Release date: 6/14/2024
Origin: Philadelphia, PA
Personnel: Brooks Wilson-vox, Steve Jansson-guitar, Frank Chin-guitar, Matt Knox-bass, Enrique Sagarnaga-drums, Tanner Anderson-keyboard
We’re starting out the list this year on an epic sort of note. The themes are grand. The guitars are loud and crunchy. The vocals are soaring. Everything on here is everything you could possibly want from an epic doom metal album. I’m sure the dudes in Candlemass approve.
4 flip flops out of 5
Well, I guess it’s time to dust off the old keyboard and give you guys some thoughts on the past year. Yeah, this is basically a year end blog at this point. I just don’t have the energy or ambition to keep it going during the year. So, you’re just going to have to put this on your list of things to look forward to all year long.
So, how has everyone been? Everything good. That’s great. Good to hear it. Metal had a bit of an indifferent year in 2024, if I’m being completely honest. Sure, there were a ton of new albums and some cool new bands crawling out of the woodwork, but it kind of felt overall that there weren’t a ton of super, duper, out-of-this-world releases this year. I weirdly of had a hard time filling out a Top 20 list this year. There were a bunch of albums that came out this year that kind of felt incomplete. Sure, there were 2-3 really solid songs on a lot of albums, but there weren’t any that were jam-packed with song after song after song on them. Case in point. We got new albums from three of the heavy hitters in Metal and all three just kind of came up a bit short in my opinion. Judas Priest came back with Invincible Shield and kind of kept up their streak of trying to recapture the blistering metal of Painkiller. It’s solid and they should be commended for putting out something this heavy this late in their career. Rob Halford is not allowed to die. Same with Bruce Dickinson and his solo The Mandrake Project album. This album starts out smoking, but then just kind of peters out as it goes along. Plus, including one of his songs that was already released by Maiden on the Senjutsu album was kind of dumb. Bruce Dickinson is also not allowed to die. Lastly, Saxon also released the Hell, Fire and Damnation album. Again, some really solid tracks, but just kind of a middling release overall. Biff Byford will not die. On this, I have no doubts.
Maiden had a bit of a rough patch this year with Paul Di’Anno passing away and Nicko McBrain just announcing his retirement. We’re getting to the end stages of some of our foundational bands. And it just makes me sad.
On the live show front, it was a busy one for me. The year started out strong with Tool in January (just mind blowing) and finished up with an amazing show with King Diamond and Overkill less than a week ago. In between, there were shows from The Ocean, Hell’s Heroes Fest in Houston (Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus and Queensryche), Blind Guardian, All Them Witches and The Black Angels at Psyche Fest in Austin, Insomnium/Omnium Gatherum, Wayfarer (winner of last year’s Golden Flip Flop), Armored Saint, In Flames, Gatecreeper, Saxon, Uriah Heep, Lamb of God, Mastodon, Horseburner, Judas Priest, Opeth, Levitation Fest in Austin with Slift, The Sword and Pentagram, Exodus and The Black Crowes. Plus, on the non-metal side, I got to see Lyle Lovett and his large band and Kacey Musgraves.
Well, tomorrow we start our journey through my Top 20 for this year. I know you’re on pins and needles waiting to see who takes home the coveted Golden Flip Flop this year.
Release date: 10/27/2023
Origin: Denver, CO
Personnel: Shane McCarthy-guitar/vox, Joe Strong-Tuscelli-guitar, Jamie Hansen-bass/vox, Isaac Faulk-drums/keyboard
Coming in at #1 this year is Colorado’s Wayfarer. Wayfarer are one of these bands that blends a different musical genre into metal perspective. American Gothic pushes Wayfarer into the realms of the greats doing this kind of mashup of styles along with Panopticon and Huntsmen. American Gothic takes the music of the American Western frontier and combines it with a black metal style. The result is something truly magical. Think of this album as a metal version of the movie There Will Be Blood. This album is the kind of courageous creative swing that I love to see. The end product is really unlike anything else that came out in 2023. And for their unique sound and for just completely nailing it, Wayfarer is the holder the Metal Album of the Year for 2023.
5 flip flops out of 5
The final list:
Release date: 9/15/2023
Origin: Savannah, GA
Personnel: John Baizley-vox/guitar, Gina Gleason-guitar, Nick Jost-bass/keyboards, Sebastian Thomson-drums
Another super surprise this year was this release from Baroness. Their last couple of records kind of fell flat. I honestly had started to worry that the bus crash they suffered after the release of Yellow and Green may have done something to the creative spark within the band. There were also numerous lineup changes after the crash and it just seemed like the band members were still trying to feel each other out. The last two albums weren’t bad per se, but they didn’t come close to the heights of the band’s earlier material. Stone sees the band return in fiery form. They feel like a new band with a new intensity and have set their minds to make a statement record. The guitar riffs are back. The band has done some experimenting in song structure and performance that add a nice change. Gina Gleason really gets to stretch her legs as lead guitarist on this one and she lays down some of the tastiest leads heard in 2023. Not really a comeback album, but just a nice statement to the world that Baroness is still a force to be reckoned with in the world of metal
5 flip flops out of 5
The list so far:
2. Baroness-Stone
3. Graveyard-6
4. The Ocean-Holocene
5. Hinayana-Shatter and Fall
6. In Flames-Foregone
7. Soen-Memorial
8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars
Release date: 9/29/2023
Origin: Gothenburg, Sweden
Personnel: Joakim Nilsson-vox/guitar, Jonatan Larocca-Ramm-guitar, Truls Morck-bass, Oskar Bergenheim-drums
Graveyard is such a world weary band. Listening to them will make you feel like you’ve spent the night in a smoky, run down dive bar. You’ve smoked too many heaters and possibly took too many shots to drown out the fact that you’ve lost your job and your old lady has been running around on you. All of that is captured in the soulfully mournful vocals of Joakim Nilsson. I honestly hope that his life hasn’t been as hard as his vocal delivery implies. These guys are just the best at this kind of throwback bluesy, laid-back metal. Album number 6 for these guys just solidifies their place as kings of this subgenre.
5 flip flops out of 5
The list so far:
3. Graveyard-6
4. The Ocean-Holocene
5. Hinayana-Shatter and Fall
6. In Flames-Foregone
7. Soen-Memorial
8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars
Release date: 5/19/2023
Origin: Berlin, Germany
Personnel: Loic Rosetti-vox, Robin Staps-guitar, David Ramis Ahfeldt-guitar, Mattias Hagerstrond-bass, Paul Seidel-drums
The Ocean (or The Ocean Collective, if you like) is one of the better art projects going today. They have crafted such an interesting library of albums that the band can really go in any direction they wish at this point. And, yet, they still retain the ultimate sound that makes The Ocean, well, The Ocean. Most of that is probably due to the influence of main dude Robin Staps’ direction. This latest album kind of pushes the boundary of what a metal band is capable of. It is more than anything a keyboard/electronic driven album with metal flourishes. It is very quiet, introspective and atmospheric. But, damn, I dare you not to get pulled into its grasp. Just a perfect piece of forward thinking metal.
5 flip flops out of 5
The list so far:
4. The Ocean-Holocene
5. Hinayana-Shatter and Fall
6. In Flames-Foregone
7. Soen-Memorial
8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost of the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars
Release date: 11/10/2023
Origin: Austin, TX
Personnel: Casey Hurd-vox/guitar, Erik Shtaygrud-guitar, Matt Bius-bass, Michael Anstice-keyboards, Daniel Vieira-drums
Well, it looks like some of the best Scandinavian melodic death metal in 2023 was crafted by a band in Texas. Shatter and Fall is right up there with the best albums put out by Insomnium, Scar Symmetry and the like. It’s not the kind of metal that you think about coming out of Texas. I like to think of these guys as spiritual brethren of North Carolina’s Daylight Dies. For whatever reason, these guys have managed to craft something frosty and dark in a place more known for 100+ degree weather and drought-like conditions.
5 flip flops out of 5
The list so far:
5. Hinayana-Shatter and Fall
6. In Flames-Foregone
7. Soen-Memorial
8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars
Release date: 2/10/2023
Origin: Gothenburg, Sweden
Personnel: Anders Friden-vox, Bjorn Gelotte-guitar, Chris Broderick-guitar, Bryce Paul-bass, Tanner Wayne-drums
Another surprise entry at #6 this year. In Flames has seemed to be a band that has been searching for its identity for quite some time. They started out as one of the beacon’s of the Gothenburg melodic death metal scene, but then seemed to stray into a more modern and more American metal sound in the 2000s. Their output in the 2000s has been kind of hit and miss. It was with this undertone that they released Foregone. This album harkens back to their original style and is a return to form for the band. Key addition on this album is former Jag Panzer and Megadeth guitarist, Chris Broderick and a new rhythm section. I’m not sure if the new additions have reinvigorated the band, but if so, I hope this latest album is a sign of things to come.
4.5 flip flops out of 5
The list so far:
6. In Flames-Foregone
7. Soen-Memorial
8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars
Release date: 9/1/2023
Origin: Sweden
Personnel: Joel Ekelof-vox, Cody Lee Ford-guitar, Lars Ahlund-guitar/keyboards, Oleksii ‘Zlatoyar’ Kobel-bass, Martin Lopez-drums
Damn! This was an unexpected surprise. After first hearing this one, I actually shouted out loud, “Finally!” Because Soen’s career up to this point has been decent, but somewhat unremarkable. Drummer Martin Lopez was a key component to Opeth’s prime years and when he left Opeth, there was a pretty high expectation as to what kind of project he would put out. Soen has tended to be a little more than a capable Tool knockoff. Most of their past work was passable, but kind of uninspired. It was with this background that Memorial came out and just punched everyone in the face. This album has punch. This album has verve. This album is a damn fine slice of wax. Sure, this one is still very emotive, but the guitar work just lifts the thing into another territory and it feels like Soen has finally come into their own.
4.5 flip flops out of 5
The list so far:
7. Soen-Memorial
8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars
Release date: 11/29/2023
Origin: Ely, MN
Personnel: Austin Lunn-vox/guitar/bass/keyboards/flute/accordian/pedal steel/lap steel/drums
I have such a soft spot for Panopticon. Everything Austin Lunn does with this project is epic in scale. I love the blending of American black metal with folk and bluegrass music. There’s also an endearing protest streak running through the message of his albums concerning both environmental and socio-economic matters. It’s always a lot to digest both musically and intellectually. This latest album isn’t as expansive and the last couple of releases. And, honestly, I think the concentration of the songs on this release make it all the more strong. Now, granted, even though it is a bit more compact than past releases, don’t expect Raining Blood level brevity. There are still very long songs that run the course of black metal blast beats to quiet acoustic meanderings. Just another wonderful release from a really special project.
4.5 flip flops out of 5
The list so far:
8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars
DISPATCHES FROM THE VOID 