Even after doing these reviews for what will be ten years in this new year, doing these lists never once gets old! As has been the case since the beginning, I shared with you my Honorable Mentions of 2023 yesterday which I still whole-heartedly suggest and humble ask you to investigate as there are plenty of other albums other than these that are more than worth talking about. Yet, it is here that I have to admit that this particular list has been one of the most difficult that I’ve ever put together. Not because it was hard to pick out what my favorite albums were, but because it was by no means a clear-cut answer in my eyes who fit where on the list, especially the top spot.
From relatively new names like Moonlight Sorcery and Rites of Tara appearing within this, old reliable names like Cattle Decapitation, Eremit, Midnight Odyssey, and Cannibal Corpse made their faces more than known in my experiences throughout the year. It’s been a few years since I’ve actually lost sleep trying to put this list together, but I cannot say and say that I didn’t enjoy the challenge of putting together this list for you all to dig into! The sheer variety of excellence throughout the underground and beyond has never once failed to astound me for all that it has to offer with this year accomplishing so much magnificence that I’m still combing through those archives while I eagerly look forward to what 2024 already has lined up and those we anticipate.
We will surely see the likes of Dødsferd, Lightless, Inter Arma, and so much more in the next twelve months, but it is before then that we must pause to look back and admire what has already been before us so that we may look forward yet again. Looking back on how far Head-Banger Reviews has come since I started it back in 2014, I cannot help but be filled with a great sense of appreciation and immense accomplishment. I will not claim to be as large or essential as the ever-excellent place for glory that is The Obelisk, but I cannot deny how far this has come because of you all! Truly, every submission request, comment, view, and question has always been deeply appreciated from the bottom of my heart, and I can only hope to still deliver in the future with improvements to come hopefully soon!
Before we begin, though, I have to implore you to investigate my Honorable Mentions of 2023. Every album I review is something that I stand behind, but even as I find myself drowning in excellence, my superficial cut-off of thirty albums for this list leaves a good number off this ranking even though I adore all of them. Please, give those albums the time and respect that they deserve, and I hope you can enjoy them as much as I have during these months!
As with every year, to listen to the album in question, click the album and band name, and should you want to read my review of the album simply click the cover art.
I promise now, that is it from me in 2023! Once more, thank you all, and here’s to an intense 2024!
1. Moonlight Sorcery – Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle
After two magnificent entries that gave us some of the most flavorful and exhilarating black metal in recent years, Moonlight Sorcery was destined for greatness with their first full-length album of “Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle” more than living up to those expectations! A collection of shredding riffs, fantastical backdrops laden with magical battles in the mountains bound by frost and lightning, levels of intoxication that are simply addicting, and the potential to take over much of black metal, Moonlight Sorcery is fulfilling its destiny one astounding creation at a time.
2. Esoctrilihum – Astraal Constellations of the Majickal Zodiac
By now, the sheer scope of Esoctrilihum’s power should not be underestimated nor denied in any form. This year saw the enigmatic sensation extremely productive, but “Astraal Constellations” single-handedly stands out more than anything else. A titanic creation that is not for the weak of heart, this is a sprawling telling of interstellar beings warring along with so much more than it bends the mind’s own concepts of sanity, Esoctrilihum is constantly pushing itself with this monolithic beast destined to be hailed as one of the act’s crowning achievements.
3. Cattle Decapitation – Terrasite
For years now, Cattle Decapitation has been one of those bands that if you aren’t paying attention to then you’re simply missing out one of the most compelling creations in all of extreme metal. Their apocalyptic brand of intensity has never been anything to take lightly, and it’s with “Terrasite” that they’ve only further honed their already horrific craft. Absolutely ripping from the very beginning, poignant as ever, the perfect follow-up to “Death Atlas”, and a trip that is sure to throttle you to the moon and back, Cattle Decapitation’s streak of overwhelming domination has yet to shed so much as an iota of its power.
4. Cannibal Corpse – Chaos Horrific
Really, this shouldn’t be any surprise. Decades have come and gone but Cannibal Corpse has remained one of the undisputed kings of death metal for very good reason. Every time they put out new material, it’s an occasion to be celebrated with the arrival of “Chaos Horrific” another victory for the legendary band. It almost seems pointless to summarize albums like this as Cannibal Corpse has long had it down to a viciously effective deadly but chaotic craft. Riffs, power, and complete dominion over all things gore, Cannibal Corpse has yet to relinquish their throne.
5. Eremit – Wearer of Numerous Forms
After doing these reviews for years, it never ceases to warm my heart when I’m able to witness the emergence of a band from day one and watch it grow into a true behemoth of their style to become something that is on the lips of thousands. Hands down, Eremit has been the most pleasing to witness such a transformation with their third and longest opus, “Wearer of Numerous Forms”, seeing Eremit take on their most ambitious excursion into their unique mythos. Featuring a track over an hour long and more than enough presence to crush the very sun, Eremit’s power and vision is truly something to behold at every given turn.
6. Serpent of Old – Ensemble Under the Dark Sun
Every year brings with it tons of new surprises and even more debut albums from bands rising out of the nothingness. This time around was no different, but incredibly few debuts came even close to going toe-to-toe with what Serpent of Old brought to the table with “Ensemble Under the Dark Sun”. A brilliantly vicious, dark, and incredibly intelligent, Serpent of Old has come upon the scene with true power and boatloads of promise. Many have made entrances this year that are more than worthy of note, but Serpent of Old casts an eclipse over them all.
7. Sulphur Aeon – Seven Crowns and Seven Seals
An underground darling that has never been afraid to experiment with its own sound and really show us that there is still much more to be had in the realms that black-death metal encompasses, Sulphur Aeon has been on the rise in recent years. In no album is that more obvious than with “Seven Crowns and Seven Seals”. A dense amalgamation of all that the band is capable of, every track of this titanic recording is both terrifying and captivating as it holds the listener in place as melodies, majesties, and cosmic monsters all play vital roles in bringing the exquisite nature of this album to life in spectacular detail.
8. Midnight Odyssey – Biolume: Part 3 – A Fullmoon Madness
In every given form, Midnight Odyssey has been a beacon for all that grandiose black metal is capable of. Right alongside the likes of Spectral Lore, this is an act whose reverence for the genre is unending as every creation is a masterstroke that is not to be missed. Much like the two preceding volumes, “Biolume: Part 3 – A Fullmoon Madness” is a feast for the senses and damn near tear-jerking to behold. The talent and craftsmanship of this album takes Midnight Odyssey to new heights that I don’t think many of us were ready for. Whatever the case, the “Biolume” series continues to be a showcasing of mastery that is sure to stand the test of time.
9. Warcrab – The Howling Silence
Time can be undeniably cruel in certain circumstances, but others are blessed by it. Warcrab has used their time to tremendous effect with each work certifiably better than the last with “The Howling Silence” widening that gap of grandeur to stand by and large as Warcrab’s crowning achievement to date. Groovy, heavy, raw, and ever so intoxicating to dig into time after time, Warcrab’s particular brand of sludge-riddled death metal has yet to wane in power. On the contrary, it only seems to grow.
10. Obituary – Dying of Everything
Legendary talent is something that ebbs and flows even more so as the years pile on, but Obituary gives us a masterclass time after time of what it’s like to remain at the top of your game. As what was easily the first big piece of the year, “Dying of Everything” still stands tall both simply because it is by hallmarks like Obituary and because how infectious it is from beginning to end! Nonstop riffs that give way to nothing but further devastation of a breed that only Obituary can bring to the table, “Dying of Everything” stands as Obituary’s most captivating album in years.
11. Vertebra Atlantis – A Dialogue with the Eeriest Sublime
Every style has its own set of masterminds that don’t know when to quit. Vertebra Atlantis is not different with the widely renowned G.G. offering up excellence year after year with “A Dialogue with the Eeriest Sublime” almost certainly his crowning achievement thus far in what has been a relatively short but immensely fruitful run in the underground. Where many fail to grasp, Vertebra Atlantis takes ahold of the reins with both hands, falls fully into the abyss, and never once looked back.
12. Blackbraid – Blackbraid II
Black metal always has its fair share of wondrous acts that are constantly impressive, but Blackbraid was something that people immediately clung to right out of the gate. With an approach born out of a Native American perspective and more than enough of those elements interwoven with the immaculate black metal, it’s no surprise or question why Blackbraid seems to have taken the scene by storm in virtually no time at all. Where the act set the stage for greatness with its first opus, this effort sees the act fully achieve that excellence on a level that we simply weren’t ready for.
13. Finsterforst – Jenseits
After a lengthy crowdfunding campaign, Finsterforst’s return in the form of “Jenseits” is something that they will truly built for. A powerful performance that is one single piece sliced into four distinct acts, this is something that utterly demands you to become lost in as Finsterforst crafts vast landscapes and sweeping wonders the likes of which only the best are able to bring to the table. It’s here that Finsterforst only further proves that they are such.
14. Fires in the Distance – Air Not Meant for Us
Exquisite performances that are as dense as they are beautiful is always a hallmark of much that the underground is capable of delivering one year after the next. Fires in the Distance put forth just such a creation with “Air Not Meant for Us”. Gorgeous, eviscerating, and weighty in all the right areas, this is an opus that demands to be experienced for any who want to find themselves on a true odyssey in the world of metal that simply cannot be easily likened to much else without becoming unrecognizable in form. Bold in all the right places, Fires in the Distance stands tall above the competition with this massive creation.
15. Leper Colony – Leper Colony
A beast of death metal that was immediately something to be respected even before it was released upon the world, Leper Colony devastated at every given turn with their debut self-titled album. It sets the stage for their pursuits upon life itself while delivering riff-filled death metal that is constantly chugging, always at a certifiable high, and more than willing to destroy everything in sight in order to achieve its goals. Nothing is spared and no one is left unbattered once this album makes impact with the very notion that this is but the start for Leper Colony simply mouth-watering to consider.
16. Astralborne – Across the Aeons
Melodic death metal has been immensely exciting to watch unfold in recent years with all the talent that continues to come our way, and Astralborne made waves with their debut just a few years ago. Already capitalizing on that momentum and delivering spades, “Across the Aeons” is a truly epic creation that puts the total capacity of Astralborne’s power on full display in every given moment. In no time at all, Astralborne rockets forward to become a need-to-know act for the entire sound.
17. Panopticon – The Rime of Memory
Building off its previous work to make another undeniable craft of genius in this particular corner of black metal, Panopticon’s domination has yet to waver for so much as a millisecond. “The Rime of Memory” cuts deep into the very soul of the listener and wretches outwards all sorts of foul hate and contempt but leaving more than enough room for beauty and hope. Dynamic and brilliant as always, Panopticon’s status is only further cemented.
18. Devil’s Reef – The Droste Observer
For all that the quickly growing world of technical death metal has delivered in a surprisingly short time, Devil’s Reef has risen with the intensity and prowess to match the scene at large. “The Droste Observer” saw the young act take a big leap forward in and out of the studio with every given track of this record showing off that evolution magnificently to present us with a daring creation that plays to the band’s strengths while always making time for some self-imposed challenges to overcome.
19. Xoth – Exogalactic
A name that has quickly risen through the ranks of the underground for all the right reasons, Xoth has really made something to be respected, remembered, and admired with “Exogalactic”. An outstandingly mind-bending display of technical prowess and mastery over their craft to such a degree that immediately pulverizes the spirit and compels the flesh, Xoth has made all the right moves to make “Exogalactic” an undeniable powerhouse of cosmic intensity.
20. Lurk – Aegis
Having made their impact known a few years ago, Lurk has been poised for some time to make real waves across the scene of death-doom. For all that they’ve delivered with “Aegis”, anyone would be remiss to say they missed that mark. An overwhelming dirge of power, heaviness, and knowledge of their craft, Lurk puts forth an utterly nasty breed of death-doom that summons horde of undead to wash over the land while we are paralyzed in place, unable to prevent such a swarm.
21. Ashen Horde – Antimony
Every new year brings with it the wonder of not knowing what is to come next. Ashen Horde quickly rose to the plate to show us what excellence 2023 would bring us with their newest record, “Antimony”, effortlessly the act’s most accomplished to date. Constantly shifting in form but always maintaining a fantastic level of splendor around a solid core of immense black metal, Ashen Horde has truly outdone themselves with this album.
22. Ch’ahom – Knots of Abhorrence
Previously a truly unknown creation of the underground, Ch’ahom burst forth from their shell of obscurity to present to us “Knots of Abhorrence”. Sticking true to their ancient Meso-American influences, the very entirety of this album is a lurching beast of madness thickly coated in psychedelia that not only sets Ch’ahom apart from the rest but makes them stand out completely with it all tied together by their supreme craftsmanship.
23. Sarcoptes – Prayers to Oblivion
Already a name that was to be respected in the realms of black metal, Sarcoptes pulled us back into their world not too long ago with an EP, but it is every given piece of “Prayers to Oblivion” that Sarcoptes has completed the evolution they’ve always hinted at. Dynamically devilish and a real thrashing work that is as intoxicating as it is unforgiving, “Prayers to Oblivion” delivers on a high level that many can only dream of accomplishing.
24. Rites of Tara – To the Otherworld of Silver
Dense is the unknowable underground. Where most can reside in obscurity, the individual can find acts that many are not aware of. That was the case for me when I stumbled upon Rites of Tara whose ritual-induced black metal is supremely melodic, consistently raw, and the very definition of spell-binding! Where many have to rack their minds to produce something like this work, the secretive Rites of Tara makes it seem as easy as breathing.
25. Valdrin – Throne of the Lunar Soul
Right before the very end of the year, Valdrin made damn sure that 2023 would go out on a high note. Already having proven themselves many times over, “Throne of the Lunar Soul” is possibly their quintessential album by a long shot! Everything that has always made the vast spectrum of black metal something to behold plays a significant role in bringing this creation to life in exquisite form one song after another with Valdrin a simply perfect vessel for such magnificence.
26. Kommodus – Wreath of Bleeding Snowfall
A work that took me many months to truly digest and appreciate for all that it is, Kommodus has outdone itself with all that was brought forth in order to bring “Wreath of Bleeding Snowfall” to life. Just as unyielding as it is atmospheric and captivating, Kommodus has raised the bar significantly for not just themselves, but the style as a whole.
27. Domkraft – Sonic Moons
Psych-doom darlings Domkraft didn’t have to prove anything with “Sonic Moons” as their reputation certainly precedes them, yet it is every step taken within “Sonic Moons” that the heaviness, intensity, and trippy wonders are all taken to new levels. Not so much as a dull moment across the whole effort, Domkraft continues on as one of the most interesting bands in the whole sound with this surely their most compelling album to date.
28. Saint Karloff – Paleolithic War Crimes
Despite finding themselves at an intersection after the loss of a dear friend, Saint Karloff rose to the challenge and more than overcame what was before them with “Paleolithic War Crimes”. A true feast for the senses for any who consider themselves any sort of fan when it comes to modern heavy rock, Saint Karloff puts forth one massive hitter after another that leaves nothing behind, puts everything in all its got, and always delivers where it counts.
29. Oromet – Oromet
Funeral doom metal has always been under the radar by many accounts with many preferring it that way, yet it is with the arrival of Oromet and their eponymous debut that the spotlight should be once again put upon the sound. Epic in scope and simply gorgeous in virtually every detail, this is what happens when harmony, heaviness, and monolithic splendor all come together to make for an exceptionally beautiful work that pays off with each and every spin of the record.
30. Rye – Bcë
This act has made more than a few waves already with past works gaining foothold within the outer reaches of black metal where things become quite mysterious but all the more intriguing, yet it is singularly with “Bcë” that Rye puts its best foot forward by a wide margin. Absolutely awe-inspiring between its meditative aspects and its center of undeniable black metal, Rye’s ever-changing form.
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