In good old TMO tradition we have given the year as much time as possible to reveal its hidden gems (or in the case of 2020 a chance to redeem itself) and going for January 1st as the only apt date to publish the best of the best (yes, we are aware that it is the 4th, but some technical issues prevented us from getting things where they should be, looks like 2020 tried to screw with us one last time!)! So let’s not waste any more time and go right to it! Ladies and gentlemen: TMO’s Top 30 of 2020!
Click the cover art for music.
Ulver – Flowers of Evil
Perhaps surprisingly for a band who has always radically changed musical direction with every new album, Ulver’s Flower of Evil follows closely in the footsteps of their previous release, 2017’s The Assassination of Julius Caesar, and continues the band’s exploration into the world of synthpop and dark wave. Some fans of the Wolves might be disappointed that Ulver did not take yet another left-turn to a new unexplored musical direction this time, but I am actually glad the band decided to hover just a little bit longer in the same musical space. The special blend of gloomy synthpop that they first conjured up on Julius Caesar had time to mature in the 3 years between that album and Flowers of Evil, and this clearly shows on the new album, which sounds more accomplished, cohesive and assured than its predecessor. However, Flowers of Evil is also colder, darker and eerier than Julius Caesar, with sparse arrangements and minimal musical exploration, making it an album that is somewhat difficult to get into. Give it time, though, and it will reveal itself as an extremely deep and rewarding musical journey. (Daniele Nosenzo)
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Carach Angren – Franckensteina Strataemontanus
The Dutch stalwarts of their own branded “horror metal” seem to have only raised their standards on their latest 6th offering Franckensteina Strataemontanus. Carach Angren keeps status as one of the most unusual black metal bands, further developing their symphonic horror, their dynamic storytelling and their ghastly theatrics as well as fusing a new industrial influence in their sound to depict the story of Johann Conrad Dippel. Extra kudos to Ardek for the superb orchestral component. With such a well thought out concept and skillful musicianship, Carach Angren have perfected their niche even further and have perhaps brought their finest record to date. (George Dan)
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Fairyland – Osyrhianta
Comeback of the millennium! After a painful 11-year wait, with so many hopes dashed, France’s answer to Rhapsody Of Fire storm back with the prequel to an impressive story spread over three previous albums. Fairyland is the lovechild of Philippe Giordana, and his masterful approach to composing is on fire throughout Osyrhianta. Typical by Fairyland standards, which is superb by general symphonic power metal standards, this new CD contains everything one could want from an album of this genre. Easily on par with the phenomenal Score To A New Beginning, Osyrhianta would have been an excellent follow-up if released on a normal album cycle. But the fact that it’s made a great impact after such a long hiatus speaks volumes. (Larry Best)
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Panzerfaust – The Suns of Perdition – Chapter II: Render unto Eden
This album was my introduction to Panzerfaust and honestly, there could be no better way to get to know them. The second installment of The Suns of Perdition is a record packed with action and raw emotion, one that has rightfully brought many to the ranks of Panzerfaust’s audience and one that will certainly lead them to even greater achievements in the future. One should keep an ear out for the fantastic vocals and the stupendous drumming without overlooking the stringent guitar work and the abyssal bass that further solidifies the ethereal (but undoubtedly crepuscular) atmosphere of Render Unto Eden. (Giannis Panitsas)
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Draconian – Under a Godless Veil
Sweden’s Draconian have been in the forefront of gothic doom/death metal for years and their latest album does not disappoint either. Building on their very solid foundation of atmosphere and heavy guitars, they are introducing some gothic rock and on one song even post metal influences, but do so in a very evolutionary way instead of just jarringly add new elements to their sound. Another of the band’s strengths is the interplay between soprano Heike Langhans and growler Anders Jacobsson, who still has one of the strongest intelligible growls of metaldom, who together manage to add to the intensity and versatility of the album. The strongest songs are “Sorrow of Sophia”, “Lustrous Heart” and “Ascend into Darkness”. (Alex Melzer)
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Bulletbelt – Warlords
A very promising piece of modern metal. Warlords is an album that combines black metal bitterness with thrash salinity and heavy metal sweetness and it works perfectly well. It’s as far from a typical black thrash album as it gets and it impresses the listener all the time with creatively written and played guitar and bass riffs, the drum work and very deep vocals. If you’re a fan of un-obvious taste combinations and like your metal savage and heavy, but also melodic, if names such as Skeletonwitch or Witchery mean something to you, you need to check this great record out. (Antoni Nowak)
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Benediction – Scriptures
Benediction’s Scriptures was a revelation this year. It isn’t only one of the best old-school death metal records of this year, it’s also probably one of the best things Benediction have ever recorded. For those versed in the band’s history, this is extremely impressive as this is the first time the act have got together in over a decade, and it’s a full two decades since underground legend Dave Ingram was manning the pipes for them. There’s no rust on these guitars, drums or the mic at all, just a furious intent to lay out an undeniably brilliant set of neck-wrecking grooves. If this is how the newly revitalised band intend to continue business going forward, long live Benediction. (Tom Carne)
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Havukruunu – Uinuos syömein sota
In the past few years Havukruunu have made themselves a name in the pagan black metal scene, combining many of the usual elements such as melodic Finnish black metal, atmosphere and this melancholic touch with traditional metal riffing, some excellent clean chants and vocals, folk influences (nothing in your face by any means) and this sense of urgency that goes great with the epic character of the songs. None of the elements are ever pushed to the fore, creating a tight unit that is both musically immensely cohesive as it is diverse and dynamic. They have mastered the art of creating something original sounding out of traditional ingredients, what can one ask for more? (Alex Melzer)
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Seven Spires – Emerald Seas
Theatrical symphonic metal sensation Seven Spires made a strong impression with their sophomore concept record Emerald Seas. Prequel to their debut, his album is a bold and adventurous journey through both the darkest and the most hopeful of human emotions. It’s a surreal fantasy but also a deep introspective experience. The peaks and valleys of the perilous quest are exhibited by four furiously skilled and passionate artists, bringing the best of their craft in realms of symphonic metal, power metal, black metal and sea shanty ballads. Cathartic, vulnerable, bittersweet yet ultimately triumphant, Emerald Seas is a unique adventure that leaves you aching for more. (Andrei Dan)
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Scardust – Strangers
One of the most prolific up-and-coming groups of the progressive metal genre, Scardust, graced us with a unique, exhilarating and eccentric album. Strangers deals with the concept of being estranged in many ways. This concept is theatrically represented not only in the lyrics, but in the music style, production, track listing and even the artwork. Complex progressive metal of insane technicality meets lush symphonic elements, memorable themes, choirs and one of the most powerful female voices of our time. Strangers is a deep philosophical statement, an emotional experience, a mature musical work and a ton of fun, all at once! (Andrei Dan)
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Traveler – Termination Shock
High expectations followed Traveler’s debut album, not surprisingly for one of the most commanding performances out of Canada’s burgeoning trad metal revival scene. However, when the songwriting and playing skills are as finely honed as on Termination Shock, the epithet “revivalist” seems quite unnecessary, seeing as Traveler have once again merged the classic qualities of NWOBHM and USPM with modern bite and personal themes that outweigh any critiques of redundancy. From the frazzling lead guitar of the title track to the delicate “Diary of a Maiden”, Termination Shock delivered everything you could ask from traditional metal. (Edmund Morton
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Oceans of Slumber – Oceans of Slumber
Oceans of Slumber’s new self-titled album consolidates the band’s status as a leading force in the extreme progressive metal universe. The new album shows once more their unique ability to combine the sophistication of prog metal and the accessibility of atmospheric rock/metal with uncomfortable patches of heavy, sluggish death/doom metal. The new songs give even more space to Cammie Gilbert’s magnificent clean voice – surely one of the best in metal – that soars and captivates attention in beautiful gothic-tinged numbers such as “A Return to the Earth Below” and “The Red Flower”. Elsewhere, Oceans of Slumber display their death/doom metal heritage in all its glory, as in the dark, progressive epic “The Adorned Fathomless Creation”. And then there is the spellbinding cover of Type O Negative’s “Wolf Moon”, which concludes the album with a rendition that is almost superior to the original. Although the album would have probably benefited from some fat trimming (at over 60 minutes it can be quite a challenge to sit through without losing attention) and personally I was expecting a more decided progression in their sound relative to previous releases, Oceans of Slumber remains the band’s strongest album yet. (Daniele Nosenzo)
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The Ocean – Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic / Cenozoic
The Ocean Collective wrap up their journey through the Phanerozoic eon with the second part of a double album in Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic. The german sextet may be the most engaging band to ever wear the ‘sludge’ tag, of course conveniently combined with a progressive sound. To grasp the grandeur of this record, it might be safe to say that the 13 minute epic “Jurassic | Cretaceous (feat. Jonas Renkse)” is just about the most mountainously heavy song to come out of this crappy year. The band is hyper-skilled at creating imposing heavy songs while maintaining a sense of patience and melancholy that permeates through the entire record. With its 2018 baby brother, this giant of the progressive scene is a must have for all who dwell in lands of dark menacing music, especially if you have a taste for prog. (George Dan)
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Dark Forest – Oak, Ash & Thorn
Dark Forest are nothing if not consistent. Their style may not be the most adventurous or challenging, but with each album you know what you’re going to get: uplifting power metal filled with galloping rhythms, rich vocals, and all the splendid guitar heroics that should naturally accompany their epic sound. Oak, Ash & Thorn is no different from the rest in this regard, but I do think it is their best work to date. It’s almost as if their first several albums were merely experiments to fine tune their chemistry, leaving this album as the culmination of their artistic efforts. I have always enjoyed listening to Dark Forest’s music, but none of the albums previous to this one ever charted for me. Oak, Ash & Thorn was my number one for 2020. Though I will eagerly await their next effort, it’s difficult for me to believe that this one could be topped. (Dave Hodges)
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Blackevil – Forever Baptised in Eternal Fire
Forever Baptised in Eternal Fire is an album for those who search for evilness and ugliness in music and for those who search for beautifulness and awesomeness too. It’s thought and planned in every inch and has almost no weaker moments. The full spin of it guarantees a purifying journey through the blasphemic landscapes that you won’t forget in a long time. It has the vocals and atmosphere from black metal, tempos from thrash, many riffs and melodies from heavy metal and is very epic. It’s music that crosses genres’ boundaries and makes the scene more fresh. (Antoni Nowak)
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Annihilator – Ballistic, Sadistic
If you are the kind of ungrateful Annihilator fan who has been crying out for a ‘return to pure thrash’ over the past decade, and is still unsatisfied by Ballistic, Sadistic, there is literally nothing else Jeff Waters can do to please you. This is the very first time any artist has ever claimed to make a return to an old-school fury, and genuinely delivered to an incredibly satisfying degree. Ballistic, Sadistic is Annihilator at their most annihilating. It is, true to its word, both ballistic and sadistic. This is the non-stop, thrashtastic, balls-to-the-wall, display of pure speed-soaked aggression that we’ve begged Waters to produce for years. Lightning-fast technicality mixed with unbridled anger and a dash of quirk creates the ultimate Annihilator CD. This is better than Alice In Hell. Fuckin’ sue me. (Larry Best)
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My Dying Bride – The Ghost of Orion
After a fabulous decade that has shown Yorkshire’s finest purveyors of gloom in their best form ever, the sextet struggled with line-up issues and performance anxiety in the studio when recording The Ghost of Orion. Vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe particularly suffered from his daughter’s diagnosed illness and overwhelming expectations caused by the 5 year gap between full-lengths. Ultimately, that pressure cooker yielded great results, “Tired of Tears” documenting many of those difficulties in emotional fashion, while “Your Broken Shore” accompanied powerful singing with a dynamic video clip. The Ghost of Orion succeeded mainly due to an excellent balance between old-school Bride features resurfacing and new ideas being woven among the same sinuous, elegiac compositions as always. (Edmund Morton)
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Igorrr – Spirituality & Distortion
Here we find the French madman Gautier Serre at his most indulgent: the Igorrr project had already reached some levels of prominence with the 2017 release of Savage Sinusoid but Spirituality and Distortion is a different kind of weird. Where we’d expect abrupt left turns upon abrupt left turns, Serre decides to slowly build upon ideas and slowly crank the oddness meter to 11 out of 10. The IDM influences and breakbeats occupy a lot more space here which is a pleasant aesthetic choice. And of course one cannot overlook the impressive list of featured guests that grace the album’s tracks with their unique talents. (Giannis Panitsas)
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Judicator – Let There be Nothing
Another delve into ancient history through the medium of progressive power metal. Though not as fiery and direct as previous ripper, The Last Emperor, Let There Be Nothing takes a much more introspective approach which reflects the narrative element perfectly. This is some of guitarist Tony Cordisco’s best work with some epic lead harmonies which contrast with nice, gritty Maiden-esque riffs. John Yelland’s vocal performance is at its most emotive, and the huge structures of each track create a dynamic and emotional journey which is worth reliving again and again. (Larry Best)
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Sodom – Genesis XIX
The line-up change – the comeback of the mighty Frank Blackfire and the joining of the drummer Toni Merkel and the guitarist Yorck Segatz – did Sodom very well. Together they created Genesis XIX, a record that can certainly be called the ultimate Sodom album – musically, lyrically, artistically. It’s probably the most eclectic creation of the band and it outperforms in consistency even some of their classic works. It will remain as one of the strongest efforts in the history of Sodom and the best part of their modern discography… unless they’ll decide to surprise us even more in the future. (Antoni Nowak)
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Caligula’s Horse – Rise Radiant
Music is always about emotion, doesn’t matter what genre music is meant to elicit feelings from the listener. Rise Radiant sounds very different from their previous albums, leaning towards a tighter and cleaner progressive power metal sound. Songs like Tempest and Salt show the faster side of their sound, but songs like Valkyrie, Slow Violence and Oceanrise are more groove oriented with gorgeous vocal lines and harmonies. However, the real summit of this album is Autumn and The Ascent which for me basically operate as one larger song. The lyrics are perfect for the times, the themes are all about handing off progress to the next generation and the hope for the future that every parent hopes to leave for their children. “and into, your hands I lay all that I could not reach. You are the world’s colliding, we built a world, your sails unfurled” just about every line of this song resonates with me on a spiritual level and leaves tears in my eyes. This album is perfect through and through, and perhaps it goes without saying, my album of the year. (Ian Yeara)
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Mobius – Kala
It might seem surprising to see such a young band so far up the list, but if that’s the case, then you obviously haven’t heard Kala yet. French quintet Mobius brings an entirely new sound to the prog scene on their sophomore record, bridging a djent driven aesthetic with the raw organic feeling of traditional Asian/Indian music and plenty more surprises like konnakol, maloya and jazz. Sanskrit song titles, cosmic themes and transcendental concepts of life, death and rebirth, all delivered by a voice you won’t soon forget, make this album just about as original as prog gets in 2020. Bordering perfectly between order and chaos, between tranquility and torment, between musical proficiency and expressive quality, this rare gem is elegant, diverse and creative beyond belief. If you have any appeal to either of the musical styles mentioned above, do not miss out on this beauty. (George Dan)
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Cirith Ungol – Forever Black
In a surprising and unexpected return, heavy metal legends Cirith Ungol have shown that they have not lost a bit of what made them great decades ago. Forever Black is a massive and powerful epic, and Tim Baker’s unsurpassed vocals are again at the forefront of heavy metal. Seemingly untouched by modern trends in production, this album rivals all but their best in every category. This is truly a treat for those of us who remain attached to the classic traditional metal of yesteryear. (Dave Hodges)
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Butcher – 666 Goats Carry My Chariot
While it’s tempting to sum up the record as “Lots of goats and even more riffs”, the band deserves more than just that. The Belgian speed fiends’ sophomore full-length offers this year’s best throwback to the heyday of speed metal and the first wave of black metal. 666 Goats Carry My Chariot packs 9 relentless tracks of headbanging material with influences from both the likes of Slayer and Bathory. The result speaks for itself. Be it the absolute speed onslaught of the guitars and hellish screams on “Brazen Serpent”, or the calmer melodies of the title track that just screams Hammerheart, everyone with a sweet spot for 80s extreme metal will find something loveable on this record. (Donát Fülöp)
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Psychotic Waltz – The God-Shaped Void
Progressive metal has one big problem: the majority is as generic as it gets, forgetting the originally progressive nature of their music and following down the path of tried, tested and vastly overused formulae. Enter Psychotic Waltz and their first album in 24 years, The God-Shaped Void. Having lost none of the lustre of their outstanding first four albums, they manage to deliver some of the most organic sounding prog of recent history. No overblown orchestration, no mind boggling technicality, but instead depth, warmth, substance. Yes, the songs are demanding, but at the same time have this immediate accessibility that will reel the listener in and just not let go. Anybody with even just the slightest affinity to prog sounds has to give this at least one chance! (Alex Melzer)
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Unleash the Archers – Abyss
With Abyss, Unleash the Archers have cemented even further their rightful place in the upper echelons of power metal. They’ve also proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are capable of integrating much beyond the typical power metal spectrum in near flawless fashion. Abyss not only provides the listener with a hugely enjoyable set of pitch-perfect songs, it also sharply and tastefully further explores the band’s love of progressive metal and 80s synth-driven rock without ever sacrificing how enjoyable a listen they are. (Tom Carne)
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Eternal Champion – Ravening Iron
With a growing interest in epic heavy metal, it doesn’t come as a surprise that year after year, we get more and more quality albums. Eternal Champion first made waves in 2016 with their fantastic debut full-length, The Armor of Ire, but this year they came to prove that they can do even better. Ravening Iron doesn’t mess around and comes fully packed with 37 minutes worth of epic metal mastery, as well as huge upgrades in the songwriting department. Guitars are groovier, branching out to both thrash and doom at times, lyrics are insanely quotable, choruses are catchier, and if that wasn’t enough, the production in general is perfect. Do yourself a favor and listen to it right now if you haven’t yet… Well, maybe even if you have. (Donát Fülöp)
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Ulcerate – Stare Into Death and Be Still
Ulcerate had already proven their worth in the technical/atmospheric death metal genre but Stare Into Death and Be Still is much more than that. Clocking in at just under the hour mark, the latest album of the New Zealanders is as disheartening as it is triumphant, it contains despair and consolation in equal parts and it becomes a very personal experience for the listener. The band has never sounded so profoundly devastating on all levels and most of all emotionally: each and every song tugs on the heartstrings of the listener with admirable ease and repeated listens are sure to occur as the record becomes more and more familiar over time. It calls you back in and that is an attribute only found in stellar albums. This is one of them. (Giannis Panitsas)
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Inquisition – Black Mass for a Mass Grave
After such outstanding previous works, it wasn’t a surprise that the new Inquisition album is a masterpiece. But what was surprising, was in what way this masterpiece was created. The band managed to do something that a lot of bands can’t do: they stayed true to their signature sound, but also moved forward and added brand new and fresh elements to it. A win-win situation. Black Mass for a Mass Grave will for sure be loved by Inquisition fans, but it can also be certainly recommended to every black metal fan. After 30 years of career, Dagon and Incubus don’t stop to amaze and are still proving to be one of the best and most interesting bands in the black metal genre. (Antoni Nowak)
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Haken – Virus
British progressive metal stalwarts Haken are quickly becoming the most appreciated act in the new generation of prog. Closing the concept of a double album, their latest release Virus spread its DNA amongst the metal scene as quickly and viciously as its name suggests. By infecting the most elegant of prog artistry with consistent thrash and death metal riffage of a particularly bad temper, they were able to deliver a strange and shocking story to its tragic end with a steady and dignified charisma. Polarizing amongst their fans and certainly their heaviest album to date, this majestic opus is both a groundbreaking innovation and an homage to the great classics. Virus is the backstory to one of the most beloved characters in all known prog conceptual universes, the infamous Cockroach King! (Andrei Dan)
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