Best Albums of 2021

20 February 2022

2021 was a trying year for everyone, being stuck at home, anxious and with no clear end to the pandemic in sight. One silver lining from this dire situation (at least from my perspective) has been that many musicians have not be able to tour and hence have had time to focus on creating new music without any distractions. A lot of great albums were released last year so many, in fact, that I found it hard to narrow down my list of favourites to a reasonable number. In the end, after lengthy internal debates, I choose my top five albums of the year. Five albums that are very much worth your time, particularly if you are not already familiar with some of these bands.

In case these five are enough sate your appetite, I have also included a list of a further twenty-three albums that are worth checking out.

Contents

My Top 5 Albums of 2021

Here are my picks for the five best albums released in 2021 in descending order.

[!TIP] Click on the album covers for more details.

5 Etemen Ænka - Dvne

In dust, in blood, colossus stones birthed, generations of labour ignite, distant ray of light

One of the most impressive bands that I discoverd in 2021 was British progressive/post-metal band Dvne (I believe pronounced like Dune) with their album Etemen Ænka (🤷🏻‍♂️ *).

*There seem to be some debates online as to what this means.

The music is atmospheric and very experimental, which I thoroughly enjoy. The cover has hands down my favourite album artwork of 2021.

4 Access All Worlds - IOTUNN

A far cry from home

Access All Worlds is the first full-length release by Danish progressive death metal band IOTUNN (old Norse word for giant). What sets this album apart and pushed it right into my top five for 2021 was the incredible and haunting voice of Faroese singer Jón Aldará*.

*Primarily known as the singer of the Faroese doom/death metal band Hamferð.

His harsh vocals are perfect fit for the more melodic death metal aspects of the music, while his soaring clean vocals take centre stage and add an otherworldly vibe to the entire album.

Probably the biggest stamp of approval I can give this album is a quote by my wife who typically doesn’t like a lot of my music.

I don’t mind this - Lana

3 Fortitute - Gojira

Drowning all day long, in an ocean of stress, gotta find a safety raft, another wave is striking down

French environmentally conscientious progressive metal masters Gojira released their seventh studio album, Fortitute, in the first half of 2021 signalling the start of many good things to come. As should be expected, Gojira deliver on all of the technical complexity and crisp production that has become trademark of their sound. Driving riffs and intense vocals are perfectly interspersed with calm and pensive interludes throughout the album making this a perfect follow up to 2016’s Magma.

Any other year this album could have easily been my number one pick.

2 Hushed and Grim - Mastodon

Another sinking stone, finds its way down below, resurface when only light will ever show

Mastodon demonstrate astonishing musical versatility and imagination, and are able to push the boundaries of metal with each album they release. Their eighth release, Hushed and Grim, is no exception. Ever since drummer Brann Dailor decided to take on more lead vocal duties for the band, Mastodon have been in the unique position of having three exceptional lead singers. Primary vocalist, Troy Sanders, has never sounded so good in my opinion. It sounds like he has really pushed himself out of his comfort zone enabling him to explore new musical dimensions. On songs like The Crux and Skeleton of Splendor it feels like an emotional tide is being held back by his powerful lungs.

It may not be my favourite Mastodon album to date, but I love how they continue to evolve and surprise me with the directions they take.

1 Bloodmoon: I - Converge & Chelsea Wolf

You cut me open, but I won’t let you find, what’s under the surface, entombed in my mind

Metalcore veterans Converge teamed up with gothic/folk singer Chelsea Wolf for what was for me the biggest surprise of the year, Bloodmoon: I. I was only vaguely aware of Converge beforehand and I had only discovered Chelsea Wolf a few years ago, when I saw her open for A Perfect Circle. I have never been the biggest fan of metalcore in general and, while I enjoy her music, Chelsea Wolf lacks the extreme metal edge that I tend to gravitate towards these days. This album caught me off guard as I went into it with only mild curiosity and ended up listening to it on continuous rotation for several weeks. The coarse, energetic and heavy elements that Converge bring to the table are perfectly paired with the atmospheric, moody and haunting melodies of Chelsea Wolf. It feels like the musical equivalent of having some spicy, but good quality, street food (i.e. Converge) with a expensive bottle of wine (i.e. Wolf) that end complementing each other extremely well.

It may not be for everyone, but it is my pick for the best album of 2021.

Honourable Mentions

Here I list some of the albums there were in contention for a top 5 spot or that I would at least like recommend. The albums are simply listed in alphabetically order by band name.

Apotheosis - Bornholm

I will burn on the stake, cause of my evangelium, I am hawk and snake, this is my evangelium

Bornholm are a Hungarian black metal band I discovered last year through their 2021 release Apotheosis. I really like the melodies mixed with the chugging riffs that in places remind me of Dimmu Borgir and Behemoth. Despite having been around since the early 2000’s, there doesn’t appear to be a lot information about them available*.

*I could only find a Wikipedia page in Hungarian

This one might have flown under your radar, so you should check it out.

The Raging River (EP) - Cult of Luna

Here flows my blood, this is my home, above the sky, shimmers in gold

Post-metal is a subgenre that have found myself gravitating towards evermore in recent years and this is certainly in part due to Swedish band Cult of Luna. In 2021 they released a five-track EP titled The Raging River that perfectly encapsulates the atmosphere and blurred boundaries between musical styles that Cult of Luna navigate perfectly.

[!TIP] In this EP whets your appetite then you should probably also check out their recent full length album The Long Road North, which will likely feature on my top albums of 2022.

Ascension Codes - Cynic

We’ve been waiting for you

Cynic’s 1993 album Focus is considered an all-time progressive metal classic. Since then they have split up multiple times and had various line-up changes. In 2021 they released Ascension Codes, which is only their forth full length album. There is a lot of cool, funky and unusual stuff on this album that make it well worth a listen. I would even go as far as to say this is the most progressive of the progressive metal albums I listened to in 2021.

Viribus Unitis - Dragony

There’s a fire that burns in my soul, there’s a darkness consuming me whole, I am alone, heir to the throne, chilled to the bone

Dragony is an unapologetically cheesy power metal band from Austria. Their 2021 release Viribus Unitis (With United Forces) kicks off with a taste of An der schönen, blauen Donau (On the Blue Danube) by Austrian composer Johann Strauss II. The lyrics are a bit silly, the choruses are soaring, the melodies are classically inspired, in other words all the pieces are there for a great power metal album… and I’m all in! I couldn’t help but smile when listening to this album so I am happy to recommend it in case it can put a smile on someone else’s face.

I am pretty sure that the chap with green electricity coming out of his hand is supposed to be Nikola Tesla. 😂

A View from the Top of the World - Dream Theater

Dream Theater are still the undisputed kings of progressive metal.A View from the Top of the World marks their fifteenth studio album since 1989’s When Dream and Day Unite. While it has all the essential parts of classic Dream Theater album,

it didn’t really feel like anything particularly new or original by these virtuosos. It’s very good and certainly a solid release, but in year full of exceptional music it didn’t really stand out for me.

The Persistence of Memory - Emigrate

Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasn’t died

Emigrate is an idustrial metal/rock band fronted by Richard Kruspe, best known as the lead guitarist of German giants Rammstein. The The Persistence of Memory is their fourth studio album and, while not one of my top five from 2021, I found myself listening to it fairly often. I think the cover of Always on My Mind featuring Till Lindemann was a particular highlight.

Über den Sternen - Empyrium

Autumn was in its prime, fruits turned to golden wine

Empyrium if a folk/doom metal band from Germany that have been around since the mid 90’s, but were never on my radar until I came across their 2021 album Über den Sternen (Above the Stars). I often enjoy the inclusion of folk instruments and choirs in metal music and this album has both!

Caravans to the Outer Worlds (EP) - Enslaved

Esoteric navigation, through the astral storms, Odin!

Caravans to the Outer Worlds is a fairly short four-track EP by Norwegian extreme/progressive metal band Enslaved. Enslaved have very clearly demonstrated in recent years* that they one of the best bands on the metal scene. This EP gives a little taste of what they are about and will likely leave you wanting more.

*e.g. See their 2017 release E.

Omega - Epica

Freedom, true freedom, to know where to seek, is to see we’re the gateway to our mystery

Omega (or Ωmega as it is written on the album cover) is the eight full studio album by Dutch symphonic metal masters Epica. Simone Simons continues to be one of the most impressive vocalists on the metal scene. You are not getting anything particularly different with this album compared to previous releases, but it does sound like Epica have really honed their sound over the last twenty years, particularly in terms of production and balancing the diverse elements that make up their songs.

An Unexpected Reality - Gatecreeper

I starve myself from you, I wither away

Gatecreeper are a death metal band from Arizona that I discovered last year. An Unexpected Reality is their latest EP (I think 🤷🏻‍♂️) and the songs a very short and brutal. I was onboard with just the opening riff on Starved. The album cover art is also incredible!

It may not be to everyone’s taste, but it will take you less than twenty minutes to listen to the whole thing.

Helloween - Helloween

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery

Power metal pioneers Helloween were back in 2021 with their self-titled sixteenth album Helloween. This is their first studio album to feature all three of Helloween’s iconic singers, Kai Hansen, Michael Kiske and Andi Deris. Listening to this album feels like being transported back to late 80’s/early 90’s during Helloween’s peak years, yet the song writing retains some of the newer elements the band have incorporated into their music during their later years. On paper it seems like it shouldn’t really work, but the end result speaks for itself.

I don’t think this album will convert anyone who find Helloween a bit too cheesy, but there is a lot of fun to be had if you give it a chance.

Senjutsu - Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden need no introduction, they remain one of the biggest metal bands of all time. Senjutsu is their seventeenth studio album. Let’s be honest here, this album would not even make it into a top ten list of Iron Maiden albums, but that only speaks to the quality of the band. Even a mediocre release by their standards holds up against the best that most other bands have to offer.

If you are fan of Maiden the there is plenty of good stuff on this album that make it worth listening to. If, however, you are not yet initiated then you should really go back and listen to their earlier work (e.g. Piece of Mind, Powerslave, etc.) before digging into this latest release.

Wallflowers - Jinjer

Oh how much longer, will they keep on stabbing me?

In 2021 Ukrainian* band Jinjer released their fourth studio album Wallflowers. For those not already familiar with the band the most striking aspect of their music will be the versatile vocals of lead singer Tatiana Shmailyuk, who seamlessly jumps from the harshest metalcore vocals to the cleanest jazzy vocals in blink of an eye. I don’t think this album introduced anything particular revolutionary with respect to previous albums, but they have certainly refined their sound.

*It’s hard not to think of the current situation in Ukraine at the time of writing this. Jinjer are from Donetsk, which is now claimed by the breakaway state of the Donetsk People’s Republic and was recently officially recognised by the Russian government. At the time of writing this Russian forces have launched a full-scale invasion into Ukraine and the future of this country remains very much uncertain.

Deceiver - Khemmis

These faded lives are all we have

On the doom metal front Colorado based Khemmis released their fourth studio album Deceiver. This is a slow and moody album full of fuzzy guitar tones and some great layered vocals. I think this would make a good gateway album for those less used to harsh vocals as they are used sparingly and only to emphasise certain movements in the songs.

Aphelion - Leprous

I discovered the Norwegian progressive rock back Leprous in 2020 after I heard lead singer Einar Solberg’s guest appearance on Ihsahn’s EP Pharos performing a cover of Manhattan Skyline by A-ha. He has a very distinctive voice that caught my attention. In 2021 Leprous released their seventh studio album Aphelion and I really enjoyed it. There are lots of slow and understated build ups to very catchy choruses on songs like Silhouette. This combined with some subtle progy elements made for a very compelling listen.

This was a serious contender for the top five, but only just lost out for lack of that heavier edge I crave.

Esclavo Miserable - MISERABLE

Ahogado en una eterna lágrima

A fun discovery from 2021 was Peruvian metal band MISERABLE with their second full length album Esclavo Miserable (Miserable Slave). This is an old-school lo-fi heavy/thrash metal album and all of the songs are in Spanish. This is a good option if you are fan of 80’s metal and are looking for something a bit more diverse to listen to.

…And Again into the Light - Panopticon

Endless days turn into night

Panopticon* are a black metal band from Kentucky that incorporate elements of American folk into their music. …And Again into the Light is their ninth studio album. I would describe it as dark and atmospheric but also very beautiful and moving in places. I really love atmospheric black metal like this but I have to admit it is a bit of an acquired taste.

Named after philosopher Jeremy Bentham’s conceptual prison in which prisoners could be observed by a single guard.

Call of the Wild - Powerwolf

Then she went dancing with the dead, lost the lord and the spiritus sanctus, raving

I have been vaguely aware of German power metal band Powerwolf for several years, but it wasn’t until 2021 that I decided to give them a chance. Call of the Wild is their eighth full length release since 2005. While not really in contention the best album of 2021, I did have a lot of fun listening to this. The songs are really catchy and it’s great to see power metal still going strong.

Glory for Salvation - Rhapsody of Fire

One day, I’ll be your hero

Back in the late 90’s/early 00’s Rhapsody of Fire* was one of my favourite bands. Originally from Trieste (in the north-east of Italy), Rhapsody combined fantasy, with epic symphonic scores and power metal. Basically, it was like the musical equivalent of Dungeons and Dragons. Over the years there have been various schisms, and now only keyboardist and songwriter Alex Staropoli remains from the original line-up. Glory for Salvation is their thirteenth studio album overall and second to feature new lead singer Giacomo Voli. For me, it’s nowhere near the golden age of Rhapsody with guitarist Luca Turilli and singer Fabio Lione, but it’s still a good album with some catchy songs.

*Originally just Rhapsody, the ‘of Fire’ was added in later years for legal reasons.

The Work - Rivers of Nihil

I want your money, your time, I want your patience and your pride

Where Owls Know My Name was hands down the best album released in 2018 and felt like a breath of fresh air in the extreme metal genre. Technical death metal band Rivers of Nihil were back in 2021 with their fourth album, The Work. This is a more slow burning and pensive album compared to its predecessor. Nevertheless, the intricacy and experimentation you would hope for are still present. I would have liked a bit more saxophone scattered throughout the album, but this is another great album by one of the most exiting bands to have emerged in recent years.

Subjects - Scale the Summit

Scale the Summit is an instrumental progressive metal band from Texas. Their most recent release, Subjects, is a bit different in that the songs features guest vocalists*.

*There is also a purely instrumental version of the album available for the purists.

Compositionally speaking Subjects is very consistent with their previous releases but the inclusion of vocals adds a new dimension to the music that I found refreshing. As much as I love instrumental progressive metal, things can get a bit samey, so I am glad they decided to mix things up a bit for this album.

Imperial - Soen

I believe, that in the end we could be something more

Soen are a progressive metal band from Sweden. Their first album from back in 2012, Cognitive, sounded a bit like a cross between Tool and Opeth. While this is certainly a complement in terms of quality, I felt at the time that Soen lacked their own unique sound. In 2021 they released their fifth studio album, Imperial, and it’s fresh, original and excellent! The influences are still detectable* but the song writing is distinctive and emotive.

*There even a little Pink Floyd thrown into the mix on this album.

I am really looking forward to see where they go from here.

Forge Your Future - Spirit Adrift

I saw the future and it set me free, the stars aligned and cleared the way

Forge Your Future is a three-song EP by Arizona-based heavy/doom metal band Spirit Adrift. If you are craving some more classic heavy metal vibes, then I don’t think you could do better in 2021 than this EP. It has all the atmosphere and energy of a 70’s masterpiece but with perfectly balanced modern production.

Had this been a full-length album it would have been a very strong contender for a top five spot.