2020 is a year many people would love to forget. One thing we can’t forget, however, is the great array of albums released during these troubling times. Despite the lockdown, many artists chose to move forward with releasing exciting albums for their fans both old and new. These 20 albums stood out above them all.

20. The Krueggers - Hysterical Cold Side and Dark Memories - Eclipse Records

Hailing from Brazil, The Krueggers simply came to rock with their debut studio album Hysterical Cold Side and Dark Memories. Upon the first listen of opening track "Lying Machine," the band proudly show off their influences. With a strong nod to late '90s post-grunge, The Krueggers aren't trying to reinvent anything. They're just out to deliver some righteous tunes.

19. Slick Shoes - Rotations & Frequency - Tooth and Nail Records

Seventeen years after the release of Far from Nowhere, beloved California punk band Slick Shoes gave the scene another gem with Rotations & Frequency. This delightful 12-track release reunited the band with producer Steve Kravac, who worked on their Burn Out and Rusty albums.

18. Deadliner - Red - self-released

With over 30 years of tunes under their belt, Chicago electronic act Deadliner shows no signs of slowing down with the release of "Red." From the alluring opener "Time Immemorial" to Deadliner's collaboration with Spahn Ranch's Athan Maroulis ("Same Old Madness"), the release is a fitting soundtrack for an electronic paradise.

17. Barrels - self-titled EP - Arctic Rodeo Recordings

Nearly four years after the release of their debut album Invisible, German post-hardcore act Barrels came out swinging with their self-titled EP. Unlike Invisible, this five-song EP is a lot meatier in terms of song length. While their debut album had a few five-minute bangers, this EP features four songs clocking in over five minutes, including their immense seven-minute closer "Lights Off." The group managed to have a bit more polish on the release thanks to hardcore punk icon J. Robbins at the mixing board.

16. Ani Glass - Mirores - Recordiau Neb

While working alongside indie pop group The Pipettes, Ani Glass decided to make moves on their own solo career. After the release of some singles, the Welsh pop artist made their grand entrance with their debut album Mirores. Written and produced by the artist, Mirores serves the listener with some of the most sensational pop tunes heard last year.

15. Midwife - Forever - The Flenser

Multi-instrumentalist Madeline Johnston b.k.a. Midwife delivered one of 2020's most somber releases with Forever. The six-track album revolves around the death of Johnston's close friend Colin Ward, whom she met at Denver DIY venue Rhinoceropolis. Through 34 minutes, Midwife bares their soul with their unique brand of experimental pop they labels "Heaven Metal."

14. Sarah and the Safe Word - Good Gracious! Bad People. - Take This To Heart Records

Atlanta cabaret rockers Sarah and the Safe Word wasted no time with working on the follow up to 2019's Red Hot & Holy. Good Gracious! Bad People. continues their theatrical offering, and with the help of Jim Wirt (Jack's Mannequin, Fiona Apple) behind the board, the 11-track album packs a bit more pizzazz than its predecessor.

13. Statiqbloom - Beneath The Whelm - Metropolis Records

Since 2013, Brooklyn post-industrial act Statiqbloom has been turning heads in the scene with their raw take on the genre. With Beneath The Whelm, the band push themselves with a more refined sound, which is evident with tracks such as “Restless” and “Alcestis.”

12. Sprain - As Lost Through Collision - The Flenser

Between the soft vocals of Alex Kent and the fiery guitars, Sprain’s debut album As Lost Through Collision spirals out of control from the start, and that’s not a bad thing. From the chaotic opener “Slant” to its collapsing finale “Constant Hum,” As Lost Through Collision is a picture-perfect tornado of sound.

11. Yves Tumor - Heaven to a Tortured Mind - Warp

With a slew of acclaimed releases under their belt, Yves Tumor unveiled another classic album with Heaven to a Tortured Mind. The album perfectly melds psychedelic soul with pop music together with tracks such as "Super Stars" and "Kerosene!" standing out.

10. Tallah - Matriphagy - Earache Records

Pennsylvania nu-metalcore squad Tallah graciously earned themselves the honor of being metal's next big thing with their debut album Matriphagy. For 53 minutes, the listener is subjected to a continuous onslaught of vicious riffs, cataclysmic breakdowns, and enough sublime DJ scratches to make DJ Lethal jealous.

9. Assemblage 23 - Mourn - Metropolis Records

Fans of EBM outfit Assemblage 23 already knew what they were getting with their ninth studio album Mourn. It doesn’t mean they can’t be blown away hearing mesmerizing songs such as “Epiphany” and “Anxiety” for the first time.

8. Es - Less Of Everything - Upset The Rhythm

Since the release of their 2016 debut EP Object Relations, London synthpunk outfit Es emerged onto the scene with noticeable performances with Thurston Moore Group. With Lindsay Corstorphine (Sauna Youth, Cold Pumas) at their side, Es' debut album Less Of Everything is oozing with enough ferocity to keep the mosh pit going. Album standouts include the glacial opening "Chemical" and the punk af banger "Off The Rails."

7. Hum - Inlet - Earth Analog Records

Beloved alternative rockers Hum surprised everyone with the release of their fifth studio album Inlet. While the group mentioned a possible new album four years ago, many fans didn't think it would happen. From the cosmic opening track "Waves," Inlet sounds like a record recorded in 2000 and simply forgotten about until a few weeks ago. Despite a long time between albums, Hum never sounded better.

6. Unknown Motives - Lag - self-released

Through Unknown Motives, Australian musician Jordan Palamara converts their Tourettes into melodies for the band’s debut album Lag. At under 25 minutes, the splendid album finds them delivering their brand of industrial rock inspired by acts such as Gary Numan and Queens of the Stone Age. If the moody opener “This” doesn’t hit you, the bouncy number “Reckless” will easily win you over. You can check out our interview with Palamara about their debut album.

5. Botanist - Photosynthesis - The Flenser

If you expected black metal group Botanist to suddenly sing about cruising down the street with their friends or outlandish hangovers on Photosynthesis, you were probably disappointed. For years, the outfit has delivered massive bodies of work about the environment, and Photosynthesis is no different. The eight-track album embodies the natural process through haunting vocals from Otrebor and some assistance from their hammered dulcimer.

4. Riki - self-titled album - Dais Records

In 2017, Los Angeles synthpop act Riki made a splash with their debut EP Hot City. With the perfect home in Dais Records, the act unveiled their debut album on Valentine's Day. Much like the holiday for lovers, the self-titled record goes though varying aspects of romance. The eight-song release will have the listener begging for more following the shimmering finale "Monumental."

3. No Thank You - Embroidered Foliage - Lame-O Records

Inspired by a rocky relationship, No Thank You’s third studio album Embroidered Foliage finds the Philadelphia indie rock outfit delivering their most tenacious album to date. Vocalist Kaytee Della Monica delivers some of 2020’s most heartbreaking lyrics backed behind crunchy guitars and clobbering drums.

2. Code Orange - Underneath - Roadrunner Records

To say Pittsburgh metalcore group Code Orange had some pressure with making the follow up to their acclaimed 2017 studio album Forever is an understatement. The record catapulted the group to new heights, including a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance. The band took things to the next level with their 14-track release Underneath, which finds them merging their love for industrial music with their metalcore offering.

1. Enter Shikari - Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible - Ambush Reality

When it comes to Enter Shikari's body of work, fans have been split. Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible was proclaimed to be Enter Shikari's most definite album in their career. Following the album's celestial finale, "Waltzing Off the Face of the Earth (II. Piangevole)," even the most distant Enter Shikari fans will find themselves in awe at the 15-track album. From the opener "The Great Unknown" to the wondrous two-part track "Marionettes," Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible is the record to unite both new and old fans of the English group.