Ghost Cult continues our “End of Year Guest Post Extravaganza” with a slew of posts from bands, industry, PR types, 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. Our comrade from the PR world, Ebony Jeanette of Ebony Jeanette PR checks in with her top album picks for 2020!
1. Katatonia – City Burials (Peaceville)
Katatonia can really do no wrong in my eyes (read: obvious bias) and the exalted Kings of melancholy deliver a timely catharsis with City Burials. Each song sticks itself inside your psyche like an aural salve to soothe the wounds of a dismal year earmarked by pestilence and impelled solitude. Particularly transcendent album moments to pay attention to include offerings “Lacquer” and “City Glaciers.”
2. Killer Be Killed – Reluctant Hero (Nuclear Blast)
This album definitely met my high expectations as it compares to their impressive self-titled debut, easily earning itself a spot on my top 5 of 2020. Every song slaps and showcases a multifaceted range of heaviness and melody but it’s “From A Crowded Wound” that shines as the album’s clear-cut crowned jewel.
3. Weed Demon – Crater Maker (Electric Valley)
It’s been a “stay inside and jam stoner doom albums” kind of year for me and Weed Demon came all the way through with some sticky icky center-of-the-chest-hitting homegrown sludge on “Crater Maker”. They really nailed it with this album and in my opinion, put themselves among the ranks stoner doom greats with this release. Gotta love seeing fellow Columbus kids kicking shit up in these streets, I can’t wait to see what’s in store for them in the future!
4. Rebel Wizard – Magickal Mystical Indifference (Prosthetic)
I’ve had the pleasure of working press on previous Rebel Wizard releases so I was immediately excited about this album and wow, it did not disappoint! Rebel Wizard stuns, provokes, amuses, and delights with his latest conjuring of deliciously strange heavy negative metal noise. Highly recommended!!
5. The Atomic Bitchwax – Scorpio (Tee Pee Records)
Perfect for switching things up, The Atomic Bitchwax issues a high octane triple stack of explosive hard rock energy on Scorpio that is coalesced in gritty, punk undertones and laced with light doses of psychedelia. It’s a wild and awesome trip you can take right from your couch!
Ebony Jeanette owner of Ebony Jeanette PR www.ebonyjeanette.com
(Current PR clients: Against The Grave, Anova Skyway, Return Fire)