10 Incredible Metal Albums You May Have Missed In 2021

1. Etemen Ænka - Dvne

Adherents to the unpronounceable, Dvne (so spelled to make them actually searchable on Google) may have released one of the best Progressive Metal albums of the year, and it’s only their sophomore release.

A concept album detailing the dystopian class divide of a sci-fi society through the centuries, the density of this narrative gives an idea of the sort of density you can expect from such an undertaking. As ‘Enûma Eliš’ gallops from the speakers, and Victor Vicart’s impassioned cries light up the track, it sets the stall out perfectly for the Progressive brilliance on offer throughout.

Whatever criteria you level at it, Etemen Ænka seems to have a track to prove itself as 2021’s MVP. Want a fuzz drench Doom dirge? Listen to the opening of ‘Towers’. Prefer Post Metal whispers? ‘Weighing of the Heart’ has you covered. An uplifting power drenched gallop? Better have a listen to ‘Sì-XIV’.

If you want a track that does everything and does it damn well, though, you’d best divert your attention to the eight minute beast of ‘Mleccha’. Starting with a lazily swinging Post infused bit of introspection, before the instruments rise and screams underlay the intricate musicianship of the whole band. As the song crashes unstoppably into its midsection the tempo picks up, and the listener can only be swallowed up by heavily distorted low end, rising back to angelic soloing and a rising drum line foreshadowing the return to the sort of Progressive cavalcade that defines this album, and which will leave you breathless.

Listen To: Mleccha

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Contributor

Hampshire based Writer who spends his time rewatching Deep Space Nine, trying to be an actor and voraciously consuming every Metal album he can find. Final Fantasy IX is the greatest game of all time and this is the hill I will die on.