In the final 2022 review I cover my top 10s, including several records that the others didn't. Were they right to be missed? I don't think so. Did you see someone's list that would be really similar to yours? Well, now we each have some of our picks on display in the shop. Check out what we're recommending and let us know what else we should be carrying.
- Dave
TOP TEN 12-INCHES
Nightfeeder - Cut All Of Your Face Off (self-released)
Jay Stiles of Disrupt and State of Fear on vocals, backed by Deathraid. What you expect from those bands with a little 90s Nashville crust melody thrown in. This self-released album follows their previous 7-inch and demo tape. If you haven't checked it out before, don't lose any more time!
Doldrey - Celestial Deconstruction (Iron Lung)
Hard as fuck. It's hardcore, it's metal, it's punk. It sounds dangerous and extreme. Layer after layer of intensity. Thanks to Iron Lung for introducing Doldrey to the world.
Gauze - 言いたかねえけど目糞鼻糞 (XXX)
Sure the CD came out last year, but the vinyl came out in 2022, and it wasn't easy to import! This was the year I promised myself I'd travel to see their next show. That certainly changed. Farewell to arms.
Long Knife - Curb Stomp Earth (Black Water / Beach Impediment)
Long-time Poison Idea worshipping band Long Knife has come into their own. Their main influence still shines, but this LP stands out amongst the rest of their catalogue. If you weren't sure about them before, you will be now.
Syndrome 81 - Prisons Imaginaires (Black Water / Destructure)
Probably the most artistic and experimental band coming out of the French Oi scene. The catchiness, new wave hooks, and danceable parts, this band broke the Oi mold to create something incredible. Wishing the best to them on their current battle.
Intensive Care - Antibodies (Iron Lung)
Atmospheric and not really that noisy, like I've come to expect. Great companion for a long lonely drive. My child listened with me and said it sounds cool but wondered when the music will start.
Candy - Heaven Is Here (Relapse)
Big label debut for this band that's been around for a few years. Relapse seems like a more fitting home for their sound than Triple-B was. Adding more noise and soundscapes, this won't be for every long-time fan but I do think it will create more cultish fans.
Peace Test - Pry (To Live A Lie / RSR)
Like if Infest were more influenced by Boston hardcore. Super fast with stompy breakdowns. Need more bands like this. Peace Test also had a compilation come out this year containing previous singles, demos, and comp tracks. Incredible band.
Foreseen - Untamed Force (Quality Control HQ)
Punk/metal/thrash crossover from Finland. Happy they found on home on QCHQ to help cement their hardcore audience since I think they already had the crossover fans locked down.
Yleiset Syyt - Toisten Todellisuus (La Vida Es Un Mus)
Finnish rage with some early USHC influence. It's both catchy and hard. Songs like Hyväntekijä has a singalong part that should appeal to fans of dark Copenhagen punk and Oi fans too. This is one of those releases that should have a universal appeal across punk and hardcore's additional subgenres.
TOP TEN 7-INCHES
The War Goes On - Discount Hope (Adult Crash)
One of my favourite bands of late. The dark, moody post-punk you expect from Copenhagen. Featuring the main guy behind No Hope For The Kids on vocals/guitar, but now he sounds more unhinged and dangerous without losing any of his signature melodic hooks.
Exil - Mercenary (Adult Crash)
Last year's LP topped many year-end lists, though it was kind of hard to get. This Swedish all-star band (members of DS-13, Asterisk, UX Vileheads) came back with 4 more songs on this EP. Let's hope there's more to come soon.
Brain Tourniquet - S/T (2) (Iron Lung)
Brain Tourniquet's second self-titled EP came out this year. Not breaking new ground, but absolutely ruling at the sound they do. FFO Crossed Out, Neanderthal, Infest.
Various Artists - First Six 7" Box Set (Dischord)
You already know all the songs, but the fairly priced box packaging and the booklet made it irresistable. To top things off, the DC masters of archiving surprised everyone with an additional, previously unreleased Slinkees EP tucked inside for good measure.
No-Heads - Concrete (Pressure Press)
Melodic hardcore influenced by Oi and UK82, made by members of Praise and Decontrol. I almost didn't check it out, but I'm sure glad I did.
偏執症者 (Paranoid) - Tatari (PND)
The masters of metal/thrash/punk from Sweden self-released these 2 songs. I'm always up for another full-length from this band, but I'll take what I can get. Check out their first 10yrs of back catalogue that also got reissued this year.
Spy / Maniac - split (Triple-B)
Two bands that both nicely blend ugly modern hc with classic riffing, it's a perfect match. 2 songs by each band. If you like one side, you'll like the other. How often would you expect a Triple-B release to have an exclusive To Live A Lie variant? It could have made perfect sense coming out on either label.
Mutated Void - Slash The Altar (Sewercide)
I don't know how Sewercide pumps out so much gold from small-town Nova Scotia, but they did it again. Rough, raw and dirty recording that perfectly suits the ugly sound of this band. Don't miss the LP on Iron Lung that came out at the same time.
Rat Cage - In The Shadow Of The Bomb (La Vida Es Un Mus)
I wasn't much interested in UK punk/hc before or after Heresy, Ripcord, and the Stupids. Don't let that hurt your feelings. LVEUM, QCHQ, Static Shock are doing amazing things over there and nurturing a ton of great new bands. They've got me hooked on UK punk/hc again. Rat Cage are this year's choice, and there will be more next year.
Hatred Surge - Leftoverdose EP (Running From Life)
Extra songs from the Human Overdose session. These came out on a flexi, so not the best format but at least it's new Hatred Surge. Grind, power violence, and death metal influenced but doing their own thing.
HONOURABLE MENTION
Home Front - Think Of The Lie (La Vida Es Un Mus)
This came out in December 2021. It did make my list last year, but 2022 was it's year. It took a little time to spread and get heard after 2021 ended. They played their first shows in 2022 and recorded again. One of my most played this year because it was too much to contain last year.
偏執症者 (Paranoid) reissues (PND)
Five LP/12-Inches, one 7-inch, a cassette comp and other cassette versions back in print all at once, and with more North American distribution! It's about time. Brutal Hell Mangel!
Discordance Axis - Inalienable Dreamless (Willowtip)
My favourite grind album ever is back in print with a bonus 7-inch of extra songs on vinyl for first time (formerly on CD or DVD only).
Algara - Absortos En El Tedio Eterno (La Vida Es Un Mus)
I missed this release from 2021, but might just be the record I listened to most in 2022. Listen to Hedonistas and you'll instantly know if you'll be as hooked as I am.
Planet Y - En Plads I Solen (Adult Crash)
Another Copenhagen band. This isn't as dark as what's most common from that region, but shares the same pop sensibilities with a touch of garage twang. FFO Gorilla Angreb.
Rigorous Institution - Cainsmarsh (Black Water)
Can't believe this didn't make the main list. Too many good things came out. Atmospheric, apocalyptic mid-tempo crust with synthesizers. Don't let that concept throw you off, they pull it off and it's amazing.
The War Goes On - Assisted Armageddon (Adult Crash / Black Water)
The amazing Black Water Records, who released multiple items on these lists, have just squeaked in a late 2022 North American press of Assisted Armageddon by one of my favourites from 2020, previously released on Copenhagen's Adult Crash label. Dark, moody melodic hardcore with one of the best vocalists doing it today.