Mostly Metal's Favorites 2022

Since this year's coming to a close, I'd like to share a selection of 35 releases that got a lot of playing time at Mostly Metal's headquarter over the past months - for different reasons, but all brightened my days in an incredible way. Some artists impressed with their technical skills or mesmerized me with beautiful melodies, others offered a great time while rocking out to their music, and some of these albums caught me in this special way as only music can do.

While during the previous years there was always one album that stood out a bit more for me, I couldn't call an "aoty 2022" so far, as the first down there are so close together, and all brilliant on their own. Maybe time will tell, but for the moment, I'll leave it like that. Nothing wrong with having three aoty, isn't it? ;-)

How about some fun facts? ;-) Among these, you can find:

  • Three EPs
  • Thirteen solo efforts or projects (some are real "solo" albums, others collaborations)
  • Eight instrumental releases
  • Eleven debut records (with two of them being EPs)
  • Seven bands are from the USA, four from Denmark and Germany, three live in the UK, France and Sweden
  • Six artists have been involved in several records. Let's see if you can guess them ;-)

Welcome to check them out, maybe you find something for your listening pleasure you missed so far. There's always a direct link to Bandcamp or a Linktree, and in case I wrote a review or did an interview, you'll find a hint for it too.

Dive in, have fun \m/


PARIUS

The Signal Heard Throughout Space

USA

October 7th, 2022

A wonderfully diverse record about a space captain's search for a distress signal - Epic!

Bandcamp / Review


XAON

The Lethean

France

July 1st, 2022

The quintet offer a mighty, multi-layered 3rd record about the everlasting loop of live and death

Bandcamp / Interview


DARKANE

Inhuman Spirits

Sweden

June 24th, 2022

Highly addictive melodic death / thrash metal - Dark and epic, yet virtuoso and catchy

Linktree


OBSIDIOUS

Iconic

Germany

October 28th, 2022

A new band with an illustrious line-up, offering high-energetic yet melodious tech death

Bandcamp


DISILLUSION

Ayam

Germany

November 4th, 2022

With their 3rd album, they evolved their sound once more in an astonishing, fascinating way

Bandcamp


MICHAEL ROMEO

War of the Worlds Pt.2

USA

March 25th, 2022

Epic, mind-blowing, mesmerizing... Part 2 of the guitar wizard's sci-fi masterpiece

Linktree / Review (@Tuonela Magazine)


THRESHOLD

Dividing Lines

UK

November 18th, 2022

Even after more than 3 decades, the UK proggers deliver a marvelous and passionate new album

Linktree / Review


NICKLAS SONNE

Resonance

Denmark

November 11th, 2022

With his debut solo album, SONNE takes us on a very personal, expressive journey

Website / Review


PREHISTORIA

Cursed Lands

USA

January 21st, 2022

The power / thrash metal band introduce themselves with a blast!

Bandcamp  / Review / Interview


MENDEL

Equilibrium

Netherlands

May 17th, 2022

72 minutes of shredding magic with a huge, yet beautifully diverse orchestration

Bandcamp


MORTON

Horror of Daniel Wagner

Ukraine

March 30th, 2022

A great concept album with splendid vocals about the way through purgatory into forgiveness

Website / Review


EDGE OF HAZE

The Convoy of Ruin

Finland

November 1st, 2022

Modern prog with the wide range from melodeath to pop, and highly addictive melodies

Bandcamp


GERALD PETER PROJECT

Incremental Changes Pt. 2

Austria

June 24th, 2022

The keyboard wizard takes us on a marvelous, instrumental journey

Linktree / Review


CHILDREN OF THE SÜN

Roots

Sweden

March 18th, 2022

The retro rock band bring back the spirit of Woodstock in a soulful and fresh way

Bandcamp / Review


ANDY GILLION

Arcade Metal

Australia

September 3rd, 2022

A modern, instrumental love letter to 80s video games, and a real shredfest

Bandcamp / Review


ARDARITH

Home

Germany / International

September 9th, 2022

An amazing prog debut following a man's journey on his search for what "Home" is about

Bandcamp / Review

 

 MOTHER OF MILLIONS

 

Orbit

Greece

May 6th, 2022

Heartbreaking intense, with highly expressive vocals, following the band's healing process

Bandcamp 


 

THEORY

Obsidian Haze

Denmark

November 1st, 2022

On their 2nd album, the Danish quintet again deliver sophisticated yet accessible progmetal

Bandcamp


BENEATH THE SILENCE

Black Lights

Denmark

February 11th, 2022

A modern, powerful debut album, ffo heavy, rhythm-driven yet melodious metal

Bandcamp  /  Review 


 

ETRANGE

Enigme

France

September 1st, 2022

Wonderful, space-themed instrumental prog, and Pt. 2 of Etrange's trip to complete its mission

Bandcamp


STAR ONE

Revel in Time

Netherlands

February 18th, 2022

Arjen Lucassen takes us through his favorite movies musically, feat. many illustrious guests

Linktree 


 

LOBATE SCARP

You Have it All

USA

May 6th, 2022

A wonderful prog-rock opus, inviting the listener to drift away for a moment

Bandcamp / Interview


Paul Wardingham

Prototype

Australia

December 21st, 2022

The master of cybermetal shredding came along with an early christmas present

Bandcamp


FEATHER MOUNTAIN

To Exit a Maelstrom

Denmark

September 2nd, 2022

With their 2nd album, the Danish quartet created a highly emotional piece of progmetal art

Bandcamp / Review (by 1progressivemetalfan)


AN ABSTRACT ILLUSION

Woe

Sweden

September 9th, 2022

A 60-minutes song divided into seven pieces, combining beauty and brutality in a unique way

Bandcamp


LUCA DI GENNARO

The 2nd Coming

Italy

January 14th, 2022

The Italian multi-instrumentalist takes us on a mesmerizing and exciting journey

Website / Review


THEANDRIC

Flight Among the Tombs

USA

February 11th, 2022

An amazing first record, recommended for fans of prog and traditional metal

Bandcamp / Review


CHARLIE GRIFFITHS

Tiktaalika

UK

June 17th, 2022

HAKEN's guitarist got inspired by prehistoric themes and a wide range of musical styles

Linktree 

 

 

MORGAN REID

Terran

Germany

November 25th, 2022

The multi talent comes along with his impressive solo shredding debut

Review / Bandcamp

 

AETERNAM

Heir of the Rising Sun

Canada

September 2nd, 2022

By melting a wide range of influences, their 5th album became brutal yet beautiful harmonic

Bandcamp


PHANTOM SPELL

Immortal's Requiem

UK

August 19th, 2022

Kyle McNeill takes us on a tantalising prog trip through the mind of a deteriorating wizard

Bandcamp


ELLIPSIS

Sadistikal Mentaculus

France

May 13th, 2022

No genre-boundaries, just the music, and a good pinch of craziness - A challenging listen

Bandcamp / Interview


CYDEMIND

The Descent

Canada

November 4th, 2022

With "violin meets progmetal", the Canadian quintet offer marvelous music to dive into

Bandcamp / Review


DYSTOPIA A.D.

Doomsday Psalm

USA

December 2nd, 2022

A mind-blowing last minute entry, coming along with a great variety and high energy

Bandcamp


ALLEGAEON

Damnum

USA

February 25th, 2022

Modern, diverse and highly technical melodeath, a beast of an album

Bandcamp


Could you guess all artists involved in several records?

  • John Macaluso on Michael Romeo's new epic and on ELLIPSIS' second track
  • Nicklas Sonne on his solo album, vocals for THEORY, and responsible for the production of BENEATH THE SILENCE
  • Michael Romeo on his solo album and on STAR ONE for a guest appearance
  • Paul Wardingham on his solo album and with a guest solo for Andy Gillion
  • Daniel Rasmussen plays guitar for BENEATH THE SILENCE and THEORY
  • Adam Burke created the cover artwork for PREHISTORIA, AN ABSTRACT ILLUSION and DYSTOPIA A.D


This eoty selection comes along with my great appreciation towards those who gave these musical treasures a chance to be discovered with their posts, recos, promos, reviews, and inspiring discussions.

A special shout-out to all who followed my journey here from the beginning, and a warm welcome to those who joined us along the way, hope you enjoyed the ride so far.  Your feedback and support means a lot!

And of course: horns up for the bands and artists! Thank you for the music from the bottom of my heart \m/