TotalRock’s albums of the year 2020 – part 2

The 2nd and final half of the TotalRock end of year album countdown. Read on to see who will take the podium and let us know if you agree.

10: Deep Purple – Whoosh!

2020 saw many legendary older bands make a creative comeback, and there few groups more legendary than Deep Purple. Still refusing to rest solely on past glories even after more than 50 years, `Whoosh!` is Deep Purple’s 21st studio album and it is an outstanding achievement.  The group has enjoyed something of a creative rebirth in their old age (a purple patch?) and `Whoosh!` is a fine and natural follow-up to 2017’s `Infinite`.  Although Ian Gillan’s voice can no longer reach those Highway Star levels of screech, it almost beggars belief that his singing has remained so strong at age 75. Steve Morse is still one of the most elegantly understated guitar players in rock and the rhythm section of Glover and Paice still can’t be beat.

9: Kvelertak – Splid

One of the most exciting and original metal bands of the last decade, Norway’s Kvelertak released their barnstorming 4th album `Splid` this year and what an album it is. Their first with new singer Ivar Nikolaisen and new drummer Håvard Takle Ohr, the album brings together everything their loyal fanbase loves about the band. Raging vocals lay over a wall of guitars and sweet choruses. Kvelertak manage to blend their own brand of melodic heavy music with an at times ferocious energy of hardcore Punk. `Splid` sees the band stretching their wings musically and even features a guest appearance from Mastodon’s Troy Sanders on the track `Crack of Doom`. A superb album from a band with a very bright future.

8: Avatar – Hunter Gatherer

2020 saw Sweden’s favourite melodic death metal band Avatar release their eighth studio album `Hunter Gatherer`. A noticeably darker album then their 2018 `Avatar Country, `Hunter Gatherer` sees the band delving into the darkness with heavier riffs and thrashing drums on tracks like `Silence in the Age of Apes` and `Scream Until you Wake`. A very powerful album for the discerning metalhead.

7: Armoured Saint – Punching The Sky

The tenth full length album from Los Angeles metal veterans Armored Saint delivers exactly what you might hope for – big riffs, solid song-writing and a set of classic head bangers that will be sure to set crowds moshing when concerts return. Frontman John Bush is still on fine vocal form throughout. Indeed some of the material here wouldn’t sound out of place on a latter day Anthrax release. `Punching The Sky` is a rousing battle cry of a record from a band in fighting shape.

6: Code Orange – Underneath

A record and indeed a band that is sure to divide opinion, there is no way to ignore rising American Metalcore outfit Code Orange. This year they returned with a bang and their 4th album `Underneath`. A brutal assault on the senses, Code Orange have blended industrial grooves and even some electronic sounds into their mix and the result has received almost universal critical acclaim.

5: Trivium – What The Dead Men Say

The mighty Trivium made a very welcome return with melodic metal masterpiece `What The Dead Men Say` and it definitely left an impression. Praised by fans and critics alike, the new album is something of a triumph and one of Trivium’s very best. Frontman Matt Heafy said of the album: “`What The Dead men Say` is everything that is Trivium. On this album one can hear the proper ingredients of past, present and future Trivium… everything the band does – on one album”.  We couldn’t agree more Matt.

4: H.E.A.T – II

Many young rock bands of the last decade share a very similar pool of influences and this can often lead to a unwitting parroting of their heroes. These bands grew up worshipping Bon Jovi, The Scorpions and Motley Crue but often get no further than pale imitations. Then there are those rare few bands, who manage to take all those influences of melodic rock and stadium metal and transform it into their very own sound. Sweden’s H.E.A.T are just such a band and they have absolutely outdone themselves with their latest album. `II` has all the catchy hooks, big riffs and sky high 80s choruses you could ever hope for and they do it all with such  intensity and style that its impossible not to sing along.  Not only is `II` H.E.A.T ‘s finest album to date, its one of the best albums of 2020.

3: Onslaught – Generation Antichrist

This year saw the revitalized line-up of British Thrash metal pioneers Onslaught release one of the most fearsome and downright heavy albums of the year. `Generation Antichrist` sees Onslaught main man Nige Rockett and his merry bunch of men unleashing chainsaw riffs and killer solos, combined with their always topical and challenging lyrics. For a world gone mad, its hard to think of a more fitting soundtrack.

2: AC/DC – PWR/UP

If 2020 was a year that had its fair share of disappointments, it made us appreciate the special moments all the more. A new AC/DC album is always a special occasion for any music fan, but `PWR/UP` feels all the more like a special gift this year. A fitting tribute to the late great Malcolm Young, many of the albums riffs are based around demos Angus and Malcolm worked on together for the Black Ice and Rock Or Bust albums. This album also sees the return of much loved frontman Brian Johnson to his rightful place and he is, thankfully, sounding fantastic even in his 70s. Whether this really is the last album, only time will tell. What is for sure is that hearing the return of the world’s greatest rock and roll band was the most welcome sound of 2020. PWR/UP is Classic AC/DC, and what could be better.

1: Lamb Of God – Lamb Of God

Lamb Of God’s first new album since 2015 and the first with new drummer Art Cruz , the band had a lot to prove with this album. Thankfully, they proved conclusively that not only can they still do it, but that they remain one of the preeminent metal bands of their generation. Here on their self titled tenth album, Lamb Of God bring their crushing brand of groove metal to full force, with guitarists Mark Morton and Will Adler weaving a riffs and solos that run from gothic to face-melting. Frontman Randy Blythe still has the fire in his voice and indeed in his pen, with lyrics both thoughtful and accusatory regarding the current state of the world. Heavy enough to satisfy the most season and jaded headbanger, while being thoughtful enough to reward repeated listening, Lamb Of God have returned with nothing short of a heavy metal triumph.

Here’s our playlist of the whole Top Twenty for you to enjoy