Best Metal Albums of 2024 So Far

Warp Speed Warriors by DragonForce is an electrifying power metal album that acts as a high-octane soundtrack, uplifting its listeners with energetic compositions. Known for their rapid, melody-driven style, DragonForce delivers an album brimming with energy from start to finish. Tracks like “Space Marine Corp” and “Doomsday Party” highlight their knack for merging frantic musicianship with anthemic choruses, making each song a potential live show favorite. The unexpected cover of Taylor Swift’s “Wildest Dreams” adds a playful twist without compromising intensity. Warp Speed Warriors showcases DragonForce’s ongoing evolution in the power metal genre, reaffirming their status as stalwarts of the scene.

Read more in Best Metal Albums of March 2024

Lower Form Resistance by Dissimulator is a standout album, claiming its spot here due to its innovative work within the metal scene with its fusion of old-school death / thrash and robotic progressive metal. The album showcases the band’s ability to navigate rapid, complex sections and commanding breakdowns, enhanced by mesmerizing riffs. A unique feature is the use of a robotic voice, adding a psychedelic layer to the ambiance. The spontaneous jam-like transitions into spectacular breakdowns, combined with rhythmic and beat changes, highlight the band’s originality and craftsmanship.

Read more in Best Metal Albums of February 2024

Griffon’s De Republica is an outstanding neoclassical black metal album, earning top marks for February 2024. This album combines black metal with neoclassical and baroque elements, creating a grand and intricate soundscape. Thematically, it explores politics, law, egalitarianism, and the sanctity of revolution against tyranny. Tracks like “L’Homme du Tarn” and “The Ides of March” are notable for their intensity, melodic richness, and historical samples. De Republica balances raw energy with expressive narratives, showcasing Griffon’s musical skill and thematic depth, making it a must-listen for metal enthusiasts.

Read more in Best Metal Albums of February 2024

Released on May 17, 2024, by Neurot Recordings, Ufomammut’s Hidden exemplifies their fusion of science fiction themes with the dense rhythms of doom metal. This album crafts an atmosphere that immerses listeners in a futuristic, industrial world. Tracks such as “Crookhead” and “Mausoleum” showcase slow, heavy riffs blended with ultra-sludge elements, creating an intense soundscape. This release demonstrates Ufomammut’s ongoing innovation within the genre, solidifying Hidden as a significant contribution to the doom metal archives.

Read more in Best Metal Albums of May 2024

Weird Tales by The Vision Bleak sets out with a singular mission: to immerse listeners in a world of misery through unique storytelling and meticulously crafted atmospheres. Drawing stylistic parallels to Type O Negative, this conceptual album weaves a narrative filled with highs and lows. It blends gothic and post-metal rhythms, incorporating guttural vocals, doom influences, and sustained acoustic passages, all underpinned by piano and keyboard notes that are both disconcerting and captivating. Ultimately, Weird Tales is a rollercoaster of horrors that perfectly fulfills its grim purpose.

Read more in Best Metal Albums of April 2024

Released on May 17, 2024, through Archivist Records, HELL:ON´s Shaman showcases a compelling blend of thrash and death metal with distinct cultural influences, including oriental features. The Ukrainian band incorporates traditional instruments like the sitar and diverse percussion to craft a unique soundscape. Tracks such as “What Steppes Dream About” and “He with the Horse’s Head” highlight their skill in merging powerful riffs with intricate melodies and atmospheric elements. Recorded, mixed, and mastered at TA Production Studio in Zaporizhia, Ukraine, Shaman offers a dynamic and intense listening experience, reflecting HELL:ON´s ongoing evolution in the death metal genre.

Read more in Best Metal Albums of May 2024

ADON’s debut full-length album, Adon, leaves a powerful impression with its intricate and multifaceted compositions. The technical prowess on display is both captivating and overwhelming, immersing listeners in a dark, grim, and otherworldly universe. The band masterfully alternates tempos, incorporates guitar solos, and integrates exotic Eastern sounds, showcasing vast imagination and skill. Although the intensity can be overwhelming, ADON’s strategic pacing provides brief moments of respite. In summary, Adon is a masterful and ambitious work.

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Huntsmen’s The Dry Land presents a unique blend of American folk, doom, and black metal, defying easy categorization. This album transports listeners to a cinematic world, filled with mystery and intrigue. Its originality and masterful execution make it a strong contender for album of the year. Notably, “Cruelly Dawn’s” stands out as a highlight. The album’s ability to seamlessly integrate diverse genres into a cohesive and engaging experience showcases Huntsmen’s innovative artistry.

Read more in Best Metal Albums of June 2024

Malist’s Of Scorched Earth is an impressive black metal offering that caught my attention with its dynamic approach. The solo project combines rhythmic changes, diverse styles, and acoustic sections to create a compelling album. The album tells a powerful story of humanity’s fall and survival guided by primal deities. This thematic depth and musical variety have made it a frequent listen for me. Of Scorched Earth stands out as a significant addition to the black metal genre.

Read more in Best Metal Albums of January 2024

Borknagar’s Fall reaffirms their mastery in blending Viking metal with progressive and black metal elements, resulting in an epic and atmospheric soundscape. The opening track, “Summits”, epitomizes their style with a mix of brutal intensity and regal splendor, showcasing their ability to create complex and emotionally resonant music. The album features superb guitar work by Jostein Thomassen and dynamic vocal interplay between Lars Nedland and ICS Vortex. Tracks like “Moon” and “Northward” highlight their skill in transitioning from aggressive black metal to serene passages, exemplifying their versatility and innovation.

Read more in Best Metal Albums of February