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Elyna’s top picks for the year 2024

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!

Lost in the Riffstorm 2024: Part 4

It’s hard to tell if we’re in the middle or near the end of our 2024 Lost in the Riffstorm saga, because let’s face it—there are always more albums to forget. This time is special, though. I asked people on Instagram if there were any albums they wanted us to talk about, alongside some direct reminders from the bands themselves (yes, we’re cool enough that bands actually mail us stuff personally). Alright, let’s get into it!

True kvlt: Bønes, Wino Gandara & Aether Void

There aren’t too many True kvlt numbers left this year, so this one’s packed with action and singles. Yes, I—like some of you (only some)—have a life and can’t spend all my time telling you what to listen to. But hey! Let’s enjoy this group of strange bands. Some are new, some are old, but all are honorable members of our lovely community. Let’s roll!

Pegah’s top artworks

Pegah

Art has always been a profound means of expressing introspective feelings, and artists describe their emotions through their chosen forms. Among these, music stands out for its unique bond with visual arts. A well-crafted music project not only focuses on sound but also represents its music through cover art that complements its essence. Therefore, the album cover becomes the visual representation of the album’s themes and emotions. In this exploration, we’ll dive into some of my favorite cover arts from 2024 Metal album and their subgenres, showcasing the synergy between music and visuals.

Monte Penumbra – Austere Dawning

Did you think we were done with new releases? That we were just going to remember the highs and lows of this year? Well, let me surprise you with some Black Metal from the cave. I’m talking about Monte Penumbra’s Austere Dawning, an album that, while it feels Icelandic in many ways, continues to establish tiny (but mighty) Portugal as one of the powerhouses in this niche sub-genre. We’ve had an exhausting week when it comes to tremolo picking, so how can this release top that? Let’s find out.

Lost in the Riffstorm 2024: part 3

Part three of the endless search for albums we missed. This is a bit of a mixed bag. We have huge omissions, but also some underground darlings that we couldn’t let pass—regardless of our excuses (usually staff shortages). I’m thinking about opening a review factory in some country with no workers’ rights, of course! So watch out, USA—here we come! But I digress. Let’s continue our dive into some albums worth remembering.

Lost in the Riffstorm 2024: Part 2

Let’s keep reviewing our greatest omissions of the year. Some of these are older than MER Industries itself, so you can’t blame us too much for missing them. However, I suspect that they’re are going to end up on a few end-of-the-year lists, so it would be criminal to let them slip by without glory—even if this moment of honor feels insignificant. Alright, so here’s part two of our redemption rounds. If your favorite album is missing, relax—there will be more parts.

Lost in the Riffstorm 2024: Part 1

It’s time for some small redemption. There are a few heavy hitters we missed when they were just released. Whether it was because we didn’t get the promo or simply didn’t find the time amidst the avalanche of Metal we receive every second (yes, per second!), these albums deserve recognition—especially if they don’t make it to any of our end-of-the-year lists. Consider this an apology for past and future mistakes. Convenient, right? Anyway, some of these albums you’ve probably listened to death, while others might not have even appeared on your radar. Let’s get to it!

Harkane – Argo

As we approach the end of the year, it’s almost time to annihilate whatever remains in the filter, so we can start the new year full of promises and dreams completely out of touch with reality. However, before I do that, there’s still some time to explore what the underground has left to offer this year. In this case, we return to this blog’s guilty pleasure: Death/Doom. Harkane‘s Argo claims to be inspired by The Argonautica, the most boring-interesting Greek epic I’ve ever read. Let’s hope it delivers more action!

True kvlt: 11Redearth,The Obsidian Resurrection, Arkuum & NihilstVoid

Pegah & Metalcatto

It’s that time of the week when we raid the fridge for whatever leftovers we can find—because who wants to cook a lot on a Sunday? You do? Well, respect, I’ll give you that. But this time is different. I’m not alone in this section—Pegah has decided to join in and bring another band to your tearful eyes. So, here we have this week’s lucky picks: