The best albums of
2024
Part 1
Looking at lists across numerous websites, podcasts and publications, it’s blatantly obvious that we were treated to a bumper year of metal in 2024. This list has previously been published at metalepidemic.com, but here it is again with a few comments.
10 Khold – Du dømmes til Død
I described the 8th album by Khold as being deliciously old school black metal. With lyrics in the native Norwegian tongue, the album seems darker, with heavy riffage to get even the most reticent black metal fan nodding. This is superior black metal.
9 200 Stab Wounds – Manual Manic Procedures
Gore-drenched aggressive death metal is at the forefront of Cleveland based 200 Stab Wounds. Following a successful tour with Cattle Decapitation, our heroes fired out their sophomore album that will stretch your neck muscles. Genuinely a must-listen.
8 Mountaineer – Dawn and all That Follows
Having resisted the draw of Mountaineer for their previous albums, it was somewhat surprising to be utterly blown away by the bands 5th full length. ‘Dreamy Post-Rock’ was the sound of summer for a bit, and it should be the sound of your winter as well.
7 Devin Townsend – PowerNerd
In spite of being a self-confessed Devin Townsend fanboy, his recent output has been a bit hit and miss for me, with albums lacking consistency. PowerNerd rectifies this with subtle aplomb. A hard-rock album at heart, Devin has rediscovered what made me a fan.
6 Oakfarm – Oakfarm
I am probably the only person who has this in their top 10. The reason is simple. Oakfarm make me smile. Oozing the 1970’s from every pore, this German trio rattle out riffs and a superior vocal performance that just makes you happy.
5 Mastiff – Deprecipice
This sludgy, hardcore grind is a seriously heavy album, with deep heavy riffs and a lingering menace threatening pain to the unsuspecting listener. It is not for the weak and Mastiff reward the strong with a superb album.
4 Sig-Ar-Tyr – Citadel of Stars
One man should not be this talented. Searing riffs, blackened bass groove and a solid hour of exceedingly good pagan-infused black metal should invade even the coldest of metal hearts. Tight, cohesive and compelling. This is masterful!
3 Grand Magus – Sunraven
Sunraven is an incredibly easy listen. With a bucketful of riffs, and a swagger that is unrivalled in any other album I listened to in 2024, Grand Magus are thoroughly deserving of a top 3 place. This is unashamedly a heavy metal album! Outstanding!
2 Earthtone9 – In Resonance Nexus
Bands who have only previously released 4 albums since 1998 should not return with an album as superb as In Resonance Nexus. But Earthtone9 decided that 2024 was the year they were going to pummel us all, and their 5th album does that! It’s so good, I own the vinyl!
1 Rotting Christ – Pro Xristou
This album has been on my playlist since I received a copy in January 2024. I remember saying it would take an act of god to move it from the top-spot. god did not have the juice, and Pro Xristou continues to be a monster until this day. You should all love Rotting Christ.
As much as I tell the Bossman at Metal Epidemic that this is the definitive list for 2024, it isn’t. So many albums tickled the underbelly of the top 2020, here are a few worthy mentions that should be checked out.
- Ihsahn – Ihsahn
- Orange Goblin – Science, Not Fiction
- Borknagar – Fall
- Mammoth Caravan – Frostbitten Galaxy
- High Desert Queen – Palm Reader
The DevilsHorns 
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