The 25 Best Albums of 2020 (End Of The Year Lists)

As we enter the holiday season and cap off the year that was 2020 let's look back at some of the greatest achievements that artists and bands had to offer in terms of albums. 2020 housed some of the best records that we have seen in a long time and it's time to see what were the best of the best. So here is a list of "The 25 Best Albums of 2020".

Disclaimer: Just like our other lists this is just our collective opinions and if we left some of your favorite releases out let us know in the comments.

So without further a deux. Here is the list.

25: Loathe - "I Let It In And It Took Everything" COURTESY OF SHARPTONE RECORDS

The great minds in Loathe returned with a stellar second record "I Let It In And It Took Everything". A record that shines through with insane industrial tinged hardcore and post-hardcore reminiscent of the likes of Deftones and Nine Inch Nails cultivating in a vibrant listen that you can never get tired of.

favorites: 'Broken Vision Rhythm', 'Two-Way Mirror', 'New Faces In The Dark', 'Redroom'

least favorites: n/a

24: Acceptance - "Wild, Free" COURTESY OF TOOTH & NAIL RECORDS

The long awaited third album from alt rock vets Acceptance seemed like a natural evolution of their sound while also adding elements of The Killers and The Gaslight Anthem. "Wild, Free" is just that, a pop-rock record that goes down smooth with ease and poise making for a great listen of emo/pop-rock perfection.

favorites: 'Cold Air', 'Release & Let Go', 'Dark Age', 'At The Edge Of The Earth'

least favorites: n/a

23: Silverstein - "A Beautiful Place To Drown" COURTESY OF UNFD

Changing up styles while still being true to who you are is a difficult task for most bands but leave it to Silverstein to craft a fantastic pop-punk tinged post-hardcore and rock record that stands tall amongst some of the best music in rock. "A Beautiful Place To Drown" is nothing short of excellent and it's excellence thrives and shines bright.

favorites: 'Bad Habits', 'Burn It Down', 'Infinite', 'Madness'

least favorites: n/a

22: Four Year Strong - "Brain Pain" COURTESY OF PURE NOISE RECORDS

The punk-core pioneers Four Year Strong pull out all the stops on "Brain Pain". A fantastic pop-punk and melodic-hardcore record that features everything that the band are good at and puts it on full display cultivating in a fun, complex, and sometimes morbid listen that fits in well in the band's expanding discography.

favorites: 'Get Out Of My Head', 'Crazy Pills', 'Talking Myself In Circles', 'Young At Heart'

least favorites: n/a

21: Off Road Minivan - "Swan Dive" COURTESY OF TOOTH & NAIL RECORDS

The sounds of soulful alternative rock and emo is what you get from Off Road Minivan's excellent debut album "Swan Dive". A record that shines through with beautiful guitar melodies and breathtaking vocal performances from lead vocalist Ryan 'Tuck' O'Leary. "Swan Dive" is a excellent record that makes everything seem hopeful and a little bit brighter.

favorites: 'Vampire', 'Supernova', 'Spiral Gaze', 'YOU'

least favorites: n/a

20: Boston Manor - "Glue" COURTESY OF PURE NOISE RECORDS

From pop-punk to post-hardcore to electrifying alternative rock and hard rock Boston Manor have proven themselves to be a staple of the current scene and "Glue" is an example of electronic rock done right with some of the catchiest hooks of the year. "Glue" is a fantastic rock record that sticks with you and leaves you wanting more.

favorites: 'Everything Is Ordinary', 'Plasticine Dreams', 'Ratking', 'Liquid'

least favorites: n/a

19: Tigerwine - "Nothing Is For You" COURTESY OF TOOTH & NAIL RECORDS

Anger and pissed off emo is what we get with Tigerwine's "Nothing Is For You". a post-hardcore/emo record that shines through with killer emo hooks, pissed off walls of noise from the guitars, guttural yells of sure pain, a sense of insanity that only comes from unique post-hardcore releases like this. "Nothing Is For You" is a fantastic release that proves itself time and time again that it is nothing short of excellent.

favorites: 'Technicolor Yawn', 'Scarecrow', 'Black Water', 'Wigwam'

least favorites: n/a

18: Polaris - "The Death Of Me" COURTESY OF SHARPTONE RECORDS

Progressive metalcore act Polaris returned in full force with their second album "The Death Of Me". A well thought out record that shows the band's growth from album to album and exceeds all expectations with an impactful listen with elements of post-hardcore and post-rock aiding them along the way. "The Death Of Me" is a major step forward for the band and they are definitely a band that you should be on the look out for in the new year.

favorites: 'Hypermania', 'Masochist', 'Landmine', 'The Descent'

least favorites: n/a

17: Deathbreaker - "Isolate" COURTESY OF FACEDOWN RECORDS

Progressive hardcore with a hopeful message and killer breakdowns. Deathbreaker's second record "Isolate" brings everything that one could love from a modern hardcore record and amplifies everything with amazing results. "Isolate" is a fantastic record that is destined to become a modern classic for modern hardcore and metalcore in the coming years.

favorites: 'Pit Viper', 'Spite', 'Vagabond', 'Choke'

least favorites: n/a

16: Lifelong - "Above The Waves" COURTESY OF SOLID STATE RECORDS

Lifelong's fantastic debut album "Above The Waves" is everything one could ask for from a melodic-hardcore record. From it's sunny early 2000's pop-punk style, to it's more aggressive moments toying with elements of post-hardcore and hardcore punk. "Above The Waves" is an underrated gem for the year and a future classic for pop-punk and melodic-hardcore as a whole.

favorites: 'Empty Roads', 'Above The Waves', 'Black Friday', 'Drifting'

least favorites: n/a

15: Poppy - "I Disagree" COURTESY OF SUMERIAN RECORDS/WARNER RECORDS

The amount of sure awe when it comes to Poppy's chaotic record "I Disagree" is something that cannot be explained. Elements of j-pop, heavy metal, nu-metal, and synth-pop is what drives this record and is what makes this record so enticing. "I Disagree" is nothing of excellent and it's eclectic sound is what manages to sink it's teeth into the listener for a chaotic listen that is something brilliant.

favorites: 'Concrete', 'I Disagree', 'Bloodmoney', 'Bite Your Teeth'

least favorites: n/a

14: Lightworker - "Fury By Failure" COURTESY OF SOLID STATE RECORDS

In 2020 the metalcore genre got shook up with the modern releases being some of the best releases that the genre has seen in a while and "Fury By Failure" by Lightworker is one of those records. "Fury By Failure" shakes up what we know of modern metalcore and escalate the genre to new heights while also putting their own spin on what makes the genre great. "Fury By Failure" is a fantastic cut from exceptional band that should be on your radar.

favorites: 'Empyre', 'The Willing Martyr', 'Words Dissolve', 'Cholera'

least favorites: n/a

13: Weathered - "Everything All At Once" COURTESY OF FACEDOWN RECORDS

The world of emo it was hit with some of the most personal and thought provoking releases only made heavily influential by the current state of our world at "Everything All At Once" by Weathered being one of the best. The stark contrast of self isolation mixed with a layer of heavy and gut wrenching emo/indie rock is what makes this record so special and it's a record that will stick with you and leave you with a heavy heart.

favorites: 'Chasing Me', 'Safe Travels', 'Quick Tempered', 'In This World'

least favorites: n/a

12: Spanish Love Songs - "Brave Faces Everyone" COURTESY OF PURE NOISE RECORDS

With some releases feeling like they were somehow connected to self isolation and self doubt; give it to "Brave Faces Everyone" by Spanish Love Songs being a record that is about of those but released before the pandemic hit. "Brave Faces Everyone" is just that, a lonely and in ones head listen that will leave you hurting and crying your eyes out while also headbanging to the uber catchy instrumentals heavily influenced by the likes of The Wonder Years. "Brave Faces Everyone" is a fantastic listen that will leave you with a sense of darkness but also an ease of a light being at the end of tunnel.

favorites: 'Routine Pain', 'Self-Destruction (As A Sensible Career Choice)', 'Generation Lost', 'Beach Front Property'

least favorites: n/a

11: Dens - "Taming Tongues" COURTESY OF FACEDOWN RECORDS

One of the best releases that take both biblical principles and a story narrative is without a doubt Dens' "Taming Tongues". A masterful record that takes everything that one could want from a rock record like this and cranks it up to eleven with some of the heaviest and catchiest tracks that you will hear in a post-hardcore record. "Taming Tongues" is a phenomenal work of art that should be listened to time and time again.

favorites: 'Even', 'Foolish', 'They', 'Quiet'

least favorites: n/a

10: American Arson - "A Line In The Sand" COURTESY OF FACEDOWN RECORDS

A sociopolitical punk rock record that also has equal doses of faith and extreme punk rock grit is what you get on American Arson's incredible debut album "A Line In The Sand". A punk record that feels both engaging without getting stale, thought provoking given the current state of our world, and hopeful with rallying cries of victory over fear and corruption. "A Line In The Sand" is a fantastic record that should get any punk fan excited and left wanting more.

favorites: 'Drop Your Daggers', 'Forever', 'Unbreakable', 'The King Is Alive'

least favorites: n/a

9: Slick Shoes - "Rotation And Frequency" COURTESY OF TOOTH & NAIL RECORDS

One of the best comeback records of the year has to be Slick Shoes' surprising comeback record "Rotation And Frequency". A record that takes the core of what Slick Shoes is and ups the anti to soaring heights. "Rotation And Frequency" is a love letter to everything that is 90's skate punk while adding in modern pop-punk and punk rock tricks making for an engaging listen that only the pros could make. Welcome back Slick Shoes is great to have you back and making music again.

favorites: 'Whispers', 'Carry This', 'The Worlds Were Mine, 'Visitors'

least favorites: n/a

8: Deftones - "Ohms" COURTESY OF REPRISE RECORDS

No one ever expected a new Deftones record and especially not one that would be as good as "Ohms" turned out to be and what it turned out to be is one of the best rock records of the year and one of the best records in the band's discography. "Ohms" is everything that you could want from a modern Deftones record and it is still one of the best releases of the year that stood out in a major way.

favorites: 'Genesis', 'Ceremony', 'Urantia', 'Ohms'

least favorites: n/a

7: Taylor Swift - "Folklore" COURTESY OF REPUBLIC RECORDS

Taylor Swift's "Folklore" is something special. It's a record that feels like a soundtrack to a folk tale; a journey into a world being told by Taylor Swift as she takes you into a indie-folk masterpiece of exceeding proportions with nothing but killer results. "Folklore" is a beautiful soothing record that you can just slip into a void of sound with and a great that you can just sit and relax too. "Folklore" is a masterpiece that is destined to become a future classic.

favorites: 'Cardigan', 'The Last Great American Dynasty', 'My Tears Ricochet', 'The Lakes'

least favorites: n/a

6: Everything In Slow Motion - "Influence" COURTESY OF FACEDOWN RECORDS

The craftsmanship of "Influence" by Everything In Slow Motion is something remarkable. A marvel in post-hardcore the band have made a name for themselves for a while now but seeing the sure impact and the man hours that were put in to make "Influence" the future classic that it is is insane. The record takes the band's signature style while also adding elements of southern rock to make the sound fresh and exciting. "Influence" is truly one of the best albums of the year.

favorites: 'Apollo', 'Satellite', 'Choke', 'Clementine'

least favorites: n/a

5: The Weeknd - "After Hours" COURTESY OF REPUBLIC RECORDS/XO

Inching into the end of the pack is The Weeknd's insanity of a record that is "After Hours". A record that not only takes everything that the man is good at when it comes to writing insanely catchy 80's synthwave and r&b hooks from the perspective of two different alter egos but also taking in the fact that "After Hours" is the single best pop record that the year had to offer and a future classic for the pop genre. "After Hours" is something magical that only The Weeknd could successfully make.

favorites: 'Hardest To Love', 'Heartless', 'Blinding Lights', 'Until I Bleed Out'

least favorites: n/a

4: The Ghost Inside - "The Ghost Inside" COURTESY OF EPITAPH RECORDS

After coming back from literal hell The Ghost Inside managed to power one of the deadliest bus crashes in human existence and managed to craft the single best hardcore record of the year which is their self-titled comeback album. A record that takes everything that the band is good at and playing to their strengths as this record is the definition of a comeback record and coming back to better themselves. The Ghost Inside's self-titled is the best hardcore record of the year and it feels so good to have the band back healthier than ever before.

favorites: 'Still Alive', 'Pressure Point', 'Phoenix Rise', 'Aftermath'

least favorites: n/a

 

3: August Burns Red - "Guardians" COURTESY OF FEARLESS RECORDS

As we enter the top three we have a triumph of a record that is "Guardians" by August Burns Red. A record that manages to capture what everyone loved about their earlier works while also capturing modern metalcore magic that not many bands can capture. The band are vets at what they do and "Guardians" is a welcomed edition the band's discography and a welcomed edition to the great records that hold the title of metal classics.

favorites: 'Bones', 'Paramount', 'Defender', 'Three Fountains'

least favorites: n/a

2: Fit For A King - "The Path" COURTESY OF SOLID STATE RECORDS

With the anticipation growing for Fit For A King's "The Path" started to fill the airwaves with more "radio friendly" tracks; some fans dipped while some fans stayed and waited to find out what "The Path" truly held. And what "The Path" held was one of the best modern metal releases of the decade so far. "The Path" is something incredible; creating an experience that only could described as a "spiritual experience" mixing in some of the heaviest tracks put to tape while also throwing some of the band's catchiest tracks perfect for metal radio. "The Path" is yet another album that will become a future classic that will usher in a new wave of metal fans to come. Now it would have made the number one spot but that ultimately went too...

favorites: 'The Face Of Hate', 'Annihilation', 'The Path', 'Locked (In My Head)'

least favorites: n/a

1: Bring Me The Horizon - "Post Human: Survival Horror" COURTESY OF SONY MUSIC/RCA RECORDS

There was no doubt that "Post Human: Survival Horror" by Bring Me The Horizon would make the top spot on the albums list and for good reason too. BMTH managed to come back with a vengeance with aggressive music harking back to the band's metalcore days while also adding elements of alternative rock, post-hardcore, deathcore, and nu-metal which expands throughout their discography. The sure amount of perfection that flows throughout the record is jaw dropping and although this record was technically advertised as an ep; for this list the exception is being made here as "Post Human: Survival Horror" by Bring Me The Horizon is our album of the year for 2020.

favorites: 'Parasite Eve', 'Teardrops', 'Obey', 'Kingslayer'

least favorites: n/a

WRITERS - Samuel C.