Longtime Ink 19 staff writer Christopher Long spent almost the entire year consuming and writing about new music. Here are his personal Dirty Dozen: the 12 records that made his heart the happiest in 2024.

Stormchaser (Inebriated Music / Anthem Entertainment). Review by Christopher Long.

Through the Turbulence (Melodic Revolution Records). Review by Michelle Wilson.

Thrice takes a victory lap before a planned hiatus, to say “goodbye” to 14 years worth of fans on their Farewell Tour. Jen Cray enjoys their bittersweet (final?) Orlando date.

One of the eighties’ biggest icons is back - Billy Idol is on tour, and Ink 19 was there to witness the U.S. leg’s first show. Steve Stav attempts to bridge his Idol-worshipping teenage years with the 21st century in his riff-by-riff review.

Progressive metalcore masters Between the Buried & Me surprised everyone when their Orlando show sold out in advance, leaving many fans scrambling the streets begging for tickets. Jen Cray squeezed inside for a surprisingly friendly evening of new metal.

Fair To Midland are blessed, and cursed, with the title “the first band to be signed to Serj Tankian’s label.” Jen Cray sat down with vocalist Darroh Sudderth and keyboardist Matt Langley outside of Orlando’s House of Blues just before the second night of their first ever major tour.

The Drawn and Quartered EP (Serjical Strike). Review by Jen Cray.

Astronomicon (Earache). Review by Daniel Mitchell.

Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence (Elektra). Review by Gail Worley.

Wormwood (Solid State). Review by Stein Haukland. ,

Bridge Across Forever (Metal Blade). Review by David Lee Beowulf.

We asked our friends in the music industry for their thoughts on the disasters of 9-11. Following are some of their comments, including statements from System of a Down, Goldfinger, Dream Theater, Anti-Flag, Attention Defecit, Grand Funk Railroad, Rick Derringer, Steve Morse, Ice Age, Svala, and many others.

House Of Cards (Steamhammer). Review by David Lee Beowulf.