Mostly Metal's Favorites 2020
Slowly but surely, 2020 comes to an end... Even though this year had its very own challenges for each of us, musically seen it was great due to the incredible amount of high-quality albums in an outstanding variety. I discovered many musical gems because of inspiring discussions and recommendations by like-minded metalheads (I hope you know who you are, in case you read this ;-) Thanks for sharing, it means a lot!
Here's a selection of 25 albums that caught me over the past months, for different reasons, but all became part of my very special soundtrack this year, and are highly recommended. Welcome to check them out, maybe you find something for your listening pleasure you missed so far.
There's always a direct link to Bandcamp or a Linktree, and in case I wrote a review, you can read it by clicking on the cover artwork.
Have fun \m/
NOVENA
Eleventh Hour
UK
March 6th, 2020
My album of the year 2020. What an incredible masterpiece...
PYRAMID THEOREM
Beyond the Exosphere
Canada
August 21st, 2020
Mesmerizing progmetal from Canada, take a seat and enjoy the ride Beyond the Exosphere
PAUL WARDINGHAM
Day Zero: Rise of the Horde
Australia
July 8th, 2020
Instrumental cyber metal, with a "Mad Max meets Resident Evil" inspired story
JESTER'S TEARS
Perception
Germany
October 31st, 2020
Passionate prog / powermetal with symphonic elements, great melodies and varied songwriting
LUNA'S CALL
Void
UK
August 28th, 2020
From progrock to death metal and back. Jump on this amazing musical trip through space
THE RETICENT
The Oubliette
USA
September 25th, 2020
An expressive, progressive concept album about a man suffering with Alzheimer's Disease
OCTAVISION
Coexist
USA
December 29th, 2020
A bit late to the party, but this is too good to leave it aside. Excellent progmetal debut
VULKAN
Technatura
Sweden
May 8th, 2020
Swedish heavy progrock with beautiful melodies, great rhythmic, and thoughtful lyrics
MEMORIES OF OLD
The Zeramin Game
UK
September 18th, 2020
Fantasy Fan? Dive into this colourful, symphonic journey across the universe to a land called XIA
HAKEN
Virus
UK
July 24th, 2020
Another highlight for prog-lovers this year. Was highly anticipated, but worth the wait. Excellent!
AETHER REALM
Redneck Vikings from Hell
USA
May 1st, 2020
If you like your metal with expressive vocals, varied songwriting, and a pinch of Viking Madness
DEFECTO
Duality
Denmark
October 23rd, 2020
The Danish quartet dives into the duality of life, with powerful vocals and impressive guitar work
SACRED OUTCRY
Damned for all Time
Greece
September 25th, 2020
Great debut album by this powermetal quintet from Greece, 22 years after their formation
3 RULES
Rule of 3
USA
December 11th, 2020
Instrumental progrock fusion trio by Symphony X drummer Jason Rullo - sophisticated & groooovy
COUNTLESS SKIES
Glow
UK
November 6th, 2020
Caught my attention with this stunning cover, and the music turned out to be great as well
CRYPTEX
Once upon a time
Germany
May 8th, 2020
The German trio was another amazing discovery for me. Prog-lovers should give them a listen
AEOLIAN
The Negationist
Spain
November 20th, 2020
Here's another beauty, offering epic melodic black / death metal with an important message
DAUGHTER CHAOS
Daughter Chaos (EP)
USA
October 9th, 2020
Ripping melodic death metal with fantastic guitar playing, that stands out on this great debut EP
THOUGHTS FACTORY
Elements
Germany
January 24th, 2020
An amazing musical journey through the elements of humankind's coexistence
SCARDUST
Strangers
Israel
October 30th, 2020
Symphonic progmetal, with beautiful melodies and impressive instrumental parts
WARTOOTH
Programmed Dichotomy
Australia
April 9th, 2020
Full thrash attack from Australia. Only advice: Crank it up!!!
MYTH OF I
Myth of I
USA
April 10th, 2020
Instrumental progressive tech-death, recommended ffo sophisticated guitar playing
MANTICORA
To Live to Kill to Live
Denmark
August 28th, 2020
Second part of their concept double-album, with an expressive mix of styles
BLOODWITCH
Tell your God to Ready for Blood
USA
May 29th, 2020
Familiar with Kilgore and their singer Jay Berndt? Here's some new heavy Rock'n Roll with him
MORS PRINCIPIUM EST
Seven
Finland / UK
October 23rd, 2020
Epic melodeath with heavy riffs, high-tempo rhythms, mesmerizing guitar solos
Thanks for following my picks till the end :-) Feel free to spread the word, if you liked it.
What have been some of your favorites this year? Looking forward to the eoty discoveries shared on Twitter and Insta.
Take care, and rock on \m/