While the year 2020 may have been a write off in many ways, the albums that have been released this year have been very strong. In honour of 2020, these are my 20 favourite metal albums to have been released during this hellscape, I mean, year.

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omne metallum | 21.12.2020

	1.	Testament - Titans Of Creation Roaring back with a vengeance after the last two so-so releases, Testament remind us all that sometimes the old guard still have it up their sleeves
	2.	LIK - Misanthropic Breed The best Entombed-esque album in years
	3.	Fires In The Distance - Echoes From Deep November One of the best debut albums I have heard in years.
	4.	Bleed From Within - Fracture Most improved band of the year.
	5.	Bury Tomorrow - Cannibal Found myself replaying this long after I had reviewed it, an earworm of an album.
	6.	Lucifer - Lucifer III A band that continues to fly under the radar, though those in the know will enjoy a third helping.
	7.	Necrot - Mortal Building their reputation and momentum with a solid and hard hitting second album.
	8.	Svalbard - When I Die, Will I Get Better? I finally get the hype around this band.
	9.	Heaven Shall Burn - Of Truth & Sacrifice A double album was a big risk but one that pays off in spades.
	10.	Sylosis - Cycle Of Suffering As much as I like Architects, Sylosis are far better and its a big shame they take a back seat for Middleton.
	11.	Evildead - United $tate$ Of Anarchy Captures the mood of the year perfectly.
	12.	Armored Saint - Punching The Sky A slow burner that will burn bright if you give it enough time.
	13.	Harlott - Detritus Of The Final Age A late contender but one that made an instant impression.
	14.	Plague Years - Circle Of Darkness With the untimely passing of Riley Gale, this band have held the torch high in Power Trip's absence.
	15.	The Black Dahlia Murder - Verminous Can they do no wrong?
	16.	Trivium - What The Dead Men Say A solid follow up, a big shame they were not able to capitalise and tour this record.
	17.	Hatebreed - Weight Of The False Self The adrenaline rush that was needed in winter.
	18.	Incinery - Hollow Earth Theory One the UK's shining underground star's.
	19.	Warbringer - Weapons Of Tomorrow A strong boost that was much needed in the spring and has hovered not far away from my speakers since.
	20.	Burning Witches - Dance With The Devil Old school heavy metal that will get its hooks deep in you.