2024 has been an extraordinary year for music, especially in the heavy and alternative scenes. From genre-defying experimentation to emotionally charged masterpieces, these ten albums stand out as the best of the year.
10. Alpha Wolf – Half Living Things
Alpha Wolf’s Half Living Things delivers an unrelenting sonic assault, blending crushing brutality with raw emotional depth. The album kicks off with Sucks 2 Suck, a blistering, in-your-face anthem featuring the legendary Ice-T. This track is a masterclass in heavy aggression, with its ferocious energy and razor-sharp delivery making it an instant standout.
Shifting gears, Whenever You’re Ready explores the band’s softer side, diving into themes of vulnerability and self-acceptance. The heartfelt chorus—“You can break down if you want to, you can stay inside if you need to”—strikes a deeply emotional chord, offering a rare moment of introspection amidst the chaos.
The title track, Half Living Things, brings the album full circle with the kind of raw brutality only Alpha Wolf can deliver. Crushing riffs, guttural vocals, and unrelenting intensity make this track a definitive statement of the band’s dominance in modern metalcore.
With Half Living Things, Alpha Wolf once again proves why they’re at the forefront of the genre, delivering a relentless mix of catharsis and chaos that leaves listeners both exhilarated and emotionally wrecked.
9. Saltatio Mortis – Finsterwacht
The masters of medieval rock, Saltatio Mortis, have returned with Finsterwacht, a triumphant album that bridges the grandeur of ancient storytelling with the power of modern instrumentation. With their signature blend of poetic lyricism, infectious melodies, and traditional instruments fused with contemporary rock elements, this release stands as a bold and captivating entry in their discography.
The title track, Finsterwacht, is a true epic featuring Blind Guardian. This collaboration elevates the song to cinematic heights, combining Saltatio Mortis’ medieval flair with Blind Guardian’s bombastic, fantasy-driven style. The result is a thunderous and immersive track that feels like the soundtrack to a mythical saga, transporting listeners to another time and realm.
Another standout is We Might Be Giants, featuring the extraordinary talents of Peyton Parrish and Cristina Scabbia. Peyton’s rugged, Viking-inspired vocal delivery pairs beautifully with Cristina’s ethereal yet commanding presence, creating a spellbinding contrast that adds a profound emotional depth to the song. The powerful harmonies and anthemic chorus make this track an unforgettable anthem of resilience and unity, cementing it as a highlight of the album. Finsterwacht is not just an album; it’s an experience—a testament to Saltatio Mortis’ artistry and their ability to push the boundaries of medieval rock into thrilling new territories.
8. Imminence – The Black
Imminence’s The Black marks a powerful evolution for the Swedish band, showcasing a refined mastery of blending metalcore with haunting classical elements. From the first haunting notes of Come Hell or High Water, the album immediately grabs you with its emotional intensity and intricate musicianship.
Vocalist and violinist Eddie Berg is nothing short of exceptional, shifting effortlessly between delicate melodies and fierce screams. Tracks like Desolation and Heaven Shall Burn highlight his immense vocal range, adding depth and raw emotion to every note. The fusion of violin and metalcore throughout the album elevates the sound, with songs like Continuum, Death By A Thousand Cuts, and the title track, The Black, offering a perfect balance of beauty and brutality. The rhythm section anchors the intensity, ensuring the energy remains charged and engaging from start to finish.
The Black is more than just a collection of songs; it’s an immersive experience that showcases Imminence’s undeniable talent and growth. With this release, they continue to push the boundaries of the genre, securing their place among metalcore’s brightest stars.
7. Windwaker – HYPERVIOLENCE
Windwaker’s HYPERVIOLENCE is a genre-defying masterpiece that blends metalcore, electronica, and hip-hop with seamless precision. The album marks a new era for the band with Liam Guinane taking the spotlight as frontman, showcasing his impressive vocal range and commanding presence.
Tracks like Infinity, SIRENS, and Villain highlight Windwaker’s innovative spirit, with heavy riffs paired with catchy, pop-infused hooks. Songs like Break the Rules and The Wall continue to push boundaries, while Hypnotised stands out with its groove-heavy hook and smooth rap verses.
The album closes with the emotional track Juliet, showcasing the band’s versatility. HYPERVIOLENCE is an exhilarating, boundary-pushing album that proves Windwaker’s place at the forefront of modern metal.
6. Poppy – Negative Spaces
Poppy’s Negative Spaces is a genre-defying masterpiece that cements her reputation as an innovator in alternative music. Seamlessly blending industrial beats, ethereal melodies, and crushing metalcore moments, the album is a bold statement of artistic evolution.
A standout track, “They’re All Around Us,” brings the metalcore edge with Poppy delivering blood-curdling screams as if her life depended on it. The intensity of her vocals, paired with blistering instrumentals, makes this song a ferocious highlight that will leave listeners breathless.
On the flip side, “Crystallized” stands out as the album’s most “pop” track, featuring a bouncy beat and an irresistibly catchy chorus. It adds a refreshing contrast to the heavier songs, showcasing Poppy’s ability to seamlessly move between genres while maintaining a cohesive sound.
Other highlights include “The Cost of Giving Up,” which tackles heavy themes with intricate production, and “New Way Out,” which wraps the record with an uplifting, cinematic flourish. Tracks like “Surviving on Defiance” capture a raw, rebellious spirit, while the title track “Negative Spaces” leans into dark, atmospheric vibes.
From the chaos of “They’re All Around Us” to the shimmering pop sensibility of “Crystallized,” Poppy proves once again that she’s unafraid to take risks. This album is a fearless exploration of sound, making it a standout release in the alternative and metalcore landscape.
5. Falling In Reverse – Popular Monster
Ronnie Radke and company prove they’re still at the top of their game with Popular Monster, a genre-defying powerhouse that fuses metalcore, rap-rock, and deeply introspective lyricism. The album delivers a raw, emotional punch, tackling themes of self-doubt, mental health struggles, and the fight for redemption, all while maintaining their signature explosive energy.
The title track, “Popular Monster,” sets the tone with its aggressive blend of rap verses and crushing breakdowns, perfectly capturing the inner turmoil of battling personal demons. But the intensity doesn’t stop there—tracks like “Voices in My Head” explore the chaos of conflicting thoughts, showcasing Radke’s ability to channel vulnerability into electrifying performances.
Standout moments abound, starting with “Ronald,” the heaviest track on the album. This track features a fierce rap verse by Tech N9ne before launching into an epic vocal battle between Ronnie and Alex Terrible of Slaughter to Prevail, their brutal exchanges closing the song with raw, unrelenting power.
Then there’s “All My Life,” a bold experiment that can only be described as Country-Core. This genre-blending track features a catchy chorus and a hoedown-style breakdown that bursts with unexpected energy. Jelly Roll’s guest appearance adds a soulful twist, making this track as memorable as it is innovative.
Popular Monster is a testament to Falling In Reverse’s ability to evolve and push boundaries within the alternative and metalcore genres. With its genre-blurring compositions, massive guest features, and deeply personal storytelling, the album not only reaffirms their legacy but also cements their status as one of the most daring acts in modern rock.
4. Bring Me The Horizon – POST HUMAN: NeX GEn
POST HUMAN: NeX GEn by Bring Me The Horizon is a genre-defining album that reshapes the future of metal. As legendary bands like Iron Maiden and Metallica near the end of their careers, Bring Me The Horizon steps up with a bold new sound, seamlessly blending elements of metalcore, hyperpop, and synth, breathing new life into the scene. This album not only pays homage to the genre’s roots but also charts a fresh path forward, showcasing the band’s limitless creativity and ability to push boundaries.
The album kicks off with the massive anthem “YOUtopia,” a track that sets an epic tone for the record with its soaring vocals and anthemic energy. It’s followed by “Kool-Aid,” an instant metalcore classic that blends raw energy with catchy pop hooks, a perfect example of the band’s ability to marry heavy riffs with infectious melodies. “Top 10 Statues That Cried Blood” highlights Oli Sykes’ best vocal performance yet, capturing both power and emotional vulnerability, while “Lost” stands out as my personal favorite. This track combines hyperpop beats with deeply emotional lyrics, creating a captivating pop-punk feel that feels both cathartic and celebratory.
The album also features standout collaborations, including “liMOusIne” with AURORA, which introduces an ethereal and haunting quality to the record, and “a bulleT w- my namE On” with Underoath, pushing the band’s experimentation even further. These collaborations amplify the album’s versatility and depth, showcasing how Bring Me The Horizon continues to evolve as artists.
The grand finale, “Dig It,” is a seven-minute epic that blends all of the album’s diverse influences into a powerful, cohesive track. It’s a journey that explores everything from metalcore to electronic experimentation, capping off an album that truly exemplifies the band’s forward-thinking approach to music.
POST HUMAN: NeX GEn is an undeniable statement from Bring Me The Horizon, showcasing their ability to stay ahead of the curve while honoring the genre’s rich history. With tracks like “Kool-Aid” and “Lost,” the band proves they’re ready to lead the next generation of metal. This album is nothing short of groundbreaking, and it’s clear that Bring Me The Horizon is here to shape the future of the genre.
3. Fit For An Autopsy – The Nothing That Is
Fit For An Autopsy’s seventh album, The Nothing That Is, is a brutal and emotionally charged powerhouse of extreme metal. Building on the momentum of their 2022 release, the band pushes their sound to new heights, blending aggression with emotional depth.
Opening with “Hostage”, the album sets a relentless tone, with crushing riffs and fierce intensity. “Red Horizon” follows, delivering a chilling line, “The bodies burn so bright that God closed His eyes,” and combining raw aggression with thought-provoking imagery. These two tracks show the band’s ability to blend brutality with introspection.
“Lurch” and “Lower Purpose” are pure pit anthems, driving the energy forward with their relentless pace and power. These tracks give fans exactly what they expect: unrelenting aggression and pit-ready riffs.
The album closes with “The Silver Sun”, a haunting yet heavy track that balances melody with destruction. It perfectly wraps up the album’s themes, showcasing the band’s ability to evoke emotion alongside their signature heaviness.
The Nothing That Is proves that Fit For An Autopsy is not just about heavy riffs, but about telling powerful stories through music. Tracks like “Hostage”, “Red Horizon”, and “The Silver Sun” highlight their ability to merge brutality with emotional depth, making this one of the standout albums of 2024.
2. Make Them Suffer – Make Them Suffer
After nearly calling it quits during the pandemic, Make Them Suffer’s self-titled album is a powerful testament to their resilience. With the addition of Alex Reade, the band refines their metalcore sound, blending brutal breakdowns, massive melodies, and raw performances to create an album that’s fresh, intense, and purpose-driven.
The album opens with the cinematic “The Warning”, which sets a dramatic tone before diving into the nostalgic “Weaponized”. The track evokes the intensity of 90s video game soundtracks, pairing heavy riffs with catchy hooks. “Oscillator” follows, exploring mental health struggles with intricate melodies and emotional depth. “Doomswitch” features Alex and Sean trading harsh vocals while offering a message of resilience and the strength to overcome life’s challenges.
“Managod”, arguably the heaviest track on the album, dives into themes of media and government influence with an infectious, head-banging rhythm. “Epitaph”, one of the standout tracks, showcases unexpected emotional depth as Sean surprises listeners with softer, more vulnerable vocals before the breakdown hits, showing a different side of the band’s emotional range.
Rounding out the album, “Ghost of Me” is a genre-blending anthem, where Make Them Suffer’s fusion of metalcore and synth elements shines. With this self-titled album, the band delivers an unforgettable experience that’s poised to dominate live shows and resonate with fans worldwide.
1. Cypecore – Make Me Real
Cypecore’s Make Me Real is a bold, dystopian masterpiece that effortlessly blends sci-fi-inspired soundscapes with crushing riffs and anthemic choruses. The album feels like an immersive journey through a post-apocalyptic world, where every track serves as a chapter in a larger narrative. From the foreboding Intro that sets the stage to the cinematic Outro that brings the story full circle, the album feels like an auditory exploration of a futuristic, decaying world.
Tracks like “Pinnacle of Creation” and “Doomsday Parade” showcase Cypecore’s exceptional ability to combine unrelenting heaviness with futuristic electronic elements. These songs are a perfect marriage of melodic death metal and industrial, with crushing riffs that seamlessly shift into synth-driven melodies. The blend creates an atmosphere of chaos and urgency, while still maintaining a captivating, infectious energy that invites listeners to press repeat.
The emotional centerpiece of the album is undoubtedly the title track, “Make Me Real”. This song perfectly balances raw power with poignant storytelling, showcasing Cypecore’s ability to tap into human emotion even in a bleak, dystopian setting. The track’s soaring melodies and evocative lyrics reveal a side of the band not often seen in heavier music, adding a layer of depth that makes the album even more compelling.
There is no filler in this album. Every track contributes to the narrative, from the brutal “Patient Zero”, which hits hard with its aggressive, unrelenting energy, to the catchy yet heavy “King of Rats”, which strikes a balance between groove and intensity. These tracks prove that Cypecore is more than capable of delivering both memorable hooks and punishing heaviness.
With Make Me Real, Cypecore has crafted an album that’s not only a sonic assault on the senses but also a bold statement in the world of melodic death metal. The album’s thematic depth and musical complexity push the band further into the spotlight, cementing their place as a rising force in the genre. Make Me Real is Metal on Tap’s pick for Album of the Year, a release that will resonate with listeners and leave a lasting impact on the metal world in 2024.
