A Year In Review: Our 2020 Favorite Metal Albums

As the sun begins to set on the smoldering ruins of 2020, there is still light to be found in the legacy crafted by the year’s best metal releases. From the heaviest strains of extreme metal to the unstoppable new wave of old-school thrash, metalheads have been treated to a scene standing steadfast despite the challenges in its path. In doing so there has been an open embrace of the new and experimental as much as there has been comfort found in tradition. Longstanding genre titans have continued to hold their ground as eager newcomers flaunt their prowess, and more bands still have come crawling out from the woodwork with the first taste of new music in a decade or more. 

Be it in the form of a stunning debut, a rip-roaring comeback, or simply an unexpected evolution from a familiar name, there has been no shortage of sonic excitement as of late. In times filled with turmoil and uncertainty, the unwavering thrills of heavy music continue to encourage and revitalize. The Sonic Perspectives contributors team has waded through bountiful Fridays packed with non-stop shredding to shed light on the brightest stars in yet another year chock-full of strong releases, resulting in hundreds of album reviews and numerous interviews with the artists responsible for the magic. 

The following list is a comprehensive look at the most spectacular metal releases from this year, excluding the subgenres of power metal and progressive metal. This divide allows for the deep throes of doom and furious tensions of thrash to be weighed fairly against their counterparts, rather than brought head-to-head with soaring orchestras and prog’s eclectic edge. Keep an eye out for those lists, each of which will be published in the coming week. 

As for the rankings that follow, we at Sonic Perspectives understand that the experience of music is highly subjective, particularly in a genre as stylistically and thematically diverse as metal. This list is not an attempt to quantify any particular quality about an album, but rather approach the wide pool of talent with holistic measures to determine its greatness. Considerations include factors of production, musicianship, originality, technicality, and the innate values that keep listeners coming back again and again. If compiling this list has taught us anything, it is that metal is stronger than ever. We can only hope that you enjoy our judgements as much as we enjoyed listening to the following releases. 

TOP 15 METAL ALBUMS OF 2020

15. Havok – V (Century Media Records)

Coming off what could be best described as one of their most musically adventurous and lyrically controversial outings in 2017’s “Conformicide,” this frenetic quartet have opted to shift things in a slightly more conventional direction, all the while still offering up a host of intricate twists and turns to sate the hunger of those looking for more than just another Slayer imitation. “V” has something for both extreme thrash junkies and tech nerds, and those who question authority in voices as loud as humanly possible. Crushing speed and breakneck riffage are just part of the full package Havok delivers in a year full of noteworthy extremity. Once more, Havok prove that they are not just strong enough to stand on their own, but they are prepared to bear the full weight of thrash’s revival with untempered abandon. Check out our review here.

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14. Alcatrazz – Born Innocent (Silver Lining Music)

With this heavy metal institution’s best days a solid 35 years behind them, expectations are sure to be the sworn enemy of this long awaited rebirth, but it proves to be one that is easily dispatched by the stellar opus that is “Born Innocent.” Despite being a stylized and borderline retro offering that will be instantly recognizable to any self-respecting fan of this band’s seminal offering, the lineup of compositional efforts here proves to be quite diverse. “Born Innocent” swings between high-octane tracks all the way through folksy cookers, chock full of brilliant guitar gymnastics and spectacular storytelling. To state that this is an album oozing with talent would be an understatement, though the one who ultimately steals the show is vocalist Graham Bonnet, whom despite being 72 years of age has lost none of his power and pizzazz at the microphone. Our take on this album can be appreciated here.

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13. Annihilator – Ballistic, Sadistic (Silver Lining Music) 

Whether during the grunge era of the mid 90’s, or through the rise of nu metal and the alternative metal scene of the 2000’s, Annihilator remained a dependable source of killer riffs, pounding drums and vertiginous solos, and this year is no exception to that trend. Ringing in the new year with an early January album, Annihilator produced an opus which both resonated with their older fanbase, spoke to those that favored their more recent output, and served as a perfect gateway album for new followers.  With few exceptions they remain in the confines of old school thrash, with modern technology working in their favor to produce an angry, yet technical and melodic offering. A relentless pursuit for speed and pure shredding persist throughout, making one of the earlier releases of the year strong enough to stay until year’s end. Check out our thoughts at this location.

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12. Sorcerer – Lamenting of the Innocent (Metal Blade Records)

Sorcerer once more uses the canvas of epic doom to paint a tale of the human condition, this time through the lens of the Inquisition. Inspired by the likes of Candlemass and other early genre founders, “Lamenting of the Innocent” explores a variety of tempos and emotional atmospheres in an expansion of doom’s reach, drawing from heavy metal in its riffs, and keeping a consistent vibrance in clear vocal deliveries. Evolving their sound to lean on the tenets of heavy metal on top of melodious riffs, the big choruses and dark clouds that mark the spirit of doom persist in “Lamenting of the Innocent.” The last five years have seen three solid offerings from the band, and “Lamenting of the Innocent” is charismatic proof Sorcerer doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon. Want to  know more? Read here.

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11. Finntroll – Vredesvävd (Century Media Records)

From the murky shadows of the Finnish forests Finntroll has returned, brandishing arctic darkness and shrouded in the resonant thrills of 90’s black metal. Heavier than ever before, and bringing with them an edge that is poised to redefine extreme folk metal, “Vredesvävd” is the album of ominous intrigue that 2020 desperately needed. Each track is fully realized in its potential, paying care to both speed and composition for an experience which is as engaging as enthralling for new and old listeners alike. Not balanced only in instrumentation, this album strikes a clean equilibrium between speed and a more patient discovery, much akin to the conceptual journeys contained thematically. Swelling cinematic heights polish the heavens beneath which the album lies, and with it Finntroll rings in a new era of folk metal to kickstart the coming decade. Our full review is here.

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10. Warbringer – Weapons of Tomorrow (Napalm Records)

One of thrash revival’s most impactful and intricate purveyors rains down mayhem like it’s going out of style, unleashing a volley of precision weaponry that merges raw fury with vintage melodic sensibility. The real genius behind “Weapons of Tomorrow,” however, is its ability to step away from the mass execution of aligned spinal columns and present something that is more stylistically complex, all but to the point of challenging the conventions of this band’s adoptive movement. Warbringer‘s union between old school and new school coalesce brilliantly with an album as intense as it is breathtaking. Our full review at this location.

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9. Dark Tranquility – Moment (Century Media Records)

In the grand scheme of Dark Tranquillity’s near 30 year career, “Moment” stands as one of their most polished albums yet. While one might guess that the new lineup of musicians to enter the fray would result in some sort of progressive-infused romp or a more thrashing, high impact take on the melodeath style, this album ultimately winds up towing the same stylistic line that has been this band’s signature sound since the early 2000s. Each song solidly manifests and lingers upon an idea, and the varied vocal performance combined with the chilling tone of the keyboard does much to keep things interesting throughout. This dynamic combination between production and musicianship allow the listener to savor each passage with decadent enjoyment, the impact of “Moment” persisting long after the closing track. Read our full review of the album here. 

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8. Avatar – Hunter Gatherer (Entertainment One)

“Hunter Gatherer” sounds enormous from a sonic perspective, and the band is tighter in execution than ever before. Avatar sinply keep getting better and better with each subsequent release. More confident. More technical. More brutal. More crushing. The band has followed up their preceding albums with grace, their raw heaviness assuring cohesion in a very gratifying effort, and one which will certainly please new and old fans alike.  This opus is packed with rock-solid metal songs, bringing with them confidence, instrumental prowess, inventiveness, and more swagger than any previous release. The flow between tracks is engaging and dynamic, leaving listeners in suspense as the quartet crafts an adventure which lingers somewhere between the extremes of contemplation and pure frenzy. Read the full review here. 

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7. Armored Saint – Punching the Sky (Metal Blade Records)

“Punching the Sky” is a step above its predecessor “Win Hands Down”, with Armored Saint bringing their A game. Adding nods to the old school but mercilessly forging ahead, this new batch of songs is overall stronger, and they make for a great listening experience across the album as a whole. Just like an addictive Netflix series, it’s nearly impossible to avoid the urge to consume the whole record in just one sitting. In an era where people are getting more and more accustomed to listening to singles only, that speaks volumes. Armored Saint seems to only get better with age, and this album will further solidify their reputation as a reliable source of metal excellence. Marching at full speed ahead, these glory hunters are far from boarding the last train home. Learn more about this terrific album at this link.

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6. Black Crown Initiate – Violent Portraits of Doomed Escape (Century Media Records)

“Violent Portraits of Doomed Escape” sees the band’s sonic palette expand further than ever before over the course of nine songs that are as technically impressive as they are emotionally compelling. Commanded by a combination of clean vocals and two very adept guitarists, there is no stone left unturned in the journey across landscapes and genres that await listeners. Rarely does a record demonstrate such tangible heart and soul in its expression, an amplification of atmosphere that unifies the feats of musicianship with artistic intent with seamless grace. Progressive tendencies are uplifted by a variety of influences across metal, further augmented by a touch of the avant-garde for an unpredictable and riveting listening experience. Skillfully crossing the boundaries of that which is epic and aggressive, Black Crown Initiate offer up an album with timeless and tantalizing appeal. Read our review here.

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5. Apocalyptica – Cell-0 (Silver Lining Music)

An instrumental album among the list of best metal albums of the year? You bet! Striking straight to the heart with a combination of graceful beauty and unrelenting fury, Apocalyptica share a creative vision that is as aggressive as it is delicately imploring. Seizing the instrumental mystique that made their original work so accessible while embracing the wisdom from nearly two decades of experience, Apocalyptica has created a gem that is not just full of beauty, but brimming with unspeakable emotion. A masterpiece full of complexity and technical dexterity, the pioneers of cello metal have delivered absolute euphoria in their most soulful release to date.  Our in-depth review is at this location.

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4. Sepultura – Quadra (Nuclear Blast Records)

In the grand scheme of this band’s extensive career, which has now come to span 14 full length studio albums, “Quadra” is the greatest thing to come down the pike since they first began to transition away from their early thrash roots circa 1993. “Quadra” is constructed over a melting pot of transcendent melodies, epic magnificence and a wild, untamed aggressiveness, sprinkled with a brutally high level of technicality. Resulting is the most polished musical manifesto  Sepultura have conjured in the last 28 years, and one which seems certain to withstand the test of time. Here’s our full dissection of this album.

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3. Testament – Titans of Creation (Nuclear Blast Records)

Testament is a band that never really left the scene even when it all but died in the mid-90s, but there have definitely been a few clear moments of ebbing in what most would rightly dub a career dominated by a consistent flow. “Titans Of Creation” is one of these new classics that can easily go toe to toe with the seminal offerings from the style’s heyday, all the while still being sonically appropriate for the current age. Gallop-happy crushers with plenty of detailing peppered on top go head-to-head with gear-grinding monsters which don’t pull any punches, but showcase an increasing level of nuance and development. A must hear occasion for any self-respecting thrash maniac, and definitely an album that will still be relevant in the years to come. More details here.

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2. Paradise Lost – Obsidian (Nuclear Blast Records)

Paradise Lost have created a masterpiece of an album with “Obsidian”. The gothic metal sound is back, but this time death and doom are swirled throughout rather than abandoned. The result is absolutely brilliant, and for many will stand as the career pinnacle of one of metal’s most storied acts.  Despite all its massive variety, “Obsidian” never loses focus. The broad, hefty guitar tones and monstrously heavy riffs are carefully interspersed with beautiful guitar work. Punishing bass lines crush down, intertwined with convulsive heavy drumming, thus creating a tailored and precise backbone for the band’s morose, melodic passages, and devastatingly doomy guitars. Read our full review of “Obsidian” at this location.

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1. Trivium – What the Dead Men Say (Roadrunner Records)

Trivium ascends to new heights with “What the Dead Men Say” as they reach for the stars with more melody and technical complexity than ever before. One of their heaviest and most unforgiving works yet, “What the Dead Men Say” is a potent blend of poetic melancholy and unbridled aggression that proves to be a culmination of Trivium’s many successes. Listeners can expect to hear a refined, more bold approach to songwriting that doesn’t shy away from embracing longer tracks, dynamic song structures, and a more integrated percussion. Replete with superb musicianship and a number of surprises for longtime fans and new listeners alike, Trivium leave no doubts that they are at the top of their creative game. Read our metal album of the year full review here.

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COMEBACK METAL ALBUMS OF THE YEAR

With sonic resonance to fill the space where there had once been silence, the following comeback albums see bands return to full force following a lengthy absence. Bringing with them both ghosts and traditions, their roots and hunger for revival shine through in an undoubted love for the art. 

Heathen – Empire of the Blind (Nuclear Blast Records)

One of the most iconic figures of the Bay Area thrash metal scene scored another studio win, proving that while prolific output can be a blessing, it’s no substitute for an intricate, expansive and melodically satisfying take on the style. This is an album that no self-respecting thrash metal fan should go without hearing, and most will want to spend the coming weeks playing it to death given the brilliant balance of impact-based aggression and smooth melodic swagger. Though “Empire of the Blind” is the band’s first studio album in a decade, they come roaring out of the gates just as fierce as ever. This is unapologetic, hook-laden thrash metal at its best. Read more here.

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Cirith Ungol – Forever Black (Metal Blade Records)

The murky abode of the long dormant queen of spiders has once more become active, ushering in a crushing old school blend of Black Sabbath sensibilities, 70s progressive and hard rock swagger and early 80s epic splendor to put the younger generation on notice. It’s a given that the small yet very committed flock of core fans that were hoping for the Cirith Ungol of the mid-80s to make another appearance before all was said and done will be quite satisfied with this, as it all but could have been released a year or two after “One Foot In Hell” hit the shelves in 1986. The formula is one of unapologetic nostalgia, and is sure to be a welcome listen to the growing number of traditional metal enthusiast. Here’s our review!

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METAL EPS OF THE YEAR

Carcass – Despicable (Nuclear Blast Records)

Though having ground their once grinding ways to a halt long ago, Liverpool’s famous prognosticators of the once putrid offer plenty of aggression on this tasty appetizer for their next grand auditory feast of elaborate death metal with a melody. Every instrumentalist involved displays a level of technical competency that could rival the most insane adherents of the modern tech death style, but the songwriting on display here proves to be more nuanced and deep.  This incarnation of Carcass has the potential to outdo “Surgical Steel” when the upcoming LP drops, but has enough to satisfy hungry fans in the meantime. Check out our full take on the EP here. 

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Candlemass – The Pendulum (Napalm Records)

Following hot on the heels of their 2019 stunner “The Door to Doom,” Candlemass’ EP “The Pendulum” serves up more of the magic which made their comeback so noteworthy. “The Pendulum” includes the vibrant creative spillover from “The Door to Doom,” and reads cohesively as a strong EP for a small taste of the band’s full potential. Packing variety and excitement in just six tracks, Candlemass runs the gamut from instrumental interludes to tempo-varying full-length songs without stopping for breath. The interludes interspersed throughout allow for a flavor that stands apart from the band’s past full-lengths while still delivering unmistakable Candlemass goodness. Dive more in depth with our review here. 

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METAL LIVE ALBUMS OF THE YEAR

In a year where live music was largely put on hold, livestreams and live albums have stepped up to sate the appetites of metalheads hungry for the concert experience. The following three albums are those which prove the most spectacular showcases of live music brought directly to the listener, and all prove to be more than simply echoes of a splendor long past.

Jinjer – Alive in Melbourne (Napalm Records)

Capturing one of the last live shows before the music industry faced a global pause, “Alive in Melbourne” shows Jinjer storming the stage of Australia’s Max Watt’s House of Music with calculated fury, blissfully unaware of the year to come. The setlist heavily favors the band’s latest release balanced against longtime fan-favorites for a show that harnesses the band’s energy in bright lights and the thunderous roar of the audience in the background. An atmosphere which shifts fluidly between the ominous and the ecstatic is the perfect backdrop for the diverse discography backing Jinjer as they own the stage, met by the warmth of an equally eager crowd. 

Kreator – London Apocalypticon: Live at The Roundhouse (Nuclear Blast Records)

Centuries after the Saxons invaded the shores of southern England, one of Germany’s most formidable folds of extreme thrashing warriors set the air of London ablaze with a fiery rendition of new and old favorites.  In keeping with their largely consistent qualitative output over their near 4 decade career, this quartet makes a good show of representing every era contained in their past; from the early speed/thrashing mayhem of their seminal mid-80s studio work to their more melodic death metal-infused present day sound, taking some additional time to explore the tech thrashing days of the early 90s and the slower vibes that came in by the middle of said decade. It is nothing short of amazing that in spite of a long career of punishing themselves on the road and the lion’s share of this fold either flirting with or surpassing the 50 year old mark, Kreator sound like they haven’t aged a day. Check out a full review at this location.

Septicflesh – Infernus Sinfonica MMXIX (Season of Mist)

Between a successful balance in the final mix and just enough genuine banter with the crowd to prove immersive, “Infernus Sinfonica MMXIX” shows its colors as a recording which captured a night to remember. Decades of experience as musicians and performers are apparent in airtight musicianship alongside audience engagement and the record ensuresSepticflesh have a fitting live album for their long-lasting brand of musical brutality. From the rolling depths of an enthusiastic orchestra to the touching notes of an almost angelic choir, the brightest moments of a live ensemble elevate this live album from enjoyable to something worth remembering. Read our review here.