Top 20 Metal Albums of 2023

The moment we've been waiting for has finally arrived—our first article is here! And we're kicking things off with a bang by presenting to you our top 20 metal albums of 2023. This list features the best of the best, with data compiled from RateYourMusic, MetalStorm, SputnikMusic, Last.fm, MetalArchives, and many other popular review sites. So, without further ado, let's dive into the ultimate 2023 top metal albums list!

This is how the list looked when I wrote this article. However, please note that the list is subject to change over time. You can check our interactive chart (from this link) to stay updated. This chart utilizes a default weighting system based on rating and popularity scores. For a chart of more mainstream or underground albums, please visit the same page.

For more than 34 years, Cannibal Corpse has been releasing its trademark vicious and excellent brand of death metal regularly. Their sixteenth album is a standout among their extensive discography. The album has thrash-inspired riffs that bring out the guitar work and the improved teamwork between Rob Barrett and Erik Rutan, especially in the first two tracks. Chaos Horrific cements their legacy as veterans of the death metal scene.

A Colorado-based quartet, Wayfarer, stands out in the atmospheric black metal genre by incorporating aspects of bluegrass, folk, and country into their sound. American Gothic features a well-paced mix of longer, heavier tracks and atmospheric shorter cuts, with a total runtime of around 44 minutes. Their fifth album continues the exploration of America’s Old West, offering a unique take on black metal that’s both epic and captivating.

At the 18th spot, we find Katatonia's 12th studio album, "Sky Void of Stars,"  released through Napalm Records. Over time, the band has evolved their sound from death/doom to a more varied style, incorporating gothic, post, and prog elements. Vocalist Jonas Renske wrote all the songs for this album, which promises to be a significant addition to the melodic rock and metal genre. 

Sulphur Aeon's album "Seven Crowns And Seven Seals" stands apart for its atmospheric quality, blending classic metal with a gloomy death metal sound. The band draws inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft, and their lyrics evoke cosmic horror and otherworldly madness. The album showcases Sulphur Aeon's growth with dynamic compositions, technical skill, and a mix of intense riffs with melodic passages.

Sacred Outcry's latest album, "Towers of Gold," appears to be a masterpiece in epic power metal, if not a modern classic in metal music. The band has expanded their sound with the addition of new members, resulting in a noticeable improvement. Daniel Heiman's exceptional vocal talents are a standout feature of the album, adding emotional depth and elevating the music to new heights.

Blackbraid, a Native American black metal project, has made an impact on the black metal scene with their first album, 2022's Blackbraid I. And it looks like their second album, Blackbraid II, has received even more acclaim than their debut. The album charms listeners with its journey through life, nature, and the human spirit. Other highlights are its superb production and atmospheric acoustic elements.

TesseracT’s fifth studio album, "War of Being," is highly praised for its intricate nature, requiring multiple listens to fully appreciate its depth. The album is a perfect blend of heavier grooves and melodic elements, which cements TesseracT's unique position in progressive metal. "War of Being" displays the band's versatility through a range of tracks, from the heavy "Natural Disaster" to the serene "Tender."

Tomb Mold's album "The Enduring Spirit" is a progressive death metal masterpiece with intricate guitar work, atmospheric elements, and technical prowess. The album blends brutal vocals with melodic parts, featuring standout tracks like "Will of Whispers" and the title track. This album is a must-list for death metal fans who enjoy variety and signifies a significant shift in Tomb Mold's style.

Moonlight Sorcery's debut album, "Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle,"  may surprise those who haven't heard their EPs. But their blend of melodic black metal with power metal and symphonic elements is unique. The album's most outstanding feature is its skillfully crafted neoclassical solos. Additionally, the album boasts fast and melodic riffs, intricate guitar work, lyrics with a dark fantasy theme, and vocals reminiscent of Bal-Sagoth's Byron Roberts. 

Panopticon's latest album, "The Rime of Memory," showcases the band's growth and maturation since their debut, featuring emotional and contemplative compositions. The album boasts a wide range of instruments, with Austin Lunn playing most of them and guest musicians contributing to violin, cello, piano, and Hardanger fiddle. The album is the perfect soundtrack for winter, featuring long, epic tracks that blend seamlessly into each other. "Cedar Skeletons" and "I Erindringens Høstlige Dysterhet" stand out for their memorable guitar riffs.

Enslaved, a band that has been around for over three decades, has evolved from black metal to a unique form of extreme progressive metal. "Heimdal," their 16th album, continues the musical evolution evident on "Utgard." "Heimdal" is a significant achievement in Enslaved's career, offering a multi-layered experience with poetic lyrics and exploration of Nordic mythology, skillfully blending beauty with brutality yet again.

Horrendous, a Pennsylvania-based death metal band, has released their fifth album, "Ontological Mysterium," which showcases their technical prowess and experimental side. The album features nine tracks with a blend of solos, melody, and irregular time changes. The band's guitarists, Damian Herring and Matt Knox, deliver intricate playing and varied vocal techniques. The album captures the band's live energy and evokes strong emotions, making it hard to classify them in a specific genre.

The new album "Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags" from Ireland's Hellripper is a unique blend of black/speed metal and rock 'n' roll. It boasts melodic riffing, harsh vocals, and intense drumming that make it stand out. The album is particularly noteworthy for its songwriting, production, and the way it stays true to its core style while evolving. It features a range of elements, including atmospheric, melodic, and doomy layers, and transitions smoothly between them. The album's intricate musicianship, medieval atmosphere, and virtuosic guitar work are also noteworthy. All in all, the album has the potential to take the band to new heights.

Highly recommended for its consistency with the band's legacy and impact on the brutal death metal genre, at number 7, we have Dying Fetus with their 9th album, "Make Them Beg for Death." The album marks a significant comeback with groovy guitars, memorable riffs, and intense death growls. It showcases technical/brutal death metal with high production quality, heavy chugs, intense breakdowns, and impressive vocal performances from John Gallagher and Sean Beasley.

Fires in the Distance, a melodic death/doom metal band from Connecticut, released their second album, "Air Not Meant For Us." The album merges heavy guitars, atmospheric sounds, and harmonies with brutal vocals and beautiful keys. The standout aspects of the album are the production and the emotional depth, which take listeners on an emotional journey. The album explores personal and existential themes, particularly mental health and perseverance. It showcases intricate compositions, guest musicians, and a balance between heavy and gentle instrumentation, cementing the band's future in the genre.

Based on a short story by Niilo Sevänen, "Anno 1696," Insomnium's ninth full-length album explores the theme of witch-hunting during the Great Famine in Finland, narrating a tale of love, trust, and finding oneself caught between two worlds. The album has a slow-paced atmosphere, with tracks like "White Christ" and "Godforsaken" featuring guest vocals from Sakis Tolis and Johanna Kurkela. Its cover art and lyrical content are bleak, dark, and melancholic. The band's unique sound, blending raw and dark elements with melancholic melodies, is a testament to their ability to create unique and memorable music.

Dødheimsgard's latest album, "Black Medium Current," highlights the band's move from traditional black metal to an innovative avant-garde style. Their sixth album combines black metal with atmospheric soundscapes and philosophical themes, producing a creative and trance-like experience. The album has a diverse conceptual structure that blends genres and includes extended songs with a wide range of vocal styles. Fans define Dødheimsgard's sound as a theatrical trip into the imagination, spotlighting unique concepts and creating a larger-than-life atmosphere.

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard recently released their 24th album, "PetroDragonic Apocalypse." The record showcases an experimental metal genre with distinctive musicianship and original ideas. The album's songs, like "Supercell" and "Converge," contain unforgettable moments that draw attention to important issues such as climate change and environmental disasters. The album is heavier than 2019's Infest the Rats, exploring many genres, with the principal focus being psychedelic rock. With its apocalyptic images and experimental music, the album transports listeners to the final days with unwavering intensity and high-quality performances.

Exul is the most recent album by Aussie progressive metal band Ne Obliviscaris. Grand, dramatic, and technically proficient, this record has outstanding performances by every band member. Exul skillfully combines jazz lounge, folk, black metal, and progressive rhythms so that every instrument is audible and, when needed, stirs up strong emotions. "Equus" and "Anatomy of Quiescence" highlight the album's gripping brilliance and the band's maturation.

Not surprisingly, the album that has topped many year-end lists also comes at number one on our list. Terrasite builds on the popularity of Death Atlas, propelling Cattle Decapitation to new heights. Cattle Decapitation has evolved from a straightforward death/grind band to a formidable progressive death metal band. The album surprises the listener even more than previous efforts, not only with Travis Ryan's goblin singing but also with emotionally clean singing parts. The lyrics focus on the systemic problem of capitalism, blaming humanity for the planet's destruction.

Thank you for checking out our Top 20 Metal Albums of 2023! We've put a lot of effort into curating this list, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did while making it. More exciting best-of lists will be available on HornsOrThorns.com soon.