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Here are my favorite albums of 2023 thus far. This list is unapologetically subjective and contains my favorites, not albums I consider the “objective” best of the year. Everyone has different lists of albums that they connected with, and this is mine. I’m considering only albums that were released January – June of this year.

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Honorable Mentions

Katatonia

Emolecule

Klone

Michał Wojtas

Healthliving

Decadence Dust

Sermon

Anubis Gate

Troller

Ok Goodnight

Jodie Hayford

IO Earth

Drifting in Silence

Tulip

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20. Chasms – Glimpse of Heaven

Chasms released a nicely hazy and emotional album that I’ve found myself listening to quite often. There’s just something so rich and dreamy about it. It certainly knows how to cast a melodic spell.

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19. Single Celled Organism

– Event Horizon

This is the third album from SCO, and it is also the best. I love the way Isgaard and Jens’ vocals blend perfectly, and how wicked the instrumentals are. Event Horizon is clearly a stronger, deeper, and more exciting experience than previous albums.

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18. Bosco Sacro – Gem

This floating, ritualistic work has really grown on me over the last few months. With hints of doom and psychedelia in its ambient melodies, Gem is simply a beautiful and introspective treasure.

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17. Angie Haze – Time Thief

Angie never fails to deliver interesting songs and catchy melodies. Featuring a wide range of sounds and her own brand of beautiful peculiarity, this collection of songs becomes nostalgic quickly.

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16. [STÖMB]

– Massive Disturbed Meta Art

[STÖMB] created an exotic experience with Massive Disturbed Meta Art.  It is an album of light and darkness, of horror and wholeness, of sinew and metal.  It can be haunting or joyful, complex or subtle, familiar or alien.  There is so much here, and so much to explore.

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15. The Anchoret

– It All Began With Loneliness

The Anchoret delivered an amazing debut. It’s not everyday that you hear progressive metal combined with jazz and retro prog rock into a cohesive sound, and especially not within an album that is more than a gimmick.  This a high quality, well-conceived album that benefits from committing to a few listens before establishing your opinion. 

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14. Elysion – Bring Out Your Dead

This is potent, emotional Gothic metal, and I can’t get enough of it. Elysion’s dark tone and raw lyrics really connected with me, and I sing along with each and every track.

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13. Ché Aimee Dorval – The Crowned

The Crowned is a catchy album with some seriously good hooks, but the emotion and presence of the vocals are what really make this sizzle. It has such deep personality and artistry woven into each and every song, and so each piece feels like an achievement individually. It continues to grow on me.

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12. Half Shell – The Great Truth

I love The Great Truth.  It feels like every song has its own character; has its own bobbing, grooving, fascinating style.  There is a vulnerability to it, but also a brash faith in itself that feels like it both desires to be known and also is satisfied in what it is without anyone’s approval.  The more I listen, the more I appreciate these musicians and the balance between nuance and power that they offer here.

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11. Fires in the Distance

– Air Not Meant for Us

Fires in the Distance are perfecting their sound, and Air Not Meant for Us is proof of that.  I really like this balanced offering of doomy metal with progressive twists and turns, but I also love their reliance on strong melodies and bubbling ambience.  This album is as smooth as butter, especially for the genre.

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10. Deposed King – One Man’s Grief

I am floored time and again by how good the writing is on Deposed King’s debut. They take us through all sorts of tones and musical ideas, never reprising the same idea again.  They tease color, life, and vibrancy out of each idea, too, in ways that are profoundly attractive.  Your ears will immediately take to the luscious keys, muscular guitars, and gravy vocals.  Progressive rock fans can’t go wrong here.

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9. Einar Solberg – 16

Leprous frontman Einar Solberg released his debut solo record, and I was impressed. This record has diverse expressions of genre.  On one hand, it does sound something like the last few Leprous albums in how it rides the line between rock and metal while focusing on huge vocal moments and harmonies from Einar.  On the other hand, some of the tracks aren’t rock or metal at all, there’s some rap on one track, and some of it is deeply subtle or slow-burning in nature. I’m glad to see some of these ideas see the light of day.

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8. Riverside – ID.entity

ID.Entity is a really strong album that is simply fun to hear; Riverside’s albums are often somber affairs, which I really appreciate, but this album captures the color and joy of the band’s live performances. Play this album as loud and proud as you can.  You’ll find yourself captivated by the rhythms and grooves, I promise.

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7. Susanne Sundfør – blo​́​mi

I’m honestly quite affected by this new record from Susanne.  She emotes intimately and harmoniously as she delivers yet another powerful performance.  But it’s more than that, too; there is a certain joy and happiness that I find within her vocals, and within the peace of her compositions.  This album has been a long time coming, and I think she is feeling full of light more than ever.

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6. Thomas Bergersen

– Humanity, Chapter V

Bergersen is still going strong with his Humanity series. Chapter V is one of the best yet, too, with its rock opera style and dynamic tone which represents the highs and lows of life. This album is easy to lose yourself in quickly.

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5. Kamelot – The Awakening

The Awakening is Kamelot’s best album in almost 20 years, and it displays Tommy in full force alongside this legendary band.  This album has everything that I wanted in both a new Kamelot and a new Seventh Wonder album, and I have been finding it very satisfying and infectious in all its drama and darkness.

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4. Insomnium – Anno 1696

Insomnium are one of those bands for which I have no expectations. I like their music quite a bit, but I’m not a diehard fan or anything. That said, Anno 1696 blew me away with its beautifully wrought story and execution. It is a rich, mysterious, and passionate work of art that expresses so many sides of the human experience while also telling its story in detailed, human fashion.

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3. Sleep Token – Take Me Back to Eden

I’ll be honest, I’m seriously obsessed with this album right now. It has complexity, drama, emotion, beats, riffs, and everything in between. I find it strangely satisfying from beginning to end, and also balanced and beautiful. It seems like everyone I know can find something to like in Sleep Token.

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2. Ignea – Dreams of Lands Unseen

Dreams of Lands Unseen has luxurious storytelling, global character, and a haunting metal foundation that all work together seamlessly.  Helle lays down some of the best vocals of the year, and each musician does their part to make this album memorable. There is something special about the flavor and spice that the band have worked into this amazing record.

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**1. ISON – Stars & Embers**

There is one album this year that I have listened to countless times, and that is ISON’s new masterpiece. With Lisa Cuthbert onboard as the new full time vocalist, Daniel has settled into a gorgeous, introspective, majestic sweet spot. The result is an album that is overflowing with awe and wonder and splendor. I love it so much.

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