The year 2023 is coming to an end and after reviewing and listening to many albums this year, these are my favorites.
They are all listed in no particular order (because they are different styles), except for Sleep Token, which is not only my favorite of this year, but perhaps one of the favorites of my life, so they deserved the number 1.
1. Sleep Token – Take Me Back To Eden
The mysterious English band created this beautiful masterpiece, and although it is their third studio album, T.M.B.T.E. is the album that helped them become world-famous, especially among the younger generations thanks to TikTok videos.
From the first moment you start listening to this album, you embark on a hypnotic journey, musically and lyrically. It shows that music should not be limited to genres, and that lyrics can reach your soul just as much or better than your favorite poem.
The diversity of rhythms and additions like R&B and jazz elements, led many to call Sleep Token’s music “baby-making music” and for that reason, I called this list The Year of Sexy Metal.
As I said, for me, it’s not only my favorite album of this year, 2023, but perhaps one of my favorites of all time. That’s how much I love this album and how much these guys mean to me, as musicians and creators.
To my full album review: https://metalbere.com/a-taste-of-the-divine-sleep-token-take-me-back-to-eden-album-review/
Depeche Mode – Memento Mori
Being a long-time fan of Depeche Mode, I was super happy when they announced their new album because, after the sad passing of Andy Fletcher in 2022, I thought the band was going to end.
Memento Mori, is a beautiful album, but very somber and dark too, more so than any previous Depeche Mode album, but I guess it had to be that way because of their big loss.
To my full album review: https://metalbere.com/depeche-mode-memento-mori-2023-album-review/
The Hives – The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons
After 11 years without new music from the Swedish boys, they returned this year with this, their sixth studio album, bringing back pure energetic, powerful, and fast-paced garage rock & roll and punk.
They may be older, but they came back with the same crazy vitality that has always characterized them.
To my full album review: https://metalbere.com/the-boys-are-back-the-hives-the-death-of-randy-fitzsimmons-album-review/
Motionless In White – Scoring the End of the World (Deluxe Edition)
Even though this album is from 2022, I selected the Deluxe Edition, which is from 2023.
I love this album, the songs are super catchy, and they all have positive messages, from love stories to global warming to staying strong at all times.
Musically it’s very strong, with most songs on the heavier side, like a metalcore band, so it’s perfect if you require a little energy.
To my full album review: https://metalbere.com/a-masterpiece-made-by-motionless-in-white-scoring-the-end-of-the-world-deluxe-edition-album-review/
The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds
The long-lived band broke its musical silence, after many years without new music and the sad death of one of its founding members, its beloved drummer, Charlie Watts.
Their return to the music scene proves that “you’re never too old to rock and roll if you’re too young to die,” as that Jethro Tull song says. The biggest and best (in my view) rock and roll band of all time can still rock at 80, and besides they’re still pretty good at it.
To my full album review: https://metalbere.com/61-years-of-music-the-rolling-stones-hackney-diamonds-album-review/
Tesseract – War of Being
If there is an album that impacted me musically in terms of virtuosity this year, it was this one. Progressive metal at its best with this English band.
One of the pioneer bands of the Djent movement in progressive metal gave us their fifth studio album on September 15, 2023.
To my full album review: https://thisdayinmetal.com/album-review-tesseract-war-of-being/
Rammstein – Sehnsucht (2023, Anniversary Edition)
This is a reissue of their second studio album from 1997, which remains one of their most successful works to date, including hits like Sehnsucht, Du Hast, and my favorite, Engel.
This is also my favorite album by the German industrial metal band, so this album and its new edition were worth reviewing.
To my full album review: https://thisdayinmetal.com/album-review-rammstein-sehnsucht/
Dokken – Heaven Comes Down
The American hard rock and heavy metal band, formed in the late 70s, released their twelfth studio album, Heaven Comes Down, on October 27, 2023.
Although this is not the classic Dokken lineup, it is the one that has been consistent for a long time, and they are all great musicians.
It’s a good rock album, with the typical Dokken sound, good guitar solos, and instruments in general. The only thing that is a little diminished is Don’s voice, but considering he had to suffer a lot of health issues recently, I think it’s okay.
To my full album review: https://thisdayinmetal.com/album-review-dokken/
Blutengel – Un:Sterblich (Our Souls Will Never Die)
The legendary electro-dark pop German band released on May 12, 2023, their thirteenth studio album, which celebrates their 25th career Anniversary.
This is a double album that contains 25 songs in total, in which Chris Pohl sings about his fears and darkest feelings.
To my full album review: https://metalbere.com/transcending-mortality-an-enchanting-journey-through-blutengel-un-sterblich-our-souls-will-never-die-album-review/
Erdling – Bestia
The German metal band that belongs to the Neue Deutsche Härte (the German musical style named after Rammstein, to primarily categorize industrial metal bands) released their sixth album, Beast, on April 28, 2023.
Industrial metal with German lyrics.
Formed in 2014, they are one of the young German metal bands, who came to refresh the scene, and with six albums already recorded they have a lot of good music available.
To my full album review: https://metalbere.com/erdlings-epic-album-bestia-album-review/