The Best Progressive Metal Albums of 2024: My Top 10 Picks!

[@alexperry4691]

Some awesome pick here, my top 3 are - #1 . Opeth-Last Will And Testament #2. Iotunn -Kinship #3. Blood Incantation-Absolute Elsewhere 🤘🤘

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Great picks! 🤘🤘

[@Tarkanaf_Rey]

Deserving number 1, what a way to end 2024. I'm ready for some more mind blowing metal in 2025

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Yes!! 🤘🤘

[@EisGlockner]

Damn yes! Anciient really developed their unique sound which is just awesome! Bedsore was kind of special for me. The first listened, i wasn't sure to what i was listening... The second listen i started to like it.. From the third listen onwards i love it! And well.. Blood Incantation 100% deserved it!

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Excellent shouts! 🤘🤘

[@EisGlockner]

@@heavymetalphilosophy And there are so many more! I just had to pick the first coming to my mind, else i couldn't stop... This year for sure was just incredible with all those new bands and albums!

[@anthonydavella8350]

I have to plead guilty. I have a hard time making it all the way through your videos. Problem is I check on the stuff you recommend and get lost for a few hours in the music haha. Here's to a great 2025! If you ever hear the call you are always welcome brother

[@acaDamiens]

I think I mentioned on one of his other videos that I do the same thing. His 15-20 minute videos will take me hours to get through as I have to stop and listen. I lucked out with this one as I had already listened to everything he counted down.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

You gotta make it to the end! JK of course. However these videos are helpful to people, that makes me happy. 😁🤘🤘

[@anthonydavella8350]

Yea. Guy always turning me on to new music​@@acaDamiens

[@danw6048]

Kinship by Iotunn would be at the top of my list since it is my metal album of the year and I consider it a prog album. The next four would be Blood Incantation, Anciients, Opeth and Caligula's Horse. The next five are tough since there are so many to choose from. I know that Thy Catafalque and Oceans of Slumber would be there. Contenders that are not on your list would be Lowen, Job for a Cowboy and Amiensus (both albums as a combined choice).

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Excellent choices! I had JFAC on my death metal list, but for sure it would have fit here as well. Stay tuned for Iotunn! 😉🤘

[@andrewgunter1947]

I just love this channel. Grew up on Metal; Maiden, Priest, Black Sabath. Got a free ticket to see the Grateful Dead in '85. Jumped right on that bus (loved every second), but I always hung on to my Metal roots. Over the past three years I have gotten back into metal and wow what a time to jump back in! I definetly like the proggy metal the best and loved Blood Incantation from the get go. Anyway, long story short your channel and your excellent impassioned delivery has helped me navigate my way through what is a giant pool of amazing music. I appreciate you!

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Wow thank you!! 🙏🤘

[@rflair]

Cool some albums to check out, saw Blood Incantation at the end of November, awesome show.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Hell yes!!! Whoooooo! 🤘🤘

[@salgymbro7624]

Not my favorite genre but I gotta support my homie. On the other hand Opeth are amazing and they are on another level, sorry I still think the last will and testament is better then absolute elsewhere. But that's the beauty of it, we can desagree and still be friends. Amazing year for metal!!! Feliz año nuevo hermano!!!

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

No need to apologize. I could've went either way. Masterpieces!!! 🤘🤘

[@micjunior]

Great video, Jon. Blood Incantation and Opeth are my favorites of 2024

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Thank you! 🙏🤘

[@franks.akadjnaudio53]

Saw the cover art thought John Wick was giving us a metal news/recommendation taste! Keep it up bro! 🤘😁🤘

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

😆

[@briankessler3501]

Happy New Year Jon. Great list, my #1 is Anciients but do enjoy Blood Incantation quite a bit.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Happy New Year!! 🙏🤘

[@Guys_Home_Run]

This list made me realise how much I like prog. Love nearly all the releases on this list mate!

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Yes!! 🤘🤘

[@Rose-From-the-Dead]

I can't get enough of Absolute Elsewhere. Colorado represent!

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Neither can I 😁🤘🤘 Also your user name rules.

[@Rose-From-the-Dead]

@heavymetalphilosophy thanks! I'm trans and my full name now is Kayla Rose From the Dead...

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

@@Rose-From-the-Dead Oh, even more fitting. 🤘

[@darkkrenaissance42]

I would put Iotuun ~ Kinship in there somewhere ... How clean , deeply emotional vocals work so well within the maelstrom of progressive black metal I dont know, but i found it incredible ~

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Stay tuned 😉🤘🤘

[@Jsbmetal74]

The new Opeth album is strangely alluring. I’ve never been much of a fan, but this album is just so complex, that I can’t help but be pulled into the richly layered narrative that Opeth lays down.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Incredible right?! 🤘🤘

[@jz3488]

Oceans of Slumber has been my favorite album this year. The album is a huge step up in their evolution and is brimming with potential. While also great in is own right, it promises an all time S tier prog album for the band on the near horizon as they grow roots in this new sound direction. I really think they are 1 album away from a blackwater park level masterpiece.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Incredible for sure! 🤘🤘

[@ezequieltheman2477]

You have a great channel man! Cheers from Argentina!!

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Thank you! 🇦🇷🤘🤘

[@matthewpietruszka1788]

Thanks. Every New Year I go through as many of these lists as I can find and this one seems to have pointed me to some new favorites more than any others.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

My work here is done. 😁🤘🤘

[@BrunaFerreira-gx7jd]

A Best Albums of the year list with prog metal only? I'll gladly take it, sir! Happy New Year, and thank you!

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Thank you! Happy New Year!! 🙏🤘

[@muzz798]

Good to see Chapel of Disease mentioned it nearly made my list - which most releases has a progressive element 1. Borknagar - Fall (epic/progressive black metal) 2. Dark Tranquillity - Endtime Signals (melancholic melodeth) 3. Machiavellian God - Beyond the Void (melancholic/progressive melodeath) 4. Iotunn - Kinship (epic/progressive melodeath) 5. Ministry - Hopiumforthemasses (industrial metal) 6. Sgaile - Traverse the Bealach (progressive/melodic metal/post rock) 7. Belore - Eastern Tales (epic black metal) 8. Rotting Christ - Pro Xristou (melodic gothic metal) 9. Interloper - A Forgotten Loss (progressive/groove death metal) 10. In Vain - Solemn (progressive melodeath) 11. Wormwood - The Star (epic/melodic black metal) 12. Fit For An Autopsy - The Nothing That Is (atmospheric deathcore) 13. Drift Into Black - Voices Beneath The Rubble (progressive/melodic doom metal) 14. My Silent Wake - Lost in Memories, Lost in Grief (melodic/gothic death doom metal) 15. Kozoria - The Source (progressive melodeath/alt metal) 16. Blood Incantation - Absolute Elsewhere (psychedelic/progressive death metal) 17. Evoking Winds - Your Rivers (epic/folk black metal) 18. Nightwish - Yesterwynde (symphonic/progressive metal) 19. Wintersun - Time II (epic/progressive melodeath) 20. Opeth - The Last Will and Testament (progressive/gothic metal) 21. Oceans of Slumber - Where Gods Fear to Speak (symphonic/progressive metal) 22. Wolfheart - Draconian Darkness (symphonic melodeath) 23. Oceans - Happy (“nu death metal”) 24. Sear Bliss - Heavenly Down (melodic/progressive black metal) 25. Jerry Cantrell - I Want Blood (grunge/alt metal) 26. Thy Catafalque - XII (avant-garde/folk black metal) 27. Counting Hours - The Wishing Tomb (melancholic/gothic death doom metal) 28. Mushroomhead - Call The Devil (groove metal) 29. The Moor - Ombra (progressive melodeath) 30. Nykophobia - To The Stars (atmospheric melodeath)

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Now that's a varied list! Nice! 🤘🤘

[@PaulvonderHeyden]

My favourite was probably Iotunn's Kinship. Those vocals really caught me.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Stay tuned 😉🤘

[@BrandonM.N]

Blood Incantation is indeed THE AOTY 🐐🤘🪐🛸👽🛰️

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Yes!! 🤘🤘

[@jessebrennan7130]

You never disappoint, sir. Happy New Year!

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Thank you! Happy New Year! 🙏🤘

[@MetalSteveReacts]

yes! Octoploid made my list too

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

You clearly have a great taste. 😁🤘🤘

[@Leonardo-mc3zm]

really a great list...but i miss Iotunn - Kinship

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Stay tuned 😉🤘

[@fulviomanini6128]

Awesome 🤘🏻 Happy New Year 🍾🥂🎉

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Thank you! Happy new year to you as well! 🙏🤘

[@masonschwalm2010]

I just discovered Entheos recently, and I absolutely fucking love them! Can’t get enough! Surprised they didn’t make the list. “An End To Everything”, and the video for it, was amazing, imho.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Their release this year was an EP, which I don't normally cover. Entheos rules so much I did cover it the week it came out anyway. Last year when they released an LP it was on my best death metal albums of the year episode because it ruled!! 🤘🤘

[@masonschwalm2010]

@ nice! I’m new to the channel, and so I’m glad to hear that you’re a fan, and that they haven’t been overlooked. Looking forward to more content/exploring the back catalog! 🤘 Edit/Ps: also, I totally understand your reasoning there too 👍

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

@@masonschwalm2010 awesome. Thank you and welcome aboard! 🙏🤘

[@SamBrockmann]

That intro was pure gold, and it only got better from there. Lord Dying sounds awesome. I am still digesting Anciients. Oceans of Slumber is great. And Opeth: chef's kiss, man! I need to check out Mur. It's been a good year for Prog Metal (and Metal in general).

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Haha, I'm glad someone got where I was coming from. 😁🤘🤘

[@pbjorklund]

Absolute elsewhere is what at 40+ made heavier metal ”click”. Currently on a deep dive through death doom and found bands like Autopsy and Hooded Menace. But I want more absolute elsewhere - it just hits differently. Tips appreciated!

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

I love this! If you like death Doom also check out Mother of Graves. 🤘

[@edneragnarok]

Hah, the lip curling in disgust is so fucking accurate when you listen to something heavy that moves you

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Yea!!! 🤘🤘

[@emergentform1188]

Hell yes!

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

😁🤘🤘

[@CraigMader]

I never liked prog till this year when it joined forces with extreme metal on a large scale. All these made my list this year. Keep the party going with VILE RITES, INTER ARMA, MALADIE, VEILBURNER, IOTUNN, MALCONFORT, SKAGOS,CONSTRUCT OF LETHE, KRAANBERG and GOBLIN HOVEL...many others...

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Did it join forces or did the extreme guys say, "THIS IS MINE NOW!" 😆🤘🤘

[@CraigMader]

​@@heavymetalphilosophyThe outcome is the same, buddy. Add COSMIC JAGUAR-El Era Del Jaguar (techthrashprog). Happy new beer.

[@CraigMader]

ESTUARINE-Corporeal Furnace, January, week 1 ( tech deth with osdm production and psych/prog garnish. Served with German lager, Kentucky bourbon, and Florida bush. Off we go...

[@daviddevilliers2828]

You are Forget slift-ilion à true masterpiece, cheers from France my prog metal friend

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Cheers!! 🇫🇷🤘🤘

[@wademellor5304]

Good to see Keanu Reeves has a heavy metal channel! 😂😂

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

😆

[@edneragnarok]

Dude, fucking Mur… I found them through this video and holy moly are they fucking awesome. Thanks dude!

[@johnsandberg1945]

Great picks!

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Thank you! 🙏🤘

[@javelinofspam]

Surprised IOTUUN didn't make the cut, their new album is superb.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Superb indeed! Stay tuned. 😁🤘

[@toasttoasted3492]

Let's go !!!

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

😁🤘🤘

[@cyracrath1722]

Lookin like a member of Ackercocke in that thumbnaiL! Slick bro!

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Haha! 🤘

[@LokiTricksterG]

This was the list I was looking forward to the most since I generally prefer prog over other subgenres. Good choices here. One album I really enjoyed that has been overlooked is Hail Spirit Noir's Fossil Gardens, with "The Road to Awe" in particular being the highlight track.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Thank you! 🙏🤘

[@FeroVlkolinsky]

I found it to be their weakest, absolutely nowhere near their previous releases…

[@jessebrennan7130]

I'm working on listening to these albums that I have not heard yet. As I'm listening to Lord Dying, their song 'Dancing on the Emptiness ' has some Arcturus vibes...

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Whoa! 🤯🤘🤘

[@wheelsofmercury]

Blood Incantation’s new album has turned out to be one of the very few times where the hype is justified. I loved Bedsore’s new record as well.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Right?! I almost felt bad for picking it because so many people did, but let's put A LOT of emphasis on almost... I loved it the best. Point Blank. 🤘🤘

[@FalseNi9e]

That record is very average mate

[@wheelsofmercury]

@@FalseNi9e That’s fine. For what it’s worth, I thought it was a little bit lacking in cohesion the first time I heard it, but it really grew on me with subsequent listens.

[@stevendefino7485]

#1 accomplishes one of the most truly difficult things to do in prog, that is to marinate our brains in an idea and know when its time to be taken out and put on the grill. Usually, they wait too long, yet the ONE nit picky critique that I have with #2 is that there are ideas on that album I wish I could sit with for a bit longer. The decision to record the drums so dry, that is 70s worship and genius for this record but I could sit in that space for days. Mikael can't win, his vocals are acceptable again but now we want the longer songs back! Maybe one day he'll finally get it right! /s Getting the balance perfect in composing a full album is something to admire when it happens and it is among the rarest of pleasures. Its the difference between an exceptionally great album and reaching immortality. It absolutely requires magic from origins elsewhere. Question for 2025: since bringing in other instruments is old hat now in Metal with keys, cow bells, and wind instruments, even when its another mouth to feed on tour the violinist is becoming a staple (as long as it can move gear). Is the difference between prog rock and prog metal now "Does it growl"? Or is the line between rock/metal still the humble harmonica? (maybe one of the bands in the misc video coming soon will answer that)

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Well said. While I prefer growls I don't think that's enough. Dream Theater for example. For me I look for a level of heaviness above rock. But this definition is so loose and subjective I can't help but think of the infamous Stewart obscenity decision. "I know it when I see it". 😆

[@AndrewMyron]

Love the channel, love the list and thought long and hard on the quote to use. But figured that this would be appropriate for what seems like your most personal and heartfelt list: “Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is THE BEST" - Frank Zappa

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Thank you! And Frank never missed! 🙏🤘

[@Atlas-fx80]

Seventh Dimension - Of hope & ordeals

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

🤘🤘

[@FuriousMetal1968]

It's almost criminal that Distances - Abtruce was not mentioned by anyone. But for me the most underrated progressive DM album this year is Abscissor - Metanoia. This album is an hour and 15 minute opus 🤘😎🍻 Too many people are talking about the same few albums across the board, sad.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Killer one for sure. I had it as my top album of January over at MD. Just a stacked year. 🤷🤘🤘 metal-digest.com/2024/01/29/staff-picks-album-of-the-month-january-2024/

[@FuriousMetal1968]

@heavymetalphilosophy It made my top 10 this year 🤘

[@jeremysanders8766]

Anciients my favorite out of the list but I’ll try bedsore and mur. Not a fan of the vocals of blood incantation. With that being said, bring on the new Rivers 🤘

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Bring on the new Rivers!!! 🤘🤘

[@jeremysanders8766]

I’ll try some more Blood Incantation to see if it will catch

[@Cheese-hl5bd]

​@@jeremysanders8766Definitely worth multiple listens to try and click with it. An all time favourite for me already

[@davidhoke4843]

that octoploid artwork might as well be a Yes cover (yessongs maybe?). Also add bipolar architecture

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Definitely hearing a lot of Yes influences in this year's crop of prog, but definitely more so in Octoploid. Some Blood Incantation too. 🤘🤘

[@jessebrennan7130]

Listening to Octoploid right now... Holy $h!t

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

My work here is done. 😁🤘🤘

[@pgarza1218]

Happy New Eve and Happy New Year Metal 2025 Aarruugghhhhh All love to you and your family safe and travel prayers to health and wealth for the new year.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Mr Garza, thank you! He's hoping for a great new year for you and yours as well! 🙏🤘🤘

[@pgarza1218]

@heavymetalphilosophy Thank You Nosferatu

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

@@pgarza1218 😆

[@pgarza1218]

Grunge voice Thannnķkk Yyyou!!​@@heavymetalphilosophy

[@tsalagi78]

🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

🤘🤘

[@sheriff7172]

I was hoping you would be wearing that nice suit in the thumbnail

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

😆

[@x8jason8x]

You weren't the only one that had to listen to the Lord Dying album a couple times to really hear it haha.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Worth it though! 😁🤘🤘

[@DashieNegan41]

Top 3 Anciients Opeth Blood Incantation

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Cannot argue with that! 🤘🤘

[@RandarosMusicworld]

Have the one with Oceans Of Slumber not som much of the prog genre but it was a female fronted band. Blood Incantation i have recently heard a little of and much from people choices top list 2024

[@christophernatale7436]

Man………… Lord Dying’s Clandestine Transcendence is QUITE the album!!🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Indeed! 🤘🤘

[@alexisveleta1278]

I feel that blood incantation should be huge at this point but there not such a shame.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

They're getting there, which is amazing because this isn't music for normies. They're undeniable.

[@alexisveleta1278]

@@heavymetalphilosophy i hope so because metal should've had big time stars like shadows fall, arch enemy, lamb of god etc because at this point we can't rely on metallica, slayer, pantera and the rest of the old gaurd forever cause there not in their prime anymore and there old.

[@josh6823]

Any love for the new Four Stroke Baron, though?

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Is that a sex technique?

[@josh6823]

@@heavymetalphilosophyhah! Check out the album Data Diamond. It’s dark, twisted, and groovy. Devin Townsend produced their last album so that gives you some idea.

[@MetalSteveReacts]

don't sleep on Job for a Cowboy... Their new album was very progressive IMO

[@x8jason8x]

It's in the death metal list, but I agree. Tech death can have a lot of prog flavor.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Absolutely! I had them in my best death metal list, but they definitely could've fit here too. 🤘🤘

[@honigdachs.]

The Opeth album is incredible. These guys are leagues above everyone else. I struggle with the "prog metal" label though. That to me says fretboard wankery, time changes for no reason, way too long songs, random sections that have nothing to do with each other etc. The Opeth record is something entirely different - deeply musical on all levels: in terms of writing, musicianship, tones, production, across the board. Think Metal, but played by adults, haha.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

By adults .. Hahaha. Yes. 🤘🤘

[@cd5642]

Keanu Reeves called….

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

😆

[@marcinathor22]

Where is Iotunn? Are you kidding?

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

The next episode after this one 😉

[@FalseNi9e]

Cosmic Putrefaction's record is what Blood Incantations record hoped it could be. I'm not impressed at all with Blood Incantations record. Bedsore was also much better than BI

[@karmenzito8834]

Well presented list but the suspense your were trying for #1 was in vain - I was sure you'll join most and gush over Blood Incantation

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Thank you! 🤘🙏

[@PxNxWxGxW]

Uhhh Blood Incantation is death metal.

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

Yes 😁🤘🤘

[@i_want_my_shuggah]

Why da fuq do you look like a blend between Herman Li and Markiplier?

[@heavymetalphilosophy]

😆😆

[@paulfaulkner2855]

I hate the new Opeth album, it’s a cringy POS.. I love Morningrise-Watershed but hate everything else especially the new one..