metalmaniac777

Michael Sweet's debut solo album is a classic in my opinion. With Greg Fulkerson co-writing and producing, it was always going to sound huge, and boy does it ever. Ask me to list my favorite Christian rock songs and "All This and Heaven Too" will be on it everytime.

Their new single, and a good example of their sound/style.

While they don't break new ground, 3 Years Hollow do have an enjoyable modern hard rock/metal sound that combines the gritty aggression of Sevendust or Disturbed with some serious melody. Their debut album drops next week, but you can check out my full review for Hardrock Haven by clicking the link below: 3 Years Hollow review It's not going to convert any oldschool purists, but those who dabble in the modern rock genre should give 'em a listen.

Just picked up this album last week and have been enjoying it. Not groundbreaking, but a very enjoyable modern (Christian, for those who care) hard rock album.

Sounds like the best solo album he's done since his first (self-titled) one.

There are heavier tracks, but I find this one stuck in my head.

It's been over 20 years since Bloodgood gave us "All Stand Together," which ranks as a Christian metal classic in my book. Do they still sound good? While the band might object to the minor "bad" word, all I can say is--you bet your ass they do. Click the link below to read my full review for Hardrock Haven: Bloodgood review Not quite up to "All Stand Together" standards, but this is easily the 2nd best album they've ever done.

Other than a couple of their "milder" songs, I don't bother with Steel Panther, but I'll just go ahead and say this: "F*cking My Heart in the Ass" gets my vote for best song title of 2014.

That one's next. Due to other projects, I'm guessing it won't be up on the site for at least 7-10 days. But yep, I'm still reviewing it.

Even without Rey Parra on vocals, this might just be the best Sacred Warrior of them all. Click the link below to scope out my full review for Hardrock Haven: Sacred Warrior review There is some intense, Queensryche-ish melodic/power metal on this album. In fact, this is a better "Queensryche" album than either incarnation of Queensryche released this year!

Here's one of their best songs, a big, powerful rock ballad.

If ballsy hard rock with a southern swagger gets your motor revvin' into the redline, check out this new album from Ireland-based but American-sounding Trucker Diablo. Click the link below to read my full review for Hardrock Haven: Trucker Diablo review It's a souped-up Skynyrd bleeding into Blackstone Cherry laced with some Black Label Society. As long as ya don't mind the southern grooves, this puppy will rock your stereo.

My all-time favorite Christmas movie. Nasty, mean-spirited, bleak, sleazy ... just what a growing boy needs during the holidays!! The remake was good too, but lacked the sleazy charm of the original. Then again, the remake did give us a topless chick in the woodchipper scene, which is always fun times.

My personal favorite from the album.

If the description "Alice in Chains filtered through a modern hard rock aesthetic" revs your juices into the redline, you may want to take a close look at Red Line Chemistry's new album, "Tug of War." To check out my full review for Hardrock Haven, click the link below: Red Line Chemistry review It's an up and down album, with some good rockers mixed in with some pretty dull slower numbers, but you could probably put together a decent EP by cherry-picking the good tracks off iTunes.

Truer words never spoken.

I didn't care for the first song they released ("In the Country") but despite my general dislike of country, I'll admit this new song ("Let It Ride") is pretty solid.

Just got my press copy today and while I'll post my official review when it's finished, I will say this much right now--I can't imagine any Bloodgood fan being disappointed. Not as slickly commercial as "All Stand Together," but there are some great riffs and some smokin' rockers on this puppy. Aside from one modern-sounding (and heavy!) track ("In the Trenches") this sounds like it came right out of the white-metal revolution circa. 1989.

Banging around in the same female-fronted hard rock arena as Paramore and Halestorm (with a smidgen of Evanescence thrown in), the Jessica Prouty Band has some nice chops--not to mention a killer vocalist--but some of the choruses would benefit from bigger & better hooks. To read my full review for Hardrock Haven, click the link below: JPB review Whether it be with this band or another one down the road, Jessica has the kind of voice that should ensure she finds rock 'n' roll success.

I agree, but "Against the Law" was a close 3rd. Damn close.

Definitely a very strong album and will easily finish in my Top 10 this year. I thought the ballad sucked, the chorus to "Saved By Love" was too repetitious, and "Marching Into Battle" just lacked ... something. But other than that, yeah, a totally kickass CD. My favorites are "Water Into Wine" (love that hook!) and "Sticks & *Stones." The "Holy Bumblebees" still got some sting in 'em!!

I don't have any problem with it being a download--I mostly buy downloads now anyway, as they're more convenient for my particular lifestyle--but I refuse to pay $28 for a download. That's just being greedy ... and while some of those songs are pretty good, they're not so good that I'm willing to spend $28 for them. Guess they'd rather sell a limited number of downloads for $28 than sell a lot of downloads for $9.99 or less. Their songs, their perogative ... but I'll get by without the songs, thanks anyway.

A good song, but not the best the album has to offer. Not by far. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-Xq0svLMyU

The "holy bumblebees" are back with their best album since "Against the Law." Click the link below to check out my full review of the new Stryper album, "No More Hell To Pay," for Hardrock Haven: Stryper review Probably the heaviest thing they've ever done. One hell of an album.