There definitely was a lack of good EP and video material in 2022. And this spells difficult times for any Top 3 in a year as malevolent as 2022. As clips go, much of the material we found was either just bands hacking away at their axes somewhere in the boonies or some miscellaneous ruin. Or – failing that – the material sported questionable cinematography. And that, combined with often pretty boring soundtracks attached to the moving pictures, made us discard most of them. Until some truly delicious pieces hit us. And isn’t it remarkable that two of them come with a folk or pagan background? We think so.
The EP department was a bit better garnished. But still, the RMR researchers encountered a lot more mediocre material than was good for rock and metal. Something that didn’t quite happen over the last few years, so we’re a bit confused. However, we did find three pretty snazzy examples that will shine prettily on a rock and metal sky a bit devoid of bright objects.
And with that in mind, let’s begin.
RMR’s 2022 Top 3 Videos
#3 – SepticFlesh – Hierophant
Set against an Egyptian background, the storyline proved irresistibly gruesome and mysterious to the RMR crew. The dramatic cinematography with its intricate details just hooked us. Mummies in all their gory glory, ancient rituals, symbols, ancient curses, and fire – you got it all. And to top it, the track that goes with it lends itself perfectly to a set of moving pictures. In fact, both elements complement each other. And that’s why this video ended up on this here top 3 list.
#2 – Faun – Gwydion
When Faun shoot videos, things get serious. I always marvel at their knack to produce those mini-movies that go well with the folk and pagan themes they promote. And Gwydion here is no different. However, the inclusion of the folks over from Eluveitie added a ton of much-needed spice to a playbook that became a bit too familiar with this band. So, you won’t only get the ‘usual’ pagan folk but some real metal to go with it. This, combined with a top-notch storyline, led us to vote for this clip twice over.
#1 – Eluveitie – Aidus
Speaking about which, right? Eluveitie‘s Aidus truly is the most astounding clip the RMR crew had the pleasure to devour in 2022. Not without a few cringe mistakes, this clip nonetheless projects an almost perfect harmony between mood and emotions. In other words, the way the production connected the music with powerful visual contributions of the musicians and actors to the archaic setting truly is masterful. Misty landscapes, grey-in-grey, complete with animals and mystical figures that suddenly meet the brutal reality of death-laden Pagan Metal. A masterclass in storytelling. We’re still smitten.
RMR’s 2022 Top 3 EPs
#3 – Ilium – Quantum Evolution Event
In a way, I’d wish that this band would have sent more material. This is finally Power Metal with – real power. A brutal approach to their metal without the added burden of cheese and sugary fantasy. This is all evolutionary harsh truth projection. And it shoves itself down your throat without remorse, pretty much like the monster on the album cover. But in all, Quantum Evolution Event turned out that straightforward fare that the RMR crew truly craved. And we salute the band for not going for old tropes but straight for the jugular instead.
#2 – Coma Hole – Coma Hole
Coma Hole‘s self-titled EP probably was the most pigheaded and funky one of the stoner contributions of the year. True, there were others, but they landed more in psychedelic territory than sacrificing to the gods of true, downturned fuzz. And none of the others really came along with a single bass guitar, drums, and grating female vocals. It’s a rare feature to find these days and it really made our day when we got our teeth into that juicy slab of totally retro Stoner Rock.
#1 – The Atrophic – Coagulationg Mirth
Nomen est omen, right? Because the EPs name really describes what you get in return. All the mirth truly went out the window once the deliciously brutal power of The Atrophic hit our turntables. This short blurb took Technical Death Metal to the next level and let it shine next to the stars of that genre. If only the band would have added a bit more material to that short beginning of things. A full-length record may very well have ended up on those big top-level year-end lists. But we’re daydreaming, of course. And reality tells us that harsh, well-crafted metal truly shines. The proof of the proverbial pudding is sitting right before you.
Ed’s note: And here’s to a pretender that could have made it onto the video list. Only, we discovered them too late. Say hi to Ren.