BEST OF 2024 – Brian Ronald (Photographer) 🇨🇦
You can find the Collective List as well as all our Best of 2024 content including contributors’ individual lists and radio DJ shows here: CGCM’s Best of 2024 (Year in Review)
I have to admit I listened to a lot less CDs in 2024. Just over 300 as compared to over 500 last year. Even with that, I thought it was a slightly disappointing year. Meaning, I found a lot of highly anticipated releases just didn’t do it for me. Normally my number 1 and top 3 for that matter are established early. This year number 1 was up for grabs right until the final listens. None the less there were still a lot of gems, mostly surprises. So, without further ado, here are my Top 10 CDs of 2024:
#10 🇸🇪
REMEDY – Pleasure Beats the Pain
Rounding out my Top 10 is the third representation from Sweden. Remedy’s sophomore album hits all the right spots and checks all the boxes. Melodic and heavy. I had this album on my radar most of the year and liked what I had heard. But what did for me was seeing them live at Malmo Melodic in the summer. They just blew me away and the songs came back to me as I was singing them out loud. I revisited it again after that and here they sit. Let’s hope these guys have a third one up their sleeves.
#09 🇺🇸
VAIN – Disintegrate Together
Vain’s first album in seven years was a tough CD to come across, being only released through the label. I finally managed to get my hands on it recently. Their last CD Roll With the Punches was my number one of 2017. I had loved what I heard as songs were released but the album is pure classic Vain with Davy’s voice superb with Dylana having free reign to rip it throughout. This album may have climbed higher with more listens but the few so far have landed it in this spot.
#08 🇩🇰
FATE – Reconnect ‘N Ignite
Next up is Fate from Denmark. I am always amazed at how little-known and underrated these guys are – even for European band standards. Geez their first album came out in 1985! I believe this is their 9th studio album. You hear very little about them and very rarely see them listed on any festivals but they never disappoint. Mind you Pete Steiner is the lone original member but Per Johansson has been handling the distinctive voice of Fate for quite a while now. This album took its time settling in but I loved it more and more after each listen.
#07 🇺🇸
RIOT V – Mean Streets
This is the 3rd full-length studio album under the name RIOT V with Todd Michael Hall on vocals. All 3 have made my top 10. Being a Riot fan since day one these guys continue to carry the torch by bringing first-rate rock and roll to the table. The lineup remains the same as the previous two here as well. “Feel the Fire” is an outstanding track as is “Love Beyond the Grave“, “Lean Into It” and the title track. Oh, and did I say no ballads?
#06 🇮🇹
DANGER ZONE – Shut Up!
Over to Italy now for my number 6 CD of the year. Their 5th release and first in 5 years. What I love about Danger Zone is they seem to cross many lines and make it work. From hard rock to power metal to melodic rock – sometimes within the same song. You never know what you will get but one thing for sure is that it will rock. Testaments to this are “I Like It,” “I Don’t Care” and “Straight Down the Line.”
#05 🇩🇪
HUMAN ZOO – Echoes Beyond
These German rockers are back after an 8-year hiatus with an amazing CD. Released in June, I had to make sure I got my hands on this as I have been a fan since 2006’s debut Precious Time. Thomas Seeburger’s distinctive vocals shine on “Gun 4 A While”, “Ghost In Me”, “Ready To Rock” and “Daddy You’re A Star”. What I find unique about Human Zoo is how they incorporate the sax in their songs. It’s not overpowering, it just adds that nice extra flavour here and there.
#04 🇮🇪
TRUCKER DIABLO – Social Hand Grenade
Over to Ireland we go for my number 4 album of the year. Yes, this quartet is back with a vengeance. Us fans who drink beer and destroy have reason to again. The song “Kill the Lights” might be one of the greatest opening – in your face – tracks in quite some time. Me being Canadian do detect a heavy Nickelback in a few songs and yes that’s a compliment as I love me some hometown Nickelback. “Stop the Bleed,” “Dig” and “Here Come the Vultures” are a few standouts. Let’s hope this big truck keeps on rolling for some time to come!
#03 🇺🇸
JCK RUSSELL/TRACII GUNS – Medusa
This January release caught my ear early on. I never thought it could hang in there but with constant spins, it soon became a hit with me. One of my all-time fave singers and a very underrated (imo) guitarist working together just had to be magic. And then the tragic passing of Jack in August got me spinning this again. If this is his swan song, what a great way to remember him. Songs like “Tell Me Why”, “Give Me the Night” and the stunning “Back Into Your Arms Again” highlight this gem.
#02 🇸🇪
MINDLESS SINNER – Metal Merchants
Mindless Sinner comes in heavy at number 2. Yes, Sweden represented in the top 2 spots. Released in late October this went straight into my rotation and stayed there. Hard rock/metal at its finest. Priest and Primal Fear fans need to run and get this. Classics like the title track, “Speed Demon”, “Hedonia” and “Monsters” are standouts but “Let’s Go Crazy” is a candidate for song of the year. My biggest regret was they played Sweden Rock Festival in 2023 and they were on my list to see but for some other scheduling conflict, I missed them. Maybe next time.
#01 🇸🇪
KNIGHTS OF THE REALM – Darker Than Leather
One of my favourite bands Eclipse had a release in 2024 and although great, it didn’t make my top 10. However, it’s not like they are not well represented with Knights of the Realm’s second CD released in May. Yes, the side project of Eclipse’s Magnus Henriksson. And there is really no comparison to Eclipse musically at all. This is pure in-your-face metal. With songs like “Hell Can Wait,” “Killer Machine,” “Aim and Kill” and “Mean Machine” you’ll soon get the drift. Excellent!
The Honourable Ten
· Super Sabre – Reverence
• Spektra – Hypnotized
• Ace Frehley – 10000 Volts
• Florence Black – Bed of Nails
• Rimbacher – High Hopes on the Rock
• Sebastian Bach – The Child Within the Man
• Invasion – Invasion 2
• Striker – Ultrapower
• Maverick – Silver Tongue
• Cleanbreak – We Are the Fire
Too Good Not to Be Missed!!
Check out my photographs and articles here. Brian.
