KNAC.COM Staff Top Ten Releases For 2024
By
Larry Petro,
News Monkey
Thursday, December 26, 2024 @ 9:39 AM
A new year is now upon us and in 2024 a boatload of great hard rock and heavy metal was released, and to that end, the staff at KNAC.COM have compiled their lists of Top Ten (and in some cases, Top 15, 25 or 30) releases of the year.
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Larry Petro, Managing Editor/News Monkey |
01.) Judas Priest Invincible Shield (Epic)
02.) Firewind Stand United (AFM)
03.) Bruce Dickinson The Mandrake Project (BMG)
04.) Striker Ultrapower (Record Breaking Records)
05.) Saxon Hell, Fire & Damnation (Silver Lining Music)
06.) Stryper When We Were Kings (Frontiers)
07.) Red Tiger Die Another Day (LXG Records)
08.) Amaranthe The Catalyst (Nuclear Blast)
09.) The End Machine The Quantum Phase (Frontiers)
10.) Victory Circle Of Life (AFM)
Honorable Mentions:
The Rods - Rattle The Cage (Massacre Records)
Accept - Humanoid (Nuclear Blast)
Leaves' Eyes - Myths Of Fate (AFM)
Riot V - Mean Streets (Atomic Fire)
Hammerfall - Avenge The Fallen (Nuclear Blast)
Voodoo Circle - Hail To The King (AFM)
Dream Evil - Metal Gods (Century Media)
Category 7 - Category 7 (Metal Blade)
Flat Black - Dark Side Of The Brain (Fearless Records)
Skillet - Revolution
01.) Storace Crossfire (Frontiers)
02.) Impellitteri War Machine (Frontiers)
03.) Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks True (Frontiers)
04.) Billy Morrison The Morrison Project (TLG/Virgin Music)
05.) Bobbie Dazzle Fandabidozi (Rise Above Records)
06.) Riot V Mean Streets (Atomic Fire)
07.) Lionheart The Grace of a Dragonfly (Metalville)
08.) T-Bear The Way of the World (Quarto Valley Records)
09.) House Of Lords Full Tilt Overdrive (Frontiers)
10.) The Gems Phoenix (Napalm Records)
Honorable Mentions:
Crobot - Obsidian (Self Released)
Oz Hawe Petersson's Rendevous - Oz Hawe Petersson's Rendevous (Pride & Joy Music)
Illumishade - Another Side of You (Napalm Records)
Sweey - Full Circle (Metalville)
The Rods - Rattle The Cage (Massacre Records)
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Wendy Jasper, Black Metal Aficionado |
01.) Russell/Guns Medusa (Frontiers)
02.) Blood Stained Dusk Dirge of Death's Silence (Remastered Reissue) (Black Lion)
03.) Darkthrone It Beckons Us All (Peaceville)
04.) Marilyn Manson One Assassination Under God (Nuclear Blast)
05.) Vain Disintegrate Together (Jackie Rainbow)
06.) Ihsahn Ihsahn (Candlelight)
07.) Limbonic Art Opus Daemoniacal (Kyrck Productions & Armour)
08.) Borknagar Fall (Century Media)
09.) Hammerfall Avenge the Fallen (Nuclear Blast)
10.) Marduk Beast of Prey Live (Back on Black)
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Alex "Dr. Metal" Yarborough, Orlando Contributor |
01.) Wade Black's Astronomica The Awakening (RPM/ROAR)
02.) Empires of Eden Guardians of Time (Massacre)
03.) Impellitteri War Machine (Frontiers)
04.) Flotsam and Jetsam I Am The Weapon (AFM)
05.) Saxon Hell, Fire and Damnation (Silver Lining)
06.) Judas Priest Invincible Shield (Epic/Sony)
07.) Druparia The River Above (Independent Release)
08.) Voodoo Circle Hail To The King (AFM)
09.) Dream Evil Metal Gods (Century Media)
10.) Riot V Mean Streets (Atomic Fire)
11.) Stryper When We Were Kings (Frontiers)
12.) HammerFall Avenge The Fallen (Nuclear Blast)
13.) Fate Disconnect 'N Ignite (Frontiers)
14.) Surgical Strike 24/7 Hate (Metalville)
15.) The Rods Rattle The Cage (Massacre)
16.) Firewind Stand United (AFM)
17.) Accept Humanoid (Napalm)
18.) Category 7 Category 7 (Metal Blade)
19.) Victory Circle of Life (AFM)
20.) Grand Magus Sunraven (Nuclear Blast)
Honorable Mentions:
Queen - Queen I (2024 Remix) (EMI)
Babylon A.D. - Rome Wasn't Built In A Day (Perris)
Sinner's Blood - Dark Horizons (Frontiers)
Astral Doors - The End of It All (Metalville)
Bruce Dickinson - The Mandrake Project (BMG)
Striker - Ultrapower (Record Breaking Records)
Serious Black - Rise of Akhenaton (AFM)
Nasty Savage - Jeopardy Room (FHM)
Starchaser - Into The Great Unknown (Frontiers)
01.) Casandra's Crossing Garden of Earthly Delights (Frontiers)
02.) Judas Priest Invisible Shield (Sony/Epic)
03.) Bruce Dickinson The Mandrake Project (BMG)
04.) Moggs Motel Moggs Motel (Cleopatra Records)
05.) New Years Day Half Black Heart (Century Media)
06.) Mick Mars The Other Side of Mars (1313)
07.) Amaranthe The Catalyst (Nuclear Blast)
08.) Riot V Mean Streets (Atomic Fire)
09.) Jerry Cantrell I Want Blood (Double J Music)
10.) Opeth The Last Will And Testament (Reigning Phoenix)
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Breezy Bird, Idaho Contributor |
01.) Flat Black Dark Side of The Brain (Fearless Records)
02.) Sebastian Bach Child Within The Man (Reigning Phoenix Music)
03.) Bring Me The Horizon Post Human: Next Gen (Sony RCA Columbia)
04.) Daughtry Shock to the System (Part One) EP (Big Machine Rock)
05.) Seether The Surface Seems So Far (Fantasy Records)
06.) Shallow Side Reflections (Thermal Entertainment)
07.) 10 Years Inner Darkness (Mascot Records)
08.) Jerry Cantrell I Want Blood (Double J Music)
09.) Scott Stapp Higher Power (Napalm)
10.) Mick MarsThe Other Side of Mars (1313)
Honorable Mentions
War Babies - Vault (Northwest Metalworx)
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Junkman, On Air Personality, Hoarder Of All Things Salvageable |
01.) Category 7 Category 7 (Metal Blade)
02.) Kerry King From Hell I Rise (Reigning Phoenix Music)
03.) Judas Priest Invincible Shield (Sony/Epic)
04.) Bruce Dickinson The Mandrake Project (BMG)
05.) Crossbone Skully Evil World Machine (Better Noise)
06.) Accept Humanoid (Napalm)
07.) Kittie Fire (Sumerian)
08.) Mick Mars The Other Side of Mars (1313)
09.) Saxon Hell, Fire and Damnation (Silver Lining)
10.) Body Count Merciless (Century Media)
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Andrew Depedro, Ottawa Correspondent |
01.) Judas Priest Invincible Shield (Sony/Epic)
02.) Sebastian Bach Child Within The Man (Reigning Phoenix Records)
03.) Saxon Hell, Fire And Damnation (Silver Lining)
04.) Kerry King From Hell I Rise (Reigning Phoenix Records)
05.) Lutharo Chasing Euphoria (Atomic Fire)
06.) Striker Ultrapower (Record Breaking Records)
07.) Bruce Dickinson The Mandrake Project (BMG)
08.) Riot V Mean Streets (Atomic Fire)
09.) Grand Magus Sunraven (Nuclear Blast)
10.) Accept Humanoid (Napalm)
11.) Category 7 Category 7 (Metal Blade)
12.) Black Crowes Happiness Bastards (Silver Arrow)
13.) Texas Hippie Coalition Gunsmoke (MNRK Heavy)
14.) Jerry Cantrell I Want Blood (Double J Music)
15.) Deep Purple =1 (earMUSIC)
Honorable mentions:
Pearl Jam - Dark Matter (Monkeywrench/Republic)
Comeback Kid - Trouble EP (SharpTone Records)
The Rods - Rattle The Cage (Massacre)
Infrared - Manifestation (Self-Released)
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Travis Failey, Planet Earth Contributor |
01.) Judas Priest Invincible Shield (Sony/Epic)
02.) Nothing More Carnal (Better Noise)
03.) Marilyn Manson One Assassination Under God - Chapter 1 (Nuclear Blast)
04.) Mr. Big Ten (Frontiers)
05.) Mick Mars The Other Side of Mars (1313)
06.) Bruce Dickinson The Mandrake Project (BMG)
07.) Babylon A.D. Rome Wasn't Built In A Day (Perris)
08.) Kerry King From Hell I Rise (Reigning Phoenix)
09.) Linkin Park From Zero (Warner)
10.) Accept Humanoid (Napalm)
Honorable Mentions
Slash - Orgy Of The Damned (Gibson)
Scott Stapp - Higher Power (Napalm)
DragonForce - Warp Speed Warriors (Napalm)
Mushroomhead - Call The Devil (Napalm)
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Jay Roberts, Massachusetts Contributor |
01A.) Metro Society The London Conspiracy: Chapter I - 1898 (Metro Society Records)
01B.) Judas Priest Invincible Shield (Sony/Epic)
02.) Kings of Mercia Battle Scars (Metal Blade)
03.) North Sea Echoes Really Good Terrible Things (Metal Blade)
04.) Todd Michael Hall Off the Rails (Rat Pak)
05.) Hall Aflame Amplifire (Rat Pak)
06.) Bruce Dickinson The Mandrake Project (BMG)
07.) House of Lords Full Tilt Overdrive (Frontiers)
08.) Accept Humanoid (Napalm)
09.) Saxon Hell, Fire and Damnation (Silver Lining)
10.) HammerFall Avenge The Fallen (Nuclear Blast)
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Geoff Ketler, Cleveland Contributor/Aces High Photography
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01.) Daath The Deceivers (Metal Blade)
02.) Judas Priest Invincible Shield (Sony/Epic)
03.) The Warning Keep Me Fed (Lava Records)
04.) Bruce Dickinson The Mandrake Project (BMG)
05.) Kittie Fire (Sumerian)
06.) Devin Townsend PowerNerd (Inside Out)
07.) Static-X Project: Regeneration Vol. 2 (Otsego Entertainment Group)
08.) Knocked Loose You Won't Go Before You’re Supposed To (Pure Noise)
09.) Jerry Cantrell I Want Blood (Double J Music)
10.) Job For A Cowboy Moon Healer (Metal Blade)
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George Mihalovich, Pittsburgh Contributor/AFTERSHOK Guitarist |
01.) Accept Humanoid (Napalm)
02.) Saxon Hell, Fire And Damnation (Silver Lining)
03.) Judas Priest Invincible Shield (Sony/Epic)
04.) Dream Evil Metal Gods (Century Media)
05.) Impellitteri War Machine (Frontiers)
06.) Flotsam And Jetsam I Am The Weapon (AFM)
07.) Bruce Dickinson The Mandrake Project (BMG)
08.) Stryper When We Were Kings (Frontiers)
09.) The Grandmaster Black Sun (Frontiers)
10.) Sinner's Blood Dark Horizons (Frontiers)
11.) HammerFall Avenge The Fallen (Nuclear Blast)
12.) Mick Mars The Other Side of Mars (1313)
13.) Kerry King From Hell I Rise (Reigning Phoenix)
14.) Victory Circle Of Life (AFM)
15.) Kingcrown Nova Atlantis (Rockshots)
16.) Firewind Stand United (AFM)
17.) Sebastian Bach Child Within The Man (Reigning Phoenix)
18.) Riot V Mean Streets (Atomic Fire)
19.) The End Machine The Quantum Phase (Frontiers)
20.) Grand Magus Sunraven (Nuclear Blast)
21.) Intranced Muerte y Metal (High Roller)
22.) Category 7 Category 7 (Metal Blade)
23.) Whom Gods Destroy Insanium (Inside Out)
24.) Astral Doors The End Of It All (Metalville)
25.) Evergrey Theories Of Emptiness (Napalm)
26.) Inner Wish Ash Of Eternal Flame (Reigning Phoenix Music)
27.) Holy Mother Rise (Massacre)
28.) Sunburst Manifesto (Inner Wound Records)
29.) Storace Crossfire (Frontiers)
30.) Ivory Tower Heavy Rain (Massacre Records)
Final Recordings:
Russell/Guns - Medusa (Frontiers): R.I.P. Jack Russell
Paul Di'Anno's Warhorse - Paul Di'Anno's Warhorse (BraveWords): R.I.P. Paul Di'Anno
Magnum - Here Comes The Rain (Napalm): R.I.P. Tony Clarkin
Veteran Releases
Ace Frehley, Anvil, Axel Rudi Pell, Babylon A.D., Blaze Bayley, Blue Oyster Cult, Cloven Hoof, David Reece, Demon, dUg Pinnick, House Of Lords, Marty Friedman, Mr. Big, Paragon, Rage, Richie Kotzen, The Rods, Satan, Sonata Arctica, Whitecross
Additional Worthy Releases
Cave, Crystal Viper, DGM, DragonForce, Empires Of Eden, Gotus, Ironflame, Lords Of Black, Mindless Sinner, StarChaser, Sunbomb, Suicidal Angels, Toxikull
All of these lists prove that the metal and hard rock genres continue to thrive, particularly considering that these styles are far from the consciousness of mainstream listeners - even though they shouldn't be. Of course, this list is based on my personal tastes and purview, but take advantage of this entire feature for a balanced cross-section of 2024 releases.
Keep the faith and support the artists that speak to you. Many are nearing the end of their careers, so connect with them while you still can. \m/
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Thomas Coffman, Houston Photographer Extraordinaire |
01.) Crossbone Skully Evil World Machine (Better Noise)
02.) Skillet Revolution (Hear It Loud)
03.) The End Machine The Quantum Phase (Frontiers)
04.) Judas Priest Invincible Shield (Sony/Epic)
05.) Stryper When We Were Kings (Frontiers)
06.) Casandra's Crossing Garden of Earthly Delights (Frontiers)
07.) Sunstorm Restless Fight (Frontiers)
08.) Eclipse Meganomanium 2 (earMusic)
09.) Kickin Valentina Star Spangled Fist Fight (Mighty Music)
10.) Linkin Park From Zero (Warner)
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Peter Atkinson, Northeast Contributor |
01.) Iotunn Kinship (Metal Blade)
02.) Ulcerate Cutting The Throat Of God (Debemur Morti)
03.) Alcest Les Chants De L'Aurore (Nuclear Blast)
04.) Four Stroke Baron Data Diamond (Prosthetic)
05.) Oranssi Pazuzu Muuntautuja (Nuclear Blast)
06.) Gaerea Coma (Season Of Mist)
07.) Kanonenfieber Die Urkatastrophe (Century Media)
08.) Blood Incantation Absolute Elsewhere (Century Media)
09.) Ihsahn Ihsahn (Nuclear Blast)
10.) Ripped To Shreds Sanshi (Relapse)
Honorable Mentions
200 Stab Wounds - Manual Manic Procedures (Metal Blade)
Fleshgod Apocalypse - Opera (Nuclear Blast)
1349 - The Wolf And The King (Season Of Mist)
Opeth - The Last Will & Testament (Reigning Phoenix)
Tribulation - Sub Rosa In Aeturnum (Century Media)
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Halo, Heavenly Contributor |
01.) Amaranthe The Catalyst (Nuclear Blast)
02.) Falling In Reverse Popular Monster (Epitaph)
03.) Bon Jovi Forever (Island Records)
04.) Bad Omens Concrete Jungle-The OST (Sumerian)
05.) Scott Stapp Higher Power (Napalm)
06.) Kerry King From Hell I Rise (Reigning Phoenix)
07.) Bruce Dickinson The Mandrake Project (BMG)
08.) Judas Priest Invincible Shield (Sony/Epic)
09.) DragonForce Warped Speed Warriors (Napalm)
10.) Lionheart The Grace of a Dragonfly (Metalville)
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Rob McNees, Vinyl Aficionado |
01.) Satan Songs In Crimson (Metal Blade)
02.) Nasty Savage Jeopardy Room (F*H*M Records)
03.) Aska Knight Strike (Vanadium Records)
04.) Cloven Hoof Heathen Cross (High Roller)
05.) Michael Schenker My Life With UFO (EarMusic)
06.) Phil Mogg Moggs Motel (Cleopatra)
07.) Judas Priest Invincible Shield (Sony/Epic)
08.) Trapeze Lost Tapes Vol. 2 (Metalville)
09.) The Georgia Thunderbolts Rise Above It All (Mascot)
10.) Rhabstallion Bat Shit Crazy (ZYX Music)
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Daniel Licitra, South Florida Contributor |
01.) The Cold Stares The Southern (Mascot)
02.) Angel Sword World Fighter (Dying Victims Productions)
03.) Brave Rival Fight or Flight (Self Release)
04.) Tim Montana Savage (Broken Bow)
05.) Sebastian Bach Child Within The Man (Reigning Phoenix)
06.) Hammer King Konig Und Kaiser (Napalm)
07.) Orden Ogan The Order of Fear (Reigning Phoenix)
08.) Sweet Full Circle (Metalville)
09.) Dream Evil Metal Gods (Century Media)
10.) Tygers of Pan Tang Live Blood (Mighty Music)
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Shelly Harris, Chicago Contributor |
01.) Moggs Motel Moggs Motel (Cleopatra)
02.) Richie Kotzen Nomad (BMG)
03.) The Raven Age Blood Omen (Sony)
04.) Gun Hombres (Cooking Vinyl)
05.) Accept Humanoid (Napalm)
06.) The Hu Live at Glastonbury (Better Noise)
07.) Deep Purple =1 (EarMusic)
08.) King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Flight b741 (KGLW)
09.) Paul Di'Anno The Book of the Beast (Conquest Music)
10.) The Dead Daisies Light 'Em Up (SVP)
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Rocky Kessenger, Through The Metal Lens |
01.) Kittie Fire (Sumerian)
02.) Kerry King From Hell I Rise (Reigning Phoenix)
03.) Gatecreeper Dark Superstition (Nuclear Blast)
04.) A Night in Texas Digital Apocalypse (Unique Leader)
05.) Entheos An End To Everything EP (Metal Blade)
06.) Necrot Lifeless Birth (Tankcrimes)
07.) Ingested The Tide Of Death And Fractured Dreams (Metal Blade)
08.) Seven Hours After Violet Seven Hours After Violet (Sumerian)
09.) The Black Dahlia Murder Servitude (Metal Blade)
10.) Unto Others Never, Neverland (Century Media)
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Francisco Zamudio, MetalXCandy, LA Correspondent |
01.) Nile The Underworld Awaits Us All (Napalm)
02.) Eternal Cryptic Lust (Carbonized Records)
03.) Kerry King From Hell I Rise (Reigning Phoenix)
04.) Severe Torture Torn From The Jaws of Death (Season of Mist)
05.) Deicide Banished By Sin (Reigning Phoenix)
06.) Judas Priest Invincible Shield (Sony/Epic)
07.) Defeated Sanity Chronicles of Lunacy (Season of Mist)
08.) Ulcerate Cutting The Throat of God (Debemur Morti Productions)
09.) Spectral Wound Songs Of Blood And Mire (Profound Lore Records)
10.) Hulder Verses In Oath (20 Buck Spin)
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