Outside of the top albums for 2022, there were some who barely missed the cut, of which made such a discernible impact, that we needed to feature them here. Here we have 10 songs from albums who didn’t make the big list, but are absolutely worth your valuable time.
10. Arche – Reverential Silence (from Transitions)
Finland’s Arche released an album full of gloomy and melancholic funeral doom, being one of the best examples of the style in 2022. This opening track is filled with twists and turns overflowing with a sorrowful and a dense atmosphere that provides a lasting impression.
9. Ultar – My Rope (from At the Gates of Dusk)
It was a good year for the Sysoev brothers, with their other projects Second to Sun and Grima having quality releases unto themselves. The one that stuck the most, however, was Ultar, with thick post-black metal that is robust, yet not lacking in variety. This track shows the band at their most potent.
8. Dischordia – Purifying Flame (from Triptych)
With a sound of their own, Dischordia put forth one of the most unique pieces of death metal out this year. Certainly not an easy listen, but as the layers get peeled back, one sees the chaotic brilliance. Technical, delightfully odd, and fully engrossing.
7. Cult of Luna – Cold Burn (from The Long Road North)
The kings of atmospheric post-metal are back, and they’re still churning out some of the most impactful music around. Nobody quite creates an engulfing wave of impending destruction quite like Cult of Luna, and this album opener especially is a force to be reckoned with.
6. Our Loss is Total – A Roar in the Deep (from I)
This was a mid-December release, and as with late in the year albums, they can easily get missed. However, this one was anticipated highly since the band was revealed, being an atmospheric black metal project headed by 3 members of Neaera, as well as Heaven Shall Burn vocalist Marcus Bischoff. Being a huge supporter of both bands, the curiosity was immeasurable. Patience paid off, as this is a masterful chunk of foggy, poignant black metal that is full of variance. Do not miss this.
5. Gloson – Impetus (from The Rift)
Swedish sludgy post-metal outfit Gloson have been bringing the riffs for a while, but my goodness, they stepped it up a few notches! If some of the biggest, most vile guitar work created all year is desirable, look no further. “Impetus” is a stand out which displays the many talents of the band at their most raw and potent.
4. Verberis – Adamantine Amidst Transience (from Adumbration of the Veiled Logos)
If black/death metal hybrids tickle the fancy, Verberis is top echelon, and their latest is one of the best examples of this style in a very long time. The sounds blasting out are nasty and suffocating in the best way, producing intricate and long compositions that encompass the listener’s full attention.
3. The Midnight – Heart Worth Breaking (from Heroes)
Changing the pace a bit, we have synthwave darlings The Midnight. Their music evokes a nostalgia that’s oozing with soul, and their most recent album sees them continue down that path. “Heart Worth Breaking” is a lushly beautiful exploration of self worth and taking a chance on yourself. It’s something I personally have struggled with, so this song is very personal and touches the heartstrings.
2. Ithaca – They Fear Us (from They Fear Us)
No band released anything to the level of wrath that Ithaca did in 2022. This band has something to say, and they do so with unmatched intensity. Their metallic hardcore style is raw yet refined – an emotional journey that delivers a great message. Lead vocalist Djamila Azzouz is especially impressive, with a wide-ranging attack that takes this band to the stratosphere, as evidenced in the title track from their most impressive album yet.
1. White Ward – Cronus (From False Light)
White Ward delivered a wallop to the metal world with False Light. An experimental black metal group to the highest degree, you absolutely won’t hear anything quite like this all year. Driven by a mix of post-black metal, tempo changes, wildly varying vocal experiences, and a large dose of saxophone (and some trumpet), and you have basic elements. How these are pieced together is what’s most impressive, resulting in an eclectic collection of wondrously distinctive tunes. “Cronus” is a standout, showcasing all of the previously mentioned elements in full force.
Best Concert of 2022: Carpenter Brut / SIERRA – The Fillmore, Silver Spring, MD
We decided to travel to Maryland to see some friends and family, and to see Carpenter Brut, being that their tour wasn’t coming anywhere near us. Being our first time seeing Carpenter Brut, this was a big deal for me. What resulted was the most scintillating performance I saw this year. There’s a reason why they’re viewed as one of the best in their genre – seeing them live further confirmed that fact. SIERRA opened, and she was absolutely awesome, especially for a solo act who had the electricity and energy that she did. Definitely worth the trek back to my wife’s home state. As an aside, I really miss Maryland. Old Bay rules, as do Old Bay cheese curls (look them up).
Best Label of 2022: Transcending Obscurity Records
There are a lot of solid independent record labels out there doing great things for artists, which is a relief to see. None this year had as many high quality releases as Transcending Obscurity. We’ve mentioned a few in this article – Vorga, Arche, Dischordia – but they released so many more that were close to making this list. Morbid Evils, Heads for the Dead, Veilburner, De Profundis, Devenial Verdict, Sisyphean, Viande, and a few others all put out superb albums. The label isn’t slowing down, either, with 71TonMan and Frozen Dawn looking to be a great way to ring in the new year. Owner Kunal Choksi is also one of the good guys in metal, and has done a masterful job of building Transcending Obscurity into the powerhouse it is today.
Transcending Obscurity Official Website
Thoughts on 2023
We have some big releases from some heavy hitters in 2023 – Ne Obliviscaris, Insomnium, Ahab, Katatonia, Isole, amongst many others. One can’t forget In Flames and their upcoming record, with the songs they’ve released thus far sounding like a dramatic return to their roots. It’s looking to be a good and busy year of new music. There are a lot of great tours coming up, too, so keep an eye out!
Speaking of tours, something I do hope improves over the next year is a band’s ability to go on tour and not come back in the red. It’s gotten rough, with inflation, cost of renting touring vehicles, gas, food, etc.; many of the costs have skyrocketed. Several renowned artists like Devin Townsend and Dark Funeral spoke candidly about this reality, including some venues taking a large % of bands merchandise sales – a disgusting practice that has been going on for a long time. All of this makes touring incredibly difficult to rationalize for many of our favorite artists. It’s important to support your favorites as much as you are personally able (a lot of us financially can’t, and that’s ok), as they really need it. Even by spreading word of mouth, sharing a favorite song, it helps bands gain new fans. Every little bit helps, so keep on showing the love of your favorite music on your sleeve!