You can find the Collective List as well as all our Best of 2022 content including contributors’ individual lists, podcasts and radio DJ shows here: CGCM’s Best of 2022 (Year in Review)
BEST OF 2022 – Brian Ronald (Photographer/Writer) 🇨🇦
Having close to 500 albums to listen to this year, narrowing it down to just 10 was almost impossible. 2022 was a banner year with so many bands releasing cream-of-the-crop stuff. I listened, relistened, paused for days, weeks and months and then listened all over again to really give you a true review of my year in rock. After replaying most contenders here is my final list, enjoy!
So here goes my Top 10 CDs of 2022 are:
10 – SUNSTORM – Brothers in Arms 🇺🇸
Rounding out my Top 10 is the fourth consecutive US-based band, Sunstorm. I have loved every album they have put out. Losing Joe Lynn Turner was a big blow but after a couple albums with Ronnie Romero, they seem to have established themselves once again. The song “Brothers in Arms” is fantastic as well as “Games We Play” and “Living Out of Fear“.
09 – BLACK SWAN – Generation Mind 🇺🇸
In 2020, Black Swan’s debut was my number 3 album of the year. Being a supergroup, I wasn’t sure if this was a one-and-out deal. Fortunately, they stuck around to give us another gem. Maybe not quite as polished as the first but damn near close. I am a real sucker for Robin’s voice and having Reb, Matt and Jeff on the team isn’t too shabby either. Love “Before the Light“, “Generation Mind” and “Killer on the Loose“. Let’s hope for a 3rd CD and maybe a tour.
08 – LOVE IN CHAINS – Everyday Heroes 🇺🇸
A third new band entry, and again what a pleasant surprise. A band that states their influences are KISS, Stryper, Dokken and Europe can’t be all that bad. It’s nice to hear a band make an attempt and succeed in bringing back that classic 80s sound. The title track, “Less Than Zero” and “Darkness Falls” are standout tracks but it’s the KISS cover of “Love Gun” that goes one step further. An absolutely brilliant killer cover!
07 – LEATHERWOLF – Kill the Hunted 🇺🇸
If there is one album in my Top 10 to crank to 11, this is it. Heavy, heavy and heavy! The triple axe guitar force they are known for never rests on this album. New singer Keith Adamiak lets his presence known right from “Hit the Dirt”, “Nobody”, “Kill the Hunted” and “Madhouse”. Again, if you like ballad-free, balls-out metal give this one a spin. You won’t regret it.
06 – RAIDER – Runaway 🇬🇧
Another unknown new band entry. UK’s Raider is a nice slice of hard melodic rock with a touch of glam. Just check out “High Speed Woman”, “Dusk to Dawn” and the title track. Great guitars and beautiful harmonies make this a real great 45-minute listen. It’s always nice to find these diamonds in the rough!
05 – BILLY TALENT – Crisis of Faith 🇨🇦
Unintentionally, I always seem to have a sleeper in my Top 10, a guilty pleasure, one that doesn’t fit quite right. Well, this year it is Billy Talent. I mean, I like Billy Talent but not really a huge fan. My kids got me into them years ago. But completely by accident, I decided to listen to Crisis of Faith and wow, I couldn’t stop. These guys have put out a Canadian classic. “Hanging Out with All the Wrong People” is another contender for song of the year.
04 – BLAKK LEDD – Heavy Metal Fans 🇸🇪
Sweden’s Blakk Ledd caught me by surprise and didn’t let go. The song “Heavy Metal Fans” is as metal as you can get and very reminiscent of Iron Saviors‘ “Heavy Metal Never Dies”. A real fist-in-the-air anthem. But it does not stop there. Ballad-free, songs like “Burning Fever”, “Take Em Down” and “Hold Your Ground” keep the pace going. I absolutely love Christer Elmgren’s voice. All killer, no filler.
03 – SAXON – Carpe Diem 🇬🇧
Saxon returns to my top 10 with their 23rd album. And what a metal delight. Right from the title track to “Dam Busters” to “Age of Steam” to the haunting of “The Pilgrimage” the band has never sounded better. Oddly when we saw them at SRF they didn’t play a single song as I think they wanted to resume their Thunderbolt tour which was cancelled due to COVID. So, I am itching to see them again to hear cuts off this terrific release. Never, ever count Saxon down and out!
CGCM Rock Radio Album Review: SAXON – Carpe Diem (Maddog)
02 – HARDCORE SUPERSTAR – Abrakadabra 🇸🇪
Well, what can I say? My most-played album of 2023. An absolute gem from start to finish. I know there has always been a buzz about these guys and I have seen them live but man the last couple of albums are really making them a top draw for me. Seeing them live this year on their home turf at SRF was a highlight. “Dreams in Red” is also my song of the year choice. “Give Me A Smile”, “Forever and a Day” and the crunching “Throw a Brick” are also standouts!
CGCM Rock Radio Album Review: HARDCORE SUPERSTAR – Abrakadabra (Rachel Leigh Vendetta)
01 – SCORPIONS – Rock Believer 🇩🇪
I have been a Scorpions fan since 1976 – they ARE my favourite band. I have supported them through thick and thin and with Rock Believer they have paid my back. One of their best albums in years. Right from the get-go I was hooked on “Peacemaker”, “Shoot for Your Heart”, “Shining of Your Soul” and the title track. I could place many of these songs directly on Lovedrive, Animal Magnetism and Love at First Sting. It was great to hear some of these live this past summer. I know there was concern about why 2 CDs. Overlong, too many fillers, but at this point in their career I will take all I can get.
The Honourable Ten in No Order
H.E.A.T – Force Majeure
Audrey Horne – Devil’s Bell
Jorn – Over the Horizon Radar
Giant – Shifting Time
Re-Machined – Brain Dead
Nordic Union – Animalistic
Gunshine – Gunshine
Tokyo Blade – Fury
Mad Max – Wings of Time
Wanted – Chain Reaction
Too Good Not to Be Missed!!
Check out my articles and pictures here. Brian Ronald.
