Oli’s Top 10 Releases of 2023
Oli’s Top 10 Releases of 2023
by Oli Gonzalez
2023. A very interesting year for me, with some personal challenges but challenges which I overcame. Though there’s been one constant in my life; music. I had been enjoying discovering new bands and making some serious progress on my bucket list of bands and festivals. However, I had the opportunity to join Ever Metal this summer and this has only accelerated this process of discovering awesome new artists. There’ve been many quality releases this year, and for those who say there hasn’t are either lying or just simply don’t know where to look! Hopefully this list helps to reinforce that statement with bands signed to major labels and touring the world, or those just starting off in their journey.
Some housekeeping. Having only joined in late July, I’ve unfortunately not had the opportunity to sample the many phenomenal releases that my new colleagues have been able to. As such, I’ve supplemented this list with others that have had a significant impact on me and which I feel deserve to be featured. I’ve presented this list in no particular order and is certainly not ranked. Just an unstructured order of those that I’ve loved the most for this year.
Svalbard – The Weight Of The Mask

The Bristol based quartet released their breakthrough album “When I Die, Will I Get Better?” in 2020, and with this stunning release finally earning the recognition and attention they deserved after years of slogging away in the underground scene. This was (and still is) an album I’m genuinely addicted to and obsessed with!
This year marked the band’s hotly awaited debut release on new record label Nuclear Blast. Lets face it; they don’t sign duds, and for me, that 3 year wait was absolutely worth it. I genuinely listened to ‘How To Swim Down’ on repeat for 2 hours when first getting my ears on it. The first song vocalist Serena chose to sing with solely clean vocals, thus demonstrating an admirable commitment to personal and musical growth. ‘Defiance’ and ‘Be My Tomb’ are two more absolute scorchers on this album, tackling lyrical visceral themes of anxiety and depression, and the struggles endured with either. Tough topics that others are not so brave to tackle head on. Whilst ‘Eternal Spirits’ is a heart wrenching tribute to personal idol Serena, ex-Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison who was taken from us far too young. This single was released on my birthday, being a most welcome though unintentional gift from the band.
The shadow left by “When I Die, Will I Get Better?” has now begun to shrink for me with yet another solid release from one of the UK’s hottest prospects.
Bell Witch – Future Shadows Part 1 – The Clandestine Gate

Six long years after the band’s magnus opus “Mirror Reaper” was released, the expectations were sky high for the band’s follow up release. The band have forged a ferocious reputation and cult following within the world of Doom. I can see my battle jacket hung up to my right with my Bell Witch back patch graciously attached as a testament of my adoration for the band.
Speaking of adoration, this is quite possibly my album of the year! Bassist Dylan will probably never tell me how he crafted his glorious bass tone, but some of the riffs he carved out in this record are works of art! They form the melodic centrepiece of the album and a remarkable crescendo that demands to be repeated again and again. Trust me, I did! I won’t be surprised if this single is number one on my most listened to on Spotify towards the end of the year. I’ll admit, 83 minutes for one song is a tough sell for many, and that’s valid. Thus this is very much a specialist listen, one which will be adored by the cult-like following of the band and over lovers of all things Doom.
I had the pleasure of seeing the Seattle duo perform this in Manchester over the summer. Genuinely one of my all time favourite concerts.
Insomnium – Song of The Dusk

Smug. Adjective. Having or showing an excessive pride in oneself or one’s achievements. This is how I felt listening to this by one of my all-time favourites and doing so weeks before maybe 95% of the world had had the chance to do so. The timing of this EP’s release left me slightly confused but also equally as thrilled. Confused because “Anno 1696” had only been released in February roughly 9 months previously, with the scorching lead guitar solo from ‘White Christ’ still fresh and ringing in my ears. Thrilled because who am I to tell the band not to release more music?
The reasoning for releasing an EP so soon after was simple; the band felt that “Anno 1696” would have been too long and wanted to give more attention to the three tracks on this EP in a separate release. How glad I am they did so. For me, “Songs of The Dusk” represents evolution for the band, and a shift to a much more aesthetically pleasing and melodic direction. Still retaining that trademark aggression and ferocity, songs such as ‘Songs Of The Dusk’ feature clean singing and soaring lead guitar work as the melodic crescendo and centrepieces. Features that were present but felt somewhat like afterthoughts in earlier releases.
The only question is, will the story of Anno 1696 continue in a previous release?
Heretoir – Nightsphere

“I didn’t expect to fall in love” were the words in my review for the German Post-Metallers’ latest release ‘”Nightsphere”. Maybe that was a little hyperbolic, or maybe I was being genuine! Certainly in my top 3 for the year. See, there’s so much I admired in this album. Whether it’s the stunning atmospheric undertones, the piercing blackened guitar riffs, or the uncompromisingly energetic vocal performance of Eklatanz. ‘Twilight of The Machines’ is an absolute scorcher of a track and is now on many of my Spotify playlists, encapsulating all these elements. The album came just after a successful tour with metal legends Killswitch Engage, and before another run of shows in Europe. They seem to have all the tools to go far in this business and I’m hoping “Nightsphere” is the album that gives the band the recognition they truly deserve.
Aeonian Sorrow – Katara

A new discovery for me and one I’m glad to have found. See, I was a huge admirer of Draconian in my teenage years, but had struggled to find a band similar. Aeonian Sorrow however have filled that gap for me. I love the tandem and polar opposite vocal styles of Gogo and Joel. Gogo providing the haunting ethereal cleans, with Joel raging in with some demonic growls. The music is a similar story, interchanging between bleak atmospheric passages dripping with raw human sorrow and melancholy, and some of the most blatant heavy and skull crushing movements!
The lyrics are raw and refreshingly honest, piercing deep into your core and tackling some of the darker emotions and places within the human psyche. Whether it’s the spine chilling piano passages, or some face melting guitar leads, there’s plenty to satisfy your melodic palette.
The album was released via …oh wait, the band have chosen to remain independent of any record labels. So far, it seems like this decision is working absolutely fine for them. Especially if they’re pumping out records of this quality. What do they actually need a record label for?
Urne – A Feast On Sorrow

“Serpent And Spirit” was good. Very good. So good that it caught the attention of major festival bookers and promoters, as their name appeared on posters for major shows across Europe. Perhaps most crucially, Joe of Gojira took note and worked with Urne members in producing their latest album. This culminated in a tour between the two across Europe.
If “Serpent And Spirit” was very good, “A Feast On Sorrow” is truly outstanding! You can see the evolution in production, capturing the raw human emotion of each primal vocal scream, thunderous hit of the drums, or face melting guitar lead riff. With elements of thrash, stoner, and progressive metal thrown into one delightful mix, it’s somewhat fruitless to box Urne into one genre. They’re here to play by their own rules and create music in their own wonderful image. As flagbearers for Britain’s music scene, the future is in very safe hands with Urne.
Meridian Sun – The Curse

A most pleasant surprise and new band for me, British act Meridian Sun earned their place on this list. I enjoyed the band’s fresh twist on Doom Metal. Whilst the genre may be known for huge riffs and crushing tones, the band take a different stance and offer a more melodic and progressive approach. There’s some soaring lead vocals that you wouldn’t normally associate with the genre too, as opposed to the demonic gutturals and anguished wails you typically conjure up when thinking of doom. What gives this album a doomy edge is that wonderful raw and honest retrograde approach to the production. No overly polished nonsense. A band very much in its infancy but one I hope that can begin to progress and go further in this industry.
The Circle – Of Awakening

I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about this, and the first time I listened! With demonic vocals, crushing atmospheric intensity, and soaring melodic guitar leads, this album sums up everything I love about Melodic Death Metal. Not only that, but there’s a wonderfully complex and progressive compositional approach to leverage the phenomenal talent within the ranks of the band. There’s added authenticity with real violins and violas, rather than relying on artificial synths that just don’t have the same impact, including guest appearances from members of Ne Obliviscaris. ‘Afflux’ is the crown jewel of this album for me though, taking a more stripped back and ambient approach with some lip-quivering beauty. Especially in the early stages. This is before overwhelming you with blatant all out intensity at the end. This features on many of my playlists now and won’t be removed any time soon.
Serenity – Nemesis AD

Have you ever first listened to a band and thought “where have you been all my life?”. That’s certainly what happened upon first discovering the Austrian Symphonic Metallers. See, they’ve gone under the radar somewhat, with bands such as Nightwish and Within Temptation being amongst the first to spring to mind when you think of the genre. “Nemesis AD” represents everything wonderful about the genre to me. Soaring lead guitars and stunning melodic passages. Though I believe it’s Georg’s classically trained operatic performances that seal the deal for me. If you have time for only one song, check out ‘Reflections (Of AD)’. I guarantee you’ll be hooked and singing along to the infectious chorus in absolutely no time! As well as admiring the wonderful story and composition of the whole song.
Domhain – Nimhue

Last but certainly not least, a very pleasant surprise from the emerald isle in the shape of Domhain. Only a short 3 track EP, this was enough to convert me and get me hooked. Being in a blackened post-metal style, I loved some of the ethereal soundscapes, the gothic doom passages, as well as the wonderful contrast in vocal styles. Whether it Anais’ calming ethereal vocals, or some of the more aggressive bloodcurdling growls from Andy, I adored what both could bring to the table. I genuinely cannot wait for the follow up from what feels like a sleeping giant of a band.
Honourable mentions:
Insomnium – Anno 1696
I would have included this in this list, however I chose ‘Songs Of The Dusk’ simply because a), I could only choose one release per band, and b) because I reviewed the shorter EP and not ‘Anno 1696’.
The Ocean – Holocene
I had the pleasure of seeing the band perform many of these tracks on their headline set in Manchester this year. A painful omission but couldn’t quite make it onto my list.
The others:
I discovered many MANY other new bands this year via festivals and live shows, or just Spotify hopping. Including but not limited to Amenra, The Five Hundred, Despite Exile, and Hate.
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Oli Gonzalez and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.