Hellboy’s Top 10 Records of 2023

It’s the final day of 2023, and once again I will present to you – the remaining readers of this almost outdated blog, my top 10 records!

UK GRIM- Sleaford Mods

UK GRIM by British electronic punks Sleaford Mods is an unusual choice for a #1 for me, but this record was easily my most listened to for 2023. This album serves as a gritty commentary on contemporary society, featuring sharp lyrics and infectious beats that resonate with those who appreciate socially conscious and thought-provoking music.

Night Verses – Every Sound Has A Colour In The Valley Of Night: Part 1

I featured this record on Fourtheye earlier this year, so it should surprise no one to see this high up on the list. It features Justin Chancellor from Tool on the trake seance. The band’s fusion of post-rock, metal, and ambient elements creates an immersive experience for those who seek music that defies categorization and invites introspection.

Cattle Decapitation – Terracite

One of the premier technical death metal bands going these days, I was lucky enough to see them perform live at a small venue here in Oz. I didn’t get to their 2019 show due to a clash with the Tool tour! The unrelenting exploration of death metal’s darker realms on Terracite is a visceral experience, and will appeal to aficionados of extreme and intense musical expressions.

Urne – A Feast On Sorrow

Delve into the doom-laden masterpiece of Urne with A Feast On Sorrow. The juxtaposition of crushing riffs and haunting melodies offers a cathartic escape for those who appreciate music exploring the depths of human emotion. From London, UK, Urne evoke Gojira like vibes for me, so I suspect will resonate with fans of those French legends

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – PetroDragonic Apocalypse

The first of two Aussie acts in this list – KGLW release more records than I can keep up with. Some good, some forgettable. It’s no surprise that a thrash/prog themed record would resonate with Tool fans (and myself). It’s a great listen, but at times I can’t help but feel this could have been a truely great record if they had spent a bit more time in the oven. Regardless, it’s worth embarking on a kaleidoscopic journey through psychedelic realms with PetroDragonic Apocalypse.

Polaris – Fatalism

It’s been a great year for metalcore, and Australian band Polaris are leading the charge with a stellar release: Fatalism. Blistering energy and emotionally charged lyrics strike a balance that resonates with listeners seeking both intensity and introspection. Keen to see these guys live – have missed their last couple of tours, so fingers crossed they hit town again in 2024. They’re touring quite a bit internationally in the next 6 months, so make sure you check them out!

KEN Mode – VOID

It’s rare that a KEN Mode record doesn’t make my top 10. Their brand of angst filled noice punk is right up my alley. This is a companion piece to their 2022 record NULL (which didn’t make my top 10), and is easily my favourite of the two. Blending noise, post-hardcore, and sludge, VOID is a challenging yet rewarding experience awaits those who appreciate musical complexity and the exploration of sonic extremities.

Nuclear Power Trio – Wet Ass Plutonium

This is such a great fun instrumental album, there was no way I could keep it out of the top 10. The instrumental work is stellar, the bass playing in particular. This unique blend of metal, jazz, and fusion adds a touch of humor to technical brilliance, catering to those with an appreciation for musical innovation. Wet Ass Plutonium often feels like you’re in a late 90s video game. Kick arse!

Radiant Knife – Pressure

Radiant Knife are a great noise adjacent metal band, producers of killer riffs and general good times. Sunsets from Space features one of my favourite riffs from 2023, so get behind thise blokes from South Louisiana!

Silent Planet – SUPERBLOOM

Silent Planet‘s brand of metalcore is pretty damn catchy, and to my ears a great mix of my preferred heavier riffing, and the pop choruses prevalent in the genre these days. Their poignant lyrics and dynamic musicality create a compelling listening experience for those who seek emotional depth in their music.

The following records were pretty unlucky to miss the cut – I enjoyed each of them quite a bit, but at the end of the day needed to settle on a top 10.

Great Falls are a cool noise rock band who’s album I spend quite a bit of time with this year.

Spotlights are a great post-rock style outfit from New York – some similarities to Failure for me.

Gaz Coombes is the singer from UK band Supergrass – his latest solo effort was in pretty constant rotation for me this year.

I’d love to hear what your favourites were – leave them for me in the comments section!