Top Ten Albums of 2024 / Rob "The Metal Guy" Awards

As the year 2024 comes to an end and we are all left wondering how in the world did people like The Costco Guys and Hawk Tuah Girl get famous along with all the other whacky shit that happened in 2024, it is time to look back on all the great music that came out this year. I felt that 2024 was a solid year overall in terms of new hard rock and metal releases, the battle for the number one spot was not as competitive as it has been in prior years. Sentient Ruin once again dominated in terms of underground extreme music labels, and the owner of the label does not need to run a Youtube Channel complaining like a toddler when bands are unwilling to do interviews with him like some other labels (cough...J-Dawg). Now, in regards to my pick for the number one album of the year, I am already expecting the self-proclaimed "true" metal readers to start calling me a poser as well as begin a petition to revoke my "Metal Guy" status. Honestly, just get over it and accept the fact that the best album of the year wasn't some obscure kvlt band that wears Party City vampire capes, or is a tech death band writing songs about aliens installing solar panels on The Great Pyramids. Just like how those cackling hens on The View had to accept the results of the Orange Man's victory, the metal community can chill out for one year as I give the number one spot to a non-metal band. Alright, enough of my blabbering, here is the list for my Top Ten Albums of 2024, plus the Rob "The Metal Guy" Awards at the end...

10. Örnatorpet “Fordomdags”

This just wouldn’t be a top ten list if a dungeon synth/ambient artist was not featured. As someone who has been a massive fan of dungeon synth music over the years, I always seem to come across some very creative artists. Örnatorpet is a Swedish artist who has really created some gems over the years, and this latest album “Fordomdags,” being yet another captivating dungeon synth tale. I like the Scandinavian folk elements that are sprinkled throughout the release, as well as the soothing melodies and bewitching synths. Even without words you can paint these vivid landscapes in your head while following along to the captivating noises. I highly recommend checking the album out if you enjoy dungeon synth and ambient music similar to that of Secret Stairways and Jim Kirkwood.  

9. Low Moments “Escape Artist/Ship Has Sailed” 

I just don’t think the world could have endured if we did not get another new Low Moment’s release and this new one that came out in 2024 was one that easily could have been nominated for a Grammy if only there was a way to payoff the officials like in the NFL. Actually, the music on this release is extremely catchy and the lyrics can be very relatable, which sometimes is scary if you really think about it. I would say that if you are a fan of gloomy post-punk then you will definitely want to listen to this album, as Low Moments just seems to fill that void which is missing in the music world today. Also, they sure do provide great background music for when you walk around the mall by yourself dressed all in black eating taiyaki and pondering as to why life keeps kicking you in the balls. 

8. Bütcher “On Fowl of Tyrant Wing”

I found out about this Belgium based speed metal/back metal band through an awesome friend who knows a thing or two about killer metal music. Bütcher’s latest release “On Fowl of Tyrant Wing” is down right badass from the album cover to the music. The album features a plethora of blistering riffs and skull crushing rhythms. Once you start listening to it, you cannot stop! This is definitely a band that I would like to see live one day, especially given the punishing and brutal energy that they were able to conjure up on this album. 

7. Deicide “Banished by Sin”

When it comes to older bands that are considered iconic and influential in the world of metal music, I personally feel as though some of them have really put out some sterile and overproduced sounding releases. Without sounding too harsh, I personally believe there are a handful of acts that just need to hang it up. In the case of Deicide, I definitely find that they have been consistent over the years and this new album “Banished by Sin” actually surprised me. Glen and the boys delivered a truly crushing death metal album featuring some down right brutal riffs. I would say that this album by far surpasses the last two albums, which I thought were just very average sounding releases. Songs like “Bury the Cross... with Your Christ,” “Woke from God” and “The Light Defeated” feature killer lyrics mocking religion, while showing that these guy still know how to pump out utterly agonizing extreme death metal compositions. 

6. Maudissez “Self-Titled Album” 

This debut self-titled album from sinister extreme metal maniacs, Maudissez, was sure one hellish listening experience. I thought this album was sonically decimating from the very start. It came as no surprise when I found out the that the band was working with Sentient Ruin on the release of the album. This group definitely fits in well with all the other bands on Sentient Ruin, especially considering the band’s haunting and profane musical identity. A lot of metal bands can dress-up and act evil with their chains and upside down crosses, but few can actually deliver an utterly malevolent sounding creation. Maudissez is a band that I would keep an eye out for in the future, as they are extremely talented when it comes to crafting long blasphemous sounding tracks with very terrifying atmospheres. 

5. Hemotoxin “When Time Becomes Loss”

A local Bay Area band that I have been following ever since seeing them live in 2013, Hemotoxin continues to push the technical thresholds with each new release. Guitarist/singer Michael Chavez is an unbelievably talented player who has also really evolved as a songwriter. “When Time Becomes Loss” takes a step into a more progressive direction, while still conveying a vicious old school death metal and technical thrash feel at times. I thought the album contained some very profound tracks with my favorite being, “Reborn in Tragedy.” Also, for the album Michael brought in a few talented guitarists to provide guest solos and give the music an even more blistering dynamic sound as well. 

4. Diabolic Oath “Oracular Hexations”

The savage blackened death metal horde known as Diabolic Oath once gain delivered a punishing full-length album to follow-up what was a very impressive debut album. This sophomore release, ““Oracular Hexations,” demonstrates the band’s savage nature, as well as their insane musicianship. From the apocalyptic blast beats and abhorrent riff structures, to the inhuman death growls, Diabolic Oath knows how to arrange some vicious tracks. Yet another band on Sentient Ruin which demonstrated tremendous extreme creativity to unleash upon the metal world an unfathomably deafening assault.  

3. Aberration “Refracture”

Ever since I reviewed Aberration’s first EP for Sentient Ruin back around 2021, I had been looking forward to hearing them come-up with a full-length release. The band’s sound takes on an old school death metal approach, but also incorporates some sonically defiling noises to create insidious atmospheres. There are a lot of dynamic and dissonant riff structures, which keeps you listening intently as the music viciously evolves. Aberration was determined to leave an impact with the release of this album, and I definitely think they accomplished their goal to create a purely evil sounding release. 

2. Nekus "Death Apophenia”

On their sophomore full-length release, "Death Apophenia,” Nekus once again unleashes a leviathan sized helping of death doom to shatter your ears and drag you mercilessly into the gruesomely distorted dark depths. The riffs on this album sound unbelievably deafening with monstrous amounts of reverb to send shockwaves across the musical landscapes with unapologetic force. Also, the thunderous drumming stands out as everything about this album evokes such a cataclysmic feel, which is why I really think this album is one of the best sounding extreme metal releases to come out in 2024. Nekus does not need to mindlessly shred through random scales to capture the listener’s attention. The band’s surrealistically profound delivery hooks you from start to finish by hitting you square in the gut. 

1. The Cure “Songs of a Lost World”

When I first heard that The Cure was going to be releasing a new album, I was not freaking out like most diehard fans, but I was interested to hear how it would sound. Although the album is not hard rock or metal, I made the decision to add it to this list because the album's overall production is phenomenal. From the opening song with its mesmerizing chords to the final track which hits you with a tremendous amount of profound emotional force, this album is just sonically impressive. Robert Smith sounds amazing as well compared to a lot of singers his age who have started to sound like utter trash and should check themselves into he retirement home (Morrissey being one of them!). I know a lot of my hardcore metal fanatic readers are going to scream poser when they read this, but all I can say to them is to get over it and acknowledge that even if you do not like The Cure, at least respect the quality of what this band was able to accomplish. The Cure could have easily just dialed it in and wrote an album full of gimmicky tracks that are cheap copies of previous material. However, “Songs of a Lost World,” actually takes elements from the band’s early years, but somehow ventures into even more grandiose post-punk atmospheric directions. Something that I think all bands young and old can learn from this new album from The Cure is that taking your time to compose a complete and profound listen experience is definitely important, and leaves an impression on your listeners more than a band cranking out albums mindlessly year after year which all sound the same to where why spending money when the music becomes utterly forgettable. 

The Rob “The Metal Guy” Awards

Label of the Year: Sentient Ruin

Best Live Performance: The Mission in San Jose at the Ritz and Kreator in SF at The Warfield for Klash of the Titans (Both get the award because both were amazing!) 

EP of the Year:  Cemetery Filth “Senses of Detriment”

Album Cover of the Year: Cemetery Filth “Senses of Detriment”

Music Video of the Year: VOID - “Return of the Phantom”

Music Venue of the Year: Brentwood Emporium

Best Punk Releases of the Year: Dollhouse - “I Hate You, Don’t Leave Me” and Yellowcake "A Fragmented Truth"

Most Badass Wrestler of the Year: Stephanie Vaquer

Biggest Douches of the Year: Taylor Swift, The Women on The View, and Dave Meltzer 

Aberration “Refracture”

     On their debut album, “Refracture,” Aberration molds together a monstrous sounding death metal release that ventures down into the cataclysmic depths to achieve a profoundly malevolent sound. The Minneapolis, MN based band proves to be a formidable force that looks to violently reshape the perception of extreme music by offering up some mind bending brutality with each new track. 

    Working with Sentient Ruin on the release of their debut full-length album, Aberration confidently puts forth an album that does not fall into the run-of-the-mill modern death metal category. Very similar to other artists on Sentient Ruin, I find that Aberration’s skillful musicianship as well as their abhorrent approach to composing death metal, creates an unfathomably deafening sounding realm where the music grips you from start to finish. I reviewed the band’s first self-titled EP back in 2021 and I definitely remember being impressed by the band’s willingness to compose these unique agonizing riffs, while maintaining such a vividly haunting overall tone. Recently, they put out a split with fellow Sentient Ruin label mates, Diabolic Oath, which I also recommend checking out if you're into sinister sounding death metal.

    The new album features five tracks, but most of the songs on this album average around eight to ten minutes, so do not let the number of tracks think you are getting a short release. Actually, the longer tracks feature a plethora of dynamic compositions and dissonant chord structures to keep you constantly focused and wondering where the band will transition next after already laying down a mighty death metal barrage. There is definitely an unpredictable and eradicate side to their style of death metal, but of course that is why I think Aberration is such a fascinating extreme metal act. On the opening track, “Antithesis,” the band slowly rises from the abyss and then unleashes a punishing riff assault. The vocals give off this pestilent demonic vibe as the singer growls with tremendous ferocity, while your ears get completely pummeled by the intense blast beats. At the core of this album, the drummer maintains such a monumental presence and the recording of the drummers is something that I think was exceptionally executed throughout the album. 

    On the second track, “Wresting Vibrations,” you are violently thrown into this realm full of unorthodox arrangements and chord structures, which compliments the album’s dark entropic vision. I think, "Wresting Visions," was my favorite song off of the album because of the savagely aggressive sounding dissonant riffs. Along with most of the songs off of this album, you are almost overwhelmed by the complete chaos going on in terms of how the band frantically transitions from arrangement to arrangement, but eventually you become firmly acclimated to the sadistic unpredictable musical landscape. This was also the case with tracks like, “Interstitial Enmity” and “Blighted,” where the band deals out these insidiously bludgeoning riffs. At times the music slows down to allow the band to conjure up these thunderously agonizing rhythms that end up complimenting the singer's inhumanely unapologetic vocal delivering.

    From the album’s opening track until the last song, “Refracture,” I do honestly believe that Aberration did not disappoint in terms of intensity and unforgiving brutality. Overall, this is a strong debut album from a very ambitious extreme metal band. I am not surprised that Sentient Ruin is continuing to work with Aberration, especially given the label’s strong history of putting out profoundly decimating releases. One recommendation for Aberration would be to continue to explore those surrealistically dark and unorthodox compositions which make their debut album such a compelling extreme metal creation. In a world where we are overwhelmed with mindless simplicity from mainstream music, you really do appreciate a band like Aberration for their skillfully innovative extreme metal mindset. 

Check out the song "Interstitial Enmity" below (Album comes out March 22, 2024) : 

Sentient Ruin Bandcamp:

https://sentientruin.bandcamp.com/

ABERRATION / DIABOLIC OATH 7” Split “Divinations”

    After dominating 2023 as one of the most brutal and savage extreme music labels around, Sentient Ruin looks to continue their sadistic sonic reign of terror into 2024 by unleashing an unbelievably sinister 7” split called, “Divinations.” This new split features two talented up and coming extreme metal acts that have put out some insanely decimating releases in the past via Sentient Ruin. Aberration from Minneapolis, MN and Diabolic Oath from Portland, OR, are two fiendish and abhorrent bands that conjure up some wicked blackened death compositions to create these suffocating abyss like atmospheres that exude such a pestilent sounding aura. 

    When I heard Aberration and Diabolic Oath would be working together, I knew right away that this split was going to offer up some monstrous sounding compositions. Both bands really capture the pure dark essence of classic black/death metal music, which is why I think fans of extreme metal music will be instantly hooked once they hear the songs on this release. Out of the two songs featured on this split, I do not believe you can say that one is better than the other, because both bands equally deliver some gruesome skull crushing riffs and truly demonic vocal parts to paint these abysmal and catastrophic musical landscapes. 

Aberration

    Aberration’s song, “Divinations of Flesh,” starts off with a flurry of primate sounding blast beats and agonizing guitar work. The vocals are utterly insidious sounding, which definitely adds to the song’s ritualistically malevolent tone. I really liked when the music slowed down and gave off a very ominous sound that slowly shreds away at your sanity as you are dragged down in the nightmarish depths of infinite darkness. Diabolic Oath’s track, “Divinations of Wrath,” was also very ruthless sounding with its very unapologetic and abrasive arrangements. The entropic guitar parts vividly standout throughout the song, which does not surprise me given the band's previous releases which also happen to feature a plethora of brutal mind altering riffs. Plus, I thought the raw production quality made the band sound even more fearsome as the song progressed and the music continued to focus in on these vile sounding riff structures. 

Diabolic Oath

    Overall, both bands really complimented each other extremely well on this split, and it comes as no surprise that Sentient Ruin will be responsible for releasing this sinister offering to kick off 2024. I would say that this is but a small taste of the destructive blackened death metal talents that Aberration and Diabolic Oath have to offer, as both shall be releasing new full-lengths this year. From this new split release alone, I predict we are going to be hearing a lot of apocalyptically decimating releases form Sentient Ruin in 2024, and Aberration and Diabolic Oath are the first two bands to commence the cataclysmic extreme metal onslaught. 

Check out the full split below :

Sentient Ruin Bandcamp:

https://sentientruin.bandcamp.com/

Aberration "S/T EP"

 

    On their debut EP Aberration unleashes a colossal landslide of destructive sounding ambient death metal that comes mercilessly crashing down upon the extreme metal world. This group of abhorrent minded extreme metal musicians conjures up a dark and agonizing sound for about fifteen minutes, so even though this is not an extremely long release, the band does a tremendous job offering listeners plenty of cranial splitting compositions. 

    Featuring members from Void Rot, Suffering Hour, Tvaer and Nothingness, Aberration is an extreme metal act that constructs death metal in a deafening and oppressive atmospheric fashion. The overall atmosphere on this release is very similar to the album’s cover art and you feel as though you are drifting through a cloud of unfathomable horror that messes with your sanity. The guitar riffs on this album create such haunting landscapes that suffocate all light as the music evolves, while the drum parts violently reverberate throughout the album showing no mercy as they deal out some thunderous sounding rhythms. I personally believe that the vocals provide the most terrifying yet also very hypnotic touch to the overall mix. In the end, the musicianship on this album is not to be ignored and they have a keen sense for songwriting. 

    The album is divided into three parts, however, the album truly flows from beginning to end without any choppy sections. Again, Aberration is a band that knows how to write and record music from start to finish, thus establishing a strong overall atmospheric presence that never loses its vicious dark edge. There are a lot of bands who fail to achieve this quality and usually end up losing listeners after about ten minutes of sloppy repetitive arrangements. 

    Production value is such a key component in terms of writing a compelling album and Aberration did a solid job with the production of this release. Right when the album begins you are instantly hooked by the hellish sounding ambience that eventually drags down into a cataclysmic world of mind altering death metal. I thought the second track on the album was where the band really placed great emphasis on creating this insidious sounding environment. I truly believe that the slower more bludgeoning style death metal riffs create a more haunting doom like atmosphere that demands your attention. The third and final section of the album features a consistent amount of relentless sounding aggression, which achieves this climatic feeling as music reaches its hideous and unspeakable end. 

    Fans who enjoy catastrophic sounding old school death metal that does not hit the repeat button on riffs and drum arrangements that have been done too many times before should definitely check this album out. Aberration’s unforgiving creative vision really stands out on this entire release and the band’s ability to hammer out extremely vivd and punishing arrangements is what I think makes this an impressive debut EP. 

    Aberration will be working with Sentient Ruin on the release of the album with a release date of January 15, 2021. The way I see it, 2021 is starting off to a solid start musically with one abominable sounding death metal release from Aberration. Let’s just hope everything gets better this year, because last year sucked worse than Morbid Angel’s “Illud Divinum Insanus.” 

Check out a track from the album below:

Sentient Ruin Bandcamp:

https://sentientruin.bandcamp.com/

Aberration Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Aberrationdeath/ 

Concert Review: Phoenix Theater Metal Show 2/20/16

Trecelence 

    Sometimes I wonder if I keep writing the same concert review every time I attend the Phoenix Theater. However, I am being one-hundred percent honest when I say that Saturday’s show was one of the most solid events put on by Sonoma County Metal and Hardcore. All six bands really delivered during their sets and even when conditions did not go exactly their way, I felt the musicians did their best to push on and keep the crowd hysterically shouting for more. With a line-up featuring Scrape the Earth, Water Into Blood, Cyborg Octopus, Trecelence, WRVTH and Aberration, you knew the audience was going to be headbanging and moshing until the very end.

    Now, I want to begin by saying thanks to the promoter of the show for allowing me to sell some vinyls to help raise money for Ksun Radio. I have been involved with Ksun for the last four years of my college life and really appreciated the opportunity to help raise money for it. This show was the perfect place to sell those vinyls, because all six bands were able to draw out a decently sized crowd who seemed to feverishly enjoy metal music. I was stationed in the back of the venue with my vinyls at a table overlooking the floor in an area that at one time was an old piano lounge. Although I did not have the chance to be right up in front of the stage, I did have a great view of the whole venue. 

    Even before Scrape the Earth began their set I was having numerous people coming up to the table looking to obtain some of the vinyls I had out. I thank the members of Trecelence for being some of the first buyers and for giving me a shootout during their set. The looks on their faces when they found certain vinyls reminded me of my four year old nephew opening presents on Christmas morning. Once the vinyl buyers found their choices I turned my attention to the first band, Scrape the Earth. This would be my third time seeing the band and I must say they have come along in their songwriting and onstage performance. The drumming especially held down a solid rhythmic backbone the entire set and drummer Nick Pater was locked in behind the kit hitting each cymbal and snare with precision. Guitarist/singer Forrest Dang along with bassist Matt Lasserre were pounding away at some heavy sounding riffs while displaying tremendous enthusiasm. Scrape the Earth did their job as the opener and kicked the show off with a nuclear bang. 

    Second up was Water Into Blood, another band who I would be seeing for my third time. Unlike the last time when I saw them playing on the Phoenix side stage, the band looked more comfortable on the main stage and sounded really tight. The passion that comes from lead singer Michael McCubbin is astounding. The riffs were crushing and the heads in front of the stage were constantly banging along to the distorted rhythms. Again, the whole group sounded tight with each member hammering away on the same page. I still would like to see some more lead guitar playing, because the solo in the first song should be thrown in more often to add that element of excitement. Just my opinion though and overall they put on a strong set. 

    As Cyborg Octopus began setting up to go on third, I was given plenty of time to sell some vinyl and converse with the fellow metal maniacs. Eventually I started to wonder if the band was taking a bit too long to set up. Here is where I am going to say that the show did not go down south by any means, but compared to the other bands I felt the time it took them to set up could have been shortened. Upon finally getting all the members ready to go I was interested to hear how they would sound. Out of San Ramon, CA, the group is known to play "progressive metal" and let me say they are definitely progressive musical thinkers. They had a saxophone player who also played a keyboard guitar. Musically, they incorporated a lot of different time signatures while throwing in some funky jazz music to add a unique contrast. Personally, not my type of metal, but I do respect the musicianship and thought the two guitar players were quite talented. I would say they were the most experimental band who took to the stage. 

    Fourth up was no other than the vinyl fanatics and local die hard speed thrashers, Trecelence. After winning the Sonoma County Battle of the Bands I have found them to be at level that you do not hear to often from young up and coming acts. Their mix of technicality and old school  sounding thrash is solid and their dedication to the scene is without question. Tonight though would test Trecelence’s ability to soldier on through a shortened set time and a guitar string snapping during the first song. Yes, as the band began tearing away at a vicious thrash riff guitarist Donnie Small happened to have the misfortune of having a guitar string snapping. Luckily one of his roadies ran to the stage and handed him another guitar to use, but in the mean time guitarist Chris Olney Burnett was left to handle the riffs by himself. Bassist Zane Covington and drummer Ilan Cabrera kept the rhythm going and I think they were able to manage and not let it affect them. As the band’s set progressed and no other strings snapped, they looked extremely conformable on stage playing their songs that always received a big pop from the audience. By the time they reached their final song, the venue was buzzing and I could feel the positive metal energy from where I stood in the back. 

    After Trecelence finished the fifth act WRVTH took to the stage. These guys had a very unique lighting set up that in a way complimented their style of metal that had some atmospheric touches. I personally found the dynamic sound and emotional vibe from their music to be very impressive. Every second of their set had me paying attention and focusing my ears to the massive sound that would come from their compositions. Also, they too had a solid singer who pierced the musical landscape with some fierce growls. People wanted another song from them, but unfortunately they were having to adhere to the shortened time limit just like Trecelence. 

    Well, after WRVTH walked off the stage the final act began to set up for their face smashing set. Aberration, who I have seen a few times before, sure knows how to get a place going unbelievably crazy. They were also filming a music video, so the band kept telling the fans to not hold back and let out their extreme inner souls. Watching all this from where I was definitely made me appreciate the hard work that goes into getting a crowd excited and moving around. Singer James Owen unleashed some wicked vocals while revving up the crowd. Aberration never showed signs of slowing down and kept the intense atmosphere going until the last note was struck. 

    I think after the show most fans were dog tired, with a few still able to run up to the vinyl table when I had the prices go down to one dollar per vinyl. Sonoma Metal and Hardcore did it once again with an enjoyable all out metal show at the Phoenix Theater. I think all the bands gave people their metal fix and hopefully we see more shows with some of these bands in the future. Keep coming out and keep supporting the scene. There is a reason heavy metal is still alive and kicking while disco is buried six feet under. I just hope metal bands don’t get too experimental and start mixing metal with disco...That would sound scary...please, do not attempt if you are a band. 

Aberration