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

14) DJEVEL - Natt Til Ende (Aftermath)

 

A bitter frost descended from Norway in November with Djevel’s Natt Til Ende. Translated as “Night To The End” and featuring Emperor legend Faust on drums, the trio has been prolific since their 2009 formation with Natt Til Ende being the band’s ninth full-length.

Natt Til Ende is cold, harsh black metal with oppressive atmosphere drowning in darkness and blasphemy. With chilling vocals and shattering screams, mammoth guitars, feelings of hopelessness and despair, Djevel has taken the throne as the leaders of Norwegian black metal. Deserving of more attention and notoriety, their astounding quality is worthy of recognition as Natt Til Ende reaches #14.

Drums were recorded at Caliban Studio, September 16, 2023. Vocals, guitars, and bass recorded at Myrbraaten Lydkammer in early/mid 2024.

BravePicks 2024 Top 30

14) DJEVEL - Natt Til Ende (Aftermath)
15) INTRANCED - Muerte y Metal (High Roller)
16) KITTIE - Fire (Sumerian)
17) BLACKTOP MOJO - Pollen (Cuhmon Music Group) 18) BLOOD RED THRONE - Nonagon (Soulseller)
19) RIOT V - Mean Streets
20) PORTRAIT - The Host 
21) ROTTING CHRIST - Pro Xristou (Season Of Mist)
22)SAXON - Hell, Fire And Damnation (Silver Lining)
23) ULCERATE - Cutting The Throat Of God (Debemur Morti Productions)
24) POWERWOLF - Wake Up The Wicked (Napalm)
25) ENSIFERUM - Winter Storm (Metal Blade)
26) OPETH - The Last Will And Testament (Reigning Phoenix Music)
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)