All these match my first or second picks in every category I voted in, except Dool (my dislike for most of those occult goth rock bands grows stronger every day), Pull Down The Sun which I didn't find anything special, and Lorna Shore whose bog-standard deathcore vocals totally turned me off the album.

Written by Deadsoulman on 11.03.2021 at 12:53

except Dool (my dislike for most of those occult goth rock bands grows stronger every day), Pull Down The Sun which I didn't find anything special

Shame on you.

Written by Deadsoulman on 11.03.2021 at 12:53

and Lorna Shore whose bog-standard deathcore vocals totally turned me off the album.

Yep.

No Kaatayra, no respec.

I don't understand the hype around Dark Forest.

Written by nikarg on 11.03.2021 at 14:06

Written by Deadsoulman on 11.03.2021 at 12:53

except Dool (my dislike for most of those occult goth rock bands grows stronger every day), Pull Down The Sun which I didn't find anything special

Shame on you.

Haha, well, those two were even my least favourite albums in their respective categories, imagine that

Even though they're lacking some of those 666 goats, Bütcher's cover really shows you that you're in for a treat when you press Play. I like that and I like the album even though I voted for Havok in thrash. Out of the staff picks Lucid Planet II is by far the best album regardless of genre. Countless Skies released a great album as expected and Pull Down The Sun and Fires In The Distance were really nice discoveries.
I know I've said it before but Eden In Reverse was still AOTY imo.

Nice to see Dark Forest get the Heavy pick. The release is so full of heart. Though the production doesn't do it justice at times I felt.

Three of my top 10 of 2020 made it here (Elder, Wayfarer and Ulcerate) made it here, and agree with a lot of the other choices, although I'd have half a dozen I'd choose ahead of Serpent Column for djent/math

12 of the ones listed above are among the ones I voted for this year.
I must admit I'm a bit "eh" about doom and post metal though but oh well.

Of the 10 categories I voted in, only Ulcerate matches my choice. I think it's kind of cool there were obviously so few clear consensus choices - goes to show the number of really great albums that came out last year.

Almost covered all of them. Will definitely checking out the few chips I missed.

Whoooa, definitely missed In The Company of Serpents! Bummer, man. I'll have to check that one out..

For the rest, you guys got it, fuckin' awesome, man.

Bütcher, Anaal Nathrakh, and Havukruunu were 3 of my picks that made the staff list