Top 23 of 2023: Part 2
Hello Heathens,
If you haven’t read part 1 to see how I scored albums this year I would recommend doing so as I am trying out a new method. Is it the perfect way to score albums? No. Did it help make this list a lot faster and easier than previous years? Yes.
Honorable Mentions
I forgot to include this in part one, so I’ll do it here.
“梦路” by Vitriolic Sage
Originally this album was 11th place in my list, and while I really enjoyed this album I don’t think it deserves slot 11. My method to calculate album ranks based on some simple math scored this album quite high, but there was something about the stylistic mixing choice that kept me from wanting to put this in a top 23 spot. I would highly recommend this album, but the album that replaced it is very good. I think this is an album that suffers in a hifi audio setup, but sounds great in a car.
Best of the rest
- Finitude by Stortregn
This album really shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone considering that the last time this band dropped an album it was one of the most played albums on the show for the year. Great album from start to finish, the title track sets the tempo for the whole album and is also the band opener. Good on them. The riffs are heavy, the pace is fast, the vocals are gruff. Just what you would expect from a modern death metal masterpiece.
- Formløse Stjerner by TONGUES
Kind of a weird album that just fucking goes hard in the winter when it’s dark as fuck and cold as fuck. While this album was not a perfect score album, I think that real atmospheric music fans will love this album. The intro section of Elder Fire is the perfect track on a dark night.
- Anno 1696 by Insomnium
This was an album that grew on me over time. I wasn’t super into it when it released, but a few days after release I found myself humming some of the songs so I gave it a second chance and realized that it was better than I initially thought it was. Tracks like “Starless Paths” just hav a way of becoming the perfect little ear worm to get you coming back.
- Shades of Sorrow by Crypta
The only reason this album didn’t score higher is that it’s 13 tracks long. It’s hard to give an interlude track a score. While I recognize those tracks serve a purpose in creating a sonic bridge between sections of the album, my current score system is a little unfair to them. The album sounds great, tracks like “Dark Cloud”, “Stronghold”, and “The Other Side of Anger” are just fantastic bangers. Overall the album is very strong and was mostly just punished for having interludes.
The 100% club
These are albums that scored 100% liked tracks from me, and these are all basically interchangeable with each other for what album gets what slot. I did order them based on my personal preference, but according to my simple selection method these albums are all “the same ’’ in terms of score.
- Fall of the Northern Kingdom by Black Pyre
A bit of a late entry that snuck in after I said I was no long listening to new albums for the year, and I’m glad that I took a little chance on this one because it’s a fantastic album. If the 1st track doesn’t grab your attention, then I don’t know why you are listening to my show. From start to finish this is a very fun modern black metal album.
- Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle by Moonlight Sorcery
Hadn’t heard of this band until former co-host Larry Kensington told me to check it out, and this album fucking rules. He told me to check out their EP (also slaps), and I decided to listen to their new album instead and I’m glad I did. Since I heard this album it’s had heavy rotation in my at home listening.
- Might & Power by Megaton Sword
Very fun traditional heavy metal album from start to finish. Tracks like “Raving Light of Day”, “Power”, and “Raikaszi” will get you nodding along in between songs you want to belt out like “Cowards Remain” and “Might”. This was an album where I would just get a hankering to listen to one or two tracks off it at a time in between other releases. Very solid and fun album.
- Two Years of Grief by Rise to the Sky
The one man project from Chile about processing the loss of a father comes to a powerful conclusion with this album. The album documents the birth of the singers son and how his son managed to fill the hole in his heart left by the death of his father. Very emotional album despite it being a slow moving thick sonic experience. This was another album that was just great to listen to late at night when you are trying to wind down from the day. The pensive piano intro really sets the tone for the album. Insane that one person is behind this entire album. One of the best album series about grief I’ve ever heard.
Keep Heavy The Sabbath Day
Playlist tracks
De Inferno Solis by Stortregn
Mouth Of The Deep by TONGUES
Starless Paths by Insomnium
The Other Side of Anger by Crypta
Pale Orchid by Black Pyre
Into the Silvery Shadows of Night by Moonlight Sorcery
Power by Megaton Sword
Funeral For My Home by Rise to the Sky