Wow...I wasn't sure I was even going to make it through this year. But here I am. Things are a little better. It was a great year for music though. So much good stuff. So without further ado...
Charlotte Wessels, The Obsession – I’d never heard of Charlotte Wessels before I started hearing about how good this album was. I guess she was the vocalist for a band called Delain? Anyway, I don’t usually do “album of the year” on here because it’s always too hard to pick. But if I did this might win. Charlotte’s voice is incredible. The songs are catchy and super heavy. I don’t usually do a “song of the year” either but “The Exorcism” would win. So many great moments on here and the songs got stuck in my head for days. If you listen to one album on this list, make it this one.
Vanden Plas, Empyrean Equation of the Long Lost Things – Vanden Plas has been lost in some ultra-theatrical phase for awhile now. The last album I was able to really enjoy was The Seraphic Clockwork. The rest have been really overblown too far over on the side of dramatic. This album is the first in a long while where I think they’ve struck that balance they did so well on albums like Christ 0. It was great to hear an album of theirs with hooks again!
Soccer Mommy, Evergreen – I feel like every album of hers gets better and better. Evergreen is no exception. Inspired by the passing of her mother, the album is melancholy as you would expect. Though it includes moments of levity like “Abigail” – a tribute to Stardew Valley’s ultimate waifu. It seems a bit stripped down in some ways as well. Though this only serves both Sophie’s voice and the songs themselves. I think this is her best yet.
Neon Nightmare, Faded Dreams – I’ve never listened to Type O Negative before. Though after listening to Faded Dreams, which I’m told is blatant Type O Negative worship, I may have to check them out. This album is just incredible. Kind of weird that it came out the day after Halloween because this is absolutely Halloween music.
Motivik, Renouncement – If this would have come out when I was a teenager I would have absolutely loved it. I feel like this band is almost a love letter to the old Christian bands of yore. Sounding like a mix of Tourniquet and Believer with a modern spin, I feel like this band just nails the sound and feeling of the music back then. But it’s also very current at the same time. Kind of weird to name your album after a cover song though.
Honorable Mentions
Starflyer 59, Lust for Gold
Judas Priest, Invincible Shield
Devin
Townsend, PowerNerd
Blood Incantation, Absolute Elsewhere – Good heavens this album is amazing. I was familiar with Blood Incantation as a thing that existed but never heard their music. When reviews stated that this album was a combination of death metal and Pink Floyd I had to hear it. The good news is that’s exactly what it is and it is absolutely stellar. I can’t think of another death or black metal album that was quite this unique (except maybe Kolga). This is a work of art and undeniably best death/black metal album of the year.
Honorable Mentions
Labrynthus Stellarum, Vortex of the Worlds
Herfstdood, Lijdensweg
Adon, Adon
Favorite EP of 2024
Sixpence None the Richer, Rosemary Hill – How could I not be excited by new Sixpence music? This EP is exactly what you would want from them. While Lost in Transition seemed a bit….light in terms of instrumentation and depth, this one hit the spot. I really, really hope they put out more new music because if this is an indication of their direction, a full length would be incredible.
Favorite Reissue of 2024
Blind Guardian, Somewhere Far Beyond (Revisted) – I’ve never been a huge fan of Blind Guardian’s really grand and epic albums. I always like them best when they perfectly balance the power metal with the theatrics. The God Machine I thought was a great example of this. Little did I know their earlier album, Somewhere Far Beyond, is another good example. Only this rerecorded version is beefed up with modern production. Also stellar packaging.
Favorite Album from 2023 That Was Released Too Late or I Got in 2024
Revulsed, Cerebral Contamination – This one came out at the tail end of last year. I absolutely adored Infernal Atrocity, and I pretty much adore this one too. I’m not sure how long they will be a band since I think they lost their vocalist not long after this album was released. Here’s hoping they can find a new vocalist and record new music sooner than nine years from now.
Disappointments of 2024
Whitecross, Fear No Evil – This is one of those albums that I think the problem is on my end. Technically this is a great album. Rex Carroll shreds as good as he ever does. The vocalist, while not Scott Wenzel, does an admirable job on vocals. But I don’t know… it feels like something is missing. Yes, the obvious answer would be Scott Wenzel. It just didn’t quite feel like Whitecross to me. Though a lot of people love it and it’s been on some “best of” lists. So what do I know?
Gospod, Tovit - Their last album, Israel’s Exodus, was incredible. I loved it. Totally captured it’s own unique vibe. This one? Meh. It’s not bad but didn’t really do much for me. The songs just weren’t unique enough for me to grab on to.
Human Code, Break the Silence – This is another one that’s been on some “best of” lists, and for good reason, it’s actually really good. Featuring former members of Barren Cross, Deliverance, and Holy Soldier means there’s a lot of talent here. The production is good and there’s some great hooks Michael Drive sounds as good as in his heyday. What soured me here were the lyrics. I guess I expected this to some degree. George Ochoa is very much a conservative Republican. But are we seriously whining about political correctness in the year of our Lord 2024? It’s hard to sing along when the lyrics are just the worst kind of conservative nonsense sometimes. Additionally, the lyrics almost seem like they’re written by someone for whom English is a second language. Your mileage may vary on this one. The music is stellar, there’s no doubt about that. It’s your appreciation of the lyrics that will make or break your opinion.
Thank you for tuning in! See you next year!
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