EXTREME METAL MANIAC's BEST RELEASES OF 2024
The Best of 2024? Well in my not so humble opinion that is. But hey people it's all about taste as far as I'm concerned. I've decided to go back to my old school way of saying fuck the top 40 concept and give credit to many releases via in their genres.
By the way 2024 was typical year for Extreme Metal. I mean if you wanted to find music which made your blood boil and blast it loud enough for your neighbors to call the police on ya. Well then yeah you had a huge selection of extreme metal releases to blast. Just for the record I only had the police come to my home twice this year for playing loud disturbing music which my neighbors found offensive and fell into the noise ordnance laws.
As always to anyone reading this and thinking "why wasn't (place band name here) in my lists?" Well one I might've heard it and didn't care for it. Secondly I might've heard / bought it and was disappointed with it. I probably reviewed it. And finally hey I probably missed out on it. That happens all the time and I honestly admit it sometimes in the reviews. Now with all of that said here we go.
FAVORITE BLACK METAL RELEASES OF 2024
Yes as always it was a good year for Black Metal although my tastes have made me restrictive as far as liking things that in the past I'd give a shot. But now I'm like "this is boring" or "this is hipster shit". For this year there was one great release which I thought was amazing and from a band that I've been a long time fan of. But then Fall came with more BM releases and things changed. Which is why I don't understand these people who come out with their "Best Of Lists" in early or the middle of December. I'm not talking about print media because they have their reasons. But it's these people who have Youtube channels. You're so fuckin desperate to get your content out that you fuckin miss some killer releases. I'm writing this at 11:15 on the 29th of December. I probably won't be done until New Years Fuckin Eve. But hey at least I waited till the last minute because "Every Release Counts". So here ya go.
1. SATANIC WARMASTER - Exultation of Cruelty
Werewolf Records / Hells Headbangers Records
Classic Finnish Black Metal piss and vineger meets fine wine. Werwolf has just gotten better over all of these years. I know there will be "some people" all butt-hurt over this choice. But hey my answer to them is just listen to it or go fuck off.
2. WHOREDOM RIFE - Den vrede makt
Terratur Possessions
The best Black Metal act from Norway in a long while.
3. SERPENTS OATH - Revelation
Odium Records
An amazing Belgian Black Metal attack.
4. PESTILENTIAL SHADOWS - Devil’s Hammer
Northern Silence Productions
Australian Black Metal that leaves you numb.
5. PESTILENT HEX - Sorceries Of Sanguine and Shadow
Debemur Morti Productions
A return of Symphonic Black Metal that's grandiose, hypnotic and harsh as fuck.
6. HENRY KANE - Circle of Pain
Selfmadegod Records
A return of classic sounding Swedish Black Metal.
7. MASTER OF BLASPHEMY - Bloodred Realm
Kvlt und Kaos Productions
German Black Metal revives heritage.
8. MERRIMACK - Of Grace and Gravity
Season of Mist
French BM stalwarts still creepy after all these years.
9. LUCIFERIAN RITES - Oath of Midnight Ashes
Moribund Records
Very cool late 90's style Black Metal from Mexico.
10. VORGA - Beyond the Palest Star
Transcending Obscurity Records
Modern day BM that's actually good.
FAVORITE DEATH METAL RELEASES OF 2024
My close friends and maybe a few online people know I'm infamous for the line "This Is Why I Listen To Death Metal". It's a phrase I use in rebuttal to all of the crap music I endure listening to mainly at work. My last job wasn't so bad until afterwards sitting at the bar and hearing hip hop crap. But now at my new job I hear just total bad classic AOR shit. And you can just imagine how I felt for the past two months listening to holiday music five fuckin days a week.
Anyways I'm not gonna give just ten favorites because that would be totally wrong. Years ago I also said that "Death Metal was my saving grace." I say a lot of things. But anyways here's a bunch of releases that if you say you're into Death Metal than you should own at least ten on this list. If you don't then what the fuck is wrong with you? Here ya go.
1. DEIVOS - Apophenia
Selfmadegod Records
For so many years I've said that VADER were my favorite Polish Death Metal band. The torch has been passed because DEIVOS over the past few years has taken the mantle of true brutal sounding Polish DM to the hilt. I've liked this band for years and this new album just proves my point. They fuckin reign supreme.
2. VEILBURNER - The Duality of Decapitation and Wisdom
Transcending Obscurity Records
An American Blackened Death Metal band that knows how to create extreme cosmic horror. They're a late night DM essential.
3. PAGANIZER - Flesh Requiem
Transcending Obscurity Records
The only Swedish Death Metal band that matters in my not so humble opinion.
4. ADORIOR - Bleed on My Teeth
Dark Descent Records
This is extreme metal insanity which will blow you away and demand multiple listens. I just love Jaded Lungs (aka: Melissa Gray) singing over deathly musical chaos. A great comeback album.
5. REVOLTING - Night of the Horrid
Xtreem Music
My second favorite Rogga Johansson related album of the year. Death Metal like handing a loaded pistol to a drunk.
6. CRAWL - Altar of Disgust
Transcending Obscurity Records
Old School Swedish DM with added Hardcore grooves and a touch of grind. Listen to this and get bent.
7. NOROTH - Sacrificial Solace
Carbonized Records
From Seattle, Washington sound-wise these guys come across as if GRAVE meets INCANTATION with the vocalist from HOODED MENACE. Ah yeah that's cool.
8. CHRIST DENIED - Christopsy
Xtreem Music
Spain's most brutal Death Metal band returns with a new album after a decade of silence.
9. PRIMITIVE WARFARE - Extinction Protocol
Godz ov War Productions
A band who are damm good at producing a sound that's all about ripping your head off and shitting down your neck. They are "Brootal" in every cliche way with eight cuts that'll kick your fuckin ass.
10. FERAL - To Usurp The Thrones
Transcending Obscurity Records
Musically a brutal and ferocious beast of modern day Swedish DM.
11. HUMAN INFECTION - Gravesight
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions
USDM but like VADER meets CANNIBAL CORPSE in a back alley, has a fight and then decides to drink a few beers afterward. This is a great death metal album.
12. MORGUE - Close To Complete Darkness
Godz ov War Productions
A filthy stew of hate, filth and gore from this French duo.
13. RIBSPREADER - Reap Humanity
Xtreem Music
Just a damm good release packed full of crunchy Swede Death riffs from another Rogga Johansson project.
14. NILE - The Underworld Awaits Us All
Napalm Records
New line-up, slightly newer direction and still brutal tech death.
15. NECROT - Lifeless Birth
Tankcrimes
Second album by this California DM trio who graduated from OSDM 101.
16. SKELETAL REMAINS - Fragments Of The Ageless
Century Media Records
More California DM from a cool band that never disapoints.
17. SUFFER - Grand Canvas of the Aesthete
Wise Blood Records
A death metal act from Sioux Falls, South Dakota who started out in 1989 but never gave up. Second favorite album cover of the year.
18. CARNAL SAVAGERY - Into the Abysmal Void
Moribund Records
New Swede Death from a band that's been consistent for a few years now.
19. ROGGA JOHANSSON - Otherworld
Iron Blood and Death Corporation
Another great solo effort by Rogga.
20. NECROWRETCH - Swords of Dajjal
Season of Mist
Great French Blackened Death metal.
FAVORITE THRASH & SPEED METAL RELEASES OF 2024
Yeah when it comes to bands in this or these genres you've just gotta be over the top. With that said here's my five.
1. OXYGEN DESTROYER - Guardian of the Universe
Redefining Darkness Records
This absolutely the best band today doing the whole blackened death thrash style of extreme. Definitely one of the best albums of 2024
2. BLOOD FEAST - Infinite Evolution
Hells Headbangers Records
New Jersey's old school thrashers never disapoint.
3. PANDEMIC - Phantoms
Dying Victims Productions
Great thrash from Poland and a huge surprise.
4. CRITICAL DEFIANCE - The Search Won't Fall
Unspeakable Axe Records
Yep it's violent thrash from Chile.
5. SAHON - Blood Shall Be Paid
Brutal Records
Old school sounding Thrash from South Korea.
FAVORITE DOOM RELEASES OF 2024
Well ya'll know I love my Doom and this year real doom ruled. I've got a top 10 which means I had to skip out on three or four other decent releases which I liked and own but oh well.
1. EARLY MOODS - A Sinner's Past
RidingEasy Records
Yeah this band just rules.
2. GATES OF SLUMBER - Self Titled
Svart Records
Comeback album of the year as far as I'm concerned.
3. CRYPT SERMON - The Stygian Rose
Dark Descent Records
Great third album by this Philadelphia, PA epic Doom metal act.
4. CASTLE - Evil Remains
Hammerheart Records
After some cool releases CASTLE comes back after a break with one of their best albums ever.
5. DEVENIAL VERDICT - Blessing of Despair
Transcending Obscurity Records
Death Doom for night owls like me.
6. PONTE DEL DIAVOLO - Fire Blades from the Tomb
Season of Mist
From Italy, imagine SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES as a gothic doom act.
7. LEGIONS OF DOOM - The Skull 3
Tee Pee Records
Great super group which surprised the hell out of me.
8. OFFICIUM TRISTE - Hortus Venenum
Transcending Obscurity Records
Dutch Death Doom, the beast and beauty meet perfectly on here.
9. IRON MONKEY - Spleen & Goad
Relapse Records
I'd call this another great comeback album.
10. ORANGE GOBLIN - Science, Not Fiction
Peaceville Records
Stoner Rock ah yeah but this one is Hard Fuckin Rock as hell.
FAVORITE GRINDCORE RELEASES OF 2024
As all of you readers know I like my grindcore old style, filthy and ready to take names in order to kill. Here's my top five and unfortunately I could've included a few more but in my not so humble opinion they sounded more Brutal DM than pure Grind.
1. FACHE - Violent au volant
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions
FACHE (which in French means "angry") are a three piece Grindcore band who are totally into the angry maniacal style of the genre that has for the past decade needed a kick in the fuckin ass. And in 2024 they fuckin did it. This band rules!
2. KNOLL - As Spoken
Self Released
This is grindcore drilled through the lens of a Mario Bava film festival. Biggest surprise in grind of the year. I'll keep my eyes on this band.
3. SULLY - Self Titled
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions
SULLY are the future for any old BRUTAL TRUTH fan.
4. ASS TO MOUTH - Enemy of the Human Race
Selfmadegod Records
A three piece Grind / Brutal Death Metal act hailing from the great nation of Poland. Ah Hell Yeah.
5. NAILS - Every Bridge Burning
Nuclear Blast
I never reviewed this. I picked it up because I'm a NAILS fan from the past. It's more mainstream sounding death grind with more death metal meets hardcore crunch sound. I like it.
FAVORITE POWER METAL RELEASE OF 2024
Ah what? OK Power Metal is not Extreme Metal but ya know I like some of that stuff. With that said I've actually listened to four or five actual Power Metal releases this year. I liked two and had written about em. So here was my favorite.
DEMONBITCH - Master of the Games
Gates of Hell Records / Cruz del Sur Music
Great sounding Metal, eclectic vocals so of course I've gotta like it.
FAVORITE METAL RELEASES OF 2024
So I had a favorite album for a long time versus a bias pick plus a lot of cool other releases. I had to go with all honesty for my favorite pick.
1. ATTIC - Return of the Witchfinder
Van Records
ATTIC are a German five piece act who are literally the reincarnation of early MERCYFUL FATE. And they're not copying it. Instead they're taking that sound / style and making it relevant.
2. DECEASED - Children of the Morgue
Hells Headbangers Records
A bias pick for sure but DECEASED are still sounding cool as fuck after all of these years.
3. IRON CURTAIN - Savage Dawn
Dying Victims Productions
This Spanish band are defenders of the cool 80's Metal faith.
4. TOXIKULL - Under The Southern Light
Dying Victims Productions
This third album by TOXIKULL fuckin rules. It's a modern throwback to a time I certainly loved. Musically it's more original than some older bands trying to keep going.
5. COLTRE - To Watch with Hands to Touch with Eyes
Dying Victims Productions
English heshers who love the old are winners.
FAVORITE PAGAN FOLK VIKING METAL
Hails to that
TYR - Battle Ballads
Metal Blade Records
Well of course they're great.
ALKONOST - Dar Salamandry
Self Released
After all of these years yeah this one rules.
ENSIFERUM - Winter Storm
Metal Blade Records
All hail Finland.
FAVORITE EPs OF 2024
1. PERSECUTORY - The Glorious Persecution EP
Godz ov War Productions
Black Metal in the Thrash style which kinda rules.
2. DEMON SPELL - Evil Nights EP
Dying Victims Productions
Italian band influenced by MERCIFUL FATE / KING DIAMOND and it's so fuckin good.
3. BRED FOR SLAUGHTER - Kill for Satan EP
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions
This is old school death grind, period end of story.
4. DRUNK THRASHER - Raining Vomit EP
Godz ov War Productions
Blackened Speed Metal from Poland oh hell yeah.
5. ONSLAUGHT KOMMAND - Visions of Blood and Gore EP
Godz ov War Productions
The latest export from the Chilean death metal scene.
THE BEST SPLIT EPs OF 2024
1. ENCOFFINATION / SHAMBLES split release
Selfmadegod Records
2. BOTTOMLESS / WITCHING ALTAR - Graveyard Thunder Split
Dying Victims Productions
3. GRAVE INFESTATION / NOROTH Split EP
Carbonized Records
BEST COMPILATIONS OF 2024
1. VARIOUS ARTISTS - SVN - King Of The Deatmatches 2024
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions
2. NUNSLAUGHTER - Devils Congeries Vol. 5 Compilation 3 CDs & DVD
Hells Headbangers Records
3. VARIOUS ARTISTS - 25 Anniversary of Odium Records Compilation
Odium Records
BEST REISSUES OF 2024
JIM JONES AND THE KOOL-ADE KIDS - Trust Me
Dark Descent Records
LADY BEAST - Lady Beast II
Dying Victims Productions
HAIL OF BULLETS - Self Titled EP
Agonia Records
BEST ALBUM COVER OF THE YEAR
REVOLTING - Night of the Horrid
Xtreem Music
FAVORITE LABELS OF 2024
1. Transcending Obscurity Records
2. Dying Victims Productions
3. Horror Pain Gore Death Productions
