_________________

50. Ylisia – Underneath

Ylisia delivered a consistent record with powerhouse vocals and gorgeous symphonic metal trappings. I found it pretty late in the year, and it only keeps getting better.

_________________

49. Cephid

– Sparks in the Darkness

Cephid debuted his brand of electronic music that could be mistaken for prog rock at times, despite the lack of guitars. This album is a thrilling and boldly textured gem.

_________________

48. Midas Fall – Cold Waves Divide Us

Midas Fall returned, leaning more towards nuanced post-rock than towards electronic music this time. They have such a sense of sobriety and meaning in their sound, and their music is warm and inviting and delicious.

_________________

47. Mono – Oath

Yet another beautiful record from Mono. They know how to control the structures of their post-rock songs for maximum emotional effect. This album curates our minds with beautiful melodies and assurances of beauty and of light. I love how picturesque it all seems, how full of space and triumph it is. It will hook you.

_________________

46. Steve Hackett

– The Circus and the Nightwhale

Steve Hackett released one of the zaniest albums of his legendary career. The guitars are obviously amazing, but it’s the controlled chaos of various eclectic elements coming together that made me happy here.

_________________

44. Amarok – Hope

Poland’s Amarok brought a little more edge this time, while still maintaining the mystical and organic feel of their sound. I was thrilled by some of the instrumental portions, and seriously impressed with the fantastic rhythm section.

_________________

43. Charlotte Wessels – The Obsession

Charlotte Wessels delivered a wonderful record that took us back to her heavy symphonic metal roots, with bits of experimentation, too. I loved the guest musicians and especially the definitive version of “Soft Revolution”, one of my favorite songs of hers. All in all, a great album.

_________________

42. Kristoffer Gildenlöw – Empty

Kristoffer gave us an album with more upbeat and driving portions, something he doesn’t typically do. On top of that, an excellent Floydian sheen sits upon the meaningful lyrics and emotional music, and so this is one of his best solo records to date.

_________________

41. Swallow the Sun – Shining

While maybe not as deep or layered as past efforts, Swallow the Sun still gave us a rocking album that, while more accessible, still sounds like them innately. And I can’t stop listening to it.

_________________

40. Ghostheart Nebula – Blackshift

Ghostheart Nebula offers a grand mix of death doom, cosmic drone, and blackgaze, and they deliver it with melody and meaning. I love the shiny, blackened ambience on this record that never grows old or ugly, and the many complicated emotions and shades of darkness it visits. It hides many treasures that you can unearth as you listen more and more.

_________________

39. Simone Simons – Vermillion

Simone Simons of Epica combined forces with Arjen Lucassen of Ayreon to create a solo album that, while retaining a progressive symphonic metal foundation, explores various other ideas. You’ll hear electronic, industrial, alternative, and more, and it is all wrapped up in a catchy package.

_________________

38. Snakes of Byzantium – The Making

This record snuck up on me, honestly. This debut celebrates texture and tone, and while it grants every metalhead’s wish for heavy riffs, it also revels in nuance and structure-less beauty.  The album has a definite sense of self, and hits so many magical moments.

_________________

37. Fragment Soul – Galois Paradox

Fragment Soul returned with a new vocalist and a short, yet vivid album of darkness and inquiry. It feels more abstract and melancholy than their debut, and once it clicked with me, it didn’t let go.

_________________

36. Mother of Millions – Magna Mater

The return of Mother of Millions is a searing, atmospheric work with plenty of cinematic heart, but it also revels in heavy riffs and rocking songs. And all the while, that signature melodic mist they possess never loses itself.

_________________

35. Caligula’s Horse – Charcoal Grace

After losing a guitarist, CH pressed forward with one guitarist and a boatload more ambience and melody. The band released what might be their best album, and also their clearest and more concise.

_________________

34. Sunburst – Manifesto

Sunburst unleashed a monstrous progressive metal album that bids us hold on for dear life. Their writing continues to be meaningful and calculated, and the additional of soaring orchestrations took their sound to the next level.

_________________

33. Pallbearer – Mind Burns Alive

Pallbearer continues changing from a doom metal band into something more. With their melancholy foundation in place, they implemented bright punches of melody, progressive ideas, and excellent vocal lines that simply make their sound better and better.

_________________

32. Aythis – Lost Lighthouse

Aythis released two albums last year, sister records. They share some of the same melodies, but are quite different. My favorite of the two was Lost Lighthouse, full of otherworldly piano, pounding percussion, steady strings, and cinematic ambience. It’s a beautiful album.

_________________

31. DGM – Endless

DGM impressed with a melodic prog metal journey that I found myself listening to quite often. With layers of emotion, technical fireworks, catchy choruses, and gracious flow, they balanced fresh ideas and nostalgic gold.

_________________

30. Willow Smith – Empathogen

With an array of virtuosos behind her, Willow Smith offered up a thrilling, blues-soaked pop album with more progressive guts than many other albums last year. Catchy, defiant, and highly technical, this record really surprised me.

_________________

29. Colin Masson – Echoes of Albion

Colin Masson returned with his best album since 1999’s Isle of Eight. Full of mystical folklore and excellent guitar work, I adore the way this album helps my mind float away to other places.

_________________

28. Mushroomhead – Call the Devil

Mushroomhead’s latest really grew on me through the year, even the brasher songs I didn’t like at first. But for every rock radio song, the band offered artistic and avant-garde pieces that explored their more melodic and interesting side, the part of them I’ve loved since I was in high school.

_________________

27. Chelsea Wolfe

– She Reaches out to

She Reaches Out to She

Dark and industrial, Wolfe’s latest is full of shadows and dusk. You’ll hear sprawling cathedrals of emotion right alongside electronic edge, and the results are highly effective.

_________________

26. Elvellon – Ascending in Synergy

Elvellon’s sophomore album moved quickly up this list over the last couple months. Offering a classic Nightwish symphonic metal sound, I can’t help but love the heart and energy the band presents, and I’ve come to love each and every song and the character they possess.

_________________

25. Leprous – Melodies of Atonement

While I still don’t like “Silently Walking Alone”, this Leprous offering has all the energy and towering vocal melodies to grab hold of me. Injecting more darkness than they have in some time, along with heavier segments once again, this might be the definitive Leprous album—for now.

_________________

24. David Gilmour – Luck and Strange

David Gilmour is yet another legend, and his latest solo record might be his best. I love the guitar work, yes, but it’s the homey lyrics and his daughter Romany’s youthful additions that really make this a special album.

_________________

23. Iress – Sleep Now, In Reverse

Iress delivered a fantastic, addictive doomgaze record with deep passion and utter control of atmosphere creating something special. With terrific vocals and drums and personable writing, I couldn’t resist.

_________________

22. TVINNA – Wings of Ember

TVINNA’s latest is wonderfully balanced. They offer dark progressive folk music with earthy tones and shadowy auras, and also electronica-laced edges and beautiful synth melodies. The band offers all of this with a naturalistic bent, achieved through heavy percussion, breathy vocalizations, novel instruments, and the like. The results are satisfying.

_________________

21. Orion – The Lightbringers

Orion’s sophomore release proved to be a wonderfully constructed, passionately performed, and overwhelmingly encouraging record with segments of furious guitars and great grooves. I was really impressed.

_________________

20. Wintersun – Time II

While maybe not the best album of all time, as some fans predicted, Time II proved to be worth the wait with its Far Eastern motifs and ferocious riffs. This album has tons of atmosphere and cinema running in its veins.

_________________

19. Big Big Train – The Likes of Us

With new singer in tow, BBT returned with an enlightening and invigorating prog rock album that had me singing along constantly. I’m excited about their future.

_________________

18. Kingcrow – Hopium

Kingcrow are one of the most consistent groups in progressive rock, and this shadowy and evocative work is no different. Of course, this one might have the most style and groove of any of their records yet.

_________________

17. Alcest – Les Chants de l’Aurore

Alcest can basically do no wrong, and with their latest, they revisited the brighter side of their sound. With luscious artwork, spiraling melodies, and towering atmosphere, the pair really delivered once again.

_________________

16. Eivør – Enn

Eivør jumped into this list with a gracious, haunting album that mixed layers of vocal harmonies with electronica, and the results were soothing and gorgeous. I’ve always liked her as an artist, but this album really connected with me.

_________________

15. Wasaya – Curtain Falls

Wasaya’s latest should be on every prog metalhead’s list, especially if they love the classic sound. With an array of guest vocalists from bands like Darkwater, Cloudscape, Wolverine, and Wastefall, and featuring a Pain of Salvation penchant for storytelling, this record is a theatrical gem.

_________________

14. Marjana Semkina – SIRIN

Marjana (iamthemorning) released a new solo album last year, and it’s the best record of her career. Featuring unforgettable guest spots from Jim Grey of Caligula’s Horse and Mick Moss of Antimatter, the album is dark and dramatic in all the right ways.

_________________

13. Bent Knee

– Twenty Pills Without Water

After losing two founding members, Bent Knee’s future was up in the air, or at least I thought it was. The band returned with what might be their best and most consistent album yet, and without the post-production nightmare that plagued the sound of their previous record. I’m excited for this band’s future.

_________________

12. Kalandra – A Frame of Mind

Kalandra delivered a wonderful work of art. A Frame of Mind practices what it preaches, reaching us with the peace and beauty that they believe will save the world. Desperately human, flaws and all, the album imagines a better world that will produce a frame of mind that is free, truly free. What would a world without the yoke of hate and violence be like?  Kalandra dares to dream of it.

_________________

11. Weather Systems

– Ocean Without a Shore

Danny Cavanagh (Anathema) is back with a new project, and it was better than I expected. Featuring plenty of nostalgic new additions to old Anathema songs, such as “Untouchable, Part III”, what I ended up appreciating the most were Danny’s new ideas and thrilling instrumentals.

_________________

10. Oddleaf

– Where Ideal and Denial Collide

Oddleaf should make a big splash with their progressive rock debut, if there is any justice in the world. Where Ideal and Denial Collide is staggeringly gorgeous at times and quirky and nostalgic in others; it feels masterfully sewn together with excellent lyrics and introspective melodies. Their inspirations are many, but their sound is their own, and I think this first offering will prove to be memorable.

_________________

9. Blood Incantation

– Absolute Elsewhere

Blood Incantation has rightfully wooed hoards of listeners with this instant classic. Combining death metal, cosmic doom, progressive electronic, prog rock, cinematic music, and psychedelic rock into an immersive and brilliant soundscape, the band brought aboard Tangerine Dream and utilized Floydian guitar work to craft a brilliant and seamless journey.

_________________

8. Myrath – Karma

Myrath’s latest appeared near the beginning of the year, but it was not forgotten. Injecting their Middle Eastern prog metal sound with infectious melodies and prophetic ambience, the band proved that they aren’t losing steam.

_________________

7. Lo Moon

– I Wish You Way More Than Luck

Lo Moon released their third album last year, and it also makes for a perfect trifecta of albums. They just can’t seem to miss. This album is a bit more pastoral, but their brand of prog-adjacent art rock is as vibrant and addictive as ever.

_________________

6. BleakHeart – Silver Pulse

What an improvement! After releasing a great debut a few years back, BleakHeart returned with a stunning and memorable sophomore effort of their gothic doomgaze sound. With terrific vocals and truly interesting instrumental passages, this is an album of dark discoveries and emboldened hearts that will certainly give you goosebumps. 

_________________

5. Oceans of Slumber

– Where Gods Fear to Speak

Oceans of Slumber launched their heaviest, angriest album yet, but balanced it supremely well with gracious melodies, fantastic keys, and meaningful lyrics. This album is quite the thrill ride, and only gets better with time.

_________________

4. Iterum Nata – From the Infinite Light

This is the case of an album that simply mesmerized me out of nowhere. Iterum Nata’s brand of music blends Dead Can Dance, prog rock, folk, psychedelic, and hints of doom into a floating and wondrously magical tapestry. The evasive mystical qualities and lyrical queries make for a special album.

_________________

3. Diane Arkenstone

– Aquaria II: Ascension

Diane Arkenstone makes so much beautiful music, but this sequel to 2001’s Aquaria is her best in some time. This album feels imbued with underwater magic as the dreamy vocals, New Age electronic style, and otherworldly aura cast their spells. It is, in a way, a simple work of art, but the more you listen, the more treasure you will behold.

_________________

2. Evergrey – Theories of Emptiness

Evergrey have been on a hot streak since their inception, and Theories of Emptiness is up there with their best albums. Featuring a guest spot from Katatonia’s Jonas Renske, and being the swan song for longtime drummer Jonas Ekdahl, this album is certain to become a special one for Evergrey fans.

_________________

** 1. MEER

– Wheels Within Wheels **

Here it is, my only 10/10 album from 2024. And somehow, it only gets better every time I hear it. From the soulful and electric vocal performances to the powerful lyrics to the clever and explosive writing, MEER’s latest is perfect. I have no doubt that it is my album of 2024.

_________________