For three years now, December has turned into an extremely busy period where I simply focus all my energy into making lists and 2020 was no exception. Was toying with the idea of posting all my 21 lists here but that is too big of an overkill so I'll just post my top 20 and start pumping out some new content, how about that? Highly recommend you visit my Instagram page so you can see the complete journey, you can find it here. Without further ado, let's see what ended in the final cut!
20. Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia
One of last year's biggest surprises, "Future Nostalgia" was consistently played around these parts and for very good reason. It's a high quality slab of extremely "efficient" and catchy pop tracks that are equal parts retro and fresh. And even with all the obvious corporate touches, I simply could not resist its charm.
19. clipping. - Visions Of Bodies Being Burned
Took me a while but I can say with certainty that this is clipping's finest hour yet. Not only did it expand on the horror, noise and industrial elements of "There Existed An Addiction To Blood" but it also removed virtually all of its fat AND saw them explore new ground like the extremely catchy "Enlacing". If you have your doubts about rap and have a penchant for extreme music, you owe yourself to check this out!
18. Aseitas - False Peace
A dizzying, jagged behemoth which marries Car Bomb's rhythmic dissonance, Ulcerate's technicality and Gojira-worthy grooves. As simple of a summation as I could muster because "False Peace" is much more. It, like a few other records on this list, represents the bright future of death metal and proves there is much to the genre than just 90's worship and an ocean of blastbeats.
17. Enter Shikari - Nothing Is True And Everything Is Possible
Around seven years have passed since I first heard UK's finest genre blender. Needless to say, I hated what I heard because I was a much more close-minded individual and I am very glad that era is behind me because "Nothing Is True And Everything Is Possible" is a wonderful, spastic fun mess that only Shikari are capable off. Drum and bass, jungle, techno, pop, post-hardcore, classical music, all these subgenres are melded skillfully but the quartet never lose their footing and their critique of the system remains a focal point of their sound.
16. Future Islands - As Long As You Are
What makes Future Islands so recognizable, apart from their wonderful bass-driven instrumentation are the sincere and frankly, gorgeous lyrics. Of course, their poignancy wouldn't be as present were it not for Sam T. Herring's stunning vocals. While their sixth record doesn't deviate too much from their formula, I would argue that this is their most complete and engaging record yet. Special shout out goes to "Plastic Beach" which I think of as an unofficial anthem of our lost Z generation.
15. Everything Everything - RE-ANIMATOR
Unflinchingly creative and eternally captivating, the British quartet have indeed everything you could as for and more. Their approach to indie and art pop remains unparalleled and unfortunately, they're pretty overlooked in the grand scheme of things. However, I am fairly sure they'll receive their much overdue credit, eventually I just hope it's as soon as possible because "RE-ANIMATOR" is another extremely strong showing from these absolute madmen.
14. Enslaved - Utgard
Their previous record "E" was my album of the year so the expectations for "Utgard" were justifiably high. Initially, I was a bit disappointed but with time it grew on me. Their vocal harmonizations were always on of their strong suites but here they reach another level entirely. Loved the diverse approach as well but I still think this is one of their weaker later-era records. Yet the fact it ended up as my number 14 pick tells you everything you need to know about Enslaved. What a band!
13. Good Tiger - Raised In A Doomsday Cult
Great Tiger! The prog/post-hardcore/whatever it is supergroup really hit their stride with this one, expanding their sound as never before and changing up their formula but never losing that catchy edge that they became renowned for. This becomes apparent with the first track "Kimbal" where Elliot Coleman channels a bit of Vitas whilst the rest of the band toys with odd time signatures and wonky chords. Really hope they capitalize on the momentum they gathered here and continue exploring.
12. Hum - Inlet
After 22 years of silence, Hum came out of nowhere and released one of the strongest comeback records I heard. Each song is like a mini odyssey of perfectly crafted riffs, deeply immersive atmosphere and ear-grabbing melodies. Despite its 55 minute run-time and reliance on repetition, "Inlet" has a sense of fluidity that too many bands lack these days. Massive release that will remain by my side for years to come.
11. Caligula's Horse - Rise Radiant
How do you follow-up one of the greatest records of all time? You don't and my favorite Ozzies knew that so they re-visited familiar grounds but a with a newfound sense of maturity. Even with the clear "Bloom"-like approach, "Rise Radiant" is far from dull and predictable. "Salt", "Oceanrise" and those amazing covers prove the Horsies are still among the very best prog bands of today and I cannot wait to see them live again!
10. Afterbirth - Four Dimensional Flesh
It takes a lot to make me care for brutal death metal but Afterbirth's sophomore surpassed anything I have anticipated and then some. The gurgles and pummeling riffs you've come to expect are here but what sets Afterbirth apart is the futuristic, shoegaze-like atmosphere that permeates throughout the whole record. Pair that with a strong progressive edge and compact songwriting and you get one of the greatest brutal death metal records.
9. Fleet Foxes - Shore
No one in the whole indie scene compares to Fleet Foxes and their latest record "Shore" continues their amazing streak of records. Here Pecknold decided to pay homage to his musical heroes but also showcase the importance of memory and how its able to keep an individual practically immortal. It's an extremely soothing record that provides plenty of comfort but does so through engaging, adventurous and colorful songwriting.
8. Black Crown Initiate - Violent Portraits Of Doomed Escape
Stark transitions and clean-unclean vocal dynamics are nothing new in progressive realms of death metal. In fact Opeth mastered that but since their transition into dadprog, there existed a rift. Luckily, bands like Black Crown Initiate stepped in and satiated the hunger so many were left with. With their latest record, the Pennsylvanian quartet never sounded better and more focused. Nearly each track has this sense of fluidity only best the bands are capable of. Pair that with some mean ass riffs and superb vocals and you get one banger of a record.
7. Imperial Triumphant - Alphaville
Ever since "Abyssal Gods", the NY trio have been steadily garnering attention and this culminated with the release of "Alphaville", their most refined record yet. In true Imperial Triumphant fashion, "Alphaville" is hostile, complex and seemingly impenetrable record that somehow always manages to call you back. And with each revisit, things start aligning and you start to see the greater picture. As long as bands like this exist, the future of extreme and experimental music is in very safe hands.
6. Oranssi Pazuzu - Mestarin Kynsi
"Mestarin Kynsi" (Master's Claw) tells a sinister tale of a malevolent spirit rising from the swamps and inserting itself in the minds of the surrounding populus. It utilizes curses and old cult magic to slowly erode their sanity and in time the spirit takes over their minds. This whole process translates to us the listeners who are experiencing the same paranoia and fear the people do but of course those fears dissipate as soon as the spirit becomes one with society ("Uusi Teknokratia") and by the end only the suffocating white light remains. Who this master is the band leaves up to you to interpret but for me it's an obvious critique of man's inherent need to follow someone or something. Even without all this context, one could listen to this record and "feel" certain parts of the story and that my friends is a sign of a superb record.
5. Ulcerate - Stare Into Death And Be Still
Only a handful records released last year received the same overwhelmingly positive feedback like Ulcerate's latest angular masterwork. Of course, in this extremely rare case, the hype and praise is more than justified which makes this record even more special. Its timing also could not have been better considering it came out during our first lockdown here and like "Mestarin Kynsi", "Stare Into Death Be Still" was a constant companion during my bicycle rides through an unusually silent and foreboding Zagreb. Even without this kickass combo, the record easily holds its ground and it, in true Ulcerate fashion, forces you to approach it on their terms, The results: a sensational death metal record which proves yet again how unique and special Ulcerate are.
4. Lesser Glow - Nullity
In just two years, Boston's Lesser Glow established themselves as the next big thing in sludge and doom. This particular quartet excels in... well everything a band in these genres needs. Enormous, thicc riffs that don't lose their momentum nor memorability when repeated, fluid songwriting, bleak and convincing atmosphere but this band goes an extra step further. Among all these other things they include these gorgeous Alice In Chains-like melodies that serve as a respite or a segue but also as something to latch onto. It sounds like a simple formula but it's extremely difficult to get right but as you can see, Lesser Glow succeeded. Monstrous.
3. The Ocean Collective - Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic
It takes not only courage but extreme confidence to do what The Ocean did with "Phanerozoic II". Unlike its massive and streamlined predecessor, here the Germany-based collective opted for a far more experimental approach and one utilizing Middle Eastern instruments but also their melodies all the while not losing virtually any momentum. And of course they managed to represent each geological epoch perfectly. Both the music and palaeontology nerds in me are elated each time I put this on and only The Ocean do that. No idea where they'll go next but I really hope they tackle something like clouds or better yet, atmospheric regions! We'll see what happens but whatever they make, I know it will be at least great.
2. Haken - Virus
If you told me last year that I would have a Haken record as my runner up for AotY, I would've lost it. You see, two years ago "Vector" happened and I REALLY didn't like it. Not only was it a huge disappointment but it lacked the energy, creativity and adventurous spirit I associated with Haken. Simply put, "Vector" was largely an uninspired record whose only redeeming quality was that it was "heavy bro". That and the Dream Theater-inspired noodling that plagued their earlier work. However, I was not prepared for "Virus" because it contains EVERYTHING Haken ever made but completely and utterly refined AND they sound like themselves. Still believe "Affinity" is their best work thus far (come @ me hoes) but this is damn close. Love how they sprinkled in some easter eggs and tied up the Cockroach King arc. Madlads.
1. Loathe - I Let It In And It Took Everything
Like Rolo Tomassi's most recent mouthful "Time Will Die And Love Will Bury It" which ended up as my true AotY of 2018, Loathe have their own, fresh spin on an extremely tested dynamic. By incorporating Deftones-like dreamy atmosphere, cinematic interludes in the vein of Vangelis and clashing that with Vildhjarta's penchant for THALL and rhythmic complexity, "I Let It In And It Took Everything" remained in constant rotation throughout the whole damn year and what matter what mood I was in, ILIIAITE always hit the right spot. You could call their sound redundant and regressive and while that's true to an extent, I would argue only Loathe could've made a record such as this and I guarantee that the vast majority of you will feel the same way after only one listen. Sensational record and the perfect indicator in what wonderful state music is in. Never forget the importance of young bands because records like these show the new blood always works harder. Case in point: "Ohms" vs. this.
Thanks for reading everyone, hope you had a wonderful holiday season. The Gazebo never sleeps and expect something new by the end of the day. Until then!
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