Retrospective: These Were The Best Metal Albums Of 2023!

A year, numerous new albums. But which ones were the best? We list ten records that really excited the community this year!

There's always that one album that you just can't stop listening to from the moment of its release. And this year, there were many candidates for that. Not so easy to choose your top favorite albums! That's why it's once again become a whole list. We've chosen ten of the strongest albums of 2023 - knowing that there was still a lot more good music to listen to. Is your favorite also included?

Metallica - 72 Seasons

Since 2016, there hasn't been a Metallica album! So it was about time, and the album 72 Seasons hit the mark with Metallica fans. If you haven't heard the new songs from the iconic thrash metal band yet, be sure to check out the official live recordings on YouTube. Songs like "Lux Æterna" or the title track are perfect for a first impression. For those who have been celebrating the album for months; keep on listening!

Image: 72 Seasons Album Cover

Sleep Token - Take Me Back To Eden

This record not only blew away existing Sleep Token fans, but also brought them a huge new following! Take Me Back To Eden has quickly become a favorite of the entire metal community. Sleep Token is no longer a well-kept secret. The songs are perfect for an epic live atmosphere, as the British band recently proved at their concerts. Mysterious, calm and profound, then loud again - Sleep Token are truly themselves on the tracklist. In this case, it's best to listen from the first to the last song!

Image: Take Me Back To Eden Album Cover

In Flames - Foregone

With Foregone, In Flames finally released another studio album this year. Twelve tracks that have been praised by some critics as the band's best album yet. "Meet Your Maker" is definitely up there, as is "Foregone, Pt. 2". With this record, they return to their roots and deliver several metal hits that get stuck in your head!

Image: Foregone Album Cover

Blink-182 - One More Time…

If there was any band that really made it exciting this year with their release date, it was Blink-182. But the wait for One More Time… was really worth it, especially thanks to the reunion with Tom DeLonge! The musicians are now back together on stage and celebrating the new album with their fans.

Image: One More Time… Album Cover

The Amity Affliction - Not Without My Ghosts

The songs from this record really were in every metalcore playlist this year. Not Without My Ghosts by The Amity Affliction has only been out since May - but it already feels like it's been out longer, doesn't it? The tracks are just already stuck in your head. What are your personal favorites? "It’s Hell Down Here", "Show Me Your God" or "I See Dead People"?

Image: Not Without My Ghosts Album Cover 

Polaris - Fatalism

Tragically, Ryan Siew, the guitarist of Polaris, passed away in June at the young age of 26. He can still be heard on the guitar on the album Fatalism, which was released in September. Another top album from this year. We wish Polaris much strength for the coming year and all the best!

Image: Fatalism Album Cover

Dying Wish - Symptoms Of Survival

Following the strong predecessor Fragments of a Bitter Memory from 2021, this year sees the release of the new album by Dying Wish! Symptoms Of Survival has been extremely well received in the community. The hard sound of the young band from the USA (founded in 2016) combined with the clean passages of singer Emma Boster is simply fun!

Image: Symptoms of Survival Album Cover

Beartooth - The Surface

The Surface expands Beartooth's discography with their fifth studio album! And even though Aggressive and Disease have already delivered real hits; now there's new material for your playlist. "Riptide" definitely should not be missed, but everything from the pink core record deserves to be listened to on repeat.

Image: The Surface Album Cover

Currents - The Death We Seek

While we're at it, we must also mention Currents with their new album The Death We Seek. Hard-hitting metalcore vibes with wonderfully melodic passages. "Remember Me" is a great song for anyone who hasn't really had Currents on their radar yet!

Image: The Death We Seek Album Cover

Thy Art Is Murder - Godlike

And to finish with a real banger, here's Godlike by Thy Art Is Murder. The album was recorded with their new vocalist Tyler Miller right away and he really delivered. After parting ways with his predecessor CJ McMahon, live shows were also continued with Miller. So there's still the full deathcore onslaught!

Image: Godlike Album Cover