As the year draws to a close, many music enthusiasts turn their attention to compiling their own lists of top albums. But not without controversy for what is an album list if not a reflection of personal taste and opinion?

As someone who values haphazard discovery over intense research, I'm happy to share my take on the best albums of 2024. From thrash metal to doom and death metal, these releases stood out for their sonic brilliance and raw energy.

Honorable Mentions:
Testament The Legacy (Remaster 2024) and The New Order (Remaster 2024)
These re-releases of Testament's classic albums serve as a reminder that the thrash metal legends continue to produce music that resonates with fans today. The superior sound quality is undeniable, making these releases worthy of attention even for those who have followed the band since their early days.

Electric Wizard Black Magic Rituals & Perversions Vol. 1
Released in December, this live album is an instant classic that showcases Electric Wizard's mastery over contemporary doom metal. Featuring a tracklist selected from 2020's tour schedule, this record epitomizes the band's sonic signature: raw and unpolished, with a nod to the pioneering work of Black Sabbath.

The Actual Top 5 List:
5. Necrot Lifeless Birth
As one of 2024's defining deaths metal releases, Lifeless Birth showcases Necrot's skill in crafting visceral sounds that leave listeners unsettled and eager for more. The record is a testament to the band's ability to evoke an unpolished brutality that resonates with fans yearning for unbridled aggression.

4. Shining The Helsinki Tapes
Shining has long demonstrated their dedication to pushing boundaries within the realm of black metal, and The Helsinki Tapes is no exception. This album features compositions that showcase unique melodic elements alongside intense sonic experimentation, all set against the backdrop of Niklas Kvarforth's unwavering passion for music.

3. Cavalera Conspiracy Schizophrenia
At a time where fans clamored for further involvement from Sepultura's core members, Cavalera Conspiracy stepped up to the plate by releasing their second collaboration album. This release serves as an homage to early Sepultura, providing new blood and energy while maintaining the distinctive spirit that defined their earlier work.

2. Atrophy Asylum
After a 34-year gap between studio releases, Arizona thrashers Atrophy returned with a force to be reckoned with in Asylum. The record finds itself well-positioned within the realm of contemporary metal, featuring riffs that draw inspiration from classic works yet forge forward into uncharted territory. For long-time fans and newcomers alike, this is an album worth revisiting time and again.

1. High on Fire Cometh the Storm
Featuring Coady Willis behind the drums, Cometh the Storm brings a renewed vitality to this perennial thrash metal stalwart, revamping their discography in the process. Mr. Matt Pike would be proud to see High on Fire thriving under new life with coad, leaving fans with an album which echoes raw aggression and potent intensity. As 2025 beckons near, it will undoubtedly make your head bang just a couple of inches higher.