MY TOP 20 FOR SEPTEMBER 2020

September was uncontrollable! So many new releases and there was quality actually. Some really impressive albums went out. Albums that leave a trace. Of course, I couldn't listen to all releases. However, I picked 20 out of the huge pile I managed to check out and which I liked the most. 

Some great albums left out of this list though. Others may grow in the upcoming weeks too. Let's just mention that Deftones, The Ocean, Hexx, Hittman, Marche Funebre, Morta Skuld, Mysthicon are outside and all of them do deserve strong recognition. There were disappointments too. I expected more from Heathen for example. Kataklysm couldn't impress me once again and I honestly think there's nothing inspiring left there. Skeletal Remains didn't disappoint me though - they released another trash again.

Definitely album of the month goes to the highly expected UADA's Djinn! The others below are listed in no particular order as usual. Let's see which ones will really stay and make the cut to the upper AOTY list positions.

UADA - Djinn
Release Date: 25 September

No words needed!
MRTWA AURA - Morbus Animus
Release Date: 4 September

I saw them opening for MGŁA last September and I was pretty much impressed. This new album just proves how good band they are. It is among the strongest BM records for 2020 so far in my opinion. 
KHORS - Where The Word Acquires Eternity
Release Date: 18 September

Khors delivered another great album. I gave 10/10 to their 2018 EP, and now Where The Word...continues into the same alley of melancholic atmospheric emotional BM.
NAPALM DEATH - Throes of Joy In The Jaws of Defeatism
Release Date: 18 September

I haven't enjoyed ND so much since Diatribes. Absolutely devastating album! I thought they could never do it again...

DARKENED - Kingdom of Decay
Release Date: 11 September

This is the death metal I like. 
PLAGUE YEARS - Circle of Darkness
Release Date: 18 September

Very powerful, very heavy and very well built and executed. In the veins of Power Trip, Creeping Death, Terminal Nation etc. Fantastic second album. 
FIRES IN THE DISTANCE - Echoes From The Deep November
Release Date: 18 September

The perfect autumn (death doom) album!
KATAVASIA - Magnus Venator
Release Date: 4 September

Hellenic BM at its finest, with roots in the early 90s. Katavasia includes big names from the Greek BM scene and this album is pure wrath.

CARNATION - Where Death Lies
Release Date: 18 September

Another fantastic release by the Belgians. Two years ago they delivered a punching record, and now they claim their top spot again!
CHROME WAVES - Where We Live
Release Date: 25 September

Post-black, gothic, melancholy. Another ultra-strong performance by the band after their great 2019 album. 
LIK - Misanthropic Breed
Release Date: 25 September

Swedish OSDM worship. HM-2 and the devastating tempo...

ANCST - Summits of Dispondency
Release Date: 18 September

This one is so good. Ancst doesn't disappoint in none of their last two or three albums. Excellent mix of BM and crust. So personal...
EVOKE - Seeds of Death
Release Date: 18 September

Blackened thrash from Norway, including some well-known names from the scene. Speed, fire, and headbang in old-school vibes.

IHSAHN - Pharos EP
Release Date: 11 September

Probably because it is so close to recent Ulver...


SVALBARD - When I Die, Will I Get Better 
Release Date: 25 September

Top-notch post-black. With emo influences? Dreamy, unreal, and full of high tremolos...What a record! This album deserves high praise and must not be missed in no fkn way. Listen on repeat! Awesome, awesome!
VOID ROT - Descending Pillars
Release Date: 11 September

Low, heavy, suffocating. Again. 
PUTRID OFFAL - Sicknesses Obsessions
Release Date: 11 September

Another very strong album by PO. They just keep on doing what they do best - brutal DM at a top level!
PROSCRIPTION - Conduit
Release Date: 24 September

Overlooked black death debut album coming from Finland. It is crawling under the skin and it is definitely among the very good representatives in this field in 2020 so far. 


SUNKEN - Livslede
Release Date: 18 September

I was waiting for this one. After their 2017 huge BM album, now we have a slower tempo, more death/black doom vibes and passages. Still, it is a great record!

FINNTROLL - Vredesvavd
Release Date: 18 September

Well, dark fairy tales, Finnish folklore, and angry grumpy trolls stinking of vodka...


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