Top 10 Albums of 2023

[ariich]

Very true and indeed that diversity is part of why I love them so much.

[lonestar]

Very true and indeed that diversity is part of why I love them so much.

Q- What genre is Gacharic Spin?

A- Yes

[ariich]

[Blind_FaithX]

Mine for now:

1. Insomnium- Anno 1696
2. Saturnus- The Storm Within
3. Sleep Token- Take me Back to Eden (I was annoyed at first with the R&B sections, but really, this is probably the album I listened to the most in 2023. The variety makes it very enjoyable)
4. Marianas Rest- Auer
5. Fires in the distance- Air Not Meant for us
6. Death of Giants- Ventesorg
7. Lissom, Julien Marchal, Lowswimmer- Eclipses
8. In Flames- Foregone
9. Rise to the Sky- Two Years of Grief
10. Katatonia- Sky Void of Stars
11. Hypno5e- Sheol
12. Mystery- Redemption
13. Milanku- À l'aube
14. Riverside- ID.Entity
15. The Anchoret- It All Began with Loneliness (only 2 spins yet, but really good first impression)
16. Ok Goodnight- The Fox and the Bird
17. Sigur Ros- ATTA
18. Acres- Burning Throne
19. ISON- Stars & Embers
20. Hammock- Love in the Void

My top 5 (and possibly the 6th as well) is a really strong one for me. So far, this year made amazing music.

[jingle.boy]

I don't typically stack-rank until the end of the year, but here's what I've purchased, saved on Spotify (which means either their just ok, or too short and I'm not dropping $11 for a 40 minute album), and still TBD.

Purchased:
Xandria / The Wonders Still Waiting - this is what Nightwish should sound like.
Kamelot / The Awakening - as good as Silverthorn... certainly better than their last two efforts.
Redemption / I Am the Storm - despite having 2 covers, this smokes
Crown Lands / Fearless - if you need a Rush fix, load this up
FreeFall / Hunt the Flame - more memorable than the last release
Mystery / Redemption - they are always an instant purchase for me
Ray Alder / II - Ray sounds incredible
Fifth Angel / When Angels Kill - an unexpectedly excellent concept album
Sacred Outcry / Towers of Gold - glorious prog/power
Lovebites / Judgment Day - RJ cracked me with these girls

Saved: (most are excellent, but too short).
Rexoria / Imperial Dawn
Infinite & Divine / Ascendancy
Stargazer / Life Will Never Be The Same
Demons Down / I Stand
Air Raid / Fatal Encounter
Galneryus / Between Dread and Valor
Ad Infinitum / Chapter III - Downfall
Floor Jansen / Paragon
Creye / III: Weightless
All of My Shadows / Eerie Monsters
Revolution Saints / Eagle Flight
Evermore / In Memoriam
One Desire / Live with the Shadow Orchestra
Teramaze / Dalla Volta - disappointed this was only 1/2 new material 
Winger / Seven
Tygers of Pan Tang / Bloodlines
Silver Bullet / Shadowfall
Andy James / Fury From Above
Mystic Prophecy / Hellriot
Tulip   / The Perpetual Dream
Pyramaze / Bloodlines
Stray Gods / Olympus

TBD
Ice Age / Waves of Loss and Power - first half starts slow, but 2nd half is as good as their first 2 (from 20 years ago)
Third Eye / Vengeance Fulfilled - Tiago Masseti (who I adore from Daydream XI) on the mic, but musically it's so-so
Extreme / Six - I liked very much
Ashrain / Requiem Reloaded - I think King recommended this to me
Karfagen / Passage to the Forest of Mysterious - Frost* meets Moon Safari ... fans of either should definitely check this one out.
Entering Polaris / ATLANTEAN SHORES
Entering Polaris / AND SILENTLY THE AGE DID PASS
Arjen Lucassen's Supersonic Revolution / Golden Age of Music - Arjen's getting too samey.  I liked it, but I've heard it all before.
Derrick Trafecante/Derek Sherinian / Lost Tomorrows - I never would have thought I'd like anything with DS more than DT
Project Roenwolfe / Project Roenwolfe - Some classic Metal here.

[Bolsters]

I didn't even know Xandria had a new one out, will have to get onto that.

[TAC]

Chad, I'm going to go through your list. There's a lot I haven't checked out.

I had checked out the Entering Polaris last week or so and it sounds awesome, but I'm not crazy about different singers on every song. But they're all great singers so there's that.

I was pimping the Ashrain. It's the singer from Hibria. He's great on it, but songs lag behind a bit.

[cramx3]

I didn't even know Xandria had a new one out, will have to get onto that.

I need to give them some listens since they are opening for Kamelot. Sounding like Nightwish is a positive for my tastes.

[jingle.boy]

Chad, I'm going to go through your list. There's a lot I haven't checked out.

I had checked out the Entering Polaris last week or so and it sounds awesome, but I'm not crazy about different singers on every song. But they're all great singers so there's that.

I was pimping the Ashrain. It's the singer from Hibria. He's great on it, but songs lag behind a bit.

Ash rain is one I think I’ll end up saving a few tracks, but not the whole album.

I’ll prioritize for you in the morning. Wouldn’t want to subject you to anything that would be too soft or mellow for ya. 

Same for you with Xandria, Marc.

[jingle.boy]

@ Tim, I suspect you know/recognize most of the “Purchased” list.  From the Spotify list:

Infinite & Divine … Tessa Prezzi on the mic (who was on the second Epysode album).  It’s heavy enough, but I know your lack of appreciation for the ladies
Mystic Prophecy… do it
Demons Down … might be a little too fluffy
All My Shadows … avoid this; it’s Andy Kuntz (Vanden Plas) on the mic.
Girish and the Chronicles … might work for you
Tulip … it’s like Ad Infinitum (if you’ve listened to them).  Female vox with almost a pop-metal vibe.
Tygers of Pan Tang… maybe?
Silver Bullet … Symphonic Power Metal.  Your call.
Andy James … instrumental guitar god.  Do it!
Crowne … probably too melodic and catchy for you 
Evermore … do it.
Creye … listen at your own peril.  It’s like Eclipse, and perfectly suited for Frontiers - it’s “soft-cock shit”.
Air Raid … give it a shot
Galneryus… if you haven’t listened yet, do it.

On the TBD, give the Sherinian one a go.  I’m pretty sure you’ve already checked out the Project Roenwolfe.  Also, The Raven Age (I sent you Parasite in your Roulette) comes out this week.

@ Marc.  My Xandria rec's.  I started looking at their discog, and simply realized that I liked each successive album more.  So, just start working backwards.  You'll likely get a lot from the new album at the show, since there's (yet another) new singer.  Diane Van Giersbergen (sister of) was the singer for the two albums (and an EP) prior to this year's release.

[Lowdz]

I haven't spent enough time with ten albums from this year I don't think. I missed that there's a new Galneryus album. I'll have to check that out.
Going to have to trawl this thread I think. Spend too much time with SH era Marillion ahead of the weekender in May.

[nick_z]

Silver Bullet … Symphonic Power Metal.  Your call.

I have this one in my HMs...I REALLY like it. Sounds great, it's punchy and all songs hit the mark.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Diane Van Giersbergen (sister of)

She and Anneke are not related. 

[ProfessorPeart]

The new Xandria is fantastic. The new singer is excellent. I also really loved the Diane albums a lot as well. I have the whole catalog and they are a solid band.

[cramx3]

Yeah, I'll get the new album and start there at some point.

[twosuitsluke]

Updated list…


1. Avenged Sevenfold - Life is But a Dream…
2. In Flames - Foregone
3. Faintest Idea - The Road to Sedition
4. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An 5. Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation
5. Ghost - Phantomime
6. The Bar Stool Preachers - Above the Static
7. Enslaved - Heimdal
8. Cattle Decapitation - Terrasite
9. The Dirty Nil - Free Reign to Passions
10. Foo Fighters - But Here We Are

11. Beyond the Lamplight - Don't Forget to Leave It All Behind
12. Better Lovers - God Made Me An Animal
13. Stoned Jesus - Father Light
14. Haken - Fauna
15. Ihsahn - Fascination Street Sessions
16. Messa - Live at Roadburn
17. The Ocean - Holocene
18. Sigh - The Eastern Forces of Evil 2022 Live
19. Drain - Living Proof
20. Hellripper - Warlocks Grim & Withered Hag
21. Mutoid Man - Mutants
22. Joe Hisaishi - A Symphonic Celebration - Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki
23. Death Pill - Death Pill
24. Thy Catafalque - Alföld
25. Rancid - Tomorrow Never Comes
26. Nospūn - Opus
27. Periphery - Periphery V: Djent is Not a Genre
28. Ok Goodnight - The Fox and the Bird
29. Witch Ripper - The Flight After the Fall
30. The Meffs - Broken Britain, Pt. 2

This is definitely going to see some further movement soon, discovered some more great albums thanks to you guys recently.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

No wonder you couldn't stand my besmirchment of the A7X song.   

I'm not going to bother updating mine probably 'til sometime perhaps in September or October, when I've had a chance to sort things out.  I know there are some '23 songs I like that are attached to albums I haven't had time to become very acquainted with yet. 

[Nachtmerrie]

Top 20 so far:

1. Haken - Fauna
2. Bell Witch - Future’s Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate
3. King Gizzard & Lizard Wizard - Petrodragonic Apocalypse
4. Ne Obliviscaris - Exul
5. Ahab - The Coral Tombs
6. Marianas Rest - Auer
7. Rannoch - Conflagrations
8. Fvnerals - Let the Eart be Silent
9. Periphery - V: Djent is Not a Genre
10. Tribunal - The Weight of Remembrance
11. Sermon - Of Golden Verse
12. Redemption - I am the Storm
13. Anubis Gate - Interference
14. Hypno5e - Sheol
15. The Ocean - Holocene
16. Shores of Null - The Loss of Beauty
17. Ray Alder - II
18. Mutoid Man - Mutants
19. Predatory Void - Seven Keys to the Discomfort of Being
20. Ocean of Grief - Pale Existence

Still a lot to check including Katatonia, Avenged Sevenfold, Scar Symmetry. Looking forward to TesseracT and Baroness.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

3. King Gizzard & Lizard Wizard - Petrodragonic Apocalypse

I did not see this coming.  Since I trust your recs slightly more than Luke's, is there a particular track I should check out first?

Still a lot to check including Katatonia, Avenged Sevenfold, Scar Symmetry. Looking forward to TesseracT and Baroness.

The Katatonia and Scar Symmetry ones are excellent, TesseracT's seems promising, A7X didn't seem so much from the couple songs I've heard from it, not sure about Baroness, I've only heard a limited amount of their music so far. 

[Buddyhunter1]

3. King Gizzard & Lizard Wizard - Petrodragonic Apocalypse

I did not see this coming.  Since I trust your recs slightly more than Luke's, is there a particular track I should check out first?

Savage.

Speaking of that album, here's a small update for me:

1: Kostnatění - Úpal
2: sadness / abriction - sadness // abriction
3: The Ocean - Holocene
4: Periphery - Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre
5: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - PetroDragonic Apocalypse

All great albums.

[twosuitsluke]

3. King Gizzard & Lizard Wizard - Petrodragonic Apocalypse

I did not see this coming.  Since I trust your recs slightly more than Luke's, is there a particular track I should check out first?

Savage.

Speaking of that album, here's a small update for me:

1: Kostnatění - Úpal
2: sadness / abriction - sadness // abriction
3: The Ocean - Holocene
4: Periphery - Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre
5: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - PetroDragonic Apocalypse

All great albums.

Litho you sonofabitch!

Buddy, you fishing for fishies, I mean compliments, by putting PetroDragonic in there as well.

@Nachtmerrie, just recommend Litho Han-tyumi and the Murder of the Universe and nothing more. Or tell him to go fuck himself, from me 

[lonestar]

3. King Gizzard & Lizard Wizard - Petrodragonic Apocalypse

I did not see this coming.  Since I trust your recs slightly more than Luke's, is there a particular track I should check out first?

Still a lot to check including Katatonia, Avenged Sevenfold, Scar Symmetry. Looking forward to TesseracT and Baroness.

The Katatonia and Scar Symmetry ones are excellent, TesseracT's seems promising, A7X didn't seem so much from the couple songs I've heard from it, not sure about Baroness, I've only heard a limited amount of their music so far.

Per's work on Scar Symmetry was fucking sick, even Greg Burgess of Allegaeon said it made him want to quit playing, that's high praise there.

[nick_z]

3. King Gizzard & Lizard Wizard - Petrodragonic Apocalypse

I did not see this coming.  Since I trust your recs slightly more than Luke's, is there a particular track I should check out first?

Savage.

Speaking of that album, here's a small update for me:

1: Kostnatění - Úpal
2: sadness / abriction - sadness // abriction
3: The Ocean - Holocene
4: Periphery - Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre
5: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - PetroDragonic Apocalypse

All great albums.

Litho you sonofabitch!

Buddy, you fishing for fishies, I mean compliments, by putting PetroDragonic in there as well.

@Nachtmerrie, just recommend Litho Han-tyumi and the Murder of the Universe and nothing more. Or tell him to go fuck himself, from me 

Luke, come on, it's only "slightly more" 

[LithoJazzoSphere]

I knew what I was doing. 

[Nachtmerrie]

3. King Gizzard & Lizard Wizard - Petrodragonic Apocalypse

I did not see this coming.  Since I trust your recs slightly more than Luke's, is there a particular track I should check out first?

Still a lot to check including Katatonia, Avenged Sevenfold, Scar Symmetry. Looking forward to TesseracT and Baroness.

The Katatonia and Scar Symmetry ones are excellent, TesseracT's seems promising, A7X didn't seem so much from the couple songs I've heard from it, not sure about Baroness, I've only heard a limited amount of their music so far.

Dragon is the best song imho.

Quick spin of Scar Symmetry this morning. I'm not a big fan of the typical melodeath midtempo but the guitar work is beyond excellent.
I should have sent you some Baroness in your roulette. 

[Nachtmerrie]

3. King Gizzard & Lizard Wizard - Petrodragonic Apocalypse

I did not see this coming.  Since I trust your recs slightly more than Luke's, is there a particular track I should check out first?

Savage.

Speaking of that album, here's a small update for me:

1: Kostnatění - Úpal
2: sadness / abriction - sadness // abriction
3: The Ocean - Holocene
4: Periphery - Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre
5: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - PetroDragonic Apocalypse

All great albums.

Litho you sonofabitch!

Buddy, you fishing for fishies, I mean compliments, by putting PetroDragonic in there as well.

@Nachtmerrie, just recommend Litho Han-tyumi and the Murder of the Universe and nothing more. Or tell him to go fuck himself, from me 

Maybe in a few months once I have the score for my EP

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Dragon is the best song imho.

Huh, not quite what I was expecting (but with them it's probably risky to expect anything in particular).  But this is actually the best thing I've heard from them yet.   

I should have sent you some Baroness in your roulette. 

Suggest a few tracks and I'll check them out sometime later. 

[twosuitsluke]

Dragon is the best song imho.

Huh, not quite what I was expecting (but with them it's probably risky to expect anything in particular).  But this is actually the best thing I've heard from them yet.   

I should have sent you some Baroness in your roulette. 

Suggest a few tracks and I'll check them out sometime later.

That Dragon intro is probably the best thing on the whole album.

I’m gonna go ahead a suggest some Baroness. Two of my faves, off the top of my head are Green Theme and Shock Me.

[nick_z]

Dragon is the best song imho.

Huh, not quite what I was expecting (but with them it's probably risky to expect anything in particular).  But this is actually the best thing I've heard from them yet.   

I should have sent you some Baroness in your roulette. 

Suggest a few tracks and I'll check them out sometime later.

That Dragon intro is probably the best thing on the whole album.

I’m gonna go ahead a suggest some Baroness. Two of my faves, off the top of my head are Green Theme and Shock Me.

+1 for Shock Me. It’s a great song.

[Buddyhunter1]

I should have sent you some Baroness in your roulette. 

Suggest a few tracks and I'll check them out sometime later.

Morningstar, Shock Me, Chlorine And Wine

[nick_z]

I have to say, for all the (fair, I suppose) criticism Purple gets for the way it sounds, it is probably my favorite Baroness album…at least the one I go back to more consistently.

The tracks released from the upcoming record sound VERY promising, though

[Glasser]

Updated list…


1. Avenged Sevenfold - Life is But a Dream…
2. In Flames - Foregone
3. Faintest Idea - The Road to Sedition
4. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An 5. Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation
5. Ghost - Phantomime
6. The Bar Stool Preachers - Above the Static
7. Enslaved - Heimdal
8. Cattle Decapitation - Terrasite
9. The Dirty Nil - Free Reign to Passions
10. Foo Fighters - But Here We Are

11. Beyond the Lamplight - Don't Forget to Leave It All Behind
12. Better Lovers - God Made Me An Animal
13. Stoned Jesus - Father Light
14. Haken - Fauna
15. Ihsahn - Fascination Street Sessions
16. Messa - Live at Roadburn
17. The Ocean - Holocene
18. Sigh - The Eastern Forces of Evil 2022 Live
19. Drain - Living Proof
20. Hellripper - Warlocks Grim & Withered Hag
21. Mutoid Man - Mutants
22. Joe Hisaishi - A Symphonic Celebration - Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki
23. Death Pill - Death Pill
24. Thy Catafalque - Alföld
25. Rancid - Tomorrow Never Comes
26. Nospūn - Opus
27. Periphery - Periphery V: Djent is Not a Genre
28. Ok Goodnight - The Fox and the Bird
29. Witch Ripper - The Flight After the Fall
30. The Meffs - Broken Britain, Pt. 2

This is definitely going to see some further movement soon, discovered some more great albums thanks to you guys recently.

Luke? WTF? Shall I assume new Pizza Death is so fucking high on your list you're waiting for a new number to be invented better than 1?

[twosuitsluke]

Forgive me Glasser, for I have sinned. As much as I love the band they ain’t cracking my top 30 at the moment. I admit, I’m just not as cool as you dude.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

[Glasser]

Forgive me Glasser, for I have sinned. As much as I love the band they ain’t cracking my top 30 at the moment. I admit, I’m just not as cool as you dude.

I was only messing with you. You're not as cool as me? I totally suck ass.