Bogdan Bele / The Best Of Rock And Metal in 2024

2024 was a great year for rock and Metal, which is why picking my highlights has been a much tougher mission than expected. With that said, here are some of what stood out for me this year.

Event of the Year: Hellfest 2024

2024 was the year I started writing for MetalTalk, starting with an article about what I believe was my event of the year, Hellfest 2024. It was my third time in a row at Hellfest, and what a time I had!

As always, the almost perfectly organised Clisson, France festival had a bit of everything. It had an incredible lineup, lots of pyro, great cold beer, very good food (not just by very low festival food standards), and it was tons of fun.

I always say that a lot of festival organisers should make Hellfest their annual training trip. If you have ever been there, you most likely know why I am saying that. I also recommend checking out all of MetalTalk’s great Hellfest 2024 coverage, if you have not already.

Gigs Of The Year: AC/DC – Bruce Dickinson

AC/DC – Wembley Stadium

I could not decide on just one, so I picked two, albeit with a bit of a plus for AC/DC at Wembley Stadium. I went to the second night, and if this was, as some suspect, their farewell, it was an apt goodbye from arguably the biggest rock band of all time.

That concert had everything. It was massive, it sounded great, and it had the loudest crowd I can remember. At certainpoints, despite how loud the PA was (and it was LOUD), the singing of the crowd simply covered it.

Shoot To Thrill at Wembley this year remains one of my greatest concert moments ever. It just felt perfect.

Bruce Dickinson – Rock City, Nottingham

Another great live moment this year (and this was a tough choice, as there have been so many), was Bruce Dickinson at Rock City in Nottingham. Yes, I saw the legendary Maiden vocalist at Hellfest as well, in the mother of all storms. Yes, that was a fantastic show and one of my highlights at Hellfest.

However, seeing him and his incredible band in what, by his standards, is a very small, albeit legendary venue, was simply special. The band was on fire, and Bruce was in fine voice and as great a showman as ever. The crowd were great. Not a lot more one can ask for, is there? It certainly made me look forward to seeing him back to fronting Maiden in 2025.

I could add a ton more as I do like to have a very full dance card when it comes to gigs. But I will just give Steel Panther an honourable mention at Hellfest. Great playing and I have not laughed this hard at a concert in a very long time (if ever).

Albums Of The Year

For my albums, despite a year that was full of great music, I went with some pretty eclectic choices. Or so I would like to think.

Devin Townsend – PowerNerd

Ridiculous technique, incredible vocals, and a sound so characteristic he could trademark it. That is what I expect from any Devin Townsend album. Still, PowerNerd has all of that, plus something that sets it apart. 

And it’s so crazy diverse that it feels like a few albums by different bands all mixed into one thing. If you have not listened to it… Do it now!

And, to give you a little taster, here is album ending track, Ruby Quaker. Make sure you listen to all of it. You’ll see why.

Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere

An album I had come across accidentally, this Blood Incantation record is the gift that keeps on giving. It simply unveils itself, layer by layer, with every listen. You could put it in the progressive category, but it also has a lot of Death Metal on it. And then it has these beautiful atmospheric/meditative passages.

It is very hard to describe otherwise than as an experience. I recommend it even if you are not a fan of the above-mentioned genres.

Royal Republic – Lovecop

I came across this album more recently and ended up listening to it almost on repeat for a while. Lovecop is, in its entirety, annoyingly catchy but also fun, energetic and completely bonkers.

I am pretty sure you could use it as a large part of your New Year’s party playlist. Then throw in some Electric Callboy for something with more Metal with a similar atmosphere, and there you go. Party playlist sorted.

Surprise Of The Year: Mike Portnoy Back In Dream Theater

This one came out of the blue, and I am happy it did. Much as I enjoyed Dream Theater with Mike Mangini behind the kit for a while, to me, it felt like something was missing lately.

Judging by the energy of the first gig with Portnoy back in the fold, at the O2 Arena, we just might know what that something was. It was a phenomenal night, full of hope for what’s to come in 2025. I, for one, cannot wait.

Roll On 2025

These are some of my personal highlights of 2024. It is very likely that I could add a lot more to this list if you asked me tomorrow. And then a few others if you asked me three days later. If that’s not proof that 2024 was great, I don’t know what is.

See you at MetalTalk in 2025! In the words of Blackberry Smoke,  I can feel a good one comin’ on.

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