1. Trytan - Blood Of Kings
Class leading progressive metal when factoring not just album of the year but also comeback of the year in light of how the Retroactive Records released Blood Of Kings is first album from the Lary Dean (vocals & guitars) led power trio since 1990’s Sylentiger (noting contributions of bassist Jim LaVerde and drummer Eric Gillette). Lengthy songwriting abounds with average track times in the seven to eight minute range to feature time signatures galore and extended instrumental jams.
2. The Thomas Thompson Earth Project - Systematic Brain Drain
Most improved band of the year award goes to The Thomas Thompson Earth Project and its third Roxx Records album Systematic Brain Drain, which proves a significant step up compared to predecessors debut Dreamland Lovecraft and sophomore effort 7 Angels, 1 Sad Devil (both from 2020 and also on Roxx). The project of multi instrumentalist Garret Thomas and iconic vocalist Dale Thompson (Bride, Perpetual Paranoia) maintains its affinity for thrash to groove orientated metal but with a stronger hook and melody basis, noting albums impeccable aligning of accessibility and heaviness.
3. The Brave - Evie’s Little Garden
A comeback of sorts also for Los Angeles, California based The Brave in independently releasing its first album of new material in Evie’s Little Garden since 1994’s Trust (2014 effort Rise was made up of both new songs and re-recorded versions of those off Trust and 1991 debut Battle Cries). What we have in Evie’s Little Garden is first rate eighties melodic metal and hard rock home to commercial hooks, soaring vocals and meticulous guitar leads.
4. InnerSiege - Fury Of Ages
A musical progression over its very fine 2012 debut Kingdom Of Shadows for Peoria, Illinois based InnerSiege with its No Dust Records sophomore release Fury Of Ages. A classic power metal bent reveals in the InnerSiege sound, referencing high-end vocalist Jeremy Ray, alongside darker traditional metal leanings and technical progressive distinctions.
5. Sunbomb - Evil And Divine
Frontiers Records collaboration between vocalist Michael Sweet and guitarist Tracii Guns proceeds in a heavier direction than the respective bands in which is better known - Stryper and L.A. Guns - with a well written joining of traditional and doom metal. Sweet contributes lyrics, which subtly reflect his faith.
6. Images Of Eden - Angel Born
Images Of Eden maintains its run of consistency on fifth album Angel Born by continuing to emphasize melodic, heavy and progressive metal. Also unchanged is groups mission in which ‘(each album) represents a chapter in the tale of a life's journey, dealing specifically with the trials and darkness that each of us must face in this world- each track is meant to inspire the listener to overcome these obstacles through human perseverance strengthened by guidance from above’.
7. Northern Flame - Twisted Reality
Independent sophomore album of Vaasa, Finland five pieces sustains a similar European power metal with strong neo-classical and progressive leanings as its 2014 debut full length Glimpse Of Hope. Dignified and stately mid-ranged vocalist Simon Granlund helps give Northern Flame its distinct sound.
8. Todd Michael Hall - Sonic Healing
Rat Pak Records solo album from highly regarded classic tenor vocalist Todd Michael Hall (Riot V) specializes in hard rock derivative of classic rock, blues and Southern rock. Lyrically, Sonic Healing does exactly that as a ‘positive rock album’ in which artist reinforces how ‘music has a healing effect to get you up and running- people use it to console themselves on a daily basis’.
9. Gale Force - Subhuman
Big names grace the Gale Force lineup on its independent debut Subhuman in vocalist Michael Drive (Barren Cross) and guitarist Tracy G (Dio). Group focuses on a finely honed blend of eighties influenced straightforward and melodic metal.
10. Moonshine Zombies - Moonshine Zombies
Old school groove metal with stoner to doom and blues influences characterize well produced independent self-titled debut of Moonshine Zombies. Catchy hooks and melodies define material of a group tracing its roots to early nineties act Killed By Cain.
11. Weapons Of God - The War Within US
Weapons Of God takes its songwriting to the next level on the merging of traditional and melodic metal hinted with the doom-like on Roxx Records sophomore effort The War Within US. Maintained in the process is the Dayton, Ohio based quartets self-described ‘positive metal’ lyrical approach.
12. Christian Liljegren - Melodic Passion
A solo album in the truest sense from veteran vocalist Christian Liljegren (Narnia, The Waymaker, Flames Of Fire), whom contributes lyrics, vocal melodies and arrangements in addition to composing it with guitarist Stephen Carlson and acting as co-producer. Upshot is seventies classic hard rock merged with eighties melodic metal.
13. Reflection Of Glory - Escape The Dream
Independent ‘one man band project’ of multi-instrumentalist Barry Dreier (lead vocals, guitars, bass, drums and keyboards) trends symphonic power and progressive metal territory on fourth album Escape The Dream. Individual songs (as noted by the artist) ‘Fit together around the idea of escaping the dream (with the goal that we) awaken from only believing in what we see to know the ultimate spiritual reality found in God Himself’.
14. The Neal Morse Band - Innocence & Danger
The Neal Morse Band, now known as NMB, continues its run of high quality albums with fourth full length offering Innocence & Danger. The acclaimed progressive rock super group consisting of Neal Morse, Eric Gillette, Randy George, Bill Hubauer and Mike Portnoy combine for a two CD set and nearly two hours of music.
15. Darkhorse Hero - Living For A Bigger Kingdom
Independent project of St. Joseph, Missouri based vocalist, guitarist and bassist Andrew Gazaway carries over the eighties metal and hard rock affinity of its self-titled debut from 2019 (also independent). Apocalyptic nine and a half minute epic “Crushing The Dragon” ranks with my favorite songs of the year.
16. Ariel - Sorrows To Seven
AOR, blues, instrumental and progressive rock with a vintage eighties hard rock edge for Ariel and its sophomore effort Sorrows To Seven. The Victoria, BC based act got its start in 1986 with the release of its self-titled debut full length on Ariel Records.
17. Freezing Terror - The Unexpected
Freezing Terror side project of Sombre Holiday brothers Terry (vocals & guitars) and Trevor (drums) Friesen explores thrash influenced straight on metal territory with hints of doom and power metal. Bass guitar driven instrumental “Major Dentalwork” also ranks with my favorite songs of the year, referencing how the group wrote it to connect with Metallica instrumental “(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth” (off Kill ‘Em All from 1983).
18. Mike Botello - Indigenous
Veteran vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Botello returns with fourth solo album Indigenous in which he delivers 60 minutes of metal ranging from progressive to doom to traditional to power to instrumental. Conceptually, it draws upon all of his previous works (as noted in the artists press material):
‘Time is but a measure… the beginning and the end: a context of life. A Spiritual Warfare that is bound to A Timeless State: never governed by the Rule Of Law. Ever focused on the Indigenous inhabitants of the earth: the spiritual battle ground… Time, is for mankind…’
19. Nick Leonard - Revelation
Multi-instrumentalist Nick Leonard’s fourth solo album paints a picture of the doom-like while deriving of strong Gothic metal overtures. Revelation conceptually bases upon the Book of Revelation with lyrics (per the artist) ‘directly taken from the source and cover the prophetic vision in its entirety in chronological order’.
20. Sovereign Cross - Bow To The Light
Latest in a long line of side projects from vocalist Dale Thompson (Bride) finds him joining with guitarist Gary Sullivan. Gist in Bow To The Light is catchy melodic metal drawing upon the epic and progressive side of things.
21. Energema - Promised Land
Melodic power metal act makes The Exodus the conceptual focus of its sixth full-length album Promised Land. The Bogotá, Colombia based group is no stranger to Old Testament themes, noting previous efforts The King Of The Giants (David & Goliath) and Magical Force (Samson) from 2020 and 2019, respectively.
22. Layton & Martin - Roxology
Musical partnership between guitarist Nick Layton (Firewolfe, F5) and bassist Roger Dale Martin (Vengeance Rising, Die Happy) approaches classical hymns from an instrumental hard rock standpoint. Further details from the groups press material:
‘In the 21st century, the hymns are largely ignored, as well as their deep and rich content - relegating them to the catacombs of music history. Beyond that, many people who have a great connection to hard rock and heavy metal music have not been introduced to these masterpieces of musical expression. Thus Roxology.’
23. Imari Tones - Nabeshima
Double album from Yokohama, Japan’s Imari Tones takes an eighties inspired melodic metal and hard rock approach imbued with pop-based AOR leanings. While not a concept album Nabeshima ‘incorporates Japanese traditional essence into Christian metal music’, while taking the listener on ‘a mysterious journey through ancient Japan’ where ‘Japanese traditional culture and Christianity meet’.
24. Dale Thompson & The Boon Dogs - Dale Thompson & The Boon Dogs
Blues rock solo album from vocalist Dale Thompson compares favorably to Glenn Kaiser Band, Stevie & The Saints, Darrell Mansfield, Big Chris & D’Bare Bones Band and artists nineties era solo releases. No, not metal or hard rock, but it rocks heavily nonetheless.
25. Biogenesis - Rise Of The Phoenix
Vocalist Chaz Bond allies with guitarist Tiago James for heaviest of the four Biogenesis ‘hybrid’ metal albums. Conceptually, Rise Of The Phoenix draws upon true events surrounding the cult known as ‘The Peoples Temple’ in telling the story from two different points of view: the real life cult leader Jim Jones and a fictional character Grayson Vance, whom is largely based upon a real survivor from the tragic evens of November 18, 1978.
Honorable Mentions: Bride - Bluegrass Gospel, Millennial Reign - Carry The Fire Again (EP), Pastor Brad - Down & Dirty, Perpetual Paranoia - Hell Fest, Wales Road - Character Voices
Re-Issues
What I said in my articles outlining the top 25 albums from 2019 and 2020 continues to hold true:
Due to the overwhelming volume of re-issues released in 2021 it was (sadly) not possible to review everything. That said, it deserves note the excellent job done by re-issue labels Girder, Retroactive and Roxx Records in that quality to re-mastering and packaging has never been higher. Following in my opinion are several of the year’s most notable re-issues (listed alphabetically):
Barren Cross - Rattle Your Cage
Retroactive Records re-issued fourth Barren Cross album benefits from improved re-mastering and new cover art.
Bride - Live To Die & Silence Is Madness
Credit Retroactive for Gold Disc Edition CD re-issues to straightforward metal of second and third Bride albums. Also included is Bride debut Show No Mercy.
Bride - Kinetic Faith & Snakes In The Playground
Kudos to Girder Music for re-issuing iconic blues based hard rock Bride fourth and fifth albums.
Chariot - History Lesson
Two albums on one CD by Roxx Records to include Chariot custom cassette releases Tell The World and Step Into The Light from 1985 and 1987, respectively.
Deliverance - Weapons Of Our Warfare
Classic Deliverance sophomore album has seen re-issue on multiple occasions but finest traces to the Retroactive Gold Disc Edition version. Seven bonus tracks and immaculate long box packaging brings added value.
Modest Attraction - The Truth In Your Face & Divine Luxury
Seventies inspired hard rock to first two Modest Attraction albums saw re-issue on Retroactive. Groups initial demo material under the title Get Ready was also re-released.
Björn Stigsson - Together With Friends
My favorite re-issue from 2021 attributes to Roxx Records and Swedish guitarist Bjorn Stigsson’s wonderful eighties metal and hard rock solo album Together With Friends.
Trytan - Celestial Messenger
Rush inspired Trytan debut Celestial Messenger debut sees re-release on Retroactive Records with new cover art and a pair of demo bonus tracks.
