Loudwire's SCUFFED Best Metal & Rock Albums of 2024

[@quentinbringthenumetalchil5125]

I like how Loudwire starts this list off with “What has been particularly exciting about the 2020s and the tail end of the 2010s is that we're seeing an accelerated path to superstardom for a lot of relatively younger artists. What used to be a 15-20 year grind to reach the status of headliner and filling larger clubs and arenas seems to be firmly in the rear view”. Yeah, Loudwire. It’s not like we’re seeing an over abundance of nostalgia festivals and legacy acts having revivals with their 30 - 50 year old fans. Not to mention, this list is filled with legacy acts more than newcomers. Absolute trite.

[@quentinbringthenumetalchil5125]

Oh, and, also, let’s not forget that Loudwire’s website and KZbin channel have been nothing more than the same legacy acts and their old stories from decades ago. No new acts in sight if you take one good look at what’s going on on their channel.

[@Purplecreature36000]

​@@quentinbringthenumetalchil5125 even when I was a mega nu metal fan I was like can yall stop talking about fucking slipknot?! I guarantee there's like 50 videos from this past 2 years alone on fucking corey taylor or the band itself

[@Questformetal]

I know taste is subjective and everything but jeeeeeesus christ this list is just “let’s put every popular album on here and call it a day”

[@C.good2damax]

Now Questy is awesome

[@tylerbailey9329]

Imagine whining endlessly about rock and metal being "dead" while only giving attention to legacy acts

[@christianmetalchannel5231]

Dude the amount of people that do this is honestly ridiculous.

[@bananaempijama]

I don't get it. At least for me, I always try to find new bands, like that feeling of hearing something unique for the 1st time and makes you awe in excitement, for their next song. Legacy acts can't give you that anymore and won't bring any (r)evolution.

[@quentinbringthenumetalchil5125]

@@christianmetalchannel5231 Especially in this time period. You don’t know how many nostalgia acts, nostalgia festivals, throwbacks, and legacy acts that I have seen in the last five years compared to newer acts on the come up. It has become so annoying.

[@christianmetalchannel5231]

@@quentinbringthenumetalchil5125 it’s largely because of the boomer mentality that everything new sucks and only the old bands they listened to when they were teens are good.

[@quentinbringthenumetalchil5125]

@@christianmetalchannel5231 I’ve seen millennials and Gen - Xers take in this mentality, as well.

[@paradoxrift2600]

Watch them make a "Best EPs of 2024" and put Motley Crue on there 🤢🤮

[@DashieNegan41]

That would be the worst pick

[@GOLDENRECORDSS]

Of course, it's not there, but Shefeto - "The Black Angel and the Beast" is the most listened to Bulgarian metal album of the year, and it honestly rocks!🤘🇧🇬

[@skarrx2416]

Sometimes I feel like Loudwire does the popularity contest more than giving credit to talented artists.

[@mat2093]

Sorry to hear about your dog. But also the fact that the exies closure isn't on here is an actual war crime. My favorite bands return.

[@wormwza8788]

Vitriol - Suffer and Become should be on here, great band and this album was killer and they were so good live. Also Aborted and Job for a Cowboy were incredible releases. Even EPs were great this year with An End to Everything by Entheos and Death is But A Door by Alluvial.

[@MatthewsGauss]

Best two piece I've seen since inquisition

[@DashieNegan41]

Yes both deserve the list

[@glennbarret-jy5ut]

I thought it would be a cold day in hell that I nominate Job For a Cowboy. Moon Healer deserves a nod, fantastic album

[@michaelbauer2950]

I think it is interesting that half of these I forgot even came out this year.

[@MetalPersonJ]

Crypt Sermon's album was ranked #1 of the year by Decibel. I say give it an chance. Awesome awesome album.

[@cbn6635]

Hands down the best doom metal album of 2024...

[@MetalTrenches]

I’ll take your word for it

[@DashieNegan41]

No joke i enjoyed the album

[@benwebb4424]

Some mentions I think need mentioned that just aren't getting the mentions from this year - Hail Spirit Noir, Sgaile, Galneryus, Hizaki, Thy Catafalque, Ulcerate, Chapel Of Disease, Spectral Wound, and Akphaezya. I think these should all enter into most AOTY conversations even if just for a bit and then not making the list due to taste or whatever. They're all offering something a bit different.

[@neilmiller3505]

Hell yeah for the Summoning the Lich love! That album's been heavy in the commute rotation!

[@czmisfitsfan]

My top two albums so far this year are The Cure and Blood Incantation. Gotta say, there was a ton of stuff on here that I had no idea existed. I found myself thinking "They released an album this year?" on most of these.

[@metalraff]

Missing: Teeth, Mitochondrion, Replicant, Aberration, Immortal Bird, Bongripper, Concrete Winds, Black Curse, Ulcerate…

[@Vampir1324]

@@metalraff Replicant is so overlooked, great album

[@framemain891]

Vitriol, Blood Incantation, 200 Stab Wounds, Job for a Cowboy were my favorites this year. Also recently enjoyed the new Scour track. Cheers!

[@Heathennation1976]

You are a rare breed man.Keep up your solid work on all things metal

[@ZBilbs]

Would’ve loved to see the new Borknagar on here. Also, as a diehard power metal fan, I’d say that although I love the new Powerwolf album, the new Orden Ogan is my favorite of the year by a mile

[@JonasJosephJacinto]

Return to Dust is pretty cool. Decent modern grunge a la Soul Blind/Narrow Head etc.

[@choptopshusband]

You should definitely check out that new Jack White, if you love classic White Stripes garage rock you’ll really like it. It’s one of my favorites of the year and his best material since he was in the band imo.

[@JorgeLRojas-95]

No Better Lovers, no Wintersun. Can't spell Loudwire without L

[@MarcoReusel]

Can,'t wait to see your top 10 Thanks!

[@PaulvonderHeyden]

As a fan of Priest and Green Day I knew what I got with the albums and enjoyed it. I don't need a list reminding me of them. I want to get to know fresher stuff I missed.

[@bassvibasics479]

In other news, water is wet.

[@southerntrendkill4889]

Only 2 albums from this list that would be in my top 10 are Blood Incantation and 200 Stab Wounds. Haven't heard Opeth, obviously. Worst pick is Green Day. How does anybody care about that band when they've just put out nothing but utter shit for 2 decades?

[@Hellenicheavymetal]

that's Loudwire for you. I think they try to mix things up a bit though in attempt to try to please everyone because some people are older nostalgic people so they mention old bands but then put in new stuff to please more modern artist listeners.

[@magiclover9346]

Loudwire is the best dad rock site. Oh wait, I'm a dad.

[@danframpt0n]

Surprised about Candy. Love to see it. Great record

[@ProfJasonC]

Glad to see Blood Incantation and Nile, but that’s it for me. Was Witch Vomit too much to ask for?

[@DashieNegan41]

What about Undeath

[@Hellenicheavymetal]

Loudwire doesn't really like black metal, though Darkthrone makes the list every time they put one out.

[@MetalTrenches]

Lame

[@hvitekristesdod]

Spectral Wound should definitely be on here

[@DashieNegan41]

What's disappointing is Job For A Cowboy Morbid Saint Vitriol Anciients and freaking Undeath weren't on the list

[@Vampir1324]

Where the fudge is Job for a Cowboy 😡

[@theovermatt]

For a band that was the talk of every big site back in the day, I'm shocked how people seem to be passing them over this year despite it probably being their best album.

[@brianmorrison2578]

I've Heard the new Opeth album earlier today and I haven't stopped listening to it. It is and absolutely perfect album. This is one where the album lives up to and surpasses the hype. Opeth is the best fucking band walking the Earth today.

[@DustyEchozy]

The last line is an absolute no.

[@Zuracooking]

​@@DustyEchozy you probably listen to [insert the favourite band]

[@DustyEchozy]

@@Zuracooking My favourite death metal band is The Black Dahlia Murder but my favourite TRADITIONAL vanilla band (and metal band in general) is Judas Priest.

[@Zuracooking]

@@DustyEchozy Opeth and Priest are my 2 fav bands so I'm not even gonna say shit

[@grimsdungeonofcomics]

It was in and out for me. I gave it a good strong listen, but ultimately I found their last one much better - and it didn't even have the growls. This felt like a more progressive rock version of Ghost Reveries. It's a fun listen, but I can't say it's going to replace Deliverance or Still Life, My Arms Your Hearse, etc.

[@zombiTrout]

Oxygen Destroyer had a killer release. Same with Werewolves.

[@Kered-9]

The ones I liked: Static-X was ok but Vol 1 was better, Alpha Wolf, Erra, BMTH, Nothing More, Pumpkins albums was pretty good, Linkin Park was better than I expected but not amazing, just ok. I am excited for Opeth.

[@ffsf739]

Dude, if you like White Stripes, you should listen to the new Jack White album. It's a trip down memory lane. It sounds more like TWS than some TWS albums do! Really good stuff.

[@MetalTrenches]

Maybe I’ll check it out

[@tonipolkki4728]

Blood incantation, Judas Priest and Opeth are my highlights of this year.

[@BelminHxC]

STL mentioned 🙌🙌

[@Oleksa_Jotun]

Wow! Apparently, December doesn't count as the month of the year in America. And a half of November as well! The more you know...

[@MetalTrenches]

@@Oleksa_Jotun I mean there are several reasons why we don’t wait til the end of December to be fair.

[@Oleksa_Jotun]

@MetalTrenches I'm from Ukraine, so I'm comletely out of context.

[@docvader82]

Sorry about having to put down your dogs. That's a horrible time.

[@SubArchitectDJ]

BMTH Nex Gen quickly became my album of the year and I wasn't even a fan. I am now

[@Netjak]

A lot of stuff missing from this list that could have easily replaced some of the big names that were more mediocre. Just a few I'd throw in. JFAC Wormed Ulcerate Borknagar Alcest Iotunn Spectral Voice Pyrrhon Sunburst And the list could go one with more deserving artists and albums

[@grimsdungeonofcomics]

It's Loudwire, mate. What do you expect? Always look at their parent companies. In this case, Loudwire is owned by Townsquare Media who is the third largest AM-FM operator in the country. They own 349 radio stations in 74 markets. Of course the brand owned by the people who own a large chunk of the radio are going to promote the bands that they would play on their stations. It's not about recognizing talent, it's literally a paid promotion gig. "We think these artists that we play on our station are really great, so you should go listen to them and give us more money." Old industry tricks never fail, it seems.

[@muneshxge]

We all know the greatest of the year is SFU 😍😍😍

[@theovermatt]

Even as a big Unleash the Archers fan I thought the new one was pretty disappointing, not bad but not exceptional either. You'd be way better off listening to Time Stands Still or Apex if you felt like giving them another shot.

[@jasonboardman2796]

Are you familiar with a similar to Morbid Saint were they used to have only 2 albums until this year Atrophy?

[@DrProfessorMD]

WristMeetRazor created a cringe singularity

[@kierenhannah1408]

Best Alkaline Trio album since Crimson

[@scottburnside3218]

hey bud...sorry to hear about ur dogs...had a rough year to tbh...not listened to much new stuff but love ur channel

[@MetalTrenches]

Thanks

[@scottburnside3218]

@MetalTrenches message if u wanna chat..I'm sure u get loads of offers tho man...

[@paradoxrift2600]

Also, there are so many solo projects on this list. It's clear they're really reaching for anything "big name" even if it's mid as hell.

[@nakramproductions3858]

So no Psychonaut 4, no Job for a Cowboy, no Alcest...NO ULCERATE??? THEY JUST MISSED THE MOST GROUNDBREAKING DEATH METAL ALBUM IN YEAAAARS

[@MetalTrenches]

I mean Ulcerate been putting out that same type of album for like a decade now so I wouldn’t necessarily call it groundbreaking at this point. Even so, it’s way better than a lot of the slop here.

[@kidbonesonline]

I stopped following them on Instagram after they stopped doing album anniversary posts.

[@ggellis3371]

Say what you want about Loudwire, but they have been a very important push for me to get into rock, punk and metal.

[@MetalTrenches]

It’s a starting point I suppose

[@wafflemanofficial3130]

Well yeah people start with more mainstream stuff. The issue is Loudwire is supposed to be an authority and knowledgeable in the genre and it just isn't

[@directedbyxanderjones8329]

I'm a die-hard Unleash The Archers fan but even I gave it a bad review. By far, their worst album.

[@dakotaturner6701]

I honestly don't get the love for all these bands like 200 stab wounds, gatcreeper, blood incantation, frozen soul. Shit is incredibly mid for me but people are just gushing about it while bands like skeletal remains exist. I mean shit I didn't even listen to the new nile album and I love those guys but ever since Dallas left the band their music has just been run of the mill stuff.

[@ProfJasonC]

I like most of the bands you mentioned from the outset, especially Blood Incantation, but good call on Skeletal Remains. I bought that record, but it feels like so long ago, I think I would have said it was 2023! Definitely on my 2024 AOTY top ten list now that I remember it qualifies!

[@dakotaturner6701]

@ProfJasonC i really tried to get into BI when there first 2 albums came out and I just couldn't do it. It very much feels like they enjoy the smell of their own farts.

[@MetalTrenches]

Skeletal Remains would be a better pick than 200SW or GC

[@ProfJasonC]

@@MetalTrenches 💯

[@dachstheangry9735]

Happy for some bands, but overall really really basic. Typical Loudwire

[@gemcitysnowoppfreeirishmob9777]

200 Stab Wounds Gatekeeper are great i don't know what your problem is with them

[@MetalTrenches]

They’re FINE. Just nothing special imo. Copies of copies…

[@Akshay-ji9nt]

Surprised not to see the new Poopenfharten album here. Looudwire is basic af.

[@Count_Deangeli]

There were some pretty bad takes here by you

[@C.good2damax]

This channel (MT 💀) is basic if are you doing stuff like this.

[@calebbegley3833]

As with any subjective list, there are picks on here that I love and picks on here that I don’t. On the positive end, you’ve got Blood Incantation, Caligula’s Horse, and even the non-weird pop interlude stuff on Bring Me The Horizon’s record. On the negative end, you’ve got Knocked Loose, Kerry King, and 200 Stab Wounds. (I know people may be surprised to find someone out there who isn’t a fan of the Knocked Loose record, but I didn’t like it…at all. It felt like, whenever they found a hook or a riff, they immediately jumped to a new idea. Music needs structure, it needs room to breathe. Yes, you can play with that, and some bands do that successfully in the more progressive realms. However, there’s only so far you can go with that and groups like Knocked Loose just tear it to shreds in favor of being as manically heavy as possible.)