Ahh 2020 what a pile of *Bleep*!!! Yeah, it wasn’t the best of years but it still brought some worthy tunes to listen to. Let’s jump right into it shall we, here are my top 47 rock & metal albums of 2020: 
#47 Surrender by Dead Lord.
In case you don’t have a time machine, yeah sounds a lot like Thin Lizzy.
#46 Where Vultures Know Your Name by Graceless
Thunderous and heavy is this great sounding dutch death metal album, which finds the band coming into their own on their second disc. I probably have this one too low, but it had some stiff competition. None the less spin this one for some epic head banging.
#45 Lux by The Company of Serpents
A doom album that at one point was in the top 5, but after further listens I found myself struggling to rekindle the magic at first listen. Despite feeling a tad off, the production, skill, and craft is phenomenal.
#44 Spectre of Devastation by Warfect
Where the hell was thrash this year? Even Testament I found disappointed by, but enter Spectre of Devastation - the only thrash album (note: probably more blackened thrash if you ask me) that made the list. Here's hoping thrash comes back with a furry next year.
#43 Northern Gothic by Wudewuse
If you want to be spooked out. Put on this disc which somehow feels eerie yet beautiful at the same time in a surprisingly simple but effective delivery.
#42 VIRTUAVERSE.OST by Master Boot Record
I love me some Master Boot Record, but this may be the last time he makes it on my list as it is gonna feel stale soon.
Bonus Music that did not make the list but brought something unique to my ears: Neptunian Maximualism. I do not recommend the entire disc as it is exhausting, but highly recommended a peek into one of there unique jazz inspired breakdowns for a song or two. 
#41 Franckensteina Strtaemontanus by Carach Angren
One of the more unique sounding disc on this list, I had never heard of these wickedly gothic morbids but as enjoyable of a listen as it gets pretty repetitive and thus only made it this far.
#40 Violent Portraits of Doomed Escape by Black Crown Initiate
Prog metal was also a pretty big disappointment this year. This particular one had so much going for it, but I found it coming up a bit short. But, It is still really good and should be listened to at least once.
#39 The Renaissance of Hope by December Noir
Do you like your music angry and heavy? Put this one on. Not much else needs to be said about it. It sounds like good ol’ death metal.
#38 Mandala of Fear by Huntsmen
Their previous proggy metal album was better as this one goes a little too experimental and long at times. But this is one of the most exciting new bands that has immense potential. Keep it up Hutsmen.
#37 Ages by Dawnwalker
Somewhat proggy, but more doom metal. This one can be long at times too, but overall felt a little more cohesive and thus got the notch slightly ahead. I really like the emotion this album captures.
#36 The Bad Larrys by The Bad Larrys
I have no idea how I stumbled upon this band in the first place let alone how I found my way back to their latest disc. Not gonna complain though as this wacky band delivers again some bizarre funky blues beats that are thoroughly entertaining and sure to put a smile on your face.
#35 Ruins of a Celestial Fire by Midnight Odyssey
Another gentle, spooky, yet beautiful sounding instrumental disc. I believe this one was not on Spotify, so you will have to check it out on YouTube.
#34 Last Call For All Passengers by Dan Terminus
I don’t know why the 80’s inspired synth rockers always get to me, but this one from Dan yet again I found myself listening to over and over.
#33 Conundrum by Hallas
Some might get a lil turned off by the old school production sound on this disc but I love it. It feels nostalgic and memorable. If you like traditional heavy metal, this one's for you.
#32 Decomposed Sacramentum by Invincible Force
It was hard to have this one this low because it sounds so freaking amazing and I don’t know about anyone else but their name fits there death metal sound perfectly.
#31 Under a Godless Veil by Draconian
This highly respected doom metal outfit once again delivered the goods. Epic, heavy, and emotional as usual.
#30 That Benign Terror by The Chemical Mind
Intense. That would be the word I would use to describe this post industrial metal album. It takes you on one hell of an intense and scary ride.
#29 Opulent Decay by Spell
Similar to #33 on the list, this is another old school sounding rock band that goes a lil more back to the 70’s even at times. Very cool and I’m sure this will be a great band to rock out with live. They just seem so freakin 'cool.
#28 I Let It In and It Took Everything by Loathe
If disc #30 didn’t scare you enough, check this post industrial metal album out and it def will. Imagine Deftones on Crack, or better yet, just imagine what Deftones should actually be. I still don’t understand why there was so much love and praise for Deftones latest. In my opinion this is the album Deftones should have released.
#27 Darkness Silence Mirror Flame by Nite
This gothic metal album sounds great when you turn off the lights and light a match to a single candle. I really dig the overall delivery of this disc.
#26 Unfold The God Man by Psychonaut
The best traditional prog metal album of 2020, not flawless, but solid none the less.
#25 Swamp King by Little Albert
This new blues rock artist has some real skill and I am stoked to see where his journey leads.
#24 Mestarin kynsi by Organssi Pazuza
The weirdest disc on this list. This post-gothic ambient album is just plain weird and makes you feel really uncomfortable. But, what can us metalheads say, we like getting uncomfortable.
#23 Nija by Orbit Culture
This is the band with probably the most potential. This groove metal band is dangerously close to taking the next step and getting into the A list of metal. And if their future albums sound as good as this one, they probably will.
#22 Dawn of The Damned by Necrophobic
This old-time death metal band just keeps killing it. If you aren't already familiar with them, its time to give them a listen already.
#21 Grave Image by Deathwhite
Kinda reminds me a lil bit like Katatonia’s gothic rock delivery, but heavier. It was spun many times and I highly recommend you doing the same.
#20 Gold by Kult Of The Wizard
Not available on Spotify, but this classic doom metal band from Minneapolis packs a powerful punch. If nothing else, this one should be listened to just to be hypnotized by the power of Mahle Roth's vocals.
#19 Hit To Hit by 2nd Grade
This was the last album to get added to my list. I fought for a while to keep it off, but It’s just so damn hip and catchy. It’s a punk album that really makes you wish you were back in high school again.
#18 The All Is One by Motorpsycho
Not my fav prog rock outfit, but this disc was very good. All they needed was some more melody and catchier stories and I think this album easily could have cracked the top 10.
#17 Reluctant Hero by Killer Be Killed
I love this supergroup. It is one of the rarest of occasions when a supergroup works. They somehow capture all of what makes each member great while making a cohesive album that not only fits it sounds distinctly their own. Without a doubt the strength lies in the 3 headed vocal delivery.
#16 Summerland by Dool
This band has so much potential it is ridiculous. But more than anything else this album and this disc just like their debut has that “it” factor. It is tough to describe or classify where this band belongs, it's like a hybrid of rock, prog, doom, and heavy metal.
#15 Raw Honey by Drugdealer
I cheated a lil with this one as the disc was actually from 2019, but I didn’t discover it until this year and it is such a damn good album I couldn’t not have it on here. Collins (the ringleader) crafted a collection of songs that really sound like a modern take on The Beatles. I guess we all need to take more train rides.
#14 Krupuske Ohne by Malokarpatan
The production is pretty much the only thing that held this disc down and even that you could argue it is intentional to hit home the eerie vibe that this bad ass black metal album has going on. Bonus points for its ability to constantly change pace and clearly influenced by many genres of rock and metal.
#13 Hard To Kill by Raging Speedhorn
Yeah, this one is simple and straightforward. But dammit, whenever I hear an album that reminds me of Pantera I just can’t get enough of it. I have head banged just a wee bit to this one.
#12 Eupena by Pure Reason Revolution
The album of the year for many people. I couldn’t put it all the way to #1 for myself as it is a lil to indie rock for my taste but nonetheless I had to respect how well crafted and conceptually interesting this album is. Here is hoping it doesn’t take them another 10 years to release again.
#11 Faithless Rituals by Sky Valley Mistress
When you put this disc on, you immediately realize how messed up the world is and how rock really is dead. I mean how the hell this debut album from a killer new young band didn’t get more attention is beyond me. But whatever. I am just glad I was pleased to hear it and man did it sound good.
#10 Astro Tounge in the Electric Garden by Hex A.D.
We made it to the top 10. First up is an album that was my #1 but got moved down to #10 because the production really is poor. It made the album sound dull and dusty which is far from what the actual music is. This band wowed me with their last album, this one (be it a surprise direction) is just as good if not better. And don’t make the mistake of not sitting down and listening to this one from front to back, as that is where it really shines. Here is hoping they get the right engineer next time.
#9 Shape Without Form by Ghost Toast
There tends to always be that one instrumental album that really stands out each year. 2020 it was this one. Which takes you one hell of a rollercoaster ride as it changes gear many times.
#8 Ravening Iron by Eternal Champion
This band deserves major credit for having the balls to release an album cover as such in the year 2020. But putting that aside this NWOBHM inspired second disc absolutely slays. It just makes you feel good and the vocals cary like a god singing in valhalla.
#7 Refractions by Low Rider
The stoner metal album of the year in my book. Not much more to say, just get your high on and rock out with it.
#6 Viperous by Vredehammer
There were some really good death metal albums in 2020, but none more aggressive as this one. If you like your music fast and relentless, this one's for you.
Before we go on to the top 5 here's a bonus song: Carpenter Brut released THE SONG OF THE YEAR for me and that song is Fab Tool. A lil different than your typical Brut song, this one caught me by surprise but I have wound up listening (and watching the killer video) more than any other song this year. 
#5 Ultra Mono by IDLES
The british punk rockers are back with yet another killer disc, this one though veers more into rock than it does punk. Still has the attitude of punk but it comes packed with more riffs and simple delivery that just makes every word and sound hit that much harder. I also highly recommend watching each of there videos as they are all great.
#4 Mitochondrial Sun by Mitochondrial Sun
This ambient industrial disc really really really caught me by surprise but my oh my is it beautiful. Like all great music, it just takes you on a journey, one that I have no problem taking again and again.
#3 The Eternal Resonance by Sweven
There always seems to be that one black metal album that really speaks to me on an emotional and spiritual level and in 2020 it was this one.
#2 Abyss by Unleash The Archers
This album wins best story of the year. Power Metal (like thrash) didn’t have a whole lot going for it in 2020. But this one is worthy of continuing the Power Metal torch. The canadian band not only improved on their last album but the story which is a sequel to the previous album really comes together. This is the one album on this entire list where you can’t appreciate it unless you listen to the entire album (and read up on the story) from beginning to end and take the epic journey as The Matriarch continues to battle with The Immortal.
#1 Enjoy Yourself by Melted Bodies (Alt Metal)
It is not easy these days to come up with something original. Kudos to Melted Bodies (who hail from LA no surprise) to not only achieve this but effectively in a coherent story and with a strong brand to boot. Because of its creativity (which note: they also one best video of the year too for Ad People) it was my clear and obvious #1 album of the year regardless of whether or not it is your cup of tea or not.
And their yea have it. My top albums of 2020. Now let's get to listening to it...