Best Metal Albums of October 2024

Escuela Grind’s Dreams on Algorithms is shaping up to be one of 2024’s most exhilarating grindcore releases. This 30-minute, 10-track assault sees the Massachusetts quartet evolving beyond their previous work Memory Theatre, delivering longer, more substantial compositions without sacrificing their signature intensity. The production is absolutely massive, allowing Kris Morash’s riffs to cut through while Justin Altamirano’s bass work and Jesse Fuentes’ drumming create a devastating foundation. Katerina Economou’s vocal performance deserves special mention—she delivers her most versatile work yet, even surprising listeners with clean vocals on the closing track “Turbulence”. Think of it as a perfect storm where Napalm Death meets Nails with a dash of Slipknot’s groove, but with an important message about inclusivity in extreme metal that makes it feel thoroughly modern.

Devin Townsend’s latest release PowerNerd represents a bold shift from his signature sound, stripping away the lavish orchestrations in favor of raw, immediate metal. Written in a remarkably brief 11-day burst of creativity, the five-track album captures an energy that longtime fans might recognize from his Infinity days, albeit filtered through his evolved musicianship. The surprise collaboration with Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta on the title track adds an unexpected hardcore element that fits perfectly within the album’s direct approach. While the absence of Dev’s trademark wall-of-sound production might initially startle some listeners, the refreshing simplicity and genuine intensity of PowerNerd reveal an artist willing to step out of his comfort zone. It’s Devin at his most spontaneous, proving that sometimes less truly is more.

AydrA’s Leave to Nowhere, released in late 2024, marks a compelling evolution in the Italian band’s atmospheric black/death metal journey. The album builds upon their previous work while pushing into more expansive territory, blending crushing death metal sections with haunting atmospheric passages and doom-laden moments. The production strikes a careful balance between raw intensity and clarity, allowing the intricate guitar work to shine through the dense atmospheric layers. While the vocals maintain their characteristic harshness, there’s a newfound emotional depth in the delivery that perfectly complements the album’s themes of isolation and existential dread. At just over 40 minutes, Leave to Nowhere feels like a natural progression for AydrA, demonstrating their ability to craft engaging extreme metal that doesn’t sacrifice atmosphere for aggression.

IOTUNN’s sophomore album Kinship, released October 25th via Metal Blade Records, proves the Danish progressive metal outfit isn’t content to rest on their laurels after their acclaimed debut. Clocking in at an ambitious 70 minutes, the album shifts its gaze from outer space to inner space, exploring themes of human connection and mortality. Jón Aldará’s versatile vocals remain a centerpiece, seamlessly transitioning between soaring cleans and powerful growls, while the band crafts expansive soundscapes that range from melodic death metal to blackened progressive passages. Standout tracks like “Earth to Sky” and the epic opener “Kinship Elegiac” showcase the band’s masterful composition skills, though the 11-minute closer “The Anguished Ethereal” feels somewhat less inspired than its predecessors. While the production shows improvement from their debut with more natural-sounding drums, there’s still room for growth in the occasionally crowded mix. Despite these minor setbacks, Kinship stands as a powerful testament to IOTUNN’s evolution, masterfully blending progressive complexity with emotional depth.

Carnosus’s Wormtales, released October 18th via Willowtip Records, proves that lightning can indeed strike twice. Following up their acclaimed 2023 release Visions of Infinihility, the Swedish tech-death outfit has crafted something both more refined and more adventurous. The album’s ten tracks showcase a band confidently expanding their sonic palette, balancing technical prowess with memorable songwriting that seamlessly blends tech-death, melodeath, and even some core elements. Jonatan Karasiak’s vocal performance is particularly noteworthy, ranging from Strnad-esque screeches to guttural depths, with an almost theatrical delivery that adds an extra layer of horror to the proceedings. While the album maintains the band’s technical foundation, it’s their willingness to experiment with pacing and atmosphere that sets Wormtales apart, featuring everything from meat-headed riffs to surprisingly beautiful guitar solos. It’s a rare example of a quick follow-up album that doesn’t just match its predecessor but potentially surpasses it, showing a band that’s rapidly evolving beyond the confines of traditional tech-death.

Undeath’s More Insane proves that the Rochester death metal outfit isn’t content with merely repeating past successes. The album, produced by Mark Lewis, brings a cleaner, more focused sound that might surprise fans of their earlier, murkier material. Alexander Jones’s vocals remain as savage as ever, but there’s a newfound clarity that makes the intricate riffing and dynamic songwriting more impactful. While some diehards might miss the raw brutality of their previous releases, tracks like “Brandish the Blade” and “Disputatious Malignancy” showcase a band that’s evolving without abandoning their old-school death metal roots. The improved production allows Matt Browning’s drumwork to really shine, even if Tommy Wall’s bass occasionally gets lost in the mix. It’s Undeath doing what they do best—just with sharper teeth.

Devenial Verdict’s sophomore album Blessing of Despair, released October 4th, 2024 via Transcending Obscurity, proves that their acclaimed debut was no fluke. The Finnish outfit has managed to elevate their distinctive blend of atmospheric death metal to new heights, crafting a sound that’s simultaneously more brutal and more nuanced than its predecessor. The album masterfully balances crushing heaviness with atmospheric depth, particularly evident in standout tracks like “Garden of Eyes” with its Morbid Angel-meets-Gojira approach to groove, and “Solus” which delivers what might be one of the year’s most compelling musical moments. The production allows every element to breathe, from the chest-slamming opener “I Have Become the Sun” to the somber closing track “A Curse Made Flesh”, though some might find the latter a somewhat understated way to conclude such a powerful record. Despite minor pacing issues in tracks like “Counting Silence”, this is atmospheric death metal operating at its peak, showcasing a band that’s rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the genre.

Immortal Bird’s Sin Querencia stands as one of 2024’s most intriguing releases, though perhaps not for the reasons one might expect. The Chicago outfit has crafted something that defies easy categorization—a challenging blend of blackened death metal and progressive elements that demands multiple listens to fully grasp. Rae Amitay’s vocal performance is particularly striking, her harsh delivery carrying genuine emotion whether she’s screaming or diving into guttural territory. The production walks that fine line between raw energy and clarity, allowing the band’s complex arrangements to shine through the chaos. While some transitions between styles feel more experimental than natural, there’s something genuinely refreshing about a band willing to push boundaries without worrying about genre constraints. It’s not an easy listen, but it’s certainly a rewarding one for those willing to give it the attention it deserves.

Doedsmaghird’s Omniverse Consciousness is a mind-bending black metal exploration that shatters genre constraints. Released via Peaceville Records on October 11th, this collaboration between Vicotnik and Camille Giradeau crafts a psychedelic maelstrom where industrial textures and avant-garde experimentation collide, with tracks like “Sparker Inn Åpne Dører” and “Then, to Darkness Return” showcasing a breathtaking range from guttural brutality to haunting ethereality. Recorded with meticulous attention to sonic complexity, the album demonstrates Dødheimsgard’s continued commitment to pushing black metal’s experimental boundaries, offering a twisted sonic universe that rewards deep, adventurous listening.

Blood Incantation’s Absolute Elsewhere is a monumental progressive death metal odyssey that redefines extreme music’s landscape. Released on October 4th via Century Media, the album comprises two epic tracks—”The Stargate” and “The Message“—each exceeding 20 minutes and divided into three “tablets”. Recorded at Hansa Tonstudio with producer Arthur Rizk and featuring guest synthesizer work from Tangerine Dream’s Thorsten Quaeschning, Blood Incantation masterfully blends cosmic brutality with meditative passages. The Denver quartet navigates between crushing metal foundations and expansive, psychedelic soundscapes, creating an immersive journey that feels simultaneously earthbound and interstellar, ultimately delivering one of the most innovative and compelling metal experiences of the year.