Elyna Kahn
Time flies! 2024 is almost over, and what a year it has been for Metal music. It’s been intense, with countless excellent releases—both from iconic bands and hidden treasures in the underground scene. Yet, I won’t lie. I don’t consume an overwhelming number of albums every year. I prefer to discover them on my own terms, without any pressure. I believe music is best enjoyed when you choose to dive into an album at the right moment, when you’re truly in the mood for it.
That said, I’m bringing you my personal top picks—no cap. The albums on this list have earned a special place in my heart—and in my obsessive, on-repeat listening habits that defy human understanding. Let me clarify: there’s no ranking here. Each of these masterpieces hits differently, yet all of them pack an equally intense punch and deserve your full attention. Let’s get into it!
Metal de Facto – Land Of The Rising Sun, Part I
The Land of the Rising Sun Part I, the captivating second album by the great Metal De Facto, not only celebrates Japanese culture but also solidifies the band as masters of duality, where tragedy intertwines with joy in a powerful and cohesive fusion of lyrical narrative and music. Its eight tracks, brimming with nuances, textures, and a balance of both easygoing and intricate storytelling, make this album an essential journey for every Power Metal enthusiast.
Vocally, the challenge of stepping in for the iconic Mikael Salo was masterfully met by Aitor Arrastia, whose flamenco-Roma vocal style adds a refreshing and unique identity to the ensemble. With such a strong foundation, it’s safe to expect that the second part of this story will be an equally magical and powerful experience.
Lost in Grey – Odyssey into the Grey
Theatrical Metal steps into the spotlight in our review, led by its true pioneers: Lost in Gray and its fourth studio album Odyssey into the Grey. This wonderful album is made up of eight songs. Although the term “songs” is not enough when it comes to describing them. Rather, they are eight moving experiences, eight journeys into the soul, inviting us to look ourselves in the eyes and contemplate what we live in this adventure called Life. Hand in hand with intelligent, precise melodies and orchestrations, moving vocal performances and a spellbinding visual concept, these endearing guys bless us with a piece of their souls in each track, all incredibly powerful, emotional and deep.
Winter Storm marks the long-awaited return of Finnish maestros Ensiferum, icons of Folk, Melodic, Viking, and Symphonic Death Metal. This captivating release delivers a more epic and dramatic Folk sound while showcasing fresh innovations in vocals and melody.
At the same time, its echoes of Turisas’ Battle Metal have turned this album into one of my favorite musical rides this year. With Winter Storm, Ensiferum presents evolved music rich in depth and layers, yet comfortably familiar—delighting lifelong fans while drawing in new listeners, among whom I now proudly count myself.
Galneryus – The Stars Will Light The Way
It turns out that just this year I decided to pay closer attention to Galneryus, thanks to the recommendation of a dear friend of mine. And guess what? He absolutely nailed it! Galneryus quickly became one of my favorite bands as soon as I finished listening to Ultimate Sacrifice, followed by Resurrection, Under The Force Of Courage, and the magnificent Into The Purgatory.
To my good fortune, the Japanese maestros released their new album this year, The Lights Will Light The Way, under none other than Warner Music Japan. With this release, Galneryus reaffirms its position as the most important Power Metal band in the Land of the Rising Sun, setting a high standard for other Japanese acts in the genre.
Adamantra – Act III; Pareidolia Of Depravity
Adamantra is yet another great surprise that 2024 has left us. Its third album, Act III; Pareidolia Of Depravity, convincingly demonstrates that Progressive Power Metal is far more than just Symphony X or Dream Theater. It’s not solely about complex music and virtuosity but also about delivering profound narrative and lyrical depth.
In Act III…, Adamantra masterfully confronts us with the reality that we can be victims of different pareidolias—a psychological phenomenon where our perceptual bias leads us to recognize familiar images in vague or random stimuli. In other words, what we perceive as reality is often a distortion of it. Throughout this ambitious work, Adamantra explores pareidolias as fertile ground for war, religious tyranny, and the illusion of freedom, all framed by impressive Progressive Metal compositions. The result is a challenging and thought-provoking journey into the depths of the human mind.
Fellowship – The Skies Above Eternity
The Skies Above Eternity is the second offering from the beloved Fellowship, delivering a heartfelt mix of nostalgic and melancholic Power Metal with exquisite influences from bands like Galneryus, alongside hints of AOR and classic Heavy Metal. The album beautifully reflects the band’s core themes of hope, friendship, and resilience through charming melodies, uplifting choruses, and captivating theatrical vocals.
With standout tracks like Hold Up Your Hearts and Eternity, Fellowship proudly showcases its signature sound—one so admired within the genre—brimming with candid, pure energy and an overwhelming sense of love and camaraderie. It’s a work that transcends all differences and stands as a testament to the power of unity and music.
Solstice Rider – The Renewal Of Broken Blades
Solstice Rider, a Metal band from Maryland, United States, unveiled its EP The Renewal of Broken Blades this year—a hidden gem of Melodic Death Metal that transcends its natural boundaries. Lyrically, this release pays a heartfelt tribute to Alexi Laiho in the first track The Wildchild Rides On while also delving into themes like the fight against darkness, soul redemption, and hope in the face of adversity, all wrapped in a glorious blanket of melody and pure Metal.
What makes this EP truly majestic is its seamless fusion of genres: Power Metal, Doom, Thrash, Death, Progressive, and even Heavy Metal, all bound together by an unwavering melodic backbone. This is further enhanced by the vocal work, which beautifully combines guttural growls with clean singing. Adding to the emotional depth is the angelic voice of Singer X, whose performance creates a breathtaking and poignant atmosphere. By the way, no—her name isn’t actually Singer X. I chose that myself since she didn’t want any personal mentions for this work.
After Infinity– After Infinity
The debut album by After Infinity, a Finnish project led by Zsolt Szilagyi, is a moving masterpiece that has been teased since 2023 with two standout singles: A Game of Chess, performed by Mikael Salo, and Without You, delivered with a powerful interpretation by Nitte Valo. This debut is a work worthy of anthology status, intelligently fusing various Metal styles with a provocative and profoundly deep narrative. Themes such as the war between Russia and Ukraine, the separation of two lovers, and the death of a loved one are emotionally and powerfully conveyed by all the musicians and vocalists involved. This album is totally recommended for those who enjoy provocative and moving lyrics, raw artistry and talent, and who don’t suffer from musical puritanism.
Catto here—so this is how we’re kicking things off. Let’s call this the unofficial Power Metal top (though I’d personally throw Unleash the Archers in there too). Anyway, consider this our “Top Power Metal Albums of the Year”, because there’s no way I’m putting myself through so much cheese!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 