My favorite albums of 2020 part 1

I guess this is good time to get first part of favorite albums of 2020 list out. It is more like favorite music releases of 2020 than albums. Some of these are not full length albums. This list doesn’t contain all my favorite albums released so far and is not in any order of how much I like the release. I don’t know how much covid-19 has affected the releases. Labels I follow seems to release with normal schedule. It could be they have some delay on recording and release which makes it seem like nothing has happened. Or some artists don’t need professional studios to make albums.

Wardruna: Lyfjaberg

This song is released only as single and it won’t be on Wardruna’s next album which will be released next January. Creates high expectations for album if they can drop this good song from it.

Danheim: Skapanir

Little more viking music. Danheim has released quite a few albums and singles before. I felt his music had more quantity than quality. It changed with Skapanir. It is like he realized he shouldn’t release every song he made. Only the best ones. His best album so far.

Heldom: Myrkr

I found Heldom through Danheim. Danheim recommend checking him on his Facebook page and Heldom was on couple songs of his latest album. Don’t know much more about Heldom. Album is good if you are into this sort of music. Also like the name of the album for some reason.

Myrkur: Folkesange

If you have read my previous posts you might know I like Myrkur. She seems to be able to do anything and I will like it. This is some sort of continuation of her acoustic tour. Didn’t know it was acoustic when I went there but surely wasn’t disappointed. Folkesange doesn’t have any black metal flavors but I guess most of her fans don’t mind.

Battle Dagorath: Abyss Horizons

I mentioned black metal so here is some black metal. Battle Dagorath’s latest was positive surprise. I remembered their name from previous albums but they were one generic black metal band among other generic black metal bands. Maybe little bit more because I remembered their name. When I started to listen this it didn’t feel that special but by the end of first listening it found place on my favorite albums of 2020 list. Not sure if later songs are better or why that was. I assume this video is legally in Youtube for promotional purposes. I like to share videos from band’s or label’s Youtube but it is not always possible. I could only find this whole album video for this one.

Ursa: Mother Bear, Father Toad

This is here partly because I liked Ursa’s previous album Abyss Between the Stars so much. Mother Bear, Father Toad doesn’t have same magic. They have done more rocking album which is not bad but doesn’t work as well as the first one. But still this is Ursa with their rough lower budget charm.

Loviatar: Lightless

I found this from Ursa’s Mother Bear, Father Toad review. It was said to be one of the best doom metal albums of 2020. I am not sure about doom metal part. But it is one of the best albums of 2020. Music has aspects of doom metal but I wouldn’t call it doom metal. That said I can’t put this in correct genre. It is just good music.

Haru Nemuri: LOVETHEISM

I burnt out checking Japanese music but there are still Japanese artists and bands making my favorite albums list. Haru Nemuri is those artist who seem to be able to do what ever she wants. Don’t ask me to put her music into any genre. It is some kind of mix of punk, hip hop and her personality and it changes from song to song.

Tokyo Incidents: News

Tokyo Incidents is Sheena Ringo’s rock band. Last year her solo material made to this list. This time it is her band. Still jazz but this time with more rock flavor. Video says Incidents Tokyo but iTunes knows this as Tokyo Incidents. So I use that name here.

Tineidae: Exo

I have gotten this far without anything from Cryo Chamber. Time to fix it. Tineidae’s Exo is bit more melodic than Cryo Chamber’s usual offerings. I have bought almost everything Cryo Chamber has released during last few years. I have always wondered how their music would sound like with more melodic material. In this case it works extremely well.

I like to limit number of videos on these posts to ten. Now we hit that limit. I have about ten more to add to list, Those will be on next list some time near future.

Myrkur - Leaves of Yggdrasil

Another video for Myrkur’s next album Folkesange. I like this video much more than first one. I liked first song but video wasn’t that good. This time video is as good as the song. This made my expectations go sky high.

MYRKUR - Ella

One of my favorite artists is releasing new album later this year. Myrkur is one of those artists who can make any kind of music and I like it. Her next album will be folk music. Might sound like quite departure from black metal she is known for. But it worked when she had acoustic tour some time ago. I didn’t know it was acoustic live when I went to see her. I wasn’t disappointed when I walked out of the venue. It will be interesting to see how well album of acoustic music will work. I expect it to be on my best albums of 2020 list. This first song sounds quite good.

Myrkur: Folkesange live at Helsinki

Expectations before I realized it will be acoustic set.

Myrkur played Folkesange set last Saturday in Helsinki. I realized hour before the show it will be acoustic set. I bought ticket to see normal set. It was always told to be special acoustic set but I didn't read the descriptions. I just wondered why it was told to be quiet set and why opening act was folk artist. It was because Myrkur played folk set. They played her songs and folk songs with acoustic instruments.

Acoustic set from black metal artist or band might sound really bad idea. For most bands it is. It took me a while to think other bands who could pull this off. But I can't think any of them pulling it of as well as Myrkur did. Her music is dream like and based on her singing. It doesn't matter what instruments are used as long they support her singing. I would like to see her set with synths.

I was bit disappointed after learning it was acoustic set. Disappointment disappeared when the set started. It was really fun and intimate event. I got quite close to stage where people sat on ground and listened the music. Kind of weird on metal band's gig but audience knew what kind of show this was. Most kept their mobile phones in their pocket and enjoyed the show. To be honest I liked this more than their first gig I saw. I prefer her quiet side over her extreme side. This was all about the quiet side. We got one of a kind experience when opening artist joined Myrkur for few songs. It was first time they played together. Myrkur playing old folk songs made that possible.

It was amazing event. Others seem to enjoy it too. It is always nice to see something different when it is this well performed. Here is something from other Folkesange show from Myrkur's own channel.

This is not from Helsinki and Helsinki show didn't have cellist. But it was bit like this there too.