Prog rock

[Designsfx]

Here are my top 25 favorite albums released in 2023 (in no particular order).

Great List! I’m thinking getting that down to just 25 was more difficult than you first thought- 2023 turned out to be a really good year for new music!

 

[Garney]

Here are my top 25 favorite albums released in 2023 (in no particular order).

Great list! I've heard 19 of 25. Added those that I haven't heard, as your favorites / recommendations haven't missed yet!

I'm not traditionally a prog rock listener but it's definitely been piquing my interest more and more as of late. Some very strong releases this year!

 

[Garney]

Well, Mystery Redemption is great. Just wrapped up listening on the Empyrean... can't wait to give this more spins! The closing track...

 

[rids57]

Here are my top 25 favorite albums released in 2023 (in no particular order).

I own or at least have heard sixteen out of the twenty five, so there are still nine for me to explore

 

[YtseJamer]

I found this awesome band over the weekend. There are a few death vocals, but don't let that stop you from checking out the album. The guy sings with his clean voice about 95% of the time.

 

[Garney]

I found this awesome band over the weekend. There are a few death vocals, but don't let that stop you from checking out the album. The guy sings with his clean voice about 95% of the time.

This rocks! Love the drumming. I could have actually done with a bit more of the growled vocals but his clean singing isn't half bad

Here's another back half of 2023 release that I finally got around to listening to. Excellent guitar playing on this one via John Cook.

 

[rids57]

This rocks! Love the drumming. I could have actually done with a bit more of the growled vocals but his clean singing isn't half bad

Here's another back half of 2023 release that I finally got around to listening to. Excellent guitar playing on this one via John Cook.

Nice heads up - I love the band and have the rest of their albums but didn't know they had a new one out

 

[Designsfx]

This rocks! Love the drumming. I could have actually done with a bit more of the growled vocals but his clean singing isn't half bad

Here's another back half of 2023 release that I finally got around to listening to. Excellent guitar playing on this one via John Cook.

“This Winter Machine” is a very interesting recording- very vocal forward with an unusual stage depth on the drums, it’s really different from most other recordings in this genre. The guitar work is complimentary to each track- rather than the spot lit showboating some guitarist provide. I like it! I have to admit that I overlooked this release- probably thought it was going to be another metal onslaught but this is leaving me wanting to listen more- that’s a good thing! Does anyone know if this group does a physical CD release or is it the usual digi download thing? I prefer ripped discs much more than continual streaming on Qobuz.

 

[rids57]

“This Winter Machine” is a very interesting recording- very vocal forward with an unusual stage depth on the drums, it’s really different from most other recordings in this genre. The guitar work is complimentary to each track- rather than the spot lit showboating some guitarist provide. I like it! I have to admit that I overlooked this release- probably thought it was going to be another metal onslaught but this is leaving me wanting to listen more- that’s a good thing! Does anyone know if this group does a physical CD release or is it the usual digi download thing? I prefer ripped discs much more than continual streaming on Qobuz.

You can buy the CD of their new album on Bandcamp. I headed straight over there for a digital download as soon as I found out it was released.

 

[Designsfx]

I need to find a good UK source for CD purchases- someone tuned in that carries this kind of stuff for regular sale. I’m all about the artist getting their direct slice of the revenue but I’m totally over and done with PayPal. I live a few miles from one of the greatest music stores around (Amoeba Hollywood) and when I go in looking for the stuff we listen to here they don’t have it, haven’t heard of it and sometimes get tired of me asking for it!

 

[rids57]

I need to find a good UK source for CD purchases- someone tuned in that carries this kind of stuff for regular sale. I’m all about the artist getting their direct slice of the revenue but I’m totally over and done with PayPal. I live a few miles from one of the greatest music stores around (Amoeba Hollywood) and when I go in looking for the stuff we listen to here they don’t have it, haven’t heard of it and sometimes get tired of me asking for it!

here's a couple:
https://www.whiteknightshop2.co.uk/home/This-Winter-Machine-The-Clockwork-Man-CD-p583852935
https://www.caerllysimusic.co.uk/contents/en-uk/p4981.html

 

[Designsfx]

Thanks rids! I’ll check these out..

 

[Garney]

“This Winter Machine” is a very interesting recording- very vocal forward with an unusual stage depth on the drums, it’s really different from most other recordings in this genre. The guitar work is complimentary to each track- rather than the spot lit showboating some guitarist provide. I like it! I have to admit that I overlooked this release- probably thought it was going to be another metal onslaught but this is leaving me wanting to listen more- that’s a good thing! Does anyone know if this group does a physical CD release or is it the usual digi download thing? I prefer ripped discs much more than continual streaming on Qobuz.

Definitely quite atypical in its mix. The vocals are way forward. The drums have an almost "lite" signature to them, too. Even on the instrumental track Reflections, the guitar solo isn't pushed forward to highlight (amazing solo on this track btw). But I don't find any of the mix "oddities" to be deal breakers. Just... different. As you say, it's less guitar centric which differs from how most prog is mixed.

I've not listened to other This Winter Machine albums to know if this is how they generally mix... need to check out more of their discog soon.

 

[YtseJamer]

The new Apotheus album is seriously good stuff! If you're into Pain Of Salvation, Tool, or Katatonia, you should definitely try this album.

 

[rids57]

The new Apotheus album is seriously good stuff! If you're into Pain Of Salvation, Tool, or Katatonia, you should definitely try this album.

As a big fan of Pain of Salvation and Tool I gave it a listen - I enjoyed it for the most part, all except the sporadic grunting which just starts me laughing and kind of spoils the mood.