BAZ AOTY: 2020

METAL MARIE’S AOTY LIST (From 1 to 10)

Band: Frigoris
Title: In Stille
Label: Hypnotic Dirge Records
Release date: 24 January 2020
Country: Germany

Post-Black metal.Well constructed album blending instruments, vocals, and emotional atmosphere.

Band: Hermodr
Title: The Sea of Dragons
Label: Independent
Release date: 08 December 2020
Country: Sweden

Atmospheric Black metal.How to call extreme metal beautiful?? Yes, I can.  Everything comes together in this album for a lasting impact. 

Band: Havukruunu
Title: Uinuos Syomein Sota (Languish, thou war of my heart)
Label: Naturmacht Productions
Release date: 14 August 2020
Country: Finland

Pagan black metal. This album I played over and over again.   it called me home.  Absolutely epic album. 

Band: Plague Years
Title: Circle of Darkness
Label: eOne
Release date: 18 September 2020
Country: USA

Thrash/blackened death metal.If you need aggressive thrashy sounds, than this is the album. Enjoyed this, head banging the whole way through this. 

Band: Decembre Noir
Title: The Renaissance of Hope
Label: Lifeforce Records
Release date: 13 November 2020
Country: Germany

Melodic doom death metal. I was so taken with the combination of genres, the doom element is strong and oppressive. The rage and coldness of death inspired sounds.  Loved.  That album art!

Band: Ymir
Title: Ymir
Label: Werewolf Records
Release date: 18 November 2020
Country: Finland

Black metal. I am so happy to have heard this album this year.  This was catching fire and burning, brutal black metal.  This was a happy discovery and yes, I go back to this reco again and again. 

Band: Liminal Shroud
Title: Through the False Narrows
Label: Hypnotic Dirge Records 
Release date: 20 November 2020
Country: Canada

Black metal. This was so damn good to my ears.

Band: Dawn of Solace
Album: Waves
Label: Noble Demon
Release date: 24 January 2020 
Country: Finland

Gothic melancholic doom metal. I loved, loved this whole album.  The emotional intensity, simplicity of melody, lyrics, and vocals just spoke to me.  The overall mood of this album was dark, and moody, which I so love.

Band: Ulcerate
Title: Stare Into Death and Be Still
Label: Debemur Morti Productions
Release date: 24 April 2020
Country: New Zealand

Death metal/ Futuristic Black Metal. I heard this and immersed myself in the sound.  It for me was so encompassing and filling.

Band: Wayfarer
Title: A Romance with Violence
Label: Profound Lore Records
Release date: 16 October 2020
Country: USA

Black and Extreme Metal. Need to mention this band as I was impressed with this album.  Strong efforts with this and uncompromising extremity.  My ears were pleased

Metal Marie