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 

Diabolic Oath “Oracular Hexations”

    Spawning from out of the twisted and hellish depths comes yet another inhumanely agonizing release from Portland, OR’s savage black/death metal trio Diabolic Oath. Titled, “Oracular Hexations,” this sophomore full-length release picks up right where the band left off on their debut album, “Profane Death Exodus,” yet ventures even further into the tumultuous musical void that shreds away at your sanity as you become engulfed in the abhorrent sounding extreme metal miasma. 

    Right away, I will acknowledge that this album is definitely a step into an even more sinister direction, which is hard to imagine given how much I thought their debut album was a monstrous release. However, the production on this new album along with the cataclysmic riffs seems to take on an even more aggressive and surrealistic sound. There is a truly haunting evolution that you hear on this album as the songs seem to further experiment with utterly bludgeoning unorthodox chord progressions and seismically devastating blast beats. I feel as though where most modern death metal and black metal bands take on a very repetitive formula and fail to really step outside box, Diabolic Oath really puts a tremendous amount of effort into this new album by structuring the songs to leave a profound and devastating impact. 

    Out of the six tracks featured on this album, I never thought that the band disappointed in terms of offering some dynamic extreme metal compositions. Plus, the titles for the songs on this album are also extremely descriptive with the opening song being titled, “Rusted Madness Tethering Misbegotten Haruspices.” The band wastes little time and dives right into a massive sounding arrangement featuring some bombastic riffs, grotesque growls and sickening rhythms. Throughout the album the band continues to deliver these unbelievably monumental sounding arrangements that really standout thanks to the solid production. Track number two, “Serpent Coils Suffocating the Mortal Wound,” is a dynamically fearsome sounding black/death metal onslaught which blends together different tempos as well as some frantic sounding blast beats. 

    There are tracks on this album that really explore the thresholds of extreme metal music by deviating from the same path like on, “Winged Ouroboros Mutating Unto Gold” and “Fragmented Hymns from the Globulous Cruciger.” There are some death doom elements at times which adds to the dark suffocating atmospheres, but then all of a sudden you can have an unexpected transition into an adrenaline pumping old school death metal beatdown of unapologetic aggression. One track that stood out on this release was the close to ten min song, “Gathering Hordes from the Outer Worlds.” From the opening riff you are thrown into a thunderous primordial sounding realm, while at the same time the vocalist delivers more demonic growls to complement the music’s putrid tone. In the end, you just cannot escape this band’s unapologetic ferocity as well as their savage musicianship that delivers until the final song. 


    Working with Sentient Ruin on the release of this album, Diabolic Oath will be releasing, “Oracular Hexations,” on April 5th, 2024. Looking back at the other releases I have reviewed from Diabolic Oath, most of which have been released through Sentient Ruin, I strongly believe that sonically this is their best release to date. The riffs on this album are extremely insidious and the overall execution on each arrangement instantly hooks you once you start listening. This is definitely one of those extreme metal releases you are going to want to check out, because there is simply no denying Diabolic Oath’s almost unworldly sinister extreme music making talents on this album. 

Check out the song "Winged Ouroboros Mutating Unto Gold" below:

Link to Sentient Ruin Bandcamp:

https://sentientruin.bandcamp.com/

Link to Diabolic Oath Bandcamp:

https://diabolicoath.bandcamp.com/album/oracular-hexations

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/

Diabolic Oath "Aischrolatreia"

    The intense mind altering apocalyptic sounds that Diabolic Oath delivers with the release of their brand new mini-LP titled, “Aischrolatreia,” will leave you drifting away into a void unfathomable terror. These extreme metal musicians have proven to be a fearsome act by crafting some utterly tormenting death metal arrangements that feverishly shred away at your sanity. 

    Based out of Portland, OR, I am rather familiar with Diabolic Oath having reviewed their debut full-length album, “Profane Death Exodus,” which just like with this new mini-LP is being released through Sentient Ruin. The amount of sickening guitar riffs and unconventional chord progressions makes this band vividly standout when listening to their music. On their debut release the band offer up a plethora of hellacious creativity, so I was extremely pleased to hear the band continue to write such terrifying pieces of morbid aggression on this new release. 

    Sonically, “Aischrolatreia,” is a monumental sounding release with a very chaotic, yet profound presentation. The first track wastes little time conjuring up some purely putrid sounding riffs as well as some pulverizing drum parts. I think the drumming instantly caught my attention, because the flurry of blast beats provided by the band’s drummer creates this massive sounding thunderous assault. You really feel as if some malevolent force is rushing towards you and all your can do is watch as the landscape around you crumbles into oblivion. 

    Tracks like, “Grand Atrocities through Foul Miscreations” and “Swathed in Aberrant Flesh,” are purely sinister pieces of music featuring arrangements that seek to go beyond what listeners have come to hear from most modern death metal artists. Diabolic Oath is able to construct these dissonant guitar riffs which violently pull you in a variety of directions. Even though the musical landscape is mercilessly getting swallowed up by what seems like a massive sounding cloud of hellish distorted entropy, you become almost entranced by the inhuman chaos and you just cannot stop listening. 

    The album’s overall sadistic sounding production quality definitely helps to strengthen each composition on the album, and the band never gives off that vibe of where you feel like they are settling for a cheap ritualistic death metal sound. For example, “Malefic Pathways,” is one song where the riffs are down right savage sounding, yet don’t fall off the rails by throwing in unnecessary extra guitar parts to muddy up the arrangement. On the last track, “Poisoned Bodies of Swine Imbuing,” the music builds toward this pestilent sounding climax where the guitar playing leads you on a brutal hallucinogenic journey into the depths of hell. 

    If this album is a prelude of what is to come on the next Diabolic Oath full-length release, well then people better start preparing for the upcoming onslaught, because this band does not mess around. I will point out that at first some listeners might be overwhelmed by the constant chaotic sounding landscapes, but in the end the band does such a great job bring everything together and the overall sound definitely can hook listeners looking for something that transcends the basic death metal formula. We already have too many new death metal bands sounding like Dollar Store versions of Suffocation and Morbid Angel, so I always respect band's like Diabolic Oath for creating unique and dynamic sounding extreme metal releases. 

Check out the song "Swathed in Aberrant Flesh" below : 

Sentient Ruin Bandcamp:

https://sentientruin.bandcamp.com/

Diabolic Oath Bandcamp:

https://diabolicoath.bandcamp.com/

Diabolic Oath "Profane Death Exodus"

    The amount of uncompromising brutality that Diabolic Oath deals out on their debut full-length album, “Profane Death Exodus,” is almost unfathomable. This blackened death metal act from Portland, OR summons forth a punishing release with endless amounts of cataclysmic aggression.

    Joining forces with Sentient Ruin, one of the most maniacal extreme music labels around right now, Diabolic Oath is looking to make a colossal impact with the release of their debut album. The use of fretless guitars allows the band to construct these abysmal sounding riff compositions, which perfectly complements the sinister vocal attack. You feel completely overwhelmed at times by the sheer vitriolic force that this band delivers when hammering out their deafening brand of extreme metal music.

    I would say that the songwriting on this album is very strong and the ability to pull together such chaos in an attempt to hit listeners with a might bludgeoning of extreme artistic expression is very impressive. I’ve noticed a lot of young up and coming death metal acts fail to put forth the effort in building vivid atmospheres and end up writing repetitive compositions that are rather forgettable. I find that this album features some truly exceptional atmospheres that definitely grabbed my attention and showed how this band is not in the business of trying to become another gimmicky extreme metal band. 

    The opening song, “Towards Exalted Coronation,” is a beast of a track and contains a hellish war metal like guitar assault, but eventually transitions into a slow avalanche of gritty doom. Throughout the album you feel the musicianship, songwriting and attitude become even more savage, to where you are descending into a realm of infinite destruction. “Immaculate Conjuration of Infernal Recrudescence,” is one song that I found really taps into the dynamic and unholy sounding world of extreme musical creativity that almost seems limitless. You are always finding yourself being pulled in multiple directions by the frantic guitar and bass riffs, while also taking a massive hit to gut from the ear-splitting drum parts.

    Towards the end of the album songs like, “Opening the Gates to Blasphemic Domination” and “Chalice of Conquering Blood,” continued to display that ruthless aggression and formidable extreme creativity that the first few songs on the album seemed to convey. I thought, “Chalice of Conquering Blood,” was one of the most enigmatic songs off of the album and the wide range of harrowing tempo changes never lost that vicious sounding edge.

    This entire album is an onslaught of diabolic intensity, which I find the extreme music needs more of right now. I think Diabolic Oath’s approach to building apocalyptic sounding atmospheres filled with unpredictable dynamics is something listeners will notice right away. I highly recommend this album for extreme music fiends, especially those looking to step into a gateway of unrelenting brutality.

    Also, whoever did the album cover for this release is a genius, because after you listen to the album and then look at the album cover, you feel like the artwork matches exactly what was going through your mind when listening to the album. That is when you know an album is definitely worth getting!

Check out the song "Opening the Gates to Blasphemic Domination" below. Also, album comes out June 26, 2020 :

Diabolic Oath Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Diabolic-Oath-179885016082489/

Sentient Ruin Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/SentientRuin/