2023 turned out to be a good year for new music. When going through my favoirtes I noticed that this is mainly because of the large amount of new discoveries for me. On big band releases maybe not that strong, but overall a fine year for music. It was hard to reduce to 23 and herewith some that on any other day might have made the cut. On the extreme metal department, some need a mood to fit for me. If so they are great (DHG, Till the Dirt and Bell Witch) Other favorite bands released a decent album, but maybe not as good as I hoped for (Scar Symmetry, Haken and Demoniac). Progrock had major albums missed or too late (Galahad, Pallas, Moongarden) Tritop came close and the best progrock discovery were EBB, but that was a 22 release. Rob Lamothe's Cross Country Drivver is too calm overal, while industrial going George Lynch was interesting but...Thrash metal is missing too even though Aftermath came close. Sadus I missed so far and Metallica I was not bothered. Cynic was a refocus, so not counting and than there were 23. Since I still don't do Spotify or the likes I do miss albums that for sure would be appreciated, but you can't buy them all. Final observation: I do seem to like wind instruments after all in my metal, given some high scorers. So let the countdown begin.
23. Martin Miller - Maze of my Mind
A very proggy cover, but lots of classic rock in here too. A tip by Matt made me check out mr Miller and what a good album this is. Five long songs build upon his great guitar. His voice turned out surprisingly well too. Came to The Netherlands twice this year, in order to play rock covers. Pity with such a strong own album
22 . Jag Panzer - The Hallowed
Saw them twice this year. One old skool set and one set build around this album which I bought on the day. This is just solid US Metal as I love to hear it for 40 years now. Hope a next album does not take six years again.
21. Damnation Plan - The New Horizon
A very nice progmetal discovery from Finland. Album number three in ten years, but new to me. If this would have lasted more that the 33 minutes we get now, even chances for a higher place.
20. Electric Mob - 2 Make U Cry & Dance
Somehow I was not expecting this from Brazil, where Power Metal and underground extreme metal rule. Sleazy hardrock with very strong vocals. This band grooves and makes me laugh & dance no matter the title. If I need uplifting music, thsi is a good place to go.
19. Apotheus - Ergo Atlas
Not all that long with me yet, but too good to skip. Portugal's hope for Progmetal Days. A very nice surprise with great performances and songs. Also album number three here, but for me a new band. PPE anyone?
18. Wayfarer - American Gothic
Similar to Apotheus very short with me, but I hear the class again. Black Metal blended with Spaghetti Westerns and what an original outcome that gives.Not all that often you meet bands who create their own style. Wayfarer are one of them.
17. Redemption - I Am the Storm
Redemption fight a bit against their own bar set crazy high during their frst albums. Further for me Ray Alder beats Tom Englund on the vocal front. Still this remains a Redempton album so nowhere near bad. Just the impact they had until some ten years ago, diminished over time.
16. Ashen Horde - Antimony
The extreme metal surprise of the year. Starting as a one man project ten years ago, now with album four a full band and new to me. A concept album on the unsolved murder of Charles Bravo 150 years ago. Black/Death/Prog/Doom it is all there. This is a very intense album, so not for playing on the background. I loved it when digging in and got the shorts along wth the CD.
15. Trespass - Wolf at the Door
Every year at least one band should wave the flag for NWOBHM. This year it is up to my friends of Trespass to do so. I love this album which gets you nostalgic by the melodic NWOBHM style, while sounding up to date for 2023. Nice to feel the music that helped me loving metal ever since.
14. Insomnium - Anno 1696
Insomnium gives us art in many forms. Their last albums come with books. Last time pictures now some nice drawings and a short story which helps understanding the concept album. Later in the year the bonus EP Songs of the Dusk was released independent as well. If I would have been around for their show, probably a top ten place. Melodic Death Metal at it's best.
13. The Enigma Division - The Enigma Division
The first huge positive surprise of the year. They stuck at number 13 of bad luck, since I never saw a CD being released. As a result I played it much less. Still I broke my rule and bought it digital at Bandcamp. Curious to see where they go from here as this is one hell of a debut album by these Irish progmetallers.
12. Ice Age - Waves of Loss and Power
Comeback surprise of the year: Ice Age. After going on ice for 22 years, they came back with this CD. With songs Perpetual Child Part II and To Say Goodbye Part IV and V strongly linking to their own past. Still love these bastard sons of Styx and Dream Theater. We need more surprises like these.
11 Ray Alder - II
Ray Alder remains my favorite vocalist. Yet you can't release favorites every year. I thought A-Z and Figure of Speechless last year a notch stronger on the songs. Still one of the albums I went back to most as this is just very good for my mood.
10. Angel - Once Upon a Time
After decades of absence Angel were back with a European show in Liee and a new album in 2019. This opened their appetite as this is one long CD a few years later already. It took some effort to get the CD, but was it worth the wait. Some said too long, for me a return to form with opener The Torch among their classic hits. Last year my favorite show of the year, this year a very solid new album, love these rockers in white.
9. Finality - Technocracy
When I heard the two songs released before this debut I felt we had a potential album of the year. And yes it is very good indeed. It would be higher on my list if the ten songs would add more variation between them and if I would have seen Finality live on stage.Still anyone into techmetal with thrash leanings should check this out now.
8. Hellripper - Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags
Probably the band that created most waves at underground live festivals this year. What a joy to see this band killing it on stage. I did correct big part of missing them so far and believe this is their best sounding album. Blackened Speedmetal that can go epic as the title track of over 7 minutes proves. One band to enjoy for the next decades.
7. Sorcerer - Reign of the Reaper
Those who like their doom metal to sound Scandinavian or like eighties Black Sabbath will know Sorcerer. They have been setting the benchmark in the genre for me and this album is not different. Royal Epic Doom said their T-shirt and that is what you get.
6. 66 Crusher - Limbo
Album number four by these progressive thrashing Norwegians. Well I hear more progmetal than thrash, but why did I miss them so far? Excellent album with seven great songs over 51 minutes. They posted their spotify numbers and many people don't seem to know them. Correct that and bring them to Baarlo. Brilliant stuff this.
5. Fifth Angel - When Angels Kill
The best US Metal always came out of Seattle. So does Fifth Angel and this long (69 minutes) album impresses yet again. No need to worry about a new vocalist as he nails it. The fact that we now have two Flotsam members in the band might explain the strong sound. They cancelled 2023 European visists, so hoping for 2024 now.
4. The Anchoret - It All Began With Loneliness
Another new progmetal surprise from Canada Written by bassist Eduard Levitsky I did know vocalist Sylvain Auclair (Heaven's Cry) and keyboardist Andy Tillison (The Tangent) much better. What a beautiful album this turned out to be and how come I do not oppose the inclusion of alto saxophone, flute an dclarinet here? Because the songs are awesome that's why. A must hear album and debut of the year.
3. Uriah Heep - Chaos & Colour
With so many new discoveries in my list it is good that Heep are still standing proudly amongst them all. How is it possible that over 50 (!) years in their career they keep on releasing albums as strong as this one? Fast rockers, epic and proggy sounds, Heep organs and a ballad. It is all there on the album I kept on playing from January till December. Next year back on stage here please.
2. Crown Lands - Fearless
So this is only a duo? and I missed their 2020 self titled debut album. Well Fearless put them on the map for me and how. So they sound like seventies Rush? yes they do and I love it. Opener Starlifter : Fearless Pt. II sounds like one of those album lasting songs by Rush of the seventies. The rest of the album is also filled with highlights and I keep on wondering how do they do that with two people only? Must see them one day live as that must be impressive, even if probably pretty static.
1. Lunar - The Illusionist
With so many new discoveries and great albums it is strange that picking my album of the year was not that hard. Ever since hearing first songs of this album I was hooked. Lunar play progmetal, but there is so much more from prog rock to tech metal and even some grunts throughout the album. Like The Anchoret the adding of Saxophone, flute and clarinet surprisingly only add to the fun. With Juggling Chainsaws they also wrote a candidate for best song of the year. Spotify numbers published show again a terrible under the radar flying worldwide. This is classy stuff from start to finish. Coincdentally yesterday Esther and Michel messaged me that they were playing and highly enjoying The Illusionist after receiving same finally. More people should hear this as I guess many will be impressed and instant fan like me.
No comments:
Post a Comment