DOTF’s Top 40 Albums of 2020

You’ve read all the other year end “best of” lists. Now get ready to read the only one that matters! All arrogance aside, 2020 was quite the rollercoaster. When I started this site as a glorified blog in January, I never imagined it would take me on the journey it has, reviewing hundreds of albums and interviewing some of my favorite musicians. None of it would be possible without you, the readers. So before I kick off this list, I’d like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your support. Here’s to making 2021 even bigger and better! Now, without further ado, here’s our first annual Top 40 Albums of the Year. Enjoy…or don’t. After all, these types of lists always rub somebody the wrong way. You can’t please everyone! – Metal Joe

40. Glacier – The Passing of Time

Considering how much time has passed since we last heard from cult US power metal titans Glacier, you couldn’t blame me for being skeptical of their new album, The Passing of Time. We’ve seen so many of these sleeping USPM giants awaken from their dormancies, only to return with lackluster modern metal snoozefests. Not Glacier. The new lineup put together by classic singer Michael Podrybau stays true to the good old days when American steel reigned supreme. Being “Eldest and Truest” ain’t too bad after all.

39. Lucifer – Lucifer III

Though not as solid as 2018’s Lucifer II, Lucifer III is a damn fine collection of doomy hard rock and heavy metal. Sabbathian riffs and Heep flavored organs collide in an orgy of retro wickedness. Add the elegant, enchanting vocals of Johanna Sadonis and the result is sheer sensory satisfaction. I hope to be grooving to their gruesome stylings as much in the next 5 years as I have for the last 5 years.

38. Hexecutor – Beyond Any Human Conception of Knowledge…

Beyond Any Human Conception of Knowledge… isn’t the best blackened thrash album of 2020, but it sure is the most unorthodox. Where else can you hear black metal riffs and power metal infused lead guitars, combined with an all out progressive atmosphere? Hell, in my review of this album, I drew comparisons ranging from Nifelheim to Uli Jon Roth era Scorpions! Hexecutor is one of the most exciting names in black metal today and this album proves it.

37. Night – High Tides – Distant Skies

Sweden’s Night further cemented their status as one of the premier throwback hard rock bands of recent years with the release of their fourth album, High Tides – Distant Skies. While not as solid as 2017’s Fire of Unknown Origin Jr., I mean, Raft of the World, High Tides – Distant Skies was the perfect appetizer to hold me over until the release of the new Blue Öyster Cult album. More on that in a little bit.

36. Fer de Lance – Colossus

Yes, I’m well aware this is an EP. That said, Colossus blew most of the full lengths I reviewed this year out of the water. It’s such a convincing slab of 90s Bathory worship, it’s hard to believe the band hails from my hometown of Chicago and not some vast Swedish forest. If Fer de Lance releases a full length in 2021, I’d be shocked if it didn’t make my top 10. Until then, I’ll continue to listen in awe to the epic lyrics and atmospheric riffs.

35. Outlaws – Dixie Highway

The more I listen to Dixie Highway, the more I really think it might be the strongest album of Outlaws’ career. This speaks volumes for a band who’s been around for over 50 years. The Florida Guitar Army remains deadlier than ever, unleashing sizzling hot solos from beginning to end. “Southern Rock Will Never Die”, not so long as these seasoned veterans have anything to do with it.

34. Archon Angel – Fallen

As the world patiently awaits the next Savatage album, which may or may not happen, singer Zak Stevens gave us the next best thing with Archon Angel’s debut, Fallen. One of the finest post-Savatage offerings to date, Fallen recalls the dramatic nuances of such classics like Edge of Thorns (1993) and Dead Winter Dead (1995). I really hope this Frontiers formed project isn’t a one off.

33. Time Rift – Eternal Rock

Tonight on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert, Time Rift! These three leather clad cats are dealing in some of the most convincing 70s style metal you’ll hear today. Eternal Rock is a throwback to a simpler time: A time before pro tools, backing tracks, autotune, or any other Wizard of Oz style trickery. Yes children, once upon a time, bands plugged in their instruments, turned the volume knob to the right, and rocked their balls off. It’s exactly what Time Rift does, and they do it well.

32. Enuff Z’Nuff – Brainwashed Generation

How many times have you heard a reviewer describe an album as a “return to form”? If your answer is “too many times”, consider this to be “too many times and one”. After a very questionable attempt at modern rock on 2018’s Diamond Boy, founder Chip Z’Nuff returned to his power pop roots, and boy am I glad he did. Brainwashed Generation proves that even with co-founder Donnie Vie out of the equation, Enuff Z’Nuff has plenty of gas left in the tank. Although based off Vie’s cameo on “Strangers in My Head”, I’m convinced his potential return to the EZ fold could result in a future album of the year contender.

31. Biff Byford – School of Hard Knocks

2020 was a year of unexpected firsts for all of us, including Saxon frontman Biff Byford who released his debut solo album, School of Hard Knocks. It’s most definitely a different beast from his main band. You’d be hard pressed to find a Wishbone Ash cover, a radio rock anthem, and an acoustic love ballad on one of their albums. However, the quality is no different than any Saxon album of the last couple decades. At nearly 70, Biff’s voice as boisterous as it was on “Motorcycle Man” all those years ago.

30. Mongrel’s Cross – Arcana, Scrying and Revelation

The cover may read “Mongrel’s Cross”, but Arcana, Scrying and Revelation is an Absu album in music and spirit. As if nailing the US black metal masters’ sound and lyrical content wasn’t enough, they even went as far as nabbing Absu’s singer, Proscriptor, to handle vocal duties. The end result is a melodic, magickal black metal opus. Those are some high words of praise, considering I skip over 99% of black metal album review inquiries that come my way.

29. Kansas – The Absence of Presence

This year saw Kansas continue one of the most remarkable late career renaissances in rock history with the release of The Absence of Presence. The lineup may be new, but the ethos established by former guitarist Kerry Livgren remains. The Absence of Presence boasts all the classic Kansas trademarks which made them a household name in the 70s. There’s lengthy progressive rock suites, philosophical lyrics, and the immaculate vocals of new singer Ronnie Platt, who’s very similar to Steve Walsh. The more quality music Kansas continues to release, the more offensive it becomes that radio has downsized their catalog to a handful of Top 40 hits which date back nearly 45 years ago.

28. Sölicitör – Spectral Devastation

Did somebody say speed? That’s exactly what you’ll get on Sölicitör’s debut album, Spectral Devastation. This raw throwback to the 1980s managed to kick me in the teeth, gut, and ass in a little under 40 minutes. And I can’t tell you how many times I revisited it, just to get pummeled all over again. Spectral Devastation is one of the most high power speed metal albums I’ve heard in ages. To those who check it out nonchalantly, in the words of Mr. T, “I pity the fool!”

27. Bear Mace – Charred Fields of Slaughter

Many have tried the “Slayer goes death metal” approach. Few have perfected it like Bear Mace. After only casually enjoying their 2017 debut, Butchering the Colossus, Charred Field of Slaughter grabbed me hook, line, and sinker. The riffs boast the intensity of classic thrash and the ungodly heaviness of bands like Bolt Thrower and Cianide. That, my friends, is about as lethal of a one-two punch as one can be dealt.

26. Hitter – Hard Enough

If Lemmy and Wendy O had a baby, she grew up to be Hitter frontwoman Hanna Hazard. These raucous metalpunks have been on my radar from the release of their 2018 demo onwards. Their debut full length, Hard Enough, continues the motörcharged mayhem of the demo, though with a 70s hard rock swagger and authenticity. Think The Runaways and the first 3 KISS albums. Sure it’s loud and rough around the edges, but that’s the point. After all, the world would be a boring place if everything was produced by Mutt Lange.

25. Sodom – Genesis XIX

While their peers continue to embarrass themselves with watered down, cargo short clad bro metal, Sodom continues to pull out all the stops. Their latest album, Genesis XIX, is as brutal and unrelenting as their classic 80s output. Tom Angelripper has fully embraced his status as one of the founding fathers of black and thrash metal. It shows all throughout the riffs and song structures. After repeated listens to this future classic, I can’t help but wonder what Kreator and Destruction’s excuse is.

24. Cemetery Filth – Dominion

If Cemetery Filth have perfected anything, it’s the art of sounding similar to Morbid Angel without sounding LIKE Morbid Angel. I can think of a certain band who could learn a lesson from these guys, but I digress. Matt Kilpatrick and company kept us waiting 6 years for this here album. It was well worth the wait. Dominion is a deadly display of meaty riffs and technical prowess. If it doesn’t land the band a spot on the Maryland Deathfest lineup somewhere in the near future, the world truly is an unfair place.

23. Alcatrazz – Born Innocent

Although the current status of Alcatrazz seems to be up in the air, three-fifths of the classic lineup got it together for a remarkable comeback album, Born Innocent. And with all due respect to previous Alcatrazz albums Disturbing the Peace (1985) and Dangerous Games (1986), Born Innocent smokes both. Whereas its predecessors veered more into AOR/hard rock territory, Born Innocent marked the return of the melodic, neoclassical sound of their masterpiece debut, No Parole from Rock ‘n’ Roll. If you didn’t know that was Joe Stump on guitars, you’d swear Yngwie returned!

22. Blue Öyster Cult – The Symbol Remains

“On your feet or on your knees!” BÖC is still givin’ the devil his due with their fifteenth studio album, The Symbol Remains. Despite the Bouchard brothers’ absence, and Allen Lanier’s untimely passing, Eric Bloom, Buck Dharma, and company have persisted. The Symbol Remains is a brutish, brainy concoction of hard rock and heavy metal. Much like the new Sodom, it’s an album that highlights the various sounds and styles of their storied career. Matter of fact, if someone had never heard of BÖC before, I might hand them this as a primer.

21. Cardiac Arrest – The Day That Death Prevailed

When death metal maniacs Cardiac Arrest released 2018’s A Parallel Dimension of Despair, I was convinced it’d be their peak in terms of musicianship, songwriting, and all out deadliness. Boy was I wrong. Somehow, these guys get better and better with each album, serving up meat and potatoes death metal…with an extra helping of meat. The riffs on here are so nasty. Upon first listen, my face was stuck in an approving scowl for a week!

20. H.E.A.T – H.E.A.T II

This was the year I finally felt the H.E.A.T! At the recommendation of my melodic rock friends, I checked out these guys sporadically over the course of the last few years. They never did anything for me…until now. H.E.A.T II is an arena rock assault of catchy choruses and supersized riffs. If you’re still waiting for the “next” Pyromania or Whitesnake ’87, this is as close as you’ll get.

19. Magnum – The Serpent Rings

This was one of the first albums I reviewed for the site. Honestly, I didn’t even think it would crack my year end list. However, with each subsequent listen, The Serpent Rings grew to become one of my favorite Magnum albums, not just in recent years, but ever. Their signature brand of dark and dramatic AOR is as potent today as it was on Chase the Dragon (1982) and On a Storyteller’s Night (1985). Furthermore, if my girlfriend was making this list, I’m pretty sure it’d be her album of the year. So congratulations Magnum! The better half knows what’s good!

18. Malokarpatan – Krupinské ohne (The Fires of Krupina)

The third album from Malokarpatan, Krupinské ohne, is a daunting beast. Equal parts black metal, traditional metal, progressive rock, and native folk music, this multifaceted epic chronicles the life, times, and eventual deaths of a 17th century coven. The band does so in an almost cinematic fashion. Close your eyes and you’ll feel the crisp autumnal breeze caress your skin as you wander across a scenic Slavic forest. I’d continue with the imagery, but it’s better you just check out this album and let the music do the talking.

17. Molder – Vanished Cadavers

Joliet, Illinois is a damn sketchy area. It’s one of those towns that if three zombies arose from their graves to record the most convincing old school death metal album of the entire so called “OSDM” movement, you’d believe it. And that’s exactly what happened with Molder’s Vanished Cadavers! These mutants possess a ravenous hunger for death, riffs, and brains. So listen to this one with caution. They just might be after yours!

16. Bütcher – 666 Goats Carry My Chariot

Blackened speedfreaks Bütcher proudly carry the Belgian metal torch that was lit 40 years ago by the likes of Killer, Acid, and Crossfire. The riffs are blazing hot, the vocals are possessed, and the production is primal. There must be something in the water over there…or perhaps in the beer…or maybe it’s the waffles. Now I’m getting hungry!

15. Mindless Sinner – Poltergeist

Mindless Sinner is one of those classic 80s bands that every metalhead should know, but few do. Poltergeist is one of those albums that should be on every best of 2020 list, but I have yet to see one such list feature it. Time to change that right now. In terms of melody and memorability, Poltergeist stands toe to toe with Mindless Sinner’s classic debut, Turn On the Power (1986). If you’re unfamiliar with these Swedish metal legends, do yourself a favor and check them out. You’ve got close to 40 years of history and music to catch up on!

14. Fish – Weltschmerz

The final album from Mr. Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, just so happens to be the finest of his post-Marillion career. That speaks volumes considering he’s been out of the iconic progressive rock band for 32 years now. Weltschmerz is a journey into the mind of one of rock’s last brilliant poets. The songs pull at our heartstrings and leave us begging for more. Yet that’s point. If you’re gonna go out, go out on top. That’s exactly what Fish has done. Bravo good sir. Nobody deserves retirement more than you.

13. Vampire – Rex

Is it death metal? Is it thrash metal? Is it black metal? It’s all of the above and it’s brilliant. Sweden’s Vampire has conjured the ancient riffs of Possessed and Kreator, combining them with the blackened melodies of Dissection. Rex is an exhilarating listen from beginning to end. It’s intense, yet melodic. Denner and Shermann would most definitely approve of the lead guitar heroics.

12. Midnight – Rebirth by Blasphemy

Rejoice! Midnight has been born again! Though not in the Joel Osteen way. Think more of the Ian Gillan era Black Sabbath way. On their fourth full length, Midnight has made the transition from godfather (remember, it is a one man band) of the blackened speed revival to titans of blackened heavy metal/hard rock. The attempt at incorporating NWOBHM and 70s hard rock riffs is much better executed than it was on Sweet Death and Ecstasy (2017). I look forward to seeing where this new road will take everyone’s favorite hooded maniac(s).

11. Hällas – Conundrum

Are you as bummed that Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett are going to have nothing to do with this latest Genesis reunion as I am? If so, Hällas is the next best thing. Conundrum is essentially what it might sound like if the classic five got together to work their magic one more time. There’s fantasy themed lyrics, dreamy vocals, atmospheric keys, and hard edged guitars. “Carry On” you valiant warriors of pure prog.

10. Stan Bush – Dare to Dream

It may be 2020, but Stan Bush still has “The Touch”. Dare to Dream continues a nearly 40 year streak of melodic rock masterpieces from Mr. Motivation. The fact that it’s so hard to believe this was recorded and released this year is what makes the album so special. We may not have time machines yet, but if you’re wishing to go back to the 80s for a little over 45 minutes, Dare to Dream is as close as you’ll get.

9. Raven – Metal City

“Take me down to the Metal City where the riffs are fast and the guys ain’t pretty.” Or something like that. Raven are back and madder than ever. The brothers Gallagher and new drummer Mike Heller crash, bang, and wallop like it’s 1983 on Metal City. It also happens to be the first Raven album to feature…wait for it…blastbeats! Considering Raven pioneered speed metal, which gave way to thrash, which gave way to death metal, it’s proof positive that what comes around goes around. You don’t need Stephen Pearcy to tell you why. I just did.

8. Hellripper – The Affair of the Poisons

How appropriate that a band named Hellripper would drop the most ripping album of 2020. Though much like Midnight, “they” is “he”. Yes, The Affair of the Poisons becomes even more impressive when you realize the entire thing is the infernal creation of 25 year old James McBain. This fellow young buck has mastered the art of true old school black metal like it’s nobody’s business. Leave that second wave drivel at the door!

7. The Night Flight Orchestra – Aeromantic

Aeromantic is the first of two albums on this list I incorrectly predicted as “album of the year”. The only albums that kept their previous effort, Sometimes the World Ain’t Enough, out of the top spot on my personal 2018 list were Judas Priest’s Firepower (#1) and Uriah Heep’s Living the Dream (#2). What bumps Aeromantic up to #7 is that it just didn’t resonate with me like Sometimes the World Ain’t Enough did. That said, The Night Flight Orchestra is STILL the world’s premiere current AOR band. So much so, I wish the members would abandon their main bands (Arch Enemy, Soilwork) and devote their efforts to The NFO full time.

6. Wobbler – Dwellers of the Deep

Norway isn’t all about Vikings, corpsepaint, and faux devil worship. No, hidden within the snow covered forests is Wobbler. If Hällas are the sons of Genesis, Wobbler are the sons of Yes. And considering Yes hasn’t released a meaningful album in 40 years, Dwellers of the Deep is nothing short of a prog rock miracle. To the unfamiliar listener, if I played it for you and said it was the lost follow up Close to the Edge, you’d believe it. If that hasn’t sold you, I don’t know what will.

5. Pride of Lions – Lion Heart

In my interview with Pride of Lions mastermind Jim Peterik, he said, “This album we just put out is the only album I like as much as that first album.” I’d have to agree. Not only is Lion Heart the strongest album in Pride of Lions’ catalog since their 2003 self titled debut, but it’s essentially the greatest Survivor album never made. Peterik is still the undisputed heavyweight champ of hitmaking. Throw in the Jimi Jamison-esque vocals of Toby Hitchcock and you’re in AOR heaven.

4. High Spirits – Hard to Stop

I couldn’t think of a better High Spirits album title than Hard to Stop. Not even a pandemic, social unrest, or economic ruin could stop the jubilant heavy metal/hard rock project of one Mr. Chris Black. I’ve said it so many times and I’ll continue to say it. This man is a genius. He’s excelled in just about every subgenre he’s dabbled in over the course of his 25 year career. Black is truly the best kept secret in rock n’ roll. So the next time your 50 something year old uncle rants on about there being “nobody” like Scorpions or Van Halen on the scene today, play him Hard to Stop.

3. Traveler – Termination Shock

Ladies and gentlemen, here’s album #2 I incorrectly predicted as “album of the year”. The reason why is because A. Traveler’s self titled debut was my personal favorite of 2019 and B. While I had high expectations for #2 and #1, I underestimated just how excellent they’d really be. Shame on me for being an ageist prick. Before we go on to the veterans, I’d just like to say Traveler continues to be, hands down, the greatest act of the so called “NWOTHM”. Any other band attempting to jump on the bandwagon should quit while they’re ahead. You’re just not going to reach the excellence of Termination Shock.

2. Dennis DeYoung – 26 East: Volume 1

My goodness. Did Dennis DeYoung really just make his greatest artistic statement since Styx’s Paradise Theatre (1981)? Yes he did. It wouldn’t have been possible without the songwriting and production expertise of *drum roll please* Jim Peterik! I have played 26 East: Volume 1 practically every other week since its release. This all killer, no filler slab of progressive hard rock stands up to any of the masterpiece albums Styx made between ’75 and ’81. If any of Dennis’s former bandmates happen to be reading this and disagree, well, “You’re fooling yourself.”

1. Cirith Ungol – Forever Black

Few comebacks in metal history have reached the level of excellence that Forever Black has. It may be Cirith Ungol’s first album in nearly 30 years, but you wouldn’t know it. Tim Baker’s ear piercing wails resonate like the old days, while the riffs are heavier and doomier than ever before. “The fire burns” inside of these US epic metal warriors, the Kings of the Dead. May their path continue to lead them to victory.