We say this every year, but 2022 was a fantastic year in metal. With literally too many killer releases to cover, especially with the increase of digital-only/Bandcamp releases.
And as usual, there was a mix of veteran acts that are still at the top of their game, and fresh new blood to get excited about and the future of metal seems to be in good hands.
Our carefully cured lists cover a whole gamut of styles and releases, so feast your eyes on our best of 2022 staff lists, check out the linked reviews and feel free to comment, let us know what we got right or wrong, and post your own lists in the comments.
Here’s to 2023 continuing the trend of great years as we get the likes of Metallica, Obituary, In Flames, Insomnium, Distant, Ne Obliviscaris, Extermination Dismemberment, Sanguisugabogg, and no doubt, exciting debuts from up and comers.
As always, thanks for reading, sharing, liking, and commenting. You are why we do this (and maybe some early free music). So please keep coming back here for your metal reviews, features, and general metal fuckery.
NICK K
- Ketharos Of lineages long forgotten – Willowtip Records – One of the best symphonic black death metal records in years. Will make you want to put old emperor and old limbonic art on. Total masterpiece. Its hard for me to stop listening to this beast once I start it.
- Antropofagus Origin Agonia records– Awesome album. Best yet from these guys. Fierce drum work and blazing fretboard work make this one of my favorites of 2022
- Blackbraid I self-released- Can’t say I have heard too many Indigenous Black Metal albums. This one is quite good and super catchy.
- Sonja Loud Arriver- Cruz Del Sur Music- Melissa Moore formerly of ABSU debut album. Pretty original old-school style hard rock
- Revocation Netherheaven – Metal Blade Records- Dave Davidson and company return with their meticulous form of technical death thrash.
- Soreption – Jord – Unique Leader Records – Even through lineup changes these sickos from Sweden continue to deliver their batch of incredibly mechanical and riff-oriented death metal.
- Imperial Triumphant Spirit of Ecstasy Century Media Records – in my top 3 list of bands I still have yet to see and wish to. They get better with each album
- Meshuggah Immutable Atomic Fire Records – At this point in their history every record they have made has been incredible in some capacity. Being around over 30 years they continue to find ways to show why there are still the masters.
- Decapitated Cancel Culture Nuclear Blast Records – From where they started to where they are now, one thing has also been consistent, Vogg. Pretty impressive to shift from technical death metal to just flat-out extreme metal.
- Immolation – Acts of God Nuclear Blast Records – Consistently one of the best death metal bands on the planet.
- Nordjevel Gnavhol Self-released- Not new Myrkskog, but close. Blazing Norwegian Black Death!
- Voivod Synchro Anarchy Century Media Records- The veterans from Canada seem to get better with age.
- Continuum of Xul Falling into Damnation Self-Released- Favorite EP of the year. Awesome black/death. In the vein of Hate Eternal.
- Deathsiege Throne of Heresy Everlasting Spew Records- One of the best offerings from one of the best labels in Underground metal. Total Angel Corpse Worship.
- Obvurt Triumph Beyond Adversity Unique Leader Records – Awesome technical death metal from Montreal. Elements of Hate Eternal influences amongst other bands.
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