Mostly Metal's eoty countdown
Since this year is coming to a close, list season is ahead ;-) And even though it is still too early to talk about any kind of aoty, I thought it could be some fun to do a 31 days, music-related challenge, starting on Dec 1st, to put some great songs, albums, videos artists... into the spotlight.
Feel free to join in (over on Twitter, Insta, Facebook), check out my picks, add and share yours - Looking forward to this :-)
Day 31 - If you could plan your own festival, which bands would we see there?
One can dream... Who'd join us for this line-up?
Day 30 - Most anticipated concerts in 2023
The calendar is already filling up nicely. Excited to see JESTER'S TEARS, ARCHSPIRE, THRESHOLD, HAKEN, NE OBLIVISCARIS and AYREON next year. The line-ups for PROGNOSIS FESTIVAL and PROGPOWER EUROPE are outstanding, counting the days :-)
Day 29 - Most anticipated albums in 2023
From those already announced, I'm most looking forward to NE OBLIVISCARIS, NEVERUS, HAKEN, HYPNO5E and ASHEN. News from SYMPHONY X, POEM and NOVERIA would be highly appreciated :-)
Day 28 - Album of the year (1-5)
What a blast!! Five wonderful records - Epic, mind-blowing, mesmerizing. Gonna leave them here in no particular order, but of course highly recommended :-)
DARKANE - Inhuman Spirits
Linktree
THRESHOLD - Dividing Lines
Linktree
XAON - The Lethean
https://xaon.bandcamp.com/album/the-lethean
PARIUS - The Signal Heard Throughout Space
https://parius.bandcamp.com/
MICHAEL ROMEO - War of the Worlds Pt.2
Linktree
Day 27 - Album of the year (6 - 10)
What an incredible year for new music! This one again comes along without instrumental releases an EPs, you can find them below
NICKLAS SONNE - Resonance
Linktree
MORTON - Horror of Daniel Wagner
Spotify
CHILDREN OF THE SÜN - Roots
https://childrenofthesunofficial.bandcamp.com/album/roots
THEORY- Obsidian Haze
https://theorymetal.bandcamp.com/album/obsidian-haze
ALLEGAEON - Damnum
https://allegaeon.bandcamp.com/album/damnum
Day 26 - Album of the year (11-15)
Gonna do this one without instrumental releases and EPs, as they appeared already below.
OBSIDIOUS - Iconic
https://obsidious-band.bandcamp.com/album/iconic
BENEATH THE SILENCE - Black Lights
https://beneaththesilence.bandcamp.com/album/black-lights
AN ABSTRACT ILLUSION - Woe
https://anabstractillusion.bandcamp.com/album/woe
LOBATE SCARP - You Have It All
https://lobatescarp.bandcamp.com/album/you-have-it-all
AETERNAM - Heir of the Rising Sun
https://aeternam.bandcamp.com/album/heir-of-the-rising-sun
Day 25 - Favorite instrumental records
2022 was an incredible year for instrumental rock and metal, with releases in a wonderful diversity. Welcome to check out some of my highlights below:
MENDEL - Equilibrium
https://mendelian.bandcamp.com/album/equilibrium
LUCA DI GENNARO - The 2nd Coming
https://open.spotify.com/album/6WDC9dOm1Wb3RLTCydXi6p?si=2mzpeyBSTfSSS6WsiE9vHw
MORGAN REID - Terran
https://morganreid.bandcamp.com/album/terran-digital-album
ANDY GILLION - Arcade Metal
https://andygillion.bandcamp.com/album/arcade-metal
PAUL WARDINGHAM - Prototype
https://paulwardingham1.bandcamp.com/album/prototype
CYDEMIND - The Descent
https://cydemind.bandcamp.com/album/the-descent
ETRANGE - Enigme
https://etrange.bandcamp.com/album/enigme
GYPSIES ON PARADISE - Arturo's Sableness
https://gypsiesonparadise.bandcamp.com/album/arturos-sableness
GERALD PETER PROJECT - Incremental Changes Pt. 2
https://geraldpeter.bandcamp.com/album
Day 24 - A song that calms you down
GERALD PETER PROJECT - Timeless
From the keyboard wizard's mesmerizing new album "Incremental Changes Pt2", which offers wonderful instrumental prog inviting the listener to drift away for a moment
https://geraldpeter.bandcamp.com/track/timeless-13th-movement
Day 23 - Shout-out to a cover artwork creator
With his marvelous, surreal paintings and unique style, Mariusz Lewandowski clearly left a mark in the scene
Day 22 - Shout-out to a music blog
This one goes to The Man of Much Metal, The Progspace, Denim & Leather and Worship Metal for not only offering wonderful, musical content and discoveries, but also being a great inspiration. And in this context, I can't leave KmanRiffs aside.
Day 21 - Five favorite EPs
PREHISTORIA - Cursed Lands
https://prehistoriaband.bandcamp.com/album/cursed-lands
MOTHER OF MILLIONS - Orbit
https://vicisolumrecords.com/album/orbit-ep
THEANDRIC - Flight Among the Tombs
https://theandric.bandcamp.com/album/flight-among-the-tombs
MONOMANIC - Lágrimas
https://monomanic.bandcamp.com/album/l-grimas
BIOPLAN - Arcade Dreams
https://bioplan.bandcamp.com/album/arcade-dreams
 |  |
Day 20 - A special physical edition
ARDARITH - Home
This one is absolutely beautiful, with much love for the details. It alos got a great booklet, the CD and poster inside.
https://ardarith.bandcamp.com/album/home
 |  |
Day 19 - A special piece of merch
Had a bunch of things in mind for this one, but I just got my first Mostly Metal "merch" as a gift, so please excuse the shameless self-promotion at this point ;-)
 |  |
Day 18 - An expressive music video
MORGAN REID - Goliath Online
Fascinated by the dancers' smooth yet expressive moves, and how Morgan melts his versatile talents here that wouldn't be nessecarily connected together
Day 17 - An impressive playthrough
ANDY GILLION - Enter the Castle
This was the first, powerful impression he shared from his current album "Arcade Metal", and it also features Jeff Loomis and 66Samus. Fantastic playing, and great fun to watch:
Day 16 - Favorite big festival
Sweden Rock
What a blast!!! Perfect conditions to fill our hearts with wonderful music. Saw 30 great bands during these four days, with Sorcerer, In Flames, Devin Townsend, Eric Gales and Orbit Culture being some of my highlights.
 |  |
 |  |
Day 15 - Favorite small festival
Progpower Europe (NL)
Fantastic line-up including some of my all-time favorite bands as well as exciting new discoveries, great sound, and a wonderful relaxed atmosphere... Huge thanks to the PPE crew for making this happen! Meeting with old and new friends made the weekend even more special.
 |  |
 |  |
Day 14 - Great concerts Pt. 2
What a blast from the past with Sepultura and Clawfinger, as well as happy times proudly presented by Terry Hoax. No pics from Leprous, Wheel, Long Distance Calling, Nile, and the Faces of Death tour, but hell yeah!!! did they all deliver
 |  |
 |  |
Day 13 - Great concerts Pt.1
2022 saw the return of live music around these parts, and one could often feel a rewoken enthusiasm in front of and on stage. Had a wonderful time seeing Fractal Universe / Evergrey, Holy Mother / Dynazty, Monomanic / Valley of the Sun and Arena
 |  |
 |  |
Day 12 - A song that tends to stick in your head
THRESHOLD - Complex
Powerful, expressive, yet catchy. Stuck in my head for days since its release - Love it!
Welcome to read my review for it here
Day 11 - A great opening act you saw but weren't familiar yet
HOLY MOTHER
No idea how this band slipped through my radar all the years, but they just nailed it when opening for Dynazty in spring. Having legendary drummer John Macaluso spontaneously fill in for this tour made the show even more special. Their music has been in regular rotation since then.
Day 10 - Best collaboration
STAR ONE - Revel in Time
Prog master Arjen Lucassen takes us through his favorite movies musically, feat. many illustrious guests - Take a seat and enjoy the ride... :-)
Day 9 - A record that blew your mind at once
PREHISTORIA - Cursed Lands
The first who caught me straight away this year were powermetal band PREHISTORIA from the US. With their debut "Cursed Lands", they introduced themselves with a blast!!
https://prehistoriaband.bandcamp.com/album/cursed-lands
Welcome to read my interview with them here
Day 8 - Favorite cover artworks
Tough choice, as there have been many beautiful and expressive pieces. I'd go with four stunning examples from my favorite artists:
Geezer by RYAN T. HANCOCK
Nightbearer by JUANJO CASTELLANO
Jade by ADAM BURKE
Borealis by REMEDY ART DESIGN
Day 7 - An older album that you just discovered
ANTHRIEL - Transcendence
Glad about this gem found its way to my ears, and straight into my proggy heart
Listen to "Transcendence" here
And welcome to read my interview with guitarist Timo Niemistö here
Day 6 - A song by an artist we lost this year
DAVID ANDERSSON 🖤
Want to share two of my favorite tracks from his feather, as the bands are just too different to leave one out:
Soilwork - Arrival: https://t.co/BAeB1osLg2
Night Flight Orchestra - Servants of the Air: https://t.co/WvIo7eIaC2
Day 5 - An album with a strong message
ARDARITH - Home
The international prog project founded by German guitarist, composer and producer Max Pfaffinger gives us wonderful music to dive in, following a man's journey on his search what "Home" is about:
https://ardarith.bandcamp.com/album/home
Welcome to learn more about it here
Day 4 - A song that rocked your socks off at first spin
DARKANE - Inhuman Spirits
Was the first track I heard from their current, same-named album, and it caught me immediately with its high energy, opening the way for one of this year's most exciting records. What a blast!!!
Day 3 - A funny / entertaining video
NICKLAS SONNE - Spit out your pride
Can't deny a certain weakness for this kind of Viking madness ;-) The song is taken from his solo album "Resonance", welcome to read my review for it here
Day 2 - Five albums from 2021 you're still blasting regularly
AEONS - Consequences
https://aeonsiom.bandcamp.com/album/consequences
FOTIS DELINIKOLAS - Alma
https://fotisdelinikolas.bandcamp.com/album/alma
TURBULENCE - Frontal
https://youtu.be/3J8T2_vHZ9I
ASTRAKHAN - A Slow Ride Towards Death
https://astrakhan.bandcamp.com/album/a-slow-ride-towards-death
CHARLES SOULZ - Split Mind
https://soulzproject.bandcamp.com/album/split-mind
Day 1 - A song that sums up 2022 for you
XAON - And Yet I Smile
The music's expression nails it for me - Mindblowing and challenging due to its twist and turns, but nevertheless with a certain beauty.
From their brilliant album "The Lethean"
https://xaon.bandcamp.com/track/and-yet-i-smile
Welcome to check out my interview with Rob Carson here
