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Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
https://forum.metal-archives.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=130223		 Page 2 of 19
Author:  joppek [ Wed Jan 13, 2021 9:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
debut full length from ritual moon - a fun blast of black/thrash with good energy and old-school vibes without feeling like a rehash

https://ritualmoon.bandcamp.com/album/ritual-moon-i
Author:  Kalaratri [ Wed Jan 13, 2021 11:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
I don't think they have many fans here, but Gatecreeper just dropped a new EP. The first seven tracks are basically straight up death/grind/crust and the last one is an 11 minute death/doom song.

https://gatecreeper.bandcamp.com/album/an-unexpected-reality
Author:  Twisted_Psychology [ Wed Jan 13, 2021 3:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
Gelal wrote:
Saber's new full-length Without Warning, although I didn't like it as much as Midnight Spell, is also pretty good, and I don't think it's been mentioned before. Also Konquest's debut, I already liked the demo they put out last year but the album is even better.


This Konquest album is really good. Definitely by the numbers Maiden worship but pretty dang good at it.
Author:  thewrll [ Wed Jan 13, 2021 6:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
shouvince wrote:
narsilianshard wrote:
New year, same misuse of this thread. This thread is for records that have already been released, not upcoming ones, so OP got this whole thing started on the wrong foot. Upcoming albums go here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=129507&start=120


Exactly! :) I'd ask the OP or one of the mods to clarify this in the title. Something like:
Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (full albums only)

My contribution to this thread. So far I've been listening to:
1. Malakhim - Theion
Black metal from Sweden in the vein of Watain. This is released on Iron Bonehead.
https://ironboneheadproductions.bandcam ... him-theion

2. Frozen Soul - Crypt of Ice
Like mentioned before, this is a solid death metal release. I'm still reeling from the killer death metal releases from 2020 (Black Curse etc) so I haven't been won over by Frozen Soul yet. Hoping this will be a grower.



Doesn't have to be full albums, ep's count, if people seem to think this thread is for singles, that's on them, longer splits would work as well.
Author:  LycanthropeMoon [ Wed Jan 13, 2021 6:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
Kalaratri wrote:
I don't think they have many fans here, but Gatecreeper just dropped a new EP. The first seven tracks are basically straight up death/grind/crust and the last one is an 11 minute death/doom song.

https://gatecreeper.bandcamp.com/album/an-unexpected-reality

I'd consider myself a fan, for the most part at least. I liked "Sonoran Deprevation" and their various splits. Didn't care much for "Deserted", which honestly was a bit of a bore to me. This one's an absolute ripper, though!
Author:  LithoJazzoSphere [ Wed Jan 13, 2021 8:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
I'm definitely a fan of theirs. I enjoyed the EP, but I need to hear it a bit more to get a true and proper assessment of it.
Author:  snarg [ Thu Jan 14, 2021 10:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
Ogasawara - Ogasawara
https://ogasawara2.bandcamp.com/album/ogasawara



Been listening to this for the past couple of days and man does it rule. Easily the best Black Metal I've heard this year.
Author:  therealvivs [ Fri Jan 15, 2021 5:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
snarg wrote:
Ogasawara - Ogasawara
https://ogasawara2.bandcamp.com/album/ogasawara



Been listening to this for the past couple of days and man does it rule. Easily the best Black Metal I've heard this year.


This is fantastic, thank you snarg!

My only (minor) complaint is the drum sound and some of the drum patterns as well. I believe the drums are programmed but I can't be sure. Don't get me wrong, it is definitely worlds apart from the typical bedroom black metal drum programming, but I think more organic approach would benefit the material, IMO. Other than that, this is excellent black metal. The guitar playing is top-notch, full of interesting riffs and ideas, very dynamic and memorable as well. Great find!
Author:  Gravetemplar [ Fri Jan 15, 2021 7:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
Such a shame this one is an EP, it's fantastic but too short. Aberration make death metal and it sounds so filthy. It reminds me a bit of Altarage. Full EP is out today. Members of Void Rot, Suffering Hour, Tvaer, and Nothingness.

https://sentientruin.bandcamp.com/album/aberration
Author:  Curious_dead [ Fri Jan 15, 2021 11:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
Bloody Hammers (classic horror/sci-fi movies-inspired doom/hard rock) released a new album and it's pretty good. Not a huge fan of that genre in general but it's one of these bands that are the exception to the rule, I love their music a lot but can't stand most similar bands.
Author:  ObservationSlave [ Fri Jan 15, 2021 1:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
Did anyone check out Mechina's latest? I gave it a couple of listens and so far it definitely holds up to their other releases. They seem to be content with sticking to their formula and I can't complain. It's not like anyone else out there is doing it better than they are.
Author:  Gravetemplar [ Sat Jan 16, 2021 4:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
Image

https://ferriterium.bandcamp.com/album/calvaire

French black metal. Sounds cool so far. Great cover too.
Author:  LithoJazzoSphere [ Tue Jan 19, 2021 12:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
ObservationSlave wrote:
Did anyone check out Mechina's latest? I gave it a couple of listens and so far it definitely holds up to their other releases. They seem to be content with sticking to their formula and I can't complain. It's not like anyone else out there is doing it better than they are.


I listened to it a week ago and it was not bad, but I prefer Xerath's approach to that sound, though they haven't released an album in awhile now.
Author:  Pitiless Wanderer [ Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
Gravetemplar wrote:
Image

https://ferriterium.bandcamp.com/album/calvaire

French black metal. Sounds cool so far. Great cover too.


That is the strangest album cover I've seen in a while. I like it...I think?
Author:  colin040 [ Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
The new Mefitis album rules. More death metal than the previous one and it's a bit more ominous sounding at times.
Author:  jimbies [ Wed Jan 20, 2021 9:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
RE: Bloody Hammers.

I really liked some of the songs on their last album (Let Sleeping Corpses Lie, Now The Screaming Starts), however I HATED the terrible fake drum sound. I listened to the new one a bit, and it seems a bit more polished. Really love the Misfits worship on the song "The Brain That Wouldn't Die".
Author:  Curious_dead [ Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
jimbies wrote:
RE: Bloody Hammers.

I really liked some of the songs on their last album (Let Sleeping Corpses Lie, Now The Screaming Starts), however I HATED the terrible fake drum sound. I listened to the new one a bit, and it seems a bit more polished. Really love the Misfits worship on the song "The Brain That Wouldn't Die".


I'm not familiar enough with The Misfits to have recognized it, tbh, but I love that song.
Author:  therealvivs [ Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
Canadian trio Fractal Generator have released their sophomore album, Macrocosmos.

Spacey, techy death metal that still manages to sound quite heavy and even has some blackened passages.
It's weird and wacky at times, but surprisingly catchy. Well produced and with top-notch musicianship.

For whatever reason their bandcamp only displays their first release...
https://fractalgeneratorofficial.bandcamp.com/releases
Author:  LithoJazzoSphere [ Thu Jan 21, 2021 6:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
Fractal Generator was surprisingly good. Kind of Hour of Penance-like. It's still insanely early in the year, and some heavier hitters are coming up soon, but for a brief moment it passes Frozen Soul for "album of the year" for me.
Author:  ~Guest 82538 [ Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
LithoJazzoSphere wrote:
It's still insanely early in the year, and some heavier hitters are coming up soon, but for a brief moment it passes Frozen Soul for "album of the year" for me.

I've been reading a whole lot of praise for that album but I'll admit I'm a bit (well, a lot actually) burnt out on new death metal coming out. I've heard one single and it didn't grab me by the balls, not in the very least, though I enjoyed its Demigod-ish guitar tone. So if you don't mind, could you elaborate on why you feel that way?
Author:  Sick6Six [ Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
Gravetemplar wrote:
Spoiler: show
Image


https://ferriterium.bandcamp.com/album/calvaire

French black metal. Sounds cool so far. Great cover too.

This is awesome!

I also 2nd SVRM and Maquahuitl
Author:  LithoJazzoSphere [ Thu Jan 21, 2021 11:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
androdion wrote:
LithoJazzoSphere wrote:
It's still insanely early in the year, and some heavier hitters are coming up soon, but for a brief moment it passes Frozen Soul for "album of the year" for me.

I've been reading a whole lot of praise for that album but I'll admit I'm a bit (well, a lot actually) burnt out on new death metal coming out. I've heard one single and it didn't grab me by the balls, not in the very least, though I enjoyed its Demigod-ish guitar tone. So if you don't mind, could you elaborate on why you feel that way?


Well, I'm being rather cheeky since I've listened to very few new albums at this point and I don't expect that "title" to hold for more than another week or two depending upon what I think of a few upcoming releases. But it just has most of the traits I want out of that sort of music. The guitars are beefy and super downtuned where I like them, the production is full and clear without being excessively fatiguing, the vocals are a low and ferocious roar. A little more variety in tempo might have helped, but for techier-leaning bands a lot of high speeds are par for the course. It has a lot of subtle flourishes in terms of melodies, keyboard textures and such, which prevent it from becoming too monotonous. Aggregation ratings for it are a bit lower than I'd have anticipated in a vacuum, so the hype you're hearing is probably from a few vocal fans. Apparently their first album is pretty weak (I haven't heard it myself), so I don't know if maybe they have a tainted reputation at this point, I haven't really researched them. And I don't yet know how much staying power it has on multiple listens and absorption time. I do like the sci-fi painting vibe of the cover as well. Anyway, the title track is the one that sold me the most on it.

Author:  ebirah_666 [ Thu Jan 21, 2021 12:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
2nding/3rding/whatever Maquahuitl and Gatecreeper. Strong start to the year with short albums.
Enrapture is a pretty good one found through Last Rites blog, really sick prog/post metal with none of the snoozefest trappings of either genre (and a bit of a cowboy vibe on the second to last song - with this and Maquahuitl, maybe this is the year of cowboy metal!).
https://enrapture1.bandcamp.com/album/a ... reen-droug

Listening to Mother of Graves right now. Pretty good!
Author:  ~Guest 82538 [ Thu Jan 21, 2021 1:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
LithoJazzoSphere wrote:
androdion wrote:
LithoJazzoSphere wrote:
It's still insanely early in the year, and some heavier hitters are coming up soon, but for a brief moment it passes Frozen Soul for "album of the year" for me.

I've been reading a whole lot of praise for that album but I'll admit I'm a bit (well, a lot actually) burnt out on new death metal coming out. I've heard one single and it didn't grab me by the balls, not in the very least, though I enjoyed its Demigod-ish guitar tone. So if you don't mind, could you elaborate on why you feel that way?


Well, I'm being rather cheeky since I've listened to very few new albums at this point and I don't expect that "title" to hold for more than another week or two depending upon what I think of a few upcoming releases. But it just has most of the traits I want out of that sort of music. The guitars are beefy and super downtuned where I like them, the production is full and clear without being excessively fatiguing, the vocals are a low and ferocious roar. A little more variety in tempo might have helped, but for techier-leaning bands a lot of high speeds are par for the course. It has a lot of subtle flourishes in terms of melodies, keyboard textures and such, which prevent it from becoming too monotonous. Aggregation ratings for it are a bit lower than I'd have anticipated in a vacuum, so the hype you're hearing is probably from a few vocal fans. Apparently their first album is pretty weak (I haven't heard it myself), so I don't know if maybe they have a tainted reputation at this point, I haven't really researched them. And I don't yet know how much staying power it has on multiple listens and absorption time. I do like the sci-fi painting vibe of the cover as well. Anyway, the title track is the one that sold me the most on it.


Oh my, sorry for the mix-up there. I was asking about the Frozen Soul release... My bad. :grumble:
Author:  joppek [ Fri Jan 22, 2021 9:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
with this many people already praising the maquahuitl ep, i'm surprised only 1 person besides me voted for the full length in the 2020 aoty poll

anyway, the ep sounds like more of the same (which is a good thing here) - too bad it looks like it's one of those mexi-nazi bands, like blue hummingbird :(
Author:  Gravetemplar [ Fri Jan 22, 2021 9:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
joppek wrote:
with this many people already praising the maquahuitl ep, i'm surprised only 1 person besides me voted for the full length in the 2020 aoty poll

anyway, the ep sounds like more of the same (which is a good thing here) - too bad it looks like it's one of those mexi-nazi bands, like blue hummingbird :(

Yeah, they're definitely nazis. They release their albums through Darker than Black Records and they are also part of the Odio Bronce collective/whatever.
Author:  LithoJazzoSphere [ Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
androdion wrote:
Oh my, sorry for the mix-up there. I was asking about the Frozen Soul release... My bad. :grumble:


Well, in that case, it has some similar qualities, with the low-tuned guitars, with a grimier production that is quite spacious but not overly diluted. It's in that sweet spot for me that isn't quite "cavernous", but hints at it. Lots of chunky and ominous riffs, a dash of atmospheric keyboards and piano in a few spots, I just like the vibe of it.
Author:  lordcatfish [ Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
I'm spinning the new Plagueborne album right now, and it's some kick ass death metal. Really enjoying it.

The latest from Phantom Elite is great too, as is Lost Sacrament's debut. Two worthwhile symphonic metal albums.
Author:  Reid [ Fri Jan 22, 2021 12:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
I wasn't a huge fan on my first listen, but I'm enjoying the new album from The Body (I've Seen All I Need To See) more and more each time I give it a spin. It's definitely a break from the more ambient/pop/rap/sludge/drone mixture of the last couple albums, more of a "back to basics" vibe going on with minimal guest appearances and instrumentation outside guitars/percussion/Chip's vocals. I think it doesn't officially come out until next week but when it does it's definitely worth a listen if you're into sludge/drone/doom.
Author:  ebirah_666 [ Fri Jan 22, 2021 12:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
Yoth Iria - As The Flame Withers
Hellenic black metal supergroup, where supergroup doesn't mean "sucks shit through a straw" - Black Curse last year feels like it broke the curse (hah) on bad supergroups. Officially out the 25th but streaming in full!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l878SoA1QGU
Author:  Curious_dead [ Fri Jan 22, 2021 12:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
ebirah_666 wrote:
Yoth Iria - As The Flame Withers
Hellenic black metal supergroup, where supergroup doesn't mean "sucks shit through a straw" - Black Curse last year feels like it broke the curse (hah) on bad supergroups. Officially out the 25th but streaming in full!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l878SoA1QGU


Oh I'll check that out, Under His Sway was one of my favorite songs of 2020. I can listen to that song on repeat. Hope lightning struck twice.
Author:  joppek [ Fri Jan 22, 2021 1:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
Curious_dead wrote:
ebirah_666 wrote:
Yoth Iria - As The Flame Withers
Hellenic black metal supergroup, where supergroup doesn't mean "sucks shit through a straw" - Black Curse last year feels like it broke the curse (hah) on bad supergroups. Officially out the 25th but streaming in full!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l878SoA1QGU


Oh I'll check that out, Under His Sway was one of my favorite songs of 2020. I can listen to that song on repeat. Hope lightning struck twice.


i haven't heard of the band before, but i'm about 16 minutes in and it sounds pretty good. the album seems to be getting better than what i thought after the first 5 minutes, tho' that could just be my increasing intoxication talking. you probably won't find this on my top 10 list come aoty time, but i'll surely spin this more than a couple of times in the future

anyway, here's a tiny little ep from torture rack:
https://torturerack.bandcamp.com/album/pit-of-limbs
apparently their other guitarist is now the drummer in skeletal remains, but this stuff is somewhat filthier death metal
Author:  Curious_dead [ Fri Jan 22, 2021 4:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
Re: Yoth Iria, I like it. I prefer the faster songs, so I too doubt this will end up in my top list, but the Red Crown Turns Black, at least, coudl easily figure among my favorite songs this year.
Author:  narsilianshard [ Fri Jan 22, 2021 5:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
It's January and y'all are already making assumptions on what your year end lists will look :scratch:
Author:  joppek [ Fri Jan 22, 2021 5:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
narsilianshard wrote:
It's January and y'all are already making assumptions on what your year end lists will look :scratch:


well, only about what's likely not going to be on it, which is a lot easier to assume than the opposite
Author:  Empyreal [ Fri Jan 22, 2021 8:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
I wasn't so sure about this Labyrinth album earlier, but it's gotten in my head all day and now I had to play it again. There's just something kind of cool and heartfelt about it. The previous one was a truly dynamite work of PM but this is also very good in its own way. Sort of rockish and subdued in the songwriting compared to the previous one, but played with a lot of intensity.
Author:  jimbies [ Sun Jan 24, 2021 12:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
I fucking love the new Grima record.
Author:  thewrll [ Sun Jan 24, 2021 1:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
narsilianshard wrote:
It's January and y'all are already making assumptions on what your year end lists will look :scratch:


Why not, why are you taking so long?
Author:  Inkshooter [ Sun Jan 24, 2021 4:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
jimbies wrote:
I fucking love the new Grima record.


Yeah, I was a bit premature sharing it in the OP but I've very pleased at how well the full package lives up to the preview tracks.
Author:  lord_ghengis [ Sun Jan 24, 2021 5:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Worthwhile albums released in 2021 (annual thread!)
Gravetemplar wrote:
Spoiler: show
Image


https://ferriterium.bandcamp.com/album/calvaire

French black metal. Sounds cool so far. Great cover too.


While this has been re-rec'd several times just imploring no one to sleep on this; this riffs super hard. Good mix of violence and big melodic hooks and payoff sections, reminds me of Selbst from last year but even more riff focused.
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