Best METAL Albums of 2024 (So Far)

[@javierel22]

My 2024's Top 10 so far, but so many great albums out there! Alcest - Les Chant De L'Aurore Borknagar - Fall Dödsrit - Nocturnal Will Eternal Storm - A Giant Bound to Fall Griffon - De Republica Judas Priest - Invincible Shield Kvaen - The Formless Fires Natural Sorcery - Captive In The Breath of Life Ulcerate - Cutting the Throat of God Wormwood - The Star Keep it metal, cheers!

[@CraigMader]

GRIFFON! Hell yeah! You're the first I've seen mention it outside the confines of my own skull.

[@HuwClarke-y8n]

That Griffon album is immense 🤘

[@forgemastermetal]

Strong list, Forgemate!

[@lukegallegos8523]

Great list!!

[@MrWinczakos]

civerous - album of the year anyway

[@kauffeemug]

Very nice list guys! This years been great so far! Here’s my top 15 so far Hamferð - Men Gu​ð​s hond er sterk Ulcerate - Cutting the Throat of God Dvne - Voidkind Hulder - Verses in Oath Skeletal Remains - Fragments of the Ageless Job For A Cowboy - Moon Healer Alcest - Les Chants de l'Aurore Sgàile - Traverse The Bealach Necrophobic - In the Twilight Grey Replicant - Infinite Mortality Ihsahn - Ihsahn Dödsrit - Nocturnal Will Convulsing - Perdurance Glassing - From The Other Side of the Mirror Gatecreeper - Dark Superstition

[@forgemastermetal]

Solid! Ulcerate would’ve been on here. We recorded this before it dropped

[@Papi_Gingy_]

Labyrinthus Stellarum was a band I didn't know until I was on KZbin a few months ago just looking for Atmospheric Black Metal, but then I found their new album and it caught me instantly with the first track. I have a huge guilty pleasure for ambient music and music about Cosmic themes so for this to combined those two things I love sealed the deal, my favorite album this year.

[@forgemastermetal]

it hasn't left my weekly rotation

[@lancelazer]

​@@forgemastermetalprobably currently my album of the year!

[@roberthughes286]

Yeah they're now a band that I can't help but frequent. They're absolutely brilliant. First album is a little bit muddy in sound but still worth a listen.

[@Oldy-Sepulchre]

Their debut from last year was pretty good too but this was next level

[@ThePsychedelicCinema]

I’m absolutely obsessed.

[@MrPeeps-vo8mr]

Labyrinthus Stellarum has me absolutely hooked with their new one. Easily one of my favorites of the YEAR PERIOD! Also enjoying: Ulcerate-Cutting The Throat of God Akhlys-House Of Black Geminus Observers-The Age Of The Machine Entities Cistvaen-At Lights Demise Andracca-To Bare The Weight Of Death Atomic Vulture-Pilgrims Of The Sun GO WITH THE GODS, FORGE MATES 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@forgemastermetal]

What a list my dude! Cheers!

[@joaocaeiro261]

My Dying Bride - A Mortal Binding Rotting Christ - Pro Xristou Suicidal Angels - Profane Prayer Evergrey - Theories of Emptiness Crypt Sermon - The Stygian Rose Thus - The Terminal Condition of Existence [EP] Some of my favorites so far! 🤘🤘🔥🔥

[@forgemastermetal]

Awesome additions!

[@deepjyotiborah4435]

Glad to found out some amazing bands from you guys... My top 10 albums so far 1) Labyrinthus Stellarum - Vortex of the Worlds 2) Judas Priest - Invincible Shield 3) Dödsrit - Nocturnal Will 4) Necrowretch - Swords of Dajjal 5) Job for a Cowboy - Moon Healer 6) Necrot - Lifeless Birth 7) Spectral Voice - Sparagmos 8) Árstíðir Lífsins - Aldrlok 9) Hail Spirit Noir - Fossil Gardens 10) Necrophobic - In the Twilight Grey

[@forgemastermetal]

That Necrot record RIPS dude

[@TheMetalGaia]

​@@forgemastermetalDRILL THE SKULL

[@CraigMader]

All killer, no filler.

[@CraigMader]

CHAPEL OF DISEASE, LABYRINTHUS STELLARUM, SLIMELORD and THE VISION BLEAK. You're doing (a nameless cosmic) God's work, here, gentlemen.

[@forgemastermetal]

lol yeah there’s absolutely a theme here by accident

[@Hellenicheavymetal]

My favorite 5 1. Alcest 2. Sgàile 3. Ulcerate 4. Cistvaen 5. Wormwood

[@forgemastermetal]

You have wonderful taste my friend

[@muzz798]

Great picks. With you especially on Bipolar Architecture, Priest, The Vision Bleak, Chapel of Disease and Counting Hours. My top 10 1. Borknagar - Fall 2. Counting hours - The Wishing Tomb 3. Ministry - Hopiumforthemasses 4. Sgaile - Traverse the Bealach 5. The Moor - Ombra 6. Belore - Eastern Tales 7. Rotting Christ - Pro Xristou 8. Wormwood - The Star 9. Machiavellian God - Beyond the Void 10. Hail Spirit Noir - Fossil Gardens

[@forgemastermetal]

Awesome additions!!

[@christianrenner945]

We just did our top 20 so far on the harsh vocals podcast. Some that made our list that maybe you haven’t heard.. Inherits the Void Saidan Kvaen Eternal Storm Dodsrit Vorga And both agree the best album so far this year is In Vain-Solemn. Simply a master class in songwriting…

[@forgemastermetal]

You've got great taste!

[@johnooley6454]

@@christianrenner945 Saidan is freaking insane

[@thehighground_]

I think one of the albums I've listened to most this year was one you guys mentioned back in Januray Sgaile - Trraverse the Bealach. Really love this album Other albums from this year Julie Christmas - Ridiculous and Full of Blood Candy - It's Inside You Squid Pisser - Dreams of Puke Nercowretch - Swords of Dajjal Judas Priest - Invincible Shield Labyrinthus Stellarum - Vortex of the Worlds Thou - Umbilical Alcest - Les Chants de l'Aurore Civerous - Maze Envy QAALM - First Light of the Last Dawn

[@forgemastermetal]

nice dude! very similar tastes

[@bobbynette]

Judas Priest - Invincible Shield Sgaile - Traverse the Bealach Dodsrit - Nocturnal Will Kvaen - The Formless Fires Chapel of Disease - Echoes of Light Hauntologist - Hollow Labyrinthus Stellarum - Vortex of the World Unleash the Archers : Phantoma Ulcerate - Cutting the Throat of God

[@forgemastermetal]

All great records, mate!!!

[@SludgeMan90]

Chapel of Disease - Another great band introduced to me by this awesome channel. keep growing!

[@forgemastermetal]

Can’t do it without this killer community! Thanks for hangin!

[@haroldgr]

Great year (so far)!! Thank you guys for the list. Not so close to mine this time. 1. Ulcerate (You forget it again) 2. Akhlys (suppose you recorded this before) 3. Hauntologist 4. Dodsrit 5. Aquilus 6. Selbst 7. Vale of Pnath 8. Saidan 9. Ecclesia

[@forgemastermetal]

Yea we recorded all of our "Best of the Year" albums in one day, a couple of weeks before Ulcerate came out. It happens! Thanks for leaving your picks.

[@march80079]

Very good picks! I would add Sgaile, Borknagar and Caligula's Horse.

[@forgemastermetal]

Nice additions!!

[@TheDretch]

Allow me to add my own! 1) Kvaen - The Formless Fires 2) Borknagar - Fall 3) This Ending - Crowned in Blood 4) Attic - Return of the Witchfinder 5) Deicide - Banished by Sin 6) Necrophobic - In The Twilight Grey 7) Hiraes - Dormant 8) Vincent Crowley - Anthology of Horror 9) Eternal Storm - A Giant Bound to Fall 10) Necrowretch - Swords of Dajjal

[@forgemastermetal]

solid! surprised to see deicide on someones top list. necrowretch and necrophobic both RIP

[@TheMetalGaia]

That Eternal Storm album is so beautiful

[@TheDretch]

@@forgemastermetal Why does the Deicide surprise you? What do you mean by Necrophobic "RIP"?

[@CraigMader]

It's a bit of a soggy noodle

[@forgemastermetal]

@@TheDretch RIP is a slang for it being great. Deicide surprised me because it hasn't been on a lot of people's lists. I didn't really dig it, and the AI art part of the album felt phoned in for me. Deicides album art is notoriously known for being creatively controversial, it felt lazy.

[@alexperry4691]

My top 10 are - Borknagar -Fall Earthtone9 -In Resonance Nexus Judas Priest -Invincible Shield Gatecreeper -Dark superstition Attic -Return Of The Witchfinder 200 Stab Wounds -Manual manic procedures My Silent Wake -Lost In Memories, Lost In Grief Chapel Of Disease -Echoes Of Light Portrait -The Host My Dying Bride -A Mortal Binding

[@forgemastermetal]

That Earthtone9 album is a sleeper

[@alexperry4691]

​@@forgemastermetalThey always fly under the radar and are always brilliant.

[@MisterBrimm]

These are all the metal albums I would recommend so far this year: A/Oratos - Ecclesia Gnostica / France Abigor - Taphonomia Aeternitatis - Gesänge im Leichenlicht der Welt / Austria Akhlys - House of the Black Geminus / USA Apogean - Cyberstrictive / Canada Apparition - Disgraced Emanations From A Tranquil State / USA Aristarchos - Martyr of Star and Fire / Scotland Atrexial - The Serpent Abomination / Spain Baron Beneath the Blazing Abyss / Finland Brat - Social Grace / USA Castle Rat - Into The Realm / USA Cistvaen - At Light's Demise / UK Civerous - Maze Envy / USA Coffin Curse - The Continuous Nothing / Chile Cognizance - Phantazein / UK Cosmic Void - Subterranean Rivers / Germany Dawn of Decline - Steel for Flesh / France Deadly Vision - Programmed obedience / Poland Deception - Daenacteh / Norway Dipygus - Dipygus / USA Drowned - Procul His / Germany Funeral Leech - The Illusion of Time / USA Funeral Oration - Antropomorte / Italy Gost - Prophecy / USA Hauntologist - Hollow / Poland Heresiarch - Edifice / New Zealand Hulder - Verses In Oath / USA Kvadrat - The Horrible Dissonance of Oblivion / Greece Leprous Fire - Stralkrans / Sweden Malist - Of Scorched Earth / Czechia Mallephyr - Ruins of Inner Composure / Czechia Mean Messiah - In Infinite Illusion / Czech Republic Morbid Stench - The Rotting Ways of Doom / USA Morbonoct - The Highest Purpose / Poland Nachts - Privileg / Germany Parfaxitas - Weaver of the Black Moon / Norway Pestilength - Solar Clorex / Spain Reveals - Attachment, Destruction and Extinction / Indonesia Rhûn - Conveyance in Death / USA Rotten Tomb - The Relief of Death / Chile Rotten Tomb - The Relief of Death / Chile Secrets - Towards the Nightside / Norway Selbst - Despondency Chord Progressions / Venezuela Sidus Atrum - Torn Sky / Ukraine Slimelord - Chytridiomycosis Relinquished / USA Spectral Voice - Sparagmos / USA Srd vragvmesiton / Slovenia Suffer - Grand Canvas of the Aesthete / USA Theophonos - Ashes in the Huron River / USA Ulcerate - Cutting the Throat of God / New Zealand Vástígr - The Path of Perdition / Austria Ὁπλίτης - Π​α​ρ​α​μ​α​ι​ν​ο​μ​έ​ν​η / China

[@Buzzah]

@@MisterBrimm haha that’s almost all albums :D but I agree it’s an amazing year for metal

[@forgemastermetal]

Wow thanks for this share!!

[@averagetexan191]

1. Brodequin 2. Primitive Warfare 3. Antichrist Siege machine Lots of good shit so far this year and more to come

[@forgemastermetal]

Brodequin is RUTHLESS

[@Dax11eleven]

Cool to see bipolar architecture making this list. Also one of my favourites this year. Along with vitriol, the funeral procession,DVNE, labyrinthus stellarum, In vain, Illyria and ulcerate ❤ many more, too many to name here. Love the vid guys

[@forgemastermetal]

So much great music this year.

[@arfournier]

Hey boys. Interesting year for metal from limited perspective. My favourites so far this year are: Aquilus - "Bellum II" Unleash The Archers - "Phantoma" SIG:AR:TYR -"Citadel of Stars" Seven Spires - "A Fortress Called Home" Hulder - "Verses in Oath" Judas Priest - "Invincible Shield" Vorga - "Beyond The Palest Star" NightRage - "Remains of a Dead World" Sgàile - "Traverse The Bealach" Dödsrit - "Nocturnal Will" Dvne - "Voidkind" Ecclesia - "Eclessia Militans"

[@javierel22]

​@@arfournier Really liking your list! Ecclesia made one of the best songs this year with "If she floats"

[@arfournier]

@@javierel22 Thanks. Such a catchy song. given the subject matter.

[@forgemastermetal]

Thanks for this list, you've got some great records on there.

[@TheMetalGaia]

Labyrinthis Stellarum hasn't left my rotation since I first heard it. Absolutely amazing.

[@forgemastermetal]

So good!!

[@Buzzah]

Soon to be added on number one: the new Nile 🤘 My top 10 so far in no particular order: -Dödsrit - Nocturnal Will -Chapel of Disease - Echoes of Light -Job For A Cowboy - Moon Healer -Ingested - The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams -Vorga - Beyond the Palest Star -Myrdal - Helvíti -Full of Hell - Coagulated Bliss -Aborted - Vault of Horrors -Gatecreeper - Dark Superstition -Deicide - Banished by Sin

[@forgemastermetal]

Absolutely cannot wait for Nile.

[@Oldy-Sepulchre]

I'm so glad at least one of my favourite metal channels acknowledge the awesomeness of Gatecreeper. I expected it to be universally loved by fans. So I was very surprised when it ended up being divisive. Maybe that's why no one has fully committed to calling it a melodeath album haha. Because it really is.

[@forgemastermetal]

Even if it is, it rules

[@Hideousspawn13]

New Gatecreeper is sick. People are dumb dumb

[@jaimecontreras4523]

No ULCERATE? The travesty!

[@forgemastermetal]

We recorded this before it dropped

[@BenFortier]

Nearly all of these albums are better than that one haha.

[@lucaparolin5623]

@@BenFortier I understand it can be too complicated for some people...

[@BenFortier]

@@lucaparolin5623 It's not the complication. It's the fact that it sounds very similar to "Stare into Death and Be Still." They aren't pushing their boundaries anymore, which is fine, but I'd much rather pick up any of the albums listed in this video than Ulcerate. It's a great album, for sure, but it's a hard 8 out of 10 at best.

[@lucaparolin5623]

@@BenFortier Yes i can agree but at the same time they found the perfect spot IMO with ''stare in to death...'' and they stand out with their own style...I have to listen the albums on this video but just from few seconds I kind of felt I already listened to other bands with pretty similar sound. But I agree with you Ulcerate played a bit safe with the new album.

[@TheGavABDN]

Regarding Job For A Cowboy although it’s a short album the sheer volume of music is wild. Non-repeating sections, lack of syncopation, structures…it’s a literally tour de force. While impressive, I do love a bit of slam in my death metal!

[@forgemastermetal]

That's such a great analogy, Forgemate. Injecting some slam in there would have definitely rounded the edges out a bit. We shall see what their next one brings!

[@JamesHippe-wy9qh]

Job for a Cowboy, High on Fire, Daath, Dodsrit, 200 Stab Wounds, Kittie, Knocked Loose, Lucifer

[@forgemastermetal]

What a diverse list, Forgemate!

[@LJEssex]

There are still so many albums I still need to listen to, and there are some on this list of yours that I definitely should check out soon! My top albums so far are as follows with the asterisk denoting what'll be my AotY. *Seven Spires - A Fortress Called Home Unleash the Archers - Phantoma Evergrey - Theories of Emptiness Sunburst - Manifesto Judas Priest - Invincible Shield Visions of Atlantis - Pirates II - Armada Borknagar - Fall

[@forgemastermetal]

Seven Spires continues to impress!!

[@gustavogbh69]

Thanks for spreading Metal in our lifes...

[@forgemastermetal]

Thank you for your time and positive energy, Forgemate! You are welcome in our halls any time.

[@lukegallegos8523]

As usual guys stellar list! Completely love The Vision Bleak and Counting Hours albums. That Thou album is super impressive too, it is just not my go-to sound like goth/doom/death as much so I don't play it quite as much. And yeah, since MDB is MDB I'm extremely biased to where they can do no wrong even if they do! Looking forward to checking out these others I haven't heard yet, particularly Labyrinthus Stellarum. THANK YOU!!!

[@forgemastermetal]

Thanks for this great comment, Luke! Enjoy the metal!

[@ThePsychedelicCinema]

New to this channel and man am I glad I found you dudes. These albums are all HEAVY as fuck in my rotation 🤘🏻

[@forgemastermetal]

Thanks man! Welcome! Edit: Ben was a Marine in the mid 2000's. Semper!

[@billcowan5539]

What did you guys think of the New Kvaen and Ulcerate albums?

[@forgemastermetal]

Love them!

[@dazir_solo_board_gaming3840]

Great list guys! Here's mine: Polish Legions first! Hauntologist with Hollow - of course Mgla, Darkside, pure awesomeness Dom Zły with Ku Pogrzebaniu Serc - this one grows on you, lyrics in Polish, melodic, depressing, takes you by surprise Datûra with Obsidian - majestic, atmospheric, surprising, post, slightly progressive bm with a mix of clean/harsh vocals Zørza with Hellven - one of the best melo bm, period! Dominance with In Ghoulish Cold - just an EP yet might encourage others to explore their earlier full releases Totenmesse - Fiktionlust, technically 2023 however had to include it here Inquisition with their latest release, as always magnificent HOUR OF PENANCE - Devotion crushing slightly proggy DM Attic - Return of the Witchfinder, because it's KD worship:) HAIL SPIRIT NOIR - Fossil Gardens experimental bm, prog etc Horn - Daudswiärk - pure bm bliss Eldamar - Lost Songs from the Ancient Land yes it is a compilation of previous releases yet the atmosphere is magical and defo worth mentioning here Lunar Spells - Sacraments of Necromantical Empires - just evil! Suldusk - Lunar Falls - early Myrkur on steroids:) love the passages, mix of vocals, great album!

[@forgemastermetal]

Thank you for this epic list!!

[@christianforbes-so3zl]

Knocked Loose’s new album is the best hardcore album I’ve heard in more than a decade. The new High on Fire is awesome. Ulcerate’s new one is awesome too. Lots of good songs from bands this year but I’ve only liked a few full albums.

[@Yeti_Boop]

SLIMELORD, TOMB MOLD, and BLOOD INCANTATION are currently making my favorite kind of metal. Can't get enough of that style.

[@forgemastermetal]

YES!

[@hopefulhoplite2717]

Sweet list dudes! Can't wait to give Countless Hours a few spins - sounds great! 2024 has not sparked much interest for me so far other than the two below but looking forward to the rest of the year! 1. Ulcerate 2. Pallbearer

[@forgemastermetal]

Those are two very different albums haha what makes them stand out for you?

[@plantdesigns7889]

I haven't really listened to Job For A Cowboy. That first snippet of music in that segment had me wondering where I had heard that bass sound before. I realized it's right out of Ryan Martinie's play book, especially in Dig from Mudvayne. I can't complain about that. I'll have to give them a proper listen.

[@forgemastermetal]

The bass riffs are easily one of the top highlights of the whole record

[@TheMetalGaia]

Funny story, Nick Shinz (bassist for JFAC) said that when he joined the band, he wanted to have the bass tone of Mudvayne because it's his favorite. Super talented dude, his bass playing is incredible.

[@plantdesigns7889]

@@TheMetalGaia he definitely pulled it off. Does he play Warwick basses? That used to be a big part of Ryan's sound before he switched to Fodera.

[@TheMetalGaia]

@@plantdesigns7889 I'll be honest, I don't know the answer to that. But he's super present on social media, and I bet he talks about his gear! Really nice guy. I bet he'd love to hear that people are picking up on the Mudvayne tone.

[@doom-metal-guy]

My top 3 so far are: Borknagar, My Dying Bride, Gatecreeper.

[@forgemastermetal]

solid my dude!

[@avrgmtlhd]

My top 5 Full of Hell-Coagulated Bliss Job For a Cowboy-Moon Healer Civerous-Maze Envy Thou-Umbilical Unaussprächlichen Kulten-Häxan Sabaoth

[@forgemastermetal]

Awesome picks!!

[@Ta2dlam]

Far Beyond - The End of My Road Borknagar - Fall Suldusk - Anthesis Crypt Sermon - Stygian Rose Observers - The Age of the Machine Entities Silent Deep Ocean - The Throne of Whispers and Dust Hippotraktor - Stasis The Vision Bleak - Weird Tales Those are some favorites so far...I wanted to like Moonhealer much more than I actually do.

[@doubleXnickel]

Been a great year so far: Job for a Cowboy/Julie Christmas/Knocked Loose/Bipolar Architecture/Dvne/Inter Arma/Thou/Hippotraktor/Boundaries But I take issue re: JFAC, I can get why people don't like the first ep but it was majorly influential in deathcore, one of the first to use pig squeals, and self hyped the band with the social media of the time (myspace)

[@CraigMader]

INTER ARMA!!

[@forgemastermetal]

I'm just a biased jerk. - Ben

[@dstafki]

Nice list! Here's my top 10 so far.. Convulsing - Perdurance Chapel of Disease - Echoes of Light Job For A Cowboy - Moon Healer Kvaen - The Formless Fires Amiensus - Reclamation: Part 1 DVNE - Voidkind Hail Spirit Noir - Fossil Gardens Kvadrat - The Horrible Disonnance of Oblivion Cave Sermon - Divine Laughter Slimelord - Chyreidiomycosis Relinquished \m/ \m/

[@forgemastermetal]

STRONG list there, Forgemate. Love to see Convulsing on there. It's a super-overlooked record.

[@NeoSpaceJet]

5:18 same here 😅 l literally never checked out JFAC until this year and yeah you were pretty spot on about their discography! I would of hated waiting for the follow-up to sun eater if i had listened to it when it came out 😂 but thou has my heart this year ❤️ I've returned to umbilical a lot in this short amount of time and every song just hit so hard with a great balance of hardcore and sludge doom in a well appreciated shorter run time than their last 2 albums 😄

[@forgemastermetal]

That Thou record hasn’t left my weekly rotation man. So good.

[@GiNgertheman]

an album I think everyone should check out is Visual Kill: The Blossoming of Psychotic Depravity by Saidan. Its a weird mix of raw and melodic black metal, influenced by punk and heavy metal. its quite the unique album and it completely took me by surprise. Its definitely not for everyone but I know I loved it and hold it as my number 1 album of the year so far

[@CraigMader]

The WHITE STRIPES of black metal. They rule.

[@forgemastermetal]

Wow, that's super intriguing. Thanks for talking about it!!

[@jcubed824]

I know I sound like a broken record at this point but thanks for another amazing list! Every single time I find something that piques my interest (Counting Hours, this time). List also had some nice ones that you had recommended before and I ended up adding to my collection. Cheers, again!

[@forgemastermetal]

Thanks man! Have a fantastic weekend!

[@karkir-joharkarntkristkark9507]

I'm reccomending the new 'Sear Bliss - Heavenly Down' album. Although very different from the gorgeous Labyrinthus Stellarum record, it is just as symphonic and beautiful.

[@CraigMader]

The only black metal band I know of with a dedicated trombone player.

[@karkir-joharkarntkristkark9507]

@@CraigMader yes, and it's so good to have them back into the black metal spheres after a short stay in the progressive genre.

[@forgemastermetal]

It's gonna be on our best of June, Forgemate!

[@Pooya1184]

My top 5 so far: 1.Alcest 2.Akhlys 3.Abigor 4.Aquilus 5.Brodequin

[@panwojny1193]

A, A, A, A, B

[@forgemastermetal]

Was just about to comment that almost all of them are A’s lol

[@MD-yc2ok]

Abigor was released in December 2023 though

[@tomasaguiar8482]

Imminence, Boundaries, Alpha Wolf and Like Moths to Flames released my favorite albums this year. If you couldn't tell, I'm a core kid for life. From this list I only knew job for a cowboy, witch I really like, (and of course judas priest) but I thank you guys for introducing me to new cool bands

[@forgemastermetal]

Thanks for tuning in, Forgemate! You're always welcome in our halls when you're looking for different stuff to spin. We try to keep it eclectic here.

[@HenryProperCall911]

Darko US for me, Starfire is everything metal keeps evolving into with all the cool new shit, and I love it!

[@mindful2864]

Very good list so far. I loved the new Slimelord, Thou, and Gatecreeper albums. The new Job for a Cowboy and Judas Priest though are in my top 5 favorite albus of the year.

[@forgemastermetal]

Love to see it. We've got similar taste.

[@wolverine669]

It's gonna be A HARD ONE already to pick some fave's of the year, so what's it gonna be at the end of December..... but to mention some of my faves.... -Nekrodawn : Sculpted By Torture -Griefgod : Deterioration -Ulcerate : Cutting The Throat Of God -Austere : Beneath The Threshold -Bythos : Chthonic Gates Unveiled -Insect Ark : Raw Blood Singing -Axiomatic Dematerialization : Absolute Elimination Of Existence -Gurthang : Martyrium -Nyrak : Devourer Of All -My Dying Bride : A Mortal Binding -Greenleaf : The Head& The Habit -Illyria : Wanderlust

[@CraigMader]

INSECT ARK and GREENLEAF are outstanding new doom records, yall.

[@forgemastermetal]

Awesome additions!

[@knuton79]

Thanks, I found couple excellent bands which I never heard before. But best metal album 2024 so far is CROWNSHIFT, Crownshift And second half of the year can be even better for me, Wolfheart, Ensiferum, Wintersun and maybe Cemetery Skyline will release albums too

[@loonyman83]

Great list fellas, definitely need to check out that Vision Bleak album. Never heard of it until now. So thanks for that if It turns out to be as awesome as you make it.

[@forgemastermetal]

Hope you enjoy it my dude! Cheers!

[@Moshtache88]

I have discovered new bands through this list. my list so far: Enterprise Earth: Death the Anthology Virginmarys: The house Beyond the Fire The Crown: Crown of Thorns The Corps: Fractured Protocol Gatecreeper: Dark Superstition Orden Ogan: The Order of Fear

[@enferex]

2024 has some nice spins. I don't feel like I can deliver a "best of"; rather, here's a few I appreciated: Alcest, 200 Stab Wounds, Crypt Sermon, Hauntologist. I know Borknagar and Haunt put out new ones, and I'm sure I'll dig both, but I need to give them both some time.

[@forgemastermetal]

200 Stab Wounds is absolutely killer. Would’ve been on here if I had it prior to recording.

[@dennyt2704]

My favourite so far this year is Darkest Hour's Perpetual Terminal. Surprised they dropped such a killer album this year, really hits my nice sweet spot with melodic death metal and metalcore in that mid-2000s way. After that it's kinda close between new albums from Folterkammer, Chelsea Wolfe, and Vitriol.

[@forgemastermetal]

That vitriol album slaps so hard. Not enough people are talking about it.

[@jeffreychandler8418]

my absolute favorite has been aquilius bellum II

[@forgemastermetal]

Awesome, right?

[@FeroVlkolinsky]

How do you guys do that? I haven't even heard about 70% of the albums you present here and still at least 4 of them hooked me immediately. And you only mentioned Judas Priest of my top ten. This year is just crazy.

[@CraigMader]

Cruise the comments with us. There's recommendations everywhere.

[@forgemastermetal]

Our biggest resources are the comments/feedback from other Forgemates and sites like Metalstorm!

[@SuperBlackdalhia]

Nice picks! Since you added Judas priest you should add the Mandrake project by Bruce Dickinson definitely

[@forgemastermetal]

Strong addition!!

[@steverobertson1729]

Had to click on this when i saw Labryinthium Stellarium in the thumbnail!

[@forgemastermetal]

Welcome in! We hope you enjoy some of the other records on the list.

[@michaelandra7227]

Gatecreeper is definitely on my list. A top contender for my album of the year.🤘🤘

[@forgemastermetal]

Hell yeah!

[@HuwClarke-y8n]

Some say it's been a weak year, though with so much music available to listen to there is never a weak year if you find what you like listening to. I agree with lots of these but here's my top 10 thus far - 1. Judas Priest - Invincible Shield 2. Daath - The Deceivers 3. Perchta - D'muata 4. Antichrist Siege Machine - Vengeance of Eternal Fire 5. Vale of Pnath - Between the Worlds of Life and Death 6. Underneath - From the Gut of Gaia 7. Junta - Junta 8. Refore - Illusion of Existence 9. Alterium - Of War and Flames 10. Weird Tales - The Vision Bleak There are loads more too..

[@forgemastermetal]

You're so right. Folks that say there isn't good music anymore either 1) aren't looking hard enough 2) have their own obstacles/biases. Awesome list, Forgemate!

[@HuwClarke-y8n]

@@forgemastermetal thanks for your comment. I'm very new to extreme metal that's any heavier than Kreator, and I've found a goldmine of music through your channel. After suffering from poor mental health over the past few years due to pandemic and parenthood, your suggestions have allowed me to find a kindness in the chaos. I look forward to the end of year video 🤘

[@forgemastermetal]

Thanks for sharing that with us. We hope you're doing well and find some sense of community here.

[@HuwClarke-y8n]

@@forgemastermetal for the music and entertainment

[@beans8130]

Damn Job For A Cowboy are still going!? Think I spun their first release a couple of times before completely forgetting about them. Absolutely checking out this new drop!!! Thanks forge-mates 🙏

[@forgemastermetal]

It's what we do! Hope you enjoyed it.

[@ryanhanlon7001]

Bipolar Architecture is my AOTY so far. It's simply an amazing record. Rounding out the top 3 would be Alcest and Wheel. Wheel really surprised me with how great their new record was

[@forgemastermetal]

That new Alcest record is slowly becoming one of my favorites of theirs

[@ryanhanlon7001]

@forgemastermetal I definitely think I'm in the same boat. With a few more listens, I can definitely see it being my favorite from them

[@eliisaac]

Thank you for turning me on to counting hours, absolutely love rapture!

[@forgemastermetal]

Ben has a Rapture-themed tattoo on his right arm haha we are dorks for that band/genre.

[@1972Diogenes]

Keeping in mind I still have some catching up to do, for now my list of this year is : Borknagar, Vale of Pnath, Daath and Ulcerate. Is mentioning Sepultura here cheating ? Honourable mentions : Vitriol, Vredehammer and Necrophobic. Still waiting for the new Nile and Fleshgod Apocalypse.

[@forgemastermetal]

That Vitriol album is a sleeper

[@cowmark67]

Damn...some albums here I haven't heard and some I definitely have to go back and give more listens. Here are my favorites of the year so far. 1. Dödsrit - Nocturnal Will (melodic black metal/crust punk/epic heavy metal) 2. SeeYouSpaceCowboy… - Coup De Grâce (sasscore/metalcore/post-hardcore/emo) 3. Vemod - The Deepening (atmospheric black metal) 4. Svdestada - Candela (blackened crust punk/hardcore punk) 5. The Funeral Procession - In Still Silence (progressive death metal/melodic death metal) 6. Alcest - Les Chants de l'aurore (post-metal/post-rock/blackgaze) 7. Nostalghia - Phaneron (atmospheric post-black metal) 8. Darko US - Starfire (progressive deathcore/mathcore/nu metal/electropop/dream pop/edm) 9. Vorga - Beyond The Palest Star (melodic black metal/atmospheric black metal) 10. Cistvaen - At Light’s Demise (atmospheric post-black metal/melodic doom metal)

[@forgemastermetal]

WTH is sasscore? lol

[@cowmark67]

@@forgemastermetal It's hard to explain (and I'm not super familiar with the subgenre) but from what I can tell it's screamo with elements of post-punk, new wave, electronic, dance-punk, grind and noise rock. It's also sometimes called sassy screamo or dancey screamo.

[@javierel22]

Svdestada album is great!

[@CraigMader]

SVDESTADA is one of the most slept on records of the year.

[@keister1169]

New Blood Incantation and Oranssi Pazuzu albums incoming this year.

[@forgemastermetal]

Yeeeeppp!!!

[@dds222ful]

No particular order: Aetheria Conscinentia- The Blossoming Vorga- Beyond The Palest Star Depressive Witches - Lost, Forgotten and Heartbroken Moisson Livide - Sent Emperi Gascon Saidan- Visual Kill: The Blossoming of Psychotic Depravity

[@forgemastermetal]

Awesome records!!

[@JoshuaBarnettPhotography]

I’ve really been enjoying Hail Spirit Noir - Fossil Gardens

[@Morgrimx]

Alcest's new album has been on repeat the last 2 weeks. Too good.

[@forgemastermetal]

So good!

[@darksouls_enjoyer226]

Rage - Afterlifelines is my current fav of 2024

[@MrLando0]

I need to check out that Chapel of Disease. My fav albums so far are Wraith and Schizophrenia.

[@forgemastermetal]

Strong picks there.

[@alexposilkin9683]

Spectral Voice: Sparagmos Insect Ark: Raw Blood Singing Hulder: Verses in Oath Ihsahn: s/t Caligula’s Horse: Charcoal Grace Benighted: Ekbom Inter Arma: New Heaven High on Fire: Cometh the Storm

[@forgemastermetal]

Nice picks!!

[@alexposilkin9683]

Thanks forge guys! A little slice through the spectrum of metal.

[@sVieira151]

So little love for Aquilus - Bellum II in the comments. Easily my favourite of the year so far 👀 Shout out to Ulcerate, Replicant, Ihsahn, and Hail Spirit Noir. Edit: oh, i forgot Vision Bleak released a new album this year. I need to give it a go for sure!

[@forgemastermetal]

Bellam II so underrated. Even on our black metal video not many people talked about it in the comments.

[@sVieira151]

@@forgemastermetal I wonder if it's cause it's more like an album of classical music that includes some black and opethian metal into it? It's probably about 50-60% metal and isn't structured in ways that are typically metal. 🤔

[@SamBrockmann]

I would add Caligula's Horse, Rezn, and Wormed to this list.

[@forgemastermetal]

Great additions!!

[@lordbalthron]

My list: Ulcerate - Cutting the Throat of God Slimelord - Chytridiomycosis Relinquished Spectral Voice - Sparagmos Labyrinthus Stellarum - Vortex of The Worlds Kvaen - The Formless Fires Wormwood - The Star Akhlys - House Of Black Geminus Black Dust - Katorga on a Distant Planet Hyperdontia - Harvest of Malevolence Civerous - Maze Envy Vorga - Beyond the Palest Star Crypt Sermon - The Stygian Rose Saidan - Visual Kill: The Blossoming of Psychotic Depravity Vredehammer - God Slayer Aborted - Vault of Horrors From my country: Rageful / Ruttenskalle - Misery/Disgorged Exsanguination Toxikull - Under the Southern Light Dark Oath - Ages of Man Voidwomb - Spiritual Apotheosis

[@forgemastermetal]

Awesome list!!

[@wheelsofmercury]

Oh man, that new Judas Priest album, so good! So is the new Saxon record. Pretty freaking awesome that both of those bands have members in their 70s and are still going strong after all these years. Unfortunately, the new Gatecreeper album didn’t do anything for me. I saw a comment that pointed out that it sounded like something Parkway Drive would do nowadays and now, every time I hear a clip from it, I can’t help but think of Parkway Drive. Definitely a hot take right there, but everybody’s ears are different. Personally, I’ll stick to Dismember for that semi-melodic death metal sort of sound.

[@forgemastermetal]

Hot takes from WoM! Great to see ya in the comments, mate.

[@wheelsofmercury]

@@forgemastermetal Thanks, guys!

[@taomahNEGEV]

+ Derelict: Versus Entropy Hannes Grossmann: Echoes of Eternity Kvaen: The Formless Fires Hellbutcher: Hellbutcher

[@forgemastermetal]

Awesome additions!

[@eugenetkachev]

Wormed, Akhlys, Ulcerate and Civerous have to be there.

[@Hesek1eL]

Abigor -Taphonomia Aeternitatis Fugitive Wizard - Apocrypha Crypt Sermon - The Stygian Rose Ufomammut - Hidden Hellbutcher - ST

[@forgemastermetal]

Solid additions!!

[@danrobichaud]

I really only follow Banger as far as KZbin reviews go, and Decibel in print, but I like youse guyses' vibe. Tagteam approach is cool. Here are my favourites of the year so far: 1) Huntsmen - The Dry Land 2) Hamferđ - Men Guđs hond er sterk 3) Fange - Perdition 4) Lord Dying - Clandestine Transcendence 5) High On Fire - Cometh the Storm 6) Inter Arma - New Heaven 7) Melvins - Tarantula Heart 8) Brugada - To Slow Death and Fast Riffs 9) Spectral Voice - Sparagmos 10) Kerry King - From Hell I Rise

[@forgemastermetal]

You’ve got killer taste my dude. Thanks for the kind words.

[@bimlenbamlen6289]

Miserate - A Ritual Of Doom EP is a killer!

[@DashieNegan41]

Top 3 1 Judas Priest Invincible Shield 2 Gatecreeper Dark Superstition 3 Morbid Saint Swllowed by Hell 4 Saxon Hell Fire and Damnation 5 Crypt Sermon The Stygian Rose

[@forgemastermetal]

Hell yes that crypt sermon record rules

[@JonMallek]

55 years for Priest.

[@forgemastermetal]

That's nuts.

[@misterbaker9728]

200 Stab Wounds period….

[@forgemastermetal]

That hasn’t left my daily rotation. It dropped after we recorded this.

[@ThePuka]

A forgotten gem, although more alt rock is the wonderful Lodestar with Zonen. Been a while since I just wanted to hear an album again one it finished .

[@forgemastermetal]

Ben loves some alt rock here and there! Thanks for the tip.

[@brendanhoffmann8402]

I finally understand my own metal music. I've been struck down by two very narcissistic parents. I'm living at home at 43 because I can't unhook from their bullshit. All my music is about my role as the narcissist slayer in the family because I always saw through their bullshit always (from birth). But they fooled me and I wondered why I was always losing my temper at them, because I'm triggered by narcissism! So yeah my music is anti-enabler for anyone interested. But the only true way to slay a narcissist is to walk away! I release music under my own given name.

[@tombpictures]

So weird to me how like, anti Job For a Cowboy pre-Suneater people are. Post Doom they lean a bit TBDM-esk for two releases but those are both great albums and then you hit Demonocracy and they’re like a perfect metal band

[@forgemastermetal]

They have had a really unique trajectory.

[@RussInCanada]

Infected Rain-Time. Kittie-Fire.

[@michaeljensen8211]

It all Sound as a SICK machine ☝️

[@SuperHDJ_]

Skeletal Remains - Fragments of the Ageless Vitriol - Suffer & Become Borknagar - Fall Seven Spires - A Fortress Called Home Necrowretch - Swords of Dajjal

[@forgemastermetal]

Oh hell yeah.

[@rocketPower111]

Labyrinthus Stellarum🇺🇦🇺🇦💪

[@ednakrababble]

Hauntologist-Hollow Zorza-Hellven Rotting Christ - Pro Xristou Serpents Oath-Revelation Corpus Diavolis - Elixiria Ekstasis

[@forgemastermetal]

Hauntologist 🖤

[@Yeti_Boop]

Dude Genesis from Job For a Cowboy was the biggest 180 a band ever did from their first album to the second album. It's just a death metal concept album about the antichrist and it's relentless.

[@forgemastermetal]

Yeah, that album is amazing.

[@karkir-joharkarntkristkark9507]

Moon incarnate - Hymns to the moon

[@einarkarason7477]

Love the content guys. Check out: Akhlys - House of the black geminus. Brilliant album.

[@forgemastermetal]

Yeah, that one is relentless!!

[@Neonmirrorblack]

Not sure why so many people lately have been butchering the pronunciation of "subsequent", but it's absolutely not "sub-see-kwent".

[@forgemastermetal]

Not sure why you feel the need to correct people

[@Neonmirrorblack]

@@forgemastermetal Language is important.

[@forgemastermetal]

You do you bud.

[@erPinolone]

I see no Pro Xristou, no Injuries are Inevitable, no Ihsahn and no Brodequin. But some solid picks on the vid still

[@forgemastermetal]

The point of these is to share our picks dude, so share yours

[@erPinolone]

@@forgemastermetal yeah yeah, I didn't mean to offend. These are my personal favorites

[@forgemastermetal]

No offense taken bud! Thanks for sharing!

[@wimvanheck8589]

Where is Scapegod by BURDEN CALLED GOD?

[@forgemastermetal]

On the internet.

[@wimvanheck8589]

@@forgemastermetal😂😂😂