GUEST POST: Abhoria Shares Their Top Albums of 2021


Ghost Cult continues our “2021 End of Year Guest Post Extravaganza” with a slew of posts from bands, industry, PR pros, and more! We’ll be sharing lists, memories, and other shenanigans from our favorite bands, partners, music industry peers, and other folks we respect across the globe. In this edition Trevor Portz of Abhoria shares their Top Ten Albums of 2021 list with us! Their new album drops in early 2022: https://abhoria.bandcamp.com/album/abhoria

 

1. Helloween- Helloween

As a fan of all incarnations of Helloween, I was both excited and apprehensive about this one… but the now seven-piece band delivered exactly the album it needed to. It encapsulates everything that has made them great for over 30 years, and the Kiske-Hansen-Deris vocal combo is power metal perfection.

 

2. Esa Holopainen- Silver Lake

While not too far removed from Amorphis, Silver Lake gave Esa the opportunity to try some new things (musically and with different vocalists), and the result was a stellar album that proves he’s more than just his main band. Plus, any album that features both Jonas Renkse (Katatonia) and Anneke Van Giersbergen was destined to rule.

3. The Wildhearts- 21st Century Love Songs

The Wildhearts have been one of the most consistently amazing and versatile bands on the planet since they emerged in the early ‘90s. They throw everything into the pot, and it always comes out as a fucking gourmet meal. Punk, pop, rock, metal—it’s all here and it’s all good.

4. Einherjer- North Star

Einherjer have carved out a unique niche in the pagan/viking metal world, with a heavy rhythmic focus and killer melodies. Every album has been great, and North Star is no exception.

 

5. Monster Magnet- A Better Dystopia

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one, but it turns out a Monster Magnet album of fuzzed-up covers was as interesting (if not more than) their recent studio albums. Trippy and heavy.

6. Cradle of Filth- Existence Is Futile

I know Cradle get a lot of crap due to their popularity, but the last couple records have been killer! Admittedly, “Existential Terror” borrows heavily from Opeth, and “How Many Tears to Nurture a Rose?” is probably too catchy for purists, but this album belongs up there with Dusk… and Cruelty…

 

7. Thyrfing- Vanagandr

While not exactly groundbreaking, even within their own catalog, Thyrfing again delivered a solid album that hits all the feels for Thyrfing fans, of which I’m a big one.

8. Drott- Ulcus

A very different thing from what Ice Dale (aka Arve Isdal) is usually known for, but I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that someone involved in both Enslaved AND Audrey Horne would create a masterpiece. Jazzy, proggy, rock-y—it’s a perfect blend for a chill winter night.

 

9. Vreid- Wild North West

Vried just keep getting better! They’ve managed to retain the “Sognal sound” while incorporating a slew of news ideas. “Dazed and Reduced” is miles away from black metal, and yet fits perfectly among the other tracks.

10. White Stones- Dancing Into Oblivion

While I would probably say I like they’re debut (Kuarahy) more overall, this album is still fantastic. I feel like White Stones play classy death metal—heavy, but not brutal, and thus somehow more elegant and earthy than a lot of other bands. That’s probably all nonsense, but it’s pretentious-speak for “awesome.”