The votes are in and the critics have spoken; Ghost's Impera is officially Metal Hammer's album of the year... so far as our writers are concerned, at least. But in a year stacked with massive names like Machine Head, Rammstein, Disturbed and exciting up-and-comers like Zeal & Ardor, Ithaca and Lorna Shore, it's inevitable that there's a whole bunch that maybe didn't place as highly in the Hammer Top 50 best albums of 2022 as you might have liked.
So we want you to help us crown the best album of 2022 by casting your votes to determine exactly who ruled the past twelve months. Whether you're defending Slipknot's divisive The End, So Far, shouting from the rooftops about The Otolith's Folium Limina or miring yourself in the mucky extremes of Watain, Wormrot, Decapitated and beyond - we want to know who's been tickling your taint over the past 12 months.
We've tried to be as comprehensive as possible in our selection below (though naturally, its impossible to get every single album released this year), combining some of the highest rated albums of this year according to our critics with those bands that have filled the pages of our fine magazine this past 12 months, alongside the bigger names who rule our world.
Of course, if you need a bit of inspiration, you can also pick up the brand new issue of Metal Hammer and read our assessment of the year that was, from the 50 best metal albums of the past twelve months to this year's incredible gigs, heartbreaking losses and stories of how metal has triumphed in 2022.
Only in the new issue of Metal Hammer, on sale now. Order it online and have it delivered straight to your door.
Otherwise, Happy Holidays and here's to another spectacular year of new music!
