A Grove of Ashes and Aspens

Now Playing: Throes of Atonement by Elvenking

It’s no secret that we as metal fans were showered in gifts this year. Two Elvenking singles (one supporting an album announcement), a Tungsten album, an Orden Ogan album, a Powerwolf album, are just a few of the new releases we got in 2024. But which ones caught my ear in particular?

Starting strong with the most recent release, Throes of Atonement is the first single from Elvenking’s upcoming album, Reader of the Runes – Luna. Both Rapture and Luna as albums were written during lockdowns in 2020, serving as parts 2 and 3 respectively of the Reader of the Runes trilogy. The shared timeframe for writing leads to a similar shared sound that, to an extent, goes beyond just being from the same band and with the same creative minds behind the music. This song specifically, from what I can gather from the lyrics, seems connected to Covenant (from Rapture), as well as other songs connected to the story concerning that particular character. This song calls back to an older Elvenking style, similar to some of that from Heathenreel and The Pagan Manifesto, while still feeling fresh and new. It also marks the band’s departure from their 24 year partnership with AFM Records, signing with Reaper Entertainment for the upcoming album. This song caught my attention immediately, and despite the late release at the end of November, it took my top track of the year position easily.

Ethel, the other Elvenking single of the year, also takes a position among my personal favourite tracks of the year, having been a digital single released as a bridge between the albums Rapture and Luna. This song was written during the same lockdown writing sessions as Rapture and Luna, from an idea presented by Lethien (violin) to, and expanded into the folk metal ballad it is by, Aydan (guitars) and Damna (vocals). It is a track that fits in very nicely to the rest of the story of the Reader of the Runes saga, filling the same between album link position as The Moon and Magic, the previous digital single in the saga. It sits as an expansion of the story, both of the universe and of this mysterious woman named Ethel. It was also released much earlier, coming to streaming platforms at the end of January. It has been a calming force in my life for much of the year.

Rivers of Gold is one of the tracks released on the new Brothers of Metal album, Fimbulvinter. This track is also a more folk metal-esque ballad, earning a place among my top tracks of 2024 for how light and fun it is, as well as how new it is while still keeping in the style that has come to be expected of the band. The album was released at the start of November, being one of many solid releases of the month, as well as the year as a whole. I am openly a fan of acoustic folk metal ballads, so this song was a welcome addition to the album and my main playlist.

Land of the Free is the title of the first single by brand new Swedish band Hans & Valter. Released in mid November, one member of the band shares the official press information in a Reddit comment, saying “Inspired by Gloryhammer, Twilight Force, and Brothers of Metal, the band is described as ‘A cinematic universe, but with more music and less cinema – a musical universe.’ The first single builds up to the debut album ‘The Legend of the Oakensource’ (set for release spring 2025) where listeners will follow warriors Hans & Valter as they seek to save Flour Village from Dark Lord Renius’ reign of terror, doing everything in their might to prevent The Endless Night.” I found this single through Reddit, through a post I made looking for more bands with baritone singers in power metal. This song is a very solid start for a new band, as well as very interesting lore and a cool premise. It fits as a fun addition to the realm of fantasy or adventure metal, as well as a fun addition to the repertoire of baritone vocals in power metal. It has cemented a position in my main playlist, alongside my love of Twilight Force, as well as my general appreciation for symphonic power metal as a specific subgenre.

Staying in the realm of Swedish power metal, Walborg was a solid single to come off a very solid album from Tungsten. The album, called The Grand Inferno, was initially supposed to release in mid October, but was delayed until November, adding to the month’s solid repertoire of incredible albums. This specific track, concerning the coming of spring and the end of winter, brings with it some more folk metal-esque undertones and some almost pagan themes, though what is considered “pagan themes” has the potential to be very broad. This song has a very solid feel, and fits the vibe of power metal and the band overall very nicely, earning it a spot in my main playlist for a long time.

The Order of Fear, the title track of Orden Ogan’s latest album, is a very good song, sitting second in the track listing. This album was released in early July, becoming a very solid addition to the band’s already fantastic catalogue of music. This song, as well as the entire album, expands on some lore behind the band and some of their music, especially with the meaning of the name directly translating to “the order of fear”. I fell in love with the track immediately, the darker mix providing a breath of fresh air in a genre with traditionally very light and high mixes. It’s also a very solid track and I love it.

All around, 2024 was a very solid year for metal. We also have promises for some new material in 2025, so I have high hopes for the new year, considering what we have so far.