My Top 20 Albums of the Year
Given the time of year I feel that it is fitting for my first post on this blog to be my albums of the year for 2024.
Below is the list accompanied by a very small write up for each album.
In addition to this post, I also did a podcast discussing this list which can be found at:
But without further ado here is my list starting at 20 and ending at 1:
Cerebral Purgatory by Resin Tomb: Debut album from Australian death metal band. I was eagerly awaiting this one after their 2020 self-titled EP. Angular riffs, plenty of blast beats and skull crushing breakdowns makes for a death metal album with a hint of blackened sludge.
Stygian Rose by Crypt Sermon: Epic doom meets traditional heavy metal. Huge doom grooves, Priest style leads and a dose of Maiden-esque stomp. A love letter to everything I love about heavy metal.
Servitude by Black Dahlia Murder: Melodeath kings return. After the devastating passing of frontman Trevor we anxiously waited to see how this would be. All fears were unfounded. The core sound remains unchanged. A great way to continue their legacy and I hope they carry on.
Dead Mother Moon by Upon Stone: Debut album from a great Swedish melodeath band. Crunchy. If you like early In Flames and At the Gates, well, so do they. An album Iâve been going back to all year. Bonus points for the Misfits cover.
Harbinger of Woe by Brodequin: Brutal death metal band that emerged in the early 2000s and offered 3 albums before disappearing. Now theyâre back! If youâre named after medieval torture equipment then you need music to match and they do not disappoint.
Humanism by Malconfort: Nice to be able to represent one of my favourite record labels (Transcending Obscurity). Band is listed as experimental black metal but that doesnât do it justice. Tremolo riffs and funky beats. One of the most unique albums of the year.
Dreaming the Strife for Love by Bedsore: A new discovery for me out of Italy. 70s style prog mixed with death metal. Duelling guitar and saxophone. Well crafted and full of flair!
Violence Inherent in the System by Noxis: Another exiting debut album showing the good health of the scene. Dynamic and well crafted songs offering more than your standard death metal outing. Noodly and full of surprises including woodwind but with all the home comforts we expect from the genre.
The Shape of Fluidity by Dool: A band Iâve always been aware of without really listening to but this is a lovely piece of work. Melodic and epic at times. Some of the best choruses of the year. Hard to classify, thereâs classic metal, prog and post-metal but melded together nicely.
More Insane by Undeath: Gore filled bangers from the new kings of death metal. The heirs to the throne. A more technical approach to songwriting as they continue their quest to make death metal sound anthemic.
Kinship by Iotunn: This is melodic and progressive death metal at its finest. One of the very best vocal performances of the year as the band create great atmosphere albeit over an extensive run time.
Fall by Borknagar: Norways black metal legends return with their 12th album. Amazing that they are arguably on the form of their careers at this late stage. Atmospheric and folky black metal exploring their Nordic roots.
Ridiculous and Full of Blood by Julie Christmas: Heavy metal Bjork. A journey through different styles such as post metal, alt pop and avant-garde noise metal paired with Julie being weird and chaotic over the top. Whatâs not to love? Ridiculous and full of bloody good songs.
Burning in Celestial Poison by Black Curse: A swirling vortex of black and death metal that transports you into a circle of hell. Produced by Arthur Rizk and featuring members of Spectral Voice, Primitive Man and Khemmis. Music this abrasive shouldnât be this âcatchyâ.
Cutting the Throat of God by Ulcerate: New Zealandâs death metal standouts return with another oppressive slab of death metal. More âatmosphericâ and less of a full on assault but no less impressive over the 50 minute run time.
The Last Will and Testament by Opeth: Iâve never historically been a huge fan but with this release I feel like they have found a lovely halfway house between their classic sound and their later proggy side. Unfolds more with each listen. Needs more flute though, cowards.
Songs of Blood and Mire by Spectral Wound: My favourite black metal album of the year. Similar to the last Lamp of Murmur album in how it makes me want to bang my head and throw the horns. Feels vital and bursting with energy.
Exhaust by Pyrrhon: A band who have been around a while but I have never listened to, what a fool I am! Death metal in its foundations, this has noise rock, hardcore grooves and some brutal prog. Feels like it could come off the rails any second.
Absolute Elsewhere by Blood Incantation: Space themed prog death metal which has taken the industry by storm. Bringing weird death metal to the masses. Doesnât feel like a mashing of styles but an organic and natural process. This will be looked back on as a classic.
Invincible Shield by Judas Priest: My favourite band released a great album so itâs no surprise itâs here. Releasing albums this good, 50 years into their career proving that âFirepowerâ was no fluke and they are still this damn good. The riffs, the twin leads and Halford as good as ever. Itâs all here.
And that is my list! Thank you so much for reading and please reach out on social media if you want to discuss!