 | Blog author: David Catanus This is it! At last we’re at the end of that has undoubtedly been a mass destructive mess for obvious reasons that I’m sure all of you already know for the most part. As of now, who knows when we’ll finally be rid ourselves of this nonsense, but hopefully sooner than late. |
For starters, let’s take some time to remember all the other greats in the music world that we lost this year. The two biggies were Neil Peart of Rush and of course the man himself, Eddie Van Halen. Other passings include Ray Burton (Cliff Burton's dad), Reed Mullin, Little Richard, Riley Gale, Kenny Rogers, Jimmy Cobb, Charlie Daniels, Peter Green, Alan Peters, Martin Birch, Brent Young, Ken Hensley, Bob Kulick, Jason Rainey, Paul Chapman, Lee Kerslake, Sean Malone, Leslie West and many more. Some of the biggest non-musical deaths include Kobe Bryant, Terry Jones, Sean Connery, Kelly Preston, Brian Dennehy, Regis Philbin, Alex Trebek and Diego Maradonna. What a ruthless year! There were going to be a ton of massive tours this year, but despite the few tours that happened at the start of the year, the pandemic came in full swing, causing all tours and shows to be cancelled or postponed.
Despite all the negativity that has transpired this year, music has had a huge positive impact in many peoples lives like always. That being said, there have been a ton of great new releases this year, just like every year. Since we’re finally at the end of the year, it’s time we all reflect on all the great music that came out this year and had the chance of hearing. Down below are my list of favorite albums and honorable mentions of 2020. Enjoy!
Despite all the negativity that has transpired this year, music has had a huge positive impact in many peoples lives like always. That being said, there have been a ton of great new releases this year, just like every year. Since we’re finally at the end of the year, it’s time we all reflect on all the great music that came out this year and had the chance of hearing. Down below are my list of favorite albums and honorable mentions of 2020. Enjoy!
10. AC/DC - Power Up
Just when you least expected it, AC/DC have dropped the bomb with the album no one thought would ever happen. Since their last release Rock Or Bust, AC/DC were on the brink of destruction since then due to the passing of Malcolm Young and the departures of Phil Rudd and Cliff Williams, not to mention Brian Johnson’s hearing loss that people thought would have ended his career, but thankfully, both Phil, Cliff and Brian have returned to the fold, and the band is now back full force, with Power Up being their massive triumph. Obviously, it’s what you would expect from any AC/DC album they have put out, but nonetheless, it’s refreshing to hear some new material from the rock 'n roll greats. This album gives off a sound very reminiscent to Back In Black, almost as if they’re honouring Malcolm.
Just when you least expected it, AC/DC have dropped the bomb with the album no one thought would ever happen. Since their last release Rock Or Bust, AC/DC were on the brink of destruction since then due to the passing of Malcolm Young and the departures of Phil Rudd and Cliff Williams, not to mention Brian Johnson’s hearing loss that people thought would have ended his career, but thankfully, both Phil, Cliff and Brian have returned to the fold, and the band is now back full force, with Power Up being their massive triumph. Obviously, it’s what you would expect from any AC/DC album they have put out, but nonetheless, it’s refreshing to hear some new material from the rock 'n roll greats. This album gives off a sound very reminiscent to Back In Black, almost as if they’re honouring Malcolm.
09. BENEDICTION - Scriptures
After a long hiatus since their 2008 album Killing Music, British death metal legends Benediction are back with their new album Scriptures, with Dave Ingram back on vocals and with new rhythm section members Dan Bate on bass and Gio Durst on drums. This is a well produced and well crafted album with an overall structure that allows the listeners to reengage with every song; something that’s not easy to achieve with most death metal. With tracks such as "Rabid Carnality", "Stormcrow", "Scriptures In Scarlet", "Embrace The Kill", etc. Benediction prove they still have what it takes to make quality death metal, not to mention that Dave’s vocals on this album sound better than ever and have aged like wine over the years.
After a long hiatus since their 2008 album Killing Music, British death metal legends Benediction are back with their new album Scriptures, with Dave Ingram back on vocals and with new rhythm section members Dan Bate on bass and Gio Durst on drums. This is a well produced and well crafted album with an overall structure that allows the listeners to reengage with every song; something that’s not easy to achieve with most death metal. With tracks such as "Rabid Carnality", "Stormcrow", "Scriptures In Scarlet", "Embrace The Kill", etc. Benediction prove they still have what it takes to make quality death metal, not to mention that Dave’s vocals on this album sound better than ever and have aged like wine over the years.
08. DARK TRANQUILLITY - Moment
One of the Gothenburg melodic death metal pioneers alongside In Flames and At The Gates: Dark Tranquility, are back again at it with their album Moment. The vocals on this album really stand out; Mikael Stanne has some awesome cleans that just carry a lot of emotion to them and are just mesmerizing, probably the best he’s sounded, and the the guitar work is pretty good here too. While I love the melodic keyboard driven aspect of this album, I just wish it was a little more riff-centric, as I’ve noticed there are very few chunky riffs here, but either way, this is a fine album overall and a good thing that they’re exploring with different sounds.
One of the Gothenburg melodic death metal pioneers alongside In Flames and At The Gates: Dark Tranquility, are back again at it with their album Moment. The vocals on this album really stand out; Mikael Stanne has some awesome cleans that just carry a lot of emotion to them and are just mesmerizing, probably the best he’s sounded, and the the guitar work is pretty good here too. While I love the melodic keyboard driven aspect of this album, I just wish it was a little more riff-centric, as I’ve noticed there are very few chunky riffs here, but either way, this is a fine album overall and a good thing that they’re exploring with different sounds.
07. TRIVIUM - What The Dead Men Say
Although I wasn’t a big fan of most of their material past their masterpiece of an album: Shogun, 2017 saw Trivium coming back to their heavier roots with The Sin & The Sentence, which received mainly positive reviews. What The Dead Men Say is not only a continuation of the sound that The Sin & The Sentence had to offer, but also brings together the previous eight records, including the learning experiences and knowledge that they used to create this album with, and each song stands out in its own way. The song “The Defiant” in particular, sounds very much like a forgotten song from their earlier albums, most notably Ascendency, or even Ember To Inferno. Since those two albums, Trivium have improved their sound greatly over the years. Alex Bent just slays on the drums with those blast beats and Matt Heafy’s vocals sound better than ever, as he combines the cleans from Silence In The Snow, and the aggressive/guttural vocals from Shogun, not to mention the fact that Paolo Gregoletto’s bass tone just shines. Even if they aren’t as heavy at times like most fans would expect, Trivium never fails to deliver.
Although I wasn’t a big fan of most of their material past their masterpiece of an album: Shogun, 2017 saw Trivium coming back to their heavier roots with The Sin & The Sentence, which received mainly positive reviews. What The Dead Men Say is not only a continuation of the sound that The Sin & The Sentence had to offer, but also brings together the previous eight records, including the learning experiences and knowledge that they used to create this album with, and each song stands out in its own way. The song “The Defiant” in particular, sounds very much like a forgotten song from their earlier albums, most notably Ascendency, or even Ember To Inferno. Since those two albums, Trivium have improved their sound greatly over the years. Alex Bent just slays on the drums with those blast beats and Matt Heafy’s vocals sound better than ever, as he combines the cleans from Silence In The Snow, and the aggressive/guttural vocals from Shogun, not to mention the fact that Paolo Gregoletto’s bass tone just shines. Even if they aren’t as heavy at times like most fans would expect, Trivium never fails to deliver.
06. LAMB OF GOD - Lamb Of God
Without a doubt one the biggest metal releases of the year. After 5 years, Lamb Of God are back with their self-titled album; this being their most historical record as it’s the first one without Chris Adler, who left the band in 2019. Chris was a vital part of the group with his distinct and very unique drumming, and usually bands tend to go downhill if a member with that status departs, and it can have a life threatening impact on their overall sound. Thankfully they found a worthy replacement, and there couldn’t have been anyone better than Art Cruz to fill the role, as he is a beast of a drummer on this record. "Memento Mori", "Checkmate" and "Routes" are some absolute bangers on this record, and I look forward to hearing them live if the Megadeth/Lamb Of God tour happens; I sure hope it does!
Without a doubt one the biggest metal releases of the year. After 5 years, Lamb Of God are back with their self-titled album; this being their most historical record as it’s the first one without Chris Adler, who left the band in 2019. Chris was a vital part of the group with his distinct and very unique drumming, and usually bands tend to go downhill if a member with that status departs, and it can have a life threatening impact on their overall sound. Thankfully they found a worthy replacement, and there couldn’t have been anyone better than Art Cruz to fill the role, as he is a beast of a drummer on this record. "Memento Mori", "Checkmate" and "Routes" are some absolute bangers on this record, and I look forward to hearing them live if the Megadeth/Lamb Of God tour happens; I sure hope it does!
05. NIGHT IN GALES - Dawnlight Garden
In 2020, Night In Gales released their new record Dawnlight Garden, their second album with original vocalist Christian Müller back in the band. Right off the bat, the production on this record is solid and Müller has that Thomas Lindberg influence in the screams, not to mention that the At The Gates style riffage in the guitars is strong with this one. The title track, "Beyond The Light", "Winterspawn", "Kingdom", and "Through Dark Decades" are some of my favorites off this album with great use of melody and are some bangers off the album. Overall, you get some great melodic death metal from Night In Gales with this album.
In 2020, Night In Gales released their new record Dawnlight Garden, their second album with original vocalist Christian Müller back in the band. Right off the bat, the production on this record is solid and Müller has that Thomas Lindberg influence in the screams, not to mention that the At The Gates style riffage in the guitars is strong with this one. The title track, "Beyond The Light", "Winterspawn", "Kingdom", and "Through Dark Decades" are some of my favorites off this album with great use of melody and are some bangers off the album. Overall, you get some great melodic death metal from Night In Gales with this album.
04. WARBRINGER - Weapons Of Tomorrow
One of the leading new wave thrash bands alongside Havok, Exmortus, Vektor, Evile, Suicidal Angels, etc, Warbringer have come a long way since their debut album War Without End. Weapons Of Tomorrow is the follow up to their previous album Woe To The Vanquished, but with more grittier production and heavier/aggressive vocals from John Kevill. There are few new elements that they’ve never done before on this album as well, most notably the track ”Defiance Of Fate” which is the closest thing to a ballad that we’ll get from Warbringer, but it’s still a strong track nonetheless, alongside other songs such as "Firepower Kills", "The Black Hand Reaches Out", Crushed Beneath The Tracks", "Power Unsurpassed" and "Glorious End". Overall, hard to go wrong with Warbringer and this is definitely an essential release of 2020.
One of the leading new wave thrash bands alongside Havok, Exmortus, Vektor, Evile, Suicidal Angels, etc, Warbringer have come a long way since their debut album War Without End. Weapons Of Tomorrow is the follow up to their previous album Woe To The Vanquished, but with more grittier production and heavier/aggressive vocals from John Kevill. There are few new elements that they’ve never done before on this album as well, most notably the track ”Defiance Of Fate” which is the closest thing to a ballad that we’ll get from Warbringer, but it’s still a strong track nonetheless, alongside other songs such as "Firepower Kills", "The Black Hand Reaches Out", Crushed Beneath The Tracks", "Power Unsurpassed" and "Glorious End". Overall, hard to go wrong with Warbringer and this is definitely an essential release of 2020.
03. HEATHEN - Empire Of The Blind
One of the most underrated and overlooked bands of the Bay Area thrash circuit. After a decade of absence, Heathen have made a triumphant return with Empire Of The Blind, their first album since The Evolution Of Chaos in 2009. With tracks such as "The Blight", "Empire Of The Blind" and "The Gods Divide" being some of the most awesome standout thrashy gems, and the ballad “Shrine Of Apathy” showing their more melodic side, this was definitely worth the wait. Art isn’t something you can rush if you want a great outcome, and Empires Of The Blind is a prime example. Check out both this album, and Heathen's other albums if you haven't yet.
One of the most underrated and overlooked bands of the Bay Area thrash circuit. After a decade of absence, Heathen have made a triumphant return with Empire Of The Blind, their first album since The Evolution Of Chaos in 2009. With tracks such as "The Blight", "Empire Of The Blind" and "The Gods Divide" being some of the most awesome standout thrashy gems, and the ballad “Shrine Of Apathy” showing their more melodic side, this was definitely worth the wait. Art isn’t something you can rush if you want a great outcome, and Empires Of The Blind is a prime example. Check out both this album, and Heathen's other albums if you haven't yet.
02. WOLFHEART - Wolves Of Karelia
In my humble opinion, Wolfheart is one of the best melodic death metal bands out there these days, and I gotta say, the new album Wolves Of Karelia is quite interesting. Unlike their previous release Constellation Of The Black Light, which was very emotionally driven, the new album is more brutal and raw sounding, and the album gets better throughout each song, not to mention that I feel like I’m lost within the music as the album progresses. As for Jonas’ drumming, boy does he have some insane chops, not to mention Tuomas Saukkonen just knows where it’s at when it comes to composing some brutal riffs and writing songs in general.
In my humble opinion, Wolfheart is one of the best melodic death metal bands out there these days, and I gotta say, the new album Wolves Of Karelia is quite interesting. Unlike their previous release Constellation Of The Black Light, which was very emotionally driven, the new album is more brutal and raw sounding, and the album gets better throughout each song, not to mention that I feel like I’m lost within the music as the album progresses. As for Jonas’ drumming, boy does he have some insane chops, not to mention Tuomas Saukkonen just knows where it’s at when it comes to composing some brutal riffs and writing songs in general.
01. TESTAMENT - Titans Of Creations
Anyone who knows me knows that Testament are one of my top all time thrash bands. When it comes to delivering some of the finest quality thrash metal, Testament are at the top of my list alongside Death Angel. Since their 2008 album The Formation Of Damnation, the Bay Area titans have been on a massive streak of putting out some stellar content, and this album is another addition to the list. The album artwork is amazing to the point that it caught my attention at first glance. The production on this album is top notch as every instrument stands out. Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson are delivering those crushing riffs and melodic solos as usual and you definetly can’t go wrong with Chuck Billy’s trademark vocals as well as Steve DiGiorgio’s bass chops and Gene Hoglan's stellar drumming. Although this album doesn’t top Dark Roots Of Earth or The Formation Of Damnation, considering that would be impossible to do so, Titans Of Creation manages to bring back some of the aggressive elements in their music that albums such as The Gathering had, and showcases a solid balance of both melody and brutality.
Anyone who knows me knows that Testament are one of my top all time thrash bands. When it comes to delivering some of the finest quality thrash metal, Testament are at the top of my list alongside Death Angel. Since their 2008 album The Formation Of Damnation, the Bay Area titans have been on a massive streak of putting out some stellar content, and this album is another addition to the list. The album artwork is amazing to the point that it caught my attention at first glance. The production on this album is top notch as every instrument stands out. Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson are delivering those crushing riffs and melodic solos as usual and you definetly can’t go wrong with Chuck Billy’s trademark vocals as well as Steve DiGiorgio’s bass chops and Gene Hoglan's stellar drumming. Although this album doesn’t top Dark Roots Of Earth or The Formation Of Damnation, considering that would be impossible to do so, Titans Of Creation manages to bring back some of the aggressive elements in their music that albums such as The Gathering had, and showcases a solid balance of both melody and brutality.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS (No Order)
| VADER Solitude In Madness | HAVOK V | STALLION Slaves Of Time |
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| ANNIHILATOR Ballistic, Sadistic | AMBUSH Infidel | ONSLAUGHT Generation Antichrist |
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| SEPULTURA Quadra | MORS PRINCIPIUM EST Seven | TOKYO BLADE Dark Revolution |
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There you have it! If you want to have your top 10 albums and honorable mentions featured on Metal Master Kingdom, get a hold of Alex Stojanovic for him to work something out. Thank you for taking the time to read my list. If you haven’t heard the albums listed above yet, hopefully this will inspire you to give them a listen and hopefully enjoy them as much as I did. I know 2020 has been a rough year, but I look forward to what positivity is to come for 2021. Cheers!
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