Well, here we are again. Another year of listening to metal. And then talking about it. Usually celebrating it. Sometimes arguing about it (way too much of that for some of us…). But when you’re embedded in this art on a different, more personal level, as we all are, that kind of comes with the territory. It’s how this blog came to be, what, a decade ago? Crazy how we’ve made it to this point, honestly. So, with all of that said, I’m once again proud to share my favorite albums from the year that was, which you will eventually find below.
To quickly preface and clarify my list, I will never claim (nor argue) “best” anything. Like all art, there is subjectivity, and all we should really be doing at this point of reflection is sharing what we loved, in the hopes that others may find something that they love as well. To that end, this will also probably be my last EOY list in this format. While I enjoy the practice of ranking things to some degree, I don’t think it’s an appropriate exercise for something like this anymore. Did I like some of the below albums more than others? For sure. But that preference can also shift depending on my mood, energy level, whatever. Especially this year, an incredibly strong year in metal, there is very little separating my appreciation for the majority of the albums below. I found joy in all of them, and usually for different reasons. Sharing my favorite albums is a practice that will never end, but the numbered ranking? I think I can skip that part. Alright. My rant is over. You’ve made it.
As I said, 2023 was an absolutely awesome year in metal. I discovered so many new projects that I absolutely fell in love with, and at the same time all the household names I’ve loved for years fulfilled or exceeded my admittedly lofty expectations. I don’t think I’ve been more satisfied in a year’s listening endeavor in long, long time. So here are the nine albums I connected with most in 2023, and then nine more after that just for fun. Thanks for being along for the ride.
The Best
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To be honest, I was a bit of a late arriver when it came to American Gothic, and I didn’t reflect the same enthusiasm when it was first announced as many. Don’t get me wrong, I love Wayfarer, and have dating back to Old Souls. I just wasn’t quite sure how much more of their Western American take on black metal I needed after what was a damn near perfect execution on A Romance With Violence. How much further could they really push the gothic country and americana influences successfully? Well, plenty. And how dare I question what Wayfarer are capable of. Those unique influences that have always distinguished their sound have fully emerged on American Gothic, and the result is absolutely glorious. There’s nothing else like it. It pushes that dark, dusty blackened death metal cloud far further, efficiently and effectively covering more territory than they ever have before. And the ambition of letting those stylistic inspirations take over should be noted. There can be natural confliction in the styles they’re exploring, and it takes truly expert songwriting, and unwavering creativity, to cohesively build something that leaves such an obvious and powerful impact on a listener. There is nothing disjointed about this. In music and word, their message and perspective is perfectly clear. If this is the Wayfarer vision fully realized, they reached far higher than I could have expected or hope for. But something tells me we may have further to go still.
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2. Cattle Decapitation – Terrasite
Let it be known that 2023 was the year that Cattle Decapitation finally took hold of me. That’s not to say I’ve disliked anything that came before Terrasite, it’s more to say I haven’t exposed myself fully to anything before this tenth installment. It’s one I simply have not been able to put down ever since I first heard “We Eat Our Young” almost a year ago now. It’s absurdly vicious, but at the same time a melodic and exhilarating listen. Spastic, unrelenting verses are coupled with soaring, curiously emotive choruses and interludes that serve almost as well-deserved respite within the chaos. This musical juxtaposition is a defining quality that successfully connects a listener to the Terrasite message of disdain and hopelessness. I still can’t get enough of it.
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Foregone isn’t just a good new In Flames record, it’s one of their best records period. Say what you will about how their sound has evolved over the years and their current place in the melodic death metal genre… and let’s face it, the internet has had plenty to say. This album, however, feels refreshed, energized, and focused. Yes, it’s heavy. It’s melodic. It’s catchy. And holy hell it just sounds incredible. But what I appreciate most is how well it balances their Swedish death metal origins with some of the stronger concepts they’ve explored more recently. They’ve taken what was built many albums before and successfully brought it all the way forward. Rather than continuously attempting to recreate something they had already perfected two decades ago and more, they’ve continued to push they’re stylistic limits, leaning on new members, and it’s all resulted in this: A masterful work that celebrates both their history and their modern creativity. It’s exactly what I want from In Flames in present day, and I don’t see anything slowing them down moving forward.
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4. Tomb Mold – The Enduring Spirit
There was a lot of hype surrounding The Enduring Spirit, and as one who tends to ignore that kind of noise, let me tell you… this wasn’t hyped enough. Worth noting, that also comes from someone that never connected with any previous Tomb Mold album. But this blistering, mind-melting display of progressive death metal is incredible. And it’s only gotten better and more impressive with each repeated listen. There is so much technical goodness in here, and while it sounds (tastefully) chaotic at times, when you zoom out a bit and look at this thing as a whole, it also feels totally logical. I love the dense death metal foundation under all that technicality, the atmosphere created as everything comes together, and the way it effortlessly wanders between ideas. In short, I see you Tomb Mold. Let’s keep it rolling.
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5. Fires in the Distance – Air Not Meant For Us
Mark Fires in the Distance down as my favorite new finding in 2024. Air Not Meant For Us scratches that itch that all fans of melodic death metal know so well, but there is still something unique about their take on the style that separates them from it a bit. It has more than enough power and pace — I mean this things flies by — and despite some somber, doomier tones, there is still an uplifting quality to it that makes it quite the addicting listen. Tastefully melodic, energetic and expressive throughout, it’s one of those albums I can work through two or three times consecutively and still have room for more. Considering this is only their sophomore release, there’s a lot to be excited about moving ahead.
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I’ve been a fan of Insomnium for some time now, but Anno 1696 finds itself among their best work ever. They perfectly merge their melodic death metal foundation with the black metal tendencies that so heavily influenced previous endeavors like Winter’s Gate, and they combine it all with equally as effective storytelling. It’s based on a short story, of course, but what I love about this album is so much is just how well it listens like a story. Each song feels like a new chapter, with the musical weight and pace constantly weaving between different ideas and, yes, emotions. It’s an extremely engaging listening experience that demands a listener’s full attention throughout, and while they stay true to what Insomnium does best, they still introduce a few new ideas that allow Anno 1696 to stand out from the rest of their work.
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7. Krigsgrav – Fires in the Fall
My awareness of Krigsgrav goes back to The Carrion Fields from a decade ago, and I’ve appreciated how their sound has steadily and consistently progressed over the years. Each release seemed to refine their sound and advance them forward a solid step or two. But with Fires in the Fall, however, it feels like the atmospheric blackened doom crew have officially forced themselves into the upper echelon of the scene… whatever scene it is they choose to occupy. The atmosphere is distinct and pronounced thanks to some seriously commendable production work, and the impressive groove-filled structures should be something that resonate with a wide audience across the metal spectrum. It’s dark, it’s dense, it’s heavy, but it still has a certain catchy melodic quality to it. In short, it’s proof that Krigsgrav continues to evolve in all the right ways, and we should all be excited about whatever comes next.
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8. Panopticon – The Rime Of Memory
Not only is The Rime Of Memory the first Panopticon album I’ve truly connected with since Roads To The North, it might end up being my favorite Panopticon album ever. I know, those are bold statements for an album a little further down my list, but each time I go through it I find something new to cherish. If I had just a little more time with this before the end of the year I’m certain it would have continued to climb my list. Everything that distinguishes Panopticon’s black metal comes through so brilliantly here. The extensive track lengths, and the variety within them, provide endless opportunity for exploration and immersion. And frankly it just sounds incredible, to offer a quick nod to what I feel is improved production. It’s absolutely beautiful in every way possible.
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As The Ocean progressed through geologic time with Holocene, I obviously expected something different from the final installment in this chapter of their discography. Well, something different is definitely what I got. Even though it’s an album that falls on the softer, quieter side (relatively speaking, of course), the creativity and experimentation is still as defining a characteristic as any album from The Ocean. In all, with the incorporation of new electronic elements, this was an album that required a little more patience from me. But so far my patience has only continued to be rewarded. Each listen reveals new details and nuances, and the concepts continue to expand with them. At this point it’s pretty obvious that there is no limit to what The Ocean are willing to try, so while I continue to explore Holocene, I also can’t wait for what comes next. Whatever that may be.
The Honorable Mentions
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Katatonia – Sky Void of Stars
The latest installment from the melancholic metal legends is among their best ever. Front to back, I struggle to find any weaknesses. Structurally it feels plenty creative, but it’s organized, refined, and of course catchy, really letting the emotive quality of the music take hold. Mark this down as one of my favorite albums by one of my favorite bands, and the fact that it (very narrowly) fell outside of the above list is simply a testament to how strong 2023 was for metal.
Cruciamentum – Obsidian Refractions
Abyssal death metal, indeed. Obsidian Refractions is an unrelenting pit of despair. It’s heavy, it’s suffocatingly dark, and I can’t stop listening to it. Cruciamentum has returned with authority, marking their place among the best death metal 2023 had to offer.
Sermon – Of Golden Verse
I don’t quite know how to qualify the Sermon sound, and it turns out that’s perfectly fine. I guess it’s progressive, gothic, doom… some amalgamation of all of that. All I know is that Of Golden Verse is filled with awesome stuff. The production is absolutely mint, allowing the dynamic patterns and atmosphere to really surround a listener. This thing has been in the rotation all year.
Celestial Sanctuary – Insatiable Thirst For Torment
Did I mention 2023 was a really good year for death metal? The latest from Celestial Sanctuary is another one that should not be slept on. Honestly, there isn’t a ton I feel the need to say specifically. This is just a really well-executed, brutal dose of death metal. It’s everything you could want from the genre.
Osi And The Jupiter – Cedar and Sage: Riders of the Gallows Vol. 1
One of my favorite neo-folk projects has delivered once again. I’ve always respected how the spirit of the forest, or Appalachia more specifically, translates so naturally in this music. Nothing is forced, nothing is wasted. It’s raw, it’s thought-provoking, and there’s a certain captivating darkness to it all. If there’s an album from 2023 I’ve appreciated getting lost in more than any other… it might be this one.
Horrendous – Ontological Mysterium
The latest from Horrendous has been pretty universally celebrated, and with good reason. It’s another awesome death metal album, sure, but the way this thing effortlessly meanders around the various concepts within it is commendable to put it mildly. Full of ideas, but still totally logical and cohesive. Horrendous are expert at their craft, and they leave no doubt about that whatsoever.
Green Lung – This Heathen Land
Despite the later arrival in the year, This Heathen Land made quick work of getting its hooks in me. It’s a delicious take on traditional heavy metal, calling upon chunky stoner-adjacent riffs and epic doom atmospheres. It feels fresh and modern, while still scratching that nostalgia itch, making it an absolute pleasure to listen to over and over again.
Cloak – Black Flame Eternal
Well, it looks like Cloak have leveled up again with Black Flame Eternal. Lying somewhere at the intersection of melodeath and black metal, this thing is filled with power and aggression. It’s a well-crafted, deeply engaging composition that’s kept my attention since its release back in the first half of the year.
Moonlight Sorcery – Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle
Not only is the symphonic black metal Moonlight Sorcery bring forth on their debut full-length an absolute blast, it’s also technically impressive. The riffs and solos are so tasty, and it all makes for a super satisfying listen start to finish. And, I mean, just look at it. Everything about Horned Lord is a gift.
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To close out, I would just like to share some thoughts on 2023 overall. 2023 was… well, I don’t actually know what it was. It was an important year, I do know that much. The move to the mountains is now complete. With that came a shift in perspective and priorities, and let’s face it, a lot less stress. I pushed my passion for photography a little further and have a new website to show for it. There were incredible experiences shared in Ireland, Glacier, Zion, and Bryce Canyon National Parks. I got to celebrate some of my best friends in their big life moments. I still found time to flex my concert photography muscle, photographing some of my favorite bands ever. And, of course, countless hours were spent in the woods, the best place to decompress and reflect, in my humble opinion.
But the year wasn’t without its challenges. There was loss. Relationships became complicated. The ongoing work stress, and the subsequent frustration about even feeling that stress. The unending anxiety about the state of the world around us, which continues to decay day after day, and the apathy, or worse, embedded in far too many. It’s a lot. Every single day. That’s why we’re all here to some extent though, right? Metal, or just music in general, isn’t just something we use to entertain ourselves in the dead air of our lives. Well, maybe it is for some. But if you’ve found this post on this site, I’m certain it’s more than that for you. Following the genre becomes a hobby. A passion. And yes, a distraction when needed as well, especially when the above becomes particularly tough to deal with in a given moment.
So, thank you. Thank you for reading this far and letting us share our passion with you. Thank you for being part of this community and supporting what we all love. Thank you to the Nine Circles team for being the absolute best people to interact with each and every day. This passion project not only wouldn’t be the same, but it wouldn’t even be without you. And, of course, the Top Brass. Dan, Chris, Josh. Sharing this project together has been endlessly rewarding, and that sentiment has very little to do with the end product itself. No matter what the world is throwing on a given day, I can always rely on this crew to brings this up a notch or several.
Now, let’s all take a moment to celebrate.
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“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb
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