Steve K

Are these REALLY the top 10 albums of the year? Man, I dunno. Am I really qualified to make that call? Gotta be honest, probably not. So here’s just 10 albums I had the most fun listening to this year, in absolutely no order.

Oh, except for Unleash The Archers. That’s the goddamn album of the year. 

Unleash the Archers – Abyss (Napalm Records)

I mean, look, if you read my review back in September, you knew this was coming. For once in my life, my most anticipated release of the year was, indeed, my most favorite. I had to force myself to stop listening to it for a month because it nearly ruined everything else I listened to. I love this band. I love this album.

Bütcher – 666 Goats Carry My Chariot (Osmose Productions)

Honestly, did anyone have more fun than Bütcher in 2020? I think not. A guns-blazing, over-the-top celebration of all things evil and metal, delivered with old school The Crown vibes that were destined to bury themselves in my heart.

Blackguard – Storm (self-released)

Fun fact – when TOTD was looking for new writers at the beginning of this year and they asked folks to send in sample writings, Storm was one of my entries, so I guess you have Blackguard to blame for being subjected to my idiocy.  Anyway, in that review, I said this album was really good, but somewhat forgettable. The thing is though, 10 months later, I’m not sure there’s another album I’ve listened to more this year. In fact, Spotify just confirmed it – Storm is my most listened-to album of 2020. I was wrong. It’s a fucking beast.

*As an added bonus, on the album’s opening track we got a sneak peak of what a Morgan Lander and Justine Ethier pairing might sound like on Karkaos’ upcoming album and I cannot fucking wait to hear more of it (potential album of the year 2021? I’M CALLING MY SHOT!).*

Witches – The Fates (Mighty Spell Records)

34 years. This band has been around for 34 years and just this year I’m finding out about them. WHAT THE FUCK. But what an introduction – lively, thrashy old school death metal that I was instantly hooked on, and I haven’t let go. One of metal’s best kept secrets.

Sharptooth – Transitional Forms (Pure Noise Records)

GODDAMN what a punch in the mouth. These Baltimore atom bombs have taken their Every Time I Die-worshipping roots and transformed into an absolute powerhouse, armed with one of the most explosive young vocalists in the hardcore game. A take-no-prisoners, no-fucks-given record that deserves all the praise it gets.

Vampire – Rex (Century Media)

Vampires suck, Vampire does not. SEE WHAT I DID THERE?! 3 albums in 6 years, every one of them a banger. This record rules so much.

Nite – Darkness Silence Mirror Flame (Creator Destructor Records)

One of the years more unique and enjoyable releases. Equal parts nostalgic and innovative – these San Franciscans put together Priest-inspired classic Heavy Metal and Black Metal to create an utterly intoxicating brew that is unlike anything else I heard this year, or ever. All hail the Nite! 

Eternal Champion – Ravening Iron (No Remorse Records)

What can I say that hasn’t already been said about Eternal (FUCKING) Champion? They took everything that made The Ire of Iron great, and cranked it up to 11. Try holding in that smile with this record. You can’t.

Greyhawk – Keepers of the Flame (Fighter Records)

Dude… I don’t know. I didn’t expect this, either. I love this goddamn album so much. It’s just a blast from start-to-finish, and there’s at least 2 or 3 tracks I regularly get stuck in my head. It’s outrageously silly, it’s undeniably catchy, it’s just fun.

Tombstoner – Descent to Madness EP (Redefining Darkness)

I thought about making an entirely different list of great EPs, but honestly I loved this one so much it deserved a spot right up with the rest of the pack. An amazing mix of buzzy Swedish Death and bare-knuckled classic NY Hardcore.

 

10 more to love! (4 Word reviews)

Hellripper – The Affair of Poisons (Peaceville Records)

Supersonic, sadistic Scottish blasphemy!

 

Battlemaster – Ghastly, Graven and Grimoireless (Forcefield Records)

Depraved D&D-inspired fun!

 

Megaton Sword – Blood Hails Steel, Steel Hails Fire (Dying Victims Productions)

Metal? NO, MORE METAL.

 

Skam – Sounds of a Disease (Redefining Darkness)

2020 in audio form.

 

Wolfheart – Wolves of Karelia (Napalm Records)

The beast is back.

 

Ensiferum – Thalassic (Metal Blade Records)

Folk Metal’s back, too!

 

Kaunis Kuolematon – Syttyköön Toinen Aurinko (Noble Demon)

Finnish Doom done heavier.

 

Svalbard – When I die, Will I get Better? (Translation Loss Records)

Heavy music, heavy subjects.

 

Second to Sun – Leviathan (self-released)

Ho hum, another banger.

 

Bear Mace – Charred Fields of Slaughter (self-released)

Bears. Bolt Thrower. BattlestarGalactica.

 

OK YEAH I FUCKING CHEATED. WHATEVER.