Written by Kirk
Alright, fellow music lovers, the ultimate push is right here. I gave you my favourite singles of 2023, after which I gave you my favourite EPs. Now it’s time for the checklist you’ve all (not likely) been ready for: MY FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2023. However, earlier than I get began, I simply need to level out that I believe I listened to extra new albums in 2023 than I’ve ever listened to in a single yr in my complete life. From the primary two Gorgons Alter releases from January 1 by Espi Kvlt’s album on December 27, this yr has been nothing however wall-to-wall music. And whereas not all of it was metallic or metal-adjacent, a number of it was, however a number of it was, and all of it was good. ALL OF IT.
However I’m not going to jot down about all all 128 of those albums, guys. My editor would kill me (not that I’d blame him). So, like I’ve accomplished with my favourite singles and EPs of 2023, I’m gonna speak in regards to the albums I cherished and the albums that I actually appreciated. The checklist is lengthy (a number of nice albums got here out final yr), nevertheless it’s nowhere close to 128. We’ll begin with the albums that I cherished:
18 Slashes — Jawnnobyl (Jan. 13)
BROKE: Writing and releasing an idea album
WOKE: Writing and releasing an idea based mostly on a film that by no means existed
BESPOKE: Writing and releasing an idea album based mostly on a online game that by no means existed
The debut album from 18 Slashes is a completely bonkers document that is probably not full of wall-to-wall bangers, however its idea is so ridiculous that each ounce of it really works on each stage conceivable. One in all Syrup Moose Data’s first releases of the yr, that is one I discovered myself coming again to quite a few instances all year long. However will a Jawnnobyl sport be created to coincide with the “soundtrack”? That is still to be seen….
Clouds Style Satanic — Tales of Demonic Possession (Feb. 3)
Dense, epic, and simply south of grandiose, this could be Clouds Style Satanic’s finest work to this point. I’d have to sit down down with their complete catalog and do a full dive earlier than I make that assertion official, however I don’t suppose my eardrums may deal with that sort of punishment. If nothing else, in the event you slept on this album, you want to reprioritize your life.
Hail the Void — Memento Mori (Feb. 17)
If you happen to caught my interview on Syrup Moose’s radio present a number of months in the past, everybody’s favourite cryptid requested me what I believed was the heaviest album of the yr is. This was my reply, and whereas The Sticky One disagreed, I stand by my reply. This album is past heavy, with riffs that really feel like they may rattle your soul unfastened out of your physique. If doom is your factor, Hail the Void is your king.
Gorod — The Orb (Mar. 7)
I wrote a evaluation on this document, which yow will discover proper right here. After going by each 2023 launch once more all through the month of December, every part I mentioned about it stands true: this album FUCKS. I’m not a giant dying metallic man—I prefer it, however I don’t lose my thoughts over it—however I do get pleasure from me some good tech dying, and Gorod make some rattling effective tech dying. Hopefully these of you on the market who caught them on tour final yr received to listen to a few of these tunes stay.
Ephedra — Valley of the Shepherd (Mar. 17)
This was one among my favourite albums of the yr. I wrote about it again in March—you may learn my evaluation right here—nevertheless it’s simply such a lush album. There’s not a number of room to develop on or improve stoner rock inside its personal trappings, so bravo to Ephedra for stepping exterior of the field in such an astounding approach. Whether or not or not you hear with the help of some (il)authorized substances, this one is bound to take you out of your physique and hovering by house. It’s one trip you gained’t need to miss.
Mammon’s Throne — Mammon’s Throne (April 1)
2023 was an superior yr for doom metallic followers. All these riffs from 2022 got here again slower and nastier than ever earlier than, and Mammon’s Throne was no exception. Not far more could be mentioned about this document other than what I wrote right here; this one delivered each step of the way in which.
Plainride — Plainride (Apr. 28)
If Clutch-worship is its personal style, then Plainride is its king. Celebrating ten years as a band, these strapping younger lads from Cologne are definitely worse for put on after a lot time spent within the street. If you happen to observe them on Instagram, their tour diaries are each epic and hilarious, which means it’s effectively value your time. However one factor Plainride have proved is that gradual and regular wins the race; this album had been over two years within the making, the lead single “Shepherd” debuting on January 22, 2021. Nevertheless, when that horn part hits you sq. within the jaw as soon as “Fireplace within the Sky” will get going, you’ll know that perfection has been achieved.
Undertaking: Roenwolfe — Undertaking: Roenwolfe (June 2)
If you happen to had been on the lookout for an album that was, from entrance to again, technical perfection, guess what. YOU FOUND IT. I reviewed this masterclass in energy thrash again in June (yow will discover my evaluation proper right here), and the one flaw on this document is that there’ll by no means be a follow-up. Undertaking: Roenwolfe disbanded a number of month after its launch; nonetheless, they’ve the actually uncommon potential to say they hung it up once they had been at their peak. Syrup Moose Data put a number of feathers of their cap final yr, and this one could be the brightest.
Voidhaven — Lithic (June 9)
Heavy? Yup. Darkish? You betcha. Gothic? Oh, yeah. For followers of epic doom with a splash of dying metallic thrown in for good measure, then Voidhaven is bound to hit the spot. Lithic checked all my packing containers and scratched all my itches, and it’s certain to do the identical for you. I wrote about it again in June, which you’ll learn right here, and it’s a type of data that unveils extra treasures every time you play it.
Whettman Chelmets — Koppen (July 7)
What measure do you utilize to say what makes your favourite albums so particular? Is it how they make you are feeling if you press play? Or is it how you end up eager to hearken to them time and again? For me, it’s most likely the latter, and Whettman Chelmets’s Koppen is totally the album I discovered myself returning to probably the most. It’s actually a marvel, a shining gem amongst a yr stuffed with valuable stones. I wrote about it again in July (you may learn my evaluation right here), however Strategic Tape Reserve might have launched the perfect album of 2023. Simply exceptional.
Auralayer — Thousand Petals (July 14)
Stoner rock guidelines. You may disagree, however please know in your coronary heart that you just’ve chosen the unsuitable path. Yeah, certain, rest room bowl vocals are enjoyable and all, however the vocal and guitar harmonies (guitarmonies?) of Auralayer are simply the perfect of 2023. I cherished this album the primary time I listened to it, and I’ve grown to adore it extra with every passing hear. King Quantity Data put out some gems final yr, however Thousand Petals is nothing if not the Arkenstone of their assortment. I had the chance to jot down a evaluation for it (click on right here to learn it) and even received to interview Thomas Powell (vocals & guitar), which you’ll learn right here. Merely epic.
Chris Farren — Doom Singer (Aug. 4)
If finely-crafted indie energy pop is your bag, child, get able to have your bag crammed to the BRIM. This newest outing from Chris Farren is a glowing diamond amongst an ocean of damaged glass and shattered goals. Each track is a breath of recent air and an absolute blast. Don’t know the way it can get any higher than this.
KIND — Shut Encounters (Aug. 11)
Ever hearken to an album that didn’t blow you away, however one thing in regards to the band saved bringing you again for extra? Boston stoner rock supergroup KIND caught my consideration with their debut, Rocket Science, piqued my curiosity with Psychological Nudge, after which blew me away with Shut Encounters. You may learn my full evaluation of this stoner rock slobberknocker right here. It’s nothing wanting a masterpiece, it’ll go away you with only one query: How will they high this on their subsequent album?
Jeff Rosenstock — HELLMODE (Sept. 1)
In a world the place it’s very simple (and normally fairly correct) to say that punk rock is lifeless, Jeff Rosenstock is right here to show you unsuitable. This album is overflowing with each vitality and charisma, a lot so that you just’ll end up at the very least buzzing if not singing alongside to every of those tracks. And no, you gained’t know the lyrics straight away, however you’ll really feel your self compelled to hearken to it a number of instances till you do. Ask me how I do know….
Hermano — …Solely a Suggestion (Nov. 3)
Proving but once more to be the king of the stoner rock scene, Ripple Music has unearthed one more crowning achievement from the early days of this rifftastic sub-genre. One in all a number of bands to take type within the wake of Kyuss’ superior legacy, this remix/remaster of John Garcia’s outdated band was accomplished underneath the watchful eye of the band members themselves, permitting them to get the document to sound precisely how they wished it to. Who mentioned doing all your homework needed to be boring?
Everson Poe — The Tower (Nov. 23)
Contemplating the emotional weight of the common Everson Poe album, it’s staggering to think about that 2023 noticed not one however two albums launched. And whereas Servant was nothing if not intense, The Tower was completely breathtaking. That includes visitor contributions each outdated and new, if The Tower doesn’t take your breath away, I don’t know what’s going to.
So yeah, that’s a number of albums I completely cherished in 2023. I might be remiss if I didn’t point out the opposite albums I actually, actually appreciated, so I’m gonna try this now. I hope you learn this checklist and discover one thing you both vibes with final yr or missed and may dig into earlier than 2024 picks up an excessive amount of steam.
hhhhh (Saturnists) & Black Yen — Break up (Jan. 6)
https://saturnists.bandcamp.com/album/split-w-black-yen
Corvus Corone — Deserted in Spring (Jan. 27h)
https://sludgecrow.bandcamp.com/album/abandoned-in-spring
American Goner — What You Left Behind (Feb. 3)
https://americangoner.bandcamp.com/album/what-you-left-behind
Khan — Creatures (Feb. 22)
https://khanofficial.bandcamp.com/album/creatures
Everson Poe — Servant (March 3)
https://eversonpoe.bandcamp.com/album/servant
Hiverlucide — Devil Demise Whale (March 3)
https://fiadh.bandcamp.com/album/satan-death-whale
Xiu Xiu — Ignore Grief (Mar. 3)
https://xiuxiu.bandcamp.com/album/ignore-grief
Buying and selling Aces — Rock ‘n’ Roll Murder (Apr. 10)
https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/rock-n-roll-homicide
Cave Moth — Paralytic Love (Apr. 14)
https://cavemoth.bandcamp.com/album/paralytic-love
The Consuming Cave — The Miscalculation (Apr. 21)
https://theeatingcave.bandcamp.com/album/the-miscalculation
Smoulder — Violent Creed of Vengeance (Apr. 21)
https://smoulder.bandcamp.com/album/violent-creed-of-vengeance
L’Homme Absurde — Stranger (Could 9) [review]
https://lhommeabsurdebm.bandcamp.com/album/stranger
The Very Very Hazard — Submarine Chase in Outer Area (Could 19)
https://theveryverybandcamp.bandcamp.com/album/submarine-chase-in-outer-space
Inherus — Beholden (Could 26) [review]
https://hypnoticdirgerecords.bandcamp.com/album/beholden
MAN ON MAN — Provincetown (June 16)
https://manonman.bandcamp.com/album/provincetown
Calligram — Place | Momentum (July 14)
https://calligram.bandcamp.com/album/position-momentum
Radiant Knife — Strain (July 14) [review]
https://radiantknife.bandcamp.com/album/stress
Tō Yō — Stray Fowl from the Far East (Aug. 18)
https://toyotoyo.bandcamp.com/album/stray-birds-from-the-far-east
AAWKS / Aiwass — The Japanese Scrolls (Aug. 25) [review]
https://aawks.bandcamp.com/album/the-eastern-scrolls-aiwass-aawks
Gendo Ikari — Rokubungi (Sept. 1)
https://gendoikari.bandcamp.com/album/rokubungi
Thoughts/Knot — Esigenza (Sept. 1)
https://mindknot.bandcamp.com/album/esigenza
La Chinga — Primal Forces (Oct. 6)
https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/primal-forces
Aiwass — The Falling (Oct. 13) [review]
https://aiwassband.bandcamp.com/album/the-falling
Adzes — Inver (Oct. 27) [review]
https://adzes.bandcamp.com/album/inver
Howling Big — Glass Future (Oct. 27) [review]
https://howlinggiant.bandcamp.com/album/glass-future
Ritual King — The Infinite Mirror (Nov. 17)
https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-infinite-mirror
Dreadwood Prophecies — Legacies (Dec. 22)
https://dreadwoodprophecies.bandcamp.com/album/legacies
The submit Kirk’s Prime Albums of 2023 appeared first on Noob Heavy.