Top Ten Albums of 2022 / Rob "The Metal Guy" Awards

Well everyone, another year has gone by and it is now time for me to reflect upon all the releases that helped keep me from completely losing my sanity and turning into Mel Gibson circa 2006. I do believe that this was another solid year for rock and metal music, and although this type of music might not get featured on the TikTok, at least it isn't getting used by braindead bimbos doing moronic dances whose data is being monitored by the Chinese government. I always knew sorority girls would be the reason for America's downfall...Anyway, moving on before I rant any further, I need to thank all the hard working labels out there, especially the independent extreme music labels like Sentient Ruin, Shadow Kingdom Records and Hells Headbangers. Without these labels all of us fans would be struggling to get physical releases from our favorite artists. Gone are the days when you could easily go to a record store and buy albums. Where I live we do not have any record stores and the only place that seems to survive and not get turned into a housing development is the damn In-N-Out Burger! So I would like to thank all the bands and music labels, because without them we would all be suffering and 2022 would have been a complete disaster just like Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen's marriage...Alright then, here it is people, the Top Ten Albums list you all have been waiting for...

10. Low Moments “Picked Dead Last in the Dodgeball Game of Life” 

Some people might be scratching their heads wondering why I am including a synth/new wave band on my top ten list, but those people can just get over it and go throw a tantrum in their momma’s basement while listening to their kvlt black metal albums looking like a mix between Gaahl and a Juggalo. “Picked Dead Last in the Dodgeball Game of Life,” is a very enjoyable album, especially if you like ridiculous song titles and catchy synth wave music. One of the songs off of the album that I really liked was, “Asthmatic Around Ladies,” which is an amazing track and not simply because the title of the song had be laughing on the floor. The band perfectly captures that haunting melancholy like sound which reminded me of of bands like Joy Division, Depeche Mode and Bauhaus. I don’t know why young people spend so much time on that TikTok bullshit when they could be listening to this album.  

Link to my full review of the album :

https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2022/04/low-moments-picked-dead-last-in.html

9. Project Pain “Faster Disaster” 

If you are a thrash metal fanatic then you definitely want to check this album out! Project Pain is a band that I have been covering for a decent amount of time now and the band’s most recent album, “Faster Disaster,” ups the ante in terms of ferocity and sheer brutal force. These metal musicians based out of the Netherlands capture that old school thrash spirit extremely well and the songs never sound gimmicky, or painfully repetitive. I just really enjoy how this band deals out some juggernaut sized riffs with massive amounts of raw energy.

Link to my full review of the album : 

https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2022/10/project-pain-faster-disaster.html

8. Anticreation “From the Dust of Embers”

Anticreation’s debut album is a sinister offering and the band’s blackened death style is unfathomably insidious sounding. No surprise that they teamed up with Sentient Ruin for the release of this album, especially given the band’s devastating overall sound. From the ruthless arrangements to the hellish vocals that sound like a demon roaring from out of the abyss, Anticreation is a truly sadistic band. This is a group that I would definitely wish to see live someday, and I hope they keep releasing more merciless sounding releases.  

Link to my full review of the album : 

https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2022/07/anticreation-from-dust-of-embers.html

7. Woods of Desolation "The Falling Tide"

Usually I start thinking about my top ten list around November, so very rarely will a band enter the list if they release an album in December, unless for some reason an album really catches my attention. Well, such was the case with the new Woods of Desolation album, "The Falling Tide." Over the years I have always respected Woods of Desolation, although I was never a diehard follower of the band. Still, I listened to this new album and was just down right impressed with the quality of the musicianship, the production and the album's haunting yet comforting sound. I've heard a lot of bands try and do this mix of black metal with post-metal elements, but they usually end up failing to really hook me in the end. I really felt that this album conveyed such raw and profound emotion from start to finish, which is why I highly recommend it. 

Link to my full review of the album : 

https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2022/12/woods-of-desolation-falling-tide.html

6. Moonlight Haze “Animus”

Arguably one of the best new power/symphonic metal bands that I have heard in the last few years, and the band’s third studio album, “Animus,” is a phenomenal release. The songwriting, the production and just the pure rush of epic sounding emotion that the bands delivers on each track is truly exceptional. The band’s singer Chiara Tricarico is an amazing vocalist with an extremely profound devilry. Her vocals matched with the triumphant sounding compositions creates such powerful pieces of music. This is a band that I hope continues to rise with each new release and I do hope they get more recognition for their unbelievably impressive talents. 

Link to my full review of the album : 

https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2022/02/moonlight-haze-animus.html

5. Black Fucking Cancer “Procreative Inverse”

Black Fucking Cancer is without question one of the most savage and sinister bands around, so I was extremely impressed with their brutal sophomore release, “Procreative Inverse.” Based out of San Jose, CA, the city where I was born, Black Fucking Cancer shows no mercy when pertaining to their hellish black metal sound. The amount of vile raw energy that can be heard throughout the album is astounding. Black Fucking Cancer offers up six blistering tracks of malevolent sounding destruction while also unleashing a blackened onslaught of punishing riffs. The band's dynamic approach to writing such vicious pieces of music makes this album a definite listen for anyone in search of a truly evil sounding release. 

Link to my full review of the album : 

https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2022/03/black-fucking-cancer-procreate-inverse.html

4. Vanishing Amulet “Nocturnal Heritage”

For those of you who follow the blog, you know by now that I am a huge fan of dungeon synth. So when I heard Vanishing Amulet’s, “Nocturnal Heritage,” I was instantly hooked by the magnificent sounding atmospheres and haunting yet tranquil melodies. The album tells a captivating tale without using any lyrics by blending together these soothing ambient noises. The classic dungeon synth sound is prevalent for sure, although the album also features some very tranquil elements that gives the album this fantasy driven cinematic like vibe. 

Link to my full review of the album : 

https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2022/08/vanishing-amulet-nocturnal-heritage.html

3. Eric Wagner “In the Lonely Light of Mourning”

This is a very special release and one that I appreciate every time I listen to it. Although Eric Wagner passed away last year, this album was able to be completed before his passing and serves as a farewell to all the diehard doom fans who cherished his contributions. The songwriting on this album is extremely deep and Eric’s ability to write such meaningful songs is on full display. Also, the musicians on this album who worked with Eric sound amazing, which is why this album was so refreshing to hear. Although Eric Wagner is no longer with us, I am glad that he was able to record this album as a farewell to all his fans and the music will live on just like all his other musical contritions that fans have come to hold in such high regard. 

Link to my full review of the album : 

https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2022/02/eric-wagner-in-lonely-light-of-mourning.html

2. Assumption “Hadean Tides” 

Assumption’s, “Hadean Tides,” is a monumental release and one that extreme metal fans should definitely check out if they have not already. From start to finish this album pulls you into this behemoth sounding death/doom realm where you become completely possessed by the devastating riffs. These musicians hammer out some wicked sounding and also experiment with some mesmerizing sounds. Also, the drumming is utterly deafening throughout this release and adds so much to the band's cataclysmic style of songwriting. This album was without doubt the strongest release to be released on Sentient Ruin this year, which is saying something given the amount of great releases I reviewed from the label this year. 

Link to my full review of the album : 

https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2022/04/assumption-hadean-tides.html

1. Lustre “A Thirst for Summer Rain” 

When I heard the news that Lustre was going to be releasing a new album this year, I was beyond excited and could not wait to hear it. I have been a fan of Lustre for many years, so this album was something that was highly anticipating. Titled, “A Thirst for Summer Rain,” I can honestly say that this album sonically is one of the best sounding Lustre releases. The production is exceptional and the compositions coney such powerful emotion. Nachtzeit, the creative force behind Lustre, is a true atmospheric black metal/ambient music genius and in my opinion he is one of the best modern composers around. When listening to Lustre I have always admired how much effort he puts into the arrangements. The new material from Lustre is simply flawless and I look forward to hearing how Nachtzeit can build off of the momentum from this most recent release. 

Link to my full review of the album : 

https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2022/09/lustre-thirst-for-summer-rain.html

Rob “The Metal Guy” Awards

EP of the Year: Spectre "Omen" 

Split Release of the Year: Goathammer & Empty Chalice “From the Chalice of the Goat” 

Up and Coming Artist of the Year: Yellowcake 

Album Cover of the Year: Lustre “A Thirst for Summer Rain” 

Label of the Year: Sentient Ruin 

Biggest Douche of the Year: Sam Bankman-Fried that crypto scumbag who deserves to rot in jail

Black Fucking Cancer "Procreate Inverse"

    When Sentient Ruin announced the upcoming release for Black Fucking Cancer’s sophomore full-length album, “Procreate Inverse,” the response from fans expressing how much they were looking forward to the new album was astounding. These black metal musicians from San Jose, CA have proven with past recordings to be true masters of the malevolent arts, and this new album is yet another blasphemous offering to lay upon the extreme metal altar. 

    I was first introduced to the band when I reviewed the split they did with the black/doom metal band Gloam, which was a brutal and hellish sounding release that I definitely made sure to add to my collection. This band is not about pushing a whacky political ideology, or infusing indie rock elements into their music to be unique and win over the hearts of hipsters who ride around on those stupid electric scooters. When you listen Black Fucking Cancer for the first time you hear a band that is looking to completely annihilate all that stands in their way by unleashing a blitzkrieg of raw abhorrent sounding black metal. 

    “Procreate Inverse,” from top to bottom features some vicious guitar work and even more decimating drum parts. I was probably most impressed by the drumming on this album, because the drummer provides a fearsome onslaught of blast beats and crushing aggression from behind the kit. The first song, “Excursus,” sets the tone by creating this haunting occult like world where you feel as if you are entering a demonic realm where your soul is torn into thousands of pieces and your ears are overcome by a firestorm of bone crushing guitar parts. Also, the band’s vocalist does a tremendous job delivering this gruesome and hateful sounding attitude when presenting the band’s malevolent lyrics. 

    Another point to raise about Black Fucking Cancer is that they are not afraid to arrange some longer tracks, so the band is constantly throwing around different tempos and compositions, while still staying true to their sinister vision. “Obscene Lusting Dagger,” which is around twelve minutes dives into a very chaotic sounding world and comes rushing at you like a horde of grotesque demons crawling out of the abyss looking to slaughter all that stand in their path. During the song the guitarist incorporates some evil sounding lead guitar parts into the overall mix, which I thought added to the already deranged sounding musical landscape.  

    As the album progresses and the band continues to unleash more deafening instrumental ideas as well as venomous vocals parts to paint an unfathomable picture of nightmarish devastation. The album’s longest song, “Procreate Inverse,”is a sixteen minute exploration into a savage wasteland of inhuman brutality. Throughout the song the band constructs a plethora of agonizing arrangements fueled by this insidious energy dragging you deeper into a pitch black void of distorted cataclysmic horror. 

    “Procreate Inverse,” is not just another stereotypical corpse paint wearing gimmicky black metal worship album, but an unbelievably hellacious creation conjured up by a group of dedicated extreme metal musicians. Black Fucking Cancer is not looking to win over the mainstream metal community with an album to get them on the cover of some elitist publication. In the end, Black Fucking Cancer’s punishing approach to writing music is what makes them stand out from the rest. I highly recommend fans of extreme music give this album a listen, because music like this is what you should be blasting through your speakers! 

Check out the song "Serpentious Flames" below :

Link to Sentient Ruin Bandcamp:

https://sentientruin.bandcamp.com/

Black Fucking Cancer / Gloam : Boundless Arcane Invokations

    Sentient Ruin deals out yet another sinister sounding release, this time bringing together two venomous black metal entities that know how to deliver some malevolent sounding music. Black Fucking Cancer and Gloam prove to be masters of the extreme metal dark arts by taking listeners on a hellish journey through realms of atmospheric terror on their spilt, “Boundless Arcane Invokations.”

    I find both acts to be skilled in their songwriting styles and even though each band only contributes one song to the split, they deliver some strong dynamic sounding cuts of extreme metal ferocity that do not disappoint. Also, both bands use the same name for their songs, which  also happens to be the name of this split. There seems to be an unholy unity between these two acts and their styles really compliment each other quite well. In terms of production, both bands construct monumental sounding atmospheres that convey a ghastly world of catastrophic horror.

    San Jose’s, Black Fucking Cancer, unleashes a malefic assault that pulls listeners into a realm of total darkness on their side of the split. I might be a bit biased since I was born in San Jose, however, Black Fucking Cancer is a band that really knows how to compose a vicious sounding landscape of black metal savagery. The opening part of the song spews out these ominous noises that eventually get swallowed up by a blanket of distortion and blistering riffs. Their singer provides tortured growls of demonic sounding agony as the other musicians hammer away at their instruments. Overall, the band executes an unforgiving vision for about twenty-two minutes, but never loses their potency or ability to keep listener’s intently listening.

    The other band on the split is, Gloam, a Santa Cruz based black metal act that wastes no time by fiercely jumping into a flurry of blasphemous riffs. As the band’s drummer lays down some raw sounding rhythms the guitarist and bassist take the opportunity to hack away at their instruments with no remorse. Gloam captures that old school black metal sound, although they are able to pay homage to old school black metal without sounding gimmicky, or falling into that pit of generic black metal rubbish. Once again, solid production and an attention to detail in terms of songwriting helps shift them past most of your modern bands who can dress the part, but can’t write songs to save their lives. 

    This split proves to be another brilliant Sentient Ruin release that sounds extremely well done from start to finish. I think the label did a great job bringing together two ruthless and impressive black metal bands. There is no denying that Black Fucking Cancer and Gloam are bands who have tremendous talent and should not be overlooked. I hope people really check out this split, because this is the type of release that I want to see more of from the metal community.



Check out the split below:

Sentient Ruin FB:

https://www.facebook.com/SentientRuin/

Gloam FB:

https://www.facebook.com/gloamshroud/

Black Fucking Cancer bandcamp:

https://blackfuckingcancer.bandcamp.com/