It was good to see things get back to “normal” in 2022, which meant that bands were dropping albums. Now, I obviously didn’t get to hear all of them, but I heard some and here are my favorites, in no particular order.

• Skid Row - The Gang's All Here

  This is a throwback to classic Skid Row, and it was done on purpose. “Snake” Sabo told me that their producer really wanted the guys to put themselves back in their heyday, and create something along those lines. That’s easier said than done, especially with a new, younger singer. But they did it, and it works. Singer, Erik Grönwall and the boys cranked out a fun, energetic, easy to listen to album that rocks!

  Listen to my interview with Rachel Bolan here, and with Snake here.

  This is my favorite song on the record. “October’s Song” is also really good.

• Jack White - Fear Of The Dawn

  This album dropped on April 8th. The Tigers played that afternoon, Jack played at night. Not only did he play, he got married in front of everyone in attendance. That was my first major concert since the pandemic, and it didn’t disappoint. Fresh off the single “Taking Me Back”, Jack was on point all night! One of the many reasons I like this album is because it’s all over the place. No two songs sound even remotely similar. Stellar album!

  Listen to my conversation with Jack from February here.

• Slipknot - The End, For Now

  I bought this album for one reason….they screwed up the title on the vinyl copies and I had to own it. On the solid copies they called the album The End For Now. Oops. I wasn’t blown away by some of the songs I heard before it’s release, but after buying it and dropping it on the turntable I changed my mind. This is a solid album…even if the title is wrong on mine. I’ll admit, I’m kind of a Corey Taylor slappy. I like almost everything he does, this is no exception.

  I really like this record, even if I have to play it at 45, which took me a minute to figure out.

• Ghost - Impera

  This album is very reminiscent of their last album, Prequelle. There’s a couple tracks that are instrumental, some soft interludes, and solid songs. I was hooked the first time I heard “Hunter’s Moon”. Then throw in “Call Me Little Sunshine” and this album starts to take shape. Tobias Forge is this mad scientist of sorts, that seems to mix and match and make it all work. This record runs the gambit for rock, classic rock, 80s rock, even some 20s music.

  I’m a sucker for the theatrical type of rock (Rob Zombie, Manson, Alice Cooper) so he fits right in with them. I talked to Tobias twice on my Talkin’ Rock podcast this year…here’s the latest time.

• Megadeth - The Sick, The Dying…And The Dead

  After hearing a little bit off this album, I decided to give it a try. I’m glad I did! This album is killer! From the opening title track, to the last song, this album is masterful. Then I saw the band live with Five Finger Death Punch. Man, they sounded awesome! This is the heavy record we all needed for this year!

  Listen to interview with Dave Mustaine here.

• Dorothy - Gifts From The Holy Ghost

  All I needed to hear was “Rest In Piece” to get hooked by this album. If you’re looking for a straight ahead rock album, this one’s for you! It’s full of solid grooves, great melodies, and well-crafted songs.

  Listen to my latest interview with Dorothy here.

• Shinedown -Planet Zero

  This album was suppose to drop in the spring but was pushed back to the fall because of shipping issues. It was worth the wait. An album full of great landscapes of sound, great songs, all wrapped in a concept album. Produced by bassist Eric Bass, this album is well thought out and put together. Oh, and the songs they played live were very well done.

• Nickelback - Get Rollin'

  This is a decent album from the boys to the north. Yeah, they released “San Quentin” as a single, and I can see a few more that they’ll pick, but I’m selecting this album because of a few songs. Tracks like “Steel Still Rusts” and “Just One More” really stand out to me. Yeah, there’s party songs, songs about girls, but I gravitated to the songs that had a little more bit to them.

  Listen to my interview with singer Chad Kroeger here.

• Ozzy Osbourne - Patient #9

  This record covers all the bases. Hard, soft, well-written and a lot of musical guests. Tony Iommi, Jeff, Beck Eric Clapton, Zakk Wylde and tons more. This record rocks! Hopefully we’ll be able to hear some of these songs live, but Ozzy seems to be in bad shape right now.

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