THAT DRUMMER GUY'S TOP 100 ALBUMS OF 2021 PART 1: THE HONORABLE MENTIONS

Huzzah Huzzah Huzzah! It’s that time of year again! Welcome to That Drummer Guy’s Top 100 Albums of 2021. It’s been quite the year in both music and the world as a whole. While many will focus on the atrocities that have been continued in this year from all over the landscape; I’m here to focus on the positives and only the positives that 2021 has brought us in the might world of heavy music.

If you are new to this list or you just need a refresher. I bring you 100 albums from 2021 that I loved. Not 100 albums I heard and ranking them from crappiest to best. I literally mean 100 albums that are worth your attention from all over the rock and metal landscapes in hope that you can find some new music to dig each and every year. I also start off my list with 40 honorable mentions that are in alphabetical order as I do not want to rank 140 albums, but the latter 40 still deserve your ears.

Here are the rules as I present them every year (updated as needed)

- These are 100 ALBUMS that I loved this year ranked from 100-1. - No EPs, live albums, compilations, rarity albums, reissues, or any specialty releases. Just brand new LPs

- The list is broken down into 6 parts which I release Monday to Friday, 20 albums a piece, countdown style. Black Friday brings on the Honorable Mentions list, which is 40 albums that didn’t make my Top 100, but deserve just as much praise.

- There are many reasons that an album won’t show up on this list. I did not have enough time to hear it enough, I didn’t hear it, it wasn’t my bag...baby, and new for 2021; The band/Artist does something so stupid that I simply can’t support them anymore.

-While The top 100 is ranked, look at this as 100 albums you should check out and not 5 parts you can skip and just check out the top 20. Every album here is awesome and what may be album 100 or 72 or 47 may be your favorite album or discovery of the year. So give anything that gets your attention a spin. We live in the digital age, there’s no excuse to skip out anymore.

- These are my thoughts and my thoughts alone. No outside influences, no one asking me to put them on the list, no pressure from higher sources. Just what I dig and you just may dig as well.

- And most importantly...go discover some new music!!!

And now onto the Honorable Mentions….

This year was the hardest time I’ve had with cutting off albums from the list. There is too many good albums I cut off for various reasons and so many I wish I could have kept, but this is the way of the world. As stated above, these 40 albums are completely worth your attention as well. Many of these, if given enough time, would have been in my top 100 EASILY. But this year has been such a rough time that I could not give every album Ive wanted to the attention it needed. All the more reason this Honorable Mentions list exists. Now let’s go alphabetically through this list on this dark, chilly Black Friday and maybe give these bands some extra folding money.



1.) 6:33- Feary Tales for Strange Lullabies: The Dome
FFO- Experimental Metal, Alternative Metal

A band that should have made the top 100 easily that made it to my honorable mentions 100% based on time to check it out. The band is like listening to Mr. Bungle on ecstasy at the highest of highs and Mr. Bungle on meth at the darkest moments. All of the songs featured on the album are much poppier than previous releases, while still maintaining the experimental and metal tinges that really makes the band stand out. The electronics also get featured more than any previous release. The lyrics are just as dark as ever so there’s no worry that they have lost their edge. The album is not for the faint of heart and will be a shock to the system whether you’ve been a long time fan or hearing them for the very first time.

2.) Anomalie- Tranceformation
FFO- Post Black Metal

Post black metal is a genre that is meant to take the darkness of black metal and mix it with the calming moments of post rock to great a vast atmosphere that haunts you. Anomalie has thoroughly made that fusion work perfectly on Trancefusion. Whether you wanna call it a full album or one song broken down in several segments, this album hits peaks and valley that most of their contemporaries could only hope to achieve. This is a shining example of what the band is capable of and will happen for years to come.

3.) Artillery- X
FFO- Speed Metal, Thrash Metal

As you may have guessed, this is the legendary band’s 10th album and the band shows no signs of slowing down. From the fastest of thrashers to more mid tempo stompers; X showcases the brightest moments of the band’s career with brand new material. Those who say 80s thrash metal is dead are not aware that Artillery are still out of the grave and proving they are as awesome has they have ever been.

4.) At The Gates- The Existence of Being
FFO- Melodic Death metal, Experimental Metal

If you think that ATG is just an innovator of melodeath; then you have missed out on a good part of their catalog. The band has been experimenting since the beginning with different sounds and layers, but The Existence of Being pushes the envelope to it’s current max. You don’t hear much of a Slaughter of the Soul influence here as much as you do the band’s side project, The Lurking Fear. It’s melodic, but not the full blown intense ride you expect. It’s filled with emotionally driven highs and lows that makes for a perfect full album listening experience. Give it a chance, you just may agree.

5.) An Autumn for Crippled Children- As The Morning Dawns, We Close Our Eyes
FFO- Post Black Metal

As much as I enjoy listening to the band, they still have one of my least favorite band names in all of music. If you can get past it, you’ll find this album contains the band’s most emotionally driven music to date with haunting strings and piano, melodic riffs that grab your heart and just gives you an album experience that feels more like a soundtrack than an black metal album. Great material.

6.) The Beast of Nod- Multiversal
FFO- Technical Death Metal, Symphonic Death Metal

Taking tech death to its most progressive extremes and combining the most of the most abstract of inter-dimensional theories and you create the a killer album that feels like you’re in the midst of Event Horizon and the horror it entails. Absolutely stellar playing from everyone involved and I can only imagine this band will continue to grow stronger and stronger with every forthcoming release. Simply incredible.

5.) Capra- In Transmission
FFO- Metallic Hardcore

This debut album is a mind blowing experience for those that enjoy the likes of Every Time I Die, Converge, or Venom Prison. Such a great mix of hardcore, grindcore, and southern layered riffs all rolled into one to know when to start the circle pit and when to just get into the groove. This band is only going to rise not only in popularity, but songwriting as the years come. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

8.) Clouds- Despartire
FFO- Atmospheric Death Doom Metal

Clouds has been one of the reigning atmospheric death doom bands for quite some time and every release only shows the growth of the band continue to shine in the overshadowing darkness. Despartire is the band at top form showcasing how tear jerking life can really be. I suppose when you get Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride guesting on a song; you know the album will be filled with tragedy. Had I had more time with it, this would be so far up in my top 100, but time gets the better of us. Give this one a shot.

9.) Converge/Chelsea Wolfe- Bloodmoon I
FFO- Experimental Hardcore

IN a combination I never would have guessed; Converge and Chelsea Wolf have partnered together to create a new studio album that combines the killer instrumentation of Converge and the experimentation of Wolfe to create an atmosphere that can be quite jarring for the uninitiated, but absolute pleasure for those in the know. The more you listen, the more the album hooks you in and you can really dissect the layers of every song. Given the name, I can only assume Bloodmoon II is a reality and I’m so curious to see where this collaboration will go.

10.) Cradle of Filth-Existence is Futile
FFO- Symphonic Black Metal

An album written completely in quarantine, Existence is Futile is the more inspired Cradle of Filth album the band has put out in at least a decade. The songs have a surge of sorrow and realism that not only matches the dream like state the band always brings on, but can also be something tangible to bring home to the realities we currently live our lives in. This is Cradle of Filth in top form.

11.) Crypta- Echoes of the Soul
FFO- Thrash Metal, Death Metal

When 2/3rds of Nervosa left the band it left a brand new lineup for Nervosa and a brand new band for Luana and Fernanda. Crypta takes the evilness that Nervosa had started and brings it to 11 with absolutely astounding musicianship, songwriting and the overall sense that this band will be taking over the world in just a matter of years. If you like your metal thrashy, filled with evil death metal riffs and international; Crypta is not a band to miss.

12.) Dark Heavens- Nuclear Eagle
FFO- Alternative Metal

A band that I did not know existed is a band I wish I heard more this year. Dark Heavens featuring Drew from dredg and pro skateboarder Donovan Dresti has created an album that fits perfectly when you’re playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater, but you also wish it had a bit of a Mike Patton influence as well. It’s such an interesting and entertaining combination and this album deserves your attention for anyone who likes their music catchy and a tad bit experimental.

13.) The Dead Daises- Holy Ground
FFO- Hard Rock

A hard rock supergroup that is not just a collective of great musicians, but actually outlives the typical stereotypes and writes incredible album after incredible album. Holy Ground is the most heart pumping and fun album to date and everyone in the band has their moments to shine. For those that say rock is dead have clearly missed out on The Dead Daises.

14.) Deafheaven- Infinite Granite
FFO- Shoegaze

From being a complete and utter black metal band to a band that you could now see being on Austin City Limits is quite the drastic change. The shoegaze of the band has been there since Roads to Judah, but every album has seen more and more of it rise to the top. On Infinite Granite the band has decide to go full blown shoegaze and nearly leave their black metal elements in the past. It’s not until the final moments of the album’s final song Mombosa where you hear what is either the final screams from the band or a sign that the screams will be back. We’ll have to see what happens. But for now, if you were turned off to this band from its black metal elements should surely give this album a shot. It’s a distinct sign of where the band is now, but where will they go from here?

15.) Devoid- Lonely Eye Movement
FFO- Progressive Metal, Melodic Death Metal

A completely underrated album. Lonely Eye Movement has some of the most interesting ideas that can be showcased in the prog world today while maintaining a catchiness that is undeniable. If you want something that feels like a mix of In Flames meets Fear Factory meets Fates Warning; You’ve found your band.

16.) Endseeker- Mount Carcass
FFO- Old School Death Metal

No frills, no flare, no reinventing the wheel; just some of the best old school metal that you could possibly hear in 2021. When you need music that fills your Carcass, Entombed and Obituary needs; Endseeker covers the ground so greatly and it just makes you appareciate that the spirit of 90s death metal is still alive.

17.) Everdawn- Cleopatra
FFO- Symphonic Metal

American symphonic metal does not get the appreciation it deserves. Cleopatra is a shining example of how the genre can be so well executed and bring such a great intensity, yet a varied album that is sure to capture all interested ears. It is a fun thrill ride of an album and deserves all the attention it can get. Seriously, give this a shot.

18.) Exodus- Persona Non Grata
FFO- Thrash Metal

Yeah, this is the best Exodus album since Tempo of the Damned. The music is so brutal and satisfying and hits so many great targets on the way. While some things have come out that I’ll keep out of this part; I will say that not all of the band has the same thoughts on the current state of the world so I still felt it appropriate to give this album the credit it deserves.

19.) Four Stroke Baron- Classics
FFO- Experimental Metal

This is what I imagine I would hear if Devin Townsend and Gojira ever created an electronic based project together. It can get super heavy on the metal side while maintaining a subdued synthwave sound that immediately follows. It’s an album that turns on a dime, but if you can keep up, it’s a rewarding experience.

20.) Fractal Universe- The Impassible Horizon
FFO- Progressive Metal, Death Metal

Combining the perfect blends to create a progressive death metal formula that has won on every release so far; Fractal Universe has done it again with another sensational LP that continues to see the band grow as songwriters and show that prog can be as melodic and catchy as it is technical and devastating. If only I had more time with this album. Seriously, don’t miss out on this one.

21.) Frozen Crown- Winterbane
FFO- Power Metal

Not your typical power metal and not your typical female fronted metal band. This is a band that just slays everything in it’s way. With creative and colorful stories in the lyrics matched up with such great songwriting and riffs for days. It’s super catchy, fun, and necessary power metal that needs the ears of anyone who calls themselves a power metal fan.

22.) Ghost Iris- Comatose
FFO- Modern Metal, Metalcore

When you take what’s great about classic metalcore and you mix it up with tones that will get fans of Meshuggah and Gojira’s approval; you are on the way to creating some great music. As brutal as this album can get, it’s matched with powerful and catchy choruses that can grab anyone’s attention. It’ll be great to see where the band goes next.

23.) Harakiri for the Sky- Maere
FFO- Blackgaze

While things change, I still wanted to show this album off in at least some capacity as this is the finest album from the band to date. Outside judgment on my end aside, the album is a personal growth for the band who showcases so many peaks and valleys throughout and really makes this a true album listening experience. If you still dig blackgaze the way I do, don’t miss this one.

24.) Headshrinker- Callous Indifference
FFO- Death Metal

Colorado’s freshest death metal album to come out this year is one that totally takes your eyes by storm. It is an evil infused death metal album that showcases moments of musicianship you’d never guess to see in a band like this. For the brutal fans, this is a band you may have missed out on that should be missed no longer.

25.) Heart Healer- The Metal Opera by Magnus Karlsson
FFO- Symphonic Power Metal

If you like your power metal filled to the brim with catchy riffs, the best female vocalists in metal, and a grand story arc; this is an album that deserves your praise. Magnus Karlsson has come up with some of the greatest albums, bands, and riffs in all of Power Metal and Heart Healer is his latest example of greatness. It’s a heart grabbing album and should not be missed out on.

26.) Interloper- Search Party
FFO- Progressive Metalcore

When you get 2 former members of Ring of Saturn creating their own sound, it is the thing of wonders. Interloper has a way to really capture the worlds of progressive metal and metalcore to showcase that metalcore and can be off the wall and prog can be enjoyed by the masses. When you can have something that feels like Opeth meets Killswitch Engage, you instantly get my attention. It just may be the same for you.

27.) Malison- Death’s Embrace
FFO- Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, Speed Metal

The debut album from this collective is such a refreshing and inspiring start to a career that I hope goes into the stratosphere. This is how you can combine the past witht eh present and it sounds completely and utterly fresh. If you love your classic metal from a new generation that totally gets how to make the movement go forward, check these guys out immediately.

28.) Mastord- To Whom Bow Even The Trees
FFO- Progressive Metal

Finnish progressive metal done to absolute perfection. This hearkens back to the early days of prog metal while still being completely unique and inspired. There’s not much I can really add to sell you on this album; it’s simply incredible and deserves the praise from the prog world immediately.

29.) Need- Norchestrion: A Song For The End
FFO- Progressive Metal

Much like I just talked about above. Need is a killer prog metal band that can take the experimentation of a band like Pain of Salvation, but put their own unique spin on things and create prog that has not reached these levels before. A full on concept alum that’s intriguing from start to finish that you just may enjoy.

30.) Odd Dimension- The Blue Dawn
FFO- Progressive Metal

Heart gripping prog metal from Italy that as far as I’ve seen is severely underrated. That needs to be remedied immediately. The Blue Dream hits all the moments that are sure to capture your emotions while creating a landscape of prog that fills the senses. Just a magnificent album.

31.) Skepticism- Companion
FFO- Funeral Doom Metal

There’s been a low number of funeral albums this year (or maybe I just missed the boat on them) but Skepticism has more than made up for that with Companion. It’s everything you want from the genre and more. Slow, heart breaking, dirge driven songs that take you to the grave. As haunting as it is beautiful. Again, this is funeral doom done right!

32.) Steven Wilson- The Future Bites
FFO- Progressive Pop, Art Pop

If you can appreciate modern pop, this is n album that should not be missed. If you miss Wilson doing is prog, this is by far not for you, but don’t fret. Porcupine Tree is back and the new album comes out in February. The Future Bites on the other hand is quite the experimental album that feels as dark as it is light. It’s a thinking person’s pop record for better or worse.

33.) Theatres des Vampires- In Nomine Sanguinis
FFO- Gothic Metal

It’s great to see a legendary gothic metal band still maintaining a great style of songwriting that is still captivating in 2021. While I’ve seen this record go under the radar this year, it really needs some light shined onto it as it totally deserves it. It’s catchy, dark gothic metal. Sometimes that’s just what the mortuary called for.

34.) Therion- Leviathan
FFO- Therion

As best described by the band themselves; this is the best of Therion with all new material. Hitting every era of the band so it has something for every kind of Therion fan. After releasing a triple disc concept album, sometimes you just want an album to be able to showcase all the sides of yourself. Therion absolutely delivers here with Leviathan.

35.) Waldgefluster- Dahoam
FFO- Blackgaze, Folk Metal

This band is severely underrated and I really hope in time that Dahoam is a welcoming change to that fact. Combining the absolute best of black metal, folk, post metal and shoegaze to create their own flavor of dark music has always been a refreshing time. This time around, you can hear the band truly put their heart and soul into a record and it’s some that can really grab you if you let it. An unskippable album if you dig the style or if this sounds like something you wanna check out.

36.) Warkings- Revolution
FFO- Power Metal

Warkings has a great style going on right now of catchy power mixed with history lessons of all the different styles of soldiers and warriors that have gone through this world. Now a few albums in; you can hear the band getting stronger and stronger. Soon, this band will be going for world domination and with music like this, it should be very successful.

37.) White Stones- Dancing into Oblivion
FFO- Progressive Death Metal

Anyone that misses the death metal side of Opeth has clearly not heard White Stones yet and it shows. Considering this is a project of Martin Mendez’s design; it has the prog death metal that you love with enough experimentation to not make it an Opeth clone, but rather a project that truly stands on it’s own merit. There’s now 2 albums under this moniker, please go check them both out. You won’t be disappointed.

38.) Witherfall- Curse of Autumn
FFO_ Progressive Power Metal

Going from my number 1 album with their last release to now being in the honorable mentions due to time. Again funny how things work out. This is the first release that is not attached to first drummer, Adam Sagan, and now features Marco Minnemann. For anyone who likes their metal in the veins of Nevermore or Control Denied really needs to check out this band. You’ll get a heart wrenching experience that’s worth the plunge.

39.) Wolves in the Throne Room- Primordial Arcana
FFO- Atmospheric Black Metal

The leaders of atmospheric black metal are back with a raw, evil, and undeniable controlled chaos. While the band is not breaking any new ground or hitting new genres; it is arguably their most defined and impressive work to date. It’s what you would want in a WITTR album, nothing more, nothing less. And it works on every level.

40.) Wormwood- Arkviet
FFO- Melodic Black Metal

Wormwood have returned with their 3rd LP filled with wonderful sensibility of songwriting, pure atmosphere and some of the best musicianship you'll hear of the genre this year. Every song hits hard in it's own way and it can feel like a whirlwind of emotions. While I was late to the party on this one, you should make up for my mistake and check this one out now. You'll be so happy you did.


And there you go folks, 40 albums down and that’s just the honorable mentions. Come back Monday where we begin the mammoth climb to number one with That Drummer Guy’s Top 100 Albums of 2021 Part II: 100-81

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)