Best Doom Metal Albums of 2024

Metalcatto

Here we are, about to start the countdown I’ve been dreading. Many of you voted on IG for a more comprehensive list instead of just a top 10 from me. Well, I owe everything to our readers, so here I am. Not every Metal subgenre will get its own list—doing that would take weeks—but I’ve chosen the ones that had the biggest impact this year. Sadly, no Thrash for 2024, but Doom’s incredible diversity makes it a perfect place to start. Doom is as broad as it gets, but every band in the genre follows one rule: play slow most of the time. That means Crypt Sermon’s excellent The Stygian Rose belongs in a Heavy Metal top instead. With that out of the way, let’s dive in!

5. Qaalm – Grave Impressions of An Unbroken Arc

The first time I heard this album, I brushed it off. But later, it hit me—this is a different kind of Doom. It’s neither epic nor overly depressing, sitting somewhere in between. It’s guided by compelling riffs, refusing to be just one thing, and instead becoming many others beautifully. SonikGoat described it best: “While Doom is the backbone, it also serves as a platform for groove-laden Death/Doom that often shifts to mid-paced thrash metal tempos“.

4. Scald – Ancient Doom Metal

Let’s try something powerful and almost uplifting! Scald makes Doom Metal for epic Viking quests, not for running out of tissues. Its return feels like the comeback of the year. It carries the drama and grandeur of decades spent in hibernation. I usually avoid sentimental Metal, but Scald’s portrayal of unknown seas and bold exploration is captivating. Ancient Doom Metal isn’t just epic—it’s heroic. Any album that makes you feel like the hero of your own story deserves recognition.

3. Inter Arma – New Heaven

Pushing the Doom label here, Inter Arma blends its signature Sludge/Doom with Disso-Death influences, resulting in a colossal, aggressive album that never gets dull. Changing an already near-perfect formula is a gamble, but Inter Arma pulls it off effortlessly. Whether this marks a new direction or a one-off experiment, New Heaven leaves us with more questions than answers—and that’s why it demands revisiting.

2. Hamferð – Men Guðs hond er sterk

Following up Támsins likam was a near-impossible task, but Hamferð managed to refine its minimalist Doom formula. Men Guðs hond er sterk is dynamic, poetic, and immersive. It captures the loneliness, sorrow, and resilience of being lost in the merciless Nordic landscape. While Nordic Doom bands are everywhere, few portray their environment as organically and sincerely as Hamferð does here.

1. Ataraxie – Le Décline

Funeral Doom is the toughest niche within Doom, and Ataraxie proves it belongs at the top. Le Décline is a crushing, uncompromising work that demands patience and resilience. It mirrors your sorrow without giving you relief, offering massive highs and lows that rival the likes of Esoteric. Ataraxie has firmly established itself the apex predator in its waters.

That’s it! This wasn’t as painful as I thought. Any of these top five could represent a different facet of Doom, showcasing its diversity. Am I trying to appease the angry masses? Maybe, but that’s part of being a reviewer too. Either way, this year’s Doom releases proved to be as compelling as ever. See you again soon!