The Best Metal Albums of March 2024

This article highlights the best metal albums released in March 2024, showcasing diverse styles, from death, black, and heavy metal to prog, post, and doom metal. The list is based on data aggregated from the internet, reflecting critical acclaim and fan popularity. From the legendary Judas Priest to the intense sounds of Skeletal Remains, these albums represent the best of what the metal genre offers this month.

Check out the other articles in the series, spotlighting the monthly best metal albums for January, February and April 2024. Or check out the complete 2024 metal albums chart for more amazing albums.

Studio album number 19! Judas Priest is the first metal band to release albums fifty years apart! Fortunately, this album goes beyond numbers, as Judas Priest continues to lead the heavy metal genre even after all these years. I'm sure few people thought that with Rob, Glen, and Ian in their 70s, Judas could top Firepower, their 2018 album. But they've proven us all wrong. Judas Priest is a mature band that knows what their fans love and delivers to them everything they need. Invincible Shield is an album that sums up their career, incorporating every element of the Judas Priest sound. If this is the last album they release, they've given us something special to cherish.

Following their highly praised debut from 2019, "A Brief Memoriam," screamo revivalists Frail Body return with their sophomore album, "Artificial Bouquet." On this album, they are exploring new territories, incorporating post-metal and blackgaze elements into their formula, hence their presence on this list. Artificial Bouquet is a crushing album that gracefully blends aggression, warmth, sorrow, melancholy, and chaos. The album masterfully showcases the full range of their sound with solid production and is recommended for fans of Deafheaven.

In third place is "In the Twilight Grey," the tenth album released by veteran band Necrophobic. With the reincorporation of their former vocalist from the first album (The Nocturnal Silence), Anders Strokirk, and the release of their 2018 album, "Mark of the Necrogram," Necrophobic, a band beloved by the underground, has found new wind in its sails and new fans. One of the most consistent bands out there, with (probably) no weak albums to its name, Necrophobic continues to deliver its entertaining brand of black/death metal. The album showcases the band's ability to create vicious music with a healthy dose of catchy melody.

Convulsing, the solo project of Australia's Brendan Sloan, released their third album six years after the release of the previous one. Comparisons between Convulsing and Ulcerate are difficult to avoid, mainly because of the dissonant death metal tag associated with both bands and because they come from the same part of the world. Another similarity is the inclusion of melodic hooks or passages to contrast and balance out the more brutal parts of the album. The multitude of progressive and post elements give Perdurance its distinctive flavor, and thanks to Brendan Sloan's attention to detail and skill to create atmosphere, we are gifted with another must-listen for fans of technical and dissonant death metal.

Dödsrit's fourth album, "Nocturnal Will," sees the band moving further from its crust punk origins. The album's 43 minutes offer us epic/atmospheric/melodic black metal, enriched with beautiful melodic guitar leads inspired by heavy metal. But Dödsrit is a versatile band, and this being black metal, we also get plenty of vicious galloping black metal parts and even a nod to their punk roots on "Nocturnal Fire." Their capability to blend uplifting, triumphant, sorrowful, and empowering atmospheres makes "Nocturnal Will" stand out in the genre this year.

With their double album, "Every Sound Has a Color in the Valley of Night," Night Verses take sixth place this month. If you're unfamiliar with the band, what to expect is instrumental progressive metal of a "modern" type, varying in influences from djent to post-rock/metal and psychedelic rock. Although most of the album is instrumental (with some vocal samples thrown here and there), it does feature some guests, two of those being vocalists Brandon Boyd (INCUBUS) and Anthony Greene (CIRCA SURVIVE). Night Verse's fourth album takes you on a ride through their mesmerizing universe, enticing you with their songs and spinning you round and around until you forget yourself. Recommended for fans of Tool (Justin Chancellor also makes a guest appearance on the album), Russian Circles, and Animals as Leaders.

"Harbinger of Woe," Brodequin's exceptional brutal death metal fourth album, is in seventh place. Brodequin are genre veterans; they released three albums between 2000 and 2004, followed by a brief split for a few years, and this is their first album in 20 years. The production quality has significantly improved since their early days, with well-mixed guitars and dominant drums that enhance the overall experience. Longer tracks like "Of Pillars and Trees" and "Harbinger of Woe" stand out from the others due to their complexity (including some doom elements, for example). Overall, this album is a delight for brutal death metal fans.

With the next band on the list, we stick to brutal death metal with another veteran band. But whereas Brodequin delivered a more focused brutal death metal sound, Aborted's twelfth album, "Vault of Horrors," explores a larger spectrum both instrumentally and vocally, adding more technicality. The album veers a little into deathcore territory, but that is more due to the guest vocalists that appear on it than anything else. Each track features a guest vocalist, and some of them play in deathcore bands. Some of the notable names include Ben Duerr from Shadow of Intent, Francesco Paoli from Fleshgod Apocalypse, Jason Evans from Ingested, Oliver Rae Aleron from Archspire, and Alex Erian from Despised Icon. The album expertly blends speed, groove, and melody, creating a relentless auditory assault. Standout tracks like "Dreadbringer" and "Malevolent Haze" showcase the band's ability to build atmosphere and intensity. This album is a testament to Aborted's consistency and power in the extreme metal scene, and fans of extreme metal will find it to be another highlight of the year.

Faroese doom metal band Hamferð returns with their third album, "Men Guðs Hond Er Sterk." The album's theme revolves around a tragic Faroese whaling disaster from 1915, adding a moving layer to the music. The opening track, "Ábær," sets the tone with crushing riffs and Jón Aldará's intense vocals, blending aggression with melodic sections that give you chills. Standout tracks like "Hvølja" and "Marrusorg" showcase the band's ability to mix punishing heaviness with moments of stark minimalism and ethereal atmosphere. Hamferð has managed to create a record that is simultaneously heavy and profoundly moving. The live recording in the studio adds authenticity, making the music feel raw and genuine. Overall, "Men Guðs hond er sterk" is a compelling listen, filled with emotion and powerful storytelling.

California-based Skeletal Remains has outdone itself with its fifth and latest album, "Fragments of the Ageless." Starting with the first track, "Relentless Appetite," the band sets a blistering pace that doesn't let up. The album is a masterclass in old-school death metal, featuring heavy riffs, chaotic beats, and deep guttural vocals that will please any death metal fan. The album stands out for its consistency. The band showcases their technical prowess in crafting each song with raw intensity and instrumental complexity. Tracks like "Verminous Embodiment" and "Void of Despair" remind us why Skeletal Remains have become a staple in the death metal scene. The album's second half, particularly the 7+ minute epic "Unmerciful," adds a new dimension to their sound, shaking up the pacing and keeping listeners engaged. When discussing the album, guitarist/vocalist Chris Monroy mentioned that the band pushed themselves to be more extreme, focusing on technicality and intensity while maintaining catchiness. This effort is evident throughout the album, making it one of their most memorable releases.

March 2024 has been a remarkable month for metal music, with legendary bands like Judas Priest continuing to set the bar high and newer acts like Frail Body and Necrophobic pushing the genre’s boundaries. Whether you’re a fan of heavy, black, or post-metal, these albums offer something for everyone. Dive into these releases and experience the diverse and powerful world of metal music. Stay tuned for more monthly highlights and keep rocking!🤘