The tech death renaissance continued in 2021 with many albums being released over the course of the year. We received new music from veteran artists and newcomers alike. After sifting through a considerable pile of releases, I have compiled the following list of the ten best technical death metal albums of 2021. Presented in no order, these are the ones I’ll be returning to in the future.
Cefalophagia – Decoding Existential Agony
Debut album from this Ecuadorian band. They’ve got the formula figured out and the results are impossible to argue with. Stream/purchase on Bandcamp.
Atræ Bilis – Apexapien
Canadian blackened tech-death that draws inspiration from a variety of interesting sources. Their debut EP from 2020 was a delight and on their first full-length the same energy and anxiety is there. Stream/purchase on Bandcamp.
Obscura – A Valediction
After almost 20 years, Obscura still manages to keep things fresh and exciting on A Valediction, their sixth and most melodic album yet. I’ve been following this band since Cosmogenesis came out in 2009 and it’s been a fun ride. Stream/purchase on Bandcamp.
Inferi – Vile Genesis
After learning from the mistakes of 2018’s less-than-ideal Revenant, Inferi has released a steady stream of new music culminating in Vile Genesis, their best album The Path of Apotheosis. Stream/purchase on Bandcamp.
Cognitive – Malevolent Thoughts of a Hastened Extinction
The newest Cognitive album sees the New Jersey band dimming the lights on their deathcore influence while remaining faithful to their sound. It’s possibly their best album, and I’m already looking forward to my next opportunity to seem them live. Stream/purchase on Bandcamp.
Archspire – Bleed the Future
Archspire has been the butt of occasional jokes due to their classical influences and the almost-ridiculous technicality of their song-writing. Perhaps they’re in on the joke: Bleed the Future, their fourth full-length, is their best yet, holding nothing back and doubling down on the intensity. Stream/purchase on Bandcamp.
Eximperituserqethhzebibšiptugakkathšulweliarzaxułum – Šahrartu
That band with the long silly name is back and better than ever. Stream/purchase on Bandcamp.
First Fragment – Gloire éternelle
First Fragment’s approach to tech death is melodic and makes use of neoclassical themes and stylings. While it may be too wanky for some, there’s a real depth of musicianship on display, unlike many symphonic metal acts that think synthesizers are a substitute for songcraft. Stream/purchase on Bandcamp.
Ad Nauseam – Imperative Imperceptible Impulse
While I consciously decided not to rank the albums in this list, Imperative Imperceptible Impulse is #1. It’s raw, evil, pessimistic, and draws avant-garde inspiration without becoming tedious or pretentious. A thundering rebuttal to any assertions that metal music is for children. Stream/purchase on Bandcamp.
Ophidian I – Desolate
A friend described this Icelandic band’s second album as music for people who like their tech-death especially “weedly-weedly.” That description stuck with me because it’s perfectly accurate: the string players race their fingers up and down their fretboards with dizzying speed, and the resulting sweeps and arpeggios sound delightful. Desolate manages to be ultra-technical without losing its soul (ahem) and is a tremendous improvement over the band’s 2012 debut. Stream/purchase on Bandcamp.
Opinion of the Court 