Hey Fuzzers it’s that time of the year to present you my favorite albums of 2020 and some honorable mentions you need to listen to in case you haven’t done it so far. This is my sixth time doing this since I joined the More Fuzz team back in 2015. Just like the previous year, this one was really amazing for fans of Death/Doom and Epic Doom Metal. Thanks for reading, fuck coronavirus, and enjoy the ride!
Don't forget to check out the Top Albums of the other More Fuzz team members !
Top 20 Albums of 2020
20: REZN – Chaotic Divine
Third album from this American band that plays superb Psychedelic/Doom Metal. Tons of ethereal and lysergic vibes in this feast.
FFO: Monolord, Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats, Merlin.
19: Konvent – Puritan Masochism
Debut album of this promising Danish band that puts real meaning to the “GIRL POWER” motto. Death/Doom that devastates everything thru its path.
FFO: Dérketa, Asphyx, Hooded Menance.
18: Cruthu – Athrú Crutha
Heavy/Doom Metal that craft to perfection the art of delivering heavy and galloping riffs with tons of melodies.
FFO: Grand Magus, Argus, The Gates Of Slumber.
17: Frayle – 1692
Enigmatic and atmospheric Doom Metal from the United States. With this album, the band has perfected the haunted and ethereal soundscapes delivered in previous efforts.
FFO: Messa, Myrkur, Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard.
16: Lady Beast – The Vulture’s Amulet
The spirit of the NWOBH is alive within this one. Third release from the band fronted by the mighty Deborah Levine, a lady beast indeed!
FFO: Kramp, Warlock, Unleash The Archers.
15: Cirith Ungol – Forever Black
19 years after their album “Paradise Lost” the godfathers of Heavy/Doom Metal are back with one of their best albums to date, showing no sign of rustiness and looking in pretty good shape. Fantastic!
FFO: Witchfinder General, Count Raven, Pagan Altar.
14: Subterraen – Rotten Human Kingdom
Debut album from this French band that delivers a face-melting feast of Blackened/Doom Metal. The future is bright (or obscure?) for these guys, so please keep an eye on them.
FFO: Jupiterian, Loss, Usnea.
13: Yuri Gagarin – The Outskirts Of Reality
The Swedes are back with their trademark sound that balances perfectly the ethereal atmospheres of Psychedelic Space Rock and the down-tuned pulse of Doom Metal, a proposal that has been crafted to perfection for this third release. Imagine the bastard son between Eloy and Black Sabbath or Pink Floyd (Meddle era) and Reverend Bizarre, creating the perfect soundscape for the mission that will define the future of all living beings, either because we are going to meet V’ger or the Doomsday Machine.
FFO: Electric Moon, Domo, Øresund Space Collective.
12: Wytch Hazel – III: Pentecost
Traditional Heavy Metal with elements of British Folk-Rock, sounds like the offspring of a marriage between Judas Priest and Thin Lizzy.
FFO: The Lord Weird Slough Feg, Grendel’s Sÿster, Tanith.
11: Atramentus – Stygian
Funeral Doom is an acquired taste. Once you break through the thickness and desolation that generates its slow pulsations you will find beauty and perfection. Add the artwork of Mariusz Lewandowski and you will have the perfect companion for these bleak soundscapes.
FFO: Thergothon, Mournful Congregation, Bell Witch.
10: Evangelist – Ad Mortem Festinamus
Rejoice fans of all things epicus doomicus metallicus, we have here the third album of this Polish band whose members remain anonymous up to this day. This a a real feast if you’re into grandiloquent performances, one full of riffs, heaviness and epic stories.
FFO: Candlemass, Capilla Ardiente, Crypt Sermon.
9: Eternal Champion – Ravening Iron
My favorite band of the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal (NWOTHM). This is a paradise for all sword & sorcery related things. Roll the dices, listen to these glorious tunes and let the journey begin.
FFO: Isen Torr, Smoulder, Visigoth.
8: Incantation – Sects Of Vile Divinities
More than 30 years in the business and no signs of losing their “mojo”. The latest from the masters of cavernous and abysmal death metal. McEntee and company deliver as always.
FFO: Funebrarum, Cruciamentum, Encoffination, Grave Miasm.
7: Rosy Finch – Scarlet
The band brings us a fresh proposal that balances perfectly well the sound and anger of classic Grunge bands with the new trends of the Stoner Rock and Doom Metal scene. Full review here.
FFO: Chrch, Gloson, Alice In Chains.
6: Lowrider – Refractions
One of the best Stoner Rock bands of all time reactivated a while ago and delivered to us the best desert vibes of the year. Gritty tunes for the perfect road trip.
FFO: Kyuss, Fu Manchu, Nebula.
5: Oranssi Pazuzu – Mestarin Kynsi
Psychedelic Black Metal from Finland, one of the most forward-thinking and open-minded bands right now. Can’t go wrong with this album.
FFO: Drug Honkey, Dark Buddha Rising, Opium Warlords.
4: Temple Of Void – The World That Was
Another solid effort from one of the best Death/Doom metal bands in the United States. This album is brutal but at the same time melodic. Very good musicianship and the lyrics too.
FFO: Solothus, Coffins, (early) My Dying Bride.
3: Jupiterian – Protosapien
After their fantastic sophomore album “Terraforming” I was eagerly expecting its follow up. Fortunately, the Brazilians released the crushing “Protosapien” and I couldn’t be happier with the result. Crushing Sludge/Death metal surrounded by an aura of mystery thanks to the image of hooded men with which the group works.
FFO: Bell Witch, Drown, Winter.
2: King Witch – The Ruins Of Fading Light
Holy smoke! Laura Donnelly delivers my favorite vocal performance of 2020, can’t go wrong with the well-balanced mix of Heavy Metal and Epic Doom Metal the band has perfected for this new album. Everything about this album is pure perfection: the riffs, the harmonies, the groove, etc.
FFO: Candlemass, Solitud Aeturnus, Solstice, Castle.
1: Solothus – Realm Of Ash And Blood
Four years after the incredible “No King Reigns Eternal” the Finnish are back with another solid effort of devastating and bleak Death/Doom metal. Kudos to Adam Burke for his fantastic artwork too.
FFO: Hooded Menace, Druid Lord, Spectral Voice, Krypts, Asphyx, Cianide.
Don't forget to check out the Top Albums of the other More Fuzz team members !
Honorable Mentions
By Fat Level
Poema Arcanvs – Stardust Solitude
Vinnum Sabbathi – Of Dimensions And Theories
Bloodsoaked Necrovoid – Expelled Into The Unknown Depths Of The Unfathomable
High Priestess – Casting The Circle
By Purple Haze Level
Bill Fisher – Mass Hypnosis And The Dark Triad
Parahelio – Surge Evelia, Surge
By Temperature Level
Spirit Adrift – Enlightened In Eternity
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