2022 was an odd year. Most bands had recorded their ‘lockdown album’, and not been able to tour it. Some recorded another, some didn’t. Some released a new one just in time to get out on the road, only to be caught in the logjam of everybody touring at once.
BRYMIR – ‘Voices In The Sky’
I really can’t separate these first 2, but I put this one first on this list because they made me even think about doing it in the first place, having the audacity to usurp Soilwork. Epic, just amazingly epic, Melodic Death Metal from Finland. This blew me away. Epic vocal harmonies without getting wanky, beautifully tasteful lead breaks. Listen and be amazed.
LIVEWIRE – ‘Under Attack’
Australian band with an all-out-in-your-face speed metal assault on the senses. Saw these guys live a few years ago, they were insane, glad they’ve managed to capture that energy. This album is ‘bottled lightning’.
Follow the links because you may not find them through the 500 AC/DC cover bands with the same name.
FREEDOM OF FEAR – ‘Carpathia’
A local band for me. How fortunate am I? I’ve seen this band a number of times. They are quite the sight to see. A little bit hard to pigeon hole, certainly lots of sub-genres being bandied about. Technical death metal with melodic and symphonic elements is probably the best I can do. Guitar work is off the chart. It’s extreme and you will be satisfied.
ASYLUM – ‘Tyrannicide’
Brisbane Thrash band that fills all the elements of what I remember 80s thrash to be, Yeah, I was there. A highly charged live act, and, as I said with LIVEWIRE above, these guys have managed to bottle it in the studio. Keep an eye out for them when they come to your town.
FOREST NOCTURNE – ‘Scientia Potenta Est’
Black Metal from Adelaide. The most chance encounter ever (at Bunnings) with a Metalhead wearing a T-shirt with a logo I couldn’t read, led me to look this up and here we are. (He was probably in the band and didn’t tell me, haha.) Give this a spin if you like your Metal black and wrenching.
TONY MARTIN – ‘Thorns’
BLACK SABBATH’s best singer finally returns with a new album after a long wait. He still has that voice it seems. There’s some monster tracks on the album, and one that is very unusual. I’ll let you find that one by yourself
SEDE VACANTE – ‘Conium’
This band from Greece/Finland (there’s Finland again) are a bit different that you’re probably used to hearing. Labeled as melodic metal on their website (certainly some symphonic elements peaking through from the back if you ask me). There’s a few ‘almost snap neck looking back at the stereo to make sure you’re playing the right album’ moments, which is a good thing, especially when that cover version rolls in, that was from way out there.
Edge of zone
