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... 

Linktree  /  Review


PYRAMID THEOREM

Beyond the Exosphere

Canada

August 21st, 2020

Mesmerizing progmetal from Canada, take a seat and enjoy the ride Beyond the Exosphere 

Bandcamp


PAUL WARDINGHAM

Day Zero: Rise of the Horde

Australia

July 8th, 2020

Instrumental cyber metal, with a "Mad Max meets Resident Evil" inspired story

Bandcamp  /  Review


JESTER'S TEARS

Perception

Germany

October 31st, 2020

Passionate prog / powermetal with symphonic elements, great melodies and varied songwriting

Bandcamp  /  Review  /  Interview


LUNA'S CALL

Void

UK

August 28th, 2020

From progrock to death metal and back. Jump on this amazing musical trip through space

Bandcamp  /  Review


THE RETICENT

The Oubliette

USA

September 25th, 2020

An expressive, progressive concept album about a man suffering with Alzheimer's Disease

Bandcamp  /  Review


OCTAVISION

Coexist

USA

December 29th, 2020

A bit late to the party, but this is too good to leave it aside. Excellent progmetal debut

Bandcamp  Review


VULKAN

Technatura

Sweden

May 8th, 2020

Swedish heavy progrock with beautiful melodies, great rhythmic, and thoughtful lyrics

Bandcamp  /  Interview


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

Bandcamp  /  Review


HAKEN - Virus

HAKEN

Virus

UK

July 24th, 2020

Another highlight for prog-lovers this year. Was highly anticipated, but worth the wait. Excellent!

Linktree


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

Bandcamp  /  Review


DEFECTO

Duality

Denmark

October 23rd, 2020

The Danish quartet dives into the duality of life, with powerful vocals and impressive guitar work 

Bandcamp


SACRED OUTCRY

Damned for all Time

Greece

September 25th, 2020

Great debut album by this powermetal quintet from Greece, 22 years after their formation

Bandcamp  /  Review


3 RULES

Rule of 3

USA

December 11th, 2020

Instrumental progrock fusion trio by Symphony X drummer Jason Rullo - sophisticated & groooovy

Website / Review


COUNTLESS SKIES - Glow (2020) - UK

COUNTLESS SKIES

Glow

UK

November 6th, 2020

Caught my attention with this stunning cover, and the music turned out to be great as well

Bandcamp


CRYPTEX - Once Upon A Time

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

Bandcamp  /  Interview


AEOLIAN - The Negationist (2020) Spain

AEOLIAN

The Negationist

Spain

November 20th, 2020

Here's another beauty, offering epic melodic black / death metal with an important message

Bandcamp


DAUGHTER CHAOS - Daughter Chaos (EP)

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

Bandcamp


THOUGHTS FACTORY - Elements

THOUGHTS FACTORY

Elements

Germany

January 24th, 2020

An amazing musical journey through the elements of humankind's coexistence

Bandcamp


SCARDUST

Strangers

Israel

October 30th, 2020

Symphonic progmetal, with beautiful melodies and impressive instrumental parts

Bandcamp


WARTOOTH - Programmed Dichotomy

WARTOOTH

Programmed Dichotomy

Australia

April 9th, 2020

Full thrash attack from Australia. Only advice: Crank it up!!!

Bandcamp


MYTH OF I

Myth of I

USA

April 10th, 2020

Instrumental progressive tech-death, recommended ffo sophisticated guitar playing

Bandcamp  Review


MANTICORA - To Live to Kill to Live

MANTICORA

To Live to Kill to Live

Denmark

August 28th, 2020

Second part of their concept double-album, with an expressive mix of styles

Bandcamp


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

Bandcamp  /  Review


MORS PRINCIPIUM EST - Seven

MORS PRINCIPIUM EST

Seven

Finland / UK

October 23rd, 2020

Epic melodeath with heavy riffs, high-tempo rhythms, mesmerizing guitar solos

Linktree




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/