Best Metal Albums 2023

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  • Опубліковано 20 чер 2024
  • Best Metal Albums of 2023!
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,4 тис.

  • @NikNocturnal
    @NikNocturnal  5 місяців тому +603

    Smash like for my poser taste, hate on my choices below

    • @chidbro23
      @chidbro23 5 місяців тому +1

      bet

    • @nicholasblessing1907
      @nicholasblessing1907 5 місяців тому +37

      Bruh, where is Polaris tf!?

    • @majabyss4957
      @majabyss4957 5 місяців тому +13

      No Orbit Culture 😢

    • @liamblack4840
      @liamblack4840 5 місяців тому +1

      Nik you gotta check out Aviations. They’re basically modern Dream Theater. Their new album is sick but especially their song Outliers is beautiful.

    • @aryawisnu7236
      @aryawisnu7236 5 місяців тому

      Nah you good nik

  • @kratka2073
    @kratka2073 5 місяців тому +302

    Didn't expect Cattle Decap in your top 10, fantastic album! Also periphery V is sick

    • @StarlordStavanger
      @StarlordStavanger 5 місяців тому +3

      Peri was pretty boring I barely played it

    • @MRFLAPPYTREE
      @MRFLAPPYTREE 5 місяців тому +25

      ​@@StarlordStavanger ive never seen such a bad opinion but yet here we are

    • @thecasiorobinson
      @thecasiorobinson 5 місяців тому

      @@MRFLAPPYTREE LMFAO FRL

    • @KozakuraRabbit
      @KozakuraRabbit 5 місяців тому

      What was the song he was playing for that section?

    • @Someguyy867
      @Someguyy867 5 місяців тому +2

      @@KozakuraRabbitScourge of the Offspring I believe.

  • @cameront4729
    @cameront4729 5 місяців тому +312

    TesseracT's War of Being definitely is at the top of my list. Just production perfection.

    • @whoneedsdefenseanyways4418
      @whoneedsdefenseanyways4418 5 місяців тому +5

      Great album!

    • @SHARKIETVPrime
      @SHARKIETVPrime 5 місяців тому +13

      My AOTY

    • @michaeljohnston8891
      @michaeljohnston8891 5 місяців тому +4

      Definitely should’ve made the list. I thought the production was a little weird tho. The guitars are some of the most “natural sounding” Tesseract has made, but while they sound colossal on songs like War of Being and The Grey, they sit really low in the mix on other songs like Natural Disaster. When that song started playing, I honestly thought they were using a high pass filter before they brought back the same riff, but chunkier

    • @spenserphoenix
      @spenserphoenix 5 місяців тому +3

      I love tesseract but I found it to be their most stale record in their discography. No tracks or even really any moments that made me want to listen a second time whereas I've listened to their other stuff so many times and keep going back.

    • @Duck_Sevendust
      @Duck_Sevendust 5 місяців тому +1

      Spotify messed up on the volume

  • @Metabulation
    @Metabulation 5 місяців тому +261

    That #1 was unexpected, well deserved, and a gentleman's hat off for Buster working his ass off. It's a masterpiece of inhuman heaviness, and the scene should take notes.

    • @jmanredbull1
      @jmanredbull1 5 місяців тому +8

      yeah once he got to top 5, I was surely expecting it to just not be on the list, cause I know it's not for everyone despite it being my most played and favorite of the year, but seeing it #1 was quite mind blowing though with Terrasite on the list ig I should've expected HLB to also be on the list as well

    • @SlothoftheSun
      @SlothoftheSun 5 місяців тому +3

      Such a massive album and Nick's top 2 I agree with.
      I didn't really think anything would top Sleep Token for me and then Ashen hit and OH BOY

    • @jodydaugherty2644
      @jodydaugherty2644 5 місяців тому +1

      Seeing Humanity's Last Breath get some love made me so happy. There are so many people hating on them, and I just don't get it. Makes me wonder if we are listening to the same album. It wasn't my number one, but it was very high up there and it deserves all of the love that it gets

  • @mobilestew9294
    @mobilestew9294 5 місяців тому +147

    Polaris - fatalism was the best for me this year. KILLER riffs and basically every song is great.

    • @christiangee2582
      @christiangee2582 5 місяців тому +8

      I'm surprised Polaris wasn't in top 5

    • @David-tn9iu
      @David-tn9iu 5 місяців тому +1

      I agree, the album is sick!

    • @bales1569
      @bales1569 4 місяці тому +2

      @@christiangee2582 he didnt even mention it 😢

  • @metroidhunter965
    @metroidhunter965 5 місяців тому +46

    No love for Orbit Culture?
    Disappointed, Nik
    They dropped both an LP (Descent) and an EP (The Forgotten) this year. They cannot miss. Like, it’s impossible for them to.

    • @FNSi
      @FNSi 5 місяців тому +10

      They are good af

  • @NicBrandon
    @NicBrandon 5 місяців тому +186

    My top ten:
    1. Invent Animate - Heavener
    2. Unprocessed - …And Everything in Between
    3. Sleep Token - Take Me Back to Eden
    4. Atena - Subway Anthem
    5. Silent Planet - Superbloom
    6. Holding Absence - The Noble Art of Self Destruction
    7. Currents - The Death We Seek
    8. Polaris - Fatalism
    9. Resolve - Human
    10. Of Mice and Men - Tether (unpopular opinion it seems, but I really liked this)

    • @AutomaticDuck300
      @AutomaticDuck300 5 місяців тому +1

      Tether was pretty much the same as Echo. That’s why nobody really likes it.

    • @itwasntme300
      @itwasntme300 5 місяців тому +3

      the death we seek ❤

    • @Kenjames10
      @Kenjames10 5 місяців тому +1

      Tether was fantastic. It's not the heaviest shit ever but it's very beautiful.

    • @NicBrandon
      @NicBrandon 5 місяців тому

      @@AutomaticDuck300 it’s a bit softer and more atmospheric, and I think it complements Echo pretty well. The production is identical, though.

    • @NicBrandon
      @NicBrandon 5 місяців тому +1

      @@Kenjames10 real

  • @billkatsanakis7327
    @billkatsanakis7327 5 місяців тому +213

    Honourable Mentions
    - Orbit Culture - Descent. OMG I have been listening to that album the whole year. Niklas is a beast.
    - Polaris - Fatalism. There are no words to describe that album. R.I.P. Ryan🙏

    • @courtneyurman
      @courtneyurman 5 місяців тому +5

      My first thought was Descent. So good. 🤘

    • @dravenripley9468
      @dravenripley9468 5 місяців тому

      Decent was 2022 but their 2023 EP definitely should have been mentioned. Orbit Culture can be very simple yet something about them you immediately know its Orbit Culture playing.

    • @connora3145
      @connora3145 5 місяців тому +5

      Descent was 2023

    • @billkatsanakis7327
      @billkatsanakis7327 5 місяців тому

      @@dravenripley9468 Descent was released this summer

    • @damonfernandes594
      @damonfernandes594 5 місяців тому +6

      Fatalism should’ve made this list

  • @harrybaggins666
    @harrybaggins666 5 місяців тому +79

    Thank you for putting Sylosis on here. They deserve more shine

  • @DeanTheDevil
    @DeanTheDevil 5 місяців тому +83

    My favorite album was by far was The Amity Affliction - Not Without My Ghosts
    Not just because they are my favorite band, but with now 8 albums under their belt, they still made an ablum that is one of their best. Its in the top three of all Amity ablums for me.

    • @thelittleowl1
      @thelittleowl1 5 місяців тому +2

      honestly probs my second fav.

    • @thechickennuggetoffate9139
      @thechickennuggetoffate9139 5 місяців тому +4

      REAL! Imo their best so far, its so insane to see them reinvent themselves so much on this one, and they leveled up the production! Also I saw them live a few weeks back and they were AMAZING! :)

    • @DeanTheDevil
      @DeanTheDevil 5 місяців тому

      @@thechickennuggetoffate9139 They are so good live. Joel seems to just get better with age. I saw them when they went on tour with Parkway, North Lane, and MTS. All the new songs sounded amazing live

    • @deadshotdaiquiri2734
      @deadshotdaiquiri2734 5 місяців тому +1

      I agree. It holds 2 for me right behind chasing ghosts

    • @DeanTheDevil
      @DeanTheDevil 5 місяців тому +1

      @@deadshotdaiquiri2734 My personal top 3 is 1)TCBHB 2)Not Without My Ghost 3) Let The Ocean Take Me. Chasing Ghost is a close 4th

  • @TheTlMEWARP
    @TheTlMEWARP 5 місяців тому +107

    What an amazing year of metal! Polaris earned a spot on my list.

  • @MadisonM1996
    @MadisonM1996 5 місяців тому +15

    That In Flames album made me so happy. It was great to hear the return of that classic In Flames sound

  • @lospollosh
    @lospollosh 5 місяців тому +43

    Exul by Ne Obliviscaris was not only my favorite metal album of the year, but my favorite album of the year. The combination of blackened death metal and classical music with the violin is just so, so good. It’s a vibe I have been missing since Opeth switched styles and I am so glad another band has picked up the reins of making amazing progressive death metal.

    • @alexistaylor9092
      @alexistaylor9092 5 місяців тому +1

      Completely agree

    • @orangejews150
      @orangejews150 5 місяців тому +3

      Ne obliviscaris is highly underrated

    • @loffre4494
      @loffre4494 5 місяців тому +1

      FUCK YES NE OBLIVISCARIS RECOGNITION

  • @xfrixor_2132
    @xfrixor_2132 5 місяців тому +94

    My album of the year is Zwielicht by Mental Cruelty. From start to finish a flawless album, kinda feels like Lorna Shore but at times more melodic, at times more Black Metal influenced. My two favourite songs of the album arent even singles.

    • @laceratedlullaby
      @laceratedlullaby 5 місяців тому +1

      Mortal Shells and A Tale of Salt and Light👀

    • @whosthatpanda7935
      @whosthatpanda7935 5 місяців тому +3

      The way the vocal melody of the folksong in Zwielicht transitions into the main riff in Symphony of a Dying Star drives me FERAL every time, easily top 5 aoty for me even if irs nowhere near my most streamed.

    • @nitroflux_o1040
      @nitroflux_o1040 5 місяців тому

      Absolutely, fantastic album 😊

    • @Lotusdreams
      @Lotusdreams 5 місяців тому

      I second this, unexpected but undeniable. That album alone made it my most heard on Spotify

    • @ZIMBO37333
      @ZIMBO37333 5 місяців тому +1

      I truly don't know why it doesn't go as viral as lorna shore.

  • @syn-1273
    @syn-1273 5 місяців тому +6

    Life is but a Dream !!!

  • @michaeljohnston8891
    @michaeljohnston8891 5 місяців тому +70

    Considering the two people who wrote “Ashen” are also helping to write the next Vildhjarta record, I think next year’s AOTY is already a safe bet

    • @yassineaarras8570
      @yassineaarras8570 5 місяців тому +10

      the 3 singles we got until now from Vildhjarta have already given a guarantee for next year's AOTY

    • @pligman1
      @pligman1 5 місяців тому

      Who is AOTY?

    • @brewmeistermeisterbrewer6222
      @brewmeistermeisterbrewer6222 5 місяців тому +1

      @@pligman1it’s an acronym for Album Of The Year

    • @Aoichanpiano
      @Aoichanpiano 5 місяців тому

      i don’t think Buster writes anything for vildhjarta. vildhjarta happened to want to use his teaser though, it’s the first time Busters guitar work was on vild. buster said so himself, he doesn’t write anything for vildhjarta

    • @michaeljohnston8891
      @michaeljohnston8891 5 місяців тому +3

      @@Aoichanpiano I know he said that at first, but his drumming with them on their last three singles in particular has gotten so good that I can’t help but think he’s at least contributing on that front. The dude just farts out music like it’s nothing, he probably can’t help himself

  • @SethonMeth6344
    @SethonMeth6344 5 місяців тому +20

    Death Below by August Burns Red and The Burden Ov Faith by Ov Sulfur deserved to be mentioned. Both of these albums have some of the best features of the year.

  • @richardblanchette7914
    @richardblanchette7914 5 місяців тому +14

    It’s always what’s Nik doing and never HOW is Nik doing! Hope you’re doing well and have an amazing new year. Thank you for blessing us with the best metal content there is!

  • @authormichellefranklin
    @authormichellefranklin 5 місяців тому +82

    Superbloom is a masterpiece. My first Silent Planet album and it shattered me. Spiritbox' EP is their best thus far. I felt the same with BlackBriar's Dark Euphony and Within Temptation's Bleed Out. Thank you for the introduction to Invent Animate! Surprised you didn't mention Tesseract or Earthside, but there was so much great music this year!

    • @StarlordStavanger
      @StarlordStavanger 5 місяців тому +6

      Superbloom is silent planets weakest album but I mean that in like the best way possible

    • @authormichellefranklin
      @authormichellefranklin 5 місяців тому +3

      @@StarlordStavanger I hear that. This was my first time hearing them, so I'll check out their earlier stuff for sure.

    • @Bugga-Ray-Dudley
      @Bugga-Ray-Dudley 5 місяців тому +1

      Their last album before Superbloom was like my AOTY. I enjoyed Superbloom but the album before so much better imo

    • @Moltrosity
      @Moltrosity 5 місяців тому +3

      Bleed Out was so damn good, chunky metalcore riffs mixed with her vocals? OOSH! Perfection

    • @authormichellefranklin
      @authormichellefranklin 5 місяців тому +1

      @@Moltrosity It really is. I love their new sound!

  • @lucapistellato3498
    @lucapistellato3498 5 місяців тому +3

    I love this type of videos because during the year i don't have enough time to keep up with the new releases so i use videos like this to have a recup and suggestions to what is worth checking out

  • @maximbeliy
    @maximbeliy 5 місяців тому +14

    Nic, I was honestly NOT expecting an HLB album as #1 from YOU! And I intended to mention it here in the comments. You really got me in the mood, by giving it the 1st place! I share your opinion. This is a masterpiece.

  • @yepididitagain..d1836
    @yepididitagain..d1836 5 місяців тому +6

    Burry Tomorrow's The Seventh Sun wasn't too bad and would make my top 15, but I am really happy with the selections! Can't wait to check out some of the bands I havent had a chance to check out from this video!!!

  • @adrienBTB
    @adrienBTB 5 місяців тому +4

    Super happy to see Cattle Decap on here! I first listened to them with this album and it rules. Would have love to see some Entheos and The Zenith Passage tho, both on my top 10. Also really like how unexpected you're number 1 is, (personally was super let down by the record) cool to see and confirmed that Vildhjarta next year (please) is going to top everyone's lists.

  • @Hexand
    @Hexand 5 місяців тому +35

    Thank you, HLB definitely deserves it. It's been on repeat since the release. They've touch something beyond the "thall sound"

  • @SamuelStudios
    @SamuelStudios 5 місяців тому +26

    My top ten:
    August Burns Red - Death Below
    The Ongoing Concept - Again
    Unprocessed - …And Everything in Between
    Johnny Booth - Moments Elsewhere
    '68 - Yes and…
    Unearth - The Wretched;The Ruinous
    Dying Wish - Symptoms of Survival
    Orbit Culture - Descent
    Silent Planet - SUPERBLOOM
    Invent Animate - Heavener

    • @OWA_Freerunning
      @OWA_Freerunning 5 місяців тому +3

      Bro, Unprocesseds last album is so good, kinda bummed to not see it in this video. Its fresh, technical, mellodic, and heavy in ways that are no common at all.

    • @SamuelStudios
      @SamuelStudios 5 місяців тому +1

      @@OWA_Freerunning i feellike my list made this obvious, but i really enjoy when bands take metalcore in totally unique directions i've never heard before. I can hear what the influences are on unprocesseds new album, but they are combined in a way that creates a totally new and unique sound. They also managed to make heavier music than like 90% of the metalcore scene with acoustic guitars lmao.

    • @AM-ko4pi
      @AM-ko4pi 5 місяців тому +1

      I discovered Orbit Culture this year and wow, what a band. Their latest EP is perfect too.

    • @SamuelStudios
      @SamuelStudios 5 місяців тому +1

      @@AM-ko4pi yeah some of the tracks on the newest ep are better than the ones on the album tbh. if you haven't given their shaman ep a listen yet i would heavily reccommend it as i would consider it their best work

    • @AM-ko4pi
      @AM-ko4pi 5 місяців тому +1

      @@SamuelStudios on it. Thanks for the recommendation bro

  • @anothersettlementneedsyour9628
    @anothersettlementneedsyour9628 5 місяців тому +11

    Humanity’s Last Breath was the first really heavy band I got into, so I’m glad to see them being mentioned here.

  • @shura_screams
    @shura_screams 5 місяців тому +19

    Terrasite is my fav record from this year. Travis is just an absolute beast of a vocalist. And it's also the first album I heard from them.

    • @thefiveoceans1902
      @thefiveoceans1902 5 місяців тому +1

      100%, a banger album cover to cover. So happy he finally brought up these absolute legends of metal who have been doing this for decades now.

  • @itsyaboix5091
    @itsyaboix5091 5 місяців тому +35

    Periphery V is definitely in my top 5. I find myself listening to songs from it literally multiple times every single day since i first gave it a listen. Fantastic album and Wax Wings is a FANTASTIC song.

    • @flataffect
      @flataffect 5 місяців тому

      Wax wings is a definite 10/10

  • @robbymoore5338
    @robbymoore5338 5 місяців тому +1

    Great list! Made me realize that I need to go back and give some of these another listen. ST is my #1 for sure but HLB is in my top 10 too.

  • @MannyHaarp
    @MannyHaarp 5 місяців тому +133

    That #1 really took me by surprise and I'm all for it. This band is so underrated. Been listening to them since their self titled and they never disappoint.
    I'm a bit surprised Polaris wasn't mentioned. It's such an amazing album.

    • @sandsh8rk
      @sandsh8rk 5 місяців тому +7

      I'm surprised at the absence of Polaris too, although I'm sure it wouldn't be too far off Nik's Top 15!

    • @AutomaticDuck300
      @AutomaticDuck300 5 місяців тому +8

      I’m offended at the lack of August Burns Red

    • @MJistheway
      @MJistheway 5 місяців тому +3

      @@AutomaticDuck300 It was a good album but ABR puts out at least one album a year so kind of suffering from success there

    • @Metabulation
      @Metabulation 5 місяців тому +4

      #1 has my bow 🏹

  • @claytonvines4528
    @claytonvines4528 5 місяців тому +21

    So glad Sylosis made it. That album could've used some cool features I think, but it was an epic album.

  • @patrickpreis3683
    @patrickpreis3683 5 місяців тому +8

    Nice list Nik, though I was a bit surprised you left of Tesseract and Polaris. War of being was a surefire top 3/5 album for me personally and Fatalism would be in my top10.
    Unprocessed record also underrated imo ❤

  • @bb-om2vr
    @bb-om2vr 5 місяців тому +3

    INCREMATE - "Unexposed" - nice Old School Death/Thrash Metal from Germany 🤘

  • @satujodasrivathsav3050
    @satujodasrivathsav3050 5 місяців тому +43

    I m just glad metal creators like you still keep the grind going. Really appreciate my man. 🤘

    • @zaxZk
      @zaxZk 5 місяців тому

      Glam metal?

  • @godwings101
    @godwings101 5 місяців тому +5

    Surprised but happy to see Sylosis included and at such a high number. One of my favorite bands that has been consistent throughout the last like 10-15 years I've listened to them.

  • @tomasaguiar8482
    @tomasaguiar8482 5 місяців тому +2

    I'm so happy you included Johnny Booth and Dying Wish! These bands are so sick, thank you Nik for promoting them!

  • @Axtrum_
    @Axtrum_ 5 місяців тому +8

    I think my biggest 2 that weren't on here but deserved to be is Polaris and Amity Affliction. Also special mention to a band that dropped my favorite debut album Dark Divine!

  • @fittplogen284
    @fittplogen284 5 місяців тому +7

    Great picks! Gave me a great list of stuff to check out. HLB #1 made me happy

    • @Metabulation
      @Metabulation 5 місяців тому +1

      Yeah, agreed 👍 HLB on top literally made my day :D

  • @mawrell6394
    @mawrell6394 5 місяців тому +17

    Orbit Culture deserves a spot here. FYI. Releasing bangers non stop.

    • @gavinbrown7336
      @gavinbrown7336 5 місяців тому

      Yep, Descent is a great album. I'm going to see them live in February.

  • @Kotsoros37
    @Kotsoros37 5 місяців тому +1

    Awesome list! If you ever wanna try other really good modern hardcore influence death metal definitely worth checking out Frozen Soul, Sanguisugabogg, and Fuming Mouth. My favorite from your list for me might have been Sylosis or Invent/Animate and Currents, but such amazing albums this year. Some others I can think of are Code Orange, Gideon and Graphic Nature

  • @bendooley550
    @bendooley550 5 місяців тому +1

    Been listening to cattle decap since monolith and they never disappoint. Glad you found them as well. You can hear the evolution over each of their albums from just constantly intense to introducing "cleaner" vocals to what it is now with melodic and almost beautiful sections on genuinely brutal tracks. Not a bad album in their discography IMO.

  • @ErikTsao
    @ErikTsao 5 місяців тому +6

    The albums I've been listening to a lot are the new ones by Dodheimsgard, "Black Medium Current" (black metal), Apocalypse (written in Greek letters) by Trespasser (more black metal), and "War Remains" by Enforced (which is present day crossover thrash). I've listened to all three of those albums multiple times over the past couple of weeks.

  • @scottiematthews5932
    @scottiematthews5932 5 місяців тому +4

    Thank you for the list fam 🤘
    My top 15 metal albums:
    1. In Flames - Foregone
    2. Obituary - Dying of Everything
    3. Orbit Culture - Descent
    4. Sylosis - A Sign of Things To Come
    5. Moonlight Sorcery - Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle
    6. Bury Tomorrow - The Seventh Sun
    7. War of Ages - Dominion
    8. Cannibal Corpse - Chaos Horrific
    9. Scar Symmetry - The Singularity (Phase II - Xenotaph)
    10. Insomnium - 1696 Anno
    11. Sevendust - Truth Killer
    12. Spirit Adrift - Ghost At the Gallows
    13. Hellripper - Warlock Grim and Withered Hags
    14. Project 86 - Omni Pt. 1
    15. Currents - The Death We Seek

  • @nav_osu3748
    @nav_osu3748 5 місяців тому +7

    My favorite album this year has to be Exul from Ne Obliviscaris. Progressive metal done to perfection by the Aussie legends

  • @danielvykysaly1708
    @danielvykysaly1708 5 місяців тому +12

    My favourite album of the year is Zwielicht by Mental Cruelty, listening to the whole album is just such an epic experience.

  • @jimmygott
    @jimmygott 5 місяців тому +20

    Beartooth - The Surface. Criminally underrated they went a bit more into heavy rock but damn that album has soothed my soul and built up my confidence so much. TesseracT - War of Being another one too that just deals with emotions whilst being djenty as hell absolute banger of an album.

  • @mo5885
    @mo5885 5 місяців тому +8

    Bury Tomorrow - The Seventh Sun
    Best metal album this year for me

    • @teddyk4361
      @teddyk4361 5 місяців тому +3

      Same

    • @198clm
      @198clm 5 місяців тому +3

      Yeah I agree and it doesn’t seem to get mentioned much

  • @davidesilva716
    @davidesilva716 5 місяців тому +2

    My personal top 25 and honourable Mentions:
    1 Sleep Token - Take Me Back To Eden
    2 Caroline Polachek - Desire, I Want To Turn Into You
    3 Tesseract - War Of Being
    4 Night Verses - Every Sound Has A Colour In the Valley of night Pt1
    5 Jackub Zytecki - Remind Me
    6 Frostbitt - MACHINE DESTROY
    7 Silent Planet - Superbloom
    8 Invent Animate - Heavener
    9 Everything But The Girl - Fuse
    10 Currents - The death we seek
    11 Karmanjakah - Ancient Skills
    12 The Zenith Passage - Datalysium
    13 ††† (Crosses) - Goodnight, God Bless, I Love U, Delete.
    14 Blank Banshee - 4D
    15 Violet Cold - Multiverse
    16 Sentinels - In Limbo
    17 Periphery - Djent is not a genre
    18 Carnifex - Necromanteum
    19 Strange Ranger - Pure Music
    20 Enslaved - Heimdal
    21 Haken - Fauna
    22 Humanity's last breath - Ashen
    23 Hubris. - The One Above
    24 Cryptopsy - As Gomorrah Burns
    25 Inherits The Void - The impending Falls of the stars
    Honorable Mentions:
    26 Dying Fetus - Make the beg for death
    27 Catsclaw - Human Fission
    28 Graphic Nature - A Mind Waiting To Die
    29 Sarmat - Dubious Disk
    30 The Callous Daoboys - God Smiles Upon the Callous Daoboys
    31 Afterbirth - In But not of
    32 Veil Of Maya - [m]other
    33 Unprocessed - ...and Everything in between
    34 Filmmaker - Eidetic
    34 Zulu - A New Tomorrow
    36 Alfa mist - Variables
    37 Venera - Venera
    38 Nightmarer - Deformity Adrift

  • @mitchellcambron2440
    @mitchellcambron2440 5 місяців тому +5

    Way to give in flames the much deserved love! Seen them live 3 times this year and they blew me away every time. They are on fire right now!

  • @harryprice9132
    @harryprice9132 5 місяців тому +11

    Feel like august burns red album was really overlooked this year
    My no.1 of the year
    And I think is quite possibly their best album
    Cohesive, progressive, outstanding features and just all round so good

    • @_exttt
      @_exttt 5 місяців тому +3

      hard agree, only album I ever actually just sit down and listen front to back. guess the lack of stand out singles and the early release made people forget :(

    • @jlandejr
      @jlandejr 5 місяців тому +1

      it's absolutely nuts, i just saw them for their 10 year R&R tour and completely forgot they released an album - there were just TOO many good albums that came out in 2023, which is definitely a good thing

  • @angusduncan7231
    @angusduncan7231 5 місяців тому +3

    Some excellent picks there (great to see Johnny Booth in the mix). I’d throw in the following as well (in no particular order):
    URNE - A Feast on Sorrow
    Svalbard - The Weight of the Mask
    Tomb Mold - The Enduring Spirit
    Orbit Culture - Descent
    Chamber - A Love to Kill For
    Burner - It All Returns To Nothing
    Mutoid Man - Mutants
    Pupil Slicer - Blossom
    Sermon - Of Golden Verse
    Unearth - The Wretched; The Ruinous
    Bloody great year for metal! Roll on 2024! 🤘🏻

  • @lost.guitar
    @lost.guitar 5 місяців тому

    Although it's not super heavy, I absolutely loved Tether by Of Mice & Men. And of course Sleep Token and Veil Of Maya. Such a good year of music and so many great videos Nik, really enjoyed it🤘🏻🎸

  • @owen2877
    @owen2877 5 місяців тому +6

    Completely agree with the top pick. Absolutely RIDICULOUSLY good album, one of the heaviest albums of all time, and it came out of nowhere for me personally, had never heard of HLB before it came out, and I'm a huge fan now because of it.
    Btw, sad not to see Heritage by distant on the list, but it is what it is

  • @underoathtf
    @underoathtf 5 місяців тому +3

    Cattle is sick !

  • @fegsterr
    @fegsterr 5 місяців тому +7

    Huge respect for the HLB pick Nik. I just assumed the obvious would be #1 but I do agree with your choice. Utterly perfect album imo - been on repeat since release

  • @stevenwest7169
    @stevenwest7169 5 місяців тому

    I’m seeing Invent Animate, for the first time, in March with Beartooth, The Plot In You and Sleep Theory, and I’m looking for songs to give me an idea of what to keep my ears open for. Happy New Year!

  • @imtikharkongor
    @imtikharkongor 5 місяців тому

    Decent list Nik.. it’s looked like it was a good year for metal overall.. n if I have to put something from my list, it would be ‘The Zenith Passage - Datalysium’

  • @gamertrash14
    @gamertrash14 5 місяців тому +9

    if polaris isnt here im gonna riot

    • @tomk8350
      @tomk8350 5 місяців тому

      You might be disappointed.

    • @Fooly43
      @Fooly43 5 місяців тому

      We rioting

  • @fathertheodore1345
    @fathertheodore1345 5 місяців тому +14

    Take Me Back to Eden was my #1 album of the year. Sleep Token took over my Spotify basically, 30/100 of my top 100 songs were Sleep Token top 5 being: "The Summoning", "Take Me Back to Eden", Aqua Regia", "Ascensionism" and "Chokehold". They were my #1 artist behind $uicideboy$, Dance Gavin Dance, Spiritbox and Hail The Sun in that order. They were a new find and they took over 10/10.

    • @GoranAbraxas
      @GoranAbraxas 5 місяців тому +2

      The same thing happened to me. Though I did listen to This Place Will Become Your Tomb in 2021 and thought it was great, there was something missing. And then Take Me Back to Eden just put me in a chokehold. I think it was my most listened-to album from May till the end of October when it finally released me, sort of.

  • @steelscarecrow8491
    @steelscarecrow8491 5 місяців тому +2

    My favs are:
    10. Termina - Soul Elegy
    9. ten56. - Downer
    8. Sleep Token - TMBTE
    7. Cattle Decap - Terrasite
    6. Ov Sulfur - TBOF
    5. Distant - Heritage
    4. 3TEETH - EndEx
    3. Mental Cruelty - Zwielicht
    2. HLB - Ashen
    1. To The Grave - Director's Cuts
    I'd also shoutout the EPs:
    5. To The Grave - Offcuts
    4. Orphan - M1:SOG
    3. Brand Of Sacrifice - BDAD
    2. Larcenia Roe - Dereliction
    1. Worm Shepherd - The Sleeping Sun

  • @OrinSorinson
    @OrinSorinson 5 місяців тому +2

    I've listened to a few of these and Sleep Token doesn't really do anything for me, but Terrasite, man, I've listened to that album at least a couple of times every week, since it came out. Death Atlas and Terrasite have been some of my favorite albums in the last couple of years.
    Cattle Decap and Archspire, these are two bands where I'm actually waiting for the next album like I haven't done in a long time.

  • @Natan.Barros
    @Natan.Barros 5 місяців тому +5

    I actually loved the Chelsea Grin album
    It's kind of weird to rank it because it's the second part of one project and the first one was better, but I would put it up there, I def listened to it A LOT

  • @Duck_Sevendust
    @Duck_Sevendust 5 місяців тому +3

    My top 10
    1. Earthside - Let the Truth Speak
    2. Termina - Soul Elegy
    3. Invent Animate - Heavener
    4. Sleep Token - Take me back to Eden
    5. Sevendust - Truth Killer
    6. Red - Rated R
    7. Polaris- Fatalism
    8. The Amity Affliction - Not Without My Ghost
    9. Currents - The Death We Seek
    10. Silent Planet - Superbloom
    Honorable mentions - Staind, Voyager, Periphery, August Burns Red, In Flames, Humanity Last Breath, Veil of Maya, Born Through Fire,Sylosis

    • @notspidle
      @notspidle 5 місяців тому

      This Earthside album is beyond amazing, didnt even heard of these guys before listening to Let the Truth Speak and it got straight to my favorites

    • @samuelolaoye1252
      @samuelolaoye1252 5 місяців тому

      I was shocked Nik nocturnal didn't put sevendust truth killer that album was amazing

    • @Duck_Sevendust
      @Duck_Sevendust 5 місяців тому

      @@samuelolaoye1252 he nominated it for the nik nocturnal awards, if he did a top 40 list it would've been on there lolol

  • @hpviolaguy
    @hpviolaguy 5 місяців тому

    Funny thing I discovered In Flames with your covers of their songs in 2019 I think for the previous album and I really love this album, but the new one surely got me more into In Flames

  • @kimeklund8880
    @kimeklund8880 5 місяців тому +1

    Album
    HLB - Ashen
    Violet Cold - Multiverse
    ten56 - downer 1 and 2
    EP
    Falaise - After all this time
    Karmanjakah - Ancient Skills
    Catsclaw - Human Fisson
    Song
    Vildhjarta - kristallfågel
    HLB - Instill
    Karmanjakah - flying

  • @trialbyicecream
    @trialbyicecream 5 місяців тому +5

    My top 10 includes albums from other years that I discovered this year. I know a lot of you in the comments wait for my list every year, so I hope this change is ok.
    1. Thantifaxaath - hive mind narcosis
    2. The sawtooth grin - good
    3. Pupil slicer- blossom
    4. Alon Tamir- the oak and the secret
    5. The zenith passage- datalysium
    6. Gridlink - coronet juniper
    7. Destrage - SO MUCH. too much.
    8. Temic- terror management theory
    8. The wiggles - anything OG wiggles gets my kids dancing.
    9. Fred penner- the cat came back
    10. Bluey has some pretty great music too. My kids love dance mode.

  • @sandsh8rk
    @sandsh8rk 5 місяців тому +6

    Cue the elitists saying "bUt SlEeP tOkEn IsNt MeTaL!"
    Great list Nik, minus the absence of Polaris ahaha! If you haven't seen Cattle Decapitation live yet I would highly recommend you do, they are absolutely brutal!

    • @KozakuraRabbit
      @KozakuraRabbit 5 місяців тому +1

      Sleep Token is a blend of many genres, metal being one of them.

    • @jetthejudge
      @jetthejudge 5 місяців тому

      correct

  • @kornelparoczai1763
    @kornelparoczai1763 5 місяців тому +2

    Great list tbh. I would have put War of Being into the top 5 somewhere, but it's a very well put together list

  • @djritm3215
    @djritm3215 5 місяців тому +1

    Forgot to add Dying Fetus-Make Them Beg For Death. “Unbridled Fury” for example ticks all the boxes you listed, heavy, groovy, and as always tuned 1 1/2 steps down.

  • @liamblack4840
    @liamblack4840 5 місяців тому +16

    Honestly my top albums were Periphery V, Aviations - Luminaria (basically modern Dream Theater Nik you’d love them) and Humanity’s Last Breath - ASHEN.

    • @henrywalton5967
      @henrywalton5967 5 місяців тому +1

      Aviation's was decent. Bit like Haken & Caligula's Horse

    • @ryancozzolino7832
      @ryancozzolino7832 5 місяців тому +2

      I enjoy your taste.

    • @Ophio117
      @Ophio117 5 місяців тому +1

      Thanks for the aviations recommendation! Haven’t heard of them, digging it

    • @liamblack4840
      @liamblack4840 5 місяців тому +1

      @@Ophio117no problem, super glad you like them! The production and music videos are awesome too.

    • @liamblack4840
      @liamblack4840 5 місяців тому

      @@henrywalton5967Haken’s album was a top 5 for me this year, Aviations are a bit similar to them definitely

  • @samucross
    @samucross 5 місяців тому +3

    Seeing HEAVENSGATE get mentioned makes me happy. That EP was my personal favorite and was just so fucking good. As for albums, my top 10 are:
    1. Invent Animate - Heavener
    2. Sleep Token - Take Me Back to Eden
    3. Silent Planet - Superbloom
    4. Tapestry - The Pain You Desire, the Love You Deserve (not metalcore)
    5. Unprocessed - ...And Everything In Between
    6. TesseracT - War of Being
    7. Currents - The Death We Seek
    8. Polaris - Fatalism
    9. Holding Absence - The Noble Art of Self Destruction
    10. Termina - Soul Elegy

  • @MPapeleu
    @MPapeleu 5 місяців тому +2

    I'm so happy to see more people enjoyed Ashen as much as I did. Great pick, it's my #1 as well

  • @atzmetal6
    @atzmetal6 5 місяців тому +2

    My top 10 albums for me are
    1. Born Through Fire- Purify and Refine
    2. Shepherds Reign- Ala Mai
    3. Unearth- The Wretched; The Ruinous
    4. Orbit Culture- Descent
    5. My Favourite Nemesis- Eidolon
    6. Graphic Nature- A Mind Waiting to Die
    7. Sylosis- A Sign of Things to Come
    8. Thy Art is Murder- Godlike
    9. Dying Fetus- Make Them Beg for Death
    10. Vexed- Negative Energy

  • @With__Humor
    @With__Humor 5 місяців тому +7

    Howdy! Here's my top for all who didn't ask:
    1 Polaris, Fatalism
    2 Invent animate, Heavener
    3 Silent planet, SUPERBLOOM
    4 HEAVENSGATE, AND ALL I LOVED, I LOVED ALONE
    5 Sleep token, Take me back to Eden
    6 Dying wish, symptoms of survival
    I got into metal this year, so yeah...

    • @tomk8350
      @tomk8350 5 місяців тому +2

      You have infinitely better taste in metal than I did when I first started listening

    • @pancakesama7614
      @pancakesama7614 5 місяців тому +3

      I’m assuming you have but I’ll say this just in case. Check out all of Polaris’ other music. The Death of Me is one of the best metalcore albums ever. Nonstop bangers

    • @With__Humor
      @With__Humor 5 місяців тому +2

      ​@@tomk8350DEFINITELY, thanks to Nik

    • @Fooly43
      @Fooly43 5 місяців тому +2

      Yeh even Polaris EP's are absolute bangers

    • @tomk8350
      @tomk8350 5 місяців тому

      @@pancakesama7614 I respectfully disagree. Mortal Coil is the greatest debut album I've heard and is in my top 10 all time. I loved The Death Of Me but I couldn't help but feel there was more of an emphasis on catchy choruses and more streamlined riffs where there wasn't before. I just adore the guitar work on Mortal Coil so much so to hear it be toned down a lot in TDOM was a little sad. 1. Mortal Coil 2. Fatalism 3. The Death Of Me

  • @mattcook3801
    @mattcook3801 5 місяців тому

    Yeah, my favourite releases got a mention. You’ve probably given me a reason to test out a couple of these releases that I’d skipped.
    Polaris wasn’t on my list either, but Heavener was my fave of the year.

  • @ryanjohnson8152
    @ryanjohnson8152 4 місяці тому

    thanks for all the new jams

  • @imdarcy8552
    @imdarcy8552 5 місяців тому +7

    How come Crypta's Shade Of Sorrow isn't here? This album is heavy vital darkness, it should be on everyone's list...

  • @ryandoan4168
    @ryandoan4168 5 місяців тому +3

    Thank you for mentioning veil of mayas album, I was sad they were getting no love all year for their amazing album listened to it so many times

  • @Smibeatz
    @Smibeatz 5 місяців тому +1

    Im so glad VOM was on the list, Red Fur is such a banger! Great job Nik!

  • @JoltinJoe26
    @JoltinJoe26 5 місяців тому +1

    Another good year of quality content, Nik! Here's to 2024!

  • @EvelynRoods
    @EvelynRoods 5 місяців тому +12

    My top ten (including EPs because I didn't listen to enough full albums evidently)
    1. Polaris - Fatalism
    2. Currents - The Death We Seek
    3. Sleep Token - Take Me Back To Eden
    4. Periphery - Djent Is Not a Genre
    5. Foxcult - The Indigo Fault
    6. Spiritbox - The Fear of Fear
    7. Sylosis - A Sign of Things to Come
    8. In Flames - Forgone
    9. Beartooth - The Surface
    10. Frontières - La Trilogie

  • @jbrock11
    @jbrock11 5 місяців тому +7

    Didn't listen to a ton of new albums this year but the ones I did hear...
    1. Cattle Decapitation - Terrasite ( Probably a top metal album of all time period for me )
    2. Sleep Token - Take Me Back To Eden ( Was my #1 for most of the year until I heard Terrasite )
    3. Fires in the Distance - Air Not Meant For Us
    4. Insomnium - Anno 1696
    5. Alluvial - Death is but a Door ( I know technically it's not out yet but the singles are and I'm putting it here damnit )
    6. Dying Wish - Symptoms of Survival
    7. Knocked Loose - Upon Loss
    8. Spirit Box - The Fear of Fear
    9. Carnifex - Necromanteum
    10. Avenged Sevenfold - Life is but a Dream ( For the lulz )

    • @ghosface353
      @ghosface353 5 місяців тому

      Knocked Loose didn't realise an album, and I don't think Upon Loss Singles even quality as an EP, as it just two song, and I ugess why it called Upon Loss Singles.

    • @jbrock11
      @jbrock11 5 місяців тому

      @@ghosface353 Like I said, I didn't listen to a ton of new albums this year and struggled to even make a top 10. Just wanted to put in the music I listened to and liked this year. Technically Alluvial's EP isn't even out yet.
      Just 3 singles but I put them in as well.

  • @monkeydluffy1332
    @monkeydluffy1332 5 місяців тому +1

    Absolutely LOVE that you have Cattle on here!!! Huge W. a few i would've picked are Signs of the Swarm Amongst the Low and Empty and for EPs id add The Sleeping Sun by Worm Shepard and Remote God Seeker by psycho frame :) your list is lovely sir.

    • @selkies10
      @selkies10 5 місяців тому +1

      The Frozen Lake, pt II is one of my favorite songs of the year. Amongst The Low and Empty would probably make my list as well

  • @DerekSmithFCV
    @DerekSmithFCV 5 місяців тому

    Several on here that I still need to check out. Some of my faves though were Shylmagoghnar - Convergence, Orbit Culture - Descent, and Spirit Adrift - Ghost At The Gallows

  • @JZABR
    @JZABR 5 місяців тому +3

    Honestly, I'm surprised that Death Below from ABR wasn't mentioned or on this list. There was such a greater array of vocals on this album and great features with Jesse Leech, Jason Richardson, JT Cavey, and Spencer from UnderØath. Their first album with Sharptone Records, I think it was one of their best and darkest. A staple in the metalcore community.

  • @jodydaugherty2644
    @jodydaugherty2644 5 місяців тому +4

    So cool to see Humanity's Last Breath at number one. So many other good picks. Sylosis and In Flames also made it to my top 10. Disappointed that Orbit Culture didn't get any love. Both Descent and The Forgotten EP are God tier, in my opinion

  • @spenserphoenix
    @spenserphoenix 5 місяців тому +2

    Cat Decap fk yeah, would've been my number one but great to see them crack the top 5

  • @jackfalcon2012
    @jackfalcon2012 5 місяців тому +1

    Really liked Elwood Stray's and Tortured Demon's (sounds a bit like Sylosis) new albums . Definetly worth checking out.

  • @AyyFuji
    @AyyFuji 5 місяців тому +3

    1. Fatalism
    2. TMBTE
    3. The Death We Seek
    4. War of Being
    5. Heavener
    6. Superbloom
    Nothing can beat Fatalism for me personally, not because of heavy, or lyrics, but the fact that I found Polaris through Nik's reaction to Nightmare, finding out they're Aussies like me, everything with Ryan (RIP), and are based within 50km/31 miles, then seeing them after the album came out, and had THE BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE, nothing will ever top that, and the absolute rollercoater of emotions I personally went through will be one of the rarest things I will ever experience. Like Sleep Token was my first discovery of the year, and they went to Top 3-4 bands in my life immediately, but even another amazing band like Sleep Token coming into my life couldn't beat Polaris. I did only just get back into the metal scene like November 2022, all of this is new for me, so my rankings aren't accurate because I'm not 100% in tune with each style, like don't get me wrong, Superbloom and Heavener are good albums, maybe just not 100% my style YET.
    But yeah, I can say even from my very recent introduction to modern metal, and what I heard out of 2022, it doesn't matter if 2023 is better or not (it is imo), metal is doing so good, and I love to see it. Let's hope for some more bangers next year.

    • @tomk8350
      @tomk8350 5 місяців тому

      Well said. A lot of people are drawing comparisons between Fatalism and AOGHAU.

  • @Isuck6223
    @Isuck6223 5 місяців тому +3

    You should listen to Orbit Culture, they are like the perfect combination of old metal style riffs and modern metal style riffs and they just go hard.

  • @cowmark67
    @cowmark67 5 місяців тому +1

    Killer list with some non -core picks I wasn't expecting. Here are my favorite metal albums of the year.
    1. Mesarthim - Arrival (atmospheric black metal/trance)
    2. Blackbraid - Blackbraid II (atmospheric black metal/melodic black metal)
    3. Svalbard - The Weight of the Mask (blackened hardcore/post-metal/post-rock)
    4. Panopticon - The Rime of Memory (atmospheric black metal/folk)
    5. Bizarrekult - Den Tapte Krigen (progressive post-black metal)
    6. Sermon - Of Golden Verse (progressive metal/alternative metal/post-metal)
    7. Olde Throne - In the Land of Ghosts (atmospheric black metal)
    8. Iravu - A Fate Worse Than Home (atmospheric black metal)
    9. Thy Catafalque - Alf​ö​ld (avant-garde metal: black metal/death metal/heavy metal/folk/jazz/electronic)
    10. Fires in the Distance - Air Not Meant For Us (melodic death-doom)

  • @vancybergoth
    @vancybergoth 5 місяців тому +1

    Many albums from Nik's list are also in my top 25. 🔥

  • @matthewjoy475
    @matthewjoy475 5 місяців тому +3

    Killer list, even if some of my top picks weren't on it (ill finslly check out Johnny Booth i guess).
    I would love to shout out Orbit Culture for both having a killer album and EP this year.

  • @dustyelliott95
    @dustyelliott95 5 місяців тому +8

    Wanted to say thanks for all you do Nik. I’m an old 42 year old man that is normally out of the loop. You’ve introduced me to so much music that I now listen to every day.

  • @Funnyguysometimes
    @Funnyguysometimes 5 місяців тому

    You’re the first creator I’ve seen have Cattle Decapitation on their list and that makes me really happy. Also Invent Animate was my number one but you’re making me want to listen to Humanity’s last breath

  • @jainisomalmeida6877
    @jainisomalmeida6877 5 місяців тому

    Nice list, i didn't thought about whats the best albums this year, but Euclid sleep token was definitely the best music this year in my opinion. So maybe take me back to eden could be my favorite, because the other musics from the album are great as well.

  • @YeshuaChristos1
    @YeshuaChristos1 5 місяців тому +422

    Nik, YOU’RE wrong. That’s it.
    Edit: Thank you for informing me everyone

  • @dartencorewood2421
    @dartencorewood2421 5 місяців тому +8

    YOU KNOW WHAT, NICK-
    Great top. I can kinda highlight two albums of this year:
    A7X - Life is but a Dream
    In Flames - Foregone
    The latter may being my favourite record of them so far, emphasizing all I love about this band. (I too prefer 2000s In Flames, although my favourite song is "Swim" from "Clayman").

    • @timothygreer719
      @timothygreer719 5 місяців тому +1

      A7x is main stream garbage

    • @dartencorewood2421
      @dartencorewood2421 5 місяців тому +3

      @@timothygreer719 sure thing, pal.

    • @Ampex063
      @Ampex063 5 місяців тому

      If Life is But a Dream is considered mainstream, I don't know what mainstream means anymore. @@timothygreer719

  • @xPandora__
    @xPandora__ 5 місяців тому

    I like this video helps me find newer music I can listen to for next year in waits for more new stuff to come out 🔥

  • @ratface44
    @ratface44 5 місяців тому

    Excellent list Nik!