Search Results for: best of 2021

Best of Tzadik Records 2021

by Dæv Tremblay


Tzadik Records is a very special thing to me. John Zorn’s label showcases his own compositions, ranging mostly from jazz to classical, as well as other groups and albums who are spearheading their respective genres. It’s often pretty difficult to listen to these albums, since they are usually not streaming online, so I’ve gathered them all here and got the five best Tzadik releases of 2021. This way, you’ll know where to start looking to dive into the surreal world of Zorn.

Number Five: John Zorn – Heaven and Earth Magick


Heaven and Earth Magick is one of the truer … Read more

Best of Technical Death Metal 2021

by Dæv Tremblay


So, the question on everyone’s lips: who had the craziest chops of 2021?

Number Five: Sleep Terror – Above Snakes


Let’s start with a fun one! Luke Jaeger’s band Sleep Terror released a spaghetti Western-themed tech-death album this year, and it’s great! You get a great show of musicianship from the tech-death side of things, but also from the Country music side of things, with calls to Albert Lee and others! Fantastic job!

Number Four: Ophidian I – Desolate


One of the surprises of the year: Reykjavík’s Ophidian I, with one of the best over-the-top tech-death albums of 2021! Their … Read more

Best Synth Music 2021

by Dæv Tremblay


Let’s dive into the electronic world of synth music!

Number Five: Oh Yung – Godless



Oh Yung released Godless in May, and 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓪 𝓫𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓻 it still is! Every song is worthy of praise, but perhaps none so much as “What U Wanna Do” for its complete bonkersness! The only flaw is its shortness!

Number Four: Big Lad – Power Tools


I’ll always remember the time I saw some dude cover a Venetian Snares song on an actual drum kit. I was so impressed by that! Well, Big Lad have turned that energy into the physical world, and play breakcore … Read more

Best of Sludge 2021

by Dæv Tremblay


Best of sludge 2021, you know the drill.

Number Five: Whitehorse – Death Weight


Dissonant, noisy, filthy sludge that takes the life out of you, just what you need!

Number Four: Alkderdeel – Slonk


Slonk is perhaps the most blackened sludge out there, I mean, I might as well put it in the black metal category at this point! As a consequence, this album is remarkably relentless, bleak, and asphyxiating, and I love it.

Number Three: Gralaghorr – The Divine Spectacle of Rebirth


Disclaimer: we signed this album! But, if we didn’t think it’s great, we wouldn’t have done it, … Read more

Best of Punk 2021

by Dæv Tremblay


I don’t have an expansive playlist of punk for 2021, but here are the best things I gathered this year.

Number Five: Bong Mountain – The Battle of Bong Mountain

Listening to Bong Mountain is the closest I’ll get to be twenty years younger and on my skateboard listening to CDs on my walkman. The Battle of Bong Mountain is a great punk rock album to scratch that very specific itch. Hope you like it.

Number Four: Duvel – Duvel


Released in the middle of the year, Duvel had time enough to play countless times, and for me to sing … Read more