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Al’s Top 10 Albums of 2024

Al’s Top 10 Albums of 2024
By Alun Jones

Every year, it’s a struggle to whittle down tons of superb albums to just ten. This year has been just as difficult (if not more so) and I’ve had to leave off a few great releases that just didn’t make the cut, for one reason or another. I’m sure I’ll regret leaving a few of those off the final 2024 list, even if it’s just because they’re still very new I’ve not had a chance to grow into them yet.  

Anyway, here’s the best of 2024 as it feels right now:

10. Goat Major – Ritual

Released in March, this debut from Welsh Occult Doom Metal band Goat Major announced a formidable new talent to the scene. Building on their love of the classic bands that defined the genre, Goat Major add plenty of their own character to a magnificent album.

https://www.facebook.com/goatmajorband

9. Crobot – Obsidian

Crobot’s latest release certainly has a darker, heavier atmosphere than previous albums, but the unmistakable groovy riffs are well in place and ready to unleash the Hard Rock mayhem.  

https://www.facebook.com/Crobotband

8. Acid Mammoth – Supersonic Megafauna Collision

Greek Doom-mongers Acid Mammoth delivered another heavyweight slab of fuzzy Stoner Metal, with a variety of moods and hefty groove. Neolithic Rock with a touch of the ethereal.

https://www.facebook.com/acidmammoth

7. Duel – Breakfast with Death

Amazing album title. Fantastic cover artwork to compliment said title. And guess what? This latest release by Texan Stoner Metal gang Duel is even better than first impressions would suggest: Doomy Stoner Biker Rock from hell!

https://www.facebook.com/DUELTEXAS

6. The Obsessed – Gilded Sorrow

Wino’s legendary Doom Metal crew returned in early 2024, to remind everyone how it should be done. Infectious, groovy riffs, heavy as shittery songcraft and head spinning melody collide in a perfect meltdown.

https://www.facebook.com/@TheObsessedOfficial

5. Orange Goblin – Science, Not Fiction

The definitive Orange Goblin album? Could be. This latest OG album demonstrates all of their strengths, welding together the various sounds and genres they’ve mastered over the years. Bursting with energy and invention.

https://www.facebook.com/orangegoblinofficial

4. Torso – Brain Cells

More exhilarating chainsaw Garage Metal from Torso, this lo-fi masterpiece arrived with all the subtlety of a brick to the forehead. Less John Carpenter this time, but definitely slasher-splatter death-mosh a go go!

https://hereliestorso.bandcamp.com

3. Zombina and the Skeletones – The Call of Zombina

They’re back! One of the most wonderful live bands I’ve ever witnessed, Zombina and crew finally returned with a non-stop Horror Punk party, just in time for Halloween. Long may they continue!  

https://www.facebook.com/Zombinaandtheskeletones

2. Fu Manchu – The Return of Tomorrow

The only downside of a new Fu album is waiting for it to be released! Their first new album in six years was everything I hoped for, a double album split between a first half of Fuzzy Rockers and a second of slower tempo Groovers. RAD!

https://www.facebook.com/FuManchuBand

1. Sergeant Thunderhoof – The Ghost of Badon Hill

The ‘Hoofs last album was number 1 in my 2022 Top Ten – and whaddya know, they’ve done it again!  Slightly less bombastic than their previous, but even more engrossing, “The Ghost of Badon Hill” is a mature and thrilling record to get lost in.

https://www.facebook.com/sergeantthunderhoof

So that’s ten. Honourable mentions go out to Melvins, Lucifer, Black Tusk, Alunah and Barbarian Hermit amongst many others.  

Here’s hoping 2025 can match this…

Disclaimer: This article is solely the property of Alun Jones 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.