The Punk Site 2024 Top 40 Countdown: #21 – #30

  • Phinky posted
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It’s part two of The Punk Site‘s romp through the best releases of 2024, the old, the new, the loud, the quiet, the old and the new, and the downright strange, have all been present and correct so far, which is just as it oughta be. The second instalment of our countdown of our collective favourites from 2024 continues to demonstrate the diversity that exists in the punk scene, both geographically and musically, tomorrow will see the countdown of 11 -20 ahead of the countdown of our top 10 releases.

30. Fast Blood Sunny Blunts (Sangre Rapida Records)

“Throughout this bands shortish life, they have always had that a kind of Washington DC meets West Coast hardcore, a strong affinity for riffs and hooks, with huge dollop of self worth musically, that puts them in a place all of their own for me, this album rubber stamps all of this.” (Mark Cartwright)

29. Rich RaganyYou Can Get Dark With Me (Barrel & Squidger Records)

“You Can Get Dark With Me feels like the heart and soul of Rich Ragany has been bared, he has embraced the roots of his influences with ten soul stirring songs that are delivered in a deceptively simple style.” (Phinky)

28. Ruts DCELECTRAcoustic Volume 3 (Sosumi Recordings)

“This is a band that has neither recreated itself nor sought cheap publicity to restore former glories. They simply were. And have been. And will continue to be. And the band has seen it all, fought all the culture wars from the musical frontline and remained true to their vision. While there will always be some hankering for a hologrammic version of the original Ruts line-up from back in the day, there was never a plan to replace Malcolm Owen and Paul Fox (the latter one of punk’s great under-celebrated guitar heroes). There never needed to be. The canon remains, the band endure and are as vital and important as ever.” (Peter Hough)

Ruts DC

27. The MeffsWhat A Life (Bottles To The Ground)

The Meffs had a hell of a year in 2024, not only did they follow up their Broken Britain EP’s with their Frank Turner produced debut full length, they toured with the likes of NOFX, Alice Cooper and The Interrupters, and to top it off they made The Punk Site‘s top 40! The Meffs are still fighting the inequality they see all around them in the UK, and they are still doing it on their own terms.

26. HaestSight Unseen (Self Released)

Haste‘s Sight Unseen EP was released in April, the self released EP followed a change in the band’s line up, something that signalled a shift away from the familiar sludgey punk that they had become known for and saw them head back to their hardcore roots with a brutal five track EP. Whilst the soundtrack has shifted, Haest seem to have kept their habit of choosing their song titles from a list of absurd quotes collected whilst the band are on the road.

25. Death LensCold World (Epitaph Records)

Growing up as minorities 20 miles east of Los Angeles with constant harassment by police and heavy gang violence, Death Lens faced many risk factors that could’ve led them astray from this moment. Their paths could have gone other ways, but they’ve chosen positivity and strive to be a light for their communities, their fans and each other.

24. Army Of MothsThe Chaos Emporium (Self Released)

The Chaos Emporium is the third album from Army Of Moths, trying to describe it is probably best left to the band; “The Chaos Emporium is a place. A real place. You’ve been before, but not everyone remembers. Like a dusty old curiosity shop, quietly nestled at the back of your mind, waiting for you to revisit, and no matter how long it’s been, you’re always welcome to return. A knowing place full of long forgotten memories. A place full of light things, dark things, ‘can’t believe they’re real’ things. Where confusion dances with reality. A place where the absurd and the ridiculous are always rewarded and never frowned upon. Where melancholy turns to celebration and trips the light fantastic with blessed contentment. Where all manner of wishes manifest themselves with feeling and always with love.”

23. The DrownsBlacked Out (Pirates Press Records)

Seattle’s The Drowns released Blacked out back in February, the album blends their blue collar Street Punk roots with Rock ‘n Roll and Glam Rock influences to give their third full length a different character to it’s predecessors. The themes of working class life and struggles still sit at the core of Blacked Out but wheras their previous releases were furious at the world, Blacked Out felt more like good natured rallying call.

22. Ink BombSuadade (Horn & Hoof Records /  Keep It A Secret Records)

The Netherlands Ink Bomb released their sophomore full length Suadade in the Spring. With their new album Ink Bomb broadened their horizons incorporating indie, hardcore, grunge and new wave into their melancholic raw punk sound. The album’s title is Portuguese for ‘longing’ or ‘yearning’,  a title which characterises their sound perfectly.

21. The ChiselWhat A Fucking Nightmare (Pure Noise Records)

Punk rabble-rousers The Chisel released What A Fucking Nightmare early 2024, the album is a high energy blend of Oi! hooks and hardcore stomp that’s sure to please fans of all things loud and catchy. Whilst their sound is rooted in aggression, it’s their ability to pack a melodic punch that’s allowed them to stand out from the pack.