ConcertHopper's Favorite Metal Albums of 2020 So Far

With the year a bit more than half over, everyone here at Concert Hopper is feeling the sting of having no concerts to hop to. But our little band's metalhead contingency is feeling it especially keenly. There's just something about the energy at a crowded metal show that can't be replicated. Fortunately, there have been a lot of great albums released this year. And, as metal is arguably the most sub-genred style in the world, we didn't present one person's list of mid-year favorites as we did with our Americana Albums, but five albums from three different Concert Hopper contributors. As you will see below, not only did we not agree on the five best, we didn't agree on any of them. So pick the sub you like best and find a new album to bang your head to.

Xerxes Tzolis- Editor in Chief

As you can see, Xerxes metal tastes run toward the sludge, stoner, and doom metal genres. He manages to pull a good mix from those areas for his list, presented in chronological order by date of release.

Haunt – Mind Freeze (01/10/20):
I have not been able to catch Fresno’s Haunt live until The Speed of the Wizard Tour hit Atlanta in 2019. That fateful night, I was able to witness firsthand the heavy metal awesomeness that is Haunt. Haunt’s latest release, Mind Freeze - Shadow King Records, is the third (3rd) LP to come from the band since 2018. This record really hits home with thunderous tracks like, “Light the Beacon”, “Divide And Conquer”, “Mind Freeze”, “Fight or Flight”, and “Have No Fear”! Just sit back with some good headphones, turn up the volume as loud as you can handle it, and then let Haunt do the rest. You will be playing air guitar within seconds. Also, it is worthy to note that Haunt will released their fourth (4th) LP, Flashback, sometime in July (2020).
Candlemass – The Pendulum (EP) (01/23/2020):
Swedish Doom Metal titans, Candlemass, fresh off of their Grammy nominated LP, The Door to Doom, has now released a new EP entitled, The Pendulum – Napalm Records. Candlemass solidified their ranking in the doom metal pantheon many years ago. And when Candlemass releases new material that also keeps progressing so does their dedicated and loyal fan base. They even brought back their original vocalist, Johan Langqvist, to lend a hand with The Pendulum. Some of my personal favorites are “The Pendulum”, “Sub Zero”, “Aftershock”, and “Porcelain Skull”. Now keep in mind that every song (save for “The Pendulum”) is considered a demo for their upcoming LP which is likely to be released sometime in 2022 or 2023. They do say good things come to those who wait.
Old Man Gloom – Seminar IX: Darkness of Being (01/23/2020) & Seminar VIII: Light of Meaning (05/22/2020):
Originally, from Santa Fe, New Mexico, but currently calling Boston, Mass. their home. Old Man Gloom is a sludge/doom/extreme metal band that is compiled of members from Isis (the band), Converge, Doomriders, Cave In, Mutoid Man, and Sumac. That pedigree gives this band enough musical credentials in the metal world and rightfully so, after releasing not one but two solid pieces of work in 2020. Old Man Gloom picked right up where they left off with their 2016 release, The Ape of God, with two stellar LPs: Seminar IX: Darkness of Being & Seminar VIII: Light of Meaning - Profound Lore Records. After listening to both LPs, I feel that these are both fitting tributes for Caleb Scofield, who is the former bassist for Old Man Gloom who died suddenly in 2018. Some notable tracks to check out are “Heel to Toe”, “Death Rhymes”, “In Your Name”, “EMF”, “Wrath of the Weary”, and “Calling You Home”. R.I.P. Caleb!
Elder – Omens (04/24/2020):
Elder is a four piece progressive heavy/doom/stoner metal band that has been a particular favorite of mine ever since their debut split with Queen Elephantine in 2006. Since then, they have gone on to release one (1) live LP, two (2) EPs, and five (5) LPs including their most recent release, Omens – Armageddon Label. As time has gone on, each release from Elder shows the bands maturity and progression the juggernaut that they have become today with tracks like; “Omens”, “In Procession”, “Halcyon”, “Embers”, and “One Light Retreating”. Coming in at just under 54 minutes long and only five (5) tracks, each song helps guide the listener to escape into Elder’s riff-filled reality.
Witchcraft – Black Metal (05/01/2020):
Now it’s time to round out my choices for Top Metal Albums (so far!) from 2020 with one of my favorite doom metal/occult rock bands, Sweden’s very own Witchcraft. Black Metal – Nuclear Blast is Witchcraft’s first new album in four years, which incidentally, is a deviation from their previous material because the entire album is acoustic. There is something eerily, magnifying and raw about Magnus Pelander’s (vocals/guitar) vocals when he starts off the first track, “Elegantly Expressed Depression”, with the lyrics “I swear I saw death standin’ in my hall / Casting her black shadow on my white wall / I reek of death from inside my soul / I’d never thought I’d lose you on a whim.” Other notable tracks include “Sad People”, “Free Country”, “Sad Dog”, and “Take Him Away”. If you dig this LP, check out Witchcraft’s discography consisting of six (6) LPs (including Black Metal) and seven (7) Singles/Splits/EPs.

Chris Griffy- Album Review Editor
As will become abundantly clear from his list, Chris' metal tastes tend to run almost exclusively toward the European progressive/folk/power/symphonic metal niche. While there were some great albums produced outside those confines (Khemmis, Testament, and Candlemass especially), his list hews pretty closely to his favorite genres.

Demons & Wizards- III
Damn is it nice to hear Demons & Wizards again. The supergroup consisting of Blind Guardian frontman Hansi Kursch and Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer has returnd with III. Demons & Wizards has stretched outside their power metal comfort zone and released an album that, while not as good as the generational genius of Touched by the Crimson King, is still an outstanding listen. Album highlights include “Wolves in Winter”, “Dark Side of Her Majesty”, and “Diabolic.”
Nightwish- Human:II:Nature
While Floor Jansen has been Nightwish's vocalist since 2013, Human:II:Nature is only her second studio album with the band, there being two live albums in between. This album continues bandleader Tuomas Halopainen's recent obsession with nature and science begun on Endless Forms Most Beautiful and should be well-placed to capitalize on Floor's increased American profile from what seems like a thousand YouTube reaction videos and her genre-hopping appearance on the Dutch program Beste Zangers. Songs like “Noise”, “Shoemaker”, and “Pan” are showcases for Jansen's powerful vocals, as well as a long overdue feature lead for multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley on “Harvest.”
Archon Angel- Fallen
Anyone who knows me well knows that Zak Stevens era Savatage is my metal sweet spot. So I was excited to hear Stevens' new project with Secret Sphere guitarist Aldo Lonobile, who met while recording as guests on the new album from Timo Tolkki’s Avalon. The results didn't disappoint. Fallen is kind of the mid-point between the cinematic prog of Savatage and the more grounded work of Stevens' follow-up band CircleIICircle. Unfortunately, hearing the band is all you'll get to do as, after Stevens wrapped up his winter commitments with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, they managed one concert (the 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise) before COVID shut down the touring world. Highlights include the title track, “The Serpent”, and “Rise.”
Conception- State of Deception
2020 is the year of the great vocal return. But while there have been places to hear Zak Stevens and Hansi Kursch, fans of former Kamelot vocalist Roy Khan have been without as the artist was retired until 2018, when he reunited with his pre-Kamelot band Conception. State of Deception is everything a Khan fan could have hoped for, a return to his Black Halo and Poetry for the Poisoned vocal form, with a new (old) cast. Highlights include “Anybody Out There”, “Of Ravens and Pigs”, and “Waywardly Broken.”
Ad Infinitum- Chapter 1: Monarchy
The award for debut of the year goes to Ad Infinitum. Chapter 1: Monarchy is a symphonic metal fan's dream. The band wisely lets the bulk of their work ride on the more than worthy shoulders of Swedish vocal powerhouse Melissa Bonny. Capable of belting a siren's song like Simone Simons one moment and growling like Angela Gossow the next, Bonny's vocal gymnastics are anchored by some great hooks on songs like “See You in Hell” and “Marching on Versailles.”

Richard Davenport- Concert Hopper Metal Prophet
The most well-rounded metalhead among our ranks, Hopper's resident Metal Prophet chose a wide-ranging list of releases as his favorite. Unfortunately, an unexpected illness prevented him from sending in the write-ups of his choices, but we still wanted to include his selections.

Let us know your favorite metal albums in the comments!