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!
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
THRESHOLD
Dividing Lines
UK
November 18th, 2022
Even after more than 3 decades, the UK proggers deliver a marvelous and passionate new album
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)
NICKLAS SONNE
Resonance
Denmark
November 11th, 2022
With his debut solo album, SONNE takes us on a very personal, expressive journey
PREHISTORIA
Cursed Lands
USA
January 21st, 2022
The power / thrash metal band introduce themselves with a blast!
MENDEL
Equilibrium
Netherlands
May 17th, 2022
72 minutes of shredding magic with a huge, yet beautifully diverse orchestration
MORTON
Horror of Daniel Wagner
Ukraine
March 30th, 2022
A great concept album with splendid vocals about the way through purgatory into forgiveness
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
ANDY GILLION
Arcade Metal
Australia
September 3rd, 2022
A modern, instrumental love letter to 80s video games, and a real shredfest
MOTHER OF MILLIONS
Orbit
Greece
May 6th, 2022
Heartbreaking intense, with highly expressive vocals, following the band's healing process
ALLEGAEON
Damnum
USA
February 25th, 2022
Modern, diverse and highly technical melodeath, a beast of an album
GERALD PETER PROJECT
Incremental Changes Pt. 2
Austria
June 24th, 2022
The keyboard wizard takes us on a marvelous, instrumental journey
THEORY
Obsidian Haze
Denmark
November 1st, 2022
On their 2nd album, the Danish quintet again deliver sophisticated yet accessible progmetal
OBSIDIOUS
Iconic
Germany
October 28th, 2022
A new band with an illustrious line-up, offering high-energetic yet melodious tech death
ETRANGE
Enigme
France
September 1st, 2022
Wonderful, space-themed instrumental prog, and Pt. 2 of Etrange's trip to complete its mission
STAR ONE
Revel in Time
Netherlands
February 18th, 2022
Arjen Lucassen takes us through his favorite movies musically, feat. many illustrious guests
ARDARITH
Home
Germany / International
September 9th, 2022
An amazing prog debut following a man's journey on his search for what "Home" is about
BENEATH THE SILENCE
Black Lights
Denmark
February 11th, 2022
A modern, powerful debut album, ffo heavy, rhythm-driven yet melodious metal
LOBATE SCARP
You Have it All
USA
May 6th, 2022
A wonderful prog-rock opus, inviting the listener to drift away for a moment
Paul Wardingham
Prototype
Australia
December 21st, 2022
The master of cybermetal shredding came along with an early christmas present
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
LUCA DI GENNARO
The 2nd Coming
Italy
January 14th, 2022
The Italian multi-instrumentalist takes us on a mesmerizing and exciting journey
THEANDRIC
Flight Among the Tombs
USA
February 11th, 2022
An amazing first record, recommended for fans of prog and traditional metal
CHARLIE GRIFFITHS
Tiktaalika
UK
June 17th, 2022
HAKEN's guitarist got inspired by prehistoric themes and a wide range of musical styles
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
DISILLUSION
Ayam
Germany
November 4th, 2022
With their 3rd album, they evolved their sound once more in an astonishing, fascinating way
MORGAN REID
Terran
Germany
November 25th, 2022
The multi talent comes along with his impressive solo shredding debut
AETERNAM
Heir of the Rising Sun
Canada
September 2nd, 2022
By melting a wide range of influences, their fifth album became brutal yet beautiful harmonic
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
ELLIPSIS
Sadistikal Mentaculus
France
May 13th, 2022
No genre-boundaries, just the music, and a good pinch of craziness - A challenging listen
CYDEMIND
The Descent
Canada
November 4th, 2022
With "violin meets progmetal", the Canadian quintet offer marvelous music to dive into
DYSTOPIA A.D.
Doomsday Psalm
USA
December 2nd, 2022
A mind-blowing last minute entry, coming along with a great variety and high energy
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/