Top 10 (+20) metal albums of 2023

 

The usual long prologue. Don't scroll down, read.
 
Lists suck! Is there any meaning to having a Top-20, Top-30, Top-100 list for one year? In a Top-20 list what's the actual difference between number 14 and number 17? And is number 19 better than an album that didn't make it to the list even if it was considered? Lists suck because they have transformed music in a fake contest game and in the era of the social media reign a majority of fans consumes music instead of listening (and feeling) to music. Hundreds of albums with a quick listen on YouTube or digital platforms, most of the time with a lesser quality than the physical product. I would dare to say that besides the first 5 (maximum 10) albums in every list, most of the rest are almost equal with minor differences. There are also some factors outside the actual music that affect some editors' lists in media. Someone might like more a person/musician from a band, or doesn't like someone else from another. A musician's character and the list-writer's connection or the lack of it, affects some people, while sometimes there are deeper things involving record labels, producers, events, actions, and many other things we might discuss in the future. Everyone can fall on it sometimes, even the author of this article. Let's be honest.

Boomers, Zoomers and the different generations: There will always be people saying that no new album can reach the heights and the value of the past. By past they mean the '70s, mostly the '80s, and the '90s. Bullshit. Keeping in mind that sometimes the passing of time adds (or deducts) value to albums, we should not ignore that there will always be great music coming out but the change of the music industry doesn't really allow to most of the new bands and albums to make a breakthrough and reach the sales and exposure that bands in the '80s had. Pardon me, for preferring Eternal Champion, Atlantean Kodex, Crypt Sermon and Sumerlands over Rhapsody, Medieval Steel, Tankard and Krokus, but no matter how hard you will yell, you will be just a brief note on social media. That's modern life. On the other hand, yes, it can sound annoying to me that one might also say that Sabaton, Amon Amarth and Ghost are better than Saxon, Accept and Dokken. Overall, it can be apples and oranges but also a different music taste and one's failure to understand the difference between "I prefer" and "it is better". There will always be great music but the amount of albums coming out today is huge, while the easy way music is available to you, it can distract you without allowing many individuals to dive deeper, listen deeper, feel it deeper. Music today is trapped in the "fast-food" way of modern life. Do you believe that if The Number of the Beast would have been released today, it would have the same impact like 1982? Different times, different views, different industries and the evolution of music. Each album of the past was released and set in a different time within a different moment during the evolution and change of music, so if you just bring it in today, you might lose its flame, its actual impact, you might miss its value, or there will be a devalue. You just need to understand the past, the story, the evolution, the present, (feel) the actual music/album, the different genres and subgenres, but also the standards and the albums/bands that will always be the reference for reasons beyond each individual's personal taste

Lists rule! It is always entertaining reading other people's lists, websites and magazines, and it is truly amazing reading a list and discovering something you might have missed. Actually, at some point, we should make a list with "the best albums we missed and you didn't see them on last years' lists". With lists, sometimes you also understand the other's music taste and you can even get a glimpse of one's character. For people you already know, or authors/editors you follow, you can even figure some records that will be on their lists without even reading them because you know their taste or a small part of their character, and this is beautiful because music is part of them. Music is life, so enjoy life, don't be a toxic and sad person. Listen to what you like and don't waste your time yelling at clouds for things you don't like. No matter how old or young you are, because it is not just old people yelling at clouds, it is also youngsters yelling on TikTok and Facebook without understanding the past and all of those things that make the music they know today.

Lists can change! Accept that lists are a glimpse of the present time and the author's view on that specific time. No one can claim that they have listened to everything, and if some people do, don't trust them, ignore them and their lists. Lists are fun and are just a starting point for discussions and spreading music. If you take them only seriously, you're missing the point, you're missing the music. And it is not a shame to admit after a few years that you overestimated or underestimated an album or a band by putting or not putting them on a list.

Well, lists rule!


For this year, we did what Crystal Logic firstly introduced years ago. The interaction of musicians of the feature. We invited musicians of albums included in the list (plus a few more), commenting on other albums of the list. With that, we're offering to the readers of Crystal Logic something more than just placing albums in a list and adding a few words or just reposting part of reviews, something that's usual to the majority of similar end year's lists on most media. We're always trying to make a difference and present something new and unusual, so let's go!


10. MARCH TO DIE - Tears of the Gorgon
 

Formed by members of Mirror, Friends of Hell and Solitary Sabred, the debut album of the Greek/Cypriot band delivers aggressive and raw epic heavy metal inspired by Manowar and the Asatru period of Bathory. Coming out of nowhere, they might lack authenticity but their iron will and strength bows to none. Swords, chains and metal, blood, smashed helmets and decapitation, this is raw, epic heavy metal by fans, for fans.

- "True metal to the end! Glorybound metal that I have really enjoyed since its release day. Bathory meets Manowar, fabulous guitar thunder, tremendous battle roaring vox, amazing bass lines straight from Valhalla and the great cannons on drumming Be sure you won't miss it... March to Die!" - D.K. Krasonis (Darklon)

Check also:

DARKLON - The Redeemer: With Omen singer Nikos Migus A. the sophomore album of the Greek-based band is an ode to the US heavy and power metal legends of the olde like Omen, Armored Saint and Attacker. The kind of vocals we're missing nowadays, a suitable metal production and riffs to die for. Strong metal.

- "Riff-driven, Americanized bullying-metal, culminating in one of the best choruses of the decade in 'Way Back Home'!" - Petros "Asgard Lord" Leptos (Solitary Sabred)

JAG PANZER - The Hallowed: A strong return with their best studio album since "Mechanized Warfare", dominated by a solid sound, flaming guitars and titanic vocals.


9. VARATHRON - The Crimson Temple
 

One of the leaders of Hellenic Black Metal (next to Rotting Christ and Necromantia, but also Zemial and Agatus) return with an album that grabs you by the throat. Somehow I missed them in the last many years, so The Crimson Temple caught me by surprise. Committed to the unholy past, the new album feels like a glorious return to the spirit of the olde with the advantages the present day and the musicians' experience can add, without missing a beat in terms of passion. With effective, melodic riffs and guitar parts that pierce your mind, Cimmerian strength and a cinematic approach, this temple is built by stones of glory. This is a 100% Hellenic Black Metal record.  

- "The same killer sound that they've been developing over the last couple albums but with a taste of extra grandiose bombast- what's not to love?" - Brandon Corsair (Serpent Rider, Draghkar, Drawn and Quartered)

Check also:

MALOKARPATAN - Vertumnus Caesar: The occult journey to the esoteric arts of the past through '70s art rock, pure heavy metal riffing, renaissance melodies and first wave black metal. That's (more or less) something you will mainly read in most of the reviews but the latest diverse, dynamic and sinister offering of the Slovakian band continues their unique way of expressing their creative mysticism in a parallel world with all of their influences.

- "Heavy Metal absolutely dripping with the occult and an overtly sinister atmosphere. A special, special offering, from a generationally great band." - Klauf (Morgul Blade)

THRONEHAMMER - Kingslayer: Heavier than Godzilla and stronger than Kong, this is a monster doom metal album with a diversity that flies higher than Mothra.


8. LEGENDRY - Time Immortal Wept
 

Established in the underground metal with three full-lengths and an EP, the fourth album Time Immortal Wept gathers all the elements that make Legendry distinguish from the current epic heavy metal scene. The use of mellotron, acoustic guitars and synths, the diversity of influences and sounds adding elements from the '70s prog rock, Rush, Eloy, Uriah Heep, up to Manilla Road, Bathory and even Warlord (listen to the beginning of the 12-minute same-titled track) and Basil Poledouris' Conan the Barbarian soundtrack, creates a unique album that offers to the listener a magical quest since this is also a concept album. With Arthur Rizk's production adding the archaic soundscape and feeling this concept requires, be sure that this brave, mystical and original album can be equal to the journey your favourite sword & sorcery books can offer.

Check also:

GATEKEEPER - From Western Shores: A step forward from the previous album, with dynamics and songs such as "Shadow and Stone" that give the band their own identity. Gatekeeper is a heroic band and From Western Shores is a beautiful, ear-pleasure, nerdy underground heavy metal album for all of us enjoyers of this kind.

- "Jeff Black and crew show why Canada remains at the top of the game and how metal should be written!" - Jeff Young (By Fire & Sword, Weald and Woe)

SMOULDER - Violent Creed of Vengeance: Many men-singers claim to be the Conan-type of frontman, wielding a sword and yelling tales of sorcery and brave quests. Asides Eric Adams, probably Jason Tarpey is the barbarian king, but there is no question that Sarah Ann is the one and only Red Sonja, singing tales of vengeance, bravery and witchery. Theatrical and more diverse, Smoulder's sophomore album is not just about escapism, but also about true strength, with sharp songwriting and intense performances.

- "Tighter and harder than ever, if Violent Creed... doesn’t make you want to smite your enemies, nothing will!" - Jeff Young (By Fire & Sword, Weald and Woe)

- "Smoulder are raising their speed and offer us an absolutely rich musical masterwork with a voice who overflows with passion and energy." - Mars Triumph (Triumpher)


7. AIR RAID - Fatal Encounter
 

Six years after their previous album Across the Line, Sweden's Air Raid returned with a fatal album of majestic guitar virtuosity and thunderous songs. Bringing the retro '80s & '90s Malmsteen-ish guitar aesthetics and style to the present day, they're offering to us one of the most feelgood heavy metal albums of 2023. Recommended for fans of Maestro Yngwie (at his glorious days) and a more European power metal version of '80s Rainbow and '90s Riot. Don't sleep on that one, this is fantastic!  

- "Air Raid's Fatal Encounter is a heavy metal boulder with incredible guitar ideas and catchy as f... vocal lines!" - Mars Triumph (Triumpher)

Check also:

BY FIRE & SWORD - Glory: One of the most original melodic heavy power metal albums of 2023, an album that can only be more appreciated in the future. Purely entertaining and catchy, with vocal melodies to die for, magnetic riffs, glorious and full of light. The lyrics and the concept seem to confuse a few of the listeners that can't truly get it but everything is there for you. Just listen, feel, and tap the conduit.  

MDXX - MDXX: Can you imagine Ghost playing like Eternal Champion? That's the mystical debut album of Sweden's MDXX. Authentic, with fantastic guitars and melodies, it dwells deep in the underground, waiting for you to discover it.


6. LAMP OF MURMUUR - Saturnian Bloodstorm
 

Lacking the raw sound and the gothic atmosphere of previous releases, the mysterious M., the mastermind behind the US entity known as Lamp of Murmuur, presents one more stellar album with a strong Immortal vibe and his best production to date. Saturnian Bloodstorm strays from the underground black metal labyrinths M. used to deliver in the past few years but his black metal gaze into the past and the future of the genre remains unmistakable and authentic.

Check also:

FAIDRA - Militant : Penitent : Triumphant: Heavily inspired by the one that cannot be named and deeper than it seems, Faidra's sophomore full-length is the orthodox atmospheric black metal album that requires your attention.

MOONLIGHT SORCERY - Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle: We loved the two EPs they released in 2022 but the surprise those face-painted fellas from Finland are offering with their debut full-lenght is of a "good-new-Malmsteen-album" status. Unexpectedly. Melodic black metal with neoclassical guitars? Yes, that's it. I understand that some black metal fans won't like it, but this is beautiful and unpredictable.
 

5. BLOOD STAR - First Sighting
 

One of the best newcomers out there with one of the most catchy debut albums released over the past few years. Melodic heavy metal with fantastic vocals by Madeline Smith, amazing guitars by Jamison Palmer (Visigoth), warm rhythm section and deadly hooks, inspired by W.A.S.P., Dokken, Saxon, Dio, '80s Riot, Judas Priest and Scorpions. Songs like "Cold Moon", "Fearless Priestess" and the Blackie-Lawless'd "Going Home" could have been huge hits if they were released in the '80s. With a bittersweet melancholy in some parts but with a completely enjoyable and positive aura, First Sighting is an album that plays on repeat and Blood Star is a band to watch for the future.

- "First Sighting is a great record front to back, made by some of the best people I know. I'm truly a huge fan!" - Cale Savy (Riot City)

Check also:

TOWER HILL - Deathstalker: Ticking all the boxes of the NWOTHM fans, the Canadian band offers what a straightforward metal fans asks for, spicing up things with epic metal lyrics and European power metal influences.

HITTEN - While Passion Lasts: '80s hair metal, night games, watts and overdrive from Spain, including a few moments that if they were released by an American band in the '80s, now you would listen to them in every night metal party.


4. THY DARKENED SHADE - Liber Lvcifer II - Mahapralaya
 

Thy Darkened Shade's latest magical album is a Luciferian black metal masterpiece that transcends the limits of the genre in a metaphysical way. Deeply spiritual and focused on the left hand path and its creator's mindset, Liber Lvcifer II - Mahapralaya is hypnotic and sinister, bringing the unconscious (darkness) to the conscious (light). Passionate, perfectly executed and faithful to the Black Metal flame of the past, this is a rare case of a modern album of this genre, capturing what it truly means and what it is.

- "By far my favourite extreme metal release of the past few years, everything here screams attention to detail and dedication to their uncompromising vision. Thy Darkened Shade are masters of their craft and their latest album is a testament to their talent. Out of this world." - George Apalodimas (Sacred Outcry)

Check also:

DODHEIMSGARD - Black Medium Current: A band that never ceases to amaze the audience. An album that in a few years I might regret I didn't put it in the top albums of this list, or I will wonder what the hell is doing here anyway.

WAYFARER - American Gothic: What a captivating album this is! Gunpowder'd black metal americana soiled with oil, blood and you can even smell the ashes from the funeral of the American dream. Produced by Arthur Rizk and using each and every inch of the musicians' talents, this atypical album is a brave survey of violence and destruction, beauty and sadness, of the American heart.



A few honourable mentions: CIRITH UNGOL - Dark Parade, COVEN JAPAN - Earthlings, CRUEL FORCE - Dawn of the Axe, ENFORCED - War Remains, ENFORCER - Nostalgia, HELLRIPPER - Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags, KERRIGAN - Bloodmoon, MACE 'N' CHAIN - Among Ancient Pillars, MILLENNIUM - The Sign of Evil, NIGHT DEMON - Outsider, OWLBEAR - Chaos to the Realm, RAGE AND FIRE - The Last Wolf, SATAN'S FALL - Destination Destruction, STRAY GODS - Olympus, THE NIGHT ETERNAL - Fatale, TOMB MOLD - The Enduring Spirit, VALDRIN - Throne of the Lunar Soul, WEALD AND WOE - For the Good of the Realm, WYTCH HAZEL - IV: Sacrament.



3. HEAVY LOAD - Riders of the Ancient Storm
 

That's a still from the new video of Heavy Load for "Ride the Night", their first new song people listen to, after 40 years. That's a still of a man that's nearly 70 years old and in his face and eyes, you can see an ocean of passion, originality and emotional power. Heavy Load's comeback is not another comeback just like the countless ones we're used to. This is something special. This is the true power of heavy metal music from musicians that live for it. Live and feel the passion and power of music, their legacy, the adventure, the inner strength.

Riders of the Ancient Storm is a comeback album that makes those 40 years look like a few months. A warm and analogue sound, one of the best productions for 2023, and an honest feeling of music from the heart. Songs like "Ride the Night" and "Slave No More" are masterpieces that could be included in the classic Heavy Load albums of the past, while "Sail Away" is like an ocean of emotions, a song to cry for, something we will listen to forever; a song where once the time will put its weight upon us, we will listen to and remember the past, the joy, the life we lived. Riders of the Ancient Storm is not just a comeback album, is not just a good album, is not just music. This is a longtime friend, for now, forever.
 

- "If you would have told me a few years ago that we would have a new Heavy Load album in 2023, I wouldn't have believed it. And yet, here we are. Not only is it a reality, but it is one where it falls directly in line with their classic albums, both in production and songwriting." - Vidarr the Silent (Legendry)

- "In many years as a heavy metal listener, I found only two songs that carry such overwhelming emotion that, every single time, they drive me to tears: one is "Dragon Star" by Manilla Road and the other is Heavy Load's "Sail Away". Riders of the Ancient Storm has something for everyone and then some. For most records, it's a matter of tastes, but for this one you need to think in terms of absolutes, this is a timeless masterpiece in a league of its own." - Mark J. Dexter (Dexter Ward)

Check also:

CENTURY - The Conquest of Time: Swedish hard and heavy metal has an undeniable legacy, starting from Heavy Load, continuing with all of those successful Swedish hard rock and heavy metal bands like Europe, more bands such as 220 Volt, Universe and Mindless Sinner, down to all of those underground legions like Gotham City, Wizzard and Parasite. Century continues that legacy with their debut full-length, a strong statement of passionate and true heavy metal.

- "Sweden has an imposing history in terms of Traditional Metal and continues to impress me to this day. Century's full album was probably the best Heavy Metal album of 2023 for me. The band is influenced by bands like Heavy Load and Satan (Brian Ross screams are always a must) and expands their own style. Last but not least, they are really convincing live as well. A must have for traditional Heavy Metal maniacs this year." - Semjaza (Thy Darkened Shade)

HIGH SPIRITS - Safe on the Other Side: Multi-instrumentalist Chris Black returns with a new High Spirits album, probably the best since the Another Night debut full-length of  2011. High Spirits' hard-rockin' metal is always a pleasure to listen to, and the new album is once again a hook-driven addiction with fantastic songs like "Lonely Nights".


2. TRIUMPHER - Storming the Walls
 

Breaking the walls of Troy, Jericho, mediocrity and different metal genres, Triumpher's debut album is a clashing-of-swords statement that even today, there are albums that can make the difference. With the power of Manowar's Triumph of Steel and a variety of elements from true epic metal, extreme metal, Dissection, Slayer and Primordial, Storming the Walls is entering the Pantheon of Epic Metal. Passionate, powerful, with attention to every detail, forged in the wisdom of ancient philosophers and wizards, the strength of giants and the beauty of Olympian Goddesses, this is an album for now and forever. The future belongs to the brave.
 

Check also:

PRIMORDIAL - How It Ends: While once again some songs (probably) would sound better if they were shorter, Primordial still do what they're doing better than many others, with their gloomy, battle, victory metal, and Nemtheanga proves again that he is a strong performer.

SOLITARY SABRED - Temple of the Serpent: The titans from Cyprus return with their over-the-edge US-inspired power metal that sounds better from many albums of bands which inspired them.

- "One of my favorite bands, and they did it again! The Temple of the Serpent is out there and I can say until the next one that this is the band's magnum opus, my personal favourite album of 2023 for many reasons... Real played, non fake tuning on vocals, non fake drums, great songwriting, everything I love in the vein of US Metal. All hail!" - D.K. Krasonis (Darklon)


1. SACRED OUTCRY - Towers of Gold
 

There are so many things you probably have read about the second Sacred Outcry album. Everything is true. All of them and more, because there are not many words to describe the Towers of Gold. This is an album that every hyperbole written about it can be true and in the future you will see it mentioned next to the classic ones of what we call Power Metal. Yes, when I say "classic ones" I mean the ones that instantly come to your mind. A glorious album with a divine voice, riffs after riffs, transcending acoustic guitars, intriguing basslines, solid drumming and a cinematic structure with twists and a colourful orchestration that transforms the dramatic concept to a godly opera-like storytelling. Each song can be a web of god-like moments like the Warlordian part at "City of Stone" that guards William's majestic lyricism. With every listen, secrets will be revealed to the listener and if you dive deep in the concept and the music you will enter a realm of an impeccable enlightenment. Mastermind George Apalodimas is pushing the power metal songwriting to the sky and this is one of the rare cases that you listen to a divine album, knowing there is no limit for the future, expecting the unexpected.
 

- "Kick ass songwriting, musicianship, and production. Epic atmosphere and great balance of variety, dynamics, and cohesiveness throughout every song. Personal favorite track: 'The Sweet Wine of Betrayal'" - Parker Halub (Wings of Steel)

- "Towers of Gold is that rare combination of being both fun and interesting to listen to. Album of the year for me!" - Darin Wall (Greyhawk, Glyph)

"The songwriting intelligence of George Apalodimas leads us to an apocalyptic power metal album." - Mars Triumph (Triumpher)

Check also:

PROTEAN SHIELD - Protean Shield: Guitars, riffs, escapism, epic stories, true passion, guitars, solos and riffs. Elite metal for the few.

- "The best bass parts I've heard in a very long while could only be one-up'ed by the spectacular performance on the guitars. Outstanding songwriting, some of the best lyrics the genre has to offer and a complete - in equal parts noble and savage - journey that I hold very dear." - George Apalodimas (Sacred Outcry)

WINGS OF STEEL - Gates of Twilight: Now, that's an undeniable album that can catch the attention of everyone who loves heavy metal. Based in Los Angeles and built around singer extraordinaire Leo Unnermark and the talents of guitarist Parker Halub, Wings of Steel have a star quality you meet very rarely in a new and/or underground metal band, while at the same time they have everything needed to be the next big thing. The disadvantage that some people have brought upfront has nothing to do with the (top notch) musicianship, the songwriting and the performance but the direction of the band that is balanced between the US metal style like the early years of Crimson Glory, Queensrÿche and Jacobs Dream, and the more melodic approach that is closer to what we call '80s hair metal. If they had more songs like "Fall in Line" and less ballads, that would have been the masterpiece of 2023. Still though, this is one of the year's highlights you should not miss!

- "For me Wings of Steel is one of the hottest new bands around, and I can't wait to see how many great things will come from them. Parker's guitarwork is phenomenal (one of my 2 favourites this year) and I'm pretty sure Leo came to the 2020's on a time machine, because his vocals can only be compared to some of the legends from the 80s. Flawless, diverse songwriting with a keen sense of melody, and a voice to die for." - George Apalodimas (Sacred Outcry)

 

+ 1

DIAMONDS HADDER - Beyond the Breakers

We don't add to the year lists albums that are available only digitally, but with the physical formats coming out in 2024, John Evermore's Diamonds Hadder is one of the most emotional, unique and original albums you can listen to in 2023. A few might disagree due to the voice similarities with Ronnie James Dio, but no person with actual ears and heart can disagree with its passion. Coming from Los Angeles and travelling through mountains, dreams and visions, Diamonds Hadder can break the borders of normality with their soulful heavy metal. Follow this website.
 

 
Best demo of 2023:
TALES OF MEDUSA - The Titan Sun: Once there is new Tales of Medusa music, we need to make a caregory to include it. This is something special, true and passionate; one of the most original metal bands ever. With an attitude beyond trends and any hype, focused only on heavy metal and how to create it from the heart and the soul.


Best EP of 2023:
SAVAGE OATH - Savage Oath: With just two songs, an underground metal dream team lays the foundation for what we will praise in the future.

- "I can't recall hearing a more grand statement made in two songs than in this EP.  Thrilled to see what's next, as many are, and can't wait to see them live!" - Vidarr the Silent (Legendry)


Best live album of 2023:
TRIUMPH OF DEATH - Resurrection of the Flesh: Tom G. Warrior resurrects Hellhammer but what we have here is not a slumb zombie, but rotten darkness itself.

 

What do we expect in 2024? The new studio albums of Saxon, Traveler, Judas Priest, Morgul Blade, Crypt Sermon, Triumpher, Crimson Glory, Savage Oath, and we're praying to Lord Iommi for new music by Eternal Champion, DoomSword, Domine, Sumerlands, Riot City, Atlantean Kodex, King Diamond and Mercyful Fate.



IMPORTANT: If you reached the end, I hope you enjoyed what you read, you agreed at some parts, disagreed on some others, it's OK, this is healthy. Crystal Logic blog has been in the forefront for more than a decade, influencing similar blogs and websites, but as you noticed, there weren't any posts for almost a year. It has been a year full of work but also a year building a different environment where Crystal Logic will be evolved to a website, leaving the "blogspot" status. With many articles and interviews' parts spread and reposted by a few of the bigger media worldwide (from Bravewords and Blabbermouth, even Eddie Trunk), it was obvious that Crystal Logic can leave the "blogspot" status. Having almost half a million views in the last few years' articles we can make it bigger. But it will also be deeper, with more lengthy and detailed features and interviews. That will happen soon and we will continue from that point. I am sure you're gonna love it and there is going to be a lot of food for thought, provoking and out-of-the-box articles, interviews and stories you haven't heard before.

Andreas Andreou

 

The albums we enjoyed most in 2020... And a review of the year's releases.

The usual prologue would be that no one can say that they have listened to almost everything that was released during 2020. Everyone who claims that is wrong, so we will speak just for our favourite releases and the albums we enjoyed mostly in 2020. The "best" albums of 2020 according to Crystal Logic, and a wider review of the covid-year in metal (mainly) music.

Everything you will read below, are releases that can be found in physical format. "Releases" that were available only digitally, are not included. You will read more words and comments, even full new written reviews and opinions related to the music industry that will probably disappoint a few people that can't handle the truth.

2020 was a hard year but at the same time, it was a year with a LOT of music. It was a year with many diverse releases. Epic heavy metal, US power metal, Lovecraftian black metal, retro hard rock, progressive metal, technical death metal, comeback albums of classic '80s bands and anything else you can imagine and we listened to, while we revisited the Rush, Van Halen, UFO, Quiet Riot, Power Trip, Iron Age and Uriah Heep albums when we mourned the passing of Neil Peart, Eddie Van Halen, Pete Way, Frankie Banali, Riley Gale, Wade Allison, Lee Kerslake and Ken Hensley.

Actually, I think that in almost every year we write "... was a difficult year" but honestly, 2020 was probably the shitiest gloryhole someone can force you in, so let's forget for a while everything else and remember the music. And don't forget to read Rob Halford's Confess and Snowy Shaw's The Book of Heavy Metal.

Written by Andreas Andreou

1. ETERNAL CHAMPION - Ravening Iron (No Remorse)

It's been a while since the TOP album of a year was so obvious. Eternal Champion's sophomore album is a force d'être modern traditional metal classic reaching both artistic and commercial success that breaks the boundaries of underground and epic heavy metal, reaching the second position of the 2020 best albums according to Decibel magazine in the USA, the third position of the 2020 best albums according to Metal Archives, and many top lists of media around the globe.

Jason Tarpey, Arthur Rizk and Co. grow so fast that even the 4-year period that separates the new album from the (already) classic debut The Armor of Ire didn't affect anything, just helped the band to raise the metal banners higher. Being the truest, hardest and best of their kind, the legion of Eternal Champion offered a colossal album that just like the debut will grow to a legendary status in the years to come. A grower that with every listen will reveal layered details that are much more than the legacy of the olde.

From the first moment the "Ravening Iron" track was unleashed, many talked about the Warlord vibe (that actually is Lordian Guard/Lordian Winds) but beneath of that touch lies a huge inspiration from Greek music that influenced the band during their visit in Greece with Arthur Rizk staying for more days, visiting different places. Meanwhile, in "Worms of the Earth" you can locate a Mystification-era Manilla Road vibe, in "Banners of Arhai" they revisit "Shade Gate" (the closing instrumental of the debut album) and the "NOW DIE!" part could be a stand-out moment even in the greatest epic heavy metal albums ever.

At the same time, despite being a solid offering of 8 tracks, fans over the world have different preferences revealing a diversity that many won't recognize from the beginning. American fans love mostly the opening cut ("A Face in the Glare'') while in Europe fans mostly prefer other tracks like "Ravening Iron" and "Worms of the Earth''. Production wise, the wizardry of Arthur Rizk, the most important new musician according to the author of this blog, is perfect for the genre and already has established a sound of his own, influencing a huge part of the scene. But what really makes Eternal Champion a groundbreaking band is not only the fact that they have their own distinguished sound, they are the "heavy metal" band that many fans of different (extreme) genres listen, without actually being "metal fans", and we're talking about the crossover and hardcore scene of the United States. "You will be an outcast if you're living in Texas and don't listen to Eternal Champion", could be written in an engraved iron inscription close to Austin, while there could be another similar one somewhere in Philly.

As for the controversial cover art, an album like this needed a legend to visually represent it and the one who was reached is no other than Ken Kelly (Kiss, Rainbow, Manowar). After a few months of work and in close cooperation with the label's executives and band, Kelly managed to capture everything the band wanted (also based in singer's and lyricist's Jason Tarpey story, The Godblade) adding all the elements that made his art recognizable and at the same time representing what sword-and-sorcery visual art was (and is) about over the years.

Eternal Champion's Ravening Iron is history in the making. Be part of it.

Check also: While Eternal Champion raised their banner higher than everyone, IRONSWORD with Servants of Steel confused most of the lists since their album has "2019" written on the CD format but it was available mainly in the first days of 2020. In 2020 though, the year of great comeback albums, CIRITH UNGOL's Forever Black got a huge anticipated exposure. Some people loved it, others expected more but with a total duration less than 40 minutes Forever Black has a nice flow including excellent tracks like "Stormbringer" while the band tried to capture vibes from all of their albums.

An enjoyable album we loved listening to, is definitely THRONE OF IRON's Adventure One. Real victims of Covid-19, they were trapped in the air, flying from the United States to Greece in order to perform at the last-minute postponed Up the Hammers festival. Their first adventure is a dungeons-and-dragons metal album created with pure passion and fun with the video of "Lichspire" makes you just wanna love them. Do you lift?


2. HITTMAN - Destroy All Humans (No Remorse)

Hittman managed to come full circle returning to the days of great songwriting and sounded fresh at the same time. Catchy, melodic, powerful and inspired, with 8 tracks in the spirit of the best albums of US metal, the guitar duo of Jim Bacchi and John Inglima offers everything that their same titled debut album also did 32 years ago. Singer Dirk Kennedy sounds better than ever in the comeback album that starts with the Savatage -"The Dungeons Are Calling"- similar opening track (using a similar skull-cover), moving to the total US power metal riffing worship of "Breathe", the melodic "The Ledge" and closing with the Queensrÿche vibes of "Love, The Assassin" and those excellent guitar solo parts. How many times have you listened to a new album with excellent guitar solo parts? They're getting less over the years but this is not the case; Destroy All Humans is an album full of inspired and greatly performed guitar parts. The best comeback album of 2020 by a band that returned and is here to stay with more new music and not moving on as a legacy act.

More classic US metal to check: What a refreshing heavy metal sound ARMORED SAINT have in Punching the Sky! And they definitely have one of the best drum sounds you can get out there today. Armored Saint is one of the most confident and solid heavy metal bands, a monster on stage and in the latest album you still get "punches" of great heavy metal. Working again with producer Bill Metoyer, TYRANT added Robert Lowe in vocals and returned with Hereafter, a magnificent album including killer tracks like "Dancing on Graves" and "Pieces of Mine".


3. PSYCHOTIC WALTZ - The God-Shaped Void (InsideOut)

It's like not a day passed since Bleeding, the fourth album of Psychotic Waltz, released in 1996. Just like pure artists, Devon Graves, Brian McAlpin, Dan Rock, Ward Evans and Norm Leggio, didn't try to recreate what they did with A Social Grace or Into the Everflow. The latest album is a progressive metal redemption full with exceptional melodies, one of the best guitar performances of 2020, a singer that deserves a place among the greatest ones and the best lyrics of any album during that year. You just have to FEEL the album in its entirety.

The modern-age social-media passion of "stuck like flies, this web worldwide will swallow, make hollow" is an important element of the album. How the world has been evolved with each individual self-committed to digital institution through his cell-phone and the world-wide-web, just like a few of the patients of Miloš Forman's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest film, that could leave at any time, but are too afraid to do so. Addiction is the disguised fear of the modern world, where each individual has a different presence in reality (looks afraid) and another one in the digital world (looks dominant).

The actual songwriting and performance is not complex and poly-rhythmic, you still get vibes from Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath and the early Ozzy years plus everything the band members have done since 1996. The melodies are addictive and songs like "Sisters of the Dawn" stand at the top of 2020. And if you will FEEL the album, you will get answers to unanswered questions while at the same time, you will have questions even for simple things like, why "Sisters of the Dawn" got that title and not "Fathers of Creation", "Children of the Fallen", or "Children of the One"? In the end, we're just spellbound by that album and that word never sounded better.

Check also: LEVIATHAN Words Waging War.


4. LORD OF LIGHT - Morningstar (No Remorse)

In the end of 2019, multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Nicklas Kirkevall from Sweden uploaded his music on a few digital platforms introducing Morningstar and not later than a few days, it reached a few record labels and fans with an enormous positive response. A multi-record deal was offered and Morningstar was officially released a few months later in 2020 getting excellent reviews. With the idea to continue as a full band, Lord of Light's music is heavy metal, it is progressive metal, it is prog power and everything in-between having a strong melodic approach. It will bring in mind '90s prog metal, late-Savatage, even Royal Hunt, and yet you can feel that there are elements that have a certain uniqueness. "I think there is much to be done within the world of metal that hasn’t been done already", Nicklas said to Crystal Logic. "Sometimes it can feel like there aren’t any more uncharted waters to explore, but I sincerely hope we get the opportunity to prove otherwise in the coming years. I know we’re not the only ones, but I think we have the chance to contribute something really meaningful." Just listen to this beautiful album.

Check also: MASTER MASSIVE Black Feathers on Their Graves.


5. FATES WARNING - Long Day Good Night (Metal Blade)

How can they ever fail? It just can't happen. Fates Warning's music is like an old friend that grows with us and even if at the first listen Ray Alder's voice sounded "tired" to our poor ears, we just didn't properly listen to what he said, or we mistakenly tried to compare the album with past FW releases. Alder is not tired, he is just performing sad and bittersweet lyrics in a very mature way. Home, changes, regrets and sorrow. The rain and the sun, scars, new beginnings and altered pages.

Fates Warning's music is a huge book where every album is a chapter that's re-written over the years, while we revisit every album in a different age and era. Most of the reviews written in just a few days (even hours for unprofessional "critics") after a new FW album fail to catch the essence of it. Albums like Long Day Good Night are albums we're going to stay with for a long, long time.

Jim Matheos wanted to leave behind all of the pages with a handful of doubts but we're still following him even if he asked us not to, three decades ago. We never kept that distance. Thank you Fates Warning for always being there, and through the change we still remain after the rain, because deep inside we know YOU wait for us under the sun.

Check also: SONS OF APOLLO MMXX.


6. ERIC CLAYTON - A Thousand Scars (Independent)

What a story! Eric Clayton's life is a life full of scars and those scars are the wounds that have been finally healed. This album is his confession, his revelation, his scars. Eric Clayton and the Nine create melancholic and spiritual music based on the scars of a man who found again his soul through music and love. A deeply personal album, a narrative where you can't really personally relate with just like other albums but you can FEEL it just like watching an emotional film if you will give your full attention. An album, a story and a spiritual journey that deserves your attention.

In the music industry part, a part that has left a few scars in Eric Clayton's life, Eric Clayton and the Nine decided to release A Thousand Scars independently starting a fund campaign with an overpriced album pre-order many months before its release. Fans that wanted to support directly the artists pre-ordered and pre-paid for music that wasn't even recorded; a sign of the times. However, not all pre-orders were finally delivered including the author of this blog. There might be scars from the music industry but sometimes the industry knows better how to handle a release.  

In the end, this is Eric's redemption and maybe this is the only thing that matters for the man but also the people that were always supporting and thinking of him even when he was lost between the darkness and the night. We embraced his return and now we are waiting for the future.

Check also: If Saviour Machine's Legend (unfinished) trilogy is the soundtrack to the Apocalypse, ANAAL NATHRAKH's Endarkenment is the soundtrack to the sickest ending of the world. An experimental pig hybrid with cocks in its eyes, industrial metal in its heart, black metal in its soul, grindcore in its mind and a diverse vocal delivery. It has nothing to do with A Thousand Scars but its wound is always open because every listen is a razor coming back to flesh.


7. SACRED OUTCRY - Damned for All Time (No Remorse)

The best power metal album of Europe for 2020 came from Greece and has a long history behind it. 20 years ago, Sacred Outcry was formed with influences vast and passion great, inspired by artists like Manowar, Warlord, Domine and Basil Poledouris. The first recordings took place in 2001-2003 but not a voice was heard since then. Still though, that album never left the mind of the band members, especially bassist's George Apalodimas who never gave up his dream to finally see that album finished and released. The recordings were completed between 2015-2018, orchestral arrangements were added, editing, mixing and mastering was finished in 2019 and Sacred Outcry finally presented us the first chapter in The Sacred Chronicles under the title Damned for All Time.

Every instrument sounds crystal clear, the bass sound is beyond awesome, guest vocalist Yannis Papadopoulos (ex-Wardrum, Beast in Black) is at the top of his game and every detail seems to have been perfectly arranged in order to complete an album that will be a modern reference for its style. Songs like "Where Ancient Gods Are Still Hailed" and "Damned For All Time" are up there, in the top of the best European power metal tracks of this millennium.

Check also: It seems that Greece and Cyprus did it very well in 2020. DEXTER WARD returned in the days of Epic Metal with the third full-length album simply entitled III, a massive statement of pure epic heavy metal worship from fans for fans. In the same attitude, SOLITARY SABRED released By Fire & Brimstone the best US power metal album that hasn't been released by an American US power metal since Solitary Sabred's previous offering to the altar of the metal gods.


8. WYTCH HAZEL - III: Pentecost (Bad Omen)

Colin Hendra and Co. did it again, just two years after the magnificent II: Sojourn. An album like this one can only come from England and Ireland, nowhere else. No one can write and perform this kind of epic hard rock better than the places of Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash and Thin Lizzy.

Do you believe that this would sound better with a singer that has a wider range? Do you find a few of the lyrics cringy? Well, lines like "Why should that demon have all the glory? He was only Archangel at the start of the story" lack the depth of "the Gods are crying bombs" and what Psychotic Waltz did, while they are probably closer to Stryper's "Jesus makes me want to sing" since Wytch Hazel are devoted to the Light and Christianity. And if these are disadvantages, at the same time these are advantages since the "better" vocalist couldn't perform better in those songs. This is not a comparison as strong as Ozzy's vocals are in his songs since no "better" singer can replace him but you know what I mean. As for the lyrics, Wytch Hazel's music sounds very positive, so simple and catchy lines like "Spirit and fire show me the way" is all that is needed in this feel-good daddy-rock that's beautiful and catchy, sounds honest and humble and at the same time as epic as it needs with medieval themes, and inspiration from the British music legends.

In the next mixtape you're going to make, add "Sonata" after Fates Warning's "Under the Sun".

Check also: HIGH SPIRITS' Hard to Stop is probably their best album since 2011's Another Night and one of the most feel-good and enjoyable albums of 2020. Let your spirit shine!


9. OPIUM WARLORDS - Nembutal (Svart)

There aren't (true) doom metal fans who don't know who Sami Albert Hynninen is. The Witchfinder of many diverse projects and bands returned in the roots of Reverend Bizarre's doom metal with the nearly 20-minute opening track of Nembutal entitled "A Heavy Heart" but other than that and the closing track "Xanadu", everything in-between is abstract and disturbing. In the end, the complete album is nothing else than a droned apocalyptic offering of a "yellow jacket'd" hypnotic memoir about death.

This not-easy accessible and grotesque album demands your full attention, just like many forms of art. Each side of the vinyl version is a separate entity and in the end they all make sense, even if in the beginning I was listening only to Side A until I moved forward... in Hell. When Sami sings "The silent pilot comes at last: death!" you get that heavy Thomas Gabriel Fischer vibe; an artist who built his career in the meaning of death, and total darkness where there is no hope and everything ceases to exist. From the first cut's line "there is cancer in the wind" to the closing's cut line "breathe / breathe / breath / death", the lungs are filled with the smoke of wisdom and death at the same time.

Check also: ATRAMENTUS' Stygian is a haunted album created from misery, anger and anxiety. It dwells in bad mentality and depression, drowning in an infinite void, having also one of the best cover arts for 2020.


10. OZZY OSBOURNE - Ordinary Man (Epic)

Anything you will say about this not-so-ordinary-man will never justify his real personality, his persona, the music, his legacy and his acts. He is anything you believe for him and everything you don't know about him. Right or wrong, Ozzy's music will always remain in eternity while all opinions will fade like footsteps in the sand. And that's the most important and only thing that really matters.

When Tony Iommi and Bill Ward reached the guy who put that famous advert, "Ozzy Zig requires gig, owns his own PA", things didn't even look good. Later Ozzy and Geezer Butler visited Bill Ward asking him to join them in a new band but Bill wanted to stick with Tony. Then, they all decided to try to work together. That's how it all began and more or less, you all know a part of the story that followed; the story those four created. Together. No one crossed the other's way by luck. Fact.

While history roller-coasters on, Ozzy started his successful solo career using his talent to find the most talented partners and new musicians in the likes of Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee and Zakk Wylde that became legendary after working with Oz. With the music industry adding its hand, the madness and talent surrounding Ozzy's band in the '80s, created a heavy metal prototype as iconic as the other four-or-five most important acts of metal music.

When the '90s entered, Ozzy kept the '80s flame with No More Tears, a multi-platinum commercial success while other metal monsters were lost under the new era. And from that point on, with the exception of Ozzmosis, one of his most personal albums, Ozzy was laid completely in the hands of the industry. When we reached 2020, Ozzy returned to an early era of "everything can happen just for music". Ordinary Man is an album created because Ozzy just wanted to perform again without any rush or forced to offer something "specific". He just happened to be in the studio with good company and respected musicians (not new talents he found), including friends and people who respect him from different generations, like Andrew Watt (producer and guitarist), Duff McKagan (bass), Chad Smith (drums) and guests like Slash, even Sir Elton John, creating a few beautiful songs like "Under the Graveyard" and "Ordinary Man", songs we're going to listen more often than songs from better records released the covid-year.

In the end, Ordinary Man is an emotional album of an "old-man" that grabs his harmonica again, joined by people of different ages, generations and genres, feeling again just like a boy but at the same moment he understands time goes by. "Don't forget me as the colours fade". How could we, Ozzάκλα μου?

Check also (the legends): AC/DC returned with Power Up (or PWR/UP), recorded in mid 2018 to early 2019, paying tribute to Malcolm Young and bringing back those rhythms that make you shake your body and feel like a kid again. At the same time, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, the boss of American classic rock writes a Letter to You, a sad and gray album, an emotional reflection of the past.


11. GLACIER - The Passing of Time (No Remorse)

This is actually the first full-length of Glacier and it is as close to the band's underground classic same-titled 1985 EP, as close was the 8-track demo tape that followed in 1988. In the end, Glacier is a name of many people who used it over the years with one common result: Awesome Metal. In The Passing of Time you will find singer Michael Podrybau of the 1985 EP along with new musicians who know very well their craft and also original members of the band adding their contribution connecting Glacier with their past and all eras, offering an album that balances between US and European heavy / power metal.

Check also: FIREWIND Firewind, SATAN'S FALL Final Day.

12. STYGIAN CROWN - Stygian Crown (Cruz Del Sur)

Doom Metal suffered in 2020. Very few releases and even fewer that deserved our attention but the debut album of the US-based pact of Stygian Crown came forth offering salvation to our doomed souls.

Check also: BLACK REVELATION Demon, BRITON RITES Occulte Fantastique, GODTHRYMM Reflections.


13. ESOCTRILIHUM - Eternity of Shaog (I, Voidhanger)

Esoctrilihum's mastermind, Asthâghul, did it again. This is an intense black metal album with a variety of influences, from obvious ones (death metal) to a diversity of soundscapes (psychedelia, prog-rock, folk) that complete the Lovecraftian soundtrack of god Shaog who is imprisoned in a parallel universe.

2020 Black Metal highlights: ABIGOR Totschläger (A Saintslayer's Songbook), AKHLYS Melinoë, HAVUKRUUNU Uinuos Syömein Sota, HORN Mohngang, ODRAZA Rzeczom, STORMKEEP Galdrum, UADA Djinn.


14. CREATURE - Ex Cathedra (I, Voidhanger)

Raphaël Fournier is the closest thing to a genius I can think for 2020. Ex Cathedra is an ambitious and thrilling album of progressive black metal with a completely out-of-the-box songwriting that is a combination of early Covenant music with a Dødheimsgard approach (in lack of a better description).

Check also: ULCERATE's Stare into Death and Be Still will probably dominate many TOP lists for 2020 just like the album of Eternal Champion and this diversity in various TOP lists is an example that there are many different listeners all over the world, and a few of those albums can change the face of the current scene. Unlistenable for a few, unpredictable for others, Ulcerate is here to destroy the norm. However, you can't even imagine what you're going to hear in NEPTUNIAN MAXIMALISM's Éons.

15. HAIL SPIRIT NOIR - Eden in Reverse (Agonia)

Hail Spirit Noir's evolution (progress) is mesmerizing and you don't know what to expect with every album. The black metal themes are nearly audible in the latest album that has the futuristic sound of the past. Are you confused? Just imagine the Blade Runner movie that was filmed in 1982 with a plot based in 2019 but in the real-life-2020, it is now a (retro) film in the past with a (retro) futuristic world that has nothing to do with the current reality. Sharp creativity in reverse with a surrealistic aura.

Check also: HUNTSMEN's Mandala of Fear is a post-whatever-metal-sludge-thing with a post-apocalyptic concept, an ol' prog touch and Hulk-strength riffing. Excellent!


16. WHITE CRONE - The Poisoner (Independent)

There are always times when out of nowhere appears a heavy metal album that sounds fresh, inspired and addictive, with excellent songwriting and performance. White Crone’s debut album is one of those, composed and arranged by the super talented Lisa Mann. Inspired by '80s Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden, combined with Lisa's musical background, Bruce Dickinson-like female vocals, excellent dual guitar parts and ideas, prog elements, a powerful rhythm section with bass guitar dominating the record, a doom-y and mystical aura, a short visit at the Seven Gates of Hell and a guest appearance of legendary drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio), make this album one of the most refreshing traditional metal releases of 2020.

Check also: We've missed Ol' Rusty even if we had his Hermit alter ego offering music we never stopped to listen. THE WIZAR'D's Subterranean Exile is a magnificent piece of Arcane Metal that is labeled as heavy or doom or Pagan Altar-inspired by many others.

Breaking the borders of black metal, MALOKARPATAN from Slovakia released Krupinské Ohne mixing Master's Hammer, Bathory, "proto-black" and heavy riffing, acoustic parts and stories from forgotten woodlands.

17. KING WITCH - Body of Light (Listenable)

Mix Black Sabbath, ol' blues and an ol' Motörhead vibe, the heaviest of heavy metal, British and early US doom metal when Doom Metal wasn't even a name for the genre, adding a powerful female voice and you have the Body of Light; A perfect blend of Sabbathian heavy and doom metal. Obey the Riff.

Check also: WOLFTOOTH's Valhalla is the last album of the Sabbathian pact before entering a major label and we will just wait for what's next. Meanwhile, as we wrote again two years ago for the tattooed bearded Richmond wolves: this is too groovy for the regressive doom metal fan, too epic for the stoner fan, too awesome for the rest.


18. SPIRIT ADRIFT - Enlightened in Eternity (Century Media)

You gotta love Nate Garrett. Nate loves heavy metal. And Spirit Adrift's latest album is a pure love for all-things-heavy-metal; The doom-y heavy metal. And "Astral Levitation" is the best tribute you can offer to '80s Black Sabbath.

Check also: LORD VIGO's Danse de Noir, the fourth album of the German doom metal band, is a step forward. And just like Spirit Adrift, "At the Verge of Time" is another great track-tribute to '80s Black Sabbath. We all love '80s Sabbath, don't we?

19. BIFF BYFORD - School of Hard Knocks (Silver Lining)

It's Biff. There is only one Biff. Of course and there are many moments that bring to mind Saxon. It could be a late '80s - early '90s Saxon album and there is nothing wrong with this. Because it's Biff. We love Biff. We love Saxon. And you can't really beat nostalgia and a feel-good album.

Check also: Trevor William Church's HAUNT released two albums in 2020. In the vein of the early '80s heavy metal bands, both Mind Freeze and Flashback sound fresh with the same-titled track of each album being a hit reminding glorious '80s Ozzy commercial moments.


20. ECCLESIA - De Ecclesiae Universalis (Aural)

This heavy / power metal album with those doom metal vibes brings upfront the aura of Tad Morose and Swedish power power metal, plus the power metal moments of doom bands like Candlemass and Memory Garden. Enjoyable and heavy, with a great sound and a pure power metal voice that's extremely suitable, it reminded me that we need a new Fvneral Fvkk album, since their carnal confessions are the true dark gospels of the church.

Check also: SORCERER returned with Lamenting of the Innocent, remembering once again the Tony-Martin-Sabbath-era and adding neoclassical guitar solos in their happier-than-others epic doom metal.


Best EP of 2020:

BLACK SWORD THUNDER ATTACK - March of the Damned (No Remorse)

At last. One of the most cult and obscure acts of underground epic metal finally made it to an official release... Even if it is a 4-track EP. We've been waiting for many years, so I guess it's better than nothing! Despite the obvious Warlord / Lordian Guard worship that is stated in every review I've read, the band with one of the most cult epic metal names offers the most addictive music you're going to listen in 2020 and yes, behind Bill Tsamis' influence, I personally can locate a spectacular and distinguished style that is just BLACK SWORD THUNDER ATTACK. March of the Damned could be the best underground metal release of 2020.

About EPs: From the music industry side, an EP is a kind of release that most record labels avoid in the recent years. A record label will pay the same amount of money for a CD or vinyl, either it is 15 minutes long, or 45 minutes long, but they definitely can't easily sell the EP with the same price as an album. And if they will (because they actually paid the same manufacturing cost, let aside any additional royalties), a few fans will complain for the price, adding many more marketing, promotional and distribution issues, a regular fan can't understand.

A band might say that EPs are "rounded well" and that's not always a lie, but mostly if you want to sell one hundred copies to your friends and a specific underground circle of fans, and get a few reviews from specific online media that's also running from people you're familiar with. Under these circumstances, you can easily release it on your own or find a one-person label that's running his business from his home. But that will never take a band to the next level, unless the band just wants to keep moving like this.

Quality is always better than quantity but since there are people who complain for 35-minute albums, I can't imagine what they will think of EPs, especially when retail prices are close. The music will always reach those who will like it and if a band wants to release music just for a few people it is OK to do it through EPs if their artistic expression is limited to 15 minutes. But if a band wants to keep moving and reach the "next" level, it would be better to present a full album and maybe they will escape the "15 minutes of fame" in a specific underground metal scene. It might take longer to complete it but it will be for the better. For everyone: The band, the record company, the fans.

Off to more albums now, since they were so many in 2020, and there is a huge list of notable mentions.


Best Live Album of 2020:

TRIPTYKON with the Metropole Orkest - Requiem (Live at Roadburn 2019) (Century Media)

Risen from the ashes of Celtic Frost, Thomas Gabriel Fischer comes full circle releasing Requiem (Live at Roadburn 2019) including "Rex Irae (Requiem, Chapter One: Overture)", "Grave Eternal (Requiem, Chapter Two: Transition)" and "Winter (Requiem, Chapter Three: Finale)". Celtic Frost's requiem was originally begun in autumn of 1986 and its first part, "Rex Irae", originally appeared on Into the Pandemonium album. "Winter" originally appeared on Monotheist album and Fischer started writing it in 2001. It was supposed that the requiem should be concluded once Celtic Frost recorded the second part but in the end, requiem was presented in its entirety by Triptykon with the Metropole Orkest.


The Best, the Rest and More - 2020 Unmasked

The Heavy, the Epic, the Power [and a touch of Prog], the Speed Metal Rites:

AMBUSH Infidel, BLACK SOUL HORDE Land of Demise, BLAZING RUST Line of Danger, CLOVEN HOOF Age of Steel, DARK FOREST Oak, Ash & Thorn, DEATH DEALER Conquered Lands, ECHOSOUL The End of Darkness, FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE Atlantis, FURY The Grand Prize, GREYHAWK Keepers of the Flame, HROM Legends of Powerheart: Part II, IRONFLAME Blood Red Victory, KRAMP Gods of Death, MEGATON SWORD Blood Hails Steel - Steel Hails Fire, OLD MOTHER HELL Lord of Demise, POSSESSED STEEL Aedris, RAVEN Metal City, ROADWOLF Unchain the Wolf, SHOK PARIS Full Metal Jacket, SÖLICITÖR Spectral Devastation, STÄLKER Black Majik Terror, TRAVELER Termination Shock, WHITE MAGICIAN Dealers of Divinity, WOLF Feeding the Machine.


Melodic, rockin', hard 'n' heavy metal:

ALCATRAZZ Born Innocent, ARCHON ANGEL Fallen, BADD KHARMA On Fire, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT The Symbol Remains, STAN BUSH Dare to Dream, FM Synchronized, H.E.A.T. II, MAGNUM The Serpent Rings, NORTHWIND History, PERFECT PLAN Time for a Miracle, PRIDE OF LIONS Lion Heart.


and retro heavy rockin' attitude from the heart of the olde:

DEAD LORD Surrender, FREEWAYS True Bearings, LUCIFER III, NIGHT High Tides - Distant Skies, REZN Chaotic Divine, SPELL Opulent Decay, VESTAL CLARET Vestal Claret.


Under the Sabbathian Spell and the Iommic Magick:

ANCHORITE Further from Eternity, MOUNTAIN WITCH Extinct Cults, PALE DIVINE Consequence of Time, PALLBEARER Forgotten Days.


The "Black Sabbath" of 2020: V.A. Vol. 4 (Redux), V.A. Best of Black Sabbath (Redux), ZAKK SABBATH Vertigo.

Magnetic Eye Records' redux series gathered a pact of Sabbathian artists including EARTHLESS, HIPPIE DEATH CULT, THOU, GREEN LUNG, SPIRIT ADRIFT, THE OBSESSED, HIGH REEPER and more, covering Black Sabbath, while Zakk Wylde with ZAKK SABBATH covered the album that started everything in its entirety, celebrating Black Sabbath's debut album 50th anniversary.


Thrashing maniacs and screams from beyond:

BÜTCHER 666 Goats Carry My Chariot, DEATH COURIER Necrotic Verses, EVILDEAD United $tate$ of Anarchy, EXARSIS Sentenced to Life, HEATHEN Empire of the Blind, HELLSPIKE Lords of War, INCANTATION Sect of Vile Divinities, MIDNIGHT Rebirth by Blasphemy, NAPALM DEATH Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism, NECROPHOBIC Dawn of the Damned, SODOM Genesis XIX, TEMPLE OF VOID The World That Was, TESTAMENT Titans of Creation.


The rest, the ethereal, the prog, the black, the sick, the soul of the outcast:

ARS MAGNA UMBRAE Apotheosis, AT THE ALTAR OF THE HORNED GOD Through Doors of Moonlight , EMYN MUIL Afar Angathfark, ENSLAVED Utgard, MY DYING BRIDE The Ghost of Orion, MYSTRAS Castles Conquered and Reclaimed, ORANSSI PAZUZU Mestarin Kynsi, HENRIK PALM Poverty Metal, PANZERFAUST The Suns of Perdition - Chapter II: Render unto Eden, PARADISE LOST Obsidian, PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS Viscerals, EMMA RUTH RUNDLE & THOU May Our Chambers Be Full, KARI RUESLATTEN Sørgekåpe, THY CATAFALQUE Naiv, WAYFARER A Romance With Violence.