As promised in Part 1, I am offering you my personal best of the best in this
second part of my top 20 albums of 2020. If you are looking for a mainstream list,
this isn’t the review for you. There is so much more music out there in the world
that many people have no clue about. Songs and albums that are written by some
of the most talented artists to walk this fine place that we call Earth. So, without
further ado, here are my top 10 album picks of this not so great year. The music
has made it somewhat bearable.
10. Black Fate
Ithaca
Rockshots Records
October 23, 2020
Coming in at number 10, and hailing from Larissa, Greece, are a progressive,
power metal band known as Black Fate. Black Fate formed way back in 1990. Why
did I not discover them until 2020? Ithaca is the 4 th full length release and the
bands first album since 2016’s Deliverance of Soul. In addition, Black Fate have
released several demos and promo albums in their early years. The album kicks
off with a symphonic intro titled “From Ashes to Dust.” The album quickly takes
off with some serious melody and technical musicianship with title track “Ithaca.”
Crisp vocals shine atop the heavy, yet melodic arrangement. As the album moves
forward with single “Maze,” Black Fate continues to impress with heavy, catchy
riffs, string arrangements, amazing solos, and powerful vocals. Mixed in with the
heavy is the subtle ballad, “Rainbow’s End.” With acoustic guitars, a perfectly
arranged string section, and beautifully written vocal harmonies, this track stands
on its own. I’m a sucker for a slow song. Every album should have at least one,
right? If this review was based solely on technical ability alone, I would rank this
album much higher. However, there is much more to an album. I look forward to
learning more about these guys. They’re definitely on my radar.
9. Fates Warning
Long Day Good Night
Metal Blade Records
November 6, 2020
More Progressive Metal come in at number 9. Fates Warning, one of the
innovators of progressive metal, return with their 13 th release, Long Day Good
Night. Fates Warning having been offering fans their technical prowess since
1984. The follow up to 2016’s Theories of Flight gives you exactly what you’d
expect from these seasoned veterans. Time signature and tempo changes
throughout along with endless riffs and melodies, with Ray Alder’s powerful
vocals sprinkled on top. What more could you ask for? Long Day Good Night is
my favorite Fates Warning album since Parallels, which says a lot because the 6
albums released in between, are all top notch recording as well. Fates Warning
never disappoints. This is a must have album for any and all fans of metal.
8. Armored Saint
Punching the Sky
Metal Blade Records
October 23, 2020
Back to back albums courtesy of Metal Blade records. Back to back albums
featuring bassist extraordinaire, Joey Vera. Armored Saint return with their classic
metal sound on their 10 th full length effort, Punching the Sky. One of the most
underrated bands of all time, Armored Saint offer no frills, true heavy metal. In
fact, they are one of the few true metal bands to emerge from the historic Sunset
Strip in the early/mid 80’s. Armored Saint have never deviated from their roots
and stand apart from the rest. Even after nearly 30 years, with a break in between
while vocal powerhouse, John Bush, fronted Anthrax in the 90s, you can still hear
the NWOBHM influence in their music. True to form, Armored Saint does not
disappoint on this latest release. Each and every song has the key components to
making a great song. A solid rhythm section, catchy riffs, powerful vocals, and the
ever-important hook. Thank you for continuing to stick to your roots and not
giving in to the mainstream hype.
7. Thundermother
Heat Wave
AFM Records
July 31, 2020
Coming at you from Stockholm, Sweden at number 7 is Thundermother with their
4 th release Heat Wave. The album features mainstay, founding member, and lead
guitarist Filippa Näsill, vocalist Guernica Mancini, drummer Emlee Johansson, and
newcomer Majsan Lindberg on bass, who replaces the departed Sara Pettersson.
For those you that are not familiar with Thundermother, the band originally
formed in 2009. In 2017, the other 4 original members departed the band leaving
Näsill to recruit new member to continue moving forward. On to the album. Heat
Wave is an in your face rock n roll album. The music remains similar to the
original lineup, but with the blues infused vocals of Mancini, and the steady
rhythm section of Johansson and Lindberg, Thundermother is now a rock n roll
powerhouse and if they have their way, they will be a force to be reckoned with in
the world of rock n roll for years to come. I highly recommend that you check this
album out if you haven’t done so already.
6. Vhäldemar
Straight to Hell
Fighter Records
October 6, 2020
Next up on the list is another “Why did I not discover these guys sooner?” Formed
in the late 90’s and hailing from Biscay (Basque Country, Spain), I present to you,
Vhäldemar and their 6 th opus, Straight to Hell. Upon discovering the singles “Hell
IS on Fire” and “Afterlife” on Spotify, I quickly checked out their previous works of
art and then eagerly anticipated this record. Released on October 6 th , Straight to
Hell quickly became one of my go to albums over the last two months of 2020.
This is pure heavy metal at its finest. From beginning to end, the heavy riffs, bone
crushing drums, and powerful vocals take control of your soul. I urge everyone to
check these guys out. Until the 7 th opus, give your earholes the pleasure of
soaking in the epic catalogue of gems provided by Vhäldemar.
5. Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons
We’re the Bastards
Nuclear Blast
November 13, 2020
Following the death of Motörhead frontman/bassist Lemmy in 2015, guitarist Phil
Campbell announced a solo project with various artists. Around the same time in
2016, he also from a new project featuring his three sons; guitarist Todd, bassist
Tyla, and drummer Dane, along with former Attack! Attack! vocalist Neil Starr.
The band, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons. We’re the Bastards is another
album released late in 2020 that quickly garnered my attention. These guys are
straight forward rock n roll. Bluesy oriented riffs, thunderous drums, bass that
makes you groove, and crisp, strong vocals, and a hook that will suck you into
every song. I can’t get enough of this album. 13 songs. 13 earworms.
4. Shok Paris
Full Metal Jacket
No Remorse Records
July 7, 2020
Way back in the late 1980’’s, classic Ohio power metal band, Shok Paris, were on
the top of their game. They were signed to the now defunct IRS record label and
toured with the likes of the iconic Savatage. Fast forward 31 years from the
release of their last album, Concrete Killers, Shok Paris made their return in 2020
with an album that has a sound that would fit perfectly around the recordings of
Steel and Starlight and the aforementioned Concrete Killers. First things first, you
can’t name an album Full Metal Jacket without a movie reference. Cue Vincent
D’Onofrio… “Are those live rounds? 7-6-2 millimeter. Full Metal Jacket…” The
intro, “The Creed” incorporates lines from the infamous movie with the same
name, Full Metal Jacket. On to the actual music. After 31 years away from the
music world, you might wonder if a band or artist still has what it takes and bring
the same energy that they did in the past. No need to wonder here, Ken Erb, Vic
Hix, and company brought their A-Game for this effort. Power metal at its finest.
Another no frills, in your face, metal album. Vic Hix’s vocals are as powerful as
ever. The guitar playing of Ken Erb and John Korzewka is top notch. Add Ed
Stephens’ phenomenal bass wizardry, and Dono on Drums and you get a classic
metal album that was well worth the 31-year wait.
3. Smackbound
20/20
Frontiers Records
June 12, 2020
So, we’ve already covered bands from the USA, Italy, Wales, Sweden, Spain, and
Greece. We now move to Finland. Germany is coming later. Newcomers
Smackbound make a surprising appearance as the #3 album of 2020 with their
debut 20/20. Smackbound was formed in 2015 by vocalist Netta Laurenne.
Joining her in the band are guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari (Wintersun), drummer
Rolf Pilve (Stratovarius & Wintersun), bassist Tuomas Yli-Jaskari (Tracedawn) and
keyboardist Vili Itäpelto (also of Tracedawn). Smackbound is another band that I
discovered on Spotify. Say what you will, but the amount of new music that I
discover daily is absolutely insane. Upon hearing a few songs, I was instantly
hooked. Rockers like “Run,” “Wall of Silence,” and “Hey Motherfuckers,” to the
subtlety of “Close to Sober,” “Wind and Water,” and “The Game,” Smackbound
offer a unique blend of songs that are guaranteed to having you throwing the
horns up high. Asked how to explain their sound, I put it to you like this- If
Halestorm was more technically sound and Lzzy’s vocal range reached a few more
octaves, you have Smackbound. Big things are in store in the future for this band.
Hey Motherfuckers! Do yourselves a favor and pick up this album.
2. Archon Angel
Fallen
Frontiers Records
February 14, 2020
Toward the end of 2019, I discovered that Zak Stevens (Savatage, TSO, Circle II
Circle, Machines of Grace) had a new project, Archon Angel. Being a huge fan of
Savatage, this was the most exciting music news I had heard in quite some time.
The band quickly released a couple singles, “Fallen” and “Rise.” Hearing these two
songs had me instantly hooked. It was like listening to the Zak Stevens era of
Savatage all over again. I couldn’t wait to hear the entire album. This is by far
Zak’s best vocal performance since “The Wake of Magellan” in 1997. He brings
the iconic vocal melodies that he is greatly known for and has also brought back
his infamous counterpoint vocals, both of which made his time in Savatage stand
apart from his counterpart and predecessor Jon Oliva. This album is also packed
full of blistering guitars, a tight rhythm section, and Savatage feeling keyboards
throughout. Yet somehow, an album topped this 50-minute epic musical journey
at number 1. Who could it be?
Oh, you think I’m going to number 1 just like that? Not quite. I have to list a few
other categories in my best of 2020:
Songs of the Year:
5. Waves- Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons
4. Neon Diamonds- U.D.O
3. Brought to The Edge- Archon Angel
2. Maze- Black Fate
1. I Will Be Gone- Primal Fear
Best Debut:
Smackbound- 20/20
Top Labels of the Year:
Frontiers
Nuclear Blast
Metal Blade
Century Media
Rockshots
Comeback Artist of the Year:
Shok Paris
1. Primal Fear
Metal Commando
Nuclear Blast
July 24, 2020
Coming in at number 1 is none other than German Power Metal icons, Primal
Fear, returned with their 13 th studio album, Metal Commando. Primal Fear was
formed in 1997 by former Gamma Ray vocalist Ralf Scheepers and bassist/vocalist
Mat Sinner (Sinner) after Scheepers was not hired to replace Rob Halford in Judas
Priest. Joining Scheepers and Sinner for the latest effort are original guitarist Tom
Naumann, guitarist Alex Beyrodt, drummer Michael Ehré, and session guitarist
Magnus Karlsson.
Metal Commando is power metal at its best. The heavy riffs, melodies, and
scorching guitar solos combined with a rhythm section of steady bass and bone
crushing drums that hit you in the chest like a ton of bricks, and some of the most
powerful vocals in the history of metal. Each song on this album are absolutely
amazing. From the heaviness of tracks like “Along Came The Devil” and “Howl of
the Banshee” to the ballad and song of the year “I will Be Gone” and the epic 13
minute plus closing track “Infinity,” there are absolutely no weak/filler tracks on
this album, which is absolutely remarkable. In my honest opinion, Metal
Commando features Scheepers’ best vocal performance EVER and has quickly
become my favorite Primal Fear album to date.
This concludes my Top 20 of 2020. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed the new music of the
year as much as I have. Music is more than just an art form. It is a way of life. It is
your therapist. It gets you through the day. It’s there for you when no one else is.
Without it, life would be so much harder than it needs to be. Here’s to more great
music in 2021.
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