We are approaching the climax of our Best of series. Today we present you the first part of our Top 40 lists in the category “Album”. Every record you find in this list gets an unrestricted buy recommendation from us, of course. In our opinion 2021 was a strong metal year – that’s why many releases we really like didn’t make it into the Top 40 at all. Well, those are luxury worries, aren’t they?

Aidan

40. Eternal Valley – Kingdom of Misery (Atmospheric Black Metal from the USA)

39. :NODFYR: – Eigenheid (Epic Pagan Doom Metal from Gelderland, Netherlands)

38. Iron Fate – Crimson Messiah (US-Power Metal from Germany)

37. Dragonbreath – The Awakening (Epic Heavy Metal from Cyprus)

36. Häxkapell – Eldhymner (Folkish Black Metal from Sweden)

35. Olórin – Through Shadow and Flame (Epic “Tolkien” Doom from the USA)

34. Fluisteraars – Gegrepen Door de Geest der Zielsontluiking (Atmospheric Black Metal from Gelderland, Netherlands)

33. Iskandr – Vergezicht (Atmospheric Black Metal from Gelderland, Netherlands)

32. Blazon Rite – Endless Halls of Golden Totem (Epic Metal from the USA)

31. Hanternoz – Au fleuve de Loire (Medieval Black Metal from France)

30. Claymorean – Eulogy for the Gods (Epic Heavy/Power Metal from Serbia)

29. Alda – A Distant Fire (Atmospheric Black Metal from the USA)

28. Flame, Dear Flame – Aegis (Epic Doom Metal from Germany)

27. Herzel – Le dernier rempart (Epic Metal from Brittany, France)

26. Aorlhac – Pierres brûlées (Medieval Black Metal from France)

25. Thronehammer – Incantation Rites (Epic Doom Metal from England/Germany)

24. Seth – La morsure du Christ (Melodic Black Metal from France)

23. Lunar Shadow – Wish to Leave (Dark Heavy Metal from Germany)

22. Gravety – Bow Down (Epic Metal from Germany)

21. Ungfell – Es grauet (Folkish Black Metal from Switzerland)

André

40. Mortajas – s/t (Doom Metal from Chile)

39. Blazon Rite – Endless Halls of Golden Totem (Epic Heavy Metal from the USA)

38. Lycanthro – Mark of the Wolf (Heavy Metal from Canada)

37. Significant Point – Into the Storm (Speed Metal from Japan)

36. Angel Martyr – Nothing Louder than Silence (Heavy Metal from Italy)

35. Hitten – Triumph and Tragedy (Heavy Metal/Melodic Metal from Spain)

34. Crimson Fire – Another Dimension (Heavy Metal/Melodic Metal from Greece)

33. Reinforcer – Prince of the Tribes (Power Metal from Germany)

32. Iron Fate – Crimson Messiah (US Power Metal from Germany)

31. Warrior Path – The Mad King (Heavy/Power Metal from Greece)

30. Blazon Stone – Damnation (Running Wild Metal from Sweden)

29. Apostle of Solitude – Until the Darkness Goes (Doom Metal from the USA)

28. Herzel – Le Dernier Rempart (Epic Heavy Metal from France)

27. Purification – The Exterminating Angel (Doom Metal from the USA)

26. Iskandr – Vergezicht (Black Metal from the Netherlands)

25. Dragonbreath – The Awakening (Epic Heavy Metal from Cyprus)

24. Spectral Wound – A Diabolic Thirst (Black Metal from the USA)

23. Eisenhand – Fires Within (Heavy Metal from Austria)

22. Split Heaven – Electric Spell (Heavy Metal from Mexico)

21. Khemmis – Deceiver (Doom Metal from the USA)