Well, here we are at the end of 2022. My first year at Razor! To say this year has been a dream come true would be quite an understatement. Getting to play rock and metal music while I yammer into a microphone for four hours a day every day is something I never thought I’d ever be able to call “work,” yet here we are. 2022 was QUITE the year for rock music, and I’m excited to share my top 5 albums that were released this year! All album have been embedded into this article, and can be heard below.
Remember, this is just MY OPINION. I classify my favorites based on the style of music I enjoy, and whether or not I continued to listen to them long after their release. Also, if at least three songs from an album were added into my personal playlists, I consider it a favorite. Yes I lean more rock/metalcore than deathcore or metal. If you don’t like my list, so what? Go cry about it. Here we go!
5. Dorothy – Gifts From The Holy Ghost
Possibly a surprise to some, coming in a No. 5, we have Dorothy! Dorothy has been one of my favorite artists since I was introduced to her music in 2018 when she released 28 Days In The Valley. I’ve always loved her songwriting style, and her voice is out of this world. This album in particular not only has that classic rock sound that makes Dorothy so unique, but the overall theme of living your life, doing what you want, and accepting yourself hits home as somebody who has struggled with inner turmoil for most of my life. A VERY solid album.
4. Wage War – The Stripped Sessions
Becoming one of my favorite bands in the last year, Wage War takes the No. 4 spot. I’m a HUGE fan of when bands show a musical side of themselves that’s raw, and almost more real if that makes sense. It feels less produced, and more like you’re sitting in a room with them while they play some songs. Almost immediately after discovering Wage War, I discovered their stripped performances and I was blown away at how they were able to take such a big sound and strip it back with beautiful harmonies and acoustic guitar melodies. The lyrical nature of these songs have so much more power when performed this way, and that’s why it makes the list.
3. Motionless in White – Scoring The End Of The World
Yes. Just… yes. Motionless In White takes my No. 3 spot with a BANGER of a record. Motionless explores all musical sides in this very eclectic mix of face-melting, and melody. “Slaughterhouse” is enough to scare even the most experienced moshers in the pit, and “Masterpiece” will make you cry. The album features Bryan Garris of Knocked Loose, and Caleb Schomo of Beartooth. Motionless In White did not only top their 2019 record Disguise, but they have rocketed into the stratosphere and solidified themselves as one of THE best bands in the scene right now. Everything about this album is awesome. Get your neck ready if you plan on listening.
2. I Prevail – True Power
I may be slightly biased, as I Prevail has been in my top 3 list of favorite bands since 2016, but their fourth studio record True Power takes the No. 2 spot. Sonically I believe it’s the best they’ve ever sounded, and they only keep getting better. I’m usually not a huge fan of modern, electronic sounds mixing in with rock and metal music, but I Prevail has done it in such a way that it doesn’t take away from the record. They have found a way to fuse the two so that it still sounds like a metalcore track, but an evolved, modern metalcore track. It’s hard to explain. That coupled with the lyrical nature and themes within the record that hit so close to home, as I Prevail usually does for me, makes this my No. 2 album of the year.
1. Bad Omens – The Death of Peace of Mind
No real surprises here if you’ve listened to me at all this year. My No. 1 album of the year is NO QUESTION, The Death of Peace of Mind from Bad Omens. I honestly can’t even explain why, but it just hit me in a very unique way. Whether it’s the silkiness of Noah Sebastian’s singing voice, or the melodies that are pleasing to the ear, this record has not left my mind since I listened to it on its release date of February 22nd. I’m a sucker for melody mixed in with heaviness, so to go from high notes that soar above the stratosphere, to life-ending screams to crush your enemies to, I guess this record tickles that one very specific musical desire in my bones. Listen to this album if you haven’t already. Front to back, uninterrupted. You’ll thank me later.
