Things You Might Have Missed 2020

Neptunian Maximalism – Éons [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

By Dear Hollow on December 26, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Drone, Folk, 38 comments

“Consisting of core members Guillaume Cazalet, Jean Jacques Duerinckx, Sebastien Schmidt, and Pierre Arese, alongside a massive entourage of musicians, Neptunian Maximalism (or NNMM) utilize a range of influences, genres, and instruments both traditional and contemporary, to create their second full-length and crowning achievement Éons. While it’s unclear if it is indeed metal, that matters little. It’s an immensely sprawling release, a two-hour-plus release over three discs, and its content is just as challenging.” MOAR to score.

Wilderun – Veil of Imagination [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

By Angry Metal Guy on December 26, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, 103 comments

As it turns out, Veil of Imagination is still one of the most imaginative, beautiful and complete records that I have ever heard. Did you miss it?

The EP, Split, and Single Post [Things You Might Have Missed 2020] Part I

By El Cuervo on December 22, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Folk Metal, Heavy Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Synthwave, Thrash Metal, 51 comments

“The neglected, forgotten children; that’s what this post is about. Full-lengths albums are the proud first-born, strutting about with muscular arms and a beautiful face. But EPs?” Arms for the poor.

Paysage d’Hiver – Im Wald [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

By Dear Hollow on December 21, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Black Metal, 36 comments

“Always toeing the line between raw and atmospheric, mastermind Wintherr’s (also a member of the formidable Darkspace) demo work has ranged from the crystalline ambiance of Die Festung to the unrelenting rawness of Winterkälte, consistently providing an aural experience of a blizzard at its most violent and a winter’s evening at its most empty. This has all built up to this: first full-length Im Wald, which feels far too anticlimactic for this stunning project’s storied 23-year career.” Winter has come.

Ivan – Silver Screens [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

By Cherd on December 21, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Funeral Doom, 91 comments

“For those few keeping track, 2020 has been an exceptionally solid year for funeral doom. Convocation, Atramentus, Drown, Mourners and Lone Wanderer all put out top shelf bottles of distilled despondency, while golden boys Bell Witch returned to collaborate, mostly successfully, with Aerial Ruin. While each of these albums occupied a slightly different niche of the style, none wandered so far afield with such thrilling results as Australian duo Ivan on their fifth release Silver Screens.” Strange screenings.

Heathen – Empire of the Blind [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 20, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Thrash Metal, 21 comments

“Heathen. I’ve got three shirts that say it and nine people that call me that. I liken it to a word like ‘dickhead.’ It’s got great pop and works in all situations. Though it’s maybe more fun to call my mom a ‘dickhead’ rather than a ‘heathen.’ But, I suppose it depends on the day. Speaking of fun, let’s talk about that other Heathen. The one that released Empire of the Blind, and we never got it.” Blind fury.

Them – Return to Hemmersmoor [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 18, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Heavy Metal, 24 comments

“I can’t believe we never received the promo for Them’s Return to Hemmersmoor. I mean, seriously, I’m their biggest fan! Even when their first album fell into the hands of an anti-Diamonder, I still hailed the shit out of it. This October, I even asked my kids if they wanted to watch Tim Burton’s Sweet Hollow. That’s how much the band is on my mind.” Themsmoor.

Melted Bodies – Enjoy Yourself [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

By GardensTale on December 17, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, 46 comments

“In a year like this, there’s something to be said for going crazy. If you have multiple personality disorder, severe paranoia or schizophrenia with auditory hallucinations, you never have to feel alone while you’re locked in your apartment talking to the walls! Which is why Melted Bodies have the right idea.” Assorted nuts.

Afsky – Ofte Jeg Drømmer Mig Død [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

By Doom_et_Al on December 16, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 81 comments

“Every year, the chase is on to find that underground band no one’s ever heard of. The one that you present to everyone who loves music and watch as their expressions change from an unconvinced “Who is this?” to “Holy shit, this is amazing!” Well, folks, for those of you with a taste for pure black metal, unadulterated by frills and ribbons, I have the album for you.” Afsky and answered.

Thætas – Shrines to Absurdity [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

By Kenstrosity on December 15, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Slam, Technical Death Metal, 32 comments

“Like an evil twin of Afterbirth’s Four Dimensional Flesh, Thætas’ debut full-length Shrines to Absurdity feels like a different animal than the usual brand of brutal tech. Instead of Afterbirth’s counterintuitive use of airy atmospherics and deceptively uplifting songwriting, Thætas invoke crushing despair and unnerving dissonance.” Shriny, unhappy people.