Now that it’s much too late, here’s my Album Of The Year list for 2024. Last year I took this way too seriously, invested a ton of time, and posted 4 lists; this year I went more on impulse and put together a single list with a few bonuses - enjoy, and PLEASE share any others you want to promote. On the off-chance that any escaped my notice, I am still always greedy for more.

If there’s enough interest, I would love to do a nominations thread to pick out community favorites.

  1. Job For A Cowboy - Moon Healer (USA-AZ)
    I cannot overstate how much I anticipated this album. Big expectations. big result, many listens.

  2. Carnosus - Wormtales (Sweden)
    Second to JFAC only because my fanship of them is younger, I could not believe they dropped such a good one this year right on the heels of my overall AOTY 2023.

  3. Hideous Divinity - Unextinct (Italy)
    Pairs well with the new Robert Eggers Nosferatu (this is a concept album centered around everyone’s favorite spooky boye).

  4. Cognizance - Phantazein (UK-ENG)

  5. Apogean - Cyberstrictive (CAN-ON)

  6. Hour of Penance - Devotion (Italy)
    If you can look past the AI album art, the music is great.

  7. Exocrine - Legend (France)

  8. Atræ Bilis - Aumicide (CAN-BC)
    Holy brutal tech, Batman! Bonus points for the upsetting album art.

  9. Anoxide - Morals & Dogma (UK-ENG)

  10. Blighted Eye - Agony’s Bespoke (USA-WA)

Honorable mentions:

  • Griefgod - Deterioration (Lithuania)
    Checked this out on a whim because I don’t know any Lithuanian death metal (and I wondered if the music could possibly be as cool as the art), and wow it is a strong contender for most listens this year. Very catchy. Apparently a new single is coming soon too, can’t wait.
  • Iotunn - Kinship (Denmark)
    Some kind of prog death, this kept worming its way into my head.
  • Summoning the Lich - Under the Reviled Throne
    If you want technical deathcore, you’d be hard-pressed to find better than this.
  • Diminish the Gods - Exopaedian (AUS-NSW)
    These guys had been threatening to release this for ages, so I was very excited when it finally came out. Again, kinda on the tech deathcore side, but should resonate with people here.

Been some great releases so far this year, can’t wait to see what else is in store!