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
