As the metal scene continues to evolve, 2024 has already gifted us with an array of astonishing albums that push the boundaries of the genre. Here are 20 of the best metal albums that you absolutely cannot miss!

1. Body Count - Merciless

Produced by the acclaimed Will Putney, Body Count’s eighth album showcases the legendary Ice-T, who remains as fierce as ever at 66 years old. With tracks like "The Purge" and “Drug Lords,” the band combines hardcore tales with a modern twist. However, it’s their haunting rendition of Pink Floyd's “Comfortably Numb,” featuring the iconic David Gilmour, that takes center stage, addressing the state of humanity through Ice-T's riveting lyrics.

2. Tzompantli - Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force

This California-based band, led by Brian Ortiz, masterfully combines indigenous themes with brutal death-doom metal. Their album features lyrics in Nahuatl and incorporates traditional instruments, providing a unique voice to the genre, further elevating tracks like “Chichimecatl.”

3. Battlesnake - The Rise and Demise of the Motorsteeple

Bringing back the glory of fantasy metal, this Australian outfit delivers a whirlwind of chainsaw guitars and epic vocals. Songs like "Alpha & Omega" and "I Speak Tongues" rattle the foundations with their electrifying energy and imaginative storytelling, setting a new standard for modern metal.

4. Darkthrone - It Beckons Us All

Continuing their legendary influence in black metal, Darkthrone crafts textured sounds that fuse elements of doom and primordial styles, creating an immersive listening experience echoing the band's storied history.

5. Gouge Away - Deep Sage

With fierce contrast and cathartic intensity, Gouge Away’s “The Sharpening” exemplifies their ability to weave melodic moments with hardcore aggression, marking them as one of the most compelling acts in today's metal scene.

6. Knocked Loose - You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To

This hardcore powerhouse combines relentless riffs with themes of social commentary. Their engaging performance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" proves they are not just heavy-hitters on record, but also masters of live energy.

7. Sumac - The Healer

This avant-garde act challenges the conventions of heavy music, blending abstraction and brutality into a mesmerizing soundscape that commands attention and provokes thought.

8. Paysage d'Hiver - Die Berge

Embarking on a chilling journey through atmospheric black metal, this Swiss act delves into themes of nature and existence, offering haunting compositions that resonate with raw power.

9. Thou - Umbilical

Thou once again redefines their sound with a grungy edge and hardcore influences. This album is a stormy dive back to their roots, showcasing their evolution while keeping their signature sludge sound intact.

10. Chat Pile - Cool World

This album explores the complexities of American life with a genre-blending approach that sways from nu-metal to post-punk, delivering a thought-provoking commentary on societal issues.

11. Huntsmen - The Dry Land

Blending prog-sludge with Americana, their third album evolves into a haunting experience powered by exquisite vocal harmonies that elevate the emotional weight of their sound.

12. Judas Priest - Invincible Shield

Observers of the heavy metal legacy will find this album uncompromising, delivering anthemic tracks and showcasing the legendary vocal prowess of Rob Halford.

13. Allegaeon - Absolute Elsewhere

Dipping into cosmic themes, this death-metal quartet combines technical precision with expansive soundscapes, making it a must-listen for fans of the genre.

14. Bruce Dickinson - The Mandrake Project

Iron Maiden's frontrunner returns with a theatrical concept album that probes the darker aspects of existence, blending his storytelling prowess with captivating melodies.

15. High on Fire - Cometh the Storm

With their signature ability to deliver relentless riffs, this album propels listeners into a brutal journey through thundering metal, showcasing their new drummer, Coady Willis, seamlessly.

16. Crypt Sermon - The Stygian Rose

This epic doom metal band displays their exceptional songwriting skills and musicianship, weaving fantastical narratives that invoke heavy emotional resonance.

17. Opeth - The Last Will and Testament

In a masterful concept album that intertwines gothic storytelling with the band’s progressive sound, Opeth continues to innovate while delivering an immersive experience.

18. Kerry King - From Hell I Rise

The former Slayer guitarist brings the thunder with an album steeped in thrash tradition, flavored with his unmistakable style that fans have longed for.

19. Elder - Innate Passage

Merging experiences and emotions, Elder releases an album of spellbinding substance that encapsulates their continued growth and reflection as artists amidst shifting sonic landscapes.

20. Spirit Adrift - Ghost at the Gates

Combining elements of classic rock with heavy doom, this album is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of loss and perseverance that appeals to a wide array of metal lovers.

2024 is shaping up to be a monumental year for metal, with these albums offering fresh perspectives, unique sounds, and powerful narratives that reflect the genre's continued evolution. Are you ready to dive into this sonic journey? Don’t miss out!