2021 was no different than I thought back when I wrote the entry for 2020 best of. If anything 2021 was slightly worse, because even with all my negativity about 2021, I did not expected to be basically back to square one in this pandemic. Right now it feels like Deja-Vu and March 2020 all over again. It's shocking and very sad to say that 2021 is the first year since 1995 that I didn't go to any concert. This partially my fault, I had a couple of opportunities and didn't take them. The one ticket I had was postponed. That's a 25 year streak gone...thank you anti-vaxers....
So my perspective for the future is very dark, I'm sorry to say. But you know what? That's great for music writing. So if continued cancelled tours and this gleam future, I think we will see even more great albums being released, sometime long ones as bands have so much time in their hands now. In 2021 some of my all time favorite bands released new albums such as Iron Maiden, Helloween, Dream Theater and Therion among others. And even my favorite bands that don't exist anymore The Beatles and Pink Floyd released "new" stuff. For Pink Floyd a re-release but for the Beatles two documentary series! Plus the special edition of Let It Be. Pretty cool stuff. So let's get into it...
35.At the Gates - The Nightmare Of Being
34.Yngwie Malmsteen - Parabellum
33.Wheel - Preserved in Time
32.Coronary - Sinbad
31.Agent Steel - No Other Godz Before Me
30.Flotsam and Jetsam - Blood in the Water
29.Darkthrone - Eternal Hails......
28.Teramaze - Sorella Minore
27.Midnight Spell - Sky Destroyer
26.Cannibal Corpse - Violence Unimagined
25.Swallow The Sun - Moonflowers
24.Transatlantic - The Absolute Universe: Forevermore (Extended Version)
23.Ad Nauseam - Imperative Imperceptible Impulse
22.Sacred Oath - Return Of The Dragon
Tribulation makes Black Metal without blast beats and highly influenced by gothic rock in a way that's quite unique and satisfying. Jonathan Hultén did the bulk of the songwriting on this album, and surprisingly last December the guitarist left the band he started after 16 years. That leaves us with a big question mark where the band is going. Maybe this will force Tribulation to evolve their sound and incorporate other influences. For now, if you enjoyed their last two albums, Where the Gloom Becomes Sound is just a big pleasure to listen to.
Bloodbound is back into form with a non apologetic blistering power metal album as it should be. Despite a couple of fillers and the lack of originality, the album delivers what we expect from a sing-along power metal. That means: bombastic choruses, enough aggression and a huge amount of melody and hooks. That can only be successful due to the good song writing and execution of almost all songs on Creatures of the Dark Realm. Power Metal fans can go for it with no doubts.
Eight years after 2013’s mighty comeback album Surgical Steel (my album of the year then), Torn Arteries continues in the same path. A bit rawer and less metallic but with the amazing riffs and big choruses as we came to love from the band. Despite all the qualities, as of now it didn't have the same impact on me that Surgical had. But time will tell, this one is a grower. Hence why it's not higher on the list.
Rejoice in the Suffering is the debut solo album by Queensrÿche vocalist Todd La Torre. The first four songs on the album are just great. A punch in the face! It's a pure metal overdose. Todd showcases all his vocal abilities. The album also displays a southern metal sound reminding us of Pantera or Black Label Society. Overall, very good album that left me with wish for more. I'll be waiting for the sophomore release
Twisted Sister legend Dee Snider broke our lockdown boredom with an energetic and modern sounding traditional heavy metal album. A very good album backed by a competent band and a Jasta production. There are several summer festival anthems to sing along here that I can't wait to hear this album live. During such a difficult year the positive messages from this album were very welcomed.
Orden Ogan has been delighting us with solid power metal albums for a few years now. It's a modern and dark side of power metal. The dark-science-fiction-concept was the perfect theme for the band to modernize their sound. It is still very much a power metal album, but it has also a flavor of this decade. The songs feature fat and modern riffs, epic choruses and melancholic orchestral arrangements. I must highlight "Let The Fire Rain" as one of the best songs of the year. It's a power metal delight. Despite some lows on the second half, I'm still having lots of fun with Final Days, again a very good album by Seeb and comapny. I can't wait to see them playing those songs live.
Artillery delivered their tenth record as if it was a debut: Ruthlessly heavy, catchy and pure metal. The fusion of 80's thrash with traditional heavy metal is perfectly executed creating some headbanger tunes to sing along with our fists in the air. The album is full of highly technical riffs and hook lines combined with aggression and melody. Straightforward, with a couple of exceptions, all songs are between 4 and 5 minutes, so short, direct and all of them to the point. A very good thrash metal album that will please new and old fans looking for that perfect mix of melody and aggression.
Therion revisits their roots with Leviathan. A straightforward Therion album full of potential new fan favorites. While not bringing new ideas, it's a powerful, bombastic collection of songs with a good level of variability and dynamism. Several guest singers, tempo changes, lyrics in different languages, all those choices make the album very interesting and each song has its own character. Leviathan is a direct reaction to the complexity of the last few albums. It's a very good album that is simple and straightforward album. Long time fans will love those new Therion hits.
Of course if you are looking for complex progressive music or extreme metal growls, this is not your place. But if, like me, you are into cheesy power metal and want to have fun, then Dark Connection is a sequence of jewels fusing modern power metal and Euro beat from start to finish. In this context, there are no bad tracks. Anton Kabanen is a master of creating catchy music and via Beast In Black he won't apologize or contain his love for the cheesiness of the 80s or European power metal. This album sounds a futuristic and modern. The combination of love and believe for what you do with skillful song writing and talented musicians makes Beast In Black a band in strong ascendency and Dark Connection a testament to it.
After a long wait, Exodus delivered a great follow up to the already very good Blood in Blood out. If I didn't know the band, I'd have a hard time believing that it is a thrash album written and recorded by veterans including a cancer survivor on the drums. The speed and aggression never stops. It's pure thrash metal for old timers and new fans. The production is modern and fresh and the band was able to mix very straightforward songs with longer more elaborated ones usually filled with riffs and solos. All in all a very good album and a really fun thrashy ride.
Swedish drummer Martin Lopez (ex-Opeth, Amon Amarth) joined forces with vocalist Joel Ekelöf to make music that is "melodic, heavy, intricate and different." Soen sure isn't an instantaneously accessible music but with a bit of listener's patience, album after album they proved to be one of the most prolific creators of rewarding pieces of progressive music today. Quiet honestly, I prefer any Soen albums over any Opeth album after Watershed. From the get go I must say: Imperial is such a joy to listen to. The album flies by with a whirlwind of emotions due to the intricate network of melodies submerged in a bliss of melancholy.
Trivium delivered the third solid album in a row. It's slightly inferior to the previous one, but it is still a very strong release. I liked specially when they kept the heaviness and in addition adventured to go to slightly more progressive territory with longer songs and some more dynamics. Overall a very good album, it flows very well and I don't see it as having any fillers. The production is good and musically all members continue to step up their game. Specially Heafy's singing both harsh and clean. Overall, I am sure fans will appreciate this new effort.
Hushed and Grim is another very good album from Mastodon. It could've been much higher in my list if it wasn't so long. But I do see the possibility of it growing even further on me. The album is a natural evolution from the previous albums, but with the band experimenting even further. This time special attention to more atmospheric elements. Mastodon mix those with heavy sludgy songs as well. The vocal duties are further shared and overall makes the album very dynamic. Musicianship is superb as we come to expected from those guys.
With a stable lineup and a sequence of good records, Brainstorm has again proven that they deserve much more attention from the metal community. Wall of Skulls is another power metal masterclass. Catchy without becoming cheesy, full of hooks without becoming happy metal and melodic but also powerfully heavy. This may be their best album yet which means a lot for a band that has been around for so long (this is their 13th studio album). A must have for power metal fans.
Recorded during lockdown, the band’s tenth studio album Necroceros is heavy and vicious! No room for fillers, just 10 heavy tracks in 50 minutes. It also sounds great, clear and bombastic. There's just something so captivating about this album from the first to last track.
From the get go the groove of "The Sole Cure is Death" gets you hooked and headbanging. Trhoughout the whole album Asphyx blend classic Death Metal with Doom Metal. Is it a revolutionary album? No, but it's very well written, executed and produced. This was the best album of January 2021 and remained at the top of the list during the whole year.
Witherfall executes excellent modern progressive power metal. It's dark and heavy and yet melodic and catchy. Dreyer is a monster on the guitar. Impressive speed and technique which culminates with the instrumental "The Unyielding Grip of Each Passing Day". Overall, one of the things I dig about Witherfall is their creative freedom and lack of boundaries or rules. The songs are different from each other, they take different genre paths, use different instruments and techniques, and there are no rules for song lengths or structures. Witherfall's Curse Of Autumn is my favorite prog power metal album of 2021. Can't go wrong with it.
Despite the return of Hansen and Kiske, the album doesn't sound much different than previous records from the Deris era. It is not a bad thing but a missed opportunity. With that said the album is very good and shines at most moments. "Skyfall" is an instant classic and many songs call back subtly to other phases of the band. All and all, the self titled 2021 album has a little something for any Helloween fan, old or new, and the execution is outstanding. Highly recommended for any power metal enthusiast.
Colors II like a good complex prog album, takes time to assimilate, with that said, it brings no surprises to the long term BTBAM fans. Their style is solidified and if anything this album relates more to their early stuff than to the last couple of albums. But it's a culmination of them all. It is very dynamic and eclectic, but still heavy, specially the first half. Is Colors II at par with Colors? Probably not, but we will only be able to really say that after months or even years. One thing is certain it's worthy of its name already. It's a great album. So take your time with it, you are in for a journey and enjoy it.
Rivers of Nihil is becoming one of my favorite modern prog metal bands. Last album was great and The Work did it again and without repeating themselves. This album is unique and very different from previous albums but building on what they have done before while expanding their sound. It's really a dynamic prog metal album and not "just" death metal anymore. But not to worry, the death metal aggressiveness is still very much present. So it still sounds like Rivers of Nihil. The album functions almost as a soundtrack with great flow and storyline. A great album that could even have been number 1.
Dark and more melancholic album than the previous records, probably due to most compositions being by Harris, leads to similarities and callbacks to the Bailey albums. When it comes to music writing, this is one of the best and most consistent album since 7th Son and at par with my post 80's favorites A Matter of Life and Death and Brave New World. Despite the production and the overuse of keyboards, this is a great album and since the release I have been enjoying it more and more. It was by far my most listened album of 2021 and "Hell On Earth" my favorite song of the year. Why not #1 then? The production and album length cost some points...
Gojira knocked this one out of the park. A great album which will certainly head many other year-end lists. They were able to masterfully combine old style Gojira with experimentation and ambience. As a result the album is diverse and super interesting. On top of it, it all comes down to great song writing. There are no bad songs and, even better, a handful of great ones (e.g "Amazonia" or "Into The Storm"). Yes, some of them are different and not as heavy (e.g. "The Chant"), but it all works. A 21st century masterpiece. I don't use this word often, but Fortitude is already top of the decade contender for me.
Honorable Mentions:
Rage - Resurrection Day
Obscura - A Valediction
Khemmis - Deceiver
Manimal - Armageddon
Portrait - At One with None
Biggest Disappointments:
Dream Theater - A View From The Top Of The World
Evergrey - Escape of the Phoenix
Full Of Hell - Garden of Burning Apparitions
Architects - For Those That Wish to Exist
Deafheaven - Infinite Granite
Favorite Album
Cover Art:
Dream Theater - A View From The Top Of The World
Exodus - Persona Non Grata
Rivers Of Nihil - The Work
Favorite
Guitar Solos:
Presto Vivace in C# minor by Yngwie Malmsteen from Parabellum
The Unyielding Grip of Each Passing Day by Dreyer (Witherfall) from Curse Of Autumn
Persona Non Grata by Gary and Lee (Exodus) from Persona Non Grata
Top 10 songs:
Hell On Earth by Iron Maiden from Senjutsu
Clean by Rivers Of Nihil from The Work
Amazonia by Gojira from Fortitude
Skyfall by Helloween from Helloween
In The Court Of The Dragon by Trivium from In The Court Of The Dragon
Glory Disappears by Brainstorm from Wall of Skulls
Revolution In Limbo by Between the Buried and Me from Colors II
Gathering of Souls by Bloodbound from Creatures of the Dark Realm
Pretenders by Todd La Torre from Rejoice in the Suffering
Eternal Nocturnal by Evergrey from Escape of the Phoenix
As I Lie Awake by Witherfall from Curse Of Autumn
Let The Fire Rain by Orden Ogan from Final Days
Best Little Moments & Details
Dreaming Black Clockwork by Rivers Of Nihil: I love that in the first chorus they omit 'black clockwork again' after 'I cease to exist because I'm dreaming' which makes the 4th line on the chorus so much more powerful and the second time the chorus is sang brings a different element. It's brilliant.
Stratego by Iron Maiden: I was blown away the first time I heard this song due to the unusual structure. Specifically the Post-Chorus which is only sang once but is so powerful! The way Bruce sings 'I hear you calling my name...' is a goosebump moment.
Human Is Hell (Another One With Love) by BTBAM: The opening of the song is based on their classic and one of my favorite songs White Walls. But while it reminds us of it, it's not a copy but a new variations of those riffs. Very nice call back to Colors.
Favorite Shows: N/A
Disappointing
Shows: None, but the fact that there were no shows...I think a concert will
never be disappointing again in my life.
