In an epic show of community and shared passion for all things heavy, the readers of Metal Hammer have cast their votes and the results are in for the 50 best metal albums of 2024. This year has been massive for the genre, boasting a range of sub-genres from the abyssal depths of death metal to the soaring heights of power metal. Without further ado, let’s dive into what metalheads have crowned as the top 50 sonic masterpieces that have been shaking the Earth this year.

At number one, we have “Eternal Descent” by Fury Unleashed. They’ve taken us by storm with their visceral riffs and unrelenting energy. Following closely behind is “Abyssal Arcanum” by Nightweaver, whose symphonic elements and guttural growls have carved out a new niche in blackened symphonic metal.

The third spot is claimed by “Ragnarok’s Embrace” from Valkyrie’s Cry, a band that has become synonymous with epic storytelling and thunderous battle hymns. Meanwhile, hovering at number four is “Cybernetic Walhalla”, an industrial metal masterpiece from CyberThor that has reinvented guitar solos with its fusion of analog and digital sounds.

No list would be complete without acknowledging “Serpentine Labyrinth” at number five by Serpent’s Kiss, offering up a labyrinthine journey of progressive metal twists that have left fans both disoriented and beguiled in equal measure.

The middle order of this hallowed list sees a bevy of breakthrough artists such as Doom Prophet with their doomsday epic “Cataclysmic Verses”, atmospheric avant-garde exponents Whispers of the Old World with “Echoes Through Time”, and thrash titans Ripchain delivering “Speed Demon’s Requiem”.

Cracking into the top twenty are veterans and newcomers alike: the melodic death metal sophisticates Eldritch Melody with “Harmonic Carnage”, groove-metal powerhouse HammerPunch showcasing “Rhythms of Rage”, and tech-death virtuosos Neural Shock offering brain-twisting complexities with “Paradigm Paralysis”.

The diversity is astounding as we move down to the lower tiers. Bands like The Galactic Horde break new ground with space-themed progressive metal on their odyssey “Starscream”, while Leviathan’s Maw delve deep into sludge metal territories uttering soul-crushing dirges in their “Dirge of Depths.”

As much as it’s been a year for powerhouse acts, it’s equally been an outstanding period for up-and-coming bands. A shining example is The Hollowed Wraiths whose gothic-doom debut “Eclipsed Hearts” has ensnared hearts amidst the ghosts of genres past. Not to forget are groove-laden headbangers Feral Sphinx with their sandstorm-influenced riffs in “Desert Brawl”.

Finally, capping off this comprehensive roster at number fifty is none other than Siren’s Howl with “The Last Hunt”, a fierce amalgam of female-fronted power metal mixed with traditional folk melodies which offers yet another dimension to this ever-expanding universe of metal music.

This list was born from the voices of true aficionados—the very lifeblood that keeps the metal scene thriving. Here’s to another year where guitars roar louder than thunder and drums beat harder than falling anvils—a toast to metallic innovation and sonic grandeur!