25 Déc Metal UK : Top album 2024 [Eng]
2024 has been an incredibly prolific year for international Metal albums. But what about British artists? Which gems have emerged, and which stalwarts have proven their worth? Let’s break it all down.
As the year winds to a close, Spotify and Deezer have already reminded us of our annual listening habits—sometimes not the most glorious—but what should we retain from all the saturated music that has filled our year?
In 2023’s Top Albums, Sleep Token, Tesseract, and Svalbard stood out, and it’s safe to say the average quality of albums was perhaps a notch above 2024. Discovery has been the watchword for this year in British Metal music. Here’s a roundup, with the hope that this non-exhaustive list will introduce you to some new bands or feature some of your favorites. Happy reading!
10. Mastiff – Deprecipice
Starting strong, Mastiff kicks things off with Deprecipice, a brutal blend of Doom, Sludge, and Hardcore. It’s a perfect marriage of thick, gritty sound and razor-sharp precision. The vocals are deeply saturated, the breakdowns intense. The BPM varies greatly, shifting from slow passages to double-pedal speed bursts. One thing remains constant: sheer effectiveness. A listening experience sure to delight fans of over-the-top heaviness!
For fans of Conjurer, Cult Leader, and Primitive Man.
9. Veiled – SE//CT
Thick, heavy Deathcore combined with perfectly placed clean vocals. Though this style isn’t particularly prominent in England, Veiled proves they can rival American giants. It’s exciting to see such bands emerge. Their dark style merges crushing breakdowns with ethereal atmospheres and introspective themes, reflected in their haunting, half-masked imagery. A great entry point into Deathcore, thanks to its strong atmospheric touch.
For fans of Bound in Fear, Osiah, and Whitechapel.
8. Dvne – Voidkind
In a completely different vein, Dvne is a rising star in Progressive/Atmospheric Metal. As the name suggests, the Scottish band is indeed inspired by Frank Herbert’s Dune, recently adapted to film by Canadian director Denis Villeneuve. The connection makes sense—their music draws heavily from science fiction and fantasy. Seamless transitions between haunting, slow passages and incisive rhythms are sure to captivate headbanging listeners. Voidkind is a gem deserving the attention of any Progressive Metal fan.
For fans of The Ocean, Psychonaut, and Haken.
7. Rough Justice – Faith In Vain
The most obscure band on this list but by no means the least impactful. Their debut album showcases exceptional maturity, dripping with British Hardcore influences. Eight tracks, 23 minutes—there’s no debating this album’s efficiency. Signed to MLVLTD, Rough Justice is among the younger bands ensuring this genre’s bright future in England. Faith In Vain is easy to devour and hints at the wild energy their pits must generate. Surprisingly, they hail not from Manchester but Sheffield, another Metalcore hotspot!
For fans of Malevolence, Guilt Trip, and Landmvrks.
6. While She Sleeps – Self Hell
What can be said about WSS? Probably the most French-loving British Metalcore band out there. We’ve been fortunate to see them live frequently, and they keep getting better. Self Hell marks a real turning point in their discography—not for its originality, but for the maturity of its tracks. Packed with fan service, longtime listeners will feel right at home. Eight months after our March review, the conclusion remains the same: a solid album, albeit uneven across its tracks. An honorable 6th place for its anthems, including To The Flowers.
For fans of Architects, Bury Tomorrow, and Polaris.
5. Graphic Nature – Who Are You When No One Is Watching ?
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the year, given the unexpected nature of this release. Their debut album, A Man Waiting to Die, took 4th place last year. For fans of ‘90s-2000s Nu Metal, this wave of bands adding a Core twist to old-school styles is a breath of fresh air. Graphic Nature modernizes Nu Metal with a smashing Hardcore/Metalcore sound that balances melodic and rhythmic sections to spine-tingling effect. A smarter, more engaging album than their first, keeping you hooked from start to finish.
For fans of Slipknot, Tallah, and Half Me.
4. Polar – Five Arrows
The sixth album from Polar blends American Hip-Hop vibes with Malevolence-inspired riff aggression. With only four shows in 2024, they clearly devoted their time to crafting this masterpiece, and it shows. Mature, polished, and fiercely effective—everything you could want from Hardcore. Plus, melodic touches provide respite from the relentless breakdowns. Polar delivers Hardcore at its finest, an oxymoron that perfectly describes Five Arrows.
For fans of Stick To Your Guns, Stray From The Path, and Defects.
3. Heriot – Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell
What a pleasant surprise. First recommended during an interview with Justine Jones (Employed To Serve), Heriot delivers a potent mix of Hardcore, Industrial Metal, and Sludge. Crushing heaviness meets atmospheric beauty, all powered by Debbie Gough, their charismatic singer-guitarist. Produced by industry heavyweights Josh Middleton (Sylosis) and Will Putney (Fit For An Autopsy), this is a melancholic powerhouse from a young British band.
For fans of Employed To Serve, END, and Gaerea.
2. Ingested – The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams
The Slam/Death Metal veterans from Manchester are back with an even better album than 2022’s Ashes Lie Still. More powerful and incisive, the opening track Paragon of Purity packs a punch right out of the gate. Featuring notable collaborations with Josh Middleton and Mark Hunter (Chimaira), Ingested once again demonstrates why they’re pioneers of this genre.
For fans of Acrania, Vulvodynia, and Aborted.
1. Bring Me The Horizon – POST HUMAN : NeX GEn
An obvious choice. Unlike Sleep Token’s meteoric rise last year, BMTH took nearly two decades to climb to global prominence. They’ve become ambassadors for Metalcore, perfecting a unique recipe. POST HUMAN: NeX GEn is the epitome of their evolution. Each album feels distinct, and this latest one is packed with live hits that will dominate 2025 festivals.
Fans of old-school Trash, Death, or Heavy Metal may feel disappointed as modern styles dominate this ranking. However, other noteworthy 2024 releases include:
- Saxon – Hell, Fire and Damnation
- Judas Priest – Invincible Shield
- David Gilmour – Luck and Strange
- Kill the Lights – Death Melodies
- Profiler – A Digital Nowhere
Feel free to share your favorites from the year, especially in Death, Black, Grind, Power, or Post styles. We’ll keep you posted on the extreme bands to watch in 2025!
No Comments