choose a different path. Insect Ark’s stately brand of art doom is utterly fascinating.
Listen to The Vanishing in its entirety.
MORA PROKAZA By Chance
This is without a doubt one of the most interesting bands going right now. They fuse trap with black metal guided by all sorts of avant-garde undercurrents. It’s completely stunning, unique, and exciting. I can’t wait to see what they crank out next because this is one of a kind. By Chance is a huge step forward in black metal.
Listen to By Chance in its entirety.
That concludes our favorite albums of the year. What are yours?
