“You’ve read all the other year end “best of” lists. Now get ready to read the only one that matters!” That’s the tagline we used to open last year’s Top 40, only this year it holds more salt. In the last year, Defenders of the Faith has grown steadily. How steadily you may ask? We’ve gained over 1,000 new likes on our Facebook page (if you haven’t liked us yet, now’s the time to do so) and our viewership has increased over 250%. We published over 160 reviews this year, and interviewed some of the biggest names in hard rock and heavy metal. Among these names are past and present members of Def Leppard, ZZ Top, Saxon, Blue Öyster Cult, L.A. Guns, Accept, and Grand Funk Railroad, just to name a few.
This may not mean much to the mainstream metal outlets who regularly take up the top spots in Google searches and social media feeds, but for this 22 year old metalhead who started this operation from the ground up, it’s a big deal. I went into this fully knowing I was the underdog. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Yet again, I couldn’t have done any of it without you: the readers. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to check this site out, share it with your friends, and so on and so forth. It’s our shared passion for this music that drives me to keep the ball rolling. And just like I promised about this year, 2022 will be even bigger and better for Defenders of the Faith. You can guarantee it. On that note, here’s our Top 40 Albums of the Year.
40. Nekromantheon – Visions of Trismegistos
Kicking off our list at #40 is Norwegian thrash horde Nekromantheon with their first album in nearly a decade, Visions of Trismegistos. A brutal offering of aggressive and deadly thrash, Visions bravely carries the hellish torch lit by Hell Awaits era Slayer and Possessed. The riffs are unholy, the rhythms are pummeling, and the production is straight out of 1985. Add to that an aura of darkness and danger characteristic of extreme metal’s demo days and voila. What more could you ask for? Nothing, except that I hope it’s not another 9 years until the next Nekromantheon album.
39. Albert Bouchard – Imaginos 2 – Bombs Over Germany (Minus Zero and Counting)
I’m usually not one to check out re-recordings. However, there are some exceptions. One such is exception is Albert Bouchard’s Imaginos 2 – Bombs Over Germany (Minus Zero and Counting). The second installment in his ReImaginos trilogy, Bombs Over Germany sees the legendary Blue Öyster Cult drummer revisiting the band’s epic Imaginos saga. This album not only breathes new life into classic songs that are nearly half a century old (“7 Screaming Diz-Busters getting the Godflesh treatment is a highlight), but expands upon the tale with new Sandy Pearlman compositions that never saw the light of day. “Ladies, fish, and gentlemen” alike should check this one out.
38. Nestor – Kids in a Ghost Town
It was seemingly out of nowhere that Nestor arrived and appointed themselves the reigning kings of AOR. Their debut album, Kids in a Ghost Town, is far from the best AOR/melodic hard rock album released this year (as you’ll see going down this list). That said, it sure is a great record for a self proclaimed joke/gimmick band, great enough to crack our year end list. Songs like “1989”, “Perfect 10 (Eyes Like Demi Moore)”, and “On the Run” are totally tubular jams glowing in neon. Oh yeah, and the rest of the album rocks too! Time will tell if Nestor becomes AOR’s answer to Steel Panther. At the rate things are going now, I wouldn’t be surprised if this ends up being the case.
37. Tower – Shock to the System
Although they hail from the mean streets of New York City, you’d be forgiven for thinking Tower emerged from a dark London alley circa 1980. Their latest album, Shock to the System, is a musical throwback to the glory days of the NWOBHM. It shares the same youthful, savage energy of Diamond Head, Angel Witch, and Paul Di’Anno era Iron Maiden, yet without sound like a cheap rehash of these bands. For those who prefer their metal raw, pure, and unchained (and who doesn’t?), Shock to the System is the album for you. One blast of ragers like “Blood Moon” and “Powder Keg” will have you headbanging in no time.
36. Mega Colossus – Riptime
Talk about just making the cut! Last week, Mega Colossus released their third full length offering, Riptime. This week, they find themselves coming in at #36 on our year end list. They most definitely earned it. Their combination of Thundersteel era Riot power and classic Iron Maiden flair makes for an exciting listen from beginning to end. In fact, if you’re like me and was bored stiff by the latest Maiden album, Riptime will appease your appetite for epic lyricism, dynamic musicianship, and progressive arrangements. It boasts all of this and more without sounding bloated and overblown. Now that’s colossally mega!
35. Victory – Gods of Tomorrow
After a decade of dormancy, 2021 saw the resurrection of German hard and heavy veterans Victory. Spearheaded by guitarist Herman Frank, the band returned stronger than ever with a new lineup and new album in Gods of Tomorrow. Overall, it stands toe to toe with their classic late 80s output. New singer Gianni Pontillo has breathed new life into the band, with a powerhouse voice continuing in the tradition of Charlie Huhn and Fernando Garcia. The rest of the band is tight too, unleashing memorable hook after memorable hook. Praise the gods for Gods of Tomorrow!
34. Lucifer – Lucifer IV
Having cracked last year’s best of list at #39 with Lucifer III, Lucifer returns in 2021 and five slots higher at that. The appropriately titled Lucifer IV is an eclectic collection of doom, traditional metal, hard rock, psychedelia, pop, and singer/songwriter, among other early 70s inspired sounds. Despite this musical ambition, Lucifer never loses their way, maintaining their potency and power no matter what style is being played. The contrast of Johanna Andersson’s dreamy, mystical voice with hard hitting proto-metal riffage continues to be a tried and true formula for success.
33. Cheap Trick – In Another World
The pride and joy of Rockford, Illinois! 2021 saw the legendary Cheap Trick return in grand fashion. They embarked on a massive, cross country tour (one of the first since COVID for a band of their magnitude) and dropped the strongest album of their late career renaissance thus far, In Another World. Cuts like the lighthearted “The Summer Looks Good on You” and Rolling Stonesian “Boys & Girls & Rock N Roll”, coupled with eagerness to get out of the house and rock out, would make Cheap Trick the undisputed champions of summer, 2021. Don’t let their age fool you. They can still “Light Up the Fire”!
32. Death SS – Ten
Hey old school metal bands! Are you wondering how to adapt to these current times without losing your sense of identity? Then look no further than Death SS’s latest album, Ten. Once godfathers of black, thrash, and doom metal, Death SS have since reinvented themselves into a modern metal juggernaut with flourishes of industrial. The sound may have changed, but the horror themed lyrics and eerie voice of frontman Steve Sylvester remains the same. So does the band’s ability to make a kickass dark metal album. These “Murder Angels” are drilled to kill!
31. Hooded Menace – The Tritonus Bell
I was anticipating the new Hooded Menace album as much as every other underground metal album reviewer. What I didn’t expect was the least death/doom sounding death/doom album of all time. By the chime of The Tritonus Bell, Hooded Menace unleashed an amalgamation of Gothenburg inspired melody and traditional metal spirit into their putrid brand of death/doom. Yet even at the deadliest and doomiest parts of the album, the band has more in common with Mercyful Fate or Judas Priest than say an orthodox death/doom band. If you’re one of those old schoolers who has a hard time digesting anything with guttural vocals, The Tritonus Bell might help you crossover to the extreme side of things.
30. Portrait – At One with None
As the world patiently awaits the first Mercyful Fate EP/album/release in over 20 years, Portrait offered the next best thing in their new album, At One with None. This Swedish outfit has ardently bowed at the Mercyful Fate altar since 2005 and has done a remarkable job at it. Their progressive and powerful spin on the band’s early 80s black metal sound serves as a spiritual successor to the likes of Melissa and Don’t Break the Oath. This is especially evident on dramatic pieces like the title track and “Curtains (The Dumb Supper)”. I can only imagine King Diamond cackling an evil laugh upon his infernal throne. His royal subjects have done well.
29. Cruzh – Tropical Thunder
Nestor wasn’t the only band specializing in ignorant 80s worship this year. Cruzh’s Tropical Thunder specializes in the same formula, although to an even more pleasantly mind-numbing effect. With influences like Dokken, Night Ranger, smokin’ hot babes, and cocaine, Cruzh aren’t here to reinvent the wheel. To quote many a Tinder bio, “They’re here for a good time, not a long time.” And goddamn it you WILL have a good time listening to this album. Whether it be the melodic metal fury of the title track and “We Go Together”, or the nocturnal AOR of “New York Nights” and “Line in the Sand”, Tropical Thunder will rock your socks off.
28. Black Mass – Feast at the Forbidden Tree
If Nekromantheon’s Visions of Trismegistos was the best Hell Awaits inspired album of the year, then Black Mass’ Feast at the Forbidden Tree is the best Show No Mercy inspired album of the year. Yes, if Slayer had kept their black eye makeup on, they’d probably sound like this. Granted, Black Mass owes as much to Slayer as they do to Venom and Discharge, not to mention, unsung thrash titans Razors and Whiplash. Put it all together and you’ve got a Molotov cocktail of some downright diabolical thrash metal. “Unholy Libations”, “A Path Beyond”, and “Betrayal” are just a few of the tracks that pushed my neck to the absolute limit this year.
27. Laceration – Demise
When you’ve been largely inactive for the better part of a few years, it’s easy for critics to write about your demise. Yet Laceration have risen from the ashes, making sure the only time their name and “demise” is written in the same sentence is when discussing their brand new studio album. 40 minutes of bludgeoning brutality, Demise can only be described as the twisted offspring of Morbid Angel and Demolition Hammer. It’s fusion of evil death metal and slamming thrash had my knuckles dragging against the ground for weeks. Perhaps that’s why they’re all bloody.
26. Toby Hitchcock – Changes
In the words of Monty Python, “And now for something completely different.” Nearly 20 years since he first burst onto the melodic rock scene as the voice of Jim Peterik’s Pride of Lions, Toby Hitchcock has forged quite the career for himself as a solo artist. Whereas Pride of Lions is essentially a spiritual extension of Survivor, Hitchcock’s solo output has more in common with the melodramatic tendencies of Meat Loaf, Styx, and Streets era Savatage. His latest album, Changes, showcases the unparalleled depth and emotion in his voice. Couple that with a collection of well written songs ranging from melodic to progressive, and you’ve gotten an album that rightfully earned its spot on this list.
25. Sanguisugabogg – Tortured Whole
The meme has become reality! With their ridiculous name and even more ridiculous musical/lyrical content, Sanguisugabogg quickly became the pride and joy of the so called OSDM scene. Their 2019 demo, Pornographic Seizures, was so fucking stupid for all the right reasons. Many wondered if it was even possible to out-ignorant it. Sure enough, Sanguisugabogg delivered with a collection of songs guaranteed to lower your IQ into the negative digits. Tortured Whole is what it would sound like if a bunch of caveman somehow heard Cannibal Corpse, then tried to replicate it using only their primitive means of communication. If you aren’t cringing in pleasure at that description, maybe stick with the new At the Gates ya dork.
24. Asphyx – Necroceros
Just when you thought every classic death metal band had become mediocre shells of their past selves, here comes Asphyx proving otherwise. These Dutch death/doom dealers stormed the year early, dropping their latest shrapnel spewing opus, Necroceros, roughly three weeks into January. Frontman Martin van Drunen’s vocals pack the same venomous vitriol they did 30 years ago. Furthermore, the current lineup of the band is equally bloodthirsty. Their ability to pen such unrelenting death metal this far into their career remains unparalleled, and a golden standard for any of their peers attempting to do the same.
23. Galvanizer – Prying Sight of Imperception
While the current American death metal scene is largely comprised of bands aping Entombed, Bolt Thrower, Mortician, Cannibal Corpse, or a combination of all four, Finland’s death metal scene has remained the same blistering barrage of death, grind, and crust as it has since day one. Take for example the filthy, festering sounds of Galvanizer. Their latest album, Prying Sight of Imprecation, pushes one’s sanity to the very limit in a way that no American band today could achieve. From the Carcass gore worship of “Servants of the Scourge” and “Chthonic Profanation”, to the Napalm Death anarchistic rage of “Dia De Muertos” and “Grotesque Devotion”, there’s never a dull moment on this album. Only devastating death.
22. Cadaveric Incubator – Nightmare Necropolis
I promise you that I had no intentions of putting two Finnish death metal bands back to back. It just so happened to play out that way. On that note, Cadaveric Incubator’s Nightmare Necropolis is essentially what Impetigo would sound like if they hailed from Scandinavia as opposed to the “Heart of Illinois”. Their penchant for perverse subject matter, rotten riffage, punkish aggression, and obliterating Frostian doom is a force to be reckoned with. If Nightmare Necropolis went on any longer than its 30 minute running time, there could be serious liability. These audio nasties have the power to slaughter en masse!
21. Lavaborne – Black Winged Gods
Spreading their black wings over the midwestern wasteland of Indiana, Lavaborne dropped one of the most epic and powerful doom metal albums of the last couple years in their full length debut, Black Winged Gods. Expanding upon the groundwork laid by Mob Rules era Black Sabbath, Lavaborne concocted a blend of arcane metal that appeals to traditional metal purists and bearded stoner/doom hipsters alike. Some songs come off like a power metal band going doom (“The Serpent Seed”, “Masters of Medusa”). Other songs come off as vice versa (“The Heathen Church”, “Mortal Pride”). No matter what metallic direction they take, there’s only one way to go for these low and heavy trailblazers, and that’s up!
20. The Night Flight Orchestra – Aeromantic II
Last year, The Night Flight Orchestra sang, “There is nothing like aeromantics.” Then they dropped Aeromantic II: Electric Boogaloo (I’m only kidding on the second part). By far their most pop oriented release yet, Aeromantic II divided even the most diehard of NFO fans and I understand why. The lack of powerful hard rock guitars which fueled past releases was more evident than ever. That said, I can’t help but crack a smile to the pulsating synthpop of “How Long”, disco rock glitz of “Chradonnay Nights”, and Russ Ballard worship of “Zodiac”. These slick Swedes can do no wrong.
19. Enforced – Kill Grid
Ever since the untimely passing of Power Trip’s Riley Gale, I and many have wondered who would be the next to rise to the top of the crossover thrash pack. By the sounds of it, the answer lies within Enforced and their latest album, Kill Grid. Easily their most impactful and cohesive release to date, Kill Grid sees the band incorporating elements of classic death and thrash metal into their already lethal brand of hardcore fueled crossover. It doesn’t matter whether your allegiance lies with punk or metal. When these maniacs play the likes of “UXO” or “Malignance” in a live setting, all become united in the pit.
18. Oxygen Destroyer – Sinister Monstrosities Spawned by the Unfathomable Ignorance of Humankind
Hail the kaiju! Just when you thought it was safe to go back outside, here comes Oxygen Destroyer with another collection of merciless death/thrash in Sinister Monstrosities Spawned by the Unfathomable Ignorance of Human Kind (say that five times fast). When your primary musical influence is Pleasure to Kill era Kreator and primary lyrical influence is Godzilla, chances are your band is gonna rule. Monstrosities (for simplicity’s sake) rules. Much of the album goes by in such a blur that one can’t help but think of Reign in Blood era Slayer and early grindcore throughout, both of which also rule.
17. Dirty Honey – Dirty Honey
Easily the finest band of the current 70s hard rock revival, Dirty Honey made quite the name for themselves this year. An opening slot on The Black Crowes’ reunion tour was largely responsible for this. So was the release of their self titled debut album. Some might say things have gone full circle. The same way The Black Crowes turned contemporary rock listeners of their era (the early 90s) on to the warm, soulful hard rock of Free and Humble Pie, Dirty Honey is doing the same with today’s breed of active rock radio consuming youth. It sure is a breath of fresh air to hear songs like “California Dreamin'” and “The Wire” getting airplay in between nu metal bands that have hogged the airwaves for 25 years too long.
16. Crystal Viper – The Cult
When it comes to female fronted metal (a term I hesitate to use), there’s no band going stronger than Crystal Viper. On The Cult, the Polish powerhouse hearkens back to a simpler time when the likes of Warlock and Chastain dominated underground euro metal zines. Frontwoman Marta Gabriel can sing a storm, and her accompanying band can play one. Whether you prefer high speed face melters (“Dow in the Crypt”, “Flaring Madness”) or brazen displays of power (“Forgotten Land”, “Lost in the Dark”), Crystal Land has a little something for everyone. Just watch out for their bite!
15. Steel Bearing Hand – Slay in Hell
If we were ranking these albums by which would be most fitting for the apocalypse, there’s no doubt in my mind Steel Bearing Hand’s Slay in Hell would be #1. An unholy matrimony of late 80s death/thrash ferocity (“Command of the Infernal Exarch”, “Lich Gate”) and Cianide-esque death/doom (“Tombspawned”, “Exsanguined”), Slay in Hell is a pummeling beast with zero regard for anyone or anything in its way. Leave your polished mixes, melodic flourishes, and trendy hairdos at the door. This is repulsive metal meant for only the most barbaric of brutes.
14. Fate’s Hand – Fate’s Hand
Rule of thumb: Every year I do this year end list, at least one EP is gonna make the cut. This year’s honor goes to the self titled debut EP from Fate’s Hand. A newly formed project that sees Australian black metal musicians venturing into epic power metal territory, Fate’s Hand comes off like a lost relic circa 1984. If you blindly played this for me and said it was forged in the same era as Warlord’s Deliver Us and Omen’s Battle Cry, I’d believe it. The musical tropes, raw production, and glorious atmosphere are accurate to a T. If they drop a full length next year, it’s very possible it’d rank even higher than this here release.
13. Pharaoh – The Powers That Be
Another rule of thumb: If Chris Black has any involvement with a band or project, said band or project is going to be excellent. This applies even if he’s “just the drummer”, which he is on this latest Pharaoh album, The Powers That Be. Although this is the band’s first album in nearly a decade, they returned strong with their signature blend of muscular riffs, adventurous passages, and an all out powerful aura. Folks, this is US power metal with an emphasis on “power”. The Powers That Be is mandatory listening for any metal maniac with strength and valiancy in their heart.
12. Demiser – Through the Gate Eternal
Lock your doors and bolt your windows. Demiser is here and they’ve brought hell with them. This debaucherous destructo squad is fueled by the powers of whiskey, carnage, and Sodom’s In the Sign of Evil, as heard on their debut assault, Through the Gate Eternal. A little over 30 minutes is all the band needs to rip, ravage, and ruin the unsuspecting public. This album has it all: thrash metal that pushes the boundaries of speed itself, black metal that will scare the daylights out of your neighborhood Jehovah’s witness, and a pissed off attitude to boot. None can prepare for the “Deathstrike”!
11. Bewitcher – Cursed Be Thy Kingdoms
Never ones to rehash the past, 2021 saw rising stars Bewitcher return with their most adventurous release to date, Cursed Be Thy Kingdom. Such sonic explorations tend to be the death knell for metal bands, especially one as orthodox as Bewitcher: impious worshippers of Venom and Motörhead. This was anything but the case on Cursed, which saw the band exploring facets of traditional metal (“Death Returns…”), goth (“Mystifier (White Night City)”), and doom (“Valley of the Ravens”) throughout. All of this was done successfully and without losing grip of their black/speed backbone. There’s no telling what magick Bewitcher are capable of from here!
10. Crazy Lixx – Street Lethal
One of the premiere glam metal bands of the past 20 years, Crazy Lixx are back with another album that is as anthemic as it is gigantic, Street Lethal. Everything about Street Lethal is big: the hooks, the riffs, the choruses, the melodies, the hair! Since Skid Row refuses to reunite with Sebastian Bach and Whitesnake plans on saying farewell (again), who better to fill the arena metal void? What’s unfortunate is American rock radio will never play these songs, which they should. I say substitute “Anthem for America” and “Rise Above” in for the overplayed “Rock You Like a Hurricane” and “Pour Some Sugar on Me”. Hey DJs! There’s more to modern hard rock than Led Zeppelin soundalikes and victims of the Lollapalooza era Metallica/Ozzfest fallout.
9. Station – Perspective
Speaking of bands that should any self respecting rocker should be aware of, AOR revivalists Station released arguably their finest album to date in Perspective. One part slick 80s melodic rock professionalism and one part laid back, west coast breeze, I found myself playing Perspective as much in recent months as any AOR cornerstone. It’s more than an album in the vein of Journey’s Frontiers, Foreigner’s 4, and Toto’s self titled. It’s of the same caliber. Mind you, I don’t say this lightly. It’s as if the legends of the past have channeled their frequencies into these heroes of the future.
8. Stormkeep – Tales of Othertime
When he isn’t conjuring aliens and opening wormholes, Blood Incantation drummer Isaac Faulk goes under the pseudonym Otheyn Vermithrax: mastermind of Stormkeep. Their debut album, Tales of Othertime, has proven to be the most exciting black metal release in years, perhaps even of the past decade. A sonic feast of diabolical melodies, vast atmosphere, and epic arrangements, Tales of Othertime is gripping and unrelenting from start to finish. Death to the corpsepaint clad amateurs! This is black metal done right!
7. Durbin – The Beast Awakens
Here’s a scenario you likely never imagined happening. What do you get when an American Idol finalist binge listens to Dio, Blind Guardian, and Manilla Road? You get the latest album from James Durbin, The Beast Awakens. It was a decade ago that Durbin won the hearts of Americans, metalheads and non-metalheads alike, with his powerful pipe. After a decade dabbling in modern rock and adult contemporary (par the course for Idol contestants), and a stint with Quiet Riot, Durbin is now putting his vocal and songwriting abilities to their fullest potential. Chock full of epic battle hymns (“Rise to Valhalla”, “The Prince of Metal”), pulverizing power doom (“Kings Before You”, “The Sacred Mountain), and intoxicatingly melodic fun (“Into the Flames, “By the Horns”), The Beast Awakens is a love letter to 80s metal, signed, sealed, and delivered by one of the premiere voices in metal today.
6. Todd Michael Hall – Sonic Healing
Have you come down with a rock n’ roll fever? Leave it to Todd Michael Hall to serve up some Sonic Healing. This album sees the Riot singer joined by Metal Church guitarist, Kurdt Vanderhoof. Together, the two US metal staples join forces in making the greatest Ted Nugent album never recorded. Between Hall’s soaring vocals and Vanderhoof’s gutsy guitar work, Sonic Healing packs enough firepower to take down a buffalo, or two. There’s also healthy doses of Boston-esque melody and Aerosmithian sleaze throughout, making this a late 70s hard rock throwback for the whole family!
5. Dennis DeYoung – 26 East, Vol. 2
Despite leaning harder on ballads than last year’s predecessor (which made it all the way to #2 on 2020’s year end list), Dennis DeYoung’s 26 East Vol. 2 remained just as impactful as he intended. The now septuagenarian genius behind Styx claims this is his final album. If that’s the case, what a way to go out. Cuts like “There’s No Turning Back Time”, “Land of the Living”, and “The Isle of Misanthrope” (the finest song of the year) tap into that classic Equinox/Crystal Ball vein far better than anything his old bandmates have released since his unceremonious dismissal. If anyone earned retirement, it’s DeYoung. Godspeed Kilroy.
4. Black Sites – Untrue
When was the last time you heard a progressive metal album that was truly “progressive”? By this, I mean not a mere knockoff of Dream Theater. Before Black Sites released their third album, Untrue, I couldn’t even remember. Oh wait, it was when they released the album before that, Exile (2019). With each subsequent release, Black Sites proudly walks the thin line that is metal’s cutting edge, developing as musicians and songwriters before our ears. Building upon the finest moments of Fates Warning, Voivod, and Queensrÿche, Untrue is what progressive metal is all about: A mind bending journey through the bleak metallic void.
3. Darkthrone – Eternal Hails……
The saving grace of the Norwegian black metal scene (bite me edgelord), Darkthrone has struck again. The third album in their blackened doom phase, Eternal Hails…… is an exercise in Sabbathian doom and Hellhammerian darkness, molded through Darkthrone’s blackened filter. Despite only being 5 songs long, Fenriz and Nocturnal Culto don’t skimp on this one. Each track is 7+ minutes of monolithic metal glory, living up to their description of “Five heavy dinosaurs looking in wonder and bewilderment at the stars.” Leave it to Fenriz shoot straight! My favorite of these songs, I mean, dinosaurs, is the ripping lo-fi “His Master’s Voice”.
2. Vulture – Dealin’ Death
Bonded by Blood is the greatest thrash metal album of all time. That’s not an opinion. That’s a fact. So if your M.O. is to make an album following in that template, chances are it’s gonna kick ass. That’s exactly what Vulture did with Dealin’ Death. Not only does this album put the new Exodus album to shame; it puts every Exodus album post-Bonded by Blood to shame. A savage barrage of militant mosh riffs, neck snapping speed, chaotic vocals, and blinding rhythms, Dealin’ Death is a thrasher’s dream. If this description excites you at all, lace up your high tops and get in the pit dammit!
- Morgul Blade – Fell Sorcery Abounds
An elder warrior lies on his deathbed. Having just fought a valiant final battle, he knows the end is near. He calls his son to his side, handing him the family sword. “This sword has beheaded the foes of I and my father before me, and his father before him. Wield it with honor and dignity, for its precious steel deserves nothing less.” The elder closes his eyes and draws his final breath. The son sheds a single tear and promises to carry on his father’s legacy.
This is the scenario I envision when comparing last year’s album of the year with this year’s. 2020 saw the return of epic metal gods Cirith Ungol, brazenly riding into glory one last time, all the way to #1. 2021 sees the rise of a new heroic horde by the name of Morgul Blade. Their debut album, Fell Sorcery Abounds, is a musical conjuration of doom laden riffs, blackened spirit, and epic, steely power that carries on in the grand tradition of yore. Not only is it our album of the year, but perhaps the finest album of the so called NWOTHM. Scratch that. It transcends that silly moniker, ascending upwards to the most hallowed realms of Valhalla. Indeed, this is metal for the gods.
From all of us here at Defenders of the Faith, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy and Healthy New Year. See you in 2022!