Diaries of Doom - Top 21 Releases of 2021

Obligatory end-of-year post.

2021 has been a year I won't look back on fondly, with a pretty constant series of personal challenges - not least because of the pandemic - but there's been plenty to remember for all the right reasons, such as the big family reunion at Bloodstock, seeing some of my friends again for the first time in ages, and all the fun band-related stuff I've done with Alunah and Slump.

If you follow the blog closely, you might have noticed I've had to take a complete break from posting for the last couple of weeks. Trying to balance running this blog with two bands, other music media platforms and working full-time to pay the bills as a side gig can be a lot sometimes, and burnout's no joke. It's been good to take time away from the music side and enjoy the festivities with my family lately.

Only time will tell what '22 will bring, but the standard of music releases only seems to get better at the moment. If the stars align then both of my bands will be releasing music, too. (It'll be up to you to decide if they're part of or an exception to that trend, haha)

Many thanks to all supporters of this blog, whether longtimers or newcomers.

This post is dedicated to my good mate Spence. We miss you a lot.

1. Dvne - Etemen Ænka

2. Boss Keloid - Family The Smiling Thrush

3. Trivium - In The Court of the Dragon

4. At the Gates - The Nightmare of Being

5. Monolord - Your Time to Shine

6. Converge & Chelsea Wolfe - Bloodmoon: I

7. Gatecreeper - An Unexpected Reality

8. Stöner - Stoners Rule

9. Urne - Serpent & Spirit

10. Carcass - Torn Arteries

11. Syncolima - Where The End Meets The Beginning

12. Archierophant - Birds of Joy And Sorrow

13. Dead Original - Bought & Sold

14. Callus - A Breath of Flesh Air

15. The Hyena Kill - A Disconnect

16. Swamp Coffin - Noose Almighty

17. Satlan - Panacea

18. Djinova - Apocalypsis Infinitum

19. Wall - Vol 2

20. Invictra - Of Flesh, Steel and Stone

21. Sumeru - Blood Ordinance


Sorry if I forgot to mention your band. There's been too much good stuff this year.


Ben, who also contributes here, mentioned that his top three were: 

1. Kowloon Walled City - Piecework 

2. Parquet Courts - Sympathy for Life 

3. Gojira - Fortitude


Forgotten any? Any big disappointments this year?


Check out our Bloodstock doco from this year if you're still here:

Happy new year. See you in 2022!

MN

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