Another year has passed us by and as always we've had some killer tunes, from various subgenres and styles of heavy music, to get us through it. This year gave a wide variety of classic bands (including some comebacks), as well as some younger ones and up and comers. As always, this list took a long time to take its final shape, though number one stayed at that top spot from the moment it came out. That being said I kept pushing this back from posting cuz I kept redoing the order, as I listened to albums more and more. Anyways, let's get to it already!
Honorable Mentions: Opeth- The Last Will and Testament Undeath- More Insane Boundaries- Death Is Little More New Years Day- Half Dark Heart Witch Vomit- Funeral Sanctum
20. Gatecreeper- Dark Superstition- Embracing a more melodic sound, Gatecreeper have achieved yet another winner of an album. Dark, heavy, and, at times quite catchy, this is one I listened to a lot. Especially the track "The Black Curtain", which was one of the best singles in extreme metal last year.
19. Amaranthe- The Catalyst- The reigning kings of symphonic metal return with another beautifully crafted, fun, and catchy work. Great to listen and sign along to it does everything you want a recording like this to do. This one features some of the most enjoyable and beautifully crafted songs of the year.
18. The Black Dahlia Murder- Servitude- After the loss of their front-man Trevor Strnad, I think didn't my all time favorite melodeath band would ever return. So imagine my pleasant surprise when not only did they do just that, but did it so successfully! Servitude is a great comeback, that sounds heavy, dark, and powerful. All the touches that make TBDM so awesome are here, with Brian Eschbach doing an amazing job taking over vocal duties. He gives you that feeling that Strnad did without sounding like a carbon copy or wanna-be, still managing to be his own man. As a matter of fact, every single time I put this one on, I am reminded of just fucking solid a record it is!
17. Necrot- Lifeless Birth- We've been champing death metallers Necrot since the beginning. here at Words from the Master. So. it kinda sucks that they are still so underrated. Especially when you hear how consistently good their output is. Case, in point, this overpoweringly heavy slab of death and gore. From the opening track to the end this one is filled with chainsaw guitars, pounding drums, unearthly growls, and a wonderfully evil feel and atmosphere to the sonic proceedings.
16. Aborted- Vault of Horrors- One of my favorite death metal acts, Aborted never fail to put out a killer release. And, even when I can say that I prefer the last couple ahead of this one, it's still light years ahead of much of the competition. Filled with guest stars galore (Shadow of Intent, Despised Icon, etc), this one revels in the all assault, groove, brutality, and love of gore and horror, that an Aborted album should.
15. Marilyn Manson- One Assassination Under God, Chapter 1- I honestly wasn't sure if Manson would ever return after all the controversary (which I am gonna avoid mentioning here). So, the fact he not only came back but came back with the best album since his classic heyday is one fuck of an achievement. This is honestly the first recording of his in ages where I can enjoy every single track, without skipping. Dark, haunting, evil, and catchy, with its mix if industrial and hook laden gothic metal, this is everything you want in a Manson album!
14. Nails- Every Bridge Burned- Powerviolence/ hardcore band Nails are back motherfucker! And, their return is filled with the most uncompromisingly heavy and brutal music imaginable. This sonic slab of piss and vinegar is one of the angriest fuckers committed to the soundscape of last year. It's mix of grindcore and hardcore punk infused metal shines on songs like incredible "Lacking the Ability to Process Empathy" which hit like a steel tipped kick to the fucking balls. In fact, this album is like 17 min plus ass kicking of the most brutal and vicious quality.
13. Fit For An Autopsy- The Nothing That Is- Fit For An Autopsy continue to prove that they are, with a shadow of a doubt. one of the absolute masters of deathcore. Featuring a heavy, crushing, melodic, and technically sound style, this is one adrenaline charged motherfucker. From the moment the opening track, "Hostage", starts this one will make you want to trash everything in fucking sight. A sure fire way to fuel the mosh pit this is hands down the best deathcore release of last year.
12. Knocked Loose- You Won't Go Before You're Supposed to- This feels like it was the year for groin kicking core music. And, perhaps none hit harder and more pissed off than this barnburner from Knocked Loose. They also had THE biggest and best moment for uncompromisingly heavy music of last year, when they performed their single "Suffocate", featuring the always awesome Poppy, on TheJimmy Kimmel Show. It was an awesome and absolutely ass kicking presentation that combined with the fact that it scared a bunch of housewives, grandmas, and whimps all the more better and legendary!
11. Nile- The Underworld Awaits for Us All- I have admit ably liked everything I have ever heard from Nile. But, I don't think I have really loved anything since Ithyphallic. That is until this fucking bone crushing release. Heavy and brutal, this audio assault is their best since then. Honestly, it really ranks among their best work, period. The single "Chapter for Not Being Hung Upside Down on a Stake in the Underworld and Made to Eat Feces by the Four Apes" gets my vote for not just the best (and certainly longest!) title in death metal (fuck that all of metal) last year but also as one of the best tracks in the extreme metal in 2024!
10. Fulci- Duck Face Killings- If you know me or follow me/ this website religiously you'll know of my love for both death metal and horror master Lucio Fulci. So, it comes as no surprise to anyone that I would love this Italian death metal band, who are inspired by the Italian master of hardcore splatter and horror. I actually only really got into them this year. But, fuck what an album to be introduced to them with! This fun, violent, and heavy as fuck recording is inspired by Fulci's gruesome. controversial, and sleazy giallo/ slasher The New York Ripper. Said flick tells the heartwarming tale of a crazed psycho who slices up women with a straight razor, razor blades, broken bottles and more, all while quacking like a duck! This fucker is every bit as wild and extreme as that flick, and the result is my favorite straight up death metal album of last year.
9. Escuela Grind- Dreams on Algorithms- The latest from Escuela Grind might just be their best. It's crushingly heavy, brutal, and yet, somehow, has some great hooks and grooves that makes kinda catchy. I say kinda cuz this is still an all out assault of driving and angry grindcore and hardcore. It also has what is my most listened to extreme metal song of 2024, in the fucking awesome "Turbulence". With vocalist, Katerina Economou, mixing clean vocals (for what is the first time ever in the band, I think) with her usual deep and menacing growls, really summing up that killer and unlikely mix of catchy and brutal that I mentioned before! Oh and, that guitar tone on it absolutely fucking kills!!
8. Poppy- Negative Spaces- Poppy continues to go further down the metal music hole, and the world is better for it! While there are still songs that fall under the electric pop sound of hers, there is a lot of metal here. Showing industrial, metalcore, and even some deathcore (she even does a blegh in the kick ass "They're All Around Us"!), gives it extra fucking kick to the teeth. She is a great signer, and her screams and growls continue to get more fucking awesome! The overall result is that the music is driving, fun, groove filled, melodic, and gets the blood going. In fact, between this album and her collabs with Knocked Loose and Bad Omens, Poppy was one of the most exciting and most attention worthy stars in all of metal from last year.
7. Body Count- Merciless- Body Count continues their continuous string of absolute fire albums. Merciless keeps that trend going with the added bonus that Ice T sounds pissed off as fuck! This makes for an album whose title fits it like a leather glove! Violent, badass, and a total ass kicking, adrenalized experience, I couldn't stop listening to it after it came out. There is even a fucking thunder and razor fast team-up with Corpsegrinder from Cannibal Corpse, in The Purge, which is inspired by the action horror movies of the same name.
6. Linkin Park- From Zero- The return of Linkin Park was one of the most unexpected and heavily discussed occurrences in hard music this past year. And, while there was a good amount controversy surrounding their new signer Emily Armstrong, who had a monumental task ahead of her replacing the late, great Chester Bennington. But, in spite of it all, they did some shows (with a full tour to come this year) and put out this spectacular comeback album. It mixes elements from many of the band's eras, while leaning heavily on the more metallic sound of the beloved first two records. Some of my absolute fav tracks of the year like "Heavy Is the Crown" and "Two Faced" are included here. And, despite my initial questioning and complaining, I can say that this is on the level of those classic two records. And, let's not bullshit, Emily is a great singer with some nice melodic voice and great screams. Destined to be seen as one of the greatest comeback records ever (cuz it is!), it has definitely returned Linkin Park to their place as one of the biggest bands ever in metal and hard rock.
5. The Warning- Keep Me Fed- The Warning, one of my favorite acts to come down the pike in the last few years, put out their best record yet with Keep Me Fed. The album rocks hard and some amazing hooks. It's filled from top to bottom with great songs that are fun and catchy as hell. Tracks like "Six Feet Deep", "Que Mas Quieres", "MORE", and lots others will ear worm into your head. And, I fucking challenge you to not sign along to just about every freaking song in here! On a side note, I was suppose to see them for a second time last year (my first being two years ago) in Brooklyn, but I got sick. Cuz life loves to kick me in the balls.
4. Lucifer- Lucifer V- I have been a HUGE fan of this band since the beginning. And, it always boggles my mind just how under the radar they remain. Even though every album they put out is a fucking banger. This fifth one is no different. It's catchy, haunting, and filled with great hooks, melodies, and atmosphere. As soon as, I put this one on, I always get totally sucked in. And, with tracks like "At the Mortuary" and "Riding Reaper" how can I not be?
3. Job For A Cowboy- Moon Healer- Look another awesome return, this being the one I anticipated the most! Job For A Cowboy continue their progressive death metal sound that they started on their incredible last release Sun Eater way back in 2014! And, they actually manage to top that master work with this one, which is in my very humble opinion, the best extreme metal release of last year.
2. Chelsea Wolfe- She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She- The runner-up position goes to the latest from the amazing Chelsea Wolfe who continues to be one of the most exciting artists in all of of music. Haunting, dark, and beautiful tunes highlight this release that is yet another complex mix of influences and styles. Dripping in atmosphere and emotion, this is an album that sucks you in from the very second that it starts.
1. Judas Priest- Invincible Shield- And, the top spot goes to the latest from one of the godfathers of metal: Judas fucking Priest! I don't know ow they do it, but at over fifty years of making metal music, they still put out great albums. Not just great, but best of the year great, as is the case here! The songs are catchy, fun, and hard. They get you headbanging and signing along. Soaring riffs, driving drums, and Rob Halford still belting out like no one's goddamn business! Priest top both their contemporaries and the modern flock of metal bands. This is classic Priest at their best! Put it this way. Invincible Shield was my favorite album from the moment I first heard it. And, while many albums moved up and down this list, it always remained at the top spot of my list, with not even an inch of a doubt in my mind.
And, those are my picks for my list. What were your favorite metal and hard rock albums of last year? Let me know in the comments section below.
NECROT is pleased to unleash their latest single, “Drill The Skull.” The pulverizing new hymn comes by way of the band’s Lifeless Birth full-length, set to drop on April 12th via Tankcrimes.
Notes NECROT bassist, vocalist, and principal songwriter Luca Indrio of the new track, “‘Drill The Skull’ is a filthy, sexy, mid-tempo song. You’re going to want to bang your head and at the same time go home and take a shower because this song is nasty as fuck. It talks about how stupid we all are and how superficial today’s society is. We got to the point that we don’t even remember exactly when we all became so dumb and superficial, but here we are! It’s 2024 and we got no brain and it’s fucking great, isn’t it? ‘Drill The Skull’ is the perfect soundtrack for our failing world and at the same time it could easily be the entrance theme for a WWE wrestler about to fuck shit up. Enjoy the filthy riffs!”
Stream the band’s previously released single, “Cut The Cord,” atTHIS LOCATION.
NECROT continues their ascent to the forefront of American aural extremity, pushing the boundaries of style and continuing to recast metal in their image. Founded by Indrio and drummer Chad Gailey in 2011 with guitarist Sonny Reinhardt joining the following year, the Oakland, California trio offers Lifeless Birth as a culmination of their to-date efforts to encapsulate and push forward the deathly stylings of 2020’s Mortal and their 2017 debut, Blood Offerings.
Recorded with Grammy-winning producer Greg Wilkinson — who has helmed all three NECROTalbums — and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege, Lifeless Birth pivots fluidly between technical intricacy, progressive poise, and all-out brutality. Scouring lead work will have thrash heads nodding knowingly, and an overarching groove reaches out across the metal microgenres with a righteous call to worship. Its songs are memorable and varied, unpretentious but able to rear up with statelier violence. At the same time songs like “Drill The Skull,” “Cut The Cord,” and “The Curse” prove that just because a song is beating you into the ground doesn’t mean it can’t also be forward-thinking. Or catchy.
Lifeless Birth, which features cover art again by Marald Van Haasteren, will be released on CD, cassette, and digital formats as well as an LP in several different and exciting vinyl variants all housed in a golden foil stamped gatefold jacket.
Find LP preordersHERE, CD preordersHERE, cassette preorders HERE, and digital preorders HERE.
In honor of Lifeless Birth, NECROT will appear on the May 2024 cover of Decibel Magazine, marking their second appearance on the cover of the esteemed publication.
Comments Indrio, "When Mortal came out in 2020, the world was frozen by the pandemic and as things slowly began to reopen, new challenges hit the band which delayed our tours and new material for years. When Decibel Magazine called and said they loved the new album and invited us back for our second cover story, we were thrilled. As we prepare to release Lifeless Birth, we have a story to share about those times and what the new album means to us. Decibel has been a strong supporter of ours for many years and the perfect outlet for us to speak directly to the dedicated underground metal world. Pick up a copy or subscribe today.”
Don’t miss it! Order your copy today at THIS LOCATION.
After having their Mortal tour plans scuttled owing to the COVID pandemic, family health issues that led Indrio, who became a US citizen in 2016 and currently lives in Mexico, to return to Italy for a time canceled what would have been their first tour post-plague. Still, despite this and Gailey suffering a broken back, requiring multiple surgeries and intense physical therapy to be able to drum again, period, Indrio being struck with Bell’s Palsy the night before he was originally due to fly to the studio to record, and Reinhardt requiring multiple surgeries on his hands in the months since they finished, NECROT charges forward with material distinguished in its real-world point of view and willingness to look beyond extreme metal tropes in lyrics, the melodies of its guitar solos, and unbridled audience engagement.
Municipal Waste, Tankcrimes, and Nuclear Blast are pleased to present the first ever Brainsqueeze Tour. Confirmed for late Winter 2024, the month-long North American live assault features Municipal Waste, Ghoul, Necrot, and Dead Heat.
The newly created maiden Brainsqueeze Tour originated with several successful Tankcrimes Brainsqueeze festivals in the label’s hometown of Oakland, California. “Celebrating friendship and noise,” the fests were headlined by Municipal Waste and filled with support from the label’s top associated acts at the time including Ghoul, Final Conflict, Fucked Up, Toxic Holocaust, and more.
Now, ten years since the last Tankcrimes Brainsqueeze, the inaugural Brainsqueeze Tour will run from February 15th through March 16th, raiding twenty-four North American cities. The tour package unites a full roster of Tankcrimes artists opening for Municipal Waste, the label’s most prestigious alumnus. If it’s a Brainsqueeze, Richmond’s hard-partying crossover crew is the headliner, and that rings true for the upcoming trek where they’ll be flanked by Creepsylvanian
splatter thrashers Ghoul, Oakland death dealers Necrot, and Oxnard crossover outfit Dead Heat.
With the news of Brainsqueeze Tour 2024, Tankcrimes’ Scotty Heath declares, “I’m absolutely thrilled to take this show on the road featuring four of the best bands in metal punk today and a nice mix. Extra special thanks goes to Tony Foresta and Nick Storch for putting this together plus the ‘Waste guys for hosting our wild Tankcrimes family lineup as we smash the states together. Be sure to get plenty of rest and save up tons of cash – you’re going to need it for the Brainsqueeze!”
Municipal Waste's Tony Foresta comments, “We don't do headlining runs in the states as often as we should. So this time, in order to celebrate the twenty first anniversary of our first album, Waste ‘Em All, we wanted to do it with bands and people that we consider our family and friends. Back in the day, we had a tradition that our sixth band member, Scotty, created in Oakland called ‘Brainsqueeze.’ It was a very fun but short-lived tradition that brought together people from all over the world in the small scene we built. Those events were very dear to us and we felt it needed to come back in one way or another.
"Twenty-one is a big birthday for all of us, so in order to celebrate Waste ‘Em All's big one, we thought it would be best to bring the Brainsqueeze to you! We couldn't be more excited to have Ghoul, Necrot, and Dead Heat back on the road with us as well as a few regional surprises along the way. This is going to be a good one. See you soon!”
Ghoul vocalist/guitarist Digestor states, "Ghoul is proud to join the incomparable Municipal Waste, Necrot, and Dead Heat as we lay waste to your pathetic, ignorant country*. Get your affairs in order, America**!
*and also parts of Canada, which are quite nice
**and Canada"
Necrot bassist/vocalist Luca Indrio notes, "Municipal Waste’s fans are never scared to get in the pit and fuck shit up and we can’t wait to give ’em some death metal to warm up to. It’s going to be a sick party every night and we get to bring the evil riffs. It doesn’t get much better than that. Also, we’ll get to premiere a song out of our new album and play it live every night before the album will be released. That’s definitely something our true fans don’t want to miss! This tour is coming to knock at your door, and you don’t want to be caught sleeping. See you all there!”
Dead Heat vocalist Chris Ramos adds, "Hey what’s up ya worms! Dead Heat here to tell ya how bricked up we are to be hitting the road in 2024 and coming to a city near you. We’ll be bringing you an endless tour-ment of some of the most beast bands around! So come to a show and slam your little hearts out. See you in the pit!”
Tickets for all Brainsqueeze Tour 2024 shows will go on sale this Friday, November 10th at 10:00am local time at THIS LOCATION.
See all confirmed dates below and stand by for new album, tour, and label announcements in collusion with the trek to be posted over the months ahead.
Brainsqueeze Tour 2024 w/ Municipal Waste, Ghoul, Necrot, Dead Heat:
Musicians: Necrot Album Title: Mortal Genre/ Subgenre: Death Metal Label: Tankcrimes Release Date: August 28, 2020
Mortal is the second full length album from Bay Area death metal act Necrot. The follow up to their amazing debut LP Blood Offerings, this album continues to live up to all the hype and growing respect that the band has been garnering. It expands on their sound, while still being very recognizable as their work. Alternating between crushing and driving death metal it also adds flourishes of speed that show a thrashy and even a punkish influence.
There are only seven track on the LP, but just about all of them achieve the highest level of quality. Some of the highlights, which is saying a lot in an album filled with them, include the first track "Your Hell". Said song has a super, absolutely killer riff. I fucking love the breakdown it has a battering blast-beat that joins in that aforementioned riff for the ultimate sonic mayhem. If you are looking for fast, then turn to "Stench of Decay", an unrelenting assault of battering and riffing fury. The album closes off with my favorite song: the crushing title track. When the music slows down a bit for the chorus it is even more devastating. At 8:34 is also the longest track, adding a progressive element to the album. But, if you think that means that it is slow or weak, you would be fucking mistaken. It is actually an absolutely blistering track and one of my favorite death metal songs of 2020.
Pic by Chris Johnston
Tight musicianship and awesome riffs make Mortal one of the absolute best death metal releases of this year. I wasn't sure if they could top Blood Offerings, but they did with this follow-up. Mortal actually gets better with each listen, as certain parts or whole tracks become more and more appealing. Old school death metal fans, put this one at the top of your must buy list!
Mortal, the long-anticipated new full-length from Bay Area death metal/punk trio NECROT, will see release via Tankcrimes on August 28th.
Recorded by Grammy award winning engineer Greg Wilkinson (High On Fire, Autopsy) and mastered by Alan Douches (Cannibal Corpse, Cattle Decapitation, Mastodon) at West West Side, the followup to the band's critically lauded Blood Offerings full-length is at once earth rupturing and memorable. Easily their most precise performance to date, Mortal foams at its mouth with destructive rhythms, intricate guitar leads, and guttural domination.
NECROT's Mortal comes cloaked in the cover art of Marald Van Haasteren (Baroness, Mortuous) and will be released on CD (standard jewel case + limited mailorder only digipack), gatefold LP, cassette, and digital formats.
Find physical preorders at THIS LOCATION. For digital orders, now available TODAY, visit the NECROT Bandcamp page HERE where long sleeves, shirts, hoodies, and patches are also available.
In related news, catch NECROT on Gimme Metal June 29th where drummer Chad Gailey hosts the second of three NECROT shows spilling into the summer. For more info visit http://gimmemetal.com.
Forged in 2011, NECROT is a death metal/punk trio from Oakland, California. Sharing current and former members of Acephalix, Vastum, Saviours, and Mortuous, they are among the most respected bands of the current Bay Area death metal scene. Following three demos and a demo compilation LP, The Labyrinth, NECROT unveiled their debut full-length, Blood Offerings, in 2017. The record, which earned the #29 spot on Billboard's Hard Rock Chart and #52 on Billboard's New Artist Chart upon its first week of release in addition to earning year-end accolades from the likes of Decibel Magazine and Revolver, continues to reap the praise of fans and critics both Stateside and abroad. The band has toured the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia extensively, in addition to numerous festival appearances in Mexico, Scandinavia, and Japan, with live incursions in support of Mortal to be announced in the months to come.
"If you were on board with Blood Offerings... you'll be huffing new track 'Stench Of Decay' harder than Dead about to track some vocals in 1990." --- Decibel
"NECROT sound bigger, more confident, and they cover so much ground in this under-four-minute song." -- BrooklynVegan
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