As the end of 2021 nears and we discuss the Best Metal Album of the Year, here is a list of my favorite ones, which I have listened to as soon as they hit the digital platforms: (remark: this is a random order, not a ranking).
Trivium – In the Court of the Dragon
Myles Kennedy- Ides of March
Omnium Gatherum – Origin
Iron Maiden – Senjutsu
Mastodon – Hushed and Grim
Soen – Imperial
Gojira – Fortitude
Architects – For Those That Wish to Exit
Thy Catafalque – Vadak
Leprous – Aphelion
Dream Theater- A View From the Top of the World
Dordeduh – Har
Netherbird – Arete
Hypocrisy- Worship
Swallow the Sun – Moonflowers
Epica – Omega
Equilibria – Sunrise
At the Gates – The Nightmare of Being
Urne – Serpent & Spirit
Bullet for My Valentine – BFMV
From this list I have selected 9 albums, covers of which are in this article’s visuals. We have listened together to some of these albums in Clubhouse Metal Oda as soon as they came out: Gojira’s wonderful “Fortitude” was the first full-length album we have listened to after Metal Oda was founded in March. Here I must say that there is one, out in November, the beauty of which left me speechless. I won’t tell you which one it is: if you have read all my articles you should have an idea about it and please do not hesitate to comment.). In my previous music reviews I especially avoided pronouncing this or that as the metal album of the year: ‘cause during the coronavirus lockdown , the artists confined behind doors, turned to themselves and produced lots of beautiful music, most of them in pretty dark tones. Life slowed down and everyone retreated into their shells. Many bands spoke of these dark times, full of melancholy and depression in their lyrics: coming to my mind are Dream Theater’s “Invisible Monster” speaking of the coronavirus as the invisible enemy, Pain the Band’s single “Party In My Head” saying We’re all locked up / We’re all shut down. As I mentioned in a separate article, (https://metaloda.com/2021/11/15/272/) Leprous pointed to this dark era our world has entered with their album “Aphelion”. For these reasons, I want to say “My favorite Metal Albums of the Year” instead of the ‘Metal Album of the Year’ because each one of them has a different taste, musicality and holds a special place in my heart.
Still, if you would like a little tip, my favorite music came from bands with relatively few followers and audience but make very high quality and niche music. As I said earlier, the bands and albums above marked their stamp on 2021 and I think this year was very abundant in terms of metal music. My list is made up from this year’s albums but we mustn’t forget about all the singles that came out in 2021, leaving a taste of 80’s pop-electronica, from bands like Apocalyptica-The Rasmus to Ghost and to many more. I say this year has been full of great music and I look forward to what these wonderful artists have to tell us in the years to come.
Stay with music.
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