Wonderbox Metal End of Year List EXTRA! – Best Non-Reviewed Metal of 2020

I’ve decided to do something new for 2020 – a second End of Year list. If you’ve missed it, my standard, definitive best of 2020 list can be seen here, and is made up of albums I was lucky enough to get to review. However, this year I want to also highlight some of the many albums that I’ve enjoyed listening to, but for one reason or another never had the chance to review. So, consider this a complementary list of sorts to the main one.

20 – Kvaen – The Funeral Pyre

We start with some incredibly catchy black metal. Don’t overlook this one.

19 – Banisher – Degrees of Isolation

Looking for an intelligent application of roaring death metal? Look no further.

18 – Marrasmieli – Between Land and Sky

Here’s an epic and textured piece of atmospheric black metal for you to enjoy.

17 – Black Crown Initiate – Violent Portraits of Doomed Escape

Progressive death metal with melody and emotive clean singing? Count me in!

16 – Grógaldr – Illness unto the Womb of Spirit

A list like this wouldn’t be complete without some properly nasty underground black metal.

15 – Aseitas – False Peace

Here’s a monstrous mix of experimental and sludge-laden progressive death metal for your delectation.

14 – Undeath – Lesions of a Different Kind

This festering slab of old-school death metal should hit the spot nicely for fans of the style.

13 – Black Royal – Firebride

Prepare for a riff-heavy sludge metal assault that will knock you flat.

12 – Demonical – World Domination

Now it’s time for some crushing Swedish death metal that’s filled with barbed hooks.

11 – Loviatar – Lightless

Heavy doom metal with an emotive core. DOOOOM!

10 – Exgenesis – Solve et Coagula

This exquisite slice of melodic death/doom is quite captivating.

9 – Ebonivory – The Long Dream I

If modern progressive metal floats your boat, then this should be one for you.

8 – Fuck the Facts – Pleine Noirceur

Grindcore, but more refined, varied, and diverse than most.

7 – Order of the Emperor – Faster into Flames

When hard rock and heavy metal collide, great things are born.

6 – Obsidian Tongue – Volume III

Highly accomplished atmospheric black metal with a voice of its own.

5 – Afterbirth – Four Dimensional Flesh

Utterly, devastatingly brutal sci-fi-themed death metal.

4 – Arcade Messiah – The Host

Progressive metal that’s filled with emotion and delicate melody.

3 – Void of Sleep – Metaphora

A compelling modern exploration of sludgy, hard rocking, doom-fuelled progressive metal.

2 – Shores of Null – Beyond the Shores (on Death and Dying)

A single track of incredibly well-realised melodic doom metal, layered with all sorts of treats and nuanced delivery.

1 – Panzerfaust – The Suns of Perdition – Chapter II: Render unto Eden

So here it is, the top slot. This is an absolutely stunning album of extremely well-written and well-crafted multifaceted brutal black metal. A masterpiece.