15. Havok- V
(Century Media Records)
V is a collective representation of where Havok have gone in past works and where they choose to put their energy. With that said, Havok continue to make good use of creative songwriting tactics and dominating grooves, that seriously upgrade the dimensions of traditional thrash. V is rhythmically stimulating, hammering forth with a simplistic-yet-bold heaviness, that shimmers with instrumental dexterity and an old-school spirit. The intensity of their music continues to match the passion behind their message, which is and always will be to THINK FOR YOURSELF.
14. Gaerea- Limbo
(Season Of Mist REcords)
Based on my love for their previous album Unsettling Whispers, I was certain that this group of masked individuals out of Portugal would deliver something excellent on their latest Limbo. As expected, the group created an accomplished and remarkable presentation of human ache, vulnerability, and catastrophe. A bleak crisis communicated in the form of agonizing, blackened metal, that once again sucked me in like a black hole.
13. Igorrr- Spirituality And Distortion
(Metal Blade Records)
Breathing new life into the lungs of extreme music (or music in general for that matter) and distorting sounds in ways that virtually no other human has ever even dared, French mastermind-musician Gautier Serre; or Igorrr, has once again instinctively ventured into uncharted musical territory as a means of self-expression on Spirituality And Distortion. Igorrr’s audacious approach to combining baroque-era inspired compositions, extravagant operatic singing, electronic grime, blackened blasting, and downright explosive heaviness sustained a powerful impact on his prior release Savage Sinusoid, but has evolved even further on his most recent Metal Blade Records masterpiece. It would take hours upon hours, possibly even days, to break down every detail packaged within Spirituality And Distortion. The album twists and turns through a vast terrain of unconventional, musical inspiration that could only be executed by Igorrr and his team. An unhinged journey that explores timeless, musical traditions from various cultures worldwide, while simultaneously creating an erratic, heavy, and mind-blowing experience.
12. Vulnere- Igneous
Vulnere is a death metal band from Portland, Oregon, that formed in 2017. Utilizing the more tech-death-leaning riffing style, Igneous is filled with impressive string work carried out by Mike Ashton (also of Vitriol). Vulnere generate a brutal death metal style delivery that hits HARD, offering adventurous song structures with copious amounts of transitions. This is definitely an album that caught me by surprise, and checks all the boxes of a solid death metal record, from the wicked growling of Mark Smith, to the blistering drum work of Cody Pulliam.
11. Caustic Wound- Death Posture
(Profound Lore Records)
With Death Posture, Caustic Wound have created one horrendous slab of death/grind. One that drew me close immediately most likely due to its unhinged speed, cavernous qualities, and grisly vocal work. Throughout the insanity that is Death Posture, Caustic Wound creates space between their punk-inspired, blasting ruckus to allow these massive bell-riding grooves to shine, something I will always appreciate.
10. Undeath- Lesions Of A Different Kind
(Prosthetic REcords/Maggot Stomp Records)
Every song on this album is presented in a way that is exciting, unpredictable, and utilizes a variety of influence from across the death metal and horror spectrum. Undeath cleverly uses tempo changes, transitions, double bass patterns, and riff variations throughout Lesions Of A Different Kind to capitalize on that unpredictability. Lesions Of A Different Kind is a well-balanced machine in terms of tempo, keeping things relatively mid-paced and using blast-beats sparingly. With their latest, it is clear that Undeath took the time to develop dynamic angles around their old-school-inspired sound. While the band may hang on to the ruthless traditions established by bands like Cannibal Corpse, they maintain a balance within their own ideas of brutality. Lesions Of A Different Kind thrives on barbaric inspiration and flourishes in filth, bringing imaginative, slash n’ gore storytelling back to the forefront of death metal.
9. Wake- Devouring Ruin
(Translation Loss Records)
Off the bat, Devouring Ruin offers an entirely different listening experience than their album prior, the all-out bruiser Misery Rites. With their latest, Wake generate a whole new realm of sounds surrounding their core elements of blast-beats and wrist-aching guitar chords. Lush layers of blackened melodies and open space enhance the album’s atmosphere, giving way to manic outbursts to create one rich, sonic journey. This is an album that has the potential to firmly grip you and not let go until the spectacular conclusion of “The Procession”; and that’s exactly what happened to me.
8. Higher Power- 27 Miles Underwater
(Roadrunner REcords)
27 Miles Underwater is a musical breath of fresh air and has no shortage of inspiration within its overall sound. Their direction of sound radiates with a very 90’s alternative/grunge feel, with bands like Jane’s Addiction, Filter, and Deftones coming to mind. The band created a goal early on to sound like no one else and through utilizing raunchier Perry Farell inspired vocals, sung over Leeway and Marauder (NYC) inspired instrumentals, they seem to have found a way to achieve their goal. Higher Power recently picked up a partnership with the renowned Roadrunner Records for their latest release. With the bands initial goal in mind, 27 Miles Underwater is a continuation of Higher Power’s exploration of sound. A sound that sees them advancing their alternative style, blasting out a full dynamic range of infectious grooves and a melody-driven liveliness.
7. Faceless Burial- Speciation
(Dark Descent Records/Me Saco Un ojo Records)
Speciation is an expansive death metal record, carefully arranged and ruled by an overactive imagination, yet keeps two feet firmly planted in tradition. The band revives many ghosts of death metal’s past, honoring the gritty and haunting aesthetic components that made branches like Finnish and American death metal so beloved during the ’90s. Hefty doses of cleverly calculated riffing and intricately designed drum fills introduce intriguing and dexterous dynamics to the bands sound. Imagine mid-era Death, meets Immolation, meets Convulse, and you’ve set the framework for Speciation. According to biological definition, Speciation refers to the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution, and that is exactly what Faceless Burial have achieved with their latest, aptly titled full-length. They’ve combined their instrumental skills and songwriting capabilities to create a gruesomely rooted, yet exploratory piece that advances the genre of death metal further into evolution.
6. Drain- California Cursed
(Revelation Records)
California Cursed is an album that fills me full of energy, which is what I appreciate most about it. The hardcore group out of Santa Cruz, California released California Cursed through the illustrious Revelation Records, and created a crossover sound that takes the liveliness of Municipal Waste, and smashes it with D.R.I-inspired fundamentals. This is a straight-forward, fast-paced, riffing, high-energy album, that is addictive and fun.
5. Disavowed- Revocation Of The Fallen
(Brutal Mind Records)
I received the promo for Revocation Of The Fallen and opened it up for a listen with no idea what I was about to embark on. Disavowed are no spring chickens, and the group out of the Netherlands take their brutality, speed, and aggression to new heights on their latest. The combination of turbo-drumming and spine-chilling gutturals is enough to make any fan of death metal weak at the knees. The core of the group that has been playing together for over two decades (and added company) shows a professional level of precision, high-speed riffing, blasting, and “mindful” lyrics. In the year 2020, Disavowed displays a masterful level of musicianship for the genre of brutal death metal.
See also Arsebreed- Butoh (released 10/13/2020),
another great release from this year feat. members of Disavowed
4. Skeletal Remains- The Entombment Of Chaos
(Century Media Records)
I discovered these guys trough their 2018 release Devouring Mortality, which not only turned out to be my AOTY for that year, but also became what I consider to be the new standard for American death metal. Coming up on the traditions carved into the halls of death metal history by the likes of Death, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Pestilence, and Obituary, I can't help but be enamored by the utter, sonic force Skeletal Remains not only honors, but completely intensifies. Elevating the old-school inspired components from their album prior, Skeletal Remains channels a cosmic initiation, clean guitar passages and an overall haunting atmosphere on their latest, The Entombment Of Chaos. The bands explosive instrumental delivery and blasting tendencies not only remain fully intact, but are revitalized by the addition of psychotic percussionist Charlie Koryn (Ascended Dead, VoidCeremony). Tormenting expressions come to life through the festering, yet technical show of dark riffing and shredding that thrives throughout this entire record, from the beginning of "Illusive Divinity," all the way through to the chaotic and thundering "Unfurling The Casket." The group continues to keep me engaged through their traditionally inspired roots and technical application, always looking for ways to make the music hit harder and sound heavier. With The Entombment Of Chaos, Skeletal Remains continues to personify well-rounded death metal, executing audible obliteration for fans of both the old and new school to fully appreciate.
3. Code Orange- Underneath
(Roadrunner Records)
Up front and at first listen, in my opinion, this album immediately smashes through any possible limitations that could be set in place by a listeners expectations or standards. There is unquestionably a remarkable execution of experimentation that collides a healthy dose of the more psychologically disorienting components of industrial music (something the band have been developing way prior to this release), at full force with the aggressive emotion displayed in hardcore music. For this release, Code Orange has temporarily settled into a transcended form of themselves, where they’ve managed to package the innovative nature of earlier works from bands like Slipknot and NIN; creating a new form of heavy music that sets the bar to a new level for them personally, the genre of metallic-hardcore, and music in general. On top of that, they've taken on risks as far as trying out new singing styles and incorporating a wider range of musical inspiration, without compromising one single ounce of heaviness. With the current state of the world, listening to the track "Sulfur Surrounding" has become more of a method of survival for me, while "Cold.Metal.Place" has become an intense release. A reflection of this bands diligence, innovation, and constant evolution is apparent within their abilities to live stream their performances on twitch and set new standards for live entertainment/streaming in general. That level of perseverance and quick reaction is something that I really appreciate. Congratulations to them for smashing through boundaries and making it to Forbes, GQ, and Time Magazine.
2. Defeated Sanity- The Sanguinary Impetus
(Willowtip Records)
Core member and drummer Lille Gruber, formed the band with his father Wolfgang Teske nearly three decades ago, and has been using his drums to warp the fundamentals of brutal death metal ever since. The German act remain in a league of their own with the techniques they explore on The Sanguinary Impetus. Yes it is technical, yes it slams, but it’s the bands instrumental ability to distort and break apart song structure that is most impressive. An imposingly, yet nonchalant delivery of subtle jazz mechanics, erupt into utter barbarity, using a variety of blasting speeds and slamming heaviness. Enunciated vocal gutturals (if that makes any sense), work alongside calculated bass tapping and a percussive frenzy to create a musical landscape that is all their own. Where my number five pick Disavowed excel in speed, tightness, and structure, Defeated Sanity continue to unorthodoxly twist n’ bend their way through uninhabited BDM territory.
1. Ulcerate- Stare Into Death And Be Still
(Debemur Morti Productions)
Oddly enough, no other Ulcerate album sold me on this band more than their latest, Stare Into Death And Be Still. But not only did this album open the doors to the true greatness that is Ulcerate, I’ll go further and say that the sound of this album has brought a whole new meaning and expectation to extreme music entirely. My limited vocabulary and writing capabilities will not allow me to properly express the complexities of sound that this band explores on their latest, but plain and simple, this album grabbed a tight hold of me. The trio out of New Zealand continue to play with ferocity and aggression, but gut the more claustrophobic qualities out of their core sound and to introduce more open space. This in turn, created a much more desolate atmosphere, garnished with soul-stirring melodies, and highly effective nuanced-riffing. These open spaces allowed for the groups heavier parts to strike with more power, while simultaneously transporting your mind to a whole other state of consciousness. “Otherworldly musicianship and immaculate virtuosic dexterity (Bandcamp)” create a dramatic and meaningful depth that reveals the poignant aspects surrounding the idea of death. Truly a transforming experience for the band, genre, and listener.