December 10th, 2020 – Written by the Canadian Scene Cult Team
It’s the time of year when us music nerds sit down and reflect on all of the great music that has been released over the year. We have decided to highlight our favourite Canadian and International releases in three full articles, ‘Best Singles of 2020’, ‘Best EP’s of 2020’, and ‘Best Albums of 2020’. We will also be linking various reviews and blog pieces throughout, so be sure to follow the links to read more about these releases.
You can also find our favourite tracks in the ‘CSC Awards: Best of 2020’ playlist below, which will be updated with each article. We would love to hear from each and every one of you, so drop your favourite singles in the comments below, and keep an eye out for the other articles to come soon!
Tyler Johnson – Founder & Operator
Canadian Releases:
5. Dead Days – “Brightburn”:
For those that have been following the content I have been putting out on this site, this inclusion should come as no surprise. Delivering some of the most impactful and full-sounding metalcore the genre has to offer, this independent band rivals many bands backed by a supportive label, which speaks volumes to their talent and musicianship. Released earlier in the year, “Brightburn” was an instant add to my heavy music playlist, where it remains to this day. If you’re a fan of Fit For A King, Kingdom of Giants, Alpha Wolf, and related bands, you should be jumping on the Dead Days train now!
4. Grandson – “Identity”:
While my Spotify wrapped is usually chalked full of the typical scene subgenres – metalcore, post-hardcore, pop-punk – Grandson immediately caught my attention with his single “Identity”. It’s a vibrant and nuanced piece of music, with a monstrous and booming chorus that absolutely knocked me over the first time I heard it. Transitioning to quick and poignant flows, Grandson struggles with his internal demons and understanding who he is as a person. Along with my underlying love for this track, it was a must include on this list for opening my eyes to the growing scene-adjacent genres and artists such as Chase Atlantic, Lil Lotus, and nothing,nowhere.
3. Alexisonfire – “Season of the Flood”:
After triumphantly returning with classic, fast-paced post-hardcore tracks in “Familiar Drugs” and “Complicit” in 2019, Alexisonfire stunned fans with the eerie and ambient “Season of the Flood” earlier this year. It’s certainly a slow burn track, but the payoff in the form of the crashing instrumentals and wailing cries from both George Pettit and Dallas Green is completely worth the build. Simultaneously haunting and energizing, Alexisonfire have delivered one of the best tracks of their career with this release.
2. Silverstein – “Infinite”:
Silverstein’s tenth studio album A Beautiful Place To Drown was somewhat polarizing among fans, but for me, it was a logical and welcomed progression in both sound and style. It was tough to choose between “Infinite” and “Madness” for my favourite Silverstein track of the year, but “Infinite” gets the advantage in that race for perfectly encapsulating the sound that would be found on the rest of the record – fusing new wave electronic elements with classic Silverstein post-hardcore. It immediately grabbed my attention with it’s infectious chorus and strong feature from Underoath’s Aaron Gillespie, taking over each and every playlist I created this year.
Honourable Mentions:
Rival Town – “The One Who Pushed”
Rarity – “Leave It Alone”
Carcosa – “Devoid”
Seaway – “Big Vibe”
Stasis – “Far From You”
1. Spiritbox – “Holy Roller” / “Constance”:
This may be cheating, but I don’t really care, because both of these tracks deserve to be in the top position on this list. No track has taken the metalcore genre by storm in 2020 like Spiritbox’s “Holy Roller”. Lead vocalist Courtney LaPlante delivers deep, guttural screams over a powerfully groovy riff that makes for a quick and pummelling metalcore anthem. When the band re-released the single with Ryo Kinoshita of Crystal Lake – another act currently dominating the next wave of metalcore bands – lending his blisteringly deep growls to the mix, it simply took the song to the next level. As for “Constance”, it is the single most beautiful song I have heard in 2020, and the polar opposite sound to that of “Holy Roller” – truly demonstrating the musicianship of this band. While it is a very late addition to the end of the year wrap up, it certainly deserves to be recognized amongst the years best.
International Releases:
5. Slaughter To Prevail – “Demolisher”:
No song has spread like wildfire in the YouTube reaction community in 2020 like Slaughter To Prevail’s “Demolisher”. Taking the aggressive deathcore Slaughter To Prevail has consistently delivered to this point in their career and mixing it with an incredibly melodic chorus, this band catapulted themselves into the North American market. Just listen to the technical percussion work and the demonic-like vocal delivery, and it’s easy to understand why this band is getting the attention they very clearly deserve. Not only has “Demolisher” opened the door for fans of the genre to become interested in the band’s back catalogue, but I would argue they have brought attention to other, less-known Russian bands of the genre, such as Wildways.
4. Fever 333 – “Bite Back”:
For those unfamiliar with Fever 333, this band has become synonymous with their involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement and Black rights activism as a whole – much of what their lyricism derives from. Following up their 2019 debut full-length Strength In Numb333rs with this year’s Wrong Generation EP, this band still has plenty to say and achieve with their music. “Bite Back” was a lead single for the release of Wrong Generation and it’s a fiery, fury of punk rock rage that features some of vocalist Jason Aalon Butler’s most direct and hard-hitting lyrics in “Woke up this morning / To people mourning / Another brother they murdered just as a warning / That if we speak up / About how they treat us / They’ll do it over and over / Until we bite back.” Not only is the band delivering some of the best music in the genre, but they’re using their platform to open listener’s eyes to the years of oppression that the Black community faces – it’s powerful music, with an even more powerful message.
3. Code Orange – “Swallowing the Rabbit Whole”:
Code Orange are quite frankly one of the most unique bands in all of metal, with their industrial hardcore punk sound that is distinct from anything else in the genre. This uniqueness has even translated into mainstream attention, as they have been nominated for two Grammy awards now – the first for Best Metal Performance for their 2018 album Forever, and again in this years nominations for their 2020 album Underneath. “Swallowing the Rabbit Hole” was the second and arguably strongest single released in the album cycle, with a dissonant breakdown that will keep you moshing into next year. I can confidently say that Underneath will make it’s way into my top 10 albums of 2020 with this single leading the charge on that decision.
2. Broadside – “The Raging Sea”:
Until the release of “The Raging Sea”, Broadside was one of those bands that would pop up on various playlists, but they never quite translated into my personal music collection. Then “The Raging Sea” finds it’s way into my ear drums and I was instantly hooked. Slowly building with creative lyricism in “36 minutes of your time / Please, just let me change your mind / If I sang the right words, would you decide to stay? / Please, stay”, the band was begging listeners to give them the chance over the 36 minute run-time of their 2020 effort Into The Raging Sea that was soon to follow this single. If not for the single to come next in this list, the chorus on “The Raging Sea” would be my favourite of the year in “Can I make it out? Will I make it out? / Is there any point? What’s the fucking point?” – it’s ingeniously simple, yet the emotive delivery pulled on my heart strings like none other this year.
Honourable Mentions:
If I Die First – “Where Needles and Lovers Collide”
Alpha Wolf – “Akudama”
Hollow Front – “Afflicted”
Silent Planet – “Trilogy”
Architects – “Black Lungs”
1. Bring Me The Horizon – “Teardrops”:
Bring Me The Horizon blew fans away – new and old alike – with the release of Post Human: Survival Horror EP, brining back the heavy instrumentation of their early works, while keeping the electronic experimentation from recent releases. “Teardrops” is not the heaviest single on the record by any means, but it is the perfect summation of the emotions and feelings associated with the wild events of this past year. With lyrics as “So how’d we get this stressed out, paranoid? / Everything is going dark / Nothing makes me sadder than my head” and “The emptiness is heavier than you think”, this song is beyond relatable in today’s climate and draws on a nostalgic sound in the vein of early Linkin Park that transcends the genre itself. It is arguably one of the best songs this band has ever written, and was an easy choice for my favourite single of the year.
Em Miraglia – Writer
Canadian Releases:
5. Terry Green – “Trouble” :
Torontonian band Terry Green released “Trouble” this year on a split 7” via Zegema Beach Records, a Canadian label that describes themselves as “a community rooted in promoting honest / passionate / inspiring music – usually with screaming”. This single is the band’s first release since their stunning untitled LP came out in 2017. It picks up right where they left off on that last effort with gut-wrenching vocals and gripping instrumental arrangements.
4. Judgement – “Terra Firma”:
Judgement put out a few great singles this year, the first of which was “Terra Firma”. With lines like, “I won’t be disheartened, I’m not your puppet on a string / Syllables are sharpened, but your words won’t cut these wings”, this powerful post-hardcore track is a testament to standing your ground (“terra firma” literally means “solid ground”) and living your own life as you see fit. Judgement delivers this meaningful message through a combination of passionate screams and evocative cleans.
3. Alexisonfire – “Season of the Flood”:
In mid-January, when we were living in a completely different world, the beloved post-hardcore band put out their slow, atmospheric single “Season of the Flood”. Little did we know just how much the opening words, “All that is will go away / But come again another day / Through turbulence on proud display / I’ll walk with you into the fray”, would hit home for us this year. This single definitely stands out in a discography full of mostly speedy, aggressive songs, but “Season of the Flood” still contains signature AOF riffs and their characteristic play between the soothing sounds of Dallas Green and George Pettit’s screams.
2. Strange Breed – “Reputation”:
“Reputation” is an empowering revenge anthem for sexual assault victims. We shared an in-depth review of this song on the day of its release, detailing its potent sonic and lyrical content, some influences for the track, and getting insight from Strange Breed’s vocalist Nicolle Dupas. The band has spent some time in the studio since “Reputation” was released, so I’m very excited to hear more from them in the near future.
Honourable Mentions:
GROWERS – “Hot Anxiety”
Rarity – “Leave It Alone”
Roach – “R.I.P. Soft Serve”
Flying Too High – “Robin”
Billy Talent – “Reckless Paradise”
1. The Dirty Nil – “One More and the Bill”:
The Dirty Nil’s fourth and final single from their upcoming album is my favourite new song of the year. We’ve all had plenty of things to “Drink about, dream about and run away from” in 2020; this song is about stepping away from reality for a minute and taking care of yourself instead of holding the weight of the world. It’s as sing-along friendly as a pop hit while containing some creative man-made guitar effects (check out how Luke Bentham swings it around in this live recording) and a Nil-licious rock-and-roll solo.
International Releases:
5. Slow Mass – “Mal”:
Chicago’s Slow Mass offers solid post-hardcore and indie rock with fresh elements that are uniquely theirs. At the start of 2020 they put out the second iteration of their “Music for Ears” series which includes “Mal” as well as a cover of Pygmy Lush’s haunting track “I’ll Wait With You”. On “Mal”, the band embraces their noisy, chaotic side, with speedy percussion and feedback from guitars that assault my ears in the best way.
4. Home Is Where – “The Scientific Classification of Stingrays”:
“The Scientific Classification of Stingrays” is probably my favourite screamo single of the year. In October, Florida-based group Home Is Where unleashed this first single from their upcoming album I Became Birds. It’s a raw track with chugging guitars and soaring vocals in its first half that are exchanged for shrieks in the second half from vocalist Brandon MacDonald (hilariously referred to as the “tantrum” on the track on the Bandcamp page for the release).
3. Rebelmatic – “Blood and Gold”:
Rebelmatic’s final single for their 2020 album Ghost in the Shadows is the most topical song on this list. Upon premiering the track, the band told New Noise that, “Our song ‘Blood and Gold’ symbolizes how we live in a world where blood is spilled over gold”, a reality that has never been as clear as it is this year. This song is 100% punk: a short, energetic track driven by power chords that sends a clear and critical political message.
2. Teamonade – “goin thru it”:
Teamonade graced us with this dynamic beauty of a track on Valentine’s Day of this year. The majority of the song is made up of mellow moments with vocalist Osi Okoro’s lovely voice singing along to warm guitar and bass with soft percussion – yet a handful of times, this gets interrupted by wonderful crashes of sound. The lyrics to “goin thru it” are a personal account of tough times, but it evokes universal experiences of emotions like guilt, shame, and depression. The band has said this song is fated to remain a standalone single rather than find itself on a future album; I think I like it that way.
Honourable Mentions:
Pinkshift – “On Thin Ice”
Mal Blum – “Nobody Waits”
Pearl Jam – “Dance Of The Clairvoyants”
Julien Baker – “Faith Healer”
Chastity Belt – “The Process”
1. Tigers Jaw – “Warn Me”:
This year, Pennsylvanian emo veterans Tigers Jaw released their catchiest song to date. “Warn Me” was the song of the summer for me, providing a soundtrack that brightened many hot Friday nights spent at home – particularly on August 14th when Tigers Jaw put on one of the best livestream shows of the year at the first of producer Will Yip’s Live At Studio 4 concert series. This hook-laden pop-punk track will find itself on playlists I make for years to come.
Doug Heiser – Media Contributor
Canadian Releases:
5. We Were Sharks – “Shameless”:
I’ll be honest, I’ve never really listened to We Were Sharks or given them a try before this track came out. “Shameless” popped up on my New Music Friday playlist on Spotify and I was hooked on it right away, making me an instant fan, and then circling back to binge their previous releases. The band adds elements of driving 00’s style pop-punk that gets your head bobbing up and down and I love how the vocals come in from the get-go, drawing in listeners with a strong hook. Canadian pop-punk has really taken off in recent years and WWS are showing they’re a contributing force to that.
4. Spiritbox – “Holy Roller”:
Spiritbox have definitely been climbing in popularity the past few years after their debut EP, with several follow up singles; however, 2020 has been the year of Spiritbox! The band catapulted themselves into everyone’s speakers when they hit us with “Holy Roller”, with unforgiving riffs, breakdowns and massive vocal lines it’s no wonder my Facebook feed was blowing up with friends sharing this song like crazy. Then to keep riding the hype wave they delivered a second version featuring Ryo of Crystal Lake, who’s deep gutturals complimented Courtney’s vocals incredibly well.
3. The Dirty Nil – “Done With Drugs”:
The Dirty Nil are a band that are killing the rock genre right now, adding in elements of punk and old school vibes to bring back the raw element that most bands are missing in today’s rock scene. These guys have released a number of amazing singles this year that have me super hyped for their upcoming album, but the standout for me was “Done With Drugs”. The vocals are a real standout for me on this track, with the guitar dropping out early in the verse it allows for Luke’s voice to shine, while also giving us a big powerful anthemic chorus line. Instrument wise, the band are bringing back that raw and gainey overdriven guitar tones with awesome guitar riffs that are sure to inspire young musicians in picking up the instrument.
2. Billy Talent – “Reckless Paradise”:
Billy Talent dropped a serious track, “Reckless Paradise”, on us this year. Delivering on classic BT vibes with monstrous guitar riffs, a catchy chorus/melody, and an overall banger of a track. Since the release of BT2, Billy Talent’s releases have had polarizing reception from their fanbase for various reasons, but this single showed everyone that they haven’t lost their roots and will continue to drop hard hitting tunes in the future that are sure to please all fans.
Honourable Mentions:
Like Pacific – “Hands Tied”
Justin Bieber – “Lonely”
Rarity – “Leave It Alone”
1. Silverstein – “Bad Habits”:
I’m always excited when I see Silverstein working on a new album, but I got even more pumped when they dropped the single “Bad Habits”. Giving fans that classic Silverstein vibe they can count on, but at the same time pushing their sound to a new level. This genre of music doesn’t typically have guitar solos, so it was great to see them bring Aaron Marshall in to do a soaring guitar feature to help elevate that final chorus and close the song with a bang. The other new element they added was having guitarist Paul come in for a vocal line in the bridge, it added a different layer to the vocal styling and is something I hope they test out again on future tracks.
International Releases:
5. INSPIRIT – “Fold”:
The metalcore/post-hardcore scene has seen a recent resurgence of old school style/structure, which for me is an era I love in this genre. So it wasn’t a surprise for me to be absolutely blown away by the band INSPIRIT, which is composed of original members of Vanna. “Fold” delivers on many of the key elements that made 00’s post-hardcore great: nasty guitar lines, breakdowns, panic chords, and a soaring clean vocal chorus. INSPIRIT has definitely brought in a modern flair to their early Vanna days, making this release sound incredibly relevant and nostalgic at the same time.
4. While She Sleeps – “Sleeps Society”:
WSS are a band that know how to deliver a killer track and prove to be one of the more consistent bands in the metalcore scene. I feel the band is incredibly underrated, and I would personally put them at the same tier that others hold Architects to. WSS were fairly quiet for the majority of the year, leaving me wondering if we’d get anything from this band in 2020, so it was a welcome surprise when they dropped this single. There is a lot to love about the song, from their classic whammy style riffs, killer structure, powerful hooks and how they ended the song with the clean vocal part. Riff wise the section at 2:30 is certain to get your head banging. I can’t wait to hear more from WSS in 2021.
3. Bring Me The Horizon – “Teardrops”:
BMTH came back in 2020 with several singles leading up to the release of Post Human: Survival Horror, which were met with wider appeal and praise (than amo), showing everyone they can still be heavy, push the genre, and still grow as a band. “Teardrops”, for me, was a big standout for the singles by giving nasty guitar riffs, awesome vocal melodies, and still delivering on the heavy aspect of the band. I’m a big Linkin Park fan and this track brought back plenty of LP production elements that were done in their own unique way and helped elevate the track. BMTH are showing they’re here to stay and will continue to grow in popularity as they start to cross-over with mainstream elements, while still holding onto metalcore roots.
2. KennyHoopla – “ESTELLA// (feat. Travis Barker)”:
KennyHoopla really took 2020 by storm, starting the year with his track “how will i rest in peace…”, which I was hearing across several radio stations and drew me in as a fan. After a few more singles, features, and an EP, Kenny was gaining lots of attention this year from the likes of Blink-182’s Travis Barker. Most things Travis touches has great success and it is no surprise that the collaboration on “ESTELLA” was an instantaneous hit, by taking Kenny’s bloc party vibes and throwing them into a modern blend of pop-punk. I love hearing both sides of KennyHoopla and have had this track on repeat since it was released.
Honourable Mentions:
nothing,nowhere – “blood (feat. KennyHoopla & JUDGE)”
Dead Poet Society – “.intoodeep.”
Boys Of Fall – “Worth It”
Static Dress – “for the attention of…”
System Of A Down – “Genocidal Humanoidz”
1. If I Die First – “Where Needles and Lovers Collide”:
This debut single from If I Die First will probably show up as my most streamed song on my Spotify year-end wrap up. There are so many elements to this band and track that grabbed me immediately, from the classic post-hardcore sound, to call/response vocal lines, and a differentiated song structure. I’m a sucker for a blend of cleans and screams in a song, which this track delivers on – Lil Lotus and Zubin play off each other incredibly well. This is a band that deserves way more attention in the scene, so if you are a fan of 00’s post hardcore then this is something you should defintely check out.
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