In March’s best metal, Coffins and Slimelord define death/doom glory, Misotheist find beauty in raw black metal ugliness, and Prisoner attack the senses.
In best metal albums, Spectral Voice craft soul-wrenching death/doom, Borknagar’s unique blend remains relevant, and Darkspace dare us to stare into the abyss.
In best metal albums, Vemod elevate black metal to atmospheric heights, Beryllium innovate, and Dissimulator tap into a Voivod-ian vein with their death/thrash.
In best metal albums, Nothing and Full of Hell complete their unio oppositorum, Panopticon drive Appalachian folk through black metal and Bull of Apis Bull of Bronze decimate all.
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.
Experimentalist Yuko Araki highlights her vision’s first new element: the human voice, which was either absent or lost beneath the layers of havoc in the past.
In best metal albums, Cruciamentum ignite the old-school death metal flame, Morne merge hardcore and post-metal, and Autarkh commit to industrial machinations.
Gnaw Their Tongues: “We live in difficult times. This album needed to sound this way. I programmed and mangled sounds until they sounded harsh enough.”
Black Dog is reminiscent of Gazelle Twin’s past but also forges a new path. One that’s able not only to merge these disparate aspects but also to surpass them.
Vanishing Kids take a dreamy approach that elevates Miracle of Death, giving it a hallucinogenic presence but without sacrificing weight or momentum.
Justin Walter’s Destroyer is a rich and colorful work established through subtle means. It establishes an immersive world filled with wonder and emotion.
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.
