Another year, another batch of incredible albums that desperately need ranking. 

As always we cough up two lists of our own with the main purpose to confuse you even more in these times of list mania. But we know you like it when we show off our yearly sonic gems, so get ready to take it all in. Buckle up everybody, commencing countdown: now!

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Ralph’s 2024 list of All Things Louder than Anything Else

And so 2024 finally comes to an end. On a personal level I had… opinions. This was a right old bore of a year and I’ll be glad so see it end. Musically however, it was explosive from start to finish, and I can’t remember the last time I bought so much excellent new music and has so much trouble whittling it down to only ten for this list. My musical year was one of many highlights and I’m happy to be able to share them with you here.

10. Alterium – Of War and Flames (SftDS Review)
9. Illumishade – Another Side of You
8. Deep Purple – =1
7. Ponte del Diavolo – Fire Blades from the Tomb (SftDS Review)
6. Sonata Arctica – Clear Cold Beyond (SftDS Review)
5. Bruce Dickinson – The Mandrake Project (SftDS Review)
4. The Cure – Songs of a Lost World (SftDS Review)

3. Rage – Afterlifelines (SftDS Review)

As a long-time fan of the German power metal band, I was absolutely dumbfounded how fresh and how good Afterlifelines actually is, so many years in. Rarely has Rage been this excellent.

2. Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere (SftDS Review)

To say that Absolute Elsewhere was a surprise is an understatement. Part brutal, technical death, part seventies prog and part krautrock, Blood Intancation takes you on a thrilling ride through the stars.

1. Perchta – D’Muata (SftDS Review)

D’Muata is something else. Equal parts feral, emotional and downright disturbing, Perchta has crafted an intricate and intruiging extreme album that deftly walks the line between black metal and outright folk. Also, the title track is the best extreme metal song of the year and I’ll happily fight anyone who thinks otherwise.

Best concerts of 2024:

• Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets – TivoliVredenburg – Utrecht, 3-7-2024 (SftDS Review)
• The Bridge City Sinners – TivoliVredenburg – Utrecht, 1-8-2024
• Epica – The Symphonic Synergy – AFAS Live, Amsterdam, 19-9-2024 (SftDS Review)

Anticipated for 2025:

• Avantasia – Here Be Dragons (28-2-2025)
• Avatarium – Between You, God, the Devil and The Dead (24-1-2025)
• Manowar – Untitled Studio Album (TBA)

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Wander’s 2024 list of pretty…, pretty… good long players

For long I thought that this year’s musical harvest would disappoint. As the year progressed I even wondered if the long player format was no longer relevant in these times of point-and-click listening. But as 2024 draws to a close, I am glad to admit I was wrong and that my ten strongest full albums are pretty… pretty… good. Another thing I didn’t expect was the number of talented women artists that made the top of my selection. Each of them delivers exceptional performances in their own unique style. Let’s hope next year will bring about some new unexpected surprises but before it does, please enjoy this journey that I have unknowingly been on. 

10. Jane Weaver – Love in Constant Spectacle (SftDS Review)
9. Naima Bock – Below a Massive Dark Land (SftDS Review)
8. BEAK> – >>>> (SftDS Review)
7. J.R.C.G. – Grim Iconic… (Sadistic Mantra)
6. The Hard Quartet – The Hard Quartet (SftDS Review)
5. The Necks – Bleed
4. Arooj Aftab – Night Reign (SftDS Review)

3. Vera Sola – Peacemaker (SftDS Review)

Vera Sola’s sophomore blends Americana with dark, cinematic soundscapes best enjoyed during those sundown horseback rides. Yihaa!

2. Still House Plants – If I Don​’​t Make It, I Love U (SftDS Review)

Well, we however did make it (to the end of the year). Therefore it is time to show some love to one of the most engaging listens of 2024. This UK trio brings forth a whole different beast of indie rock with seemingly limitless potential.

1. BIG|BRAVE – A Chaos of Flowers (SftDS Review)

All hail to the maelstrom sound of Big Brave! The step from the swirling storm of riffs to a more textured approach opens up another world that feels intimately small yet filled with new sonic possibilities.

Best concerts of 2024:

• Hedvig Mollestad Trio – TivoliVredenburg – Utrecht, 13-04-2024
• Thundercat – TivoliVredenburg – Utrecht,10-04-2024
• Still House Plants – Le Guess Who? TivoliVredenburg – Utrecht, 08-11-2024

Anticipated for 2025:

• Jim Ghedi – Wasteland (21-02-2025)
• The Tubs – Cotton Crown (07-03-2025)
• Swans – Birthing (Q1 2025) 

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Well, that’s it for our 2024 roundup! It’s time to say goodbye to the first quarter of the 21th century and trade in our headphones for winter holiday cheer. Happy holidays and a prosperous new year! We’ll be back soon.

RP & WRM – 291224