“You’ve read all the other year end “best of” lists. Now get ready to read the only one that matters!” That’s right folks! In the words of Vinnie Vincent Invasion, “It’s that tiiiimmeee of year!” Chestnuts are roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost is nipping at your nose and other appendages, and our Top 40 Albums of 2022 are here. As I look upon our third annual “year in review” article, I must say that I’m impressed by the even balance of old and new school names. The veterans really stepped up to the plate, some delivering their best efforts in ages. Meanwhile, the newcomers continue to cement themselves as forces to be reckoned with, future heroes in their own right.
As for the state of this site and yours truly, I must say that despite multiple colds, a respiratory infection, two bouts of COVID, and a fractured rib, I came out rather strong! We managed to surpass last year’s numbers by a landslide, with our viewership up 72%. We reviewed 183 albums and interviewed members of Humble Pie, Krokus, Diamond Head, Manowar, Scorpions…the list goes on and on. Of course, I couldn’t do any of this without the unwavering support of you, our readers. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to make US a part of your life. As promised, we’ll be soldiering into 2023 stronger than ever, armed and ready with even more content to make your eyes and ears bleed in the name of heavy metal. On that note, without further ado, here’s our Top 40 Albums of 2022!
40. Porcupine Tree – Closure / Continuation
While the 2020s have become the living embodiment of “expect the unexpected”, I don’t think anyone could’ve braced themselves for the return of modern prog titans Porcupine Tree, especially considering the solo success of frontman Steven Wilson. Alas, despite all his art pop experimentation, Wilson couldn’t resist the hard-headed musicianship and ethereal undertones of the band that made him famous. Fans rejoiced, and rightfully so. Although Closure / Continuation, isn’t a modern prog masterpiece in the ilk of In absentia (2002) or Fear of a Blank Planet (2007), it is indeed a “continuation” of theirs old school meets new school ethos, and “closure” for diehards who were taken aback by their abrupt decade long hiatus.
39. Crashdïet – Automaton
Sweden’s would-be kings of arena metal, Crashdïet, absolutely stole the hearts of glamsters in 2022. The band came roaring back to the scene with their strongest effort in a decade, Automaton. A faithful amalgamation of rowdy hard rock, blistering traditional metal, and neon-lit AOR, Automaton boasts some of the best anthems of the year. “Together Whatever”, “Shine On”, and “We Die Hard” go toe to toe with any cut off 2005’s classic Rest in Sleaze, and the rest of the album smokes as well. This holiday season, feel free to blast this album for your grumpy uncle who insists “rock is dead” or your Van Halen/Mötley Crüe/Bon Jovi loving aunt.
38. Lillian Axe – From Womb to Tomb
In an era dominated by repetitive hooks and pretty boy looks (not that there’s anything wrong with those things in doses), Lillian Axe were one of the most forward thinking acts of glam metal’s second wave. Their first few albums are unsung masterpieces, absolute clinics in melodic hard rock with emphasis on progressive musicianship and thought-provoking songwriting. Fast forward 30 years later and they’re still pushing ahead, this time as a full blown progressive metal outfit. A concept album chronicling the life cycle of a human from conception to death, From Womb to Tomb is a prog metal opus that succeeds in its musical and lyrical ambition, breathing new life into this veteran band.
37. Deathhammer – Electric Warfare
So Destruction released a new album this year and, surprise, it was a total letdown. You know what wasn’t a total letdown? The new Deathhammer album, Electric Warfare. I like to think that if Destruction had stripped down the technical intricacies of Release from Agony (1987) and returned to their raw evil roots, they’d probably sound like these Norwegian barbarians, or Witchtrap. Take your pick, as both do Destruction better than Destruction these days. Like every Deathhammer album before it, Electric Warfare is an absolute rager. It’s unholy blackened thrash forged in the same fire as Sentence of Death (1984) and Infernal Overkill (1985). If that doesn’t get you excited, you probably shouldn’t be reading this list to begin with ya poser!
36. Chez Kane – Powerzone
Swedish multi-instrumentalist Danny Rexon just CAN’T keep off our year end lists! Last year he made it all the way up to the #10 slot as the frontman of Crazy Lixx, whose Street Lethal album is still a staple of our weekly listening. This year, he comes in at #36 as the guitarist, songwriter, and producer for reigning AOR princess Chez Kane. Her latest album, Powerzone, is far from a sophomore slump. If anything, it’s a step up from her excellent self titled debut, with enough power ballads, arena rock anthems, and gang vocal choruses to last us through 2023. Let’s face it folks: This is the album Def Leppard should’ve made this year.
35. Protector – Excessive Outburst of Depravity
Who knew that one of the greatest musical displays of unhinged violence and all out deadliness all year would come from a band with nearly 40 years under their belt? German death/thrash pioneers Protector absolutely dominated this summer with their strongest post-reunion outing yet, Excessive Outburst of Depravity. Although only singer Martin Missy remains from the band’s classic 80s lineup, this current incarnation sure captures the chaos and brutality of Misanthropy (1987) and Golem (1988), or as I like to call the latter album, *inhales* “GOOOOOOLEEEMMMM!!!” *cough cough*. I’ll leave the growling up to Martin!
34. 96 Bitter Beings – Synergy Restored
When was the last time you heard a front to back, all killer, no filler hard rock album? You know, one that isn’t weighed down by the contractually obligated ballad or senseless pop fluff? If you can’t remember, then 96 Bitter Beings’ Synergy Restored is the album you need in your life. If the Iommi gone prog riffage, catchy as hell hooks, and imaginative lyricism reminds you of early 2000s darlings CKY, that’s no coincidence. The band is the brainchild of none other than former CKY mastermind, Deron Miller. I’d rather not use this entry as an opportunity to bash Miller’s former bandmates, but let me put it this way: Put this album next to CKY’s post-Miller output and it speaks for itself.
33. Daeva – Through Sheer Will and Black Magic
To be a bunch of dudes in one awesome metal band is one thing. Being a bunch of dudes in two awesome metal bands is another thing. Two awesome metal bands who play completely opposite styles? Practically unheard of. And yet 3/5 of epic doom demigods Crypt Sermon moonlight as blackened thrash bastards Daeva, creating music as vast and impressive in their infernal side project as they do in their main outfit. Whereas most black/thrash bands make it a habit to ape Venom or early Sodom, Daeva’s Through Sheer Will and Black Magic channels the darkest moments of Bathory and the arcane mastery of Absu, all while adding a fresh, inventive twist to their sonic assault on the sense.
32. The Cult – Under the Midnight Sun
Having spent the better part of the past 35 years playing gritty rock n’ roll, 2022 saw The Cult return to their goth roots once and for all with Under the Midnight Sun. What’s most impressive about this album is that it doesn’t come off as a senseless throwback to lure in elder goths, but rather a legitimate continuation from where Love (1985) left off. The atmosphere is cold and brooding, as is the musical and lyrical themes at times. Yet The Cult are able to appease their hard rock fanbase too, throwing in dirty riffage and effortless cool in between the cold, bleak atmosphere which dominates this release. Even Under the Midnight Sun, The Cult still shines.
31. Immolation – Acts of God
The most consistent band in death metal strikes again! It isn’t every year Immolation releases a new album, but when they do, it is an event of epic proportions. Although a slew of death metal bands attempting to capture the darkness and dissonance of Immolation have “made it” in the past 5 years, there’s only one Immolation. Acts of God proudly kicks any imitators to the curb; an absolute masterclass in subtle technicality, bleak riffage, and unforgiving wickedness. If hell had a soundtrack, this would be it, along with the previous 10 Immolation albums too, of course.
30. Steve Vai – Inviolate
You know, Steve Vai missed a golden opportunity when he could’ve titled this album InVAIolate, right? All kidding aside, Inviolate sees the legendary guitarist proudly breaking through the boundaries of what us modern music journalists tend to label “shred”. Touching on everything from progressive metal and jazz fusion, to soothing blues and the farthest reaches of avant-garde, Inviolate is arguably Vai’s most dynamic and compelling release in years, which speaks volumes for a guy whose entire catalog can be described as “dynamic and compelling”. “For the Love of God”, we can’t get enough of this “Bad Horsie”!
29. Fer de Lance – The Hyperborean
Two years after wowing us with their colossal debut EP, Colossus, Chicago epic metal horde Fer de Lance have returned with an expanded lineup in tow for their debut full length, The Hyperborean. If Colossus was merely an appetizer, then The Hyperborean is a main course and then some, serving up epic doom riffs, pastoral folksiness, and the blackened Viking spirit of Hammerheart era Bathory. The lyrics, touching on the fantastical and mythological, are equally as compelling, daring the listener to paint an image in their head of a time when the waters were ruled by sirens and the gods.
28. Magnum – The Monster Roars
English AOR legends Magnum sure roared into 2022 with their 22nd studio album, The Monster Roars. Their second appearance on our year end list (the first being 2020’s The Serpent Rings which came in at #19), The Monster Roars sees Magnum towing the line between the bombastic pomp of Chase the Dragon (1982) and On a Storyteller’s Night (1985) with the lighthearted pop rock of Vigilante (1986) and Wings of Heaven (1988). If you think Magnum have lost any of the fire of their 80s heyday, think again. Guitarist and songwriter Tony Clarkin remains prolific as ever, while singer Bob Catley can still belt out each song with power and passion.
27. Stangarigel – Na severe srdca
Malokarpatan have been singlehandedly carrying the torch for eastern European black metal for nearly a decade. It should then come as no surprise that frontman Lesodiv’s genius occasionally branches out to other bands, such as the newly formed atmospheric black metal project, Stangarigel. The band’s debut album, Na severe srdca, channels the most adventurous moments of early Satyricon and Ulver in a way that few black metal bands have captured since, with no shortage of folksy, progressive, and pagan flourishes to boot. As someone who gets easily bored by the copy and paste Transilvanian Hunger template that has dominated for far too long, Na severe srdca set the bar high for black metal in 2022.
26. Eric Wagner – In the Lonely Light of Mourning
To say Eric Wagner’s inclusion on this list is bittersweet would be an understatement. The fallen Trouble frontman’s first and only solo album, In the Lonely Light of Mourning, sent shivers through the doom metal community’s collective spine with its haunting lyricism. It was as if Wagner, a man who spent his entire career pondering death and its aftermath, knew that the end was near. While we’ll never know for sure, we do know that Wagner’s earthshaking voice and introspective sense of observation remained sharp as ever on this album. The inclusion of Wagner’s past Trouble, Blackfinger, and Skull collaborators further bolstered this musical farewell to an icon.
25. Sanhedrin – Lights On
If you took the NWOBHM, USPM, late 70s Judas Priest, the first two Pat Benatar albums, and threw them in a blender, you’d probably get Sanhedrin’s Lights On. The New York based power trio managed to strike gold in their third full length, which just so happens to be one of the most diverse and adventurous retro metal outings in recent memory. In my initial review, I equated it to “a heavy metal mixtape your high school pot dealer/lab partner in 4th period biology made for you in 1985”. I still stand by this observation. Lights On manages to pay homage to the glory days of denim and leather without coming off as pompous or derivative. To that, I raise my horns in approval.
24. Edge of Forever – Seminole
When he isn’t writing, producing, engineering, or playing with some other Frontiers adjacent act, Alessandro Del Vecchio is the frontman and keyboardist for melodic metallers Edge of Forever, and they’re pretty damn good. How good? So good that their latest album, Seminole, made it to #24 on this list! Touching on everything from lighthearted AOR nostalgia to the neoclassical bombast of Yngwie Malmsteen and even the gothic glory of Tony Martin era Black Sabbath, Seminole practically stole the melodic metal show in 2022. I can only hope Del Vecchio finds more time in his busy schedule to devote to this band!
23. Skid Row – The Gang’s All Here
If you told me a year ago I’d even give a Sebastian Bach-less Skid Row album the time of day, let alone review it and place it on my year end best of list, I never would’ve believed it. For all purposes, this was a band who I considered “finished” after the release of the criminally underrated and absurdly heavy Subhuman Race (1995). And yet with the help of former H.E.A.T (more on them in a bit) singer Erik Grönwall, Skid Row returned to their former glory. The Gang’s All Here captures the “Youth Gone Wild” spirit of their multi-platinum debut, specializing exclusively in hard and heavy anthems galore. Against all odds, they’ve still got the “Big Guns”!
22. Alan Parsons – From the New World
Ideally speaking, any record label worth its salt should be begging to release an Alan Parsons album. The visionary producer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist is responsible for bringing to life some of the most important albums of all time, and his namesake Project is nothing short of legendary. But did Arista, the label who Parsons scored platinum album after platinum album for, come rushing to release From the New World? Nope, the heroes at Frontiers did, and thank God for that. While the Project was laid to rest alongside Parsons’ creative partner, Eric Woolfson, its spirit lives on through this brilliant collection of progressive AOR tunes.
21. Sigh – Shiki
I hate to say it, but if it weren’t for bands like Sigh, I’d almost believe the myth that black metal is dead. Countless rags are quick to heap praise upon whatever band of skinny jean clad, manbun headed hipsters utilize tremolo picking and screeching vocals, as if black metal needed to be fused with post-rock (Spoiler alert: It didn’t.) Meanwhile, Sigh lurks under the underground, destroying the conventions of black metal while still respecting its kvlt ethos. It sounds oxymoronic, yes, but that’s the only way to describe Shiki: An album that’s as unpredictable as it is infernal. Japanese black metal ist krieg!
20. Loudness – Sunburst
Believe it or not, I didn’t plan on putting two Japanese metal bands back to back. It just panned out that way. If Shiki represents what Japanese metal is capable of going into the future, then Sunburst is a snapshot of the scene’s unapologetic past. Who better do take such a snapshot than the country’s metal kings, Loudness? Half the raw, exotic, progressive driven traditional metal of the early 80s, half the polished, streamlined, melodic metal of the late 80s, Sunburst is Loudness’s most ambitious effort to date, combining both of the band’s classic eras into one sprawling double album. It plays like a “greatest hits” compilation, but of brand new songs, if that makes any sense. These headbanging samurais sure love their “Crazy Nights”!
19. Iconic – Second Skin
Funny how the best Whitesnake album in almost 35 years isn’t a Whitesnake album at all. Even funnier is that the last brilliant Whitesnake album before this wasn’t a Whitesnake album either (Blue Murder’s self titled debut), but that’s another story for another day. Despite being assembled by a label (in)famous for putting together supergroups, Iconic are already first year eligible contenders for the Frontiers Hall of Fame. Their debut album, Second Skin, is a forceful offering of hard and heavy rock with soulful vocals, massive guitar work, and a production that screams old school. Not to mention, the songs are almost exclusively penned in the fashion of “Still of the Night” and “Bad Boys”. What more could one ask for?
18. Queensrÿche – Digital Noise Alliance
The Queensrÿche renaissance is proving to be far more than a 2010s fever dream. The prog metal pioneers have soldiered valiantly into the 2020s with their strongest Todd La Torre fronted outing to date, Digital Noise Alliance. If you hear shades of Rage for Order (1996) and Empire (1991), it’s no coincidence. It’s this distinct quality and atmosphere of the music that makes this album feel like what “could’ve been” for the band in between those two classics, had Operation: Mindcrime (1988) never come to fruition. If that prospect doesn’t absolutely terrify you and you consider yourself an adventurous listener, I highly recommend you crank this one to 11.
17. Eric Gales – Crown
The Grammys DON’T get much right. Lest we forget the time Jethro Tull took home the first ever metal Grammy over Metallica’s …And Justice for All? Granted, I’m in the minority who considers …AJFA to be overrated as hell, and might even be that asshole who says Tull’s Crest of a Knave is a better album objectively, but let’s not kid ourselves: Aqualung, it is not, and metal it most definitely is not. So when veteran blues guitarist Eric Gales got nominated for “Best Blues Album” for this upcoming Grammys, it felt like vindication all around. FINALLY they got something right! Here’s to hoping Crown rightfully takes home a Grammy next February. It certainly deserves it. And if it doesn’t, at least it sits comfortably at #17 on our list.
16. Hällas – Isle of Wisdom
With each subsequent release, I’m starting to believe Hällas was cryogenically frozen in the early 70s and resurrected sometime in the early 2010s. Throwback progressive rock bands just don’t sound like this, and even if they do, they hardly, if ever, sound as convincing. Yet Hällas continues to release albums that go toe to toe with the finest moments of Wishbone Ash, Kansas, Genesis, Uriah Heep, and so forth. Isle of Wisdom continues this tradition, specializing in the progressive hard rock of yesteryear with courage and conviction. It’s a real trip man, and I’m along for the ride!
15. The Cruel Intentions – Venomous Anonymous
Is there such a thing as too much sleaze? If so, The Cruel Intentions didn’t get the memo. These disciples of “trve Norwegian glam metal” absolutely kicked our ass over the summer with their sophomore album, Venomous Anonymous. One part metal, one part punk, one part pop, and all parts badass, Venomous Anonymous strips glam metal down to its bare essentials, channeling the primitive energy of Mötley Crüe’s Too Fast for Love (1981) and W.A.S.P.’s self titled (1984). In other words, glam metal before it sold out! These guys are the living embodiment of “defenders of the faith” and we’re proud to feature them on this list.
14. Midnight – Let There Be Witchery
2022 was a banner year for black rock n’ rollers Midnight. The first half of the year was spent touring the country with Mayhem, this summer they played the annual Psycho Las Vegas pool party, and just this past Fall they opened up for the one and only Mercyful Fate. Did I mention they also released their second album via Metal Blade Records, Let There Be Witchery? As the old saying goes, evil never sleeps. Neither does Athenar, who continues to crank out blackened speed in the tradition of Venom while touring like a dog. If we were grading this year’s albums in terms of “Lust Filth and Sleaze”, Witchery would take the #1 spot without contest!
13. Witchslayer – Witchslayer
If Witchslayer’s debut album proves anything, it’s that you’re never too old to make your dreams come true. These forgotten forefathers of doom released a legendary demo in 1983 and even appeared on a Metal Massacre compilation, before fading into obscurity for good…or so we thought. Fast forward nearly 40 years later. Original vocalist Jeff Allen is back and Ozzy-esque as ever with a brand new incarnation of Witchslayer. What ensued is their debut full length, consisting of a faithful rerecording of their ’83 demo and 6 new songs that sweep the floor with today’s doom crop. With an appearance at Germany’s Keep it True Festival next summer on the horizon, things are only looking up for these kings of cult metal.
12. Darkthrone – Astral Fortress
Another year end list, another Darkthrone album. Last year’s Eternal Hails…… made it all the way to #3 on the 2021 list, and although Astral Fortress doesn’t rank that high, #12 is nothing to scoff at. The Norwegian black metal legends have comfortably embraced their status as elder statesmen, treading one mammoth step at a time into their new “blackened doom” chapter. Astral Fortress sees the band channeling their worship of To Mega Therion era Celtic Frost in full force, mixing bone crushing riffage with ambitious arrangements and borderline prog tendencies. Yes, I just used the word “prog” to describe a Darkthrone album. Sue me.
11. H.E.A.T – Force Majeure
While longtime singer Erik Grönwall left their ranks for Skid Row, Swedish melodic hard rockers H.E.A.T. retreated and regrouped with their original singer Kenny Leckremo. Despite being gone for a decade, it was as if no time had passed at all. In fact, one could say they were…”Back to the Rhythm”. Force Majeure lives up to its name, recalling the finest moments of Whitesnake, Europe, Rainbow, and more, without coming off as inauthentic or passé. Make no mistake: If H.E.A.T had the same backing as Ghost, they’d be doing arenas here in America overnight. If this paragraph helps that become a reality in the slightest, mission accomplished.
10. Michael Monroe – I Live Too Fast to Die Young
I can only dream of being a fraction as badass as Michael Monroe. Nearly 45 years into his career and Finland’s greatest export is STILL cranking out full throttle rock n’ roll albums oozing with heart and soul. I Live Too Fast to Die Young speaks for itself. This isn’t some old rockstar ready to “mellow out” as he approaches his sunset years. Quite the opposite, this is an icon who won’t retire until he’s six feet under, and even then he’ll probably find a way to claw out of his grave and kick the living shit out of the grim reaper. If that isn’t what rock n’ roll’s all about, I don’t know what is. Oh yeah, this album!
9. Molder – Engrossed in Decay
Somewhere, in the faraway land of Joliet, Illinois, a rural wasteland an hour outside of Chicago, four creatures have arisen from the muck, their maggot riddled remains making their way through town and terrorizing any pathetic human who stands in their way. This isn’t the premise of a zombie movie, but rather the premise of the second album from Molder, Engrossed in Decay. The band’s putrid brand of old school death metal has generated such buzz that they’ve spread their plague across the country opening for Exhumed. Rumor is they’ll be causing even more mayhem in 2023. Beware foolish mortal!
8. High Command – Eclipse of the Duel Moons
Fact: I didn’t think it was possible to create an innovate crossover thrash album in 2022. Then High Command served me a hot bowl of my own words. Combining the usual meathead mosh passages and breakneck riffing that have characterized crossover for 35 years with doomy atmosphere and ambitious arrangements, Eclipse of the Duel Moons is a stellar example of what new ground an extreme metal act can break today without straying too far off course. The only problem when listening to this one is I’m not sure whether to mosh or take in the music observantly. Hell, guess I’ll do both!
7. King’s X – Three Sides of One
The “Groove Machine” is back! It only took 14 years, but King’s X have returned with their long awaited new album, Three Sides of One, and it is downright glorious. I forgot just how much I missed their metal meets prog meets funk meets gospel meets psychedelia meets singer/songwriter hybrid. It’s an unusual amalgamation indeed, but it’s one that continues to work, even this far into their storied career. Three Sides of One sees the veteran power trio refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to take on an unsuspecting world who was never ready for them in the first place.
6. Scorpions – Rock Believer
A Scorpions album on a best of 2022 list? I don’t believe it! You can’t blame me either. This is a band who, objectively speaking, hasn’t released an album of front to back bangers since Love at First Sting (1984). And yet here I am in disbelief at the brilliance of Rock Believer. If I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought the legendary Dieter Dierks produced this bad boy (running wild), but no. Turns out the Scorps must’ve just revisited Animal Magnetism (1980), Blackout (1982), and the aforementioned Sting and said, “Let’s give the fans what they want!” If only more veteran bands did this. I’m looking at you Kreator.
5. Satan – Earth Infernal
Satan was one of the most cutting edge bands of the NWOBHM, standing lightyears ahead of their peers with their virtuosic musicianship, advanced arrangements, and unbridled darkness. They’re also one of the most cutting edge bands in heavy metal today, for these exact reasons. Although they’ve been around for well over 40 years, Satan has not aged one bit and the proof lies within Earth Infernal. Dare I say they *gasp* sold their souls? Or, more likely, they haven’t been tainted by ridiculous gimmickry and here today, gone tomorrow trends. Talk about pure metal! Cut your finger on this one and you’ll bleed.
4. Saxon – Carpe Diem
They came. They saw. They conquered. In the never ending battle between Maiden and Priest, allow me to remind you that the real winner of that battle for the past 25 years has been Saxon. Carpe Diem continues their winning streak of British metal supremacy. The guitar work is piping hot, Nigel Glockler blasts away on his double bass drums, and Biff Byford is, well, Biff Byford! I’d say the difference is he’s 71 now, but he sounds virtually the exact same as he did on Wheels of Steel (1980). I’m dead serious, his range and power remains untouchable, even at this stage in his career. At this point, I’m convinced Saxon will be releasing all-out headbanging affairs in their 90s and still destroy the competition. Seize the day indeed!
3. Blind Guardian – The God Machine
I speak on behalf of every power metal nerd when I say no other album in the genre, neither American or European, came close to Blind Guardian’s The God Machine in 2022. Lying somewhere in the crosshairs of power, speed, and prog, with emphasis on drama and bombast, this monolithic release instantly evoked shadows of Nightfall in Middle-Earth for yours truly. Truth be told, if the production was more retro sounding, it probably would’ve taken “album of the year” honors. Perhaps Hansi Kürsch will take this into consideration on the follow up? Or he’ll just tell me to go screw myself and be grateful for what I have, in which case I’d willfully oblige.
2. Autopsy – Morbidity Triumphant
Immolation may be the most consistent death metal band of all time, but Autopsy is the greatest, period. This isn’t even an opinion. This is a fact. Why? Because not only are Severed Survival (1989) and Mental Funeral (1991) and Acts of the Unspeakable (1992) the absolute embodiment of the genre; they’re still releasing albums of this caliber today. Morbidity Triumphant is an absolute masterpiece and bound to go down as one of the greatest late career triumphs in metal history. This beast of an album grows more repulsive and putrid with each listen, which is what a great death metal album should do. I’m scowling just thinking of the riffs on here. OUGH!
- Sumerlands – Dreamkiller
Somewhere, sandwiched between the heavy 70s and the MTV metal of the mid 80s, lie an extremely specific niche of metal that, if it weren’t for nerds such as myself, may have become all but forgotten. It was a window of time between ’81 and ’83 that a handful of bands were releasing albums that emphasized atmosphere and melody as opposed to heaviness. Examples that immediately come to mind include Ozzy Osbourne’s Bark at the Moon (1983), Judas Priest’s Point of Entry (1981), Blue Öyster Cult’s Fire of Unknown Origin (1981), and even Aldo Nova’s self titled debut (1982). I guess you can say it was the unknown middle ground that lied somewhere between metal and AOR.
I couldn’t help but make this connection when listening to the new Sumerlands album, Dreamkiller. It so eerily captures the sound and spirit of this oft forgotten era, and without even trying. If you played it for me blindly, I’d probably believe it did come out 40 years ago. The songwriting, performances, and production are all equally flawless and authentically retro as they come. It’s so brilliant that if the 3/5 of this band who make up Eternal Champion announced they were retiring that band to focus on Sumerlands exclusively, I wouldn’t even be mad. Let that sink in for a second.
Taking this into consideration, I hope you all check out Dreamkiller this holiday season. If you’re happy it’s the season of holly, it’ll only brighten your day more. And if you’re bogged down by the weight of seasonal depression, it’ll warm you with its lush metallic nostalgia. It is the greatest metal album of 2022, Disregard any other publication who says otherwise and have the happiest holidays of your life. We’ll see you all in 2023!
Great list, my man!