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2022 TOP 100 TRAD METAL ALBUMS

  • Writer: Emil
    Emil
  • Feb 10, 2023
  • 8 min read
Vintage doom to power metal, mostly traditional heavy metal!
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This is the result of countless hours spent listening to these albums. Hundreds upon hundreds of hours. Last year must be remembered in the annals of rock and metal as one of the greatest, if not the greatest in the last 3 decades. This is too good to pass on. Metal's 50+ years of history compressed in one year. Admittedly, together with the rock category, traditional metal was my main focus throughout last year. Ranks fluctuated, and titles were replaced, in the end, it is important to remember that any random 20 titles here would make a legit top 20. The difference in scores is no more than a couple of points (maybe 2.5) on a 1 to 10 scale. I hope that everyone will discover the beautiful uniqueness of these albums.


Let's begin the countdown to the 2022 Traditional Heavy Metal Album of the Year!


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100.

THE CLAYMORE

St. Barbara's Light

Germany


Released on February 26

Studio album #4

Power metal




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99.

SEPTEM

Pseudonica

Italy


Released on January 21

Studio album #3

Uncompromising, high-octane heavy metal. NWOBHM on steroids.



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98.

MANIGANCE

Le Bal des Ombres

France


Released on March 18

Studio album #7

Female-fronted, melodic heavy metal, power-prog. En français.



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97.

DARKNESS DIVINE

Departure

Scotland


Released on January 14

Debut album

Female-fronted, melodic/heavy metal. Act disbanded in June 2022



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96.

STEELBALLS

The Neverending Fire

Argentina


Released on March 18

Studio album #2

Classic heavy/speed/power metal




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95.

DEMON CHROME

First Contact

US


Released on October 30

Debut album

Vintage heavy rock/metal, FFO: NWOBHM, Thin Lizzy.



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94.

MEMORIA

Memoria

Sweden


Released on April 29

Debut album

Rooted in the early (Euro) speed/power metal



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93.

TRYCKVÅG

Legacy

Sweden


Released on December 13

Debut album

Melodic/heavy metal. Released 37 years after the band's debut single!



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92.

HAGANE

Code ; 9021

Japan


Released on August 18

Debut album

All-female act. Melodic power metal FFO: Lovebites, Aldios, Mary's Blood.



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91.

SCREAM MAKER

BloodKing

Poland


Released on January 27

Studio album #4

Quality heavy metal delivered with poise & aplomb!



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90.

CELTIC HILLS

Huldufólk

Italy


Released on April 1

Studio album #3

Epic heavy/power metal by the Italian power trio!



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89.

PLANESWALKER

Tales of Magic

US


Released on January 21

Debut album

Planeswalker is the brainchild of Sozos Michael & Jason Ashcraft. Euro/epic power/symphonic metal.


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88.

ANGKOR

El Infierno Que Amamos

Colombia


Released on April 14

Debut album

Quality Latin American power metal. En español.



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87.

DAWNRIDER

The Fourth Dawn

Portugal


Released on February 18

Studio album #4

Classic doom metal from Lisbon!




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86.

DI'AUL

Abracamacabra

Italy


Released on March 18

Studio album #3

Excellent blend of 70s stoner/doom with 90s groove metal.



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85.

CAIN'S DINASTY

The Witch & The Martyr

Spain


Released on May 1

Studio album #5

Dark fantasy via power metal by the Alicante act!



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84.

HELLRIDER

Jinete Infernal

Chile


Released on April 16

Debut album

Overlooked, no-frills quality heavy/power metal. En español.



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83.

FELSKINN

Enter The Light

Switzerland


Released on February 25

Studio album #4

Melodic heavy metal, hard rock. Great effort by the Swiss charting act.



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82.

METAL FACTORY

Defeat All

Czechia


Released on February 22

Debut album

3 ex-Salamandra members, fronted by a duo of female singers! Heavy/power metal FFO: Crystal Viper, Battle Beast.


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81.

ESCAPIST

The Maze

Argentina


Released on April 29

Studio album #2

Female-fronted. Symphonic power metal, neoclassical. Excellent balance of melancholy and powerful melodies!


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80.

SALAMANDRA

Opus Bohemica

Czechia


Released on April 1

Studio album #7

The Czechs resurface after an 8 year-long absence with a new lineup. Well executed melodic power metal.


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79.

WARCOE

The Giant's Dream

Italy


Released on March 19

Debut album

Groovy doom metal




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78.

SHEWOLF

Shewolf

UK


Released on March 18

Debut album

Female-fronted. Melodic/symphonic power metal



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77.

ACHELOUS

The Icewind Chronicles

Greece


Released on March 17

Studio album #2

Epic Hellenic heavy metal!




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76.

SPITFIRE

Denial To Fall

Greece


Released on January 21

Studio album #3

Heavy/power metal. Legacy act.




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75.

WASTED

The Haunted House

Denmark


Released on March 25

Studio album #4

Heavy metal. Legacy act.




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74.

DRAGONHAMMER

Second Life

Italy


Released on November 4

Studio album #5

Epic power metal with symphonic elements. The band went through major lineup and stylistic changes.


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73.

KYNDRA

Visions And Voices

Brazil


Released on November 11

Debut album

Power metal. Solid debut by the Brazilian sextet.



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72.

MIDAS

Midas

US


Released on April 29

Debut album

Traditional heavy metal, NWOBHM. "Solid Gold Classic Metal from Detroit Rock City!" Perfectly captured vibe.


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71.

SHAMAN

Rescue

Brazil


Released on April 15

Studio album #5

Melodic power metal with progressive elements



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70.

I'LL BE DAMNED

Culture

Denmark


Released on November 25

Studio album #3

Groovy, southern flavored hard n' heavy. Pissed at a world gone mad, FFO: Clutch, Down, and Rage Against The Machine.


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69.

OPERA NERA

Revelation

Italy


Released on January 17

Debut album

Melodic, eclectic alternative metal. Lyrics in English, Spanish & German.



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68.

EVIL CONSPIRACY

The Demons Mark

Sweden


Released on June 3

Studio album #3

Traditional heavy/power metal. Often taking turns into epic territory.



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67.

CONNECT THE CIRCLE

Mother Of Evil

Norway


Released on January 15

Studio album #2

Dark heavy metal with progressive elements. The balanced mix of epic & melodic would appeal to FO Witherfall.


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66.

RUNA LLENA

AON

Spain


Released on April 21

Debut album

An excellent modern take on folk metal blended with symphonic elements and electronica.


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65.

ROADHOG

Gates To Madness

Poland


Released on November 11

Studio album #3

Well done classic, old-school heavy metal.




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64.

OLD NIGHT

Ghost Light

Croatia


Released on March 4

Studio album #3

Traditional/melodic doom metal




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63.

FALLEN SYMMETRY

Rehenes

Peru


Released on March 14

Studio album #3

Power/progressive metal. En español.




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62.

TIMELESS RAGE

Untold

Germany


Released on February 25

Debut album

Symphonic/power/heavy metal. A well-crafted release.



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61.

SPITFIRE MkIII

Shadows Phantoms Nightmares

Italy


Released on September 29

Debut album (current formula)

Classic hard n' heavy FFO: Saxon, Judas Priest, Tony Martin. Veteran act.



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60.

ANNIKEN

Climb Out Of Hell

Norway


Released on May 13

Debut album

Melodic heavy metal, hard rock. The talented singer's debut, co-written with Marius Danielsen (also guitar + bass)!


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59.

WIND ROSE

Warfront

Italy


Released on June 10

Studio album #5

Folk/power metal. Starts in "anthemic" and ends in "epic"! Properly polished.



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58.

SMED

Space Medicated Elevated Doom

Sweden


Released on February 18

Debut album

Psychedelic doom metal, heavily rooted in 70s stoner/doom. Sound to match!



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57.

CHARGER

Warhorse

US


Released on March 18

Full-length debut

Vintage speed metal with a good dose of punk!



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56.

FRIENDS OF HELL

Friends Of Hell

International


Released on March 18

Debut album

Doom metal. Traditional. This is the real, filthy deal, executed by musicians with pure and noble intentions.


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55.

GREEN KING

Hidden Beyond Time

Finland


Released on December 16

Debut album

70s/80s inspired heavy/doom rock/metal, folk.



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54.

BLACK MASK

Queen Of The Beasts

Mexico


Released on April 15

Debut album

Female-fronted. Traditional heavy/speed metal with clean, modern sound production. 80s Warlock/Doro.


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53.

MAGISTARIUM

Dreamlord Opera

Germany


Released on June 1

Studio album #4

Top-tier symphonic power metal




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52.

NORDIC UNION

Animalistic

Denmark/Sweden


Released on August 12

Studio album #3

Excellent studio effort by the Scandinavian duo! Their heaviest to date. Melodic heavy metal.


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51.

DREAMTALE

Everlasting Flame

Finland


Released on April 1

Studio album #8

Super smooth melodic Euro power metal by the Finnish septet. New male/female vocal duo. Modern production.


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50.

ADVENTUS

Saudade

Spain


Released on November 25

Studio album #2

Melodic heavy/power metal w/ progressive elements. En español.



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49.

IBRIDOMA

Norimberga 2.0

Italy


Released on May 17

Studio album #6

Melodic heavy/power metal with progressive elements. Powerful musicianship and production.


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48.

ARKHAM WITCH

Swords Against Death

UK


Released on September 30

Studio album #4

Traditional heavy/doom metal. FFO: Cirith Ungol, Manilla Road, Witchfinder General.



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47.

ETERNAL ASCENT

Reclamation

US


Released on January 22

Debut album

Top-tier symphonic/power metal, neoclassical, by the talented NYC duo & their esteemed guests! Matching sound!


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46.

DARK MEDITATION

Polluted Temples

US


Released on January 28

Debut album

Dark occult sleaze/gothic metal by the Seattle grave rockers. FFO Idle Hands/Unto Others, Tribulation.


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45.

RAVE IN FIRE

Son Of A Lie

Spain


Released on April 11

Debut album

Female-fronted. (80s) Melodic heavy metal, hard rock. Dokken



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44.

FORTIS VENTUS

Vertalia

Greece


Released on June 3

Debut album

Extremely well-composed and produced symphonic metal w/ cinematic attributes by the female-fronted Hellenic assemble.


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43.

ONWARD

Of Epoch And Inferno

US


Released on October 28

Toby Knapp returns with an excellent new album and a new singer, Robert van War (Attika). Heavy/power metal, neoclassical



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42.

MAULE

Maule

Canada


Released on January 14

Debut album

Pure, aggressive traditional metal that captures the spirit of NWOBHM for the 21st century!


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41.

SINSID

In Victory

Norway


Released on May 20

Studio album #3

The Norwegian true metallers journey into the varied traditional heavy metal realm! 80s headbanger!


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40.

ENEMY EYES

History's Hand

International


Released on November 18

Debut album

New act fronted by vocalist Johnny Gioeli (Axel Rudi Pell, Hardline, Crush 40)! Melodic heavy metal.


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39.

SPACE VACATION

White Hot Reflection

US


Released on April 29

Studio album #5

Melodic heavy/glam metal, solid 80s vibes, catchy melodies. Total headbanger!



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38.

QUARTZ

On The Edge Of No Tomorrow

UK


Released on May 20

Studio album #5

Heavy metal, hard rock. NWOBHM legacy act returns with their 5th full-length effort!



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37.

HELL THEATER

S'acabadora

Italy


Released on October 28

Studio album #2

Heavy metal FFO: King Diamond, Them, Attic. Horror themed. Concept album.



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36.

IRIS Nelu Dumitrescu

Zodiac

Romania


Released on May 13

Studio album #2*

2nd* effort by drummer Nelu Dumitrescu's division of the legendary Romanian rock & metal act, IRIS. In Romanian. Hard & heavy


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35.

SLEAZER

Deadlights

Italy


Released on November 7

Studio album #2

Melodic heavy/speed metal. New singer in 2020. Catchy, guitar-driven w/ gang vocals!


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34.

BERIEDIR

AQVA

Italy


Released on January 21

Studio album #2

Melodic power progressive metal with modern sound production.



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33.

SAXON

Carpe Diem

UK


Released on February 4

Studio album #23

Heavy metal

Legendary band's highest-charting record in the UK since 1983's Power & the Glory!


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32.

AMOTH

The Hour Of The Wolf

Finland


Released on January 28

Studio album #3

Melodic/heavy metal with progressive elements, NWOBHM. FFO: Queensrÿche, Fates Warning


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31.

RIZON

Prime Time

Switzerland


Released on March 11

Studio album #3

1st effort with new female co-vocalist. Melodic heavy/power metal FFO: Pretty Maids, Dynazty, even Avantasia.


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30.

DEFIANT

No More Heart

Ukraine


Released on December 3

Studio album #6

Heavy/power metal. Bittersweet last chapter from the Ukrainians, due to the current situation, Putin's criminal invasion.


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29.

CELTIC LEGACY

Redux

Ireland


Released on October 31

Excellent re-recording of the band's self-titled debut effort initially released in 1998. Their 1st album with singer John Bonham. Irish traditional heavy metal.


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28.

LORD VIGO

We Shall Overcome

Germany


Released on July 1

Studio album #5

2nd part of a trilogy that started with Danse De Noir (2020). Epic cosmic doom metal.


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27.

THE SILENT WEDDING Ego Path

Greece


Released on February 11

Studio album #3

Progressive-tinged melodic heavy/power metal. Modern production.



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26.

THY LISTLESS HEART

Pilgrims on the Path of no Return

UK


Released on November 18

Debut album

One-man project! Epic/atmospheric doom metal. Splendid effort.



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25.

VH FRENZY

Bleak Light

Finland


Released on July 1

Debut album

Melodic/progressive heavy metal w/ powerhouse vocals FFO: Fates Warning, Queensrÿche. Well done throughout.


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24.

CRYSTAL BALL

Crysteria

Switzerland


Released on January 28

Studio album #12

Melodic heavy metal, hard rock. Swiss legacy act.



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23.

WIZARDS

Seven

Brazil


Released on November 11

Power glam! Hard rock, power metal. Beautifully accessible! Sound production to match.



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22.

KNIGHT & GALLOW

For Honor And Bloodshed

US


Released on March 17

Debut album

Traditional heavy metal, early USPM. Sound to match.



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21.

CONFIDENTIAL

Devil Inside

Norway


Released on March 25

Debut album

Female-fronted. Symphonic metal. Very well crafted.



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20.

SAINTS 'N' SINNERS

Rise Of The Alchemist

Turkey


Released on April 8 Studio album #2

Melodic heavy/power metal




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19.

MASTERCASTLE

Lighthouse Pathetic

Italy


Released on January 10

Studio album #7

Female-fronted. Melodic heavy metal with neoclassical and power metal influences.



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18.

TERRA ATLANTICA

Beyond The Borders

Germany


Released on September 16

Studio album #3

Melodic power metal w/ strong neoclassical/symphonic traits. Concept.



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17.

AZEROTH

Senderos Del Destino

Argentina


Released on October 14

Studio album #6

Top-tier melodic power metal en español. Wonderful arrangments. Cinematic.



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16.

AQUILLA

Mankind's Odyssey

Poland


Released on February 22

Studio album #2

Heavy metal. Concept album.




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15.

FORBIDDEN SEED

On Blackest Wings

Shadow Of The Crow Pt. 1

Greece


Released on February 25

Studio album #3

Symphonic heavy/power metal



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14.

ARRAYAN PATH

Thus Always to Tyrants

Cyprus


Released on December 9

Studio album #9

A true concept album by the Cypriot act. Top-tier epic power metal.



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13.

ÁNGEL NEGRO

El Despertar

Spain

Released on April 22

Debut album

Melodic heavy/power metal. Well-crafted material with superb, top-tier vocal delivery. En español.


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12.

TROOPER

X

Romania


Released on May 20

Studio album #10

Heavy metal. Premier Romanian metal act! Influenced by Iron Maiden, but very original. Feat. an ethno/folk metal suite.


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11.

COMMONER

I

UK


Released on August 5

Debut album

Sludgy doomcrust! Smokin'!




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10.

THE FERRYMEN

One More River To Cross


Released on January 21

Studio album #3

International metal supergroup: Karlsson, Romero, Terrana. Melodic heavy/power metal.



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9.

HELIOS

Touch The Sun

US


Released on May 13

Debut album

Pittsburgh trad. metal collective led by legendary vocalist Tim Aymar! Catchy heavy metal. US power metal. Clean mix.


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8.

MYTHIKA

Unholy Glory

Paraguay


Released on October 28

Studio album #2

Heavy/power metal. Top-tier material with matching sound production.



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7.

LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT

Hell

Germany


Released on November 4

Studio album #2

Power trio! Heavy/power metal. FFO: Savatage, Witherfall.



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6.

KINGCROWN

Wake Up Call

France


Released on March 25

Studio album #2

A must for Euro (Teutonic) & US power metal fans. Top-tier.



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5.

LORDS OF THE TRIDENT

The Offering

US


Released on April 1

Studio album #6

Top-tier heavy/power metal. Medieval concept.



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4.

CIRCLE OF SILENCE

Walk Through Hell

Germany


Released on May 27

Studio album #4

Power metal. This one checks all the boxes! Top-tier power metal! FFO: Brainstorm, Primal Fear.


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3.

SILENT KNIGHT

Full Force

Australia


Released on September 23

Studio album #4

A perfect blend of melody/aggression: power/thrash metal w/ soaring vocals, ripping solos, and breakneck speed!


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2.

STRAY GODS

Storm The Walls

Greece


Released on April 18

Trad. heavy/power metal. Debut album. Acclaimed metal musician and producer Bob Katsionis's new music project. A true homage to Iron Maiden's glory years!


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1.

FIREPHOENIX

Firephoenix


Germany; Released on November 11, 2022


Splendid studio debut effort by the German metallers! Okay. So here we have four dudes with a wide range of individual influences. That's easily heard on the record. The sound is very fresh. They touch on a variety of topics lyrically. You can read my friend Katha's interview with the band's guitarist on her blog, Mostly Metal. All songs are excellent. No weak spots. That's songwriting and performance-wise. Now, if you excuse me ... I'ma go airbrush that firebird ... err ... firephoenix, on the hood of my BMW! 2022 Heavy Metal Album of the Year!



© 2023 by Emil Chiru


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