Category: Metal Tuesday
Top Albums 2024
Derek’s Note – I asked The Brother to treat us once again with his top albums of the year. His tastes are slightly different than mine, so this is a great way to see music that wouldn’t likely show up on Metal Tuesday or B-Side Friday.
When I first went to do this traditional, yearly write-up of the new music from this year that I thought worth sharing; I was concerned that I might not have enough to share.
This year, and especially the second half of it, has been listening to a lot of the same stuff and not a lot of new music has excited me or been very good (looking at you, Opeth).
But, much to my surprise, there were still almost two dozen candidates, so a list we shall have!
Top Album
Oak, Ash & Thorn – Our Grief is Thus
Holy crap… I have not come across an album that has captivated me since Disillusion’s Back to Times of Splendor (and that became my favorite album for over a decade).
Oak, Ash & Thorn dropped an album that is essentially folky, melodic black metal with a lot of melodic death metal feels. Track after track is catchy, memorable, and just plain fun. The album came out in April and I’ve already listened to it… (checks stats in Albums)… 124 times.
Honestly, unless you are completely put off by rasped and growled vocals, I highly recommend you give this album a spin.
Death
- Alluvial – Death is But a Door (EP) – the first track, Bog Dweller, starts off with one hell of an earworm of a riff
- Tochia – Arcane Magicae
- Ulcerate – Cutting the Throat of God
- Vanir – Epitome
- Vredehammer – God Slayer
Not Death
- Amaranthe – The Catalyst – I think this is their best album in years
- Etherius – Hymns of the Crimson Raven
- Kiko Loureiro – Theory of Mind
- Syncatto – Fiction
- Tides from Nebula – Instant Rewards
Apple Music Wrap-Up 2024 – aka Dangers of Having A Shared Account
I pulled my Apple Music numbers for 2024, since it’s that time of year for wrap-ups. Except, something didn’t look right. When I looked at my top 15 artists, everything looked kind of what I expected – with the glaring exception of Taylor Swift standing atop the list like a juggernaut in terms of minutes played.
I am not a Taylor Swift fan. I’m sure I’ve heard her music, by osmosis if no other reason. But I’ve never intentionally searched out her music. So how? Oh, yeah. The Wife listens to music sometimes when she works. And she uses the Apple Music linked to the Echoes. Taylor Swift was not the only surprise. Let’s just say there were some unexpected albums that showed up. Ah well.
Anywhoo, on to my stats.
