Favourite Rock and Metal albums of 2020 so far

This is my own personal selection. You can read about my music tastes here, if those match yours, then you may agree with my choices. Let me know in the comments.

My entire 'Best Rock & Metal Albums of 2020' playlist is here on Spotify.

This page will grow as the year goes on.

---

Rage - Wings of Rage

One of the first real new releases of the year and one of the highlights. Rage have been doing their thing since 1983 (if you count the first couple of releases as Avenger) and this is a very strong album. 

It includes a re-recording of their classic song Higher Than The Sky (known as HTTS2.0)

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Mindless Sinner - Poltergeist

You don't need to see the cutoff-denim-over-leather to see that the cover artwork graces some good old traditional heavy metal. Once again the band have been around since the 80s, but this time with long gaps.

Christer Göransson's vocals remind me of Steve Grimmet of Grim Reaper and the music is of that style too.

It's up there with last year's Riot City and Traveller releases and it's great that there are bands still writing and playing this timeless style of music.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Annihilator - Ballistic, Sadistic

Geoff Waters has been releasing Annihilator records since the late 80s and I don't understand why he hasn't had greater success.

I don't think this record digs its hooks into you quite as well as the previous album, For the Demented, but it's Annihilator and belongs in this list.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Hazzerd - Delirium

A newer band but compatriots of Annihilator (Canadian) are Hazzerd. It's no-nonsense, tight, old-school thrash with straight-to-the point vocals somewhere between the realms of singing and yelling.

I was looking forward to this after enjoying their previous and debut album, and it doesn't disappoint.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Lovebites - Electric Pentagram

There is no shortage of female-fronted power metal. The band looks more like Babymetal than Battle Beast but happily this has great songwriting and a distinctive vocal style I really like.

The opening track (embedded below) verges into the thrash arena

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Verikalpa - Tuoppitanssi

I am partial to a bit of folk / pirate / viking / troll metal and this is somewhere along those lines. The band are from Finland, this is their second album.
Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Seven Spires - Emerald Seas

I was also keen to hear this second album from Symphonic Metal band Seven Spires. Their previous album Solveig is an enduring favourite. I'm not sure yet whether this one matches up. But it has a fab cover and is certainly outstanding in this year's releases so  far.

Vocalist Adrienne Cowan has popped up in other places including the recent excellent album Signs of Wings from Sascha Paeth's Masters of Ceremony.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Burning Witches

This is the third album from the Swiss all-female heavy metal band and by far the most powerful. They've left behind some of the commercialness and headed in a slightly noisier, thrashier direction
Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

This 2020 list is still growing - check back regularly

Favourite Rock and Metal albums of 2019

This post is a little late but I hope you'll find it worth the wait.

You can read about my music tastes here, if those match yours, then you may agree with my choices. Let me know in the comments.

My 'Best Rock & Metal Albums of 2019' playlist is here on Spotify.

Flotsam and Jetsam The End of Chaos

This album, released early in the year, remained and remains possibly my favourite album of the year.

I noticed the band and became a fan when Jason Newstead left the band to join Metallica. I bought their first album, Doomsday for the Deceiver, loved it then and still love it.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

King Diamond - Songs for the Dead : Live at Graspop 

I rarely enjoy live albums as much as studio albums, but once in a while the performances and sound are so good that you can enjoy the album over and over for its own sake rather than acceptable renditions of the studio tracks with added audience sounds.

King Diamond is an extraordinary performer and he can pull it off live as well as in the studio. This is a performance of the entire Abigail album with some classic Mercyful Fate and King D thrown in.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Witchlords - Demons in the Dark

The sound of this album is a bit thin but it is independently-produced. You could see the tinny sound as reminiscent of the bands and time that Witchlords hark back to. But that's made up for with the quality of the songs. Musically it's fast old-school heavy metal / thrash metal with savage vocals.

It's a bit of a maverick but I love it and can't wait for a better-produced second album.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Traveler - Traveler

This is a must-have for fans of true, old-school heavy metal.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Amon Amarth - Berserker

Amon Amarth probably do Viking metal the best. They work hard and their live shows have good production value.

I'm not sure whether this album is as good as the previous alum, Jomsviking, but it certainly belongs in this list.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Paragon - Controlled Demolition

A new band to me although this German band have been around for a few years.

Not unlike a speedier version of Kreator.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Candlemass - The Door to Doom

As the name suggests, this Swedish band's music veers towards doom but it often has a bit of melody and groove too. A great mix.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Diamond Head The Coffin Train

UK Veterans Diamond Head need no introduction. This album rocks.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Gloryfull - Cult of Sedna

This is Great German heavy metal with hooky choruses and a suggestive cover.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Invicta - Halls of Extinction

Melodic thrash with growled vocals. First full-length album from this so-far unsigned Canadian band.

Not to be confused with Invictus who have a similar logo and are also excellent.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Riot City - Burn the Night

Good old-fashioned heavy metal which really drives along digging its hooks deep. For me this is in the top three of 2019 and hasn't paled after repeated listening.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Kryptos - Afterburner

melodic metal from India, fast in places, with growly vocals.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Vader - Thy Messenger

It helps that I saw Vader twice in 2018 or 2019 (with Testament and Annihilator. What a line-up) and really enjoyed their performance. They remind me very much of Venom without quite such a focus on Satan.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Paladin - Genesis

Very much in the mould of Priest / Maiden etc. Some growled vocals but mostly sung, and sung well with harmonies.

Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Asomvel - World Shaker

This band could easily do a Motorhead tribute act, they sound and even dress the part, but to their credit the material is original and very good.
Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Anthrocene - Nucleation

Another debut full-length from a Seattle heavy / power metal band. A mix of clean and growled vocals, story-based songs.
Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Hellfire-Mania

Good old-fashioned heavy metal / thrash
Read the reviews and buy on Amazon

---

Destruction - Born to Perish

There's more than a passing resemblance to Kreator and that's not a bad thing. Also from Germany, also on Nuclear Blast.
Read the reviews and buy on Amazon



































Still under construction, check back soon

This One Goes to Eleven :: Episode 24 :: Rock and Metal playlist :: 9 Dec 2018

Welcome back, or just welcome if it's your first time, for Episode 24 of this rock and traditional metal playlist.

There's a text link just below to a playlist that you can and should subscribe to, and it will change and contain the latest selections each week. Below that is the permanent playlist for episode 24. You can find all previous episodes / playlists by exploring the previous posts on this blog.

I think you have to click through to the Spotify app to listen to the songs in full. Underneath all that are my notes from this episode.

(Here is a link to the playlist that you need to subscribe to for the new episode each week )



- Shirley Knott






For all of the best rock and metal new releases, subscribe to my New Rock and Metal Album Releases playlist.

This One Goes to Eleven :: Episode 23 :: Rock and Metal playlist :: 1 Dec 2018

Welcome back, or just welcome if it's your first time, for Episode 23 of this rock and traditional metal playlist.

There's a text link just below to a playlist that you can and should subscribe to, and it will change and contain the latest selections each week. Below that is the permanent playlist for episode 23. You can find all previous episodes / playlists by exploring the previous posts on this blog.

I think you have to click through to the Spotify app to listen to the songs in full. Underneath all that are my notes from this episode.

(Here is a link to the playlist that you need to subscribe to for the new episode each week )



- Shirley Knott


Preaching to the Converted by Artillery from The Face of Fear (2018) New release from veteran thrashers

Evil Within by Hitten from Twist of Fate (2018) Spanish metal

Demolition Man by Flotsam and Jetsam (2018) I don't usually bother with singles and wait for the album. But I'm very excited about the forthcoming album that this is presumably from.

Fever Dreams by Dio from Magica (2000) 

Blade of Cimmeria by Gatekeeper from East of Sun (2018) Swords and sorcery

Spre Vingene by Einjerjer from Norrone Spor (2018) Viking metal

Breaking the Law by Judas Priest from British Steel (1980)

Save Me, ptII by Holter from Vlad the Impaler (2018)  I guess this is a prequel to the Dracula-inspired Swing of Death album he made with Jorn Lande in 2014

In the Walls by Seven Kingdoms from Decennium (2017) This band, as you might guess from their name, is usually singing songs about the Game of Thrones universe, but this one is I believe based on the Lovecraft story.

Death Knell for a King by Satan from Cruel Magic (2018) One of the best albums of this year.

All Hell is Breaking Loose by Blitzkrieg from Judge Not! (2018)

All Hell's Breaking Loose by Kiss from Lick it Up (1983) The title connection is an excuse to include a Kiss classic.

Tranquility by Frosttide from Decadents - Enshrined (2018) melodic death / folk metal

Blood Brothers by Wolfpakk from Wolves Reign (2017) Two guys and lots of guests, this one includes  Biff Byford (Saxon) on vocals

Macabre Procession of Specters by Hexx from Wrath of the Reaper (2017) a great recent album from veteran traditional metal band.

Symptathy for the Devil by Motörhead from Under Cöver (2017) posthumous release, great cover of classic song.


For all of the best rock and metal new releases, subscribe to my New Rock and Metal Album Releases playlist.

This One Goes to Eleven :: Episode 22 :: Rock and Metal playlist :: 25 Nov 2018

Welcome back, or just welcome if it's your first time, for Episode 22 of this rock and traditional metal playlist, there's a good mix of new and old this time.

There's a text link just below to a playlist that you can and should subscribe to, and it will change and contain the latest selections each week. Below that is the permanent playlist for episode 22. You can find all previous episodes / playlists by exploring the previous posts on this blog.

I think you have to click through to the Spotify app to listen to the songs in full. Underneath all that are my notes from this episode.

(Here is a link to the playlist that you need to subscribe to for the new episode each week )




- Shirley Knott


Die by the Sword by Accept from Symphonic Terror, Live from Wacken 2017  This was a historic performance, partly traditional and new material from Accept, and partly Wolf doing his symphonic thing with a full orchestra on a festival stage.

Can I play with Madness from Seventh Son by Iron Maiden (1988) I wasn't convinced by this album at the time. I felt they'd lost the magic when they released Somewhere in Time. This was certainly an improvement on SiT and it has aged very well for me.

High Risk by Blade Killer from High Risk (2018) A killer release from this week's crop.

Message at the Tone by Mark Zavon from Mark Zavon (2018)  

The Elders by Skyrider from Volume 1 (2018) debut EP from a bunch of young puppies with very tight trousers.

Flight of the Warrior by Riot V from Thundersteel (1988) as classic as it gets

Rough Rider by Substratum from Permission to Rock (2018) 

Needles in the Dark by Pretty Maids from Future World (1987)

Black Sunday by Jag Panzer from Ample Destruction (1984) Apologies for what sounds like a commercial at the end of this song, I can't decide whether it's a parody.

Franz Weiss by Die Apokalyptischen Reiter from Der Rote Reiter (2017)

What about Yesterday by Reece from Resilient Heart (2018)

Alegria by Nita Strauss from Controlled Chaos (2018)  Released last week to much excitement from me

Twilight of the Thunder God by Amon Amarth from The Pursuit of Vikings (Live, Summer Breeze) (2018)

Heavier than Metal by Skull Fist from Heavier than Metal (2010)

Possession by Burning Witches from Hexenhammer (2018)




For all of the best rock and metal new releases, subscribe to my New Rock and Metal Album Releases playlist.

This One Goes to Eleven :: Episode 21 :: Rock and Metal playlist :: 18 Nov 2018

Welcome back, or just welcome if it's your first time, for Episode 21 of the usual mix of rock and metal, new and old. Mostly new this week, there is a great crop of new album releases.

There's a text link just below to a playlist that you can and should subscribe to, and it will change and contain the latest selections each week. Below that is the permanent playlist for episode 21. You can find all previous episodes / playlists by exploring the previous posts on this blog.

I think you have to click through to the Spotify app to listen to the songs in full. Underneath all that are my notes from this episode.

(Here is a link to the playlist that you need to subscribe to for the new episode each week )




- Shirley Knott


I've not written notes yet, due to being away all weekend. I may add some during the week.


For all of the best rock and metal new releases, subscribe to my New Rock and Metal Album Releases playlist.

This One Goes to Eleven :: Episode 20 :: Rock and Metal playlist :: 11 Nov 2018

Welcome back, or just welcome if it's your first time, for Episode 20 of the usual mix of rock and metal, new and old. There are quite a few great new releases this week. The list also includes some classics which are anti-war, as this is the 100th anniversary of the end of the first world war. My notes are down below.

There's a text link just below to a playlist that you can and should subscribe to, and it will change and contain the latest selections each week. Below that is the permanent playlist for episode 20. You can find all previous episodes / playlists by exploring the previous posts on this blog.

I think you have to click through to the Spotify app to listen to the songs in full. Underneath all that are my notes from this episode.

(Here is a link to the playlist that you need to subscribe to for the new episode each week )



- Shirley Knott


Executed by Burning Witches from Hexenhammer (2018)  Possibly my favourite release this week, although it's a difficult call.

The Lost Battalion by Sabaton from The Last Stand (2016)  This is the song that famously used various gunshot sounds for the percussion. The story is amazing. At one point the lost soldiers found themselves under fire from their own side and sent a pigeon with a message that said "for heaven's sake, stop it". Very British.

Hold the Flame by Air Raid from Across The Line (2017) A quite recent album that sounds like it's come from the 80s

Run Like Hell by PallBearer from The Wall (Redux) (2018)  I was excited about this album. It includes all songs from The Wall  (seemingly all songs, those that were in the film but not on the album and vice versa). Each is performed by a different band, odd bands such as the Melvins and Sasquatch. A couple of the tracks rock, including this one.

 I'm a Ratt by Stephen Pearcy from View To a Thrill (2018)  He's had a bit of bad press for appearing 'ratted' on stage but I like the album. It really does sound like Ratt, as you'd expect, and why not.

I Love Ya Too Much Baby by Ted Nugent from The Music Made Me Do It (2018)  I used to have a 'Nuge' album, but didn't really know much about him. The only song I could have named was Cat Scratch Fever, which bizarrely seems to appear on this album as Backstrap Fever. If anyone knows what's going on there, let me know in the comments.

Ink & Water by Red Dragon Cartel from Patina (2018)  This is Jake E Lee's project. I have enjoyed previous albums but struggled to find much in this one that excited me. This one curiously has a bit of Cracked Actor and Happy Together mashed together.

Total Recall by Dire Peril from The Extraterrestrial Compendium (2018)  This album really reminds me of Helion Prime with its powerful riffs, strong clean vocals and sci-fi themes.

Method to your Madness by Metal Church from The Dark (1986) An anti-war song from the second album by this classic band.

Metal Blitzkrieg by Black Viper from Hellions of Fire (2018)  Good solid old-school speed / thrash.

Disposable Heroes by Metallical from Master of Puppets (1986)  A self-explanatory anti-war song from the masters of thrash metal and arguably their best album.

Heart and Soul by Michael Schenker Fest from Resurrection (2018)  A bit of self-indulgance as I was fortunate enough to see the great guitarist this week. The album and the tour features no less than four of the vocalists that he's worked with over the years. On this track it's Robin McAuley, who still hits the high notes apparently effortlessly. They weren't just being their own tribute act, the new material is really good and this album is a favourite of 2018 for me.

Lights Out by UFO from Lights Out (1977) Michael Schenker joined UFO as a teenager and has writing credit for many of their songs including this one.

Coast to Coast by Scorpions from Lovedrive (1979) Schenker is credited with playing lead guitar with the Scorpions on this album (his brother Rudi is one of the founder members of Scorps). He claims to have had a hand in writing the songs too but gets no writing credit on the album cover. Scorpions were the band I wore on my back as a teen and this is a great album.



That's the list for this week.

For all of the best rock and metal new releases, subscribe to my New Rock and Metal Album Releases playlist.