Top 150 Albums of 2022 Part V: 70-51

Hello everyone and welcome to Part 5 of the colossus of a list that we all know and love this year called Heavy Debriefings' Top 150 Albums of 2022. Today's segment of the list not only ends week 1 but also is the last part of the list where I'm covering 20 albums in a day and starting next week, it will be 10 albums a day all the way to the end. So many great albums have been covered in this already and today is no exception. There are arguments that some of these included are the best of the year and my argument is...you're right, that's why they are on this list, to begin with. So suck on that. But seriously. Let's get into the rules of the list and begin the rundown of Albums 70-51.

1.) This is a 10-part List running from November 28th to December 9th. The first week is Albums 150-51. 20 Albums a day in countdown order. The 2nd week is the Top 50 with 10 albums a day counting down all the way to number 1.

2.) There are no EPs, Live Albums, Remake Albums, Cover Albums, or Rarity Albums. It is a list of all brand-new studio albums released in 2022.

3.) The order of each entry is as follows: Band Name, Album Title, FFO (For Fans Of) Section, Paragraph or less description of said album.

4.) The list takes into account albums that are released between January 1st, 2022, and December 9th, 2022. Yes, the last few weeks of the year are not included and there is no reason you should be releasing music in that time frame if you want people to check out your album in a calendar year. That's on you.

5.) This list is mine and mine alone. I was not paid or asked to put any album on this list.

6.) As it is impossible to add every single heavy album in a single year, I can only add what I've heard and enjoyed. If an album is not on here that you feel should have been it is because either A.) I didn't hear it, B.) I didn't hear it enough, or C.) It wasn't my bag...baby.

7.) This is a list of my TOP 150 albums of 2022. Not just 150 albums I heard this year. I heard much more than that and narrowed things down to the ones that I want to showcase. Your favorite album or discovery from this list could be at 1, 23, 78, 104, or 150. You don't know unless you check the whole list and check out anything that may appeal to you. I'm just the messenger giving you good music and my own thoughts, but I really do enjoy every single album listed and recommend you check these out at your own discretion.

8.) Enjoy the ride, make some new discoveries, and check out some new music. If between all 150 albums listed you can't find one that you enjoy, you're reading the wrong list.

And now for Today's segment of the list

70.) Dream Unending- Song of Salvation
FFO- Dream Doom, Atmospheric Doom Metal

Doom metal doesn't always have to be about the darkest things you can imagine. Sometimes they can be filled with hopes, dreams, and wonders. This seemed to be the battle cry of the sophomore album from Dream Unending; a North American duo who not only put in their efforts to create something new for the genre but truly made an outstanding album in their efforts as well. Combining some unorthodox instrumentation and songwriting, despair-styled growls, and what feels like a great mix between dreams, nightmares, and lucid dreaming; It's an experience that's best described by simply giving it a shot. It might be the lightest death doom album of the year or the heaviest post-rock album of the year; I'll let you decide.

69.) Kreator- Hate Uber Alles
FFO- Thrash Metal

I'm astounded at the backlash I've mainly seen from this album. The more I listen to it, the more it feels so unwarranted. It feels like a Kreator album that has the thrash we all know and love, with just a bit more thrown into it for different flavorings. I'm not hearing anything on this album that you wouldn't hear on any previous album at some point in their career. It hits home in the world we live in and it makes you headbang and think. Maybe that's the problem? Regardless, this is such a solid thrash album in 2022 and it deserves so much more live than what social media has given it. It rules, calm down, and have some dip!

68.) Darkest Era- Wither on the Vine
FFO- Dark Metal

The 3rd album from this Irish band is the first I've heard from the band and I absolutely love what I'm hearing. A great mix of folk, Celtic, black metal, progressive metal, and heavy metal; but all done in a way that is truly their own It never gets too aggressive, and it has an odd calm to it, even when it starts to hit more extreme territories. It is a great album for those that like the idea of more extreme music, but want more subdued vocals than growling or screaming. An underappreciated album this year, but one that should be more appreciated hopefully by more people checking it out on this list. Go on now, check it out!

67.) Evergrey- A Heartless Portrait (The Orphean Testament)
FFO- Dark Metal

Another band who based their lives on cold, dark metal; Evergrey started a new chapter with this album. Not only a new record label, but a sound that feels a bit more contemporary, songs that are the catchiest in years, and even a song that I dare say is...positive? Evergrey has always been one of my favorite bands over the years and A Heartless Portrait reinvigorated my love for the band in a way I didn't realize I needed. This is a great turning point for the band and I can't wait to see what's next.

66.) Seventh Wonder- Testament
FFO- Progressive Metal, Melodic Metal

Seventh Wonder is a band that should be shouted from the mountaintops as one of the best prog bands of the 21st century and I hope in time that will happen. With The Testament, the band made a thematic album (not a concept album) about different emotions we all feel and you can really hear it throughout. The songs are some of the catchiest written by the band, they can go from heavy to contemporary on the turn of a dime, and above all, the songs are memorable and enjoyable. While this doesn't have the epics you'll hear on other albums, this album may have its best-staying power, which really says a lot considering that back catalog of theirs. If you are a prog fan, you should not miss out on this one.

65.) Gaerea- Mirage
FFO- Black Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal

4 albums in and this band have been on a non-stop assault of the senses on a mission to either make you feel numb to the world or make you feel so much for the world that you become numb to everything. Mirage is the best example of this theory in practice so far. The music really can hit some emotional marks, the lyrics are deep and thought-provoking, and the overall sentiment is proving that black metal is more than just "evil". It can make a difference and it can make you feel, even if that feeling will make you feel hollow inside. A quality album written by one of the best black metal bands going today.

64.) Nordic Union- Animalistic
FFO- Melodic Metal, Heavy Metal, AOR

The 2nd album from this great collaboration between members of Eclipse and Pretty Maids makes for some of the catchiest songs you will hear in heavy music in 2022. A strongly heavier album than their debut album shows the band simply writing their strongest material and making it sound at its best quality. No matter your love of rock, heavy metal, or AOR stylings; you will find something to love about this album and it's a guaranteed fun ride. It's truly an album where music does the talking.

63.) Exhumed- To The Dead
FFO- Gore Metal, Goregrind, Death Metal

Like I did for the Top 10 albums of the October 2022 list, I'll keep this one brief. This is another solid slab of gore metal from the gore metal pioneers. It's aggressive, bloody, and fun. It goes by so fast that you'll instantly start it over again because the album has that replay value and this is some of the best material in the Exhumed discography. If you love blood and gore, Exhumed is the band for you.

62.) Candlemass- Sweet Evil Sun
FFO- Epic Doom Metal

The kings of doom metal are back and their original singer is back on this 2nd album since returning this is one of the more varied Candlemass albums to date. Some songs actually pick up the pace a bit and some sing about different lyrical themes than before. Overall, it feels like an evolution for the band when they don't need to at this point; which is really refreshing to see. You will get all of the classic doom you can handle on this album, but it's just different enough to know that changes can be a good thing. Overall, another killer album in the long legacy of Candlemass, and in 2022, that's all I could ever want or need.

61.) Hammer King- Kingdemonium
FFO- Heavy Power Metal, Melodic Power Metal

Considering their previous album came out last year, it's so great to see that this album was written in that time and not only succeeds but maybe even surpasses their previous work to make for their best album to date. Super heavy riffs combined with some of the best sing-along choruses in the power metal business and you have Hammer King. Demonicide took the best elements of the band and refined them to make those parts shine on every second of this album. Hammer King is slowly but surely becoming one of the best power metal bands in the business. You only need one listen of this album to understand why.

60.) Dynazty- Final Advent
FFO- Modern Metal, Power Metal, AOR

Quite possibly the most commercial album the band has released to date and it may be the best thing they could have done. The band has always flirted with the ideas of AOR and power metal in the past; sometimes even just focusing on that; but over the past few albums, the band has really focused on making their music have that modern production and songwriting and it makes the songs so catchy and fun to listen to. While the change is not for all of the old-school fans, I will say that the more they divulge these ideas, the more adventurous they become, and that is always a good thing. Explore all you can, cut the fat, and keep the best parts and you have modern-day Dynazty. The proof is in the pudding, the band is in top form and they are far from reaching the mountaintop. It'll only get better from here.

59.) Bloody Heels- Rotten Romance
FFO- Melodic Metal, AOR, Gothic Metal

If you want something that combines a love of 80s glam, 90s/00s gothic rock, and modern rock; you'll get Bloody Heels. A band that is not afraid to play what they are inspired by, but also find a way to make it completely their own. The songs are as catchy as the 80s hair bands, can get as dark as HIM and Sentenced back in the early 00s, and is just modern enough for all generations to appreciate everything going on. This is something that hits hard and it's going under the radar this year. I will not have that. If this sounds like something you may enjoy, please go check this out. It simply rules on all fronts.

58.) Midnight- Let There Be Witchery
FFO- Black 'N Roll

Midnight is arguably the best black n roll band going today and Let There be Witchery is the perfect example as to why. The songs get as dirty and grimy as Motorhead, but the black metal aesthetics on the vocals and horror-grade vocals make this band not only stand out but shine through the darkness. It's simple, but that's all it ever needed to be. Midnight rules and if they are not in your rotation, you are truly missing out. Remedy that immediately.

57.) Rammstein- Zeit
FFO- Industrial, Heavy Metal

I still have a theory that this is meant to be the last Rammstein album. I can't prove it yet and the band may even change their mind. But this album feels like it truly is saying Adieu to the world. If this is their last outing, they went out on a bang as loud as their shows. The songs are diverse, heavy, comical, and just odd enough. That's how I like my Rammstein and what I'll ever need. This definitely holds me over until another Lindemann album comes out. A true highlight in their rather short catalog (only 8 albums after all these years? Wow!)

56.) Maceration- Lost in Depravity
FFO- Death Metal

Is Dan Swano doing growls again? Sign me up! While he only did vocals on this album as a guest and not a full-time member, it is so great hearing him sing old-school death metal again and the music matches his voice so perfectly. I can see why Bloodbath wasn't his bag anymore, he wanted something like this in his life. While again, he's not the full-time singer of the band, it's fantastic hearing one of my biggest heroes in heavy music doing growls again, it sounds like he never skipped a beat. HM2 Boss Metal Zone Metal 4 LIFE!!!

55.) Poets of the Fall- Ghostlight
FFO- Cinematic Rock

Fans of Alan Wake and Control rejoice! Poets of the Fall have a new album out and it is just as emotional and engaging as ever. One of the lightest albums on this entire list and it is an album that truly is a great pallet cleanse from all of the funeral doom and progressive power metal that's been raging my life as of late. It's a straight-ahead rock with some great cinematic and symphonic backgrounds that makes the music truly stand out. It's not their heaviest album, and it's not their most commercial, but it definitely sounds like the most sincere album from the band to this date. I feel better after listening to this album and you just may as well if you give it a chance.

54.) Dagoba- City Lights
FFO- Modern Metal

Dagoba is a band that has only gotten stronger over the years and every album has a unique sound that represents where the band is at that time. This goes around, it's more of a focus on the modern metal atmosphere and it makes for some of the catchiest music in their career. The whole album from start to finish is a treat to listen to and it gives a new appreciation for how much you can fit into a song that has rather simple parts, but is so dense in layers that every time you listen, you will hear something new. Now that's what I call replay value! Yeah, this is well worth a listen for those that enjoy modern metal.

53.) Greg Puciato- Mirrorcell
FFO- Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal

In what might be the lightest performance ever from the former Dillinger Escape Plan front man; Mirror cell is filled with the 80s, 90s, and 00s, alternative rock, and metal flavors mixed in with today's production. If you want the chaos from his other past and present bands and projects, you won't find that hear. What you'll hear is some heartbreaking lyrics, emotional tones, memorable choruses, and some of the best work Greg has ever laid on record. The song Lowered, is easily one of my top 3 songs of the year. It hits so hard in a way that you would just never expect, but that really is the point. To the uninitiated, you'd never expect this, for those in the know, this is the album you always hoped for. I'm so happy this thing exists.

52.) Sinister Downfall- The Last Witness
FFO- Funeral Doom Metal

Another band that has given us 3 slabs of funeral doom metal in 4 years and with this latest release, the band has tapped into the sorrow that is so hard to even match let alone top. The vocals sound like that marble slab being placed upon a coffin to keep it sealed as it plunges into the grave. If you want what funeral doom metal is all about, there is Mournful Congregation, There is Bell Witch, and then there is Sinister Downfall, this is the literal definition of funeral dirge music. It's hard to get more dark, depressing, and mournful as this and in 2022, sometimes you need that.

51.) Dance of the Dead- Driven to Madness
FFO- Instrumental, 80s Synth, Horror Metal

Dance of the Dead makes fun, bouncy, and horror-inspired instrumental music that even those that crave lyrics in their music will find this so much fun to listen to. It proves that there are no words needed, although if you get the opportunity to get friggin JOHN CARPENTER to say a couple spoken lines to open the album, you let him do it! It sets the tone for the rest of the album and it's perfect for Halloween parties, music to put on when gaming, or if you just want a modern throwback to the 80s horror that you love. There's so much to appreciate about this album and I really hope it doesn't get missed out on by those that would really appreciate it. If this sounds intriguing, I can't suggest you check this out soon enough. Seriously, I can't imagine you'll be disappointed.



And there you go folks, 20 more albums down, and how about that. 100 albums down with only 50 more to go. Come back Monday where not only do we start week 2 of this whole baffling ordeal, but we finally crack the Top 50 albums of 2022 with Part 6 50-41. Until then, this is Josh Rundquist saying, See Ya!

- Josh Rundquist (Heavy Debriefings)