Well 2020 is almost done and, like most people, I cannot wait for it to be over. Gods favourite band retired at the tail end of last year and he hasn’t taken it well. 

However, lets thank the sweet baby Jesus that a bunch of metalheads did not let a worldwide pandemic stop them making their beautiful, brutal offerings. 

5 Testament. Titans of Creation – The only reason Testament make the list was after seeing them live in March. Recordings do not do Testament justice, however Titans, is as close as you are gonna get to the live feel of this band. Riffs aplenty with Chucks gravelly vocals dripping all over it. I never got into the early Testament material but the new album made we want to go back and try again.

4 Onslaught. Generation Antichrist. – The UK stalwarts were back and with new vocalist David Garnett. His debut album saw the British thrashers go back to the old school style with new style production and it was a brilliant mix. Pure anger and aggression, wrapped up in some hardcore riffage gave us a great reminder of what Onslaught are capable of.

3 Mr Bungle. The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo – It has 2 of the originals from the big 4, enough said.

2 Raider. Guardian of the Fire. – Canadian band Raider released this early 2020 and I had the pleasure of reviewing it. A brilliant slab of death/thrash aimed at pummelling the listener into submission and leaving them begging for more.

Before my top album of 2020 here is a few honourable mentions, some thrash, some not but all worthy of a listen and a mention in this list. 

Steel Mage. The Uprising of Hatred – Brilliant 4 track EP from the young thrashers. Keep an eye out for more in 2021. Ifreann. Desecration. – Scottish band Ifreann with their 2nd EP and it does not disappoint. AC/DC. Power Up – The light at the end of a shitty tunnel. Classic AC/DC and just what the doctor ordered. Iron Maiden. Nights of the Dead. Doing what Maiden do best and probably one of their greatest setlists. Volbeat. Rewind, Replay, Rebound (Live in Deutschland) Fucking sue me. Happy tunes with less than happy lyrics.

Now onto my top release for 2020.

1 Thrasherwolf. We are Revolution – Debut album from the London based thrashers and what a debut it was. Seriously violent thrash in an old school vein. They even had the balls to throw an eleven and a half minute track in there and still keep your head bobbing. Great stuff and hopefully the sign of more to come.