Mostly Metal's Favorites 2023
Since this year's coming to a close, I'd like to share a selection of 30 releases that got a lot of playing time at Mostly Metal's headquarter over the past months - for different reasons, but all brightened my days in an incredible way. Some artists impressed with their technical skills or mesmerized me with beautiful melodies, others offered a great time while rocking out to their music, and some of these albums caught me in this special way as only music can do.
How about some fun facts? ;-) Among these, you can find:
- Three EPs
- Four instrumental releases
- Eight debut records
- Eight bands are from the USA, three from Sweden, two each live in Canada, Denmark, Italy, and Israel
Welcome to check them out, maybe you find something new for your listening pleasure you missed so far. There's always a link to Bandcamp or a Linktree, and in case I wrote a review or did an interview, you'll find a hint for it too.
Dive in, have fun \m/
THE ANCHORET (AOTY2023)
It All Began With Loneliness
June 23rd, 2023
Canada / International
An expressive masterpiece, unique in its sound, incredibly creative yet always flowing
NOSPUN
Opus
May 19th, 2023
USA
Outstanding Progmetal debut with an incredibly dynamic and varied kind of musical storytelling
BLACKSCAPE
Suffocated by the Sun
July 7th, 2023
Sweden
A new trio on the Metal scenery, who unleashed this mighty, beautiful beast
SCAR SYMMETRY
The Singularity (Phase II - Xenotaph)
June 9th, 2023
Sweden
Highly addictive melting pot of catchiness, guitar virtuosity, and mighty riffs
DISSONA
Dreadfully Distinct
USA
November 10th, 2023
The Chicago based Progmetal band offer three splendid, Blade Runner related tracks
OBSIDIAN TIDE
The Grand Crescendo
Israel
September 29th, 2023
With their 2nd album, the Progressive Melodeath trio evolved their sound in a wonderful way
THE ARCANE ORDER
Distortions From Cosmogony
June 9th, 2023
Denmark
The Danish Extreme Metal act transfers Greek myths into our current times - Brutal and relentless
ENOCH ROOT
Delusion
February 19th, 2023
USA
A marvelous, touching record, telling about a man whose fate was decided for him at birth
MASK OF PROSPERO
Hiraeth
January 27th, 2023
Greece
Modern Progmetal from Greece, intense, expressive, and highly emotional
NEVERUS
Burdens of the Earth
April 21st, 2023
Netherlands
This debut is some serious listening fun, offering Majestic Death Metal
A Flying Fish
El Pez Que Voló - ACT I
Mexico
November 3rd, 2023
A musical quest to unearth the divine gem hidden within oneself, and a special piece of art
TURRIGENOUS
Vesper, The Evening Star
March 14th, 2023
USA
The Progmetal four-piece skillfully melt a wide range of styles to tell an epic story
OMNEROD
The Amensal Rise
May 12th, 2023
Belgium
Omnerod deliver the full spectrum from mind blowing craziness to melodious beauty
MOON SAFARI
Himlabacken Vol.2
December 8th, 2023
Sweden
If there would be a blueprint for "Happy Progrock", it had to be this album
THE RESONANCE PROJECT
Ad Astra
February 24th, 2023
USA
A gorgeous, diverse masterpiece of Orchestral Fusion Metal
DGM
Life
Italy
November 17th, 2023
With "Life", the Italian quintet share their most mature album to date
CHARLES SOULZ PROJECT
Trilogy of Mankind
Brazil
November 24th, 2023
The keyboard wizard takes us from humanity's beginning to a dystopian future
ATRIA
Ground Zero
Canada
August 18th, 2023
Mind blowing, modern Progmetal, expressing the anger about the world we live in
ROGER STAFFELBACH
The Quest
May 12th, 2023
Switzerland / International
On his first solo album, the Swiss guitar wizard offers finest Instrumental, Neoclassical Prog
TEMIC
Terror Management Theory
Norway / International
November 17th, 2023
An impressive debut featuring some in the Progressive scene well-known faces
EARTHSIDE
Let the Truth Speak
USA
November 17th, 2023
The Cinematic proggers paint marvelous sound pictures for our ears
STRUCTURAL
Decrowned
June 23rd, 2023
Israel
An album with well-balanced sound textures by a band that skillfully melt brutality and melody
NOVERIA
The Gates of the Underworld
August 25th, 2023
Italy
With their 4th album, the Italian Powermetal quintet deliver another genre highlight
IGNEA
Dreams of Lands Unseen
April 28th, 2023
Ukraine
Mighty third record by the Ukrainian masters of musical story-telling
MARTIN MILLER
Maze of My Mind
March 31st, 2023
Germany
A wonderful, melodious piece about the challenging journey to become a better self
ABEL SEQUERA
Soundscapes
March 3rd, 2023
Spain / International
Together with 50! guests, the Spanish drummer & composer takes us on a mesmerizing journey
SYLVATICA
Cadaver Synod
Denmark
October 20th, 2023
On their third album, the Progressive Melodeath band take us to the dark Middle Ages
THE WISDOM TREE
A Day Without a Yesterday
USA
November 15th, 2023
A beautiful debut offering Instrumental Prog with some jazzy and classical influences
ÆOLIAN
Echoes of the Future
Spain
November 10th, 2023
The Mallorcan Melodic Death Metal band close their great, thought-provoking trilogy
WITCH RIPPER
The Flight After the Fall
March 3rd, 2023
USA
A crazy, space-themed story, great musicianship, and a proggy approach hidden under a sludge tag
Thanks for following my picks till the end :-)
This eoty selection comes along with my great appreciation towards those who gave these musical treasures a chance to be discovered with their posts, recos, promos, reviews, and inspiring discussions.
A special shout-out to all who followed my journey here from the beginning, and a warm welcome to those who joined us along the way, hope you enjoyed the ride so far. Your feedback and support means a lot!
And of course: horns up for the bands and artists! Thank you for the music from the bottom of my heart \m/
