If you’ve been following Nine Circles closely since early September, then you’ll know that Marrow of Man has become my favorite new black metal act that I discovered this year. Debut full-length Ancient Hymns of Apocalypse is a certified banger that still hits just as hard as the first listen every time I hear it; combining classic black metal ferocity with incredible melodicism and great songwriting that just goes to show the dark flame of black metal is burning stronger every year. “Beyond the Frozen Meadows” is still my song of the year, and one I will surely be revisiting for a long, long time.

As we’re deep in album of the year season, Marrow of Man mastermind Sahand Mozdbar was gracious enough to put together a list of his top releases of 2024, in no particular order! Huge thanks to Sahand for reminding me of some albums that have been collecting dust in my Bandcamp wishlist (and that I really need to start paying much more attention to the rawer side of the modern black metal scene). We’re honored to present Sahand’s Best of 2024 list, so hit the jump and check out his picks below!

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Gravenoire – Devant la porte des étoiles

“Enigmatic and energetic melodic black metal, love the vocal performance on this one.”

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Abhorration – Demonolatry

“Crushing death metal from Norway, all killer, no filler. Absolute banger of a record.”

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Kasturn – The Torchbearer Fades

“Such a beautiful album, so many amazing riffs and grooves on this gem of an atmospheric/melodic black metal album.”

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Velvet Sorrow – Demo I

[Listen]

“Raw and symphonic, just how it is supposed to be! The only downside to this work is its
shorter length.”

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Lust Hag – Lust Hag

“Riffs, riffs, and even more fucking RIFFS. Absolutely killer debut LP.”

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Звёздный храм (Star Temple) – Звёздный храм (Star Temple)

“A very entrancing record, very interesting and melodic riffage.” [Editor’s note: yeah, this one whips! Revitalizes a distinct Russian black metal sound of the mid/late ’90s, without the NS bullshit (I hope!).]

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Lunar Spells – Sacraments of Necromantical Empires

“Lunar Spells just does not miss, they write Transilvanian Hunger-style riffs like there is
no tomorrow, extremely melodic and simply breathtaking.”

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Trhä – ∫um’ad​∂​ejja cavvaj

“I don’t need to say much about Trhä, I only really got into their music this year and I can’t believe how much I’ve been missing out on. This album is just fantastic, not another way to put it.”

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Conifère – L’impôt du sang

“Punky, melodic and with complex and interesting song structures that match some of the greatest to ever do it. No wonder this album took off like it did, it’s an amazing piece of art and the hype around it is very much deserved.”

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Eternal hails to Sahand for his time!

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Ancient Hymns of Apocalypse is available now, with physical represses TBA through Fiadh Productions. For more information on Marrow of Man, check out their Instagram page.

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