Before I start with my end of the year list, I would like to add a trigger warning for everyone struggeling with mental health issues such as depression, trauma’s and suicidal thoughts. The main theme of this years list contains lyrics about these topics because I have been struggeling with mental health issues for the past few years.
The end of 2024 is just a few days away and what a ride has this year been. I have been through some really hard moments mentally and personally. But there were also some cool moments. Thanks to my best friend Antonie, I joined this amazing family that is Metal Exposure and I feel more than welcome. Listening to music and writing has been my biggest coping mechanisme for the hard days for many years now.
Since this is my first end of the year list I say, let’s get started with my top nine albums of this past year.
Nightwish – Yesterwynde
I have been a fan of Nightwish for a few years now. I discovered them thanks to my dad and we went to the postponed concert in 2022. But this year they released a new album called ”Yesterwynde”. I must be honest and didn’t start listening the moment it came out. I heard some mixed opinions about the album and it didn’t gave me the motivation to start listening. Since I was so impressed by the live performance. But the moment I did, I added some songs to my faves playlist. ”An Ocean Of Strange Islands” made it to the list because of the different layers to the song and the instrumental ending. ”Perfume Of The Timeless” is a fave due to the long instrumental intro and ”Sway” brings me back to the medieval period. Overall I think this album is different than the others we know from Nightwish but I think the focus on more orchestral and instrumental parts is also what makes it Nightwish and makes my head calm down.
Peyton Parrrish – Kingdoms of Magical Rock
Tiktok sensational Peyton Parrish got popular due to his Disney covers. His first Disney album came in 2023 and this year he released a fresh one with 22 Disney and Dreamworks covers. I have been a huge Disney fan for many years, so I had added some songs to my list. ”Hellfire”, the ultimate villain song from the movie, The Hunchback of the Notre Dame, ”Surface Pressure” because I like the growling part in it. Where the first album contained popular Disney songs such as ”Ill Make A Man Out Of You”, Parrish now took some lesser know movies such as Freaky Friday, The Prince of Egypt and Puss in Boots. Two versions of ”Into the Unknown” and yet another cover of ”The Greatest Show”, from the movie The Greatest Showman. But I have to say, I listend to many The Greatest Show covers, some better than others, but to my surprise this was yet a version I haven’t heard so far.
Peyton Parrish – Soul
Before his Disney album, Parrish released the album ”Soul” at the beginning of this year. While his previous album were very focused on Viking Metal, this album sounds a bit heavier.”Poetry Glass” has some growling, but also some easy to catch lyrics. ”Fallen Angel” is a heavy metal ballad with some good guitar riffs. ”Stuck In The Dark” is a tribute to Parrish his country past. ”Cavity” has a catchy chorus and ”I’m Still Here” gives us a sneak peek to the Disney album ”Kingdoms of Magical Rock”.
Mister Misery – Mister Misery
Thanks to my best friend Antonie, I discovered this band from Sweden right before their European Tour. Having their debut album released on Wacken and their successful European tour this past fall. I think it is save to say that this band will have a very bright future. Due to their multi talent some songs are on my list since the release of the album: ”Survival of the Sickest”, ”Sinner or Saint’‘. Others became on the list after the concert due to the awesomeness of the live performance: ”Ripper”, ”Eye of the Storm”. If you are curious of the full album review. Check it right here
Linkin Park – From Zero
For me this album came as a surprise. After the passing of Chester Bennington I really thought Linkin Park was over. But Linkin Park shows us that it’s okay to take some time to grief a loved one and by hiring a new lead singer you don’t forget the previous singer. ”From Zero” is a fresh start for the band but also still honoring the good, old times. The album is a good mixture between the old songs from ”Hybrid Theory”, but also the new way they are taking with Emily Armstrong as leading lady. I’m really excited for the live performance of the band in Gelredome this upcoming summer. For the full album review check the link
Melrose Avenue – Fool and the Beggar
Released on december the sixth Melrose Avenue dropped this EP. The Australian Pop Metalcore band who got popular through TikTok says they are taking inspiration from bands like Bring Me The Horizon, Beartooth and A Day To Remember. They use some catching lyrics, melodic guitar riffs, and heavy drums and Vlado Saric his screaming and growling voice. For every fan of the old school emo metal. Melrose Avenue will bring back some lovely memories. ”Through Hell” perfectly describes the struggles with mental health issues and the loneliness it brings. ”Fool and the Beggar”, the debut song of the EP can be a love song about a toxic couple breaking up but also about breaking a toxic cycle with relatives. I think that is what makes the band popular. Everyone can relate to the lyrics in some way. According to their Instagram they went to Los Angeles for some writing and music session. So let’s say they will bring more music in 2025.
While we are entering the top 3 of my fave albums I still want to remind you of the trigger warning. Since we are now entering the more dark side.
Falling in Reverse – Popular Monster
Releasing this album with your mugshot as the cover is already a statement. But Ronnie Radke already showed the world that he doesn´t give a damn about people their opinions (especially the hatefull ones) The band has been on the news in social media land almost every single day and not in a popular way.
But Third place for this album full of anger, rage and truthfull lyrics. ”Popular Monster” is a hommage to getting up everyday batteling your own demons and the biggest question when will I finally feel better? Is it maybe a phase ? Or is this an ongoing battle thanks to post traumatic issues? Wrapped up in some rap lyrics, a screaming chorus with guitar riffs and heavy drums. This song is the perfect anthem to releasing your inner rage.
”Voices in my Head” is about the inner voice in your head that keeps telling you that you aren’t worth it or no matter how hard you work, nothing is perfect or even close to good enough. This song perfectly describes it all and even has a change of tone during the song to represent that destructive voice in your head. Ronnie Radke shows his talent in dealing with the many public opinions about him, by simply changing them into the lyrics for the catching song ”Bad Guy” and continue with his rage to the public opinionated people in ”ZOMBIFIED”. The album ends with the ”Last Resort – Reimagined” cover of the original Papa Roach song. The first time I listend to this song I cried my eyes out. The way Radke plays with the lyrics and put his heart and soul into it that. You can feel his own pain and darkness blasting through your speakers. I feel so many emotions by his performance, because I feel seen and heard. For me this album is the absolute mix between feeling and releasing the inner rage and anger you can have but also breaking down into tears, crying and feeling the emotions that cames with having mental health issues.
Twenty One Pilots – Clancy
For some of you this album maybe feels misplaced but since Twenty One Pilots is classified as Alternative Rock and many more sub rock genres. They are my well deserved runner up in my list.
It was already some years ago since the mixed reviewed release of ”Scaled and Icy”. And Twenty One Pilots shouldn’t been Twenty One Pilots if the announcement of the new album comes with several little teasers and hints. Starting in February this year several billboards and posters world wide revealed a new band logo and some people received an mail from the band. By the end of February a video titled I Am Clancy was posted on social media, conforming the whole lore of the past three albums. I will not even try to explain the whole thing to you. If you are curious you should discover it for yourself. It’s really awesome and cool i’d say, especially when you are struggeling with mental health issues like depressions. Tyler Joseph and Joshua Dun are the masters in keeping their fans occupied with little hints, teasers and pieces of the lore.
But let’s dive a little into the album. ”Overcompensate”, the debut song of the album is a mix of genres and styles. Giving the band the reputation of being non-catagorable. ”Next semester” is about Joseph‘s experience with panic attacks in the past and the feeling of wanting to start fresh which isn’t always possible. The song ends with some ukele chords and lyrics, like the mind has calmed down after ”the attack”. ”Routines in the Night” describes the cycle of having insomnia but also struggeling with nightmares or other sleep issues.
”Clancy” is announced as the last album about the lore of Dema. But last but not least we have the song ”Paladin Strait”, about an upcoming battle in Dema, which ends with bird sounds for a minute and switches to some lyrics and a familiar voice for the fans, which makes you question, is this really the end?
For me personally the band represents my own mental health journey. It is hard to describe this to someone who isn’t a fan of the band. But the whole world that mostly Joseph created throughout so many albums and carries with him for so many years can only be praised. Even his own struggles with mental health issues which are used as lyrics to songs have helped me and still help me in so many ways.
Citizen Soldier – Icarus
I present to you my number one from this year. This band from Salt Lake City, Utah was formed in 2016 in a psychiatric hospital (guess you know where this is going). The singer of the band Jake Segura struggled with mental health issues himself and works as a therapist. The band makes it their mission to discuss mental health issues, fighting stigma’s and provide some group therapy through music. I discovered Citizen Soldier during my lowest point in 2022 and have been a fan since that moment. The on point lyrics , mostly written by Segura who get’s his inspiration from his cliënts, combined with the loud and noisy music that represents metal music forms a combination that seems to work. A lot of people feel unheard and unseen in this world and this band makes you feel seen or at least feel heard. The lyrics contains some heavy topics and nothing is left unsaid. ”Icarus” starts with ”Letdown”, the daily anthem for people struggeling with the inner voice. With lyrics such as; There’s nobody better than me at ruining everything, combined with some good old guitar riffs and a catchy chorus. You have a working combination. ”Where were you”, a most asked question by people who have lost people due to their struggles with mental health issues. During the hardest time you really learn who your true friends or loved ones are. Segura gives the anger that comes with this topic power by creating this banger of a song. ”Feels like a funeral” is for all the mothers or caretakers struggeling with a post partum depression. Having a baby should be something amazing and beautiful, but the hardest truth is that not everyone experience it that way. This song is for you.
When I hear ”Good Old Days” I start to cry immediately, this is the letter I needed to write to my younger self. The care free six year old girl, still free of her trauma’s and depressions, who couldn’t wait to grow up. Well funny how things change when you are older. Because let’s face it. Every adult sometimes wishes to still be that little kid they used to be. ”Good Old Days”, has the same style as other work from the band such as ”Still Frame”. I think every person that struggles or struggled with mental health issues, knows the feeling of being a burden. ”Burden” is the message for everyone, whether you struggle or not. You are never alone and things will get better. People do care about you and you are never a burden for showing your emotions and feelings.
And with that note, I would like to end this Yearlist, by wishing everyone happy holidays and remember that you are never alone and things will get better.
