Top Ten Of 2024: Matt Alexander
Folks! It’s my favourite time of year again, it’s end-of-year lists season and a chance for me to go back and pore through all of those wonderful records that I’ve listened to over the past twelve months and then tell you all about the things I thought were ace! I also love this time of year as I get to read loads of other people’s thoughts and catch up on loads of music I may have missed.
Without going into details, 2024’s been a difficult one for me and my wonderful family. However, the love and support shown to us from our ever growing nearest and dearest has been incredible and forever leaves me speechless and feeling like quite the lucky guy! This is also helped by having another year of doing what I love, writing for my personal blog ReviewTopia Banished and having the opportunity to write for this incredible webzine which has helped grow my confidence as a writer and also give me another avenue for loads of new music. So, to The Shaman I thank thee! And to my wife I apologise to thee!
One thing that rang true when doing my research for this years list is the sheer amount of incredible music that has been released, I could of probably gone to a top fifty. After hours of pain staking deliberation, an increased level of my already awful tinnitus and little to no help from the rent dodging free-loaders Larry (Golden Labrador) and Susan (Tuxedo Cat), I managed to come to a conclusion and create, might I humbly brag, a really quite the killer list. So, without further ado, here is my top ten/honourable mentions for 2024!
10. Witch Vomit ‘Funeral Sanctum’
Portland, Oregon’s four-piece demolition crew are back and have produced their best sounding record yet! Taking their already time-honed blackened death metal sound, upping the levels of song crafting and adding more infectious melodies, they create a modern and soul-drenching violent take on the old school rot that I love so dear. Funeral Sanctum is Witch Vomit‘s most expansive effort yet and clocking in at just over thirty minutes you’ll be dragging your sorry corpse over to your record player to slap play over and over again. Also, the artwork by Matt Stikker is a solid 10/10, absolutely killer.
Label: 20 Buck Spin
9. Civerous ‘Maze Envy’
After their decimating debut Decrepit Flesh Relic was released back in 2021 on Transylvanian Recordings, I think a large proportion of fans of underground death metal, including me, were eagerly anticipating what Los Angeles’ fetid five-piece would do next. Jump forward three years and Civerous signed a deal with the mighty 20 Buck Spin to release the whirling death metal vortex that is Maze Envy. The three years have led to Civerous creating a new take on their already harrowing death metal cross death-doom sound, wonderfully dynamic and chock full of memorable moments like the truly stunning closing track Geryon (The Plummet). Maze Envy was an easy pick for my top ten in 2024.
Label: 20 Buck Spin
8. Apparition ‘Disgraced Emanations From A Tranquil State’
One of my surprise additions on this year’s list. I bought this on a whim based on the debut single released as part of the pre-order, also on the strength that Profound Lore have a great track record releasing excellent music. Apparition’s knuckle-dragging take on progressive death metal that twists and turns also includes a plethora of memorable moments for your ears to lap up and enjoy. Its doom tinged gloomy atmosphere matches perfectly with the bludgeoning death these California natives churn out making for a stellar listen!
Label: Profound Lore Records
7. Defacement ‘Duality’
After appearing high up in my top ten of 2021 with their sophomore self-titled record, Defacement have returned with another searing journey of dissonant death metal intertwined with ambient industrialism that break up the mind-bending dissonance. Atmospherically, Defacement draws us into a cold and loathsome world, utilising a bleak yet clear production job that feels just perfect for the conceptuals produced by this Dutch quintet with this being their best release yet.
Label: Avantegarde Music
6. Vaticinal Rites ‘Cascading Memories Of Immortality’
London’s very own Vaticinal Rites unleashed their debut record this year and it absolutely rips, putrid old school death metal designed to eviscerate all within a five-mile vicinity. After their killer self-titled EP which I reviewed back in 2021 for The Shaman, I had a feeling these guys were going to unleash something memorable and three years later this fat sack of lard was right! The songwriting has really gone to another level on here and the record graduates in sound keeping the record fresh but maintaining their fetid and raw tone that I loved from their EP.
Label: Everlasting Spew Records
5. Spectral Voice ‘Sparagmos’
Eroded Corridors Of Unbeing was quite rightly praised as one of the best records from 2017 and we’ve had to remain pretty patient for Spectral Voice to return with another full-length, seven years to be precise. Was the wait worth it? I’d say so! Sparagmos takes the dark and ethereal death doom and ups ghoulish atmosphere to soul shuddering levels, everything from the concept to the production to the performance all come together to create a stunning release. This is one you’ll want to sit back, close your eyes and let it envelop you in its reflective yet terrifying void.
Label: Dark Descent Records
4. Slimelord ‘Chytridiomycosis Relinquished’
The oozing debut record from Leeds based Slimelord graced our ears back in March and has rarely left my rotation since. This bizarre yet compelling voyage to trip out city is chock full of subtle intricacies that lead to different experiences on every listen. The thought, concept and execution of this record is just beautiful, so many memorable moments, from the haunting cries of wildlife that open the record to the crushing death doom twists and turns with strange and curious atmospheres perfectly woven in. You’re permanently drawn into the dynamic ambience that will leave you perplexed yet wanting more, one not to miss!
Label: 20 Buck Spin
3. Bedsore ‘Dreaming The Strife For Love’
Only released on November 29th and sitting at number three in my top ten. I’m sure this will pluck a few nostril hairs with all three people that read this, however, Bedsore’s Dreaming The Strife For Love is an incredible piece of work. Perfectly described as ‘1970’s Death Metal’ by the band, this love letter to ‘70s prog, twisted with a touch (I mean a touch) of death metal, think Goblin, Ash-Ra, Gentle Giant then twist it with Death… so not only is this an abstract and hella fresh sound but it’s also excellently executed. The album throws out a plethora of memorable moments that are perfectly accompanied by the incredible talent and musicianship that this four-piece from Rome deliver, this is a must hear!
Label: 20 Buck Spin
2. Blood Incantation ‘Absolute Elsewhere’
Out-there Denver, Colarado progressive death metal horde Blood Incantation have returned five years after the excellent Hidden Histories Of The Human Race and they have gifted us with their stunning new album Absolute Elsewhere. The progressive elements have been upped as has the synth and ambience which is expertly crafted together with their patented crushing death metal stylings. The narrative and structure of this record are quite something, the previous two EP’s have been built on and the experimentation of those has really paid off creating something really brilliant in Absolute Elsewhere. Was the wait worth it? Damn right it was!
Label: Century Media
1. Ulcerate ‘Cutting The Throat Of God’
Ulcerate are one of the most consistently excellent bands in modern extreme music, pushing boundaries of the genres that we love so much. The dissonant death metal kings returned this year with my number one pick Cutting The Throat Of God. This album continues the band exploring the themes of inner turmoil, death and existential crisis, which is all unburdened upon us with layer upon layer of grief laden atmospherics and some of the best dissonant death out there. From musicianship to production, this is phenomenal. The shift in sound isn’t huge from their last incredible release Stare Into Death And Be Still, however, it is a touch more melodious. Fear not though, this Auckland three-piece still packs a razor-sharp punch, and still have a penchant for evisceration. I have literally not been able to put this down, just a straight ten out of ten.
Label: Debemur Morti Productions
Honourable Mentions
What a year, as always, not every record can make the cut but here are some other killer releases that came out this year, all of which are seriously worth checking out and spending your hard-earned cash on. Keep supporting music and here’s to another incredible year of music in 2025.
Abhorration ‘Demonolatry’
Laceration ‘I Erode’
Sideran ‘Spilling The Astral Chalice’
Black Curse ‘Burning In Celestial Poison’
Opeth ‘The Last Will And Testament’
Scribed by: Matt Alexander
