Where does the time go? 2022 can be called the comeback year of all time, with virtually every band on the planet getting back on track post-COVID. So it was one helluva year for heavy metal as the releases started to pour in and the bands started to hit your town after nearly three years of madness. It is time to unveil our annual BravePicks countdown, where the devout scribes at BraveWords cast their votes at the hits and misses of the year! So who will be our #1? You’ll find out as we count down the BravePick Of 2022 each day in December! 

Everybody has an opinion and it’s time for ours! And stay tuned in January for the writers’ individual Top 20s (new studio albums ONLY), Top 5 Brave Embarrassments (a fan favorite!), What/Who Needs To Stop In 2022? and Metal Predictions For 2022. All will be showcased come the New Year!

First up, the best of the best for 2022 begins NOW! And we begin with the six releases bubbling under our top 30. 

BravePicks 2022

Bubbling under:

31) WITCHERY – Nightside (Century Media)
32) ABBATH - Dread Reaver (Season of Mist)
33) AMON AMARTH - The Great Heathen Army (Metal Blade)
34) RECKLESS LOVE – Turbo Rider (AFM) 
35) GOATWHORE – Angels Hung From The Arches Of Heaven (Metal Blade)
36) CAVE IN – Heavy Pendulum (Relapse)

There were five albums that just missed making our top 30, but they all left an impression and are worthy of recognition.

At #36 – Cave In’s Relapse debut Heavy Pendulum showed once again why the band is regarded as one of the tops in hardcore and metal. The record completely crushes and stands out with multiple stinging moments and cutting tracks. 

Goatwhore’s Angels Hung From The Arches Of Heaven is at #35 and it isn’t just a verbose title as it articulates the scathing, blasphemous blackened thrash the NOLA menace is known for. The album pumps brutality and is worthy of being in anyone’s collection.

In at #34 is the wild Turbo Rider from Reckless Love. Taking a chance by changing up their sound, the Finns dive deep into synthwave metal/rock and it works tremendously with delicious hooks and riffs, while keeping the heaviness of Pepe’s guitar theatrics intact. And check out that crazy cover of Ozzy’s “Bark At The Moon.”

Amon Amarth deliver another dose of anthemic death metal with The Great Heathen Army at #33. While the Swedes have seen their best days behind them musically; the Vikings remain as popular as ever and the strength of their newest opus shows a band rejuvenated creatively.

The incomparable Abbath returned with his third solo outing Dread Reaver, which hits at #32. It’s arena black metal at its finest that comes with raw charisma the former Immortal frontman is known for.

Witchery didn’t disappoint with vicious thrashing as Nightside comes in at #31. Although there is a lot more to discern with Nightside as the band shows a side more akin to melodic death metal, rather than straight blackened thrash. There’s a ton of intensity to be found, but also some moments that remind of At The Gates. Overall a strong and varied record. 

BravePicks 2022 Top 30

31) WITCHERY – Nightside (Century Media)
32) ABBATH - Dread Reaver (Season of Mist)
33) AMON AMARTH - The Great Heathen Army (Metal Blade)
34) RECKLESS LOVE – Turbo Rider (AFM) 
35) GOATWHORE – Angels Hung From The Arches Of Heaven (Metal Blade)
36) CAVE IN – Heavy Pendulum (Relapse)