(Other) TOP ALBUMS 2020 OF THE EDITORIAL STAFF : an article to read on Music Waves

Music Waves synthesized the tops of each member of the editorial staff to designate Tool's successor album "Fear Innoculum" as the record of the year 2020. So who from Blue Ôyster Cult, Conception, AC/DC, Pain Of Salvation, Steven Wil.... (not him this year), will come out on top?

FIRST

PAIN OF SALVATION "Panther" 46 points

After having missed the mark in 2017, the Swedes pulled out their claws to become the big winner of this 2020 top. Pain Of Salvation is one of the few bands capable of constantly renewing themselves while keeping their personality. "It's called talent" (Newf). It must be said that "Panther", is a more varied album than the previous one, which "deals with the difference with a beautiful intelligence, as usual, in addition to a touch of madness". (Calgepo). "Panther" "anchors Pain Of Salvation even more in the history of progressive metal, a genre they help shape every year" (ProgRacer).

SECOND

The second place is shared between two bands that made their return in 2020. Honour to the oldest in time.

BLUE ÔYSTER CULT "The Symbol Remain" 21 points

With the band having been absent since 2001, the announcement of a new album has stirred up the fans with a certain apprehension about what it was going to give. Apprehension took off since "the band signs a record at the same time dark, mysterious and attractive putting forward virtuoso singers and musicians" (Noise). "Some people didn't expect such a level for a comeback, considering this album, which oscillates between tracks with a classic BÖC sound and more modern tracks with the contribution of Richie Castellano's vocals, as one of the best of the Cult" (PascalJ).

CONCEPTION "State Of Deception" 21 points

After an EP in 2018, Conception didn't wait long to give news. 23 years after the last real album, "Tore Østby ratifies the rebirth of the group which renews with all the roots of its leader starting with those of the legendary Ark" (Struck). This return is so unexpected that "State of Deception" is seen as "the album of the decade, considering that to have made such complex and technical music so fluid and easy to listen to is a real tour de force" (Torpedo).

THIRD

THE RETICENT "The Oubliette" 13 points

A last-minute album, The Reticent has put a lot of reviewers in agreement on the very high quality of this opus which shakes up the theme of Alzheimer's disease. To manage to convey so much emotion by telling such tragic and real stories (this time the tormented life of Henry, an Alzheimer's patient) is a major feat. "A poignant, inventive and exciting work against a back of polymorphic metal a la Opeth" (ProgRacer)

FOURTH

CALIGULA'S HORSE "Rise Radiant" 10 points

Progressive metal is definitely at the top of the list as Caligula's Horse comes 4th - and that's a little surprise. But many have hailed this album as "well paced, always melodious and rich in emotion" (Daryalis). "In this album, the band has been able to add finesse to their compositions, allowing them to take it up a notch in beauty" (ProgRacer).

PYRAMAZE "Epitath" 10 points

After a period of change, the band has become stable since 3 albums. "Epitath" is a small bomb of melodic metal that has cheerfully come to rise to the top of the genre's productions, yet numerous and of quality in this year 2020. The group, even if it has somewhat abandoned its past progressive desires here, has undoubtedly crossed a milestone" (Lynott). "The melodies are unstoppable" (Torpedo).

FIFTH

JON GOMM " The Faintest Idea" 9 points

The fifth place offers a surprise in the person of Jon Gomm. Half-surprise however considering the great quality of this album. "The artist who knew how to push the exploitation of his instrument to the furthest. Jon Gomm gives all his letters of nobility to the acoustic" (Abaddon). "A magnificent album of sensitivity, where technical prowess is always at the service of emotion" (Newf).

The other albums mentioned with their points