NO NONSENSE METAL REVIEWS: THE TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2021

 NO NONSENSE METAL REVIEWS:

THE TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2021

   Despite lockdowns, travel restrictions and the cancellation of normality as a result of an ever present global pandemic, 2021 has been a very healthy year for heavy music. With the cancellation and indefinite postponement of tours, festivals and live music in general, bands and artists have been forced to explore alternative avenues and express their artistic visions and passions in other ways. The down time away from the road has left bands with schedules empty enough to write and record new material, some of which has proven to be exceptionally strong new albums, EPs and compilations. The phenomena of the "lockdown live album" as well as live streaming events and virtual concerts have also become a commonplace staple in many band's discography, showing defiantly that COVID-19 and the consequent restrictions enforced will never suffocate the breath of creativity or shroud the light of the soul. Making the best of a very, very bad situation, artists have been working hard to keep music alive and in doing so preserve the sanity and dedication of fans across the panic stricken globe. 

   So without further ado, here is No Nonsense Metal Reviews' Top 10 albums of 2021. Of course, these choices are entirely of my own humble opinion as a devoted follower of all things Metal and I readily accept that not all fellow pilgrims of the heavy path will agree with me, but isn't that the point? After all, it would be an even duller world if we all liked or disliked the same things. So here it is and I truly hope you enjoy this article, let us reflect on a great year of musical output and give thanks to all who are defending the faith and keeping the heart of heavy music beating.

10: DARKTHRONE: ETERNAL HAILS.... 

    Norwegian Black Metal legends Darkthrone unapologetically doing whatever they want and creating subgenre boundary crossing music is nothing new. What is new is their stunningly crafted opus, Eternal Hails.... An album consisting of 5 epic tracks which fuse together and explore different paces and angles of Metal. In truth this is progressive and expressive masterpiece. Make no mistake though, Eternal Hails.... is as bleak as it is heavy and as blackened as it is doomy.  If you want to hear the proof, try "His Master's Voice" and "Voyage To A North Pole Adrift" for starters, and just try to resist those chilling tones and hypnotic atmospherics. 

9: TRIVIUM: IN THE COURT OF THE DRAGON

   Trivium have grown and evolved considerably over the course of their relatively short career. Their tenth and greatest release to date, the ferocious In The Court Of The Dragon is an embodiment of that progression and shows clearly just why Trivium carry the torch for heavy music. 

   Musically, In The Court Of The Dragon is furiously heavy, relentlessly fast and intricately well written. Pay particular attention to the crushing title track "In The Court Of The Dragon", the epic "The Shadow Of The Abattoir" and the catchy "Feast Of Fire", and you will see and hear clearly just why this band and this album have earned themselves a place in this list.

8: CARCASS: TORN ARTERIES 

   Carcass are more than just a Death Metal band, they are an extreme Metal institution. With each new release Carcass manage to produce an article which sounds individual, differing from its predecessor, yet remaining genuine and retaining the essence of Carcass' identity. 

   Torn Arteries is a distinctively Carcass album; characterised by Bill Steer's mightily crunchy riffs and lead noodling, Jeff Walker's throaty snarls and shouts, thick bass tones and of course a decent side of blast-beats. 

   Torn Arteries is loaded with superb tracks, whether it is the thrashing grooves of "Torn Arteries" and the weighty "Eleanor Rigor Mortis", the progressive "The Devil Rides Out" or the deadly epic "Flesh Ripping Sonic Torment Limited", Torn Arteries delivers the despicable goods start to finish and track after track. 

7: RAGE: RESSURECTION DAY 

  

   An unstoppable force of the heaviest persuasion, Rage keep delivering the goods time and again. The 25th full-length release from the legendary Peavy Wagner and company, Ressurection Day is a thrashing rollercoaster of seismic Heavy Metal. 

   Peavy's unique vocals are on top form throughout, the riffs are fast and furious, the solos are blinding and the drums are put through their paces. 

   Ressurection Day boasts countless killer tracks, such as the epic title track "Ressurection Day" and "Age Of Reason" which fuse ripping Heavy Metal with orchestral elements to spectacular effect. Elsewhere we have the massively groovy "Man In Chains" and "Monetary Gods", not forgetting the whiplash-inducing closer of "Extinction Overkill". There isn't much not to like about Ressurection Day, being that it is one of the best albums from a band with such a solid and respectable catalogue to boast.

6: BRAINSTORM: WALL OF SKULLS 

  

   Wall Of Skulls can best be described as a skull imploding wall of sound, packed with only the finest quality Heavy Metal. It will come as no surprise to any existing Brainstorm fan that Wall Of Skulls is unbelievably catchy and instantly memorable.

   The intro piece "Chamber Thirteen" sets the mood perfectly with dark atmospherics and almost Gregorian chant, before the excellent "Where Ravens Fly" grips with power and speed.

With more hooks than a fisherman "Solitude" is guaranteed to stick in the mind. The hammering heaviness of tracks like "Escape The Silence" and "Turn Off The Light" ensure that any seeker of crunchy chugging riffs and superb vocals will not go unfulfilled. 

   Andy B Franck's vocals are on fine form as usual here, displayed perfectly on the brooding and grand "Glory Disappears". If those recommendations aren't quite enough, then the juggernaut that is "My Dystopia" will certainly have you headbanging and fist pounding. Hook, line and sinker.  

5: RUNNING WILD: BLOOD ON BLOOD 

   

   Running Wild deliver a full broadside here with Blood On Blood, ten shots of raw old school Heavy Metal. Just listen to the opening title track "Blood On Blood", an uptempo beat that harks back to the days of Under Jolly Roger.  Full of excellent rocking riffs and powerful vocals, tracks like "Wings Of Fire", "Say Your Prayers" and "Wild & Free" are traditionally rooted yet refreshing. Fans of more modern Saxon and Judas Priest are certain to enjoy Blood On Blood, as will anyone seeking catchy, heavy and groovy Metal.   

   The curveball here is the closing track "The Iron Times (1618-1648)", an epic feature-length track running over 10 minutes long and holds your attention for the duration. This is an album with something for everyone, diverse and original as it is uplifting and distinctly heavy. This is unmistakably Running Wild.

4: HAMMER KING: HAMMER KING 

  Treading the Power Metal path laid down by Helloween, Hammerfall and Primal Fear before them, Hammer King are inheriting the crown and keep their choosen field of Metal alive and kicking hard. 

   Hammer King's self-titled album is superb front to back and full of excellent songs. Opening song "Awaken The Thunder" is fast and pounding with a massive sing-along chorus. Majestic and brooding "Onward To Victory" boasts collosal grooves and massively gripping vocals. Tankard frontman Gerre makes an appearance on the ripping "Hammerschlag", which thrashes and charges with shredding riffs and battering drums. The highlight here lies in the midpace masterpiece "Atlantis (Epilogue)", a monolithically catchy song with razor sharp hooks and hammering heaviness. The riffs, leads and solos here are sublime.  

   Hammer king deserve serious praise. This band has a future as bright as shimmering steel and heavier than an anvil.

3: IRON MAIDEN: SENJUTSU 

   

   Kings of the NWOBHM and vanguard of Heavy Metal, Iron Maiden can always be relied on to deliver the goods. Their rabid fanbase met the release of Senjutsu with fervour and delight and this 80 plus minute long voyage is certainly a spectacle to behold. 

   In what has become the new normal for Iron Maiden, Senjutsu takes shape as a double album epic comprised of 10 feature length tracks. However nothing about Senjutsu feels or sounds drawn out, bloated or unnecessary. None of the songs, even those lasting over 10 minutes long, are pointlessly protracted or over endorsed.

   The overall sound is distinctly Iron Maiden, specifically closer in nature to more recent previous releases Book Of Souls and The Final Frontier, than Powerslave or Fear Of The Dark, which is hardly surprising. Tracks like "Senjutsu" and "Stratego" are as powerful and encapsulating as only Maiden can do. This is also an emotive and passionate album, unafraid to push the boundaries of heavy music, with songs like "Darkest Hour" and "Hell On Earth". 

   Senjutsu is Iron Maiden in fine form, at the top of their game and showing the world that this Heavy Metal machine is still running smoothly and will not be stopped.

2: POWERWOLF: CALL OF THE WILD

   Powerwolf seem to get better and grow stronger with every new album. 2019's The Sacrament Of Sin was a clear highpoint for Powerwolf and was blatantly a hard act to follow. Luckily for fans and Powerwolf alike, Call Of The Wild lives up to expectations and goes a whole lot further. 

   Catchier than the cold and sharper than wolves claws, Call Of The Wild is a mean beast to which resistance is futile. The melodic yet pummelling "Faster Than The Flame" kicks off proceedings brilliantly with a heavy strike of abrasive Power Metal. 

   Bristling with hooks, flawless vocals and incredible musicianship, "Varcolac", "Beast Of Gévaudan" and "Glaubenskraft" will worm their way into your brain after the first listen and will leave you involuntarily humming the massive tunes for weeks. With a folky feel "Blood For Blood (Faoladh)" is a highly memorable Wild card. Call Of The Wild is without a doubt Powerwolf's most glorious and triumphant creation to date. There is virtually nothing to dislike here, as Powerwolf take the throne of the Power Metal domain.  

1: HELLOWEEN: HELLOWEEN 

   In what has proven to be one of the greatest returns to form of all time, German Power Metal royalty and founding fathers Helloween have regrouped and re-emerged to create a genuine game changing masterpiece.
   Helloween's self-titled new album is the first release to feature the now 7 man line up, which includes vocal legend Michael Kiske and riff master Kai Hansen, who have returned to the fold after many years of absence.
   It is fair to say that Helloween is without a doubt the band's best work so far, which is a bold statement indeed when addressing a band who's discography includes numerous Heavy Metal classics.
   The triple vocal attack is utterly sublime, particularly when hearing such powerhouses as Michael Kiske and Andi Deris singing their lungs out together on record. The musicianship is masterful and flawless throughout, with face melting solos and incredible riffs being the standard on every track. Uptempo and upbeat with Michael taking the spotlight, "Out For The Glory" is the first of many majestic and momentous tracks to come. Andi takes his turn and gives an amazing performance on the wonderful "Fear Of The Fallen". Crunchy and metallic, tracks such as "Mass Pollution", "Angels" and "Cyanide" deserve all the headbanging you can muster, as Helloween show off their heaviest abilities.  
   If you want to hear something truly mindblowing, something progressive and experimental yet crushing and fast, then look no further than the closing monolith "Skyfall". This titanic 12 minute performance features vocal contributions from Kai, Andi and Michael and boasts some of the most powerful and gripping, intoxicating music of the whole album. This is not an album that can easily be surpassed, hence its place at the top of this list. It is memorable from the first listen and an album that can be listened to repeatedly and still sound just as fresh and exciting as it did the first time. Helloween is definitely a future classic and a career highpoint.

   So there you have it, No Nonsense Metal Reviews' Top 10 Albums Of 2021. This was no easy task whittling down all the excellent albums that have been released this year and choosing a mere 10, but it has been a pleasure to explore and enjoy such brilliant music in the process. Releases from later in the year may have been awarded a place in this chart had they been released a little earlier, but I suppose there is only so much time in a day and only so much music one can listen to daily. The ranking of the albums I have listed here may also change depending on mood, time of the day or which way the wind is blowing, but that is less the point. All that really matters is that the Heavy Metal world is looking healthy and all these excellent bands and albums are getting some much deserved recognition. Let's hope 2022 keeps up the momentum!
Thank you for reading, I would love to here what people have to say about my choices and hear what other Metalheads consider to be their top 10 of 2021. Follow the blog and support the page, let's keep Metal alive!

You can watch the full Top 10 albums review here on Youtube;