Top 10 Favorite Dark Ambient Albums Of 2023

This was another fantastic year for Dark Ambient music. Not only were there many releases from well-known artists, but there were many great releases from up and coming artists as well. That being said, I was a fan of so many Dark Ambient albums this year, that it was almost impossible to come up with a Top 10. I could have easily had a Top 100 but it would have taken me forever to compile and write about each of them. After much thought (and a few changes along the way), I’m happy with this Top 10 list and hope you enjoy it as well. If some chance you’ve not heard any of these projects, I highly recommend them. Happy readings, Happy New Year and I already can’t wait for 2024!

10. Monasterium Imperi – Sanctium Choir Collection

Scorpio V has released four extremely impressive albums under the Monasterium Imperi moniker this year but ‘Sanctium Choir Collection’ is the grandest of them all. Over two hours of bleak, Gregorian chants over haunting drones is exactly what I love about this project and ‘Sanctium Choir Collection’ delivers in a monumental way. In all honesty, I wish this album was about four hours long but the seven epic tracks contained within will do just fine. Perfect for meditation, background noise or sleep music, I can’t recommend this one enough. Even though it’s only been out about a week, it definitely deserves a spot on my year end list. Don’t sleep on this one!

9. Infinexhuma – Denown

Infinexhuma released ‘Denown’ back in March and it’s been one of my go-to Dark Ambient albums ever since. Featuring a murky blend of industrial noises and immeasurable drones, this album almost has a ritualistic essence to it. This intense collection of colossal modulations is – at times – downright terrifying. There are bits of sinister vocalizations that will have you checking the perimeters for evil entities and I wouldn’t recommend this to fall asleep to, unless you desire the most extreme forms of nightmares in existence. Highly recommended for fans of more extreme forms of Dark Ambient music.

8. Metatron Omega – Kataphasis

Scorpio V’s second entry in this year end list is for his bellwether project, Metatron Omega. Released on the mammoth Cryo Chamber label, ‘Kataphasis’ continues a long string of Metatron Omega albums that emphasizes Dark Choir chants and haunting ambient textures. In addition to the elongated droning modulations, there are some beautifully melodies throughout that adds another dimension to this imposing offering. Chances are, if you’re reading this article, then you’re already aware of this massive project and the consistent vibes of the six releases available on the Cryo Chamber label Bandcamp site; but if you’re not familiar with Metatron Omega, I highly recommend ‘Kataphasis’ as a starting point.

7. Dev-I-Ant – A Place Of Warmth And Tears

Dev-I-Ant is another amazing project that has a pretty consistent catalog of sinister offerings. From the opening modulations of ‘A Place Of Warmth And Tears’, I knew this album was going to be a malevolent journey into the depths of darkness. From terrifying soundscapes throughout and the horror-like theme that spews from every track, there is no way that I could leave this masterpiece off of my year end list. If your aim is to be aghast while experiencing Dark Ambient music, then look no further than this album and be prepared for a frightful encounter.

6. Sonologyst – Shortwave Spectrum

Sonologyst excels at releasing masterful Dark Ambient albums that build upon isolationism through elongated drones and minimalist haunts. On the projects latest effort, ‘Shortwave Spectrum’, the intonations go above and beyond than ever before. Featuring over ninety minutes of ghastly sequences that are reminiscent of sounds that may be heard at an abandoned communication station, these tracks provide the full experience of abandonment and psychotic terror. Although not as ominous as other releases in my collection of Top 10 releases, there is an everlasting presence of dread that has an equivalent effect. If nominal Dark Ambience is your thing, then the works of Sonologyst will be right up your alley and ‘Shortwave Spectrum’ would be the perfect starting point for diving into this eerie style.

5. Eshaton – Pneumos

The third and final entry for this Top 10 list by Scorpio V is the enthralling, latest chapter of raw, Gregorian Chants by Eshaton called, ‘Pneumos’. Consisting of a single, thirty four minute track, ‘Pneumos’ builds upon coarse production efforts, grainy synth modulations and persistent dark choir effects to deliver an ancient – almost Medieval – sound that is consistently bleak but with an emotive posture. As Scorpio V continues to expand his unique sound fit for a fantastical universe, Eshaton is quickly becoming my favorite project out of all of his endeavors. Even fans of Dungeon Synth will become drawn to this effort and appreciate this massive sound for what it is – dismal and introspective.

4. Blackweald – The Fermi Exhibit

I continue to be astonished by the consistent output from Blackweald. Not only are the albums filled with dreadful, Dark Ambient soundscapes, but the theme choices and album length are a huge undertaking as well. ‘The Fermi Exhibit’ is over five hours of unhinged, maniacal ambient music that contains bits of Space Ambient, Ritualistic tones, industrial Ambient and Isolationism all wrapped up in a single release. Additionally, the use of field recordings and demonic effects are prevalent throughout, making this a true Dark Ambient masterpiece. My favorite track is the one hour, forty four minute long “Vast Emptiness”, as it is a Space Ambient showcase that goes from nominal tones to penetrating horror and the listener gets to experience the dark unknowns of doomed space travels. Don’t pass on this immaculate offering.

3. Stars Without Light – Beneath And Before

Stars Without Light is a completely new listening experience for me and I was immediately hooked when listening to ‘Beneath And Before’. Even though this is the first album from this project, it’s easy to identify that the music contained within is the product of a veteran Dark Ambient musician. From crisp drones to apocalyptic soundscapes, this is for certain, one of the darkest offerings in my Top 10 list. At times, it borders into complete noise terror with complacent Industrialism, with a surprising ritualistic twist, and other times it sways through chaotic soundscapes that are equivalent to vicious nightmares. Even though this offering is just under thirty six minutes, you’ll feel completely drained of any comforts upon the first listen. This is a brilliant release that must be heard by all fans of Dark Ambient music.

2. Ruptured World – Xenoplanetary

If you’re not familiar with the Planetary series by Ruptured World, then you’re probably living under a rock or are not familiar with Ambient music in the first place. All jokes aside, This series – which consists of four releases – is an enthralling experience that has a complete story narration that is just as exhilarating as the music. In the latest installment, ‘Xenoplanetary’, Ruptured World goes all out to provide one of the best listening experiences ever recorded and – in my opinion – the best chapter of the Planetary series. The music, which is completely captivating and full of trance-induced emotions, plays on loop until the listener is completely entrapped. Then, the haunting narrations of Alistair Rennie will send you spiting into an otherworldly experience like no other. Tracks like “The Cruel Darkness” and “The Daze Of Foreboding” are so good, they’ve remained on repeat since the album was released in January.

1. God Body Disconnect – The Weight Of Regression

God Body Disconnect is one of the most consistent artist on the Cryo Chamber label and whereas his albums has mostly a dystopian feel to them, I find myself drawn in by the simple (and sparse) narrations that provide a huge amount to expression to each release. However, ‘The Weight Of Regression’ is a monumental achievement in multiple ways and this seventy six minute endeavor is my favorite Dark Ambient album of 2023. Not only are the dreamy synths still present throughout, but the addition of percussion instruments provides a Dark Noir texture which ultimately emits a potent sound that is highly addictive. “Remnants Of A Soldier” is almost like a Post-Rock track that hypnotizes for over eleven minutes, while “Dosed And Dreaming” is one of the most calming experiences on the entire album. All in all, there is a lot of variety on this album that gives it the ability to remain fresh and relevant for a long time to come.