Top 150 Albums of 2022 Part X: The Top 10

Hello everyone and welcome to the final part of this baffling ordeal known as Heavy Debriefings' Top 150 Albums of 2022. Today is the top 10 albums of 2022. The cream of the crop, the top of the mountain, the very best of the very best...in my humblest of opinions. There may be some albums you expect, some albums you didn't expect, and maybe (or probably) some albums you never even knew existed before reading about them here. These are the 10 albums that have gotten me through the year in some way, shape or form; and I'm so happy that in my small way, I can give these albums the recognition they deserve, and maybe you'll like 1 or 10 of them. I've done enough talking, let's get into the rules and get into the grand finale.

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 onto The Top 10 albums of 2022!

10.) Bloody Hammers- Washed in the Blood
FFO- Horror Metal, Gothic Metal, Heavy Metal, Punk

Bloody Hammers has been putting out consistently great album after consistently great album for years and now with the release of their 6 albums in 11 years, the husband and wife duo has taken everything that has worked about their sound so far and decided to use all of it for new material. Whether you like the metal aspects, the gothic side, or the punk variations; it's all here and then. It's the perfect starter album for anyone new to Bloody Hammers. Whatever tracks are your favorite, there is a previous album that attaches itself to that style in their previous work. After seeing the band sadly let go from their previous label, this is a return to the independent release, but the fans are there to not only buy up the limited vinyl but to make sure Bloody Hammers is a band that can stay as they are a band that I do not want to see go. I can only imagine this album is the closing of a chapter before the band reinvents itself once again and I am so here for it. I can't wait to see what's next from one of the best horror bands around.

9.) Brymir- Voices in the Sky
FFO- Symphonic Power Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal

The 5th album from this masterclass of a metal band is easily my favorite. This Finnish band (see, another example of why Finland has the best bands per capita) combines almost all of my favorite genres into one band and makes it sound completely cohesive. The choruses are so powerful and catchy, they can get so heavy or so epic or so evil-sounding that whether you like something like Sonata Arctica, Omnium Gatherum, or Emperor; there is something here for you. While this is a newer sound for the band that focuses more on the power metal side of things, the last few tracks on the album definitely hit on the melodeath and especially the black metal sides of the band to let you know that black fire still burns. This is a fantastic display of making the music you want to make and sometimes, that involves evolving your sound to something a little more mainstream, but never losing your soul. This is how it's done.

8.) The Halo Effect- Days of the Lost
FFO- Melodic Death Metal

When ex-members of In Flames realize that they want to start a band together, they can create some of the best music of the year. From nods to the past, songs that fit perfectly in the present, and what to look forward to in the future, this debut album combines the perfect amount of melodeath, hard rock, commercial rock, and some occasional industrial moments making this a release that no matter your age or when you discovered metal, you will find something to appreciate here. This band is meant to be friends making music together and those can be the best bands out there. Dark Tranquility and Cyrha aren't going anywhere, for example, but it's great to have something like this, while we wait for those bands to write new music. Simply, it's a masterclass in melodeath and the occasional song that would fit perfectly on top 40 rock radio in a better timeline. This is simply amazing and I know their next album will even top this one. It's just a matter of time.

7.) Sumerlands- Dreamkiller
FFO- Revival Metal, Heavy Metal

Absolute proof that classic metal will never die. Sumerlands' sophomore album not only changes things around with the lineup, but it shakes things up in the writing style to let new singer, Brenden Radigan absolutely shine on this album. The songs feel so perfect with his vocals on top. The album is short and sweet coming in with 8 songs and 2 seconds shy of 35 minutes. There is 0% filler on this album and 100% killer riffs, soaring vocals, and some of the catchiest moments in all rock and metal music in 2022. As eluded to, if you dig classic metal, this is the band for you. But there is enough new going on here that it does not dismiss what's relevant today. Sumerlands became the leaders of the revival of metal sound in 2022. What was meant as a side project may have to become a full-time band due to its rise in popularity and I am all here for it? The band truly broke through with Dreamkiller and their love is completely warranted. Just give it a shot and see for yourself.

6.) In The Woods...- Diversum
FFO- Progressive Metal, Dark Metal, Black Metal

While In The Woods… has been an ever-changing lineup since 1991, now 31 years into the game and the band's 6th album may be their strongest album ever. With new vocalist, Bernt Fjellestad leading the charge with his ever-powerful vocal delivery matching the band's growing dark metal tendencies, the band has a musical chemistry that feels perfect right now in 2022. Dealing with societal issues, mental health issues, and the ever-increasing void of darkness in life, the band matches the lyrical concepts with the music in perfect haunting harmony. The album also has some of its most diverse moments in the band's 3 decade plus history hitting moments of near black metal, avant-garde, and of course super catchy moments that will stick with you for days on end. In The Woods… is a band that deserves any and all of the love they can get. And I really hope with this album that their popularity will continue to rise. This is a staple of what dark metal is all about.

5.) Gladenfold- Nemesis
FFO- Melodic Death Metal, Symphonic Power Metal

More Finnish metal is never a bad thing. Sadly I didn't discover this album till months after it came out and it is my first experience with the band. I have to thank Sean, The Metal Pigeon, from MSRcast and his own website for introducing me to this band. With the third release from this band, I realize they hit all of the targets I would want in a band like this. It hits the symphonic power metal moments that I love with fast double bass, soaring clean vocals, and of course those guitars, but on the turn of the dime and sometimes even at the same time, the melodeath comes in and you'll start to hear moments of screams and growls, blast beats and sinister tones. Imagine a combination of Eternal Tears of Sorrow, Kamelot, and Children of Bodom and you're starting to get the right idea. The songs are so catchy and memorable, the musicianship is top-notch, the production is so slick and clean, and the overall musical experience is one that had my jaw drop from the moment I first heard them, and even as I listen now, it still hits the floor. I can't sing the praises of this album and band enough. Please, if you dig your extreme metal with a great number of melancholic melodies and harmonies; this is a band you need to hear as soon as you can.

4.) Avantasia- A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society
FFO- Power Metal

Tobias Sammet's finest hour? I just may think so. When I talked to Tobi a little over a month ago, he mentioned that this is the album that rejuvenated his love of singing, recording, and performing; and you can definitely hear in his voice that he is so happy to be doing this again. That's not a slight at anything he has done in the past, you can just hear the difference in his voice. While I have seen some people say that he is phoning it in on this album or that he's not trying to be original anymore; to me, he is making the best songs he can for the live experience. Something I'll probably never be able to witness, but I love and appreciate how much heart and soul goes into this album and the cast of characters that go into this. With some first-time appearances and some that you already know and love; everything comes together in perfect harmony here and any of the fluff to pad out an album is stripped away. These songs are meant to be performed live and if they sound this incredible in the studio, it'll only be better live. In complete transparency; Ghostlights will always be my favorite Avantasia album, but I have no problem saying that this is the best Avantasia album to date with its complete blend of everything I love about the band. From fast power metal to haunting ballads to epic closers; it's all here and then some. This is the standard bearer for power metal for years to come.

3.) Power Paladin- With The Magic of Windfyre Steel
FFO- Power Metal, Nerd Culture

This Icelandic power metal band's debut album is unadulterated cheesy, nerdy, geeky power metal and I am here for every single second of it. From comics to video games to movies that all hit home for me mixed with the best songwriting in the genre that I may have ever heard. The vocal performances on this album are my favorite of the year, the songs are unbelievably catchy no matter the tempo. And come on, any band that can seamlessly break into The Legend of Zelda theme song is A-OK in my book. And with that said, Righteous Fury (The song that features that aforementioned Zelda theme) may be my song of the year. I can't say enough great things about this album. If you love over-the-top power metal, nerd culture, and some of the best songwriting you'll hear this year; Power Paladin is a band you simply can't skip out on. You listen to them, get rid of your tough mentality, and put a giant smile on your face. That's what this band and this album will accomplish for you.

2.) Hangman's Chair- A Loner
FFO- Doom Metal, Gothic Metal

While this is not the band's first album, this is without question their breakout album. It took 6 albums, but the band fully found its sound and it comes from the darkest of places, and mental health issues. Unlike most mental health advice that you get from people who may have their hearts in the right places, but really have no clue how to help; this is an album that lets you know that sometimes, all you need to do is shut yourself away from the world to get better. It's a dark, isolating, and cathartic album. It also goes with the notion that I've been saying for years that sometimes it takes knowing others are struggling just like you are to know that you are not alone and that can be the most cathartic and therapeutic feeling you can experience when you are struggling. But back on the music, it never goes faster than mid-tempo (which is like speed metal for doom standards) it has great tinges to 80s and 90s gothic rock and metal, especially in some of the guitar tones and it's all clean vocals, so if that's a selling point or a breaking point for you...there you go. For me, I have not listened to any other album more this year than A Loner. It fills me with cathartic joy, it makes me cry, and it helps me feel less alone. And without question, it's the best clean vocaled album of 2022.

1.) Tómarúm- Ash in Realms of Stone Icons
FFO- Progressive Death Metal, Melodic Black Metal

One of the most emotionally devastating albums and heartbreaking albums also has some of the most neck-break speeds, technical prowess, and flabbergasting riffs you'll hear in 2022. An album that shows that progressive and technical abilities and emotional melodies are not exclusive and can be combined to create something for people who love over-the-top fretwork, mouth-watering blast beats, mixed with soul-crushing vocals and melodies that grab your soul and eat it right in front of you. You'd think a band like this would have been crafting this for decades. No, they started in 2017. You'd also think that a band like this would maybe hit something like this on their 4th or 5th album. Nope, it's their debut LP. For the first time since 2013, a band's debut album hits my number 1 album of the year, and for damn good reason. The album hits the musical proficiency that I care so much about when I was growing up with the emotionally driven melodies harmonies and vocal lines that drive what I listen to the most now. It's controlled, emotional chaos with lyrics based on some of the worst things you can experience as a human being. Sign me up immediately for that. While this is another album I heard months after it came out. I'm so happy I gave it a chance and instantly fell in love. While this is not an album for everyone, those that dare to be intrigued by this will hopefully feel the way I do about this album and I can't wait for their next album. If this album hits me this hard on a debut LP; their sophomore album, I know will only hit me even harder, so I better get some tissues ready now for my eyes for the emotional moments and other parts for the progressive and technical moments. This is more than worthy to be my album of the year.


And there you go folks. It's over...it's done. 150 albums of 2022 have been talked about, promoted, and reviewed by me. I hope you found an album or 150 to check out and enjoy this year. Every album I write about is worth talking about or else I wouldn't do it. And I thank you for the past 2 weeks for letting me able to show all these off to you. Now go check out the Spotify playlist that has tracks from all these bands or uses your physical or digital platform of choice and check out these albums for yourself. Have a happy holiday season and I'll see you back again in 2023. Until then, this is Josh Rundquist for Heavy Debriefings saying, See Ya!

- Josh Rundquist (Heavy Debriefings)