Yes, 2022 is over already. This last year marked the first year of tours returning (largely) to normal following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the reemergence of many long-beloved festivals, and the first series of releases where bands were once again able to collaborate in the studio rather than via videoconferencing. With this return to some semblance of normal came a slew of incredible albums, spanning from melodic hard rock through extreme metal and everything in between. And while some familiar names sought to cement their legacies (titans like Megadeth and Kreator among them), there were also numerous bands who made spectacular debut efforts (like hard-rockers Classless Act). There were well-known legends that made impressive comebacks (turn to Giant and Porcupine Tree), and eclectic experimentalists who made waves (look no further than Zeal & Ardor). Even where this year seemed to pass by in a blink, there was more than enough great music to keep everyone busy.

Given this sheer variety and all-around excellence, choosing only 50 albums to name for their greatness was a daunting task indeed. But after careful thought and consideration, we present the our Top 50 Albums of 2022. Congratulations to all that made the final cut, and we look forward to what the new year brings.

Source: https://musicexistence.com/blog/2022/12/16/best-new-releases-december-16/