2023 Best of Metal: #1 Wayfarer-American Gothic

Release date: 10/27/2023

Origin: Denver, CO

Personnel: Shane McCarthy-guitar/vox, Joe Strong-Tuscelli-guitar, Jamie Hansen-bass/vox, Isaac Faulk-drums/keyboard

Coming in at #1 this year is Colorado’s Wayfarer. Wayfarer are one of these bands that blends a different musical genre into metal perspective. American Gothic pushes Wayfarer into the realms of the greats doing this kind of mashup of styles along with Panopticon and Huntsmen. American Gothic takes the music of the American Western frontier and combines it with a black metal style. The result is something truly magical. Think of this album as a metal version of the movie There Will Be Blood. This album is the kind of courageous creative swing that I love to see. The end product is really unlike anything else that came out in 2023. And for their unique sound and for just completely nailing it, Wayfarer is the holder the Metal Album of the Year for 2023.

5 flip flops out of 5

The final list:

  1. Wayfarer-American Gothic
  2. Baroness-Stone
  3. Graveyard-6
  4. The Ocean-Holocene
  5. Hinayana-Shatter and Fall
  6. In Flames-Foregone
  7. Soen-Memorial
  8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
  9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
  10. Enslaved-Heimdal
  11. Thron-Dust
  12. Harboured-Harboured
  13. Herod-Iconoclast
  14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
  15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
  16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
  17. Primordial-How It Ends
  18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
  19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
  20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars


2023 Best of Metal: #2 Baroness-Stone

Release date: 9/15/2023

Origin: Savannah, GA

Personnel: John Baizley-vox/guitar, Gina Gleason-guitar, Nick Jost-bass/keyboards, Sebastian Thomson-drums

Another super surprise this year was this release from Baroness. Their last couple of records kind of fell flat. I honestly had started to worry that the bus crash they suffered after the release of Yellow and Green may have done something to the creative spark within the band. There were also numerous lineup changes after the crash and it just seemed like the band members were still trying to feel each other out. The last two albums weren’t bad per se, but they didn’t come close to the heights of the band’s earlier material. Stone sees the band return in fiery form. They feel like a new band with a new intensity and have set their minds to make a statement record. The guitar riffs are back. The band has done some experimenting in song structure and performance that add a nice change. Gina Gleason really gets to stretch her legs as lead guitarist on this one and she lays down some of the tastiest leads heard in 2023. Not really a comeback album, but just a nice statement to the world that Baroness is still a force to be reckoned with in the world of metal

5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

2. Baroness-Stone
3. Graveyard-6
4. The Ocean-Holocene
5. Hinayana-Shatter and Fall
6. In Flames-Foregone
7. Soen-Memorial
8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars

2023 Best of Metal: #3 Graveyard-6

Release date: 9/29/2023

Origin: Gothenburg, Sweden

Personnel: Joakim Nilsson-vox/guitar, Jonatan Larocca-Ramm-guitar, Truls Morck-bass, Oskar Bergenheim-drums

Graveyard is such a world weary band. Listening to them will make you feel like you’ve spent the night in a smoky, run down dive bar. You’ve smoked too many heaters and possibly took too many shots to drown out the fact that you’ve lost your job and your old lady has been running around on you. All of that is captured in the soulfully mournful vocals of Joakim Nilsson. I honestly hope that his life hasn’t been as hard as his vocal delivery implies. These guys are just the best at this kind of throwback bluesy, laid-back metal. Album number 6 for these guys just solidifies their place as kings of this subgenre.

5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

3. Graveyard-6
4. The Ocean-Holocene
5. Hinayana-Shatter and Fall
6. In Flames-Foregone
7. Soen-Memorial
8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars

2023 Best of Metal: #4 The Ocean-Holocene

Release date: 5/19/2023

Origin: Berlin, Germany

Personnel: Loic Rosetti-vox, Robin Staps-guitar, David Ramis Ahfeldt-guitar, Mattias Hagerstrond-bass, Paul Seidel-drums

The Ocean (or The Ocean Collective, if you like) is one of the better art projects going today. They have crafted such an interesting library of albums that the band can really go in any direction they wish at this point. And, yet, they still retain the ultimate sound that makes The Ocean, well, The Ocean. Most of that is probably due to the influence of main dude Robin Staps’ direction. This latest album kind of pushes the boundary of what a metal band is capable of. It is more than anything a keyboard/electronic driven album with metal flourishes. It is very quiet, introspective and atmospheric. But, damn, I dare you not to get pulled into its grasp. Just a perfect piece of forward thinking metal.

5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

4. The Ocean-Holocene
5. Hinayana-Shatter and Fall
6. In Flames-Foregone
7. Soen-Memorial
8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost of the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars

2023 Best of Metal: #5 Hinayana-Shatter and Fall

Release date: 11/10/2023

Origin: Austin, TX

Personnel: Casey Hurd-vox/guitar, Erik Shtaygrud-guitar, Matt Bius-bass, Michael Anstice-keyboards, Daniel Vieira-drums

Well, it looks like some of the best Scandinavian melodic death metal in 2023 was crafted by a band in Texas. Shatter and Fall is right up there with the best albums put out by Insomnium, Scar Symmetry and the like. It’s not the kind of metal that you think about coming out of Texas. I like to think of these guys as spiritual brethren of North Carolina’s Daylight Dies. For whatever reason, these guys have managed to craft something frosty and dark in a place more known for 100+ degree weather and drought-like conditions.

5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

5. Hinayana-Shatter and Fall
6. In Flames-Foregone
7. Soen-Memorial
8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars

2023 Best of Metal: #6 In Flames-Foregone

Release date: 2/10/2023

Origin: Gothenburg, Sweden

Personnel: Anders Friden-vox, Bjorn Gelotte-guitar, Chris Broderick-guitar, Bryce Paul-bass, Tanner Wayne-drums

Another surprise entry at #6 this year. In Flames has seemed to be a band that has been searching for its identity for quite some time. They started out as one of the beacon’s of the Gothenburg melodic death metal scene, but then seemed to stray into a more modern and more American metal sound in the 2000s. Their output in the 2000s has been kind of hit and miss. It was with this undertone that they released Foregone. This album harkens back to their original style and is a return to form for the band. Key addition on this album is former Jag Panzer and Megadeth guitarist, Chris Broderick and a new rhythm section. I’m not sure if the new additions have reinvigorated the band, but if so, I hope this latest album is a sign of things to come.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

6. In Flames-Foregone
7. Soen-Memorial
8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars

2023 Best of Metal: #7 Soen-Memorial

Release date: 9/1/2023

Origin: Sweden

Personnel: Joel Ekelof-vox, Cody Lee Ford-guitar, Lars Ahlund-guitar/keyboards, Oleksii ‘Zlatoyar’ Kobel-bass, Martin Lopez-drums

Damn! This was an unexpected surprise. After first hearing this one, I actually shouted out loud, “Finally!” Because Soen’s career up to this point has been decent, but somewhat unremarkable. Drummer Martin Lopez was a key component to Opeth’s prime years and when he left Opeth, there was a pretty high expectation as to what kind of project he would put out. Soen has tended to be a little more than a capable Tool knockoff. Most of their past work was passable, but kind of uninspired. It was with this background that Memorial came out and just punched everyone in the face. This album has punch. This album has verve. This album is a damn fine slice of wax. Sure, this one is still very emotive, but the guitar work just lifts the thing into another territory and it feels like Soen has finally come into their own.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

7. Soen-Memorial
8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars

2023 Best of Metal: #8 Panopticon-The Rime of Memory

Release date: 11/29/2023

Origin: Ely, MN

Personnel: Austin Lunn-vox/guitar/bass/keyboards/flute/accordian/pedal steel/lap steel/drums

I have such a soft spot for Panopticon. Everything Austin Lunn does with this project is epic in scale. I love the blending of American black metal with folk and bluegrass music. There’s also an endearing protest streak running through the message of his albums concerning both environmental and socio-economic matters. It’s always a lot to digest both musically and intellectually. This latest album isn’t as expansive and the last couple of releases. And, honestly, I think the concentration of the songs on this release make it all the more strong. Now, granted, even though it is a bit more compact than past releases, don’t expect Raining Blood level brevity. There are still very long songs that run the course of black metal blast beats to quiet acoustic meanderings. Just another wonderful release from a really special project.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

8. Panopticon-The Rime of Memory
9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars

2023 Best of Metal: #9 Mutoid Man-Mutants

Release date: 7/28/2023

Origin: Brooklyn, NY

Personnel: Stephen Brodsky-vox/guitar, Jeff Matz-bass, Ben Koller-drums

Ah, the Men of Mutoid! Always in search of the heaviest and most unhinged of riffs. Mutoid Man exists to remind us all that metal should always retain a certain amount of fun. A lot of bands seem to get caught up in maintaining that True Metal focus that sometimes the fun gets squeezed out of the proceedings. Mutants is a slew of good time rocking songs.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

9. Mutoid Man-Mutants
10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars

2023 Best of Metal: #10 Enslaved-Heimdal

Release date: 3/3/2023

Origin: Bergen, Norway

Personnel: Grutle Kjellson-vox/bass, Ivar Bjornsen-guitar, Arve Isdal-guitar, Haken Vinje-vox/keyboards, Iver Sandoy-drums

Enslaved just keep on keeping on as one of the premier progressive metal bands. Even though they haven’t gone full clean vocals like Opeth, I feel than Enslaved has moved on from being considered purely a black/death metal band. I always say that these guys are kind of the Rush of the black/death metal scene because they are continually evolving their sound in new and creative ways while still retaining the core sound that makes them Enslaved. Honestly, this album is probably the weirdest album they have come up with. And, if you can embrace the eccentricities on it, you’ll end up rewarded with one hell of a metal album.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

10. Enslaved-Heimdal
11. Thron-Dust
12. Harboured-Harboured
13. Herod-Iconoclast
14. Insomnium-Anno 1696
15. Spirit Adrift-Ghost At the Gallows
16. Church of Misery-Born Under a Mad Sign
17. Primordial-How It Ends
18. Imperium Dekadenz-Into Sorrow Evermore
19. Royal Thunder-Rebuilding the Mountain
20. Katatonia-Sky Void of Stars