This has proved a fantastic year for heavy music and metal, with masters impressing and newer artists shining. These are the best metal albums of 2023.
In best metal albums, Cruciamentum ignite the old-school death metal flame, Morne merge hardcore and post-metal, and Autarkh commit to industrial machinations.
The best metal albums feature Cirith Ungol with their heavy doom tank, Krieg back to black metal fundamentals, and much more that October has to offer.
September’s best metal albums are really all about death metal. Not only the volume, but the sheer quality of these works is nothing short of astounding.
The best metal albums feature Crypta’s return with thrash intentions, Blut Aus Nord’s Lovecraftian aspirations, and the end of Urfaust’s psychedelic run.
In July’s best metal, Oxbow resume their experimental journey, Mutoid Man hammer their love for fun heavy metal, and Mizmor descend to despair’s dark depths.
In best metal albums, Jag Panzer define the traditional US metal sound, Godflesh revisit a pivotal work, and Pupil Slicer become an exciting band to watch.
In best new metal, Khanate return to unleash drone hell, the Ocean open up post-metal to further interpretations, and Yakuza thrive with their progressivism.
In these best metal albums, Dødheimsgard define off-kilter black metal, Enforced follow their fierce crossover path, and Jesus Piece are at their most punishing.
In best metal albums, Enslaved continue their progressive black metal shift, Rotten Sound reclaim the grindcore throne, and Dawn Ray’d and Liturgy rebel.
February’s best metal albums feature Ulthar embracing their progressive ambitions and Anatomy of Habit’s descent to the depths of experimental doom.
In January’s best metal albums, Katatonia return with their beautiful gloom, Ahab travel into the doom/death abyss, and Oozing Wound carve out their furious identity.
