WORDS FROM THE TEAM: Lotty’s Top Ten Albums of 2023

This year has brough forth many changes for me, all within the last six months. One thing that has been consistent for me is the great music that helps me keep focused and stay grounded. What I have loved about this year that the majority of releases that have been my favourite albums are ones that are outside my usual preferred genres; reflecting my journey of venturing out of my comfort zone this year and taking on new challenges that come my way. Without further ado, here are my top ten albums of 2023.

10. Winterage – Nekyia

Kicking off my top ten is WINTERAGE’s latest album Neykia. I came across the band in 2021 when they released The Inheritance Of Beauty. I was enticed with their bombastic and majestic music arrangements that allowed you to fully immerse. Their latest album Nekyia continues to enforce they are symphonic metal icons in the making. This album takes a darker turn in terms of the tone, I am not surprised given what The Amazing Toymaker offered up at the end of the last album. This album contains solid melodies that make me stand to attention. They also prove that it is possible to headbang to classical music.

You can my review of the album here.

Find WINTERAGE on Facebook.

9. Battle Born – Blood, Fire, Magic & Steel

Be prepared to feel powerful and mighty with BATTLE BORN’s debut album Blood, Fire, Magic & Steel. Since the release of their self titled debut EP in 2020, their fan base continues to grow and the uplifting sounds on this debut will ensure this continues to happen. To show a diverse portfolio of content in the first works is a risky move but BATTLE BORN pull it off spectacularly. This album shows the band’s growth in terms of song writing and musicianship, a key one being seeing more of what Jack Reynolds can offer up vocally. From the moving sounds in The Endless Grey to the merriment in Down Your Drinks And Raise Your Swords, BATTLE BORN have you covered.

You can read my interview with Jack Reynolds here.

Find BATTLE BORN on Facebook.

8. Negatory Effect – Never Trust A Tuesday

Whether it was part of my honourable mentions or top ten albums, I knew instantly NEGATORY EFFECT’s latest album Never Trust A Tuesday was going to be part of my end of year posts. I was extremely baffled by the sound but it kept me curious enough to carry on listening. It’s an album I have gone back to time and time again, it’s so catchy that songs from the record could just randomly pop up in your head for no reason. One more message when experiencing this record: headbanging not necessary, dancing compulsory.

You can read my album review here and my interview with the band here.

Find NEGATORY EFFECT on Facebook.

7. Red Rum – Book Of Legends

This year, I figured it has been nearly ten years since I came across RED RUM; the most dastardly bunch of scallywags from the East Midlands. Their latest voyage Book Of Legends is uplifting and a lot of fun. This album came out a few days before my coeliac diagnosis and it helped lift me out of my own head. From the cartoony kookiness in Liar’s Dice to the delightfully jiggy Make Port Drink Port, you will have a great time. It was also a delight to experience these shanties live very recently. Unleash your inner pirate with this release and experience the voyage as many times as you want me hearties.

Find RED RUM on Facebook.

6. Skyblazer – Infinity’s Wings

This time last year, I was so burnt out and feeling the negative effects of Imposter Syndrome. It had gotten so bad that I was even considering giving up music journalism and stop running Rock Out Stand Out. Singer/multi musician Johannes Frykolm sent me a review copy of Infinity’s Wings, the debut album for his band SKYBLAZER. I didn’t know at the point it was going to be the album that saved my motivation and brought back that spark inside that I thought had gone out completely. This album contains some brilliantly uplifting songs that will ignite that fire inside. If you like early noughties Power Metal and video games, this is the album for you.

You can read my album review here and my interview with Johannes here.

Find SKYBLAZER on Facebook.

5. Nanowar Of Steel – Dislike To False Metal

Usually when a review promo is only available for streaming, it’s rare for me to keep going back. NANOWAR OF STEEL’s latest offering Dislike To False Metal had me coming back time and time again. This delightful portfolio of ear worms will turn the frowns upside down on even the most hardened metal heads. Where else are you going to hear songs about a health conscious pirate ship and the FIFA World in 1994? In fact, this is the first album I have come across the most unlikely pairing of words: Dimmu and Boogie. They advise to expect the unexpected with NANOWAR OF STEEL, this album keeps up this statement.

You can read my album review here and my interview with Gatto Panceri 666 here.

Find NANOWAR OF STEEL on Facebook.

4. Blackbriar – A Dark Euphony

I came across BLACKBRIAR a few years ago through an incredibly powerful single, so they have been on my radar for a while. Their music is a unique combination; whilst the music arrangements are mostly haunting and eerie, Zora Cock’s unique voice adds innocence and curiosity. A Dark Euphony is the first full length album I had listened to by them and I was enchanted by the array of melodies this album offered up. Songs on this record included the sinister sounds of Bloody Footrpints In The Snow, the whimsical Far Off Distant Land, the eerie We Make Mist and the delightfully charming Spirit Of Forgetfulness.

Find BLACKBRIAR on Facebook.

3. Rave The Reqviem – Ex-Eden

Kicking off my top three is RAVE THE REQVIEM’s Ex-Eden. A very good friend of mine recommended this album and I have had this on loop since coming across it. The opening track (0)485 enticed me in instantly; The Plagues from The Prince Of Egypt came to mind when I heard this track. The transition from that to Doombreaker is smooth and seamless. There is a unique array of infectious sounds on this record from start to finish and it definitely keeps you on your toes. Examples of this include the bouncy God, Demon, Machine, the vast sounds of Anti-Saviour and the empowering Edge Of Eden.

Find RAVE THE REQVIEM on Facebook.

2. Myrkur – Spine

I had heard the name Myrkur before but never sat down and listened to her until being recommended her latest album Spine. She is one of those artists that you can’t pigeonhole in one box; you don’t know what you are going to get with this stunning album and that is the sheer brilliance of it. It’s due to the many things going on in this album that help keep me focused. Usually when you hear of an artist or band merging many subgenres together, you get sceptical; Myrkur pulls it off spectacularly well and the result is mesmerising. After listening to this album of mesmerising melodies, I will definitely be listening to her a lot more.

Find MYRKUR on Facebook.

NUMBER ONE: Temperance – Hermitage – Daruma’s Eyes Pt. 2

From the moment I pressed play on TEMPERANCE’s Hermitage – Daruma’s Eyes Pt. 2, it it was clear what my album of the year was going to be.

Hermitage – Daruma’s Eyes Pt. 2 is an immersive experience that takes you on a remarkable journey through the story of protagonist Victor, who is catapulted into another era after finding the Japanese doll, Daruma. He wakes up in a magical village called Hermitage, exploring its secrets track by track. Getting into a fight between the siblings Anningan and Irin, only Viktor’s destiny is the key to their conflict.

Whilst each chapter tells their own tales, they all interlink so well into one story that will have you fully immersed. Whether it’s in the majestic sounds of Welcome To Hermitage, the haunting stylings of Into The Void, the empowerment in A Hero Reborn or the powerful Where We Belong; each track has a special place.

The band released a limited number of books to go with the album. I was lucky to get one of these; reading the book alongside the album is a truly immersive experience.

You can read my review of the album here and my interview with newest vocalist Kristin Starkey here.