One of the most interesting records of 2020 would have to be Protest the Hero‘s ‘Palimpsest‘. Not only do these lovely Canadians play some of the best and wackiest prog metal, but they’ve also included interesting subject matter. Aside from the underlying criticisms on the US’ many flawed systems, they draw inspiration from a whole set of historical figures and events such as Amelia Earhart, Franklin Roosevelt, John Dillinger, the Hindenburg disaster and more. ‘Palimpsest‘ keeps you invested in a way only a few records manage to do. I’m pretty sure Protest the Hero have surpassed 2008’s ‘Fortress‘, usually considered to be their magnum opus.

Holy crap, is this heavy stuff. Who knew industrial and hardcore could make for such an awesome combo? If Godflesh and Nailbomb had a child that listened to hardcore, Realize would be its name. The harshness and abrasiveness of the sound on their sophomore ‘Machine Violence‘ is so hypnotizing, it puts me into a stupor time and again. Adrenaline rush guaranteed, people!

Down Under knows how to grind and how. I wasn’t ready for the intensity of Concede’s ‘Indoctrinate‘. Fans of Gadget, Rotten Sound, Implore, Nails and Wormrot should definitely add this to their playlists. The absolute best pure grindcore record of the year.

As soon as I was done listening to Konvent‘s ‘Puritan Masochism‘ I knew it would score high in my top list. And that’s saying something since it came out in January. Despite still having eleven months of listening to do, these Danish ladies had me instantly convinced they were 2020’s best newcomers, but they can also be counted among the best death/doom ensembles currently around. Think Candlemass with death growls. I get more into detail as to why I adore this record in my in-depth review.

Whenever I think an album’s level of craziness can’t possibly be topped, something even crazier merrily comes along. My top albums of last year alone included the insane sounds of Fawn Limbs and The Sound that Ends Creation, who by the way have both released stellar records in 2020 as well. But this year’s golden straightjacket award goes to my new favourite nutjob: Cameron McBride, a.k.a. Methwitch, who brought us his third full-length record ‘INDWELL‘ in April. I can’t quite begin to describe how many different styles are blended into this masterpiece, but it is clearly one of the most eclectic records I’ve listened to. You’ll often be reminded of The Dillinger Escape Plan, Car Bomb, Slipknot, Cradle of Filth, and many, many more. Methwitch‘s ‘INDWELL‘ really isn’t for the faint of heart or for listeners who aren’t open to extreme experimentalism. It’s an impressively abrasive record that proves music can simultaneously come from and head for all possible directions. And for that, it deserves the number one slot in my albums of the year 2020.