The Objective Top 25 Albums of 2023 of All Time
title is true |
| 25 |  | Majesties
Vast Reaches Unclaimed
MELODIC DEATH METAL
Whilst being very derivative of the Gothenberg scene, it does so well that I don't care so much.
Highlights:
In Yearning, Alive
The World Unseen |
| 24 |  | Begotten (CAN)
To The Dreary End
BLACK METAL
Full of tremolo riffs and visceral screams creating a great, cold atmosphere.
Highlights:
Through Unending Rain
To the Dreary End |
| 23 |  | Lotus Eater Machine
Prisoner to Seven Demons
MATHCORE
Most brutal album of the year by far. Bullwork is perfection.
Highlights:
Bullwork
Sanguine Circus |
| 22 |  | Telos
Delude
BLACKENED MATHCORE
Riffs fucking hard.
Highlights:
Within Reach
I Accept / I Receive
Throne |
| 21 |  | MSPAINT
Post-American
SYNTH-PUNK
A tad one-note but it is amazing in its one trick.
Highlights:
Information
Hardwired
Decapitated Reality |
| 20 |  | Velaraas
Pantheon
MELODIC DEATH METAL
Great solos and riffs and goes into some proggy segments which are welcome even if they don't always land as well as they want to all the time.
Highlights:
Nemesis
Heads of the Hydra |
| 19 |  | Slowdive
Everything is Alive
SHOEGAZE
While mildly disappointing as I haven't gone back to this as much as S/T which I love, this is great in its minimalistic approach and instrumentals. However, it lacks the great vocal hooks to latch on to that their previous albums had in spades.
Highlights:
Shanty
Prayer Remembered
Kisses |
| 18 |  | Exhibition
The Last Laugh
CROSSOVER THRASH
Thrash that is incredibly straight to the point. Short and sweet with great riffs and vocals.
Highlights:
Bottom Feeder
Predator
Crucified |
| 17 |  | There Will Be Fireworks
Summer Moon
INDIE ROCK
While very similar to Tiny Skulls debut which has much higher highs than this, Summer Moon is far more consistent. Nostalgic melodies and emotional lyrics makes this album special from beginning to end. However, this greatly lacks variety making some songs not sound as fresh as they should.
Highlights:
Smoke Machines (Summer Moon)
Our Lady of Sorrows
Dream Song |
| 16 |  | Chamber (USA)
A Love to Kill For
MATHCORE
It fucking riffs.
Highlights:
Chamber
To Die In the Grip of Poison |
| 15 |  | Moon In June (JPN)
ロマンと水色の街
SHOEGAZE
Absolutely cozy shoegaze. Cannot wait to jam this tons this summer.
Highlights:
Robert
Head for Munchen
After School In December |
| 14 |  | Valdrin
Throne of the Lunar Soul
MELODIC BLACK METAL
Great melodies with an awesome sci-fi setting even if a tad bloated.
Highlights:
Golden Walls of Ausadjur
Paladins of Ausadjur
Throne of the Lunar Soul |
| 13 |  | Hammock
Love in the Void
AMBIENT/DREAM POP
This typically isn't my thing but the vocals and the swelling crescendos are easy to lose oneself to. This did not need to be 72 minutes though.
Highlights:
Release
Gods Becoming Memories |
| 12 |  | Insomnium
Anno 1696
MELODIC DEATH METAL
The only sour part in the album is White Christ but even that had a great solo. They are not reinventing their sound here but the atmosphere is just as strong as always.
Highlights:
Godforsaken
Lilian
Starless Paths |
| 11 |  | Kalmah
Kalmah
MELODIC DEATH METAL
Same stuff they have been doing for a while and it is just as good as it has always been. So many fantastic folky guitar melodies.
Highlights:
Scarred by Sadness
No Words Sad Enough
Tons of Chaos |
| 10 |  | The HIRS Collective
We're Still Here
MATHCORE
Non-stop mathy, grindy brutality. Not much else to say really.
Highlights:
Trust the Process
Xoxoxoxoxox |
| 9 |  | Moonlight Sorcery
Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle
MELODIC BLACK METAL
44 minutes of incredible neoclassical guitarwork that fills up the hole that Children of Bodom left behind.
Highlights:
In Coldest Embrace
Vihon Verhon Takaa
The Moonlit Dance of the Twisted Jester's Blood-Soaked Rituals |
| 8 |  | The Clientele
I Am Not There Anymore
INDIE POP
Very ambitious and indulgent in the best way possible. While cutting the runtime down a bit would be ideal, this is full of great songs and I find new favourites each listen.
Highlights:
Fables of the Silverlink
Lady Grey
Hey Siobhan |
| 7 |  | Endless, Nameless
Living Without
MATH ROCK
Lots of infectious hooks, great clean and harsh vocals and some insane guitar work. Not the most original album out there but it sure is a great 40 minutes.
Highlights:
A World So Kind
Propaniac
Sarah Lynn |
| 6 |  | Avenged Sevenfold
Life Is But a Dream...
AVANT-GARDE METAL
Yeah, based off the singles, I expected this to be shit but weirdly it works. While the transitions are iffy and I can see the band improving this sound sevenfold in the future, its boldness makes it work and it is fun through its entire runtime. Cosmic is the bands best song as well.
Highlights:
Cosmic
Beautiful Morning
G O(rdinary) D(eath) |
| 5 |  | Fires in the Distance
Air Not Meant For Us
PROGRESSIVE DEATH METAL
Great atmosphere, great melodies and great synths. An all round immersive album.
Highlights:
Wisdom of the Falling Leaves
Adrift, Beneath the Listless Waves |
| 4 |  | Squid
O Monolith
POST-PUNK
Probably the biggest grower of the year and will probably grow on me even more. It is weird, intense and immensely creative. Even more so than their debut.
Highlights:
Devil's Den
Siphon Song
Undergrowth |
| 3 |  | Hellripper
Warlocks Grim and Withered Hags
BLACKENED THRASH METAL
40 minutes of some of the best thrash riffs in years. It also has the bagpipes.
Highlights:
Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags
Goat Vomit Nightmare
The Cursed Carrion Crown |
| 2 |  | Hail the Sun
Divine Inner Tension
POST-HARDCORE
Probably the most addictive album of the year from the immediately brainwormy vocal melodies to the insane guitarwork. The first 5 tracks is the best song run of 2023.
Highlights:
Tunnel Vision Alibi
Chunker
60-Minute Session Blocks |
| 1 |  | The Hirsch Effekt
Urian
MATHCORE
The Hirsch Effekt is not only back but have created some of their riffiest, catchiest and most ambitious material to date. The folkish bookends are what makes this album fully stick. Not only is it new for the band but add some of their most emotional songs to date.
Highlights:
Otus
2054
Stegodon
Eristys |
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