The Underground Sound is a space for promoting the underground music scene worldwide. As we’re coming back from winter break and beginning a new year, I thought it would be fun to compile a list of great albums that you may have missed. In this edition, I will discuss my top five albums albums that dropped throughout the year in 2024. Let us hope that 2025 will be even more musically entertaining!
Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere
Released in late 2024, Absolute Elsewhere showcases Blood Incantation’s experimental blend of progressive death metal and space rock. The album features lengthy, atmospheric compositions with cosmic themes, utilizing both traditional death metal instrumentation and elements reminiscent of 1970s progressive rock. Pitchfork called it “a masterpiece of atmospheric death metal,” praising its ability to merge extreme metal with psychedelic soundscapes. This album highlighted the band’s innovation, though some traditional death metal enthusiasts found the experimental direction divisive. It has been described as one of the year’s standout releases in extreme metal.
Listen Here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mV7P3s5MK5U-mzMY9YgLBFoHYgxr0tObY&feature=shared
Pyrrhon – Exhaust
This avant-garde death metal album takes a slightly more structured approach compared to Pyrrhon’s earlier chaotic releases. Exhaust balances technicality and accessibility with intense, dissonant riffing and unconventional song structures.Metal Injection praised it as “a dissonant yet rewarding listening experience,” while Sputnikmusic noted its broader appeal compared to the band’s earlier works. I appreciated for its innovation, though it retained its appeal to niche audiences.
Listen Here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lun5hgsZnu8Q0w-0spWJTEBUg7NhswFt4&feature=shared
Inter Arma – New Heaven
Inter Arma’s New Heaven explores a mix of sludge, post-metal, and black metal influences. The album is a slow-burning journey, with atmospheric interludes and crushingly heavy moments. It addresses themes of introspection and environmental collapse. Decibel Magazine highlighted the album as “a masterclass in post-metal craftsmanship.” Some may have found the slower sections challenging, but overall, the album excels for its emotional depth and technical writing.
Listen Here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lv80hTcKyOPG7yFaHtRx7Nmj3ElKKShwQ&feature=shared
Ulcerate – Cutting the Throat of God
Ulcerate’s 2024 release continues their signature style of dissonant death metal. The album emphasizes technical skill and dense, atmospheric compositions, creating a sense of unease and intensity throughout its runtime. The album received near-universal acclaim for its intricate guitar work and suffocating atmosphere. Metal Hammer called it “a brutal and uncompromising exploration of despair.” I appreciated how the album pushed the boundaries of technical death metal, though I could understand that its complexity could be overwhelming for casual listeners.
Listen Here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nnKPUsEOrSbpD4JRcSyi68p77fxhiTUJk&feature=shared
Defeated Sanity – Chronicles of Lunacy
Known for their brutal and technical style, Defeated Sanity’s Chronicles of Lunacy pushes their sound further into progressive territories. Released in November of 2024, the album alternates between relentless heaviness and intricate, jazz-inspired passages. I praise the album for its innovation and technical, creative, and oftentimes abstract writing. No Clean Singing described it as “a brilliant fusion of brutality and experimentation.” I embraced the blend of traditional death metal with progressive influences, though some death metal elitists may find the experimental elements polarizing.
Listen Here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mMIxRAjN3WwYNrcQlZz77Dfo18cyBAVPY&feature=shared
