Rock & Metal albums with progressive music as the core element!
Ranking the thirty best prog albums released this year was not an easy task. From an initial pool of over one hundred titles that were up for consideration, I have decided to award those that best represent the 50+ years of evolution of the genre. Here are my favorite prog albums of 2022:
30.
THE BLACK HOLE TONES
Chaordic Creation
Brazil
Released on December 15
Debut album
Space progressive rock. Instrumental. Obscure solo project.
29.
OF NEW TROLLS
Le radici e il viaggio continua ...
Italy
Released on January 14
A double album of new and re-recorded material by the latest incarnation of the Italian legacy progressive rock act!
28.
CYRIL
Amenti's Coin / Secret Place - Pt II
Germany
Released on February 18
Studio album #4
Melodic crossover progressive rock
27.
GOBLIN
Suspiria 45th Anniversary Edition
Italy
Released on October 2
Claudio Simonetti's Goblin brand new progressive rock version of the famous soundtrack.
26.
CARLOTTA VALDES
Praha
Finland
Released on May 13
Debut
Progressive rock. Instrumental. Cinematic
25.
Furio Chirico's THE TRIP
Equinox
Italy
Released on November 22
New studio recording by drummer Furio Chirico's offspring of the legendary Italian act. Progressive rock, jazz-rock
24.
WYVERN
Radiations
France
Released on March 18
Debut album
Modern progressive/alternative metal, post-metal
23.
TERSIVEL
to the Orphic world
Sweden/Argentina
Released on February 11
Studio album #3
Post-progressive/alternative metal, death/doom metal. Atmospheric
22.
EHFAR
Nexus
Italy
Released on March 28
Studio album #2
Melodic progressive metal
21.
WHITECAVE
times of trouble
Netherlands
Released on February 5
Debut album
Symphonic progressive rock, with roots in Pink Floyd, Camel, and Porcupine Tree
20.
SINVERSE
Cosmic Poetry
Switzerland
Released on March 18
Debut album
Modern progressive/alternative metal. Concept
19.
SIDELESS
Choose The Way
Italy
Released on April 22
Debut album
Progressive rock/metal. Concept. Guitar driven with vintage keyboards
18.
COBRA THE IMPALER
Colossal Gods
Belgium
Released on February 28
Debut album
Groovy progressive metal with complex influences
17.
STRANDED MIND
Stranded Mind
Finland
Released on October 10
Debut album
Progressive hard n' heavy, or as the band calls it: traditional sh*t with balanced flavors!
16.
GHOST MANTRA
Starchitecture
Italy
Released on March 10
Studio album #2
Modern progressive/alternative metal. Concept
15.
GUILD OF OTHERS
Guild Of Others
US
Released on February 18
Debut album
Melodic progressive rock/metal, hard rock. Supergroup. Accessible material.
14.
THE MIDGARD PROJECT
The Great Divide
Canada
Released on March 11
Studio album #2
Progressive/power/symphonic metal, with neoclassical elements. Stu Block on vox.
13.
VENUS PRINCIPLE
Stand In Your Light
UK/Sweden
Released on May 27
Debut album
Progressive/alternative rock/metal, post-metal
12.
ZEKE SKY
Intergalactic Demon King
US
Released on November 11
Studio album #2
Progressive heavy/shred metal, neoclassical
11.
GALAHAD
The Last Great Adventurer
UK
Released on October 24
Studio album #11
Neo/melodic progressive rock, electronica
10.
KAIPA
Urskog
Sweden
Released on April 29
Studio album #14
Neo-/symphonic progressive rock, folk-fusion
9.
BOREALIS
Illusions
Canada
Released on October 7
Studio album #6
Excellent blend of melodic progressive and power metal
8.
PATTERN-SEEKING ANIMALS
Only Passing Through
US
Released on April 1
Studio album #3
Crossover progressive rock, indie-pop/rock
7.
MILLENIUM
Tales From Imaginary Movies
Poland
Released on September 12
Studio album #17
Neo-progressive rock
6.
NOTHING IN WRITING
New Lives For Rent
US
Released on August 5
Debut album
Neo-progressive/melodic rock
5.
JONAS LINDBERG & THE OTHER SIDE
Miles From Nowhere
Sweden
Released on February 18
Studio album #2
Crossover progressive rock
4.
BIG BIG TRAIN
Welcome To The Planet
UK
Released on January 28
Studio album #14
Crossover progressive rock, David Longdon R.I.P.
3.
PERSEFONE
metanoia
Andora
Released on February 4
Studio album #6
Progressive/melodic death metal, electronica, best-in-class
2.
LALU
Paint The Sky
France
Released on January 21
Studio album #3
Progressive rock/metal, superb keys, top-tier guests, 80s prog vibes
1.
CHAOS FRAME
Entropy
US
Released on June 24, 2022
Studio album #3
Progressive/power metal
Seven years after their sophomore album was released, the Minnesotan prog metallers, Chaos Frame, resurface with new material emerging from great personal tumult and tragedy. A rollercoaster ride from start to finish, Entropy bridges classic and modern, melody and aggression, while the band continues to freely explore newfound musical trajectories. The band's eclecticism in songwriting and execution is on full display for the entire duration of the album, without any unnecessary gimmicks being part of the process. One of the best 2022 releases, and Prog Album of the Year!
© 2022 by Emil Chiru