![Scolopendra – Those of the Catacombs [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]](https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/a1472811368_10-768x768.jpg)
“If you frequent these parts, you may have been aware that 2020 has been death metal’s year. What you may not have been aware of is that some of the year’s best come from Italy. While you may think of ancient empires, Renaissance classicism or pizza when Italy comes to mind, Padua’s Scolopendra adopts a rather different approach on their debut called Those of the Catacombs.” Death in Venice.
![Verikalpa – Tuoppitanssi [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]](https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/verikalpa_tuoppitanssi_01-768x768.jpg)
“Verikalpa at its core is akin to a blend of melodic death and black metal. Laden with keys that sound like accordions and a logo that looks straight off of Ensiferum’s merch table, Tuoppitanssi could have fallen with ease into the ‘been done before’ bin without much effort from the listener.” And yet, I’m reviewing it 10 months late.
![Exgenesis – Solve et Coagula [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]](https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Exgenesis-Solve-et-Coagula-01-768x768.jpg)
“That glorious moment when you find a fucking cool record and you excitedly run off to tell your friends fellow captive writers about it. That awkward moment when one of them is like “oh yeah, I was telling everyone about this a few weeks back – wait, you were there, weren’t you?” And all you’re thinking is “die.” In this case, my sternest death stare was directed at the insufferable Cherd of Doom for it was he, not me, that first tooted the trumpet of Swedish-Colombian melodic doom/death dealers Exgenesis and their stunning full-length debut, Solve et Coagula.” Spiteballs and Coagula.
![Nawabs of Destruction – Rising Vengeance [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]](https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/NawabsOfDestruction_RisingVengeance_01-768x768.jpg)
“It’s time to ask the real questions. No more beating around the bush. What is a Nawab? According to a cursory Googlefu, a Nawab—which, translated literally, means “Viceroy”—is a Southern Asian royal title attributed to a governor under the Mogul empire, and was generally comparable to the Western world’s idea of a King. Alternatively, a Nawab could just refer to “a Muslim nobleman or person of high status.” So when you read the name Nawabs of Destruction, the honorable subject of today’s tongue bath, show the appropriate measure of respect.” Bend the knee!
![Kardashev – The Baring of Shadows [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]](https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kardashev-The-Baring-of-Shadows-01.jpeg-768x768.jpg)
“Now, I know what you’re thinking: ‘another year, and another EP that Sharkboi is trying to pass off as an album for TYMHM purposes.’ Well, we all have our Christmas traditions and, apparently, this is now one of mine. And, quite frankly, you should be thanking, not judging, me because The Baring of Shadows is an incredible piece of work from Tempe, Arizona’s Kardashev.” Missing times.
