Throw up your metal horns, because these local metal artists are coming straight for your eardrums. Readers agreed that Ghosts Of the Sun is the finest example of hard rock/metal in the Chippewa Valley in 2021, as their instrumental metal album Existia continues to find a spot in their playlists. In second place is Truth Before Treason, whose trademark chugs will make you want to stick your head out of your car window and scream like the happy pup that lives inside you. Coming in third place is Evernoir, whose unique take on Evanescene-style metal shows hard rock is alive and well within the next generation of local musicians. — Parker Reed