It’s been a rather dark and chaotic start to this hellish decade, and I think some of the releases that came out this year reflect that. Here are 10 new musical escapes that I found myself enjoying over the course of 2022. (in no particular order)
THOU ART LORD “Daemoniorum”
Killer old school Greek black metal from the legendary Thou Art Lord!
From the early 90’s this old band has always had that dark and occult like feeling.
Catchy melodic riffs, occasional speed riffing, dark and evil vocals, and aggressive drumming.
Daemoniorum is only an EP, but it keeps that old 90’s spirit burning well!
Featuring Sakis of Rotting Christ, and the Magus of Necromantia.
Easily the best black metal release of the year!
https://youtu.be/J3bibgdQ06c
SIGH “Shiki”
Japanese occult metal masters Sigh return with their dark and heavy 12th album, Shiki.
Full of different moods, ups and downs, and twists and turns with their Eastern mysticism, sonic soundscapes, great songwriting, memorable passages, killer vocals, psychedelic keyboards, top notch solos, and the occasional fast riffing and drumming. If this is your first introduction to this old band, then I would say it’s a great album to start with!
https://youtu.be/8vYIy9n62Pk
SAKIS TOLIS “Among the Fires of Hell”
Sakis Tolis from Rotting Christ brings us his first solo release.
Now this is great atmospheric black metal! Lots of dark melodies with haunting vocals and harmonies and a killer production. Heavy riffs and that old and epic Greek black metal sound. Maybe even some Bathory influence. Get ready to take a distant journey Among the Fires of Hell!
https://youtu.be/i20ApQ152g8
HOCICO “Hyperviolent”
Hocicio is one of those bands I can’t really compare to anyone else. I wouldn’t call them a metal band, but yet they are much darker than most black metal bands ever could be. This two piece project is very dark and atmospheric with a kind of 80’s/90’s horror soundtrack influence, tons of epic and powerful synths, crazy distorted and hateful vocals, and trance like drum programming.
From evil sounding intros, dark and catchy dungeon like passages, heart pounding electronica and remixes, to goth-like darkwave, mariachi, and even some kind of industrial black metal.
This old 90’s project from Mexico has slowly been turning into one of my more recent favorites.
And their new album, Hyperviolent, has been one of those releases I’ve listened to over and over to many times this year.
https://youtu.be/M9ee-CNqLKs
HAUNTED SHORES “Void”
Haunted Shores is a new and killer studio project from the USA.
Their 2nd and newest album, Void, starts off with a sort of old Ulver Nattens Madrigal type of riff and feel.
Before the production really comes alive and takes the listener through a technical journey into the abyss.
Complex riffs and rhythms, dark atmospheres, and exceptional solos make this instrumental album really stand out. And the overall mixture of black metal, death metal, and progressive music is done quite well.
For fans of Emperor, Enslaved, Morbid Angel, Cynic, Deathspell Omega, Gorguts, and Meshuggah. Featuring members of the band Periphery.
https://youtu.be/ERQhE5KuSpU
BLUT AUS NORD “Disharmonium – Undreamable Abysses”
French 90’s atmospheric black metal band Blut Aus Nord are back with their 14th(?!) studio album.
Mysterious and dissonant fretless guitars with strange bends and eerie melodies drowned with cavernous synths, heavy bass, and hypnotic drums. The vocals and screams are very horror like, but more in the background. Letting the music do the talking. Recorded in what sounds like a bottomless pit in the darkest parts of the underworld. Some people claim hearing Blut Aus Nord can make you feel disoriented and sick, I feel they have always been one of the best French Black Metal bands around.
https://youtu.be/TfxXcYNweIY
IMMOLATION “Acts of God”
Take a trip through the spiraling depths of the fiery underworld. These are the Acts of God!
Immolation return with their 11th studio album of dark subterranean death metal.
Ripping drums, dark guitar melodies and solos, and furious vocals.
Somewhat darker, faster, and more hateful than their previous release in my opinion.
Easily one of the best death metal bands from the early days to still be putting out killer albums!
https://youtu.be/6lP6Z7PSOFM
OZZY OSBOURNE “Patient Number 9”
Ozzy’s latest and probably best solo album since Down to Earth. Which I wasn’t expecting much after his last few releases. Sure there is autotune on Oz’s vocals, and sometimes there are backup singers too.
But with guest musicians such as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Tony Iommi, and Zakk Wylde, there are quite a few catchy and memorable songs, great riffs, interesting vocals and melodies, and some killer solos too.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Patient Number 9 ends up being the Ozzman’s final album. Definitely a grower and worth giving a listen.
https://youtu.be/6wWlbLGtxNo
AUTOPSY “Morbidity Triumphant”
Raw, dirty, and filthy death metal, done the Autopsy way!
Sickening vocals, doomy riffs, killer bass lines, and classic drumming and guitar solos.
Forget the progressive tech death and get into some dirty and old school California grime, zombie, and cannabilistic horror!
https://youtu.be/fY1XB7Jlaeo
DEATHSPELL OMEGA “The Long Defeat”
One of the only bands on my list post 90’s, and another French band. I’m not a Deathspell Omega superfan like a lot of people out there, but I do enjoy them. The Long Defeat is a melancholic and depressive black metal album from DsO. From slower passages to mid paced black metal, to blasting fury.
A bit mellower and less chaotic than their previous releases, and perhaps a little easier for the average listener to get into in my opinion. But still plenty of the haunting melodies, torturous vocals, and great drumming you’d expect. Rumors are that Mortuus from Funeral Mist and Marduk is doing some of the vocals. And I can hear that.
https://youtu.be/tZbCTQTi1wo