Looking back, I feel like 2024 was a fairly average year for music. It had it’s ups and downs, a few surprises here and there, but all in all, I feel like the albums that show up on my year-end list are going to be ones that I’ll be listening to and enjoying for many years to come. So kick back, take a look, and drop your thoughts in the comments. Here’s looking forward to 2025!!!
1. Poppy – Negative Spaces
I heard of Poppy in passing for a few yrs now, but knew she was more of a pop artist. This release, however has far more metal offerings, and they’re REALLY good. There’s a few songs that are a bit tamer, one that’s even still a bit…poppy. But the musicianship is top notch and her vocals (and especially screams!) are excellent. Listening to this one repeatedly, with no skips and without it getting the slightest bit old. If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend checking this out.
2. Convictions – The Fear of God
The new offering from Convictions sees the band continuing on in much the same direction as always, albeit a bit catchier. On The Fear of God, the band continues to deliver on their crushing sound that’s imbued with faith-focused lyrics that inspire hope in the listener.
3. No Treaty – Sound the Trumpet
No Treaty were quite the nice surprise this year. The heart for God in the music released on their debut EP, Sound the Trumpet, is evident throughout. Looking for a new metalcore band to check out? This is it. Can’t wait to see what they have planned for the future!
4. Skillet – Revolution
This year, Skillet released their first independent album, Revolution, which was a breath of fresh air. Compared to the production and some of the strings and synthetic sounds feature rather heavily on the past few albums (at least!), this felt a little more raw and a bit more real. Heavy music done well, combined with strong, honest, face-value lyrics make this one of the band’s strongest releases in years.
5. Spoken – Reflection
I felt like the last 2 releases from Spoken had been a bit less aggressive. So when this dropped I was very pleasantly surprised. A pretty fiery album, Reflection was the first release for XOVR Records, a label started by Brian “Head” Welch. In addition to a very well put together release, the album also features a couple guest spots from Brian “Head” Welch and Ryan Clark. A heater of a release not to be missed!
6. Bloodlines – Holiness Cries
I’ve been listening to these guys for a few yrs now and love their sound. Their heart for the Lord is strong and evident in their music, and it’s great to see band’s out there tackling some of the tougher, less talked about issues. If it’s a faith infused, hardcore/metalcore release you’re looking for, this album will do nicely.
7. Eminem – The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de grace)
Eminem is just a legendary artist. Inasmuch as his music steps on more toes than Footlocker has ever seen, nobody can refute that or call into question the man’s undeniable talent. While crass and vulgar, Eminem wages a 1 man war on political correctness, cancel culture, and “woke” ideology. The beats are well constructed, catchy and addictive and the bars are written and performed as only Eminem can. Combine the overall point he’s trying to get across, with the music and you’ve got a winner here.
8. P.O.D. – Veritas
SIX. YEARS. Guys…six…years… That is how long we’ve waited on a new album from P.O.D. The nu-metal band dropped Veritas on us late in the first half of 2024 and while the wait was especially long, it didn’t disappoint! Fans of older releases from P.O.D. were very happy with this one, which also featured appearances by Randy Blythe from Lamb of God and Tatiana Shmyaliuk of Jinjer. If you’ve missed the sounds of nu-metal, check out this release by one of the genre’s best.
9. Islander – Grammy Nominated
Islander just doesn’t disappoint. Their most recent release was even Grammy Nominated! I got a little wary that they might be going mellow or when Power Under Control released, but they just seem to keep getting heavier and heavier instead. Grammy Nominated is a scorcher and an easy pick for this “end of year” list.
10. Linkin Park – From Zero
This one is a bit of a touchy subject for a lot of folks. It seems as though you either love or hate the newly named vocalist, Emily Armstrong. For me, I like her more on the new material than covering the old, but I recognize her talent and the band’s desire to move forward after the untimely passing of Chester Bennington. The album is very reminiscent of the bands earlier material, which is a very good thing, especially for fans of rap and rock coalescing. Some may love it, some may hate it, but however you feel, Linkin Park is back, and I for one look forward to seeing what lies ahead for them.
11. Light the Way – Expel
If you think pop punk is dead, Light the Way would like a word with you. Expel, the band’s newest release, is easily their best work to date. The band has never shyed from lyrics that evidence their faith and the music is catchier than ever. If you’ve slept on these guys before, I suppose it’s forgivable, but don’t let it happen again.
12. Less Then Jake – Uncharted
All these band’s that seem to almost drop a new single every few weeks, then one day call it a full album or ep confuse the heck out of me. Usually I just bypass band’s that do that, but this is Less Than Jake. So they get a pass. The band dropped Uncharted earlier this year and it is pretty great! They may not be taking much in the way of new ground with their sound, but once you have it down as well as they do, why not stick with it and keep perfecting it? Uncharted is a real fun listen and if you love ska/punk, you’ll certainly love this as well.
13. Wage War – Stigma
On my first listen to Stigma, I jokingly asked my wife when Trent Reznor joined Wage War. Not throwing shade by any stretch, cuz I’ve loved all their work. This release just surprised me a bit when they threw in a lot of industrial elements in there, but you know what? I think it really paid off! There were other changes I noted on this one, but the industrial aspect was the biggest for me. It may be a bit of an adjustment for longtime fans, but give it a listen and see what you think! I enjoyed this one a lot.
14. Grave Robber – The Cellar Sessions
Who doesn’t love Grave Robber?? Back with a release called “The Cellar Sessions”, this album is a selection of cover tunes by these horror punks. It was a real treat to get my hands on a copy and hear their take on songs I’ve loved over the years. This one spends a fair bit of time in my rotation. Go check it out, cuz I’m sure it will in yours as well.
15. Clint Lowery – Don’t Say It
Ah, Clint Lowery. I get so psyched every time I hear this dude is going to be dropping something new. Same with this one. The ep “Don’t Say It” is entirely instrumental and kind of cinematic in a way. Very nice to just sit back and relax with. I still don’t think Clint can write a bad song and can’t wait hear the finished product of some of the new stuff he’s been working on as well!
16. The Chilling Alpine Adventure/Falling Up – The Chilling Alpine Adventure
A last minute entry to 2024, this release from The Chilling Alpine Adventure and Falling Up is pretty great!! It’s a bit reminiscent of Fangs and Your Sparkling Death Cometh, yet is still very much it’s own thing. It’s easy to say fans of Falling Up will really enjoy this one and is a great way to introduce folks to Jesse Ribordy’s new project going forward, The Chilling Alpine Adventure. If I had more time to listen, I have a strong feeling this would be a fair bit higher up on this list.
17. Seventh Day Slumber – Fractured Paradise
Seventh Day Slumber returned with a heavy hitting hard rock album featuring appearances by Magdalene Rose and Kellin Quinn of Sleeping With Sirens. The lyrics, which speak of trials and triumphs throughout, are very relatable and uplifting. Combine this with a very solid continuation/progression of the bands heavy musicianship and you’ve got a winner. Very solid release!
18. Homeplate – Thanks For Visiting
I really enjoyed the new ep from Homeplate and the way it dances on the edge of pop punk and hard rock. I’ve enjoyed each of their releases even more than the one before and this is no exception. If you haven’t visited this one yet, it’s a killer ep!
19. 311 – Full Bloom
311 is one of my all-time favorite bands and likely, always will be. So when I say this release was a bit of a letdown and it STILL appears on my best of 2024 list, you can understand why. It was touted beforehand to be one of the band’s more aggressive releases and it certainly wasn’t. So expectations that we’re set ahead of time weren’t consistent with the release, which likely affects my rating of it as well as my thoughts on it. However, longtime vocalist, SA Martinez seems to be absent on a large portion of the album. Adjusting to these aspects, I still don’t feel like it was one of their stronger albums, however 311, even on their worst day, remains a force to be reckoned with.
20. Seth Davey – Kingdom Rising
Attalus’ Seth Davey dropped a new album this year and it’s pretty great! Melodic, piano driven rock, the release speaks of the goodness of God and Biblical principles that feels worshipful in many ways. Especially well-written, Kingdom Rising will be a great album for you to check out if you haven’t already.