20. Spook The Horses – Empty Body
28th of August 2020 | Pelagic Records | Post-Metal, Progressive Metal
This record pretty much embodies everything I expect from an intense and atmospheric Post-Metal album.
1st pressing on clear orange and solid white vinyl – limited to 300 copies
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=3681822095 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
19. Bait – Revelation Of The Pure
5th of June 2020 | Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Production | Hardcore, Black Metal
Revelation Of The Pure is an awesome blend of atmospheric Black Metal and Hardcore.
1st pressing on black with grey and white marbled vinyl – printed inner sleeve – limited to 200 copies
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=3377638555 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
18. Living Gate – Deathlust
12th of June 2020 | Relapse Records | Death Metal
The Deathlust debut EP by Living Gate (with members of YOB, Oathbreaker, Amenra and Wiegedood) delivers some decent Death Metal that got me from the first riff. Can’t wait for a full-length record!
Relapse.com exclusive on milky clear with blood red, black and white splatter vinyl – etched on side B – limited to 250 copies
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=2759927526 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
17. Touché Amoré – Lament
9th of October 2020 | Epitaph | Post-Hardcore
When it comes to Post-Hardcore, you can’t go wrong with any album from Touché Amoré. Their latest output again convinces with powerful melodies and emotions.
Limited UK indie exclusive on orange vinyl
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=722868762 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
16. Sunken – Livslede
18th of September 2020 | Vendetta Records | Black Metal
Beside of Afsky‘s Ofte Jeg Drømmer Mig Død, this is the second atmospheric Black Metal album from Denmark that got my attention from top to bottom this year.
1st pressing on bone white vinyl – matte-printed jacket- limited to 100 copies
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=2711094870 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
15. Dark Buddha Rising – Mathreyata
13th of November 2020 | Svart Records | Doom Metal, Psychedelic
One of the most experimental records this year when it comes to Doom Metal and Psychedelic. Only few bands manage to create such a dense, almost ritualistic atmosphere with their music. Awesome!
1st pressing on gold vinyl – gatefold jacket – limited to 400 copies
14. Lure – Morbid Funeral
31st of October 2020 | Amor Fati | Black Metal
Morbid Funeral marks my Demo of the year by one-man Black Metal project Lure from France. Raw, cold and intense! Kudos to Ultha for the recommendation.
Black double vinyl with etching on second vinyl – screenprinted foldover cover on heavy stock paper – limited to 250 copies
13. JeGong – I
16th of October 2020 | Pelagic Records | Post-Rock, Instrumental, Experimental
A truely unique instrumental record that draws pictures in your head (and not lovely ones, by the way).
1st pressing – first vinyl white, yellow and grey merged – second vinyl white grey and black merged – gatefold jacket – limited to 350 copies
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=343386037 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
12. Walk Through Fire – Vår Avgrund
27th of March 2020 | Wolves And Vibrancy Records, Bloated Veins | Doom Metal, Sludge Metal
Get buried by this oppressive and gloomy monstrosity of Doom!
1st pressing on black heavyweight double vinyl – gatefold jacket – limited to 400 copies
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=29135845 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
11. Kvelertak – Splid
14th of February 2020 | Rise Records, Wørld Recørds | Metal, Punk Rock
New lead singer, new label, new record and a familiar name behind the recording boards – Kvelertak is back to deliver a new collection of Punkrock and Metal hits!
EMP exclusive on purple double vinyl – gatefold jacket – printed inner sleeves – limited to 300 copies
10. Elder – Omens
24th of April 2020 | Stickman Records | Stoner, Psychedelic, Progressive Rock
A huge musical journey that easily casts its spell over you with its epic melodies and deep atmospheres.
1st pressing on azure transparent double vinyl – gatefold jacket – 8-page lyric booklet
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=3479912273 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
9. A.A. Williams – Forever Blue
3rd of July 2020 | Bella Union | Post-Rock, Dark Folk
When I listened to A.A. Williams for the first time at the Cult Of Luna tour at the end of 2019, I was amazed by her beautifully melancholic songs. After her self-titled EP on Holy Roar Records and the excellent split record with Japanese Post-Rockers Mono on Pelagic Records, Forever Blue marks her first full-length album.
Limited 1st pressing on silver vinyl – gatefold jacket – printed inner sleeve
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=2694678409 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
8. Primitive Man – Immersion
14th of August 2020 | Relapse Records | Doom Metal, Sludge Metal
Ultra nasty and ugly piece of sludgy Doom Metal that creates a thoroughly unpleasant feeling in the stomach. Wonderful!
Standard version on black vinyl
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=3483877831 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
7. Afsky – Ofte Jeg Drømmer Mig Død
30th of June 2020 | Vendetta Records | Black Metal
Dense, atmospheric and unique – my Black Metal album of the year!
2nd pressing on clear and black smoke vinyl – UV spots on cover – 24 page booklet with lyrics – limited to 500 copies
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=4287587398 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
6. Intronaut – Fluid Existential Inversions
28th of February 2020 | Metal Blade Records | Progressive Metal
Prog Metal maniacs Intronaut strike back with an album that triggers an addiction and melts your mind!
Numbered 1st pressing on marbled mint green double vinyl – gatefold jacket – A1-size poster – limited to 200 copies
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=3016113898 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
5. The Ocean – Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic
25th of September 2020 | Pelagic Records | Post-Metal, Progressive Metal
Each release of Berlin-based act The Ocean is overwhelming in every aspect. If you’re into Post-Metal that is in constant shape and explores vast amounts of different influences you should not miss out on the upcoming 2nd part of their opus Phanerozoic! In addition, Pelagic Records has outdone themselves when it comes to artwork and packaging of the vinyl pressing.
1st pressing – „Moss“ special edition – first vinyl cream in brown – second vinyl white in cyan – trifold sleeve – 9 round-shaped inserts – limited to 500 copies
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=3980461928 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
4. Emma Ruth Rundle & Thou – May Our Chambers Be Full
30th of October 2020 | Sacred Bones Records | Doom Metal, Post-Rock, Dark Folk
A collaboration record of two of my favorite artists of the last years, each bringing their individual strengths to the table resulting in an incredibly impressive work of art – Thou‘s intense Doom Metal meets Emma Ruth Rundle‘s Post-Rock-infused Folk!
Limited edition on dark purple vinyl – printed inner sleeve
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=4019113410 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
3. Steve Von Till – No Wilderness Deep Enough
7th of August 2020 | Neurot Records | Folk, Experimental, Singer/Songwriter
Neurosis’ Steve Von Till sets out on solo paths again. No Wilderness Deep Enough encloses you in it’s deeply emotional soundscapes, if you let yourself go with it.
Deathwish Inc. exclusive on violet with gold streaks vinyl – limited to 300 copies
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=2591086831 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
2. Lesser Glow – Nullity
29th of May 2020 | Pelagic Records | Doom Metal, Sludge Metal
For me, this is the perfect record when it comes to modern Sludge and Doom Metal! On the one hand it’s aggressive and raw, but on the other it also delivers the melodies. The Pelagic Records vinyl pressing is outstanding as well and sounds amazing!
1st pressing on milky clear with white, black and light blue splatter vinyl – gatefold jacket – limited to 300 copies
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=2437979971 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
1. Sumac – May You Be Held
18th of September 2020 | Thrill Jockey | Post-Metal, Experimental
Massive, unpredictable, challenging – Post-Metal as it should be!
Limited 1st pressing – clear double vinyl
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=1907633009 size=small bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff]
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