Favorites of 2022 - tracker

[nick_z]

Figured this could be useful, since there was a similar thread for 2021.

With the first quarter of 2022 already gone, here are some albums I enjoyed this year so far (in no particular order, at this stage):

Ghost - Impera
Wilderun - Epigone
Dawn of Solace - Flames of Perdition
Amorphis - Halo
ARÐ - Take Up My Bones
Eight Bells- Legacy of Ruin
Messa - Close
Kvaen - The Great Below
Michael Romeo - War of the Worlds - Pt.2
Voivod - Synchro Anarchy
Schizophrenia - Recollections of the Insane

[TAC]

It's been a good three months!

Lords Of The Trident-The Offering
Riverwood-Shadows And Flames
Hammerfall-Hammer Of Dawn
Dawn Of Solace-Flames Of Perdition
Bomber-Nocturnal Creatures
Saxon-Carpe Diem
Scream Maker-Bloodking
Voodoma-Hellbound
Tony Martin-Thorns
Ereb Altor-Vargtimman
The Silent Wedding-Ego Path
Lost Domain-Merchant Of Emotions

[ariich]

Strong start to the year indeed!

9/10
Amorphis - Halo
D'Virgilio, Morse & Jennings - Troika
Frank Turner - FTHC

8/10
Arjen Anthony Lucassen's Star One - Revel in Time
Big Big Train - Welcome to the Planet
Bonobo - Fragments
Max Cooper - Unspoken Words
Diablo - When All the Rivers Are Silent
Dog Fashion Disco - Cult Classic
Ereb Altor - Vargtimman
The Flower Kings - By Royal Decree
Ghost - Impera
The Longest Johns - Smoke & Oakum
Messa - Close
Oddland - Vermilion
Owel - The Salt Water Well
Persefone - Metanoia
Sabaton - The War to End All Wars
Silent Skies - Nectar
Von Hertzen Brothers - Red Alert in the Blue Forest
The Weeknd - Dawn FM
Wilderun - Epigone

[SoundscapeMN]

Midlake - For the Sake of Bethel Woods
Team Me - Something in the Making
Cloud Cult - Metamorphosis
Marillion - An Hour Before It's Dark
Nordic Giants - Symbiosis
Tears for Fears - The Tipping Point
Ty Tabor - Shades
Persefone - Metanoia
Owel - The Salt Water Well
Black Country New Road - Ants From up there
Other Country Ensemble - Convivencia

[jingle.boy]

It's been a good three months!

Agreed.  But for mostly different reasons. 

Purchased:
Michael Romeo - War of the Worlds Pt II
Star One - Revel in Time
Everygrey - Before the Aftermath (Live in Gothenburg)
The Ferrymen - One more River to Cross
Lalu - Paint the Sky

Saved on Spotify:
Nasson - Scars
Shining Black - Postcards from the End of the World
Degreed - Are You Ready
Kissin Dynamite - Not the End of the Road
Agarthic - The Inner Side
Lana Lane - Neptune Blue
Kalle Walner - Voices
Serious Black - Vengeance is Mine
D'Virgilio, Morse & Jennings - Troika
New Horizon - Gate of the Gods
Marillion - An Hour Before It's Dark
Zadra - Guiding Star
Girish and the Chronicles - Hail to the Heroes
Ronnie Atkins - Make it Count
Jonas Lindberg & The Other Side - Miles from Nowhere
Bomber - Nocturnal Creatures
Lords of the Trident - The Offering

[Zydar]

My favourites so far:

Big Big Train - Welcome To The Planet
Jethro Tull - The Zealot Gene
D'Virgilio Morse Jennings - Troika
The Flower Kings - By Royal Decree
Ghost - Impera
Pattern-Seeking Animals - Only Passing Through
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Unlimited Love

[emtee]

Really enjoying Soulsplitter II Connection.

[HOF]

2022 releases for me so far:

Big Big Train - Welcome to the Planet
Marillion - An Hour Before It’s Dark
Kite Parade - Letting Go
D’Virgilio, Morse & Jennings - Troika
The Flower Kings - By Royal Decree
Retreat From Moscow - The World We Used To Know
Tears for Fears - The Tipping Point

Some really good stuff in the first quarter of the year already!

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Top 11 so far, loosely in order:

Emily Jane White - Alluvion
Sylvaine - Nova
Shape of Despair - Return To the Void
Ashes of Ares - Emperors and Fools
Messa - Close
Carpenter Brut - Leather Terror
Kate Havnevik - Lightship
Amorphis - Halo
Star One - Revel In Time
Nightrage - Abyss Rising
Celeste - Assassine(s)

Other quality albums:

40 Watt Sun - Perfect Light
Animals As Leaders - Parrhesia
The Anix - Revenge
Atrium Carceri & Kammarheit - Colossus
Battle Beast - Circus of Doom
The Birthday Massacre - Fascination
Cloakroom - Dissolution Wave
Cult of Luna - The Long Road North
Dance With the Dead - Driven To Madness
E-L-R - Vexier
In Loving Memory - The Withering
Lana Lane - Neptune Blue
Mindwarden - Timeless
Persefone - Metanoia
Punch Brothers - Hell On Church Street
Tineidae - Mothership
Rolo Tomassi - Where Myth Becomes Memory
Zguba - Znoj

[The Letter M]

Here's what I've gotten so far this year:

Big Big Train - Welcome To The Planet
Star One - Revel In Time
D'Virgilio Morse & Jennings - Troika
The Flower Kings - By Royal Decree
Marillion - An Hour Before It's Dark
Pattern-Seeking Animals - Only Passing Through

Of those six, I'd say BBT and P-SA are my favorites so far, but the new Marillion is really good too. The one I have neglected so far has been the new Star One, which I've maybe listened to once or twice. I just haven't been in the mood for prog metal lately, but I'm sure I'll give it it's due later this year.

Looking forward, I cannot wait for new albums by Porcupine Tree, The Tangent, Muse, and Ryo Okumoto (whose previous solo album Coming Through, is a favorite of mine). 2022 is shaping up to be another good year of music from bands/artists I love!

-Marc.

[lonestar]

Standouts...

Marillion - An Hour Before Its Dark
Lalu - Paint the Sky
Amorphis - Halo


Current AOTY frontrunner - Allegaeon - Damnum

[devieira73]

As I try to pick a top 12 for each year (on average, one album per month), I would say that, for now, "my first nominees" for my top 12 would be (although some other albums already released may be included in my top 12 at the end of the year - depending on the quality of the albums to be released from April onwards):

Steve Vai - Inviolate (Current AOTY frontrunner)
Michael Romeo - War Of The Worlds Pt. 2
Pattern-Seeking Animals - Only Passing Through

[SoundscapeMN]

Punch Brothers - Hell On Church Street

didn't know about this.

They always seem to sneak a record in, but it's often not mentioned until much later in the year (and there's also like 1 or 2 gems includesd).

[cramx3]

What I've checked out so far (in no order)

Bad Omens - THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND
Ghost - Impera
Sabaton - The War to End All Wars
Set It Off - Elsewhere
Battle Beast - Circus of Doom
Skillet - Dominion
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Unlimited Love

only one I'm not a fan of is the Skillet album, very underwhelming.  The rest range from enjoyable to very good.

[twosuitsluke]

My favourites so far are (in order):

Frank Turner - FTHC
Ghost - Impera
Venom Prison - Erebos
Zeal and Ardor - Zeal and Ardor
Persefone - Metanoia
Rolo Tomassi - Where Myth Becomes Memory
Wilderun - Epigone
Hot Water Music - Feel the Void
Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard - The Harvest
And So I Watch You From Afar - Jettison
Messa - Close
Hangman's Chair - A Loner
Foxtails - Fawn
Dream Widow - Dream Widow
Redeemon - Redeemon
Animals as Leaders - Parrhesia
Billy Talent - Crisis of Faith
Amorphis - Halo


Others that I've yet to rank:

Don Bolo - Bahamas
Blood Incantation - Time Wave Zero
Port Noir - Cuts
Schizophrenia - Recollections of the Insane
Weigedood - There's Always Blood at the End of the Road
Celeste - Assassine(s)
Oh Hiroshima - Myriad
Vorga - Striving Toward Oblivion
Meshuggah - Immutable
Allegaeon - DAMNUM
Dog Fashion Disco - Cult Classic
Dan Adriano and the Bygones - Dear Darkness
Absent in Body - Plague God

I'm sure I'm missing some but that's good enough.

9/10
Frank Turner - FTHC

My man!

What a corker right? It's such a great return to form. Farewell to My City is the best album closer he's ever written and I also can't stop spinning Punches!

[Zantera]

Top15 so far

Black Country New Road - Ants From Up There
Beach House - Once Twice Melody
Rolo Tomassi - Where Myth Becomes Memory
Big Thief - Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
Wilderun - Epigone
Cult of Luna - The Long Road North
Dog Fashion Disco - Cult Classic
Deathcrash - Return
And So I Watch You From Afar - Jettison
Raum - Daughter
Mydreamfever - Rough and Beautiful Place
Foxtails - Fawn
Sel Balamir - ()rphans
Jyocho - Let's Promise to be Happy
Owel - The Salt Water Well

[hefdaddy42]

Not ranked at all, no particular order, but here are my favorite new albums of the year so far.

Amorphis – Halo
D'Virgilio, Morse & Jennings – Troika
The Flower Kings - By Royal Decree
Persefone – Metanoia
Tears for Fears - The Tipping Point
Pattern-Seeking Animals - Only Passing Through
Animals As Leaders – Parrhesia
Punch Brothers - Hell On Church Street
Elvis Costello & the Imposters – The Boy Named If
Greensky Bluegrass – Stress Dreams
Pinegrove - 11:11
St. Paul & the Broken Bones – The Alien Coast
Rolo Tomassi – Where Myth Becomes Memory
Shovels & Rope – Manticore
String Machine – Hallelujah Hell Yeah
Band of Horses – Things Are Great
Brad Mehldau - Jacob's Ladder

[wolfking]

Not checked out a lot but;

Amorphis - Halo
Saxon - Carpe Diem
The Ferrymen - One More River to Cross
Hammerfall - Hammer of Dawn
Evil Invaders - Shattering Reflection
Evergrey - A Heartless Portrait
An Abstract Illusion - Woe
Megadeth - The Sick, The Dying and the Dead
Machine Head - Of Kingdom and Crown

[Elite]

Thank you for letting me know Messa has a new record!

[NoseofNicko]

Top15 so far

Black Country New Road - Ants From Up There
Beach House - Once Twice Melody
Big Thief - Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You

Nice!

[nick_z]

Evil Invaders - Shattering Reflection

Don't know this one...I've seen the band mentioned somewhere online...I guess worth checking out, huh?

Thank you for letting me know Messa has a new record!

It's great! I had meant to check out Messa for a while, and kept forgetting. The new one coming out made me go back to their other albums as well. Fantastic stuff!

[wolfking]

Evil Invaders - Shattering Reflection

Don't know this one...I've seen the band mentioned somewhere online...I guess worth checking out, huh?

Thank you for letting me know Messa has a new record!

It's great! I had meant to check out Messa for a while, and kept forgetting. The new one coming out made me go back to their other albums as well. Fantastic stuff!

Indeed it is.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

I didn't realize how popular Messa was until it seems everyone is talking about them with their new album.  Messa has a bit more of a traditional slant, but it reminds me of one of my favorite albums from last year, from The Answer Lies in the Black Void. 

[Lethean]

Everygrey - Before the Aftermath (Live in Gothenburg)

I know they have a new album coming out very soon, but somehow I totally missed that they have a live one out.  Just audio, or was there a DVD as well?  How is it?

Lalu - Paint the Sky

Reminder to myself that I want to check this one out.

[jingle.boy]

Everygrey - Before the Aftermath (Live in Gothenburg)

I know they have a new album coming out very soon, but somehow I totally missed that they have a live one out.  Just audio, or was there a DVD as well?  How is it?

Lalu - Paint the Sky

Reminder to myself that I want to check this one out.

Evergrey  - I haven’t seen the video anywhere.  I believe it was a livestream, so maybe they just wanted to keep it kind of ‘exclusive’ that way?

Lalu - definitely check that out.

[nick_z]

My favourites so far are (in order):

Frank Turner - FTHC

9/10
Frank Turner - FTHC

My man!

What a corker right? It's such a great return to form. Farewell to My City is the best album closer he's ever written and I also can't stop spinning Punches!

Luke, last year your recommendation of the Turnstile album turned out to be perhaps my biggest surprise for 2021 - something that's not generally in my wheelhouse that I ended up enjoying a ton. I guess I'll have to check this one out 

[nick_z]

Kate Havnevik - Lightship

You know, I really enjoyed her debut Melankton when it came out...then I kind of forgot about her, perhaps assuming she had disappeared from the scene. But clearly I was wrong  I will need to explore some more...

[wolfking]

Everygrey - Before the Aftermath (Live in Gothenburg)

I know they have a new album coming out very soon, but somehow I totally missed that they have a live one out.  Just audio, or was there a DVD as well?  How is it?

Lalu - Paint the Sky

Reminder to myself that I want to check this one out.

Evergrey  - I haven’t seen the video anywhere.  I believe it was a livestream, so maybe they just wanted to keep it kind of ‘exclusive’ that way?

Lalu - definitely check that out.

The Evergrey was a CD/Blu Ray release.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Kate Havnevik - Lightship

You know, I really enjoyed her debut Melankton when it came out...then I kind of forgot about her, perhaps assuming she had disappeared from the scene. But clearly I was wrong  I will need to explore some more...

She's one of those artists that I'm surprised never caught on.  She combines a lot of qualities of Bjork and Imogen Heap together, without quite copying either. 

[Lethean]

Lalu - definitely check that out.

I listened to it today; working, so I don't remember a lot but Damian sounded awesome.  The album was maybe a little lighter than I'd prefer it to be but that might, and probably will, change as I listened to it more.

The Evergrey was a CD/Blu Ray release.

Thanks!

[twosuitsluke]

My favourites so far are (in order):

Frank Turner - FTHC

9/10
Frank Turner - FTHC

My man!

What a corker right? It's such a great return to form. Farewell to My City is the best album closer he's ever written and I also can't stop spinning Punches!

Luke, last year your recommendation of the Turnstile album turned out to be perhaps my biggest surprise for 2021 - something that's not generally in my wheelhouse that I ended up enjoying a ton. I guess I'll have to check this one out 

Nice one, FTHC and GLOW ON really are great albums.

Frank Turner is kinda folk punk. For me personally, his music really resonates as he is also from the UK and about my age. His latest feels like a proper body of work, a picture (in music) of his life at this point, reflecting on where he's been, how life has changed and where he is going. His last few albums have been OK but nothing like the masterpiece that is England Keep My Bones.

Rich is also a fan, but not sure there are many more of us on here. Hope you enjoy dude!

[ReaperKK]

I've only listened to a few albums that have come out this year but they've been pretty solid:

Black Map - Melodoria - 5/5
Ludovico Einaudi - Underwater - 3/5
The Weeknd - Dawn FM - 3/5
Korn - Requiem - 2.5/5
Brandon Boyd - Echoes And Cocoons - 2/5 (I was really hoping this would be good but I didn't really connect with it)

[cramx3]

Saw this on a few lists and they are playing ProgPower in less than 2 months as a replacement band so I figure I should finally check them out... really good album after a couple listens but will need many more I think to truly appreciate this dense prog metal album....

Wilderun - Epigone

[Elite]

Wilderun - Epigone

Well yeah, this is a fantastic record and right on course for being my AOTY. Have you heard the previous two as well?
You can skip the debut (and check it out later, it's good in its own way I guess), but Sleep at the Edge of the Earth and Veil of Imagination are both amazing too. Epigone is a logical follow-up as far as I'm concerned. It's honestly impossible to pick a favourite album out of these three. This band is my favourite metal act these days.

[cramx3]

Wilderun - Epigone

Well yeah, this is a fantastic record and right on course for being my AOTY. Have you heard the previous two as well?
You can skip the debut (and check it out later, it's good in its own way I guess), but Sleep at the Edge of the Earth and Veil of Imagination are both amazing too. Epigone is a logical follow-up as far as I'm concerned. It's honestly impossible to pick a favourite album out of these three. This band is my favourite metal act these days.

I sampled a song or two awhile ago and it didn't grasp me (I don't remember which songs those were) but I haven't listened to any of their other stuff, just Epigone really.