BEST OF 2023 – Kryfar (Photographer/Writer) 🇺🇲
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)
Wow! It’s time for the Top 10s again. Can’t believe how fast 2023 sped by and how much new music was released. I definitely had to scramble a bit for this one with all the new content out there!
Kryfar has contributed some written articles and photo galleries to our website. Check out her other articles and reviews here. Kryfar
Ladies and Gentlemen here are Kryfar‘s Top Ten albums of 2023!
#10 🇬🇧
KK’S PRIEST – The Sinner Rides Again
I’m going on Monster’s of Rock Cruise in March, and I always like to listen to the bands before the cruise. KK’s Priest is one of the headliners so The Sinner Rides Again was one of the first albums I listened to. I was amazed by how much I liked it. It’s classic heavy metal, period. If you love shredding guitars, speed and grit you will love this album. Three must listens are “Hellfire Thunderbolt”, “Hymn 66” and “One More Shot At Glory”
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#9 🇸🇪
TRENCH DOGS – Stockholmiana
I heard of Trench Dogs through a friend who had seen them live and was raving about them. So, I decided to give them a listen. He wasn’t wrong. They are fantastic. They have that 80s glam-bluesy vibe but with really cool lyrics, like in “Maroon”, “Maroon as a midsummer sky Nothing left to hide behind Standing here exposed in front of you” pretty powerful. These guys are writing great tunes that sound fantastic and have meaning. I hear they put on a fantastic live show too! Three must listens to get you started “Maroon”, “A Little Overdressed” and “Wine Stained Eyes”.
#8 🇺🇲
METALLICA – 72 Seasons
This one truly and pleasantly surprised me. I’m an “old school” Metallica fan. I haven’t liked a Metallica album since Garage, Inc. I tried for a bit but eventually gave up even listening. Until…I bought tickets for this tour. Figured I better give it a spin. And Wow! It’s really good. Almost classic Metallica. Almost. My three must listens are “Lux AEterna”, “If Darkness Had a Son” and “72 Seasons” You can skip the 11-minute “Inamorta”.
#7 🇺🇲
HEAVENS EDGE – Get It Right
I’ve had this one on heavy rotation since I saw Heavens Edge live at Indoor Summer in Hamburg Germany. Not only did Heavens Edge put on a helluva show but the songs stuck with me and I continued to listen. It’s been a long time since they have released anything, around 20 years, I think. But they made up for lost time with Get it Right. Three must listens are “Nothing Left but Goodbye”, “ What Could’ve Been” and “Had Enough”.
#6 🇳🇴
KARDANG – Rizky Biznizz
These guys are catchy riff and hooky hook-making machines! Their debut came in number 10 for me last year and now their 2nd album has leapt up to my #6. Kardang are a hard-working band from Norway who are gaining traction with their newest release. Rizky Biznizz is definitely worth a listen or 100. My three must listens are “Dream Forever”, “Change of Heart” and “Hey Everybody”.
#5 🇺🇲
L.A. GUNS – Black Diamonds
Another blast from my past that surprised me. After all the band breakups, shake-ups, social media wars and band name battles, I had kinda written L.A. Guns off. Sorry, I just don’t like all that drama. But then, I was in CA for NAMM and my friend and I were able to score tix to L.A. Guns‘ Black Diamonds album release party at The Whisky. I wasn’t expecting much but I must admit, I was wrong. Lewis and Guns are back together again and so is the magic. The show blew me away and I was really impressed with the new tunes, I like them so much that Black Diamonds has made it into my top 5. So, if you are like me and had written these guys off, you might want to give Black Diamonds a listen. My three must listens are “Shame”, “Diamonds” and “Gonna Lose”.
#4 🇫🇮
TEMPLE BALLS – Avalanche
This beast of an album came out November 10th 2023 and smashed my top 10 into pieces. Avalanche was exactly what I had hoped it would be but even better. I loved Pyromide and now Avalanche takes the band to the next level. The songs are powerful, catchy and intense with killer riffs. I think you’ll love the whole album but my three must listens are “Dead Weight”, “All Night Long” and “Stand Up and Fight”.
#3 🇮🇹
HELL IN THE CLUB – F.U.B.A.R.
Ahhh I’m late in the game for this band. Just started listening to them in September after friends were talking them up at Indoor Summer in Hamburg. Gave F.U.B.A.R a listen on my flight home and it was love at first spin. Now, I’m playing catch up and regretting my late start, but thankful that I started. If you are like me and are just hearing about Hell In The Club, do yourself a favour and give F.U.B.A.R a listen, you’re welcome. If you aren’t like me and have known about HITC for years, Why the hell didn’t you tell me??? The whole album kicks ass but for consistency’s sake here are three must listens “The Kid”, “Total Disaster” and “Cimitero Vivente”.
#2 🇸🇪
ECLIPSE – Megalomanium
Eclipse have done it again! Fantastic album from start to finish 38 minutes 5 seconds of hooks, anthems and a blissful escape into the world of Eclipse. They truly just keep getting better and better. If you like Eclipse you will love Megalomanium. If you have never heard of Eclipse then what are you waiting for? Megalomanium is a great place to start! 3 must listens are “The Hardest Part is Losing You” “Anthem” and “One Step Closer”
#1 🇺🇲
THE LONELY ONES – The Lonely Ones
Finally! It took three looong years but The Lonely Ones have released their debut album with most of my favs on it. Just in time to make my list, too. They took a different approach to releasing their songs over the years, just putting them out for streaming, so I know and love most of the songs already. But it’s so nice to have them all in one spot. Their sound ranges from to melodic with songs that come from the heart and most from the band members’ personal experiences. It’s that truly personal touch and their ability to turn experiences into incredible catchy tunes that make The Lonely Ones one of my favourite bands and this album my #1 of 2023. Choosing three must listens, only because I have to “The Lonely One”, “Don’t Cry for Me” and “Shootin’ Up the Dance Floor”.
Great bands