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Congratulations, if you are reading this you're more or less already in the brand-spanking-new 2020 calendar year. Resolutions made, vacation days mapped, and space in your library for new music has been made. But wait, what of the music left unheard? Surely there are some left in 2019 just begging for your attention, right? Before you panic, we at Underground Press are here to let you know that we got you. Yes, here on this very page are our picks for 2019's Hidden Gems. For year three, however, we're going to introduce some categories; Hidden Single Gem, Hidden Album Gem, Hidden Debut Gem, and the soon to be coveted Hidden Artist Gem. So, who do we have this year?

Hidden Single Gem: 'Stridig' by Ihsahn

Norwegian black metal legend Ihsahn snuck this in at the end of 2019 so it is extra hidden on the Hidden Gem-O-Metre. Ihsahn has a long and storied history in the metal community as a member of Emporer but outside of progressive metal fanatics and black metal “kvltists”, Ihsahn's solo work goes woefully under-appreciated. Yes, the screams may take a bit of a getting used to, but as far as “return-to-power” statement-making music this is the best you'll get. The riffs are as melodic and dynamic as they have ever been and everything in just locks in as effortlessly as possible in this brand of music. The greater metal community is put on notice, Ihsahn's bombardment of music doesn't seem to have an end in sight and if this single is any indication his powers show no sign of wavering.

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