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1.
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Vola - Witness
VOLA have a super approachable way of putting together djent and progressive music. Every song on this album is simply said just flat out excellent. Has the feeling of one of those releases you just subconsciously keep coming back to. I would recommend this to anyone regardless of their musical tastes. 9/10 |
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2.
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Between The Buried And Me - Colors II
BTBAM have returned to form with an absolute knock out of chaotic progressive metal. Maybe an unpopular opinion but for me, "Colors II" is better than the original and overall their second best release after "Parallax II." It was a bold move releasing a sequel to their most celebrated album but it easily paid off. 9/10 |
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3.
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Stormkeep - Tales Of Othertime
'Galdrum' was one of my favorite surprise finds of 2020. This year Stormkeep is back with a full length release that not only continues their path of synth laden melodic black metal, but improves upon it in every aspect. A truly magnificent album and the best black metal release of 2021. 9/10 |
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4.
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Thy Catafalque - Vadak
Tamás Kátai has been ridiculously consistent for more than 15 years. For me 'Vadak' is his best since 'Meta.' Sixty minutes of high quality, top shelf, experimental avantgarde music that takes you on a fantastic journey. It's not just the wide variety of styles that makes me a fan, it's how well he makes it all fit together. 9/10 |
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5.
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Gravesend - Methods Of Human Disposal
This album is absolutely insane. Fifteen short tracks; each one feeling like a sledgehammer to the auditory cortex. A full on assault of the senses. Ridiculously brutal grindcore with black metal vocals/tones and a killer mix. I usually don't go out for this style but I am in love with this album. 9/10 |
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6.
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Cân Bardd - Devoured By The Oak
A truly magnificent release from Cân Bardd. A melodic/symphonic black metal album that feels like listening to a high fantasy book. Epic and awe inspiring. These guys continue to improve with each album. Easily their best to date. 9/10 |
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7.
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Grima - Rotten Garden
This album feels like cold, howling winds on a dark winter's night. A great blend of aggressive black metal with melody and added keyboards that give depth and atmosphere. I am also a big fan of the mixing/production. Simply an excellent and stunning album. 9/10 |
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8.
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Bodom After Midnight - Paint The Sky With Blood
Alexi Laiho is one of the big reasons I got into playing guitar and listening to metal. His passing was unexpected and a major blow. He will be missed but never forgotten. It is comforting to know that his last performance includes some of his best work since early Children of Bodom. 9/10 |
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9.
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Swallow The Sun - Moonflowers
Yet another beautifully elegant release from Swallow the Sun. These guys have been absurdly consistent for almost 20 years now and 'Moonflowers' is no exception. A stunning performance coupled with excellent production. Admittedly didn't connect with parts of this one like previous releases but it is still great. 8/10 |
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10.
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Be'lakor - Coherence
Be'lakor have returned with a reminder of why they are at the forefront of melodic death metal (like we could ever forget). A mastery in musicianship and song structure, this album flows seamlessly. A little more filler than I would like but the meat of the album more than makes up for it. Another stellar performance. 8/10 |
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11.
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In Mourning - The Bleeding Veil
In Mourning has done no wrong. In Mourning can do no wrong. These guys are absurdly consistent; they have a formula and stick to it… and there’s nothing wrong with that. Another top notch progress death metal performance. 8/10 |
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12.
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Dormant Ordeal - The Grand Scheme Of Things
This is one dense death metal album. Plenty of hooks and grooves with a good dose of dissonance to make it feel extra thick. The excellent performance and production tie it all together into what is one of the best death metal releases of 2021. 8/10 |
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13.
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Carcass - Torn Arteries
As expected, another beast of an album from the legendary Carcass. The only negative thing I have to say is the production on this one has lost some of that bite I usually expect from these guys. That being said this is almost as good as "Surgical Steel" or "Heartwork." 8/10 |
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14.
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Panopticon - ...And Again Into The Light
Panopticon's folky, almost bluesy, approach to atmospheric black metal is on full display on this release with some excellent incorporation of doom. Beautifully arranged and emotionally haunting, this is easily some of their best work to date. 8/10 |
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15.
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Iron Maiden - Senjutsu
A truly epic release from the eternal Iron Maiden. Two discs of classic melodic riffage. Arguably some of their most ambition songs since 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.' 'Senjutsu' does not disappoint in the slightest but the mix seems slightly muted or muddy to me. 8/10 |
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16.
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Outre-Tombe - Abysse Mortifère
This is some straight up filthy death metal; the kind of music that makes you feel dirty in all the right ways. Muddy production, old school vocals, countless riffs, a heavy dose of brutal groove, and maximum chunkage. What’s not to love? 8/10 |
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17.
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Wolves In The Throne Room - Primordial Arcana
Wolves in the Throne Room are masters of creating atmosphere. On their newest effort that atmosphere is very much there but more organized and approachable. The added dungeon synth-esque keyboards are a nice change of pace as well. For me this is definitely a good release. 8/10 |
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18.
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Aquilus - Bellum I
After 10 long years Aquilus have finally returned with another colossal album. The way he mixes black metal and classical style music together is extremely impressive. Overall it's a bit longwinded but still very good. I look forward to 'Bellum II.' 8/10 |
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19.
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Iotunn - Access All Worlds
A monstrous debut of progressive, melodic, extreme, power death metal. An ambitious release that is for the most part very successful. The harsh vocals are outstanding but the clean singing for me comes off a little grandiose for the music and production. Hopefully on the next album they will find a little more balance. 8/10 |
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20.
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Rye - Вечное
This is truly a lot of sound to be coming out of a one-man project. The first and fourth tracks are doom laden, slow, and heavy. The second and third are atmospheric blackgaze that, once it kicked in, produces a relentless wall of sound. A unique flow that works very well. Definitely a pleasant surprise of a release. 8/10 |
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21.
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Esoctrilihum - Dy'th Requiem For The Serpent Telepath
The fact that Esoctrilihum is a one-man project blows my mind. Uniquely obscure and refreshing, 'Dy'th' picks up right where 'Shaog' left off last year. Prepare for a dark and eclectic journey through mystical times of forgotten places that pushes past the threshold of musical logic. 8/10 |
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22.
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Wormwitch - Wolf Hex
Wormwitch return with their riff heavy, balls out style of black n' roll. Every single song rips, the only problem is there aren't enough of them. On 'Wolf Hex' there is a little too much fluff with 3 filler tracks and a Metallica cover. That being said the remaining 6 songs are bangers. 8/10 |
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23.
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Yoth Iria - As The Flame Withers
Yoth Iria did exactly what I hoped they would do after their excellent EP from last year; they flushed out their sound and improved their production. A great melodic blackened death metal release with awesome incorporation of orchestral elements. 8/10 |
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24.
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Soen - Imperial
Soen's newest effort, while overall a very good and enjoyable release, comes off a bit lacking especially as a follow up to 'Lotus' (my 2019 AOTY). While I do like all of the songs they almost feel like B-sides from 'Lotus.' Other than that, the performance has everything I have come to expect from these guys. 8/10 |
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25.
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Wraith - Undo The Chains
Fast and aggressive thrash with veins of black metal coursing throughout. Great riffs and infectious melody that just makes you want to bang your head. The songs are unapologetically short but man do they rip. Do yourself a favor and don’t wait on this one. 8/10 |
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26.
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Hulder - Godslastering: Hymns Of A Forlorn Peasantry
Frostbitten black metal with both excellent atmosphere and melody. Outstanding riffs. The incorporation of eerie underlying keyboard/dungeon-synth tones adds great depth to the sound. The production and performance are also spot on. Across the board, simply a great release. 8/10 |
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27.
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Bríi - Sem Propósito
A solid blend of ambient electronic and atmospheric black metal. Bríi have continued on from last year with a more grandiose performance of two 28 minute tracks that are best listened to as one. It take a little while to get going but once it does, man does it deliver. Really nice release. 8/10 |
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28.
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Insomnium - Argent Moon
Insomnium take bit of a different approach on this EP. While always being an emotional and thoughtful band they have somehow managed to take that to the next level with what are essentially 4 melo-death ballads. The results are exceptionally effective. 8/10 |
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29.
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Thank You Scientist - Plague Accommodations
Thank You Scientist is one of my favorite bands right now. Every member is incredibly talented and impressive. Their newest EP is no exception. If you get a chance to see them live do not pass it up. Admittedly not my favorite of their catalogue but it's still easily an... 8/10 |
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30.
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Ellende - Triebe
A re-worked adaptation of their own EP from 2014 with added passages and a more flushed out sound/mix. Ellende's thoughtful, melodic, and emotional approach to atmospheric black metal never disappoints and these 3 songs are certainty no exception. If you're a fan don't wait on 'Triebe.' 8/10 |
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31.
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Abstract Void - Wishdream
When done right synthwave and blackgaze can be a magical combination. Abstract Void has absolutely found that balance on this release. This release falls somewhere between Skyforest and Violet Cold for me. Those keyboard tones are flat out infectious though. 7/10 |
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32.
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Miasmata - Unlight: Songs Of Earth And Atrophy
A super enjoyable blend of black metal and good old fashioned heavy metal. Melodic, fast paced, and just simply a well put together album. All this from not only a one man project but a debut release. I will be excited to see where this project goes in the future. 7/10 |
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33.
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Violet Cold - Empire Of Love
I listen to Violet Cold for the experimentation he brings that mixes well with the more traditional post-rock/blackgaze atmosphere. "Empire of Love" has some odd passages here and there but overall still a solid release for me. I will support this project every time. 7/10 |
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34.
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Mesarthim - Vacuum Solution
I've been a fan of Mesarthim's spacey black metal for a couple years now. The newest EP is a solid blend of styles. The keyboard/electronics almost sound happy but the odd combination works with the more traditional atmospheric vibes. The last track is an outro/filler that kind of takes the wind out of the rest of the songs. 7/10 |
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35.
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Leprous - Aphelion
I appreciate the blend of older Leprous styles with the sound they put out on 'Pitfalls' however this album feels a bit disjointed to me. There are songs and moments I really enjoy but overall just an OK release for me. Hopefully the next time will be a step forward but also a step towards their roots. 6/10 |
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36.
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Steven Wilson - The Future Bites
Steven Wilson is one of my favorite songwriters/musicians. For me, his newest release is his most OK performance across all of his projects. There are some enjoyable songs/moments but it mostly came off as boring. Don't think I'll be revising this one very often. Am I disappointed? I guess. Am I surprised? No. 6/10 |
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37.
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Old Nick - Crisp Winter Dawn Of My Night Moon
This EP is like a B-grade horror movie that’s too absurd not to enjoy. More of a novelty than anything else and unfortunately the affect does get a little old after a while. That being said Old Nick can come creeping over anytime. 6/10 |
