Metalcatto
For the real elitists, Prog is the superior kind of music (I suspect they have no experience with microtonal music, though. That’s the real deal!). I could say that Prog has many faces and all that nonsense I end up saying for every style, but in this list, I tried to go exactly for that. Each one of these albums is a different take on the shreddy mess Prog can be. Shall we begin?
6. Dvne – Voidkind
I feel people have been sleeping on Dvne, and despite the fact that picking a favorite between Voidkind and Etemen Ænka is almost impossible, Voidkind is a worthy successor. An album that shows next to no weaknesses when it goes light or heavy and delivers excellent songwriting. It might play “safe Prog”—sticking to “traditional” structures—but Dvne does so in a way that feels fresh, engaging, and neither cheesy nor bloated. Instead of piling riff after riff just to show off, it keeps the quality high, and I can only appreciate that.
5. Anciients – Beyond the Reach of the Sun
It took me a while to appreciate Beyond for the masterful work it is. Yes, Anciients loves long, complex songs, but you can’t tell me they’re boring. Imagine every cool Prog band of the 2000s and 2010s mashed into one cosmic trip, and you’ll get an idea of what Beyond the Reach of the Sun feels like. It’s an album that delivers a unique atmosphere and terrific instrumental work, despite requiring some patience. For anyone looking for Prog that moves between serenity and fury with ease, this is the album you’ve been searching for. And those old-school guitar tones? Pure bliss.
4. Opeth – The Last Will and Testament
I can already hear the complaints from people saying this should be at the top. You see, it’s difficult for me because Opeth made a near-perfect album for the first half of The Last, but the second half felt like a step down. I’ve come to terms with the fact that Opeth will probably never create another Ghost Reveries, but this incredible journey through everything that’s made it arguably the best Prog Metal band of the 21st century is still breathtaking. The secret lies in a compelling narrative—because art is nothing without a story, and Opeth understands that better than most!
3. In Vain – Solemn
I’ve been a fan of In Vain since Ænigma, and it’s been amazing to see the band evolve from weird MeloDeath to weird Prog MeloDeath. An album that came out early in the year and has been criminally overlooked since. No other band balances melody, drama, complexity, and freaking saxophones like In Vain. Rarely has a title fit an album so well: Solemn feels like a dignified and noble procession through freezing woods. It’s long, yes, but the hooks are so masterful that even with so much to unpack in every track, it remains engaging from beginning to end.
2. Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere
At MER industry, half the staff claims Absolute Elsewhere is the most overrated album of the year, arguing that it doesn’t do much that Tomb Mold didn’t already do in 2023. While I see their point, Blood Incantation’s execution and ideas can’t be ignored. Plenty of old-school Death Metal bands have tried the leap into ’70s Prog Rock territory and fallen short. In contrast, Blood Incantation nailed it. Absolute Elsewhere is nearly perfect in terms of pacing, writing, and execution. It’s hands down the best Prog Death Metal—and old-school Death Metal—album of 2024.
1. Iotuun – Kinship
This was a surprise for me. I knew Iotuun was talented, but Kinship far exceeded my expectations. This album is a wildly creative take on Prog, blending Death, Doom, and Heavy Metal—genres that don’t often combine so well with traditional Prog. Yet Kinship transports you to a world of cold, darkness, and natural beauty like no other album this year. Stargazer summed it up perfectly: “Kinship is like a treasure chest that continually generates new wonders for us to marvel at. Some of its moments are immediate, and others require deeper study, but in the end, all of them are part of a perfect flow”. You have no idea how hard it was for me to give this award to the Danes—but journalistic integrity prevails!
That was harder than putting a pet to sleep, but I managed to make the top. Let me know your favorites! Tune in tomorrow for the final top of 2024. Maybe my favorite album of the year will be there…
Metal Eclipse Reviews 
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