As 2024 draws to a close, the festive season is the perfect time for reflection on the last 12 months. Sure, the world often seems as though it’s going to hell in a handbasket every time you turn on the news, but there’s been no shortage of fantastic albums to help get us through these times.
This year saw Taylor Swift’s continued world domination with release of the acclaimed Tortured Poets Department and the record breaking Era’s tour coming to a close. Knocked Loose showed that you don’t need to compromise your sound to become a successful heavy band, while The Cure made their welcome return with not only one of the best albums of 2024, but one of the best of their entire career. Beyonce shook things up with her fantastic country infused record, Cowboy Carter, and Tyler The Creator surprise released his eighth album, Chromakopia.
That doesn’t really scratch the surface of some of the excellent music from the year, and our staff have chosen some of their favourite releases of 2024 below, which we urge you to listen to if you haven’t already.
Syd Franklin (Stock Addition Manager)
State Faults – Children of The Moon
In my view, the best post-hardcore/emo/screamo record in a while, their most diverse so far and AOTY in general. Brilliantly creative with amazing production and a very haunting tone/aesthetic with psychedelic lyrical undertones. Audibly harsh but beautifully rendered. A long listen but worth the investment!
Alarum – Recontinue
The fifth full length from this lesser-known Technical Progressive Metal band from Australia who have been treading the boards since as far back as 1992. They incorporate styles as far reaching as Jazz Fusion to Progressive Death. I love their output for the clever balance of technicality, melody, and brutality and this album is no different. More rooted in the original 90s prog/tech metal sound than modern takes.
Lowen – Do Not Go To War With The Demons Of Mazandaran
Second full length from this unique duo and couple who met in the front row of an Akercocke gig. Their take on mysterious blackened progressive doom interwoven with ancient middle eastern themes is mesmerising, even more expansive the intriguing artwork & aesthetic anticipates. Jaw-dropping arrangements, amazingly well executed with soaring, captivating female vocals (very different but to the same high-quality level as label mates Giant Walker, another favourite of mine this year.
Toby Driver – Raven, I Know That You Can Give Me Anything
Whatever Toby Driver can’t do musically, simply isn’t worth mentioning. An astonishing writer and contributor to experimental and underground music in general. This new album and seventh solo offering from the mastermind behind the renowned Kayo Dot and revered Maudlin of the Well amongst others, is nothing short of enchanting. Producing dream-like soundscapes that transport the listener somewhere inexplicable is Driver’s forte, and yet with songs that remain concise with poignant lyrics, you’re left with a combined sense of mystery & clarity through his somehow other worldly vague yet direct music. Weird but at the same time not weird. If it’s ambiguous to call a person a genius, this is still a genius work of art.
Upon Stone – Dead Mother Moon
Insanely strong record for a debut. Classic melodic Death Metal like At The Gates put through a modern filter is its calling card but this is by no means just a tribute album. These 4 dudes know how to deliver the style better than most can grasp it these days, keeping it heavy, true, and catchy, the anthemic title track being a prime example, a definite highlight of the year. The fact this came out as early as January 2024 and still sits firmly in my top 5 is a sign of the sheer quality on offer. Banging album!
Glen Bushell (Buyer)
Knocked Loose – You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To
The best album in aggressive music to be released in 2024, without question. The Kentucky band have returned with a heavier and more uncompromising sound filled with ferocious low-end riffs, blast beats, colossal breakdowns and larynx-shredding vocals. The stand out moment comes in the form of Suffocate – three minutes of blistering cacophony featuring alt-pop enigma, Poppy, and the first (?) Reggaeton breakdown in hardcore. It’s a cohesive yet diverse take on hardcore – a genre from which they have grabbed the brass ring and taken to previously unthinkable places such as Coachella and an iconic performance on Jimmy Kimmel. It’s Knocked Loose’s world and we’re just living in it.
Touche Amore – Spiral In A Straight Line
While Touche Amore have always had a distinct sound, they still find a way to bring something new to their post-hardcore take on alt-rock. Filled with some of the catchiest hooks they have written, perfect pacing and every nuance tweaked by producer Ross Robinson to bring the best out in them. As ever, it is Jeremy Bolm’s heartfelt, emotive lyrics that cut through the mix and reveal some of his most poetic writing to date. Another triumph in their already stellar catalogue.
Stand Still – Steps Ascending
Hailing from the hallowed ground of Long Island, New York, Stand Still know their history. Channeling the forefathers of LIHC such as Silent Majority, The Movielife, Inside, and Capital, they have written a perfect album that doesn’t try to replicate history, and adds to the legacy of their scene. With coming of age lyrics that touch on everything from Catholic guilt to trying to find where you fit in this world, sang with passion over textbook melodic hardcore. One of the most solid debut albums of 2024.
Trauma Ray – Chameleon
After a few strong EP’s, the debut album from Trauma Ray was highly anticipated and to the surprise of no one, it didn’t disappoint. Filled with towering riffs made up of huge spread chords, washed with reverb and collapsing into shimmering dream pop beauty, it’s an album that engulfs you from start to finish. In the apparent age of ‘grunge gaze’ – a hideous term – where anyone with a Jazzmaster and a fuzz pedal can attempt this style, it takes the talent of a band like Trauma Ray to pull it off so perfectly.
Balance and Composure – With You In Spirit
Eight years after what was slated to be their final album when the band went on hiatus, Balance and Composure made their return with the stunning With You In Spirit. A collection of songs that picks up where Light We Made left off, expanding on the unique sound that was ahead of its time in 2016, with enough of their classic alt-grunge thrown in. It is arguably their most well-rounded collection of songs to date, and a pleasure to have them back once again.
Laura Stoneman (Stock Addition/Sales)
Slowshift – World Going One Way
I first heard End Up by this Norwegian / Icelandic collective via a small clip on Instagram and I was immediately obsessed by the way the strings swept across the song. I was incredibly lucky to be part of a tiny audience of people who witnessed their debut UK performance in London at the very start of the year before this album was released and hearing these songs gave me goosebumps.
Cimafunk – Pa’Tu Cuerpa
Though I cannot speak a word of Spanish, Cuba’s Cimafunk is one of my favourite discoveries of the last 5 years. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand what he is singing, his songs will have you dancing.
Aaron Fraser – Into the Blue
I really love Durand Jones & The Indications (check out ‘Witchoo’) and this album from their drummer / co-vocalist+founder is a smooth slice of soul.
Jean-Paul Cartwright (Stock Addition)
Giant Walker – Silhouettes
The second album from the British heavy progressive rock band from Newcastle. First time I heard it I instantly liked it a lot, reminded me of other bands I liked and instantly bought a signed copy.
Judas Priest – Invincible Shield
Been a fan for a while, and really enjoyed their previous album, Firepower. Really enjoyed this one upon hearing it fully.
Myles Kennedy – The Art of Letting Go
I’m a huge Alter Bridge fan, but Myles’ first two solo albums weren’t really for me. This third solo release is much rockier.
Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy
Unusual for me to like something that isn’t heavy rock or metal, but this debut album reminded me of various other artists I’m a fan of.
Matt Jeffs (Stock Addition)
The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World
Massive return to gloomy form from the Crawley Boys. End song is a total epic.
Jon Anderson – True
Best Yes sounding album for about 30 years. The guy is 80 years old and still nails it.
David Gilmour – Luck & Strange
As with Jon Anderson, age hasn’t affected Dave because this is a great return with some fabulous trademark guitar and a stella vocal performance by his daughter on the brilliant Between Two Points.
Blood Incantation – The Stargate
Finest extreme metal/prog/krautrock/folk/fusion spread over 2 epic 20 minute suites. What’s not to like.
Big Big Train- The Likes Of Us
Was somewhat worried when David Longdon passed that the band would stop but the new vocalist fits in brilliantly and produced one of the finest sounding progressive rock albums for years. Epic in places, dark in others and very emotional at times-especially to these older ears- Genesis 2024.
Richard Wilson (Buyer/Stock Addition)
Beyonce – Cowboy Carter
Sparking a new trend for Black Country music in the States, the album is a multi-layered, fascinating listen & deserves the accolade. The extended streaming version plays out not unlike a Great Western, but with a female narrative leading the way. Exciting stuff.
Geordie Greep – The New Sound
British vocalist & lead guitarist Geordie Greep cut loose from his oddball band Black Midi, allowing him to showcase a newfound freedom for a broader audience. Check out the catchy & absurd Holy Holy, lyrically sending up the modern day toxic-masculinity character, but with a sly nod & wink to jazz-rock greats of the past like Steely Dan.
English Teacher – This Could Be Texas
Winners of this year’s Mercury Prize award. Clever, abstract, very British, reminding me of unique northern groups such as Life Without Buildings or Clinic from twenty years ago, with a fresh spin.
Justice – Hyperdrama
It’s that… ‘je ne sais quoi’… that links the music of Air, Daft Punk, Cassius & other cool French artists that came to prominence when I was growing up in the late 90s. Justice are a group that continue the ‘French Touch’ tradition (each of these acts are or were male duos). Check out the storming rave track Generator!
Marsha Ambrosius – Casablanco
A lush, post-modern record that blends R&B, Hip-Hop, Jazz & Soul. Knowing that British-born Marsha co-wrote the wonderful Butterflies for Michael Jackson back in the day & that this whole album would be written & produced with Dr Dre, I knew this project would stand out. The music weaves its magic through a highly detailed, richly layered backdrop of samples, samples of samples, & interpolations of familiar hooks from the past, connecting the dots through the genres to present a new kind of ‘future soul’ music.
Tim Card (Buyer)
Unknown Artist – One Dollar/Brief Encounter
One Dollar is a top-notch re-edit of the hideously rare 1983 US boogie/disco tune I am going to love him by Sanctuary and the B-side reassembles Vincent Montana’s A Dance Fantasy into something much better than the original.
Arthur Russell – In The Light Of the Miracle – Arthur Russell 12”
Both sides remained inexplicably unreleased in Russell’s all-too-short lifetime, but a chance hearing by Gilles Peterson saw it being scheduled for release by Talkin’ Loud in the early ‘90s (a promo surfaced, but no official release). Fast forward twenty years and Be With do the honors – thirty minutes of transcendental proto-house, disco, garage, whatever-you-wanna-call-it goodness.
Peter Blaker – Donna Not Donna 12”
Twelve minute plus re-edit of Donna Summer that builds and builds – what the kids might describe as ‘fire’.
Supertramp – Cannonball (Instrumental) 12”
I’m ashamed to say I’d never heard this 1986 12” from the British prog/popsters. Who knew they’d created a dubby disco masterpiece in their spare time (not me, that’s for sure).
The Cougars – Saturday Night At The Duck Pond 7”
This one had passed me by too, it’s a cracking Shadows style instrumental rock ‘n’ roller that (sort of) covers Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake – check out those drums!
Louise Cooper (Stock Addition)
Amigo The Devil – Yours Until The War Is Over
Blues flavoured Murder-Folk at its absolute finest. Amigo takes us on a rollercoaster of love, loss, sadness and folklore with a modern twist, all with his signature sense of brutally honest cynicism. From drug fuelled Faustian pacts with the Devil, accidentally committing armed robbery and genuine heart wrenching grief. This album truly delivers it all.
Gnome – Vestiges Of Vermex Visidrome
Teasing us throughout the year with the singles Old Soul, Golden Fool and The Ogre, this was well worth the wait. More than your average “meat and potatoes” stoner metal band, this album flexes from heavy sludge to technical progressive metal with great ease; as well as the odd startling saxophone solo and elements of mariachi music, for some bizarre and wonderful reason.
The Aquabats – Finally
After 30 years of doing what they do, it’s not unreasonable to wonder if it’s time for The Aquabats to grow up like so many of their contemporaries. The answer is – no, absolutely not. And nor should they! Silly and adorable yet wonderfully well crafted. This is still the band of ridiculous ska superheroes that we know and love and this latest album slots into their back catalogue seamlessly.
Mountain Caller – Chronicle II: Hypergenesis
The long awaited second album from the heavy prog 3 piece. Laden with emotive dynamics that guide you through delicate soundscapes and then slam you into a heavy wall of fuzz. A dreamy atmospheric journey and a very welcome follow on from 2020s Chronicle I: The Truth Seeker.
Asfixia Antisocial – Bleeding In The Sun
If Rage Against The Machine had stolen 3rd wave ska band’s brass section and came from Brazil, they would probably sound something like this. Fluid bass grooves with weaving guitar licks and upbeat horns, overlaid with powerful lyrics expertly rapped in both English and their native Portuguese. Musically tight and energetic, perfect for the summer playlist.
Dominic Bevis (Stock Addition)
High On Fire – Cometh The Storm
High On Fire show no evidence of slowing down nine albums and 25 years into their career. For a grammy award winning band to continue delivering releases on par with their previous work, as well as collaborating with more contemporary producers like Kurt Ballou; who’s track record of engineering some of the heaviest albums of the last few years really lends itself to what High On Fire is trying to achieve as of late. As well as expanding their sound with added middle eastern and Turkish influences, bringing a much welcome change of pace in the bands discography. Matt Pike is a national treasure. Not just for helping create Dopesmoker, (one of the best metal albums of all time) but consistently setting the bar for sludge/stoner metal with each release he’s a part of.
Quadeca – Scrapyard
It’s becoming more & more common for former Youtubers to establish themselves as legitimate artists nowadays, springboarding off their previous platforms, backed by what is essentially a cult fanbase off the bat. With each release serving as a testament to his creative ambitions. Quedeca’s discography has become an example of an influencer earning their reputation as a serious artist, through passion and effort. A former FIFA Youtuber making some of the most vulnerable music I’ve heard this year was not on my bingo card. Straddling the lines between experimental, lo-fi, emo and hip-hop, Scrapyard is the first Quedeca release that has stopped me in my tracks and made me reevaluate how I approach music, based on my presumptions about the artist making it.
Mach-Hommy – #RICHAXXHAITIAN
New Jersey’s enigmatic Haitian Shakespear is back keeping as consistent as ever. His most ambitious album yet both lyrically and instrumentally. Lush lo-fi sample chops and dense lyrical subject matter. Rewards the listener with each spin, giving a glimpse into Mach-Hommy’s enigmatic persona through double entendre’s and anecdotal references while also rearing towards a more commercial sound with features from the likes of Kaytranda and 03 Greedo.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor – “NO TITLE AS OF 13 FEBUARY 2024 28,340 DEAD”
What more can you say? The track listing and title paired with swelling crescendos and explosive, droning repetitions. A genuine and heartfelt attempt to convey the reality of the devastation happening in the world now. To present it so boldly and unapologetically is a statement within itself, Godspeed embodies the spirit of Anarchy in music, more-so than any bygone Punk band making political statements on an arena stage.
Mount Eerie – Night Palace
Phil Elverum has returned to form bringing in more noise and experimental elements, a culmination of sounds in his previous work, combined into one concise package. Sombre and naturalistic but at times wild and untamed, drawing influences not just from his Olympia, WA roots but from Ambient, folk, black metal, and so on. Surprisingly, there’s even some trap hi-hats on one song.
Theo New (Stock Addition)
Linkin Park – From Xero
After the incredibly sad death of Chester Bennington in 2017 I thought I would lose this band forever. Rumors began to emerge from the darkness and suddenly here we all are seven years later with a brand new album and brand new singer. Emily Armstrong is the face and voice of the band and has blown many people away. This album was a challenge at first having seen Linkin Park twice with Chester and being such a huge fan, but it’s great that they’re back and it is wonderful to see!
The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
The Cure are back at the top with this release and this shines inner beauty through the darkness and its truly wonderful. Robert Smith’s vocals sounds incredible after all these years and just when you thought another album of filler was on the way we were all gladly proven very wrong about this. A masterpiece that triumphed!
Falling In Reverse – Popular Monster
I came to this album by chance after seeing one of the many action filled videos starring Ronnie Radke as some sort of ‘Superhero’ with lasers exciting his eyes like the comic books of old. This excited me. The videos for the songs are action packed, highly graphic in some cases and with the style that’s being imposed here, Ronnie has become unstoppable. Now selling arenas out across the world this band will be untouchable in a few years and with the rumours surrounding a return of Warped Tour. This band are set to achieve more and more!
Body Count – Merciless
After being a fan of Body Count after hearing 2017’S Bloodlust I have been a huge fan of the outfit and managed to catch them live at download festival in 2018. This album is fantastic. This ushers in an album which initially goes in hard on horrorcore lyrics, before broadening out into social reportage and geo-political comment. Along the way, there are guests galore including Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour!
Mick Mars – The Other Side Of Mars
The stunning solo debut album by former Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars. A stunning hard rocking album that travels deep into the mind of possibly one of the most underrated guitarists of the 1980’s. This album still contains the same riff-heavy style that Mars has established, whilst the sound as a whole appears more Grunge with hard rock elements and of course don’t forget the guitar solos!
Phil Ashdown (Stock Addition)
Judas Priest – Invincible Shield
A real return to form that perfectly captures everything I love about metal. It manages to have a modern, fresh sound while harking back to the band’s classic 80s metal feel.
Nightwish – Yesterwynde
Nightwish deliver their tenth album, an ambitious, epic, grandiose and cinematic album of symphonic metal. Featuring the astounding vocals of Floor Jansen, all conceived, written by keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen.
Myles Kennedy – The Art Of letting Go
Vocalist and guitarist Myles Kennedy’s previous solo albums have disappointed me I approached this one with some trepidation. It is a step up and delivers some excellent songs with a much heavier sound and production.
Saxon – Hell Fire and Damnation
Another classic 80s metal band who have been continuously working hard over the years. Their albums have been patchy at best, however this one delivers on every front. Simple, pacey rock songs about history, conspiracy theories and even pirate radio, sounding fresh and heavy.
Thin Lizzy – Live And Dangerous at Hammersmith 16th November 1976
Not technically a ‘new’ album but released for the first time on vinyl. I remember queueing in the rain back in 1976 for four hours when tickets went on sale so its special for me to have the entire show from that particular night at the Odeon on vinyl.
Sam Johnson (Stock Addition)
Kublai Khan TX – Supreme Ruler
For the 5th album for the Texan chuggers, This one is the best so far! With the ferocious lyrics and beefy breakdowns, Kublai Khan TX hits like a freight train with tracks like Darwinism, “Supreme Ruler” and the much-anticipated sequel to Antpile adding more fire to their ever-growing repertoire!
Thrown – Excessive Guilt
Excessive Guilt is Thrown’s first full-length release, only releasing two track Eps beforehand. Excessive Guilt compiles all of Thrown’s EP’s into one belting listen. With having Buster from Humanity’s Last Breath as their drummer and producer, he brings across the heaviness and pounding bass riffs and turns it into pure unadulterated anger with Thrown. This album proves all that right from the first track!
Disembodied Tyrant/Synestia – Poetic Edda EP
The Poetic Edda is a 20 minute split EP that will absolutely melt your face off. Instead of both bands “splitting” the songs, they collaborate together in making all 4 songs and the result is astounding. Taking a massive amount of influence from Melodeath and Black metal, whilst taking the Symphonic deathcore made popular from bands like Lorna shore. The angry classical synths sound like something from a horror movie made in the 70s. Featuring bellowing shrieks and growls and blast beats. Though the deathcore genre is convoluted with many bands trying the “Synth” approach, this EP manages to shine and stand out from the rest.
To The Grave – Everyone’s a Murderer
To The Grave have increased their efforts on Everyone’s A Murderer by eradicating the lines in the sand of deathcore and stamping their own name on it, claiming to being the heaviest and possibly the best Aussie band to have released anything in the past five years. After unleashing their unrelenting first album back in 2019 by the name of Global Warning, they have been unstoppable since. Now on their fourth album, they have more venom than ever as Dane Evans’ visceral vocals cut deep from start to finish. Where most deathcore bands focus their lyrics on anything from violence to self-preservation, To The Grave are different. Everyone’s a Murderer more than proves this.
Xonor – All Honor Lost
Swiss band Xonor’s album All Honor Lost aims to set a new standard in the Thrash Metal scene, mixing raw attitude with a touch of humour. The album’s lead singles, Murder the Government and All Hail the Genocide, are some of the main stand out tracks on the album. Xonor takes the modern thrash sound and dive deeper adding influences from deathcore, metalcore and even some black metal influences, all combining to make a mix for a ferocious, high-octane and speedy Thrash Metal headbanging group of anthems! It seems Xonor have hit the ground running and will carry the torch for Thrash for many years to come.
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