01) Unto Others, Never, Neverland (Century Media)
I have championed Unto Others since Mana, back before they were forced to change their moniker. I played that album to death and it was my top album in 2019. With the release of the band’s third album, they’ve gone and done it again. This gothic all out 80’s vibe is just chock full of bangers that continue that infectious formula the band has built up the past several years. There’s even a touch of the band’s thrashy roots (remember Spellcaster?) on tracks like “Momma Likes the Door Closed”, but the real charm is that the band isn’t afraid to just be itself, like on the track “Hoops”, a borderline instrumental with gang vocals shouting “HOOPS!” a few times. That’s the stuff that makes the album fun, alongside just killer songwriting. Plus, the bonus track is a sweet cover of “Pet Semetary” by the Ramones.
Key Track: “Raigeki 雷撃”
Honorable Mentions:
Judas Priest, Invincible Shield
In Vain, Solemn
Slift, Ilion
I AM THE INTIMIDATOR, I AM THE INTIMIDATOR
