Category: Album Of The Year 2024 | TOP 20

• Country: Norway

• Style: Progressive Black metal
  

• Rating: 9.2/10

• PLACE #7

Borknagar’s 2024 album “Fall,” marks a significant point in their storied career, seamlessly integrating elements of black metal with progressive and melodic influences. Released on February 23, 2024, by Century Media Records, this album takes listeners on a profound journey that reaches back to the band’s roots while pushing forward into new territories.

“Fall” has been described as a masterful blend of the band’s signature progressive black metal sound with fresh, melodic undertones and an energized spirit. The tracks resonate with headbangable energy mixed with blackish metal attacks, maintaining the classic Borknagar essence. The album artfully balances harshness with melody, showcasing their ability to evolve and adapt their sound while staying true to their core musical identity.

• Country: Moldova

• Style: Modern metalcore
  

• Rating: 9/10

• PLACE #10

Moldovian metalcore band Infected Rain’s album “Time,” delves deep into themes of time’s passage and personal reflection, offering a mix of heavy, rhythmic grooves and melodic, atmospheric sections. The album is noted for its cohesive blend of metalcore and experimental elements, ranging from haunting vocals and intense screams to more clean singing and innovative electronic influences. Songs like “Dying Light” and “Vivarium” showcase the band’s dynamic range, incorporating everything from heavy riffs to softer, cinematic tones. Other tracks, such as “Because I Let You” and “Pandemonium,” highlight the band’s ability to meld melodic hooks with heavier, aggressive parts, making the album a significant and mature work in their discography. “Time” is praised for its thoughtful composition and the seamless integration of various musical styles, positioning it as a standout release likely to be remembered in year-end lists.

It seems like this band will never slow down and continue their great journey creating amazing music. They are a masterclass in modern metal.

• Country: Finland

• Style: Doom death metal

• Rating: 9/10

• PLACE #11

Swallow the Sun’s “Shining,” released in October 2024, offers a poignant journey through the melancholic landscapes of doom and melodic death metal, further refining their sound with a blend of atmospheric density and melodic richness. This album, the ninth in their discography, reflects a mature continuation of the band’s exploration into emotionally charged themes, encapsulated within heavier and more complex compositions than their previous works.

“Shining” is characterized by its deep, immersive soundscapes that balance crushing riffs with ethereal melodies, showcasing the band’s ability to evoke a broad spectrum of emotions, from despair to solace. Tracks like “MelancHoly” highlight this dynamic, integrating delicate piano sections with powerful guitar work, creating a stark contrast that has become a hallmark of Swallow the Sun’s style.

• Country: Portugal

• Style: Melodic black metal

• Rating: 9/10

• PLACE #9

Gaerea’s “Coma,” released on October 25, 2024, is a monumental entry in the black metal genre, showcasing the Portuguese band’s continuous evolution and deepening artistry. The album, produced by their longtime collaborator Miguel Tereso, ventures into a mix of blackened extreme metal with atmospheric, post-black elements, marking it as their most ambitious and diverse effort to date.

“Coma” intricately blends intense tremolo-picked riffs with expansive, atmospheric layers, creating a dark and immersive listening experience. The album’s lyrical themes delve into despair and existential reflection, articulated through powerful vocals and a dynamic range of tempos that mirror the emotional depth of the content. Noteworthy tracks such as “The Poet’s Ballad” and “World Ablaze” highlight Gaerea’s ability to juxtapose raw aggression with melodic sophistication, earning critical acclaim for both its artistic depth and technical execution.

Overall, “Coma” represents a significant milestone for Gaerea, solidifying their place at the forefront of innovative black metal while continuing to push the boundaries of the genre with their unique and evocative sound.

• Country: Greece

• Style: Melodic black metal

• Rating: 9/10

• PLACE #8

Yoth Iria’s “Blazing Inferno,” released in November 2024, is celebrated as a masterful contribution to the Hellenic black metal scene, marked by its aggressive yet sophisticated musical style. This album, the band’s second, sees them evolving from a duo to a full band, enriching their sound with two guitarists, a drummer, and a new vocalist, alongside the foundational bass work by Mutilator.

“Blazing Inferno” is lauded for its integration of melodic and epic elements, with tracks that weave a compelling narrative of mythological events and empyrean clashes. Each composition blends atmospheric black metal with a melodic richness that deepens the listener’s engagement, making it not just an album but an experience. Standout tracks like the title track “Blazing Inferno” and “Rites of Blood and Ice” showcase the band’s ability to balance brutality with melody, creating an immersive and dynamic auditory journey.

This album not only reinforces Yoth Iria’s place in the metal world but also highlights their growth and maturation as artists capable of crafting deeply affecting and expansive music. “Blazing Inferno” is indeed a masterwork that continues to burn brightly in the annals of black metal, earning its place as a potential album of the year for fans and critics alike.