It’s that time of the year when everyone is sharing their Spotify wrapped and every outlet is posting their best-of lists. Even though this site is less than two months old, I was not going to let the opportunity to highlight my favorite records of the year slip away.

The following list covers a wide swath of heavy music. Releases are arranged in no particular order. While every release on this list will not speak to every listener, I promise there is something here for everyone who enjoys heavy music.

Marthe – Further in Evil

Released on October 20th, 2023

I covered Further in Evil in my November review, but I have no qualms about writing about such a flawless record again so soon.

The Italian solo black metal project pulls from a seemingly endless well of influences and deftly weaves them into a tapestry of aggressive, no-bullshit riffs. There is a beauty in the way Marthe builds around relatively simple riffs that is undeniably infectious. A clear example, “Victimized,” builds around largely the same riff for the majority of its nine minute run time. Rather than becoming tired, the song takes on a manic, frantic energy that keeps it barreling onward relentlessly. When the song finally arrives at the bridge featuring clean vocals around the six minute mark, it feels triumphant.

Take the journey with Marthe. I think you’ll enjoy it.

For Fans of: Black metal with punk influences

Perfect for: Solo road trips and plotting revenge

Favorite Track: “Sin In My Heart”

https://marthesl.bandcamp.com/album/further-in-evil

Genital Shame – Gathering My Wits

Released on May 5th, 2023

Remember how I mentioned this list is not ranked? You can tell because Gathering My Wits is in the second position rather than first or last, because this EP is, without a doubt, my favorite release of 2023.

While a solo black metal project has become a bit of a trope (hell, there’s two featured on this list and one in the honorable mentions), there is nothing about Genital Shame that blends in. Sure, Gathering My Wits has riffs, but it also has atmospheric jams, trance-inducing layered builds, and stylistic changes that happen in the blink of an eye. Erin Dawson’s guitar work and vocals are particularly inspired, twisting and turning throughout, creating tension and deftly navigating the EP’s seemingly endless mood shifts.

“Wit Gathering Preparation” into “Gathering My Wits” is a perfect closing pair, as they build around a seasick acoustic guitar and steady double kick with vocal and guitar layers weaving in and out of each other before arriving at a solid riff, only to slip back, once again, into a near trance.

If there’s one goal for this article, it is to get more people to hear Genital Shame’s Gathering My Wits.

For Fans of: Experimental black metal

Perfect for: Being completely disoriented and enjoying it

Favorite Track: “Wit Gathering Preparation” -> “Gathering My Wits”

https://genitalshame.bandcamp.com/album/gathering-my-wits

Necrofier – Burning Shadows in the Southern Night

Released on June 2nd, 2023

The release of Necrofier’s sweat soaked manifestation of southern nihilism, Burning Shadows in the Southern Night, coincided perfectly with the most brutally hot and dry summer of our lifetimes across the American South. It’s oppressive atmosphere made it the perfect soundtrack for the hellish weather.

Some will refer to Burning Shadows in the Southern Night as a black metal record, but I think this is too simplistic. The hallmarks of the genre are there, but the record is filled to the brim with classic lead guitar and technical riffs, which is certainly a departure from the form and gives the album the album an almost southern flavor. “Forbidden Light of the Black Moon” is an excellent example of this neo-traditional lead guitar work. I’d be making a horrible mistake if I did not mention Dobber Beverly’s drumming, because the drum parts are incredible from start to finish.

Some albums will always call to certain memories, and this record will forever pull me back to blowing my eardrums out while drenched in sweat from working in the oppressive heat.

For Fans of: Black metal with a classic metal/rock twist

Perfect for: Contemplating the heat death of the planet

Favorite Track: “Call to the Beyond”

https://necrofier.bandcamp.com/album/burning-shadows-in-the-southern-night

Blood Star – First Sighting

Released on April 21st, 2023

On a list surrounded by bleak and abrasive records, First Sighting stands out as a fun, triumphant listen, full of headbanging and raised devil horns. Blood Star expertly navigates the delicate world of nostalgia, probing its limits and expanding upon tropes without ever veering into half-hearted or unserious aping of classic metal.

Madeline Michelle belts melodies that burrow themselves deep into your brain and refuse to leave, while the propulsive rhythm section of Noah Henley and Al Lester drive the listener all the way back to the early 1980s. Jordan Palmer’s guitar dances around Michelle’s melodies, providing many of the album’s seemingly endless ear worms, and the tones could easily serve as an example of “hard rock guitar” in an audio dictionary.

I wrote about First Sighting by Blood Star in my piece on traditional heavy metal just a few days back in the context of my budding traditional heavy metal fandom. Be sure to check that out.

For Fans of: Traditional heavy metal

Perfect for: Drinking cheap beer and wearing blue denim

Favorite Track: “Fearless Priestess”

https://bloodstarslc.bandcamp.com/album/first-sighting

Portrayal of Guilt – Devil Music

Released April 20th, 2023

Let’s get something out of the way. Portrayal of Guilt is my favorite band making heavy music. Full stop. I jumped on the bandwagon early, preordering Let Pain Be Your Guide on vinyl way back in 2018, and Christfucker is, so far, my top album of the 2020s. I’ve seen the band live at least five times, and I can confidently say their brand of nihilistic blackened screamo kicked my love for heavy music into high gear. Even with all of the time I’ve spent with Portrayal of Guilt’s music, I was not prepared for Devil Music.

If you’re completely unfamiliar with the record, side A features five near perfect tracks that defy neat genre categorization, blending screamo, black metal, and grunge into a cacophony that has become standard fare for the Austin-based trio. On side B, those same tracks are reimagined with cello, french horn, and tuba taking the place of the traditional rock instrumentation of guitar, drums, and bass.

The result? A sinister soundtrack for a folk horror nightmare. The songs play just as naturally in both configurations, an impressive feat of songwriting and arrangement. Throughout all of their experimentation and evolution, Portrayal of Guilt continues to impress and reach new heights. This is a must-listen.

For Fans of: Blackened screamo and folk black metal

Perfect for: Ritual sacrifice

https://portrayalofguilt.bandcamp.com/album/devil-music

Honorable Mentions:

Victory Over the Sun – Dance You Monster to my Soft Song!

Majesties – Vast Reaches Unclaimed

Kommand – Death Age

Spotify Playlist – Intended to be listened to in order