Here we are, at the end of an amazing year in metal. If you’re a headbanger, I don’t have to tell you that 2023 produced a mountain of ferocious, incendiary music from all genres and subgenres in heavy music. And now that our 2023 planetary trip around the sun nears its conclusion, it’s time for me to once again take stock of all the metal I’ve spun and enjoyed over the last 365 days.

Making this list wasn’t easy. I listened to nearly 950 albums this year, so whittling that down to a select 25 was a painstaking effort. It wounded me to leave off some very deserving records I love, but this is where my choices ultimately landed. If an album you love isn’t on here, I’m sorry. But hopefully you’ll make your own list and share the albums that impacted you most.

As in years past, I’m delivering my Top 25 here in print with descriptions, album covers and Bandcamp links. My selections were originally revealed on episode 145 of the Metalheads Podcast, the 5 hour countdown extravaganza featuring The Top 25 Metal Albums of 2023 from all 6 hosts. You can can listen to George, Will, Jay, John, Matt and yours truly gush about our favorite records while we guzzle all the beers. Now available on your favorite podcast app or right here on the Metalheads Podcast website.

In the coming days, print versions of all our individual Top 25 lists will be posted on the site for you to check out as well. We’ll also be unveiling the official Metalheads Podcast Top 25 Metal Albums of 2023, a scientifically aggregated list based on all our ranked albums and their positions.

Okay, before I dive into my Top 25, I must first wish you all a very Happy New Year, dear metalheads! May your 2024 be filled with love, levity, light and all the saxophone you can handle. Snuggle up to your favorite beast and toss back that glass of bubbly, because here we go. — Markisan