Being behind in my album search last year, coupled with illness/life struggles, and the ever increasing number of amateur musicians putting out albums inevitably lead to this list being delayed even further than my 2023 list. But its still important to me so I will keep moving forward.
1. "Grimoire II: Magick" Wytches Moon (Progressive/Stoner/Doom Metal)
Unique sounding album, with mid-range vocals sort of reminiscent to Elvis Presley, and high-pitched synthesizer that sounds like a mix between a pipe organ and a glass armonica. Each song is unique and stands out on its own. But in particular “Kiss the Stars on Down” and “My Blackest Art” were the ones I found myself coming back to the most.
2. "Anomalous Abstractigate Infinitessimus" Gigan (Progressive/Technical Death Metal)
Was a contender for my number one pick. Very solid album overall, and on brand with Gigan’s signature sound. What kept it from being my number one, was that the album kind of blurred together, and the distorted vocals were a bit overdone.
3. "Back in the Hole" Toadliquor (Sludge Metal)
This was a pleasant surprise. I never expected Toadliquor to release another album. They are my favorite sludge metal band. I haven’t heard another band in the genre that can capture the raw unhinged energy that they have.
4. "Dreamers" Haunt (Heavy Metal)
Trevor William Church is still managing to crank out new albums at a surprising rate and the quality has not declined.
5. "World Fighter" Angel Sword (Heavy Metal)
Vigilantes, Against All Odds, and Afterburn were all outstanding tracks and I wanted to place this album higher on my list because of them. But the rest of the album while still solid , isn’t quite as good. Then “Church of Rock” was a dud and dragged the album down, swap it for a better track and this album probably would have been number 2 or 3 on my list.
6. "Only the Stars Are Left" War Dogs (Speed/Power Metal)
7. "Hymns for the Lesser Gods" Fathomless Ritual (Technical Death Metal)
The best Demilich clone I have heard. I was impressed to see it was a one man band.
8. "Alien Queen" Void Commander (Stoner Metal/Blues)
It has that proto doom blues sound like “The Wizard” Black Sabbath. It’s a style I don’t hear to often or done this well.
9. "High Hopes & Low Tunes" Dying Men (Doom Metal)
10. "Bloodstained" 𝖔𝖉𝖆 (Stoner/Doom Metal)
11. "Let There Be Dark" Tower (Heavy Metal)
Solid album but still dependent on Sarabeth Linden who is carrying the band.
12. "Failure in Repetition" Clarion Void (Sludge Metal)
13. "VII: Beast of Arpocalyx" Botanist (Post Black Metal)
The first Botanist album I enjoyed since “IV: Mandragora”.I was hoping this was a return to the earlier sound. But the notes say this was an earlier unreleased recording, so that’s disappointing.
14. "Exclamation Po!nt" Armagh (Blackened Heavy Metal)
15. "Rat City" Rät King (Heavy/Speed Metal)
Goofy sounding speed metal, a good album but a bit front loaded.
16. "Dark Sky Sanctuary" Freeways (Heavy Metal/Hard Rock)
This one leaned a bit more toward heavy metal than the previous album and I enjoyed it more overall.
17. "Undead Poets Society" Druid Stone (Stoner/Doom Metal)
Druid Stone is very hit or miss for me. This one had a few tracks that I liked. By far the best was “Little Wing (Neil Young cover)”.
18. Split "The Long Forever" Lowrider / Elephant Tree (Stoner Metal)
I enjoyed Lowrider’s side of the split. Didn’t care for Elephant Tree’s material.
19. "Planet of the Vampires" Spellgrinder (Glam Rock/Heavy Metal)
“Planet of the Vampires” and “Dr. Blackburn” were both great but the rest of the album was forgettable.
*Note: The rest of the list is all one hit wonders.
20. "Skykult" Scum Giant (Stoner Metal)
Made the list because of “Skykult”.
21. "Eliä§e" Ehtëk (Atmospheric/Post-Black Metal)
Made the list because of "detnä drá eliä§e".
22. "Volume II" Sons of Arrakis (Stoner Metal)
Made the list because of "Scattering".
23. "Night Stealer" Savaged (Heavy/Speed Metal)
Made the list because of "I Will Fight".
24. "Acid Visions" Blucifer (Stoner Metal)
Made the list because of "Another Calling".
25. "Lust metal (demo EP)" Druid Stone (Stoner/Doom Metal)
Made the list because of "death's romantik date".
26. "Sindets mørke" Gennem Tågen (Black Metal)
Made the list because of "I skovens dyb".
