Suffering so you don't have to!
Ixone
For every Black Metal listener with a preference for ferocity over coldness, this album might just be right up your alley. Judging by the album cover alone, it might not seem that way, but the second the second track (the first one is, of course, an intro) kicks in, you’re in for a wild ride. Having been in production for over four years before finally seeing the light of day, it’s easy to (rightfully) assume that this is a carefully written and well-executed record.
Two thoughts crossed my mind when I got the promo for Am I in Trouble? – Spectrum. First: “Oh wow! There’s so much color here that there’s no way this is just a Black Metal album”. Second: “That’s one of the weirdest band names I’ve ever heard”. For an extreme Metal band, the name feels a bit… problematic (ooof, I know I’m getting punched for that one). And I’ve received promos with band names I can’t even post here! But I was intrigued, because I love albums that subvert expectations, and at least in its presentation, Spectrum was doing just that. But was it more than just a striking look? Let’s find out.
I’ll spare you all the now-old drama surrounding the creation of Patriarkh (such a feminist name!). My job is to focus on the music; it’s yours to eat up the gossip. Anyway, in ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ, Patriarkh continues its quest to craft the most blasphemous mockery of Slavic Orthodox traditions. Full disclosure: yours truly might speak many tongues but has no clue what’s being said in this album from start to finish. Still, I assume it’s something evil and unholy, but, you’re not reading this for the lyrics. Let’s go!
Metalcatto
Happy New Year, kids! I can’t think of a better way to start the year than by wrapping up our 2024 Catto Awards (yes, I think I’ll name them that way). Avant-Garde Metal is probably the hardest genre to define. It can be everything and nothing at the same time. However, I’d briefly sum it up as the Metal subgenre that makes us all say, “What the fudge? Is this Metal or a college art project?” Anyway, let’s finish this.
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?
Metalcatto
There’s no question that this has been an amazing year for Death Metal. Specifically, it’s been the year when Disso-Death totally took over. Though there were lots of enjoyable old-school albums, the level shown by the biggest innovators just couldn’t be matched. I know what you’re thinking looking at this list: “Where’s Pyrrhon? Where’s Blood Incantation?” To which I say, wait until tomorrow and the day after tomorrow! Today, we stick to the more death-focused material. It’s time for the best of the best!
Metalcatto
This is my weirdest top to date. Some albums can’t be easily pinned to a single label—not because they’re musically bizarre (though that happens, too), but because they combine subgenres so effortlessly that they feel like their own category. This list celebrates that creativity, highlighting some of the most inventive albums of the year. Let’s dive in!
Metalcatto
It’s time for children’s favorite sub-genre. The one that needs no introduction. The one with the dank memes. The one your grandparents think about when it comes to Metal representation. The most beloved and hated at the same time: Black Metal. Reducing this list to a handful of albums was an odyssey. With great releases from Necrowretch, or Hulder to Misotheist, or Vredehammer narrowing it down wasn’t easy. But enough with honorable mentions—let’s get to it!
Ixione
Having spent the majority of 2024 immersing myself in as much music as possible, I was surprised to find it challenging to choose my favorite albums of the year—not because there were too many, but because I hadn’t listened to as many as I had hoped. That said, I still managed to put together a list I’m proud of, even though I know there are countless great releases I’ve yet to explore. Without further ado, let’s dive into my top 10 Metal albums of 2024.
Metalcatto
We continue our epic quest through the niche styles Metal has to offer before we reach the final countdown (yes, I made a pun!). Today, we delve into the best Post-Metal of 2024, as crowned by your dark majesty. What is Post-Metal, you ask? Nobody truly knows (we just know it sounds sad). The name may be awkward, but we’ve accepted it—much like we accept taxes as a necessary evil. Despite its vague definition, Post-Metal continues to evolve, and this year has been no exception. Let’s dive into these standout albums that embody the genre’s boundless creativity.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 