Joel Ekelof has a very expressive voice that really brings out the emotions in a song, whether they are melancholy, joyful or somewhere in between. The band’s album titles have all been one word, and for the third consecutive album, all the song titles are also one word on Imperial.Īs you’d expect from a Soen album, the songs are dynamic. After the tour de force that was 2019’s Lotus, expectations are high for the Swedish band’s fifth album Imperial. In the decade since their formation, Soen have become one of progressive metal’s powerhouses. Family The Smiling Thrush is diverse and dynamic, appealing to fans of numerous genres. This is album that’s both catchy and creative, immediately accessible but also displaying depth that unfolds more and more upon multiple listens. They boldly open with the album’s longest track, the 9 minute “Orang Of Noyn.” On songs such as “Gentle Clovis” and “Hats The Mandrill” they display a masterful blend of groovy riffs, progressive forays and memorable melodies. While that style is still there, they have really expanded their progressive approach, and this is their proggiest album to-date. Over the years Boss Keloid’s sound has evolved and expanded from stoner/doom. Boss Keloid – Family The Smiling Thrush (Ripple)īoss Keloid‘s last album, 2018’s Melted On The Inch, was an honorable mention on our Best of 2018 albums list, so the anticipation for their latest release Family The Smiling Thrush was high. Trivium – In The Court Of The Dragon (Roadrunner) Ripple Music 25. Sulphurous – The Black Mouth Of Sepulchre (Dark Descent)
The Ruins Of Beverast – The Thule Grimoires (Van) Honorable Mentionĭeformatory – Inversion Of the Unseen Horizon (Self)ĭrawn And Quartered – Congregation Pestilence (Krucyator)ĭream Theater – A View From The Top Of The World (InsideOut)Įmployed To Serve – Conquering (Spinefarm)
Here are our picks for 2021’s best heavy metal albums. As the world gets closer to normalcy, 2021 saw some outstanding releases.