Best Albums 2024: 25 to 21
Here is the first part of my best albums of 2024. For whatever reason, I seem to like things that are different than most people. Not intentionally, it’s just the way it seems to work out. There are several albums that came out this year, some that I was even looking forward to, that I just could not get into. I read rave reviews from a lot of people online and tried them again and still just could not get into them. So my list will most likely be a lot different than most lists you will see and you will probably see several things on my list that you will not see on any others. But that’s what makes music so great. There are virtually unlimited options and always something for everyone.
#25 - The Crescent King by Livløs
Melodic Death Metal from Denmark
Really great melodic death blending American rooted death metal with Scandinavian melodies and melancholy.
The band about the album: “Our commitment to improvement extends beyond songwriting. With technical prowess, world-building, and storytelling, “The Crescent King” embodies years of hard work. It tells the dystopian tale of humanity’s downfall in a distant aeon. Prepare for an unforgettable experience!”
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#24 - Vault of Horrors by Aborted
Death Metal from Belgium
Aborted just keeps releasing great music. Their sounds keeps evolving and Sven has some of the best vocals in death metal. Guest vocals from other bands on every track on this release. With a title like Vault of Horrors it should be no surprise that each track is based on a horror movie. Daníel Máni Konráðsson (from Ophidian I, check them out if you haven’t) on guitars for this album and they are incredible. And Ken Bedene is an absolute beast on drums.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#23 - Ekbom by Benighted
Brutal Death Metal from France
I’ve been a huge fan of Benighted for a long time. This is one of the best albums they have put out in awhile. Definitely better than the last couple of releases in my mind. Julien Truchan is another one of my favorite death metal vocalists. He works in a psychiatric hospital so it makes sense the title of this album is inspired by a neurological disorder called Ekbom Syndrom or Delusional Parasitosis where a person believes their body is infested with living or nonliving agents such as parasites, insects or bacteria. A lot of their lyrical themes are related to psychological disorders. And they have an absolute monster behind the kit with Kevin Paradis. Unrelenting brutality for the 35 minute run time.
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
#22 - Reclamation Part 1 and Reclamation Part 2 by Amiensus
Progressive Black Metal from Minnesota
Two stellar albums released in April and August but two parts of one so I am combining them for this list. There are so many things going on and so many transitions across the albums. From the varying vocal styles to the changes in tempo and genre, it never gets boring. “Sun and Moon” from the first album is all clean vocals in a style I would normally not like but it works well for them and it is not a skippable track. I like part 2 slightly better but they are both outstanding.
Bandcamp Pt 1 - Bandcamp Pt 2 | Spotify Pt 1 - Spotify Pt 2 | Apple Music Pt 1 - Apple Music Pt 2
#21 - God Slayer by Vredehammer
Blackened Death Metal from Norway
Vredehammer combines aggressive guitars and Norse melodies. Fantastic blend of melodic, black and death metal. Nils 'Dominator' Fjellström filling in on drums for this release.
Vredehammer about the album: “With the Godslayer album I wanted to take a step back regarding tempo, not focusing so much on fast songs. There is definitely some fast stuff in there, but my main objective was to create memorable songs and guitar riffs with a lot of punch and power to them.”