Best non-LPs of 2021
Compendium of mostly garascore entries that noone would look for, despite they are REALLY GOOD! |
| 1 |  | Gatecreeper
An Unexpected Reality
[EP] death metal / grind / death doom
Super fun mini album, and again: this band NEVER disappoints. Basically 7 short deathgrind song and one long doom riff fest (yes, it's pretty much doom). A perfect album to start a day with. |
| 2 |  | Conan
Live at Freak Valley
[Live] battle doom
A perfectly executed live-album: sharp and huge sound. |
| 3 |  | Taake / Helheim
Henholdsvis
[Split] black metal
I really like how this turned out. Both sides showed what are they all about, and especially the Helheim side meant some surprises. Cool stuff, but due to the short runtime, I can't give more than 3.5. |
| 4 |  | Gnipahalan / Evilfeast
Split
[Split] raw black / atmoblack
Raw atmoblack 2021 edition. Previously, I never heard about Gnipahalan eariler, but in this split I think I have a good reason to find out more. Evilfeast presented another fantastic and majestic piece with strong riffs and splendid atmosphere. (Please release a new LP already!) |
| 5 |  | Cirith Ungol
Half Past Human
[EP] hard rock / heavy metal
Good to see Cirith Ungol still kickin', and this EP was a very pleasant and fun listen. I don't care if it is "just" a re-recording session because I had great fun. The riffs in "Shelob's Lair" really kick ass! |
| 6 |  | Criptadel / Toadlickers
Tabernaculum
[Split] dungeon synth
Finally, one of my favourite dungeon synth acts is back! Exactly those vibes I really hoped for, the same satisfying "underground" music with goblins and trolls! 5/5 barf at the end of the title track. But man, this was too short! |
| 7 |  | Taake
Avvik
[Compliation] black metal / dark folk
Hoest has released this and pretty much nobody noticed it... but they should! I don't mind compilation albums if they are [this] good. I was especially sold by the fantastic acoustic version of "Nattestid ser porten vid I" which was gorgeous like any song from Ulver's Kveldssanger (minus the vocals). The cover songs were pretty damn solid as well, just as Hoest's own songs.
One of the best entries on the list. |
| 8 |  | Mayhem
Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando
[EP] black metal / punk / hardcore punk
It was pretty fun. The first part was a pretty logical continuation of Daemon, and the punk side brought more speed into the whole thing. It was gret to hear Maniac and Billy again, both of them sounded great! |
| 9 |  | Krolok
Your Soul is Mine / Towards the Duskportals
[EP] spooky atmoblack
Whenever I see BĂ©la Lugosi on the cover = instant like. |
| 10 |  | Esoctrilihum
Urionhsol (Seven Demons)
[EP] avant-garde / blackened death metal
I don't know if these are "leftover" songs or what, but this little EP slaps. Like the most concise version of the band's overall sound, Urionhsol is a very straightforward riff storm, with the typical otherworldy atmosphere. My personal favourite is "Zi Dynh Gtir", which is the most synth-driven Esoctrilihum song so far. |
| 11 |  | King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard
Live In Milwaukee ’19
[Live] garage rock / psychedelic rock
Very fun live recording! Great setlist, and the extra crispier sound of certain songs had a really good impact on the listening experience. Honestly, these guys sound actually better live. The thrash songs in the end were killerrrr, and generally all their older material became better in time. |
| 12 |  | Havukruunu
Kuu Erkylän Yllä
[EP] black metal
The old and new unites. "Kuu Erkylän Yllä" pretty much showed the entired Havukruunu's spectrum as in it they presented the band's earlier sound with additional elements which were introduced in ""Uinuos Syömein Sota"". Enjoyable release, but due to the possibly high expectations (yeah, ""Uinuos Syömein Sota"" was something really special) this might feel "a bit out of breath". However, this EP also contains some typical fiery Havukruunu riffs, so there is no reason to complain. |
| 13 |  | Exhumed
Worming
[EP] goregrind
That "Heartwork"-alike riff and guitar tone in the beginning... awesome! Fun little EP, but that's pretty much everything I could say about this. Now, make an LP too! |
| 14 |  | Ulver
Scary Muzak
[Compilation] electronic (soundtrack remix) / dance / synth pop
The Norwegian Wolves reimagined and modernized John Carpenter's iconic spookscapes from the '78 classic, moreover they've sprinkled some Ulver-esque studio magic onto the whole thing and dropped some of their own compositions as well into the cauldron. "Scary Muzak" perfectly blends the mysterious and pumpkin-spiced spook with their smooth and dancey synth-pop. |
| 15 |  | Ulver
Hexahedron
[Live] experimental ulvercore (electronic / drone)
Here it is ATGCLVLSSCAP 2.0. These "live" albums from Ulver are the real treat. Very relaxing, yet still very dinamic and easy flowing release, with surprisingly tight production. A real pleasure for the ears, seriously. |
| 16 |  | Sunn O)))
Metta, Benevolence BBC 6Music...
[Live] drone metal / experimental
The best Sunn O))) release since Monoliths and Dimensions, which is a really big thing. The album behind the terrible title is a truly gigantic slow-motion catharsis. Lots of experimentation, great guests (Anna von Hauswold should tour with them more often, and please invite Attila Csihar too). Prepare for a deep relax, and the usual high-volume brain-massage through the walls of drones and distortion. |
| 17 |  | Public Announcement
Here
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Here they come: your recommendations!
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| 18 |  | Cult Of Luna
The Raging River
[EP] post-sludge
submitted by: dedex |
| 19 |  | Knocked Loose
A Tear in the Fabric of Life
[EP] hardcore / metalcore
submitted by: dedex |
| 20 |  | Samurai Breaks
TURBO RAVE ARTILLERY
[EP] breaks / electronics
submitted by: dedex |
| 21 |  | Wasted Space
exsanguination
[EP] emo / pop punk
submitted by: dedex + shoutout for mikey! |
| 22 |  | Against the Current
Fever
[EP] pop rock / alt rock
submitted by Get Low |
| 23 |  | Benothing
Temporal Bliss Surrealms
[EP] death metal
submitted by: Gnocchi |
| 24 |  | Gates (USA-NJ)
Here and Now
[EP] post rock / emo
submitted by: Nbehre11 |
| 25 |  | PinkPantheress
To Hell With It
[EP] R&B
submitted by: dedex |
| 26 |  | Emma Ruth Rundle and Thou
The Helm of Sorrow
[EP] post-sludge
submitted by dedex & Dewinged |
| 27 |  | Sojourner
Perennial
[EP] atmoblack
submitted by: Dewinged |
| 28 |  | Lamp of Murmuur
Punishment and Devotion
[EP] USBM
submitted by: Dewinged |
| 29 |  | Benjamin Epps
FantĂ´me avec chauffeur
[EP] hip-hop (boom bap)
submitted by: dedex |
| 30 |  | Psychonaut & Saver
Emerald
[Split] post-metal / progressive
submitted by: Ectier |
| 31 |  | Thy Darkened Shade/Amestigon/Inconcessus/Lux Lucis/Shaarimot
SamaeLilith: A Conjunction Of The Fireborn
[Split] black metal / death metal
submitted by: Egarran |
| 32 |  | Kishi Bashi
Emigrant
[EP] americana
submitted by: Egarran |
| 33 |  | Neptunian Maximalism
Solar Drone Ceremony
[Live] drone / psychedelic / jazz / dark ambient
submitted by: arf |
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