There is so much heavy, extreme, and beautiful metal music being conjured all around the world that it can be overwhelming. Fortunately, Metal Has No Borders has curated the best of the best released this past month, from Japan and Moldova to Czechia and Russia, as well as everything in between.
Enjoy our hand-picked favorite albums, singles, and videos for January 2024 below. Share which bands we missed in the comment section…
Album of the Month (Bronze Tier)
Bite the Goat
Enemy
Self-Released
Russia
Over the decades, there’s been much distinction between the metalcore and deathcore scenes, to the point where the stylistic merge of the two can sound actually quite innovative. Admittedly, Enemy isn’t the first exhibition of a deathcore-metalcore fusion, however Bite the Goat is truly commendable on this record, with a vicious commitment to the subgenre blend and an impressive depth of hooks and heaviness. As one who enjoys the intensity of Whitechapel as equally as the catchy, modern qualities of The Dali Thundering Concept, it’s refreshing to witness a group sharing qualities of both with such ease. Oh and remember the ridiculous amount of hype over the alligator growl in last year’s Slaughter to Prevail single? The goat shriek on the “Utopia” breakdown goes way harder.
Enemy by Bite the Goat is awarded Best Album of the Month (Bronze Tier) for January 2024
Favorite Songs: “Mirror,” “Life,” “Utopia”
FFO: Within Destruction, Suicide Silence, Brand of Sacrifice
Album of the Month (Silver Tier)
Malist
Of Scorched Earth
Released via Avantgarde Music
Czechia
Originating in Moscow yet now in Prague, Malist is a one-man project led by the vicious, Ovfrost. Atmospheric blackened landscapes are weathered and unforgiving, however uplifting throughout Of Scorched Earth. The harsh spectrum ranges from trve kult intensity to whimsical post-rock passages, akin to a colder depiction of modern blackgaze.
Of Scorched Earth by Malist is awarded Best Album of the Month (Silver Tier) for January 2024
Favorite Songs: “Ode to the Night,” “Rotting into Primal,” “The Lone and Level Sands“
FFO: Deafheaven, Enslaved, Møl
Album of the Month (Gold Tier)
Ryujin
Ryujin
Released via Napalm Records
Japan
In 2011, the melodic death metal act called Gyze arose from Tokyo with hits like “Oriental Symphony” and “Asian Chaos.” Recently reincarnated as Ryujin, the now Hokkaido-based entity flourish with folk and power metal variety, while maintaining their signature melodeath sting on this new self-titled effort. One could even argue for Ryujin appealing to… the metalcore crowd? Well, thanks to the production duties and contributions of Matthew Kiichi Heafy (who has been embracing his Japanese heritage in Trivium artwork and the Ibaraki side project), there certainly are moments on this diverse record that could have you gunning for the moshpit. All in all, Ryujin are reborn with a compelling and genuinely enjoyable listen.
Ryujin by Ryujin is awarded Best Album of the Month (Gold Tier) for January 2024
Favorite Songs: “Raijin & Fujin” ft. Matthew Kiichi Heafy, “Scream of the Dragon,” “Gekokujo“
FFO: Children of Bodom, Nekrogoblikon, Ningen Isu
Album of the Month (Honorable Mentions)
Afterglow – Inward
Mexico
The heights of modern metalcore knows no limit. Mexico City is now on the map as a djent hub with the Volumes-tier, catchy dynamics of Afterglow‘s latest superb release.
Listen to “Nothing in Between“
Hellman – Born, Death, Suffering
Chile
Harnessing members from the Chilean death and thrash scene, the Santiago-based Hellman unveil their bold Blood Incanationesque debut full-length, brimming with thrashy goodness, experimental ambience, and a cover of the death & roll pioneers Entombed.
Listen to “The 4th Power“
Click Here for All Recent, Upcoming, and Past Notable Releases
Single / Video of the Month
Infected Rain “Vivarium”
Moldova
Originating from Chișinău, Infected Rain are on the brink of their sixth album, simply titled, Time. The progcore quartet have been persistent with recent impressive singles “Dying Light,” “Never to Return,” and “Because I Let You.” Now, vocalist Lena Scissorhands orchestrates a groovy atmosphere, which provides an intoxicating next evolution in the path that Korn laid out, on “Vivarium.” Underground lab debauchery occurs in the new video while the group exerts a King 810 and Kittie energy and attitude.
“Vivarium” by Infected Rain is awarded Best Single / Video of the Month for January 2024
Single / Video of the Month (Honorable Mentions)
Sails of Serenity “SHINE”
Turkey
With emotional splinters and a duality of bright metalcore vibes, Sails of Serenity proves to be as convincing as Erra or Loathe; listen here
Khors “Perseverance is the Essence (Forever 25)”
Ukraine
The black metal quartet Khors dedicates this latest single to Ukrainian solider Heorhii Tarsenko, whom was killed in 2022 defending the Kharkiv region. Notably, the blackened pagan soundscapes are enhanced by a guest appearance of Iurii Iatsiuk (Ersedu) as well as mixing by Dmitriy Kim (ex-Jinjer) and mastering by Dan Swanö (Katatonia, Omnium Gatherum); listen here