Cameron's Picks - Best Rock & Metal Albums of 2024 (So Far)

 

2024 has been a great year for rock and metal music releases. In this article, i'll go into some of my favourite albums that have come out, or some upcoming ones that I am excited about as well. Hopefully, you can discover something new and check out some of these releases too!

The Rods - "Rattle The Cage" (January 2024)

If you don't know the Canadian power metal trio The Rods, you're in for a real treat. Especially if you like classic 70's rock, or early 80's metal like Metallica, Anthrax or Megadeth, The Rods would be right up your alley. Quoted as being some of the earliest pioneers of the metal genre, The Rods are still making albums and touring to this day. Their newest album "Rattle The Cage" was released back in January. It was a great way to kick off the new year. With hard n heavy tracks like "Now And Forever", "Rattle The Cage", "Metal Highways" and the anthemic "Play It Loud", The Rods deliver a great mixture of classic and modern metal with an extensive range of guitars-keyboards-drums no nonsense sounding in your face Metal that would certainly make a lot of old school or new listeners happy. Just check out the really great video for the track "Rattle The Cage". This album is great!

Judas Priest - Invincible Shield (March 2024)

Though February was pretty quiet, March 2024 hit hard with the long awaited new Judas Priest album, Invincible Shield. Their first offering of new material since 2018's Firepower album and it didn't fail to disappoint. With its absolutely epic opener, "Panic Attack". Vocalist Rob Halford sounds as good as ever. Featuring other new instant classics like "The Serpent And The King", "Invincible Shield", "Gates Of Hell", and "Trial By Fire". Any oldskool JP or metal fan would really enjoy this album! They're currently on tour with it at the moment but are yet to visit Australia. Hopefully next year!

 

 

Deep Purple - Machine Head 52 Anniversary Boxset (March 2024)

 

Machine Head by Deep Purple is a great album but sadly it's one that the record companies love to milk out every couple of years. In 2012, we got a "40th Anniversary" boxset from EMI, just before they went bankrupt so that made that boxset hard to get & out of print. With it's 5(2nd) anniversary in 2024, Universal Music Group, who now own the rights to the old Deep Purple back catalog ever since the sad death of Deep Purple (Overseas) Live a couple of years ago, it's great to see some new Deep Purple releases coming out again. At this time of the year, Purple themselves had already been forced to cancel a long awaited Australian festival appearance at the ill fated Pandemonium Rocks music festival, and this was a bittersweet timing of release. I was sad they cancelled a tour, but pleased about this new boxset. It's got 5 discs. Disc 1 of a new 2024 remix and remaster by Dweezil Zappa. Frank Zappa's son, and it uses new technology that this album hasn't seen before. The new mixes are fantastic and certainly stand out, although I do find the 1998 Roger Glover remixes to be the superior version of this album, frustratingly aren't on this set for whatever reason, which ends up preferring the Quad Mixes once again. Nobody cares about Quad mixes. But there's also the new remaster of the 1972 concert "Live at the BBC" and a brand new release of "Live In Montreux 1971".  A concert that had been heavily bootlegged but now has an official release which is nice. There are slight cuts here and there and the sound isn't so great, but it's nice to finally get some new live concert archive releases from Deep Purple after such a long time. So i'm happy with it.  There is also a Bluray which contains a new Dolby Atmos 2024 remix of  the Machine Head album by Dweezil Zappa. The Boxset also contains a new pressing of the Machine Head album on Vinyl LP and a nice 60 page memorabilia book, and a lyric sheet poster. At least there was effort. Not too shabby! I just hope we can get the Made In Europe Super Deluxe Edition released sometime, that was announced all the way back in 2014, but was cancelled for unknown reasons.

Powerman 5000 - Abandon Ship (April 2024)

90's Nu-Metal legends Powerman 5000 made a surprise return in 2024 with their new album "Abandon Ship". The album features a great direction of dark tone but self aware humor along the way. I really enjoyed this CD and the cover is so awesome. The album starts off with the absolute killer zombie sci fi rocker "Invisible Man",  then gets onto classic territory with "1999". Things get really weird but in a fun way with "Dancing Like We're Dead" that just seems to belong perfectly in a Zombie movie. More tracks like "Bloodsuckers", "GTFO", "The Last Chapter" get truly dark throughout the second half of the album in surprising and unique ways. I really enjoyed it. You can get it on CD or digital now. The CD version also includes a bonus track, a re-recording of the classic early 2000's non album hit "Bombshell". 

Slash - Orgy Of The Damned (May 2024)

 

Guns n Roses long time axeman Slash returns with a brand new solo album based entirely on Blues covers. It's an overall fun and enjoyable CD throughout that features a lot of guest stars, from Chris Robinson, Gary Clark jr. , Billy Gibbons, Chris Stapleton, Iggy Pop, Paul Rodgers, and even AC/DC's Brian Johnson to name a few. The songs are mostly blues classic covers, that include The Pusher, Crossroads, Hoochie Coochie Man, Oh Well, Born Under A Bad Sign, Killing Floor, Living For The City & more. It's an overall really enjoyable album and ends with a new Slash original song called Metal Chestnut. Check it out!

Black Sabbath - Anno Domini (Boxset) (May 2024)

Though somewhat mildly overpriced, this special Black Sabbath boxset has been long in the works. Riddled by many legal issues surrounding the loss of the old I.R.S. (No, not that one) record company who owned the original rights to the classic Tony Martin era albums. There's a reason why 1987's Eternal Idol isn't in this set but I can't remember why, and 1992's Dehumanizer isn't in this set either because it features Ronnie James Dio on vocals. But this Sabbath boxset features the 4 main albums that featured Tony Martin from 1989 - 1995. They were never reissued before until now, and Tony Iommi also oversaw new remixes and remasters for each of these albums. Headless Cross, Tyr, Cross Purposes and Forbidden. While the latter gets undeservingly hated, the new remix really does give the album justice. For what's in the box it's a shame there isn't very much bonus tracks, demo or live material as extras. It's just the 4 albums and that's it besides some poster, tour book replica, booklet of essays and something else. It may be a bit over the top just for these 4 albums, but it's great to finally have them re-issued so people like me who never got to own or hear them before can enjoy them. I'd recommend it.

Imagination Movers - Blue Skies (June 2024)

You may be asking yourself - Cameron why did you put a kids album on a list of best Rock & Metal albums of 2024? Let me explain. The Imagination Movers are band that do contemporary rock music for both young and old audiences, and they're pretty cool. Imagine the Red Hot Chilli Peppers for kids. You'd actually be quite surprised. I have been a fan of these guys for about 16 years now. The album also marks their 22nd anniversary as independent musicians. They do have a lot of rock oriented songs on this album, like the instant classic "Road Trip", and the ska inspired "Summer Campers". "Ice Cream Sandwich" has been stuck in my head for weeks. It's an entirely zany and fun album both kids and adults enjoy. They're a really unique band, and i've been a dedicated fan of theirs for a while. I've also been donating to their albums these past several years, as well as this one. Their 2008 Disney Channel series that I watched when I was younger, (and still enjoy today) was also a huge inspiration to my show, Cameron's Playhouse (which also started in 2008, no coincidence!). 

Also did I mention they're a great bunch of guys too? Check out the music video for "Ice Cream Sandwich"! 

The Angels - Ninety Nine (June 2024)

 This is an interesting one. It was actually my introduction to the classic Australian pub rock band, The Angels. I was never really a fan of them before hand. But I was very interested about their new album, Ninety Nine. Based on the phrase, Ninety Nine (Gone For Broke). This album came as kind of a surprise, which is an Angels album that features pretty much all of the Brewster brothers (some of the original founding members included). Sadly, original vocalist Doc Neeson died back in 2014. They had unresolved conflicts with the original singer, but decided to continue on. Apparently they've kept going since, with drummer turned singer Nick Norton, who is actually a pretty based singer. The album is a great Australian rock album overall, with a heavy hitting sound and filled with loads of new tracks, 14 in total. From frantic rock tunes to epic power ballads. I overall really enjoyed the album, after only discovering the lead single "Ninety Nine (Gone For Broke)" shortly before the album came out, and I was hooked instantly. Other songs feature "Follow The Red Thread", "Heartbeats", "Into The Void", "Style Over Substance", "Little Lies", "Escape", "Hue And Cry" and more. It may not be the classic Angels long time fans may remember, but it's a great new and freshly updated version of the band, a much more harder hitting rock n roll sound good for the modern era. I really enjoyed it.

Axel Rudi Pell - Risen Symbol (June 2024)

I've been a fan of the German guitar god Axel Rudi Pell for the past 20 odd years or so and I have to say, 2024's "Risen Symbol" is probably the best album from him i've heard in ages. He has a busy schedule. Coming up with new albums every 2 years, and then touring Germany only for about a year and a bit. Honestly the dude needs to do a world tour at this rate, as his albums do get into the charts in other countries sometimes like America and UK. Risen Symbol is an absolute killer album, with some of the strongest ARP performances ever. Like the thunderous album opener Forever Strong, Guardian Angel and there's even an epic cover of Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song which gets heavy AF. The other lead single, Darkest Hour is really good and then there's the Deep Purple Child In Time esque "Ankhaia". Overall  the 10 tracks the album provides in full are never boring. Not very many ballads in this one. We know Axel loves his ballads. But it mostly focuses on faster and heavier tracks. Really great album. If you like bands such as Deep Purple, Rainbow, Iron Maiden etc he'll be right up your alley.

 

 

Black Country Communion - V (June 2024)

On-again off again supergroup Black Country Communion, featuring ex Deep Purple member Glenn Hughes, blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (John Bonham's son of Led Zeppelin fame), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian return for a brand new album, V. These guys tend to release albums once in a blue moon these days but every time one comes around it's worth it. Their last effort,  "BCCIV" was released back in 2017. While their new album has a strong sound and awesome cover art, I can't help to feel like that it sounds more like a Glenn Hughes solo album than an actual band effort. Where are the 10 minute bangers I remember from previous albums where they let Joe and Jason loose for half of the track. This album feels like the songs are cut down to mostly 5 - 7 minutes. Songs like "Enlighten", "Stay Free", "Red Sun" , "Skyway" and "Too Far Gone" just sound like they should be on a new Glenn Hughes solo album. Despite this, there are some great songs here. "Stay Free" for example is probably the heaviest one on the record. It's still a great album nonetheless. I had a lot of fun listening to it.

Anvil - One And Only (June 2024)

Oldskool Canadian metal veterans Anvil return in 2024 for their 20th album, ONE AND ONLY. Formed in 1978, the almost 50 year old metal band influenced bands such as Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax. One and Only takes away a lot of the amusing and silly side of the group and takes them in more of  a serious and political direction. Well, 2024 has been a rough year for this kind of climate so it's fine to make a metal album about a lot of the nonsense going on in the world. The first couple of tracks, such as "One And Only", "Feed Your Fantasy" and "Fight For Your Rights" (No, not that one) sound almost spoken word. But then things turn around with tracks like "Gold and Diamonds" and the almost pirate like banger "Dead Man's Shoes". The lead single from this album, "Truth Is Dying"  is also really good. Lip's guitar tone on this record is perfect. There's a couple of other really heavy rockers on this album like "Run Away", "World Of Fools", "Condemned Liberty" and "Blind Rage". It's a fun album to listen to throughout. Classic Anvil fans would really like it. I hope it would also encourage new listeners.

 

 

Mr. Big - Ten (June 2024)

"Ten" is the ... 10th studio album by American AOR band MR. BIG, who've been around since the mid 80's. At the moment, i'm guessing this is their third Farewell Tour they're going on right now. But lately, vocalist Eric Martin has been interested in making more records after this one. So maybe it isn't so? (I knew it). Unfortunately this album feels more like an Eric Martin solo album than a proper Mr Big album. It lacks a lot of fast heavy rocking tracks such as "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy" , "Addicted To That Rush", heck even doesn't have anything as fast as recent songs like "Undertow" or "Everybody Needs A Bit Of Trouble". Yep, it's a more slowed down blues-ballad kind of album.features their new drummer, Nick D'Virgilio, who I think isn't even in the band at the moment anymore. (Yep, that was quick). They've always been fussy about their drummer, ever since Pat Torpey died a couple of years ago due to Parkinson's Disease. I just don't understand why they didn't keep Matt Starr, who I thought was perfect for them. I saw him live with them when Mr Big supported Extreme in Sydney a couple of years ago and they were fantastic. Either way, despite a bunch of slow songs and ballads on this album, there are some pretty good tracks too, like "Good Luck Trying", "As Good As It Gets", "Courageous", and the single "Up On You", which is classic Mr. Big sound. The album was written only by Eric Martin and Paul Gilbert, the other band members did not contribute to the song writing process which is a shame, and I guess that's why it feels its stiffness, but I think this isn't the last time we'll hear a Mr. Big album. It only just needed a few more faster tracks.

Deep Purple - =1 (July 2024)

This is a big one. Deep Purple's 23rd studio album =1 , features their new guitarist Simon McBride. And it doesn't disappoint. The critically acclaimed album has been hitting it off at #1 in the charts across various countries like Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Deep Purple, who are my favourite band, show no signs of retirement with great songs like "A Bit On The Side", "Portable Door", "Pictures Of You", "Lazy Sod", "Now You're Talkin'" and more. The entire album is just a joy to listen to from start to finish and captures the very same vibe they once had at the beginning of the 70's with In Rock. Unfortunately, they had to back out of an Australian tour at the beginning of the year due to problems with an ill fated music festival, but I hope they come back soon and play a bunch of these new songs live for us within the not so distant future. They're currently on tour around the world at the moment. So fingers crossed! It's classic sounding Deep Purple all through the album. It would make even the old fans happy!

Ones To Look Out For ...

Tony Iommi - Fused / DEP Sessions Re-Issues (August 2024)

Tony Iommi's certainly been busy lately. He's just recently announced a new remastered version of his solo album Fused from 2005 and the rare DEP Sessions album from 1996. Both albums feature ex Deep Purple vocalist / bassist Glenn Hughes. Expect a couple of bonus tracks on each edition. They'll be released on both CD and Vinyl sometime in August.

The The - Ensoulment (September 2024)

British Protopunk legends The The announced a comeback world tour and a new album (their first new album in about 25 years) called Ensoulment. The project plans to reunite most of the surviving members of The The over the years alongside original frontman Matt Johnson, to create an awesome batch of new recordings. I can't wait for this! They'll be touring Australia in late November 2024.

The Sweet - Full Circle (September 2024)

Legendary english rockers The Sweet have announced what appears to be their "final" album , Full Circle. The only surviving original member of The Sweet left these days is founding guitarist Andy Scott, who still tours around the globe with his modern line up of The Sweet. Previously,  there were two versions of the band. In America, we had Steven Priest's Sweet, (the founding bassist), but sadly he passed away in 2020, and unfortunately there were some unresolved conflicts between Priest and Scott, so we couldn't get to see them performing together at any time soon. But the modern Sweet is still going, and good on Andy for doing so. They've just recently performed to 70-000 sold out crowd at Wacken Open Air 2024, and are expected to be heading to Australia in November 2024. Check out their new song "Don't Bring Me Water" which has a classic sounding Sweet vibe in a modern twist. It rocks! I can't wait for this album too!

If anything else exciting comes along within the next couple of months i'll be sure to update this article. I hope I showed you something interesting or new for you to discover and enjoy. Thanks for looking!