When it comes to collecting the most important bands in rock and metal on a yearly basis, the Grammy awards have a checkered past – and for many, they fall short most years. Not always, of course – sometimes they’re on the cutting edge of what’s hot (Code Orange, Periphery) – but for many, they don’t always represent newer acts effectively.
That’s not usually the case for the Juno Awards (the Canadian version of the Grammys), though. Most years, you can expect newer acts to be represented in a way that counts both quality and commercial success. The five bands nominated for the metal/hard music category for 2022 all certainly qualify, to be sure.
This year, the five nominations span across various metal subgenres. Spiritbox’s Eternal Blue, as well as new albums from Danko Jones, The Agonist, Brand Of Sacrifice, and tech-death speed of light playing Archspire. Outside of Danko Jones, all of these are pretty newer acts, which is pretty awesome to see. Obviously Spiritbox is the hottest name here at the moment, but Archspire and Brand Of Sacrifice are especially not what one would call easy listening. Good stuff all around.
2022 METAL/HARD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR
🔵 Bleed the Future @Archspireband
🔵 Lifeblood @BrandofSacrifice
🔵 Power Trio @DankoJones
🔵 Eternal Blue @SpiritboxBand
🔵 Days Before The World Wept @TheAgonist #JUNOS pic.twitter.com/fnc3ixfrru— The JUNO Awards (@TheJUNOAwards) March 1, 2022
