Album of the Year 2023
As another year comes to an end, we are left with looking over this past year and the music that helped us through it. Not just one single song can truly define an entire year but one album can certainly help get you there along the way. It’s been an incredible year for every genre and music artist that banged out some of the greatest albums we couldn’t have imagined. Music is something many hold dearly to their hearts and so, we’d like to take you on a journey to remind you of some of the ones that impacted us.
From all of us here at Death Moth Press, we’d like to share with all you which album(s) were our individual favorites and the reasons why.
Fall Out Boy - So Much (For) Stardust
Chosen by one of our Co-Owner’s, Photographers; Writers, Belindajean LaBoy
Track Listings
Love From The Other Side
Heartbreak Feels So Good
Hold Me Like a Grudge
Fake Out
Heaven, Iowa
So Good Right Now
The Pink Seashell (feat. Ethan Hawke)
I Am My Own Muse
Flu Game
Baby Annihilation
The Kintsugi Kid (Ten Years)
What a Time To Be Alive
So Much (For) Stardust
On March 24, 2023, the infamous Fall Out Boy made their triumphant return with their eight studio album after a very long 5 year hiatus leaving all 2000’s emo kids rejoicing. This was their first new album with Fueled By Ramen since they released their first studio album with back in 2003, Take This To Your Grave.
Ever since I was in middle school, this band had always had a special place in my heart. Through their changes in music style to when they went on hiatus to pursue their own paths with other bands, I had always held onto hope that they’d bring back the sound we all knew them for since the beginning. Joe Trohman & Andy Hurley went on to be in The Damned Things which only proved their talents have and always will be undeniable. Pete Wentz went on to be in the Black Cards showing he was versatile in music expression. Meanwhile, Patrick Stump went on to do a solo career that soared higher than his vocal range. In the end, nothing compared to the legacy of their successful career that they created together, thus proving their bond was stronger than ever when they got back together.
With this latest album, they brought us what we love about them most while also showing off their improvements of working the music industry for as long as they have. Patrick has never sounded better vocally and his solo career definitely enhanced his incredibly powerful vocals, Pete’s experience outside the band influenced the changes he made to their lyrics and fresher style of playing, Joe brought in new techniques along with his already known signature riffs, and Andy definitely has proven himself to be one if not the best drummer of his time. With each song, you’re transported into their new story they have to tell and brought us a much needed new great album from start to finish. My personal favorite song off this album has to be I Am My Own Muse.
Truthfully, this album is perfect, and helped me get through this year just as the band always has. I can’t wait to see what else they come up with next.
To read an earlier article I wrote for their first single off the album, here it is: Love From The Other Side, Emo Kids Rejoice The Return of Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy - So Much (For) Stardust (Released on March 24, 2023)
Asking Alexandria - Where Do We Go From Here? (Released on August 25, 2023)
Butcher Babies - Eye for an Eye... / ...'Til the World's Blind (Released July 7, 2023)
Gorillaz - Cracker island (Released on February 24, 2023)
Get to know our Co-Founder/Co-Owner, Photographer; Writer Belindajean LaBoy: Instagram | Facebook | Website
Paramore - This Is Why
Chosen by one of our Photographer’s & Writer’s, Jenica Lawson
What a year in music it was, from start to finish artists were coming out of the woodwork to announce new projects and come back tours. I saw more concerts this year alone than I have in my entire waking lifetime (trying to break that record going into 2024 for sure) but the pièce de résistance was being there the night of February 9th, when Paramore announced the drop of the 6th studio album, This Is Why.
This album has been a long time coming for the group who cemented their legacy 20 years ago after putting out a song that would later be a lesson in misogyny. Rounding out the band's last album to complete their record deal that lead singer, Hayley Williams, had signed long before the Paramore was even fully fleshed out. 20 years later, after hefty line up changes, inner band drama, mental weariness, healing and finally a solid line-up, Paramore is the strongest they have ever been and This Is Why is the product of that.
You First, has the best and most thought provoking lyrics I’ve heard from Paramore since their 2009 release of, Brand New Eyes. “Turns out I’m living in a horror film, where I’m both the killer and the final girl.” Giving the thought to the internal struggle of seeing yourself as a victim as well as the wrongdoer when in reality, the one to blame is a person you are supposed to trust.
A solid album that has been years in the making, a true triumph for a band that has lost and found themselves over and over again. With a nomination for a Grammy, this record proves the skill that Zac Farro, Taylor York and Hayley Williams have honed through their 20 years.
Paramore - This Is Why (Released on February 10, 2023)
Fall Out Boy - So Much (For) Stardust (Released on March 24, 2023)
Sleep Token - Take Me Back to Eden (Released on May 19, 2023)
Pierce the Veil - Jaws of Life (Released on February 10, 2023)
Waterparks - Intellectual Property (Released on April 14, 2023)
Get to know our Photographer & Writer Jenica Lawson: Instagram
The Linda Lindas – Growing Up (Bonus Edition)
Chosen by one of our Writers, Andres Schiffino
After their live performance of “Racist, Sexist Boy,” went viral, The Linda Lindas became red hot in the punk community. The Linda Lindas are a group of young women of color who embrace 90s punk, in both its riot grrrl and pop styles. They re-recorded “Racist, Sexist Boy” and included it on their album Growing Up. The album deals with the struggles and anxiety of growing up and as the title indicates, these young girls are not done coming of age. The emotions on the album are raw and fresh and the music is honest and emotional. All the while the album still rocks and is highly catchy and enjoyable. Makes you look forward to what The Linda Lindas will do next.
The Linda Lindas – Growing Up (Bonus Edition) (Released on May 17, 2023)
Dolly Parton – Rockstar (Released on November 17, 2023)
When Dolly Parton was honored with an induction into the Rock and Roll of Fame, she said she needed to record a rock album to be truly worthy. Kudos to her for her integrity and commitment, but could the country superstar adapt to the rock world? The answer is a Hell yeah! With her sex appeal and swagger, Dolly was always a natural rock star, and she proved it on this huge album of 30 tracks. She recruited an impressive list of rock to help her including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Stevie Nicks, Linda Ronstadt, Debbie Harry, Peter Frampton, Kid Rock, Pink, Brand Carlisle, Sherly Crow, Pat Benatar, and Miley Cyrus just to name a few. The album sounds like Dolly is the cool chick at the bar who has a few beers at a karaoke bar and jumps on stage and blows everyone away with how fucking great she is. Is it breaking new ground? No, but it kicks ass and that is what rock music is all about.
The Interrupters - In The Wild (Released on April 28, 2023)
It’s been trendy as of late to poke fun at ska. Sure, the Third Wave of Ska of the 90s may now seem like an odd dream we all had, but it was at the time a dominant chart-topping scene. The Interrupters are the first band since the 90s to get ska taken seriously. Their brand of heavy punked-up ska is exactly what can reinvigorate the scene and truly ignite a Fourth Wave. In The Wild personal, powerful, and political. After years under the tutelage of Rancid’s Tim Armstrong, The Interrupters self-produced In The Wild. Armstrong did contribute to the album, but you can tell he is proud that his proteges can handle things on their own.
Creeper - Sanguivore (Released on October 13, 2023)
Goth refuses to die. Never taken seriously by critics and mocked for its fashion and aesthetics, goths embraced being rejected and stayed true to themselves. Now a truly international scene with innovative creators rising everywhere goth has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. There have been so many great goth projects as of late, but the UK’s Creeper has produced one of the more interesting albums of the past year in Sanguivore. Inspired by the COVID-19 outbreak and how live music made a comeback this past year, created a concept album dealing with vampires because of course a bunch of goths would do that. While many songs are in the darkwave genre, Creeper has also embraced the original gothic rock Danzig, Sisters of Mercy, and Nick Cave alongside the post-punk and 80s synth of Gary Numan and Depeche Mode to make a well-rounded album of great tracks.
Metallica – 72 Seasons (Released on April 14, 2023)
How does Metallica do it? Even at their age the band still makes albums that shred and resonate with metalheads of all generations. 72 Seasons features angst-ridden lyrics, especially on songs like “Too Far Gone?” and “Inamorata.” James Hetfield is older and wiser, and his lyrics represent a man with a lot of soul-searching after years of living on the edge. 72 Seasons shows the band is still willing to experiment while retaining the band’s signature breakneck tempos. Bassist Robert Trujillo does some interesting vocalizations on the track “You Must Burn!” The band’s sense of humor is still on display as the song “Shadows Follow” features a metalized version of the Batman 66 riff. 72 Seasons is further proof that despite what criticisms you can hurl at Metallica (and often they can be legitimate) they will always back up their place as metal royalty.
Get to know our Writer, Andres Schiffino: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Mental Cruelty - Zwielicht
Chosen by one of our Photographers, Sam Valente
Blackened deathcore has seen a bit of a rise in recent times due to some massively popular releases within the last few years. Not to discredit Pain Remains by Lorna Shore, and how influential they are on the modern deathcore scene, but this album does everything that album does… but better. The songs have more room to breathe amidst the crushing heaviness, which makes everything feel just that much more impactful. While Pain Remains dealt in unrelenting brutality (until the final three songs, the Pain Remains trilogy, which if released on their own as a three song ep, would be an absolute masterpiece), that made for a listen that was a bit same-y. To me, after a while, all of the songs blended together in a whirlwind of blast beats and breakdowns, with Will’s impressive vocals laid on top.
As soon as I heard Zwielicht, which is German for twilight, by Mental Cruelty, I was absolutely blown away. The production on this is absolutely massive, but ever so slightly restrained, so it is not just a wall of sound crushing you, and lets little nuances shine through in between bashing in your head with cavernous breakdowns. Having switched vocalists between albums (due to some not great circumstances), new throat Lukas Nicolai brings with him a range that lifts up the music being crafted by the band. From blackened vocals to some absolutely filthy low vocals to the requisite animalistic sounds that are popping up everywhere, Lukas shines amongst the current crop of metal vocalists. The music itself is grandiose, majestic, and absolutely monolithic in its heaviness, taking influence from symphonic black metal to melodic death metal and many of their related genres, all while being supported by a backbone of modern deathcore.
Starting with the intro track, Midtvinter, we’re treated to choral vocals with a symphonic background all set to the sounds of a storm rolling in leading right to the first proper track, Obsessis a Daemonio which goes right from a thunder clap into something reminiscent of mid era Dimmu Borgir, with the orchestral elements backing some blast beats before giving intro to the vocals and then leading up to the first of many titanic breakdowns but not before giving the band time to build up to it as opposed to just dropping it on your head out of nowhere. This is what I feel is one of the band’s greatest strengths. They allow things to breathe, as opposed to just constantly hitting you over the head, so that you have time to recover from the beatings before they come right back at you again, which makes them hit that much harder.
My standout track would have to be Symphony of a Dying Star, which I feel perfectly encapsulates their sound with the little drum run intro to blast beats with keys being played behind them being fronted by the ever changing delivery of the vocals and an absolutely earth shattering breakdown at the halfway point followed some epic clean vocals, and a nice little solo… this is the song I would show people if I wanted to introduce them to this band/album.
Zweilicht was released on June 23rd, 2023 (coincidentally my dad’s birthday, but that really had no bearing on this being my aoty, as I didn’t realize that until this writing) on Century Media Records. You can stream it here.
Mental Cruelty: Website | Instagram | Spotify
My top 23 of 2023 (in alphabetical order, as well as some EPs)
The Acacia Strain - Step Into the Light/ Failure Will Follow
Broken Vow - Anthropocene
Creeping Death - Boundless Domain
Drain - Living Proof
Dying Fetus - Make Them Beg For Death
Frozen Soul - Glacial Domination
Fuming Mouth - Last Day of Sun
Gideon - More Power. More Pain.
Hanabie - Reborn Superstar!
Harms Way - Common Suffering
Incendiary - Change the Way You Think About Pain
Jesus Piece - So Unknown
Judiciary - Flesh + Blood
Kruelty - Untopia
Magnitude - Of Days Renewed
Mental Cruelty - Zwielicht
Origami Angel - The Brightest Days
Pain of Truth - Not Through Blood
Sanguisugabogg - Homicidal Ecstasy
Snuffed on Sight - Smoke
Sunami - Sunami
UnityTx - Ferality
Year of the Knife - No Love Lost
EP
View from the Soyuz - Immaculate
Glass Casket - Glass Casket
Peeling Flesh - Slamaholics, Vol 2
10 to the Chest - Split the Fuck Open
Get to know our Photographer, Sam Valente: Website | Instagram
Koyo - Would You Miss It?
Chosen by one of our Photographers & Writers, John Campise
On September 29th, Koyo released their debut album Would You Miss It? via Pure Noise Records. This album has been on constant repeat since the day it came out. Being from New York, Long Island Hardcore has always been special to me but Koyo has proven with this release why they are a cut above the rest. The album is filled with nostalgia, high energy pop punk style riffs, anthemic choruses and melancholic melodies and will resonate with those who have gone through struggles like heartbreak or fake friends.
Stream/Purchase Would You Miss It? here.
Koyo - Would You Miss It? (Released on September 29th, 2023)
Beartooth - The Surface (Released on October 13, 2023)
Polaris - Fatalism (Released on September 1st, 2023)
Pain Of Truth - Not Through Blood (Released on September 8th, 2023)
Currents - The Death We Seek (Released on May 5th, 2023)
Get to know our Photographer & Writer, John Campise: Website | Instagram | X | YouTube | TikTok
SPIRITBOX - The Fear of Fear
Chosen by one of our Photographers & Writers, Emily Agnesini
On November 3rd 2023, Canadian metalcore sensation SPIRITBOX brought the metal scene back to its core with the release of their most anticipated EP titled
“The Fear of Fear'' out via Palechord Records and Rise Records. In 2021, the band released their phenomenal debut album which most people in the scene known as “Eternal Blue”, then followed up fans with a 3-track single from “Rotoscope” which was released in June 2022. The band shocked fans with their 6-track EP, “The Fear of Fear”. This recent release has been a huge evolution on the band as a whole. The band’s rise to fame has been fueled by heavy breakdowns, catchy choruses, hard work and determination for success, in which case it’s been extremely successful. a monster release that proves once again that their meteoric rise to fame was not a fluke but was actually fueled by talent, hard work, creativity, and determination.
To begin the EP, it opens up with a bang; probably one of their heaviest tracks yet to date, known as “Cellar Door''. The song features chunky riffs, blast beats, and vicious growls, the outing is laced with ominous synths creating a dark and gloomy atmosphere for fans in preparation for what was to come. When first listening to this track, the synths of the instrumentals in the background gave such a creepy aesthetic to the whole track as a whole; making me feel like I was trapped in an actual cellar door. LaPlante’s vocals are absolutely insane and as a fan of Spiritbox, her vocals for this one track with her low screams sent chills up my spine. As the song comes close to an end, the vocals slowly begin to fade away, leaving fans to only hear a chime to then transition to the next track on the EP known as “Jaded”. “Jaded” is a perfect song to transition to from Cellar Door as it transitions from heavy screams to now a beautiful, poppy chorus, catchy guitar riffs, with a taste of both heavy screams alternating with clean vocals. “Jaded” has been seen streaming on well known radio stations such as Sirius XM Octane and in addition has been in consideration for Grammys ‘Best Rock Song’ of 2023. It calls out the best sound for both the metal community and those outside of that genre.
Transcending to the next track to date on The Fear of Fear is “Too Close/Too Late”. This song has expressed the beautiful, angelic clean vocals that LaPlante has within her duty as a vocalist. The melodies that we get to listen to are absolutely heavenly and calming at the same time. There are so many emotions that follow the lyrics and the song sends out a message to its listeners. At the end of the song, there is another yet beautiful, haunting transition. It transitions to a very catchy, programmed percussion which transitions to a blast beat drum line, with a series of chugs; with LaPlante screaming the lyrics "Innocence is a game that I have lost”. This song is known as “Angel Eyes'' which is the fourth track of this six song EP. This has to be one of other heavier tracks and definitely has some competition with Cellar Door and Holy Roller with the Djent style of metal. LaPlante destroys this song with her well known lows and definitely makes it on their top heavy tracks on SPIRITBOX’s discography.
Another change in the EP’s dynamics takes place in “The Void”. This song has more pace to the instrumentals as well as the vocals. I feel like I am going to an EDM festival because of the beautiful EDM melodies that tie in with the drums, guitars and vocals. This song expresses itself to its crowd. Finishing up this EP is the melodic, calming sound of “Ultraviolet”. In this song, it has to be one of my favorites on this EP as a whole. Courtney LaPlante is able to shine and express her passion in her melodic vocals. She is accompanied by the backups of the bass line and the melody from the guitars; which as a bass player myself, this is mixed and blended together so beautifully. This song feels so atmospheric with the synth being in the backtracks giving such an ambient feeling. Overall, Spiritbox’s “Fear of Fear” EP has to be one of my top favorite releases of the year. Cannot wait to see what 2024 brings for us in the music industry.
Avenged Sevenfold - Life is But A Dream…
Chosen by one of our Photographers, Jimmy Gubitosi
Now I know this might sound crazy, but I’ve smelled the plastic daisies, and I think I found myself putting Avenged Sevenfold as top dog this year for its uniqueness, creativity, and a story that takes you on a very crazy rollercoaster even though many things are up for interpretation.
The album tells the story of a man who in the very first song “Game Over”, hangs himself by a tree. The first few songs dive deep into his mindset, his perspective on the falseness of life, and his journey through afterlife, until the most controversial song on the album, “We Love You”.
I remember the first time I heard this song leaving work, as I put it on in the car after seeing they released it as the second single.
What a disaster. I thought my phone was skipping and that something was wrong, but no. That’s the song. With some lyrical analysis it seems like a massive jump in time, the man is watching his son grow and watching civilization evolve and get more and more chaotic, hence the nature of the song. This is our transition song to the second half of the story which follows the man’s son throughout the rest of the album.
And what a very genre infusing ride it is.
I’ll be honest- I hated “Nobody” when it came out and was seriously upset this was the direction Avenged Sevenfold went into, but to me the best movies are the ones when you watch them over and over you discover new things every time, the same concept applies to this album.
Or they took a lot of hallucinogens and made music. Either way, still my top choice this year.
Avenged Sevenfold - Life is But A Dream… (Released on June 2, 2023)
Beartooth - The Surface (Released on October 13, 2023)
To prove this list isn’t biased, I’m not a huge Beartooth fan, or a fan of the metal scene that fused with the “scene” era of punk and hardcore that doesn’t really have an identifiable name. I like them a lot but that’s primarily due to this album, seeing them live, and the 1st single released for the album “Sunshine”
“The Surface” touches upon a lot of personal topics: depression, self doubt, self discovery, and picking up the pieces in life to be a better you.
What also puts this album so high on the list other than the great music produced and some really great, catchy hard (and soft) songs, is singer Caleb Shomo’s best vocals yet. I also found myself visiting their back catalog!
Anyone who has ever had negative feelings about themselves, which is everyone, give this a listen and I’m sure you’ll come out with some sort of different mindset about any of the topics discussed on the album, and make sure to see Beartooth live when they come around, it’s a not miss live show!
Avatar - Dance Devil Dance (Released on February 17, 2023)
If you haven’t heard of Avatar, here’s your perfect entry point. The most unique, musically gifted, and fun band in the mainstream today, and their newest release might just be their best.
The fun thing about Avatar is there isn’t exactly a genre to them. Especially on this album. They go from Metal, Disco, Beach Rock, and overall good time.
“Dance Devil Dance” starts off with its namesake, and probably the best intro to both an album and a live show I’ve heard in quite some time. Dramatic marching boots, then goes into “Valley of Disease” the hardest song on the record, then later on into “The Dirt I’m Buried In” which is their most popular.
If you enjoy fun bands, peculiar stage attics, and a very dedicated fan base, make sure to check Avatar out!
Gloryhammer - Return To The Kingdom Of Fife (Released on June 2, 2023)
A band you might not have heard of, but you may have heard of their sister group Alestorm.
Join Prince Angus McFife and his Hootsforce on a mission through time and space riding unicorns in order to defeat the evil sorcerer Zargothrax and to regain his kingdom and mighty hammer.
Yes. You read that correctly.
Gloryhammer is labeled as a “British-Cyprian power metal band founded by keyboardist Christopher Bowes, lead vocalist of the band Alestorm.” Each member of the band plays a character in an overall story throughout multiple albums, each one being another epic quest. This album is the first with new vocalist Sozos Michael, who I actually think is the best of the three in the band's history.
At first, you might not know what they are talking about throughout the concept album, but after a while and taking a very worthwhile trip down the back catalog, you’ll soon realize that Gloryhammer is the best thing ever.
They have become one of my favorite bands, and if you’re in the NY Area, make sure to see them next year!
Metallica - 72 Seasons (Released on April 14, 2023)
What could I possibly say about the king of the Big 4, Metallica?
Now, we all know the last few Metallica albums haven’t been up to fans standards, Hardwired was a great step forward but they really hit a grand glam with 72 Seasons, followed by a MASSIVE 2 Night event stadium tour.
Back to thrash roots, I was seriously getting “Kill ‘Em All” vibes. This is a much listen for metal fans, and maybe some old school Metallica fans who were soured by St. Anger and stopped listening to them. But overall my Metallica fan was so insanely pumped to hear this creative direction, and also includes their longest song ever at 11 mins long!
“72 seasons. The first 18 years of our lives that form our true or false selves. The concept that we were told 'who we are' by our parents. A possible pigeonholing around what kind of personality we are. I think the most interesting part of this is the continued study of those core beliefs and how it affects our perception of the world today. Much of our adult experience is reenactment or reaction to these childhood experiences. Prisoners of childhood or breaking free of those bondages we carry” - James Hetfield
2023 has been absolutely insane in the world of Hard Rock/Heavy Metal, with so many different styles, releases, tours, videos, it truly is a great time to be a fan.
Join me in recognizing the best of the best through this year. Maybe learn some new music along the way. I ranked these based on a few different scales, “Can I listen to this from first to last?” “Is there a message/How powerful is the message?” “Song Quality” “How creative is the musical direction?”
In other words I did my best to keep the bias out of the list. However I did want to say some honorable mentions and some good EP/Singles from this year:
Better Lovers EP (New super ground formed by Every Time I Die members and more)
Paleface Swiss - The Gallows (what a f***ing song)
Slaughter to Prevail - Viking
