1). Vildhjarta - "måsstaden under vatten" :
Vildhjarta have provided the perfect soundtrack to my experience of the last 12 months or so. Their music and especially their latest album perfectly resonated with the strange mix of melancholy, nostalgia, sadness, anger, hope and rebirth I have been experiencing and I am so thankful for the perfect timing of their return.
2). Between The Buried And Me - "Colors II" :
BTBAM are my all-time favourites so I am probably biased, but they truly never cease to blow my mind and always inspire me to be a better musician.
Not only have they lived up to their legacy, but they keep elevating it to new grounds.
3). Frontierer - "Oxidized" :
When it comes to favourites, Frontierer are right behind BTBAM.
Their unchained mastery of sheer chaos is so empowering and mind-melting yet they have somehow managed to push it even further here.
4). Humanity's Last Breath - "Välde" :
Humanity's Last Breath have occupied a similar spot to Vildhjarta in my experience of 2021, although tapping less into melancholic beauty and more into sheer violence and bleak desolation.
With "Välde", HLB have reached new cinematic heights while their sound has become more crushing and varied than ever before.
5). VOLA - "Witness" :
The first time a VOLA album truly clicks with me; "Witness" has provided me with deep moments of introspection as well as prompting me to keep my chin up through its perfect balance of poppy catchiness and chuggy djent.
6). Sentinels - "Collapse By Design" :
Although released near the closing of the year, this album contains everything I enjoy most about progressive "core" music executed with surgical precision so it's truly no surprise that it should find its way here.
7). Fawn Limbs - "Darwin Falls" :
The work ethic and the limitless artistical vision of Fawn Limbs is truly inspiring and this record has cemented them as one of my favourite experimental technical bands.
"Darwin Falls" offers 2021's most singular musical journey without a doubt.
8). Iglooghost - "Lei Line Eon" :
Absolutely insane electronic production work that truly pulls you into a world of its own where nothing else exists or matters.
9). Leprous - "Aphelion" :
Although still steeped in its predecessor, "Pitfalls" melancholy, "Aphelion" however, is uplifting in its theatrical grandeur which sees the band continue to favour accessibility and catchiness over technicality while loosing none of their intracacy as they deliver their most flamboyant sounding record yet.
10). black midi - "Cavalcade" :
The performances and the creativity on this absolutely unhinged album are just awe-inspiring and infectious. It's hard to not marvel at it all and get sucked in by "Cavalcade"'s frantic madness.
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