Top 11 of 2021. Yep, VOLA is another top spot.

[jhallum]

11. Subterranean Masquerade -- Mountain Fever
10. Eternity's End -- Emblems of War
9. Aephanemer -- A Dream of WIlderness
8. Arion -- Vultures Die Alone
7. Epica -- Omega
6 Helloween -- S/T
5. Evergrey -- Escape of the Phoenix
4. Gojira -- Fortitude
3. Soen -- Imperial
2. Witherfall -- Curse of Autumn
1. VOLA -- Witness

Hon mentions:
Temple Balls -- Pyromide
Warrior Path -- The Mad King
Dvne -- Etemen AEnka
Labyrinth -- Return to Heaven Denied Pt 3. Oops, I mean, Welcome to the Absurd Circus
Warkings -- Revolution
Dream Theater -- A View from the Top of the World
Between the Buried and Me -- Colours II

[introclaus]

11. Subterranean Masquerade -- Mountain Fever
10. Eternity's End -- Emblems of War
9. Aephanemer -- A Dream of WIlderness
8. Arion -- Vultures Die Alone
7. Epica -- Omega
6 Helloween -- S/T
5. Evergrey -- Escape of the Phoenix
4. Gojira -- Fortitude
3. Soen -- Imperial
2. Witherfall -- Curse of Autumn
1. VOLA -- Witness

That's a sweet list ... seven of them I really like as well (VOLA, Witherfall, Soen, Helloween, Epica, Eternity's End, Subterranean M).

I wish I could get into Gojira, but they haven't clicked with me yet, and I think I just have to give up on them (it's like Tool - I love a lot of bands that they've inspired, but not the band itself).

Hon mentions:
Temple Balls -- Pyromide
Warrior Path -- The Mad King
Dvne -- Etemen AEnka
Labyrinth -- Return to Heaven Denied Pt 3. Oops, I mean, Welcome to the Absurd Circus
Warkings -- Revolution
Dream Theater -- A View from the Top of the World
Between the Buried and Me -- Colours II

Temple Balls ... that name just gets me every time! LOL

I think you were the one who recommended I should check out Dvne. It's super well done, but that whole sludge sound just gets on my nerves. A shame, because music is very good.

Warkings I dismissed due to the stupid videos, but perhaps music is good? Anything worth checking out?

[Random Axe]

Warkings is actually better than their vids and persona. It's the Serenity vocalist in a mask. There's some pretty good stuff on it and some pedestrian power metal as well. It's great background workout music.

[jhallum]

Warkings I dismissed due to the stupid videos, but perhaps music is good? Anything worth checking out?

I wouldn't say Warkings is anything super special, they are just straight up pounding power metal, but they have interesting melodic intros, anthemic lyrics and a track "Fight" that draws pretty heavily from the Italian anti-fascist anthem "Bella Ciao", which for some reason I find amusing.