Feature: Top 40 Albums of 2024 by Seth Metoyer
By Seth Metoyer, Staff Writer, Heaven’s Metal Magazine
This year has been stellar for music, with standout releases spanning various genres. In this list, I’ve compiled my Top 40 Albums, featuring a mix of full-length records and EPs. The majority of the selections showcase Christian or faith-based metal and rock, with a few leaning toward being Christian-adjacent—featuring bands with Christian members or exploring themes closely aligned with faith-driven lyrical content.
As a quick note, I’d like to clarify that these rankings reflect my personal selections as a staff writer for Heaven’s Metal and do not represent the official Heaven’s Metal Magazine end-of-year list.
The rankings aren’t about declaring one album “better” than another but reflect what connected with me personally. These are the albums I found myself returning to, the ones that became part of my rotation and left a lasting impression. If an album made this list, it’s for two key reasons: 1) I had the opportunity to listen to it, and 2) it rose above the hundreds of other releases I explored this year.
With so much great music being released, I’ve inevitably missed some incredible albums. If your favorite isn’t here, I’d love to hear about it! This list is not only a celebration of the music that impacted me but also a chance to discover even more amazing releases. Let me know which albums moved you this year!
I decided to exclude albums released on my own label, Broken Curfew Records, from this list to avoid conflicts of interest. That said, I still want to give a quick plug because we had some fantastic releases this year! If you’re looking for more music to check out, I highly recommend exploring Human Condition by Glae, Eternal Conscious Punishment by Every Thought Captive, The Great Experimentation by Poserectomy, Cosmic Design by Divine Incision, I by Cave Noire, Timeless Old by Shovelhead A.D. (Above All by Mohler made my Top 40 because it was released on Roxx Records before Broken Curfew picked up the digital distribution.)
I hope you enjoy this list and take some time to check out these amazing releases as well. Happy listening!
#40 Mystical Death – Carnation
Carnation is a raw blend of technical death metal with old-school influences, creating a complex and engaging listening experience. Mystical Death incorporates a mix of guttural and clean male and female vocals, adding a unique dimension.
#39 Tyreals Ascension – Hell Walker
Hell Walker delivers a potent fusion of intricate guitar work, relentless rhythms, and grueling vocals. The album stands as a gripping and technically intricate release. Its lyrical approach presents an angelic versus demonic cinematic journey—an auditory adventure that stands apart from anything else.
#38. Small Voice – The Silence
This debut EP from Small Voice stands out with its heavy yet incredibly catchy songs. The Silence offers a powerful mix of intense themes and sharp songwriting. The snare and drum production, in particular, grabbed my attention, adding a polished punch to the EP’s sound. As a solo project, it’s an impressive effort that shows strong potential for future releases.
#37 Within Silence – The Eclipse of Worlds
This power metal band delivers a dynamic third album blending melodic strength, epic themes, and spiritual depth. The Eclipse of Worlds features standout tracks like the galloping “Land of Light” and the 12-minute epic “When Worlds Collide.” With soaring vocals, masterful guitar work, and pristine production by Matt Smith (Theocracy) and Jacob Hansen, the album showcases Within Silence’s maturity and growth. Fans of Iron Maiden and Stratovarius will find much to love in this uplifting and powerful release.
#36 The Weeping Gate – Illuminate & Desecrate
Illuminate & Desecrate is a nice fusion of symphonic and melodic death metal, weaving intricate riffs with atmospheric keyboards and dual vocal styles. Tracks like “Beyond the Witchcloud” showcase The Weeping Gate’s ability to balance aggression with haunting melody. With its dynamic range and epic compositions, this album is a powerful and captivating entry in the extreme metal scene.
#35 Human Code – Break the Silence
Break the Silence delivers melodic heavy metal with modern overtones, combining soaring melodies, thought-provoking lyrics, and electrifying guitars. With dynamic songwriting and powerful vocals, the album stands out as a prime example of what I refer to as “safe metal”—a style that resonates with most Christian metalheads, especially Gen-Xers. Featuring a supergroup lineup of members from beloved bands like Barren Cross, Deliverance, and Holy Soldier, this release is a nostalgic yet fresh offering for fans.
#34 The Tarnished – Self Decay
Self Decay is a raw and visceral expression of inner conflict and resilience, blending elements of hardcore and metallic fury. The EP’s six tracks are pit-ready anthems that are both cathartic and crushing. Fans of Hatebreed and early Code Orange should turn this up to eleven.
#33 Slechtvalk – At Death’s Gate
At Death’s Gate is a black metal opus, fusing atmospheric elements with ferocious intensity. Slechtvalk’s masterful use of melodic passages and symphonic arrangements adds profound depth to their exploration of existential themes. While I’m not typically a fan of black metal, this band brings something extraordinary to the genre, and their melodic approach truly sets this album apart for me.
#32 Innerwish – Ashes of the Eternal Flame
Ashes of the Eternal Flame is a melodic power metal masterpiece, featuring soaring vocals, intricate guitar solos, and epic compositions that evoke the glory days of ’90s power metal. Fans of Kamelot will find much to love in this release.
#31 Forfeit Thee Untrue – Gather the Broken
Gather the Broken is a diverse EP that fuses grunge, hardcore, and metal influences. Forfeit Thee Untrue crafts songs with gritty riffs, heartfelt lyrics, and a heavy dose of attitude, offering something for fans of Pantera, Stavesacre, Helmet, and more.
#30 Jonova – Heaven Empyreal
Heaven Empyreal offers a progressive metal journey with complex compositions mixing genres like death metal and black metal, along with thought-provoking lyrics. The album’s exploration of celestial themes adds depth to its intricate musical landscape.
#29 Warpriest – Gloombreaker
Gloombreaker takes listeners on a doom-laden journey through dark, atmospheric soundscapes. Warpriest blends traditional doom metal with modern influences, crafting a sound that feels both nostalgic and unique. The interplay between powerful female and male vocals adds remarkable depth, making this a stand-out doom metal release this year.
#28 Shamash – Done With Misery: Nos Pergamos In Domine Saluteum
Done With Misery: Nos Pergamos In Domine Saluteum is an intense blend of melodic death metal, metalcore, and power metal, pushing boundaries while staying rooted in faith-based themes. Shamash seamlessly merges aggressive riffs, haunting melodic interludes, and worshipful lyrics, creating a dynamic and spiritually resonant experience. Their use of Gregorian choir influences adds a unique edge, making this album a standout in the extreme Christian metal scene.
#27 Scapegoat – Skirmishes of Existence and Expiration
Skirmishes of Existence and Expiration captures the chaos and tension of life’s battles, blending frantic rhythms with a darkly melodic edge. Scapegoat weaves together death metal and hardcore influences for a powerful experience. This is a fun album.
#26 Pipe Bomb – Stomp
Stomp is an unrelenting burst of chaotic metalcore, channeling the raw energy of early Norma Jean and The Chariot. With blistering vocals, dissonant riffs, and crushing breakdowns, Pipe Bomb delivers a frenetic experience. Lyrically bold and spiritually raw, this EP captures the struggles and victories of faith with unflinching intensity.
#25 Azell – Death Control
Death Control plunges listeners into a thick, sludgy atmosphere that feels almost tangible. The album’s heavy compositions and deliberate, doom-laden pacing evoke a profound sense of dread, making it a captivating experience for fans of the heaviest spectrums of metal. The title track, “Death Control,” stands out with its haunting intensity, while the female vocals add a powerful and unexpected dimension to the release, elevating its emotional and sonic depth.
#24 Motivik – Renouncement
Renouncement is a bold statement of defiance, blending thrash and melodic death metal into a powerful and dynamic mix. Motivik masterfully balances heaviness with accessibility, showcasing intricate songwriting and commanding vocals. The album draws clear influences from old-school Christian metal legends like Tourniquet, Betrayal, Seventh Angel, and Believer, while also appealing to fans of modern secular acts like Avenged Sevenfold.
#23 Burial Extraction – Expelled
Expelled is a heavy and uncompromising exploration of spiritual struggle and redemption, delivering punishing riffs and guttural growls. Burial Extraction brings the unrelenting heaviness of old-school death metal, with added emotional weight.
#22 Cleansing of the Temple – The Devil Knows My Name
The Devil Knows My Name tackles spiritual warfare with unrelenting ferocity, delivering crushing guitars and commanding vocals that forge an intense and immersive soundscape. The album masterfully blends hardcore energy with death metal brutality, demanding the listener’s full attention. Despite its chaotic nature—something that might feel disjointed in other contexts—it all comes together seamlessly, making for a compelling and crushing listen.
#21 Latter Day Exploits – Grief
Grief is a hauntingly raw and atmospheric journey through sorrow and faith. Blending industrial black metal with elements of death and doom, Latter Day Exploits creates an emotive and cathartic soundscape. Tracks like “Be Still” embody both despair and hope, delivering a deeply personal and spiritual listening experience. This EP stands out as a powerful exploration of mourning and resilience in the Christian metal scene.
#20 Bride – Are You Awake
Are You Awake was technically released in 2023, but since it only became available on digital platforms in July 2024, I’m including it in my Top 40 for this year. The album captures a hard rock vibe, channeling the raw energy of Guns N’ Roses and the early material of Bride. With powerful vocals, dynamic riffs ranging from bluesy grooves to heavy attacks, and a rebellious rock ‘n’ roll attitude, this album is a must-hear for fans of classic hard rock and metal. It’s an electrifying addition to the band’s enduring legacy.
#19 Xaphon – Heights of the Far North
Heights of the Far North takes listeners on a captivating journey through rich atmospheric soundscapes, featuring intricate guitar work and dynamic compositions. Xaphon skillfully blends melodic death metal with an ambient edge, crafting a debut that stands out as a highlight in extreme metal this year.
#18 Stryper – When We Were Kings
When We Were Kings marks a triumphant return to form, showcasing Stryper’s signature blend of hard rock and melodic metal. With soaring vocals and punchy riffs, the album solidifies the band’s enduring legacy. Dare I say, this might be the best-written album Stryper has ever released.
#17 Bloodcrown – Sound of Flesh and Bone
Sound of Flesh and Bone unleashes a relentless onslaught of melodic death metal, showcasing intricate guitar work and commanding vocals. The album strikes a perfect balance between aggressive riffs and melodic undertones, creating a sound that will resonate with fans of Lamb of God and Amon Amarth.
#16 Project 86 – OMNI, Pt. 2
OMNI, Pt. 2 delves deeper into the band’s dystopian narrative, blending industrial-tinged metal with electronic flourishes. Tracks like “UltravioleNt” showcase their dynamic songwriting and thematic depth. It’s impressive to see a band with such longevity continue to evolve and stay fresh while delivering everything fans have always loved.
#15 Symphony of Heaven – Ordo Aurum Archeia
Ordo Aurum Archeia offers a symphonic metal journey enriched with melodic death metal. Symphony of Heaven masterfully blends aggression with atmosphere, delivering epic compositions that capture the essence of the genre. These guys are truly doing it right.
#14 xSLTHRDx – Vanity of Vanities / All is Vanity
Vanity of Vanities / All is Vanity presents a unique metal experience, combining raw, pounding rhythms with atmospheric nuances. xSLTHRDx’s experimental approach results in a sound that is both aggressive and introspective. My favorite track on this album is VANITY.
#13 Extinction of Ba’al – Entering Ancient Ages of Idolatry
Entering Ancient Ages of Idolatry transports listeners to a realm of mysticism and brutality, with each track unraveling tales of ancient power and spiritual decay. Extinction of Ba’al blends death metal with atmospheric elements, creating a sound that is both massive and at times, mesmerizing.
#12 Open Wound – By the Sword
By the Sword is a hardcore powerhouse, brimming with raw energy and unfiltered aggression. Open Wound’s intense vocals and relentless instrumentation perfectly capture the essence of beatdown hardcore. This band has quickly become one of my favorite new discoveries.
#11 Decayed Existence – The Beginning of Sorrows
The Beginning of Sorrows is a relentless death metal assault, delving deep into apocalyptic themes and the raw essence of human suffering. Decayed Existence unleashes punishing riffs and guttural vocals with unyielding intensity, crafting an album that demands to be heard. More people need to discover this band and experience the sickness.
#10 Mohler – Above All
Above All embraces a lo-fi aesthetic, slamming, unfiltered sound. Mohler delivers unrelenting brutality, resulting in a visceral and unforgettable listening experience. If you ever get a chance to see these guys live, don’t miss it. They go hard!
#9 Dehumanize – Superbia Falsum Deum Creat
Superbia Falsum Deum Creat stands out as one of my favorite extreme metal albums of the year. Dehumanize delivers a relentless blend of brutal death metal, weaving themes of hubris and the fall of man into a punishing yet thought-provoking experience. With a masterful combination of speed, technical precision, and atmospheric depth, this album is a standout release that demands attention from fans of extreme metal.
#8 TAKE – Time Bomb
Time Bomb is a hardcore tour de force, channeling raw energy and emotion into each track. The album’s unrelenting pace and aggressive vocals make it a must-listen for hardcore fans. This is one of my favorite releases of the year.
#7 Antidemon – Convergence
Convergence delivers a relentless death metal assault, exploring themes of spiritual warfare and redemption with unflinching intensity. Antidemon’s brutal instrumentation and guttural vocals are front and center, driving the album’s message with unmatched ferocity. The balance between the blistering pace and melodic riffs creates an irresistible dynamic that kept me hitting repeat.
#6 Power Wolves – The Midnight LP
The Midnight LP highlights Power Wolves’ experimental edge, blending alternative rock with atmospheric elements to craft a mesmerizing listening experience. With layered instrumentation and creative depth, the band pushes the boundaries of the genre. While I’ve always appreciated what this band brings to the table, this album exceeded my expectations and stands out as my favorite experimental rock release of the year.
#5 Mothaltar – Union
Union blurs the lines between metalcore and atmospheric metal, creating a soundscape that is both heavy and ethereal. Mothaltar’s use of ambient elements alongside crushing riffs provides a dynamic listening experience. The track “The Almond Tree” stands out for its haunting melody and emotional depth, showcasing the band’s versatility.
#4 Altarheart – Creatures Here Below
Creatures Here Below is an eclectic journey that seamlessly blends various metal subgenres into a cohesive and captivating narrative. The album’s conceptual depth and musical diversity make it a standout release. What could have felt muddled or sporadic instead emerges as a masterclass in creativity.
#3 Chaos Must Bow – Chaos Must Bow
Chaos Must Bow delivers an intense blend of East Coast hardcore, powerviolence, and grindcore, packed with crushing slams, blistering blast beats, and relentless energy. Tracks like “Cycle of Grace” hit hard musically and spiritually, making this self-titled EP a raw and aggressive standout for fans of extreme heavy music. As a big fan of bands with musical styles such as Hatebreed, NAILS, and Full of Hell, I can confidently say that Chaos Must Bow has become one of my favorite faith-based discoveries—and their release is easily a standout of the year.
#2 Desolate Tomb – Scorned by Misery
Scorned by Misery earns its place as my runner up release of the year. The album delivers a relentless death metal experience, showcasing the band’s unmatched intensity and technical prowess across every track. With brutal riffs and intense vocals, it fully embodies the essence of the genre. Fans of extreme metal won’t want to miss this unyielding assault on the senses.
#1 Worm Guard – Exsanguination
Exsanguination ventures into chaotically nuanced territory, and it completely works. A standout track, “Child of the Flies,” showcases an innovative twist with its blend of gutturals, hardcore-style vocals, and clean melodies. The result is a fresh, dynamic, and thoroughly enjoyable album experience—my album of the year.
As we wrap up this year’s Top 40 albums list, I hope you’ve found some favorites among the releases that resonated with me. This list is a reflection of the music that connected with me personally, and I’m grateful for the incredible creativity and passion poured into these projects. While it’s impossible to catch every great album in a year, these are the ones that stood out, made an impact, and kept me coming back for more. If you’ve discovered something new or have a favorite I missed, I’d love to hear from you—music is always better when shared. Here’s to another year of heavy, inspiring, and unforgettable tunes. Keep rocking, and God bless!
Contact Seth at heavensmetalseth@gmail.com or visit connect with him on Facebook.
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