The Top 10 Progressive Albums of 2025

When it comes to prog, few bands actually progress. Most that claim to be a part of this genre just wank around with an overabundance of guitar solos that the songs are merely bookends for, rather than serving songs that go somewhere.  The bands that made this year's top 10 list are taking you places with their songs. There are some guitar solos here and there, but shredding is not the emphasis, nor is using odd time signatures for the sake of just doing so. Some of these bands are more metallic, and a few albums even flirt with pop at times. These are not the coolest prog albums, but the best, fuck what other blogs say,  

After sorting through the top 10 albums of all the respective genres, I use those lists to compile the top 20 albums of 2025. The fact that 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. You might find your next favorite on this list, and I have included links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out the audio on these guys. Anyway here are the top 10 Progressive albums of 2025

10-Korean Cars-"#1"

This band proves that black metal is not Norway's only musical export.  Kinda melodic math rock, but their guitarist proves they have chops. The production is rough around the edges, as it carries a boom. The drummer works for what they are doing, and it all falls into place, no complaints, even though instrumental music is normally not my thing. When vocals do surface, sitting back in the mix with a plaintive croon with the nuanced picking of the guitars carrying most of the slack. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/korean-cars-1.html

 

9-ii - "Apostles of Flesh." 

Prnounced Two Eyes, they are a very interesting ensemble. I have heard them referred to as being industrial, but Gothic chamber pop is a better description of one spectrum of their sound, though they branch out of that and wander off into prog rock that has more in common with A Perfect Circle. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/10/gothtober-ii-apostles-of-flesh.html

8-Heretoir- ""Solastalgia" 

They have fine-tuned their songwriting to make their sound bigger and make what they do more accessible to the wider metal audience than just being a shoegazing black metal band. This is not to say they do not indulge in sonic spectacles that swept you away, as they do, and it is what gives them the edge over their more nu-metal minded peers/. A more delicate electronic touch glazes over into the dynamic ebb and flow in this song. So much so that fans of modern progressive metal can find a great deal to appreciate on this album. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/09/heretoir-solastalgia.html

 

7-Igorrr- 'Amen" 

One of the most appealing things about this project is the ability to blend harsh electronic elements with organic instrumentation and find its unique groove. Mastermind Gautier Serre is experimenting on a broader scale with this album. Classical elements contrast massive metallic chug, as death metal is the primary mode of attack when things go in a more metal direction. Operatic vocals still soar to contrast the guttural vocals, but this feels like more streamlined effort. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/08/igorrr-amen.html

, 

6-Imperial Triumphant- "Goldstar"

These guys won me over live. In the studio, they have once again orchestrated chaos, which can not always be heard as the catchiest songwriting. At times, there is a more metal feel as they ride a taunt clockwork chug. The vocals are snarls, but articulated enough that the lyrics come across. It makes me think of a death metal band covering early Pink Floyd

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/03/imperial-triumphant-goldstar.html

5-Messa -"the Spin." 

The guitar work on this album sets them on this progressive rock path. Add in elements like trumpet solos, and it takes on a more jammy jazz flair. I'm fine with them transitioning into a prog band. If you are going to make guitar solos the centerpiece, then unveiling your Led Zeppelin influence in a more metallic manner with great grooves is the way to do it.  

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/03/messa-spin.html

  4-Bask-" the Turning."

 The country elements that graced their 2019 album have been dialed back for a heavier sound, though sticking to the honest plea of country-inflected vocals even amid guitars crunching around them. There is more boogie in the shuffle oat times with  layers of vocals harmonizing to give things a more jammy prog feel. It almost feels more like Porcupine Tree.  This juxtaposition works well to create dynamic songwriting that takes a few listens to absorb everything going on. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/06/bask-turning.html

3-Gaahls Wyrd- "Braiding the Stories." 

I am glad to hear Gaahl continuing to explore his singing voice. The vocals are well-layered, with more of his upper register present while the baritone croon holds center stage. He proves the emotive value of darkness is just as heavy as metal. With a range of sonic colors from strummed guitars to the more metallic tones, you might expect. When the guitar solos emerge, they are typically the album's most metal elemen,t and even then they provide a thematic melodic overlay. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/03/gaahls-wyrd-braiding-stories.html

2-Katatonia -"Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State." 

Here we are, three albums in, without Anders. Jonas continues to steer the ship into darker progressive waters of melancholy. There is a formula in place, and the new guitarists navigate it well, unafraid to bust out guitar solos wherever. His lyrics remain just as sharp as the earlier work on this one. "L.  Jonas's voice is fragile and honest, or at least maintains a consistent persona, as nuance is king and the key to their songwriting. 

. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/katatonia-nightmares-as-extensions-of.html

 

-

1-Callous Daoboys - "I Don't Want to See You In Heaven."

 

You are thrown into their bizarre progressive take on metalcore. While the screamed vocals are more dominant, Carson Pace's voice continues to grow. His poppy-sung vocals carry the need hooks to contrast the chaos. If there is any justice in the universe, these guys should be at least as big as Knocked Loose, just on the merits of songwriting.

  

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-callous-daoboy-i-dont-want-to-see.html

Thanks for reading. Please "like" and share on social media to give music a voice 

https://www.facebook.com/abysmalhymns

Check out our Podcast here ... https://www.youtube.com/@abysmalhymns666

pst617

The Top 10 Rock Albums of 2025... so far.

As the Doomsday Clock races, time speeds up, as 2025 is at its midpoint. These lists serve as a decent snapshot of where the year is heading in terms of music. I have already received promos for albums dropping as far out as August in my inbox, so they will need to bring it to compete with the top five albums on this list. Rock is anything that's not metal, so both progressive and hard rock bands are included here. Yes, there might be a few screams on these albums, but when stacked against the bands on the metal list, it's clear that these bands belong here. Some I weighed against putting on the pop list, but they are more rock than not. I have included links to full reviews if you want to check these out, and with all that said, here are the top 10 rock albums of 2025 so far. 

10-Blackwater Holylight- "If You Only Knew" 

The Portland shoe-gazing gals take things in a more organically jammed direction. There is a brooding underbelly that finds them taking off in a more stoner rock direction.I wish this were a full-length, but if they are making you want more, then something is working

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/04/blackwater-holylight-if-you-only-knew.html

- 

 

9-Katatonia-"Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State" 

Here we are, three albums in, without Anders. Jonas continues to steer the ship into darker progressive waters of melancholy. There is a formula in place, and the new guitarists navigate it well, unafraid to bust out guitar solos wherever. The songs hit really hard emotionally,  just not metal.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/katatonia-nightmares-as-extensions-of.html

8-Bask- "The Turning" 

I was a big fan of their 2019 album, and this time around it feels like a heavier sound, though sticking to the honest plea of country-inflected vocals even amid guitars crunching around them. The yee-haw moments that creep through the labyrinth of progressive rock work well within this framework. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/06/bask-turning.html

7-Scowl- "Are We All Angels" 

Having grown away from being a punk or hardcore the band is now making catchy 90's alternative music for 2025.  Kat Moss only uses a harsh, hard-core flavored snarl as a point of accentuation. Her main style of delivery is a slacker croon that has more in common with Veruca Salt, which works for these hooky slacker anthems.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/04/scowl-are-we-all-angels.html

6-Messa -"the Spin" 

The band's fourth album finds their guitarist really shining despite the album leaning in a darker atmospheric direction that manages to lend itself to jamming. They were once thought of as a doom band, but have gotten too adventurous to be tied to that genre. The vocals are very strong and well-defined from a songwriting perspective, which is the most important element of their sound.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/03/messa-spin.html

 

5-Love is Noise -"To Live a Different Way" 

Produced like a shoegaze album, but with Myspace emo vibes at its beating heart, as evident in the almost pop-punk vocals. A more nu-metal vocal pops up here and there to create more edge. Cameron Humpry is the creative engine of this project, and he seems to have a knack for blending all the right elements at the right time. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/06/love-is-noise-to-live-different-way.html

4-Viagra Boys - "viagr aboys" 

The Swedish punk band continues to shift into a more rock n roll flavor of snarky chaos. The melodic elements touch on a similar avant-garde pop style as Xiu Xiu.  Their hooky sarcasm cracks off lyrical observations in sharp humor with topics re subject to their lyrical scorn, veering from the news to health care, this album recalls some of the alt-rock classics of the '90s. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/04/viagra-boys-viagr-aboys.html

 

3-Dax Riggs- "7 Songs for Spiders" 

 It's been 13 years since his last release. This time around, Dax is backed by a three-piece band of grooving Cajuns; they slither with a melancholy pulse that takes things back to his darker roots. Some of his strongest solo work yet. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2024/12/dax-riggs-7-songs-for-spiders.html

     

  2-Freeze the Fall - "The Red Garden" 

I think they did a stellar job of making the album they set out to make. This album grows more endearing to me over time, thanks to the vocal hooks. If you are into female vocals layered over melodic hard-edged rock, then this is worth your time. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/freeze-fall-red-garden.html

1-Spiritbox - "Tsunami Sea" 

The band's pop-leaning sound helps separate them from their peers, as Courtney is better at vocal hooks than the singers for Jinger or Infected Rain, who work in similar sonic circles. This album has more hard work invested in its writing than their previous album, making it a highly infectious album. They have found their place in the landscape of the music biz here, and we will see them get bigger than they already are. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/03/spiritbox-tsunami-sea.html

 Visit our  YouTube & Facebook Pages as well! Thanks for Reading  

https://www.youtube.com/@abysmalhymns666

https://www.facebook.com/abysmalhymns

pst283

May's Top 10 Albums

It's time for May's top 10 albums. Staying abreast of the month's highlights might help casual readers see what they missed and check these artists out. I am not writing little blurbs on them; I am just linking the reviews. Inclusion here does not mean that these albums have been released this month, but it is a list of new or upcoming albums I have enjoyed the most. I have albums in my inbox that are not coming out til August, so I am normally way ahead of the curve in this regard. They are ranked in order of what I have listened to the most. This month, there tends to be a dominant theme of new wave, pop, and goth, though we have a couple of metal bands in the mix as well,  so you may find your new favorite among them. Here are the Top 10 albums of May 

10-HEXVESSEL- "Nocturne"  

Black Metal 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/hexvessel-nocturne.html

9-Swans - "Birthing" 

Experimental Post Punk 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/swans-birthing.html

8-Katatonia -"Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State" 

Prog Rock 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/katatonia-nightmares-as-extensions-of.html

7-Sleep Token - "Even In Arcadia" 

Pop

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/sleep-token.html

6-Ministry - "the Squirrelly Years Revisted"

 

New Wave / Goth 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/ministry-squirrelly-years-revisted.html

5-Peter Murphy- "Silver Shade" 

New Wave / Goth 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/peter-murphy-silver-shade.html

4-Age of Apocalypse - "In Oblivion" 

Hard-core 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/age-of-apocalypse-in-oblivion.html

3-the Callous Daoboys- " I Don't Want to See You in Heaven" 

Metal - Core 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-callous-daoboy-i-dont-want-to-see.html

2-Pixel Grip - "Perceptide the Death of Reality" 

Dark Wave  / Pop 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/pixel-grip-perceptide-death-of-reality.html

1-Freeze the Fall - "The Red Garden"

Hard Rock  / Nu-Metal 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2025/05/freeze-fall-red-garden.html

pst240

Katatonia : "Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State"

Here we are, three albums in, without Anders. Jonas continues to steer the ship into darker progressive waters of melancholy. There is a formula in place, and the new guitarists navigate it well, unafraid to bust out guitar solos wherever. The drums anchor "Wind of No Change."His lyrics remain just as sharp as the earlier work on this one. "Lilac" finds the drums laying down a solid foundation for the song to groove over, before they drop everything to ebb back and forth from ambiance.  Jonas's voice is fragile and honest, or at least maintains a consistent persona. 

As with most Katatonia, is production is dialed in perfectly. The textured layers of the guitar are all very nuanced. The guitar holds enough grit to at least maintain their place as a hard rock band. They play with the arrangement enough to maintain their place as a progressive band.Not sure if there are steps forward yet, but standing firmly in place for the brand Jonas created. Nothing that would have made Anders want to stay. "Temporal" is a little more anthemic. Highly melodic, sticking to the formula for dynamics, they have been working since at least "Viva Emptiness".  The chorus hits just right to prove they can still bring just what you are waiting for. 

Is this all very calculated? More than likely, but the band's mystique holds the suspension of disbelief. "Departure Trails" feels like a wandering atmospheric jam that creeps from the previous song. His vocals are tentative, but work for what they are doing here. "The Warden" is their more typical blend of melancholy pondering and rock bombast as the dynamic to emerge from the gloom. The more nuanced  "The Light Which I Bleed' is a better song, and is not just the band going through familiar motions and checking off the expected sonic boxes 

Breaking things down to a piano ballad might not be checking off a box you expect from these guys, and it really depends on how atmospheric you want these guys to be. There is some interesting vocal production on the track, but I want more rocking out. Though the song does build in an interesting electronic manner. The drums offer more of a beat for the last song, but drift into their moody ambient and only build for the chorus. I am going to have high expectations for these guys; some of their post-"Night is the New Day" albums have disappointed me, but I think this one just needs to grow on me, so I'll give it a 9.5 as some songs hit really hard emotionally, not metal. Dropping on Napalm Records.  

pst225

the Top 10 Progressive Albums of 2023

When it comes to prog, few bands actually progress. Most that claim to be a part of this genre, just wank around with an overabundance of guitar solos that the songs are merely bookends for, rather than serving songs that go somewhere.  The bands that made this year's top 10 list, are taking you places with their songs. There are some guitar solos here and there, but shredding is not the emphasis, nor is using odd time signatures for the sake of just doing so. Some of these bands are more metallic and a few albums even flirt with pop at times. These are not the coolest prog albums, but the best, fuck what other blogs say,.   After I sort through the top 10 albums of all the respective genres, I use those lists to compile the top 10 albums of the year. 2023. 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. Perhaps you can find your next favorite on this list; and have included links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out the audio on these guys. Anyway here are the top 10 Progressive albums of 2023.

10-Hawkwind - "The Future Never Waits" 

With 81-year-old Dave Brock as the sole surviving member of the band, I was not sure what to expect. Nik Turner is the member I am sure to miss the most, but it seems keyboardist Thighpaulsandra who has played with Spiritualized, is making huge contributions to the sound, as it is more focused on the space part of the space rock equation and rocking less. Though I am not sure how heavy I want an 81-year-old man to rock it. Brock answers this to a certain extent in "the End". There is a more fuzzed-out guitar tone that comes in though it is whisked off into the cosmos with the swirl of synths around it that are jostling for position in the mix.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/05/hawkwind-future-never-waits.html

.

9-Megafauna-"Olympico" 

What sets this Texas band apart from the pack is how the vocals of Dani Neff , are sugary in a pop fashion that does not succumb to normal pop sensibilities. There is harder rocking under the surface of these songs. From the onset of this album, she declares the time has come to "say goodbye to normal people" and that becomes their mission statement. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/04/megafauna-olympico.html

8-Blood Ceremony- 'The Old Ways Remain"

 This band was lumped into the "vest metal" movement over a decade ago when female-fronted proto-metal bands were gathering some steam. These days the band owes less to Coven and more to Jethro Tull, not just due to the flute solos, but the overall jammy vibe that goes down. This sounds like it came from 1968, with the double-tracked vocals of their frontwoman, now fully aware of what they are  creating here

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/05/blood-ceremony-old-ways-remain.html

7-Vanishing Kids- "Miracle of Death" 

Here is the 6th album from this progressive collective that is pushing the bong in a darker more atmospheric direction for this album. By the time it gets to the guitar solos things have wandered into a more doom-like jam, with the drums crashing around it. While the darker more atmospheric textures are present the guitar keeps things in a more metallic direction with a sense of adventure that sometimes even leans into a blues-like swagger.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/09/vanishing-kids-miracle-of-death.html

6-Yakuza- "Sutra"

Chicago Avant - Guardians are back. It's been over ten years since their last release. There is a more focused intention to bring the heavy here. Bruce Lamont, moans with more anger over the off-kilter riffs that are framed with dissonance. A return to form for the band though takes close notes from their peers.,thus making a Highly enjoyable listen,

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/04/yakuza-sutra.html

5-Enslaved -"Heimdal" 

The band finds ways to keep it fresh 16 years later. Only two original members, though guitarist Ice Dale has been in the band since before black metal became cool and anyone knew who Enslaved were ...well at least in America. They bring new sounds to the table, making it more impressive that they can keep pumping out songs that are this inspired 16  albums later. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/03/enslaved-heimdal.html

4-Riverside - " ID. Entity"

Sure, there are big rock moments, but it has more in common with Tears For Fears than Dream Theater, which is fine by me. This Polish band has been around for over 20 years now, so I am well aware of who they are. I like how unlike many so-called progressive bands they have actually allowed their sound to progress. How progressive would they be if they were still doing what they were doing back in 2001? 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/01/riverside-id-entity.html

3-Nebulae Come Sweet -"De Lumi​è​re"

This band out of Belarus caught me by surprise, as they go above and beyond to take things in a different direction. This album came out in March and sadly flew under the radar. They feel more European than American in the almost classical manner they go about this. They blend dark melodic brooding with big grandiose choruses. They prove just because you are singing it does not mean you can not do so in a commanding fashion that has balls to it. An album full of dark wonderment. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/10/nebulae-come-sweet-de-lumiere.html

2- Peter Gabriel -"i/o"

After 21 years Gabriel is releasing his first album of new original songs. At the ripe age of 73, Gabriel's voice sounds great. It is progressive rock that is more adventurous than other artists on mainstream rock radio though not as wild as say what he did with Genesis back on "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway". Impressive that he is still capable of doing this into his 70s, as his work is more vocally challenging than say the Rolling Stones. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/12/peter-gabriel-io.html

  1-Katatonia - "Sky Void of Stars" 

This album is not at all produced like a metal album.  There are some interesting jazz-like layers of guitars, blended with a wide scope of electronic sounds. This is clearly more of a progressive rock album and thankfully falls on the darker side of that genre. The gloomy Swedes find their take on prog to be coated in slithering darkness, which finds the band continuing to evolve even this late in their career.  The emotive refinement of their songs is what gives them the top spot. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2022/12/katatonia-sky-void-of-stars.html

The Top 200 Greatest Rock Singers-170 to 161

Let's continue on into our list of the top 200 greatest rock singers, inspired by the travesty that was Rolling Stone's supposed list. Where they got it wrong, this list hopes to be more effective, but not only focusing on rock singers and those adjacent to the genre but place the spotlight on judging these singers by their technical vocal ability, in terms of range and power, along with dynamics,  phrasing and the character of their voice. Can they emote from different places ? How well does their voice hold up live? All factors being considered here. 

 Things like lyrical content and the instruments they play do not factor in as these ranking are based on vocal merit alone. How they control a crowd or their entertainment value as performers is also not a factor; there are some great front men who are also sub-par singers. The same can be said of song writers which is why most Bob Dylan songs sound better covered by someone else. Needless to say, ole Robert Zimmerman is not making the cut. 

Most pop singers won't appear here, but there are a few country or jazz singers who crossover just enough to qualify for this list, while having a significant influence on rock music. Don't expect rappers on this list or metal vocalists who just scream or growl, but never actually sing. I am also not keen on singers who are derivative of other singers. The bulk of these have to be doing their own thing, though a couple are basically tribute acts to other artists but still make enough of an impact with their music. Having a unique vocal quality is going to be one of the most important factors sometimes trumping technical ability. If they sound too much like Steve Perry from Journey or that they have listened to their vocal coach too much rather than developing their own style, then that is something that is also not going to fly. Some of these might have been ignored by mainstream music media, but by the time we get to the top 10, I am sure it will all make sense, so here are the Top 200 greatest rock singers.

170-Elvis Costello 

He went from a quirky new wave icon to crooning alongside Burt Bacharach. His voice matured a great deal in this journey though still retained it punchy emotive edge.

   

169-John Baizley 

As his band Baroness has progressed from a mathy sludge outfit to a classic prog sound , his voice has gotten stronger to meet the changes of the sound he now croons over, while maintaining the power of his metal bellow.

   

 168-Jonas Renkse

 Katatonia's shift from deathly doom to the depressive progressive is thanks to the bleak melodies of this man, whose phrasing and restraint are untouched in the metal landscape when it comes to conjuring emotion.

   

 167 -Rod Stewart 

 The former Faces front-man has a voice that can not be mistaken for any other singer as it oozes with that it factor that makes him one of a kind when it comes to his natural rasp and timbre.

   

 

166-Perry Ferrell 

 Jane's Addiction could never replace him. His strongest work was in their earlier years, but the way his wail works sonically like an instrument broke boundaries at the time .

   

 

165-Micheal Stipe 

 He did his own thing from the beginning and never conformed , with each album his voice sounds better. His lower register induces goosebumps.

   

 164-Micheal Gira 

 The Swans master mind has the most depressive baritone, each not more bleak than the one before it, while he is also capable of howling like a maniac.

   

 163-Ben Folds

 He not only has a great deal of control over his vocals chords , but he sings in a way that has soul baring honesty.

162-Louise Post 

 Unlike their more radio dominant peers, Post has more power, range and nuance to her voice than the Courtney Loves and Liz Phairs of the world.  

161-Ben Harper 

 There is a vulnerability to his voice that sets him aside from the other neo-blues singers who cross over into rock.

 

Katatonia : "Sky Void of Stars"

 They crash right into the first song which is a mid-paced rocker with a big chorus, not unlike what they did on their previous album. For Jonas the verse in in a slightly lower register than where he normally sings. I like this approach as it carries a little more heft. Is it the hookiest song they have done in the past decade? No, but it works for what it is. I prefer the darker heavier mood to "Colossal Shade". This album is not at all produced like a metal album. This can really be felt on "Opaline". There is some interesting jazz like layers of guitars, blended with a wide scope of electronic sounds. This is clearly more of a progressive rock album and thankfully falls on the darker side of that genre. 

"Birds" marks the second time I had to pause this album to see if I had left Pat Metheny playing in another window of my computer. It is somewhat upbeat with the kind of atmospheric nuance that a Pat Metheny fan might also mistake for the jazz icon to be noodling in the background. "Drab Moon" is the kind of classic melancholy we have come to expect from the band post- "Night is the New Day".  "Author" builds off a similar mood, with more of a straightforward rock dynamic. Many of these songs took repeat listens to fully ingest everything that is going on here, the more power ballad like "Impermanence" being one of these songs that a few listens to wrap my head around. Jonas doing different things with his voice and the moody phrasing of the band swirling around him. 

Every album has found the sound of this band progressing. This album marks another noted changed though a logical stepping off point when you consider the guitar heroics that could be heard on "City Burials". "Sclera" simmers on a more reflective tone that is perhaps more familiar than not. "Atrium" is one of the few straight forward rock tracks. It is no surprise this was one of the album's lead singles. It's more upbeat than the bulk of the album. The more progressive direction is even more obvious amid the groove of "No Beacon to Illuminate Our Fall". I am fine with this more progressive direction when it comes coated in slithering darkness like it heard on "Absconder"    I will give this album a 10 as it finds the band evolving even this late in their career. This drops on Napalm Records January 20th 

Death is June- Grand Cadaver : "Madness Comes"

Here are a bunch of guys from other Swedish death metal bands, who decided to form another Swedish death metal band. One thing they all have in come sounds like a deep devotion to Entombed. They are just better at sounding like Entombed than all the American bands who try. They are also better than all the younger Swedish kids trying to sound like Entombed as well, because these guys are pros at it. Funny enough their previous bands Dark Tranquility, Katatonia, and Expulsion did not sound like Entombed. This desire to perhaps be in Entombed , might have been a life time goal derided by the other members of those bands so they formed this band with a common goal in mind. 

 Midway into the second song "Staff of the Oppressor " the gas begins to run out of the inspiration tank. It all begins to sound less like cool riffs influenced by Entombed and just grab bag Swedish death metal. Things do not make any drastic changes for the better on "Blood Filled Skies| aside from the fact the chorus to this song is a little more memorable. They wait til the last song to pour on the generic angry death metal speed. The riff is much more Entombed, on the previous song I had begun to suspect perhaps they also listened to Carcass, but not so much on the last song.  

The guitar tones are totally dialed in to sound like Entombed. If they deny this I hope some one spits in their face. I mean they are really good at sounding like Entombed so that alone is worth some thing, so even with me rounding this down to a 7.5 , I think I am being more than fair. I already own the Entombed albums so there is zero reason for me to ever listen to this again. You might be a dull prson who misses Entombed and tries to fool themselves into thinking they also like other bands so they listen to a band like this to prove to themselves. 

3.3

Top 10 Hard Rock Albums of 2020

These albums are not aggressive enough to be metal. They do have more balls to them than the ones on the rock list. Ok now that that is out of the way , much like in years past  ] I sort through the genre lists before making the overall top ten of the year list. 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  hard rock there is only one new artist on the list , a couple are re packaged in new project , but for the most part it is the tried and true. The fact these artists 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 hard rock albums of 2020

10- Pearl Jam - "Gigaton" 

There are some pretty cool moments here, more of them are than not, they are not trying to recreate what made "Ten" and "vs" great, but are killers players who despite their massive success are often overlooked for the caliber of chops they have. Oh yeah, Eddie sounds ok as well.

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/03/pearl-jam-gigaton.html 

 

9- In This Moment - "Mother" 

Not the first time this band has shown up on one of these lists so do not look so surprised. I would have liked to given this album more of a listen than I have but enjoyed the spins I gave it is heading in a more pop direction, but Ms Brink flexes her pipes . There are still enough of rock moments to earn it's place here. 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/03/in-this-moment-mother.html

 

8- White Swan-"Transmission" 

The singer of Kittie reinvents herself to some extent , by heading in what they think is a sludge direction , but actually has more in common with grunge bands from the 90s. 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-white-swan-nocturnal-transmission.html

 

7-Kirk Windstein- " Dream In Motion" 

Not what you might think a solo album from Crowbar's front man to be. He really flexes his pipes and this is not swamp sludge, but really heart felt grunge tinged power ballads with a darker side. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/11/november-is-doom-kirk-windstein-dream.html

6- Mushroomhead- " A Wonderful Life" 

I always assumed these guys were Slipknot rip offs. There are at least more of a Nu-metal version of KMFDM, but with a fetish for power ballads, I think they should have let the female singer do more, but this caught be by surprise and was better than it had any right to be , or I just under estimated them,

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/06/mushroomhead-wonderful-life.html

5-Narrow Head - " 12the House Rock " 

These guys have shoe gaze tendencies, but rock out more than the most recent Hum album with a grungy rough around the edges fuzzy gusto so this album wound up here. 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/09/narrow-head-12th-house-rock.html

 

4-Ozzy Osbourne - "Ordinary Man" 

I like solo Ozzy as much as Black Sabbath. There I got that out of the way. Is this his best album? No and most of that is the producer's fault but for his age Ozzy sounds better than any what you can ask from any singer his age. The songs are pretty well written and despite the Post Malone songs this turned out better than I hoped/ 

"Ordinary Man" https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/02/ozzy-osbourne-ordinary-man.html

3-Miss Piss- " Self Surgery"

You might be surprised anything with Chelsea Wolfe in it is not at the top spot. She got together with her drummer and decided to just rock out and have fun. They get rowdy and almost border on being a punk band. They have more in common with Sonic Youth than Minor Threat sonically. They did bring it harder than Ozzy this year though.

.

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/05/mrs-piss-self-surgery.html

 

2- Deftones - " Ohms"

They never allowed themselves to just become another nu-metal band. In recent years they have been more hit or miss with me. Here they do nothing but hit, all the right notes and at all the right times , this almost cinched them the top spot. Not hard enough to be a metal album there are some metal inspired moments for sure/ 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/09/deftones-ohms.html 

 1-Katatonia - "City Burials"  

It's no as dark as " Night Is the New Day" . It does however find them remembering they are a metal band in sometimes a more unusual fashion than expected like the fiery Judas Priest inspired riffs and the proggy grooves. It both rock and broods in it's introspective but has a balance and first and foremost thoughtful songs. The bottom line is I listened to it more than the Deftones, I think these guys went into new places where the Deftones stuck closer to what they are good at.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/04/katatonia-city-burials.html

the Top 10 Rock Albums of 2020 ...so far

The year is half way gone. What do we have to show for it ? While you guys have been running scared I have been listening to music , new music. Yes it is still coming out in 2020 despite the music business being dealt a death blow it is not going to recover from. Savor these albums as unless it is released by an artist we are going to see less big releases coming out from this point on,as they are making less investments. If you are a musician you are screwed ,so here are ten artists that are worht your support though  3 of these guys are doing ok on their own and have other sources of income. now let us move onto why you clicked .

By rock here we are talking about anything that is not metal. There was not enough pop to justify making a seperate list and there are not a great deal of glaring pop albums aside from the number 10 album. I have albums coming out in August in my in-box already so I am way ahead of the curve, so this might be more prophetic of the year's best than in years before, considering how  bands can not tour to support releases , many are being delayed . So is this as good as 2020 is going to get ? I think not just in terms of music the answer is yes. Half of you might kill yourselves after what is going to happen in November, If you follow me on social media you know I am getting my transmissions from the aliens which are now even clearer since I am off my meds , but I have been pretty spot on in my predictions so far. It pays to be crazy these days.

10- Poppy- "I Disagree"

 This one grew on me. Makes a solid argument that she is more than a social media star trying to go metal. Head and shoulders over other gimmicks like Babymetal or Ghost. Not made but a pop album with an edge.


 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/01/poppy-i-disagree.html

9-Ozzy Osbourne - "Ordinary Man"


 It's a miracle he lived to make this album. I can not imagine him being able to do another. It is much better than what I feared given the fact he is using Post Malone's producer. Not a metal album, but rocks enough for his age.


 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/02/ozzy-osbourne-ordinary-man.html

8-Dool- "Sumerland"


 This band features members of the Devils Blood. They are less retro and more progressive, with a more straight up radio rock vibe. Some of this is thanks to the very accessible nature of the smooth vocals. A mature step forward with songwriting and even darker.



 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/04/dool-summerland.html

/>

7-Sound VVitch- "Becoming" 


 interesting blend of dark wave and industrial, though not neatly falling into either sub genre. It is too heavy for dark wave and works of slow slithering pounds rather than a neat dance floor ready groove. If you are into the darkwave or industrial strains of gothic music this album is a must.


 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/05/sound-vvitch-becoming.html

6- Mrs. Piss - " Self Surgery"



 Have yet to even load this one into iTunes, just got it last week, which factors into why it is a Chelsea Wolfe album that is not coming in higher. My first impression is I might like this better than "The Birth of Violence". This is only June so I have another 6 months to come to these conclusions.


 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/05/mrs-piss-self-surgery.html

5-Katatonia- "City Burials"

 Not a metal album, but at least these guys are not just moping around and brought back some balls to their sound. The songs are more fun than anything since "Night is the New Day".


https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/04/katatonia-city-burials.html

4-Igorrr - "Spirituality and Distortion" 

<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality="">
<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality=""> Might not pack the punch of the previous album, but is more serious about the exotic groove. If Dead Can Dance was too mellow for you then this is an album to check out. Yes the more aggressive Mr. Bungle like moments are here too. <- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality=""> https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/03/igorr-spirituality-and-distortion.html 

<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality="">
<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality="">
3-Pyschedelic Furs- "Made of Rain"
<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality="">
Not being defined by their 80s hits,  theses guys made and album that will surprise you. It falls some where between their their new wave pop past and a progressive indie rock future. Lyrically it is very asute.
<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality="">
<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality=""> https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-psychedelic-furs-made-of-rain.html

2- Morrissey - " I am Not a Dog on a Chain" 

There are some weird choices. I need to spend more time with this album to digest them. I always enjoy this album when I do play, I have the rest of the year to continue to unpack all my thoughts and feeling on this and it was a close call between Moz and the Furs here, but of course he is going to win out it is my blog. 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/03/morrissey-i-am-not-dog-on-chain.html 

 

1- Waxahatchee - Saint Cloud

When talking to an editor of anohter blog I write for in regards to their list of the same kind, I told this ...if you have not heard that saint cloud album and want to be in a good mood , I implore you to listen to it, thanks to the wonders of the american health care systems I am off my meds and have been given more hoops to jump through than I am able to deal with so instead of my wellbutrin I listen to it when I drink my coffee in the morning.... that is not my blurb , just my endorsement to you lol so that is my blurb about it here.


https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/05/waxahatchee-saint-cloud.html