(Other) TOP 2023 : ALBUMS OF THE YEAR SELECTED BY MUSIC WAVES : an article to read on Music Waves

Soilwork, Journey, Red Mourning, Dirty Shirt and Soup made up the top 5 of 2022. Above all, it's worth remembering that the battle between the first two was extremely close!

This year once again offered us a huge number of albums, from the return of Peter Gabriel, Extreme and Metallica to the regulars Neal Morse, Riverside and Haken...., the choice was hard. But like every year, this year's rankings are full of surprises!

And what a surprise ! An unexpected album took the place of best album of the year, coming straight from the United States with a virtual plebiscite, leaving the competition well behind.

NOSPÛN - Opus - 36 points

We weren't expecting it, but Nospün have managed the feat of climbing to the top of last December's charts with their debut album, and above all winning the title of record of the year. "Although the influences of Dream Theater and Haken are obvious, Nospūn transcends them to create their own sound identity with this "Opus", an exceptional musical feat. Blessed with dazzling technical mastery, a coherent musical narrative and bold creativity, this album stands as a major work of the year 2023" (Rhum1 had the nose for it)

"A major work that should go down in history" (Gyvy)

"The progressive metal slap in the face of the year" (Newf)

"An inventive, melodic (...) and exciting prog metal debut" (Struck)

TESSERACT - War Of Being - 22 points

After a 5-year absence, TesseracT are back at the top of their game with 'War Of Being', a gateway to Djent.
"War Of Being" is such a rich album that it's hard to get bored. It's also hard to do anything else while listening, so much so that you want to follow the story being told. A marvel to be listened to relentlessly" (Gyvy)

"The constant balance between technique and melody makes this the perfect prog djent album. (Newf)

"A perfect balance between scream and clean vocals and, my goodness, what a sound!" (ProgRacer)

"TesseracT offers an immersive musical experience" (Rhum1)

UNITOPIA - Seven Chambers - 20 points

"Mark Trueack and Sean Timms seem to have realised this after a few years apart, uniting their creativity for a Unitopia album that was long overdue. Unitopia have made a masterly comeback with a dense, melodically rich album that also has its fair share of surprises and new material. Unitopia belongs to the closed circle of great progressive bands". (Abbadon)

"Seven Chambers" is a generous album of lush, melodious and inventive progressive music. (Corto1809)

"Perfect vocals, tasty melodies and ambitious composition" (ProgRacer)

PERIPHERY V Djent Is Not A Genre 13 points

"Periphery return with an inventive and eclectic seventh album, all in a genre they invented themselves. An album bursting with energy and originality that won't go unnoticed. "Djent is not a genre, it is a lifestyle" (Gyvy)

"A musical experiment rich in detail and bold arrangements, using elements of progressive metal, djent and jazz" (Rhum1)

"A monstrous album where each track is an essential slap in the face" (Struck)

PETER GABRIEL I/O 12 points

For a year, Peter Gabriel distilled the 12 tracks that make up 'I/O' every full moon. It was an unexpected comeback, and one that almost paid off.

"I/O" ranks alongside the Archangel's best albums". (Corto 1809)

"This album is simply sublime. Archangel spreads his wings again" (Calgepo)

"A winning return for the great Peter Gabriel. So eagerly awaited that we can't put it anywhere but at number 1" (TonyB)

A Top 5 balanced between progressive and metal, even progressive metal, reflecting the tastes of the reviewers who make up the editorial team of your favourite website. And you, what are your albums of the year?

The rest of the ranking

8 points

ANGRA Cycles Of Pain

KK'PRIEST The Sinner Rides Again

METALLICA 72 Seasons

7 points

OVERHEAD Telepathic Minds

THE DAMNED Darkaledic

THE ANCHORET It All Began With Loneliness

DOMKRAFT Sonic Moons

NEAL MORSE The Dreamer : Joseph Part One

INSOMNIUM Anno 1696

REVOLUTION SAINTS Eagle Flight

ENFORCER Nostalgia

PSYGNOSIS Mercury