Things You Might Have Missed 2020

Plague – Portraits of Mind [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

Plague – Portraits of Mind [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

“I suppose there’s a certain dark irony to the fact that death metal had one of its best years during a global pandemic. It’s a double irony that in a year fraught with so much outstanding death metal, it’s Plague’s unsung debut Portraits of Mind that keeps drawing me back as the days (and plague) drag on.” Portraits of 2020.

Death. Void. Terror. – To the Great Monolith II [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

Death. Void. Terror. – To the Great Monolith II [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

“One of my main motivations regarding black metal is finding albums like this. Offerings from Ancient Moon, Dolorian, or Amnutseba have come close, hinting at a devastatingly empty atmosphere and pitch-black density through aural executions of dread that invoke the feeling of drifting in the eternal void. Attempts have never really hit the sweet spot, until Death. Void. Terror.’s 2018 debut To the Great Monolith.” Monoliths R Us.

Catalepsia – Inheritance [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

Catalepsia – Inheritance [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

“2020 felt like a year in which a lot of quality albums escaped our reviewing grasp. In some cases we simply didn’t get promo and in others we just missed the boat altogether because we’re fallible human beings. Count Inheritance, the sophomore album from Latvia’s Catalepsia, in the former category, and it was our loss for not getting our hands on this freaky beast way back in January.” Sleep studies.

Árstíðir lífsins – Saga á tveim tungum II: Eigi fjǫll né firðir [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

Árstíðir lífsins – Saga á tveim tungum II: Eigi fjǫll né firðir [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

Árstíðir lífsins was perhaps my most joyous discovery of 2019. I’ve heard Norse-themed black metal done before, but never the way this trio does it. Saga á tveim tungum I: Vápn ok viðr confidently strode into my top ten for the year, and I’ve been eagerly anticipating the followup record ever since.” Saga for the ages.

Scolopendra – Those of the Catacombs [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

Scolopendra – Those of the Catacombs [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

“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]

Verikalpa – Tuoppitanssi [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

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]

Exgenesis – Solve et Coagula [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

“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]

Nawabs of Destruction – Rising Vengeance [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

“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!