2020 is over, but we're not quite done with it just yet (nor is it done with you). With the next edition of the Metal Storm Awards on their way, it's time for us to think back to those 12 months and try to remember what the two or three good moments were and how they escaped the shredder.

We regularly review full lengths, collaborations, sometimes even live albums. EPs and demos often get love in our Clandestine Cuts series. Heck, we even review a bunch of stuff that isn't metal. But when was the last time you saw a review of a split album? Exactly! We are here to make up for that!

Settling into their final and longest-lasting line-up after the departure of Würzel in 1995, the trio of Lemmy, Campbell and Dee would forge ahead to the end. This era would see the band hit some of the lowest ebbs of their career, but would see the band emerge as bonafide living legends before the curtains closed on a remarkable career; the final incarnation of Motörhead saw it all.

We here at Metal Storm pride ourselves in the metal that we live and breathe, and most importantly, write about. But there's a whole world out there aside from Satan-worshiping black metal and dragon-slaying power metal. Here's what we checked out this month.

Erstwhile Children Of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho passed away unexpectedly last week, as we were informed by his longtime bandmates. I felt that offering some special tribute would be appropriate.