Hello and happy holidays to all of my fellow music loving Hivers!
It's nearly that time again to usher in a new year full of awesome upcoming releases. As always, I'm taking this time to go back and listen to everything that's had me headbanging through work shifts and moshing around my kitchen throughout the year of 2023. I'll be ranking the releases from bottom to top (a process that often takes me days) and sharing my choices with all of you in the hope that the odd few will find a gem that they may have missed.
Please let me know if any of these bring you any excitement and consider passing on your own lists to the rest of the community. I'll be sure to check them out. Those of you that know me on here probably know that I'm a lifelong metalhead but I do like a bit of hip-hop, reggae, rock and folk, so all recommendations are welcome!
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15. Dodheimsgard - Black Medium Current
14. Blackbraid - Blackbraid II
13. Wytch Hazel - IV: Sacrament
12. Obituary - Dying of Everything
11. Horrendous - Ontological Mysterium
10. Tomb Mold - The Enduring Spirit
9. Frozen Soul - Glacial Domination
8. Hellripper - Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags
7. Kvelertak - Endling
6. Immortal - War Against All
5. Mork - Dypet
4. Cattle Decapitation - Terrasite
3. Thy Catafalque - Alfold
2. Aeternus - Philosopher
This brings us to my favourite album release of 2023...
1. Enslaved - Heimdal
Enslaved are a band that I have come to expect greatness from over the years and I'm glad to say that their 2023 release 'Heimdal' did not disappoint. The band have expanded outwards with every release from their roots in the 2nd wave of Norwegian Black Metal during the early nineties. This expansion of the bands sound has allowed the incorporation of many other genres including jazz and traditional Norwegian folk music, which they use to great effect. Check out the title track, 'Forest Dweller', 'The Eternal Sea' and it should become quickly apparent why this band are considered to be one of the titans of progressive metal!
Thank you for checking out my list for this year. Wishing everyone an awesome festive period and new year!
