The Gothic Metalhead
My corpse-painted children! We have a special guest today—it’s The Gothic Metalhead, who will share their top 10 for 2024. So, in the spirit of this countdown, I won’t prolong this any longer. Let’s go!
10. Hulder – Verses in Oath
Sometimes, I just want some icy Black Metal, and Hulder delivers. This is the soundtrack to walking through dark woods. The harsh vocals marry perfectly with the haunting folk elements. “Hearken the End” was my most-played song of the year for good reason.
9. NØ MAN – Glitter and Spit
My favorite hardcore album of the year. Raw and visceral with lyrical themes relevant to the genocide in Gaza now. This is punk in spirit, calling out injustice, and it is one of the most vitally important albums of the year.
8. Crypt Sermon – The Stygian Rose
I think the genre I’ve listened to the most this year is Doom. This is Epic Doom with incredible storytelling that takes you on a fantastical journey without being cheesy, which is a hard thing to pull off. On constant rotation since it came out.
7. Lowen – Do Not Go to War with the Demons of Mazandaran
Another Epic Doom album with front-to-back perfect songs. Nina’s vocals are some of my all-time favorites—an absolute powerhouse. Some of my top songs of the year are here, especially “Najang Bah Divhayeh Mazandaran”. The chorus is something else.
6. Chelsea Wolfe – She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She
This took me quite a while to digest compared to Chelsea’s previous albums, but when it did, the true beauty of this album shone through. The gothic undertones are still there, the vocals are soft, and there are more electronic elements. Its themes revolve around the cycles of life, and it was just what I needed this year.
5. Spectral Wound – Songs of Blood and Mire
Probably my favorite modern Black Metal band. Every album has been spot-on, and this is no different. It feels grander without losing any of the dark elements that make Spectral Wound so special. “A Coin Upon the Tongue” is my personal favorite because you can really feel the punk spirit.
4. Gaerea – Coma
I talked somewhere else about stadium Death Metal; well, this is stadium Black Metal. A major step into the mainstream but without sacrificing anything. The songs are all top-tier and full of infectious melodies. This is overflowing with emotion, and I connected with it instantly.
3. Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere
I don’t think I’ve got anything to say that hasn’t already been said. This is epic Death Metal by Prog lovers who want to take you into space. There isn’t much more I want from Death Metal, and this is the year I fully embraced Prog in my Metal. They just seem to be on another level, and I feel completely transported when I listen to it.
2. Crippling Alcoholism – With Love from a Padded Room
Sometimes an album comes along that genuinely floors you, and this one did for me. I knew on the first listen it would be one of my favorites of the year. It surprisingly has hooks to die for while still being unlike anyone else. This is the soundtrack to the dark corners of any town or city. I mean, the artwork tells you what this is going to sound like. It’s not just one of my top albums this year—it’s an all-time favorite too.
1. Julie Christmas – Ridiculous and Full of Blood
This is the Julie Christmas album I’ve been waiting for. Julie’s voice is so powerful, and the songwriting is some of the best I’ve heard all year. The reason this is at the top of my list is because of the emotion I felt while listening to it. It’s the only album this year that actually made me cry because it really spoke to me, and I still feel emotional every time I listen. An awe-inspiring album that will stay with me for a long time. I hope it’s not such a long wait until the next one.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 