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After the sheer brilliance of 2021 for metal and rock music worldwide, expectations were definitely high for 2022. Starting with the naive hope of leaving all the madness behind and the world returning to normal, only to be cut sharp by yet another crisis, music provided a shelter once again. Bands stepped up, labels stacked the calendar with gems and several kickass tours have been filling venues all over the world.
Quarter one was anything but quiet, already boasting some huge record releases, including few potential album of the years, alongside amazing EPs, insane singles and few fantastic delux reissues and live albums. Three months in, it is already proving impossible to pick just 20, but here are the key tracks that defined Q1 for me, setting up the tone for the entire 2022, and giving a teaser of what's yet to come until the end.
20. Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows - 'Destiny'
Attention! Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (D.R.U.G.S.) are back with an absolute mammoth of a comeback single 'Destiny', more than a decade since their self-titled debut. Assembling all the scene Avengers once again, the supergroup are preparing a new album.
19. Wolves At The Gate - 'Deadweight'
A standalone high point in the quarter, 'Deadweight' is just one of the many brilliant tracks in Eulogies, the fifth record by Wolves At The Gate, marking the tenth anniversary since their debut and leading Solid State Records' ranks in style.
18. Future Palace - 'Flames'
With four breathtaking singles, rising German outfit Future Palace are quickly proving to be one of the most exciting modern European bands and Arising Empire's secret weapon for 2022, 'Flames' being the latest banger ahead of their upcoming sophomore Run, out 3 June.
17. Falling In Reverse - 'Zombified'
A surprising drop from Falling In Reverse saw Ronnie Radke once again take the internet by storm, silencing critics and cancelling culture zombies with signature flair. A huge single ahead of their Neon Zombies EP, more details to come.
16. Miss May I - 'Unconquered'
A welcome return from one of metalcore's dearest sons, 'Unconquered' marks the end of a near six-year hiatus and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Ohio veterans. Cannot wait for more singles and hopefully and album announcement by Miss May I soon.
15. Motionless In White - 'Cyberhex'
Motionless In White finally dropped the sequel to 'Timebomb', teasing what is shaping to be yet another landmark album for the outfit, with 'Cyberhex' marking the return of the "blegh" in a trademark futuristic core madness. Scoring The End Of The World out 10 June.
14. Bury Tomorrow - 'Death (Ever Colder)'
With a refreshed line-up and a newly found purpose, Bury Tomorrow open a new chapter with the promising 'Death (Ever Colder)', teasing more new music, a potential album and loads of concerts planned for the rest of the year.
13. Thornhill - 'Archangel'
Never afraid to piss off wannabe critics, UNFD's rebels Thornhill keep playing by their own rules, bringing sexy back with a series of sleek singles, leading the way towards the premiere of Heroine, expected on 3 June.
12. Void of Vision - 'Dominatrix'
Modern Australian outfit Void Of Vision proving impossible to be contained within the established conventions, teasing yet another huge year for them and the entire UNFF gang with this chaotic gem 'Dominatrix'.
11. Pridelands - 'Heavy Tongue'
Smashing expectations with debut LP Light Bends, rising Aussie progressive metalcore outfit Pridelands took us on a breathtaking journey, 'Heavy Tongue' just one of the many stunning pieces in this modern masterpiece.
10. Caliban - 'VirUS' (ft. Marcus of Heaven Shall Burn)
German heavyweights Caliban dropped a few singles ahead of their new record Dystopia out on 22 April, starting with 'Ascent of the Blessed', followed by the powerful collabs 'Dystopia' featuring Christoph (Annisokay) and 'VisUS' featuring Marcus (Heaven Shall Burn).
9. Aviana - 'Transcendent'
Quickly bouncing back from the worrying departure of his bandmates, now solo visionary Joel Holmquist, a.k.a Aviana keeps stunning everyone with his chilling modern metal production, announcing the release of Corporation on 3rd August.
8. Bleed From Within - 'Levitate'
Like clockwork, Scotish powerhouse Bleed From Within are already preparing their next release, flying high on the back of their brilliant Fracture (2020) and now a second single teasing yet another faultless record Shrine promised for 3 June.
7. InVisions - 'Deadlock'
InVisions carried on with their restless charge towards the top of the modern UK modern scene with a great third album Deadlock in just over five years, the title song track a solid proof of their insane talent.
6. Underoath - 'Hallelujah: Live From Digital Ghost'
With few monumental singles from 2021, veterans Underoath opened the new year with a stellar collection of everything we love about them in Voyeurist, and an explosive livestream 'Live From Digital Ghost' that reminded us why they are still on the top of the game.
5. Fit For An Autopsy - 'Two Towers'
Blending smooth Deftones vibes with titanic Gojira grooves, before igniting that trademark Fit For An Autopsy madness, 'Two Towers' opened Oh What The Future Holds, shaking the scene and promised an amazing 2022 for metal music.
4. Northlane - 'Carbonized'
Hardly needing an introduction, Northlane continued to defy expectations, expand their boundaries and piss off gatekeepers with a series of tracks, 'Carbonized' being the final single ahead of their highly anticipated record Oblivion, out 22 April.
3. Bad Omens - 'Like a Villain'
A series of brilliant back-to-back singles, culminating in 'Like A Villain', leading to the premiere of the fantastic The Death Of Peace Of Mind from one of the most exciting modern metal outfits Bad Omens.
2. The Devil Wears Prada - 'Watchtower'
Never a disappointment, The Devil Wears Prada did not waste time after their ZII EP, dropping the stunning 'Sacrifice' and topping it up with 'Watchtower', raising the bar even higher if this was even possible.
1. LANDMVRKS - 'Self-Made Black Hole' (ft. Resolve)
As if LANDMVRKS' third record Lost In The Waves wasn't brilliant enough, the French metalcore flagmen prepared a Complete Edition, releasing three insanely good collaborations, 'Self-Made Black Hole' featuring Resolve being one of the highest points of the quarter and a strong contender for song of the year.
Cath all these amazing metal bangers across our Modern Metal and Alternative playlist, and stay tuned for lots more coming in Q2!
The 10 Most Anticipated Records For Quarter 2:
Northlane - Obsidian (Believe), 22 April
Caliban - Dystopia (Century Media), 22 April
Rammstein - Zeit (Capitol, Universal), 29 April
Silverstein - Misery Made Me (UNFD), 6 May
Hollow Front - The Price Of Dreaming (UNFD), 27 May
Bleed From Within - Shrine (Nuclear Blast), 3 June
Thornhill - Heroine (UNFD), 3 June
The Oklahoma Kid - Tangerine Tragic (Arising Empire), 3 June
Future Palace - Run (Arising Empire), 10 June
Motionless In White - Scoring The End Of The World (Roadrunner Records), 10 June
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