BEST OF 2023 – Carla Shields (Photographer)

BEST OF 2023 – Carla Shields (Photographer) 🇺🇲

You can find the Collective List as well as all our Best of 2023 content including contributors’ individual lists, podcasts and radio DJ shows here: CGCM’s Best of 2023 (Year in Review)

Another year has come and gone. Where does the time go? As we close out 2023 that means narrowing down and selecting my Top 10 new releases of the year. Looking back on the year’s new releases is a lot of fun, yet a lot harder than you think. To put it into perspective, in 2023 there were over 500 new albums/EPs released just in the rock/metal genre! Luckily our own Rich “The Meister” Dillon keeps a running list of new releases. His list also helps us find new bands we may not know. Unfortunately, that makes narrowing down the Top 10 that much harder.

For me, there is usually one or two standouts that automatically go to the top of the list.  The rest are a little (sometimes a lot) harder to narrow down. This year’s Top 10 is no exception. I, like many of my fellow CGCM Rock Radio teammates, have a wide range of musical styles that I love. That eclectic taste in music is evident here in my Top 10.

Now let’s dive in and take a journey through my Top 10 Best of 2023!

#10 🇨🇦

SPIRITBOX – The Fear of Fear

I am a huge fan of bands that feature a strong female vocalist, yet still have a hard rock/heavy metal sound. Spiritbox delivers this with frontwoman Courtney LaPlante. Many bands have a “cookie-cutter” style of writing that works for them but Spiritbox is not one of those bands. The Fear of Fear delivers a range of styles jam-packed into six songs. The songs flow nicely between heavy tracks like opener “Cellar Door” and more melodic tunes like “Jaded”.

I wasn’t a fan of Spiritbox in 2022 when I saw them at the Louder Than Life Festival. But, they are starting to grow on me as I listen to them a little more. I believe they are figuring out who they are as a band and that is reflected in the songwriting on this EP.

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#9 🇺🇲

GODSMACK – Lighting Up The Sky

Love them or hate them Godsmack have a sound that is their own and this album is no exception. Rumour has it that Lighting up The Sky will be the final new release for Godsmack and if the rumours are true then this album is a great ending to their studio albums. Frontman Sully Erna has said this isn’t the end of the band, just the end of this chapter and they are focusing on creating a new chapter for their final years of touring.

This album features the groove and rock-driven riffs that are typical of Godsmack with Sully’s signature vocals. There are some real snore tracks on this album but all in all, it’s what I have come to expect from a Godsmack album over the years.

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#8 🇺🇲

ACE MONROE – Ace Monroe

If you have never heard of Ace Monroe then do yourself a favor and go online to your favourite streaming site and check this band out. Hailing from Nashville, TN this up-and-coming group of extremely talented musicians have released their second album, self-titled Ace Monroe. I met these guys in Nashville earlier this year at the Brooklyn Bowl when they opened up for The Winery Dogs.

If you are a fan of southern rock and love a good, clean, classic rock sound and vibe this band has all of that and more. They perform with such energy and command the stage so well that it won’t be long before you see these guys on headlining tours.

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#7 🇺🇲

TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION – The Name Lives On

I was first introduced to Texas Hippie Coalition back in 2015 when they opened for Sebastian Bach at a small venue in my hometown. I have followed their music off and on over the past several years but have not followed every release fully. However, the band’s latest release really caught my attention. The Name Lives On is full of “down n dirty” rock that is best listened to LOUD!

Frontman Big Dad Ritch’s vocals on the opening track “Hell Hounds” is so powerful, ranging from a low, raspy tone to a clean, booming pitch in the chorus of the song. This album is extremely well-written. If you’re looking for some good southern rock to crank up at your next barbecue I highly recommend checking this album out.

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#6 🇺🇲

METALLICA – 72 Seasons

As a Metallica fan, I am so glad they got back to their roots of who they are and started writing music that sounds more like the early days of their discography, but with the maturity of a band that has been around over 4 decades. I also like that they created a “movie” of sorts to coincide with this release. While less movie and more like watching a marathon of videos created for each song, it was a unique way for fans to experience the album before it hit store shelves. I was one of the thousands of people who purchased a ticket for the one-night-only global premier of 72 Seasons in theatres worldwide.

I had heard the early release tracks and was really excited to hear the rest of the album. The first seven seconds of the title track “72 Seasons” starts out with a riff that reminds me of “Miserlou” by Dick Dale & His Del Tones that was the featured in the Quentin Tarantino movie Pulp Fiction. This is only a minor resemblance and from there, it is all Metallica in the riffs, lyrics and thrash-punk style they have perfected over their career.

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#5 🇺🇲

BUG BOT – EP1

Let me introduce you to Bug Bot, a local unsigned band from Louisville, Kentucky. EP1 is the debut release of this female-fronted punk groove band. Singer/guitar player Amanda Casey-Hack has a sultry voice that often reminds me of Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde. I particularly love the swing jazz style breakdown near the end of “Pest”, which features a pronounced bass line in the beginning and then a swanky little guitar riff to finish it out.

Coming in at just under twenty minutes, this six-song EP is well-written with great riffs and great vocals. My favourite line on the whole EP is in “Remembering Glen”  when she says “I wanna see you naked as I bury you”. If you are looking for new music I highly recommend checking out this EP.

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#4 🇺🇲

COREY TAYLOR – CMF2

This one was an easy one for me because I love Corey Taylor’s voice. Whether it’s his solo project, Slipknot, or Stone Sour, I think he has incredible vocal abilities and is extremely talented. This latest release of his solo material starts off with a nice slow track called “The Box” and then jumps straight into “Post Traumatic Blues”, which features chugging guitars and Taylor’s signature Slipknot-like vocals.

I saw Corey Taylor perform live at the Louder Than Life Festival in Louisville, KY this year and his performance was incredible. I love that he performed two songs off CMF2 as well as a combination of Slipknot and Stone Sour songs and an incredible cover of Motorhead‘s “Ace of Spades”. Corey Taylor is a very versatile artist and CMF2 is a perfect example of his talent.

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#3 🇺🇲

RIVAL SONS – Darkfighter

I first heard about RIVAL SONS a few years ago, but didn’t follow them closely. However, when Darkfighter was released I started listening to them a little more. I really like their bluesy, classic rock sound.  Jay Buchanan’s vocals are stunning on this album. I’m particularly fond of “Nobody Wants to Die”. This is a song about how we all face the same destiny and “Ain’t nothing gonna save you”.

The album is full of thought-provoking lyrics and makes you really stop to think about your own life. Darkfighter is filled with catchy riffs and great melodies that makes me want to get up and dance.

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#2 🇸🇪

ORBIT CULTURE – Descent

Here is an example of how Rich “The Meister“ Dillon‘s list can have an impact on my Top 10. I honestly did not know much about Orbit Culture or their discography prior to this release in August 2023. While reviewing the list and narrowing down my list I came across this band. I had heard the title track “Descent” on SiriusXM but never really paid much attention.

So I decided to give Descent a listen or two. The more I listened to this album the higher it moved up in my Top 10. I also took a deep dive into their catalogue and fell in love. They remind a bit of Amon Amarth (which is another band I love) with their drive and Viking-like style. My favourite track on this album is “Sorrower”. I love the powerful intro to the song with the drums, driving guitars and bass. The whole album is great and I am really glad I was turned onto them.

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#1 🇸🇪

AVATAR – Dance Devil Dance

This album was one of the standout releases that I knew would make the top of my list this year. AVATAR is my absolute favourite band. So when they dropped their ninth studio album in mid-February I immediately knew this would be my number one new release this year. This self-produced album is well mixed and mastered with lots of depth. The opening bell and riff of the title track, “Dance Devil Dance”, sets the tone of the whole album. This album definitely keeps listeners on their toes. The tracks move between melo-death, groove metal, thrashy riffs and some 80’s techno sounds thrown in for good measure.

Dance Devil Dance has more twists and turns than a roller coaster and definitely worth listening to from beginning to end. Vocalist Johannes Eckerstrom’s range is unparalleled. He goes from a guttural growl to falsetto highs, often in the same song. He further shows his vocal abilities in “Train” where the verses are reminiscent of a lounge singer. My favourite tracks on this album are “Valley of Disease”, “The Dirt I’m Buried In” and “Dance Devil Dance”. In my opinion, there aren’t any other bands like AVATAR. They have created a style and sound that is all their own. Dance Devil Dance shows the diversity and talents they possess.

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So there you have it, the musical journey through my Best of 2023 Top 10 list. As I reflect on my Top 10 albums one thing is clear, my love of music is definitely an adventure. My top two albums are bands from Sweden. I have a deep love of aggressive, melodic music. Yet I can slow things down to a more blues-rock-oriented style.

I hope you enjoyed my Top 10 list and maybe found a new band or two.

Here’s to 2024 and another full year of new releases!

Carla Shields

Email me at: Carla Shields