H E A V Y P A R A D I S E' S MELODIC AWARDS FOR 2022

So, this is it ladies and gents for yet another year!!!! 2022 is coming to its end and let's hope that 2023 will be a better place to live in general! Musically speaking, 2022 was a damn fine year with some really excellent albums for our ear pleasure! 

Before starting the best of lists, I would like to say a big THANK YOU 💗to everyone that was involved with Heavy Paradise and, most of all, the readers of this webzine that helped to stay alive n' kickin' for yet another year!! A big thank you, of course, to the artists, bands, labels etc etc...... Once again the choices for the best of lists were way too difficult 😕

Here we go............

BEST   15  RECORDS OF  2022

1. DYNAZTY , FINAL ADVENT (AFM RECORDS) . "Yes the prize for the best album of 2022 goes to the melodic metal giants of DYNAZTY! Their bew opus is exactly what the doctor ordered; it's big, thunderous, melodic and larger than life! "

2. DEVIL'S TRAIN, ASHES & BONES (ROAR! ROCK OF ANGELS RECORDS) "DEVIL'S TRAIN is back in business with this ass-kicking, high-energetic and massive new opus entitled "Ashes And Bones"!! A record that must be played on maximum volume!!! "

3. ROB MORATTI, EPICAL (FRONTIERS MUSIC)  "For sure, ROB MORATTI with his brand new work comes to deliver one of the best, if not the best, AOR record of 2022!!! This is how AOR should be played!!! Well done!!! "

4. PERFECT PLAN, BRACE FOR IMPACT (FRONTIERS MUSIC)  "The band that back in 2018 had the perfect plan to release a classic debut continue with the same intensity, with the same love and the same vision to create great, soulful and up-beat music that speaks through our heart!!! "

5. BLACK PAISLEY , HUMAN NATURE (BLACK PAISLEY AB) "Black Paisley's "Human Nature" is a totally enjoyable rock record from start to finish that can't be missed by any rock fan in general! Do a favour to yourself and check this little gem! You won't regret it!! "

6. MARENNA, VOYAGER (LIONS PRIDE MUSIC) "MARENNA's brand new opus is an excellent, solid and ultra melodic sample that after the very first listening you're gonna push the repeat button again and again!! One of this year's top releases!!! "

7. GINEVRA, WE BELONG TO THE STARS (FRONTIERS MUSIC) "For sure one of this year's Frontiers Music best releases. And for damn sure one of this year's best albums to-date, no doubt bout that! A great opus that combines perfectly the heaviness with melody and it contains only killer songs in it! If you love bands such as Art Nation, Seventh Crystal, Eclipse and Crowne, then look no further! Killer release! "

8. RONNIE ATKINS, MAKE IT COUNT (FRONTIERS MUSIC) "I'm really impressed, again, by this amazing singer! Ronnie Atkins is here to deliver once again quality and melodic music in such a unique way! "Make It Count" is a true highlight that includes amazing songs, emotional performances and a fantastic musicianship..."

9. GATHERING OF KINGS, ENIGMATIC (RN Records) "...this is simply an amazing record by Gathering Of Kings full of high-quality songs, heartful performances and top arrangements! A must have for each and every melodic rock/hard rock fan out there! A top release for 2022!"

10. TREAT, THE ENDGAME (FRONTIERS MUSIC) " if you are a long time die-hard of TREAT, then you have to add this new gem to your collection asap! If you are a true fan of high-quality melodic hard rock music or you love the rock scene in general, then look no further; "The Endgame" is one of this year's best releases, period! "

11. LIONVILLE, SO CLOSE TO HEAVEN (FRONTIERS MUSIC) "Lionville with their brand new "So Close To Heaven" come to deliver an excellent piece of classic AOR!!"

12. H.E.A.T. , FORCE MAJEURE (EAR MUSIC) "H.E.A.T. strikes back with yet another inspired, ass-kickin' and in-your-face album that stands proudly next to every previous release of this incredible band. "Force Majeure" is a great record, well done!!! "

13. DEF LEPPARD, DIAMOND STAR HALOS (UNIVERSAL) "It's always a great pleasure to listen to new music from bands that I grew up with their records. Def Leppard shout out that 'hey, we are still here alive n' kickin'' and I think that after all those years they still got it to release quality and good music!!"

14. MÄDHOUSE, DOWN ‘N’ DIRTY (ROAR! ROCK OF ANGELS RECORDS) "For the fans of the classic Hair Metal/Hard Rock scene of the 80's, early 90's, this is a mandatory release!!! A big, loud and full of attitude record that must be played on 10!!! Great!!!"

15. THE CRUEL INTENTIONS, VENOMOUS ANONYMOUS "The Cruel Intentions with their brand new "Venomous Anonymous" record comes to proove that the classic sleaze/hair metal scene is alive and kickin'!!! A damn fine album with a bad-ass attitude, loud guitars and an overall solid production that must be played on a maximum volume!!!!"

THE SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR LIFE : THE 10 BEST SONGS OF 2022 

1. DYNAZTY , HEART OF DARKNESS (from the album "FINAL ADVENT")

2. RONNIE ATKINS, MAKE IT COUNT (fromthe album "MAKE IT COUNT")

3. H.E.A.T., BACK TO THE RHYTHM (from the album "FORCE MAJEURE")

4. DEVIL'S TRAIN, YOU PROMISED ME LOVE (from the album "ASHES & BONES")

5. THE CRUEL INTENTIONS, VENOMOUS ANONYMOUS (from the album "VENOMOUS ANONYMOUS") 

6. DYNAZTY, ADVENT (from the album "FINAL ADVENT")

7. DEF LEPPARD, KICK (from the album "DIAMOND STAR HALOS") 

8. GATHERING OF KINGS, VAGABOND RISE (from the album "ENIGMATIC")

9. LIONVILLE, CROSS MY HEART (from the album "SO CLOSE TO HEAVEN")

10. ROB MORATTI, LOVE (from the album "EPICAL")

BEST VIDEO OF 2022 

H.E.A.T. , BACK TO THE RHTYHM (taken from the band's newest opus "FORCE MAJEURE") 

BEST FRONT-COVER OF 2022 

TREAT, THE ENDGAME (Frontiers Music) 

THANX AGAIN FOR READING, FOLLOWING & SUPPORTING HEAVY PARADISE!!! SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!! MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄🎅 AND A HAPPY ROCKIN' 🎸🎸 AND HEALTHY YEAR!!! 

                                                                                                                      V.C.