10. Brand of Sacrifice – Lifeblood
This album is everything you want out of a modern deathcore record. This band is young and has a ton of potential and this might only be the tip of the iceberg.
9. Whitechapel – Kin
Speaking of deathcore…. Whitechapel used to be the blueprint for it, now they have transcended the genre and with this record have become something way bigger and maybe even heavier. I think knowing the lyrics are autobiographical for Phil Bozeman gives a dimension to this album that other records just can’t match.
8. Wraith – Undo the Chains
Thrash releases can get kind of repetitive and go on too long but this record does neither. Sonically everything about this record is perfect and clocked in at just over 30 minutes so it didn’t suffer from any repetitiveness or riff soup like some of its contemporaries. You can’t not headband to this record.
7. Archspire – Bleed the Future
If this record doesn’t blow your mind then you might be either deaf or dead. These guys take tech to a whole new level with not only rapid fire riffing and drums but brutally fast vocals to match.
6. God’s Hate – Gods Hate
Aside from having the best name for a band or album this record hits like a frying pan to the face. Doctors could prescribe this album for depression or erectile dysfunction it’s that motivational.
5. Every Time I Die – Radical
With every record this band gets just a little bit better and this one was no exception. I listened to a ton of releases this year that were clearly influenced by ETID but Radical for sure proves these dudes are the hardcore OG’s and everyone else is playing catch up or tribute.
4. Vulvodynia – Praenuntius Infiniti
This was easily the heaviest concept record of the year as far as I’m concerned. If you want to get a little stoned and go on a musical journey this is the album for you.
3. Cannibal Corpse – Violence Unimagined
This record was just proof that death metal is CC’s sandbox and they’re just letting everyone else play in it. Easily some of the best and freshest riffs they’ve put out in years and it makes other similar releases look lazy.
2. Slaughter to Prevail – Kostolom
This album really is just well rounded and perfect start to finish. STP really made a statement with Kostolom and they’re not fucking around. It’s straight ahead shredding and brutal riffs with pissed off and angsty vocals and pummeling rhythms.
1. Twelve Foot Ninja – Vengeance
Not the heaviest drop of 2021 by any stretch but I’m a fan of music (not just metal) and musicianship and Vengeance delivers on so many musical levels it’s stupid. You get songs that mash genres together like nobody’s business blending Djenty riffs into pop or flamenco and then arranged flawlessly. And the vocals come at a range comparable to Mike Patton. I slept on this band for years but when I heard the opening riffs of Start the Fire I was blown away.
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