MY TOP 20 FOR JANUARY 2021

Aaaand it's another year that just commenced. This means we are going to drown with persistence in the swamp of new releases again and again, and this will never end. 

January was strong. A lot of albums were released, and quality albums were released too. A lot of good refreshing (for me) black metal came out. Although there is variety in my list here, black metal seems to prevail a lot.

I selected my 21 favorites from the big snowy January pile, presenting them in no particular order below. Actually, I don't have one definite album of the month. This may be good or bad, depending on how we look at the ever-flowing release stream. I strongly recommend checking out these 21 records. Thank you and enjoy!

ASPHYX - Necroceros
Release Date: 22 January 2021

I don't like MvD vocals, but musically this album is superb. Very heavy. And once I got used to the vocals, then it is all excellent.
SVRM - Розпад
Release Date: 2 January 2021

Ukrainian BM has always been great, and svrm is a great example. This is the kind of BM I probably enjoy the most. The new svrm album demonstrates further development in terms of riffs and songwriting.  
AETHYRICK - Apotheosis
Release Date: 22 January 2021

Finnish BM, but not with the typical Finnish production. Bit different, but very sticky. Especially at dusk, looking at the snowy trees. The cold melancholy in the tremolos...
GRIMA - Rotten Garden
Release Date: 22 January 2021

The best Grima album to date. Russian cold black metal with a beating heart. A lot to discover and enjoy here. 

GRABUNHOLD - Heldentod
Release Date: 22 January 2021

Aggression, nihilism, bleakness. German BM with a taste of traditional Finnish BM? Grabunhold's highly anticipated debut full-length demonstrates the band's underground potential 
FROZEN SOUL - Crypt of Ice
Release Date: 8 January 2021

A bit overhyped, a bit overrated, and a bit sluggish in the playthrough, Crypt of Ice is still a very good and heavy (and cold) modern death metal album. References to Bolt Thrower: a lot.

TRIBULATION - Where the Gloom Becomes Sound
Release Date: 29 January 2021

I really wished this album was heavier. Tribulation went very mellow adding the old growls. It is one of those albums I'll listen, and enjoy, but reminds me of temporary Bon Jovi pop songs on the radio, that you just begin to hate because they are so digestible...

YOTH IRIA - As the Flame Withers
Release Date: 25 January 2021

High-quality Hellenic Black metal. High. Quality.

FERRITERIUM - Calvaire
Release Date: 16 January 2021

In the last years especially, France provided unlimited top-notch BM albums, with a unique feeling of mysticism, magic, and some kind of perverse feeling of pleasure. Ferriterium's new album is great!

HALŌRŪNA - Haustblot
Release Date: 15 January 2021

Absolutely unique BM carrying all the northern spirits and the traditional influences of the Northern countries.
HULDER - Godslastering: Hymns of Forlorn Pesantry
Release Date: 22 January 2021

Portland, Oregon delivers. This time it is black metal with the twist of the second wave and that feeling of folk/peasantry vibes...

NERVOSA - Perpetual Chaos
Release Date: 22 January 2021

May this new album actually be the best by the band to date? I think that the new line-up is doing really a fantastic job here. Raw, I can even call it plain at times, but aggressive AF.

TRANSILVANIA - 
Of Sleep and Death
Release Date: 1 January 2021

Sometimes Austria delivers good stuff. I couldn't stay indifferent to Transilvania's BM. There is some morbid stuff in between the riffs and great lead works... 
DEATHGOAT - Regurgitated Into Existence
Release Date: 8 January 2021

Death. Metal. Done. Properly.
KONQUEST - The Night Goes On
Release Date: 8 January 2021

Surprisingly good traditional heavy metal/NWBHM album. So 80's, and I fall for this kind of stuff due to my nostalgic nature...

ELLENDE - Triebe (EP)
Release Date: 22 January 2021

This 3 tracks EP actually features new and re-recorded old stuff, but it just can't be missed. 

FORTRESS - Waiting for the Night
Release date: 15 January 2021

Recorded between 1986 and 1988, this album sees the world now. And it is great just because it carries the complete 80s heavy metal/hard rock spirit!


GATECREEPER - An Unexpected Reality (EP)
Release Date: 13 January 2021

Unexpected release. Not the typical stuff by the band. The death-doom track is fabulous!

FJØSNISSE - Vord
Release Date: 16 January 2021

Fourth album in less than a year. Fjøsnisse turns to be of importance for the Norwegian BM underground scene. Very Norwegian modern BM album. 

THE DEAD DAISIES - Holy Ground
Release date: 22 January 2021

High-quality rock by high-quality musicians. No need to mention names. It has a lot of Black Country Communion vibe. Too much actually.
SOEN - Imperial 
Release Date: 29 January 2021

I wasn't in prog stuff in January, but Soen is always quality. I liked a lot  Imperial though because it is accessible and not full of unlistenable progressive posing. 
As with the little of prog I like, I'll get back to it when in I'm in the right mood. 




TWO MANDATORY ADDITIONS that I just didn't consider originally but do deserve to be presented here. Sick AF!

SPEEDKILLER - Midnight Vampire
Release Date: 29 January 2021

Absolute bander! Blackened thrash from Brazil. The way I really love it so much!

HUMAN SERPENT - Heirlooms Eternal
Release Date: 30 January 2021

The mandatory misanthropy and nihilism.



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