Oli’s Top 10 Albums of 2024
Top 10 Albums of 2024
By Oli Gonzalez
The year 2024 is coming to an end. Whilst Mariah Carey is once again infecting our radios for her annual reminder of her sole gift request this Christmas, it’s time to reflect on what the year has brought to us in terms of releases. Admittedly, I haven’t really strayed far from my comfort zone of Black Metal and Post-rock (whether that’s a problem or not, you tell me). Nonetheless, here’s my list of 10 albums that made me squeal with joy, sing along out loud in public, or headbang like a lunatic in my bedroom.
(note; this is not organised into any ranking. Numbers are purely for ease of comprehension).
1. Vægtløs – Aftryk

A thunderous start to the year, I can cast my mind back to January when frost and darkness lay over the country. Though nothing was as dark and bleak as this effort from Denmark’s Vægtløs. No, this is visceral, raw, right on the nose, and pulling no punches with the emotional intensity here! Even I don’t speak a word of their native language, it’s impossible to ignore the primitive angst in the vocals here, exploring the deepest darkest depths of the human psyche and tackling the subjects of suicide, grief, and personal head on. Not for the faint of heart!
https://www.facebook.com/vaegtloes
2. Gaerea – Coma

The Portuguese heavyweights can do no wrong, and have tipped to ascend to the very top, with some describing them as the ‘next Behemoth’. Whether they have drawn influence from the Polish act is neither here nor there. Though Gaerea are here to define their own legacy on their own terms. “Coma” is a wonderful embodiment of the essential new Metal sound you never knew you needed. Drawing from the primitive aggression of Hardcore with the sharpness and cutting edge of Modern Metal technology, there’s still an undeniable Black Metal spine that’s winning over fans across the world!
https://www.facebook.com/@gaerea
3. Schammasch – The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean

A band that’s determined to stick to their own guns and create music on their own terms, Schammasch have produced a truly underrated Post-metal classic here. The trident of guitars creates a wonderful blend of textures and tones, from truly crushing and overwhelming to some of the most scorching and blazing lead guitar solos. Just listen to ‘They Have Found Their Masters’ for evidence of this. Picking the best song of this album is like asking a mother to pick her favourite child. Though on release day, I was travelling to The Netherlands and I did listen to ‘Crystal Waves’ once, twice, seven times, eighteen…I genuinely lost count by the end of the day!
https://www.facebook.com/SCHAMMASCH
4. Million Moons – I May Be Some Time

I’ll keep this short and sweet. I described this as one of the easiest 10/10 ratings I’ll ever give, way back in the summer of this year. I still stand by that statement 100%. This is essential listening to any Post-rock fan and perhaps the greatest album of this genre that you’ve not heard yet!
https://www.facebook.com/millionmoonsband
5. Kanonenfieber – Die Urkatastrophe

Another rising star of Modern Black Metal and a band that can also be seen to do no wrong at the minute. The brainchild of the founder, and creative genius going by the pseudonym of ‘Noise’, he makes no bones about his fascination with World War 1. He brings this to life expertly through the medium of a superbly crafted blend of brutal Death and Traditional Black Metal. There’s a surprising amount of war themed metal bands out there, as well as many black metal acts in their home country. Yet it’s Kanonenfieber’s raw authentic edge – including dialogues from primary World War 1 sources – that allows them to shine bright amongst this stacked crowd with a future that’s even brighter.
https://www.facebook.com/Kanonenfieber
6. Wolfheart – Draconian Darkness

It’s sad how upon discovering this wonderful Finnish band in my mid 20s, they did slip under the radar for me somewhat and I had forgotten about them. In September of this year, they came roaring back into my life and the consciousness of many others with this absolutely scorching release! They bring the sheer intensity you’d expect of a band from this great nation. Though for me, it’s the phenomenal melodic undertone to each track that makes this an all round essential listen to any Melodic Death metal fans out there.
https://www.facebook.com/WolfheartRealm
7. God Is An Astronaut – Embers

The Irish act got many people talking in September with their latest effort, with “Embers” serving as a reminder as to why they’re retaining their status of God-tier Post-rock! Never resting on their laurels, they’ve always pushed boundaries of experimentation and redefining what’s possible in the genre. If you have time to listen to only one song, make sure it’s ‘Falling Leaves’. Genuinely, this nearly had me in tears with its sheer aesthetic beauty, making me feel something I hadn’t felt for a long time.
https://www.facebook.com/godiaa
8. Solstafir – Hin helga kvöl

Iceland’s Solstafir maintained their reputation as one of the premier Post-metal acts with this stunning release late this calendar year. Whilst it feels like more of a return to the band’s Black Metal heritage, there’s no escaping the raw atmospheric undertone and the unfathomably complex and densely layered sound on offer here in what is another essential listen for any fan of metal that pushes boundaries and challenges.
https://www.facebook.com/solstafirice
9. Vemod – The Deepening

Very rare is it that you find a Black Metal act where melodically enchanting and inviting clean vocals are central to the band’s sound. Then again, it’s rare you come across a band like Vemod. After a brief hiatus, the band made a welcome return with this stunning effort, arguably the band’s magnus opus. The album’s title track appeared in the top 5 of my most listened songs in my Spotify Wrapped. This was largely due to the aforementioned vocal display with instantly memorable choruses and vocal lines, whilst the hypnotic guitar tones entice you in and ensure you have no escape from their grasps.
https://www.facebook.com/vemodmusic
10. Seth – La France des Maudits

I’ve said it multiple times, I’ll say it once more; there’s something in the water in France. How the nation keeps churning out quality Metal act after quality Metal act should be the subject of sociological study. Gojira won headlines around the world for their gold medal winning display at the Olympic opening ceremony, and fellow countrymen, Seth, may have got lost in that shuffle somewhat, having released “La France des Maudits” over the summer. So this is a reminder for fans of Modern Black Metal to instantly turn their attention to this masterclass of the genre. Melodic and brutal in equal measures, you’ll get all the traditional elements of Black Metal (think high pitch screams, blast beats, and tremolo picked guitars) combined with thoroughly addictive and instantly memorable synth elements that add a breath of fresh air as well as injection of innovation into the Extreme Metal genre. I was suitably impressed upon hearing some of these tracks live at Samhain Festival this October.
https://www.facebook.com/innomineseth
Disclaimer: This article is solely the property of Oli gonzalez and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this article, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.