Mike Vickers of Leather Lung’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 Leather Lung frontman Mike Vickers’ ‘Top Albums of 2024’.)
My name is Mike Vickers. I’m the singer Leather Lung, as well as an avid beer drinker and certified hellraiser. In 2024, I found myself rushing to Spotify’s homepage every Friday morning, eagerly ready to consume the newest releases. It felt like every week provided something new and exciting to capture my attention.
Obviously, narrowing in on just five was very difficult, but I chose my top picks with careful consideration: LPs that got repeated full playthroughs — no skips. If 2025 is half as good as 2024 for new music, then I certainly look forward to what’s coming. When I saw King Diamond, on October 30th of this year, he was excitedly announcing that new King Diamond music is coming in 2025 — and I think that’s a perfect indicator to demonstrate how strong the future of metal is.
Sabïre — Jätt
When I heard the first single “Ice Cold Lust” — I hit repeat about a dozen times afterwards. It’s an intoxicating heavy glam masterpiece. It got me looking forward to the full album dropping with bated breath — and when it did, it did not disappoint. It’s a massive record, over an hour of tunes, and not one stinker! It does everything you want from the lane of sound — it’s filled to the brim with sleazy anthems and heart pounding dance riffs. Not to mention a super solid ballad thrown in the mix. Yeah I said it…a ballad — It fucks. The whole album plays out like a wild night on the town. It is fun as hell.
Gatecreeper — Dark Superstition
I heard a tamborine. I heard an egg shaker. And I heard a fucking clap sample (“Flesh Habit”). I thought about how cool it was hearing those things on a death metal record for weeks afterwards and would not stop pointing it out to anybody that would listen. This is such a refreshing record for a band playing an old-school style. They hit a perfect stride on this release — it captures a sense of their unique influences, as well as progresses their sound forward. Gatecreeper has always been high quality death metal — from the sound to the artwork, it hits all the notes. They just flexed on us all super hard with this one.
Lifeless Dark — Forces of Nature’s Transformation
You can actually watch the goosebumps rise from your arm as you hit play on this record. I was immediately locked in for this release. My teeth are actually gritting as I type this because of how vicious this record makes me feel. Yes, it’s obviously Sacrilege worship… but it’s got so much more. They got crusted out Metallica riffs. They got knock you over Bolt Thrower parts. And pay attention to the lyrics… Elaine is screaming the truth at you. Society is fucked—and this record is the soundtrack to it’s collapse.
The Obsessed — Gilded Sorrow
It’s 2024 and The Obsessed formed in 1980 — How many other bands could release a record of this caliber 44 years into their career? It’s of course an absolute testament to Wino, the riff emperor, and his incredible songwriting and playing abilities. It is quintessential Wino. It packs the same hardened snarl he wears on his face. If you love an album like The Church Within (1994), you will fall in love with this new release despite the 30 years of distance between them.
Necrot — Lifeless Birth
When I saw Necrot play “Drill The Skull” at The Meadows in Brooklyn this past June, I could feel the whole venue moving. I don’t think a single head wasn’t banging. That’s the energy this record commands from the listener, and it’s why it’s my number one pick. They actually captured the force of their live show. And if I have a beer in my hand when this record comes on, I am chugging it. Lifeless Birth is death metal distilled to perfection. This release is meant for the maniacs—and I feel very seen. The riffs are not over-your-head, but they’re not primitive, recycled bullshit either. It’s spectacular songwriting, with 0% fat. Every second is utilized on this album to hammer the listener, it’s flawless.
