Blog author: Alex Stojanovic Can you believe we're already out of 2024 and into 2025? What is going on? Somebody give Father Time a smack in the head by telling him to "SLOW THE FUCK DOWN!" Now, before we get into this year, you might be asking why did we not do anything for 2023? Well, to be honest, we felt that 2023 was a bit of a slow year in terms of good releases in our eyes. Not just me, but most of us felt that way. |
I personally could only pick less than 10 albums that stood out to me from that year, like Metallica's 72 Seasons, Overkill's Scorched, The Raven Age's Blood Omen, Eclipse's Megalomanium, Evile's The Unknown, Cannibal Corpse's Chaos Horrific and Dieth's To Hell & Back, but that's about it, honestly. Normally, if I can pick 10 or more releases that stuck out, then it's worthy to make a list.
However, while we're here, let's reflect on a few standout events from 2023 that we missed. Some key moments include Marty Friedman performing with Megadeth in Japan and at Wacken Open Air for the first time in 23 years, the tornado that affected the Morbid Angel concert in Illinois, Dream Theater announced the return of Mike Portnoy after 13 years, Slipknot parted ways with Jay Weinberg and brought in Eloy Casagrande, and Kiss concluded their career after 50 years with two nights at Madison Square Garden.
Now, while we're still on the subject of 2023, let's take a moment to pay tribute to all the great musical and non-musical talents we lost last year, with the notable losses being Gordon Lightfoot, Tina Turner, Lisa Marie Presley, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Buffet, Tony Bennett, Sinead O' Connor, Sebastian Marino, Jim Durkin, David Crosby, Josua Madsen, Wayne Swinny, Andy Rourke, Wayne Shorter, Kirk Arrington, Bernie Marsden, Robbie Robertson, Steve Riley and Charlie Dominici just to name a few, while some of the non-musical losses of 2023 include Matthew Perry, Sir Michael Gambon, Bob Barker and Jerry Springer. R.I.P. to all the talents we lost in 2023.
Coming back to the present moment in 2024, as far as some of the big music stories of 2024 go, some standout moments (both good and bad) include the reformation of Slayer for some festival appearances, which is more respectable for a reunion rather than becoming a touring entity again. There was also Sepultura announcing their farewell tour, Gojira's historic performance at the summer Olympics, Linkin Park coming back from inactivity with a new album, singer and tour, the Jane's Addiction on-stage meltdown, which caused the band to end their tour abruptly and enter an indefinite hiatus, the drama with As I Lay Dying surrounding the whole band leaving and making it quite obvious that the problem was Tim Lambesis (no surprise), the Three Days Grace reunion with Adam Gontier, while Matt Walst remains in place, making the band a quintet, and of course Nicko McBrain retiring from touring with Iron Maiden after 42 years.
Let's now take a moment to pay tribute to those talents that we lost this year. 2024 saw the unfortunate losses of James Kottak, Jerry Abbott (Dimebag and Vinnie's dad), C.J Snare, Robin George, Jon Wysocki, Peter Collins, Toby Keith, Jack Russell, Paul Di'Anno, Dave Allison, Bob Bryar, Liam Payne, Quincy Jones and Zakir Hussain, just to name a few. Some of the non-musical talents that we lost this year include Bernard Hill, Carl Weathers, Richard Simmons, Morgan Spurlock, Shannen Doherty, Dame Maggie Smith and James Earl Jones just to name a few. R.I.P. to all the great talents we lost in 2024.
Anyways, here is my first top 10 list since 2022. Once again, these are just MY personal picks, so no need to get all huffy if you don't see your favourite album on here. I hope you enjoy going over my 10 picks of 2024!
However, while we're here, let's reflect on a few standout events from 2023 that we missed. Some key moments include Marty Friedman performing with Megadeth in Japan and at Wacken Open Air for the first time in 23 years, the tornado that affected the Morbid Angel concert in Illinois, Dream Theater announced the return of Mike Portnoy after 13 years, Slipknot parted ways with Jay Weinberg and brought in Eloy Casagrande, and Kiss concluded their career after 50 years with two nights at Madison Square Garden.
Now, while we're still on the subject of 2023, let's take a moment to pay tribute to all the great musical and non-musical talents we lost last year, with the notable losses being Gordon Lightfoot, Tina Turner, Lisa Marie Presley, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Buffet, Tony Bennett, Sinead O' Connor, Sebastian Marino, Jim Durkin, David Crosby, Josua Madsen, Wayne Swinny, Andy Rourke, Wayne Shorter, Kirk Arrington, Bernie Marsden, Robbie Robertson, Steve Riley and Charlie Dominici just to name a few, while some of the non-musical losses of 2023 include Matthew Perry, Sir Michael Gambon, Bob Barker and Jerry Springer. R.I.P. to all the talents we lost in 2023.
Coming back to the present moment in 2024, as far as some of the big music stories of 2024 go, some standout moments (both good and bad) include the reformation of Slayer for some festival appearances, which is more respectable for a reunion rather than becoming a touring entity again. There was also Sepultura announcing their farewell tour, Gojira's historic performance at the summer Olympics, Linkin Park coming back from inactivity with a new album, singer and tour, the Jane's Addiction on-stage meltdown, which caused the band to end their tour abruptly and enter an indefinite hiatus, the drama with As I Lay Dying surrounding the whole band leaving and making it quite obvious that the problem was Tim Lambesis (no surprise), the Three Days Grace reunion with Adam Gontier, while Matt Walst remains in place, making the band a quintet, and of course Nicko McBrain retiring from touring with Iron Maiden after 42 years.
Let's now take a moment to pay tribute to those talents that we lost this year. 2024 saw the unfortunate losses of James Kottak, Jerry Abbott (Dimebag and Vinnie's dad), C.J Snare, Robin George, Jon Wysocki, Peter Collins, Toby Keith, Jack Russell, Paul Di'Anno, Dave Allison, Bob Bryar, Liam Payne, Quincy Jones and Zakir Hussain, just to name a few. Some of the non-musical talents that we lost this year include Bernard Hill, Carl Weathers, Richard Simmons, Morgan Spurlock, Shannen Doherty, Dame Maggie Smith and James Earl Jones just to name a few. R.I.P. to all the great talents we lost in 2024.
Anyways, here is my first top 10 list since 2022. Once again, these are just MY personal picks, so no need to get all huffy if you don't see your favourite album on here. I hope you enjoy going over my 10 picks of 2024!

10. BODY COUNT - Merciless
The last decade saw Body Count releasing some of the strongest material of their career. The last two albums: Carnivore and Bloodlust were some of the band's most well-received ever, and their long-awaited new effort Merciless continues in the same vein of those two albums. Despite how you might feel about Ice-T's straightforward potty-mouth lyrics, you can't help but feel and resonate with the anger emanating through him, especially if you share the same feelings as he does with the topics he tackles. I mean, song titles like "Drug Lords", "Lying Motherfucka" and "Fuck What You Heard" are pretty self-explanatory. The band have also got another A-list round of special guests like Corpsegrinder, Joe Bad, Howard Jones and Max Cavalera. The move to also cover "Comfortably Numb" and give it that Body Count twist was also a big one. Now, I don't normally listen to rap metal, but Body Count is one of those types of bands that will always have my attention.
The last decade saw Body Count releasing some of the strongest material of their career. The last two albums: Carnivore and Bloodlust were some of the band's most well-received ever, and their long-awaited new effort Merciless continues in the same vein of those two albums. Despite how you might feel about Ice-T's straightforward potty-mouth lyrics, you can't help but feel and resonate with the anger emanating through him, especially if you share the same feelings as he does with the topics he tackles. I mean, song titles like "Drug Lords", "Lying Motherfucka" and "Fuck What You Heard" are pretty self-explanatory. The band have also got another A-list round of special guests like Corpsegrinder, Joe Bad, Howard Jones and Max Cavalera. The move to also cover "Comfortably Numb" and give it that Body Count twist was also a big one. Now, I don't normally listen to rap metal, but Body Count is one of those types of bands that will always have my attention.

09. JERRY CANTRELL - I Want Blood
While we patiently wait for another Alice In Chains album, Jerry Cantrell relaunched his solo career in the last couple of years with two back-to-back solo releases: Brighten in 2021, and his latest effort I Want Blood, which are the closest things we'll get to new AIC music until that day comes. While still containing the many elements that has made the AIC sound so recognizable, including the haunting and mesmerizing vocal harmonies, slow-paced chunky and doomy riffs, this is definitely a darker album and even heavier in some areas. There are definitely some songs that feel like rejected AIC cuts from the DuVall era, but then again, that's Jerry's style, and that's not a bad thing. Unlike Kerry King's solo album, Jerry combines familiarity with some elements you wouldn't expect to hear in AIC. Take notes Kerry, this is how you properly make a solo effort while still staying mainly in your comfort zone, as opposed to making another continuation of your main band.
While we patiently wait for another Alice In Chains album, Jerry Cantrell relaunched his solo career in the last couple of years with two back-to-back solo releases: Brighten in 2021, and his latest effort I Want Blood, which are the closest things we'll get to new AIC music until that day comes. While still containing the many elements that has made the AIC sound so recognizable, including the haunting and mesmerizing vocal harmonies, slow-paced chunky and doomy riffs, this is definitely a darker album and even heavier in some areas. There are definitely some songs that feel like rejected AIC cuts from the DuVall era, but then again, that's Jerry's style, and that's not a bad thing. Unlike Kerry King's solo album, Jerry combines familiarity with some elements you wouldn't expect to hear in AIC. Take notes Kerry, this is how you properly make a solo effort while still staying mainly in your comfort zone, as opposed to making another continuation of your main band.

08. POWERWOLF - Wake Up The Wicked
HAAA-LEEE-LUUUUU-JAAAAHHH! The German wolves, aka: Powerwolf, returned in 2024 with their ninth studio album Wake Up The Wicked. Having established their signature sound all the way back since Return In Bloodred, their sound continues to resonate with fans across the globe who enjoy their epic style of mythological storytelling. The priests of the holy heavy metal mass continue to serve up salvos of captivating hooks and mesmerizing sing-alongs that will swallow up any festival or stadium crowd, as confirmed with songs like 'Bless 'Em With The Blade", "1589", "Thunderpriest", "Wake Up The Wicked" and "Sinners Of The Seven Seas". If you're a Powerwolf fan, you obviously can't expect any surprises, but if you're new to Powerwolf, and this is your introduction to them, you are in for a ride!
HAAA-LEEE-LUUUUU-JAAAAHHH! The German wolves, aka: Powerwolf, returned in 2024 with their ninth studio album Wake Up The Wicked. Having established their signature sound all the way back since Return In Bloodred, their sound continues to resonate with fans across the globe who enjoy their epic style of mythological storytelling. The priests of the holy heavy metal mass continue to serve up salvos of captivating hooks and mesmerizing sing-alongs that will swallow up any festival or stadium crowd, as confirmed with songs like 'Bless 'Em With The Blade", "1589", "Thunderpriest", "Wake Up The Wicked" and "Sinners Of The Seven Seas". If you're a Powerwolf fan, you obviously can't expect any surprises, but if you're new to Powerwolf, and this is your introduction to them, you are in for a ride!

07. LIONVILLE - Supernatural
It was during the Covid times that I randomly stumbled upon Lionville with their latest release at the time: Magic Is Alive, and I was instantly hooked with what I heard. You could feel that glimmer of hope emenating from their pop-infused arena rock sound that was necessary for the rather depressing period we were living in at the time. Since their last album So Close To Heaven, they had a vocalist change with Lars Safsund stepping down and handing the microphone over to Alexander Strandell of Art Nation. At first, I wasn't sure how it would sound with a new vocalist because I'm a huge fan of Lars' voice, but from the first listen of their new album Supernatural, I had nothing to worry about. Guitarist and main songwriter Stefano Lionetti certainly knows how to craft captivating songs all while picking outstanding musicians to help bring his vision to life. The album contains very strong Journey vibes, and it contains the songs Neal Schon wishes he wrote for the Freedom album.
It was during the Covid times that I randomly stumbled upon Lionville with their latest release at the time: Magic Is Alive, and I was instantly hooked with what I heard. You could feel that glimmer of hope emenating from their pop-infused arena rock sound that was necessary for the rather depressing period we were living in at the time. Since their last album So Close To Heaven, they had a vocalist change with Lars Safsund stepping down and handing the microphone over to Alexander Strandell of Art Nation. At first, I wasn't sure how it would sound with a new vocalist because I'm a huge fan of Lars' voice, but from the first listen of their new album Supernatural, I had nothing to worry about. Guitarist and main songwriter Stefano Lionetti certainly knows how to craft captivating songs all while picking outstanding musicians to help bring his vision to life. The album contains very strong Journey vibes, and it contains the songs Neal Schon wishes he wrote for the Freedom album.

06. SUM 41 - Heaven x Hell
When you're on your last hurrah, you go big or go home, right? That being said, Sum 41 announced in 2024 that they're saying goodbye after 27 years together (I'm not convinced because we all know the story about farewells). It might be their final "tour", but I highly doubt it's the end of the band itself. I'm sure they will do one-offs down the road, but we'll see what happens. Anyway, their latest and final album Heaven x Hell is a double album with 20 songs split into two, with the first disc (Heaven) being a return to their earlier pop-punk roots, and the second disc (Hell) continuing with the more metallic direction that has become more prominent in their sound over the last 20 years. It feels like the perfect amalgamation of All Killer No Filler, Does This Look Infected, Chuck and Order In Decline. These guys were huge for me when I was in middle school in the mid-2000s, and I'm still as much of a fan as I was then, and always will be. Thank you guys!
When you're on your last hurrah, you go big or go home, right? That being said, Sum 41 announced in 2024 that they're saying goodbye after 27 years together (I'm not convinced because we all know the story about farewells). It might be their final "tour", but I highly doubt it's the end of the band itself. I'm sure they will do one-offs down the road, but we'll see what happens. Anyway, their latest and final album Heaven x Hell is a double album with 20 songs split into two, with the first disc (Heaven) being a return to their earlier pop-punk roots, and the second disc (Hell) continuing with the more metallic direction that has become more prominent in their sound over the last 20 years. It feels like the perfect amalgamation of All Killer No Filler, Does This Look Infected, Chuck and Order In Decline. These guys were huge for me when I was in middle school in the mid-2000s, and I'm still as much of a fan as I was then, and always will be. Thank you guys!

05. SAXON - Hell, Fire & Damnation
How appropriate is it that in '24, we get the 24th album by Saxon? Hell, Fire & Damnation sees a band 45 years into their career still at the top of their game, playing with energy and passion like they're in their 20s. Although the biggest change with this album is that it's the first one not to feature original guitarist Paul Quinn, having been replaced by the legendary Brian Tatler of Diamond Head, this is still very much a full-on Saxon album packed with the punch of the heavy metal thunder that the band have defined themselves with for 4.5 decades, and to hear that thunder still rumbling on after this many years shows that there's a magic to Saxon that just cannot be diminished. When you hear tracks like the title track, "Madame Guillotine", "Fire & Steel", "Pirates Of The Airwaves", "There's Something In Roswell" and "Super Charger", and the ageless vocals of Biff Byford, you would not believe that this is an album coming from a bunch of guys in their 60s and 70s.
How appropriate is it that in '24, we get the 24th album by Saxon? Hell, Fire & Damnation sees a band 45 years into their career still at the top of their game, playing with energy and passion like they're in their 20s. Although the biggest change with this album is that it's the first one not to feature original guitarist Paul Quinn, having been replaced by the legendary Brian Tatler of Diamond Head, this is still very much a full-on Saxon album packed with the punch of the heavy metal thunder that the band have defined themselves with for 4.5 decades, and to hear that thunder still rumbling on after this many years shows that there's a magic to Saxon that just cannot be diminished. When you hear tracks like the title track, "Madame Guillotine", "Fire & Steel", "Pirates Of The Airwaves", "There's Something In Roswell" and "Super Charger", and the ageless vocals of Biff Byford, you would not believe that this is an album coming from a bunch of guys in their 60s and 70s.

04. SUICIDAL ANGELS - Profane Prayer
I took a break from Suicidal Angels with their last two albums: Division Of Blood and Years Of Aggression because I felt that their music was starting to get stale. However, their brand new release Profane Prayer has managed to reignite my interest. The addition of new elements like clean vocals and more slower and brooding riffs and melodies in addition to all the traditional thrash elements that Suicidal Angels have fiddled with since the beginning of their career, makes Profane Prayer a standout in the band's discography. Production-wise, it's their sharpest and beefiest sounding album to date, and that also played a role in bringing back my interest. With songs like "When The Lions Die", "Deathstalker", "Profane Prayer", "Return Of The Reaper", "Virtues Of Destruction" and "The Fire Paths Of Fate", you can hear the maturity in their writing, as well as the familiarity of the past all combined into one.
I took a break from Suicidal Angels with their last two albums: Division Of Blood and Years Of Aggression because I felt that their music was starting to get stale. However, their brand new release Profane Prayer has managed to reignite my interest. The addition of new elements like clean vocals and more slower and brooding riffs and melodies in addition to all the traditional thrash elements that Suicidal Angels have fiddled with since the beginning of their career, makes Profane Prayer a standout in the band's discography. Production-wise, it's their sharpest and beefiest sounding album to date, and that also played a role in bringing back my interest. With songs like "When The Lions Die", "Deathstalker", "Profane Prayer", "Return Of The Reaper", "Virtues Of Destruction" and "The Fire Paths Of Fate", you can hear the maturity in their writing, as well as the familiarity of the past all combined into one.

03. KILL THE LIGHTS - Death Melodies
Five years after they first dropped on the scene, and releasing their debut album The Sinner during the Covid times, Kill The Lights have since made a pretty big addition to the band, when they welcomed Jason "Jay" James on bass into the band in 2021. With the band now having original rhythm section of Bullet For My Valentine, they seem more stable now than they've ever been. This resulted in their first-ever shows and tours, as well as the release of their sophomore album Death Melodies, which picks up where The Sinner left off. There's nothing drastically different between the two albums. It's just another strong collection of songs by a band that knows its strengths. Tracks like "Hear You Scream", "Bleeding", "Scapegoat", "Ghost Of Yesterday" and "Suicidal" are just some of the absolute gems packed into this second serving of goodness from the British/American titans.
Five years after they first dropped on the scene, and releasing their debut album The Sinner during the Covid times, Kill The Lights have since made a pretty big addition to the band, when they welcomed Jason "Jay" James on bass into the band in 2021. With the band now having original rhythm section of Bullet For My Valentine, they seem more stable now than they've ever been. This resulted in their first-ever shows and tours, as well as the release of their sophomore album Death Melodies, which picks up where The Sinner left off. There's nothing drastically different between the two albums. It's just another strong collection of songs by a band that knows its strengths. Tracks like "Hear You Scream", "Bleeding", "Scapegoat", "Ghost Of Yesterday" and "Suicidal" are just some of the absolute gems packed into this second serving of goodness from the British/American titans.

02. ECLIPSE - Megalomanium II
Albums with two volumes are not uncommon, but they seem somewhat of an uncommonality these days. There's very few of those out there, but the most famous examples are Metallica with Load and Reload, and Guns N' Roses with the Use Your Illusion albums. Now, Eclipse have joined those ranks with two volumes of their latest album Megalomanium. The first edition came out last year, and the second one came out this year. While I felt that the first volume was more of a slow burner for me, the second volume was a smasher right out of the gate with songs like "The Spark", "Falling To My Knees", "All I Want", "Still My Hero", "Until The War Is Over" and probably the best song on the whole album "One In A Million". This has been one of the main albums that has been on repeat for me since its release. I will say that it actually came really really close to taking the top spot in my list this year.
Albums with two volumes are not uncommon, but they seem somewhat of an uncommonality these days. There's very few of those out there, but the most famous examples are Metallica with Load and Reload, and Guns N' Roses with the Use Your Illusion albums. Now, Eclipse have joined those ranks with two volumes of their latest album Megalomanium. The first edition came out last year, and the second one came out this year. While I felt that the first volume was more of a slow burner for me, the second volume was a smasher right out of the gate with songs like "The Spark", "Falling To My Knees", "All I Want", "Still My Hero", "Until The War Is Over" and probably the best song on the whole album "One In A Million". This has been one of the main albums that has been on repeat for me since its release. I will say that it actually came really really close to taking the top spot in my list this year.

01. JUDAS PRIEST - Invincible Shield
I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that Judas Priest's new album Invincible Shield is easily one of the best releases of this year, and I could also say that for me, when the album first came out, I didn't think there was any doubt that it was going to take the top spot on my list this year, much like Firepower did in 2018. Celebrating an entire half-century this year since Rocka Rolla came out. the metal gods are showing no signs of slowing down. It's been said many times and Richie Faulkner played a significant role in injecting new life into the band when he joined in 2011. While Redeemer Of Souls featured great songwriting and playing, the muddy production killed much of the vibe. Firepower had the production quality Redeemer should've had, and that continued on Invincible Shield. Featuring some more progressive vibes compared to its predecessors, you can pretty much say it's one of their more technically challenging efforts while still maintaining tons of musicality and hooks. Seriously, Iron Maiden could've taken some lessons from Priest on their last few albums.
I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that Judas Priest's new album Invincible Shield is easily one of the best releases of this year, and I could also say that for me, when the album first came out, I didn't think there was any doubt that it was going to take the top spot on my list this year, much like Firepower did in 2018. Celebrating an entire half-century this year since Rocka Rolla came out. the metal gods are showing no signs of slowing down. It's been said many times and Richie Faulkner played a significant role in injecting new life into the band when he joined in 2011. While Redeemer Of Souls featured great songwriting and playing, the muddy production killed much of the vibe. Firepower had the production quality Redeemer should've had, and that continued on Invincible Shield. Featuring some more progressive vibes compared to its predecessors, you can pretty much say it's one of their more technically challenging efforts while still maintaining tons of musicality and hooks. Seriously, Iron Maiden could've taken some lessons from Priest on their last few albums.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS (No Order)
DEICIDE Banished By Sin | CATEGORY 7 Category 7 | KITTIE Fire |