After a year indoors, 2021 has seen the result of many artists spending their time in isolation writing, reconnecting and reforming. Through that, there have been countless high-quality releases from all across the music spectrum, so join us today as we rank our Top 25 records from across the year, throughout the worlds of metalcore, post-hardcore and alternative music.
25. Bad Wolves – Dear Monsters
After the dramatic departure of ex-vocalist Tommy Vext, Bad Wolves are back with their newest album Dear Monsters. This album features the debut of their new vocalist Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz (formerly of The Acacia Strain, and LGND), who breathes new life into the group with some truly stellar vocal performances. Everything worked out in the end for Bad Wolves, making what is arguably their best album to date with Dear Monsters. God damn what a voice DL has.
24. Karmanjakah – A Book About Itself
Combining such wide-reaching influences as Circa Survive all the way to Vildhjarta, Swedish prog-metallers Karmanjakah craft a unique, compelling and downright gorgeous debut album. Soaring vocal melodies, paired with some of the most gorgeous and technical guitar work all year make for a blend of classic post-hardcore and djent that we never knew we needed.
23. Perturbator – Lustful Sacraments
In the previous decade Perturbator became one of synthwave’s standout artists, the shift in sound flirted with in 2017’s New Model saw it’s full fruition in Lustful Sacraments. Bringing in post-punk elements and a gloomier atmosphere has made for one of Perturbator’s most interesting and best albums to date. With this new sound and reinvigoration, it is no doubt Perturbator’s reign at the top of synthwave will continue through this decade too. [Full Review]
22. Whitechapel – Kin
Following on from the success of The Valley, Whitechapel continued to hit their stride with Kin. With varied guitar work creating a dynamic sound backed by some excellent drum work, these are layered with some stand out vocalist performances and lyricism from Phil Bozman. A dooming melancholy fills moments in “History is Silent” and “Without Us” that make Kin a powerful listen across its 11 tracks. [Full Review]
21. God Complex – To Decay in a Deathless World
God Complex’s debut album is filled visceral violence, feral rage and human despair. The group putting together one one of the finest debut full-lengths in recent years is soured by it being their first and final full length. The brutality of tracks such as “Red Chord” and “Sudden Panic” are unmatched this year. Underneath the aggression there are some wonderfully crafted melancholic moments in “Gathering Dark” and To Decay in a Deathless World’s closer “Worthy Host“. Thankfully the album will get the send off it deserves as part of God Complex’s farewell show this February in Liverpool.
20. Don Broco – Amazing Things
UK rockers Don Broco continue their ongoing venture into their equal parts stranger and heavier sound with Amazing Things. Their strongest collection of music to date, the album combines elements of riffy post-hardcore and shoegaze alongside their iconic laddish alternative rock stylings. [Full Review]
19. Frontierer – Oxidized
This is one of the most insane pieces of music ever written. That’s all I think we can say. What the fuck.
18. Dying Wish – Fragments of a Bitter Memory
The fury and enmity contained within Fragments of a Bitter Memory is to be marvelled at. Tracks such as a “Enemies in Red” and “Innate Thirst” taking a much needed stance on police brutality and co-option of social movements. Intertwined within this all are emotionally charged moments such as “Cold Hearts in Bloom“, where Boster’s vocal delivery and lyricism strike with a raw and cold potency. [Full Review]
17. Hail the Sun – New Age Filth
One of the most concise and downright fun post-hardcore albums of the year, with New Age Filth, Hail the Sun prove to be the frontrunners in their respective ‘swancore’ microgenre. With fantastic riffs and some of the best vocal performances across post-hardcore all year, New Age Filth is a must-listen for fans of groups similar swancore acts like Dance Gavin Dance. [Full Review]
16. Spiritbox – Eternal Blue
Spiritbox‘s rise to the forefront of the metalcore scene in the last two years is unlike anything seen before. Despite the production and release of the album stumbled by the global pandemic, Eternal Blue‘s popularity and hype was impossible to avoid. Staking their claim with bangers such as “Hurt You” and “Sun Killer“, the trio have ensured they will be one of metalcore’s frontrunners for years to come. [Full Review]
15. Architects – For Those That Wish To Exist
Architects ninth LP For Those That Wish To Exist introduced new sonic territory for the quintet that seemed like a step in a magnificent direction. Relying heavily on added orchestral elements with songs like “Demi God” and “Dying is Absolutely Safe” and many other tracks on the record, this seemed like the record they’ve been eager to make for years. And it is certainly one that will cement their new sound for years and records to come.
14. Deafheaven – Infinite Granite
Deafheaven made a bold shift in their sound with Infinite Granite by fully embracing the shoegaze elements they had previously tampered with in previous albums. Across Infinite Granite each track is brought to life with textured synths and smooth ambient guitars. The result is a deeply joyful and rich listen, tracks such as “In Blur” and “Great Mass of Color” soaked in an elegant atmosphere. [Full Review]
13. VEXED – Culling Culture
As the cry of “I’m the only one who’s got you all figured out, you and your fucking big mouth“, leads into one of this year’s most vicious breakdowns, Culling Culture begins by going straight for the jugular. Heavier cuts such as “Hideous” and “Fake” will deservedly garner attention, however tracks such as “Purity” and “Aurora” provide moments of sorrow and introspection that will stick with listeners just as vividly. [Full Review]
12. Between The Buried And Me – Colors II
Progressive rock/metal mainstays Between The Buried And Me return with potentially their strongest material to date in their sequel to 2007’s beloved Colors. A true love-letter to classic progressive rock, set to the tune of the some of the most enjoyable metal of the year, Colors II is an absolute joy from start to finish. [Full Review]
11. The Armed – Ultrapop
Ultrapop sees The Armed and their project reach its peak and thrive. Their distinct noise rock blended with dream pop elements makes for a surprisingly elegant listen. Scorchers such as “An Iteration” and “Where Man Knows Want” give Ultrapop its stride and are some of the finest songs the collective have penned to date. Ultrapop: Live At The Masonic Temple gave a selection of tracks from the album the outstanding renditions they deserved. Refract. [Gig Review]
10. Turnstile – Glow On
Listening to Glow On is the most fun one can have listening to music this year. Whether it’s jamming away to the ever so catchy hooks in “Dance-Off” or shouting along to the energetic lyricism of “Blackout“. Throughout the 15 tracks running just shy of 35 minutes, there is an infectious energy that’s difficult not to indulge in. There is also no doubt that this will be one the best albums to experience live from this year’s list too. [Full Review]
9. Twelve Foot Ninja – Vengeance
With their third studio length record (and last with founding vocalist Nik Barker) in Vengeance, Twelve Foot Ninja continue to push the bounds of their already genre-defiant style. Combining their iconic prog-metal-meets-funk-meets-jazz-meets-reggae sound with some new influences from the industrial and 80s new wave, the Australian group show that there are plenty of surprising new tricks in this old dog. Also, “Culture War” is insane. [Full Review]
8. VOLA – Witness
Crafting a record that is equal parts gorgeous and stank-face-inducing is a tough task, and yet it’s one that Danish group VOLA have taken in stride. One of the most brilliant prog albums of the year, Witness excels in its massive hooks, fantastic riffs, slick drumming and tasteful synth work. [Full Review]
7. Vildhjarta – måsstaden under vatten
One of the most instrumentally dense records ever written, Vildhjarta‘s long-awaited second studio record has proven to be worth ever second of the now ten-year wait since the release of måsstaden in 2011. Mind-melting rhythms, replete with all the pummeling brutality one would need in a metal record, contrasted masterfully with heightened melodic elements and a downright genius use of repeating aural motifs across its gargantuan 80-minute runtime, måsstaden under vatten is undeniably a lot to take in, but it’s worth every second of your time if you can stomach it. [Full Review]
6. Volumes – Happier?
After a few years departed from the sound of their formative years, Volumes reignite their creative spark with Happier?. Their first full release since founding vocalist Michael Barr returned to the group in early 2020, Happier? contains the very strongest material from the iconic djent group in close to a decade. Tracks like “Man on Fire” and “Malevolent” demonstrate that the LA group haven’t lost their heavy edge, while the more melodic cuts in “Into You (Hurt)“, “Bend” and “Happier?” exemplify the keen melodic sensibilities Volumes have been honing in on in recent years. [Full Review]
5. Every Time I Die – Radical
Continuing to demonstrate why they’re one of the most beloved metalcore bands out there, Every Time I Die continue their long lineage of, if nothing else, downright consistency. End-to-end bangers ranging from classic ragers like “AWOL” and “Distress Rehearsal“; all the way down the softer end of things with more sombre, melodic tracks like “Thing With Feathers“. [Full Review]
4. Emma Ruth Rundle – Engine of Hell
With Engine of Hell, Rundle displayed a vulnerability that very few albums offer up. Tracks such as “Return” and “Body” leaving their mark on the emotions of those who chose to spend time with the potent lyricism and beautiful chords within both. The journey through Engine of Hell and all it’s grief and trauma, which at times strums at the depths of the soul, makes for one of the most majestic listens this year. [Full Review]
3. Silent Planet – Iridescent
Silent Planet released their long awaited 4th LP Iridescent this year. The band found themselves exploring new sonic ground getting heavier than ever, and implementing more electronic elements which suits them very well. Vocalist Garrett Russell touches on his own bouts with his mental health, his stay in a psych ward, and the political landscape we find ourselves involved in today. [Full Review]
2. Sleep Token – This Place Will Become Your Tomb
The ever-enigmatic UK metallers stray further from their post-metal roots, honing in on the keen pop melodies and more focused song structures found on 2019’s Sundowning. Containing their most diverse and yet concise collection of work to date, This Place Will Become Your Tomb may not be quite as progressive or atmospheric as their work, but more than makes up for it with some truly heartfelt songwriting and energetic instrumental work. [Full Review]
1. Ice Nine Kills – The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood
Hot off the heels of their wildly successful album The Silver Scream in 2018, Ice Nine Kills release the sequel to end all sequels in The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood. Following the same thematic formula of the first album, the sequel albums is a massive step up and is their best work to date. Not only are the songs the best of their career, they have some compelling features from Corpsegrinder (Cannibal Corpse), Buddy Nielsen (Senses Fail), Brandon Saller (Atreyu), Ryan Kirby (Fit For a King), and Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach). Ice Nine Kills are clearly far enough in their career to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump, but I don’t think anyone expect this sequel to be quite so compelling. [Full Review]