Yes, it’s list season once more, so gather round and witness some of the best metal that 2024 had to offer!

2024 was a fantastic year for metal, and that’s an understatement. I thought 2023 was one of the weaker years for metal releases, overall. As such, putting last year’s list together, although challenging as it always is, was relatively effortless compared to this one. I don’t think I’ve agonised over placings more any other year. In the end, similar to last year, I just decided that enough was enough and I needed to just stop needlessly obsessing.

Presented below is the final order I settled upon, in all of its flawed glory. After all, some of the albums are so very different, how do you compare? Also, there are many notable albums painfully absent. I even considered widening the list to beyond 30, as there are some releases missing that absolutely deserve to be on it, but ultimately any list is arguably arbitrary enough after probably the first 10-15 places anyway, without adding even more. Ultimately, as a compromise, I’ve added a extra 31st place that’s a little bit of a bonus to cater to a couple of late contenders. I thought about putting the names of all of the other bands that probably deserve a list place here as well, but it would just be too many, as 2024 was ripe with gems.

So let’s get to it then.

31 (BONUS)

Aara – Eiger / Heathen Deity – Satan’s Kingdom

This bonus place is to celebrate Aara and Heathen Deity. Both Eiger and Satan’s Kingdom are great records, and I strongly suspect that if both of them had been released earlier in the year they would be featuring more prominently on the list below. As it is, I’ve just gotten to know and love every other album more than these so far, but I don’t want to miss these out as they’re so very, very good. Whether it’s Aara’s sleek and vicious atmospheric black metal, or Heathen Deity’s classic stylings, both records are exemplary and hugely enjoyable.

30

Wormed – Omegon

Wormed’s Omegon is a powerhouse of brutal technical death metal. There’s an intricate and merciless brutality at work here that’s hypnotic in its punishing complexity, and Wormed are absolutely on fire. If there’s one brutal/technical death metal album that devoured all others this year, this is it.

29

Full of Hell – Coagulated Bliss

Coagulated Bliss is a snarling, grinding, ferocious monster, yet is also probably Full of Hell’s most accessible release. It’s all relative, of course, as this is still grindcore that’s harsh and unfriendly. Brutal, confident, and focused, Full of Hell’s latest scorcher is very moreish indeed.

28

Isenordal – Requiem for Eirênê

Requiem for Eirênê was an unexpected, unlooked for treat, one that I kept revisiting far more than I thought I would. Isenordal’s music blends doom, black metal, and neofolk into an evocative and layered collection of music that simply has to be experienced at length. I loved exploring this, and I hope you will too.

27

Julie Christmas – Ridiculous and Full of Blood

June saw the return of the iconic Julie Christmas with the spellbinding Ridiculous and Full of Blood. This idiosyncratic album is a carefully curated mix of rock, metal, alternative, and punk subgenres, all wrapped together with the artist’s multifaceted vocals. Julie Christmas remains a singular artist, and this new album is thoroughly worthy of your time.

26

Pyrrhon – Exhaust

Pyrrhon has long been a synonym for quality in extreme metal circles, and Exhaust is Pyrrhon at their angular best. Blurring the lines between dissonant death metal, chaotic hardcore, and experimental jazz, this is an avant-garde tour de force of intensity. It’s an album that keeps on giving, with every spin leading you further down its labyrinthine pathways, while also managing to make you move to its contorted beats. Great stuff.

25

Verwoed – The Mother

Ahh, Verwoed. Bittersweet this one, as this is the band’s best album, one that dives deep into the watery abyss of idiosyncratic psychedelic black metal, and yet it’s their final release ever. Boo! Yes, Verwoed have decided to call it a day, and the music scene is left depleted because of it. Still, The Mother is a powerful exit statement from a band that played by their own rules. Don’t miss this.

24

Huntsmen – The Dry Land

The Dry Land is the culmination of Huntsmen’s engaging brand of progressive metal. It’s my favourite record of theirs, as the entire multitude of the band’s moving parts come together in a masterful display of multigenre wizardry. The songs are diverse and impactful, and Huntsmen have never sounded better or more dynamic and versatile.

23

Make Them Suffer – Make Them Suffer

Oh dear lord this is such a fun album to listen to. It’s the best metalcore-ish album I’ve heard in years, and was probably the hardest album to place on this list. Depending on my mood/the situation, etc. it could have placed almost anywhere. Why 23 then? Well, that’s just where it ended up. Suffice to say, Make Them Suffer is the pinnacle of what 2024 had to offer from an accessible, contemporary heavy music perspective, and I can’t stop listening to the bloody thing. CATCHY SONGS GET OUTTA MY HEAD!

22

Slimelord – Chytridiomycosis Relinquished

It’s time for the filthy swamp groove of Slimelord! Chytridiomycosis Relinquished is a disgustingly good album. It’s corrupted death/doom with an abyssal progressive edge that’s covered in the cloying stench of profane splendour. There’s a lot to explore on Chytridiomycosis Relinquished, so make sure you bathe deep of its waters.

21

Sergeant Thunderhoof – The Ghost of Badon Hill

Sergeant Thunderhoof have returned with another engrossing tale told via their personable and emotion-rich brand of progressive stoner rock. The Ghost of Badon Hill showcases a refined version of the band, with tight, smart songwriting that doesn’t fail to move the listener with its emotive depth. Sergeant Thunderhoof continue to operate in a rarefied realm all of their own.

20

Isolert – Wounds of Desolation

Isolert may not be as high up on my list as they were in 2020, but that doesn’t stop Wounds of Desolation from being anything else than a triumph of black metal. Adopting a ferocious approach peppered with epic grandeur and bright melodic potency, Isolert once more stake a valid claim to being one of the very best black metal acts active at the moment. Every song here hits the spot, and this is a great example of how vital black metal can still be in the right hands.

19

Crimson Veil – Hex

There are some true moments of transcendental beauty and heartfelt creative wonder on Hex, and I already regret not placing it higher. It’s a record of sophisticated progressive metal, with strong songwriting and remarkable vocals. The only reason, in fact, that you’re not reading about this further down is that the second half of the album is not quite as strong as the first. Even with this though, Hex is still one of the best albums that 2024 had to offer and you need to make sure you listen to this over and over again.

18

Amiensus – Reclamation – Part I and Part II

Okay, so slightly cheating here by having both Part I and Part II of the epic Reclamation in the same slot. It is though, in essence, one album, so I don’t feel too bad. Besides, it shows once again just how damn good Amiensus are. There’s a good deal of variety to be had across both albums, and Amiensus excel at whatever they turn their hands to. At a push I’d say I prefer Part II, but as it’s ultimately just one long album, I have no compunction in listing them together and recommending them both. If atmospheric and progressive black metal is your thing, then this is an essential listen.

17

Aklash – Reincarnation

The UK black metal scene has been particularly strong this year, and Aklash have impressed me by coming seemingly out of nowhere to release a real highlight of 2024. Reincarnation is brimming with scathing aggression, epic harmonies, evocative nuance, and more. It’s a record that is remarkably entertaining throughout, showcasing Aklash’s progressive and psychedelic black metal in the best of lights.

16

Borknagar – Fall

Borknagar have crafted a gorgeous and affecting album. From the bones of black metal the band have fleshed out Fall with melodic grace, folk texture, and progressive beauty. Fall is an album to lose yourself in, and it’s captivating throughout. It’s simply a very high quality collection of tracks that Borknagar have created.

15

The Infernal Sea – Hellfenlic

Hellfenlic is a cracking album. The Infernal Sea have long been a damn fine band, but this is their most accomplished yet. Covered in spiked hooks and written with both instant appeal and longevity in mind, Hellfenlic is a true gem. The Infernal Sea remain one of the best UK black metal bands in the business. This is a commanding record that deserves to be heard far and wide.

14

In Vain – Solemn

I’ve spent a lot of time with Solemn this year. In Vain have followed up their last album with their magnum opus. Solemn is a well-rounded progressive and melodic death metal album that’s extremely gratifying. Professional, yet driven by a vibrant beating heart, this collection of songs is difficult to ignore. So you shouldn’t. Get on this now!

13

Time Lurker – Emprise

It may have only been released in November, but Emprise almost instantly revealed itself to be something quite special. Time Lurker’s emotionally charged black metal very quickly established itself as an album that I couldn’t put down. The esoteric melodies, the howling vocals, the rewarding structures, the sense of exploratory movement through the songs…Emprise is the epitome of an underground black metal treasure.

12

Gaerea – Coma

The only reason Gaerea aren’t higher on this list is simply because of the dilemma of who do I bump down in favour of them? 2024 was so strong, that despite Coma being as a strong as it is, it’s still ‘only’ sitting at number 12. Regardless, this is Gaerea in potent form. Furiously aggressive, yet richly emotive, it’s modern black metal with both bite and depth. Gaerea are a real force in the contemporary extreme metal landscape, and Coma demonstrates why in no uncertain terms.

11

Solbrud – IIII

Frustratingly, like Verwoed above, Solbrud have also released their greatest record, only to call it a day. IIII is an absolute masterclass in atmospheric black metal, delivered by a band at the height of their powers. Divided into four parts, it’s a colossal and lengthy album that doesn’t drop in quality at any point over its duration. Solbrud will be sorely missed, but at least they have left us a veritable masterpiece in their absence.

10

Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere

The progressive death metal stylings of Absolute Elsewhere took a little while to to truly sink in, but sink in they did. This is Blood Incantation’s best album for sure. Even ignoring the increased progressive flavour of their music, the death metal core is stronger than it’s ever been. Combining the two sides has made for a massively compelling record, one that boasts more hooks than anything like this has any right to have.

9

Múr – Múr

Múr came out of nowhere and filled a musical niche in the landscape that I didn’t know needed filling. Múr is a journey through post-metal heaviness and progressive atmosphere, and despite still obviously having room to improve, is still so ridiculously well-crafted that it’s in my top ten. The potential here for Múr is off the chart. Diverse, striking, and filled with good ideas and Grade A performances, Múr is a record I fell for instantly. It’s just so enjoyable and satisfying that I couldn’t resist.

8

Dool – The Shape of Fluidity

The Shape of Fluidity was my first encounter with Dool, and I was not prepared for how good the band were revealed to be. This is dark rock par excellence, and this album has so many shockingly strong songs. Dool have a talent for taking the strengths of rock music, blending these with metal, Gothic, doom, post-rock, and post-punk, and making them all their own. Dool have forged a collection of affecting songs that will stay with you for a long time.

7

Madder Mortem – Old Eyes, New Heart

Old Eyes, New Heart was released to the world way back in January, and I haven’t stopped listening to it since. It was a real contender for the top spot for some time too. I still think I’ve probably placed it too low. Regardless, Madder Mortem’s latest is also one of their strongest. Filled with the sort of charismatic progressive metal that’s packed with incredibly enjoyable and impressive songs, this is just a great record all-round. Many bands would kill for even an ounce of Madder Mortem’s talent.

6

Hamferð – Men Guðs Hond er Sterk / Iotunn – Kinship

Now, unlike the Amiensus joint listing above, here I’m just being outright cheeky. Hamferð and Iotunn have absolutely nothing in common, save for the fact that they share the same exceptional singer, and that both Men Guðs Hond er Sterk and Kinship are absolutely brilliant. This loosely justifies putting them both together so that I can sneak in one extra album somewhere else on this list. Hamferð play colossal doom metal, and Iotunn progressive death metal. Neither term effectively conveys how expressive and rich their respective music is though. Both albums are near-flawless, and I honestly can’t choose between the two of them.

5

Sun Worship – Upon the Hills of Divination

Sun Worship’s Upon the Hills of Divination is an album that I can listen to endlessly. It’s an effortlessly satisfying slice of contemporary black metal that combines atmospheric impact with a brutal edge. Sun Worship balance these two aspects as naturally as they breathe, unleashing songs that scratch an itch rarely satisfied. It’s hard to put into words just what exactly I like so much about this album, other than to say it’s just all of it; sound, production, performances, songwriting, presentation…Sun Worship have created a record that’s simply a fantastic black metal album.

4

Lord Dying – Clandestine Transcendence

January was a very good month for metal this year, with many notable releases. Clandestine Transcendence was one of the top ones, so here it is very deservingly near to the top of the pile. It took a few spins for me to really get to grips with it, but since then it’s only gotten better with every listen. Lord Dying have produced an amazingly enjoyable record that just keeps on giving. It’s a sort of hybrid progressive sludge metal album with a voice of its own, and it’s a rewarding and feeling-rich experience throughout.

3

Brume – Marten

Brume topped my year end list back in 2019 with the phenomenal Rabbits, and would likely have topped this list too were it not for a couple of minor missteps. Despite this, Marten is still a stunning record, capable of incredible things across its running time. Transcending their origins, Marten sees Brume take their sound further into more textured waters, mixing multiple influences, (including doom, sludge, and trip hop), into something evocative and rewarding. This is individual music that’s so deeply imbued with emotion that it’s almost hard to listen to – this is not for casual listening, this is the full and absorbing package. There aren’t enough superlatives for this record.

2

Mother of Millions – Magna Mater

From my first listen to Magna Mater I knew I was on to something special, but I wasn’t prepared for just how special. The more I listened to Mother of Millions’ immersive progressive metal, the more I was thoroughly hooked. This is a record of such deeply impactful emotion that it’s hard to credit. It shocked me how much I was taken by it, and, like Brume above, in any other year this could have been number one on this list, (indeed, both this and Brume spent time at the top spot in many previous versions of this list). Captivating and powerful.

1

Civerous – Maze Envy

So here it is then, 2024’s indomitable master. Despite obscenely strong releases from Brume and Mother of Millions later on in the year, my album of 2024 was sealed way back in March. I’ve been back and forth on this many times, but Maze Envy kept calling back to me every single time I dared veer away from it. It’s just so massive, so immense, so Earth-shakingly huge that it just cannot be denied. Civerous have mastered a form of death/doom that’s intoxicating, absorbing, and totally crushing. It’s the heaviest album I’ve heard in years, while also having a richness of progressive depth that’s staggering. What can I say – I just love it. What a record.