2022 is wrapping up, already? It’s been a great year for Christian rock and metal. I've loved seeing music festivals, like Loud and Proud in Germany and Alive Festival in Ohio, up and running again, hosting known and unknown bands. I had the pleasure of attending Crown of Thorns Fest, a local Montana rock-based festival, which hosted its second annual event. I hope you've had the chance to attend a concert or festival.
As we approach the Christmas season, this will be my last dedicated Christian Rock Recap for the year (it’ll be back in January 2023). Keep an eye out for my Christmas-themed and Best of Christian Rock in 2022 articles coming in November and December.
Let me know if you've found a new favorite artist or song through this series in 2022. Here are some recent releases for autumn. Enjoy.
Kutless - "Words of Fire"
Many older Christian rock fans are familiar with Kutless’ rock offerings from the early- and mid-2000s. New Kutless fans from the last 10 years recognize them for their brazen praise and worship-style songs. Well, it's time for both fanbases to collide.
After a few-year sabbatical, Kutless returns with their new single, “Words of Fire,” moving back to their rock roots. In their words, "’[Rock] is the future of Kutless." I'm excited to listen to their upcoming rock album, filled with positive messages and biblical truths. Welcome back, Kutless.
Confessions of a Traitor - Punishing Myself Before God Does
Facedown Records continues to grow its impressive 2020s roster of bands and artists. The ever-growing list includes the intense metal band Cultist and the melancholic drone band, Holyname. It also includes the metalcore band, the London-based Confessions of a Traitor, who are releasing their full-length debut, Punishing Myself Before God Does, with the label.
The new metalcore album is aggressive, lyrically raw, and honest. If you're a fan of metal, do yourself a favor and listen to them. It's going to be in my top 10 for 2022.
Diamonds to Dust - The Creed of Blasphemy
The Diamonds to Dust continue to make quality hardcore music. In my opinion, the prime Christian-based deathcore band deserves to be mentioned alongside iconic metal bands Impending Doom and Living Sacrifice.
Diamonds to Dust’s previous EP, Decisions, was a highlight of 2020’s heavy music, with three killer songs full of emotion and intensity. The band continues their quality of hard rock with their new EP, The Creed of Blasphemy. The theologically deep EP addresses relevant topics of culture and gives the nastiest breakdowns around.
