PopMatters' 20 Best Metal Albums of 2023

This has proved a fantastic year for heavy music and metal, with masters impressing and newer artists shining. These are the best metal albums of 2023.

Source

# 1

Blight Year by Anti-God Hand

Album • Aug 25 / 2023 Black Metal Progressive Metal

# 2

Úpal by Kostnatění

Album • May 26 / 2023 Black Metal

# 3

Atrocity Machine by Body Void

Album • Oct 13 / 2023 Sludge Metal

# 4

Igitur by Sea Mosquito

Album • Nov 03 / 2023 Black Metal Avant-Garde Metal

# 5

To Be Cruel by Khanate

Album • May 19 / 2023 Drone Metal

# 6

In But Not Of by Afterbirth

Album • Oct 20 / 2023 Progressive Metal Technical Death Metal

# 7

Black Medium Current by Dødheimsgard

Album • Apr 14 / 2023 Progressive Metal Avant-Garde Metal

# 8

Anthronomicon by Ulthar

Album • Feb 17 / 2023 Death Metal

# 9

Evenfall of the Apocalypse by Ascended Dead

Album • May 12 / 2023 Death Metal

# 10

The Decline of the Enlightened Gods by Frozen Dawn

Album • Feb 10 / 2023 Melodic Black Metal

# 11

The Enduring Spirit by Tomb Mold

Album • Sep 15 / 2023 Death Metal Progressive Metal

# 12

Hive Mind Narcosis by Thantifaxath

Album • Jun 02 / 2023 Black Metal

# 13

Blight Witch Regalia by Cicada the Burrower

Album • Apr 07 / 2023 Blackgaze Avant-Garde Metal

# 14

...So Unknown by Jesus Piece

Album • Apr 14 / 2023 Metalcore

# 15

93696 by Liturgy

Album • Mar 24 / 2023 Avant-Garde Metal Black Metal

# 16

Andermans Mijne by Laster

Album • Oct 13 / 2023 Avant-Garde Metal Black Metal

# 17

Make Them Beg For Death by Dying Fetus

Album • Sep 08 / 2023 Brutal Death Metal Technical Death Metal

# 18

Seis Amorfismos by Diego Caicedo

Album • Oct 13 / 2023

# 19

Saturnian Bloodstorm by Lamp of Murmuur

Album • Mar 26 / 2023 Black Metal

# 20

Ardor for Black Mastery by Auriferous Flame

Album • Oct 06 / 2023 Black Metal

# 21

Helionomicon by Ulthar

Album • Feb 17 / 2023 Death Metal Progressive Metal