Christian’s Top 30 Albums of 2023

Top 30 Best Metal Releases of 2023

Is it any wonder I have had a love affair with Heavy Metal music for 40+ years? During that extended period of time, I have seen the growth of this genre of music just explode exponentially. The Level of creativity and all the places people have taken this music over the years is truly astounding. The year of 2023 kept that growth and experimentation in high gear and once again I contend that Heavy Metal has never been as good as it is right at this exact moment. Whatever and wherever your personal tastes lead you, there is something out there that will connect with you on a personal level.

I will not go into detail about my picks on my list here as Justin and I already discussed our top 10 picks of the year on our inaugural episode of the Harsh Vocals Podcast so if you are interested in hearing our thoughts on our respective lists, give it a listen (and then subscribe, your ear holes will thank you!).I will say however the level of talent on display this year is absolutely phenomenal which is great for all of us fans but especially for Justin and I as it will give us plenty to talk about on the podcast.

Like I mentioned on the podcast placement on the list is something I really struggled with and I’m sure if asked on a different day, my list could be ranked completely differently. That all being said, I fully contend if you are a fan of Heavy Metal music in the slightest, I would be shocked if you could find nothing that you vibe with in either of our lists. So without further ado, here are my top 30 albums of 2023. Listen to music and fill your soul with happiness and dont forget to BANG THY HEAD!

Cheers,
Christian

1. Angelus Apatrida – Aftermath
2. Insomnium – Anno 1696
3. Moonlight Sorcery – Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle
4. Permutation – Transience
5. Hellripper – Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags
6. Inherits The Void – The Impending Fall of the Stars
7. Cloak – Black Flame Eternal
8. Wayfarer – American Gothic
9. Tryglav – The Ritual
10. Sacred Outcry – Towers of Gold
11. King – Fury and Death
12. Nervosa – Jailbreak
13. Fires in the Distance – Air Not Meant for Us
14. Ciemra – Tread of Darkness
15. Fortoken – Triumphs
16. Sadistic Force – Midnight Assassin
17. Knife – Heaven into Dust
18. … And Oceans – As in Gardens, So in Tombs
19. Thron – Dust
20. Immortal – War Against All
21. Enforced – War Remains
22. Overkill – Scorched
23. Crowne – Operation Phoenix
24. Horrendous – Ontological Mysterium
25. Cattle Decapitation – Terrasite
26. Lamp of Murmuur – Saturnian Bloodstorm
27. Blackbraid – Blackbraid II
28. Twilight Force – At the Heart of Wintervale
29. Imperium Dekadenz – Into Sorrow Evermore
30. Frozen Dawn – The Decline of the Enlightened Gods