the Top 10 Sludge Albums of 2020

 

 

It's that time of year again . We have needed sludge  more than ever this year as it is pretty apocalyptic in nature. So here are the best of the current crop. When I am done sorting through the top 10 albums of all the respective genres, I will then compile the top 10 albums of the year. I know many of you are ready for 2020 to be over with. Hate to break it to you but nothing is getting better next year. As far as 2020 goes for sludge there are only 3 or 4  new bands on this years list .The very fact these bands made it on the list speaks to how great these albums are, so it's not a slight that the number 8 album is above the 9th album, there is something that just gives it an edge that makes me want to listen to it more. After all we can try to look cool and pick the hippest bands for a list, but at the end of the day what makes an album the best is that it makes you want more, you look forward to listening to it again. Sure you can bitch and complain about your favorite band not being on the list. However  I listen to five new albums a day so yes I heard your favorite album and was not impressed. No  I do not care what you think about it.I do hope you can find your next favorite on this list and have included links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out audio on these guys. Anyways here are the top 10 Sludge albums of 2020

10- Beggar- "Compelled to Repeat" 

This band's sense of groove and the excellent drumming keeps the tropes of the genre in play fresh. This is s very filthy sludge still  able to hold it's own in the songwriting department

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/11/november-is-doom-beggar-compelled-to.html

9-Mantar -" Grungetown Hooligans 2 " 

Yeah, this is a covers album of 90s grunge era bands. This album is a lot of fun even when they dip further in obscurity. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/06/mantar-grungetown-hooligans-2.html

8-Alkymist- " Sanctuary" 

This Danish band is beautifully dark. They have thrown more Celtic Frost influence into the mix with this album which is more introspective. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/04/alkymist-sanctuary.html

 

7- Elephant Tree - "Habits" 

This band blends elements of grunge and shoe gazing into their sound, this more varied and dynamic approach is what put them above other bands on this list. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/11/november-is-doom-elephant-tree-habits.html

 

 

6-Ilsa - "Preyer" 

There is more of a straight forward aggression on this album. It took a minute for this to grow on me but further listens helped to solidify it's place here. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/10/ilsa-preyer.html

 

5-Today is the Day - "No Good to Anyone" 

It's both heavier and more melodic than previous releases though as expected these things meet at a weirds juncture. By heavier it's more an emotional heaviness than metallic heavy. This album hits you with a depressing heaviness. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/02/today-is-day-no-good-to-anyone.html

4- Chained to the Bottom of the Ocean- the Vestige" 

A good example of how it is possible to be heavy as fuck but still take the time to not only care about song writing , but play around with it and take chances. They even cover Death Cab for Cutie.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/11/november-is-doom-chained-to-bottom-of.html

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3- Fange - "Pudeur" 

At times touching on death metal, this French band goes above and beyond with heavy chaos. This could have easily been the number one album, but the top two edged them out in terms of song writing. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/11/november-is-doom-fange-pudeur.html

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2- Thou & Emma Ruth Rundle - "May Our Chambers Be Full" 

Thou is known for experimenting , but aside from their covers have not really wowed me, I think they just needed a different singer as they allow Emma to shine. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/11/november-is-doom-thou-emma-ruth-rundle.html

1- (16) -"Dream Squasher" -

Spoiler alert this is in the top five metal albums of the year. The songwriting it pretty much perfect. These guys pulled it together and rose to the occasion as they never have before/

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/05/16-dream-squasher.html