The Aquanaut's Albums of the Year: Part 1
15 to 11 of the Aquanaut's favourite albums released in 2023
Last December I published three posts listing my favourite 15 tracks of the year. So in an effort to be consistent, I’m going to do the same this year. The last 24 months have been difficult for me personally. I’ve watched my parents go from being two strong, reliable, elderly people, to needing full time care. It’s been extraordinarily difficult to watch, and even more difficult to process emotionally.
When I was younger my coping mechanisms were self-destructive. I’ve got a different emotional toolbox these days, but even with that I’ve found you can’t fix everything. What’s left is an attempt at acceptance, and seeking catharsis through healthy means. Books, Nature, and Music are my outlets for emotional healing and my inspirations.
Over the next three posts we’ll take a look at 15 albums that were the soundtrack to a year of profound change in the Aquanaut's life. Maybe you’ll like them too.
Last year’s list was chronological, starting in January and progressing through the year. This years list is not, and is representative of a chaotic, ad-hoc listening schedule forced by circumstance.
The Ocean - Holocene
I’ve written about The Ocean at length in 2022 when I was lucky enough to catch them live (for the third time) in my homeland of Ireland. I feel like this album came out earlier than it did, as I had heard some of it live at that gig back then. The Ocean’s series of albums chronicling the various geological eras of the Earth has (seemingly) finally come to an end with ‘Holocene’. The current era we are in has seen rapid change to this planet in a frighteningly short period of time. The album is surprisingly subdued and features a synthesiser driven sound, in a departure from their usual guitar driven work. It was a grower for me, before I realised it may be their best work.
Duskwood - The Last Voyage
Duskwood wear their Kyuss influences as a badge of honour. The album cover of ‘The Last Voyage’ shows a car speeding on some alien, post-apocalyptic landscape and sonically it brings you on a stoned, psychedelic journey. This was my driving album for the early parts of 2023, though my journeys were through the pleasant fields of north County Cork, (in Ireland) which admittedly isn’t very Mad Max. They are from Yeovil in England, which isn’t famed for it’s desert car chases either, but that’s the beauty of music. ‘The Last Voyage’ takes you on whatever journey you want, in the best spirit of Desert Rock.
Overkill - Scorched
Overkill are stalwarts of the Thrash Metal scene. Formed in NJ, USA in 1980 they actually predate all of the big Thrash Metal bands of the 1980s. They got their break in 1985 with their debut album ‘Feel the Fire’ and ‘Scorched is their twentieth album. Whether through accident or design, they released the new album the same day as another famous thrash Metal band. While Metallica’s ‘78 Seasons’ may be the popular choice in many end of year lists, the NJ metallers have nudged them out of mine. If you listen to one Thrash metal album from 2023, please make it ‘Scorched’. This album rocks.
Boris - "EarthQuaker Sessions"
I’m cheating with this one in several ways. First of all, this is from a series of sessions arranged by EarthQuaker devices, who make effect pedals for musicians. It’s not an album per se. But Boris are an extremely productive band who sometimes release two or even three albums a year, so I’m sure they’ll forgive me if I can’t keep up. The Japanese Metal band are masters of reinvention and have gone from a three piece, to four. They’ve promoted their quiet drummer Atsuo to an Ozzy Osbourne like frontman and, as ludicrous a proposition as it sounds on paper, it works. I caught them live this year. They’re incredible in concert. I’ve picked this tune as it showcases just how heavy they can be when they put the pedal to the Metal. This clip shows one of my favourite metal guitar players, the diminutive Wata, as the absolute shredder she is.
Gel - Only Constant
Gel are another NJ band, though they’re youngsters compared to Overkill. Formed in 2018 they play a traditional form of Hardcore Punk that is amazingly energetic and uplifting. I caught them live supporting Municipal Waster on their recent UK & Ireland tour, and had the whole crowd bouncing up and down within minutes. Infectious, groovy, and full of charming vitriol, they have a great career ahead of them. I have to mention that front woman Sami Kaiser is like a coiled spring on stage and she has incredible stage presence. They are exactly like this video below when they play live.
In the next post we look at the next five tracks in the Aquanaut's best albums of 2023