TOP 10 OF 2023


The following are the lists of the best METAL/ROCK/PUNK releases for 2023 by staff members at Metal Revolution Webzine.

Top 10 of 2023

by Bato



Editor in charge, webmaster and writer
Member since 2005

1

Enslaved - Heimdal (Nuclear Blast)

Few bands have taken black metal as far afield as Enslaved, and on their sixteenth studio album the Norwegians are still finding fresh ground to tread.


2

Cannibal Corpse - Chaos Horrific (Metal Blade)

With the release of Chaos Horrific, Corpsegrinder and his companions remain on as crushing form as ever, delivering blow after blow of gruesome heaviness with zero signs of slowing up any time soon. Death metal release of the year!


3

Immortal - War Against All (Nuclear Blast)

The band's tenth studio album, War Against All doesn't tinker with the formula that Immortal have perfected the past 30 years plus, but nonetheless feels fresh and furious.


4

Incantation - Unholy Deification (Relapse)

Unholy Deification is an absolute beast. Boasting the heaviest and most vivid production in their history, Incantation’s 13th studio effort sounds imperious from the opening seconds of the first track, and stays that way for the next 40 minutes.


5

Katatonia - Sky Void Of Stars (Napalm)

Katatonia's twelfth studio album Sky Void Of Stars offers a stunning vision of the wide scope of their sound amidst some of the most enchanting melodies the band have ever written.


6

Obituary - Dying Of Everything (Relapse)

Since 1989's seminal Slowly We Rot, Floridian death metal stalwarts Obituary have stayed the course when it comes to lumbering, mid-paced death metal. The same goes for their latest 10-tracker Dying Of Everything, which is pretty varied, coherent, dynamic… and possibly Obituary’s strongest album in 30 years.


7

Overkill - Scorched (Nuclear Blast)

New Jersey thrashers Overkill showed the magic is still alive and well on their twentieth studio album, Scorched as Bobby 'Blitz' Ellsworth and co delivered another masterclass in old school thrash.


8

Within Temptation - Bleed Out (Force Music)

Within Temptation's eighth album Bleed Out matched their spectacular stage-show in terms of scope and ambition, continuing the shift away from their symphonic metal foundations towards an enormous new sound that incorporates electronic elements.


9

Asylum Pyre – Call Me Inhuman (The Sun – The Fight – part 5) (Season of Mist)

Asylum Pyre's latest album is entitled Call Me Inhuman (The Sun – The Fight – part 5) and it contains twelve tracks of modern & traditional power speed electro-pop metal. Call Me Inhuman (The Sun – The Fight – part 5) is their fifth album since the foundation of the band in 2006 and it is a mandatory listen if you’re a fan of modern & traditional metal mixed with some electro pop and progressive metal.


10

HateSphere – Hatred Reborn (Scarlet)

HateSphere deliver with Hatred Reborn an aggressive and merciless album. Driven by an boundless energy, the Danes still manage to be fully committed even after more than 20 years. This is how good thrash metal must sound like.

1

 Immortal – War Against All (Nuclear Blast)

Despite of the recent line-up changes and Abbath leaving the band, War Against All is a record that is undoubtedly worthy of the Immortal brand. I firmly believe that War Against All, is the strongest record Demonaz has worked on without Abbath.


2

In Flames - Foregone (Nuclear Blast)

I was just travelling to Gothenburg this Christmas and listening to In Flames latest record Foregone. In Flames is the biggest name to come out of the legendary Gothenburg scene in Sweden, and Foregone is their best album in decades.


3

Doro - Conqueress - Forever Strong and Proud (Nuclear Blast)

Doro is unapologetically the Queen of metal, and she reigns with authority, and being a lady in metal myself, I appriciate a lot their work. Conqueress: Forever Strong and Proud is another example of epic heavy metal in all its glory and it certainly delivers. The Queen of Metal is very much alive.


4

 Dying Fetus - Make Them Beg For Death (Relapse)

Make Them Beg For Death is a 41-minutes of glorious murder music that makes no apologies, and nor should it. There really aren’t any cons on this album, as it delivers everything you could want from a Dying Fetus album.


5

Cryptopsy – As Gomorrah Burns (Nuclear Blast)

Cryptopsy's first album in 11 years, As Gomorrah Burns offers what we’ve come to know as the modern Cryptopsy sound. It’s wickedly fast, wildly technical, and heavy as f***. It was definitely worth the wait.


6

DevilDriver – Dealing with Demons vol. II (Napalm)

I've been a fan of DevilDriver since I saw them live, as a support for Type O Negative, 23 years ago in Copenhagen. Dealing With Demons features outstanding guitar work  and Fafara’s passionate and distinctive vocals. There’s plenty to like with Dealing with Demons Vol. II.


7

Cattle Decapitation - Terrasite (Metal Blade)

If you have ever heard Cattle Decapitation before, you probably have some preconceived notions as to what to expect. Terrasite is the eighth studio album by Cattle Decapitation, and it is another release that I recommend highly in the vein of the latter part of the Cattle Decapitation discography.


8

 Corey Taylor- CMF2 (Decibel Copper Recordings)

Slipknot's Taylor reinvented himself on his debut solo album CMFT, while now Taylor is back with his sophomore solo set, CMF2, and it offers a mix of sounds and styles, much like his debut. With the release of CMF2 Taylor once again proves that he's the leading rock 'n' roll voice of his generation.


9

Asinhell – Impii Hora (Metal Blade)

Earlier last year, Michael Poulsen, a frontman of  Danish mega-band Volbeat, announced that he had a death metal band. The moniker for the band was Asinhell and debut full-length is called Impii Hora. The album is a blood-scrawled love letter to death metal, where the trio makes loads of obvious nods to their heroes. It's all good, and I wish more bands would release debuts as strong as this one.


10

Autopsy - Ashes, Organs, Blood and Crypts (Peaceville)

It’s great seeing Autopsy find this late-career high gear. Ashes, Organs, Blood and Crypts is a further expansion of a great legacy. Furthermore, Ashes, Organs, Blood and Crypts is proof that Autopsy's sanguine lust knows no bounds.


Top 10 of 2023

by Zoran


Writer, webmaster & photographer
Member since 2007

1

DieHimane – The Grotesque (WURM Group)

There is such a dense atmosphere and depth to every characteristic of The Grotesque that it effortlessly sucks you in and subjugating all of your attention. The debut album which amongst others consists of drummer Sal Abruscato (A Pale Horse Named Death, ex-Type O Negative, ex-Life of Agony) and guitarist Rick Hunolt (ex-Exodus) is an intense ride, partly because of the diversity of the material, but mostly due to its almost devastating intensity. It’s uncomfortably elegant and gore at the same time and it’s all these things across all 17 tracks.


2

The Ocean Collective – Holocene (Pelagic Records)

With Holocene, The Ocean Collective has created a worthy finale for the trilogy which suits and concludes the entire three-album-concept, but with its additionally cinematic approach it truly suits as impeccable round-up as well. With this career defining piece of work which stretched for five years and has proven a critical and commercial success, the band is undoubtedly at the top of their career. It will be interesting where does theor next step take them, and us as listeners as well.


3

Mansion – Second Death (Self-released)

With Second Death Finnish (oc)cult doom band Mansion has created an album that is as beautiful as it's haunting. This is more than just a collection of songs and to really appreciate it you're gonna want to listen to it in its entirety, basically every time you want to put it on. It's meant to be experienced as such and if you invest your time and focus in it, you'll be rewarded losing yourself in it and addictively surrender to its uncomfortable and disturbing nature.

 


4

Godthrymm – Distortions (Profound Lore Records )

With release of their second album entitled Distortions, Godthrymm lives up to expectations, their debut failed to. Consisting of former members of My Dying Bride, Anathema, Vallenfyre and Solstice the band delivers high quality Epic Doom Metal on just about parameters.


5

Hypno5e - Sheol (Pelagic Records)

Following the eminent A Distant (Dark) Source, the second part of two-part-saga, Sheol continues where its predecessor left off meaning that what we get here is big grand, progressive, cinematic voyage with plenty of Tech Metal aspects. At the same time the gorgeous mellow aspects which band introduced especially on their semi-acoustic album Alba – Les Ombres Errantes, juxtapose them and ad to the overall feel.

 


6

Rival Sons - Darkfighter (Atlantic Recording Corporation)

Californian rockers have used their downtime during the pandemic rather constructively. Not only have their written so many songs that they released two albums this year. Especially the first of the two, Darkfighter displays band's core as well as broadening of their creative palette and musical horizons.


7

Thy Catafalque – Alföld (Season of Mist)

Despite its heavier and more direct approach the is so much more to this album and for the most part is executed elegantly and with overall purpose. The aesthetics reach beyond the music like when it comes to the visual aspects of Alföld as well. On Thy Catafalque's eleventh album curiosity and appetite for evolving and experimenting are still intact and so is the core quality of the material. And while more experimenting would be welcome, choosing this direction for the album while staying true to their DNA is experimenting in itself.


8

Final Gasp – Mourning Moon (Relapse Records/Border Music )

The influences of 80’s UK-goth rock, classic heavy, industrial metal as well as punk and bluesy rock are all over the placet, but overall Final Gasp have managed to create something which stands as their own and even quite unique. On Mourning Moon, beauty walks hand in hand with rawness and direct punches roll with atmospheric epic embraces.


9

Therapy? – Hard Cold Fire (Marshall Records)

Therapy? have been at a good place for a long time now, passionate about their music, curious and never looking down at their heritage. The fact that their 16th album (or 14th depending how you count) is as inspired, vital and strong is extraordinary. What’s even more remarkable is that for decades and ever-changing climates of musical business, Therapy? stayed true to themselves and kept on delivering one strong album after another. If you didn’t know that it’s not a shame, but now you know… so you got some catching up to do. “Go!”


10

Oxbow – Love's Holiday (Ipecac)

Eighth album by San Francisco underground legends is as you'd expect from the band different, but always distinctly Oxbow. There is a lot to unpack musically, emotionally as well as performance wise. Uniqueness and intensity of Eugene Robertson's vocal performance is up there in league of Mike Patton. 


1

Austere – Corrosion Of Hearts (Lupus Lounge)

The first release containing truly new content from the Depressive Black Metal legends was everything that I could have hoped for. The fourteen years that have passed since To Lay Like Old Ashes have only added to the sombre melancholy that made them pop up on my radar in the first place.


2

Lunar Tombfields – An Arrow To The Sun (Les Acteurs De l'Ombre)

A pleasant surprise, Lunar Tombfields is a fairly new band that somehow flew under my radar initially only to throw the best Atmospheric Black Metal album of the year into my lap. Lesson learned, you have been added to my list.


3

Hyrgal – Sessions Funéraires (Les Acteurs De l'Ombre )

One of the fans that originally sparked my preference for French Black Metal, Hyrgal continues to deliver strong, relentless releases – As their most current release clearly reveals.


4

 Miasmes – Repugnance (Les Acteurs De l'Ombre)

Looking up my previous review of this record, I was quickly reminded that this band is, in some aspects, a French version of Emperor, Mayhem and 1349. So naturally this release is to be mentioned here.


5

Pénitence Onirique – Nature Morte ( Les Acteurs De l'Ombre)

A French Black Metal five-piece that is always on a journey of self-discovery and evolution, it has been a privilege to see how their music has changed and expanded, without losing what makes it unique.


6

Leipa – Reue (Noisebringer)

Biased as I am, pretty much all I needed to know in order to figuratively yank this record off the digital shelf was to know that the man behind the one-man band Leipa is the same one behind both Kanonenfieber and Non Est Deus – Only this time around, the Black Metal aspects take full center stage.


7

Moonreich – Amer (Les Acteurs De l'Ombre)

A French Black Metal band that has been on my radar for years now and they have yet to disappoint me. Sheer aggression through the lens of French cultural norms, just the way I like it.


8

Zørza – IEI (Self-released)

While I am in many aspects both old-fashioned and very rigid when it comes to new approaches to what I like, even I have to, on ocassion admit when something new and exciting comes along. Cue Zørza, a Polish Post-Black Metal act who manages to create modern Black Metal with enough of the core mechanics left intact to still appeal to the old souls like myself.


9

Profeci – Ubóstwo (Godz Ov War)

Polish Black Metal akin to the kinsmen Batouskha. Not nearly as famous as the former (yet), however I do get the impression that is only a matter of time.

 


10

Temple Of Dread – Beyond Archeron (Testimony Records)

German Old-School Death Metal, despite having sprung into existence some odd six years ago – And very productive to boot! Beyond Archeron marks their fourth full-Length release, and one I can only recommend.


1

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – PetroDragonic Apocalypse… (KGLW)

I’m not a believer in objective answers when it comes to lists like this, but I do believe that all rules have exceptions. This is the exception because PetroDragonic… is objectively, subjectively and every other -ively, the best album released in 2023. This album is insane and impossible to describe. The only thing a critic can say is that King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are breaking new ground with almost everything they do, and long may it last. This effort is unconventional and hilarious, but it is also thought provoking, headbanging and beautiful. Just listen to it, you’ll most likely never stop.


2

Pest Control – Don't Test the Pest (Quality Control HQ)

Full throttle and no stops is my kinda thing, which is why I tend to gravitate towards Crossover Thrash. Don’t Test the Pest is relentless and hard, and in many ways this album is the very definition of standard, superb Crossover, but it’s elevated beyond even that by the frontwoman and her mighty wails. Pest Control are raw and rough, and they clearly give zero fucks, so watch out for these guys in the years to come.


3

Hellripper – Warlocks Grim and Withered Hags (Peaceville Records)

Superb and disgusting Tharsh with a hefty dose of Black Metal. This has always been the way of Mr. Hellripper, but I feel that the Black Metal is even more pronounced here, and it ends up working fantastically well. This is the perfect album for Metallica fans who aren’t sure if Black Metal is their thing.


4

Bazooka Troopaz – Bombs, Babes and Bazookas (Self-released)

I am pretty damn sure that the mantra of the boys in Bazooka Troopaz is something along the line of “balls to the fucking wall” because that’s what Bombs, Babes and Bazookaz is. It’s relentless, nasty and hilarious Crossover Thrash with oodles of technical metal and brilliant riffing.


5

Necropanther - Betrayal (Self-released)

Thrash Metal meets other extreme sub-genres, especially Melodic BM and BM. Not particularly groovy or catchy, but with some great and almost terrifying riffs and a brutality that becomes beautiful when wrapped in this Thrash/MBM package. There are some truly outstanding solos on this album and the guitar work in general is something to be admired. You are substituting groove for technique at times here, but the guys in Necropanther does technical metal really, really well.


6

Drain – Living Proof (Epitaph)

California based Drain’s second full-length album is yet another Crossover-gem, but this stands out from the others in the same genre because Drain doesn’t go pedal to the metal throughout. Living Proof is stuttering, meandering and never really gets going, but that leads to an intriguing and rough album that you can listen to over and over again whilst trying to figure out exactly what’s happening here. This is a must for every Thrash-fan looking to broaden their horizon.


7

A Horrible Death to a Horrible Man – Days Gone By (VS77 Records)

Whether you want to call this Shoegaze, Blackgaze or Post Metal is all up to you, but I personally classify this as all of the above and then some. There’s an almost disturbing stoicism in the performance delivered by Peter Strange, Jesper Hesselbech, Nick Ebert and Christian Lee and this mighty debut firmly establishes them as contenders to the throne of Scandinavian shoegaze.  

 


8

Enforced – War Remains (Century Media)

Just like the majority of albums on this list, this album is short, brutal and straight to the point. Misanthropic, dense, dark and existential, War Remains packs a thousand punches and tears humanity a new asshole. Love it or hate it; it’s undoubtedly great.


9

Nargathrond – Killing Season (Wormhole Death)

This album came completely out of nowhere for me, and I am still surprised with regards to how much I actually like it. Killing Season is Dark Synth perfection and the album that opened up the genre for yours truly. This album gets better and better for every spin it gets and it is, in my opinion, a great place to start discovering both Dark Synth as a genre, as well as the eclectic and fascinating catalogue of Wormhole Death.

 


10

Afterbirth – In but not Of (Willowtip Records)

Disgusting is the only word that accurately sums up how it feels listening to Afterbirth’s third full-length album, but that’s Brutal Death Metal for you. This album is what you’d play for someone who wonders what Brutal Death Metal is. The pig -squeels and other vocal stapels are there of course, but they’re often turned down to a level where they’re barely audible. This is a pretty dense and eclectic album that is much more than just noisy and brutal Death Metal.


1

Spirit Adrift – Ghost of the Gallows (Napalm Records)

A tough pick for the top spot. After multiple plays, this album just gets better and better.  For the second track alone, this heavy rock gem will be on regular rotation for a long time.  The song, “Barn Burner” is all things metal, I hear Iron Maiden (Paul Di’Anno era), Corrosion of Conformity blending seamlessly.  “Death Won’t Stop Me” is another rocker. Spirit Adrift is on the top of my list of bands to see live.


2

Omega Sun – Roadkill (No Profit Recordings)

A group from beyond the faded iron curtain. The Slovenian power trio’s second album impresses more and more on each listen. Straight up stoner rock. No groundbreaking guitar wizardry, just excellent early 21st century metal fuzz sounds. A surprise find considering another fine year for new music made selecting a top 10 no easy task. A six-song set running just under 40 minutes. The trio have a bright future.


3

Better Lovers – God Made Me an Animal (SharpTone)

All the ingredients for a love or despise song set. Smashing up, East Coast hardcore, metalcore, math rock and punk rock, this debut EP exceeded all expectations.  The 15-minute set is a perfect addition to your work out or a getting amped up.  From start to finish, an aggressive sonic punch. Provocative album art offers no clue to the brute force.  2023 put this band on my radar. A good year indeed.


4

Paul Gilbert – The Dio Album (Music Theories Recordings)

Cover albums are usually a hard pass. Paul Gilbert is an exception to the rule. Unofficially the hardest working man in hard rock/metal. He has been a force in the music industry for decades, beginning in the golden age of heavy metal with the band Racer-X. He does a proper homage to Ronnie James Dio’s most beloved songs. An all-instrumental set. For those expecting a tough to match vocal, this set is for the craft of song writing


5

Slow Burn – Fire Starter (Fire Records)

An autumn release, the band’s second album is still getting regular spins, making it an easy selection for a 2023 top ten finisher. So many band influences weave in and out of this song set. I’m hearing more classic metal acts every time I listen to the album, the latest influences I hear: Trouble, Judas Priest. Excited to hear more from the Spaniards.


6

Dusk – Wheels of Twilight (Argonauta Records)

The Austrian quartet is a surprise find this year. Their debut album is a fusion of the decadent 70s rock n roll sounds and doom rock. An interesting blend of influences, think Stevie Nicks and Glenn Danzig meeting in the halls of time. The standout song, “The Dagger” was an instant addition to my regular playlist. Now the group is on my radar, excited to hear more from these throwback rockers.


7

Girlschool - WTFortyfive? (Silver Lining Music)

Since 1978 these women have rocked crowds, NWOBHM style. They haven’t lost a step. This album is great to play at a get together. The song, “Party” is an instant festive anthem. Their decades of living the rock n roll life have resulted in an excellent set of rockers. The British invasion is alive and well. Let’s party!

 


8

Elegant Weapons – Horns for a Halo (Nuclear Blast)

Guitar fireworks. The debut album is a sign of good things ahead for this metal rising star. All the members have solid rock resumes. Judas Priest, Rainbow, Accept and Uriah Heep. The guitarist, Richie describes their sound, “a mix of Hendrix, Priest, Black Sabbath, solo Ozzy, and Black Label Society. 


9

Sun Below/Earth Altar – Inter Terra Solis (split) (Black Throne Productions)

A split release, two Canadian bands who may not seem fit for sharing a slab of wax, or set of ones and zeroes, depending on how you listen to music. The result is a fine eclectic metal music set.  A band from the eastern wilds of Canada and one urban. Earth Altar is a stoner/prog rock band on the rise. Sun Below prowl the urban streets. Their doom/stoner rock fusion hits some sweet highs. The two band effort is a sonic trip.

 


10

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – PetroDragonic Apocalypse… (KGLW)

A band with a long name, and a longer album name from Australia, I’ve heard very sparingly until this year. I wanted to not like this band. Seriously. It’s petty, I know.  The first song is long, above average, solid metal chops.  The standout song is “Witchcraft”.  A cool early era Irons, with a stoner rock edge. The album gets better and better on each listen. Is this a psychological experiment? Whatever, I like it, it’s a heavy metal banger.