Best of 2021: A Year In Review
This year went by quick. New music and even more variants! The staff at Kill The Music have posted their individual ATOY lists which is compiled here. Hopefully our lists encourage some of you to check out something that you might've overlooked!
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Jordan Mohler (Editor-in-Chief)
Social Media: Twitter
1. Architects - For Those Who Wish To Exist
2. Structures - None of the Above
3. Chvrches - Screen Violence: Director’s Cut
4. Floating Points/The London Symphony - Promises
5. Halsey - If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power
6. White Ring - Show Me Heaven
8. The Plot In You - Swan Song
9. Clams Casino - Winter Flower
10. Khandra - All Occupied by Sole Death
Caeman Amelio (Staff Writer)
Social Media: Twitter
"Wallflowers" finds Jinjer at the top of their game. It offers fans nothing short of a masterful display of progressive metal through a barrage of aggressive and groove-orientated tracks. Some highlights from this one include: "Vortex," "Disclosure!," and "Pearls And Swine."
09. Plush - "Plush"
The self-titled debut album from Plush proves that rock and roll is alive and well. It's a record full of rock anthems from a young band, who are sure to make waves in the music world for years to come. Some highlights from this one include: "Athena," "Hate," and "Sober."
08. The Pretty Reckless - "Death By Rock And Roll"
"Death By Rock And Roll" takes the emotional toll of loss and pain and transforms it into pure and cathartic rock music. It continues to show growth from a band who have continuously cranked out high quality material since their inception. Some highlights from this one include: the title track, "Only Love Can Save Me Now," and "Witches Burn."
07. Mastodon - "Hushed And Grim"
"Hushed And Grim" is one of Mastodon's best albums to date. It combines grief-laden lyrics with impeccable musicianship to create a piece of art that takes the listener on a journey. Some highlights from this one include: "Pain With An Anchor," Teardrinker," and "Gobblers Of Dregs."
"Typhoons" is what happens when you throw Royal Blood's infectious rock sound into a disco blender. The material is extremely catchy and you can't help but move along to it. Some highlights from this one include: “Trouble’s Coming,” the title track, and “Boilermaker.”
05. Every Time I Die - "Radical"
"Radical" is quintessential Every Time I Die. The record fuses heavy and chaotic music with clever lyrics that grab the listener the whole way through. Some highlights from this one include: "Dark Distance,” "Planet Shit," and "Desperate Pleasures."
04. Bullet For My Valentine - "Bullet For My Valentine"
Bullet For My Valentine's new self-titled album takes the most aggressive aspects of the band’s sound and puts them at the forefront to create some of the group's heaviest material to date. It is a record that is truly worthy of the name "Bullet For My Valentine." Some highlights from this one include: "Knives," "Shatter," and the closer "Death By A Thousand Cuts."
03. Trivium - "In The Court Of The Dragon"
"In The Court Of The Dragon" takes all of the musical elements of Trivium's past work and combines them with mythological storytelling to create a record that's epic as hell. It has everything a metal fan can want and you can't help but headbang the whole way through. Some highlights from this one include: "The Shadow Of The Abattoir," "Like A Sword Over Damocles," and "The Phalanx."
02. Spiritbox - "Eternal Blue"
"Eternal Blue" is the highly anticipated debut album from Spiritbox and it definitely did not disappoint. It is everything one would want in a record, commanding vocals and passionate lyrics backed by heavy and melodic music. Some highlights from this one include: "Holy Roller," "Circle With Me," and "Constance."
01. Evanescence - "The Bitter Truth"
"The Bitter Truth" is Evanescence's first album of all new material since 2011 and the band definitely returned with a bang. The record is a hard rock masterpiece that helps the listener uncover light within the darkness as they are guided through the soundscape by Amy Lee's iconic powerhouse vocals. Some highlights from this one include "Wasted On You," "Better Without You," and "Use My Voice."