The BEST METAL Albums of APRIL 2024 will MELT your FACE

[@brianb_1085]

Castle Rat's music videos are really cool. If you enjoy old school 80s visual effects, they nailed it.

[@macnorton]

As a good friend of mine would say in relation to Castle Rat: "They aren't reinventing the wheel, but driving the car really well." He isn't wrong. Great list guys.

[@forgemastermetal]

I totally agree. Have a rad weekend my dude

[@Bequeefed]

My dying bride on constant rotation right now

[@forgemastermetal]

It’s so good

[@Bequeefed]

I heard Arð untouched by fire this morning, all the feels in all the right places 🤌​@@forgemastermetal

[@AlienatedQc]

what a month! some of my picks 1. Dvne - Voidkind Powerful, emotional, heavy, soft, ethereal, mesmerizing, complex. It’s prog that not only focus on technical prowess but with beautiful post-metal atmospheres, all while being bone crushingly heavy. 2. Dool - The Shape Of Fluidity Now here’s an unexpected one, Dutch dark rock band Dool. The band combines progressive, post and dark rock with a heavy and doomish kind of metal. Reminds me a bit of Katatonia. Lead vocalist Raven was born intersex but doctors chose they would live their life as a girl, witch understandably, caused a lot of pain and confusion. It’s much later in life that Raven decided to reclaim that which others have tried so hard to take away from them. With that comes new joys and freedom. It’s all of these powerful and complex emotions that are released on The Shape Of Fluidity and it gives an impressive and compelling work of art. 3. Tarot - Glimpse of the Dawn Impressive hard rock à la deep purple, injected with a good dose of classic heavy metal. With galloping melodies, super catchy chorus and crazy solos it’s perfectly old school but still sound like it was recorded in the 21st century. 4. Castle Rat - Into the Realm Beyond awesome, old-school doom/stoner rock with modern production and a particularly great imagery of epic, medieval warriors and fantasy. 5. Tonnerre - La nuit sauvage Fronted by Annick Giroux (also from the great québécois heavy/doom band, Cauchemar) comes La nuit sauvage (the wild night), from her other band Tonnerre, a classic hard rock album about a magical night in the woods, around a campfire. 6. Selbst - Despondency Chord Progressions Venezuelan (now living in Chilie) one man band Selbst offers us an impressive, beautiful and mature album. Packed with dissonant melodies and melancholic atmospheres, it’s finding beauty in sadness and despair. It’s peak post-black metal! 7. High on Fire - Cometh the Storm What can I say, just high quality, heavy as fuck, sludge/stoner/doom. Matt Pike is on top of his game! 8. Beholder - Dualisme Québec black metalers of Beholder offers us raw and aggressive black metal with many influences sprinkled all around. Whether it be a thrash riff or a doomy passage, it will always sound clear, organic and pure evil! 9. Witch Vomit - Funeral Sanctum Expert osdm that is cavernous, brutal and quite modern sounding at the same time. 10. Baron - Beneath the Blazing Abyss Impressive death/doom. Heavy and slow at times, fast and aggressive at others but always having that oppressive atmosphere. During that hellish descent into the depths, you’ll even come across a little bit of beauty, sparsely hidden in this maelstrom of infernal fire.

[@radeck16]

Comments like this are almost as valuable as the video above :D

[@finq0997]

Absolutely in LOVE with Cistvaen. So far it's my #1 contender AOTY contender. I can't get enough of it. The ending of Epitaph is so fucking good, also every subsequent track just destroys.

[@DeathMetalFoodSports]

NOT. ENOUGH. TIME!! Still getting caught up for March’s picks lol dayum boys 👍🏼

[@matthewsolomon8269]

Another killer month of music. That Cistvaen album is wicked incredible. I'd also add the new Replicant album Infinite Mortality, so savage

[@J_Stamps86]

Fun fact about Austere, the vocals on their early albums were recorded on a rollercoaster "wooooaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh"

[@Agostoic]

😂

[@bobbynette]

Labyrinthus Stellarium will definitely be in my top 10 of the year

[@privityband]

Cistvaen is amazing! Hoping the Dvne album grows on me more.

[@blindmikeguard]

Great list this month.....I honestly don't know how you find some of the bands you do, but it sure helps me find great new music. Thanks!

[@forgemastermetal]

This community mostly and other online sources. Everyone shares stuff and we try to keep the hype going for bands we dug from the month.

[@mikepenny8940]

Your thoughts on the new High On Fire? I got it in my too ten end of the year

[@TheMetalGaia]

Really glad to see Labyrinthis Stellarum here! That album floored me when I listened to it! Those synths are amazing. I hope those dudes get signed. I can't get enough of that album.

[@forgemastermetal]

It deserves so much more hype.

[@christianv3415]

Totally agree with you! I was instantly blown away after first listening! Amazing Band and Album

[@TheMetalGaia]

@@forgemastermetal agreed! Here's hoping they get more recognition.

[@TheMetalGaia]

@@christianv3415 yeah it was a total surprise for me! One of my favorites this year so far.

[@faustianspirit573]

My list: 1) Dvne - Voidkind (Progressive Sludge) 2) Inter Arma - New Haven (Atmospheric Sludge with Prog and Black Metal elements) 3) My Dying Bride - A Mortal Binding (Gothic Doom) 4) Morgul Blade - Heavy Metal Wraiths (Heavy Metal with Black Metal elements) 5) Vulture - Sentinels (Thrash) 6) In Vain - Solemn (Progressive Melodic Death Metal) 7) Aristarchos - Martyr Of Star And Fire (Atmospheric Black Metal) 8) Vanden Plas - The Empyrean Equation Of The Lost Things (Progressive Metal) 9) Bongripper - Empty (Instrumental Doom) 10) High On Fire - Cometh The Storm (Sludge) 11) Diabolical Oath - Oracular Hexations (Blackened Death Metal) 12) Necrot - Lifeless Birth (Death Metal) 13) Kvadrat - The Horrible Dissonance Of Oblivion (Blackened Death Metal) 14) Belore - Eastern Tales (Atmospheric Black Metal) 15) Sarcasm - Mourninghoul (Melodic Death Metal with Black Metal elements) 16) Melvins - Tarantula Heart (Sludge) 17) Acid Mammoth - Supersonic Megafauna Collision (Stoner Doom) 18) Funeral Leech - The Illusion Of Time (Death-Doom) 19) Antichrist Siege Machine - Vengeance Of Eternal Fire ( War Metal) 20) Friends Of Hell - God Damned You To Hell (Traditional Doom)

[@forgemastermetal]

Was a GREAT doom month

[@CraigMader]

Thanks for ARISTARCHOS, Sir. That one got by me, nerdpower...

[@dhatribalz7772]

Great list guys ! My top 3 of the month: 1) In vein - solemn 2) Khirki - Κυκεώνας (an amazing prog rock/metal album from greece) 3) DVNE - the voidking I recommend everyonz to check khirki, really.

[@thomashumphries6406]

I usually pick up a new band or two to add to my playlist. Glad I watched for Labyrinthis Stellarum, never heard of them but I love everything they're about!

[@MetalTrenches]

Lots of tasty stuff this month.

[@forgemastermetal]

A lot from the underground this month, really cool

[@TheMetalGaia]

Including your reviews sir! Love your content.

[@CraigMader]

Hey, everybody, its Uncle Icky!

[@finq0997]

I read "Labyrinthus Stellarium" and thought "oh god what nonsense is this?", I have now listened to this album four times today and I am in awe and in love. This whole "space(y)" black metal has always been really appealing to me, but for some reason I could never get into Darkspace, Vorga didn't really do it for me either until their latest release which is absolutely STELLAR (badumm-tss). Vortex of the Worlds amazed me right away. How fucking good is the ending to the last track, too? Brilliant album, no filler, short and to the point to never get boring but with enough room for atmosphere building and experimental parts. Straight onto the top10 contender list for this year!

[@CraigMader]

Lotsa keyboards in metal these days, but few learn how to program and play them. Master class, here.

[@cowmark67]

There were certainly some bangers this month. Going to have to check out those Arð, The Vision Bleak, and Labyrinthus Stellarium albums. Also a few albums I have yet to check out from this Friday, the 26th, that I've been looking forward to. Here are my favorites of the month. 1. SeeYouSpaceCowboy - Coup De Grâce (post-hardcore/metalcore/pop punk) 2. Cistvaen - At Light’s Demise (atmospheric black metal/doom metal) 3. Necrot - Lifeless Birth (death metal) 4. Witch Vomit - Funeral Sanctum (death metal) 5. Icosandria - A Scarlet Lunar Glow (post-metal/blackgaze/post-rock) 6. Hour of Penance - Devotion (brutal death metal/technical death metal) 7. Draugr - Unter Yggdrasils Schatten (pagan black metal) 8. Ancient Storm - Forever and Never (black metal) 9. Castle Rat - Into the Realm (doom metal/heavy metal) 10. Kawir - Kydoimos (pagan black metal)

[@mercyfulnate]

Witch Vomit - Funeral Sanctum Necrot - Lifeless Birth Replicant - Infinite Mortality Antichrist Siege Machine - Vengeance of Eternal Fire Tombstoner - Rot Stink Rip Dvne - Voidkind Blaze of Perdition - Upharsin Morgul Blade - Heavy Metal Wraiths These are my favs of the month!

[@forgemastermetal]

Strong albums!!

[@doubleXnickel]

not as much overlap this month, my April jams: Dvne - Voidkind ingested - The Tide Of Death And Fractured Dreams Inter Arma - New Heaven Spit On Your Grave - Arkanum glassing - From the Other Side of the Mirror Listening Party

[@thunderhead7197]

Really enjoyed this. Lots of new stuff i have not herd before. Will be checking out CISTVAEN for my dose of Post Black Metal. Well done Guys.....more please..

[@forgemastermetal]

Let us know what you think. Hope you take that album a nice hike. 🚶

[@blueandwhiteeighttwo]

My album of the month is the new one from Imminence. My other choice's are the newest albums from Atrae Bills and Tyr and also one EP (Paula Teles - Desencanto). From your choices Labyrinthus Stellarium seems cool, I'll take a listen

[@forgemastermetal]

Curious your thoughts after your spin it!

[@blueandwhiteeighttwo]

@@forgemastermetal great album! Thanks 🤘

[@jasonsickmon5287]

Replicant - Infinite Mortality

[@wolverine669]

Great picks. I have to ad at least the debut from Baron and the second album from Bythos

[@loonyman83]

I loved the Dvne album. Not my favorite of the year, but I spun it multiple times. The album that won the month for me was In Vain's Solemn. Such a good prog metal album with a tinge doom and gloom.

[@forgemastermetal]

I gotta scope that, multiple people recc’d it

[@loonyman83]

@@forgemastermetal I only heard it yesterday since it just released but you should hear Amiensus' Album Reclamation. Great black metal fuzed with other styles that can really elicit the emotions out of ya. It might be my new favorite of the month.

[@bystolics]

Atrae Bilis "Aumicide" and Replicant "Infinite Mortality" both blew me away. Soooo gooood!!

[@SuperBlackdalhia]

DVNE rules! Was so happy to hear their new album and was not disappointed

[@tmotus84]

Totally agree about DVNE. Even the part you pointed out as “just right.” I think sooommme of it is a little lack of depth (or space between the instruments ) in production? Like, if they could borrow a couple notes from The Ocean? But also they just need to leave a little for us to sink out hooks into, riff-wise. There’s not a whole lot of memorable moments that you can walk away from and still have going in your brain

[@forgemastermetal]

Totally agree.

[@HCmetal022]

Some honorable mentions In vain- solemn Replicant - infinite mortality Maere-…and the universe keeps silent

[@forgemastermetal]

That Replicant record RIPS

[@-GLADD-]

Love the new In Vain record, absolutely killer stuff

[@kentcarmack5879]

Not my thing the way it once was, but replicant is not honorable mention. That album was almost perfect. Just a little too much for me these days

[@CraigMader]

That shit's awesome, but I thought it was from March

[@Hellenicheavymetal]

I love the Cistvaen one. In Vain also came out with a really good one.

[@forgemastermetal]

I have yet to spin In Vain, thanks for the reminder!

[@karkir-joharkarntkristkark9507]

Besides those albums mentioned in this video: The Monolith Death Cult - The demon who makes trophies of men Folterkammer - Weibermacht Darkthrone - It becomes us all

[@CraigMader]

FOLTERKAMMER!!!!

[@MetalMaps]

Lots of awesome stuff, thx 🤘

[@THRASHORBETHRASHED851]

Love Castle Rat going 2 pick up soon.

[@forgemastermetal]

You going vinyl?

[@THRASHORBETHRASHED851]

@@forgemastermetal vinyl all the way👍👍

[@potato4534]

Cometh the storm by High on Fire goes SO HARD

[@forgemastermetal]

Yeah the riffs in that crush

[@jesseleavy5841]

I got some stuff to check out! Some of my favorites that weren't already mentioned in the video: High On Fire - Cometh The Storm Folterkammer - Weibermacht Antichrist Siege Machine - Vengeance Of Eternal Fire Witch Vomit - Funeral Sanctum

[@forgemastermetal]

was a DAMN good doom month

[@tonycaldwell331]

April was a strong month. I believe the hype surrounding In Vain & Labyrintus Stellarums' releases are well warranted.

[@forgemastermetal]

They need more hype IMO

[@tomasjonsson7141]

Castle rat is band of the year, all hail the rat queen 😻

[@primordial4288]

Necrot kicks my balls again. And Selbst - Despondency Chord Progressions is on repeat here. Will surely make my aoty-list. But gonna be so hard. So many killer-albums allready this year.. oh and i forgot Kvadrat - The Horrible Dissonance of Oblivion, not sure if it was released in april or march.

[@Dismal-future]

Necrot Witch Vomit High on Fire Ecclesia (French classic Doom metal) Inter Arma Castle Rat

[@forgemastermetal]

What a great month for doom and death metal!

[@NicolasAristizabal-rb3ju]

Nice seeing Metal Trenches around here. Cool video as usual 🤘🤘

[@forgemastermetal]

We’re pals and this is a killer community. Cheers bud.

[@scottlowry6857]

If you dudes haven't heard the album Despondency Chord Progressions by Selbst, give it a spin. Solo black metal project out of South America, one of my favorite albums of the year. Think you'll dig it.

[@Count_Deangeli]

And agree that if DVNE slow down the tempo they'll be more appealing to doom aficionados

[@enferex]

Death metal is hit or miss with me; however, the Necrot stuff I've heard is great! I need to check out the Austere album, the samples you played sound excellent.

[@Count_Deangeli]

Glad to see a lot of doom on the list. This Necrot album doesn't stand out to me, though. Will check The Vision Bleak

[@karlsetterberg5940]

2:02 & 17:02 Lol love! Agree with everything said about The Vision Bleak, Wow! and out of nowhere,, Did read some revies of them, guess they have 3 other solid LP's.. For me, by december, The Bride will grow and surpass The Bleak.. Ran across Ard n Austere as well, nice choices.. Tyr, Darkthrone and High on Fire solid!

[@forgemastermetal]

Great month!@

[@niwdoog]

In Vain-Solemn is really good. Released on 4/12/24

[@MetalNeverDieswithMarkA]

Another wild month for metal.

[@forgemastermetal]

The Doom genre is finally releasing some good stuff

[@ghostnote-6]

Never heard of The Vision Bleak, but it was a standout of the releases that were featured. Definitely checking them out. I haven't followed MDB Since the late 90's but maybe I'll try getting back into them. Did the same for Opeth a few years ago.

[@alexperry4691]

Necrot, MDB and especially DVNE are amazing. I'd also add Atrae Bilis -aumicide. Brilliant Tech death that focuses on riffs rather than noodle wankery!

[@forgemastermetal]

Ya gotta offset the wank w/ riffs

[@shanemckenna392]

I am in love with the new Belore album "Eastern Tales." Another great list, guys!

[@forgemastermetal]

I can’t wait to spin that this weekend

[@shanemckenna392]

@@forgemastermetal thanks for bringing Cistvaen to my attention! That and Ad Nihilum are easily my two favorite debut albums so far this year.

[@cyphix740423]

Ingested is super if someone know more groups like Ingested please name them. Hideous Divinity as well. Great Video

[@CraigMader]

VISION BLEAK and LABYRINTHUS STELLARUM!! I feel so seen right now.

[@forgemastermetal]

You are my dude. You are. lol.

[@barsknos]

The new Selbst album blew me away! Have you heard it? I will give Ard and Austere an extra listen now that they have your stamp of approval =)

[@forgemastermetal]

No we haven’t, thanks for the rec man!

[@Jah-Knee]

Folterkammer!

[@Ilnath]

Other 3 great albums of april Blazing Eternity - A certain End of Everything In Vain - Solem Blaze of perdition - Upharsin

[@forgemastermetal]

Oh shiiiii I didn’t even know Blaze of Perdition had a new one!

[@Ilnath]

@@forgemastermetal It's really good

[@CandyOnAChopstick]

Some great stuff here! If I know anything of your tastes by now though, Amiensus is a MUST listen. I’m assuming you haven’t heard it because I can’t imagine it not making your list.

[@forgemastermetal]

Love that band, didn’t know they had a new one!

[@CandyOnAChopstick]

@@forgemastermetal 😁

[@barsknos]

I often check through the comments for hidden gems and this time I struck fucking GOLD! Fantastic album! Thanks! Did you hear the new Selbst?

[@CraigMader]

Jeez, you guys were quick getting this out. I didnt have my list handy, and then the CASTLE RAT lady showed up like the second coming of Elvira Mistress of the Dark and I got so turned on I forgot to listen and had to keep going back. Here's my bracket for April(minus your pix): -blakmetl-SELBST; WITCH VOMIT; ADON; GLASSING -dethmetl-COFFIN CURSE; FUNERAL LEECH; ENGULFED; DIABOLIC OATH; OBSCURIAL; OPIUM DEATH; MISOTHEIST -mixdmetl arts/post- FULL OF HELL; BLACK TUSK; MELVINS; OBERST; HORNDAL; UDOLS; THROWING BRICKS & ONTAARD; CONVULSING; JASON BLAKE; MARTIN HOWTH; KOLGA; KEYGEN CHURCH; HAMMERHEDD -doommetl-HEAVY TEMPLE; DOOL; HANDS OF GORO -thrashmetl-VULTURE; MOOR -d&dmetl-TYR Hope some of this music helps you folks like it helps me...

[@forgemastermetal]

The metal therapy always helps my dude! Have a killer weekend!

[@reinhardmarx62]

Check out the new Horn Daudswiärk!!! Please!!! Best regards!

[@tmotus84]

I can’t remember - have you guys heard Messa yet?

[@forgemastermetal]

Yea they're awesome

[@simonrohrbach2834]

My favourite Album of the Month is another kinda unknown Band. Its "Solemn" - In Vain. A very well done Melodic Death Metal Album with Black Metal & Doom Metal Influences! I hope yall check it out

[@forgemastermetal]

Sounds like it’s up our alley! Thanks man!

[@krestdorl1697]

Oh my…how am I gonna find time listen to all the good albums comming out all the time. 🙂

[@forgemastermetal]

Its a good problem to have!

[@mark7166]

The struggle is real, man.

[@Doomherre]

Nice! 🔥🔥🔥

[@Djare915]

Ouyeah,new Necrot rules!

[@forgemastermetal]

yeah dude - solid DM release for 2024

[@cbn6635]

That Necrot album easily takes the first prize for me; 'Drill the Skull' alone is worth the price of admission! 🤘 Ingested on the other hand... 💩💩 They hit all the deathcore trappings I thoroughly despise.. 🤮

[@forgemastermetal]

That’s ok man!

[@cbn6635]

@@forgemastermetal Thanks, man! 😁

[@KG-ff6dd]

what website is that at 3:20?

[@taomahNEGEV]

Check out In Vain: Solemn.

[@Agostoic]

Austere and Belore won for me, tasty riffage and lotsa atmosphere.

[@forgemastermetal]

I’m planning on spinning Belore this weekend.

[@darksideinferno3454]

Some great Stuff right here! My favorite this month is from one of Germany's finest DISBELIEF Killing Karma!! Killer Album!! Check it out!! 💀🤘💀🤘💀🤘

[@Mat-8]

New Bongripper is crazy

[@forgemastermetal]

Yeah dude that album is nasty

[@CraigMader]

I go for a Deeper Burble, myself...ol' skool, I guess

[@jithendra7030]

great list folks but mocking AUSTERE and DSBM? 😒

[@forgemastermetal]

You'll be okay.

[@filheim]

No Deicide mention? Really???

[@forgemastermetal]

I didn’t really enjoy it that much other than a few select tracks, and the art sucks.

[@joshuacoe8235]

I listened to more albums than I can remember this month, so I will leave a suggested album. Orphean Passage : Apart.

[@forgemastermetal]

Good one! Hope you’re well bud!

[@tiagolopes7337]

No benighted?😢

[@forgemastermetal]

Haven’t gotten to it yet

[@CraigMader]

New benighted is more than most folks can take. I feel like this record might be slightly ahead of it's time. Plus it's FRENCH. French metal is obstreperously original across all genres. If you know, you know. France famously doesnt care what you think, and it carries over to their meatal.

[@toxicwaltz69]

All garbage. Thank jebus for bands like Psycroptic, Gorod, and to some extent, bands like Veil of Maya and Whitechapel.

[@forgemastermetal]

Psycroptic 🤘

[@CraigMader]

Your vision is occluded. Good luck with that. All must pass, or you could choose to hang on and learn....