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 William from The Risen Dred shares his Top Ten Albums of 2021 list with us! Check out their music here:
Whitechapel – Kin
Just another purely brutal and varied depiction of how much of a powerhouse those guys are and especially now with Alex Ruddinger behind the drum kit.
Aborted – ManiaCult
This album is brutal and very, very technical. Of course we loved the production… it was produced at the same studio we mixed and mastered our album. They even have some Black metal influences in some parts. Which got me by surprise a bit.
Gojira – Fortitude
I have to start talking about the Amazonia track… as a Brazilian I have to say they did an amazing job in track, the video clip and lyrics. Another World intro/chorus riff is literally from another world… hard to find an adjective to describe it. Into The Storm intro is so unbelievable technical. Just before I forget, what a nice artwork this album has.
Crypta – Echoes Of The Soul
Nothing I was expecting from those girls. I was expecting more old school Death Metal. When they released their single I thought “wow, this is really nice”. A lot of Black Metal influences in their riffs, some great guitar’s solos. I’d highlight Luana… she’s a beast as drummer.
Powerwolf – Call Of The Wild
It’s Powerwolf. Vocal is very unique and the overlay vocals during the chorus lift the tracks to a different level. Very catchy choruses… tracks full of different elements on the background. Dancing With The Dead and Call Of The Wild are the best tracks on this album for me. Very happy riffs… you can even dance with those tracks if you want to.
Trivium – In The Court Of The Dragon
I remember when I watched the single video of the album. I liked the track and how they revealed the album artwork in the end. One of the highlight is the track A Crisis Of Revelation, it starts with a nice drum fill and the guitars works during the intro and verse is really cool.
Cannibal Corpse – Violence Unimagined
Cannibal Corpse never let me down. Always aggressive… the opening track “Murderous Rampage” is kick in the teeth and Eric Rutan is a perfect fit replacing Pat on the guitar.
Exodus – Persona Non Grata
The open track is amazing, 7 minutes of one the fastest tracks from Exodus. The album sounds like old-school Exodus, with simple and fast riffs. I also enjoyed the unexpected vocals on The Years Of Death And Dying.
At The Gates – The Nightmare Of Being
The album has fast tracks… that sometimes reminds me some old Thrash metal bands, also some slow tracks with grooves. I loved the chorus riffs of Touched By White Hands Of Death. The guitar work in this album is just amazing. The entire intro of The Fall Into Time is awesome.
Hypocrisy – Worship
After 8 years from their last release, what’s not like about this album? It’s everything I like… heavy guitars, guitars harmony, nice groove and powerful vocals. People usually don’t pay much attention to the last song of an album, but Gods Of The Underground is a really good track. Chemical Whore is the track of the album for me!!