{"id":10696,"date":"2023-12-31T20:06:33","date_gmt":"2024-01-01T01:06:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=10696"},"modified":"2024-09-01T13:03:48","modified_gmt":"2024-09-01T17:03:48","slug":"jonathan-doc-swank-top-releases-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/31\/jonathan-doc-swank-top-releases-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"JONATHAN &#8220;DOC&#8221; SWANK: Top Releases 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2023<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Personally, this year has been a challenge on so many levels. Yet, despite an almost 11 month drought of contributions from yours truly, I was enabled to push out 14 reviews in 30 days. (Thank you, Lord!) Still, there is so much music I haven&#8217;t even heard, and for that I apologize to the artists not given a fair chance at representation here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sadly, for some of the albums on this list I had every good intention of writing a review when they were originally released (Dynasty, Bride, Ritual Servant and Wytch Hazel for instance). But for whatever reason, it didn&#8217;t happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thankfully, the flood gates opened &#8230; and for that I credit Theocracy &#8211; with the release of <em>Mosaic<\/em> &#8211; for breaking the ice of my writer&#8217;s block. (Thanks also to Emil Westerdahl who encouraged me this past year as well). Hopefully, this list &#8211; which just touches on the tip of the iceberg &#8211; will recognize some of the artists who have worked hard to deliver inspiring music this past year, and the labels who have supported them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, I&#8217;ve once again included my rating numbers. As I explained last year, I&#8217;ve grown less fond of ratings with age, but I do recognize the value of objective description as a way to &#8220;give credit where credit is due.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enjoy &#8230; and Happy New Year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>[Note: Each album title features a link to the review and where applicable, the HERE button will link to a feature interview. Please also note that Undivided was reviewed by myself and Brad Bowman and links to both are included.]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Best of the Best<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Signum Regis \u2013 <em><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/14\/signum-regis-undivided-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Undivided<\/a><\/em> (9.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Honestly, it was somewhat of a toss-up between this and <em>Mosaic,<\/em> but since <em><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/10\/04\/signum-regis-undivided\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Undivided<\/a><\/em> (Brad Bowman review) is the only release this year \u201cdouble-reviewed\u201d by our karew I put it in the #1 slot. Seriously, though, this is the band\u2019s best release ever \u2013 melodic power metal bliss!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Theocracy \u2013 <em><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/11\/30\/theocracy-mosaic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mosaic<\/a><\/em> (9.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The album of the year that wasn\u2019t the album of the year? Honestly, this is probably the best line-up the band has enjoyed \u2013 their heaviest metal output to date. However, <a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2016\/10\/29\/theocracy-ghost-ship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Ghost Ship<\/em> <\/a>for me still represents the band\u2019s high-water mark in terms of song composition. Nevertheless, <em>Mosaic<\/em> is essential listening, and no fan of prog\/power metal will be disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Testimony of Apocalypse \u2013 <em><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/11\/testimoney-of-apocalypse-the-offering\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Offering<\/a><\/em> (9.25)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Extreme metal release of the year!! Simply obliterating! Click <a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/01\/testimony-of-apocalypse-when-pain-is-in-the-offering\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>HERE<\/strong> <\/a>for the in-depth interview with the band by Chris Gatto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. Ritual Servant \u2013 <em><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/17\/ritual-servant-albus-mendacium\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Albus Mendacium<\/a><\/em> (9.25)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Holy thrash, holy metal! One review, two interviews!! No white lies here, these guys are the real deal! [See links to the interviews within the review]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. Applehead \u2013 <em><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/08\/31\/applehead-the-lighter-side-of-the-apple\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Light Side of the Apple<\/a><\/em> (9.25)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Such an amazing collection of diverse rock\/metal songs. \u201cPretty Creepy\u201d is likely one of the most outrageously insane songs I\u2019ve heard this year! Thanks to Keven Crothers for the great review (see link above) and to Chris Gatto for the excellent interview <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/08\/29\/applehead-interview\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. Wytch Hazel \u2013<em> IV: <a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/05\/wytch-hazel-iv-sacrament\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sacrament<\/a><\/em> (9.25)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These U.K. rockers have a unique style and sound reminiscent of those wonderful \u201870\u2019s classic rock and metal bands, but their 4<sup>th<\/sup> album \u2013 while not quite as heavy as their first three releases \u2013 may be their most accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7. Preterist \u2013<a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/20\/preterist-blood-moon-rising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <em>Blood Moon Rising<\/em><\/a> (9.25)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Surprise of the year release. Finland\u2019s Simon Kok\u2019s nearly one-man show echoes back to the glory of Matt Smith\u2019s debut Theocracy album. Fantastic melodic progressive metal ala Dream Theater <em>Images and Words\/Awake<\/em> era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>8. Martin Simson\u2019s Destroyer of Death \u2013<a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/07\/11\/martin-simsons-destroyer-of-death-eternal-reign\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <em>Eternal Reign<\/em><\/a> (9)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This one was one of the most anticipated releases this year \u2013 with Rob Rock and Jorn Lande on vocals. While a bit predictable and \u201csame-y\u201d at times, <em>Eternal Reign<\/em> is representative of the highest quality melodic metal on the planet! And \u201cMaster of All\u201d (Jorn Lande) wins my award for the best metal song of the year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>9. Diviner\u2013 <em><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/02\/diviner-avaton\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Avaton<\/a><\/em> (9)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Same vocalist (Yiannis<strong> <\/strong>Papanikolaou) + totally new band = Greek power metal bliss! While the endearing qualities of the debut album make it a favorite, <em>Avaton<\/em> surpasses what the band has accomplished to date!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>10. Narnia \u2013 <em><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/18\/narnia-ghost-town\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ghost Town<\/a><\/em> (9)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Veteran Swede melodic metallers stay relevant, consistent and uplifting as always. While not as heavy as some of their signature releases, they still deliver a high-quality set of songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>11. Dynasty \u2013 <em><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/02\/dynasty-of-metal-back-to-the-past\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Back to the Past<\/a><\/em> (9)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brazil\u2019s premier melodic power metal band may have crafted the most comprehensive and well-executed \u201ccover\u201d album of Christian metal artists of all time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>12. Randy Rose &#8211; <em><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/09\/randy-rose-the-masquerade\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Masquerade<\/a><\/em> (9)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Independently released, produced and engineered by Randy himself, this one fell under our radar during the 2023 calendar year, but enjoy Chris Gatto&#8217;s early 2024 review <a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/09\/randy-rose-the-masquerade\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HERE<\/a>. Fans of Randy&#8217;s earlier heavy\/doomy rock\/metal (Sabbath\/Trouble meets Danzig\/Cooper\/Queen) will really embrace these songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>13. AfterWinter \u2013 <em><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/30\/afterwinter-paramnesia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Paramnesia<\/a><\/em> (8.75)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This one would be my \u201calternate\u201d for surprise of the year. While this group of musicians made their mark known with BioGenesis, they\u2019ve established themselves as a force in the genre with their dynamic, complex and well-executed debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>14. Bride \u2013 <em><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/13\/bride-are-you-awake\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Are You Awake<\/a><\/em> (8.75)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What else can be said about these veteran rockers that hasn\u2019t already been said? They are still in the fight!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>15. Deny the Fallen \u2013<a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/06\/28\/deny-the-fallen-echo-chamber\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <em>Echo Chamber<\/em><\/a> (8.75)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>EP\u2019s don\u2019t usually garner much in the way of accolades, but this brief collection of songs finds this band swinging for the fence. They\u2019ve improved in every way from their debut and show tremendous promise with their \u201cold meets new\u201d metal formula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>16. Paradox \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/08\/paradox-the-wrath\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Wrath<\/a> (8.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Long overdue, final collection of songs from this San Antonio power metal band released in glorious fashion on Retroactive Records with extensive liner notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Honorable Mentions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>17. Exodus A.D. \u2013 <em><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/28\/exodus-a-d-anthology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Anthology Vol 1 &amp; 2<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I love this unique collection of songs from Kevin Ayers pre-Haven band Exodus. Rarely do we see a \u201cfirst-time\u201d release consisting of recently recorded \u2013 for the first time ever! \u2013 songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>18. Vultures Gathering \u2013 <em><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/08\/11\/vultures-gathering-the-hunt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Hunt<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I expected a bit more from this release given the credentials of the players, but the musical explorations\/ideas are fascinating. Click <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2023\/06\/15\/vultures-gathering-the-hunt-begins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong> for Chris Gatto&#8217;s interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.roxxrecords.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Roxx Records<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.boonesoverstock.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Retroactive Records<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ulterium-records.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ulterium Records<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/narniatheband.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Narnia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/atomicfire-records.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Atomic Fire Records<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DestroyerOfDeath\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Martin Simson&#8217;s Destroyer of Death<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bad-omen-records.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bad Omen Records<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/roar.gr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rock of Angels Records<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2023 Personally, this year has been a challenge on so many levels. Yet, despite an&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":10699,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1021],"tags":[195,1172,2344,146,279],"class_list":["post-10696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features-d97","tag-extreme-metal","tag-jonathan-swank","tag-melodic-rock","tag-power-metal","tag-progressive-metal"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>JONATHAN &quot;DOC&quot; SWANK: Top Releases 2023 - Heaven&#039;s Metal Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Jonathan &quot;Doc&quot; Swank presents his Heaven&#039;s Metal Magazine Top 15 releases of the 2023 year, complete with links to reviews\/interviews.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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