Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2023

Welcome to my annual attempt to make sense of the ridiculous amount of good metal albums out there, awaiting discovery by intrepid metal explorers.

2023’s best of list has been one of the more difficult ones to put together, placing-wise, which is one of the reasons that I’m posting it later than I usually do. Even more so than normal many of the slots are interchangeable, and I especially struggled with positions two-nine – if such a thing were possible, they all deserve to be higher! In the end I decided to stop overthinking it and go with my gut, but the usual caveat of these lists being very subjective and subject to change depending on mood, feelings, etc. is larger than normal here.

There are some notable acts missing form the below. Not because they’re not worthy of inclusion, but because there are only so many spaces to be had. In fact, I almost ended up limiting this list to 20, rather than the now-customary 30, as I found it really difficult to know who to include and who not to. In the end I went with the standard 30 so that I could promote a few extra bands, as they absolutely all deserve it.

As for the top position, I wasn’t expecting it to be filled by a band I’d never heard before, playing a style that I don’t listen to as much as I used to. However, I suppose after last year, I shouldn’t have been too surprised.

I do hope you enjoy this list and find some new music to obsess over. Like always, thanks for your support if you have ever visited this site before, and here’s to a great 2024 for as many of us as possible. Continue reading “Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2023”

Winterhorde – Neptunian (Review)

Winterhorde - NeptunianThis is the fourth album from Israeli melodic/progressive black Metallers Winterhorde.

Following on from 2016’s Maestro, Neptunian contains 54 minutes of new material from Winterhorde. Back with a new lineup, the band have crafted a record that is an impressive proposition. Continue reading “Winterhorde – Neptunian (Review)”

Valdrin – Throne of the Lunar Soul (Review)

Valdrin - Throne of the Lunar SoulThis is the fourth album from US black metallers Valdrin.

It’s been a long time since 2014’s Beyond the Forest, and Valdrin have had two other full albums since then. Throne of the Lunar Soul is their latest, and boasts an imposing 73 minutes of material. What does the Valdrin of 2023 have to offer the discerning black metal fan? Continue reading “Valdrin – Throne of the Lunar Soul (Review)”

Rüyyn – Chapter II: The Flames, the Fallen, the Fury (Review)

Rüyyn - Chapter II The Flames, the Fallen, the FuryThis is the debut album from French solo black metal band Rüyyn.

Chapter II: The Flames, the Fallen, the Fury offers the listener 43 minutes of well-crafted black metal to absorb and digest. Rüyyn’s music is accomplished and rewarding. Continue reading “Rüyyn – Chapter II: The Flames, the Fallen, the Fury (Review)”

Stortregn – Finitude (Review)

Stortregn - FinitudeStortregn are a black/death metal band from Switzerland and this is their sixth album.

Well, this is an impressive beast. If you’re looking for a feast of riffs, technicality, and melody, then look no further than Finitude. It boasts 43 minutes of the stuff, and it’s a real scorcher. Continue reading “Stortregn – Finitude (Review)”

Amalekim – Avodah Zarah (Review)

Amalekim - Avodah ZarahThis is the second album from international black metal band Amalekim.

Avodah Zarah offers up 46 minutes of melodic black metal for listeners to enjoy, and enjoy we do. Amalekim’s music is gripping stuff. Continue reading “Amalekim – Avodah Zarah (Review)”

Night Crowned – Tales (Review)

Night Crowned - TalesThis is the third album from Swedish black metal band Night Crowned.

I thoroughly enjoyed 2021’s Hädanfärd, and my appreciation for its dark charms has only increased over time. Tales gives us 43 minutes of new material, and I have been looking forward to hearing what it has to offer. Continue reading “Night Crowned – Tales (Review)”

Bihargam – Executioner Star (Review)

Bihargam - Executioner StarBihargam are a black metal band from the US and this is their latest EP.

Following on from 2020’s Ove TenebraeExecutioner Star contains two new songs and a Soundgarden cover, making for a total duration of a little over 16 minutes. Continue reading “Bihargam – Executioner Star (Review)”

Sühnopfer – Nous Sommes d’Hier (Review)

Sühnopfer - Nous Sommes d'HierThis is the fourth album from one-man French black metal band Sühnopfer.

This is the third release I’ve covered from Sühnopfer, (the other two being 2014’s Offertoire and 2019’s Hic Regnant Borbonii Manes), so it’s welcome to hear more from this artist. Across 55 minutes of new material, (which includes a black metal interpretation of a song from 1968 by Michel Polnareff), Nous Sommes d’Hier impresses with its compelling take on the melodic blackened style. Continue reading “Sühnopfer – Nous Sommes d’Hier (Review)”

Moonlight Sorcery – Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle (Review)

Moonlight Sorcery - Horned Lord of the Thorned CastleThis is the debut album from Finnish black metallers Moonlight Sorcery.

Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle contains 44 minutes of symphonic melodic black metal. However, beneath this simple description hides a deeper truth, that Moonlight Sorcery offer more than just black metal to enjoy here. Continue reading “Moonlight Sorcery – Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle (Review)”