Fun fact: our New & Noteworthy section includes as many albums as possible released each week. We aim to cover them all, from independent artists just starting to big names. Compiling order links and adding songs to monthly playlists is an extensive process. The artist names and album titles alone span over 60 pages in a Google Doc. Giving each record a fair listen is challenging, but by considering personal taste, production quality, and overall impressions, I arrive at my picks for the year’s best albums.
2024 was particularly difficult to decide compared to years past. The Top Albums include a mix of my personal go-to bands and unexpected names. Some expected artists delivered somewhat disappointing records compared to previous releases, while others surprised me and climbed to the top. Some albums make me wonder if I spent enough time with them or if my personal taste in music is evolving. Who knows?
Matt Brown’s suggestion to keep a spreadsheet of new albums and share it with friends is a great idea for next year! It’s a great way to manage the sheer volume of metal releases each year. While not all records made it into this year’s best, some were strong enough to earn a nod in the Honorable Mentions section. Enjoy!
Bonus: Gojira, “Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)”
I’m not a sports fan, nor pay much attention to major events like the Super Bowl or the Olympics. But when it comes to metal finally receiving the recognition it long deserves, you can count me in as a fan for that historic moment, at least. And Gojira truly made history. While stirring controversy among the religious, they crafted a track that proudly showcased French culture and the French Revolution. It was everything you’d expect and more, earning them a well-deserved Grammy nomination. I’m betting they’ll take the win, but if not, it’ll be yet another snub in the Grammys’ history with metal; a disappointment, albeit not a surprising one. The song itself is nothing short of epic and glorious, and it’s easily my most-played track of 2024.
35) Marilyn Manson, One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1 (Nuclear Blast)
Yes, Marilyn Manson appears on my year-end list, a name that has sparked controversy for decades. From being blamed for Columbine in the late 1990s to facing serious accusations in recent years, Manson’s career has been fraught with scrutiny. While some cases have been dismissed and claims of coercion to fabricate allegations have surfaced, others continue to speak out against him. These accusations are serious and should not be taken lightly, but my focus here is solely on the music.
Manson has been a part of my musical journey since the 1990s. His work was controversial back then; I vividly remember sneaking behind my parents’ backs to buy his albums. I even created a school project featuring his music, which horrified my teacher to the point of warning me about potential expulsion.
This new album evokes that era, reminiscent of the late 1990s and early 2000s. While it doesn’t rival Antichrist Superstar, it feels like a successor to Holy Wood, such as “Valentine’s Day,” the new album captures a similar tone. The album suggests a creative rejuvenation for Manson, potentially influenced by personal changes such as sobriety.
Musically, this is the first Manson record in nearly twenty-five years that has truly resonated with me. It’s a solid album that combines nostalgia with a fresh edge, offering something for fans of every Manson era.
Key Track(s): “One Assassination Under God”
34) Robse, Harlekin und Krieger (Reaper Entertainment)
Former Equilibrium frontman Robse embarked on his solo career, carrying forward the dark folk metal style that defined his time in the band while infusing it with his own unique touch, resulting in a solid solo effort. It’s fascinating how bands can shift their style and direction, perhaps more drastically than bands like Enslaved or Opeth, who transitioned from black/death metal to more progressive. However, moving from folk metal to metalcore in an attempt to appeal to a more mainstream audience is a different shift altogether. It’s a change that either works or doesn’t and may even succeed in attracting a new fanbase. Regardless, Robse has remained true to his roots with a darker, folk-inspired sound, and that’s exactly what you’ll find on Harlekin und Krieger.
Key Track(s): “Viva la Caida”
33) Swallow the Sun, Shining (Century Media)
Perhaps it requires a few more listens, but Shining by Swallow the Sun didn’t quite shine as brightly as their previous efforts. At times, it wasn’t until the title track that the album’s true brilliance emerged. While it remains a strong release, it leaves the impression that the band is capable of more, as demonstrated by their ambitious 2021 album Moonflowers. Maybe Shining is simply more of a free-flowing record compared to the highly ambitious conceptual masterpiece of its predecessor. Regardless, it is still a solid album and well-deserving of a place among the best of 2024.
Key Track(s): “Under the Moon & Sun,” “November Dust,” “Shining”
32) Pain, I Am (Nuclear Blast)
Peter Tägtgren is not only a musical genius but also deeply passionate about his craft, with plenty to say through his music. Hypocrisy is renowned for its signature Swedish death metal style, and with all the potential UAPs floating around, it feels like the right time for a new album. However, with Pain, anything goes. There’s no fixed style; it’s a creative outlet that is free from the constraints of a specific sound or image. Some bands expand their creative boundaries but remain relatively within their established style, but with projects like Pain, you expect the unexpected. While Tägtgren has said that 2016’s Coming Home might lull listeners to sleep with its slow pace, he took things up a notch with I Am, delivering a high-energy record. The track “I Am” tackles serious themes, such as “I am the poison,” while musically blending darkwave, heavy metal, and more, and it works, exceptionally well.
Key Track(s): “I Am”
31) Nightwish, Yesterwynde (Nuclear Blast)
Another major shakeup for Nightwish: Yesterwynde is the band’s first album since Marko Hietala’s departure in 2021, markingHuman. :II: Nature. as his final release with the group. Although Nightwish has experienced significant changes in the past, Yesterwynde retains the band’s signature style. While it may not be their strongest album, it’s a solid effort, featuring heavier tracks woven throughout.
Key Track(s): “An Ocean of Strange Islands,” “The Day of..”
