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Happy New Year! I’ll admit, I completely forgot how long it takes me to put these posts together, I should have started at the beginning of November! While I did start making the list last January, so much good music came out in 2024 that I never fully caught up with the onslaught. A nice problem to have, no question.
That said, of the many albums I listened to this past year, it’s not hard to pick the ones I kept coming back to, the ones that rose above the noise to get repeated listens in a flood of new music. Interestingly, this year’s list is dominated by bands I had not previously heard or even heard of, with a few highly anticipated and appreciated exceptions. Let’s get to it, in (mostly) no particular order.
Quintessence by Valley of the Sun
Valley of the Sun never disappoints. This trio has been one of my favorite bands for years, and it’s time everyone got hip to their greatness. I finally got a chance to see them live at the DNA in SF in 2024 and they absolutely killed — even the sound person was rocking out. Quintessence is the latest in an unbroken string of criminally unknown future classic albums.
Favorite tracks: all of them but especially Terra Luna Sol, Palus Somni, The Late Heavy Bombardment
The Head & The Habit by Greenleaf
Swedish rockers Greenleaf are another IYKYK band, flying under the radar while putting out bangers for decades. Originally the bluesy side project of multiple members of different heavy bands like Dozer and Lowrider, Greenleaf’s lineup eventually solidified and albums like The Head & the Habit were the result. Fans of Spiritual Beggars will dig Greenleaf.
Favorite tracks: Breathe, Breath Out; That Obsidian Grin
Vita Mors by Luna Sol
If you think this rippin blues rock album has a Kyuss/QUOTSA vibe, then you wouldn’t be surprised to hear that this power trio is fronted by Hermano’s guitarist David Angstrom. Absolutely one of my favorites of 2024, just solid dirty blues served up hot and heavy.
Favorite tracks: Black Cat Callin’, Evil, Low ‘N Easy
Acido y Puto by Free Ride
This funky, fuzzy power rock trio from Madrid caught my attention and made it into my rotation right off the bat. I don’t know anything about them except they make tasty heavy blues rock with a jazzy influence.
Favorite tracks: Outsider, Kosmik Swell
Blue City by Abrams
Abrams‘ last album was a late addition to my 2022 list because it just kept growing on me until it couldn’t be denied. Blue City had me from go. This was an early favorite in 2024, a possibly more accessible evolution of their sound from the excellent In the Dark. Sadly, I missed seeing this Colorado quartet live because I was out of town, but I won’t miss them next time. One for fans of Freedom Hawk and ASG.
Favorite tracks: Tomorrow, Fire Waltz, Blue City
Tundra Rock by Slomosa
Loved Slomosa‘s first album and have been waiting for new sounds ever since. They had a live listening party on Bandcamp when this dropped, and we got to live chat with this disarmingly friendly Norwegian band online. They were so nice and gracious, and the album is a treat. Fans of Freedom Hawk will enjoy Slomosa’s upbeat grooves.
Favorite tracks: Battling Guns, Red Thundra, Dune
Cheat Death by 1000mods
Don’t judge a book by its cover or this album by its terrible artwork, 1000mods continues to be one of Greece’s best exports with its latest full-length album, highly anticipated by at least me. See them live if you can, they’re a fun (and loud) show.
Favorite tracks: Overthrown, Gotzen Hammer
Once Upon A Time in the Desert by Brant Bjork
If Brant Bjork isn’t the hardest-working man in music, I don’t know who is. The former Kyuss drummer is so consistently prolific and so consistently good that I’m surprised he’s not a household name. His funky, groovy 70s-influenced rock is always a fun listen. Backyard party soundtrack material.
Favorite tracks: Backin’ the Daze, Down the Mountain
Warped Vision by Psychlona
Northern England’s Psychlona has become an undeniable force in the stoner/psych rock scene over the last few years, with a string of great albums that are increasingly masterful in their execution. Heavy, groovy, trippy, yet upbeat and somehow happy? If you like Freedom Hawk, King Buffalo, and Fire Down Below, you’ll dig Psychlona’s Warped Vision.
Favorite tracks: Jasmine, Let’s Go, Kaleidoscope
The Subtle & The Dense by Samsara Joyride
Another new one to me, Samsara Joyride out of Vienna, Austria, has delivered a masterful, hypnotically captivating album in The Subtle & the Dense. Heavy but not too heavy, blues but not too bluesy. Hypnotic. I’m not sure how else to describe it, you’ll have to listen to it yourself.
Favorite tracks: Too Many Preachers, No One is Free
El Diablo Locomotor by Buffalo Bud Buster
This short album is just a shit ton of fun. Heavy, chunky, growly rock for fans of Plainride and Stoner. “Videotapes and druuuuuugs.” Funny too. These guys would lay waste if they opened for Clutch.
Favorite tracks: Nameless Tomb, SST
Obsidian by Crobot
Pennsylvania’s Crobot is another criminally unknown and overlooked band that deserves a wider audience. They’ve made my list before, and their latest full-length Obsidian is another brick in their fiercely energetic rock wall. If you like heavy rock in the vein of Alter Bridge and Shinedown, you must check out Crobot.
Favorite tracks: Obsidian, Come Down
Dead by Dawn by Kitsa
Another new one to me, this is some solid grungy fuzz rock out of Washington (PNW represent!). Another early addition to the year’s list.
Favorite tracks: Seeds of Famine, Dead by Dawn
Palm Reader by High Desert Queen
The 2021 debut from Austin, Texas’ High Desert Queen was a nice surprise, and their second album Palm Reader tops it. Such a groovy, confident blend of styles that hits hard off the bat with Ancient Aliens and then takes you on a journey to other worlds.
Favorite tracks: Ancient Aliens, Death Perception, Solar Rain
The Waydown by Big Scenic Nowhwere
Sounds like if you crossed King’s X with Living Colour’s more R&B songs. Bit of 70s AOR vibe in the best possible way.
Favorite tracks: The Waydown, BT-OH
Bound by the Storm by Stormriders
I don’t usually add EPs to this list because it feels like cheating, but this one is so good I couldn’t leave it off. If you like Warp Riders era Sword, you’ll dig Bound by the Storm by Stormriders. It’s like a soundtrack to a movie you wish you could see, and leaves you wanting more.
Favorite tracks: Bound by the Storm, Dunes of Eternity
Keep me Fed by the Warning
Shades of Halestorm and the Pretty Reckless, these three sisters from Mexico City are an ass-kicking heavy rock trio. Nuff said.
Favorite tracks: SICK, MORE
Not in my heavy rotation yet, but absolutely worth checking out:
Judas Priest – Invincible Shield
Static-X – Project Regeneration Vol 2
Jerry Cantrell – I Want Blood
Jack White – No Name
Fu Manchu – The Return of Tomorrow
Hermano – when the moon was high
Bonus – once again, I’ve created a Spotify playlist of selected songs from the albums listed here, enjoy! Micropayments for everyone!
What are your favorite albums of 2024? Let me know!
The amount of excellent heavy rock that came out this year was overwhelming.
Truly, the amount of music in general that was released in 2023 was more than I could possibly keep up with. I gave up trying to do a weekly pick and just started this list earlier than usual because it was all too much. And then a strange thing happened – my list became filled with bands I didn’t know or never heard before. In fact, I’d say the bulk of the list is surprises instead of the usual sprinkling of fun finds. Pleasant surprises, to be sure. I hope you see some of your favorites from the past year here, and if not may some of these become new favorites.
The usual disclaimer – these are not my attempt at picking the best albums of 2023, but instead this list represents the ones that I kept returning to in the midst of the wonderful flood of new music we happily drowned in this year. Also – you’ll notice that I use Bandcamp links whenever possible – that’s because even purchasing a single song from an artist on Bandcamp will put more money in their pocket than a month or even a year of streaming. Support artists!
The Lord Knows by Tidal Wave
This fuzz rock gem came out in January and immediately set the bar for the rest of the year. If you dig Freedom Hawk and Valley of the Sun, you’ll love this second release from Swedish rockers The Lord Knows.
Superskull by Black Rainbows
Italy’s premier psych rock band Black Rainbows may have dropped their masterpiece with Superskull. I love them long time, but this one is probably my favorite, and certainly got the most virtual spins of any album this year. Just killer psyched out fuzz rock.
Rebuilding the Mountain by Royal Thunder
Raw and real, the second album by the regrouped and revitalized Royal Thunder is a mature musical slap in the face reminiscent of the Dead Weather and PJ Harvey. The more I listen, the more I like.
Low Desert Surf Club by Fire Down Below
Part grower, part shower, this is the third full length from one of my favorite bands, Belgium’s desert rockers Fire Down Below. Definitely some surf rock influence injected into their upbeat fuzz guitar rock on this one.
The Infinite Mirror by Ritual King
Just when I had my list set, this album comes out and gets under my skin with alarming ease. Grungy, spacey, and full of great guitar grooves paired with pleasing vocals. I have a feeling this Ritual King release will be on many AOTY lists.
Bloodlines by Tygers of Pan Tang
Unlikely? Yes. On point for a year of resurgent 80s and 90s artists? Also yes. A standout among retro rock albums to come out this year? I’m as surprised as you are, but the latest album from classic NWOBHM rockers Tygers of Pan Tang kicks serious ass. They sound better than ever and blow away other retro rock releases with ease.
Glass Future by Howling Giant
Fans of ASG, Valley of the Sun, and the Sword will love the second full length from Nashville’s new star of the psych and prog rock scene. This semi-concept album from Howling Giant was a nice October surprise.
Full Circle by Dead Feathers
The sophomore release from Chicago’s Dead Feathers is simply an amazingly solid outing from a band that sounds like they’ve been around for ages. Impossible not to add this gem to the list.
The Shining Son by Appalooza
“French Desert Rock”. Shades of classic Alice in Chains and Red Fang on this future classic from Appalooza.
Annihilation by Elephant Groove
Amazing Italian psych fuzz, for fans of My Sleeping Karma and Mr Bison. That bass tone!
Cassini by Orbitron
German instrumental guitar rock, very much in the vein of My Sleeping Karma, with a little more 70s prog rock influence. I wish it were longer.
Rebel Heart Gypsy Soul EP by Ten Ton Mojo
Fun, fuzzy blues rock from New York City? It may chap your hide to discover that it’s quite good. Mixed and mastered by the incomparable Max Norman, this one is just ten tons of fun in 4 songs.
The Eightfold Path by Dead Shrine
Killer psych rock guitar grooves from New Zealand.
Fuzzrider by Fuzzrider
Dark, dirty, heavy blues from Athens, Greece, just the way I like it. Adding Fuzzrider to my roster of favorite Greek heavy bands along with 1000mods, Puta Volcano, and Nightstalker.
Blurring the Lines of Reality by Borracho
Heavy hypnotic fuzz rock from Washington DC. Something about this album makes me think it would be perfect to throw on in the garage when you’re working on your car.
This Heathen Land by Green Lung
Fans of Judas Priest, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden and yes, even Ghost will dig the latest full length by London’s Green Lung. Breathe it deep!
Honorable mentions – albums I enjoyed and admired this year that didn’t quite make it into the rotation:
Bonus – once again, I’ve created a Spotify playlist of selected songs from the albums listed here, enjoy! Micropayments for everyone!
What are your favorite albums of 2023? Comment below or let me know!
B
I wasn’t expecting to like this as much as I did, but I should have known. I’ve loved Dave Letterman since early days and was reminded that I loved U2 in early days as well, ever since I saw New Year’s Day in heavy rotation on MTV when it launched. Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming with Dave Letterman is part concert film, part documentary, part Irish history lesson. If you’ve ever wondered why U2 was ever a big deal, you’ll discover that here as the core duo discuss their early roots in Dublin, growing from a seed planted in political turmoil and personal crises.
U2 are one of the few bands that have persisted with their original members from the beginning, although that future remains slightly skeptical with drummer Larry Mullin Jr. suffering from health issues at the time of this filming. Bassist Adam Clayton was mentioned as being off making a film, but Bono and the Edge are enough here. And Dave is as charming and childlike as ever, visiting Dublin for the first time and not even remotely attempting to hide his wonderment at his situation. You’ll be charmed too.
Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming with Dave Letterman is streaming on Disney Plus.
