{"id":9024,"date":"2022-12-31T22:32:28","date_gmt":"2023-01-01T03:32:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=9024"},"modified":"2023-01-18T19:46:18","modified_gmt":"2023-01-19T00:46:18","slug":"top-releases-2022-jonathan-doc-swank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2022\/12\/31\/top-releases-2022-jonathan-doc-swank\/","title":{"rendered":"JONATHAN “DOC” SWANK: Top Releases 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Amazing Year for Metal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

2022 was a phenomenal year for rock and metal. Therefore, I thought it would be appropriate to publish a few \u201ctop\u201d lists to highlight the \u201chighlights\u201d and in doing so revisit and recognize some of these amazing offerings. While I can only scratch the surface every year \u2013 so much to keep up with \u2013 I was able to \u201clisten\u201d to a lot more material this year than in either 2020 or 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first list would be the most relevant to most of our readers and for lack of a more creative title will call this the Heaven\u2019s Metal Top 15 for 2022<\/em>. This list will of course include all the \u201cChristian\u201d releases and those from artists I consider highly spiritually relevant. The second list consists of \u201call of the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In full transparency, I don\u2019t really like distinguishing one group of artists from the other, but I also acknowledge that the Heaven\u2019s Metal Magazine<\/em> mission is primarily to support artists from the Christian faith \u2013 there being so many other zines and websites out there in cyberspace dedicated to covering everything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, there is, in general, value in having a reference point for the quality and credibility of music. In recent years I\u2019ve somewhat eschewed rating systems, partly because they tend to be like \u201cgrades,\u201d and I think over time as a reviewer of music I\u2019ve just realized words are better tools than numbers in evaluating\/assessing the quality and value of the artists and their music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All that said, I have chosen to include my individual ratings for the releases listed in these lists \u2013 partly just for fun and partly because I hope the \u201cnumbers\u201d serve to emphasize the principle that whether your music is from this walk of life or another, its value lies in its ability \u2013 through competent and creative execution \u2013 to move the soul! Enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happy New Year!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[Note: I\u2019ve tried to stick to new releases only so I know some may question the inclusion of Deliverance \u2013 Redux<\/em> in that regard. However, given how different this was from the original \u2013 and the fact that the version originally released was incomplete on many levels \u2013 I felt it belonged on this list. I have also provided links where available to reviews from our karew]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Doc\u2019s Heaven\u2019s Metal Magazine<\/em> Top 15 releases for 2022<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1<\/strong>. Threshold \u2013 Dividing Lines<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (9.75)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exceptional on every level. Blissful melodies, driving rhythms, intricate compositions and absolutely \u201cspot-on\u201d words for our times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Demon Hunter \u2013 Exile<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (9.75)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basically, a tie for first with Threshold in many ways, Exile<\/em> \u2013 especially the Deluxe version \u2013 represents one of the most creative and flawlessly executed concept albums of my lifetime, and all with that Demon Hunter metal twist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Becoming the Archetype \u2013 Children of the Great Extinction<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (9.5)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amazing comeback album from this much beloved progressive death metal band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Thee Final Chaptre \u2013 So Let It Be Done<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (9.5)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This album was a total surprise for me. Although it revamps some of their original early \u201890\u2019s material, the end result of this venture is pure metal bliss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Reign of Glory \u2013 All Will Bow<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (9.25)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melodic metal just doesn\u2019t get much better. Like Whitesnake with clean lyrics!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Celldweller \u2013 Satellites<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (9.25)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klayton is well-known for his creative electronic rock and cinematic compositions which rarely fail to amaze. Satellites<\/em> represents the heaviest release since those early Circle of Dust albums, but equally (and maybe more importantly) its his most spiritually relevant lyrical output in the past 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7.<\/strong> All for the King \u2013 Let There Be Light<\/em><\/a><\/strong> (9)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hate to call it praise and worship, but this is the best, most rocking praise and worship album I\u2019ve heard in a long time! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Saint \u2013 <\/strong>Heaven Fell<\/a><\/strong> <\/em>(9)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Incredibly strong album from these veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Fear Not \u2013 Fields of Sorrow<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (9)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This band perfectly reinvented themselves and although the EP hinted at what they could accomplish, this release is breathtaking on so many levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. The Brave \u2013 Gravedigger<\/em><\/strong> (9)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two releases in a row of melodic rock bliss, The Brave are one of the most enjoyable comeback surprises right up there with Fear Not. (Review forthcoming)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Flood \u2013 Polarized<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (9)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another surprise album. A total rebranding of the other half of original Tourniquet \u2013 Polarized<\/em> is a diamond in the rough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Malchus \u2013 Heritage<\/a><\/em><\/strong> <\/em>(9)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe not quite fair to be on this list since this is technically not a 2022 release, but it was never recorded previously with lyrics in English. Heritage<\/em> is such a diverse, lyrically rich and amazing album that I just couldn\u2019t exclude it from this list!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. Deliverance \u2013 Camelot in Smithereens Redux<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (9)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Too much new here to not include. Camelot<\/em> the way it was intended to sound and script. Bravo, Jimmy, for toughing this one out and finishing the race!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14. Seventh Servant \u2013 The Tree of Life<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (8.75)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Revelational power metal juggernaut!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15. Stryper \u2013 The Final Battle<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (8.5)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What more can be said about these guys than hasn\u2019t already been said! Hopefully not the final act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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