WORMWOOD'S BEST OF 2023 LISTS

WORMWOOD CHRONICLES WRITERS' BEST OF 2023

Greetings, humanoids! It seems like just a couple of months since the last time we've done this, but no...a whole year has passed us by once more. Is it just me or do things seems to be going more out of whack with every new year? Ah well...at least you can rely on the Wormwood annual "Best Of" lists, This is where each of the Inmates gets to show what dinged their bells musically in the previous calendar year. It's always really eclectic and 2023 was no exception. Let's get to it!

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COLONEL ANGUS' BEST OF 2023

1. RAY ALDER                                 "II"

2.  OVERKILL                                                  "Scorched"

3.  FIFTH ANGEL                                            "When Angels Kill"

4.  RONNIE ROMERO                                    "Too Many Lies, Too Many Masters"

5.  REDEMPTION                                            "I Am The Storm"

6.  PRIMAL FEAR                                             "Code Red"

7.  THE WINERY DOGS                                   "III"

8.  URIAH HEEP                                               "Chaos and Colour"

9.  ANGEL                                                         "Once Upon A Time"

10.  DURAN DURAN                                          "Danse Macabre"

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THERON MOORE'S BEST OF 2023

1. JAG PANZER                                    "The Hallowed"

2023 was (and still is) the year of power metal / traditional metal. In years to come, JAG PANZER’s ‘The Hallowed’ will be recognized as one of the best albums in their discography... their mastery of this genre keeps getting better with every release they put out. Standout tracks include “Prey!” and “Stronger Than You Know,” a pair of metal anthems that define denim and leather metal.

2.  DESTRUCTOR                                                               "Blood, Bone and Fire"

DESTRUCTOR’s new record is a perfect mix of power metal, thrash, and traditional metal. It’s hard to believe they topped their previous album, ‘Sonic Bullet,’ with ‘Blood, Bone, And Fire’ upping the ante in sheer metal force and aggression. DESTRUCTOR is the blueprint for all of heavy metal. 

3.  HAUNT                                                                           "Golden Arm"

With tracks like “Fight The Good Fight,” “Piece By Piece,” and “Chimera,” HAUNTs ‘Golden Arm’ is one of the best melodic, traditional metal record of the year. “Fight The Good Fight” is right up there with “Burst Into Flame” and “In Our Dreams” as one of the best songs HAUNThas written and performed. ‘Golden Arm’ raises the bar a little bit higher for melodic/traditional metal becoming the blueprint for what this genre should look and sound like moving forward.

4. TERRIFIER                                                                        "Trample the Weak, Devour The Dead"

Razor sharp, barbed wired thrash. Songs like “Death And Decay,” “Dawn Of The Slaughter,” and the epic-pit rager, “Trial By Combat” are the metaphorical spiked wristband and combat boot to the face. TERRIFIER is fast, like blinding fast, taking the crown from MEGADETH in terms of “state of the art speed metal.” TERRIFIER is the once and future king of thrash. 

5.  MORBID SAINT                                                               "Swallowed By Hell"

I saw MORBID SAINT perform at Blades Of Steel metal fest and the intensity of their pit was insane. They’re set to release their forthcoming full length album, "Swallowed By Hell", February 9. To date, they’ve released three face melting singles from it including “Swallowed By Hell,” “Bleed Them Dry,” and “Pine Tuxedo.” Think about a tank battalion firing rockets and just destroying everything in its path. This is MORBID SAINT.

6.  VANISHING KIDS                                                             "Miracle of Death"

Absolutely extraordinary record combining the finer elements of classic rock, doom, and shoe gazey-ambience in such a way that I’ve literally never heard anything like this before. The songs on "Miracle Of Death" play into each other creating one long composition of atmospheric heaviness which have to be heard to be believed. "Miracle Of Death" is a true masterpiece in its own right.

7.  PLAGUEMACE                                                                  "Reptilian Warlords"

Debut record by these Danish up and comers who have been around since 2020. "Reptilian Warlords" is old school death metal that’s equal parts heavy, pummeling, and crushing. The grinding, death grooves these guys churn out is sick and impressive. Check out tracks "Cannibalicious," "Impenetrable Leather," and "Rhythmic Demise."

8.  WEALD AND WOE                                                             "For The Good of The Realm"

Just discovered this band recently but they’ve grown on me in a short period of time. WEALD AND WOE play a solid type of epic black metal, in their words, "Trve Castle Metal. Swords not optional." I like their sound and style, definitely a band I’m keeping my eye on. Check out songs “Fire, Steel, And Flesh” and “Rite Of Thorns.” WEALD AND WOE appeal to my fantasy roleplaying game side as well as my love for dark, black metal.

9.  VANISHMENT                                                                     "No More Torture"

I discovered this band back in October and haven’t stopped listening to them since. With tracks like “Door To Deceit” and “Forced Compliance” I can easily see them developing a name for themselves nationally. Vanishment’s sound bounces back and forth between SLAYER and TESTAMENT but their music is tight and spot on. I look forward to seeing what VANISHMENT does moving forward.

10.  KK'S PRIEST                                                                         "The Sinner Rides Again"

Allow me to be controversial for a moment. I actually like KK’s first record and this one better than PRIESTs last record "Firepower". "The Sinner Rides Again" continues to capture an era in heavy metal that laid the foundation for what we’re listening to today with its big, hooky, metallic riffs, and screaming, all-out-assault vocals. The 1-2 punch of K.K. Downing and Tim "Ripper" Owens is pure metal magic which is to be worshipped at the highest altar rock N roll has to offer. 

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DR. ABNER MALITY'S BEST OF 2023

1. ENSLAVED                                                 "Heimdal"

A return to greatness for these pioneers. A real sonic journey through inner and outer worlds with unmatched musicianship and unquestioned heaviness.

2.  ENFORCED                                                                                 "War Remains"

Virginian thrash maniacs prove “Kill Grid” was no fluke. The purest distillation of neck-wrecking thrash in the business, bar none.

3.  URIAH HEEP                                                                               "Chaos And Colour"

50 years into their career and these legends are still outdoing themselves. Classic British hard rock in the grand tradition.

4.  LIQUID FLESH                                                                             "Dolores"

Sleeper of the year from this unsung French death metal band. A concept album with a unique sound and a wall of sonic destruction to flatten your skull.

5.  HELLRIPPER                                                                                "Warlocks Grim and Withered Hags"

Blistering black thrash delving into the darkest Scottish legends. Fueled by BATHORY, SODOM and VENOM!

6.  MALOKARPATAN                                                                        "Vertumnus Caesar"

 Indescribable and undefinable heaviness from Slovenia, combining old school black metal, doom, psych and early 70’s prog into a smooth and refreshing experience.

7.  OVERKILL                                                                                      "Scorched"

Old school representing with style! America’s answer to MOTORHEAD deliver another cracking thrasher.

8.  TRIVAX                                                                                            "Eloah Burns Out"

From the inferno of the Middle East arise these demons of the blackened arts. Mixing sheer dark ferocity with surprising thoughtfulness, these guys strike hard and deep.

9.  TANITH                                                                                            "Voyage"

Extremely entertaining and authentic mix of 70’s proto-metal and hard prog with tons of melody. Definitely not a band for hard rock fans to sleep on.

10.  TERVEET KADET                                                                             "Kaikki Kaikkia Vastaan"

Finland’s oldest and angriest punk band show no signs of age with this screamer. It will flay the skin right off your back!

HONORABLE MENTION:     JAG PANZER, HELLWITCH, CROWN LANDS, GUTSLIT, GRAVERIPPER, TERMINALIST 

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DARK STARR'S BEST OF 2023

(Order Subject To Change On a Daily Basis)

1.  HAWKWIND                                             "The Future Never Waits"

2.  THE ROLLING STONES                                                             "Hackney Diamonds"

3.   WINTERAGE                                                                              "Nekyia"

4.   SINHERESY                                                                                "Event Horizon"

5.   THE DAVID CROSS BAND                                                        "Ice Blue, Silver Sky"

6.   GLORIOUS WOLF                                                                      "Mysterious Traveler"

7.   DISTRICT 97                                                                               "Stay For The Ending"

8.   ARMAUD QUEVEDO & FRIENDS                                             "2nd Life"

9.   MIKE KENEALLY                                                                         "The Thing That Knowledge Can't Eat"

10.   GREAT WIDE NOTHING                                                             "Hymns For Hungry Spirits, Vol. II"

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THOR'S BEST OF 2023

This past year was a good one for extreme music as many heavy hitters released new material. However, because there were so many releases and I wasn’t able hear many more than ten of them, calling my list a “Top Ten” list is a bit of a misnomer. Mine is more accurately described as “Ten Albums From 2023 that I Enjoyed”. Some of them are outstanding, like Overkill’s “Scorched” and Organ Dealer’s “The Weight of Being” while other albums made the list by managing to be just decent.

So, with that disclaimer out of the way, here are ten albums I enjoyed from 2023:

1.  OVERKILL                                                "Scorched"

2.   ORGAN DEALER                                                                     "The Weight Of Being"

3.  OUTER HEAVEN                                                                       "Infinite Psychic Depths"

4.   SANGUISUGABOGG                                                               "Homicidal Ecstasy"

5.   GOROD                                                                                     "The Orb"

6.   DYING FETUS                                                                           "Make Them Beg For Death"

7.   CRYPTOPSY                                                                              "As Gomorrah Burns"

8.   SUFFOCATION                                                                         "Hymns From The Apocrypha"

9.   URNE                                                                                         "A Feast On Sorrow"

10.   CATTLE DECAPITATION                                                           "Terrasite"

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OCTOPI MILLS' BEST OF 2023

1.   IMMORTAL                                                         "War Against All"

2.   MORTUARY DRAPE                                                                                 "Black Mirror"

3.   GREEN LUNG                                                                                            "This Heathen Land"

4.   YELLOW EYES                                                                                            "The Master's Murmur"

5.   DROWNING THE LIGHT                                                                           "Haunter of the Deep"

6.   DROWNING THE LIGHT/ OCEANS OF OCEANIA                                  "Mountain of Malevolence"

7.   TEDDY HORSE                                                                                           "Sea Taverns"

8.   FATHER ANDY                                                                                            "Unnamed Album"

9.   PIDDLEWINK                                                                                              "Santa Is Real"

10.   MAGIC HILT                                                                                                "Bell Keep Compendium"

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IRON SHEIK'S BEST OF 2023

1.  KK'S PRIEST                                        "The Sinner Rides Again"

2.   METAL CHURCH                                                              "Congregation of Annihilation"

3.   ALICE COOPER                                                                 "Road"

4.   SORCERER                                                                         "Reign of the Reaper"

5.   BLACKBIRD ANGELS                                                        "Solsorte"

6.   L.A. GUNS                                                                          "Black Diamonds"

7.   DORO                                                                                 "Conqueress: Forever Strong and Proud"

8.   PHIL CAMPBELL & THE BASTARD SONS                       "Kings of the Asylum"

9.   METALLICA                                                                        "72 Seasons"

10.   IRON SAVIOR                                                                     "Firestar"

Extras I had a hard time leaving off the list that worthy of  a mention:

SPIRIT ADRIFT - "Ghost In The Gallows"

SOEN - "Memorial"

ROBIN TROWER -"Joyful Sky"

PRONG - "State Of Emergency"

PRIMAL FEAR - "Code Red"

OVERKILL– "Scorched"

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LORD RANDALL'S BEST OF 2023

1.  OAK                                                         "Disintegrate"

2.   MERLOCK                                                                               "Onward Strides Colossus"

3.   ALASDAIR ROBERTS                                                              "Grief in the Kitchen and Mirth in the Hall"

4.   DAWN OF OUROBOROS                                                       "Velvet Incandescence"

5.   SAMMATH                                                                               "Grebbeberg"

6.   MAJESTIES                                                                               "Vast Reaches Unclaimed"

7.   BIZARREKULT                                                                         "Den Tapten Krigen"

8.   GINNUNGAGAP                                                                      "Heliacal Arising"

9.   BULL ELEPHANT                                                                     "The Long War"

10.   KRUELTY                                                                                  "Untopia"

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And that does it for 2023! I think this year there were fewer "common" releases than ever before. The only one that really stood out to me was OVERKILL...fitting for such a veteran band. It was surprising not to see more from big names like METALLICA, METAL CHURCH, OZZY and more. I think the older we get, the more our tastes diversify....if any of us can be said to have "taste" at all!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!