TEETH OF THE DIVINE STAFF PICKS FOR 2022
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.
FRANK RINI
2022 was yet another great year for post-COVID metal releases. More importantly, we started seeing some tours and some shows again in the states. Highlights for me were Iron Maiden, MDF, DRI, and Decibel Fest. I had some guest spots on the Snipers of Babel debut album –Gabriel, and in 2023 there are some very cool things/ collaborations and more you will see me being a part of. My top 20 is in order of what I felt were the very best releases for 2022 and this is a more diversified list than my prior ones, as well as my sub-categories. Please enjoy my list and all the other great writer’s lists here. For 2023 look out for releases from 7 H. Target, Anthrax, Suffocation, Gorguts, Extermination Dismemberment, Morta Skuld, and many others. Enjoy the new year. m/
- Scorpions – Rock Believer (Spinefarm Records)
- Voivod – Synchro Anarchy (Century Media Records)
- Megadeth – The Sick, the Dying…and the Dead! (Universal Music Group)
- Kryptograf – The Eldorado Spell (Apollon Records)
- Kill Division – Peace Through Tyranny (Redefining Darkness Records)
- Sordid Blade – Every Battle Has Its Glory (Gates of Hell Records)
- Ghost – Impera (Loma Vista Recordings)
- Clutch – Sunrise on Slaughter Beach (Weathermaker Music)
- Lorna Shore – Pain Remains (Century Media Records)
- Nechochwen – Kanawha Black (Bindrune Recordings)
- Nite – Voices of the Kronian Moon (Season of Mist)
- Folkrim – On Foaming Waves (Inverse Records)
- Stabbing – Extirpated Mortal Process (Comatose Music)
- Immolation – Acts of God (Nuclear Blast)
- 9 Dead – 9 Dead (Comatose Music)
- Power Paladin – With the Magic of Windfyre Steel (Atomic Fire Records)
- Lamb of God – Omens (Epic Records)
- Wormrot – Hiss (Earache Records)
- Ingested – Ashes Lie Still (Metal Blade Records)
- Cryptivore – Celestial Extinction (Awakening Records/ Bitter Loss Records)
Comeback Album of the Year: Lawnmower Deth – Blunt Cutters (Dissonance Productions)
Best Black Metal Album: Gevurah – Gehinnom (Profound Lore Records)
Best Thrash Album: Kreator – Hate über alles (Nuclear Blast Records)
Best Doom/Death album: Morbid Evils – Supernaturals (Transcending Obscurity Records)
Most Fun/Wild Album: Nekrogoblikon – The Fundamental Slimes and Humours (Self-Released) and Sabaton – The War to End All Wars (Nuclear Blast Records)
Best ep: Disma – Earthendium (Necroharmonic Productions)
Best Debut Album: Vomit Forth – Seething Malevolence (Century Media Records)
Best Album Cover: Atomic Witch – Crypt of Sleepless Malice (Redefining Darkness Records)
Band who can do no wrong in my eyes: Darkthrone
Most underrated band: Satan
Best Record Label: (Century Media Records)
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