Bror Gunnar Jansson - Faceless Evil, Nameless Fear (2021)

On the previous Bror Gunnar Jansson album the boogie garage-blues was different mostly thanks to the inclusion of some Earth inspired "drone rock" elements. On the new album  Faceless Evil, Nameless fear there's still an Earth flavour but mostly in one long song. This time the mood is more on the heavy blues side, starting with the first song with its riff that reminds a lot Pentagram. Maybe the album is a bit less surprising, but it's also more cohesive and it's nicely rocking. Again among the best and memorable rock albums of the year. 

BGJ website

 

Obscura - A Valediction (2021)

After two more progressive albums, technical death metalers Obscura are back with A Valediction, an album more focused on speed and melody, more in a melodic thrash/death vein. And since they managed to keep things interesting and intense (more intense actually, even if songs are a bit more predictible) it's ok for me. Not their most groundbreaking work for sure, but an enjoyable one anyway.

The Bandcamp page.

 

Yura Yura - Substance Noire (2020)

Substance Noire is the third album from French producer from Dijon Yura Yura, all have been released by the good industrial/tech label Hands, and indeed he's been doing well from the start, but Substance Noire is its best so far. Substance Noire takes you in a dark journey into powerful industrial techno and rhythmic noise territories, with also dark ambient elements, and if you're into this kind of stuff there's absolutely no reason you wouldn't enjoy it as I do. And if it's not your usual kind of listen it would do an excellent introduction to the more industrial and dark side of techno (or the more techno/rhythmic side of industrial/noise?). Recommended.

The BC page.

 

Asphyx - Necroceros (2021)

Asphyx was formed in 1987, and in 2021 they'ere still here, releasing their tenth album Necroceros. Respect. They keep on delivering quality old school death metal, with elements of thrash and also some heavier doomy parts. Ok, it won't stay as most memorable album of the year, but pleasing anyway.

Official website.

 

Death Toll 80K - The Future is yours (2021)

Finnish band Death Toll 80K has earned a lot of respect in the grind circles thanks to their two excellent albums (released in 2011 and 2017). They are now back with this EP called The Future is Yours, released by To Live a Lie Records. This time again they deliver some high quality grindpunk, in the old school spirit, but sometimes even faster and with a sharper and more modern sound.

The BC page.

 

Dr. Octagon - Moosebumps: An Exploration Into Modern Day Horripilation (2018)

Moosebumps: An Exploration Into Modern Day Horripilation released in 2018 is the real return of rapper Kool Keith as Dr. Octagon. The album called in 2006 "The Return of Dr. Octagon" was a good album but, not produced by Dan The Automator, less dark and more funky, it did not sound like a genuine Dr. Octagon album.  This time we can again listen to the unique mix of old school, abstract and horrorcore (but always keeping a twisted fun) hip hop. And Kool Keith as an MC is as talented and usual. It's arguably as good as the first album "Dr. Octagonecologyst" was. Cool stuff.

Antediluvian - The Divine Punishment (2021)

On their new album The Divine Punishment,  Antediluvian went one step further into free form/avant-garde territory, with even some psychedelic elements at times, while keeping their cavernous sound and death metal elements, blast beats, growls, etc. Not every moment is successful, but you don't try and experiment without taking some risks, and overall this is an interesting and good album. Recommended stuff.

The BC page.