Like decay fueling new growth, the shitstorm of 2024 gave rise to some truly stellar extreme metal releases. Here are my top 10 albums of 2024. It was an incredible year for extreme metal, so I’ve also included some honorable mentions and miscellany.
Top 10 Full-Length Releases:
1. Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere: What more can be said? Check out my full-length feature in this month’s New Noise, where I talk about the band and why this album is my top of the year. Not only did these four Denver-based freaks set everyone’s expectations exceptionally high, but they fucking reached them! WELL DONE!
2. Pyrrhon – Exhaust: a relentless and chaotic gem that builds upon the success of their previous album, Abscess Time. The band’s complex compositions and aggressive sound push the boundaries of extreme metal. Exhaust is a demanding listen, but it rewards those who dare to delve into its depths.
3. Inter Arma—New Heaven: a genre-bending tour de force. The album provides a powerful and impactful experience, showcasing the band’s versatility and artistic vision. The album’s journey is dynamic, shifting from aggressive intensity to atmospheric introspection. This progression highlights Inter Arma’s ability to craft diverse and cohesive musical experiences. New Heaven is a visceral, boundary-pushing record that cements Inter Arma as a singular force in extreme metal.
4. Fórn —Repercussions of the Self: Fórn’s highly anticipated return sees the band evolving its sound while staying true to its roots. The album blends classic funeral doom and sludge with elements of electronic/ambient music, offering a diverse and captivating listening experience. With the addition of Lane Shi Otayonii on vocals and electronics, Fórn push their sound to new heights, creating a dynamic and emotionally powerful listening experience.
5. Immortal Bird – Sin Querencia: a dynamic and diverse album that seamlessly blends elements of post-metal, black metal, death metal, and more. The album showcases the band’s technical prowess, emotional depth, and willingness to push their creative boundaries. With its diverse range of styles, intricate arrangements, and powerful performances, Sin Querencia solidifies Immortal Bird’s position as one of the most innovative and exciting bands in the metal scene.
6. Hulder—Verses in Oath: a remarkable achievement showcasing Hulder’s impressive growth. The album blends raw aggression with ethereal beauty, incorporating soundscapes, and ambient elements into a core of incredible black metal. With its powerful vocals, excellent riffs, and evocative atmosphere, Verses in Oath is a captivating and thought-provoking listening experience.
7. Witch Vomit – Funeral Sanctum: a brutal and wonderful blackened-death metal offering. The band blend their signature old-school sound with melodic influences, creating a dynamic and intense listening experience. The album features crushing riffs, guttural vocals, and a powerful drum performance while incorporating atmospheric elements. With Funeral Sanctum, Witch Vomit have delivered their most accomplished and focused work.
8. Spectral Voice – Sparagmos: a brutal and immersive masterpiece that surpasses their debut. The album seamlessly blends atmospheric heaviness with aggressive intensity, creating a unique and captivating sound. With its powerful performances, top-tier production, and dark, disturbing themes, Sparagmos is a must-listen for fans of extreme metal.
9. Tzompantli – Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force: a powerful and immersive blend of death and doom metal. Inspired by Aztec culture and mythology, the band creates a sonic tapestry that is both brutal and atmospheric. With their meticulous songwriting and top-notch production, Tzompantli have quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the extreme metal genre.
10. Hellbutcher – Hellbutcher: a powerful homage to classic black/thrash metal, delivering a raw and energetic sound that pays tribute to bands like Venom, Bathory, and YES (of course) Nifelheim. The band’s skilled musicianship and passionate performances create a sonic onslaught that is both familiar and exhilarating. Hellbutcher is a must-listen for any extreme metal fan with its well-crafted songs and infectious frenetic energy.
Best E.P. of 2024:
Sedimentum – Derrière les Portes d’une Arcane Transcendante
Best Split of 2024:
Grave Infestation / Noroth – Necroslaughterhouse/Trepanation Ritual
Honorable Mentions:
Black Curse – Burning in Celestial Poison
Chat Pile – Cool World
Coffins – Sinister Oath
Dipygus – Dipygus
Gaerea – Coma
Ghoul – Noxious Concoctions (e.p.)
Heiress – Nowhere Nearer
Krallice – Inorganic Rites
Kruelty – Profane Usurpation (e.p.)
Molder – Catastrophic Reconfiguration
Necrot – Lifeless Birth
Oranssi Pazuzu – Muuntautuja
Oryx – Primordial Sky
Oxygen Destroyer – Guardian of the Universe
Spite – The Third Temple
Spectral Wound – Songs of Blood and Mire
Terminal Nation – Echoes of the Devil’s Den
Vile Rites – Senescence
