Finding a Syringe in a Needlestack, part 2

The Part Two of Ten of the Top Twenty of Twenty Twenty-Three

Earlier this month, I put out the first half of my Top 20 list for this year. Here’s what remains. This time, you’ll find all the odd-ones-out: avant-garde, melodic, the trve, the blackened death, and maybe even a magick metal band. Again, this is not in any particular order, but there is a “Best Overall” at the end.

Enough exposition - let’s finish this list. It is already 2024, after all.

11) Gruzja’s Koniec Wakacji

Gruzja’s style is known for employing lyrics centered around regionally-specific events that would fly over the heads over most people outside their corner of Eastern Europe. Most of the time, this album is no different. However - if the cover didn’t make it clear enough - there’s a tinge of wartime fear laced throughout.

If you blend the dark comical edge with the album’s intense hardcore riffage and topical lyrics, the result is one of the most unique albums that I’ve ever heard, much less this year alone. It’s a strange entry into the halls of black metal (and almost land…