There is so much heavy, extreme, and beautiful metal music being conjured all around the world that it can be overwhelming. Fortunately, Metal Has No Borders has curated the best experimental metal released this past year, from Japan and Hungary to Brazil.
Be sure to vote in our ‘Best Metal Release of 2023‘ poll and enjoy our hand-picked favorite experimental metal albums for 2023 below.
Experimental Metal Album of the Year (Gold Tier)
Babymetal
The Other One
Released via 5B Records, Amuse Inc.
Japan
Emerging a bit over a decade ago with a truly unique fusion of J-pop with a myriad of metal subgenres, Babymetal‘s left-field black sheep approach to experimental heavy music inevitably faced elitism backlash. Even myself, with such an open mind [sarcastically pats myself on the back], initially struggled to swallow the jagged pill of such culture shock. With further exposure, I found myself fascinated by their bold innovation and undeniable melodies. We now arrive at their fourth full-length, easily the project’s strongest and most consistent effort. The Other One boasts a tracklisting where nearly ever song is single-worthy, brimming with catchiness, headbang dynamics, and of course, a perfect amount of weird factor. The metal community is full of quirky dorks and if you too self-identify as an eccentric individual, you’ll absolutely love this sensational experimental listening experience.
The Other One by Babymetal is awarded Best Experimental Album of the Year (Gold Tier) for 2023
Favorite Songs: “Metal Kingdom,” “Mirror Mirror,” “Metalizm”
FFO: Poppy, Periphery, Windrunner
Experimental Metal Album of the Year (Silver Tier)
Thy Catafalque
Alföld
Released via Season of Mist
Hungary
Folk-tinged progressive black metal one-man project Thy Catafalque’s eleventh full-length studio recording is both comforting and harsh, in tones, in dynamics. Vocals bellow out like wizards, damned to be hermits in frostbitten caves, as blackened riffs reflect also the Winter bitterness. Alföld slowly unravels, presenting a range of cold, callous compositions to whimsical immersion. The nine-minute title track and following piece “Folyondár” are most emblematic of this breadth, showing the vast stylistic spectrum and emotional gamut on par with Midsommar (2019) hostility. While mastermind Tamás Kátai runs the show, this album would not be complete without the guest musicians featured, a diverse display of American, Brazilian, Hungarian, Israeli, Italian, and Latvian vocalists and instrumentalists. Alföld is cogent, undoubtedly herculean.
Alföld by Thy Catafalque is awarded Best Experimental Metal Album of the Year (Silver Tier) for 2023
Favorite Songs: “Néma vermek,” “Alföld,” “A csend hgyei“
FFO: Ihsahn, Sigh, Arcturus
Experimental Metal Album of the Year (Bronze Tier)
Umbilichaos
Mourning Carnivals from Now On
Released via Time to Kill Records
Brazil
Like a curb-stomp on painkillers or a gunshot in your sleep, Umbilichaos exudes unheard pain. This one-woman act is masterminded by Anna C. Chaos, who loosely holds the reigns on a truly unhinged four-track exploration of sludgy industrial hardcore indulgences for Mourning Carnivals from Now On. As riffs hit harder than metal on concrete, it is the blood on the back of her throat that truly compels this record forward. For those who enjoy dissonance and fingering wounds unhealed, you will find solace here.
Mourning Carnivals from Now On by Umbilichaos is awarded Best Experimental Metal Album of the Year (Bronze Tier) for 2023
Favorite Songs: “Burden of a New Dawn,” “Resumption Through Impossibility,” “And Fear Brought Autumn”
FFO: Godflesh, Neurosis, Author & Punisher
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