Best albums and demos/EPs of 2020 – December 2020 AB

As you have probably noticed by now, 2020 has been one of the strangest years we have experienced in our wretched existence. This applies to music as well, as a lot of events have occurred this year, despite the overall pandemic crisis. The live shows have been cancelled one after the other, but we had live streamings instead. A huge amount of albums have been released, some of them good, some of them not (it’s up to you to decide which one is what).

Also, bands that have been inactive or rather in a deep slumber have decided to come back to life and release very good (or at least interesting) albums (e.g. Armagedda, Hate Forest, Leviathan, Mork Gryining, The Funeral Orchestra etc). Also, a wave of promising new bands has been unleashed upon us, proving that creativity and inspiration will not die, despite the circumstances.

The aim of this post is to mention what I consider to be my personal best albums of this year, listed below in alphabetical order. Even if not all of these releases have been reviewed here (mostly due to lack of time), they have really meant something to me throughout this weird year. Enjoy.

BEST FULL LENGTHS OF 2020 :

Armagedda – Svindeldjup Ättestup – Nordvis Productions – One of the most important albums of 2020, released after so many years of silence. Impressive display of talent and a very solid black metal album from this atypical black metal band. Did not see this one coming, but I love it.

Death Nöize – Rites, Curses and Spells – Bestial Burst / Metal or Die Records – The 3rd (and best) album of these Transylvanian terrorists. With this album, which is more black metal oriented than their other records, Death Nöize have reached their peak of maturity and musical expression.

Hajnalpír – S/T – Blindblindblind (for the tape version) – Originally released digitally in September 2019, this album has seen the proper light of day when it came out on tape earlier this year. Despite its short length (23 minutes) this record contains a true slab of devastating black metal with amazing musicianship. A very pleasant surprise from Hungary.

Head of the Demon – Deadly Black Doom – Invictus Productions – 4 years seem to be the magical time cycle for this Swedish band. “Deadly Black Doom” is a collection of 6 songs infused with a hefty dose of black magic doom and obsessive rhythms. Excellent album and one of the highlights of 2020.

Leviathan – Förmörkelse – France D’Oil Productions / Bile Noire – Another amazing comeback for this underrated Swedish band. After so many years of silence Leviathan has delivered a beautiful album with an outstanding dark atmosphere. “Förmörkelse” proves that there can be light in the dark.

Lifvsleda – Det Besegrade Lifvet – Shadow Records – The first full length of this misanthropic Swedish band, “Det Besegrade Lifvet” is definitely not for everyone. This album is dangerous, violent and yet melodic, with an overwhelming feeling of the ’90s. Brilliance in its purest form.

Ondskapt – Grimoire Ordo Devus – Osmose Productions – Ondskapt is back, after 10 years of silence and ordeal. Feeding from its turmoil, the band has released an amazing 4th record shrouded in darkness and death. What a perfect comeback!

Over The Voids – Hadal – Malignant Voices / Nordvis Productions – The sophomore album of the multi-talented The Fall, “Hadal” displays a wicked duality between melody and early ’90s Norwegian aggression. Highly recommended record for those yearning for the nostalgia of the ’90s.

Sarcator – Sarcator – Redefining Darkness Records – When the band name refers to SARCofago and KreATOR, what would you expect the outcome would be? One of the most promising new bands out there, hailing from Sweden, of course. Sarcator‘s S/T debut album is a collection of old school death/thrash metal riffs, brilliantly arranged and played. Definitely keep an eye on this little monster of a band, if they keep their course they will reach their goals.

Scáth Na Déithe – The Dirge of Endless Mourning – Vendetta Records – The blackened death metal masters of Irish folklore have done it again this year, with their sophomore album. 4 long tracks soaked in sorrow and gloom, this album is the perfect companion for the cold winter nights. Slainte!

Siculicidium – Az Alámerülés Lárvái – Sun and Moon Records – From beyond the great vast forest comes Siculicidium, the original band of artists who love to defy genres. “Az alámerülés lárvái” is the band’s 3rd album and the best they released so far, in my opinion. If you are into a more different take on (black) metal inspired by the wild woods of Transylvania, then this album is definitely for you.

The Funeral Orchestra – Negative Evocation Rites – Nirucon Productions – The Swedish funeral orchestra of doom has been playing its morbid tunes since the early 2000’s but it hasn’t been too active in the past years. With “Negative Evocation Rites“, first album in 17 years, these musicians have taken their blackened doom craft to another dimension. Highly recommended tunes for “curing” your depression.

The Rite – Liturgy of the Black – Iron Bonehead Productions – A joint cooperation between Denmark and Italy, The Rite is a very interesting black/doom metal band. “Liturgy of the Black” is their first full length and contains a collection of 9 tracks (plus a Ripper cover) infused with black magic and necromancy. This record is for those into the classic Hammer movies and the old witchcraft/demonology folklore.

Tusenårseken – Svält – Void in the Vast Empire – A new name to the scene, Tusenårseken‘s debut material has that special “something” which grips you right from the start. A very interesting album, where melancholy and aggression collide and melt into a river of sorrow. Solid debut album, check it out if you haven’t done it already.

BEST DEMO’S / EP’S OF 2020 :

Änterbila – Demo 2020 – Void in the Vast Empire – Hailing from Sweden, Änterbila has released its debut  demo tape earlier last year. 5 tracks of folk black metal, with a touch of punk, “Demo 2020” is an absolute killer debut. Looking forward for the band’s first full length.

Eternal Evil – Rise of Death – Iron Fist Productions – Thrash metal in the old Teutonic way but made in Sweden, in 2020. Alongside Sarcator, Eternal Evil is another very young and promising band whose future will look very bright. Put on your bullet belts and blast this fucking demo tape, it’s fast, dirty and aggressive as hell.

Forgotten Shrines – Remembrance (Demo 2020) – Födweg – Hailing from the forests of Austria, Forgotten Shrines has created a haunting experience, brilliantly mixing dungeon synth elements with raw (lo-fi) black metal. The cherry on top of this material is a cover of Beherit‘s “Unholy Pagan Fire“. Outstanding debut demo, I love it!

Gravfraktal – Unhallowed Death Triumph – Iron Bonehead Productions – If you are into some old and putrid death metal, then this EP is just for you. Featuring members of well known Swedish black/death metal bands, Gravfraktal has released a rotting collection of songs that will make your ears bleed. Brilliant mix of early Morbid Angel atmosphere with crushing doom metal tempos, this EP is one of the highlights of 2020.

Holdlajtorja – Ab Oriente Ad Occidente – Digital – Recently released demo by this new and surprising Hungarian band. Channeling some oriental influences, Holdlajtorja seems closer to Necros Christos than to other black metal bands, but this debut material is quite original. Hope the full length will come soon, the demo is too short!

Ond Vind – Demo – Ropes & Bones – From Sweden come the Evil Winds which bring mayhem and destruction, making you, the listener, bang the head like there’s no tomorrow. You’re into some killer old school mood?  Then check this demo out and act accordingly.

Sír – Cosmic Grave – Mirgilus Siculorum – Kryptagonist (Leiru, Holdlajtorja) has released this 4 track EP last November under the banner of Sír (Grave). During the 16 minutes of this material we are immersed into a somehow mid tempo black metal universe, with raspy vocals and background synths which create an eerie atmosphere. Hungary surprises again, in a good way. Check this out, it’s definitely worth it!

Spectres & Teeth – No Magick Spawns – Into Endless Chaos – What happens when 2 members of Kringa join forces? “No Magick Spawns” is the result of this wicked collaboration between these 2 entities (Spectres and Teeth) and it doesn’t disappoint at all. “Primitive” and ferocious black metal with a punkish vibe, dual vocals, creepy synths and a rather “raw” production – this is how I would describe this EP in a nutshell.  Add to those elements the superb cover and there you have it: an excellent release, another highlight of this wretched year.

Watain – Corona Mortis – His Master’s Noise – Not necessarily a new release, this demo tape is more a collection of some old/recent tracks brought to life in a raw form in the band’s rehearsal room to celebrate the Corona Pandemic. To make this tape even more attractive, the band threw 2 covers in the mix, honoring some of their roots: “Morbid Visions” and “Angel of Disease“. Very cool self-released tape, which obviously sold out within minutes.

Ygfan / Svoid – Split EP – Fekete Terror Productions – One of the most interesting materials of 2020 comes from Hungary. Each band has recorded a new track, pinpointing their musical direction. In Ygfan‘s case “Beyond the Evancescence” follows more or less the same path as their previous records, but with “We Are Nowhere” Svoid showcases a more pregnant post punk direction, leaving the experimental “Spiral Dance” behind. Hope next year will bring new releases from these 2 excellent bands.