Mark Holcomb of Periphery’s Top Albums of 2024

(Editor’s note: Looking back on 2024, there were so many good albums released that we decided to reach out to some of today’s artists and get them to weigh in on their favorites. What follows is Periphery guitarist Mark Holcomb’s ‘Top Albums of 2024’.)

My top five metal albums of 2024 list comes with an enormous asterisk, because I’m submitting this list about a week from the new Opeth record coming out. The two lead tracks I’ve heard so far have floored me, so in a week’s time, I’m sure that album will sneak its way onto this top five. Here goes!

Ihsahn – Ihsahn

This is my favorite record of the year and maybe my favorite Ihsahn solo record, which is saying a lot because I’ve loved every album he’s done since Emperor broke up. He’s just one of my favorite musical minds out there, and a living example of someone who just gets better at his craft as he ages. He also paired this release with a symphonic version of the album, which is the first time I’ve ever seen that done.

Boundaries – Death is Little More

This band is crushing. They’ve always been heavy, but there are moments on this record that reach cartoonishly, over-the-top, holy shit levels of heavy. They bring back a lot of the staples of their sound: atmosphere, melody and the occasional hook, but everything is just levelled up so much on this one. It’s been great to watch them mature into the force that they are.

Alcest – Les Chants de l’Aurore

Alcest consistently makes the perfect album to put on during a bleak, rainy day – and this one is no exception. I’ve loved this band since their debut, and while most of the elements that sonically tied them to black metal are gone, what’s left is a beautiful take on shoegaze.

Leprous – Melodies of Atonement

We just toured with these guys and it was a treat to see them play this new stuff. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I don’t know if there’s any other band that sounds remotely like Leprous. They have virtually no high-gain, distorted guitars in their music, yet their grooves and the drumming lend the music this weight that makes the whole thing beyond heavy. Their singer is unreal too. He nails the material live.

Obeyer – Chemical Well

We randomly heard these guys’ demos on a whim earlier this year, and we jumped so fast at the chance to sign them to 3DOT Recordings. I was blown away that this was an unsigned, new band – especially with the songwriting, production and overall depth and attention to detail in their sound. It didn’t sound like anything that was out there, and I have all the respect in the world for a band to sound this mature out of the gates like this.