2022 has not been quite the full-on disaster movie of the last few years, aliens have not landed and the dead have not come back to inherit the earth. Whilst one has the feeling of impending doom and these are future events to come, the music industry has carried on regardless. As far as recorded output is concerned it has been nigh on impossible to cover everything. There has been such a proliferation of albums and with corresponding high scores the creative burst cannot be denied. We can only apologise for the many that we were unable to cover. Unfortunately, as we emerged from thee plague the cost of living crisis and uncertainty around it has continued to have a knock-on effect on the live music industry. Concert, tour and festival goers have unsurprisingly left things till the last minute and this has led to many cancellations across the board making it a tough time for everyone involved. There are no obvious solutions to this situation but there is a glimmer of hope that things will pick up, we are a determined bunch and going to a show is the life’s-blood for many of us after all. Anyway, enough waffling from me. Take a look at our personal highlights of the year and perhaps discover something you too have missed and go seek it out. As ever, there are no right and wrong answers, these lists are entirely personal and subjective.
Pete Woods (Editor) Top 20
1: Crone – Gotta Light? (Prophecy)
It’s not even metal but who cares, when song-craft is this good, forget about genre. This lit up my life providing a fantastic collection of memorable numbers which are built from the ground up into massive swooning, stadium rattling anthems. Pure perfection!
2: Déhà – Decadanse (LADLO)
Two massive and relentless numbers of blackened industrial turmoil from the ever-prolific Belgian Olmo Lipani. Full of hammering glory this blew my head off on first play and hasn’t stopped spinning it round yet. “Om Kali, Kali om Kali!”
3: Wiegedood – There’s Always Blood At The End Of The Road (Century Media)
A cyclic, all-consuming blur of warped and frenzied power. Arriving with a wallop early in 2022 its potency has not declined. The musical equivalent off being shot in the face at 100 rounds a minute.
4: The Antichrist Imperium – Volume III: Satan in His Original Glory (Apocalyptic Witchcraft)
A devilish UK / Australian brew from members of Akercocke, Voices, The Berzerker & Werewolves taking in occult black overtures along with mesmerising Gothic undertones. The drumming is simply stunning too, making this an all-out Satanic Blasterpiece!
5: Lord Belial – Rapture (Hammerheart)
Sometimes we need the elder Gods to remind us how to do things in the first place. After a long break Lord Belial did just that and with fantastic updated sound this proved an album rooted in the classicism of old and one that has been dragged kicking and screaming into the modern age.
6: Watain – The Agony And Ecstasy Of Watain (Nuclear Blast)
The agony of Covid temporarily restrained many an artist but rest assured this Wolfpack were going to come out of it snarling. A focussed return with catchy songs and the fully-anticipated malevolence makes this rite of fire one that blazes with combustible fury.
7: Kampfar – Til klovers takt (Indie Recordings)
Similarly unleashed Norse pagan brigands Kampfar responded like a cork shot out a bottle, the result nothing less than glorious. From mid-paced crushers to venomous diatribes Dolk and his crew continue to rise in strength and stature. A career highlight almost 30-years since they took up their unswerving mission.
8: Black Void – Antithesis (Nuclear Blast)
Lars Solefald Nedland flips the White Void coin and brings out an album best described as very catchy punky-bedlam. The resulting musical mayhem is addictive, fun and jolly with a dash of philosophical nihilism to boot.
9: Sigh – Shiki (Peaceville Records)
I’m just copy and pasting what I originally said here as it sums our Japanese friend’s album up perfectly. “You have to congratulate Sigh on once again throwing anything resembling a rule-book out the window and presenting such an out-there, wild card and experimental fusion of ideas, not just in one genre but in all of them.”
10: Esoctrilihum – Consecration of the Spiritüs Flesh (I, Voidhanger)
Taking a slight sidestep from his symphonic black style here Asthâghul produced his most violent and nihilistic sermons ever. The jack-hammering velocity and industrial leanings are catastrophic and witnessing its rampaging, destructive force a joy to behold. Carnage incarnate!
11: Christian Death – Evil Becomes Rule (Season Of Mist)
12: Amorphis – Halo (Atomic Fire)
13: Zeal And Ardor – S/T (MVKA)
14: Hell Militia – Hollow Void (Season Of Mist)
15: Deliverance – Neon Chaos In A Junk-Sick Dawn (LADLO)
16: Darkher – The Buried Storm (Prophecy)
17: Panzerfaust – The Suns of Perdition – Chapter III: The Astral Drain (Eisenwald)
18: Pensees Nocturnes – Douce Fange (LADLO)
19: Nordjevel – Gnavhòl (Indie Recordings)
20: The Halo Effect – Days Of The Lost (Nuclear Blast)
Andrew Doherty Top 20
1: White Ward – False Light (Debemur Morti)
The latest evocative work from the Ukrainians, White Ward hits the spot once more. The sad tones of the trumpet and the saxophone indicate sad and desolate urban scenes of the night, contrasting with the exhilarating passages on this fiery, pungent and atmospheric black metal album. Huge.
2: Sisyphean – Colours of Faith (Transcending Obscurity)
This album swept me away with its overwhelming power and furious black atmospheres. The Lithuanians put us through the mill. It’s a pleasure to share their angry pain and their unforgiving, hopeless world of terror.
3: Cult of Luna – The Long Road (Metal Blade)
A carefully crafted and vivid journey through bleak and desolate soundscapes enveloped in gloom and violence in the way that only Cult of Luna can create them. Scary stuff.
4: Pattern-Seeking Animals – Only Passing Through (Inside Out Music)
Progressive rock music takes on a sublime dimension, as Spock’s Beard offshoot Pattern-Seeking Animals keep us hanging on to every moment over this delightful collection of wistful, playful and smooth songs. This album’s gentle drama and instrumental richness make it a joy to listen to.
5: Soilwork – Övergivenheten (Nuclear Blast)
Soilwork do get accused of being formulaic, and this album certainly fit the mould, but its qualities are supreme: catchy heaviness, a melodic groove and above all epic, uplifting sections.
6: Spheric Universe Experience – Back Home (UPRISING! Records)
Excitement, colour and adventure fill this album from French band Spheric Universe Experience, who create a flowing musical extravaganza in a heavy and lofty power-progressive style.
7: The Algorithm – Data Renaissance (FiXT)
Clever electronic soundwaves are at the heart of “Data Renaissance”. Dark, atmospheric and occasionally menacing, it cleverly blends momentary irregularity with an invasive flow.
8: Fallujah – Empyrean (Nuclear Blast)
Ten masterful compositions stretching us out across big technical metal soundscapes, replete with exotic layers, tempo transformations, majesty and atmospheric passages.
9: Behemoth – Opvs Contra Natvram (Nuclear Blast)
The air is filled with smoke and terrible menace. Behemoth the lords of darkness impose themselves on us. “Opvs Contra Natvram” is without let-up. Pure evil.
10: Lacrimas Profundere – How to Shroud Yourself with Night (SPV / Steamhammer) Here are ten nicely and differently constructed songs in a melodic and dark gothic metal style. As well as being technically adept, “How to Shroud Yourself with Night” is a really engaging album to listen to.
11: Asgaard – What If… (WormHoleDeath)
12: Khold – Svartsyn (Soulseller Records)
13: Tranzat – Ouh La La by Tranzat (Klonosphere)
14: Misanthropic Rage – Hallucinatory Phenomena (Godz ov War)
15: Nicolas Cage Fighter – The Bones that Grew from Pain (Metal Blade)
16: Playgrounded – The Death of Death (Pelagic)
17: Shadow Universe – Subtle Realms, Subtle Worlds (Monotreme Records)
18: Guerilla Tree – Mountain’s View (self-released)
19: Inhalo – Sever (Construction Records)
20: Ketha – Wendigo (Moans Music)
Andy Barker Top 20
1: Borealis – Illusions (AFM)
Borealis follow up their fantastic “Illusions” album with another Metal masterpiece, crafted and delivered in shining glory as only they know how.
2: Nocturna – Daughters Of The Night (Scarlet Records)
Another damn fine vehicle for Federico Mondelli (Frozen Crown etc) to showcase his songwriting talents, taking a twin vocal approach to Symphonic Metal up another notch.
3: Wind Rose – Warfront (Napalm)
Another great Metal album in the band’s familiar mining/warring/drinking tradition, that cements their unique and epically melodic angle on Power Metal.
4: Grimner – Urfader (Despotz)
Excellent Folk Metal albums are becoming few and far between nowadays, but Grimner are still delivering on the highest level and staying true to themselves.
5: Blind Guardian – The God Machine (Nuclear Blast)
After so many albums refining their sound as meticulously as possible, Blind Guardian finally remember how great they used to sound, revisit their roots and deliver their best and most “Blind Guardian” album in years.
6: Moonlight Haze – Animus (Scarlet Records)
An instant, yet multi-layered Symphonic/Melodic Metal gem which seems to get better with every listen.
7: Volturian – Red Dragon (Scarlet Records)
Although still a good album, this initially captivating release maybe doesn’t have quite the depth, memorability or longevity as its excellent predecessor, but still has plenty to draw you in.
8: Oknos – From Ashes (Self Released)
Totally denying it’s limited boundaries of being a self-released album, this Symphonic Metal band is a shining treasure just waiting to be discovered.
9: Amorphis – Halo (Nuclear Blast)
Surely occupying their own genre (Amorphis Metal?), this fabulous and innovative band deliver yet another fantastic collection of up-beat yet melancholic songs as only they can.
10: Stratovarius – Survive (earMusic)
Melodic/Symphonic Power Metal veterans Stratovarius found a new lease of life post Timo Tolkki just over ten years ago and have continued to go from strength to strength with each successive release.
11: Hexed – Pagans Rising (ViciSolum)
12: Dead City Ruins – Shockwave (AFM)
13: Krilloan – Emperor Rising (Scarlet)
14: Fallen Sanctuary – Terranova (AFM)
15: Ashes Of Ares – Emperors and Fools (ROAR)
16: Sede Vacante – Conium (Scarlet)
17: Arjen Anthony Lucassen’s Star One – Revel In Time (Inside Out)
18: Keops – Road To Perdition (Nocut Entertainment)
19: Seventh Wonder – Testament (Frontiers)
20: Avandra – Prodigal (Layered Reality)
Chris Davison Top 20
1: Ripped to Shreds – Jubian (Relapse Records)
Absolutely excellent old-school death metal, but seen through the lens of American Asian sensibilities. Everything that you love about mid-paced, extreme death metal, but with enough invention and passion to make them stand out from the crowd. Deserve to be a big name with this release.
2: Doldrey – Celestial Deconstruction (Pulverised Records)
You didn’t know that you needed Singaporean crust-death metal in your life, did you? Well you do. Raw, spiky and scrawled on the back of your head with a black Sharpie, Doldrey get in, do the business and then get out again. Infectious, like Scabies.
3: Witchery – Nightside (Century Media)
The Swedish kings of all things camp and blackened-thrash have finally produced an album worthy of their earlier releases. Catchy, campy, killer fun. It’s like having a ghost-train in your earphones.
4: Hellfrost and Fire – Fire, Frost and Hell (Transcending Obscurity)
Channelling the secret of the mighty Celtic Frost – Morbid Tales into new and twisted tales, Benediction’s Dave Ingram gives his proto-extreme metal genes a thorough workout. The riffs, man, the riffs…
5: Spiritus Mortis – The Great Seal (Svart Records)
In a year where Candlemass finally fumbled the ball and produced a pretty mediocre album, Spiritus Mortis produced yet another absolute elite level doom metal opus. Magnificent, perfectly formed and polished, The Great Seal set the standard for epic doom for the next decade.
6: Consumption – Necrotic Lust (Hammerheart Records)
Tunes that linger, riffs that destroy. Necrotic Lust was a fantastic listen, with songs that were memorable, twisted and totally in the vein of my favourite album of all time, Carcass’ Necroticism. More than sheer homage, this built a new sick mental vista to immerse yourself in.
7: Lawnmower Deth – Blunt Cutters (Dissonance Productions)
I’ve always found Lawnmower Deth to be fun, especially live, but let’s be honest – their recorded material has been “patchy” (and the less said about the “Billy” album, the better). This is not only their best album, it’s a great listen in its own right. “Into the Pit” is the perfect description of being a middle-aged metal fan. Tremendous effort.
8: Darkthrone – Astral Fortress (Peaceville Records)
I love that every time Darkthrone bring out another blackened retro-metal inspired album, true black metal nerds cry about it on internet forums. For me, their trajectory just keeps going up. Melding icy extremity with classic riffs just cannot be done better for a band who I believe are in a perfect purple patch.
9: The Heretic Order – III (Massacre Records)
A classic heavy metal album with so much personality it should have its own chat show. One of the punchiest productions in modern years, with a traditional knack for writing killer tunes. Wonderful, timeless stuff.
10: Exhumed – To The Dead (Relapse Records)
The pinnacle of everything that Exhumed has stood for over their many years. Melding all their influences into one place, it’s got what you need – massive doses of being almost absurdly heavy, insidious and sneaky hooks and a perfect run time.
11: Creeping Flesh – …And Then The Bombs Came (Emanzipation)
12: Necrophagous – In Chaos Descend (Transcending Obscurity)
13: Abbath – Dread Reaver (Season of Mists)
14: The Wakedead Gathering – Parralaxiom (I, Voidhanger)
15: Blodhemn – Sverger Hemn (Dark Essence Records)
16: Sentient Horror – Rites of Gore (Testimony Records)
17: Achelous – The Icewind Chronicles (No Remorse)
18: The Troops of Doom – Antichrist Reborn (Alma Mater)
19: Agnes Vein – Deathcall (Venerate Industries)
20: Jungle Rot – A Call to Arms (Unique Leader)
Doogz Top 20
1: Final Light – Final Light (Red Creek Recordings)
Unexpected collaboration between Pertubator and Cult Of Luna, epic post metal set to a glorious backdrop of synthwave soundscapes.
2: Venom Prison – Erebos (Century Media)
Refining their uncompromising sound further, these UK bruisers continue to go from strength to strength.
3: Orm – Intet Altet (Indisciplinarian)
Third album from this Danish progressive black metal outfit, and without doubt their most epic. Four songs, 92 minutes, no filler.
4: Decapitated – Cancer Culture (Nuclear Blast)
No-nonsense brutal death metal from Polish legends, featuring a couple of unexpected high profile vocal cameos. Whilst more stripped down than usual, this doesn’t detract from the integrity and quality.
5: Kardashev – Liminal Rite (Metal Blade)
Disciplined song writing and an outstanding vocal performance, mark this sophomore effort from the US blackened post-metallers.
6: Ithaca – They Fear Us (Hassle Records)
Post metal with a myriad of influences. Bold and bright, certainly one of 2022s outstanding and original releases.
7: Blackbraid – Blackbraid I (Neuropa Records)
Fantastic debut album from Native American folkish black metal. Genuine authenticity that avoids the cod-cultural cliches of certain Nordic counterparts.
8: Abduction – Black Blood (Candlelight)
Debut from highly regarded UK black metal outfit, delivered with the same savage intensity that their live performances are notorious for.
9: Allegaeon – Damnum (Metal Blade)
Precision tech death from stalwarts of the US scene, producing their finest album to date and cementing their status as leaders of this style.
10: Drudkh – All Belong To The Night (Season Of Mist)
Gloriously defiant celebration of Ukrainian culture from the native black metal veterans, with the most venomously spat vocals you’ll hear all year. Putin can put this in his pipe and fuck off back to Legoland.
11: Pharmacist – Flourishing Extremities on Unspoiled Mental Grounds (Bizarre Leprous Production)
12: Heriot – Profound Morality (Church Road Records)
13: Blut Aus Nord – Disharmonium (Debemur Morti)
14: Devin Townsend – Lightwork (Inside Out)
15: Vorga – Striving Toward Oblivion (Transcending Obscurity)
16: Sigh – Shiki (Peaceville)
17: Behemoth – Opvs Contra Natvram (Nuclear Blast)
18: Cage Fight – Cage Fight (Candlelight)
19: Abaddon Incarnate – The Wretched Sermon (Transcending Obscurity)
20: Meshuggah – Immutable (Atomic Fire)
Fraggle Top 20
1: Psycroptic – Divine Council (Prosthetic Records)
Aussie Technical Death Metal specialists once again deliver the goods with an album which blends inhuman levels of musical proficiency with an unrelenting assault of ferociousness. Huge vocals, intense rhythmic grooves and complex guitar arrangements combine to make one of the most intense death metal albums of the year… And given how Psycroptic just get better with every release, I’m eagerly awaiting their next one!
2: Master Boot Record – Personal Computer (Metal Blade)
Is this the future of music? One where computers and synthesizers take over, assimilating anything organic and refining it? “Personal Computer” is a phenomenal composition which has a gripping melodic hook to it. The arrangements and voicings might all be synthetic, but it sounds like the real thing. An intriguing psychological thought experiment combined with a sound which reminds me of the 16-bit era of gaming… What more could you want?
3: THEM – Fear City (Steamhammer/SPV)
Once again, the Trans-Atlantic theatrical metal titans THEM bring their gripping storytelling forwards. Blending classic 80’s metal with their modern heavy metal style, THEM continue to deliver the goods both musically and thematically with their gripping story. The music and the lyrics work perfectly, helping give it a real cinematic edge. If you like melodic metal delivered with some flair, head on down to Fear City boppers.
4: Audrey Horne – Devil’s Bell (Napalm)
Thin Lizzy meets Iron Maiden with some serious grooves? You got it! Audrey Horne have delivered arguably their best release since Youngblood, an album which from start to finish is packed with wall-to-wall grooves, soaring harmonies and raw rock and roll attitude. Sound the Devil’s Bell folks.
5: Besvärjelsen – Atlas (Magnetic Eye)
Summoning up the musical spirits of the Desert, Psych, Doom and Occult rock legends, Swedish five-piece Besvärjelsen have crafted a wonderful atmospheric piece which takes you on a journey. Pounding fuzzed out grooves to eerie atmospheric runs and captivating vocals, “Atlas” is a sign of a band ready to lift up the world with their unique style.
6: Crisix – Full HD (Listenable)
THRASH! That is all I can say really, this is thrash. With the raw and wild spirit of the crossover approach combining with the iconic Anthrax Styled New York stomp, Crisix let loose with one of the most energetic thrash albums of the last few years. Guaranteed to get the metal moshing madness underway at any live performances, Crisix remind us that Thrash isn’t just about those riffs, but the energy what goes into them too.
7: Division:Dark – Prophecy (Drakkar Entertainment)
The anonymous, angelic monikered, Neue Deutsche Härte inspired Industrial five-piece Division:Dark bring a huge slice of variety and class with “Prophecy”. With a different vocalist on each track, ranging from Vicky Psarakis’ raw screams to the majestic Anneke Van Giersbergen’s expressive tones, this album has something for everyone, fans of Industrial inspired metal or not.
8: Megadeth – The Sick, The Dying…And The Dead! (Universal)
Megadave is back again, and he hasn’t disappointed. As time has gone on, the sharpness of the riffs has remained, the virtuoso co-lead guitarist compliments the raw shredding machine that is Mustaine, and the world as we know it is the target of his ire. Lyrics rich in cynicism are delivered with that famous Mustaine snarl as the scathing words drip off the acid tongue of a man at war with everything around him. Whilst his former band might just be a shadow of themselves now, riding off their reputation and back catalogue, Dave’s Megadeth continue to push the boundaries of thrash. It might not be Rust In Peace, but who really gives a fuck? It’s hard, fast, loud and the way we like it!
9: Revocation – Netherhaven (Metal Blade)
The musical monster that is Revocation just keeps on delivering the goods with ‘Netherhaven’. Inspired by Dante’s Inferno, this release is exactly what you would expect a trip through hell to sound like… That is if the trip through hell was from the perspective of the iconic DOOMslayer from the DOOM game franchise… Technically intense and relentlessly heavy, Revocation blend extremes of metal with ease and once again put you through the grinder with their intense, crushing sounds.
10: Teramaze – Flight Of The Wounded (Wells Music)
The ever-consistent Teramaze are a growing force in Progressive Metal. With a work rate which would put most to shame, “Flight Of The Wounded” bookmarks the pandemic years releases from the ever strengthening four-piece. With more of an emphasis on composition and longer sounds, “Flight Of The Wounded” requires more attention than previous Teramaze releases, but it still has everything you would expect from this phenomenal progressive metal band.
11: Awaken The Mysoginist – Descended From vast Dimensions (Comatose)
12: DFC – Decadent Perversity (Transcending Obscurity)
13: Ripped To Shreds – Jubian (Relapse)
14: Oceans Of Slumber – Starlight And Ash (Century Media)
15: Kreator – Hate Über Alles (Nuclear Blast)
16: The Cult – Under A Midnight Sun (Black Hill)
17: Behind Your Fear- Anthropocene (S/R)
18: Soulfly – Totem (Nuclear Blast)
19: Voluntary Mortification – Suffer To Rise (Rottweiler Records)
20: Serious Black – Vengeance Is Mine (AFM)
George Caley Top 20
1: Saxon – Carpe Diem (Silver Lining Music)
Much like Judas Priest did with Firepower, Saxon have also proven that the old days of NWOBHM are not dead. On first listen I remember thinking ‘this is pretty good’ but it wasn’t until I really indulged that I came to realise that this is an album absolutely steeped in bangers. Having seen them on their most recent tour also and with them pulling a striking six songs from this album for their set I was neither underwhelmed or disappointed. It really shows the strength of an older band that they can still command a stage with a wealth of modern material, such is the power of Carpe Diem.
2: Grand Vide – Le Messager (Self-released)
Instrumental music is something that I have grown to enjoy massively in the last year or two and when I heard the Atmospheric Black Metal tones of Grand Vide I was captivated. The album comes with a statement that the listener is to interpret their own story along with the music. This sort of choose your own adventure Black Metal album really struck a chord with me and I simply couldn’t stop listening. Big, epic and full of nerd energy this is a release that ticks a lot of boxes.
3: Ghost – Impera (Loma Vista Recordings)
After my disdain for Prequelle I was ready to leave Ghost behind. It was sad but the writing had been on the wall as I saw each album get progressively worse. When I then heard Call Me Little Sunshine I so desperately wanted to hate it. However I was drawn back again and again before buckling and cracking into the whole album. Impera might not instill the same Occult Rock majesty as Opus Eponymous but it is something of a return to form. I’m glad that the days of Ghost aren’t over yet and I’m actually really eager to see them live again after this powerful record.
4: Epitaphe – II (Aesthetic Death)
Total and complete envelopment and devastation, Epitaphe’s brand of Doom laden Death Metal has yet to cease to impress me. If the first record was bordering on perfection then this album certainly strikes even harder. If you like long winded, crushing, powerful music and you don’t already know Epitaphe then you’re missing out. Taking the Death Doom ideology to its natural conclusion before jumping into full on Funeral Doom, Epitaphe are truly masters of their craft.
5: Ofdrykkja – After The Storm (AOP Records)
Seeing this band move further and further away from Black Metal could be seen as disappointing to some. For me though the direction this band has taken away from their DSBM roots is almost one of warmth and healing. This is music best enjoyed whilst in a misty forest and the images it conjures are truly beautiful. It may not be Metal but it is laced with the Pagan, Viking and other such old school notions. If you think Wardruna does things well then you’ve not heard Ofdrykkja.
6: Desecrate The Faith – III (Comatose Music)
Massive Antichrist Brutal Death Metal with heaps of insane musicianship. Without a doubt one of the best BDM records I’ve heard this year. The small but impactful stylistic changes throughout this release make for an overall dynamic and full force ride. Oftentimes BDM can suffer from repetition or become stale, or simply lead you to wait for the next big Slam. This album on the other hand refuses to let the listener slip into any sort of boredom.
7: Dark Funeral – We Are The Apocalypse (Century Media Records)
I’m not going to pretend that Dark Funeral don’t have ‘my first Black Metal band’ written all over them, but for me I just adore their music. The last couple of records have absolutely blown me away and We Are The Apocalypse is no different. Traditional, accessible, anthemic and evil, this is an album that gives me all the things I will ever need when I need a fix of all out Black Metal. It is to the band’s great credit that they don’t need to elevate themselves with fanciful concepts, they write good music and sometimes that’s all you need.
8: Vipra – Across The Cosmos (Self-released)
Being something of a lover of all things cosmic, when I found this album by Vipra I was really taken back. I would compare this album to Holst’s The Planets, but a Metal version. Instrumental, full of synths, borderline video game soundtrack in nature and ultimately nerdy. Across The Cosmos is a blinder of an album and one that I have no doubt I will revisit many times.
9: Autopsy – Morbidity Triumphant (Peaceville Records)
I don’t think it’s possible for Autopsy to make a bad album. Even Shitfun has its moments (for me personally I even adore that record, but then again I do like ludicrous sub genres of Grind). Morbidity Triumphant follows a strong slew of later day Autopsy bangers from Macabre Eternal onwards. It might not have the classic edge of Severed Survival but it is by no means sub par, another crushing record from one of the greatest bands on earth.
10: Acid Witch – Rot Among Us (Hell’s Headbangers Records)
Despite being a touch niche with their close links to Halloween Acid Witch continue to inspire with their spooky gimmick. Now if you know me I’m all about a gimmick, tell me there’s a band that exclusively write songs about Haribo and I’ll lose my mind. Maybe I’m easy to please, who knows. Rot Among Us takes more of the Hammer Horror, Stoner, Doom, Death and throws it out as a wild and exciting album that screams Halloween isn’t just for the holiday.
11: Decapitated – Cancer Culture (Nuclear Blast)
12: Láje – Vracíme Se Za Světlem (Chyba Records)
13: Texas Murder Crew – Wrapped In Their Blood (Comatose Music)
14: Sabaton – The War To End All Wars (Nuclear Blast)
15: Defleshed – Grind Over Matter (Metal Blade Records)
16: Gronibard – Regarde Les Hommes Sucer (Season Of Mist)
17: Troglodyte – The Hierarchical Ecological Succession: Welcome to the Food Chain (Blood Blast)
18: Gurgulator – Risen From The Slime! (Self-released)
19: Darkmage – Tales From Solitude (Self-released)
20: Pumpkin Witch – The Return Of The Pumpkin Witch (Self-released)
Gizmo Top 20
1: Sergeant Thunderhoof – This Sceptred Veil (Pale Wizard)
Packed with so much emotional power it still floors me every time I listen to it. Bloody magnificent.
2: Black Braid – I (Self Released)
One man band from the indigenous back metal scene of North America, a debut album seeped in blood and culture. Utterly stunning.
3: Carpenter Brut – Leather Terror (Caroline Records)
Heavier, darker and with more hooks than Hellraiser. The soundtrack to the slasher flick we deserve. Briliant.
4: Black Cilice – Esoteric Atavism (Iron Bonehead)
If you don’t get them, this is impenetrable. If you do, this is true black metal art. Unique. Masterful.
5: Bloodywood – Rakshak (Bloodywood Media)
Inspired by their heroes, based in their own culture Bloodywood defy all preconceptions and turned in a spectacular and often joyous celebration of global metal.
6: And Now The Owls Are Smiling – Epitaph (Clobber Records)
Swansong for a unique and intense vision, Epitaph is a bleak and bittersweet goodbye from one of my favourite ever UK bands. Fare well, fare well.
7: Abaddon Incarnate – The Wretched Sermon (Transcending Obscurity)
Thirteen tracks, thirty-six minutes or hyperchaos, rage and obliteration. A masterclass in utter destruction
8: Blood Countess – Occulta Tenebris (Dominance Of Darkness)
It has been a long road but this fantastic debut has rawness, full blooded ferocity but also a beautifully woven subtlety.
9: Written In Torment – Black Command (Purity Through Fire)
A perfect concept album for a black metal band, a strange true story and a perfect example of rich, enthralling melodic black metal
10: Dim Lights – Starspire (Avantgarde/Sideral)
A slow ride through a strange, beautiful but bleak world. Borderline brilliance.
11: Sonja – Loud Arriver (Cruz Del Sur)
12: Ante-Inferno – Antidiluvian Dreamscapes (Vendetta Records)
13: The Antichrist Imperium – Volume III Satan In His Original Glory (Apocalyptic Witchcraft)
14: Darkest Era – Wither On The Vine (Candlelight)
15: Ymir – Aeons Of Sorrow (Werewolf)
16: Lonely Robot – A Model Light (Inside Out)
17: Horns & Hooves – The Skell Messiah (Invictus Productions)
18: Destroyer 666 – Never Surrender (Season Of Mist)
19: The Haunting – Bad Manor (Avantgarde)
20: Various – The Others: Lustmord Deconstructed (Pelegaic)
Luke Hayhurst Top 20
1: Blood Countess – Occulta Tenebris (Dominance of Darkness Records / Repose Records)
A debut album inspired by the life and deeds of the Countess Elizabeth Bathory, Blood Countess re-create the bloodshed, terror and despair through blood curdling, brutal Black Metal.
2: And Now The Owls Are Smiling – Epitaph (Clobber Records)
The final opus from Norfolk one man Depressive/Atmospheric Black Metal project ANTOAS. A truly heart wrenching climax to a remarkably bleak journey.
3: WitcheR – Lelekharang (Beverina Productions)
One of the most stunning and aesthetically perfect albums of the year, this Hungarian duo have put out a third album of immense beauty and atmospheric wonder.
4: Lungtoucher – The Ninth Incantation (Death Prayer Records)
Compelling debut album by this UK post-Black Metal one man project. Very dark, melodic thought provoking throughout.
5: Ante-Inferno – Antediluvian Dreamscapes (Vendetta Records)
The remarkable follow up to debut album ‘Fane’, ‘AD’ sees Ante-Inferno explore their more melodic/progressive sides whilst still remaining true to their blisteringly heavy Black Metal style.
6: Sacred Son – The Foul Deth of Engelond (True Cult Records)
A stunning new album focussing on the 1381 peasants revolt. Rich in history and heritage whilst also insanely catchy and blisteringly heavy.
7: Seid – Svartr sól (Urtod Void)
The new album from the impressive Swedes Seid, this Norse God inspired opus is crushingly heavy but also intensive and melodic.
8: Wretched Malediction – Demo(n) (Wulfhere Productions)
A superb debut album from a UK one man Black Metal project who likes things old school and anti-religious. A brilliantly catchy first offering.
9: Detherous – Unrelenting Malevolence (Redefining Darkness Records)
‘Unrelenting Malevolence’ is a truly savage sophomoric album, displaying a band who are at home delivering brutalizing force as well as technical wizardry. This is also an album that burrows deep to extract the very best qualities of both Thrash and Death Metal in order to create the best sound they possibly can, and the album is powerful and absorbing as a result.
10: Hellevaerder- In de nevel van afgunst (Zwaertgevegt)
My first experience of this enigmatic Dutch Black Metal band that led me to check out their very impressive discography. A very talented band with a great sense of song craft.
11: Ard – Take Up My Bones (Prophecy Productions)
12: Pilgrim of Fire – An Age of Penance and Oblivion (Naturmacht Productions)
13: Verminous Knight- Malignant Descent (Forbidden Keep Records)
14: Deathfiend- Beyond Life (Gruesome Records)
15: Viacrucis- Les tragiques (Self-Released)
16: Karner- Untam Liacht tota Stern (Dominance of Darkness Records / Under the Dark Soil)
17: Asgrauw- Façade (Death Prayer Records)
18: Faustian Spirit – Blessed by the Wings of Eternity (Inferna Profundus Records)
19: Vacuous – Dreams of Dysphoria (F.H.E.D. / Dark Descent / Me Saco un Ojo Records)
20: Dark Fount – Become the Soul of Mist (Pest Productions / Under the Dark Soil)
Matt Mason Top 20
1: Blackbraid – Blackbraid I (Self Released)
I first heard the track “Barefoot Ghostdance on Blood Soaked Soil” on a friends radio show. It blew me away with its mix of ferocity, drama and sheer ballsiness. A one person Black Metal project, Sgah’gahsowáh uses his first nation heritage to great effect injecting a great fighting spirit and of hope against the odds. It also gets the head banging and fists pumping.
2: Terror – Pain into Power (End Hits Records)
These fellas seem to have been around forever and Vogelisms have become a thing of meme legend online. This is no collection of cliché’s though. It hits like a hammer to the face – just as well coz George Corspegrinder Fisher turns up for a cameo “Can’t Help but Hate”. Knuckledragging beauty.
3: Mindforce – New Lords (Triple B Records)
Triple B have been knocking it out of the park in recent years when it comes to modern Hardcore. New Lords from Mind Force is a sure-fire Crossover killer package. Soaring solos and shouty choruses, bang your head and two step till your limbs detach!
4: Birds In Row – Gris Klein (Red Creek Recordings)
Soul searching, heart wrenchingly beautiful post hardcore that had me tapping my feet and swaying my hips in equal measure. Simply sublime may they return to these shores soon.
5: High Vis – Blending (Dais Records)
I was late to the party for High Vis. Described as Brit Pop infused Hardcore – I think they hail back to an earlier era of British Indie. These fellas have more in common with The Wedding Present, The Las, The Cure and The Stone Roses than they do with Oasis and Blur. Tales of working-class strife and triumph hit with hardcore sensibility that your indie mates will dig. Class.
6: Tuskar – Matriarch (Church Road)
Another label that have been getting the chefs kiss in recent years is Church Road. Matriarch by two-piece gargantuans Tuskar was a slab of righteous heaviness scored through with gentle beauty. A new era of crushing Doom Sludge has begun.
7: Priest – Body Machine (Cleopatra)
EBM, synthpop, Nu Goth, call it what you like these ex-Ghost folk released a killer album in Body Machine. Every time I stuck it on I was transported to a cyberpunk world of neon, smoke and sexy robots. Not bad at all when it is grim outside.
8: Soul Glo – Diaspora Problems (Epitaph Records)
If you want to know where Hardcore is in 2022 you need to listen to End It’s “Unpleasant Living” (Cruelly excluded by the Ed for being an E.P) and Diaspora Problems by Philly’s Soul Glo. Mixing hardcore, rap, indie guitars and manic punk to amazing effect. Glorious mayhem.
9: Chat Pile – God’s Country (The Flenser Records)
It’s 2022. People still live outside. Animals are still tortured for food and humans tortured by a need for oblivion. Chat Pile force our eyes open by pummelling our ears with a mix of post hardcore and industrial brutality.
10: Cave In – Heavy Pendulum (Relapse Records)
Cave In are back. Groovy as fuck, heavy as ever. Heavy Pendulum is full of huge riffs, catchy hooks and of kilter rhythms. So, another great Cave In release baby.
11: Konvent – Call Down the Sun (Napalm Records)
12: Kurokuma – Born of Obsidian (Self Released)
13: KMFDM – Hyena (Metropolis)
14: No Pressure – No Pressure (Triple B Records)
15: Da Buze Bruvas x Lord Beatjizu – BoLO Yeung Barbarian Bicepz (Grilchy Party)
16: Closure – Innocence (Haum Enterntainment)
17: Cave Dweller – Invocations (Aesthetic Death)
18: When Words are Not Enough – Berthold City (War Rec)
19: Frayle – Skin and Sorrow (Aqualamb)
20: Wormrot – Hiss (Earache)
Paul Maddison Top 20
1: Sumerlands – Dreamkiller (Relapse)
This album has everything, Ozzy, Mercyful Fate and epic metal and all in between. The band features members of Stone Dagger and Eternal Champion. If you miss Magic Circle (whom some are also ex-members) then this is the perfect bridge. It’s a simple, effective album that flows to captivate your attention.
2: Cave In – Heavy Pendulum (Relapse)
Cave In return with a particularly immersive album, heavy as hell and soft as sticky stuff in places. The drive and momentum coupled with sheer imagination captured my attention.
3: Riot City – Electric Elite (No Remorse)
This Canadian band live and breathe metal. They have some of the most insane vocals and are on par with some of Judas Priests best material.
4: Sphinx – Deathstroke (Diabolic Might)
Black/speed metal from Germany. They’ve pissed a few people off and their music is a big middle finger to conformity. For fans of Sodom, Venom, Deathhammer and similar.
5: Besvarjelsen – Atlas (Magnetic Eye Records)
Amazing trippy stoner doom with psychedelic female vocals, perfect for isolated listening with warmth and influence of European folk music that adds some spice.
6: Acid Blade – Power Dive (Independent)
Traditional heavy metal from Germany, formally known as Angel Blade. Leading the pack in terms of new bands playing homage to classic metal sounds.
7: Skypilot – Simple Beasts (Independent)
Northern Island’s stoner kings. An exceptionally catchy album full of true desert fuzz and quality additive tones.
8: Aquilla – Mankind’s Odyssey (Independent)
Power metal or traditional metal, this Polish band hammer hard and bring you joyful catchy tunes laden in space and science fiction with some amazing vocal range.
9: Zabbeth – Zabbeth (Witches Brew)
There has been many Bathory sounding artists over the years, of the two or three I have heard this year alone, this Maltese project is by far the most authentic. The artwork, t shirts and music plays direct homage to the legendary 1984 debut album. Unashamed worship of the highest order.
10: Sonja – Loud Arriver (Cruz Del Sur)
A late addition, but totally immersive. Features ex-members of Absu, this three-piece take traditional sub-genres to a refined hook laden plateau resulting in a powerful album that’s truly addictive with some elements of Idle Hands and Beastmilk
11: Kreator – Hate Uber Alles (Nuclear Blast)
12: Flames – Resurgence (No Remorse)
13: Fury – Born to Sin (independent)
14: Slaegt – Goddess (Century Media)
15: Xentrix – Seven Words (Listenable)
16: Dark Meditation – Polluted Temples (Satanik Royalty Records)
17: Doublegeddon – Geddon Dangerous (Independent)
18: Friends of Hell – Friends of Hell (Rise Above)
19: Vampyric Tyrant – Schwarze Schwingen (Mortal Rite Records)
20: Powertryp – Midnight Marauder (Rafchild Records)
Phil Pountney Top 20
1: Arch Enemy – Deceivers (Century Media)
This album is monumental, colossal, a resounding success and an album which shows true maturity and growth in a band’s existence. Amott et al have truly surpassed themselves with ‘Deceivers’, and whilst the set list staples, the massive anthems, that we hold so dearly to our hearts such as ‘Enemy Within’, ‘We Will Rise’, ‘Dead Eyes See No Future’, ‘No Gods No Masters’ and the behemoth that is ‘Ravenous’ will still undoubtedly stand firm in the live arena, it is clearly evident that from now on they will certainly have some new team mates to join them along for the ride.
2: Immolation – Acts Of God (Nuclear Blast)
It’s been five long years since ‘Atonement’, and admittedly a lot has happened in those five years, all of which has allowed us to prepare for the inception of this masterpiece of a Death Metal offering. Extreme, powerful, foreboding yet graceful and intricate in its own rights. Immolation have long spent their time camped in amongst the Death Metal Uber Gods, and ‘Acts Of God’ certainly allows them to take one step closer to being immortalised as Demi Deities.
3: Watain – The Agony & Ecstasy Of Watain (Nuclear Blast)
Another lesson in Black Metal perfection from the Swedish black arts Demigods. Powerful and vitriolic from start to finish with an air of decadence and malice injected throughout the whole sacrifice. Sit back, turn it up and let it envelop your soul with menace and venom
4: Septic Flesh – Modern Primitive (Nuclear Blast)
Hellenic Death Metal delivered with power, precision, and intricacy. The vocals are thunderous and the whole package will hit you like a freight train intent on demolishing your inner self.
5: Kreator – Hate Uber Alles (Nuclear Blast)
The Germanic Thrash titans have returned and with them they have brought an album which will carve you open and then rip your soul from within your infiltrated skeleton. This is thrash on a new level and one to simply be marvelled at. Kreator are like a fine wine, simply developing, maturing and getting better with age.
6: Behemoth – Opvs Contra Natvram (Nuclear Blast)
Behemoth are sitting at the top of their game and this latest release simply reinforces that fact. Opvs Contra Natvram is complex and intriguing, mature and sophisticated and an album which certainly requires all of your attention in order to fully appreciate the beauty of the release.
7: Kampfar – Til Klovers Takt (Indie Recordings)
Muscular, powerful and served up with maniacal ritualistic hate and spite. This is Norwegian Black Metal constructed on a legacy of bitter and caustic anthems. If you enjoy the rawer and dirtier end of the Black Metal spectrum then this deserves to be under the stylus as of yesterday.
8: Theotoxin – Fragment: Totenruhe (AOP Records)
Raw, vitriolic, aggressive and complex pretty much sums up this success from Theotoxin and with a European tour with Archgoat and Whoredom Rife on the horizon the Austrians are surely on the brink of becoming a household name in the extreme metal world.
9: Archgoat – All Christianity Ends (Debemur Morti)
‘All Christianity Ends’ is a major success and dispenses a true dose of sullied and visceral black metal, yet in a way that can easily be perceived as calculated and measured, clinical and contrived. This package is thunderous and another juggernaut from these Suomi Antichrists, one which helps cement their place at the summit of the Black arts movement
10: Djevelkult – Drep Alle Guder (Soulseller Records)
This is an absolute stormer of a black metal release and one that has several differing facets rather than keeping itself one dimensional. An accomplishment in its own right and one that I would hugely recommend adding to your collection tomorrow
11: Trinitas – Total Heresy (Van Records)
12: Krisiun – Mortem Solis (Century Media)
13: Khold – Svartsyn (Soulseller Records)
14: Machine Head – Of Kingdom And Crown (Nuclear Blast)
15: Amon Amarth – The Great Heathen Army (Metal Blade Records)
16: Abbath – Dread Reaver (Season Of Mist)
17: Origin – Chaosmos (Nuclear Blast)
18: Agathodaimon – The Seven (Napalm Records)
19: Sabaton – The War To End All Wars (Nuclear Blast)
20: Razor – The Cycle Of Contempt (Relapse Records)
Spenny Top 20
1: Arthur Brown – Long Long Road (Magnetic Eye Records)
This octogenarian Prog legend has produced a combination of music combining lifetimes of experience and influences and the energy of one a quarter of his years. Magnificent.
2: Sergeant Thunderhoof – This Sceptred Veil (Pale Wizard Records)
If you’re like me, Somerset means cider. These sonic wizards show that the county is so much more than that.
3: Jethro Tull – The Zealot Gene (Inside Out)
No, this is not the dark and atmospheric that Ave Noctem is renowned for, but what it is is bloody good. Expectations for the 2023 LP are high.
4: Eric Wagner – In The Early Light of Mourning (Cruz Del Sur Music)
Posthumously released, Eric Wagner’s swansong showcases the peerless emotional content of his voice. He will be missed
5: Wolfsbane – Genius (S/R)
The howling mad shit heads return with style and aplomb. Why they aren’t filling stadiums is frankly wrong.
6: Ruby The Hatchet – Fear Is A Cruel Master (Magnetic Eye Records)
Plain and simply a magnificent slice of hard rock. No more needs to be said.
7: Mos Generator – Time//Wounds (Music Abuse Records/Pale Wizard Records)
With a 16th December release and an 11th December deadline for this year’s round up I had to be a bit sneaky to get a full listen. The fact that after a single play it has hit this list should give you an idea of the quality.
8: Alunah – Strange Machine (Heavy Psyche Sounds)
Embracing a psychedelic sound, a sound they deliver live magnificently, this deserves to bring the band to an ever larger audience.
9: Clutch – Sunrise On Slaughter Beach (Weathermaker Records)
New Clutch; that’s all you need to know.
10: Birth – Born (Bad Omen Records)
An unashamed slice of retro psychedelic Prog, perfect to have your flares swaying and kaftan swirling.
11: Godless Suns – Godless Suns (S/R)
12: Devil’s Witches – In All Her Forms (Charlie Company)
13: Stoner – totally… (Heavy Psyche Sounds)
14: Crowbar – Zero And Below (MNRK)
15: Volcanova – Cosmic Bullshit (The Sign Records)
16: Earthless – Night Parade Of One Hundred Demons (Nuclear Blast)
17: Arkham Witch – Three Bladed Doom (Metal On Metal)
18: Ghost – Impera (Loma Vista)
19: Kryptograf – The Eldorado Spell (Apollon Music)
20: Obiat – Indian Ocean (S/R)
Nick Griffiths Top 10
1: Ken mode – NULL (Artoffact Records)
This album is certainly more considered than previous efforts and although not softening their sound, this is slightly more accessible in a good way make no mistake, this is a soundtrack to bad thoughts, deeds and shitty weather. It’s cold, exacting, heavy as balls, groove laden, bleak, and perfectly executed.
2: Chat Pile – God’s Country (The Flenser Records)
One of the finds of the year. Heavy, blackened noise, sludge, grimy, cold, and desperate. This is like Shellac playing Nailbomb covers on glue. Its frankly terrifying…AND terrifying good how this album is. Lyrically challenging, musically combative and the anthesis to anything good and sunny. Absolutely amazing.
3: Cave In – Heavy Pendulum (Relapse Records)
Following on from personal tragedy and an album dripping with grief, Cave in return with any album bristling with bonhomie, sledgehammer riffs, harmonies, and melodies to die for, Boston’s favourite sons are back what they do best and that’s to slay and smile.
4: Russian Circle – Gnosis (Sargent House)
This is a band operating at a level that will make most bands weep, Russian Circles have struck a rich vein of music form that they have refined and polished over their musical career to finally culminate in what can be best described as a bright, shiny diamond of an album.
5: Machine Head – Of Kingdom and Crown (Nuclear Blast)
Brutal, balletic, honest, and replete with a huge production job, ‘this album represents the rebirth of a band that were previously, whilst not quite on life support (see the ‘track’ ‘Overdose’), found themselves hanging from the cliff of irrelevance by their fingernails, but have managed to cling on whilst raising a middle finger to the world.
6: Crowbar – Zero and Below (MNRK Records)
It does what is says on the tin. This is Crowbar, tar thick riffs that climb up your spine. It swings, chugs, and beats you black and blue. This is Crowbar, it doesn’t stay too far from the path well-trodden but it adds flourishes to their doom palette, bring splashes of colour to their blackened doom.
7: Casket Feeder – Servants of Violence (Self Released)
Casket Feeder have created a hugely enjoyable and competent debut album which is pleasing, not just from a UK scene perspective, but also, in general, this is just a decent collection of songs that snarl, groove, thrash, pummel and generally kick ass. As Alan Partridge might say…. ‘Lovely stuff’.
8: Fit For An Autopsy – Oh What The Future Holds (Nuclear Blast)
It’s a massive sounding collection of songs that elevates FFAA above the prescribed nomenclature of the Deathcore scene. Whether this new direction alienates their fanbase, remains to be seen, but given the musical journey this band are on, those that fall by the wayside will be more than made up by the new fans they pick up.
9: Dead Cross – II (Ipecac)
There will be some, that will simply ignore this as another example of Patton’s musical compulsive Tourette’s, where he feels everything, he does is deserving of a release, naysayers, don’t let your preconceptions preclude you from wallowing in a great album of thrashy, punk hardcore with a dollop of madness with a side order of the macabre.
10: Meshuggah – Immutable – (Atomic Fire)
Oft imitated, rarely bettered, Meshuggah stand almost in a genre peerless. After a few album missteps, Immutable, has the band going back to basics, with a stripped back approach, that suits their mechanical, groove sledgehammer riffs and their polyrhythmic time signatures and drums, with an album that cements their reputation as true innovators.
Slavica Sikora Top 10
1: Darkher – The Burried Storm (Prophecy Productions)
In the myriad of bands out there, Darkher are the diamond among stones. Their music, simultaneously earthy and airy, folky and doomy, with poetic lyrics, painfully honest, will give you goose bumps or move you to tears. It is impossible to listen to Immortals or Lowly Weep and not be touched to the core.
2: Sonja – Loud Arriver (Cruz Del Sur Music)
Expertly written, hook-laden, melodic, exhilarating and great fun to listen to, Sonja’s debut album brings fresh themes to a slightly aging medium, heavy metal. Loud Arriver will put an appreciative smile on your face and will have you playing air guitar and air drums throughout.
3: Sanhedrin – Lights On (Metal Blade)
If you grew up on a diet of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Motörhead, Sanhedrin’s sound will make you feel right at home. This is old-school heavy metal, proudly and unashamedly, paying homage to the genre’s roots, while simultaneously taking on today’s big issues.
4: Gospelheim – Ritual & Repetition (Prophecy Productions)
An exciting new project which, because of the versatility displayed, could take any road going forward. Gospelheim combine goth rock, heavy metal, doom and black metal, their music featuring clean double vocals atop of blast beats. Unusual and very appealing.
5: Ryr – Transient (Golden Antenna Records)
Bleak and crushing, uncommonly heavy for post metal, with character to spare and with good portions of black metal and doom incorporated into it, Transient successfully captures the dreary atmosphere of big city life. The best post metal album I have listened to in quite some time.
6: Ashenspire – Hostile Architecture (Code 666)
Here, metal, jazz, theatre music and a few folk tunes have been fused into a noir, avant-garde sound that is edgy and anxious, but that also contains moments of melancholic beauty and exhausted respite. Besides being a work of music, the album is also a political statement, its lyrics describing the many ways the working-class majority is being abused by those in power.
7: Then Comes Silence – Hunger (Nexilis/Schubert Music)
Instead of experimenting with the heritage of bands like The Cure, The Sisters of Mercy and Joy Division, Then Comes Silence see themselves as guardians of the fire who are keeping the flame alive. Goth rock, darkwave or post punk fans won’t hear anything new, but will definitely enjoy theses well-written and well-produced songs.
8: Blackbraid – Blackbraid I – self released
The band name alone deserves a prize. Blackbraid have acquainted the interested public with a scarcely explored, but outstandingly fitting combination – indigenous, Native American influences and traditional black metal. A few years from now, looking back, the album, authentic, raw, powerful and wild, might well be classified as a genre milestone.
9: Nanna Barslev – Lysbaerer (By Norse)
Drawing inspiration from the medieval period and Nordic pagan roots, Lysbaerer provides a bewitching listening experience for lovers of neofolk and dark folk. Fans of Heilung and Wardruna will enjoy the darker songs, whereas fans of Myrkur’s Folkesange will like the lighter ones.
10: Urferd – Resan (Black Lodge)
Resan is a musical tale composed of dark folk, drone and ambient that follows a classic story plot. From the dreary here and now, the listener, upon pressing play, is transported to the Middle Ages, to an early morning in a pristine, dewy forest, basking in light. This is where the story begins.
Zed Top 10
1: MWWB – The Harvest (New Heavy Sounds)
Formerly known as Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard, this fourth album is a stunner. Grand, epic and majestic in equal measure, it’s a start to finish journey that shows the band taking a massive leap forward in terms of songwriting and artistic vision. A mix of psychedelic, sci-fi tinged doom that leans into Pink Floyd territory, it’s a must listen for fans of the genre.
2: Saor – Origins (Season Of Mist)
Andy Marshall, the sole member of Saor has unleashed a compelling work that embraces his natural surroundings and culture. Hugely atmospheric, this is an absorbing album that has the ability to transport the listener to another time and place. This is folk infused black metal at its’ finest.
3:Dead Cross – II (Ipecac)
The term “supergroup” can conjure up mixed feelings but Dead Cross tick the positive box. Dave Lombardo, Mike Patten and Co. have teamed up for a second helping of hardcore, thrash and whatever-the-damn-else they choose. Fast paced, sometimes brutal and neck snappingly on target, this is the sound of a bunch of lads just having a blast and it shows.
4: Onward – Of Epoch And Inferno (Moribund Records)
Guitar maestro, Toby Knapp has reimagined his old band and enlisted the vocal services of Robert Van War for an exciting slab of power metal. The fretboard pyrotechnics are simply stunning and the songs are delivered with a freshness that is irresistable. Anyone who appreciates fine musicianship needs to get their hands on this. The “wow” factor is huge.
5: The Dead Daisies – Radiance (SPV)
David Lowy’s band has seen a revolving door of musicians over the past 10 years but this incarnation is by far the strongest. Boasting “The Voice Of Rock” Glenn Hughes and ex-Whitesnake axe-slinger Doug Alrich, “Radiance” is a meaty slab of old school, blues-based hard rock. The band are obviously enjoying themselves with the track “Shine On” worth the price of admission alone.
6: Venom Inc. – There’s Only Black (Nuclear Blast)
Jeff “Mantas” Dunn and Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan keep their version of the black metal titans roaring and it is a loud roar indeed. Thrashy as all hell with bursts of hardcore punk brutality, this album is as old school as you can get. Fans will always yearn for the classic Venom lineup but with a display as powerful as this, one cannot help but crack a devilish smile.
7: Dead Head – Slave driver (Hammerheart Records)
Dead Head have been delivering the goods since 1989 and “Slave driver” shows that these thrash veterans still have plenty of fire. Like a Kreator meets Slayer mash up, it’s all full throttle fury from start to finish. Raw riffs aplenty, the live feel of the album gives it a fiery edge that’s hard to beat.
8: Cobra The Impaler – Colossal Gods (Listenable)
Giving classic heavy metal a contemporary touch and then thrashing it up a little bit makes “Colossal Gods” an intriguing listen. The album stays fresh with the band taking the listener on unexpected turns that mix up genres nicely. This is the band’s debut release and based on this, they’re definitely ones to keep an eye on.
9: Amon Acid – Cosmogony (Helter Skelter/Regain Records)
Spacious, elephantine riffs adorn this album that mixes spacerock vibes with doom and stoner fuzz while overlaying exotic Eastern sounds. Atmospheric and rich it finds a band not afraid to explore boundaries and makes for an end-to-end aural journey.
10: Elusive God – Trapped In A Future Unknown (Rafchild Records)
The debut LP from these Croatian doomsters finds them delivering a classic slice of doom metal with big, expansive riffs. The highlight though are some very powerful vocals reminiscent of Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson. The band know how to get the cool Pentagram and Sabbath styled hooks out too.
Martin Harris – Top 20
1: Allegaeon – Damnum (Metal Blade Records)
An astonishing sixth album that set this USA technical and progressive death metal act and the bar so high it is out of visual range.
2: Disillusion – Ayam (Prophecy Productions)
A scintillating progressive metal album that showcases sublime song writing and an ability to switch genres seamlessly and with immense emotion.
3: Final Light – Final Light (Red Creek Records)
A wondrous collaboration between James ‘Perturbator’ Kent and Johannes Persson from Cult Of Luna that bridges the post rock and synthwave genres superbly.
4: In The Woods… – Diversum (Soulseller Records)
Bristling with stellar musicianship and stratospheric song writing the Norwegians have written their finest album to date.
5: Avatarium – Death, Where Is Your Sting (AFM Records)
A step into new territory for the Swedes with an album teeming with exquisite prowess and melody all blended to the sultry addictive vocals of Jennie-Ann Smith.
6: Ante-Inferno – Antediluvian Dreamscapes (Vendetta Records)
Few acts can craft such epic atmospheric and ferocious black metal as Ante-Inferno as their second album proves with its dazzling obsidian majesty.
7: Brymir -Voices In The Sky (Napalm Records)
Finnish band Brymir epitomise the melodic death metal scene in all its glory with their fourth sumptuous album of pristine melodies and luxurious arrangements.
8: Black Void – Antithesis (Nuclear Blast Records)
A stunning album for this unique project, a truly devastating hybrid of black metal and punk with caustic skin flaying tracks.
9: Amorphis – Halo (Atomic Fire Records)
Yet again Amorphis unveil an awesome album, one that takes a degree of experimentalism vocally and entwines it in their own imitable song writing.
10: Festung – Der Turm (Self Released)
Ambient black metal doesn’t come much better than this from Germany’s Festung. Saturated in passion and deluged with a sense of taking you to a world beyond this realm ‘Der Turm’ is a riveting listen.
11: Drudkh- All Belong To The Night (Season Of Mist Records)
12: Parkway Drive – Darker Still (Epitaph Records)
13: SAOR – Origins (Season Of Mist Records)
14: The Halo Effect – Days Of The Lost (Nuclear Blast Records)
15: Guineapig – Parasite (Spikerot Records)
16: Denouncement Pyre – Forever Burning (Agonia Records)
17: Cage Fight – Cage Fight (Candlelight Records)
18: Firtan – Marter (AOP Records)
19: Entrails – An Eternal Time Of Decay (Hammerheart Records)
20: Autopsy – Morbidity Triumphant (Peaceville Records)
Banners with thanks – DeltaThetaSigma design
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