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 – Sparky (Writer) 🇬🇧
For the past few years, this end-of-year review has begun with me bemoaning what a shit year we’ve all had.
This usually centred around COVID and the hell that came with it. Now, when we’re seemingly through the worst of COVID we face more challenging times for other reasons; will it ever stop?
Whatever challenges we face, either personally, nationally or internationally the soundtrack to our lives keeps us going. Whatever your favoured genre within rock/metal, there is always something to inspire and keep us driving forward.
The next 10 albums are the soundtrack to my own very strange 2022. Dive in, check them out and above all, keep rockin’!
10 – CHEZ KANE – Powerzone 🇬🇧
18 months on from her scorching debut, Welsh powerhouse Chez Kane gives us another lesson in 1980s melodic rock. It’s all about her voice and the power she possesses, which can be awe-inspiring. Having said that, the best track is “Guilty of Love” and its accompanying fabulous lengthy solo.
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09 – THUNDERMOTHER – Black And Gold 🇸🇪
Returning in absolute style, this album is packed full of hard-hitting gut-punching rock n roll. The vocals of Guernica Mancini are simply off the scale, full of power, attitude and threat. Check out the unashamed rock ballad “Hot Mess”, simply beautiful, and the in-your-face “Watch Out”.
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08 – THUNDEROR – Fire It Up 🇨🇦
This Canadian power trio deliver on all levels. Intensity is the order of the day, whether in vocals, drums or guitars. 100% is the only level accepted here. The title track kicks things off in style and there’s no let-up from then on.
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07 – AQUILLA – Mankind’s Odyssey 🇵🇱
The New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal can often get lost in the fog of categorization. Aquila, however, revel in this genre and power their way through a superb album. With quickfire riffs, monstrous solos and ball-twisting vocals this is a beauty. There are also some unexpected left-field plays that will keep you on your toes. “Arrival” and “Saviors of the Universe” are highlights. Great stuff.
BUY: Bandcamp
06 – SHINEDOWN – Planet Zero 🇺🇸
Never short of a view on the state of the world, Brent Smith and his pals serve up another intense offering. Covering mental health, social media and cancel culture amongst other things this album can be raw and uncompromising yet also tender and forgiving. An absolute triumph.
Check out “No Sleep Tonight” and “Dysfunctional You”.
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05 – SAVAGE MASTER – Those Who Hunt At Night 🇺🇸
After topping my list of albums in 2019, the mistress and her hooded subjects returned this year with more of the same. Whilst not reaching the heady heights of its predecessor this is still a cracking album full of great metal guitaring and screaming vocals. “Spirit of Death” and “A Warrior’s Return” are the go-to tracks.
CGCM Rock Radio Album Review: SAVAGE MASTER – Those Who Hunt At Night (Sparky)
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04 – MASSIVE WAGONS – Triggered! 🇬🇧
The sole representative from England, Massive Wagons improve on their last album, House of Noise. Perennial top 10-ers MW never fail to deliver. Huge anthems and intelligent lyrics are their trademarks and this album has a hatful. Top tracks include “Gone are the Days” and “Generation Prime”. A real joy.
CGCM Rock Radio Album Review: MASSIVE WAGONS – Triggered! (Sparky)
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03 – VENATOR – Echoes From The Gutter 🇦🇹
Well, this is some debut! Traditional Austrian metallers Venator have dished up a great album to satisfy the most hungry of fans. Pumping riffs encourage pumping fists as the power and melody roar along. There are quieter times, yes, but this is a top-class metal album, no doubt! Check out “The Seventh Seal” and “Nightrider”.
CGCM Rock Radio Album Review: VENATOR – Echoes From The Gutter (Sparky)
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02 – ACID BLADE – Power Dive 🇩🇪
From the kick-off this mighty album ticks all the boxes for any metal lover. These Teutonic titans deliver on all levels. Rampaging riffs abound, quality but not overpowering vocals add layers and the guitar work is huge. For a full-length debut, this is astounding. Highlights include “Harpy on the Wing” and “Into the Light”.
BUY: AMAZON.com / AMAZON.co.uk
01 – SIN STARLETT – Solid Source Of Steel 🇨🇭
Sin Starlett have been around since 2005 and it seems they’ve spent their time perfecting the art of superb traditional metal. Clearly inspired by the NWOBHM the album has everything you want from the genre. An added bonus is the often extended solos, which you can get lost in quite easily. Top tracks to check out are “Waves of Hamartia” and the title track. It takes a lot to impress us at CGCM Towers when we get so much great music through the doors, but for me this was the best of the lot by some margin.
CGCM Rock Radio Album Review: SIN STARLETT – Solid Source Of Steel (Sparky)
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This list may not be to everybody’s taste which is fine. The main thing is that we continue to support rock and metal bands by both buying their material and going to live shows. These are the lifeblood of the lives we lead and we must do our utmost to protect it.
Rock on everybody and here’s to a noisy 2023.
Check out all my reviews here. Sparky.
