In 1994, BraveWords & Bloody Knuckles magazine was born and here we stand 30 years later celebrating the past 12 months of music on our anniversary! What an incredible ride it has been and it's far from over! And during the past three decades, we've literally seen/heard thousands of releases and this is the time of the season when we crown the finest! The BraveWords scribes have spoken, so join us each day this month as we count down to the BravePick of 2024!

Remember, everybody has an opinion and it’s time for ours! Stay tuned at the end of December for BraveWords' writers’ individual Top 20s (new studio albums ONLY), Top 5 Brave Embarrassments (a fan favorite!), What/Who Needs To Stop In 2024? and Metal Predictions For 2025. 

BravePicks 2024

27) DARK TRANQUILLITY - Endtime Signals (Century Media)

 

Gothenburg reigned supreme again in 2024 as melo death masters Dark Tranquillity brushed a new painting of gloomy darkness. There’s a dreamy, melancholic apocalypse that drips from Endtime Signals. Their music remains under a thick, gray cloud bumped by the sounds that got them into the game bolstered by dynamic hooks, melding of keyboards and guitars, and Mikael Stanne’s fearsome vocals.

The Swedes have been filled with renewed confidence, still capable of providing relevant music and timeless songs. Endtime Signals takes its mark at #27.

"Welcome to the world of Dark Tranquillity once again," the band says. "It's been a while since Moment and we've gone through quite a lot in order to end up where we find ourselves today. But as we can reveal the first single from the upcoming Endtime Signals, the feeling is that of pride, accomplishment, and a fair bit of relief. 'The Last Imagination' showcases one of many facets of what we feel is our most diverse album to date."

Discussing the album as a whole, the band offers, "Thematically, the album deals with where we are heading, what has truly and fundamentally changed in us and how we find ways to cope with it. It has been hard finding that spark of positivity lately and there is a sense of grief running through the course of the album. Not only in the sense of mourning what we have lost on a personal level, but also where our sacrifices have taken us. 'The Last Imagination' in particular takes this to its logical conclusion and talks of what we leave behind and how hard it is for us to grasp that our significance might not be what we imagined.

"The breadth of the album is something we have worked hard at and we believe that this first song gives an indication if not a full picture of what is in store. There is ferocious speed, grinding brutality and haunting melodies of devastating loss to come. This is us making good on our promise to ourselves and our continuing mission."

BravePicks 2024 Top 30

27) DARK TRANQUILLITY - Endtime Signals (Century Media)
28) MORGUL BLADE - Heavy Metal Wraiths (No Remorse)
29) THE DEAD DAISIES - Light 'Em Up (Independent)
30) MÖRK GRYNING - Fasornas Tid (Season Of Mist)