10) Kerry King, From Hell I Rise (Reigning Phoenix Music)
Slayer broke up in 2019, so Kerry King decided to go solo. He’s an amazing creative thrash guitarist, and this album is just as good as any of the most recent Slayer albums, if not better. His line up is stacked with talent including Death Angel vocalist Mark Osegueda, former Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph, former Vio-Lence and Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel, and former Hellyeah bassist Kyle Sanders. Whether referring to it as a quality super group or a new thrash metal band that rose out of the ashes of Slayer, it’s definitely worth a full exploration. If that isn’t enough proof that this is a great album, Slayer has booked some upcoming festival appearances for special reunion shows. This is probably because Tom Araya is feeling the FOMO hard.
Key Track: “Two Fists”
09) Judas Priest, Invisible Shield
This 2024 album, released March 8th, 2024 is their Nineteenth studio album, and they show no signs of slowing down. The King of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, Rob Halford, is still making badass records at 73 years old. He’s got a great younger team backing him these days, and ‘Invisible Shield’ is a fired up energetic classic heavy metal album that is ready to jump into the future of metal.
Key Track: “Panic Attack”
08) Deicide, Banished By Sin (Reigning Phoenix Music)
Is it even possible to get more satanic metal than an album cover showing a demons’ exorcism of its own demons? I think not. Sometimes true evil wins, to protect the most vulnerable soul deep inside, from the greatest pain possible. Thus, the final track “The Light Defeated,” is born with its horns included. This song really provides a stellar and satisfying end to the whole chaotic ride of terror that is ‘Banished By Sin.’ Gear up for this wild showdown of an album packed full of devilish musical candy that fans will not deny.
Key Track: “The Light Defeated”
07) Whoredom Rife, Den Vrede Makt
This darker than dark black metal album was released May 31, 2024, and for this Norwegian band with only a 10 year existance, they have captured the blackend souls of those from centuries ago. This album takes the classic black metal sound and rips it apart with demonic screams followed by deadly riffs. The album is set up in chapters, and it seems that more and more bands are skipping the short tracks in preference of a lengthy music driven story. This album succeeds at just that.
Key Track: “Ravenous”
06) My Dying Bride, A Mortal Binding (Nuclear Blast)
These guys have been around for decades now, and no matter what the members are going through they always break out into the abyss with the most special gothic doom and death metal albums out there. On April 19th, 2024, A Mortal Binding was released into the world, and many depressed souls were given a new confidence in their voice. Since 1990, vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe has been soothing the unhinged minds of those with inner turmoil. His calming vocals serve as a lullaby to calm the most anxious minds, yet there is a dominating aggression to the music as well. A Mortal Binding is yet another noteworthy collectible in the chronicles of My Dying Bride albums.
Key Track: Thornwyck Hymm
