Release date: July 24, 2020
Origin: London, England
Personnel: Ross Jennings-vox, Richard Henshall-guitar, Charlie Griffiths-guitar, Conner Green-bass, Diego Tejeida-keyboards, Raymond Hearne-drums
Most prophetic album title for 2020 opens up the Top 10 of this year’s list. Not only did they nail the theme of this year, but they also saw their album delayed three times due to the pandemic. Since Dream Theater has kind of fallen off the map quality-wise in the past few years, there is definitely a void at the top of the metal-centric prog world. With the release of Virus, it feels like Haken is poised to step into that void. This album really straddles the prog world while still remaining a very crunchy metal album. This was a very ambitious album that swings for the fences and makes full contact.
4 flip flops out of 5
The list so far:
10. Haken-Virus
11. Fake Names-Fake Names
12. Kvelertak-Splid
13. King Buffalo-Dead Star
14. Sylosis-Cycle of Suffering
15. Kirk Windstein-Dream in Motion
16. Oranssi Pazuzu-Mestarin Kynsi
17. Forming the Void-Reverie
18. Lamb of God-Lamb of God
19. Demons and Wizards-III
20. Killer Be Killed-Reluctant Hero
DISPATCHES FROM THE VOID 