Welcome to the only known top 10 metal albums list to exist on the internet! Here you will see all the best metal 2023 has to offer with no bullshit. No honorable mentions either, any band not on this list is considered DISHONORABLE and should not be trusted. Without further ado, let’s celebrate the asses most kicked in this frostbitten year:

 Check out the playlist here!

1) Moonlight Sorcery – Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle

Dubbed by Mark of the Beast as the more kvlt Children of Bodom, this album is topping the list this year. It is a wonderful symphonic/melodic black metal masterpiece, featuring a LOT of sick riffs and shredding. The talent level is top-notch and it sounds really polished for a first release. I also enjoy the rawness of the vocals, not trying to get too cute with shit. The music here speaks for itself. Anyone that’s a fan of Bodom, Dimmu, melodeath, headbanging, or breathing air should love this album.

2) Blackbraid – Blackbraid II

The top album resembling folk metal this year, Blackbraid brings another masterpiece from the Adirondack mountains. Haven’t heard much Native-American inspired metal in my days so it’s nice to see such a well-composed LP. I think it’s better than their first album and I loved that one. Fans of Agalloch and trees will find this one appealing. Plus there’s flute god-damnit, what more do you want?!

3) Aegrus – Invoking the Abysmal Night

Now taking it back to satanic black metal, Aegrus hits us with this ringer that matches the badass album art. If you like no bullshit BM, this is the one for you. The last track on this album, “Where the Forest Emanates Death” is particularly fucking evil and I’ve been rocking it on many a night drive this year. Somehow raw black metal continues to just be good no matter how long time drags on.

4) Impalement – The Dawn of Blackened Death

If you’re a fan of blackened death, you might be interested in this particular dawn. See that evil fuckin imp being summoned in the circle there? He means business and so does this album. Just really good melodic black metal with harsh vocals and some sick solos too. The last track is again the best one here, “Chosen by Tragedy”. Don’t get many bands out of Switzerland in my rotation so I’m going to cherish this one.

5) Crystal Coffin – The Curse of Immortality

Award for most unique black metal album art of the year goes to Crystal Coffin. From the looks of it, you’d think this is some silly prog or at least grindcore album but it actually rules. The premise of the album “depicts a protagonist whose failed attempts at suicide have placed him into a rehabilitation center where in the clandestine medical personnel experiment on the captured and unconscious patients at night in the chambers below.” I hate when that happens. This album also holds my song of the year, “Cryogensis”. Go listen to it now you nerds!

6) Uada – Crepuscle Natura

The pacific northwest black metal of the year is represented by the distinguished Uada gentlemen. I previously described this album as “Better than Djinn but not as good as their first 2” so I’m sticking to that. It’s still excellent though and I can’t wait to see these guys again. Hopefully they come around soon. I was excited to see that this one had a 12-minute song, because I do enjoy the longer tracks, and I think it’s the best of the album, “Through the Wax and Through the Wane”

7) Cruciamentum – Obsidian Refractions

International boys Cruciamentum have exploded onto the List of the Beast, ratcheting up the death metal to previously unheard of levels! I would describe this album as “uneasy death metal” meaning you should feel some sense of impending doom while listening. Like something bad is probably happening somewhere. It’s dark and punishing, and dare I say even sophisticated.

8) Fen – Monuments to Absence 

I’m always super excited about Fen albums, as they’re one of the best atmospheric black metal bands out there. This one got me really pumped because it comes in super hot with the first track, something unexpected for them because they usually set the mood first. Through the rest of the album they showed they still haven’t lost it, and it’s really nice to see one of the most consistent acts in black metal still slaying it.

9) Grand Cadaver – Deities of Deathlike Sleep

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCRgcsHMcuU

Crushing death metal from a familiar face, Mikael Stanne of Dark Tranquility! Very reminiscent of Bloodbath style brutality, this one has a lot of nice slamming riffs and beats. Vocals sounding crisp too even at this stage of his career. Wish they’d come tour here but we all know that won’t happen :'( But at least we got something to lift to!

10) Mephorash – Krystl-Ah

And rounding out the top 10 we have Swedish symphonic black metal act Mephorash. Think of like a very atmospheric Behemoth. What I like about these guys is they give me some Limbonic Art vibes with the amount of symphonic synth and melody shifts within songs. clocking in at almost 80 minutes, this one is a beast but worth it. Be aware this thing has a LOT of ambiance but it’s a fun ride.

So there you have it, the most epic releases of 2023. I hope you found something nice to listen to or discovered a new band. This is my first list in a very long time so cherish it while you can. You never know when the beast may rise again…

Final country tally:

Sweden: 2

US: 2

England: 2

Finland: 2

Switzeland: 1

Cananda: 1