Best Metal Albums of September 2024

Black Sites’ album The Promised Land? is a compelling blend of heavy and progressive metal, demonstrating the band’s ability to craft intricate and engaging music. The album features seven tracks that showcase a mix of classic heavy metal influences and progressive elements, with songs like “Descent” and “Dead Tomorrow” highlighting their dynamic range and technical prowess. The songwriting, while occasionally described as slightly stale, is bolstered by energetic performances that convey authenticity and passion. Mark Sugar’s vocals are noted for their mid-range power, drawing comparisons to iconic metal voices without resorting to high-pitched theatrics. The production is praised for its clarity, allowing the intricate guitar work and rhythmic complexity to shine through. Overall, The Promised Land? is a solid addition to Black Sites’ discography, offering a well-balanced mix of traditional metal sounds with modern sensibilities, appealing to both die-hard metal fans and newcomers alike.

Flotsam & Jetsam’s I Am the Weapon is a testament to the band’s enduring prowess in the thrash metal scene, blending aggressive riffs with melodic elements. The album, their sixteenth, continues the momentum from previous releases, featuring standout tracks like “A New Kind of Hero” and “Burn My Bridges,” which showcase their signature mix of power and thrash metal influences. Eric A.K.’s vocals remain powerful, contributing to the album’s dynamic range and engaging melodies. While some tracks like “Primal” and “Black Wings” are seen as less impactful, the overall quality and energy reflect the band’s ability to evolve while maintaining their core sound. With strong production and intricate solos, I Am the Weapon is a solid addition to their discography, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers.

Blighted Eye’s Agony’s Bespoke is an impressive debut that blends melodic black metal and progressive death metal with skillful execution. The album features standout tracks like “Tragoedia” and “The Wounding,” which effectively combine meloblack textures with death-oriented tones. The band’s ability to craft compelling riffs and integrate growls and shrieks adds to the album’s dynamic nature. While some listeners might find the clean vocals less impactful and the song lengths occasionally excessive, the overall composition remains engaging throughout. The album is notable for its strong musical foundation, making it a remarkable entry from a band that formed in 2019, with members linked to other acts like Pantheïst and Aethereus. Despite minor critiques, Agony’s Bespoke stands out as a significant addition to the metal scene in 2024.

156/Silence’s album People Watching is a powerful exploration of the band’s evolution within the hardcore genre, marked by its darker and heavier sound. The album showcases a blend of hardcore, sludge, and post-hardcore elements, enriched with ambient and noise enhancements that create a unique atmospheric experience. Vocalist Jack Murray delivers an impressive performance, seamlessly switching between visceral growls and haunting clean vocals that add emotional depth to the tracks. The album art, depicting a disturbing image reminiscent of a fun-house nightmare, complements the music’s unsettling vibe. With influences ranging from classic bands like Botch and Deftones to modern acts like Alpha Wolf, People Watching stands out as a dynamic and mature addition to 156/Silence’s discography, maintaining high energy and emotional intensity throughout its 14 tracks.

Diablation’s Irrévérence is a striking entry in the French black metal scene, showcasing the band’s ambition and skill. Released by Osmose Productions, the album spans 40 minutes with seven tracks that blend cold, steel-like riffs with strong melodic undercurrents. Songs like “Le dernier roi” deliver intense, relentless energy, while “Eternel” features ferocious drumming and vocals that enhance its dark atmosphere. The album’s production allows for explosive moments, such as in “Purification,” where spoken French vocals add a unique touch. Although it might fly under the radar for mainstream audiences, Irrévérence stands out for its excellent craftsmanship and brutal sound, marking Diablation as a key player in the ongoing renaissance of French black metal.

Satan’s Songs in Crimson marks a dynamic return for the NWOBHM veterans, blending their traditional heavy metal roots with a rawer, more energetic sound. The album, their seventh, is characterized by its frantic energy and immediate attack, diverging from the more complex progressions of previous works. Tracks like “Frantic Zero” and “Turn the Tide” showcase high-speed rhythms and memorable riffs, while “Whore of Babylon” and “Sacrificial Bliss” offer darker themes with captivating crescendos. Although some critics note a decline in songwriting quality and production issues, particularly with mixing and compression, the album still delivers powerful performances and catchy guitar solos. Despite these critiques, Songs in Crimson remains a testament to Satan’s enduring presence in the metal scene, maintaining the vitality and aggression that have defined their long career.

Endonomos’ Endonomos II – Enlightenment is a remarkable addition to the doom metal landscape, showcasing the band’s ability to blend classic doom, post-metal, and death metal into a cohesive and powerful album. Released by Argonauta Records, the album features six tracks that explore themes of darkness and melancholy, with songs like “Atheon Anarkhon” and “Kafir Qal’a” standing out for their dissonant riffs and atmospheric depth. The band’s use of both clean and guttural vocals adds emotional layers, enhancing the haunting and depressive mood throughout the album. Critics have praised its mature songwriting and seamless integration of various doom metal elements, drawing comparisons to bands like Pallbearer and Swallow the Sun. Despite its heavy themes, the album’s 48-minute runtime is engaging, making it one of the standout doom releases of 2024.

Servant’s Death Devil Magick is a captivating exploration of black metal, blending traditional elements with modern sensibilities. The album features tracks like “Sin” and “Magick,” which are noted for their atmospheric depth and intense instrumentation. Servant skillfully combines haunting melodies with aggressive riffs, creating a sound that is both dark and immersive. The production quality enhances the overall experience, allowing the intricate layers to shine through. With its mix of raw energy and melodic undertones, Death Devil Magick stands out as a significant release in the black metal genre, appealing to both purists and new listeners alike.

Luck Won’t Save You by the band of the same name is a standout debut that draws comparisons to Between the Buried and Me, particularly in its fusion of progressive metal with elements of hardcore, metalcore, and death metal. The album showcases an impressive range of technical proficiency and creative songwriting, blending complex time signatures and intricate guitar work with the raw energy of hardcore. Tracks like “Bitter End” and “Falling Apart” highlight this blend, featuring aggressive riffs and powerful breakdowns alongside melodic interludes. The band’s ability to seamlessly integrate these diverse influences results in a dynamic and engaging listening experience, appealing to fans of both progressive metal and its heavier counterparts. Despite navigating familiar territory within the genre, Luck Won’t Save You establishes a unique identity through its ambitious musical exploration and emotional intensity.

The Black Dahlia Murder’s latest album Servitude marks a powerful and heartfelt return for the band after the tragic passing of their iconic vocalist, Trevor Strnad. Released through Metal Blade Records, this album features ten tracks that seamlessly blend their signature melodic death metal style with a fresh burst of energy and technical skill. Brian Eschbach, stepping into the vocal role, delivers a performance that both honors Strnad’s legacy and infuses his own fierce intensity. Songs like “Asserting Dominion” and “Mammoth’s Hand” showcase the band’s intricate guitar work and relentless rhythms, upholding their reputation for exceptional musicianship. The album concludes with “Utopia Black,” providing a strong finish that encapsulates themes of darkness and renewal. Servitude stands as a testament to The Black Dahlia Murder’s resilience and creativity, reaffirming their place in the metal scene with a revitalized and compelling sound.