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 – Dave Wood (Radio DJ) 🇨🇦
CGCM Rock Radio‘s host of Dave’s Hard Rock Radio show Dave Wood showcases his personal top ten favourite albums of 2022 in this article.
Bubbling under my top 10 were: Chez Kane – Powerzone, Lee Aaron – Elevate, Halestorm – Back From The Dead, Ozzy Osbourne – Patient #9 and Grand – Grand.
10 – PERFECT PLAN – Brace For Impact 🇸🇪
Perfect Plan is a band I’d never heard of before; but they’re on my radar now! To me, they’ve got a bit of the 80’s hair band feel that I’m always craving. Maybe a bit like Europe? Anyway, I really dig this album and look forward to more! Favourite tracks: “Can’t Let You Win“, “Devil’s Got The Blues” and “Bring Me a Doctor“.
CGCM Rock Radio Album Review: PERFECT PLAN – Brace for Impact (MetalMike71)
9 – IAN DANTER – Rule Of Three 🇬🇧
Ian Danter is a singer/songwriter/comedian, Radio and TV broadcaster among other things from the United Kingdom. He’s another artist on this list that I was not familiar with until the album landed on my desk, but is on my radar now! This is a great rock record. Maybe I should have ranked it a little higher? I just love it. Check out his website below and you can get more on Ian than just this little blurb. Favourite tracks: “Landscapes“, “Generation Z” and “I’ve Got A Problem“.
8 – H.E.A.T – Force Majeure 🇸🇪
H.E.A.T. is another band I had never heard of before joining the ranks here at CGCM Rock Radio. I frequently hear their music as well as the other DJ’s chatting about this band, and for good reason! Their H.E.A.T. II album almost made my top 10 for 2020. Check out Force Majeure if you’re a H.E.A.T. fan, as I think it fits in well with their back catalogue (which I’ve been familiarizing myself with!). Great stuff there! Favourite tracks: “Back To The Rhythm“, “Hollywood” and “Not For Sale“.
CGCM Rock Radio Album Review: H.E.A.T. – Force Majeure (Kryfar)
7 – TREAT – The Endgame 🇸🇪
Ok, here is yet another band that I know little about. I hear them on CGCM Rock Radio and HAVE to dive in for more. The internet shows me they’ve been around since 1981?! Man, that speaks to how ‘regular radio’ drops the ball for artists like Treat. So, that’s where we at CGCM Rock Radio try and pick up the slack. Treat’s newest release The Endgame is a great melodic rock record! Favourite tracks: “Home of the Brave“, “Both End Burning” and “Jesus From Hollywood“.
6 – BLACK SWAN – Generation Mind 🇺🇸
Now, Black Swan is a band I do know a little about. I really enjoyed their 2020 Shake The World album and I think this one is even better! To me, they do such a good job of keeping alive that 80’s hard rock feel that I love so much. Favourite tracks: “She Hides Behind“, “Generation Mind” and “Long Way Down“.
5 – MICHAEL MONROE – I Live Too Fast To Die Young 🇫🇮
Michael Monroe is another artist that CGCM Rock Radio got me paying attention to. His’ 2019 album One Man Gang was my #1 pick from 2019. I think this album is actually just as good! The only reason it didn’t place higher is because of high degree of competition from other artists that I’ve also enjoyed. Favourite tracks: “Young Drunks & Old Alcoholics“, “Derelict Palace“, “Everybody’s Nobody“.
4 – KARDANG – We Ain’t Dead Yet 🇳🇴
Full disclosure, Kardang is a band I know next to nothing about; but certainly didn’t stop me from really enjoying this record! Ok, so I found out they’re from Norway, but not much else. Gonna have to ask around the station because if this is their first album, I’m ready for more! Favourite tracks: “We Ain’t Dead Yet“, “Guilty Pleasures” and “Magic“.
CGCM Rock Radio Album Review: KARDANG – We Ain’t Dead Yet (Ivan Galesic)
3 – SKID ROW – The Gang’s All Here 🇺🇸
Ah Skid Row… Well, if you caught my weekly spacecast Dave’s Hard Rock Radio on this station, you may have heard me rant earlier this year about Skid Row. I consider their first album pretty much a hard rock masterpiece. Their second album, I thought was half as good, and when I heard their third album; I walked away. Enough. Then there was a buzz around the station about this new record with a new singer and new energy about the band. So, I checked it out and it’s a great record! It FEELS like Skid Row again! If you liked the early stuff, I recommend checking out The Gang’s All Here! Favourite tracks: “The Gang’s All Here“, “Time Bomb” and “When The Lights Come On”.
CGCM Rock Radio Album Review: SKID ROW – The Gang’s All Here (Kryfar)
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2 – THUNDERMOTHER – Black and Gold 🇸🇪
Sadly, due to an issue with their visas to get into Canada arriving a day late, the all-female Thundermother did not open for Scorpions in Toronto earlier this year. I would have LOVED to hear cuts from this album live! I wasn’t familiar with them at first, but dove right in when I heard they were appearing with Scorpions, and I’m a fan now! Favourite tracks: “Black and Gold“, “Wasted” and “All Looks No Hooks“.
1 – MASSIVE WAGONS – Triggered! 🇬🇧
Massive Wagons are such a fun band! To me, they take their music seriously, but have a ton of fun with it. And it’s because of that fun they have, that I stop what I’m doing and jump in when they have a new record. There’s lots to love on this one! If you’re not familiar with Massive Wagons, have a listen to this album and thank me later! Favourite tracks: “Please Stay Calm“, “Giulia“, “Never Been A Problem” and “Big Time“.
CGCM Rock Radio Album Review: MASSIVE WAGONS – Triggered! (Sparky)
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Bubbling under my top 10 were: Chez Kane – Powerzone, Lee Aaron – Elevate, Halestorm – Back From The Dead, Ozzy Osbourne Patient #9 and Grand – Grand.
Great list Dave! Should’ve had Wonderlove over Perfect Plan, but it is what it is. Black Swan and Micahel Moroe were also favorites of mine this year.