From seasoned legends reclaiming their thrones to audacious newcomers shattering expectations, 2023’s rock and metal album releases are a testament to the undying spirit of rock and metal. Yet, amidst this array of releases, which ones have truly distinguished themselves according to our RAMzine critics? Gear up as we delve into the elite selections of this year’s most exceptional rock and heavy metal offerings.
Tom Dixon: As usual, I am going to cheat by including two albums. The first is The Answer who returned with the blisteringly good Sundowners. Filled with their signature blues-based rock ‘n’ roll and packed full of exceedingly high-quality songs such as ‘California Rust’ and ‘All Together’ to name but two.
Secondly, I had no hesitation in choosing Wytch Hazel‘s IV:Sacrament as this release hit every peak and more you expect from Colin and the boys. They produce variation and originality with nods to classy inspirations and influences. One listen to ‘Endless Battle’ will convince.
Dale Unsworth: Based on Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Ahab perfectly encapsulates the majesty of the sea and all its mysterious inhabitants and terrible horrors. Spanning from ominous, serene clean passages to tempestuous maelstroms of ship-destroying heaviness, The Coral Tombs perfectly embodies the epic scope of a glorious yet cruel and unforgiving ocean.
Vicky Purcell: Omitting Metallica from a yearly roundup of top albums would seem quite amiss. Granted, the likelihood of them releasing another record that rivals the monumental impact of The Black Album might be slim. Nonetheless, it is their distinct and beloved sound that resonates with us so deeply on 72 Seasons. Songs such as ‘Lux Æterna’ and ‘Chasing Light’ have an undeniable energy that incites adrenaline-fueled fist-raising.
Jens Nepper: Many fine and utterly accomplished albums have seen the light of day this year but none of them are as musically adventurous, perfectly inventive, and demonically audacious as this majestic 70-minute opus Black Medium Current by the Norwegian masters of avant-garde black metal, Dødheimsgard. The word original attains a new meaning here as the vortex of complex riffing and swirling post-rock passages consume you.
Steve Jackson: After 2019’s album Death Atlas, I did not see how Cattle Decapitation could top it. Then came along Terrasite and it just blew away my expectations, this album is extreme metal perfection. There has not been an album this year where after I first heard it I needed to take a mini break from listening to music, because everything else just sounded flat. Terrasite is the gold standard going forward, the legendary dinosaurs of metal simply can not compete and are now extinct and the new pups will shake with fear. Disagree with me, go listen to the track ‘The Storm Upstairs’… All hail the glorious apocalypse that Cattle Decapitation has brought before us.
Laurence Todd: I.D. Entity was the album which saw Polish progmeisters Riverside rediscovering their Mojo, following the tragic death of guitarist and band co-founder, Piotr Grudinski in 2016. They’d released Wasteland two years earlier and admitted, had this album not worked, this could well have been the end, but happily it did.
Guitarist Maciej Mellor stepped into the breach and the band’s increasing confidence saw them releasing I.D.Entity in 2023. This is as good an album as Riverside has ever released, centred around the concern about “who we are and how we might be losing touch with ourselves.” All through the album’s seven tracks, the sheer quality of the musicianship shines through, with each player at the top of his game. This is Riverside at their best and where they go from here will be interesting indeed.
Pedro Felippe: My album of the year goes to Make Them Beg For Death by Dying Fetus. Unlike many other bands, they leave room for songs to sink in by making them short and explosive as their intensity requires more time to be appreciated. John and Sean make an exceptional vocal partnership while Trey’s drumming erupts into an exhilarating range of blast beats.
There are of course so many more albums of the year that could be mentioned, please let us know in the comments below who you would choose!
