You Me At Six are a band that are keen to show evolution on each album. This is often met with demands for the return of their early sound by certain portions of their fanbase. With âSUCKAPUNCHâ the band promise to continue their evolution whilst teasing heavier elements.
Those heavier undertones are apparent from the get go as âNice To Meâ and âMAKEMEFEELALIVEâ kickstart the album with a blast of angst ridden rock. This abruptly drops into âBeautiful Wayâ which as a song probably gives the best overall impression of the album.
You Me At Six – ‘Beautiful Way’
From here on in the experimental side of the band really comes to the fore. The title track âSUCKAPUNCHâ in particular wouldnât feel out of place in a nightclub full of Instragram influencers. Well, at least what I picture that to look like!
Thematically this is a darker, harsher album from the band but it retains enough of the pop hooks that have always been present in the bands work. Whilst there is certainly that darker edge on this album it still manages to sound hugely anthemic throughout. Songs such as âGlasgowâ and âAdrenalineâ will be massive live, whenever that can happen.
You Me At Six right now are a band firmly located between a rock and a hard place. They will either be criticised for changing their sound or lambasted for relying on what made them popular. Thankfully You Me At Six are a band with a thick skin and an appetite to create the music that they want to make.
With âSUCKAPUNCHâ they have done just that. It will alienate some old school fans, but it will also earn them many more.
Who is going to make the Full Pelt Music Top 20 Albums of the Year List?
2020 – a year we would all much sooner forget. Certainly not the year we had all envisaged. Real life has been traumatic and upsetting for many. The effects of the virus have been disastrous for the music industry, with the collapse of live music and many delays and production issues for albums.
You’d think therefore that selecting an Album of the Year list would be difficult due to a lack of new music! We are however talking about the most creative and adaptable industry and in fact compiling this list has been hard for the opposite reason. Even through all the sadness and despair this year, we have been graced with some amazing new music.
More so, the uniqueness of this year has created a special connection to the music released during the most troubling times. This is therefore a highly competitive list and all 20 entries deserve high praise!
We have been counting down the list as part of our #AdventCalendar of music over on our Twitter Page. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by clicking the icons below!
Finally, before we talk through our Top 20 Albums of the Year, a special mention to Yungblud and his new album ‘Weird!’ which we recently reviewed here. Released after the compilation of this list, the album is a stunning piece of work and had it been released earlier would have been competitive at the top of the list! But, now to the countdown…
20
HAYLEY WILLIAMS ‘Petals For Armor’
In a year that doesnât seem to want to end, January seems a lifetime ago when Paramoreâs Hayley Williams announced her debut solo album âPetals For Armorâ. By the time that album arrived, the world had descended into chaos and all touring plans had been cancelled. When the album did emerge in May it represented a ray of light in dark times, and showed Williams has a lot to offer outside of Paramore.
we suggest you check out:
Hayley Williams – ‘Simmer’
19
DOVES ‘The Universal Want’
When Doves returned from an eight year hiatus in 2018 the band initially basked in that reformation glory. Thankfully for fans though it hasnât taken long for the band to head back into the studio and the resultant album âThe Universal Wantâ is a timely reminder of what we had been missing.
we suggest you check out:
Doves – ‘Prisoners’
18
AC/DC ‘Power Up’
After a tumultuous few years with the tragic loss of Malcolm and departures of Cliff, Phil and Brian, AC/DC could have been easily forgiven for riding off into the sunset having had one of the greatest careers of any heavy rock band. But then that wouldnât be the AC/DC way of doing things would it? Instead we get another classic AC/DC album in âPower Upâ with Williams, Rudd and Johnson back in tow!
we suggest you check out:
AC/DC – ‘Shot In The Dark’
17
REWS ‘Warriors’
The Shauna Tohill led REWS have somehow managed to equal if not surpass their debut album with sophomore release âWarriorsâ. Packed with punchy, catchy, bouncy rock and roll, we challenge you not to throw your heart and soul into this album just as Tohill clearly has.
we suggest you check out:
REWS – ‘Birdsong’
16
THE STRUTS ‘Strange Days’
With The Struts you should always expect the unexpected. This is not a band that plays by any kind of rule book. So why wouldnât they team up with guests as diverse as Tom Morello, Phil Collen & Joe Elliott, Albert Hammond Jr and yes the actual Robbie Williams? âStrange Daysâ solidifies The Struts reputation as the future of rock.
we suggest you check out:
The Struts – ‘Strange Days’
15
ALL TIME LOW ‘Wake Up Sunshine’
âWake Up Sunshineâ is somehow the eighth studio album for All Time Low, which makes me feel very old. Thankfully this isnât an album that rests on any laurels and the band continue to deliver the goods with another very solid album added to that back catalogue.
we suggest you check out:
All Time Low – ‘Monsters’
14
THE KILLERS ‘Imploding The Mirage’
By now we know exactly what to expect from The Killers and thankfully their first album without lead guitarist Dave Keuning still delivers that classic feel. With the likes of Lindsay Buckingham instead contributing on âImploding The Mirageâ, there is even an air of freshness to their sound.
we suggest you check out:
The Killers – ‘My Own Soul’s Warning’
13
PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS ‘We’re The Bastards’
When Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons released their debut album, to the surprise of many they delivered a classic rock masterpiece. Any doubters thinking they couldnât do it again have now been proven wrong with the release of âWeâre The Bastardsâ In our recent review (here) we stated âThe bands fans are the loyal kind hence their lyrics proclaim â…âcause weâre the bastards, and youâre a bastard too…â. If youâre in to good old fashioned rock and roll, give this album a listen and you too will be in that clubâ.
we suggest you check out:
Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons – ‘Son Of A Gun’
12
GREEN DAY ‘Father Of All…’
âFather Of All…â may not sit highly amongst the bands back catalogue if we are being honest, but an average Green Day album is still a very good album in the grand scheme of things. Despite this album pre-dating national lockdowns the album has remained on rotation throughout the year which is a testament to its real qualities.
we suggest you check out:
Green Day – ‘Oh Yeah!’
11
BOSTON MANOR ‘Glue’
Nobody should be surprised at the quality of Boston Manorâs albums anymore. With the release of their third album âGlueâ, the band have now delivered three high quality albums with plenty to unpack.
we suggest you check out:
Boston Manor – ‘Liquid’
10
HAIM ‘Women In Music Pt. III’
With âWomen In Music Pt. IIIâ, Haim have let it all hang out with a statement of an album that takes listeners on a musical journey of wonder. Taking elements of various genres and given them that now classic Haim twist, this album is a stunning piece of musicianship.
we suggest you check out:
Haim – ‘Now I’m In It’
9
PVRIS ‘Use Me’
With the release of third album âUse Meâ, PVRIS have continued their evolution into something majestic, enormous and vital. The bands growth had been put out there for all to see and this album just encapsulates the power of Lynn Gunn.
we suggest you check out:
PVRIS – ‘Dead Weight’
8
BLACK STONE CHERRY ‘The Human Condition’
On âThe Human Conditionâ we get the Black Stone Cherry that we all love, just doing what they do best. Full of head banging and foot stumping this record sees the band confirm that they are here to stay, and that they have plenty left in the creative tank.
we suggest you check out:
Black Stone Cherry – ‘Again’
7
TRIVIUM ‘What The Dead Men Say’
âWhat The Dead Men Sayâ is a stunning piece of work that captures a band that has hit their peak. Trivium have mixed the lessons learnt from their past with their recently rejuvenated vigour and have come out the other side with an album that stands up that anything that they have previously released. Â
we suggest you check out:
Trivium – ‘Catastrophist’
6
CREEPER ‘Sex, Death & The Infinite Void’
The release of âSex, Death & the Infinite Voidâ was a rocky road for Creeper, and not just because of a global pandemic. Various internal struggles and personal demons had to be overcome before Creeper could make their grandiose return. Sadly this return coincided with a certain virus which hampered the typical over the top promotion of a Creeper release. Thankfully for the band the record itself is brilliant enough to shine through even the darkest times.
we suggest you check out:
Creeper – ‘Born Cold’
5
BIFFY CLYRO ‘A Celebration Of Endings’
As we hit the top five Albums of 2020, things are very tight. A terrible year has thankfully seem some amazing music emerge to see us through. Biffy Clyro are another band whose plans were destroyed by this horrible virus, with tours cancelled and the album delayed. The early single releases from âA Celebration of Endingsâ however provided much joy in the early period of lockdown.
When the full album finally found his way into the public domain, little did fans realise the treat that was in store for them. Biffy Clyro always evolve with each release, but they somehow manage to retain that Biffyness to their music. This is a unique band and âA Celebration of Endingsâ is a unique record that mixes both the beautiful and the heavy as only Biffy Clyro seem to be able to.
we suggest you check out:
Biffy Clyro – ‘End Of’
4
ENTER SHIKARI ‘Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible’
Another band whose releases were a small positive in the huge negative that was the first national Lockdown was Enter Shikari. It was clear from the start that âNothing Is True & Everything Is Possibleâ was going to be a very special album. The connection felt now with certain tracks only serves to ensure that this album will forever be seen as one of, if not the best Enter Shikari album.
All the normal quirkiness is there, along with the more mainstream elements incorporated into 2017âs âThe Sparkâ. In fact, on this album Enter Shikari may have actually made the perfect Enter Shikari recipe and in turn the perfect Enter Shikari album!
we suggest you check out:
Enter Shikari – ‘satellites**’
3
BRING ME THE HORIZON ‘Post Human: Survival Horror’
Yes, âPost Human: Survival Horrorâ is technically an EP, but it is just so outrageously good that it had to feature and feature high. Precursors such as âLudensâ and âParasite Eveâ had promised something special but I donât think anybody predicted anything this good.
When we recently reviewed the record (here) we told you âThis new EP takes the best elements from throughout their career and combines them in one stunning masterpiece of an album.â. Bring Me The Horizon prove with this album that the best is still to come!
we suggest you check out:
Bring Me The Horizon – ‘Obey’
2
FONTAINES D.C. ‘A Hero’s Death’
The battle for the number one spot this year was fierce. Actually, the battle for the top 5 was fierce this year. Fontaines D.C. are the band that gets the number two spot, but this album deserves Album of the Year. âA Heroâs Deathâ shows that the band are no flash in the pan and builds on the basis of debut âDogrelâ. This album actually feels a step above that debut album, and is another that has created a huge personal connection during this tough year.
This record has already rightfully brought the band much acclaim and we canât wait to hear these songs live. Fontaines D.C. are an unstoppable songwriting force and with âA Heroâs Deathâ they have placed their claim to be the band of their generation.
we suggest you check out:
Fontaines D.C. – ‘I Don’t Belong’
1
IDLES ‘Ultra Mono’
It has been a crazy year, and this list has been heavily influenced by that. As mentioned the top of this list is massively impacted by new music I heard during the height of the initial lockdown. âUltra Monoâ was an album that I was already extremely excited to hear; and the stream of songs released during Lockdown only served to raise that excitement to a fever pitch.
Thankfully IDLES didnât disappoint and when the album arrived it was a pure masterpiece. It shows a natural progression on the bands first two records and grows the bands sound. It still captures what made us all fall in love with the band but by incorporating new elements into the bands sound the album shows that IDLES are no one trick pony.
Above all other releases this year and those that feature in this list, this was the album that we needed this year. In a year where we have all been knocked down one way or another, IDLES and âUltra Monoâ has been a call to arms, to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and keep going.
we suggest you check out:
IDLES – ‘Model Village’
So, there you have it, the Top 20 Albums of 2020 as considered by Full Pelt Music. We are sure that your lists will be different to ours and we want to hear them, so why not share yours with us on social media!
I can still remember vividly the shock and sadness that consumed me with the death of Chris Cornell in 2017. Cornellâs unique voice had helped to soundtrack the formative years of my life through his solo work and that of Soundgarden, and for me the biggest influence â Audioslave. Memories of not just his death but the manner of that death still thrust great sadness upon me and no doubt his legion of fans.
I recently spoke of the relationship between my mental health and music in my blog âMental Health, Music and Meâ. Itâs important to remember that talking helps and you can find some vital links to resources in that blog.
With the surprise release this week of the aptly named âNo One Sings Like You Anymore, Vol. 1â fans of Cornell have been given an early Christmas present; the chance to savour once again those dulcet tones of his. Looking at the tracklist I must admit that I hesitated to listen to the album. Not because I wasnât sure that the work would be amazing, but because I knew that hearing Cornell sing these songs would elicit a range of emotions including immense sadness.
Iâm really glad however that I took the dive into this amazing snapshot of Cornell. Through the course of the album many emotions are felt including thankfully joy and celebration of an incredible once in a lifetime artist. Iâm not ashamed to admit that the one-two punch of âPatienceâ and âNothing Compares 2 Uâ hit very hard and deep. Be prepared to cry at times and smile wide at others. This album is perhaps the perfect way to seal the legacy of a true icon in rock music.
As you progress through this stunning album you can see the effort put into the careful curation and construction of the record. You can feel the love that has been put into the album by those upholding the legacy of Cornell. This is not a cash grab release, and fans of Cornell are privileged to have the opportunity to listen to these songs. On this release, the true power and adaptability of Cornellâs heavenly voice is there for all to see.
Whilst I close by saying that this is a must own for fans of Cornell and his previous work; I must also stress that this album is an incredible piece of work in its own right, and even those not familiar with the great man will find joy, sadness and everything in between, on this record.
Yungblud, or Dominic Richard Harrison to his friends, has been on the cusp of world domination since the release of his debut album â21st Century Liabilityâ in 2018. Now it appears he is finally ready to take up that mantle. His second album âweird!â came out on Friday and is a stunning piece of work that may well be recognised as his masterpiece when all is said and done.
From the opening notes of âteresaâ, listeners are thrown headfirst into the captivating world of Yungblud. The album transcends genre as Yungblud manages to blend tender with ferocious and emerge with outright pop. The crossover appeal of this album will be huge with all ages and persuasions finding the content very accessible. Yungblud comes of age with this release and has set a very high standard for his future output to reach.
âcotton candyâ, âstrawberry lipstickâ and the exceptional âmarsâ build this party of an album perfectly to its middle section, which is absolutely packed with sing-a-long anthems such as âsuperdeadfriendsâ. It has to be said that âlove songâ sounds like a huge anthem, and is a subtle change of pace together with âgod save me, but donât drown me outâ before the electric trio of âice cream manâ, âweird!â and âcharityâ raise the bar again.
As we get towards the albums finish we see Yungblud collaborate once again with Machine Gun Kelly to fantastic effect on âacting like thatâ. It’s then down to âitâs quiet in beverly hillsâ and the prophetic âthe freak showâ to close out this superb collection of music. With this release Yungblud has achieved that seemingly rare feat of actually living up to his enormous potential. Expect to see the name Yungblud everywhere from now on, and with music this good, deservedly so.
Following his self-imposed exile from music, former Mallory Knox vocalist Mikey Chapman is back. After a period of self-evaluation Chapman has joined forces with guitarist Luke Hicks to create Black Sky Research. Having debuted the single âLight up the Skyâ earlier this year, the band have now released their first EP âOneâ.
With Chapmanâs distinguished vocals at the forefront there are of course Mallory Knox comparisons to be made, but on âOneâ the band show an expansive sound that truly harnesses Chapmanâs vocal power. Opening with âLight up the Skyâ the EP is full of peaks and valleys, crashing guitars and melancholy preludes punctuated by Chapmanâs soaring vocals.
The EP is conceptual in nature and over the course of five songs details the protagonists fight to find his love during the chaos of the end of the world. âMidnightâ, âTwilightâ and âTransmitâ all continue the story whilst laying the foundations for the bandâs future sound.
There is plenty here for fans of Chapmanâs previous band, equally however there is plenty to dissect from the storytelling point of view. Some lyrics almost feel autobiographical in nature as Chapman makes a statement of intent. On the EPâs finale âDawnâ, Chapman sings of second chances and this EP feels like a second chance for Chapman to showcase his immense talents.
Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons – ‘Son of a Gun’
Motorhead legend Phil Campbell introduced us to his Bastard Sons back in 2016 and together they released their excellent debut album âThe Age Of Absurdityâ in 2018. That album helped to grow the bands fanbase and saw the band accepted as a legitimate entity. Well, two years later they are back with their sophomore album âWeâre the Bastardsâ as they seek to solidify their own legacy.
The elder Campbell is of course accustomed to hard work from his time with Motorhead. The band rarely took a break from touring and were relentless in the studio. Since the untimely conclusion of Motorhead, Campbell has sustained the same work ethic with his new band Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons. He even found the time to release a solo album, âOld Lions Still Roarâ, last year!
For those that donât know, this band is named so because Campbell is joined by his actual sons Todd, Tyla and Dane; a fact that they are proud to proclaim in blistering opening number âWeâre the Bastardsâ. The theme is then furthered on the song that follows the title track, âSon of a Gunâ. In fact there are a number of lyrical Easter eggs throughout the album for fans to enjoy.
And fans will enjoy this album. It picks up where its predecessor left off; with a steady stream of infectious rock and roll. Singer and sole non-Campbell, Neil Starr is on great form and helps to ensure that there is recognisable progression from the first album. The likes of âPromises Are Poisonâ, âBorn To Roamâ and âAnimalsâ will fit seamlessly into the bands next set list whenever live music can return.
Whilst we might not know exactly when live shows will return, this album gives fans something to get their teeth into in the meantime. There is plenty here to whet the appetite with âBite My Tongueâ, âHate Machineâ and âWavesâ particularly worthy of mention. As with Motorhead, you get the impression that Phil Campbell and the Bastards Sons wonât be breaking the mould anytime soon, but why would they when they appear to have formed the perfect style.
Phil Campbell has been consistent with his output throughout his career, and we should be grateful that he once again has an outlet for his talents. âWeâre the Bastardsâ is statement however that this band is a force to be reckoned with in its own right. The bands fans are the loyal kind hence their lyrics proclaim â…âcause weâre the bastards, and youâre a bastard too…â. If youâre in to good old fashioned rock and roll, give this album a listen and you too will be in that club.
Bring Me The Horizon – ‘Obey’ with YUNGBLUD from ‘Post Human: Survival Horror’
âBring Me The Horizon arenât heavy anymoreâ.
If I had a pound for every time Iâve heard this said over the past five years, Iâd definitely be able to buy a ticket to their 2021 tour. Well, based on âPost Human: Survival Horrorâ thatâs just what their critics need to do. Hopefully this would show them just how silly this statement is.
Bring Me The Horizon are a band that have constantly evolved throughout their career, and yes that means that not every song is a head banging, scream your lungs out belter. It doesnât mean however that they have lost their teeth. This new EP takes the best elements from throughout their career and combines them in one stunning masterpiece of an album.
The release of âLudensâ back in 2019 was lauded as a return to form and âParadise Eveâ released mid-lockdown teased a heavy edge to this release. Even Iâm surprised though as the band come straight out of the gates with the ruckus âDear Diaryâ. âParadise Eveâ and the Linkin Park tinged âTeardropsâ follow and by the time you reach the fantastically mad YUNGBLUD collaboration âObeyâ even the most disillusioned old school fan will have their foot stomping and their head banging.
There has certainly been a quirkiness to Bring Me The Horizons recent releases such as the much maligned âAmoâ. On âPost Human: Survival Horrorâ that quirkiness is embraced and even emboldened. The combination of âItch for the Cure (When Will We Be Free?)â and âKingslayerâ featuring Babymetal is insane. Insanely good that is. I dare anybody not to have the chorus stuck in their head after listening.
â1×1â, âLudensâ and the curious Amy Lee collaboration âOne Day the Only Butterflies Left Will Be in Your Chest as You March Towards Your Deathâ close out this brilliant EP. Itâs a relentless statement from the band from start to almost finish. âOne Day…â is an interesting choice to end on and is probably the weakest track on the EP when held in context of the EP. As a standalone piece of music however itâs an enjoyable if unexpected composition. Adding it to the end of this EP however has done both the song and the EP a disservice.
I very much doubt however that Bring Me The Horizon will care. This EP continues the evolution of a band very much willing to experiment and test the boundaries of their capabilities and their fans patience. Quite possibly this EP represents the most complete sample of the band to date and I for one cannot wait to witness the majesty of these songs live.
