Putting together a best of list is a tradition for me, so I couldn’t resist doing it for the best albums of 2024. Honestly, it’s not been a great music year for me, but there is still plenty of good stuff. I haven’t drifted further from extreme metal, but I haven’t gotten closer either, so there’s a notable lack of death metal and black metal.
About me – deathdoom.com, music and more
- Stefan Nordström
- Musician, songwriter, content creator, digital freelancer
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Bands: Desolator, Soliloquium, Ending Quest, Ashes of Life, Trees of Daymare, The Ashen Tree
- Social: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Top 10 best albums of 2024
10. Klone – The Unseen
To me, this is not Klone firing on all cylinders, but it’s still pretty damn good. Vocals are amazing as always, and there are some interesting atmospheric passages. Even at base level, this band is one of the best progressive metal bands out there, but I’m hoping for something more dynamic and intense next time.
9. Iotunn – Kinship
Iotunn was no doubt in for a huge challenge, trying to match their kickass, epic debut album. Luckily, I have to say the band mostly succeeded. It’s once again all in on the epicness, as the album features huge soundscapes, paving way for Jon’s amazing vocals. It took a while for it to hit me – now I’d rate it just as highly as the debut.
8. VOLA – Friend of a Phantom
I’ve been a huge VOLA fan over the last five years or so. This one is perplexing, as I’m trying to figure out whether it’s the band or my state of mind that’s stopping me from enjoy this as much as previous releases. Maybe I’ve just had all the mega-shiny vocal lines I could have, I don’t know? Because it definitely has great playing and songwriting. It’s grown a bit over time, but I think this where it’ll land. Still a solid effort though!
7. The Cure – Songs for a Lost World
The Cure coming out with a fantastic album after a long period of inactivity and so-so releases is a huge positive surprise. What a super-sad and apocalyptic album it is, feeling like one big celebratory goodbye for the band. Hopefully, it isn’t farewell, but that’s the vibe it’s creating.
6. Ponte del Diavolo – Fire Blades From the Tomb
Heading to Italy’s Frantic Fest made me discover a bunch of new Italian metal bands. Ponte del Diavolo’s witchy blend of black metal, doom and straight up occult rock was the main find. The band and the debut album is heavily hyped in the metal scene in 2024, and I totally get why. It’s super-cool and unique stuff. Do yourself a favor and check it out!
5. Marjana Semkina – Sirin
I’ve dabbled in Marjana’s main project Iamthemorning from time to time, but “Sirin” is the album that decisively made me a fan. First single “Pygmalion” and having Antimatter‘s Mick Moss featured on the album what was drew me in. As I kept listening to it, song after song kept popping out and growing. Truly a heartfelt album with plenty of emotion. And amazing vocals, of course.
4. The Foreshadowing – New Wave Order
First single “Lobbies” set a very high bar for this album, and it took a while for the other songs to catch up. But damn, when they did! As always with The Foreshadowing, the vocal performance is unbelievable. On this album, they’ve also added a more synth/new wave flair that fits perfectly. All I can say is that this band’s discography remains flawless, and this might even become my favorite, if it keeps growing.
3. Helevorn – Espectres
Mallorca’s Helevorn have been churning out quality gothic death/doom metal for many years. “Espectres” is another great album, filled with emotion and topped off with amazing vocals. It’s grown to being my favorite release of theirs, and it certainly deserves this high place on the list.
2. Cemetery Skyline – Northern Gothic
The ultimate nordic mash-up between musicians from Dark Tranquillity, Insomnium, Amorphis, Sentenced and Entombed resultet in a super-catchy gothic metal album. Stanne’s vocal lines have been on my head extremely much, and they don’t seem to go away. Just what I needed in 2024 apparently, because I’ve been spinning it non-stop, and I have no plans to stop anytime soon.
1. Hamferð – Men Guðs hond er sterk
Hamferð is one of the most unique bands out there, and every release is virtually a quality-guarantee. This album sees the band explore more brutal sides of the sound, while also delivering on all things Hamferð. It’s my AOTY, and probably my favorite album from the band as well. Also, two Jon Aldara entries in the same list underlines what a damn amazing vocalist he is.
Honorable mentions
- Air Formation – Air Formation
- Blood Red Throne – Nonagon
- Huntsmen – The Dry Land
- Leprous – Melodies of Atonement
- Oranssi Pazuzu – Muuntautuja
- Soror Dolorosa – Mond
- Ulcerate – Cutting the Throat of God
Best albums of 2024 – summary
2024 was far from my favorite music year, but it still delivered some interesting albums. Many of these also keep growing, especially my top 3. Have you heard all of these? What do you think of them? Am I missing out on something amazing? Tell me on Instagram.
If you want to support me and increase my ability to put time into passion-projects like this, please check out my progressive death/doom metal band Soliloquium and buy the digital music or merch from Bandcamp.
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