I first really decide to dive deep into Czech metal near the beginning of 2020, which meant I had a TON of research to do before I could even begin to orient myself within this wide and weird world. I've been listening through hundreds and hundreds of recordings, reading books, scouring social media and other online resources, and doing whatever else I can to really "survey the field" as well as possible. And I've definitely found some favorites along the way.
The lists below are meant to be sort of a one-stop-shop for those who want to know what I especially dig in Czech metal. As always on this blog, these are not GOAT lists -- just my personal favorites. There are absolutely legendary albums that are omitted here, simply because my tastes lie elsewhere. And I'm sure I'll need to update and revise these lists, as even my extensive survey is not exhaustive. I should also clarify that these entries are not limited to full-length albums or even professional EPs; demos and split-sides make their appearances as well. I've included album artwork where I've been able to find it, but there are some disappointing gaps. Entries are listed in order by release date, not ranking. As for the starting date of 1990, this is directly linked to the End of Communism: in my mind, the brave and bold artists who were making metal before the Wall came down merit their own consideration and appreciation, and shouldn't have to vie for space alongside what came after, when the risks were much smaller and the conditions much better. So without further ado, here are my favorites from 1990 to 2019.
15 favorite CZECH BLACK METAL releases, 1990-2019
Belial — Astragoth [1992] (no cover art found)
Immortallity — Born in a Casket [1992]
Master’s Hammer — Jilemnický occultista [1992]
Root — The Temple in the Underworld [1992]
Agmen — Dethroned [2004]
Dark Storm — Infernal Tyrant [2005]
Hyperborean Desire — ...v kruhu Veškerenstva... [2006]
Umbrtka — Kovový háj [2010]
Silva Nigra — The New Age for the New God [2011]
Stíny plamenů — Šum v pološerech [2015]
Avenger — Mír v haremu smrti [2017]
Inferno — Gnosis Kardias (Of Transcension and Involution) [2017]
Smuteční slavnost — Zahrada krkavců [2017]
Depths Above — Ex Nihilo [2018]
Bahratal — Lágry všem [2019]
16 favorite CZECH DEATH METAL releases, 1990-2019
Assesor — Invaze [1990]
Krabathor — Cool Mortification [1993]
Decomposed — And Everybody Love Their Murderers [1994]
Garbage Disposal — Absolute Combustion Transformed the Fear [1996]
Scabbard — Beginning of Extinction [1996]
Tortharry — Unseen [1999]
Lykathea Aflame — Elvenefris [2000]
VUVR — Pilgrimage [2001]
Crusher — Untearable Off Colossus [2002]
!T.O.O.H.! — Pod vládou biče [2003]
Depressive Reality — Growling Death [2004]
Smashed Face — Virulent Procreation [2006]
Despise — Fragments of Reprisal [2007]
Supreme Conception — Liturgy of Spiritual Disturbance [2009]
Heaving Earth — Denouncing the Holy Throne [2015]
High Purity — Tulpa [2019]
10 favorite CZECH DOOM METAL releases, 1990-2019
Agnus Dei — Lost Serenades [1995]
Hypnotic Scenery — Vacuum [1995]
Black Heaven — Fantasy [1996]
Endless — Among the Trees [1996]
Dissolving of Prodigy — Time Ruins Also Beauty [1997]
Return to Innocence — Whirligig of the World [2001]
Agony — Call the Rain [2003]
Quercus — Postvorta [2007]
The Tower — Demo [2015]
Anthropoid — Tartaros [2019]
15 favorite CZECH GRINDCORE releases, 1990-2019
Psychopathia — Entomological Underground [1991] (no cover art found)
Fleshless — Grinding [1994]
Deaf & Dumb — Evilive [1995]
Agony Conscience — Look into the Silence [1996]
Contrastic/Ingrowing — Thanatology Rhythms/Deformed [1997]
Purulent Spermcanal — Legalize for Cannibalism [1998]
Alienation Mental/Malignant Tumour — Veneration of Biological Killing Machine/Is This Earth's Last Century? [1999]
Onanizer — Rop [1999]
Cerebral Turbulency — Impenetrable [2001]
Pigsty — The Universe Pig + Monkey = Essence of Existence [2001]
Negligent Collateral Collapse — Paranormal Nanodivision [2003]
Carnal Diafragma — Daddy's Steak [2004]
Mincing Fury and Guttural Clamour of Queer Decay — Eye for Eye [2004]
Rubufaso Mukufo — Underclass [2007]
Needful Things — Tentacles of Influence [2011]
10 favorite CZECH POWER/SPEED METAL releases, 1990-2019
Hypnotic Scenery — Deeper and Deeper [1997]
Power 5 — Progres Time [1997]
Buldok — Oheň a led [1999]
Cruel Barbarian — Víno z temných hroznů [2001]
Moravský anděl — Hráči se smrtí [2002]
Navar — 1621 [2005]
Rimortis — Vesmírem Plout [2006]
Moravius — King's Grave [2007]
Cruel — Entelecheia [2017]
Eagleheart — Reverse [2017]
15 favorite CZECH THRASH METAL releases, 1990-2019
Aldehezt — Alkohol dělá hezká těla [1991]
Arakain — Schizofrenie [1991]
Terminator — Probability of Doom [1991]
Asmodeus — Prosincová noc blíže neurčeného roku [1992]
Ferat — Rainhold [1993]
Sax — Moravské nářez [1993]
Attack — Human Souls [1994]
Colporrhaphia — Discord [1994]
Debustrol — Vyhlazení [1995]
Virtual Void — Kill Your Memories [1995]
Scenery — The Drowning Shadow of Mankind [1997]
Chirurgia — Deep Silence [2002]
F.O.B. — Follow the Instructions [2003]
Mindwork — Into the Swirl [2009]
Edain — Of Those Who Worship Fire [2013]