Having more or less gone all in with some of the more fringe quarters of ‘metal’ this year, this seemed a perfect opportunity to showcase it with the top songs. Particularly when some acts don’t tend to release full-length efforts like more established international bands do. So many of these don’t actually come from an album so much as an EP or single – the full-length market isn’t the only way to go, and much of this list is leaning in that direction.
15. Spiritbox “Jaded”
Spiritbox playing around with melodic/heavy dynamics at their zenith. A fun song that shows all the facets they are capable of.
14. Antithese “Hope is Dead”
A super catchy song that features some driving riffs and energy to back up the enticing vocals. Only took one listen to stick itself in my mind for a good week.
13. LuciDream “curse”
This song goes full-speed ahead with aggressive riffing to push the dual vocal approach to its limits. Even when it goes melodic, it still features some impressive amount of energy behind it.
12. Akira Kuro “New Reality”
Frantic metalcore riffing and upbeat electronics fuse together to create a sonic dreamscape that’s both addictive and full of abrasion. Not to mention some big hooks in the chorus.
11. Dimrays “Everlasting”
Big grooves, chunky riffs, and an incredibly catchy build up to a powerhouse chorus. Dimrays showcases a strong potential for their future quite well with this latest single.
10. Mercenary “Anthem for the Anxious”
It took FOREVER to get new Mercenary, but it was worth the wait! This song shows exactly what’s so great about them – epic, progressive melodeath done immaculately!
9. Katatonia “Birds”
That potent mixture of gloomy heaviness is showcased quite effectively in “Birds.” Katatonia continue to be one of the most emotive acts in metal, embracing some hooks for added potency.
8. Shingeki “Reimei Janne da Arc”
Masters of being able to pull off multiple genres in one track, Shingeki display their full talent on this particular cut. Driving metallic riffs, rock energy, snippets of rap and pop all come together in an epic showcase.
7. Plevail “Revelation”
Futuristic keyboards, dreamy melodies, and energetic riffs (and a short but sweet solo) merge together for Plevail, generating a track that oozes with driving hooks and strong vocal melodies.
6. Fellahin Fall “Grey Morning”
The best gloomy track of the year to these ears, gritty darkwave electronics swirl around sullen riffs and vocals to create a depressive atmosphere that just absorbs you in its misery. Yet there’s something incredibly poignant and touching about it.
5. Maze “Idol Riot”
There’s something incredibly fun about Maze’s almost deathcore take on the alt idol scene. It’s incredibly catchy and fun, yet at the same time, they will pummel you with aggressive riffs and guttural roars to keep you on your toes. That breakdown at the end is absolutely monstrous!
4. Quubi “Dear My…”
Alt idol melodies with a generous helping of punk energy and flair, mixed into a jrock blender. The result is a song that has a huge sense of urgency, yet a certain playfulness and melodic sensibility. Quubi are ready to take the idol world by storm at this point.
3. TRiDENT “Repaint”
One of the most fun riffs of the year, bar none. TRiDENT dig into their strongest melodeath vibes and fuse it with a pop sensibility that will have you moving and shaking across the floor immediately. That main riff and chorus will thrill anyone that stumbles across it, causing instant fist-pumping and singing along.
2. 8bitBrain “Keep the Faith”
This song is absurd in all the right ways. Chiptunes, caustic growls, chaotic riffs, and an insidiously catchy chorus fuse together in such a way that you’ll either love it to death or it’ll make your head explode. There’s not much room for the middle ground on a song like this. Give it a shot and see what side you fall on though, it’s worth it.
1. Togenashi Togeari “Bleeding Hearts”
Togenashi Togeari is an impressive group that merges some incredibly hook-y instrumentation and vocal lines and wraps them in some very poignant, surprisingly glum lyrics. Each song they’ve released so far (7 as of writing) is an absolute powerhouse of melodies and good-time hard rock. My stats.fm app tells me I’ve listened to this song over 140 times this year, and it came out in the end of August. Check out “Answer to Extreme” too while you are at it!
Best Music Video: Hanabie “Be the Gal [Early Summer edition]”
This song introduced me to Hanabie in the summer, with it’s gyaru fashion and amusingly bright color palette. It’s a scorcher, but it’s also just a ton of fun to watch!
Best Debut: Isiliel
Considering it came in second for the year, this was a no brainer. Himari Tsukishiro is a stunning vocalist , and the homogeneous influences in Moonbow Genesis make it an elegant and riveting album to behold.
Best Live Show: PassCode – The Gramercy Theater, NYC
Honestly thought the only way I’d ever see PassCode was to fly to Japan. Thankfully, it only took a trainride to NYC! They lived up to my own mental hype and surpassed it in all ways. Their movements, stage energy, and sound made it one of of my favorite concerts of all time.
Best Artwork: Gridlink’s Coronet Juniper
A sleek, sci-fi cover always tends to draw me in. The ED-209 looking machine, the shadowing, the stark contrast between the lasers (?), it’s all thoroughly engrossing.
Most Anticipated Album of 2024: Fear Factory
The band’s first without Burton C. Bell, there’s a very high point of curiosity to see how Milo Silvestro will do in the studio as he’s certainly proved himself in the live setting already.