Welcome to the very best music created in 2023 - according to me!
Most of the music comes from the heavier end of the progressive spectrum, but with a few moments of progressive calm thrown-in for a bit of variety. I don't generally enjoy instrumental or djenty modern "prog-metal", nor growly vocals. So if that's what your looking for, I am sorry, but I hope you may still find some gems here.
The Top 6 are all winners, and pretty much picked themselves. The next 10 are there by virtue of some standout tracks and great performances.
Below you'll find a summary of each album plus a YouTube sample and a link to the original DPRP review where available.
This is the 13th and probably final year that I shall do this round-up. I hope you enjoy it? As ever, please support all of the bands you enjoy, by buying their music. Happy reading & listening!
Andy Read - editor and writer DPRP.net
15. RAY ALDER - II
Country: Spain
Sub-genre: Prog-metal lite
Description:
With Fates Warning now seemingly put to bed after the release in 2021 of Long Day Good Night, singer Ray Alder has made it clear that he still has musical adventures to complete.
Overall, I've mixed feelings about this, his second solo album. On one hand I have to admire Alder's desire to explore new sounds, and to not merely stay in his comfort zone. Equally, for someone in his mid-60s, you can but admire the power and emotion he has retained in his vocal.
On the other hand, the middle five songs (more than half the album) explore styles that I'm not really a big fan of, and these songs lack the big hooks that I enjoyed so much on the last album.
14. NOSPUN - Opus
Country: USA
Sub-genre: Progressive-metal
Description:
Do you love the traditional style of progressive metal? Would your ultimate gig be Seventh Wonder and Haken supporting Dream Theater? Do you have 70 minutes to listen to an album over and over again?
If the answer is "yes" to all of these questions, then Opus is likely to be your album of the year.
13. SOEN - Memorial
Country: Sweden
Sub-genre: Alt-prog-metal
Description:
The first time that an album by this band has not easily made my top 10. Memorial is still an enjoyable enough listen but for me it is beginning to follow the same formulas and also lack the real killer hooks and riffs that have made the previous five studio albums absolute classics.
Ah well, all good things come to an end.
12. ANUBIS GATE - Interference
Country: Denmark
Sub-genre: Progressive metal
Description:
The ninth album from this ever-reliable Danish band, is a no-brainer purchase for those who enjoy the more traditional style of progressive-metal.
Nothing unexpected, but as ever the performances are from the top level and the band has created an immediately identifiable Anubis Gate sound. There's plenty of complexity but it remains accessible, with melodies to the fore. I fancy this is a bit heavier than normal too.
11. THE ANCHORET - It All Began With Loneliness
Country: Canada
Sub-genre: Prog/metal/death/jazz
You won't listen to many more-inventive progressive music albums this year. I was initially drawn to The Anchoret by the involvement of Sylvain Auclair, singer with heavy-proggers Karcuis whose most recent effort was my Album of The Year in 2022.
However, It All Began With Loneliness offers a unique soundscape all of its own.
The Anchoret seeks to combine prog-rock sensibilities and Mellotron vibes, with the power and riffage of modern metal.
"Lots of bands are doing that", I hear you shout. Yes, but I've not come across many that further fuse a heavy jazz element with sax, clarinet and flute solos. And all with a topping of death growls and blast-beats.
I'm sure this will please many fans of complex, inventive heavy music.
10. EARTHSIDE - Let The Truth Speak
Country: USA
Sub-genre: Cinematic prog-metal
Description:
This is certainly an ambitious and multi-textured offering, summed-up beautifully by the colours and energy of the wonderful cover image.
Whether it works for you, and how much you enjoy it will depend on how open you are to the wide variety of genres and styles that it seeks to bring together. The performances throughout are top class. It's not about quality. It'll be down to personal taste. I love We Who Lament, whilst Tyranny and The Lesser Evil are also great songs. Other bits, I'm less keen on, especially those that veer towards the instrumental post-rock stylings.
One thing is without doubt, Let The Truth Speak is a sophisticated and fascinating album. Genuinely progressive. I strongly recommend that you give this a listen and come up with your own conclusions.
9. OVERHEAD - Telepathic Minds
Country: Sweden
Sub-genre: Heavy prog
Description:
Formed in Helsinki in 1999, I have all five of the studio albums so far released by this quartet from Finland.
Following their musical journey has been a real pleasure. They have yet to release anything that would not have won a "recommended" tag from me. Their big dynamic range, the mixture of progressive, classic and modern rock styles (with a hint of flute), their addictive spinning of grooves, the abundance of emotion and the immediately recognisable voice of Alex Keskitalo has given Overhead's music a sound like no other. Their sixth studio album more than continues that run.
Read the Duo Review of this album on DPRP here:
8. THE CRYPTEX - Nimbus
Country: Germany
Sub-genre: Heavy-prog
Description:
It was a review by my DPRP colleague Patrick McAfee that first introduced me to this German band and their second album, The Madeleine Effect. A very classy slice of modern progressive melodic art-rock with a great singer and a noticeable Queen vibe. That was eight years ago and I have followed their progress ever since.
Their third album, Once Upon A Time, brought me more of an artsy Savatage vibe. It was one of my Top 5 albums of 2020. So hopes are high for Nimbus;
I've only had my copy for a few weeks, and there is plenty to absorb. The songs sound more direct and certainly heavier. It's a real grower.
7. MOLYBARON - Something Ominous
Country: France
Sub-genre: Modern progressive metal
Formed in Paris eight years ago by Dublin-born singer/guitarist Gary Kelly and Parisian guitarist Steven Andre, Molybaron created a flood of positive reviews with their second album, The Mutiny.
Released two years ago, my 10-out-of-10 enthusiasm has not waned. Tracks such as Lucifer, Animal and Amongst The Boys And Dead Flowers still get regular airplay. If I was drawing up my list of Top Albums of 2021 again,The Mutiny would still be at the top.
What struck me at the time and still resonates today, is how Molybaron had carved out a truly original sound, within a genre of music that has been repeating itself for too many years.
Whilst not quite as compelling as its predecessor, Something Ominous is a another powerful statement that cements Molybaron's reputation as one of the most promising modern progressive-metal bands around today.
Read the DPRP Duo Review of this album here:
6. KHAN - Creatures
Country: Australia
Sub-genre: Heavy-psyche-stoner-doom
Description:
This is the album that currently satisfies my itch for a a bit of heavy-psyche. A best-seller on Bandcamp, this is the third album by this band hailing from Melbourne, It is a varied meld of fuzzy psychedelia with stoner riffs and post-rock crescendos, alongside an exploration of more progressive rhythms and some languid, pastoral passages.
At times I am reminded of King Buffalo, Masters of Reality and Lucid Planet. Top Track: Eyes, Lungs, Arms & Mind.
5. ICE AGE - Waves Of Loss And Power
Country: USA
Sub-genre: Heavy-prog
Description:
Ice Age's debut album, The Great Divide, is without doubt a timeless classic. It's opening song, Perpetual Child is a valid contender for any list that seeks to highlight the best prog-metal/heavy-prog songs ever recorded.
Overall this is a very impressive return to the scene for Ice Age and a natural follow-up to their first two albums. If you enjoyed this band previously, you can dive in without hesitation. For all fans of heavy-prog, then this is one of the best albums released in this genre in 2023.
Read DPRP's Duo Review of this album here:
4. OK GOODNIGHT - The Fox And The Bird
Country: USA
Sub-genre: Heavy prog / alternative
Description:
This has been an Album of the Year contender from my very first listen. I have not been able to stop playing this second album by a newish quartet that formed while studying at the Berklee College of Music.
Now, this is self-described as a progressive metal band. And sure there is a modern heaviness at times (try The Snake). However for me the summerish, folk-pop influence is equally persuasive. Try the dreamy acoustic guitars and mandolin, with a flowing piano in The Racoon.
I can offer Meer mixed with Caligula's Horse as a reference point. Fans of Iamthemorning should also love this. Those seeking are more accessible version of District 97 may also dig this.
The voice of Casey Lee Williams is divine and there is a definite proggy ambition to the song writing; especially the heavier parts. Even more interest is added by this being a concept album with an animal-led storyline. You really need to give this wonderful album a listen.
I include two videos below to highlight the diversity to be found on this album. The first is heavy, the second more gentle.
Listen to and buy the album on Bandcamp
More information from the official band website
3. AVENGED SEVENFOLD - Life Is But A Dream
Country: USA
Sub-genre: Avant-garde prog-metal
Description:
Yes, you read it correctly. Avenged Sevenfold. The American stadium rock stars have made a worldwide name for themselves with seven albums of chart-topping heavy metal.
Their sound has gotten more adventurous and experimental, but the music that overwhelms you on this, album number eight, is something apart. "Batshit Crazy" and "Certifiably bananas" are just two comments from the myraid of reviewers trying to make sense of this. We sidestep from Floydian tranquility, to metalcore insanity whilst juggling jazz-core and folk.
Lyrically, existentialism and absurdism are two major themes throughout the album; in case you need another excuse to dive in! Metalheads may probably hate it. Musicheads may possibly love it. I now own my first ever Avenged Sevenfold album.
(I've again included two videos, so that you can at least make a start on getting an idea of what this is like!)
2. APOTHEUS - Ergo Atlas
Country: Portugal
Sub-genre: Modern alt-prog metal
Description: Just as I was losing all hope, it appears that progressive-metal does still have some room to surprise and delight me.
This is one of those records that needs to listened to and enjoyed as a single piece of music. There is a coherence and consistency to the songwriting and performance that gives each of the nine tracks (episodes) a sound that is very much Apotheus. Yet the range of styles and dynamics utilised here, makes each track rather unique.
Read my full DPRP review here:
1. CROWN LANDS - Fearless
Country: Canada
Sub-genre: Heavy-prog
Description:
They come from Canada. There are only two of them. But they make a sound a lot like early Rush.
I did take some time in deciding whether to place this as my number one album of the year; The hesitation is prompted by the fact that large parts of this album are an almost carbon copy of what Rush put onto vinyl with 2112. Heck it even opens with an 18-minute, multi-part epic!
As the album progresses, the duo do bring in more of their own ideas and there are some very memorable songs to be enjoyed here.
But when it comes down to it, this is simply the album that I have listened to and enjoyed the most over the past 12 months. So on that basis it has to be top of my chart. And let's be blunt: : no-one else has created music like this for 40 years!
You may also like to read:
More great albums you may have missed
