2022 was the year music returned to normal. After the tension and anxiety of the pandemic, the last 12 months felt like one long sigh of relief. Everyone stepped away from Zoom, the gig calendar filled up, and a whole bunch of bands released albums that proved the metal scene is in rude health.
Several big hitters released knock-out albums, including Korn, Machine Head, Rammstein, Slipknot and Ozzy Osbourne. Equally, they were matched by metal’s next generation of superstars, with stellar releases from the likes of Zeal & Ardor, Venom Prison and Oceans Of Slumber, while the likes of Nova Twins, HEALTH and Carpenter Brut proved just how broad a church the modern metal scene is.
In the brand new issue of Metal Hammer, we count down the 50 greatest albums of 2022, as voted by the magazine’s writers. Check out the list below and let us know how many you’ve heard.
The new issue of Metal Hammer is out now. Order it online here (opens in new tab) and get it delivered straight to your door.
