The Razor's Edge Staff Picks: Best Albums of 2020... So Far
Well, 2020 has been a bit different... just when you thought it couldn't get any worse than 2019, 2020 comes along and hits your in the face with a shovel!
But we don't want to focus on the bad here, just the good. We're at the half way point of the year, gigs may have been halted but that hasn't stopped the new music from flowing and there have been some absolutely stunning releases so far. So our staff writers here at The Razor's Edge have all put forth their top three picks of 2020's new music (so far).
Here's what they think, but what's your opinions? Drop a comment on your top releases of 2020 at the bottom of the page!
Cat Finch - Editor in Chief
1. Video Nasties - Dominion
To see the various parties that compromise Video Nasties come together from their differing backgrounds and forge a genre leading piece of work is just wonderful. Their backgrounds are humble, their past bands leaders of the underground and together they have produced a masterpiece that mashes extreme metal with horror films. If either of these elements tickle your tastebuds I suggest you check them out.
2. Cro-Mags - In The Beginning
Harley Flanagan's version of the band are back with their first album in 20 odd years, and the wait was worth it. Leaning towards cross over rather than out and out hardcore, more proof, if any was needed, that this half of the original Cro-Mags are the better half.
3. Various Artists - Moshin' The Roof On
The brain child of the UK Thrashers group, this project set out to raise money for the homeless with all proceeds from its sale going to Shelter. The two disc, 26 band compilation highlights the very best of underground thrash metal in the UK, if you like the genre you will love this album and no doubt discover a few new bands along the way. Put together before the pandemic hit, its proceeds (£1500+ at time of writing) will have helped the Shelter charity immensely during these trying times. Well done to all involved.
Tim Finch - Deputy Editor / Photographer
1. Those Damn Crows - Point Of No Return
I headed along to their tour at the start of the year having not listened to the band before and not even checked out their new album. I was impressed enough that the following day I did give 'Point Of No Return' a listen, and that was it for me. Yes it's not "heavy metal" but who cares. This is an uplifting album full of future classic rock anthems, and in between every new album I've listened to since, I have kept going back to this one. It's a stunner and one you should all check out.
2. Video Nasties - Dominion
A highly anticipated album for me, having been a big fan of various members past projects (Iron Witch, SSS and the like). This album doesn't disappoint a beastly growler of an album, it follows the bands love of horror films and presents a unique take on the horror genre for the listener.
3. Testament - Titans of Creation
This year has been great for thrash metal fans so far (Shrapnel, Havok, Warbringer and Sepultura all released beasts which haven't quite made my top three). Testament's album stands out of the thrash crowd so far, they may be a little dull live these days, but on record they never fail to deliver. Sepultura's Quadra did sit in the number 3 spot for a while, but when Titans of Creation came along, it just beat it!
Deegan Armitage - Writer
1. Alestorm - Curse of the Crystal Coconut
I love everything they have released since the start, always a great time listening to Alestorm whether on record or live.
2. Victorius - Space Ninja's From Hell
This was one of the first new albums I heard this year and I loved it so much I listen to it pretty much every week since.
Dan Barnes - Writer
1. Code Orange – Underneath
Not a band to everyone’s tastes but when you’re this young, this imaginative and this heavy – and when you’ve gone toe to toe with Gojira and come away with only a points defeat – it’s obvious there’s something special about you. Mixing a host of different musical styles, from Hardcore to Hip-Hop, from Industrial to Noise, and blending it all seamlessly into one ungodly racket, Code Orange are the bright future of extreme music. Always interesting and never predictable, Underneath is a compelling piece.
2. Katatonia – City Burials
In a year which has seen cracking new releases by Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride, that Katatonia’s new album is the darkest thing on the musical map so far is credit to the mournful Swedes. Lush soundscapes and ethereal guitars, along with fragile vocals and the occasional rock-out, Katatonia are past masters of the melancholic and this new album mines the same veins of sorrow as their post-millennial albums. There’s always been something hypnotic about Katatonia and how they drawn the listener into their world through sound (and not a little fury). City Burials is an album that keeps revealing it secrets with every listen.
3. Sepultura – Quadra
There was never going to be a time when a new Sepultura record wasn’t going to feature on my Best of the Year lists. Full disclosure: I’m an unashamed Derrick Green-era fan as I prefer the hardcore influence he brings to the band, rather than the Cavalera-thrash. Taking a four-pronged approach Sepultura have crafted a record which represents their long and triumphant history. Opening with three thrashy number, before moving into a more tribal influence. There’s lots to discover on Quadra (as has been the case on every album since Chaos AD) and when you have to check the player to make sure a Devin Townsend track hasn’t started playing by mistake, it becomes obvious that Sepultura still have much to offer.
Carl Black - Writer
1. Shrapnel - Palace For The Insane
A killer album from start to finish. Intricate and precise but sounding organic and fluid. An easy listen that never lets up in intensity and keeps you engaged for the full album. The Might of Cygnus is a masterpiece of a song. Packed with intense riffs that proof that Shrapnel are ready to leap up, and take on the big hitters of the UK thrash metal scene.
2. Irist – Order of the Mind
Making a banging album is not rocket science. Hard hitting riffs, tight rhythm section and intense screaming vocals all working towards a common end goal. So many try and so many fail. Irist have hit a sweet spot that all the elements were blended together perfectly. Its like a Randy Orton sneak elbow drop... FROM OUT OF NOWHERE!
3. Sepultura – Quadra
Welcome back. They have never been away, but you know what I mean. From screaming for a reunion to forgetting about the former brothers in the band, this album is what we have been waiting for. A different take on the original format of thrash with indigenous twists and creative ideas, its good to feel excited about a Sepultura release again.
Neil Bolton - Writer
1. Desert Storm - Omens
A fantastic release that is far more than a stoner/doom album. Tracks such as “Vengeful Gods” and “Pain Grief and Suffering” bounce along forcing your head and body to move in time. Incredible vocals and spoken word sections from Matt Ryan lift this album up to the top echelon of releases early this year.
Neil Brannagan-Fuller - Writer
1. Warbring - Weapons of Tomorrow
In top slot, Warbringer state their place at the top of the game with the thrashing awesomeness of ‘Weapons Of Tomorrow’ this is the crowning glory of their career so far and has pushed them a step ahead of their peers!
CJ Claesson - Writer / Interviewer
1. WVRM – Colony Collapse
How does a brick to the face sound? Answer: Colony Collapse. To me, this album is perfection. South Carolina grinders WVRM once again managed to take all my favourite ingredients of extreme music, put it in a blender and serve up a hefty cup of “Let’s Open Up This Pit”. From the first spit filled “Eurgh!” in ‘Walled Slum City’ to the unsettling sound of bees at the end of ‘Angel of Assassination’ the album is a sonic sledgehammer, mercilessly tearing down the walls of political injustice. It’s a fast, aggressive record with ultra-heavy breakdowns which pulls on all my heartstrings – from Grindcore and Slam to Hardcore Beatdown. I literally can’t love this record more than I do and I can only invite more people to listen to the album and the rest of WVRM’s incredible catalog of crushing Grind. Did I mention that I think this album is perfection?
2. Myrkur – Folkesange
What the fuck is a “nyckelharpa”, and what is it doing in my metal? Well, Neo-Folk / Black Metal artist Amelie Bruun (aka MYRKUR) is no stranger to Scandinavian gloom accompanied by the tones of traditional folk music, but on ‘Folkesange’ she takes it one step further. Leaving all things which is considered Metal at the door, MYRKUR delivers tales of Norse mythology in the most beautiful way possible. With her ethereal vocal melodies, sometimes mixed with ancient Swedish herding calls, set to the tones of a variety of olden instruments, she manages to dreamfully portray the unforgiving landscape of the North. I’ve been a fan of MYRKUR for a long time and I was excited for this release. Did it need a few listens before it stuck? Yes, it did. But once it stuck, I knew it will never leave. To conclude; True Scandinavian Black Metal doesn’t need blast beats, shrieking vocals or distorted guitars to be cold, frostbitten and grim. It just needs to be true Scandinavian.
3. Warbringer - Weapons Of Tomorrow
Having listened to WARBRINGER since their 2008 full-length debut ‘War Without End’, it’s a joy to see how they have evolved. Not only regarding sound but also production quality. ‘Weapons Of Tomorrow’ is a brilliant follow-up to ‘Woe To The Vanquished’, continuing on their path of genre bending Metal excellence. To someone like me, who cannot be confined to the sometimes rigid walls of genre specific Metal, this album flexes all the right muscles of all genres hidden beneath the umbrella that is Heavy Metal. From Bathory-esque qualities in the epic ‘Defiance of Faith’ to ‘Rime Of The Ancient Mariner’-theatrics in ‘Heart Of Darkness’. From Blackened Death Metal, to relentless Thrash Metal and everything in between. This album is packed with furious riffage, staying true to their old-school roots while embarking on a journey of finding the Metal of tomorrow. If you don’t like this record, you don’t like Metal. Period.
Paul Hutchings - Writer / Interviewer / Photographer
1. Triptykon – Requiem
I’d be happy if no other albums were released this year after listening to this album. 32 years in the making, the completion of Tom G Warrior’s triptych that began with Rex Irae on Into the Pandemonium in 1987, Requiem simply staggers with its power, depth, darkness balanced by the grace and delicate sections which shimmer in ethereal majesty. Recorded at 2019’s Roadburn Festival, this is not a live album in many respects but a recording of the culmination of a life’s work.
2. Paradise Lost – Obsidian
After the last two albums reverted to the band’s former old school crushing death metal style with Medusa being especially one dimensional in delivery, Obsidian is a much more eclectic record. Deep and dark, the variation across the album doesn’t detract from what is possibly the band’s best work. ‘Ghosts’ with its haunting gothic edge, the melancholic ‘Hope Dies Young’ and the crushing ‘The Devil Embraced’ all demonstrate the subtle changes, all with the instantly recognisable Paradise Lost sound. A magnificent album.
3. Cirith Ungol – Forever Black
It’s been 29 years since the epic metal of Ventura’s Cirith Ungol rang across the globe. Reunited and resurgent since 2015, this album has a back story which could fill pages. Suffice, the follow up to 1991’s Paradise Lost is a gritty, powerful and crammed with riff heavy slabs of heavy metal. Original members Robert Garven and Greg Lindstrom, long-time members vocalist Tim Baker and guitarist Jim Barraza stand alongside Night Demon’s Jarvis Leatherby and have strained every sinew to lift the name of Cirith Ungol once more. The opening riffs of Legions Arise has the hair standing on the back of the next whilst more measured songs like Stormbringer and the title track show the band can really play. So good to have this band back – join the legion!!
Robbie Maguire - Writer / Interviewer
1. OHHMS - Close
A compelling, gripping and rewarding listen start to finish. It's got the Doomy riffs and punishing sludgy parts yet there are wonderfully uplifting moments throughout. A brilliantly accessible and immidiate album that will have you pressing repeat again and again.
2. Pure Reason Revolution - Eupnea
Progressive rock with undeniable hooks and melody that simply will not leave your head. With exciting vocal interplay and wonderfully catchy songs 'Eupnea' delivers a satisfying emotional punch and will have you revelling in its progressive brilliance.
3. Calligram - The Eye Is The First Circle
A brutally heavy modern black metal album. However, It just seems so much more than that. With hardcore elements popping up all over the place it is at times a punishing listen that leaves nothing in its wake. It's not all out extremity though. Moments of contrasting delicateness and subtlety shine through adding texture and character to a cleverly composed album that will be talked about in end of year lists.
Gareth Pugh - Writer
1. Sylosis - Cycle of Suffering
Sylosis return after 5 years with an album which is quite frankly breathtaking. Josh Middleton's vocals might be a little bit limited but he more than makes up for this with some absolutely amazing riffage and stellar songwriting.
2. Warbringer - Weapons of Tomorrow
Warbringer further cement themselves at the top of the 'new wave' of thrash with their 6th and probably best album. They expand their sound with some new sounds, that fit in superbly with the state of the art thrash riffs.
3. Shrapnel - Palace for the Insane
An absolutely fantastic return for the guys from Norfolk. The lineup changes haven't affected them in the slightest, in fact the songwriting has gone up a notch, maybe even 2.
Jon Wigg - Writer
1. Hazzerd - Delirium
Ignore the dodgy name and not great album cover, this is an absolute banger from start to finish and a testament to random trawls through Bandcamp. This Canadian 4-piece thrash band from Alberta know how to channel their inner 1986 and this is an excellent modern thrash album with a real classic feel. If you like the demanding urgent beat of Havok or Destruction and the technical soloing of Annihilator, this is for you.
The Bearded Monkey - Interviewer
1. Body Count - Carnivore
Paradise lost and Shrapnel both turned up on the same day on cd, and both blew me away. The new Sepultura is a blinder too.