Best Albums 2024: 10 to 6
My top albums of 2024 - 10 to 6
Getting into my top 10 for the year. There were so may great releases this year, all of these would have been higher up in previous years and some of them might have even been my AOTY. If you missed the previous sections, you can read them here: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3
#10 - Shining by Swallow the Sun
Melodic Death / Doom Metal from Finland
This is a divisive album. People either seem to like it or hate it. While it’s not my favorite Swallow the Sun album, I really like it and it’s still good enough to make my top 10 for 2024. I’ve been listening to StS since The Morning Never Came was released in 2003 Every album from them is different and this is no exception. I’ve never listened to a new album from them and thought, “this sounds just like the last one.” Mostly clean vocals but I don’t hate it in this case and Mikko’s cleans are really good.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#9 - Apart by Orphean Passage
Funeral Doom from South Africa
Incredible funeral doom album. Debut album from this band and filled with emotion.
From the band: “Combining a wealth of of experience with youthful enthusiasm, Orphean Passage reflects on the fragility of memory while weaving melancholic musical tapestries. Romantism runs deep throughout the band's diverse dirges, providing a glimpse of hope to those otherwise crushed beneath waves of anguish.”
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#8 - IV by Walg
Melodic Black Metal from Netherlands
Oustanding melodic black metal. This album was not on my radar when it came out and I discovered it shortly after it was released. It was my introduction to this band. They formed during the pandemic in 2021 and have released 4 albums in 4 years. I have gone back and listened to all of them and they are all really, really good. Some Dimmu Borgir influences in some of their albums but they also have their own sound. Really great find for me this year. All of their cover art is fantastic too which I appreciate.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#7 - Beyond the Palest Star by Vorga
Melodic Black Metal from Germany
Melodic Black Metal with some atmosphere along with sci-fi themes and a little melancholy. Second release from this band and I am very excited to see what they come up with in the future.
“Vorgas mission, to capture the feelings of both awe and utter hopelessness experienced when staring up into the night sky.”
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#6 - Versets Noirs by Acod
Melodic Black / Death Metal from France
This one grabbed me right away from the first track; a 20 minute long epic. Multiple peaks and valleys and it is quite the journey. The rest of the album never lets up. Just a fantastic melodic black metal album.