GBHBL’s Top 25 Albums of 2024
It’s been a fantastic year for music, with great releases across the entire spectrum of rock and metal. So, as is the yearly tradition, here is our top 25 albums of 2024. Two lists, one chosen by Brendan and the other chosen by Carl. Enjoy, and if you prefer the list in video format, you can watch/listen to us talk about them below.
25. Carl: Raised by Owls – Vol. 3 (The Satirical Verses) (Self Released)
Released on May 3rd, 2024. If you can’t find anything to enjoy on Vol. 3: (The Satirical Verses) I think you are the problem, not them. Give Raised by Owls their f**king flowers, they have more than earned them here.
Read our full review here.
25. Brendan: Zeal & Ardor – Greif (Redacted)
One of metal’s most creative forces, Zeal and Ardor, released their latest effort on the 23rd of August this year titled Greif. When a band deals in inventiveness, variety and creativity, you tend to get very different releases and it is fair to say that Greif is a different Zeal and Ardor compared to their previous, self-titled, album. In the same way that was different to its predecessor and so on. When everything is different most of the time, it can raise challenges – you might love and album and be unsure about the next, for example. Greif was more of a grower for me, than an instant love. Seeing many of the songs live this year probably helped grow my understanding of it but I come to the end of the year seeing this as yet another masterpiece from a band that are synonymous with high quality. Despite the genre changes and stylistic differences on Greif, there are some things that always stay the same. The wonderful, emotional vocals, the song writing, the atmospherics and musical intelligence never waver, and this is an album packed full of songs that deliver class and emotion, just in different ways. It’s not their strongest ever release – far from it, but even Zeal not at their strongest stand head and shoulders above many others.
Read our full review here.
24. Carl: Grimgotts – The Time of the Wolfrider (Elevate Records)
London symphonic power metal band Grimgotts’ fourth album, the concept record ‘The Time of the Wolfrider’, was released on September 27th, 2024, via Elevate Records. Grimgotts are calling, it’s The Time of the Wolfrider, and things are about to get heavy. Heavier than usual for the band, but fear not, their anthemic power metal ways are still ever-present. This just happens to be a developed Grimgotts who have clearly learned a lot over the past few years, perfecting their style of symphonic melody, power-infused metal, and storytelling. Able to go big on a whim, but also able to scale it back when necessary.
Read our full review here.
24. Brendan: Inner Landscape – 3H33 (Klonosphere Records)
France’s post-metal collective Inner Landscape released their debut studio album, titled 3H33, on May 17th. The band were new to me but won me over with a crushingly heavy and atmospheric release. Exploring the theme of familial disintegration, from the first cracks to the final break-up, it’s a powerfully emotive and extremely intelligent album. Plenty of melancholy, but plenty of dark and doomy heaviness, Inner Landscapes make you feel a whole range of emotions across 3H33, an album of class and intelligence. It flows well throughout carrying the same feeling through the atmospheric tones, even as songs carve out unique identities within that feeling. Vocally strong, with stunning drums and guitar work, Inner Landscapes showcase a lot of musical and songwriting talent on 3H33, one of those albums where you lose time as you find yourself lost in it or hypnotised by it completely. Something I have found on the many listens too across the year.
Read our full review here.
23. Carl: Winterfylleth – The Imperious Horizon (Candlelight / Spinefarm)
Four years since the release of their critically acclaimed 7th album, ‘The Reckoning Dawn’, British black metal forerunners Winterfylleth returned with their new album, ‘The Imperious Horizon’ on 13th September via Candlelight/Spinefarm. One of the most consistently brilliant bands in the scene and across the entire world, Winterfylleth return with one of their most intense, blackest, and poignant yet. One that features some of their deepest atmospheric sounds and brutalising blackness to date. Something that is them through and through but doesn’t find a band stagnating or changing who and what they are significantly.
Read our full review here.
23. Brendan: Fellowship – The Skies Above Eternity (Scarlet Records)
British ascendants to the power metal throne, Fellowship delivered their new album, The Skies Above Eternity, taking the classic Fellowship sound, with an added sprinkle of Japanese power metal influence, to bring us a wonderful example of power metal and storytelling. A band I have always liked, but never loved, but The Skies Above Eternity has taken that to another level, showing a band that have grown leaps and bounds. They were already strong but have clearly levelled up since the last time I checked in with them. The songwriting excites, the storytelling and delivery of the concept is a strong as ever and the way it flows, moving from chapter to chapter is exhilarating. For me, with no disrespect to anything Fellowship have released before, this is their strongest overall album to date.
Read our full review here.
22. Carl: Dawnwalker – The Unknowing (Self Released)
Dawnwalker’s sixth album ‘The Unknowing’ was released on October 18th, 2024. An experience that grows and grows, slowly and effectively blossoming in the mind. Dawnwalker’s new album is a grand opus to say the least, but until you’ve experienced it yourself a statement like that might ring hollow. Music like this always has a certain amount of indescribability about it and often the best approach is sum up how it makes you feel. Except The Unknowing creates a myriad of feelings that whip around the mind like a tornado. It can be hard to grasp just what this album does to you, until you sit back, and really think about.
Read our full review here.
22. Brendan: Lock Horns – Red Room (The Distortion Project and Code 7 Distribution)
Northern Ireland’s Lock Horns returned after an extended break with a new album titled Red Room that came out on the 31st of May. The band took time to reevaluate where they were at, and how they had evolved as a band after some trying years that include a certain pandemic. The result being this album, Red Room. An album that reflects the band as they are in 2024, and it was worth the wait. Heavy on technical elements, very progressive and extremely creative, it’s a powerful release that feels like a massive step up for them. Every track on this album feels like it has a place and is important while also each having a very clear identity. Musically astounding and vocally impressive, this is a band that have found a comfortable place, where everything is working in harmony, and they deliver this with confidence and a bit of swagger. It’s crunchy, catchy and consistently brilliant across it’s runtime and an album that has had a ton of playtime from me this year.
Read our full review here.
21. Carl: Heriot – Devoured by the Mouth of Hell (Century Media Records)
Long awaited and much anticipated, industrial metalcore behemoths Heriot released their debut full-length album, ‘Devoured by the Mouth of Hell’, on September 27th, 2024, via Century Media Records. The hype is freaking real. Heriot are not like other bands, but you already know that. Variety is a key component of this album, even when they are at their most chaotic sounding. They make every bout of brutality sound fresh, they make every trudge through filthy waters buoyant, and they make every dark turn illuminating. Even when they’re at their moodiest, it’s utterly addictive stuff.
Read our full review here.
21. Brendan: I Hear Sirens – Acheron (Post. Recordings/Dunk! Records)
USA’s post metal/rock band, I Hear Sirens released their latest album on the 23rd of August. That album is titled Acheron and saw the instrumental band dive into darker and heavier sonic territories, bringing songs inspired by horror. It’s a dark and mesmerising album, proving that music can talk to you as even without lyrics, you completely get what they are stating. You feel the atmosphere surround you and I easily find myself lost and away while listening to them. Acheron is a wonderful album, and I hear Sirens are immensely talented. Each track is unique and stands out and I would struggle to pick a favourite – having to settle with just the “all of them” line. It’s a hugely atmospheric and captivating listen, almost hypnotising at times and a firm favourite for me from this year’s releases.
Read our full review here.
20. Carl: Kurokuma – Of Amber and Sand (Self Released)
Vicious psych trio, Kurokuma returned on August 9th with their new record, ‘Of Amber and Sand’. Based on the colossal concept of time, each track dealing with a different facet of temporality and eternity, probing its significance to creation, civilisation, and the human experience. Kurokuma have topped what they did previously and in doing so have hit a bar so high that it’s near unreachable for most. Their vicious psych sound nails the three Bs of any follow-up/sequel, bigger, bolder, and better. Lots of bands like to say they ‘do their own thing’ but only a handful defy expectations the way Kurokuma do and they’re just getting better at it.
Read our full review here.
20. Brendan: Sólstafir – Hin Helga Kvöl (Century Media Records)
Icelanders Sólstafir are a band I have always liked and, to be fair, when they first released their new album, ‘Hin helga kvöl’ on November 8th, I really liked it but that was about it. Then I went to see them live, where they played a fair few tracks from the album and it gave it a jolt and much more meaning, making me go back to the album and relisten, now being able to visualise that live experience and turning it from an album I liked, to an album I love. It’s not my normal listen but it’s special and almost impossible to categorise other than to just put it in the genre of “Sólstafir”. Atmosphere, blackened moments, country rock at times and in their native language, it has a coldness to it with tons of emotion and a bit of melodrama. Occasionally challenging, but always engaging, it’s a damn fine album and favourite of this year for me showing just how important live performances are for a band.
Read our full review here.
19. Carl: Mountain Caller – Chronicle II: Hypergenesis (Church Road Records)
London based progressive rock trio Mountain Caller released their second album ‘Chronicle II: Hypergenesis’ on January 26th, 2024, via Church Road Records. This is an album you lose yourself to. It’s as simple as that. A progressive giant, without every feeling like it’s wearing the mind down. Prog rock that you feel in the sound. A true testament to the band’s abilities and an album that can be summed up as Mountain Caller perfected.
Read our full review here.
19. Brendan: Ceremony of Silence – Hálios (Willowtip Records)
Hálios is an album packed full of atmospheric brutality courtesy of Slovakian Blackened Death Metal band, Ceremony of Silence. It came out on July 19th and is the band’s second album. A lot of bands on my list have been delivering this brutal form of metal, combined with atmospherics – it’s certainly something that has worked for me this year and Ceremony of Silence do it well here on Hálios brining plenty of haunting melodies, combined with suffocating intensity. Hálios offers heavy blackened metal wrapped in a blanket of threatening atmosphere. This isn’t brutal in the sense of it just been a noisy attack, it is brutal in the impact it has and a lot of that comes from the way each song has been so intelligently crafted, using every instrument to maximum effect and then having those songs flow perfectly across the whole album. It’s a very good album, and a firm favourite of mine this year.
Read our full review here.
18. Carl: Blanket – Ceremonia (Church Road Records)
Blanket released their highly anticipated album ‘Ceremonia’ on March 22nd, 2024, via Church Road Records. Seamlessly blending elements of post-rock, shoegaze, and alternative rock, Blanket are a band that really offers something unique and deliver a lovable medley of genres. However, what makes this album so special is that Blanket have made great efforts to not be one thing or the other. Something that is much harder than you think, but screams to the depth of creativity they have.
Read our full review here.
18. Brendan: Traveler – Prequel to Madness (No Remorse Records)
Canadian heavy metal band Traveler returned with their 3rd album, Prequel to Madness on the 23rd of February delivering their successful and energetic formula that brings anthemic hits, speed metal dynamism and pure heavy metal passion. This is a collection of fun, high energy and committed heavy metal songs that are catchy and singable and just damn good. Stunning vocals combine with insane riffs and drums and mesmerising lead guitars to just deliver a non-stop rollercoaster of metal that will take the most lethargic mind and inject it with adrenaline. Traveler deliver consistency and creativity here as well with a few different stylistic change ups across the album but without ever dropping the quality down from the high bar they set at the first note of the first song and continuing it all the way through to the last note of the last song. It’s a damn good album, Traveler’s most complete to date, I think and one of my favourite albums of this year.
Read our full review here.
17. Carl: Ihsahn – Ihsahn (Candlelight Records)
Ihsahn, the enigmatic artist, best known for being the vocalist in the legendary black metal band, Emperor, will released his new self-titled solo album on February 16th, 2024, via Candlelight Records. This being Ihsahn, a creative like few others, this is actually two albums. Not a double album, but two melodically interlinked versions of the same album: one prog metal, one fully symphonic. Two sides of Ihsahn, with a conceptual story revolving around the traditional hero’s journey woven into both. Music that truly transcends genres. Music that challenges perceptions of progressive metal and pushes the cinematic bar to its limits. Don’t be fooled by the orchestral album, the progressive one is both vastly symphonic and cinematic. Individually stunning, but together? Unreal.
Read our full review here.
17. Brendan: All This Filth – Tomorrow Will Be Better? (Brutal Records)
Australian groove metal outfit, All This Filth, released their third full length album titled Tomorrow Will Be Better? on the 9th of February. Third for them, but a first time listen for me to the band and I came out mightily impressed. A band renowned for their industrial-tinged groove metal sound and impassioned lyrics, they quickly captured my interest with their dynamic sounds. Tomorrow Will Be Better? is a really strong album. At its core, it’s a riff and rhythm fest with a vast array of punchy, aggressive and supremely catchy beats. The drums are excellent, the bass and guitars hit hard, and the vocals are powerful enough to carry the energy and intensity the music deserves. What then elevates these tracks up a notch is the moments of industrial spice and its patient use. It’s use adds a layer of depth and intrigue to the songs and really does elevate many of them from good to great. It gives All This Filth that something a little different to ensure they stand out and are seen in a crowded market as well as helping them on to my list for this year.
Read our full review here.
16. Carl: A Burial at Sea – Close to Home (Pelagic Records)
Inimitable post-rock outsiders A Burial At Sea returned with ‘Close To Home’, a soaring sonic love letter to the places and people that shaped them, on February 23rd, 2024, via Pelagic Records. An album of beautiful music. This record takes on a more personal perspective and finds A Burial at Sea looking backwards, while moving forwards. Wowing with even more inventive elements, a maddening combination of shoegaze, post, math-metal, jazz-infused, and brass-led music. This album is grander, deeper, and more lovable than anything else they’ve done.
Read our full review here.
16. Brendam: Útgarðar – Fire Smoked Upon the Wolf’s Back (ATMF)
Útgarðar brought me back in time a couple decades with their traditional black metal debut release, Fire Smoked Upon the Wolf’s Back. Dropping on the 23rd of February, Útgarðar had an instant impact on me delivering the best of 90s black metal in terms of sounds, reverbs and atmospheres, but with added unique and inspired guitar riffs and pounding drums. It’s truly traditional but they don’t pretend it was recorded in the 90’s instead making use of modern technology to give a better sound, a more powerful mix and all those underlying nuances that are often missing today. It’s the right length, with 5 tracks so they don’t overstretch it and risk repetition, it sounds like an experienced band, but it’s a debut. Musically, it slays, with very aggressive and intense traditional black metal but those little moments, they make all the difference for me. Whether it is in a pace change, a moment of atmosphere building, the cleans or the lead guitar work, songs I enjoyed became songs that I loved and that would keep, and has kept, me coming back for more.
Read our full review here.
15. Carl: Exocrine – Legend (Season of Mist)
French technical death metal juggernaut, Exocrine continued their unstoppable march to greatness with their latest full-length release, ‘Legend’, out on January 26th, 2024, via Season of Mist. Exocrine are on another level when it comes to showcasing tech-death, and Legend is one hell of a release. A showcase of their immeasurable heavy talents, but also their ability to make the heaviness mean something.
Read our full review here.
15. Brendan: Exocrine – Legend (Season of Mist)
You might be surprised to see this album on my list, if you watched a track by track on our YouTube channel earlier in the year where we covered Exocrine’s Legend. I liked a lot of it, loved some of it and struggled with other parts where the French band’s technical prowess sometimes pushed past my preferences. I remember commenting then that maybe the rest would grow on me, over the year. Well, it did. With Legend coming out way back in January, on the 26th, it’s quite astonishing really that nearly a full 12 months later, I still listen to a lot of this album at least weekly. A grower, for me, but an instant stunner for most others I imagine. I got there in the end at least. Eventually falling head over heels for their brand of technical death but with heart. With melody, atmosphere and more than a little darkness, Legend is a cracking album, and one of my favourites of this year.
Read our full review here.
14. Carl: Mono – Oath (Pelagic Records)
Veteran Japan-based instrumental rock band Mono returned with ‘Oath’, their 12th full-length album of genre-defying contemporary music. Pondering the time that makes up life, and how to make the most of that time. Released on June 14th, 2024, via Pelagic Records. Experimental and unrushed music that combines classical orchestration with extensive shoegaze detail, Mono continue to be a treat to the senses. Delivering an album full of supremely attractive sounds, and while Mono might be lethargic in their approach, it’s a record you can truly sink into.
Read our full review here.
14. Brendan: Hiraes – Dormant (Napalm Records)
Germany’s melodic death metal formation, Hiraes, released their second studio album, Dormant, and won me over comfortably, creating an album that I have barely stopped listening to since it released way back on the 26th of January. Yes, a melodic death metal album and I’m a fan of the genre but, I think being such a big fan of the genre has, if anything made me more judgemental and I expect high standards. Hiraes deliver those high standards and then raise them higher. Modern production quality with brutal vocals, intense melodies and aggressive guitars with powerful and versatile drumming, catchy riffs and hymn-like melodies – they have it all and do it wonderfully. Dormant is a superb album with drumming that is on another level. Like Orbit Culture levels. It’s a must listen for fans of the genre and a comfortable fit on my albums of the year list.
Read our full review here.
13. Carl: A Swarm of the Sun – An Empire (Pelagic Records)
Returning from time apart to a world forever changed, dread-fuelled duo A Swarm of the Sun brought with them their fourth studio album, ‘An Empire’. Out on September 6th, 2024, via Pelagic Records. Take a really deep breath, several in fact, as this album is an incredibly textured experience. The deep atmosphere, the inventive post sounds, the progressive slant, and the meaningful melodies, patience is needed, but the reward is music that will make you gasp.
Read our full review here.
13. Brendan: As the Sun Falls – Kaamos (Theogonia Records)
Finland’s, As the Sun Falls, delivered an icy blast of melodic death metal with their second full length studio album, Kaamos, on the 3rd of May this year. Yes, it’s another melodic death metal album, but man is it good, and there is more depth to this than you might initially think. The band play around with atmosphere well, use plenty of guest artists to add more layers to their sound and have songs that are melodeath, songs that lean more towards death and songs that deal in atmosphere. Atmospherics are a big part of this really strong album. The band aim to make you feel the cold of their landscape, during Kaamos (the Polar Night where they get 24 hours of consecutive darkness), and it works. The whole album oozes class, creativity and emotion. Heavy as hell, yet sorrowful and cold, it’s a top album and worthy of a place on anyone’s end of year lists.
Read our full review here.
12. Carl: Mastiff – Deprecipice (MNRK Heavy)
Hull extreme, sludge, and hardcore infused metal band Mastiff are back with their much-anticipated brand-new album, ‘Deprecipice’, released on March 22nd, 2024, via MNRK Heavy. Deprecipice isn’t just brilliant because it’s more Mastiff noise, it’s brilliant because it’s evolved Mastiff noise. It’s brilliant because it has so many creative ideas, feels so powerful and real, showcases everyone’s talent (including the guests), and leaves you feeling like you’ve gone ten rounds with a world class boxer.
Read our full review here.
12. Brendan: HELL:ON – Shaman (Archivist Records)
Ukrainian atmospheric death metallers, HELL:ON released their seventh full-length album on May 17th titled Shaman. Death metal, with heavy touches of oriental and tribal elements and lyrics that generally deal with mysticism, philosophy, and anti-religion sounds appealing just in words but HELL:ON deliver massively here. I shouldn’t be surprised – these guys are nothing if not experienced and it shows here with an album that oozes intensity, creativity and excitement. A mix of styles and ideas coming together in well written songs to create a mesmerising sound. Music you can mosh to, headbang to and let loose to but also music that will make you question the norms, drop your jaw and pay attention. HELL:ON are clearly a band of much skill and ability and this is them at the very top of their game, delivering an album that deserves huge respect, can cross genre boundaries while keeping the traditional death metal fan more than satisfied.
Read our full review here.
11. Carl: Pallbearer – Mind Burns Alive (Nuclear Blast)
‘Mind Burns Alive’ is the new, and fifth studio album from US doom legends Pallbearer. A meditation on isolation, trauma and mental breakdown, framed by the possibility of redemption and escape. Released on May 17th, 2024, via Nuclear Blast. They’re a band with layers, crafting a heavy sound, but from different angles. With no further proof needed than the heft of this new record. One that creates heaviness through emotional weight. Drawing from a relatable angle that speaks of isolation and drowning in the mire of a world gone wrong. You’ll feel ever second of this album in your heart, mind, and soul. A creative level of utter brilliance, a level where everyone can feel the emotion in what they do, a level that brings forth an album that compliments everything they’ve done to date, while being completely its own thing. This is Pallbearer’s Mind Burns Alive and it’s going to have a profound effect on everyone who allows it to.
Read our full review here.
11. Brendan: Rotting Christ – Pro Xristou (ΠΡΟ ΧΡΙΣΤΟU) (Season of Mist)
Monolith of extreme metal, Rotting Christ released their 14th studio album, Pro Xristou, on the 24th of May. That’s one hell of a career, and they are still turning out quality music, backed by quality live performances. Pro Xristou is Rotting Christ being consistent with their modern times sound. It doesn’t really change the game in any way, doesn’t show much in the way of an evolution for the band or their sound. I guess they have fully evolved by now. What it is though is just a band being at the top of their game, releasing music of extreme quality, consistently. Rotting Christ deliver a masterclass in song writing and atmosphere/world building. This album oozes class, it makes you feel like you have been transported back in time. You live and breathe every second of the stories being told and they always get delivered in a style that is so unique to this band. Rotting Christ don’t conform to genre expectations. They write the music, the pace, the tempo that each tale requires. In that, the music for each song becomes a soundtrack of the story being told. It’s such an awe-inspiring approach that really works and Pro Xristou is another fine example of a band at the top of their game where you are never anything other than fully engaged across every second of this album.
Read our full review here.
10. Carl: Swamp Coffin – Drowning Glory (APF Records)
Purveyors of all things heavy, sludgy, and miserably intense, Swamp Coffin are back with their brand-new album, ‘Drowning Glory’, out September 27th, 2024, via APF Records. Swamp Coffin’s return is a heavy one. A really heavy one, in fact. The band providing all the miserable sludge sounds listeners have come to expect, but expanding on the chaos with elements of blackened hardcore. It might be familiar thick savagery from Swamp Coffin, but everything has been turned up an extra notch. This is the sound of a band digging deeper than ever, a band reaching an even more confident level, and having developed as artists to the point where their creativity can be fully realised.
Read our full review here.
10. Brendan: Hell Is Other People – Moirae (Transcending Obscurity)
Hell is Other People are a Canadian post black metal band who released their latest album, Moirae, on October the 11th. The band started out back in 2014 as a hardcore/post hardcore band but have evolved to a sound they are more comfortable with over their releases, settling for songs that are more long form, and sit more in the post black metal camp. A lot of that evolution has been natural through their own musical influences changing towards the likes of Gaerea, Oathbreaker and Celeste, to name just a few. Here on Moirae, we get an album that oozes eerie ambiance across guitar driven tracks, contrasting instrumental layers and evocative moods. The drums are exceptional, the guitars and bass, mesmerising and the vocals are powerful. I think you can very easily hear when a band have hit a sweet spot. A place where they are just in the right space as individuals, and as a band. Confident in their approach and knowing what their end goals are. Moirae sounds like a band in perfect harmony where every note has its place and every instrument blends to become a single sound and is one of the best albums of this year for me.
Read our full review here.
9. Carl: Still – A Theft (Floodlit Recordings)
Uncompromising and feral post-black metal trio Still present their long-awaited sophomore album ‘A Theft’ through emerging new UK label Floodlit Recordings. Released on November 15th, 2024. The personification of anxiety in aural form, Still’s new album is every bit the discordiant and discombobulating experience long-term listeners would hope it to be. Whereas new listeners need to be warned that what this album offers can be best summed up as a heavy wave of noise that crashes over the mind, body, and soul. Noise that draws from various genres like sludge, death, doom, and black, and smashes it all together into an intoxicating gloom-infused post-style listen. Still have delivered a masterclass in listenable dissonance.
Read our full review here.
9. Brendan: Earthbound – Chronos (Self Released)
I’m a big fan of Earthbound, enjoying everything they have released so far as well as seeing them smash it live, though that was a few years ago now, so I need to correct that. It’s been a long wait for a new release from the band but damn, was it worth the wait. Their debut full length, Chronos, was released on November 26th and I haven’t stopped playing it since. With time, comes experience and experiences so this is an evolved effort from the band who have captured a mammoth sound and bring a huge dollop of creativity and variety across Chronos. Of course, they still kick plenty of ass too with massive melodeath bangers too. It’s a wonderful showcase of what they band are capable of, and what the future could hold for them if they now kick on and grab it. I have no doubts they will do so. Until then, we all have Chronos which will hold my attention well into 2025.
Read our full review here.
8. Carl: Gaerea – Coma (Season of Mist)
The enigmatic Portuguese blackened extreme metal band, Gaerea released their much-anticipated new album, ‘Coma’ on October 25th, 2024, via Season of Mist. Challenging all notions around extreme metal with a gleefulness that could be mistaken as wickedness. While this might not seem out of the ordinary for long-term listeners, Gaerea continue to baffle and delight new ones equally. Yet, even for those who have been with this band since the start, Coma offers up a fresh experience that explores new and exciting locales. It is an absolutely stunning record, proving to be as gorgeous as it is horrifying, and as challenging as extreme metal gets without slipping too far into avant-garde soundscapes.
Read our full review here.
8. Brendan: Darkspace – Darkspace – II (Season of Mist)
This may go down as the most peculiar of the albums I have listened to this year. To say this band are mysterious is an understatement. Self-categorised as psychedelic atmospheric spatial black metal, or, for us simple folk, atmospheric black metal, the band formed in 1999, have 4 releases and have rarely been seen live. Their music is “being broadcasted from a ship floating in space”. Don’t believe me? Check out their website to add to the mystery. This album, Darkspace – II comes with a single 47-minute-long track on it and it is weird, mesmerising, curious, atmospheric and, quite frankly, genius. It’s more like an experience, than a song. Sometimes challenging, but I like that, and it requires focus but if you can find that, you will find a song that is captivating, chaotic, atmospheric, suffocating, enlightening – you name it, this really does have it all and Darkspace, as mysterious as they are, are clearly exceptionally talented musicians and composers. I love it, and while it isn’t the sort of song I go back to every week, it come sup enough for me where I feel ready for the experience again. This is art.
Read our full review here.
7. Carl: El Moono – The Waking Sun (Lockjaw Records)
Brighton-based post-hardcore/alt metal four-piece El Moono released their highly anticipated 13-track debut album, ‘The Waking Sun’ on 10th May via Lockjaw Records. One of the most exciting bands in rock and metal right now. Their post-hardcore/alt metal sound is uniquely accessible and challenging in equal measure. Their soundscape is always pulsating with creativity, and no amount of attempted genre placement works for them. The more time spent in its company, the more it captivates. It’s like being under a spell. The passion they exude is one thing, but how they continue to make everything sound so fresh right to the very end, is another.
Read our full review here.
7. Brendan: Leaves’ Eyes – Myths of Fate (AFM Records)
Leaves’ Eyes have always been a band I have liked, but never loved with almost every single one of their albums being recognisable as quality, containing at least a few tracks I really like but also usually many I don’t care for. That streak was broken when Myths of Fate released back on the 22nd of March. The German symphonic metal stars really delivered an album, that for me, is just packed with bangers and while I still settled eventually on 4 or 5 songs that I adore, I also still really like pretty much every song on this album. You can’t help but be impressed by their musicianship, song writing and ability to create atmosphere and feeling and on Myths of Fate, they have the perfect balance between their softer sound bringing gorgeous clean and powerful songs but plenty that bring fire and might too, all wrapped up in an album that epitomises epic and cinematic. It’s my favourite Leaves’ Eyes album to date and finds it’s way onto my list, with ease.
Read our full review here.
6. Carl: Outlander – Acts of Harm (Church Road Records)
Birmingham, UK slow-rockers Outlander released their brand new-album ‘Acts of Harm’ through Church Road Records on the 28th of June. So, what exactly is slow rock? It’s exactly what it sounds like. A bit shoegaze like, heavy on the atmosphere, suitably downbeat, but immersive and beautiful. This is how Outlander’s sophomore record can be defined, and if you fail to come away feeling nothing, you probably weren’t really listening. That’s how powerful this album is.
Read our full review here.
6. Brendan: Winterfylleth – The Imperious Horizon (Candlelight / Spinefarm)
British black metal band, Winterfylleth, continue their trademark of releasing consistently brilliant albums with The Imperious Horizon which came out on the 13th September. The band have gotten even darker it seems, at least for this release, if not overall delivering bleak and intense album that brings atmosphere in spades to combine with their more brutal darkness here. Winterfylleth are a band loved and respected globally, and they really show why with this album. It’s a stunning release, taking mere seconds to catch your imagination and holding it throughout in a maelstrom of black metal doused in atmosphere. A band that can do no wrong, and now seem to just be raising their own bar release after release as it makes it comfortably into my top ten.
Read our full review here.
5. Carl: Hidden Mothers – Erosion / Avulsion (Church Road Records)
Hailing from Sheffield in the UK, Hidden Mothers are a progressive post-hardcore band who released their long-awaited and much-anticipated debut album, ‘Erosion / Avulsion’ on November 29th, 2024, via Church Road Records. Stunning, this album is track after track of powerful and emotive post-hardcore intensity. A staggering showcase of this band’s incredible creativity, that doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. Expectations were high, but Hidden Mothers haven’t just lived up to all expectations, they’ve smashed them to pieces. A sensational album.
Read our full review here.
5. Brendan: Helevorn – Espectres (Meuse Music Records)
Despite Helevorn having existed since 1999, I had never heard of them before checking out Espectres, which released on the 13th of September. Perhaps due to their slow releases – with such a long existence, this is only their 5th album. They are an atmospheric blackened doom band dealing in moodiness, melancholy and emotion but with a heavy edge – a blackened tint. It’s a spectacular release and one I have become comfortably hooked on since it’s release. Espectres just hits differently, oozing class, professionalism and feeling in abundance. The variety on offer within the tracks and across the album means that you never, not even for a second, feel settled and switch off. Constant variations in power, loads of layers and contrasting sounds and then the additional work from plenty of guest artists means each and every song stands out with its own identity. It’s a wonderful album, with something for fans of all of metals sub genres and comfortably makes my top 5 for this year.
Read our full review here.
4. Carl: Million Moons – I May Be Some Time (Ripcord Records)
Inspired by the final words of Antarctic explorer, Captain Lawrence Oates and his selfless act of sacrifice, ‘I May Be Some Time’ is the new album from London based instrumental post-rock trio, Million Moons. Released on July 5th, 2024, via Ripcord Records. While they might not be the first to be inspired by the incredible story of Oates and that Antarctic expedition, they might be the first to use it for a full album concept. Across seven glorious, emotional, and epic pieces of music, Million Moons capture feelings of hope, despair, bravery, and so much more. You can feel the icy chill in the air, the numbness in your fingers and toes, see the barren landscape untouched by human hands, and hear the wind as it howls around you. Million Moons’ ability to capture this is staggering.
Read our full review here.
4. Brendan: Brothers of Metal – Fimbulvinter (AFM Records)
To think I went in to reviewing this album just because I fancied listening to something simple, probably cheesy and a nice comfortable listen with little words probably required to review it. Little did I know that Brothers of Metal had just mailed us one of the best albums of the year in Fimbulvinter. Released on the 1st of November, the rising stars of power metal have created what must surely be their most complete and accomplished release so far here. An album full of creativity and catchiness with memorable storytelling and grandiosity at its forefront. Fimbulvinter is as varied an album as you could wish for, with different songs leaning into different styles from the epics, to the heavier, to the power metal guitar melodies, campfire folk tracks and even a bit of an 80’s throwback rock song. With all this mix in here, the band still manage to make the album flow and make sense turning this doubter into a believer and making Fimbulvinter one of my favourite albums of 2024.
Read our full review here.
3. Carl: Tribe of Ghosts – CITY (Self Released)
Tribe Of Ghosts, the Brighton-based industrial/post-metal four piece released their debut full-length album, ‘CITY’, on October 14th, 2024. A concept album telling the story of a dystopian society living in an unnamed metropolis, and how the ruling classes continue to abuse and harvest the population until it is a society of punishment, violence and debauchery, leading to eventual societal collapse. Creating a concept that fits their style perfectly, something that is expressed emphatically here. The word ‘dystopian’ might be a bit overused, but there’s no truer way to sum up the sound and feel of this album. Few bands are capable of creating the level of immersion that Tribe of Ghosts have here. CITY is an absolute triumph. This band’s evolution is complete, and what stands before us, proudly displaying dark dystopian sounds in anthemic style, is one of the best things in British metal.
Read our full review here.
3. Brendan: Veriteras – The Dark Horizon (Self Released)
Grabbing third place on my list is Veriteras, an old-school melodic death metal band based in Seattle who released their second album in April this year titled The Dark Horizon. Don’t let that “old school” tag scare you away. Yes, they are heavily influenced by the early era of Scandinavian melodeath, but they offer more than just a tribute here. Instead taking a sound and style and applying their own touches to elevate and enhance it. A combination of raw aggression mixed with memorable melody in songs that are as classy and catchy as they are heavy and aggressive. The vocals are excellent, musically it crushes at times, and floods with emotion at others with songs that are structurally exciting and an album that flows perfectly. The Dark Horizon is phenomenal, making an instant impression with me and then holding my interest for the whole of this year (and it will be beyond).
Read our full review here.
2. Carl: Thy Catafalque – XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek (Season of Mist)
‘XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek’, the new album from Thy Catafalque, was released on November 15th, 2024, via Season of Mist. In a year of incredibly creative music, once again, Thy Catafalque brings forth an album that can be simply summed up as stunning. Even if the word ‘simple’ doesn’t belong in any sentence involving Thy Catafalque. Tamás Kátai’s vision is as unique as ever, and once again, he is joined by an incredible array of guest musicians to help make that vision a reality. A vision that can be summed up as madness, unforgettable madness resulting in one of the most spectacular listens of the year.
Read our full review here.
2. Brendan: Lutharo – Chasing Euphoria (Atomic Fire Records)
Pipped to the post near the end, Lutharo delivered their second album in March this year and it stayed at my number 1 spot for most of the year but in the end, settles for 2nd spot. A band I didn’t know before checking out this album, the Canadian melodic metal band blew me away with Chasing Euphoria. Lutharo bring a mixture of traditional heavy metal, melodic death metal, thrash metal and more in an inspirational demonstration of musicianship and vocal power. I found an instant connection with the album, knowing very early on in listening to it that it was going to be a long-term favourite. Even now, 8 or 9 months later, at least half of this album gets close to daily play for me, with he other half not far behind. It’s exciting, blends clean and harsh masterfully, and is often very uplifting as well bringing a smile to my face when I’m not feeling close to smiling, and raising my adrenaline when I’m feeling tired. It’s a stunning release.
Read our full review here.
1. Carl: Sugar Horse – The Grand Scheme of Things (Pelagic Records)
The monolithically heavy quartet Sugar Horse returned with their new album ‘The Grand Scheme of Things’, released 4th October via Pelagic Records. Filled with an extravagant amount of emotive atmosphere, and uniquely detailed. The group continue to genre-bend in mesmerising ways. However, there is also a simplicity to this album that results in some of their most accessible music to date. Sit back, focus on nothing but the music, allow it to spread through the mind far and wide, and be willing to open your heart and soul to it. Your patience and time is richly rewarded.
Read our full review here.
1. Brendan: Gaerea – Coma (Season of Mist)
And so, to my favourite album of the year with Coma by Gaerea. An album that released back in October and one that has received non-stop end to end play from me since that date. A few years back, seeing Gaerea at Bloodstock Festival sparked my interest. I found them mesmerising to watch and their blackened metal music was a joy to hear live. That got me listening to them and since then, they have become a firm favourite band of mine. Then Coma came out and it I everything I hoped for, and more. Heavy as hell, but beautiful. Melodic and dark, crushing and uplifting – Coma is as versatile as this style of metal gets. Yes it’s extreme, but categorising this band or album as just a single thing is unfair and incorrect. It’s more, it’s everything. There is no misstep, no filler, no weakness shown on Coma – it is a perfect album where Gaerea, a band already mesmerising me, raised the bar to new levels and it’s my favourite album of 2024.
Read our full review here.
