One other yr has reached its shut and Indignant Metallic Man continues to be standing—each the metallic assessment website and the person. For the weblog, issues are the very best they’ve ever been—at the very least if you happen to consider our statistics. Throughout 2022, we obtained at the very least one web page view from each nation on the planet. Moreover, we obtained blog-best 13,728,845 web page views, which included 2,610,308 distinctive guests. Whereas, in fact, statistics may be tough to measure on-line, the constant story since I began AMG in 2009 has been development. We revealed 730 new posts and every viewer averaged 5.6 posts. And since we haven’t monetized the web site in any respect, we’re nonetheless a bunch of volunteers doing this for love, satisfaction, or out of sheer stubbornness.
Why does any of this matter, then? Nicely, I believe it issues as a result of our dedication to prime quality, lengthy kind critiques has continued to pay dividends for the music we love, as—to paraphrase one band—not solely is the remark part right here lively and enjoyable to be concerned in, however our readers proceed to indicate up and purchase music. I can not start to specific the depth of my satisfaction that this is what we all know to be true about AngryMetalGuy.com. Sure, we might have a status for being too exhausting on bands—a status that sure members of the workers have been single-handedly working to counter this yr, I would add—however when it comes proper all the way down to it, once I hear from bands it’s as a result of we led to their single greatest spike in gross sales from Bandcamp. One band this yr advised me that our assessment was the rationale they bought any vinyl in any respect. Repeatedly, AMG writers level readers at high quality music. And repeatedly, you—the readers—put your cash all the way down to assist the hard-working bands and labels within the scene. For that, I’m deeply grateful. I can’t ask for something greater than a deeply engaged group of readers and writers who’re working to advertise glorious music that we love.
I wish to, in fact, thank all of the writers who put of their blood, sweat, and tears right here at AMG. I, particularly, wish to thank everybody who utilized to jot down at AMG—it’s best to know that we are going to be bringing in additional n00bs—and to the group that’s already gotten in right here, I’ve been fairly happy along with your work (if not your style). It astounds me each time we do that simply how many individuals wish to write at AngryMetalGuy.com and who’re keen to place up with a tough n00b interval with the intention to do it. I’m an individual with exacting requirements, however I all the time intention—initially—at high quality. And we have now netted some glorious writers, individuals who I’m proud to have on board and who make me proud to be the ringleader of this “pugnacious group of cretins.” With out a devoted group of writers, in addition to Metal Druhm, Madam X, Doc Grier, Holden4.5e, Doc Wvrm and Sentynel, it might be powerful to make issues work round right here and I like you all. So, thanks on your exhausting work and dedication to this cozy little ‘weblog’ whereas I’ve been off slaying different windmills.
Right here’s to 2023, which I’m approaching with much more optimism than I had anticipated. Might this be one other yr of success for AngryMetalGuy.com, our great workers, and to you, the readers. And will it’s the yr that I get again on observe, for actual.
#(ish): Darkest Period // Wither on the Vine [September 30, 2022 via Candlelight Records] — A technique that I can inform that 2022 was a great yr for metallic is that Darkest Period is an #(ish) regardless of most likely deserving to be greater on this listing. And whereas I’m not fairly in love with it as Metal Druhm, it’s exhausting to consider this album isn’t getting much more love round right here than it’s. The songs are tight, hooky, and fascinating—a wierd description on your common doom metallic report. Krum’s vocals are evocative, highly effective and delightful—and, by the way, remind me far more of King Goat‘s subsequent stage vocals than I’d recalled from earlier albums. That’s a recipe for a very wonderful return from an underrated (and missed) band. Wither on the Vine has all of the makings of an album that I’m going to be listening to for a very long time.
#(ish): Amorphis // Halo [February 11, 2022 via Atomic Fire Records] — Halo shouldn’t be Queen of Time. But, I can’t assist however proceed to reiterate the thought that I ended my assessment of Amorphis’ seventy fifth studio album on: I’m undecided we even know what to do with the form of fecundity and consistency that Amorphis has proven through the years. With songs like “On the Darkish Waters,” “When the Gods Come,” and “Battle,” nevertheless, Halo exhibits itself to be loaded with the identical form of glorious songwriting and strong materials that has made the band considered one of metallic premiere’s acts for 30 years. Cease and admire metallic’s finest second act when you sit and hearken to Halo; it doesn’t get so a lot better than this.
#10: Sigh // Shiki [August 26, 2022 via Peaceville Records] — Ten years after I gave In Somniphobia a 5.0, Sigh continues to be among the finest bands in metallic. Shiki, which I’m advised is a heart-wrenching and trustworthy instance of the band’s frontman coping along with his concern of dying, does what Sigh has all the time performed finest: it combines a traditional black metallic—by which I imply Venom—with an idiosyncratic orchestral imaginative and prescient and a compelling compositional voice that belongs solely to Sigh. Within the band’s discography, Shiki stands out with its direct songwriting and tracks with out plenty of frills (or jazz breakdowns). But, these Japanese veteran black metallers know methods to write good songs; the album teems with razor hooks and haunting melodies. And once they do escape conventional Japanese devices to enrich symphonic parts (“Satsui – Geshi No Ato,” for instance), Shiki shines. Resulting from a promo snafu, we missed a assessment of Shiki right here at Indignant Metallic Man, however I’m glad to see simply how a lot consideration the album been getting regardless of that. There’s little question in my thoughts that Shiki was among the finest albums of the yr. I simply want I’d gotten to it sooner.
#9: An Summary Phantasm // Woe [September 9, 2022 via Willowtip] — I approached An Summary Phantasm skeptically. I had heard the band described as “atmospheric black metallic” and it had a gradual, atmospheric opening. Happily, it seems that if you happen to change all of the senseless repetition in atmospheric black metallic with infectious, technical riffs, atmospheric black metallic stops sucking! As a result of it doesn’t matter what you name it, Woe is spectacular. The report sports activities compositions that by no means sit nonetheless; at instances brutal, and different instances fragile, and infrequently paying homage to most of the most fascinating developments in excessive metallic within the 2000s. But, regardless of Woe hat-tipping its influences liberally—like Cynic on “The Behemoth That Lies Asleep” or Opeth on… effectively, just about the remainder of the album—nothing about Woe feels spinoff. As an alternative, Woe seethes with an depth that few of its ilk handle. And whereas ‘depressive,’ neither is it overtly self-indulgent, Woe has gravitas. And at last, quite than ‘environment’ robbing the album of depth, Woe seems like a muzzled beast struggling at its chains to interrupt free. That is a formidable report that I wrestle to show off as soon as I press play. It might actually be greater on the listing if I had gotten it earlier within the yr.
#8: Trollfest // Flamingo Overlord [May 27, 2022 via Napalm Records] — “If Finntroll, Korpiklaani, and Diablo Swing Orchestra had a clumsy Norwegian cousin with a ingesting drawback, that may be Trollfest.” Sure, my pals, that’s my full-throated endorsement. Metallic takes itself approach too fucking severely and Trollfest is right here to remind us that this right here heavy metallic music that all of us love may be a lot enjoyable. You don’t want to take a seat round crying in your beer whereas listening to Very Severe Music™ by individuals who can’t self-edit. Flamingo Overlord will assist flip your drunken cry fests into drunken dance fests as an alternative! From the opening strains of sure-to-be-kvlt-dance-hit “Dance Like a Pink Flamingo” to I-can-only-assume-this-was-a-sommarplåga “Piña Colada,” Flamingo Overlord regales the listener with ridiculous hooks, idiosyncratic instrumentation, and Trollfest’s finest “huumpa and the beast” rendition. If this report had been a tasty alcoholic beverage it might be fabricated from pineapple juice, coconut milk, and rum.
#6: De Profundis // The Corruption of Advantage [October 7, 2022 via Transcending Obscurity Records] — De Profundis is lastly getting their due. And it’s about fucking time. I’ve, in fact, been screaming about these guys since at the very least 2015, and I’m completely satisfied to see that they proceed to launch albums that make me seem like I’m actually sensible and have nice style. Living proof, The Corruption of Advantage, which demonstrates once more the ability of the riff in dying metallic. I’m undecided this report is best than its predecessor—which my fellow writers unsurprisingly ignored in 2018 as a consequence of a nasty case of groupthink—however it’s nonetheless one of many highest stuff you’re going to listen to this yr. For those who like your dying metallic to have that old-fashioned Florida really feel with a wholesome dose of the very best Sweden has to supply and—await it—fretless bass produced in a approach totally different than German bands do it, then The Corruption of Advantage is the dying metallic report for you.
#5: Star One // Enjoy Time [February 18, 2022 via InsideOut Music] — Arjen Anthony Lucassen’s Star One is probably my least favourite of Lucassen’s many initiatives. I vaguely recall studying someplace that it’s purported to be considered one of his heaviest initiatives, however I used to be by no means notably keen on the primary two albums. Moreover, Enjoy Time didn’t stay as much as the sorts of epic conceptual potential of Ayreon, Guilt Machine, and even The Light Storm. I imply, it’s principally only a film assessment weblog set to music. And but, like so most of the finest albums I’ve reviewed through the years, Enjoy Time simply wouldn’t cease cropping up all yr. Each couple weeks once I was groping for one thing to hearken to, I’d simply pop in Enjoy Time—and that’s simply by no means stopped. The energy, as all the time, comes from Arjen’s eager ear and compositional chops, that are complemented by his means to all the time discover precisely the correct voice for the job. From Brittney Slayes’ unbelievable efficiency on opener “Destiny of Man” to the joyous prog stylings of Michael Mills and Ross Jennings on “Prescient,” to the epic crowning achievement of “Misplaced Youngsters of the Universe” that closes the album out—Enjoy Time is enjoyable, well-written, and a joyous celebration of heavy metallic and middling science fiction films. The person is a nerd after my very own coronary heart.
#4: Disillusion // Ayam [November 4, 2022 via Prophecy Productions] — Disillusion’s Ayam is an album that does what the very best Opethian progressive dying metallic bands have performed for the reason that early 2000s. Fairly enjoying a form of dying metallic that focuses on the technicality of the music, Ayam is an album that hits the listener proper within the feels—what Peter Lindgren as soon as described as “dying metallic with feeling.” Due to that method, nevertheless, Ayam takes time to disclose its secrets and techniques. At first blush, the report is promising, however it’s not hooky or overtly sensible. As an alternative, it takes time and nice performances, with a story construction that makes the album more and more intoxicating because it winds on. It’s the third, fourth and fifth listens that lock one in to its subtleties. And as soon as the album opens up—like studying the sociology of Pierre Bourdieu—it’s tough to set it down. The band’s imaginative and prescient—its mixture of chunky dying metallic with a groggy smooth facet that jogs my memory a lot of late Riverside—is refined; however it’s evocative and delightful. Ayam is a triumph; however it’s a refined one.
#1: Aeternam // Inheritor of the Rising Solar [Self-released on September 2, 2022] — Inheritor of the Rising Solar was simply the very best album that I listened to in 2022. Aeternam has been threatening to launch the album of the yr for some time now. They’ve persistently been releasing the sorts sensible, orchestra-infused melodic dying metallic that evokes me for years, however what differentiates Inheritor of the Rising Solar from its predecessors is a good narrative that carries the entire album, which is supported by the pillars of wonderful composition and an unassailable, epic really feel. Over time, Aeternam’s orchestrations have turn into an inextricable a part of the band’s sound; and whereas dying metallic bands utilizing symphonic parts is hardly new—even with a MENA taste—Aeternam’s method differentiates them from others in that the orchestrations really feel have developed into an extricable a part of the band’s sound, with out taking it over; like when Fleshgod Apocalypse has been at its finest. All of that—tight, sensible writing and a sound that’s greater than the sum of its components—makes Aeternam‘s method distinctive in a scene that continuously confuses extreme song-lengths for epic composition. Aeternam has written, then again, a really epic album with an expansive, stunning sound. They’ve developed into such deft songwriters and storytellers that Inheritor of the Rising Solar stands as an unassailable testomony to each their sensible composition and their epic ambitions.
Honorable Mentions
Imperial Circus Useless Decadence // 殯——死へ耽る想いは戮辱すら喰らい、彼方の生を愛する為に命を讃える——。— ICDD feels so Japanese to me not due to the quilt artwork or the truth that the album is in Japanese (although, these don’t harm that feeling…). Fairly, Mourning (as I’ll name it as a result of that’s lots simpler), feels so Japanese to me as a result of it’s simply an excessive amount of. A lot of the tradition exported from Japan feels excessive; nearly baroque in its weirdness or its mashup of types and influences, and ICDD is not any exception. But, even if every part will get thrown on the wall right here—it’s actually fucking good; a veritable smörgåsbord of types, with every fashion getting its second within the solar. And that’s enjoyable as hell to hearken to.
Fellowship // The Saberlight Chronicles — This album is on the High 10(ish) with none doubt if I hadn’t solely heard of it throughout listing season. Anybody who doesn’t love this album ought to most likely be investigated by the Home Un-American Actions Committee. The Saberlight Chronicles is like somebody took the Platonic excellent type of energy metallic, melted it down and burned it to CD. You possibly can’t really feel unhappy whenever you’re listening to Fellowship and you may’t get “Till the Fireplace Dies” out of your head ever once more.
Syn Ze Şase Tri // Ultiumu’ lup — A wild trip by means of Transylvanian forests, Ultimu’ lup reminds us all that black metallic doesn’t have to be totally devoid of editorial self-restraint. It’s acquired a Norwegian black metallic within the ’90s vibe that feels each barely nostalgic and additionally form of contemporary, as a result of black metallic took such a flip away from something too paying homage to Dimmu Borgir. I appreciated this album and I hope you probably did, too.
Viita // I — On my stack of disgrace for this yr, Viita’s debut acquired handed to me as a promo and I promptly sat on it, listened to it a ton, however was so busy with different stuff I couldn’t get a assessment out in time. However evidently, that is the debut album of one of many brains behind the sensible—however sadly defunct—Crimfall and it’s an fascinating merging of epic metallic and an nearly New Wave ’80s synth sound. It’s enjoyable, it’s distinctive, and it presages even higher issues to come back.
Soen // Atlantis — Reside information suck nearly universally. But, Atlantis does issues a little bit otherwise, as a result of it’s a bit just like the MTV Unplugged model of Soen. Full of lush orchestral preparations and a few surprising performances, Atlantis is value listening to (and seeing).
Persefone // metanoia — Persefone and I’ve had a wierd relationship through the years, however I’m completely satisfied to say that metanoia might be their finest album. Sadly, I didn’t even understand it had been launched till a pair weeks in the past. So we’ll by no means know if it belonged greater on this listing…
High 8(ish) Songs o’ the 12 months
#(ish): Star One – “Destiny of Man” that includes Brittney Slayes & Michael Romeo — There have been two songs on Enjoy Time that rank for my finish of yr listing, which must be the very first time. The primary, nevertheless, is the album opener and single “Destiny of Man.” Between this superb vocal efficiency from Brittney Slayes, a traditional Michael Romeo solo, and the tight composition, I’ve been caught on this track all yr.
#8: Sigh – “Satsui – Geshi No Ato” – From these opening guitars, I knew that this was going to be a kind of songs that I regarded again on with fondness; Sigh simply doing Sigh issues. This observe drives, it enchants, and because the vocals bark out at you, it’s exhausting to not bang your head. After which—once more, Sigh doing Sigh issues—the second half devolves into what is among the coolest beats you’ve heard this yr. Sensible stuff from a legendary band.
#7: Wilderun – “Identifier” – It’s massive, it’s stunning, it nearly feels prefer it must be utilizing a slide guitar on the opening riff; it’s stuffed with contrasts that makes me ache inside once I hearken to it. And but, because it lurches in direction of the top, the track turns into more and more brutal; encapsulating completely the contrasts that make Wilderun who they’re. I’m particularly keen on the orchestrations right here—the choral hits with loopy chords over blast beats, the usage of fluttering flutes—they offer Wilderun a sound that’s simply genuinely distinctive in metallic. “Identifier” is classy and considered one of my favourite songs in 2022.
#6: Blind Guardian – “Violent Shadows” – This track is about Brandon Sanderson’s epic fantasy saga The Stormlight Archives and that hits me proper the place I stay. So, with the glorious refrain, the unbelievable riffing, and the sensation of being “in on the key” as a result of the dorks in Blind Guardian additionally learn considered one of my favourite fantasy authors, it was inevitable that I used to be going to be in love with this track. And, c’mon, that little harmonic minor factor on the finish of phrase the place he says “violent shadows” within the refrain is one thing else. Bonus? Nice solos.
#5: De Profundis – “Weaponised Rape” — Demise metallic gonna dying metallic, however I form of famously don’t actually learn lyrics or pay a lot consideration to the content material in any respect, as a result of… effectively, I don’t care. I hearken to dying metallic as a result of the music guidelines; however since most lyrics are trash that dudes are writing within the studio, I skip them. So, as I used to be listening to this album at some point and I regarded down due to considered one of my favourite riffs solely to see that the track was known as “Weaponised Rape.” After I facepalmed, I simply shared different stuff that was a bit much less edgy. Alas—unbiased of the lyrics, which I’ve by no means learn—this track is considered one of my favourite on the album. The riffs all through are unbelievable, they’re hooky, and I maintain coming again to it. So, I’m itemizing it. However I’m uncomfortable. I assume that’s a win for dying metallic.
#4: An Summary Phantasm – “Prosperty” — This isn’t essentially the most technical observe on the album, however goddammit I fucking love that opening bass and vocal half. Then it transitions right into a Turisas á la Wilderun melody, earlier than merging into blasts—with vocals worthy of Kvarforth’s early-career agony. These first three minutes are a part of what make Woe such a particular and attractive album to hearken to.
#3: Aeternam – “The place the River Bends” – If the opening vocal strains don’t make your coronary heart explode with unbridled pleasure, then perhaps the epic—nay, pompous—orchestrations over the blistering verse will drive you to the sting of your seat. Quick, enjoyable, epic, and sensible; because of this I fucking love Aeternam. And it’s simply among the finest issues I listened to all yr.
#2. Star One – “Prescient” — Give me Arjen Lucassen writing prog with Michael Mills (Toehider, Ayreon, and many others.) and Ross Jennings (Haken) singing, please. One complete album of quirky, ridiculous prog like that is precisely what I must get my life proper. Why can not I not get a full-length LP of this? Additionally, bonus factors for a traditional Arjenism: “This factor is not only pure mechanics and/or warmth.” Lovely construct, unbelievable harmonies, ridiculous performances; this shit is true the place it’s at.
#1. Obsidious – “Certain by Fireplace” — A part of what I believe is a lot enjoyable about Obsidious is the best way that they’ve been in a position to steadiness their totally different sides with the form of alacrity you wouldn’t anticipate finding on a debut album. However what begins out as a Gorjira as interpreted by Gorod riff, provides approach to Javi Perera’s cleans, his affective vary—along with his precise vary—units the entire track on its head. I spent hours at some point making an attempt to determine what it jogged my memory of, after which it hit me. The refrain on this track jogs my memory of Angra‘s tracks the place Rafael Bittencourt sings; he has the identical form of vocal timbre and energy and it hits me precisely the identical approach. High that off with a loopy, jazzy solo and breakdown and among the catchiest tech riffing this facet of Anata, and these items is irresistible.
Disappointments o’ the 12 months
The lack of Trevor Strnad. For individuals who know the weblog, you’ll know that I’ve all the time been a giant fan of The Black Dahlia Homicide. That band—most likely the very best melodic dying metallic band that the USA has produced—was fronted by one of the charismatic and fascinating dudes in metallic: Trevor Strnad. I’ve by no means actually nervous a lot about biography, however what I can say is that Strnad was one of many nicest dudes I ever had the prospect of assembly within the line of Indignant Metallic Responsibility, and he was actually good for metallic. It’s not typically you see somebody who goes to date out of his approach for bands nobody’s ever heard of; however one factor I’ve seen since his dying is how each single little dying metallic band I am going to comply with on Instagram was already adopted by Trevor. On prime of that, he was a wonderful performer who carried an depth into his performances that few can handle. Having struggled with melancholy and nervousness—made a lot worse by isolation throughout Covid—I acknowledge the ache and nervousness that he expressed in some interviews in direction of the top of his life. That visceral empathy makes his dying far rawer for me than I’ve skilled with different titans of the scene who’ve died. Trevor Strnad will probably be really missed within the metallic scene.
Musical Disappointments
Michael Romeo // Battle of the Worlds, Pt. 2 — Battle of the Worlds, Pt. 1 was a real revelation and its followup was on the prime of my most anticipated information of 2022. Pt. 1 felt like Symphony X of previous, it featured a genuinely floor shaking efficiency from a formidable, unknown singer, and it was loaded with songwriting that I nonetheless like to at the present time. Its followup got here late and didn’t wake any of the identical power in me as a listener. Partially, this will have been as a result of change within the vocalist. However in a approach, it felt a bit like the very best concepts had been used on its predecessor. And yeah, I appreciated it high quality on the time, however whereas I continuously revisited Arjen Lucassen’s Star One with scary regularity, I by no means returned to Battle of the Worlds, Pt. 2. And once I’ve tried to hearken to it for Listurnalia, I simply discover myself uninspired. There are few musicians in metallic that I respect as a lot as Michael Romeo and it’s a tough flip of occasions for me.
Psychroptic // Divine Council — Am I the one one who was totally dumbstruck by how Psycroptic’s 2022 launch was simply so unmemorable? Other than sporting glorious art work, I can hardly keep in mind the album. Even studying Kronos’ assessment, I disagreed that he known as the hooks on the report “sharp,” as a result of I don’t suppose they notably had been. I used to be so excited to search out this report in my electronic mail—unexpectedly, as a result of: lol—and once I popped it on, it simply left me chilly. A number of months later and I haven’t warmed as much as it a lot in any respect.
