2022 TOP 100 ROCK ALBUMS
- Emil
- Jan 15, 2023
- 9 min read
Updated: Jan 16, 2023
Hard Rock, Glam Metal, Sleaze, Southern & AOR ... everything goes!
2022 was by far the best year for rock music in the last three decades. If we were to bow and listen to the false prophets of today's "mainstream" music, rock was long dead and buried ... On the contrary, in recent years rock as a genre has continued to evolve, and why not, reinvent itself, churning out hundreds upon hundreds of legit rock albums in the process, some by scene veterans, but most by newcomers. All of it is driven by an unextinguishable burning passion for rock and roll! Our unconditional support for these acts is imperative and will continue to provide the fuel to keep the flame ablaze!
So make yourself comfortable, take off your pants, put on your silky robe, pour yourself an adult beverage of choice, and let's begin ...
Rock Ain't Dead! ... far from it!
100.
ROAD RATT
Going To Eden
Sweden
Released on November 21
Studio album #2
Poppy, sleazy hard rock. 27 years in the making.
99.
YET AGAIN
Revival
US
Released on June 11
Debut album
Alternative hard rock. Groovy with lyrics reflecting current social affairs.
98.
TARRASKA
Tarraska
UK
Released June 17
Debut album
Alternative hard rock, post-grunge. Strongly influenced by the music of Mark Tremonti.
97.
STREETLIGHT CIRCUS
Super Fine Sugar
US
Released on September 23
Studio album #3
Hard rock, rock & roll
96.
LAZARUS DREAM
Lifeline
Germany
Released on June 17
Studio album #2
Hard rock, AOR, with prog elements.
95.
VOODOO ANGEL
First Spell
France
Released on June 3
Debut album
A dynamic mix of 80s sleaze and mainstream, melodic hard rock.
94.
SICKNOTE
Deadbeat Way
Finland
Released on June 18
Studio album #2
Hard rock. An original brand of dark rock 'n' roll, heavy and well-paced.
93.
CELLAR STONE
Rise & Fall
Greece
Released on July 1
Studio album #2
Hard rock. Thought-provoking lyrics dealing with our current collective state of affairs.
92.
RUXT
Hell's Gate
Italy
Released on May 29
Studio album #5
Hard rock, hard 'n heavy. A new lineup and a hardened sound! Heavy, gritty hard rock.
91.
AMERICAN JETSET
Cat's Got Your Tongue
US
Released on May 5
Studio album #3
Hard rock, glam/sleaze. Heavily influenced by the 1980s Sunset Strip scene.
90.
SKILLS
Different Worlds
International
Released on May 13
Debut album
Hard rock. Vocalist Renan Zonta, with Brad Gillis, Billy Sheehan & David Huff.
89.
LIPS TURN BLUE (LTB)
Lips Turn Blue
US
Released on May 6
Debut album
Hard rock. NY state's DDrive has regrouped and returned with a new name and a brilliant debut effort!
88.
SHIRAZ LANE
Forgotten Shades Of Life
Finland
Released on August 12
Studio album #3
Glam/sleaze metal. Band's heaviest effort to date.
87.
RECKLESS
T.M.T.T.80
Italy
Released on April 29
Studio album #3
Glam/sleaze metal. Take Me To The 80s! Fans of Poison, Britny Fox, Ratt, and Cinderella: get into the Countach!
86.
D'OR
Veni Vidi Ignis
Switzerland
Released on March 11
Debut album
Hard rock, hard 'n heavy
85.
BONEDRYVER
Valley Of Bones
US
Released on April 29
Studio album #2
Hard rock, hard 'n heavy. In your face, American, greasy southern hard rock with shredding powerhouse vocals!
84.
JET BLACK ROMANCE
Rock and Roll Riot
US
Released on March 30
Debut album
Modern glam/sleaze metal FFO: Confess, Santa Cruz, Black Veil Brides, Crashdiet.
83.
MASQUE OF ART
Masquerade
Sweden
Released on June 17
Debut album
Melodic hard rock, AOR. Greatly influenced by the classic rock of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
82.
SQUARED
Strange Affairs
France/Sweden
Released on May 13
Debut album
AOR. Excellent debut effort by the co-led project. Inspired by the late 80s AOR with a crafted sound to match!
81.
BAD SISTER
Where Will You Go
Germany
Released on November 25
Studio album #4
Melodic hard rock, AOR. Excellent comeback effort by the female-fronted Hamburg rock collective!
80.
SANDNESS Play Your Part
Italy
Released on May 20
Studio album #4
Glam/hard rock. Heavily 80s influenced, singalong fun hard rock with power pop sensibilities.
79.
HARDCORE SUPERSTAR
Abrakadabra
Sweden
Released on March 25
Studio album #12
Modern glam/sleaze metal
78.
TURKISH DELIGHT
Volume One
International
Released on October 21
Melodic hard rock, AOR. Volume one by the project/brainchild of Escape Music co-owner Khalil Turk and one of the most comprehensive casts of rock musicians!
77.
JOHN NORUM
Gone To Stay
Released on October 28
Studio album #8
Hard rock. Top-tier new studio solo effort by the incredible Scandinavian guitarist!
76.
SUCKERPUNCH
Redneck Gasoline
Denmark
Released on March 4
Studio album #2
Hard rock; dirty, laid-back southern rock
75.
XANDER AND THE PEACE PIRATES
Order Out Of Chaos
UK
Released on May 6
Studio album #2
Blues/soul rock. Xander bros & mates captured perfectly their new message to humanity. Beautiful fluid music for peace!
74.
GHOSTS OF SUNSET
No Saints In The City
US
Released on March 4
Debut album
Melodic hard rock, glam
73.
TSAR
Acte I
France
Released on March 15
Debut album
Fusion groove rock/metal, with prog elements.
72.
CITY OF LIGHTS
Before The Sun Sets
International
Released on February 11
Debut album
1980s-rooted melodic hard rock, AOR.
71.
TEN Here Be Monsters
UK
Released on February 11
Studio album #15
Melodic/hard rock. A very enjoyable record.
70.
MOTOR SISTER
Get Off
US
Released on May 6
Studio #2
Hard rock. Long-awaited follow-up album by the birthday-bash tribute act turned Supergroup!
69.
SIDEBURN
Fired Up
Switzerland
Released on June 10
Studio album #9
Hard rock. Straight-up classic hard rock!
68.
VYPERA
Eat Your Heart Out
Sweden
Released on June 17
Debut album
A sweet blur of melodic hard & heavy FFO: Dokken, Icon, King Kobra, Europe, and Triumph.
67.
HOLEČEK & MARCEL PROJECT
Light Up Your Fire
Czechia
Released on June 23
Debut album
Blues/southern/hard rock. An excellent mix of originals and eclectic renditions, wonderfully captured!
66.
L.A. COBRA
Superstition
South Africa
Released on June 24
Studio album #3
Sleaze/glam/hard rock. Laidback, proper sleazy glam rock, and a sound to match. Hot guitar licks and singalong choruses!
65.
FM
Thirteen
UK
Released on March 18
Studio album #13
Melodic hard rock.
64.
RUST N' RAGE
One For The Road
Finland
Released on March 11
Studio album #3
Melodic hard rock, glam/sleaze metal
63.
CROSS EYED LOVER
Blonde Zombie
Australia
Released on March 4
Debut album
Glam/hard rock
62.
THE JOCKERS
Rock And Roll Bones
UK
Released on November 4
Studio album #4
Glam/hard rock with a slight southern tinge.
61.
ABOUT US
About Us
India
Released on November 11
Debut album
Melodic hard rock. The Indian rock newcomers offer serious potential & further development.
60.
CORELEONI
III
Switzerland
Released on May 20
Studio album #3
Hard rock. New singer, vintage hard rock vibe, organic sound.
59.
HYDRA
Point Break
Sweden
Released on August 12
Debut album
Westcoast AOR, melodic hard rock, power pop.
58.
TREAT
The Endgame
Sweden
Released on April 8
Studio album #9
Melodic/hard rock, AOR. Slick guitar work, excellent melodies & sound production.
57.
VOODOO MOONSHINE
Bottom Of The Barrel
US
Released on February 4
Studio album #2
Sleaze/glam/hard rock, with a bluesy groove.
56.
CLASSLESS ACT
Welcome To The Show
US
Released on June 24
Debut album
Glam/hard rock. Down 'n dirty rock & roll by the L.A. newcomers.
55.
DRIVE AT NIGHT
Echoes Of An Era
Sweden
Released on June 17
Debut album
Melodic hard rock, glam. Rooted in the 80s mainstream rock w/ great melodies, huge keys, and singalong choruses!
54.
PAINTED SKY
Somber
Sweden
Released on March 18
Debut album
A melodic mix of 70s blues/hard rock and 80s sleaze rock.
53.
LIPSTICK
Inner City
Spain
Released on March 18
Studio album #4
Glam/hard rock. A great blend of Sunset Strip glam mixed with some Detroit attitude, and modern production.
52.
DIRT
Deadbeat
Finland
Released on June 3
Debut album
Heavy/hard rock, post-grunge. Heavy, groovy rock, FFO: STP, Velvet Revolver, Alice in Chains, King X.
51.
AUTUMN'S CHILD
Zenith
Sweden
Released on January 14
Studio album #3
Melodic hard rock, AOR. Catchy tunes.
50.
ELECTRIFIED
My World On Fire
Greece/Germany
Released on May 20
Debut album
Hard rock, glam, AOR. A mix of melodic hard rock w/ radio-friendly, keyboard-driven melodies w/ catchy vocals lines.
49.
WILDNITE
Symphony Of Apathy
Norway
Released on May 6
Studio album #2
Hard rock. UK-style hard rock mixed with US sleaze metal, and belting vocals, similar to Herbie Langhans'.
48.
CHARCOAL FIRE
Dystopia
Germany
Released on February 20
Debut album
Heavy alternative rock. Melodic.
47.
TEMPELHEKS
Renegade
Norway
Released on January 21
Studio album #4
1980s melodic heavy metal, hard rock, AOR. FFO Night.
46.
LOSING GRAVITY
Headed South
Germany
Released on April 29
Debut album
Melodic/hard rock, mainstream/arena rock. FFO 90s Bon Jovi.
45.
TRISHULA
We All Fall Down
UK
Released on October 1
Studio album #3
UK rock crew led by guitarist Neil Fraser. Quality melodic hard rock.
44.
CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD
Neon Sunrise
Sweden
Released on October 7
Studio album #6
Melodic hard rock, AOR. FFO: Journey, Foreigner, The Night Flight Orchestra.
43.
DRAB
Drab
US
Released on January 1
Debut album
Moody, menacing alternative/hard rock.
42.
THE ELECTRIC ALLEY
Apache
Spain
Released on October 14
Studio album #4
Hard rock with blues/southern traits.
41.
CAUGHT IN ACTION
Devil's Tango
Sweden
Released on April 22
Debut album
1980s melodic hard rock, AOR, and power-pop. Excellent modern sound production.
40.
RADIANT
Written By Life
Germany
Released on April 22
Studio album #2
Proper hard rock by the German act fronted by the powerhouse vocalist Herbie Langhans! Honest, powerful, and melodic.
39.
ALTZI
All Eyes On Me
Sweden
Released on March 25
Debut album
Solo debut album by rock vocalist Rick Altzi (Masterplan, Gathering Of Kings). Melodic hard rock, AOR, hard 'n heavy.
38.
CHEZ KANE
Powerzone
UK
Released on October 21
Studio album #2
Melodic hard rock. With Danny Rexon (Crazy Lixx): all instrumentation, recording, mixing, and production.
37.
WICKED
The Last American Rock Band
US
Released on March 11
Studio album #3
Glam/melodic hard rock
36.
MIDLAKE
For The Sake Of Bethel Woods
US
Released on March 18
Studio album #5
Indie alternative/folk rock, prog rock
35.
SARAYASIGN
Throne Of Gold
Sweden
Released on May 27
Debut album
Melodic hard rock. Layered cinematic hard rock with great vocals and strong melodies. Spotify
34.
FØSS
These Voices
Norway
Released on March 19
Studio album #2
Groovy melodic/hard rock, hard 'n heavy.
33.
JOLLY JOKER
Loud & Proud
Spain
Released on February 4
Studio album #4
Hard rock, glam/sleaze metal
32.
WHITE RAVEN DOWN
Don't Shoot The Messenger
UK
Released on April 7
Debut album
Modern hard 'n' heavy
31.
DEVIL'S TRAIN
Ashes & Bones
Germany
Released on June 24
Studio album #3
Pure hard rock. The band is fronted by RD Liapakis (Mystic Prophecy, Steel Prophet) w/ Dan Baune (Lost Sanctuary) on guitar.
30.
ICONIC
Second Skin
US
Released on June 17
Debut album
Hard rock. Supergroup: Michael Sweet, Joel Hoekstra, Marco Mendoza, Tommy Aldridge & Nathan James.
29.
CAPRICORN
For The Restless
Sweden
Released on March 25
Studio album #2
Electrifying rock n' roll, 70/80s mainstream/hard rock.
28.
BOMBER
Nocturnal Creatures
Sweden
Released on March 25
Debut album
Blends raw edge NWOBH sound with 80s hard rock, and a hot touch of glam.
27.
A RISING FORCE
Eclipse
US
Released on June 3
Studio album #2
Hard rock. The Minnesotans blend their commercial hard rock with a wee bit of glam.
26.
COLLATERAL
ReWired
UK
Released on October 21
Debut album*
Melodic hard rock, pop-rock. Re-release of their debut album (2/20). Re-mixed, re-mastered, with special guests! Spotify
25.
DEAD CITY RUINS
Shockwave
Australia
Released on September 16
Studio album #4
Meaty hard rock! New vocalist.
24.
RADIOACTIVE
X.X.X.
Sweden/International
Released on March 11
Studio album #5
Melodic hard rock, AOR. Multi-instrumentalist Tommy Denander with guest vocalists.
23.
DERAPS
Deraps
Canada/Australia
Released on June 17
Debut album
Hard rock. The young rock power trio is deeply rooted in the 70s Sunset Strip hard rock, focusing on the mighty Van Halen.
22.
BLACK SWAN
Generation Mind
International
Released on April 8
Studio album #2
Hard rock. Robin McAuley, Reb Beach, Jeff Pilson, Matt Starr - no further introduction necessary.
21.
FORGET-ME-NOT
Featuring Jane Gould
UK
Released on April 15
Debut album
Melodic hard rock. Top-tier 1980s AOR. FFO: Chez Kane, Saraya.
20.
CLOUDS OF CLARITY
Superficial Society
Sweden
Released on December 9
Debut album
Alternative/funk/pop rock. A loose concept based on the modern world and society. Well produced.
19.
SHAMAN'S HARVEST
Rebelator
US
Released on March 11
Studio album #7
Melodic modern southern hard rock. Chug & twang!
18.
AUDREY HORNE
Devil's Bell
Norway
Released on April 22
Studio album #7
Alternative hard rock. Powerful, heavy, melodic, in-your-face hard rock!
17.
WHITE SPIRIT
Right Or Wrong
UK
Released on July 29
Studio album #2
Pure 80s melodic hard rock, AOR. Crème de la crème cast! Excellent sound production. 42 years comeback!
16.
VANTE
Vante
US
Released on June 17
Debut album
Hard rock. New rock/metal act fronted by singer/multi-instrumentalist Brian Troch (Cyclone Temple). Heavy. Current issues.
15.
BLACK MAP
Melodoria
US
Released on February 18
Studio album #3
Alternative hard rock.
14.
CYANIDE 4
Amalgama
Greece
Released on May 20
Studio album #3
The greeks are offering a mix, hence the title, of different rock elements, resulting in a highly poisonous concoction!
13.
DARE
Road To Eden
UK
Released on April 1
Studio album #10
Melodic hard rock, AOR. Beautifully crafted.
12.
91 SUITE
Back In The Game
Spain
Released on June 21
Studio album #3
Melodic hard rock, AOR. It will equally satisfy fans of Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, and Bryan Adams. Splendid.
11.
GINEVRA
We Belong To The Stars
Sweden
Released on September 16
Debut album
Melodic hard rock. Project driven by Magnus Karlsson, and fronted by Kristian Fyhr (Seventh Crystal)!
10.
GATHERING OF KINGS
Enigmatic
Sweden
Released on July 29
Studio album #3
Melodic hard rock, AOR.
9.
MANIC SINNERS
King Of The Badlands
Romania
Released on February 18
Debut album
Hard rock. Talented rock power trio, the first Romanian act signed to the Frontiers label!
8.
STONEGATE
Set In Stone
Canada
Released on June 10
Debut album
Alternative/hard rock, dynamic w/ charged lyrics FFO: RHCP, Stone Sour, Shinedown.
7.
DEGREED
Are You Ready
Sweden
Released on February 11
Studio album #6
Melodic hard rock. Band's best effort to date!
6.
SPACE ELEVATOR
Persona Non Grata
UK
Released on February 25
Studio album #3
Melodic eclectic rock. Catchy and complex.
5.
PERFECT PLAN
Brace For Impact
Sweden
Released on October 14
Studio album #3
Top-tier melodic hard rock, AOR. A delectable combo of Europe and Whitesnake!
4.
POETS OF THE FALL
Ghostlight
Finland
Released on April 29
Studio album #9
Epic melodic/symphonic rock!
3.
JUNKYARD DRIVE
Electric Love
Denmark
Released on May 13
Studio album #3
Hard rock. Top-tier rock and roll! Another splendid example of hard rock's rising trajectory! Fitting sound production.
2.
SKID ROW
The Gang's All Here
US
Released on October 14
Studio album #6
The recent addition of lead vocalist Erik Grönwall reignited the band's flame! Resulting in a splendid hard rock effort, rooted in Skid Row's classic sound and vibe! All links
1.
GUNSHINE
Gunshine
US
Released on June 24, 2022
Debut album
Glam/hard rock
Perhaps not a huge surprise for most who follow me on social media, and since GUNSHINE had the rock's pole position ever since their self-titled debut effort was released at the end of June 2022. The Pensacola, FL hailing act has spent most of 2020 and 2021 writing and recording what turns out to be one of the best rock albums of the last 30 years! Whilst the band recalls the edge and swagger of rock royalty (AC/DC, Boston, Guns 'N Roses), with the addition of modern twists, and analog sound production to match, resulting in an original, high-energy sleazy rock 'n roll masterpiece. In a world where it is commonplace to play it safe and not “rock the boat” musically, GUNSHINE offers a breath of fresh air and throws the rule book out the window. No tricks, no frills, no BS. This is the rock n roll you’ve missed! 2022 Rock album of the year.
© 2023 by Emil Chiru
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