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Michael Blume<a href="https://troet.cafe/@CorinnaVahrenk1" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@CorinnaVahrenk1</a> Danke, aber ich möchte das eigentlich nicht mehr alleine tun. Ich kläre ja nun seit Jahren per <a href="https://sueden.social/tags/Blog" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Blog</a> auf und sehe auch die schnell wachsenden KI-Anfragen auf die <a href="https://sueden.social/tags/Blogposts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Blogposts</a>. Doch alleine schaffe ich das nicht und benötige konstruktive Unterstützung via <a href="https://sueden.social/tags/Drukos" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Drukos</a>. Auch weitere <a href="https://sueden.social/tags/Blogs" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Blogs</a> & <a href="https://sueden.social/tags/Podcasts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Podcasts</a> wären super! 🙏🇩🇪🇪🇺🙌 <a href="https://scilogs.spektrum.de/natur-des-glaubens/die-ki-medienrevolution-warum-ich-demokratisch-aktiven-dringend-blogposts-reden-und-drukos-empfehle/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">https://scilogs.spektrum.de/natur-des-glaubens/die-ki-medienrevolution-warum-ich-demokratisch-aktiven-dringend-blogposts-reden-und-drukos-empfehle/</a>

Adrian SegarHow to accidentally write a popular blog post, like the one I wrote that received more than a million page views annually<a href="https://www.conferencesthatwork.com/index.php/marketing-2/2017/09/how-to-accidentally-write-a-popular-blog-post" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">https://www.conferencesthatwork.com/index.php/marketing-2/2017/09/how-to-accidentally-write-a-popular-blog-post</a><a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/HowToWrite" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#HowToWrite</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/popular" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#popular</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/BlogPosts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#BlogPosts</a>

Angry Metal Guy<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/amg-goes-ranking-whitechapel/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AMG Goes Ranking – Whitechapel</a>By Dear HollowThe life of the unpaid, overworked metal reviewer is not an easy one. The reviewing collective at AMG lurches from one new release to the next, errors and n00bs strewn in our wake. But what if, once in a while, the collective paused to take stock and consider the discography of those bands that shaped many a taste? What if multiple aspects of the AMG collective personality shared with the slavering masses their personal rankings of that discography, and what if the rest of the personality used <del>a Google sheet</del> some kind of dark magic to produce an official guide to, and an all-around definitive aggregated ranking of, that band’s entire discography? Well, if that happened, we imagine it would look something like this…Usually, when we do something like this, it increases our street cred in the underground, but I’m dead-set on ensuring our cred goes up in flames. This is Whitechapel, the epitome of why boomer metalheads yell at young ‘uns. For a hot minute, the Nashville juggernaut was ranked among the likes of Suicide Silence, Job for a Cowboy, and Carnifex, thanks to their brutalizing and divisive attack of deathcore. Toss in some lyrics about slaughtering prostitutes in 1880s London, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for millennial Hot Topic fandom.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/amg-goes-ranking-whitechapel/#fn-209659-1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1</a> In retrospect, however, thanks to the act’s historic three-guitar attack and the iconic performances of vocalist Phil Bozeman, their whole “Cookie Monster with breakdowns” thing was a cut above the rest. I say that not just because I was a teen raised as an evangelical not allowed to listen to “This is Exile” and “Possession” (but secretly did anyway), although I’m sure that plays a very minor part.Contrary to other long-running deathcore acts like Suicide Silence and Chelsea Grin, flexibility has been the key to Whitechapel’s longevity. Three distinct eras emerge: (1) deathcore for spooky Hot Topic frequenters (2006-2010), (2) chuggy minimalist deathcore (2012-2016),<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/amg-goes-ranking-whitechapel/#fn-209659-2" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2</a> and (3) deathcore for Phil Bozeman to unpack personal traumas (2019-2021). With that, in anticipation for the upcoming “return to roots” release Hymns to Dissonance, let’s revisit the eight albums of Whitechapel, that deathcore band you stopped listening to because geezers said deathcore was lame.– Dear Hollow Dear Hollow#8. The Somatic Defilement (2007) – The influence of this album cannot be understated, but its crisis of murky grime and polished clarity – with a never-again-addressed orchestral flare – makes Whitechapel’s first official foray a confused album, nonetheless worthy of the likes of Suicide Silence and Carnifex. Punishment front and center with a murderizing theme that reflected its Jack the Ripper-inspired moniker, there’s a lot of chunky breakdowns and Phil’s absolutely vicious vocals in their fledgling stage, reflected in chunky hatred (“Fairy Fay,” “Ear to Ear”) and shining riffage that cut through the murk (“Vicer Exciser”). Plenty gained with few highlights.#7. Our Endless War (2014) – Located smack-dab between two other albums stuck in existential crisis, Our Endless War is the pinnacle of the whole cringeworthy “the saw is the law” schtick (sorry Sodom), paired with questionable production choices and simultaneously too much and too little Meshuggah-isms. While tracks like “Let Me Burn” and “Diggs Road” kick some serious ass, the album is doomed by excessive vocal layering and unnecessary songwriting choices. While it benefits most heartily from the three-guitar attack and feels the heftiest of its era, slow bruisers (“The Saw is the Law”) feel stuck in the dense muck and more allegro offerings (“Our Endless War,” “Mono”) can’t seem to keep up.#6. Mark of the Blade (2016) – It’s not that this one is bad, but it’s often overshadowed by the album that emerged next, as “Bring Me Home” and “Decennium” introduced clean vocals. While retaining the saw imagery and three guitars layered for maximum heft, Mark of the Blade cleans up the obscene murk for a more organic and rhythmic album that is heavy on punishment (“The Void,” “Tremors,”), surprisingly catchy and anthemic in its structure (“Elitist Ones”), and experimental enough for a human touch (“Bring Me Home”). It’s the punchiest of its era, with drummer Ben Harclerode making his last appearance on a Whitechapel album.#5. Whitechapel (2014) – A landmark album in its own right, this self-titled effort saw Whitechapel cutting the excess from their sound into a lean, mean, killing machine. Groove shining in the spotlight, its starkness allows more freedom, as tracks can delve into more ominous atmospheres and different instrumental tricks (“Make Them Bleed,” “I, Dementia”). However, like any good Whitechapel album, the triple-pronged groove aligns wonderfully with Phil Bozeman’s most menacing performance, descending the tracks into a nadir of darkness and Meshuggah-esque ferity (“Dead Silence,” “Devoid”). A start of a new era.#4. Kin (2021) – Everything that made The Valley so effective, but with more of the Tennessee flair and a more polished feel. Whitechapel explores the cleanly sung and the wailing guitar solos, enacting a beautiful and yearning feel that doesn’t descend into the bleakness of its predecessor but rather looks upon it as lessons learned. It maintains heaviness even if it is less feral than much of its discography – all for the sake of emotion. With more of Bozeman’s cleans contrasting with that trademark density (“Anticure,” “History is Silent,” “Orphan”), an instrumental and technical theatricality (“Without Us,” “A Bloodsoaked Symphony”), and a slightly Tool-esque edge (“Lost Boy,” “Kin”), it leaves trauma and torture in the rearview.#3. This is Exile (2008) – As the only album more popular than The Somatic Defilement, it gets extra points for its influence – but the mania at its core has never quite been replicated. While its predecessor had enough chunky breakdowns to kill a grown elephant and This is Exile has its fair share of mindless chug (“Possession,” “Somatically Incorrect”), a palpable groove and wild technicality keeps things both grounded and utterly batshit (“Father of Lies,” “To All That Are Dead”). Yes, the back half finds itself dwelling more in hellish menace than punishment (“Death Becomes Him,” “Messiahbolical”), but for many an introduction to Bozeman’s unmistakable roar and a chaotic technicality that left Suicide Silence in the dust, it was pure deathcore nirvana.#2. A New Era of Corruption (2010) – While not as popular as This is Exile, A New Era of Corruption is everything its predecessor was and more. Whitechapel amps the dystopian and anti-religious themes with a stunning blend of its early era colossal chunk and a good use of techy leads and dissonant swells, as tracks feel more mature, fleshed out, and purposeful (“Breeding Violence,” “End of Flesh”), the darkness of progress’ terrible cost seeping through (“The Darkest Day of Man,” “Necromechanical”), and a chunky charisma not unlike The Acacia Strain (“Reprogrammed to Hate,” “Murder Sermon”<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/amg-goes-ranking-whitechapel/#fn-209659-3" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">3</a>). A New Era of Corruption was the pinnacle of Whitechapel before its self-titled reinvention.#1. The Valley (2019) – Bozeman’s cleans in The Valley were a landmark in deathcore’s storied and bloody history, but more impressive is that Whitechapel remained remarkably deathcore – if not more devastating – in spite of them. Cutthroat brutality remained first and foremost, with shredding guitars filling every emotional crevasse (“Forgiveness is Weakness,” “Brimstone,” “Black Bear”), while clean vocals are used as moments of yearning vulnerability and hopelessness (“When a Demon Defiles a Witch,” “Hickory Creek,” “Third Depth”) and apathetic sprawls of godless wilderness reflect an existential emptiness (“We Are One,” “Doom Woods”). It’s an unflinching discussion of pain and trauma in the derelict corners of Tennessee and a vintage horror movie aesthetic that meshes surprisingly perfectly. The Valley is a balancing act of vicious and heartfelt, a monument for deathcore and -core styles in general, seeing Whitechapel’s longevity fully established. Every emotion on the spectrum is present on The Valley, an outstretched hand shrouded by the weight of doom and dread. Alekhines GunFor many, deathcore represents the gateway drug to heavy music, enjoyed in your youth before you mature into “real metal” proper, discarding breakdowns and angsty lyrics for reflections on the time signatures of the universe and bigger song structures. Not so, say Whitechapel. Since erupting from the ether in 2006 and dropping their first album a mere year later, this band has remained a fixture in the metal world at large, ever growing in popularity and under the disapproving eyes of genre purists everywhere. Tours opening for the likes of Cannibal Corpse and The Black Dahlia Murder while having such luminaries as Cattle Decapitation and Archspire opening for them have established them as breakdown-heaving mainstays in a world of vests and guitar solos. To celebrate their newest release, we have opted to don our Wvmps and Pvsers hats and rank their discog for your disapproval. You gosh darn elitist ones…#8. Our Endless War – The last descent into full-on arena-bent mindless groove, Our Endless War finds Whitechapel spinning their wheels with gleeful abandon. Any sense of techy approaches or interesting guitar was stripped down, in favor of a continued distillation of simplistic grooves over Meshuggah-In-Denial tones. Buoyed by the smash hit “The Saw is The Law” – essentially the “Living on a Prayer” of deathcore – Our Endless War is bland, inoffensive, and an easy choice for the bottom of the list. It’s catchy enough – a smooth, sanded-down object of easy grooves and basic-tier breakdowns with Bozeman’s vocals drowning out the riffs as if to hide how boring they are. Tailormade for an alternate universe where heavy music is played in elevators, Our Endless War is bland, easily digestible comfort food.#7. Mark of the Blade – Still overly polished, still easy-listening, Mark of the Blade at least flows better as an entire album rather than merely being a factory-assembled collection of grooves. Here, the first merciful signs of restlessness in the Whitechapel camp began to be felt. “Dwell in the Shadows” and “Brotherhood” broke out some swell guitar playing, which was almost entirely lacking in Our Endless War, while “Bring Me Home” finally debuted those Heckin’GoshDarn clean vocals and much more dynamic songwriting. It helps that they managed to write a second “The Saw is The Law” in “The Mark of the Blade” to keep their ability for instant catchiness on display. All in all, Mark of the Blade manages to be slightly more interesting than its predecessor, as well as be the bookend of one era for Whitechapel while ushering in the next.#6. The Somatic Defilement – This is a fun debut ruined by some moderately whack production. Much deathcore at the time had a strange predilection for light switch-click sounding drums and guitar tones thick as plywood, and just as crunchy. The Somatic Defilement overcomes this on the strength of its songwriting. Already avoiding the dubstep style tension-build-and-release permeating breakdowns, Whitechapel emerged from the nothingness fully formed and with a set musical vision. Its youthfulness overcomes its tonal flaws, and its roughhewn edges stand as a stark contrast to what would come later.#5. The Valley – The first major shift in the Whitechapel sound since their self-titled, The Valley sees the band putting on the closest thing they had to prog boots. Featuring oodles and stroodles of emotive (though unfairly derided as emo) clean singing, acoustic passages and honest-to-goodness ballads, the band attempt to take the listener on a musical journey rather than merely offer up a collection of violent snippets. Songs like “Third Depth” tries to mesh the disparaging sounds with mixed results, while bouncing between tracks like “Forgiveness is Weakness” and “Hickory Creek” keep the listener in a state of tonal whiplash. Not quite as consistent as what would come later, The Valley is still an interesting addition to the Whitechapel canon for its efforts, if not quite its delivery.#4. Whitechapel – On the heels of a pair of monster successes, the self-titled dropped and announced an immediate bid for stardom. Gone were much of the techy nuances and songwriting that actually used three guitar players, opting instead for immediate savagery and accessibility. On the other hand, this newfound sense of immediacy allowed for an excellent sense of hooks, with their old flair boiled down to moments littering songs. Bouncy leads in “Section 8” and harmonized breakdowns in “Dead Silence” showed the band hadn’t forgotten to imbibe songs with flourish and flavor, a skill that would quickly fade out as they continued their ascent to bigger and basic things. Easily the best of the middle era of albums.#3. This is Exile – The Certified Hood Classic, this album dropped and almost instantly defined what deathcore was supposed to be. A massive sounding album in both writing and by production values of the time, This Is Exile demonstrated fantastic growth in musical writing chops and performances. Solos rip and shred, breakdowns are creatively inserted and (mostly) avoid walk-in-place stereotypes, and each song comes with personality and pizzazz. Touring it for an anniversary with The Black Dahlia Murder showed that the compositions still hit just as hard today, reminding that deathcore as a genre can be intelligent and engaging.#2. Kin – A fantastic sequel, Kin grasps the mood swung for by The Valley and usurps it in every way. “To the Wolves” assault with peak modern era violence, while the flow into softer moments and use of cleans are much more organically blended. Higher use of melodic leads and atmospheric layering’s allowed the beauty to shine with the brutality, and the closing title tracks fantastic power ballad transition into synth-laden classic rock styled soloing represents everything The Valley wanted to be. Much more enjoyable as a full body of music rather than a collection of tracks, Kin sees Whitechapel grasping their musical vision in the fullest sense, with an excellent display of vulnerability and pathos littered among trademark forehead-shattering groove.#1. A New Era of Corruption – Criminally overlooked by fans, criminally neglected in setlist selections, A New Era of Corruption is one of the greatest records in the genre. Taking every skillset from This Is Exile and cranking it up to eleven, this album finds Whitechapel operating at a peak they have yet to return to since. All three guitarists are on full display in the compositions; the breakdowns hit harder, the leads are techier, and the production actually sounds like a full band. Flirting with borderline Nile atmospherics in “Breeding Violence” and full on cinematic flirtations in “Unnerving”, 2010 saw Whitechapel at the peak of their powers, experimenting and tinkering and constantly challenging themselves to write better, bigger, and meaner. A genuine benchmark for the sound of deathcore, listeners can only hope for an eventual return to this ruthless display of excellent musicianship marred with ear-gauge shattering blunt force trauma. If you haven’t listened to this album in a while, you owe it to yourself to give it a spin. IcebergI’m a core kid at heart; it was one of my gateway drugs into metal. While Whitechapel lived on the periphery of my metal consumption for my formative years, the combination of 2019’s The Valley and the pandemic gave me the drive and time to dig into their entire catalogue. Since then I’ve always had a soft spot for the Knoxville sextet, and deathcore in general. There’s something about knuckle-dragging breakdowns, whiplash tempo shifts, and gurgly vocals that lights a fire in my icy core. And as one of AMG‘s official deathcore apologists, I jumped – nay, catapulted myself – at the opportunity to ride Hollow‘s rickety train to breakdown town.#8. Mark of the Blade (2016) – Mark of the Blade marks the end of Whitechapel’s more-metal-than-deathcore era, and showcases a band running low on creative fuel. What’s put on record is the most radio-ready, sanitized version of Whitechapel, and time hasn’t been too gentle with her caresses. The proximity to Slipknot-esque nu-metal is at its most blatant, the breakdowns are toothless, and the songwriting feels like the band is spinning their saws for the third album in a row. Phil’s cleans make their first appearance in “Bring Me Home” and “Decennium,” and while they’re a harbinger of things to come, they feel sorely out of place here and don’t do much to right the ship.#7. Our Endless War (2014) – Smack in the middle of the band’s metalcore period, OEW doesn’t feel as phoned in as Mark of the Blade, but loses some of the snarling intensity of the self-titled release. Saws are beginning to spin. Anthemic choruses are beginning to rely on the tired trope of repeating the song’s title. Breakdowns feel more at home at Knotfest than Summer Slaughter. The album has its moments, though; “Worship the Digital Age” is a bit on-the-nose but an earworm, and “Diggs Road” is a strong closer that presents one of the album’s best melodic material in its fist-raising chorus. But against what has been, and what’s to come, Our Endless War fades into the background.#6. The Somatic Defilement (2007) – Grimy, grindy, blood-soaked, and slammy, Whitechapel’s debut showcases all the hallmarks of turn-of-the-century deathcore with the production of a greenhorn band (especially those drums). But the hunger of a young band is real; the bpm is redlined, the breakdowns are ignorant and prolific, and Phil’s vocals are at their most porcine and guttural. Tracks like “Prostatic Fluid Asphyxiation” and “Vicer Exciser” still hang with the best of them in terms of sheer stankface headbangability. While it lacks in the way of diversity, The Somatic Defilement’s charm has aged like fine hobo wine, and it steadily climbed this list the more I revisited it. In some ways this is Whitechapel at their most genuine.#5. Whitechapel (2012) – Arguably the most transitional of all Whitechapel albums, the self-titled release sees the band with one foot in ragged deathcore roots and another in the sleek, modern production of metalcore. Tracks like “Hate Creation,” “Section 8,” and “Possibilities of an Impossible Existence” still snap necks and crush spines, but there are changes bubbling beneath. There are more breaks from the onslaught; a piano introduction here, washy acoustic guitar there, tempos dipping below breakneck speed. Overall, Whitechapel ends up being workmanlike, middle-aged deathcore, selling you exactly what it advertises.#4. Kin (2021) – If it ain’t broke, why fix it? Whitechapel smartly took The Valley’s formula and ran with it, crafting a sequel that seamlessly moves from it’s predecessor (from a lyrical perspective – literally), while doing their best to improve on an already formidable blueprint. While Phil’s clean vocals have never sounded better, they can be too much of a good thing, with parts of the album sagging under the weight of these relaxed vocal passages (“Anticure,” “Orphan”). The bookend tracks are deserving of all-time playlist status, as is mid-album burner “To The Wolves,” but there’s a whiff of filler and a lack of brutality on Kin that keeps it from the lofty highs of The Valley. A fitting closer to a sordid tale but a solid middleweight in the band’s discography.#3. This Is Exile (2008) – If The Somatic Defilement is the wind-up, This Is Exile is the body blow. Whitechapel burst forth in their second full-length effort – a full-throated refutation of the sophomore slump – as a true blue deathcore outfit in complete possession of their faculties. Solving the production problem of their debut makes This Is Exile a much more satisfactory listenable, and subsequently, this the best example of Whitechapel’s core sound. No envelopes are being pushed here, but the package is stuffed to the brim with quality. The one-two punch of “Father of Exile” and “This Is Exile” chug and blast their way through your brain stem, right up until they wrap their wretched mitts around your throat for the ubiquitous–if not a bit overdone here–breakdown. While “Possession” foreshadows the band’s metalcore meanderings to come, this album is so firmly cemented in early aught’s deathcore that it’s impossible to classify as anything else.#2. A New Era of Corruption (2010) – If This Is Exile is the body blow, then A New Era of Corruption is the haymaker. ANEoC takes the deathcore template perfected on This Is Exile and pushes its brutality to new limits. The end result is an embarrassment of riches for fans of the heyday of deathcore that wields rather than relies on the breakdown. “End of Flesh” might be one of my all-time favorite Whitechapel tunes, perfectly reining in the feral instincts of earlier records while retaining their ferocity inside a clear song structure. The dissolution of the final breakdown into a distant snare drum shows an attention to detail as of yet unseen in the band’s discography. With very little fat to trim, and a tight production job that stops just short of the dreaded sheen (see the self-titled album), ANEoC is the most musically mature record Whitechapel ever put out. That is, until…#1. The Valley (2019) – I’m not sure anyone really saw The Valley coming. Whitechapel must have, because they clearly gave shit a good shake up. Deathcore purists should stop reading here; I decree this album as nothing short of a revelation. From the dusty acoustic guitars ushering the album in and out to the much-improved clean vocals and storytelling, Whitechapel bolstered nearly every aspect of their sound. Smartly returning to his concept album roots, Phil’s deeply personal and tragic story of family gone wrong breathes new life into Whitechapel’s modus operandi and cleverly shows just how far the band has come from their razorwire days. I reserve special praise for session drummer extraordinaire Navene Koperweis, who takes an already impressive history of Whitechapel drumming and enhances it with unique, progressive instincts. The album rides the sweet spot between tension and release, with just enough old school piss ‘n vinegar marching alongside the more contemplative, wizened moments (something Kin failed to achieve). The Valley is a stunning opus from a band newly emerged from their chrysalis, a dark and wounded creature that’s transcended the deathcore label and become something wholly different. AMG’s Official Ranking:Possible points: 24#8. Our Endless War (2014) 5 points#7. The Somatic Defilement (2007) 6 points#6. Mark of the Blade (2016) 7 points#5. Whitechapel (2012) 13 points#4. Kin (2021) 17 points#3. This is Exile (2008) 18 points#2. The Valley (2019) 20 points#1. A New Era of Corruption (2010) 22 points Wanna feel like a scene kid again? Check out our expert picks for your own personal sellout:<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/amg-goes-ranking/" target="_blank">#AMGGoesRanking</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/amg-rankings/" target="_blank">#AMGRankings</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/archspire/" target="_blank">#Archspire</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/blog-posts/" target="_blank">#BlogPosts</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/cannibal-corpse/" target="_blank">#CannibalCorpse</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/carnifex/" target="_blank">#Carnifex</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/cattle-decapitation/" target="_blank">#CattleDecapitation</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/chelsea-grin/" target="_blank">#ChelseaGrin</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/deathcore/" target="_blank">#Deathcore</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/deftones/" target="_blank">#Deftones</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/job-for-a-cowboy/" target="_blank">#JobForACowboy</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/meshuggah/" target="_blank">#Meshuggah</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/metalcore/" target="_blank">#Metalcore</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/nile/" target="_blank">#Nile</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/sodom/" target="_blank">#Sodom</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/suicide-silence/" target="_blank">#SuicideSilence</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/the-acacia-strain/" target="_blank">#TheAcaciaStrain</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/the-black-dahlia-murder/" target="_blank">#TheBlackDahliaMurder</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/tool/" target="_blank">#Tool</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/whitechapel/" target="_blank">#Whitechapel</a>

Pyrzout :vm:CMMC is Here: Simplifying Compliance with Enclaves  – Source: securityboulevard.com <a href="https://ciso2ciso.com/cmmc-is-here-simplifying-compliance-with-enclaves-source-securityboulevard-com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">https://ciso2ciso.com/cmmc-is-here-simplifying-compliance-with-enclaves-source-securityboulevard-com/</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/rssfeedpostgeneratorecho" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#rssfeedpostgeneratorecho</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBloggersNetwork" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBloggersNetwork</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/CyberSecurityNews" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#CyberSecurityNews</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBoulevard" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBoulevard</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/Risk" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Risk</a>&Compliance <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/supplychain" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#supplychain</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/Compliance" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Compliance</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/Governance" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Governance</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/BlogPosts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#BlogPosts</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/CMMC" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#CMMC</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/DOD" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#DOD</a>

Pyrzout :vm:The Future of Auditing: What to Look for in 2025 – Source: securityboulevard.com <a href="https://ciso2ciso.com/the-future-of-auditing-what-to-look-for-in-2025-source-securityboulevard-com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">https://ciso2ciso.com/the-future-of-auditing-what-to-look-for-in-2025-source-securityboulevard-com/</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/rssfeedpostgeneratorecho" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#rssfeedpostgeneratorecho</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBloggersNetwork" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBloggersNetwork</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/CyberSecurityNews" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#CyberSecurityNews</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBoulevard" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBoulevard</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/BlogPosts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#BlogPosts</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/audits" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#audits</a>

Pyrzout :vm:New Guidelines: Cybersecurity Resilience in the Healthcare Industry – Source: securityboulevard.com <a href="https://ciso2ciso.com/new-guidelines-cybersecurity-resilience-in-the-healthcare-industry-source-securityboulevard-com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">https://ciso2ciso.com/new-guidelines-cybersecurity-resilience-in-the-healthcare-industry-source-securityboulevard-com/</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/rssfeedpostgeneratorecho" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#rssfeedpostgeneratorecho</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBloggersNetwork" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBloggersNetwork</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/CyberSecurityNews" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#CyberSecurityNews</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBoulevard" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBoulevard</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/Risk" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Risk</a>&Compliance <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/Cybersecurity" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Cybersecurity</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/Compliance" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Compliance</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/Governance" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Governance</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/healthcare" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#healthcare</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/BlogPosts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#BlogPosts</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/Security" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Security</a>

BlueCut🇫🇷 J'ai commencé à travailler sur <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/EmberInitiative" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#EmberInitiative</a> hier, il y a tellement de sujets différents, c'est du <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/dev" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#dev</a> tellement générique, j'ai trop envie de faire des micros <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/blogposts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#blogposts</a> sur mon boulot hebdomadaire.🇺🇲 I started to work on the <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/EmberInitiative" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#EmberInitiative</a> yesterday, there are so many topics, this is such generic <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/development" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#development</a>, I really want to write like micro <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/blogposts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#blogposts</a> about my weekly work.

Pyrzout :vm:SOC 2® Type 2: Preparing for Your First Audit – Source: securityboulevard.com <a href="https://ciso2ciso.com/soc-2-type-2-preparing-for-your-first-audit-source-securityboulevard-com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">https://ciso2ciso.com/soc-2-type-2-preparing-for-your-first-audit-source-securityboulevard-com/</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/rssfeedpostgeneratorecho" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#rssfeedpostgeneratorecho</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBloggersNetwork" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBloggersNetwork</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/ComplianceOperations" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#ComplianceOperations</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/CyberSecurityNews" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#CyberSecurityNews</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBoulevard" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBoulevard</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/BlogPosts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#BlogPosts</a>

Pyrzout :vm:DeepSeek: The Silent AI Takeover That Could Cripple Markets and Fuel China’s Cyberwarfare – Source: securityboulevard.com <a href="https://ciso2ciso.com/deepseek-the-silent-ai-takeover-that-could-cripple-markets-and-fuel-chinas-cyberwarfare-source-securityboulevard-com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">https://ciso2ciso.com/deepseek-the-silent-ai-takeover-that-could-cripple-markets-and-fuel-chinas-cyberwarfare-source-securityboulevard-com/</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/rssfeedpostgeneratorecho" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#rssfeedpostgeneratorecho</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBloggersNetwork" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBloggersNetwork</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/Analytics" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Analytics</a>&Intelligence <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/ArtificialIntelligence" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#ArtificialIntelligence</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/CyberSecurityNews" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#CyberSecurityNews</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBoulevard" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBoulevard</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/Cybersecurity" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Cybersecurity</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/BlogPosts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#BlogPosts</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/Security" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Security</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/AI" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#AI</a>

Pyrzout :vm:How to Prepare for EU AI Act Compliance by February 2nd – Source: securityboulevard.com <a href="https://ciso2ciso.com/how-to-prepare-for-eu-ai-act-compliance-by-february-2nd-source-securityboulevard-com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">https://ciso2ciso.com/how-to-prepare-for-eu-ai-act-compliance-by-february-2nd-source-securityboulevard-com/</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/rssfeedpostgeneratorecho" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#rssfeedpostgeneratorecho</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBloggersNetwork" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBloggersNetwork</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/CyberSecurityNews" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#CyberSecurityNews</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/RegulationUpdates" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#RegulationUpdates</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBoulevard" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBoulevard</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/BlogPosts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#BlogPosts</a>

Pyrzout :vm:Back to the Basics For 2025: Securing Your Business – Source: securityboulevard.com <a href="https://ciso2ciso.com/back-to-the-basics-for-2025-securing-your-business-source-securityboulevard-com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">https://ciso2ciso.com/back-to-the-basics-for-2025-securing-your-business-source-securityboulevard-com/</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/rssfeedpostgeneratorecho" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#rssfeedpostgeneratorecho</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBloggersNetwork" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBloggersNetwork</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/cybersecuritytraining" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#cybersecuritytraining</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/CyberSecurityNews" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#CyberSecurityNews</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBoulevard" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBoulevard</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/Cybersecurity" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Cybersecurity</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/BlogPosts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#BlogPosts</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/CISOSuite" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#CISOSuite</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/Security" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Security</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/CISO" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#CISO</a>

Robert FairheadA new blog post with the story behind the Tall And True Short Reads - Kris Kringle - Xmas 2024 episode and podcast links. 🎧 <a href="https://aus.social/tags/storytelling" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#storytelling</a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/podcasts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#podcasts</a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/blogposts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#blogposts</a> Link to episode on Tall And True: <a href="https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/tall-and-true-short-reads-kris-kringle-xmas-2024" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/tall-and-true-short-reads-kris-kringle-xmas-2024</a>

gmrstudiosA Sense of Doubt blog post #3605 - Post-Christmas Gifts and Reflection and REPRINT of #2874 from 2022. <a href="https://sensedoubt.blogspot.com/2024/12/a-sense-of-doubt-blog-post-3605-post.html" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">https://sensedoubt.blogspot.com/2024/12/a-sense-of-doubt-blog-post-3605-post.html</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/HappyNewYear" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#HappyNewYear</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/Reflections" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Reflections</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/Christmasgifts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Christmasgifts</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/MusicAlbums" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MusicAlbums</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/ComicBooks" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#ComicBooks</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/Books" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Books</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/BlogPosts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#BlogPosts</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/MyDogs" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MyDogs</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/Tshirts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Tshirts</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/Parents" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Parents</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/WritingAboutGrief" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#WritingAboutGrief</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/Family" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Family</a> <a href="https://mastodon.social/tags/Love" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Love</a>

Angry Metal Guy<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/dr-a-n-griers-top-tenish-of-2024/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr. A.N. Grier’s Top Ten(ish) of 2024</a>By Dr. A.N. Grier If I were to rate the year of our Lord 2024, I’d give it a solid 4.5/5.0. No, I joke. FUCK 2024. Good riddance, fuck off, goodfuckingbye. This year, the layoffs continued (even affected some of our writers here), the prices skyrocketed, the World Series was bullshit, and landfills across the States are twice their capacity thanks to useless election fliers. This year has resulted in practically zero time to work on AMG efforts, write reviews, or listen to music as I continue to try to keep my job. Yay. Cheers to you, 2024—you sack of horse shit. Let’s go, 2025, you sassy bitch who suggests great things to come but probably won’t deliver. If only you could promise me more time doing the things I love—listening to metal, writing about it, and pretending to edit the other writers’ reviews while completely hammered. If so, I’d kiss you as the ball drops, take you to the back alley during the after-party, and promise not to poison your coffee the next morning.But we aren’t there yet. We are still stuck in the past, looking over a mediocre year of metal, regurgitating the same shit we already wrote for each album on our lists. That way, you all can praise, argue, and whine about each choice and its placement. Thankfully, my lists rarely overlap with anyone else’s and no one actually gives a fuck, so my sleep patterns remain the same. Having passed the ten-year mark at this amazing madland, my tastes remain the same, and no one will be surprised that most of the selections here are the items I alone reviewed. That changes occasionally but with no time to think about music this year, you’ll be treated to odd takes and albums that only scored a 3.0. Oh no!<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/dr-a-n-griers-top-tenish-of-2024/#fn-208648-1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1</a>Thank you to the AMG staff for their lackluster productivity and overrating tendencies. To Dolph, Kenny, and Sharky for introducing new segments and keeping legacy ones alive. And to Cuervo and GardensTale for the additional year-end contributions they deliver. I also have to give a huge shoutout to the top bosses—AMG and Steel Daddy—for all they do<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/dr-a-n-griers-top-tenish-of-2024/#fn-208648-2" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2</a>. I guess I should also thank all of you for your continued support. I guess. May this list find you well as we are thrust into 2025 and the potential nightmares that it’ll bring. Cheers. #ish. I Am the Intimidator // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/i-am-the-intimidator-i-am-the-intimidator-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">I Am the Intimidator</a> – What? You fucking knew this was coming. When Steel told me to review an album about NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt, I couldn’t not do it. I mean, this one-off, self-titled record from a one-off band was a perfect opportunity to unleash my rage. And then… wait, what the fuck? It’s actually kinda good? In a weird year where I reviewed two racing-related albums, I Am the Intimidator sports<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/dr-a-n-griers-top-tenish-of-2024/#fn-208648-3" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">3</a> six wild tracks that combine Dio and Iron Maiden with Ministry. What the fuck? And, somehow, the lyrics would be fucking hilarious if they weren’t so passionate. OK, the lyrics of the surprisingly delicious and crushing “Gasoline” are fucking hilarious, and a regular, all-caps attack in the AMG channels. After all the chaos and wild influences that make up this tight, six-track album, the passion for “The Intimidator” is true, even if it’s weird. But, I can’t stop listening to this album any more than I can stop drinking beer.#10. Dust Bolt // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/dust-bolt-sound-fury-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sound & Fury</a> – Like so many other Grier lists, there’s always an album that becomes the most frequented in my shit-filled ears. Yup, I know, you all fucking hate it, and I couldn’t care less. For the band (and style), Sound & Fury is a brave effort that I find addictive, fun, and hilarious trolling material when Steel talks shit. Is it thrash? No, but that didn’t stop me from proclaiming Load as Metallica’s best album. Shifting away from the overused thrash concept and mediocre record releases, Dust Bolt chose the unconventional route of cleaner vocals, smoother production, and catchier choruses to remove themselves from their past outings (and, some would argue, from thrash and metal in general). For you naysayers, there are plenty of headbangable moments on Sound & Fury, so you don’t have to feel like a poser singing these new songs in your mom’s shower.#9. Midnight // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/midnight-hellish-expectations-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hellish Expectations</a> – Perhaps one of the most prolific metal bands out there, what can I say about Midnight that I haven’t said already? Oh yeah, they’re badass and if you don’t like them, you’re shit. Also, fuck you. Like previous releases, Midnight continues to speed through riffs that bring to mind classic outfits like Darkthrone, Motörhead, Venom, and Celtic Frost at a relentless speed. While other Midnight records are better, Hellish Expectations joins its compatriots in a discog that can do no wrong. Unless, of course, you don’t like this band’s style. In that case, read above regarding that “fuck you” thing. What makes Hellish Expectations great in this frustrating year is that it caps at twenty-five wonderful minutes—which is the same amount of time it takes to shit out your morning coffee. So, this is a chance to correct your poserness. If you like this band, you already know Hellish Expectations is a fun ride that’ll keep your spikes sharp and your leather pants shit free.#8. Bombus // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/bombus-your-blood-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Your Blood</a> – Like another band on my list, this Swedish heavy metal, hard rock band has seen a lot of ups and downs in their career. And, for some reason, their co-founding vocalist and guitarist walked. But that didn’t stop Bombus. Not only did they find someone to fill those two slots, but they also added another guitarist to round it out to three. With these new additions, the skill displayed on Your Blood is superior to anything the band has ever done. There’re solos, harmonizing leads, and riffs up the fucking wazoo. I’m uncertain if it’s due to this new skillset or an increase in motivation with five years between albums, but Bombus held nothing back for Your Blood. While there are plenty of the bangers you would expect from a band of this caliber, like the addictive “Take You Down,” there are also other interesting inclusions that I should hate, yet love. For example, the weird, Spaghetti Western qualities of “Your Blood,” the Nick Cave-meets-The White Stripes musings of “The One,” and the bizarreness that is “Carmina.” With Your Blood, the band has found their groove and passion again, delivering their best album yet.#7. Vanessa Funke // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/vanessa-funke-void-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Void</a> – This year brought a surprising new addition to my favorite bands of all time. In this case, it was the newest release from the multi-instrumentalist, Vanessa Funke. With a small but stellar catalog, Ms. Funke continuously dabbles in new influences and song approaches with each album and Void is no different. Coming off last year’s acoustic masterpiece Vanessa Funke rewinds to her debut record, Solitude, alternating between rasps and cleans, acoustic and distorted guitars, and her perfectly molded combination of folk, melodeath, and atmospheric black metal. The textures created by the vocals, guitars, keys, and piano take Void down into some incredible depths, engulfing its listeners in blankets that can be both soft and stabby. Albums like this are rare for me these days, so when they do completely submerse me to the point that I can’t think of anything else, there’s no doubt it’ll make it on my year-end list.#6. Crystal Viper // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/crystal-viper-the-silver-key-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Silver Key</a> – Maybe not everyone’s favorite Polish act,<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/dr-a-n-griers-top-tenish-of-2024/#fn-208648-4" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">4</a> Crystal Viper’s founding vocalist and guitarist, Marta Gabriel, has been knocking around her blend of heavy and power metal for nearly two decades. But, it’s been a rocky road of great, mediocre, and rage-inducing records. Where Crimen Expecta shines like a bright star in the sky, Tales of Fire and Ice is a dumpster fire that topped my most disappointing album of 2019. When I approached this year’s The Silver Key, I was expecting another mid album (or worse) but was immediately engrossed—maybe even more than Crimen Expecta. Though many of you dislike the vocals, Gabriel is in top form. But, her vocal performance is only one aspect of the Crystal Viper sound. Her guitar work is some of the best of her career, lending new ideas to the song structures and album flow. While plenty of bands are—and are not better—than Crystal Viper, The Silver Key is undeniably one of the best albums of their career.#5. Sidewinder // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/sidewinder-talons-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Talons</a> – Most likely one of the only overlaps I’ll have with the cunts that work here,<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/dr-a-n-griers-top-tenish-of-2024/#fn-208648-5" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">5</a> Sidewinder’s newest release, Talons, threw me for a loop. Not expecting anything from a band I’ve never heard about, Talons immediately got my noggin’ bobbin’ in the most pleasing way. I can’t pinpoint exactly why I like this style of heavy, bounding stoner metal, but every time I hear it, it clicks. And nothing is better than diving right into a record where one of the band’s best pieces is the opener. “Guardians” is a quintessential Sidewinder piece that personifies the band and everything they stand for. But that’s only the beginning, as the guitars cruise down the road and the bass rumbles through the gravel. Clocking in at a mere thirty-four minutes, this eight-track beauty never reaches beyond its means, ensuring the songs are straight and tight, allowing Jem’s powerful vocals to direct the varying moods. While the band resides in the lush and beautiful landscapes of New Zealand,<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/dr-a-n-griers-top-tenish-of-2024/#fn-208648-6" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">6</a> if a sound could represent the harsh desert lands of my home, this would be it.#4. Aborted // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/aborted-vault-of-horrors-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vault of Horrors</a> – As many know, death metal is not my cup o’ tea. Once upon a time, death metal was my life, but that ship sailed when my favorites grew old and repetitive, and what you all call death metal these days bores me to tears. But the one band that continues to make me salivate is Aborted.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/dr-a-n-griers-top-tenish-of-2024/#fn-208648-7" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">7</a> And, boy, did this year’s Vault of Horrors deliver. With tracks like “Dreadbringer,” “The Golgothan,” and “Malevolent Haze,” this new release offers some incredible depth and relentless brutality. Aborted has always delivered good-to-great albums but after nearly thirty years, how can these lads continue to improve and produce such quality releases? Vault of Horrors is a great record and arguably one of the band’s best. It’s been several months since this beauty was released, so if it passed by you, rectify your posersivity.#3. The Vision Bleak // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/the-vision-bleak-weird-tales-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Weird Tales</a> – I don’t know what it is about The Vision Bleak but they fucking hit me and hit me hard. On the surface, their style is quite simple, but it’s the layers, stories, mood, and damning vocal performances that draw me in like I’m viewing a Vincent Price horror marathon. Combining their Type O Negative vocal characteristics with atmospheric moods that can be depressive at one point and ethereal at another, The Vision Bleak took a massive leap by releasing Weird Tales as (technically) a one-song album. Eight years since their incredible The Unknown, Weird Tales doesn’t skip a beat, maintaining the duo’s title as one of the greatest bands in gothic metal. With magnificent builds, eerie transitions, mind-bending fluidity, and heart-wrenching passages, the haunting nature of Weird Tales leaves you contemplating your existence in a world controlled by the fate instilled in it by the late, great H.P. Lovecraft.#2. Kingcrow // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/kingcrow-hopium-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hopium</a> – For fucking months, our progressive cunt, Dolphin Whisper, tried desperately to steal Kingcrow’s Hopium from me—somehow thinking he’s better than me when it comes to describing the lushness of Kingcrow. The fuck. Even though Kingcrow hasn’t released an album in six years, there’s no way some flipper fucker would take this from me. Sure, I’m not a huge fan of progressive metal, but at least I know what’s good progressive metal instead of lazily making love to everything with the tag of “prog.” Anyway, Hopium continues to deliver gorgeous tapestries painted with soothing vocals, synthy atmospheres, and impressive performances for all involved. Though I consider Eidos their best, Hopium is not far behind. While tapping into common influences like Dream Theater and Spock’s Beard, this Italian outfit is very much on a level all its own. If you like prog, you’ll find Hopium—with such wildly varying tracks like “Vicous Circle,” “Parallel Lines,” and “White Rabit’s Hole”—to be the most diverse prog record of the year.#1. Borknagar // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/borknagar-fall-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fall</a> – Goddammit, I love Borknagar. Few bands have such high album scores for a career that spans thirty years and a dozen albums—especially with a constant rotation of players and vocalists. Though, how can you be pissed off about having any of the great vocalists Borknagar has employed throughout the years? Since the beginning, the band has continuously introduced more melody and keys in their music, but Fall is special compared to the output in the last twenty years. Though this new album hasn’t hung up that hat by any means, Øystein G. Brun, Lars A. Nedland, and crew dug through the ashes of the past to bring some of those old-school black metal moments back into the mix. From the blackened assault of “Summits” and the Dimmu Borgir-esque vibes of “Northward,” the band continues to shock and surprise, avoiding a repetition from a previous album. So, dive into the best album o’ the year in all its glory.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/dr-a-n-griers-top-tenish-of-2024/#fn-208648-8" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">8</a>Honorable Mentions<ul><li>Portrait // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/portrait-the-host-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Host </a>– While I didn’t like the production of Portrait’s The Host, I’m still a slut for King Diamond and Meryful Fate-adjacent metal. Especially when it comes to Portrait, who continues to be less like a copycat and more like a pioneer of the style.</li><li>Attic // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/attic-return-of-the-witchfinder-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Return of the Witchfinder</a> – More King Diamond-core! Easily one of the best examples of the sound, Attic continues to keep me coming back with each release. As their predecessor, Return of the Witchfinder brings a new story, more twists, and those pleasing falsettos that trigger my “O” face.</li><li>Sarke // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/sarke-endo-feight-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Endo Feight</a> – Sarke (the artist) and crew have had one hell of a busy couple of years. This year, in particular, sees not only a new Sarke release but also a new Khold record (see below). Endo Feight is a wonderful addition to the band’s catalog and, by god, it’s wonderful to see the man himself back behind the kit.</li><li>Khold // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/khold-du-dommes-til-dod-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Du dømmes til død</a> – See? I told you it would be here. While 2022’s <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/khold-svartsyn-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Svartsyn</a> was better record than Du dømmes til død (and a fantastic comeback), Du dømmes til død still has those elements that make the band so unique and fun to listen to.</li><li>Blood Red Throne // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/blood-red-throne-nonagon-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nonagon</a> – Three years ago, Blood Red Throne released not only one of their best albums but 2021’s best death metal record. Unsurprisingly, it’s difficult to follow something like <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/blood-red-throne-imperial-congregation-things-you-might-have-missed-2021/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Imperial Congregation</a> without some hiccups. That said, Nonagon is still a brutal piece of work worthy of mentioning.</li></ul>Disappointments o’ the Year<ul><li>Darkthrone // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/darkthrone-it-beckons-us-all-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">It Beckons Us All…….</a> – Like Sarke, Nocturno Culto has also been busy this year. If that’s part of the reason for the utter bore that’s It Beckons Us All……., I don’t know. But, this new record feels like Darkthrone is going through the motions. While I respect that they don’t care what the fuck any of us think, this is one of their worst albums.</li><li>Exhorder // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/exhorder-defectum-omnium-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Defectum Omnium</a> – After Exhorder’s incredible comeback album, <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/exhorder-mourn-the-southern-skies-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mourn the Southern Skies</a>, I was more than a little excited for this new one. Unfortunately, like Darkthrone’s newest, Defectum Omnium is a dreadfully boring record that lacks all the passion of Exhorder’s comeback, leaving me confused and pissed the fuck off.</li></ul>Songs o’ the Year<ul><li>Kingcrow – “White Rabbit’s Hole” – With an album full of great songs, there’s just something about the energy of this track that makes me so happy.</li></ul><ul><li>Sidewinder – “Guardians” – This song represents some of the best stoner metal of 2024, and I can’t stop listening to it.</li></ul><ul><li>Bombus – “Take You Down” – This song is just badass. I couldn’t care less what you think. Die.</li></ul><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2024/" target="_blank">#2024</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/aborted/" target="_blank">#Aborted</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/attic/" target="_blank">#Attic</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/blog-posts/" target="_blank">#BlogPosts</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/blood-red-throne/" target="_blank">#BloodRedThrone</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/bombus/" target="_blank">#Bombus</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/borknagar/" target="_blank">#Borknagar</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/celtic-frost/" target="_blank">#CelticFrost</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/crystal-viper/" target="_blank">#CrystalViper</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/darkthrone/" target="_blank">#Darkthrone</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/dimmu-borgir/" target="_blank">#DimmuBorgir</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/dio/" target="_blank">#Dio</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" 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<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/ministry/" target="_blank">#Ministry</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/motorhead/" target="_blank">#Motörhead</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/nick-cave/" target="_blank">#NickCave</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/portrait/" target="_blank">#Portrait</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/sarke/" target="_blank">#Sarke</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/sidewinder/" target="_blank">#Sidewinder</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/spocks-beard/" target="_blank">#SpockSBeard</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/the-vision-bleak/" target="_blank">#TheVisionBleak</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/the-white-stripes/" target="_blank">#TheWhiteStripes</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/type-o-negative/" target="_blank">#TypeONegative</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/vader/" target="_blank">#Vader</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/vanessa-funke/" target="_blank">#VanessaFunke</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/venom/" target="_blank">#Venom</a>

I Am Not A Taboo! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️Thoughts from 2024 for 2025 and <a href="https://social.vivaldi.net/tags/IAmNotATaboo" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#IAmNotATaboo</a>: - continue adding to the resources page - get more <a href="https://social.vivaldi.net/tags/blogposts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#blogposts</a> - look into organising a small <a href="https://social.vivaldi.net/tags/ELT" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#ELT</a> <a href="https://social.vivaldi.net/tags/Queer" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Queer</a> <a href="https://social.vivaldi.net/tags/EdFest" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#EdFest</a> - look into organising a small <a href="https://social.vivaldi.net/tags/trans" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#trans</a> and <a href="https://social.vivaldi.net/tags/nonbinary" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#nonbinary</a> <a href="https://social.vivaldi.net/tags/LitFest" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#LitFest</a>Thanks to everyone for your support. Peter ( <a href="https://social.vivaldi.net/@peterjfullagar" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@peterjfullagar</a>) <a href="https://social.vivaldi.net/tags/LGBTQIA" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#LGBTQIA</a>

Angry Metal Guy<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/holdeneyes-top-tenish-of-2024/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Holdeneye’s Top Ten(ish) of 2024</a>By Holdeneye This was a strange year for old Holdeneye, characterized by relative outer peace and significant inner turmoil. Peruse my last few lists, and you’ll see that I’ve been on a mental health journey for some time now, and this year has honestly been the toughest nut for me to crack. I’ve spent the last few years changing my external circumstances to set me up for interior success, and that has certainly helped. But I’m starting to come to grips with the fact that my choice to follow a career as a first responder, while it has benefitted my family and myself enormously, has come at a cost. Combine with that the absurdities of modern society, and the anxieties and pressures of parenting children, and I’ve been finding my fortitude to be mightily tested. I’m afraid I’m come down with a moderate-to-severe case of cynicism.George Carlin once said, ‘Inside every cynical person is a disappointed idealist,’ and I strongly agree. I’m by nature a pretty soft-hearted, idealistic person, but with high ideals come high expectations—and high expectations are basically impossible to meet. I spent much of this year (years, really) embracing my newfound cynicism because it seemed easier and less painful than having my impossibly high expectations disappointed again and again. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a book called <a href="https://www.jamil-zaki.com/hope-for-cynics" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hope for Cynics</a> by Jamil Zaki, and it has been an amazing tool for recalibrating my perspective on life. The book proves—scientifically—that Samwise Gamgee was correct when he said, ‘There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it’s worth fighting for.’ I highly recommend that anyone and everyone read it—it’s exactly what the world needs to hear right now. Cynicism is not conducive to creative work, so my 2024 AMG output was abysmal. Instead of listening to new albums, I listened to my Manowar playlist over and over and over. At one point, I finally pulled the trigger and told Steel I needed to step away. I felt good about that decision, that is until my friend Kenstrosity had his home destroyed by a hurricane. The way the Angry Metal community banded together to support Ken broke through the hard crust that had been forming around my tender heart. The staff, and especially you, the readers, jumped at the chance to help, and it was incredibly inspiring—and it once again proved just how wholesome and unique this little internet community can be. I’m resolving to stay involved, producing whatever content I can make time for, but more importantly, to just be around. When times are hard, I tend to withdraw, but I’m finding that those are the times when I really need to fight to stay engaged.Thanks for your patience and for your even-handed, if brutal, leadership, Steel. Thanks to everyone who makes this place so special; you are all agents in the war on cynicism. Special shoutouts to Dr. Wvrm, Ferox, and Doom_et_Al for hanging out with me in person—extra special to Doomy for letting me crash at his place—and to Crispy Hooligan (Rest In Retirement) for recognizing and chatting with me at a Judas Priest show. It was awesome to take my AMG community into three dimensions this year.Well, you’ve heard enough from this gloomy goose! Rest assured that I’m looking to 2025 with hope and a healthy skepticism instead of my usual oscillation between idealism and cynicism. Onto the tunes! #ish. Judas Priest // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/judas-priest-invincible-shield-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Invincible Shield</a> – This one comes as a bit of a shock to me. When it first released, I was pretty indifferent. I really enjoyed the previous album Firepower, but I didn’t feel a strong need to hear or enjoy a new Judas Priest album in 2024. I have my ten-year-old son to thank for changing my mind. While I was driving him to school one day, he randomly said, ‘Dad, my favorite band is Imagine Dragons, but my favorite music is heavy metal.’ I knew I had to capitalize on this make-or-break moment, so as soon as I got home, I bought two pre-sale tickets to the Invincible Shield tour. Seeing these legends with my boy was a core memory that I will always treasure, and while I prepped for the show, I began to see Invincible Shield for what it really is: one more gift from the metal gods of old, one that is far more energetic and ruthless than it has any right to be. Sample: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLPaGqGzdY0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Panic Attack”</a>#10. Necrophobic // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/necrophobic-in-the-twilight-grey-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">In the Twilight Grey</a> – As someone who gained their black metal fangs because of Necrophobic’s modern-day sound, I understand that I’m unfairly biased to enjoy everything they’re putting out these days. But biased or not, I absolutely dig what Necrophobic have done on In the Twilight Grey. They’ve taken just about every shade of black metal available and incorporated a bit of this one and a bit of that one to construct a varied collage of blackened brutality. The guitar work on this record is exemplary, and it speaks to my classic heavy metal heart with lead after lead that could fit on just about any Priest album. I didn’t listen to much black metal this year, and this album is partially to blame. In the Twilight Grey arrived early on and essentially sated my appetite for blackened platters. Sample: <a href="https://centurymedia.bandcamp.com/track/shadows-of-the-brightest-night" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Shadows of the Brightest Night”</a>#9. Ironflame // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/ironflame-kingdom-torn-asunder-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kingdom Torn Asunder</a> – Consistency is an underrated and often maligned trait when it comes to music, but it’s something I really value. I love when every day is just about the same as the last. I can eat the same meal three times per day, no problem. As I mentioned above, I can listen to the same Manowar playlist on repeat for months at a time. I like consistency because I like to know what I’m getting. Ironflame has become my poster child for consistency when it comes to modern traditional metal, and I while I may know exactly what an Ironflame record is going to sound like before I ever play it, I take an enormous amount of joy finding my preconceived notions to be 100% accurate. Andrew d’Cagna can write killer metal anthems in his sleep, and Kingdom Torn Asunder is full of them. Sample: <a href="https://ironflame.bandcamp.com/track/sword-of-a-thousand-truths" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Sword of a Thousand Truths”</a>#8. Vitriol // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/vitriol-suffer-become-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Suffer & Become</a> – This album definitely tested the limits of my musical taste. Vitriol’s brand of death metal is so punishing that it becomes overwhelming for me, but Suffer & Become includes just enough beauty to let the beast shine by contrast. Full disclosure: I have to be in the right mood for this album. It is so dense, so challenging, so heavy, that it makes me uncomfortable. Without relying on the overt groove or melody that usually anchors the music I enjoy, Suffer & Become manages to hook me through pure violence, leaving me just a few fleeting moments to pop my ahead above the surface to grab a quick breath before dragging me back below. Released back in January, my response to this record was the first indication that my taste (and my list) in 2024 would be trending in a brutal direction. Sample: <a href="https://vitriolwarfare.bandcamp.com/track/the-flowers-of-sadism" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“The Flowers of Sadism”</a>#7. Oxygen Destroyer // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/oxygen-destroyer-guardian-of-the-universe-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guardian of the Universe</a> – As I went to wheel my thrash can to the street, I wondered if it would even be worth the trip. While I didn’t listen to all that many albums in total this year, I had an especially noteworthy dearth of thrash albums that caught my attention. Fortunately, the one album that did end up in my thrash can filled it to the point of overflowing. Oxygen Destroyer has received <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/holdeneyes-top-tenish-of-2021/#:~:text=Oxygen%20Destroyer%20//%20Sinister%20Monstrosities%20Spawned%20by%20the%20Unfathomable%20Ignorance%20of%20Humankind" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">honorable mention on my year-end list</a> before, but this time around, the band has leveled up in so many ways that it was impossible for me not to put Guardian of the Universe on my list proper. Where previous albums were more of an even death/thrash mix, this one is an absolute thrashterpiece, and every single song has at least one earworm riff that refuses to leave my brain. Lord Kaiju’s utterly pissed-off vocals are the perfect match for what the rest of the band is doing musically, and with one forthcoming exception, there was no better half-hour set of music with which to torture myself this year. Sample: <a href="https://oxygen-destroyer.bandcamp.com/track/banishing-the-iris-of-sempiternal-tenebrosity" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Banishing the Iris of Sempiternal Tenebrosity”</a>#6. Aborted // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/aborted-vault-of-horrors-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vault of Horrors</a> – I’m a late-stage Aborted adopter. Vault of Horrors was my first exposure to the band, and the uniqueness of this album is probably responsible for why I’ve come to enjoy the band so much. I was at first put off by all the guest vocalists, but then I remembered that I love hardcore vocals. Aborted’s mixture of brutal death and deathcore is already potent, but when a host of talented hardcore and metal vocalists add their voices to the mix, the result is an adrenaline-pumping, testosterone-boosting beatdown. One of my favorite metal moments of the year goes to witnessing many of these cuts live in the mighty presence of my Angry Metal brothers Ferox and Doom_et_Al. Vault of Horrors has been one of my gym mainstays since its release, and that quality alone is nearly enough to boost an album onto my Top Ten(ish). Sample: <a href="https://abortedmetal.bandcamp.com/track/death-cult-feat-despised-icon" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Death Cult”</a>#5. Unhallowed Deliverance // Of Spectres and Strife – I honestly can’t remember what review it was for, but one of our lovely readers suggested this album in the comments, and I haven’t been able to stop listening to it. Unhallowed Deliverance is another band that mixes brutal death metal and deathcore, but where Aborted goes for the throat nearly 100% of the time, these guys throw in a pinch of atmosphere and a boatload of technicality to create an insanely strong, multifaceted sound. Frontman Arthur Haltrich complements his standard death/deathcore growls and shrieks with some of the gnarliest belches, gurgles, and verbal flatulence I’ve ever heard, giving Of Spectres and Strife’s sonic texture even more depth that its already intricate music provides. The record even includes a collaboration with Kenneth Copeland, the artist responsible for <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/holdeneye-and-cherd-of-dooms-top-tenish-of-2020/#:~:text=Kenneth%20Copeland%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Judgement%20of%20Covid%2D19%20Metal%20Remix%E2%80%9D" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">my 2020 Song o’ the Year</a>. Sample: <a href="https://unhalloweddeliverance.bandcamp.com/track/treatise-on-the-lowest-form-of-man-2" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Treatise on the Lowest Form of Man”</a>#4. Nemedian Chronicles // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/nemedian-chronicles-the-savage-sword-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Savage Sword</a> – It’s been many months since Iceberg grossly underrated this absolute gem, and it is a gem that I’ve clutched as greedily as if I’d personally plucked it from a cursed dungeon’s treasure hoard ever since. When I first sampled The Savage Sword, I was intimidated by its 70-minute length, but it took little more than a single listen for me to realize that this album is incredibly well-executed from start to finish. Yes, Nemedian Chronicles made the bold choice to start the record with what are essentially two intro tracks, but they are so epic and genuine that they act as a pair of tentacles, forcefully drawing me into the concept’s Hyborian world and setting me up to enjoy of deep immersion. The rest of the album is a masterclass on how to properly deliver epic heavy and power metal goods, and it is frankly the best Blind Guardian album released since the 90s. Sample: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnj-77CsyNc" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“The Savage Sword”</a>#3. Brodequin // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/brodequin-harbinger-of-woe-things-you-might-have-missed-2024/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Harbinger of Woe</a> – More like Harbinger of Whoa, amirite? I could probably sum this album up with just that single word ‘whoa,’ but Steel would most likely force me to sit on that old-timey chair on the cover art if I didn’t elaborate. This was another comment section find, and I’ll be damned if it didn’t grab me almost immediately—a rare occurrence for music of this level of intensity. The production on this album raises it so far above much of its comparable competition because it so perfectly balances the material’s speed and chaos with an overwhelmingly tangible heft. Harbinger of Woe’s 30-minute runtime is so bludgeoning that my watch sometimes registers my listening sessions as cardio, so I’d like to think that this album has made me a healthier person in 2024. Brodequin, or Brother Quinn as I like to refer to them, can take comfort in putting out one of the finest brutal death metal albums in a year filled with quality brutal death metal albums. Sample: <a href="https://brodequin.bandcamp.com/track/of-pillars-and-trees" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Of Pillars and Trees”</a>#2. Keygen Church // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/keygen-church-nel-nome-del-codice-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nel Nome Del Codice</a> – In what is perhaps my greatest musical surprise of the year, this album instantly bewitched me body and soul, and I love, I love, I love it, and wish from this day forth never to be parted from it. I’ve enjoyed some of Victor Love’s work in Master Boot Record, but as someone who is drawn to liturgical expressions of spirituality, Keygen Church’s inclusion of Baroque organs and choirs absolutely godsmacked me from moment one. If you asked me to name the greatest song of all time in any genre, I’d probably go with Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor,” so it should come as no surprise that Nel Nome Del Codice feels as if it were tailormade to tickle me right in the pipe organs. I have no idea how music like this is produced, but my hat is off to Love for creating such a powerful aural experience. Sample: <a href="https://keygenchurch.bandcamp.com/track/sulla-via-della-gloria" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Sulla Via Della Gloria”</a>#1. Hell:on // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/hellon-shaman-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shaman</a> – When I dropped a 4.5 on this back in May, I was pretty confident that nothing else would be able to top it, and since I’m almost always right, I was right, of course. Hell:on’s mix of death metal, throat-singing, ritualistic rhythms, and Eastern instrumentation makes me feel like I’m trapped within some infernal combination of a death metal concert and a Witcher III boss fight, and it’s a feeling that has yet to get old. The band went all-in on the inclusion of their Ukrainian cultural elements within their music this time around, and it was an incredible success. In a year where death metal made up the majority of my top records, Shaman had to fight to keep its place upon the top of the heap, but no other album felt as spiritually dense to me in a year where I’ve fought to find my own personal peace. The textures offered here both exhilarate me and help me into a meditative state, and the resulting empowerment has been a Godsend to me. Sample: <a href="https://hellonband.bandcamp.com/track/what-steppes-dream-about" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“What Steppes Dream About”</a>Honorable Mentions<ul><li>Brothers of Metal // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/brothers-of-metal-fimbulvinter-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fimbulvinter</a></li><li>Pneuma Hagion // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/pneuma-hagion-from-beyond-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">From Beyond</a></li></ul>Olde Record (and Hot Take) o’ the YearManowar // <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K70nC0FbxiU" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Warriors of the World</a> – When I wasn’t listening to new music in 2024—which was really, really often—I was probably listening to Manowar. I listened to them so much, in fact, that my streaming platform placed me within the band’s top 0.1% of listeners worldwide. Warriors of the World was the first true heavy metal album that I ever purchased, and so many of its songs remain personal favorites to this very day. As I ravaged the band’s discography this year, I came to the realization that Manowar circa 2002 is the absolute highwater mark for heavy music. This album has some weird inclusions that make it feel somewhat unbalanced and goofy at times, but I’m convinced that if the band had cut a bit of the fluff and added in the two cuts from the Dawn of Battle EP, Warriors of the World would have been a 5.0 and the greatest metal album of all time. Disagree? Then you’re not into metal, and you are not my friend. Just kidding. We can still be friends, poser!Disappointment o’ the YearIn Aphelion // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/in-aphelion-reaperdawn-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Reaperdawn</a> – After In Aphelion’s debut <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/in-aphelion-moribund-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Moribund</a> pummeled its way into the top tier of <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/holdeneyes-top-tenish-of-2022/#:~:text=%233.%20In%20Aphelion%20//%20Moribund" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">my Top Ten(ish) of 2022</a>, I had huge expectations for its follow-up, Reaperdawn. Whether it is because several of the band’s members released a similar-sounding and stronger album with their main project Necrophobic or because these songs just don’t match up to the debut, this one just didn’t do it for me. It has a nice blackened aesthetic and some quality moments and performances, but it lacks the edge that made Moribund feel so genuinely dangerous. I hope to hear something new from these guys in the not-so-distant future, because I know they’re capable of going for my throat.Song o’ the YearHell:on // “I Am the Path” – This song resonated with me from the very first time I heard it. The way the song swings back and forth between brutal death metal and ritualistic groove strikes the perfect balance for me, and the folk instrumentation adds even more layers to the experience. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to “I Am the Path” this year, but just about every time I do, I feel my eyes wanting to roll into the back of my head so I can commune with the primal spirits of the earth. The track’s title and chorus have become something of a personal mantra for me as I’ve struggled to find inner harmony this year. It reminds me that I can make all the positive external changes in the world, but if I really seek health and joy, I must walk that most challenging of all paths: the path within.<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2024/" target="_blank">#2024</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/aborted/" target="_blank">#Aborted</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/blog-posts/" target="_blank">#BlogPosts</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/brodequin/" target="_blank">#Brodequin</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/brothers-of-metal/" target="_blank">#BrothersOfMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" 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Angry Metal Guy<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/saunders-and-felagunds-top-tenish-of-2024/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Saunders and Felagund’s Top Ten(ish) of 2024</a>By Dr. A.N. GrierSaundersRather than delve into the not-so-good parts of a rollercoaster 2024, which had its share of rough circumstances, I’m using this rare soapbox moment to focus on the positives of another action-packed year of metal. Celebrating ten years of writing at Angry Metal Guy was an achievement that crept up. All these years later I remain beyond stoked and privileged to still be contributing in a small way as the blog has snowballed into the juggernaut it is today.Unfortunately, I haven’t quite fulfilled my writing productivity goals in 2024. However, even when motivation slips, it still gives me great satisfaction to have a platform to share my thoughts and opinions on the music I love. I cannot match the writing chops or word smithery of our most esteemed scribes. However, honing my craft within my own abilities and drawing inspiration from the excellence of my fellow writers continues to motivate me and hopefully steer listeners toward some great music.While it may not compete with some of the top-shelf individual years over the past decade, 2024 featured a lot of top-shelf stuff across a multitude of genres sprawled over the heavy spectrum. As per usual, the plethora of releases was overwhelming and again I stumble into the end-of-year chaos with a hefty list of stuff I need to check out or spend more time with. Nevertheless, from the numerous albums, I spent quality time with throughout the year, I eventually arrived at the releases that mattered the most to me, with many gems to no doubt uncover in the end-of-year wash-up. This is probably one of the more eclectic lists I’ve cultivated during my time here. Not sure exactly why that was the case, but a year of fluctuating, uneasy shifts on personal and professional fronts perhaps contributed to the more diverse listening rotation.To wrap up, a heartfelt thank you to our beloved readership for making this all worthwhile and to all my colleagues/writing buddies and general crew of awesome people comprising the ever-expanding blog. Also shout-out to my list buddy Felagund, here’s hoping our combined powers partially align or otherwise complement and provide some listening inspiration. Lastly, a special heads-up to Angry Metal Guy, Steel Druhm, and the rest of the AMG editors and brains trust for whipping us all into order and doing the behind-the-scenes heavy lifting to keep this great thing chugging along. Cheers. #ish: Anciients // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/anciients-beyond-the-reach-of-the-sun-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Beyond the Reach of the Sun</a> – Personal dramas, line-up shuffles, and an extended stint away from the studio failed to hamper the triumphant return of Canada’s progressive-stoner-sludge heavyweights Anciients. Beyond the Reach of the Sun marks a strong return that expands the band’s songwriting vision through a standout collection of ambitious, heavily prog-leaning cuts. Loaded with dazzling guitar work and gripping songwriting, Beyond the Reach of the Sun finds the band recalibrating and hitting their songwriting straps without compromising the genre-splicing traits and character they formed across their first couple of albums. It is not a perfect album by any means, with some niggling elements rearing their head, mostly via the way of some bloat, sequencing issues, and a flat production job. But with songs of the outstanding quality of “Despoiled,” “Is it Your God,” and “The Torch” leading the way, the album’s issues fail to extinguish my overall enthusiasm.#10. Madder Mortem // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/madder-mortem-old-eyes-new-heart-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Old Eyes New Heart</a> – I came to veteran Norwegian progressive metal outfit Madder Mortem late in the game, just as they appeared to be hitting modern-era career peaks via Red in Tooth and Claw, and most recent album, 2018’s Marrow. Six long years in the wilderness and Madder Mortem return without missing a beat, continuing to pump out expressive, powerfully composed jams of their trademark mix of Goth-tinged progressive/alt metal. Although I enjoyed the album from the outset, if anything it has grown in stature since its early year release. The album’s subtleties and bevy of emotion-charged hooks bury deeper into the brain upon repeat doses. The tough period the band endured prior to the unleashing of Old Eyes New Heart is reflected in the album’s raw, potent swell of emotions and overall depth. This is further reflected in the diverse nature of the colorful songwriting, swinging from bluesy, melancholic restraint (“Cold Hard Rain”), pop-infected prog (‘Here and Now”) to urgent, dramatic, and infectious rock powerhouses (“The Head That Wears the Crown,” “Towers”).#9. Opeth // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/opeth-the-last-will-and-testament-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Last Will and Testament</a> – As a longtime Opeth fanboy, it is a cool feeling to be genuinely enthused about a new LP, nearly three decades since their underrated Orchid debut. All the pre-release buzz centered on the return of Åkerfeldt’s famed death growls. While certainly a cool and unexpected touch, the fourteenth album The Last Will and Testament is not merely a nostalgic throwback to the band’s glory days. Instead, Opeth fuses those quirky, vintage prog tools from their modern-era material and fuses them into an intricate concept album that is a significant step up from the past couple of uneven efforts and easily their best work since at least 2014’s Pale Communion. Dazzling musicianship, jazzy licks, and inventively crafted, yet notably more focused and concise writing marked an album that features better production and tighter, punchier songs than the band has written in a while. It is also Opeth’s heaviest, most riff-centric release in many moons. Despite the trademark melancholic moods and darker shades, it also sounds as if the band is having real fun, reinforced by the abundance of bouncy, infectious riffs, shreddy solos, and boisterous grooves littering the album. Likely would have earned higher honors with time, as I still feel there is much more to discover.#8. Oceans of Slumber // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/oceans-of-slumber-where-gods-fear-to-speak-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Where Gods Fear to Speak</a> – Previously enjoyed the idea of Texan progressive metal powerhouse Oceans of Slumber, more than the execution and finished product. In particular, 2016’s Winter has grown in stature over the years. Yet for much of their career, it has felt like a case of incredible talent and potential not fully realized. That changed on Where Gods Fear to Speak, arguably the band’s most complete, consistent, and hook-laden release. When I felt the prog itch throughout 2024, Where Gods Fear to Speak was often the go-to. An album of lush, moody, drama-filled compositions, deftly contrasting soaring melodies, and skyscraping hooks with muscular riffage and heftier bouts of aggression, the writing is tighter and more compelling than previous efforts. Cammie Beverly’s scene-stealing vocals may take center stage, but this is very much a complete effort, where the rich soundscapes, brooding atmospheres, and technical musicianship shine brightly. Loaded with killer jams, including stirring highlights, “Don’t Come Back from Hell Empty Handed,” “Wish,” and “Poem of Ecstasy,” Where Gods Fear to Speak finally finds Oceans of Slumber firing on all cylinders.#7. Pyrrhon // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/pyrrhon-exhaust-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Exhaust</a> – In theory, Pyrrhon should be one of my favorite bands. I used to eat up all manner of skronky, dissonant, and abrasive extreme metal. Perhaps my thirst for the weirder, experimental forms of death metal and dissonance has softened over the years. However, while largely enjoying Pyrrhon’s career up to this point, Exhaust feels like the album I have been waiting for the band to deliver. Exhaust dropped unexpectedly and that element of surprise flowed through another oddball, deranged platter of wildly inventive, chaotic, yet oddly accessible (in Pyrrhon terms) extreme metal. From cautious, challenging early listens, I found myself increasingly compelled to revisit Exhaust on a regular basis, marveling at its flexible, fractured songwriting, nimble musicianship, and raw hardcore punk edge infiltrating the dissonant, experimental death metal at the core of the Pyrrhon experience. Gritty production, perfectly unhinged vocal performance from Doug Moore, and occasional burst of groove and shred of accessibility punctuating the chaos (“First as Tragedy, Then as Farce,” “Strange Pains,” “Stress Fractures”) lend the album a refreshingly addictive edge to counterbalance its abrasive, challenging angles.#6. Replicant // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/replicant-infinite-mortality-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Infinite Mortality</a> – New Jersey’s Replicant previously exhibited their brawny, yet brainy mix of gnarled dissonance, technicality, and knuckle-dragging street grooves to powerful effect. However, third album Infinite Mortality levelled the playing field as the band upped their game to elite levels of controlled chaos, while the writing remained challenging yet strangely accessible and memorable. In spirit, the ugly mix of harshness, discordance, and headbangable blockbuster grooves reminds me of the great Ion Dissonance. Meanwhile, the contrasting blend of unorthodox melody, jagged dissonance, and stuttering, complex song structures come together with cohesion and blunt force, punctuated by the occasional warped solo. Like a harsh, harrowing soundtrack to a bleak dystopian future, Infinite Mortality is a mean, chunky, technical, and deliciously primal slab of advanced disso-tech-death excellence.#5. Noxis // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/noxis-violence-inherent-in-the-system-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Violence Inherent in the System</a> – Notably death metal in 2024 was dominated by brutal, dissonant varieties, designed to scramble brains and challenge minds while battering the listener into submission. Refreshingly, unheralded surprise packet Noxis unloaded a killer debut LP to savor. Drawing from an array of old-school influences and ’90s touchstones without ever aping one particular band or style, Noxis unleashed a nostalgic yet unique death metal platter. Managing to at once sound raw and unclean, technical and brutal, thrashy and proggy, sharp and refined, Noxis blaze their way craftily through memorable, riff-infested wastelands with unbridled aggression, speed, and finesse, rubber-stamped by some exceptional bass work. Remnants of the classic Floridian scene mingle with powerful influences, including early Cryptopsy, later-era Death, Atheist, and Cannibal Corpse, resulting in a finished product that sounds fresh and vital, while containing an endearing, workmanlike old-school charm. It works a treat, and the top-notch and frequently inventive writing reveals impressive depth and character that rewards repeat listens.#4. Dissimulator // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/dissimulator-lower-form-resistance-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lower Form Resistance</a> – There are some serviceable, enjoyable thrash-aligned albums in 2024, but one stood head and shoulders above the competition. Comprised of a grizzled bunch of underground Canadian musicians hellbent on fusing advanced technical thrash assaults with sick old-school death-thrash, a fuckton of killer riffs, quirky vocoder action, and razor-sharp hooks, Lower Form Resistance has consistently provided an adrenaline-filled shot of thrash when needing that specific fix. Dissimulator rewires thrash in intricate and intriguing ways, giving me the same giddy rush as past experiences with the likes of Capharnaum, Vhol, and Revocation. Excited to hear what these dudes conjure up next. In the meantime, Lower Form Resistance will continue to keep my thrash cogs oiled through potent bangers like “Warped,” “Automoil & Robotoil,” and “Hyperline Underflow.”#3. Huntsmen // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/huntsmen-the-dry-land-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Dry Land</a> – After somehow sleeping on 2018 debut American Scrap and subsequently their apparent sophomore slumping second album, I finally righted my wrongs by delving into the strange and wildly unique woodlands of Chicago metal troupe Huntsmen and their phenomenal third LP, The Dry Land. A raw, rustic, and emotionally striking explosion of genre-bending excellence, where blackened sludge, doom, post, prog, folk, and Americana influences coalesce into an intoxicating and frequently thrilling musical formula, rich in detail and emotion. The skilled genre mashing is cohesive and genuine, loaded with surprises, structural twists, dramatic ebbs and flows, deep burrowing hooks, and contrasting vocal trade-offs to seal the deal on a remarkable album. Despite only a small handful of songs comprising the album (six in total), Huntsmen make every moment count, from blazing longer numbers with stunning contrasts and peaks (“This, Our Gospel,” “In Time, All things”) to plaintive folk dusted rock (“Lean Times”), through to the stunningly moving, compact power of “Rain.” Huntsmen occupy a unique space in the metalverse.#2. Borknagar // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/borknagar-fall-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fall</a> – I have a slightly odd history with Norwegian legends Borknagar. I recall being taken by their excellent 2012 album Urd, yet oddly enough I didn’t extend my listening beyond that isolated release. Things changed with 2019’s True North, a typically solid offering that inspired my explorations of portions of their vast and consistently engaging catalog. The twelfth album Fall marks their first album since True North and again features an outstanding line-up of talents, including founding mastermind Øystein Brun, multi-talented keyboardist/clean vocalist Lars Nedland, and ace up their sleeve bass/vocal powerhouse ICS Vortex. Fall smacks of a veteran band not merely content to coast on their laurels but rather carve freshly creative trajectories for their now signature blend of epic prog, triumphant Viking, and icy black metal to thrive. An extra shot of old-school blackened aggression and fuller production boosted an album of consistently high quality. Fall became a true all-occasions album in 2024; often uplifting me when I felt down or giving me a punchy charge when the need arose. Wall-to-wall prime cuts feature, headlined by the storming “Summits,” moody earworm, “The Wild Lingers”, and the striking, epic shimmer of “Moon.” Stalwarts still operating at the top of their game.#1. Counting Hours // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/counting-hours-the-wishing-tomb-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Wishing Tomb</a> – Not since Fvneral Fvkk’s remarkable <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/fvneral-fvkk-carnal-confessions-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Carnal Confessions</a> debut has a doom album struck as hard as the second platter of sadboi misery perpetrated by Finland’s excellent Counting Hours. While doom and its death-doom companion may not always dominate my listening habits, when an album does hit that sweet spot, it usually leaves a profound impact. Few forms of metal generate the emotional resonance of quality doom and Counting Hours tears at the heartstrings through a riveting collection of gorgeously played and executed death-doom ditties, spearheaded by former members of the hugely underrated Rapture. Ilpo Paasela backs up the stellar musicianship, superb guitar work, and tight, addictive songwriting with a stunning mix of emotively raw, stately cleans and rugged death growls. The whole package packs an emotional wallop, yet its soulful edge and hopelessly addictive hooks and sing-along moments prevent a drop too deeply into depressive waters, as such earwormy gems as “Timeless Ones,” “All That Blooms (Needs to Die),” and “Starlit / Lifeless” attest. The Wishing Tomb is an epic album to lose yourself in.Honorable Mentions:<ul><li>Blood Incantation // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/blood-incantation-absolute-elsewhere-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Absolute Elsewhere</a> – Did I overrate Absolute Elsewhere? Possibly. Is it overhyped? Absolutely. Yet Blood Incantation remains a brave, adventurous band and Absolute Elsewhere represents a welcome return to form from these gifted, star-gazing space cadets. A flawed but effective fusing of their death metal roots with an increased focus on ’70s-inspired progressive rock and trippy psych flourishes.</li><li>200 Stab Wounds // Manual Manic Procedures – I barely took notice of Cleveland’s 200 Stab Wounds debut LP, but sophomore album Manual Manic Procedures provided one of the real surprise packets in 2024. It very nearly cracked the main list sheerly through heavy rotation. A meaty, adrenaline-charged shot of muscular death into the veins.</li><li>Ripped to Shreds // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/ripped-to-shreds-sanshi-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sanshi</a> – Another reliably awesome slab of old-school death from Andrew Lee and co. Increasingly shreddy, extravagant solo work and a grindier edge powered one of their best albums yet.</li><li>Nails // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/nails-every-bridge-burning-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Every Bridge Burning</a> – Nails is back and that is a great thing. New line-up, the same mode of short, sharp, blast-your-skin-off aggression, head-caving grooves, and hate-filled energy.</li><li>Unhallowed Deliverance // Of Spectre and Strife – A pleasant surprise and one of the best debut albums in 2024. German tech-slam-brutal death juggernaut Unhallowed Deliverance knocked it out of the park with limited subtlety but a heap of talent, creativity, and songwriting smarts.</li><li>Wormed // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wormed-omegon-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Omegon</a> – With Ulcerate’s latest release not quite hitting me on the intense level of others, and having run out of time to properly digest and rank the obvious high-quality new Defeated Sanity, Wormed’s long-awaited return gave me my fix of calculated brutality via futuristic, slammy, technical brutal death executed in typically warped, mind-blowing fashion.</li><li>Khirki // Κυκεώνας – Following up an impressive, well-received debut LP is no easy feat. Kenstrosity steered many of us from the AMG community onto Greek band Khirki’s Κτηνωδία debut in 2021, so I eagerly anticipated Khirki’s return for the second go around. The resulting album met expectations through a fiery, passionate, and eclectic mix of metal, rock, and traditional Greek folk.</li><li>Sergeant Thunderhoof // The Ghost of Badon Hill – A late-year list shaker, underappreciated UK psych-prog-stoner outfit Sergeant Thunderhoof unleased a more restrained, psych-enhanced, and introspective album, showing signs of being a genuine grower since its November release, despite not quite hitting the irresistible highs of 2022’s This Sceptred Veil.</li></ul>Disappointments o’ the Year:<ul><li>Several highly anticipated albums did not quite land the killer blows I was hoping for. Respectable to very good albums, but I expected better from Vola (admittedly a grower), Caligula’s Horse, Ihsahn, and especially Zeal and Ardor.</li></ul>Non-Metal Picks:<ul><li>St Vincent, SIR, Michael Kiwanuka, Allie X, MGMT</li></ul>Song ‘o the Year:<ul><li>Counting Hours – “Timeless Ones”</li></ul>There were any number of standouts and potential Song o’ the Year candidates that could have nabbed top honors, including several counterparts from Counting Hours’ spectacular sophomore album. In the end, I settled on the (proper) album opener of my album of the year, as the tune that really hooked me initially from an album that captivated my soul. A rich, emotive piece of dark, melodic death-doom with superlative guitar melodies and a chorus for the ages. Honorable mention to Huntsmen’s “Rain.” FelgundI don’t know about you, but I’m tired of living in interesting times. But as that wizened sage, Gandalf so wisely reminds us: “So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”So what have I been doing with the time that has been given? A fair amount, as it turns out. 2024 has certainly been a tumultuous year for our small family. On the one hand, the business that I launched in 2023 has been chugging along for well over a year and a half now, and I think I’m far enough along in the process that I feel (at least somewhat) comfortable calling it a success. The baby that we brought home from the hospital is now, inexplicably, a whip-smart 7-year-old. My wife’s career continues to blossom as she continues to moonlight as my business manager. Things are good.And yet 2024 also proved to be harder than I’d ever imagined. My dad died back in April, an experience that remains both devastating and surreal. He’d had multiple sclerosis for well over a decade, and as I’m sure many of you know, MS is a grasping, grinding petty little disease. But for as much as it stole, it proved incapable of taking away who my father was; it couldn’t quite make off with what made him him. He was my best friend before his diagnosis, and he remained my best friend up until that impossible evening in a hospital room in early April. Truth be told, he’s still my best friend, only now he’s free to walk wherever I see fit to imagine him.Despite my best efforts, I realized pretty quickly you can’t capture a life in a few paragraphs. I couldn’t do it in his eulogy, and I certainly won’t attempt to do so on a heavy metal blog. But I will share this:My dad was a carpenter by trade and an artist by choice; he was a fisherman and a cook; he was a handyman, a builder, a designer, and a writer; he taught himself how to play guitar, and he’s perhaps the singular reason why I’m writing for this website today. Because while he wasn’t a fan of metal himself, he instilled in me not only a love for music, but an interest in the process; in the people who create it, the minds that shape it, and the passion that births it.He played in countless bands in his youth, and I can think of no better way to honor his memory than by sharing some of his music with you all. With Steel’s blessing, I’m embedding a two-song demo (“A Place in Time” and “Street Legal”) ripped from a cassette my old man recorded in the late 80s, so apologies in advance for the questionable quality. He composed both the music and lyrics, played guitar and bass, and sang on both tracks, which were devised when he was perhaps at his Rush fanboy peak. It’s been a delight and a balm hearing his voice again, captured as it was in a moment when he was young, vibrant, and doing what he loved.So here we are. Despite (or perhaps because of) this, I managed to consume a fair amount of metal this year. And while I was far less productive as a writer than I’d hoped and I wasn’t able to listen to as much as I originally planned, I discovered a plethora of new music here on AMG that soothed what Neil Peart once referred to as his “baby soul.” And surprisingly, I found much of that solace in the discordant, the dissonant, and the off-kilter, as the list below probably reflects. But more importantly, I found compassion, support, and understanding amongst the writing staff here. And while they may not know it, I will be forever thankful for the folks who showed me such boundless kindness during a year that felt decidedly unkind. Thank you, my friends.Now let’s get to to it. Here are my top ten(ish) albums of 2024. #(ish). Beaten to Death // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/beaten-to-death-sunrise-over-rigor-mortis-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunrise Over Rigor Mortis</a> – It almost feels like cheating to place an 18-minute album in my Top 10(ish), but here we are. 2024 proved to be a year where my interest in grind and grind-adjacent acts expanded, and this “ish” is the result. While I wasn’t aware of Beaten to Death prior to this release, I was quickly swept away by Sunrise Over Rigor Mortis’ ability to bludgeon its idiosyncratic way into my brain and coil there like the most glorious of infections. Beaten to Death has delivered a concise helping of grinding goodness, with crispy prog edges and a schmear of off-kilter humor. Back catalog, here I come!#10. Sleepytime Gorilla Museum // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/sleepytime-gorilla-museum-of-the-last-human-being-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Of the Last Human Being</a> – Gardenstale’s gushing review of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum’s fourth album Of the Last Human Being was a tough endorsement to ignore, as was an invocation of Diablo Swing Orchestra. So I threw caution to the wind and leaped headlong into this experimental maelstrom. And I’m so happy I did. Don’t let the runtime dissuade you; Of the Last Human Being doesn’t feel nearly as long as it is, and over that relatively brief timespan, you’re provided with a front-row seat to the aural equivalent of perhaps the most fun kind of performance art. Hard-edged riffs, off-kilter instrumentation, ominous theatrics interlaced with beautiful, sparse melodies, and all capped off by the deranged croons of chief carnival barker Nils Frykdahl. If I’d spent more time with this record it may have placed higher, but as it is, I’m happy it’s making an appearance at the number 10 spot.#9. Sur Austru // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/sur-austru-datura-strahiarelor-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Datura Strǎhiarelor</a> – Despite Twelve underrating this album, I suppose I should commend him for introducing me to Sur Austru in the first place. This Romanian outfit’s third full-length Datura Strǎhiarelor is a potent blend of rumbling, blackened fury, and melodic folk metal, with plenty of flute work, orchestration, choral elements, and plaintive keys thrown in. And, while the gruff, chanting growls might rub some listeners the wrong way, it was this aspect more than any other that first grabbed my attention, and proceeded to keep it. And while I haven’t a clue what the vocalists are shouting at me, the tone and placement in the mix feels just right, especially for this brand of folk-infused black metal. Such is the strength of Sur Austru that this album began as my “ish” before eventually working its way to ninth. Mightly bold of them.#8. Necrowretch // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/necrowretch-swords-of-dajjal-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Swords of Dajjal</a> – Some of the entries on this list were either late discoveries or took some time before they got their dirty little hooks in me. Necrowretch’s Swords of Dajjal was not one of them. As soon as I spun it back in February, it was love at first listen. Swords of Dajjal focuses on the greater deceiver in Islamic mythology, and explores that tradition through the use of ferocious blackened death metal (with perhaps a dollop or two of thrash thrown in). Although, as Carcharodon rightly pointed out in his review, the “blackened” part is doing most of the heavy lifting here. And that’s not a bad thing, as Necrowretch is more than adept at crafting memorable hooks and an engaging atmosphere without sacrificing heft or freneticism. Swords of Dajjal is an unmitigated success, and my only real gripe is that Necrowretch dropped a new platter so early in the year that it may go overlooked on too many end-of-year lists.#7. The Vision Bleak // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/the-vision-bleak-weird-tales-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Weird Tales</a> – Grier and I may not see eye to eye on music, but what can I say? The man knows his way around gothic metal. So when he awarded a 4.0 to Weird Tales back in April, what was I to do? If you said wait several months before bothering to press play, you’re correct. But folks, I may have been late to the party, but it’s a rager nonetheless. The Vision Bleak has produced an emotive, memorable, downright heart-wrenching concept album; one that is both lush and harsh, both achingly melodic and morosely heavy. Weird Tales isn’t my usual cup of tea, but The Vision Bleak has rejected my assertion by doing what many similar acts appear incapable of doing: cohesively balancing “gothic” and “metal” without lessening the impact of either. A well-earned addition, indeed.#6. Stenched // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/stenched-purulence-gushing-from-the-coffin-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Purulence Gushing from the Coffin</a> – While Rots-giving may have been tarnished by a less-than-stellar release from Rotpit back in November, I’ve moved on since then, and am now proudly celebrating Stenched-mas. The Manly n’ Mighty Steel reviewed this one-man grimy death outfit last month, and even though I was still smarting from my failed attempt to poach Purulence Gushing from the Coffin for myself, I can’t in good conscience deny how hard this globular mass of funerary muck rips. From the first track to the last, you’ll be rocking a near-permanent stank face, and you can’t blame that solely on the fungal miasma wafting from your speakers. The truth is, Stenched has delivered a masterclass in riff-heavy, moss-encrusted death metal; the kind that’s perfect to drag your knuckles to. Purulence Gushing from the Coffin is the exact kind of no-frills, all-guts death metal I needed in 2024, and that’s why it’s sitting pretty at 6.#5. Aklash // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/stuck-in-the-filter-june-2024s-angry-misses/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Reincarnation</a> – How are we already at the Top Five? And what better way to kick off this most treasured of positions than with the melodic black metal stylings of Aklash on their fourth album Reincarnation? Aklash received a solid write-up in June’s Stuck in the Filter by our very own Kenstrosity, and their most recent outing has continued to climb higher and higher on my list the more I’ve spun it. Part black metal, part progressive metal, part trad metal (epic choruses included), Reincarnation packs a wallop in just a short 37 minutes. overflowing with varied instrumentation and keen lyrical chops, grandiose in scope and medieval in tone, yet more personal than it has any right to be, Aklash is firing on all cylinders here, and, as such, is perfectly suited for anyone’s top 5.#4. Devenial Verdict // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/devenial-verdict-blessing-of-despair-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blessing of Despair</a> – And, just like that, more death metal rears its ugly head. I’m still surprised at how high up Devenial Verdict’s sophomore album landed on my list, primarily because their 2022 debut Ash Blind failed to connect. But Blessing of Despair seems to have arrived just in time for my increasing flirtation with the cruel mistress that is dissodeath. As such, I found myself utterly taken with Devenial Verdict’s latest, overflowing as it is with equally heavy doses of discordant ferocity and mournful melodicism. And while Blessing of Despair is an undeniably heavy record, it makes sure to leave plenty of room for quieter moments, where slower sections and sparse instrumentation have room to bloom and breathe. This approach not only results in a wonderfully balanced album but ensures the bludgeoning that’s sure to follow is all the more impactful. Consider me reformed.#3. Aborted // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/aborted-vault-of-horrors-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vault of Horrors</a> – I’m fairly certain that any death metal fan worth their salt is legally required to include the latest Aborted release on their end-of-year list. Over 25 years and 12 albums into their carnal career, these death metal titans need no introduction. Blood-drenched, gore-soaked, and happily grindy, Aborted are in a league all their own, and it shows on Vault of Horrors. The music remains tight and explosive, building a menacing atmosphere that pervades only the stickiest of grindhouse theaters. Besides, with songs dedicated to classics like Return of the Living Dead, Hellraiser, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, how could I do anything other than include this gem of an album in my top 3? I for one welcome our horror-themed overlords.#2. Noxis // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/noxis-violence-inherent-in-the-system-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Violence Inherent in the System</a> – What began as a random pick from the promo sump by one Kenstrosity quickly rose to become a favorite of the death metal maniacs (those with good taste, anyway) on the AMG staff. Now, more importantly, it’s nabbed the second-highest honor on my year-end list. Noxis’ first full-length album Violence Inherent in the System sounds like the product of a much more experienced band. The songwriting is top-notch, the performances are big and bold without being overwrought, and the sticky riffs stay wedged in your mind long after the album ends. And yet for all of its bombast, Noxis is still able to infuse their debut with oodles of atmosphere, not to mention a level of balance between death metal orthodoxy and fresh bells and whistles (and horns) that would make even Thanos grimace in jealousy. Special attention must also be paid to Joe Lowrie’s snare tone and Dave Kirsch’s godlike bass performance.#1. Pyrrhon // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/pyrrhon-exhaust-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Exhaust</a> – I suppose I was always destined to end up here, I just didn’t know it right away. Pyrrhon’s fifth full-length Exhaust didn’t initially grab me the way some of my other entries did. However, on repeat spins, I found myself falling deeper and deeper into its frenetic, dissonant embrace, discovering both nuances and subtleties amidst the proggy cacophony. On an album that thoroughly explores the universal theme of exhaustion, be it physical, mental, social, or economic, Pyrrhon’s brand of noise-tinged death metal feels like the ideal tool with which to scrawl their livid manifesto. But what truly sets Exhaust apart is its unrelenting groove, stoked by Pyrrhon’s inventive capacity to not only feature but to uplift its unique brand of melodicism amidst the unrelenting maelstrom. It’s hard to overstate just how critical this aspect is to Exhaust’s success, especially since it would have been so easy to excise. But Exhaust’s manic ferocity, which swerves jerks, hops, and heaves, is all the better for it. And while its charms were initially lost on me, I found it easier and easier to finally succumb to its tremulous tendrils. Any record with that kind of staying power (not to mention a theme so applicable to my own experiences this past year) has more than earned my top spot for 2024.Honorable Mentions:<ul><li>Defeated Sanity // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/defeated-sanity-chronicles-of-lunacy-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicles of Lunacy</a> – Defeated Sanity is a brutal tech death stalwart at this point, and now seven albums in, Chronicles of Lunacy only further cements that status. Chronicles of Lunacy provides the listener with track after aggressively intricate track exploring lunacy in its many forms, but the real treat here is Lille Gruber’s masterful performance on the drums.</li><li>Full of Hell // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/full-of-hell-coagulated-bliss-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coagulated Bliss</a> – while I don’t think I’ve become a complete grind convert, albums like Full of Hell’s Coagulated Bliss and Beaten to Death’s Sunrise Over Rigor Mortis certainly set me on the path to one day become a proud proselytizer. You can’t deny Coagulated Bliss’ infectious groove and whirlwind pace, although I agree with the Dolphin’s <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/contrite-metal-guy-its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-wrongness-volume-the-second/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">rating adjustment</a>.</li><li>Undeath // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/undeath-more-insane-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">More Insane</a> – no, it’s not as good as It’s Time…to Rise from the Grave, and there’s no reason to pretend that it is. Nor does it need to be. While More Insane may not reach the lofty heights of its predecessor, it still showcases an Undeath doing what it does best, while also hinting at an undeniable ability to evolve into an even sharper, more fetid OSDM beast.</li><li>200 Stab Wounds // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/stuck-in-the-filter-june-2024s-angry-misses/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Manual Manic Procedures</a> – while I wasn’t entirely kind in my review of 200 Stab Wounds’ debut, Mark Z suggested I take their follow-up Manual Manic Procedures for a spin, and I’m glad I did. It’s clear they’ve grown as artists, and their sophomore effort reflects that heightened maturity. Keep stabbing on, your crazy diamonds!</li><li>Mamaleek // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/mamaleek-vida-blue-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vida Blue</a> – I’m confident this album captures what it would sound like if Tom Waits listened to too much Ashenspire before leaving for the recording studio. Long, difficult, and bold, I found myself returning again and again to Vida Blue no matter how challenging I found the experience. While this album didn’t make my top 10, I’m convinced a future Mamaleek release will.</li></ul>Song o’ the Year:<ul><li>Noxis – ”Skullcrushing Defilement”</li></ul>This song goes hard. Exceptionally hard. In truth, there are any number of tunes from Violence Inherent in the System that fit the “Song o’ the Year” bill, but I had to give the edge to “Skullcrushing Defilement.” Not only does it begin with an absolutely searing bass solo, but it sets the stage for the four-string onslaught that’s to come. There’s a noticeable Cannibal Corpse influence that I can’t help but love here, alongside heaping doses of maniacal melodicism, turbocharged technicality, and an earworm chorus to boot. 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Angry Metal Guy<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/carcharodon-and-cherds-top-tenish-of-2024/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Carcharodon and Cherd’s Top Ten(ish) of 2024</a>By CarcharodonCarcharodonI’ve been writing here since 2018. This has been the hardest year to date. I feel like I say this every year right around this time but, for whatever reason, I’ve really struggled this year to find the motivation and inspiration to write. Indeed, I’ve often felt that I lacked the passion for the music. Rather than exploring the murkier depths of Bandcamp, I was often to be found in the company of old, non-metal friends like Nick Cave, 16 Horsepower and Tom Waits.Despite my disappointment with the world, most of which is on literal or metaphorical fire, and my disillusionment with people, whose choices have caused most of that, there were bright glimmers. The phenomenal response to our <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/kenstrosity-needs-our-help-after-losing-home-in-hurricane-helene-related-flooding/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gondor-esque call for aid</a>, when Kenstrosity‘s life was ripped apart by Hurricane Helene, reassured me there are still a few good people out there, a good number of whom read this blog.Still, I managed to turn out a few reviews this year, including my first ever 5.0—more of which below—which was worth it for the Steel Ire it evoked alone. And there was the <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/category/blog-posts/amg-turns-15/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fifteenalia</a>, a celebration the like of which we will not see again (for obvious reasons), which I had the honour of steering from questionable inception to creaky delivery.Ironically, despite my struggles on the writing front, This Place has played a significant part in keeping me sane. It’s been tolerable to welcome a few new staffers—some even raised up from the awful Place Below—to our serried ranks, while the older hands feel almost like family at this point, with everything that that entails. As ever, particular thanks go to Steel Druhm for his tireless intimidation, which just about keeps us honest, while Dolph, Dear Hollow, El Cuervo, Grier, Maddog, Sentynel and Thus Spoke, among others, have proved adequate companions for banter and gigs.And with that, I wish you all the happiest of Listurnalias. #ish. Pillar of Light // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/pillar-of-light-caldera-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Caldera</a> – A very late entry to this list, Pillar of Light should be a cautionary tale to bands and labels: release your shit earlier! With more time, the stunning Amenra-meets-Cult of Luna post-misery of Caldera could easily have placed in the top half of this list. While I know this is an album I will come to love and fully expect to regret not placing it higher here, the reality is that other entries have had longer to sink their hooks into me. I will just say that, for me, the apparently divisive vocals are a perfect fit for Pillar of Light’s style.#10. Seth // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/seth-la-france-des-maudits-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">La France des Maudits</a> – Way back when,<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/carcharodon-and-cherds-top-tenish-of-2024/#fn-207473-1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1</a> French black metallers Seth snuck onto my list of Honorable Mentions with La Morsure du Christ, a fantastic return to form after a lengthy absence. After a short gap, they’re back and this year’s La France des Maudits has cracked the list proper. Melodic, bordering on symphonic with the keys and choral arrangements, but also visceral and feral, Seth dropped an absolute banger. It doesn’t hurt that, as Thus Spoke pointed out in her review, it’s “downright impressive how rich and dynamic this sounds.”#9. The Vision Bleak // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/the-vision-bleak-weird-tales-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Weird Tales</a> – The Vision Bleak is not, to paraphrase Dr Grier, a band that has ever ‘got’ me. Or perhaps, I’ve never got them. But Weird Tales resonated with me enormously. And perhaps that’s because it’s not really like anything The Vision Bleak has done before. Structuring their gothic black metal (or should that be blackened goth metal?) into a single, flowing song (albeit one broken into parts) got my attention. But they held my attention because they actually managed to pull off this very-hard-to-execute vision. Weird Tales’ Type O Negative / Moonspell-inspired blackened sound clicked into place almost instantly for me and now I need to go back to TVB’s discography with newly-opened eyes.#8. Necrowretch // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/necrowretch-swords-of-dajjal-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Swords of Dajjal</a> – The first 4.0 I delivered in an alarmingly high-scoring year, Necrowretch’s black-death fusion is something that I have returned to again. Hiding beneath the vicious, downright nasty surface of Swords of Dajjal, is a surprisingly subtle and well-crafted concept album. As I said in my review, there is zero bloat or filler on this record, which blazes with intensity, driven as much by the scything, razor-sharp riffs as the rasping, sepulchral vocals. The range of influences cited, both by me and by impressed commenters, shows how many different aspects there are to this killer record.#7. Panzerfaust // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/panzerfaust-the-suns-of-perdition-chapter-iv-to-shadow-zion-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Suns of Perdition – Chapter IV: To Shadow Zion</a> – After Chapter III: The Astral Drain, I was worried that Panzerfaust were running out of steam and inspiration to close out The Suns of Perdition saga. Thankfully, my concerns were misplaced. To Shadow Zion reeks of doom and destiny. Huge, brooding and intense, it is a captivating listen, with the stunning “The Damascene Conversions” sitting at its heart. From the sulfuric vocals to the masterful drumming, this was a worthy final chapter for The Suns of Perdition, which must go down as one of the best executed, most consistent multi-album concept pieces in metal.#6. Spectral Wound // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/spectral-wound-songs-of-blood-and-mire-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Songs of Blood and Mire</a> – Spectral Wound just can’t miss. For a band that, superficially at least, plays fairly old school black metal, songwriting chops paired with brilliant execution mean these guys are anything but derivative. My favourite album of theirs to date, Songs of Blood and Mire is just tons of wicked, nasty fun. It’s hard to say exactly why, but I feel like everything Spectral Wound does has a slight knowing wink to it, which suggests that the band doesn’t take itself too seriously. For me, this is a huge positive, as a lot of black metal is so tediously earnest, where this is unflinchingly harsh, surprisingly melodic and drowning in swaggering groove. Great stuff.#5. Mother of Graves // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/mother-of-graves-the-periapt-of-absence-things-you-might-have-missed-2024/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Periapt of Absence</a> – I’m a sucker for death doom. And The Periapt of Absence is some fucking great death doom. Mother of Graves were unknown to me before I stumbled across this album but their blending of old school Opeth (think somewhere between Morningrise and Orchid) with early Katatonia and Paradise Lost, plus a sprinkling of Clouds is stunning. All wrapped up in a pleasingly tight package, Mother of Graves smother the listener in unflinching, heartwrenching misery. And I love every minute of it. It’s that Peaceville Three sound we love, but feeling fresh, vibrant and vital.#4. Devenial Verdict // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/devenial-verdict-blessing-of-despair-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blessing of Despair</a> – Me and death metal don’t always see eye to eye, and the last Devenial Verdict left only a passing impression. But Thus Spoke‘s tireless <del>tongue-bathing</del> promotion of Blessing of Despair convinced me to give it a chance. While I enjoy the stomping thuggery of Devenial Verdict’s dissonant death well enough, it’s the sudden mood swings into what TS described as “lethally graceful restraint” that really hooked me. Although worlds apart stylistically, on Blessing of Despair DV achieved what Chained to the Bottom of the Ocean did on Obsession Destruction: knowing precisely how far to push the suffocating, claustrophobic heaviness, before taking their foot off your throat for a minute. Then stamping on it again.#3. Julie Christmas // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/julie-christmas-ridiculous-and-full-of-blood-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ridiculous and Full of Blood</a> – Maddog predicted that I would lambast him as an underrating bastard for the 3.5 he deigned to award Ms Christmas. And he was quite correct. He’s a charlatan of the highest order. However, even I’m surprised by how high Ridiculous and Full of Blood has landed here. But, as someone not given to overly emotional reactions to music, I’m continually stunned by the reactions Julie—Can I call you Julie? No? Ok—extracts from me. I’m often on the edge of tears by the end of “The Lighthouse,” just like that cad Maddog, while the likes of “Not Enough” and “End of the World” (the latter with CoL’s Johannes Persson) have a scary edge to them, with Christmas at her maniacal, crooning, possessed, unpredictable best.#2. A Swarm of the Sun // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/a-swarm-of-the-sun-an-empire-things-you-might-have-missed-2024/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">An Empire</a> – Speaking of emotional responses, A Swarm of the Sun’s stripped back melancholy is right up there. If I say that An Empire is brighter and more uplifting than previous efforts The Rifts and The Woods, understand that this is a very relative statement. An Empire is drowning in sorrow and misery, and yet there is just a hint of brightness that shimmers and hovers around the edges, like a lunar halo. Slow and deliberate, haunting and cathartic, A Swarm of the Sun’s latest outing is just beautiful. End of. No discussion.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/carcharodon-and-cherds-top-tenish-of-2024/#fn-207473-2" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2</a>#1. Kanonenfieber // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/kanonenfieber-die-urkatastrophe-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Die Urkatastrophe</a> – Y’all know I dropped a 5.0 on Die Urkatastophe, so it’s no surprise to find it here, sitting pretty, atop my list. There’s not much more praise that I can heap on Kanonenfieber’s sophomore record than I already did in my review. For me, it has everything and is more than I dared hope for as a follow up to my beloved Menschenmühle (my album of the year for <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/thekenwords-and-carcharodons-top-tenish-of-2021/#:~:text=%231.%20Kanonenfieber,is%20a%20masterpiece." rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2021</a>). It is brutal and vicious (“Panzerhenker” and “Ausblutingsschlacht”), anthemic (“Der Maulwurf” and “Menschenmühle”) and more. Crafted—and yes, that is the correct word—with huge skill and attention to detail, it is the storytelling, based on original source materials, that elevates this record to the next level for me. And if you don’t speak German, or are simply not into narrative in your metal, just go bang your fucking head to “Gott mit der Kavallerie”!Honorable mentions In alphabetical order by band:<ul><li>40 Watt Sun // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/40-watt-sun-little-weight-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Little Weight</a> – Little Weight actually carries a lot of emotional weight. Melancholic, beautiful post-doom and shoegaze, rife with a rough honesty.</li><li>Anciients // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/anciients-beyond-the-reach-of-the-sun-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Beyond the Reach of the Sun</a> – Long-form (arguably too-long-form in some respects) progressive death, which is wonderfully ambitious and overblown in its scale and delivery.</li><li>Crypt Sermon // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/crypt-sermon-the-stygian-rose-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Stygian Rose</a> – Fantastic trad doom, channeling heavy doses of Candlemass. Early in the year, I thought this was top-5 material but it’s uneven, with the back half much stronger than the front, and I’ve cooled on it a touch.</li><li>Nyktophobia // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/nyktophobia-to-the-stars-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">To the Stars</a> – Just great, stomping melodeath. As I said in my review, it’s not massively original but it’s tight and well written, and easy to just kick back to. Sometimes, I don’t need more.</li><li>Silhouette //<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/silhouette-les-dires-de-lame-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Les Dires de l’Âme</a> – This fantastic post-black album had a place on the list proper until Pillar of Light bulldozed its way in there very late in the day. Haunting, harrowing and beautiful, Silhouette’s debut is Great!</li><li>Sumac // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/sumac-the-healer-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Healer</a> – Nothing about The Healer makes it an easy listen but Sumac’s fifth record is curiously beautiful for all its wandering, free-form abrasiveness.</li><li>Vorga // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/vorga-beyond-the-palest-star-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Beyond the Palest Star</a> – While it’s hard to disagree with Kenstrosity‘s criticism of the production on Beyond the Palest Star, what can I say? I still love it. It’s chunky, well written, well paced and powerful.</li></ul>Surprises o’ the Year Ordered by most astounding first:<ul><li>Opeth // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/opeth-the-last-will-and-testament-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Last Will and Testament</a> – It’s been a long time since I was last genuinely interested in an Opeth album (2005’s Ghost Reveries, in case you were wondering). But, wouldn’t you just know it, Mikael Åkerfeldt and co are back (roars and all). I’m not ready to commit to a score for The Last Will (though I think El Cuervo‘s was possibly a smidge high) as I’ve not been able to spend enough time with it. But the fact I want to spend more time with it is, after 19 years of having no interest in Opeth’s output, a surprise. And a welcome one.</li><li>Grand Magus // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/grand-magus-sunraven-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunraven</a> – Another Swedish favourite of old, which I’d all but given up on, Grand Magus roared back this year with Sunraven. As an equally surprised Steel Druhm said in his review, this was the album he “feverishly hoped to get from Grand Magus … a grand return to prime form with the fire firmly back in the Balrog … the best Magus outing since 2012’s The Hunt”.</li></ul>Disappointment o’ the Year Limited to a single musical disappointment, to avoid submitting a lengthy thesis:<ul><li>Zeal & Ardor // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/zeal-ardor-greif-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GREIF</a> – I’m not angry, or even very surprised, just disappointed.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/carcharodon-and-cherds-top-tenish-of-2024/#fn-207473-3" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">3</a> While I accept that this is the album of a band in transition, there’s no getting away from the fact that it was a hugely disappointing album from a band that has abandoned the sound that made it what it was. And for what? They have not transitioned to something new and exciting, but with kinks to be worked out. Rather, on this record, Zeal & Ardor became something so pedestrian that any number of post-rock bands could’ve written it and, probably, done a better job. I may have overrated it.</li></ul>Songs o’ the Year <ol><li>Julie Christmas – “The Lighthouse”</li><li>Kanonenfieber – “Der Maulwurf”</li><li>Selbst – “The Stench of a Dead Spirit”</li><li>Panzerfaust – “The Damascene Conversions”</li><li>Kanonenfieber – “Gott mit der Kavallerie”</li><li>Devenial Verdict – “Garden of Eyes”</li><li>Spectral Wound – “Aristocratic Suicidal Black Metal”</li><li>Silhouette – “Les Dires de l’Âme”</li><li>Blue Heron – “Everything Fades”</li><li>Zeal & Ardor – “Hide in Shade”</li><li>Glare of the Sun – “Rain”</li></ol> CherdTwenty-twenty-four was certainly a year that followed previous years and will precede still others. When I look back, I’ll likely remember it as the year I discovered the wonders of ADHD medication after decades of non-treatment, the difficult transition my poor Cherdlet experienced from kindergarten to first grade, and the incredible bucket list trip my wife and I took to Toronto to watch our favorite TV franchise filming new content courtesy of my very important Hollywood connections. No, not Robert Downey Jr. Much more important and better-looking. Hmm? Margot Robbie? She wishes. I also had the pleasure of meeting several of my fellow writers in person, and they are all much homelier than they let on with the exception of Madam X, who is a goddamned ray of sunshine.On the musical front, I was able to check two bands off my “need to see live” list in Judas Priest and Archspire, whereby I discovered that Halford does exactly zero audience banter, and Archspire do nothing but. Fun shows, both. I didn’t listen to as much new music by volume this year than I have in previous years when I’d log between 200 and 400 releases, and that was largely due to my kid’s age and the level of interaction he needs. I have a feeling, however, that 2025 will see an uptick thanks to the new Heavys headphones I got for Christmas this year. As always, I want to thank the editors, particularly Steel Druhm and Doc Grier, for not sending me a mailbomb after all the late reviews I turned in (I’ll work on that in 2025), and the man himself, AMG, for building this community and for agreeing that Deep Space Nine is the best Star Trek show.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/carcharodon-and-cherds-top-tenish-of-2024/#fn-207473-4" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">4</a> (ish) Chat Pile // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/chat-pile-cool-world-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cool World</a> – This is what it sounds like when Chat Pile make a “mature” record. As I noted in my October review, some of the most glaring weirdness and black humor the band is known for is missing in Cool World, which is why it’s here on my list instead of matching the lofty heights of my 2022 AOTY<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/chat-pile-gods-country-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> God’s Country</a>. That said, this is consistently bleak in a way I like, and it boasts what are in my opinion the two best–if not most memorable–songs the band have written to date in “New World” and “Masc.” I’m a sucker for these Oklahomans and look forward to how their sound evolves from here.#10. Glacial Tomb // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/glacial-tomb-lightless-expanse-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lightless Expanse</a> – I’ve had an up and <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/contrite-metal-guy-its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-wrongness-volume-the-first/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">down</a> journey with Glacial Tomb’s sophomore record, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still view this as one of the best things I’ve listened to this year. To consider a record this closely means you have to listen to it a lot, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I logged more hours with Lightless Expanse than with any other album. I’ve made a big deal about the one-three punch of “Voidwomb/Enshrined in Concrete/Abyssal Host”, but it bears repeating since it’s my favorite consecutive stretch of death metal in 2024.#9. Replicant // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/replicant-infinite-mortality-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Infinite Mortality</a> – If you peel back the veneer of disso-death and blackened blasts on Infinite Mortality, you’ll find a pounding hardcore heart comprised of equal parts beatdown and Converge. As technical as this music gets, and there is a lot going on here, Replicant never forget their primary duty as a metal band: snapping necks. On their third album, they’ve exquisitely composed a missive to unbridled aggression. I completely missed their previous albums, so I’m glad our Kenfren wouldn’t shut his excitable yap about this one.#8. Spectral Voice // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/spectral-voice-spargamos-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sparagmos</a> – “Alright skaters! This is the end of our free skate period. We’d like to once again thank you for spending your Saturday with us here at Family Fun Roller Rink and Arcade. It’s time to slow things down, down, way down, and you know what that means. That’s right, it’s couples’ skate. So, find that special someone you want to be interred on a cold stone slab with, gaze into each other’s empty eye sockets, and make your way around the rink as wave after wave of Spectral Voice’s death/funeral doom forcefully separates you from any light, hope, or happiness this wretched world might have accidentally given you. Remember, those who survive the next 45 minutes of tectonic plates colliding will get the chance to compete in roller limbo!”#7. Crypt Sermon // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/crypt-sermon-the-stygian-rose-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Stygian Rose</a> – Despite being one of the biggest doom apologists on this site, Crypt Sermon failed to grab me with their highly acclaimed debut nearly ten years ago. I chalk this up to my unfamiliarity with the traditional doom style at the time. In recent years, I’ve binged large amounts of Candlemass, Saint Vitus, Cathedral, Solitude Aeturnus et al., so I finally have the frame of reference to see just how well Crypt Sermon’s third LP captures the swagger, majesty, and grit of a style few contemporary bands seem interested in playing. After the growing pains displayed on The Ruins of Fading Light, these Philly natives have worked out the kinks and delivered an air-tight slab of doomy goodness.#6. Full of Hell // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/full-of-hell-coagulated-bliss-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coagulated Bliss</a> – I regret waiving my seniority claim to Full of Hell releases, thus allowing Dolph to snap up review duties for Coagulated Bliss. It’s not that he did a bad job of reviewing the prolific experimental grind outfit’s latest. He did great, and he awarded it a deserved 4.0. But then he had the cheek, the nerve, the gall, the audacity, and the gumption to incorrectly <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/contrite-metal-guy-its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-wrongness-volume-the-second/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lower his score</a>. To make matters worse, it appeared nowhere on his year-end list. Not even a goll dern honorable mention. I’ve told him to his cetacean face that he’s wrong and I’m likely to do so again because this is Full of Hell’s best work since Trumpeting Ecstasy. In fact, it might be better.#5. Ulcerate // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/ulcerate-cutting-the-throat-of-god-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cutting the Throat of God</a> – For most of their existence, Ulcerate was a highly acclaimed band that I just couldn’t get into. That changed four years ago with the release of Stare into Death and Be Still. Little changed in their intricate approach to dissonant death metal, but there was something warmer and more human to what I had previously considered a rather detached style. That trend continues with Cutting the Throat of God. I find this record best when taken as a whole, letting the experience unfold over the full runtime, like dream-walking through a hedge maze or being trapped in a velvet sack and discovering it’s much larger on the inside.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/carcharodon-and-cherds-top-tenish-of-2024/#fn-207473-5" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">5</a>#4. Thou // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/thou-umbilical-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Umbilical</a> – I waited a long time for a chance to review a new record by Thou, and when it finally came, they did not disappoint. As I said in my June review, “Like their chimerical American metal brethren Inter Arma, it doesn’t matter how many influences the band stuff into one album. They are all unified in sound under Thou’s banner. Bryan Funck’s acid-bit vocals are unmistakable and apparently unchangeable after 20 throat-shredding years. Also unchangeable? Thou’s ability to craft the most metallic-sounding guitar tone out there. As the standard bearer for…hell, as the entire sum of the second generation of Louisiana sludge, the sound they’ve forged isn’t the kind of sloppy muck you may associate with the term. It’s certainly thick, but it has a quality like two enormous steel I-beams violently striking each other.” If that doesn’t sell Umbilical for you, then here is where our paths diverge.#3. Devenial Verdict // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/devenial-verdict-blessing-of-despair-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blessing of Despair</a> – I didn’t listen to Blessing of Despair for several weeks after it came out in October despite the fact Devenial Verdict’s previous record, Ash Blind, made my year-end list in 2022. When I finally got around to it earlier in December, it threatened to blow the doors right off my still nebulous list, climbing fast and high until ultimately landing here at number three. There is more immediacy than on Ash Blind, which took me a while to warm up to. That doesn’t mean the band skimps on the kind of thoughtful transitions and atmospherics they’ve come to be known for. It’s just that Blessing of Despair HAZ THE RIFFS, including my favorite death metal riff of the year in “Solus.”#2. Void Witch // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/void-witch-horripilating-presence-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Horripilating Presence</a> – When I revisited Horripilating Presence with the purpose of sorting out this list’s pecking order, I expected death-doomers Void Witch to fall mid-to-late top 10. Obviously, the opposite happened. For the life of me I don’t understand how this album didn’t gain more traction amongst the other writers and you, the unwashed commentariat. As I said back in July, “…the material on Horripilating Presence is Mohamed Ali levels of confident. The editing of ideas in each song and across the album’s taut 39 minutes is masterful, especially for a debut. No song hews too closely to any of the others, but all are of a piece, locking comfortably into place like an intricate puzzle box, and Void Witch have such sights to show you.”#1. Inter Arma // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/inter-arma-new-heaven-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">New Heaven</a> – Inter Arma never miss. Aside from being one of the best live acts in metal, every album they’ve released going back to 2013’s Sky Burial has been one successful evolution after another. As a very wise reviewer once said, “They’re the same shaggy beast as ever, but beneath that matted, coarse coat is a rippling form mid-shape shift, stretching, pulling, and crossing back on itself constantly over the course of New Heaven’s shockingly concise 42 minutes…If being all over the musical map sounds like a negative, you’ve probably never heard an Inter Arma record before. It seems whatever they throw at the wall sticks, and the listening experience across their (usually much longer) records never feels uneven. This is because they play everything with the same smoldering intensity and volatile mean streak.” What a record.Honorable Mentions:<ul><li>Convulsing // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/convulsing-perdurance-things-you-might-have-missed-2024/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Perdurance</a> – I like this quote from Dear Hollow‘s review, so I’ll let him do the talking: “…Convulsing explores every nook and twist of a rhythm and melody until its inevitable conclusion is happened upon in tragic and fatal fashion.”</li><li>Spectral Wound // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/spectral-wound-songs-of-blood-and-mire-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Songs of Blood and Mire</a> – Pound for pound, Spectral Wound are probably the most consistent no-frills black metal band currently in operation. Songs of Blood and Mire is another rager that’s as melodic as it is acidic.</li><li>Lord Buffalo // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/lord-buffalo-holus-bolus-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Holus Bolus</a> – This record was one redundant instrumental away from landing higher on this list. Looking forward to where these gothic country rockers go next.</li></ul>Songs o’ the Year:In alphabetical order by band: <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2024/" target="_blank">#2024</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/40-watt-sun/" target="_blank">#40WattSun</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/a-swarm-of-the-sun/" target="_blank">#ASwarmOfTheSun</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/anciients/" target="_blank">#Anciients</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/blog-posts/" target="_blank">#BlogPosts</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/blue-heron/" target="_blank">#BlueHeron</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/carcharodon-and-cherds-top-tenish-of-2024/" target="_blank">#CarcharodonAndCherdSTopTenIshOf2024</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/chat-pile/" target="_blank">#ChatPile</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/convulsing/" target="_blank">#Convulsing</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/crypt-sermon/" target="_blank">#CryptSermon</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/devenial-verdict/" target="_blank">#DevenialVerdict</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/full-of-hell/" target="_blank">#FullOfHell</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/glare-of-the-sun/" target="_blank">#GlareOfTheSun</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/grand-magus/" target="_blank">#GrandMagus</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/inter-arma/" target="_blank">#InterArma</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/julie-christmas/" target="_blank">#JulieChristmas</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/kanonenfieber/" target="_blank">#Kanonenfieber</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/listurnalia/" target="_blank">#Listurnalia</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/lord-buffalo/" target="_blank">#LordBuffalo</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/mother-of-graves/" target="_blank">#MotherOfGraves</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/necrowretch/" target="_blank">#Necrowretch</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/nyktophobia/" target="_blank">#Nyktophobia</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/opeth/" target="_blank">#Opeth</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/panzerfaust/" target="_blank">#Panzerfaust</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/pillar-of-light/" target="_blank">#PillarOfLight</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/replicant/" target="_blank">#Replicant</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/selbst/" target="_blank">#Selbst</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/seth/" target="_blank">#Seth</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/silhouette/" target="_blank">#Silhouette</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/spectral-voice/" target="_blank">#SpectralVoice</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/spectral-wound/" target="_blank">#SpectralWound</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/sumac/" target="_blank">#Sumac</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/the-vision-bleak/" target="_blank">#TheVisionBleak</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/thou/" target="_blank">#Thou</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/ulcerate/" target="_blank">#Ulcerate</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/void-witch/" target="_blank">#VoidWitch</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/vorga/" target="_blank">#Vorga</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/zeal-ardor/" target="_blank">#ZealArdor</a>

Angry Metal Guy<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/sentynel-and-twelves-top-tenish-of-2024/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sentynel and Twelve’s Top Ten(ish) of 2024</a>By Steel DruhmSentynelWhen I wrote my piece for the fifteen years feature, despite referring to “ten years of running the servers,” it hadn’t really clicked for me that I’ve been here ten years. It was in fact, May 2014 that we moved the server over and I officially joined the staff. While but an eyeblink compared to the oldeness of some of our crew,<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/sentynel-and-twelves-top-tenish-of-2024/#fn-208862-1" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1</a> it’s a long time, and a large chunk of my rapidly oldenating life. It’s also over five years since my first actual review. Every year since then, I’ve promised myself I’d write more and then not done that. Whoops. On the plus side, covering bands I already like went a lot better this year than it did last year, with very good or better albums from all three. And the <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/contrite-metal-guy-its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-wrongness-volume-the-first/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Contrite Metal Guy</a> piece allowed me to correct the record on some errors from earlier in my reviewing career.This year, my list covers more genres than ever before—there are a few entries I suspect will surprise people, not least because they surprised me. Despite being into instrumental music, the biggest commonality here is great vocals. Overall, I think it’s been a good year. I left organizing my list to the last possible moment due to a particularly rough house move (sorry, deadlines) and was, as usual, flapping about whether I’d have enough good entries. When I sat down to actually write it I realized I’d filled my list and HM slots with no trouble. And for the first time, I’ve been compelled to do a Song o’ the Year list rather than an individual pick.In addition to the traditional thanks to the readers and the rest of the staff, olde and new, I also need to add a (returned) thanks to the bands. AMG walks a difficult line with our honest approach to reviewing, and it’s not easy sending your work out to face that. Obviously, without bands sending us music we’d have nothing to write here. I met Tribunal and Mares of Thrace at their gig in Montréal this year, and it was immensely reassuring to hear, from them and others, that our coverage can make a real difference. #ish. Amiensus // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/amiensus-reclamation-part-1-things-you-might-have-missed-2024/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Reclamation</a> – The two parts to Reclamation are officially listed as <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/amiensus-reclamation-part-1-things-you-might-have-missed-2024/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Reclamation: Part 1</a> and <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/amiensus-reclamation-pt-ii-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Reclamation Pt. II</a>, an inconsistency offensive enough to bar them from my actual top ten. Okay, fine, that’s not true, I just whiffed on this until Thus‘ TYMHM on part I (sorry Ken) and there’s too much of it to have listened to enough to place either part properly. Nonetheless, these are really beautiful progressive, melodic black metal and absolutely worth the time investment. The balance and transitions between the harsh, the bleak, and the beautiful are often the downfall of this sort of music, and Amiensus absolutely nail it.#10. Dvne // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/dvne-voidkind-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Voidkind</a> – The brilliant <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/dvne-etemen-aenka-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Etemen Ænka</a> took a while to grow on me, and likewise Voidkind. I could rarely name a specific song – their post/sludge sound doesn’t lend itself to big singalong choruses, and I’m terrible with names without that. But every song is memorable. Whenever I see them live, I go “ooh, I love this one” at the intro to every song. Voidkind is no exception. The more I’ve listened to it the more I’ve appreciated it. The riffs, the build-ups, the denouements—listening to it is one “ooh, I love this one” moment after another.#9. Seven Spires // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/seven-spires-a-fortress-called-home-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A Fortress Called Home</a> – Seven Spires continue to carry the whole symphonic metal genre pretty much single-handedly. I still think the editing on A Fortress Called Home could be a little tighter, but I love their sound and songwriting. Mixing in influences from death and doom to the power metal base gives weight. The soaring highs and emotive storytelling here are as good as they’ve ever been. Great cinematic music.#8. Saturday Night Satan // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/stuck-in-the-filter-march-2024s-angry-misses/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">All Things Black</a> – All Things Black is just a huge amount of fun. It recalls Ghost before their full embrace of pop: proper catchy, occult-themed, rocking heavy metal with a charismatic vocalist. I’ve had “5AM” stuck in my head all year (occasionally at 5AM) and six-ninths of the tracks are in the running for the best song on the record. Uncomplicated but great.#7. Northern Genocide // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/northern-genocide-the-point-of-no-return-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Point of No Return</a> – Wince-inducing band name and confusing theme/sound divergence aside, The Point of No Return rules. High-energy, multifaceted, synthy, dancy, it reminds me of Sybreed but with more going on. I definitely have a bit of a thing for bands that can throw half a dozen styles in and carry the execution off on the basis of being loads of fun (Diablo Swing Orchestra, Sanguine Glacialis). I’ve listened to it a lot when I’m not in the mood for something complex and it’s held up remarkably well.#6. Kanonenfieber // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/kanonenfieber-die-urkatastrophe-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Die Urkatastrophe</a> – I don’t love Die Urkatastrophe to the extent that Carcharodon does, but it’s still a great album. An incredible vocal performance and sharp melodic writing carry a weighty story, even if I don’t quite have the German to appreciate the lyrics. Blackened death is not my usual style, but the craft here drew me in anyway. I highly recommend their live show as well—there’s a theatricality to it which really works, without taking away from the brutality of the music or the themes.#5. Suldusk // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/suldusk-anthesis-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Anthesis</a> – I tend to take a break from albums I’ve reviewed after submitting the review. Even when I love something, the endless repeats as I try and line up my thoughts can get a bit wearing. So it’s telling how I feel about a record when I go back to it. I put Anthesis on a few weeks later and was immediately transported again. If anything it’s grown on me over the year. Beautiful, atmospheric and evocative, this is atmoblack at its best.#4. Kalandra // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/kalandra-a-frame-of-mind-things-you-might-have-missed-2024/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A Frame of Mind</a> – My favorite unexpected discovery of the year. Kalandra are absolutely spellbinding. Heavy themes, gorgeous Nordic folk instrumentation, and deft composition make for a genuinely moving listen. Katrine Stenbekk’s vocals are absolutely captivating and I could genuinely listen to her all day, yet part of the beauty of A Frame of Mind is how well she complements the instruments. I had to fight Dolph for TYMHM rights for this, and as I said there, I cannot recommend it enough.#3. Fellowship // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/fellowship-the-skies-above-eternity-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Skies Above Eternity</a> – There was pretty much no chance The Skies Above Eternity wasn’t going to land high up my list. After the last record, they would have had to have royally fucked it for that not to happen, and they have not, in fact, royally fucked it. The jury is still out on whether I feel that this is a better record than <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/fellowship-the-saberlight-chronicles-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Saberlight Chronicles</a>, but it’s certainly up there. Fantastic songs and endearingly honest positivity have always been Fellowship’s strong point, and this is no exception.#2. Ulcerate // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/ulcerate-cutting-the-throat-of-god-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cutting the Throat of God</a> – I would not, prior to Cutting the Throat of God, have expected to see dissodeath gracing my list in any capacity, much less almost topping it, squeezed between two… slightly less brutal records. But then, prior to this album, I wouldn’t have expected to describe dissodeath as suspiciously melodic either. So, surprise! Ulcerate’s composition here is stellar. They weave unsettlingly dissonant yet pretty melody into bleak, brutal death metal and the results are infectious. I got so excited about the whole thing that I even tried listening to a couple of the other dissodeath hits this year, but alas, they just don’t have what Ulcerate have.#1. Meer // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/meer-wheels-within-wheels-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wheels Within Wheels</a> – Well, this was inevitable. There’s very little out there that sounds like Meer’s symphonic, progressive pop/rock. “Symphonic” is often a euphemism for “some string synths are used,” but Meer’s mini chamber orchestra do symphonic properly. And their lead vocal duo is fantastic. <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/meer-playing-house-things-you-might-have-missed-2021/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Playing House</a> blew me away and very nearly topped my list. Wheels Within Wheels is better. It’s hard to follow up a great record, and it’s hard to compete with the feeling of hearing a band for the first time. But this does both. Take the great foundation from the previous record, turn up the rock elements, mix in a touch of post-, and sharpen up the songwriting, and you get the brilliant Wheels Within Wheels. <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/sentynel-and-twelves-top-tenish-of-2024/#fn-208862-2" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2</a>Honorable Mentions<ul><li>Iotunn // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/iotunn-kinship-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kinship</a> – Narrowly squeezed off my top ten(ish), partly due to me not getting around to it until quite late, this is another great album from Iotunn.</li><li>i Häxa // <a href="https://ihaxa.bandcamp.com/album/i-h-xa" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">i Häxa</a> – Weird? Yes. Pretentious? Also yes. Good? Good question. I think it overuses spoken-word-over-atmospherics and it makes it hard to recommend the whole package, but the rest is compelling.</li><li>Lowen // <a href="https://lowen.bandcamp.com/album/do-not-go-to-war-with-the-demons-of-mazandaran-2" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Do Not Go to War with the Demons of Mazandaran</a> – Really cool interfusion of Iranian music and mythology with doom metal. Nina Saeidi’s vocal lead is remarkable.</li><li>Keygen Church // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/keygen-church-nel-nome-del-codice-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nel Nome del Codice</a> – I’m still not completely sold on how natural the merger of MBR’s floppy disk synths with organs-and-choirs church music sounds, but the baroque composition here is good enough to carry it regardless.</li></ul>Songs o’ the YearAlphabetically ordered, because I’m a coward. <ul><li>The Dread Crew of Oddwood – “The Apple”</li><li>Fellowship – “King of Nothing”</li><li>Kalandra – “The State of the World”</li><li>Kanonenfieber – “Waffenbruder”</li><li>Meer – “Mother”</li><li>Nanowar of Steel – “HelloWorld.java”</li><li>Northern Genocide – “Para Bellum”</li><li>Saturday Night Satan – “5AM”</li><li>Suldusk – “Sphaera”</li></ul> TwelveWriting these year-end summaries is always a cathartic experience. It’s odd to try and summarize the year you’ve had, in whatever way resonates best, to an audience of people you don’t know, but that does take some pressure off. Every year, I get a new chance to be grateful for the writers and readers on this blog, and to reflect on what went wrong, what went right, and where I am now versus where I was a year ago.I can confidently say that, by any measure, 2024 was the worst year of my life. Between personal losses and professional disasters, I spent most of the year feeling demotivated, dejected, and just shy of despairing. And yet, when I compiled my year-end list, I was pleasantly surprised, because there isn’t actually all that much dark material here. You’d think, based on how I started this paragraph, that my list would be filled with the dark and dismal metals from the year, but instead, it leans much lighter, more optimistic, and hopeful. Hope is a tough thing to squash completely, and throughout the year, I have stubbornly remained optimistic that things would get better—and, sure enough, they have. I’ll begin 2025 in a much better place, and take the lessons of the year with me all the way to the next article.I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my fellow writers here for their support as I contributed an uneven year (at best) to the blog—your friendships, banter, recommendations, and rare-but-memorable offline appearances mean the world to me. As I come up to the end of my sixth year writing here, I’m still having a blast. Not to mention the music! The music is good too. Speaking of which… #ish. Opeth // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/opeth-the-last-will-and-testament-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Last Will and Testament</a> – Having first encountered Opeth during the Pale Communion days, I never really formed an opinion on the growls/no-growls debate. Even so, despite my genuine admiration for their last few releases, The Last Will and Testament feels like some kind of return to form for these giants. An album as dense as it is powerful, The Last Will and Testament keeps me coming back. Perhaps because of that density, I had trouble figuring out how and where exactly to list it. Maybe it came out a little too late in the year for me; I may well regret this “low” placement before long.#10. Madder Mortem // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/madder-mortem-old-eyes-new-heart-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Old Eyes, New Heart</a> – Old Eyes, New Heart is, appropriately, an album with real heart. I love its laid-back approach that does nothing to diminish the cold darkness that surrounds it. And yet, the sense of hope and determination I get from listening to it electrifying. Just listen to “Cold Hard Rain”—”there’s hope in the dark” is one of the best moments in any album I’ve heard all year. The approach Madder Mortem brings to Old Eyes, New Heart is resonant, mixing dark and light in a way that just worked for me this year. It is an excellent album.#9. Fellowship // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/fellowship-the-skies-above-eternity-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Skies Above Eternity</a> – Conversely, Fellowship brought all kinds of power metal glory to The Skies Above Eternity, an outrageously fun album adorned with hope, excitement, and super impressive performances from everyone involved. The Skies Above Eternity is just so much fun to listen to; it fills the Angus McSix-sized hole in this year-end list admirably because a year without some kind of super-well-done over-the-top power metal is a year that’s just no good. Thankfully, Fellowship are clearly here to stay.# 8. Dawnwalker //<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/dawnwalker-the-unknowing-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Unknowing</a> – The Unknowing is one of those albums that rewards repeated listens. Of course, I listened to it plenty before writing my review in October, but I’ve kept listening to it since and I just keep noticing new things. It’s enough to make me want to rewrite the whole review, honestly; there’s just so much to The Unknowing, and I love the way Dawnwalker made this album simple and complex at the same time. The ebb and flow is very well done, the performances are powerful, and the meanings just keep on coming. This is a great album to get lost in, and I still recommend it highly.#7. Hamferð // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/hamferd-men-guds-hond-er-sterk-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Men Guðs hond er sterk</a> – “But God’s Hand is Strong” is an amazing title for such a dark album. Maybe that’s part of why I like it so much—that idea of hope transcending everything else, of faith and optimism keeping you going when things are really bad. Of course, it helps that Hamferð are phenomenal musicians who know exactly what they’re doing; Men Guðs hond er sterk is a crushingly powerful doom album, well-written and performed to the highest standards. Hamferð have long been my go-to band when it’s cold and dark out. Well, winter is back, and thank goodness Hamderð is too.#6. In Vain // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/in-vain-solemn-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Solemn</a> – I love epic, complex metal, and In Vain delivers with Solemn. I love Solemn for its melodic qualities, its huge ambitions, and its soaring highs. That it uses a horn section is icing on the cake; the first listen-through is unpredictable, but the quality is consistently high. Solemn is one of those great albums that just doesn’t really have faults—it was never a question of whether I’d like it, just one of how much. It’s that solid, and has all kinds of staying power. A definite highlight from the year in whatever style of metal you think it fits in best.#5. Árstíðir lífsins // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/arstidir-lifsins-aldrlok-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aldrlok</a> – I love Árstíðir lífsins. I’ve criticized their albums before, but the truth is that the base of their sound is so wonderfully up my alley that I’m not sure it’s possible for me to dislike their music. I’m always so excited when Árstíðir lífsins releases new music, and Aldrlok has grown on me immensely since its release in June. I love its mystical quality, its evocative style, and its historic power—Árstíðir lífsins approach their music in a way that few bands or projects do, and it resonates so well. It’s a long album for sure, but it is filled with outstanding material and well worth the deep dive it offers.#4. Silhouette // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/silhouette-les-dires-de-lame-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Les Dires de l’Ame</a> – Silhouette first grabbed my attention with the release of Les retranchements a couple of years ago. Since then, it feels like they’ve grown tremendously; Les Dires de l’Ame feels grander, darker, and more complex than Les retranchements, and I love this direction. The melodies, harmonies, and vocal performances are stunning, and the balance of beauty and darkness is incredibly well-done. Even now, I feel like Les Dires de l’Ame is still growing on me; I am fully enamored with this symphonic sojourn, and expect to remain so for some time.#3. Hell:on // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/hellon-shaman-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shaman</a> – For a long time, I assumed Shaman would be my album of the year, and it was not something I would have predicted before May. And yet, here it is: Shaman is incredible, a powerful slab of death metal decorated with just enough melodic, mystic, and folk elements to keep me coming back. It’s rare that I like death metal this much, but Hell:on is just so compelling, from the throat singing to the acoustic interludes that break up blisteringly powerful riffing. Shaman’s got it all, and it is captivating at every moment from beginning to end.#2. Forndom // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/forndom-mothir-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Moþir</a> – I can’t believe I’m not giving this one Album of the Year. Maybe it just came out too recently, but it’s still surprising because I adore Forndom. Moþir’s orchestral folk approach to creating time-defying music is essentially flawless, and it is so easy to get lost in. The vocal work, orchestral performances, and lead violin are all exemplary, and it’s been truly wonderful exploring this darker, grander side of Forndom these last several weeks. On the one hand, I wish it had come out sooner so I could have more time with it before writing this blurb—on the other, it suits December weather so well that I believe I’ve been getting the best out of it since day one. Forndom is doing amazing work, and I really can’t recommend Moþir enough. Time travel is real, and I am convinced that Forndom knows the secret.#1. Meer // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/meer-wheels-within-wheels-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wheels Within Wheels</a> – What can I even write here that Sentynel hasn’t said better in his own review? Wheels Within Wheels is my new go-to album when things are bad—it is melancholic and angry, but also optimistic and hopeful, a delicate-yet-gorgeous balance that really speaks to me. It’s got a ton of variance, and knows when to go big and when to keep quiet. The songwriting is exemplary, and you really feel the impact of the many musicians who’ve come together for each song. The singing in particular is outstanding, lifted by strings, piano, guitar, and drums with a cohesion that most projects can only dream of. More than all of that, however, is that Wheels Within Wheels is an honest, vulnerable album. It is willing to be fragile and open and is achingly beautiful in those moments. Lyrically, it’s like a hand outstretched, a friend with an ear always ready to listen. Done well, this progressive rock style has limitless potential, and Meer do it so, so well. I really love this album; in many ways, it saved my year.Honorable Mention<ul><li>The Dread Crew of Oddwood // <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/the-dread-crew-of-oddwood-rust-glory-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rust & Glory</a> – I don’t know what else to tell you—there isn’t enough goofy music on my list. The Dread Crew of Oddwood are an absolute blast, and I keep coming back to Rust & Glory purely for the fun factor. It also helps that “Lost Comrades” perfectly encapsulates the experience of writing for this blog.</li></ul>Song of the YearI’ve written the word “hope” too much in this article—I know that. But metal music is personal, and often our choices for our favorites reflect our experiences. This year, I needed hope. That’s why “<a href="https://meer.bandcamp.com/track/come-to-light" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Come to Light</a>” by Meer is my song of the year for 2024—because there were times when this song genuinely kept my head up, kept me smiling, and forced me into the right headspace to get through what really was a very bad year. Now I’m on the other side of it, and hey, it’s still an amazing song! It perfectly encapsulates that limitless potential I was going on about a few sections ago, and realizes it in such a beautiful, endearing way. 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Pyrzout :vm:Protecting Your Heart and Wallet: A Guide to Safe Charitable Giving – Source: securityboulevard.com <a href="https://ciso2ciso.com/protecting-your-heart-and-wallet-a-guide-to-safe-charitable-giving-source-securityboulevard-com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">https://ciso2ciso.com/protecting-your-heart-and-wallet-a-guide-to-safe-charitable-giving-source-securityboulevard-com/</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/rssfeedpostgeneratorecho" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#rssfeedpostgeneratorecho</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBloggersNetwork" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBloggersNetwork</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/CyberSecurityNews" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#CyberSecurityNews</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/SecurityBoulevard" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SecurityBoulevard</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/scamprevention" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#scamprevention</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/Cybersecurity" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Cybersecurity</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/happyholidays" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#happyholidays</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/BlogPosts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#BlogPosts</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/Donation" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Donation</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/holidays" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#holidays</a> <a href="https://social.skynetcloud.site/tags/charity" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#charity</a>

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