Even through a global pandemic, the first half of 2020 has produced some of the most ear-punching metal albums. We honestly didn’t expect such a strong start to 2020, all things considered. We’ve had some very solid releases from the veterans of the genre, including Ozzy, Lamb of God, Testament, Paradise Lost, Trivium, The Black Dahlia Murder & Nightwish. Outwith the big guns, though, we’ve also been introduced to a horde of hungry newcomers, and it would be remiss of us if we didn’t give a quick mention to the killer new releases from the likes of END, Bodysnatcher, Higher Power, Irist, Beggar and Umbra Vitae. A great year (so far) for new music, but at the same time, the ridiculously high standard has made it nigh impossible to try and whittle down this mid-year list. But, we’ve done it.
So here they are, Dave and Duncan’s Top 10 Albums of 2020 (so far). Please check out our YouTube video (below) for a more detailed breakdown of each album on our lists.
Dave’s Top 10 Metal Albums of 2020 (so far) 
1. Mountaineer – Bloodletting (Bandcamp)
2. Atavist – III:Absolution (Bandcamp)
3. Katatonia – City Burials (Spotify)
4. Ulcerate – Stare Into Death and Be Still (Bandcamp)
5. Code Orange – Underneath (Spotify)
6. Loathe – I Let It In And It Took Everything (Spotify)
7. Protest the Hero – Palimpsest (Spotify)
8. Sepultura – Quadra (Spotify)
9. Afterbirth – Four Dimensional Flesh (Bandcamp)
10. Huntsmen – Mandala of Fear (Bandcamp)
Duncan’s Top 10 Metal Albums of 2020 (so far)
1. Mountaineer – Bloodletting (Bandcamp)
2. Loathe – I Let It In And It Took Everything (Spotify)
3. Code Orange – Underneath (Spotify)
4. Katatonia – City Burials (Spotify)
5. Intronaut – Fluid Existential Inversions (Bandcamp)
6. Poppy – I Disagree (Spotify)
7. Kvelertak – Splid (Spotify)
8. Paradise Lost – Obsidian (Bandcamp)
9. Atavist – III:Absolution (Bandcamp)
10. Abrams – Modern Ways (Bandcamp)
