That's right, we've (almost entirely) reached the halfway point of the year. And what a year it's been, huh? It's been, to say the least, turbulent, but there's one thing we can't complain about: we've had many releases! And incredible releases!
With the end of the first half of 2021, Wikimetal couldn't fail to continue the tradition of listing the editorial team's favorite albums so far. In the new episode of the Wikimetal , the team discussed some of their favorite releases, and in the latest poll we asked you, our readers, what your favorite album of the year is so far.
But, as tradition dictates, of course we've compiled a complete list of our editorial team's 25 favorite albums! Check out the full list below.
30. Rise Against – Nowhere Generation
The punk rock group Rise Against arrives with their new album Nowhere Generation , which addresses the political landscape of the United States, criticizing big business and politicians and the dichotomy between the promise of the American dream and the reality of the American dream, resulting from mass social, economic and political instability.
29. The Dead Daisies – Holy Ground
The Dead Daisies have released their fifth studio album, Holy Ground , marking the band's first project with Glenn Hughes on vocals. Each track on the album has its own story and was crafted with dedication by the band, with members considering it a "heavy, cool, and fresh start."
28. Noora Louhimo Experience – Eternal Wheel of Time and Space
Noora Louhimo Experience is the debut solo project by Finnish vocalist Noora Louhimo , from Battle Beast . With Samuli Erkkilä and JC Halttunen on guitars, AP Kauppinen on bass, Juuso Raatikainen on drums and Okke Komulainen on keyboards, the album features a cover of “Piece of my Heart” by Janis Joplin .
27. Inglorious – We Will Ride
The fourth album from Inglorious, one of the rising stars of British hard rock, arrives to showcase the power of the band's new lineup following the departure of three members in 2019. This time with Danny Dela Cruz and Dan Stevens on guitar and Brazilian Vinnie Colla on bass, We Will Ride reveals a promising future and renewed energy for the group.
26. Todd La Torre – Rejoice In The Suffering
Queensrÿche's frontman couldn't have started his solo career in a better way! Todd La Torre ventures into an album outside his comfort zone, characterized mainly by thrash metal. The powerful voice of the Seattle band's vocalist blends perfectly with the edgy riffs that Rejoice The Suffering delivers.
25. Blackberry Smoke – You Hear Georgia
In You Hear Georgia , Blackberry Smoke decided to pay homage to the culture and music of the southern United States, seeking to highlight the stories and good things about this region of the country, which can often be "misunderstood." In an interview with Wikimetal , vocalist Charlie Starr spoke about the use of technology as part of the album's songwriting process and the inspiration from the negative side of social media to compose the title track.
24. Motorjesus – Hellbreaker
The German band Motorjesus released Hellbreaker as a blend of heavy metal and hard rock that only they can deliver. Being the group's sixth studio album, the work showcases their strengths and maturity, despite conceptually offering more of the same – but who says that's a bad thing?
23. Ego Kill Talent – The Dance Between Extremes
The Brazilian band Ego Kill Talent released their second studio album in March of this year, following their self-titled album from 2017. The Dance Between Extremes was recorded at the Foo Fighters and was released as a trilogy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The album, in its complete form, addresses current themes such as anger, anxiety, desire, and confusion, showcasing the group's maturity.
22. WET – Retransmission
Formed in 2008 by Jeff Scott Soto, Erik Martensson , and Robert Säll , the supergroup WET delivers 11 powerful hard rock songs this time. The trio carries the classic genre in their repertoire, but on this album they work with a more current and modern version of it. Retransmission also features instrumentalists Magnus Henriksson (guitar), Robban Bäck (drums), and Andreas Passmark (bass).
21. Edu Falaschi – Vera Cruz
Vera Cruz marks the first solo album by vocalist Edu Falaschi in 30 years of career and success as the vocalist of Almah and Angra . With special attention to detail, the concept album narrates a story set between Brazil and Portugal during the colonial period, and features a series of fantastic collaborations with Max Cavalera, Elba Ramalho and Tito Falaschi among the guests.
20. John Diva & The Rockets of Love – American Amadeus
Released at the very beginning of the year, American Amadeus marked the third studio album by the group John Diva & the Rockets of Love . Inspired by bands like Guns N' Roses, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more, they prove that the days of classic rock and hair metal are not behind them. With only 12 years as a band, they show, especially here, that the genres are still alive and well and should remain so.
19. Grande Royale – Carry On
On their fifth album, Grande Royale set aside some of the experimental elements used on their previous record and decided to focus on their strengths, bringing the best of garage rock 'n' roll. According to the band, Carry On was largely recorded and produced by themselves, which allowed them to focus on rock throughout its 12 tracks, featuring peaks of energy and heavy music.
18. Joel Hoekstra's 13 – Running Games
Guitarist Joel Hoekstra released the second album of his project this year. Running Games features Russell Allen on vocals, Vinny Appice on drums, Tony Franklin on bass, Derek Sherinian on keyboards, and Jeff Scott Soto on backing vocals. According to Joel, the idea was to showcase more of his songwriting side, since his solo albums outside of Project 13 had been more instrumental.
17. Sweet Oblivion – Relentless
Sweet Oblivion 's second album demonstrates the band's musical maturity and growth, featuring great songs that shine through Geoff Tate's vocals, such as "Another Change" and "Strong Pressure," although it's not a very homogeneous album across its 10 tracks.
16. Red Fang – Arrows
In early June, Red Fang released their fifth studio album, exactly five years in the making. The successor to Only Ghosts (2016), the new album was recorded and finalized before the pandemic, in December 2019. Despite the delay from the original plan, Arrows arrived recalling the current and contagious sound of Red Fang. In an interview with Wikimetal , Bryan Giles said that they tried to offer the most intense musical experience possible on the album, but that their songs are anything but cheerful. “There’s a dichotomy, but so far, people are okay with it. Sometimes there’s a shock, I hope it’s a positive surprise.”
15. Gojira – Fortitude
The French band Gojira returned after five years with their seventh album. Fortitude was inspired by classic rock names like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix , and Pink Floyd , according to vocalist and guitarist Joe Duplantier . The album, which became the band's best-selling record in the US , returns to their roots not only in sound but also in artwork and lyrics, which, according to drummer Mario Duplantier , were inspired by indigenous culture.
14.Thunder – All The Right Noises
British band Thunder released their thirteenth album in March, following the acclaimed Please Remain Seated from 2019. All The Right Noises tackles current and timeless themes such as mental health, diversity, and politics, resonating with audiences and propelling the album to the number three spot on the Billboard charts in its release week.
13. Accept – Too Mean To Die
, Accept released their first album with the new lineup, which includes bassist Mark Motnik , who replaced veteran Peter Baltes , and guitarist Philip Shouse , thus changing the band's formation to a sextet with three guitars. Produced by Andy Sneap , Too Mean to Die features eleven energetic tracks inspired by the sound of 80s hard rock.
12. Foo Fighters – Medicine At Midnight
Reaching the milestone of their tenth album , Medicine At Midnight arrives to celebrate the band's 25th anniversary, whose celebrations were postponed due to the pandemic. Considered by the band "a party album," the project features 9 tracks that showcase a more experimental and youthful side of the Foo Fighters, incorporating elements of punk rock, funk rock, and groove, and even paying homage to Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead in the powerful "No Son Of Mine."
11. Greta Van Fleet – Battle at Garden's Gate
In their second album, Greta Van Fleet showcases their growth as a band and expands their references within progressive rock, delivering another concept album, this time centered on the relationship between humanity and technology at the expense of nature. In one of its tracks, the moving "Tears of Rain," the musicians of Greta sought inspiration during a visit to Brazil, where they encountered the shocking poverty of Rio de Janeiro's favelas.
10. Architects – For Those Who Wish To Exist
, Architects released their ninth studio album, For Those That Wish to Exist . The successor to the acclaimed 2018 album Holy Hell , the work Billboard UK rock charts . This achievement is especially significant for the band, which was formed in Brighton, UK. For Those That Wish to Exist follows the band in the final stages of mourning after the loss of guitarist Tom Searle , who passed away in 2016 at the age of 28 after a battle with skin cancer. Powerful and strong, the album also reflects on human existence and the future of humanity.
09. The Offspring – Let The Bad Times Roll
After almost a decade without new music, The Offspring returned with an album that perfectly captures the feeling of the pandemic, even in its title: Let The Bad Times Roll , an acceptance that bad things happen, so there's not much point in fighting against it. The solution proposed by the band is to keep dancing , but without neglecting political commentary and plenty of irreverence. With humorous singles like "We Never Have Sex Anymore," the band shows that they still have a lot to offer.
08. Serj Tankian – Elasticity
Serj Tankian , vocalist of System of a Down , released his first solo EP in March. Titled Elasticity , a play on the name of SOAD's acclaimed album Toxicity , the work features tracks originally written years ago for a possible new album by the group, but, due to the creative problems they face, were never used. Of course, the band's essential sound is present on the EP, after all, Tankian is responsible for a large part of the band's artistic and creative production. Read our full review of the EP here.
07. Smith/Kotzen – Smith/Kotzen
In March, guitar and vocal duo Richie Kotzen and Adrian Smith released the debut album of their project, Smith/Kotzen . The album features nine tracks and was recorded in the Turks and Caicos Islands in February 2020, before the pandemic. Produced by the duo and mixed by Kevin “Caveman” Shirley , the album has references to classic 70s rock and also touches on blues and R&B in some songs, and of course the result is unmissable! Read our interview with Kotzen about the release here.
06. Mammoth WVH – Mammoth WVH
Wolfgang Van Halen appropriated the band's first name, Van Halen , for the release of his first solo album. Responsible for all instruments, lyrics, and vocals on Mammoth WVH Eddie Van Halen 's legacy alive by using the legendary Frankenstrat guitar in some songs, but without the pretension of reaching his father's genius – and, for that very reason, shows his own full potential, without depending on a famous surname to win over the public.
05. The Pretty Reckless – Death By Rock and Roll
Pretty Reckless ' fourth studio album showcases the maturity not only of the band, but especially of vocalist Taylor Momsen . Death By Rock and Roll is heavily inspired by the loss of two of Momsen's close friends, musician Chris Cornell and producer Kato Khandwala . To cope with grief and depression, the singer sought inspiration from Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd , and The Beatles Tom Morello Soundgarden members Matt Cameron and Kim Thayil to participate in the album, resulting in a record firmly rooted in classic rock and hard rock.
04. Myles Kennedy – The Ides of March
Returning to a more rock 'n' roll sound, Myles Kennedy released his second studio album in May. The project maintains the influences that marked his solo debut with The Year of the Tiger (2018), balancing the lyrical and sonic universe built alongside Alter Bridge , Slash , and The Conspirators , but the vocalist and guitarist's personality stands out. Ides of March has a keen eye on social and political issues in tracks like "Get Along," but doesn't forget the personal universe when addressing themes such as trust in relationships, love, and loss.
03. Evanescence – The Bitter Truth
Evanescence 's fourth studio album arrived 10 years after their self-titled debut and was the most anticipated release of the year for Wikimetal . Honoring their roots and incorporating elements of metal, hard rock, and electronic rock, Evanescence describes the project as coming "from a more raw place" with the intention of "letting the band shine." Themes include some of Amy Lee as a woman in the music industry and her grief over the death of her younger brother, who passed away in 2018.
02. Val Santos – 1986
Brazilian artist Val Santos traveled back in time for his debut solo album, 1986 , returning to the year when thrash and heavy metal dominated and influenced countless musicians worldwide. The decade celebrated on the album, besides featuring releases like Metallica 's *Master of Puppets , Slayer Reign in Blood *, and Megadeth *Peace Sells… But Who's Buying? , was also the time when Val Santos began listening to the genre and interacting with and working with bands that emerged on the Brazilian scene, such as VIPER , Vodu , and Volkana . Read the full album review here.
01. Halloween – Halloween
Present, past, and future meet on the self-titled Helloween, the band's first album with the lineup presented on the Pumpkins United . With the return of vocalist Michael Kiske and guitarist Kai Hansen , who joined the other five members, the band now features Andi Deris (vocals), Michael Weikath and Sascha Gerstner (guitars), Markus Grosskopf (bass), and Daniel Löble (drums) in a high-level album, with epic tracks and the same chemistry and energy shown on stage. Read our review and interview with the band about the album here.