"Metal Mark" Garcia's Top 20 Albums of 2021.
December 21, 2021
Editor's Note:
Marcos Garcia is our longest tenured writer. He consistently writes six albums each and every week, and his breadth of knowledge when it comes to everything from Hard Rock and AOR to Death Metal and Grindcore is amazing. He is an accomplished man as well, earning a Doctoral degree recently. Marcos truly embodies everything that is good about Heavy Metal music, and I take note of his Top Twenty list of 2021.
-Dave Campbell, Editor-In-Chief
2021 is a year that caused too much suffering to us all due the consecutives waves of COVID-19, and I felt this pain in my family (I almost lost a dear relative of mine). But music helped me a lot to hold on, to have hope in better days. The level of the albums released this year was so high that I had a hard time choosing the best ones.
I'd like to mention that "Rewind, Replay, Rebound: Live in Deutschland" of VOLBEAT, "Live at Helsinki Ice Hall" of AMORPHIS and "Live by Fire II" of ENFORCER as the best live albums of the year (but I prefer to let them out of the list because they're not presenting something new).
For my personal choices, here we go.
No. 20:
Band: Blazon Stone
Album: Damnation
Genre: Power/Heavy Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2011
Label: Stormspell Records
The new Swedish pirates came with full force to strike down the resistance to their work. And songs as "Endless Fire of Hate", "Raiders of Jolly Roger" and "Highland Outlaw" are very good pieces to show that they are a very good name. Set the black sails!
No. 19:
Band: Crystal Viper
Album: The Cult
Genre: Speed/Heavy Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2003
Label: Listenable Records
The Polish warriors of Metal are back in the scene to cement their career with a very good album. And songs as "The Cult", "Whispers from Beyond", "Sleeping Giants" and the version for KING DIAMOND's "Welcome Home" is proof that they're not just another Old School Metal band, but a spearhead of the genre.
No. 18:
Band: Act of Denial
Album: Negative
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2020
Label: Crusader Records
Well, this multinational band is really amazing, able to expand limits in Melodic Death Metal, in a way that astonishes the readers due its energy. And songs as "Puzzle Heart", "Controlled", "Negative" and "Slaves" are pieces that will conquer the fans. Listen to it!
No. 17:
Band: Drakkar
Album: Chaos Lord
Genre: Power/Heavy Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 1995
Label: Punishment 18 Records
The right medicine for depression and sadness, the musical work of this Italian band evolved a lot. "Lord of a Dying Race", "Horns Up!", "Chaos Lord" and "And He Will Rise Again" are excellent songs that show that the band is still alive and relevant.
No. 16:
Band: Siniestro
Album: Vortexx
Genre: Thrash/Death/Metal Punk
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2012
Label: Black Lodge Records
Aggressive and tasteful, the new album of the Swedish duet is a nasty puke of filthy Metal into the ear of the ones afraid of what the genre is about. "One Last Bullet One Last Ride", "Blod Eld Död" and "Black Acid Rain" are the right ones to make posers leave the place. It's a cleansing of conservative filth, indeed.
No. 15:
Band: Sodom
Album: Genesis XIX
Genre: Thrash Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 1981
Label: Steamhammer
I know this album belongs to 2020, but as long as it was heard after the top10 was ready, it's fair to put it here. And the album marks a rebirth to the band, as they came back to the level and form of their music laid in "Persecution Mania" and "Agent Orange". "Sodom & Gomorrah", "Genesis XIX" and "Friendly Fire" are more than enough to show that the quartet is in a great moment!
No. 14:
Band: Go Ahead and Die
Album: Go Ahead and Die
Genre: Death/Thrash Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2020
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
It's another very good project of Cavalera's clan, a great spit in the eye for those Metal fans that seems to ignore that we are a form of degenerate art, something that can't be tolerated by fascists. "Truckload Full of Bodies", "I.C.E. Cage", "Punisher" and "G.A.A.D." are lessons to be given to any Metalhead that try to defend extreme right politicians.
Oh, you don't like these words? GO AHEAD AND DIE!
No. 13:
Band: Ruins of Elysium
Album: Amphitrite: Ancient Sanctuary in the Sea
Genre: Symphonic Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2013
Label: Independent
This Brazilian band evolved a lot sin the days of "Seeds of Chaos and Serenity", and their musical work gained a lot of different influences, even from Symphonic Death Metal, having as main concept the goddesses linked to the sea. And songs as "Alexiel - An Epic Lovestory", "Belladonna" and "The Ocean is Yemanja's" will make you all have a multicultural travel into some mythologies and religions. And by the way, as the band fights for LGBTQ+ rights, the fans can be happy with the presence of Föxx Salema (singer of FÖXX SALEMA) on the album as a special guest.
No. 12:
Band: Crypta
Album: Echoes of the Soul
Genre: Death/Thrash Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2020
Label: Napalm Records
Born during the pandemic, this band had a lot of expectations about their first album. But as it came, songs as "Starvation", "Possessed", "Under the Black Wings" and "From the Ashes" testify that the massacre is just beginning, and they came to inflict a massive onslaught to conservative Metal fans.
No. 11:
Band: Massacre
Album: Resurgence
Genre: Death Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 1984
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
The pioneers of Death Metal are back, spreading their extreme Lovecraftian gospel throughout the world. And even with the changes of the members, songs as "Ruins of R'Lyeh", "Whisperer in Darkness", "Fate of the Elder Gods" and "Return of the Corpse Grinder" show that their DNA is untouched. Listen to it blow your head!
No. 10:
Band: Nervosa
Album: Perpetual Chaos
Genre: Thrash/Death Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2010
Label: Napalm Records
The prime dames of Thrash/Death Metal had suffered due the change of members. But this album is proof that the band is alive and in shape to conquer the world. "Venomous", "Perpetual Chaos", "Genocidal Command" and "Blood Eagle" are arrow shots to conquer new fans.
No. 9:
Band: MartyriuM
Album: Lamia Satanica
Genre: Symphonic/Melodic Black Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 1999
Label: Art Gates Records
As I was reviewing the album, the more I hear this Maltese band, the more I became entangled by their musical expression. It's due their fine orchestrations mixed with charming and darkened melodies and a different insight. And to hear songs as "Sacred Book of Baal", "Emanation of Souls" and "Betrothed to Damnation" can be said as a privilege. What are you waiting for? Give a chance to yourselves and to it!
No. 8:
Band: Burning Witches
Album: The Witch of the North
Genre: Traditional Heavy Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2015
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
As always, the Swiss Coven of the Witches did a great work. The album has a melodic appeal greater than before, but as long as they still can play heavy catchy songs as "The Witch of the North", "We Stand as One" and "Dragon's Dream", no one will hold them back. And pay attention to their version for SAVATAGE's "Hall of the Mountain King" as well!
Let the Witches fly!
No. 7:
Band: Desdominus
Album: Inexplicável Existência
Genre: Death Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 1993
Label: Heavy Metal Rock
Even with the hardships that Brazil is passing through due this ultraconservative government elected by the blind (the high number of the dead in the pandemic IS the responsibility of this inept president and his followers), a jewel was conceived by the reformulated quartet. And songs as "Belong to Yourself", "Misty Dimension" and "My Last Winter" are fine pieces of this mix between Death Metal and Blackened Death/Black Metal they play.
No. 6:
Band: Ministry
Album: Moral Hygiene
Genre: Industrial Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 1981
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
The veterans and pioneers of Industrial Metal came back to teach a lesson in chaos to everyone. The preaching done by the band on this album is bitter and heavier than "AmeriKKKant", so be prepared for a massive assault given by songs as "Alert Level", "Sabotage is Sex", "Search and Destroy" and "Broken System".
Let the preaching of chaos begin, and the crying complaints of conservative start!
No. 5:
Band: Beast in Black
Album: Dark Connection
Genre: Heavy Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2015
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
The work of the Finnish berserkers is always very good, a charming mix between the weight of traditional Heavy Metal with the accessible elements from Pop and others. So be prepared, because these wolves are ready to conquer, as can be heard on songs as "Blade Runner", "Bella Donna" and "Moonlight Rendezvous". And the contrasts expressed in their music can be heard on their version for MANOWAR's "Battle Hymn" and Michael Jackson's "They Don't Care About Us".
No. 4:
Band: Alice Cooper
Album: Detroit Stories
Genre: Hard Rock
General Information:
Year of Formation: 1969
Label: earMusic
It's always great to have a new release of Auntie Alice in hands, because it's always fun and filled with the magic that his entire career shows. And on this album it isn't different, because Alice's is living amazing moments, as can be heard on songs as "Go Man Go, "Social Debris", "Detroit City 2021" and "Shut Up and Rock". An homage to his hometown, and an amazing work.
Auntie Alice still has many lessons to teach about Rock 'n' Roll.
No. 3:
Band: The Night Flight Orchestra
Album: Aeromantic II
Genre: Hard Rock/AOR, Disco Music
General Information:
Year of Formation: 2007
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Of course "Aeromantic" was a great album, but not as good as its predecessors. But on "Aeromantic II", they are hot and great once more, creating excellent songs as "Midnight Marvelous", "Chardonnay Nights", "Amber Through a Window" and "You Belong to the Night". The main consequence of such high quality and praise the band has is that their other works will become the side projects in a near future!
No. 2:
Band: Carcass
Album: Torn Arteries
Genre: Death Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 1986
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
To the English quartet, it's usual to be unusual, because they're always evolving and reinventing their music in many directions (even when the ears of many can't catch such thing), but always keeping their personality. And this time, even sounding a bit more extreme than on "Surgical Steel", songs as "Torn Arteries", "Eleanor Rigor Mortis", "Flesh Ripping Sonic Torment Limited" and "The Scythe's Remorseless Swing" are here to show that they're the true kings of Death Metal. Listen and let your heads shake!
No. 1:
Band: Cradle of Filth
Album: Existence is Futile
Genre: Black Metal
General Information:
Year of Formation: 1991
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
The English sextet surprised all once more, creating a new masterpiece. Dark and sinister, if one still misses the days of their past, this person must pay attention carefully to songs as "Necromantic Fantasies", "Crawling King Chaos", "The Dying of the Embers" and "Us, Dark, Invincible".
The true kings of darkness are back, invincible and as relevant as in the past!
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