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Best of 2013 thus far?


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7.Reckless Love

 

9.Reckless Love

 

Wow... you loved it so much it made your top 10 TWICE!!!! :rofl2::guitar::banger:

 

:D

 

Woops! lol

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7.Reckless Love

 

9.Reckless Love

 

Wow... you loved it so much it made your top 10 TWICE!!!! :rofl2::guitar::banger:

 

:D

 

 

 

 

7.Reckless Love

 

9.Reckless Love

 

Wow... you loved it so much it made your top 10 TWICE!!!! :rofl2::guitar::banger:

 

 

But apparently not enough to crack his top 5. Not even one of them.

 

You guys are mean and I don't want to play no more !

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Best:

 

Satan-Life Sentence

Soul Cages- Moon

 

Mediocre:

 

stryper

warlord

 

Blivit (When i'm listening to it):

 

Fates Warning

 

 

Golden Reissues (First pressing on vinyl)

 

Virgin Steele- Life Among the Ruins

Grave Digger- Heart of Darkness (At last! My absolute favorite GD lp)

Grave Digger- Excalibur

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  • 4 weeks later...

After lots of listening etc etc etc I just had to add to my best for 2013 the following:

 

Helloween- Straight Out of Hell ( special reference to the godly EP that was released prior to the full length)

Royal Hunt- A Life To Die For

 

 

Also to mediocre the new ones from:

 

chastain

pink cream 69

pretty maids

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Dregen

Walking Papers*

Heaven's Basement

Mike Monroe - Horns and Halos

Brand New Machine - Devil made me do it.

The Winery Dogs

Tom Keifer- The way life goes.

Def Leppard - Viva Hysteria

Newman - Siren

Robin Beck - Underneath



*Was released in Europe in 2013, think originally 2012 in US. Does it count?


Seems almost everything I've been listening to this year was released in 2012 or earlier. I really must catch up.

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That Royal Hunt really slays! A magic compendium of orchestrations, solos ( the lead goes on forever) and vocal gymnastics from the one and only D.C.Cooper. An amalgam of paradox/moving target/ fear (my best RH discs). Others may find it repetitive, just for the sake of excuse, blah, blah, blah, but the same time are just being deaf to acknowledge the new masterpieces they have crafted. DC's performance reminded me their lovely tour in Japan '96, where I was able to catch a show and being mesmerized since then.

 

 

Still undecided on:

 

John Elephante-On my Way to Sun ( though there are 2 great songs)

Tad Morose- Revenant ( Probably it slays! Kinda Mike Weady swedish power metal the US way from real virtuosi musicians).

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Helloween- Straight Out of Hell

Royal Hunt- A Life To Die For

Soul Cages- Moon

Tad Morose - Revenant ( Is Mike Wead using nickname here?)

Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock - Bridge the Gap

Satan-Life Sentence

Yngwie Malmsteen- Relentless: A Memoir


Golden Reissues (First pressing on vinyl)

Virgin Steele- Life Among the Ruins

Grave Digger- Heart of Darkness (At last! My absolute favorite GD lp)

Grave Digger- Excalibur
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My personal best of 2013

 

1. FIND ME – Wings Of Love

Best tracks – The Road To Nowhere, Dancing To A Broken Heartbeat & One Soul

2. QUEENSRYCHE – s/t

Best tracks – Vindication, Redemption & In This Light

3. DEGREED – We Don’t Belong

Best tracks – Blind Hearted, What If & Inside Of Me

4. SEVENTH KEY – I Will Survive

Best tracks – The Only One, What Love’s Supposed To Be & I Will Survive

5. DREAM THEATER – s/t

Best tracks – Along For The Ride, The Looking Glass & Illumination Theory

6. DAVID FRANCEY – So Say We All (not HH material, Canadian folk music)

Best tracks – Satellite, Long Long Road & Weather Vane

7. W.E.T. – Rise Up

Best tracks – Walk Away, Learn To Live Again & Still Unbroken

8. PRETTY MAIDS – Motherland

Best tracks – Mother Of All Lies, I See Ghosts & Bullet For You

9. RECKLESS LOVE – Spirit

Best tracks – Night On Fire, Runaway Love & Edge Of Our Dreams

10. ADRIANGALE – Sucker Punch!

Best tracks – Could Have Been Me, The World We Knew & The Black And Blue

11. JAMES LABRIE – Impermanent Resonance

Best tracks – Back On The Ground, Amnesia & Undertow

12. DIAMOND DAWN – Overdrive

Best tracks – Standing As One, Take Me Higher & Cryin’

13. TRIVIUM – Vengeance Falls

Best tracks – Strife, Wake (The End Is Nigh) & To Believe

14. THE POODLES – Tour De Force

Best tracks – 40 Days And 40 Nights, Shut Up! & Leaving The Past To Pass

15. CRASHDIET – The Savage Playground

Best tracks – Drinkin’ Without You, Anarchy & Circus

 

Top 5 tracks not on releases in my top 15

 

1.) Waltham – You’re Everything I Want

2.) Care Of Night – Cassandra

3.) Eden’s Curse – Unbreakable

4.) Steel Panther – Party Like It’s The End Of The World

5.) Zac Brown Band – Sweet Annie

 

Odds and ends for 2013

 

I love Waltham and they promised a new release this past year. They never ended up releasing a full album. They released a handful of tunes and nothing more. Very disappointed that after more than 12 years since the band’s first sort of debut they have only released two full albums and the second one only having a handful of new tracks. What a waste of talent!

 

Queensrÿche pulled a Van Halen of 2012 and released the comeback record of 2013. The new vocalist is awesome and the latest release is easily their best since Empire.

 

For some unknown reason there are a few releases that I can’t get into that everyone else seems to love. Those are the latest releases from Vega, Eden’s Curse and Place Vendome. I will admit that the Eden’s Curse track ‘Unbreakable’ is sick awesome and one of the year’s best.

 

Crashdiet’s The Savage Playground made my top 15 in 15th despite having an absolute shit production job that created a compressed sound that really hurt the album’s potential. If it had been given the same production treatment as Generation Wild it would have probably cracked my personal top 5. I’d love to hear, what it could have sounded like.

 

Another solid year but no real over the top standout release, let’s hope 2014 delivers one or a few over the top releases.

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Top Albums of 2013

 

Top 100 average rating is 79.43%

 

W.E.T Rise Up Melodic Rock Frontiers Records 96.0%
VEGA What The Hell ! Melodic Rock Universal Republic 93.0%
PLACE VENDOME Thunder In The Distance Melodic Metal Frontiers Records 90.0%
MASON Warhead Thrash Metal indie 90.0%
RECKLESS LOVE Spirit Melodic Rock Spinefarm 89.0%
EDEN'S CURSE Symphony of Sin Melodic Metal AFM Records 88.0%
NEWMAN Siren Melodic Rock AOR Heaven 87.1%
STRYPER No More Hell To Pay Hard Rock Frontiers Records 87.0%
SANTA CRUZ Screaming For Adrenaline Sleaze / Hard Rock Spinefarm 87.0%
FAITH CIRCUS Turn Up The Band Hard Rock Melodic Rock 86.0%

FIND ME Wings of Love Melodic Rock Frontiers Records 86.0%
NIVA Magnitude Melodic Rock AOR Heaven 85.0%
LAVALLE Dear Sanity Hard Rock Kivel Records 85.0%
MAGNUS KARLSSON Free Fall Melodic Metal Frontiers Records 85.0%
DIAMOND DAWN Overdrive AOR Frontiers Records 85.0%
VOODOO CIRCLE More Than One Way Home Hard Rock AFM Records 84.0%
SPARKLANDS Tomocyclus AOR Avenue of Allies 84.0%
EDGE Heaven Knows AOR Escape 84.0%
BURNING RAIN Epic Obsession Hard Rock Frontiers Records 83.0%
FERGIE FREDERIKSEN Any Given Moment AOR Frontiers Records 83.0%

COMEDY OF ERRORS Fanfare & Fantasy Neo Prog indie 83.0%
LUNA SEA A WILL J-Rock Universal 83.0%
HARDCORE SUPERSTAR C'Mon Take On Me Hard Rock Nuclear Blast 83.0%
QUIREBOYS, THE Beautiful Curse Hard Rock indie 83.0%
HEAVEN'S BASEMENT Filthy Empire Hard Rock Red Bull 83.0%
WILD ROSE Dangerous AOR AOR Heaven 83.0%
DREAM THEATER s/t Prog Metal Roadrunner 82.0%
AIRLESS Changes Melodic Rock Lion Music 82.0%
DE LA CRUZ Street Level Sleaze / Hard Rock Frontiers Records 82.0%
ADRIANGALE Suckerpunch! Melodic Rock Kivel Records 81.0%

TOM KEIFER The Way Life Goes Blues / Acoustic Rock Merovee Records 81.0%
LANESLIDE Flying High Melodic Rock Avenue of Allies 81.0%
CRASHDIET The Savage Playground Sleaze Glam Frontiers Records 81.0%
FLOWER KINGS, THE Desolation Rose Symphonic Prog Rock Century Media 81.0%
HEARTBREAK RADIO On Air Lite AOR / Westcoast AOR Heaven 81.0%
RIVERSIDE Shrine of New Generation Slaves Prog Metal Inside Out 80.0%
WINERY DOGS, THE s/t Hard Rock Loud & Proud Records 80.0%
ANGELICA Thrive Melodic Rock Frontiers Records 80.0%
THEANDER EXPRESSION, THE Strange Nostalgia AOR Avenue of Allies 80.0%
FATE If Not For The Devil Hard Rock Avenue of Allies 80.0%

MORITZ S.O.S AOR Harmony Factory 80.0%
SEVENTH KEY I Will Survive Melodic Rock Frontiers Records 80.0%
SUMMERS 364 Melodic Rock indie 80.0%
NITERAIN Crossfire Sleaze / Hard Rock indie 80.0%
NASTY BULLETZ Right Time To Rock You Sleaze / Hard Rock Fastball 80.0%
BLACK DIAMONDS Perfect Sin Hard Rock indie 80.0%
PARIS Only One Life AOR Avenue of Allies 80.0%
COVERED CALL Impact AOR Heaven Melodic Rock 80.0%
BAI BANG All Around The World AOR Heaven Melodic Rock 80.0%
STEVEN WILSON The Raven That Refused To Sing Crossover Prog Kscope 80.0%

REVOLUTION ROAD s/t Melodic Rock Avenue of Allies 80.0%
DEGREED We Don't Belong Modern Melodic Rock indie 79.0%
STALA & SO Play Another Round Melodic Rock Escape 79.0%
AVANTASIA The Mystery of Time Melodic Metal Nuclear Blast 79.0%
7TH HEAVEN Synergy Modern Pop Rock NTD Records 79.0%
PRETTY MAIDS Motherland Heavy Metal Frontiers Records 78.0%
PINK CREAM 69 Ceremonial Hard Rock Frontiers Records 78.0%
GURU White AOR Melodic Rock 78.0%
STEVE LUKATHER Transition AOR Mascot Records 78.0%
KING KOBRA II Hard Rock Frontiers Records 77.0%

ARC ANGEL Harlequins of Light Pomp AOR Frontiers Records 77.0%
MAXX EXPLOSION Forever Hard Rock Kivel Records 77.0%
AIRBOURNE Black Dog Barking Hard Rock Roadrunner 77.0%
THE HOTCAKES Excess All Areas Hard Rock indie 77.0%
BRETT WALKER Straight Jacket Vacation AOR / Acoustic Rock AOR Heaven 77.0%
SHYLOCK Walking Tall Hard Rock AOR Heaven 77.0%
JAMES LABRIE Impermanent Resonance Heavy Metal Inside Out 76.0%
HOUSTON II AOR Livewire 76.0%
LAWLESS Rock Savage Heavy Metal Escape 76.0%
BLACK SABBATH 13 Doom / Heavy Metal Vertigo 76.0%

METAL CHURCH Generation Nothing Heavy / Thrash Metal Rat Pak Records 76.0%
AUDREY HORNE Youngblood Heavy Metal Napalm Records 76.0%
SHANNON Circus of Lost Souls Melodic Rock indie 76.0%
N.O.W Bohemian Kingdom Melodic Rock Escape 76.0%
HARDREAMS Unbroken Promises Melodic Rock Perris Records 76.0%
HELLOWEEN Straight Out of Hell Power Metal Spinefarm 76.0%
QUEENSRYCHE s/t Prog / Heavy Metal Century Media 75.0%
SAMMY HAGAR & FRIENDS s/t Various Rock Frontiers Records 75.0%
BLACKRAIN It Begins Sleaze / Hard Rock Columbia 75.0%
BON JOVI What About Now Pop Rock Island 75.0%

LOST WEEKEND Evermore Melodic Rock AOR Heaven 75.0%
SNOWFALL Cold Silence Melodic Rock Escape 75.0%
MAD MARGRITT Show No Mercy Hard Rock Perris Records 75.0%
HEAVEN AND EARTH Dig Classic / Hard Rock indie 75.0%
RAGE OF ANGELS Dreamworld Melodic Rock Escape 75.0%
HAKEN The Mountain Prog Metal Inside Out 75.0%
FATES WARNING Darkness In A Different Light Prog Metal Inside Out 74.0%
MEGADETH Super Collider Thrash / Hard Rock Universal Republic 73.0%
POODLES, THE Tour de Force Hard Rock Frontiers Records 73.0%
MAD MAX Interceptor Hard Rock SPV 73.0%

KICK Memoirs Melodic Rock Escape 73.0%
HOUSE OF SHAKIRA Pay To Play Melodic Rock Melodic Rock 73.0%
LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM Ten Tangerine Tales AOR Bad Reputation 73.0%
GIANT X I Hard Rock / Heavy Metal SPV 73.0%
BUCKCHERRY Confessions Hard Rock Eleven Seven 73.0%
STARSHIP Loveless Fascination AOR Loud & Proud Records 73.0%
STRATOVARIUS Nemesis Power Metal earMUSIC 72.0%
FAIR WARNING Sundancer Melodic Rock SPV 72.0%
BLACK STAR RIDERS All Hell Breaks Loose Classic / Hard Rock Nuclear Blast 72.0%
SHAKRA Powerplay Hard Rock AFM Records 72.0%

CHINA We Are The Stars Modern Melodic Rock Blue Martin 72.0%
ANSWER, THE New Horizon Hard Rock Napalm Records 72.0%
DANGER ANGEL Revolutia Melodic Rock Perris Records 72.0%
JAMES CHRISTIAN Lay It All On Me AOR Frontiers Records 71.0%
DAVID REECE Compromise Hard Rock AOR Heaven 71.0%
BABY SNAKES Gunslingers Hard Rock indie 71.0%
ESCAPE Borderline AOR Z Records 71.0%
MORTAL FORM The Reckoning Death / Thrash Metal My Kingdom Music 71.0%
CONEY HATCH Four Hard Rock Frontiers Records 71.0%
KEE MARCELLO Judas Kiss Hard Rock 7Hard Records 71.0%

FARRADAY Shade of Love AOR AOR Heaven 70.0%
JESSE DAMON Temptation In The Garden of Eve Hard Rock AOR Heaven 70.0%
COLDSPELL Frozen Paradise Melodic Metal Escape 70.0%
ROBIN BECK Underneath AOR / Pop Rock HMMR 69.0%
STATE COWS The Second One Westcoast Avenue of Allies 69.0%
IMPERA Pieces of Eden Hard Rock Escape 68.0%
BOSTON Life, Love, & Hope AOR Frontiers Records 68.0%
REDRUM Victim of The Circumstances Hard Rock indie 68.0%
DEEP PURPLE Now What Hard Rock earMUSIC 68.0%
TAINTED NATION F.E.A.R Modern Hard Rock Massacre Records 68.0%

DEATH ANGEL The Dream Calls For Blood Thrash Metal Nuclear Blast 67.0%
PLAYER Too Many Reasons AOR Frontiers Records 66.0%
NO LOVE LOST s/t Hard Rock Kivel Records 66.0%
PHOENIX RISING On The Loose AOR AOR Records 65.0%
KINGDOM COME Outlier Hard Rock SPV 65.0%
SNAKECHARMER s/t Blues / Hard Rock Frontiers Records 65.0%
GHOST B.C Infestissummam Heavy Metal Universal Republic 64.0%

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Overall, 2013 is another pleasant year for me but only 3 albums broke the 90% score while almost 50 albums stays in the 80%-89% range, meaning lots of really good albums but artists need to get rid of some weaker stuffs to net higher points in the next release.

That's pretty much 2013 in a nutshell. Lots of solid and good to very good albums, but the number of barn burners was down considerably from other years.

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Overall, 2013 is another pleasant year for me but only 3 albums broke the 90% score while almost 50 albums stays in the 80%-89% range, meaning lots of really good albums but artists need to get rid of some weaker stuffs to net higher points in the next release.

That's pretty much 2013 in a nutshell. Lots of solid and good to very good albums, but the number of barn burners was down considerably from other years.

 

 

Yes Dan, but all in all, with 50+ albums that's worth for some repeated listening, I'm still a happy man,

but 2014 is shaping up to be a better year, so really lookin' forward to it !

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Sorry guys I disagree - im sat here with 10-15 albums which I am struggling to differentiate as they are all so awesome!

 

2013 definitely standing up to previous years for me, although with the quality due in 2014 that could well be the crowning year - we'll see.

 

Will try to get my list together early next week.

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I've cut down even more on buying CDs in 2013, all in all I 'only' bought 25 '2013 releases' (not counting re-issues). Once again I'm not going to include albums I've listened to online but didn't decide to buy in the end. As every year there are some Swiss artists in my list which are probably not going to end up on anyone else's list!

 

I'd put the virtual 90% mark after spot 5, the 80% mark after spot 16 and the 70% mark after spot 23.

Okay, here we go:

 

1. Avantasia - The Mystery of Time (I expected this to be in my Top10 when it came out, but I never thought that it'd get to the top. But every time I put this on I'm simply stunned by those intense melodies which are so rich in detail that I never seem to get bored for one second. Such a nice piece of work! To me Tobias Sammet is on top of his game at the moment and I'm looking forward to a new Edguy album in 2014.)

2. Heaven's Basement - Filthy Empire (And now to something completely different - a fantastic platter of modernised 70's/80's-rock from a band that is the real deal. One can really feel that this band has earned its right through touring endlessly as the whole disc sounds fresh and 'Nothing left to lose' might be my favourite song of the year.)
3. Degreed - We don't belong (Probably my surprise of the year! Didn't really like their debut much, so this one caught me on the wrong foot. Haunting melodies, great arrangements and a state-of-the-art production. Great stuff!)
4. Reckless Love - Spirit (Their best effort to date imo. Just a great disc for many summers to come.)
5. Hardcore Superstar - C'mon take on me (A very welcome return from these guys. Imo another highlight in their discography, which would have rated even higher if they'd replaced the intro and that silly 'sect meeting'-chant with two more songs.)
6. Airbourne - Black Dog Barking (At first I was a little disappointed with this disc: It was just too short for my taste and some of the songs (Ready to rock, Firepower, Hungry) still don't do much for me. But on the other hand you've got 'Animalize', 'Back in the Game', 'Live it up' or 'Cradle to the Grave' and above all a fantastic production courtesy by Brian Howes - plus the fact I've played this a lot this past summer.)
7. Tom Keifer - The Way Life goes (A pleasant surprise as I didn't expect much from this album. But with a lot of diversity and a superb production it caught my attention. Welcome back Mr. Keifer!)
8. Santa Cruz - Screaming for Adrenaline (These guys just completely nail the 80's sleaze vibe. Overall a very strong debut with a couple of fillers. I expect a lot from these guys in the future!)
9. W.E.T - Rise up (A very strong effort in every compartment, no doubt about it - but for my taste it all sounds a little too 'safe and predictable'. The only thing I dislike about this disc is the fact that the chorus of 'What you want' (which I find to be average *ducks*) sounds basically the same as 'Learn to live again' (which I love))
10. Michael Monroe - Horns and Halos (MM seems to be on an all-time high in his long career and I'm really happy for him as this succedd was long overdue. Personally I like this album a lot, but I would have dropped a couple of tracks and would have added those bonus tracks instead. A very solid rock'n'roll record!)
11. Crashdiet - The Savage Playground (Last year Crazy Lixx ranked 11, this year that spot goes to Crashdiet and I can basically write the same words as last year: "although ranked at spot 11, this is the disappointment of the year for me. Every time I listen to it I really want to like it, but there's some tiny ingredient missing imo" - the 'tiny ingredient' obviously being the production...)
12. Backwash - ST (sleazy, in your face rock'n'roll with great songs and a killer live band - a very welcome comeback!)
13. Dada Ante Portas - Bad Weeds grow Tall (A Swiss Pop-Rock-band: Great songs, clever arrangement but also some fillers)
14. Adrenaline 101 - Demons in the Closet (This band closes a rush of 3 Swiss bands in a row in my list. A somewhat special affair as they mix up a lot of different styles while always maintaining an unmistakable melodic vibe.)
15. Black Veil Brides - Wretched and Divine (I never thought I'd give a damn about this band, but nevertheless this one has such an epic 80's vibe written all over it that it can't be ignored. It all sounds a little one-dimensional at time but when they're good they're good (e.g 'In the End' or 'Lost it all'))
16. Mike Tramp - Cobblestone Street (This one is a tough call for me as I am a huge fan of Mike Tramp and I adore pretty much every song he has ever written as a solo-artist. This is true for 'Cobblestone Street' as well, but only if I listen to individual tracks. Back to back I get a little bored unfortunately. Anyway, great songs and a great guy - and my concert of the year!)
17. Nicke Borg Homeland - Ruins of a Riot (Backyard Babies singer's second solo output; not as solid as BB are/were, but some pleasant songs; could've been better imo)
18. Imperial State Electric (The exact same thing goes for the Hellacopter's former singer/songwriter - only got this a week ago though, so this might end up higher on my list)
19. Spock's Beard - Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep (This is the first prog-rock disc I've bought in my life - good songs, nicely arranged)
20. The Theander Expression - Strange Nostalgia (very solid AOR - Although it's well produced I'm not a big fan of the guitar tone)
21. Brett Walker - Straight Jacket Vacation (I would have loved to rate this higher in my list, but overall I tend to think this disc lacks a little of that 'fresh'-vibe I mentioned before. A very talented songwriter and singer gone far too soon - r.i.p Brett!)
22. Buckcherry - Confessions (I do not agree with the band that this is their strongest disc to date - rather quite the opposite. To my ears it lacks hooks and outstanding songs - still an 'okay'-record though)
23. The Ragged Saints - The Sound of Breaking Free (Although I still have to give this disc a lot more spins it didn't grab me as much as I thought it would. Some great AOR/Melodicrock on offer here, but once again just a tad too predictable for my taste)
24. Diamond Dawn - Overdrive (I love all those young Swedish bands emerging in the last decade and this one is no exception really, but somehow the elements are not quite in place yet - let's see what a new singer can bring to the party!)
25. The Temperance Movement - ST (you know, this band gets a bit of animosity from my part although they are not to blame at all - hyped and therefore overrated classic rock. Of course there is nothing wrong with the musicianship or the songs, I just wish some of the similar outstanding bands in the same vein (My Dynamite come to mind) would get the same amount of exposure. Rant over - overall an average disc)

 

 

Quite a special year overall: In terms of AOR/Melodicrock it was a rather weak year compared to the last couple of years (still a lot better than like it used to be 10 years ago - let's not forget those dark years between 1995 and 2005!) - while in terms of (sleazy) Hard Rock there was some great stuff on offer.

I share the same feelings a lot of you mentioned in saying that 2013 has been a slight let-down compared to past years, although still on a very high level imo. 2014 on the other hand is looking to be spectacular in every sub-genre!!

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OK, enough faffing about, this is about as close as its ever going to get -

 

1. Pretty Maids - Motherland

2. Johnny Lima - My Revolution

3. De La Cruz - Street Level

4. WET - Rise Up

5. Find Me - Wings Of Love

6. Adriangale - Suckerpunch!

7. Stryper - No More Hell To Pay

8. Edens Curse - Symphony of Sin

9. Heavens Basement - Filthy Empire
10. Vega - What The Hell

 

Well there you have it. My top 10 for what has been an awesome 2013 (honestly all that top 10 deserve 90% or above in my opinion!) - really cannot believe what a roll we are on in terms of melodic rock and this looks to be continuing into 2014 with some really exciting releases due.

 

My album of the year was pretty easy in the end. Finally Pretty Maids have clinched the top spot and well deserved it was too - Motherland empasses everything great about this band and may end up being the pinnacle of their career.

 

The surprise of the year from me was Johnny Lima. Only possible after a fan funding and my word was it worth it - easily his most consistent and excellent album to date - this thing rocks and has hooks galore.

 

De La Cruz held up - I knew this album was great from the moment I heard it - the most 80s sounding release of the year and probably my most listened to album as well. Contains a contender for best song in 'Dreamin' which is just awesome.

 

Almost impossible to separate WET and Find Me - both are stellar examples of MHR.

 

Adriangale - fine return to form. Glorious hooks everywhere on this album

 

I would never have thought I'd see the day when I had a Stryper album in my top 10, but there it sits!! Had the diction been slightly better it would maybe have climbed even higher - awesome, melodic metal.

 

Edens Curse - a better band without dick face and this proves it. Was an early fav of mine and has held up well to repeat listens.

 

Heaven Basement - excellent straight ahead hard rock. I love virtually every track on this album and anyone who hasnt heard it, should do.

 

Vega - another great release from these guys....a few tracks didnt quite cut it but with 14 tracks you still get at least double figures which are winners

 

Honourable Mentions (in no order)-

 

Hardcore Superstar - C'Mon
Reckless Love - Spirit

LaValle - Dear Sanity (brilliant first half!!!!!!!)

James Labrie - Impermanent Resonance
Santa Cruz - Screamin

Degreed - We Don't Belong
Crashdiet - Savage Playground (poor production!!!! Ahhrrrrrr!!)

 

Disappointments (as in 'didnt reach my expectations'......not necessarily 'bad')

 

Seventh Key (just not my thing)

Diamond Dawn (HEAT pretenders, but a mile off that quality)

Place Vendome (Kiske sounded strained, and running out of ideas)

PC69 (just average)

FM (too safe)

 

Not Heard

 

Black Star Riders

Maxx Explosion (have heard 2 songs which are brilliant - 'Devils Locomotive' and 'Famous')

Daughtry

Reece (really interested in this as have heard good things!)

 

Cheers

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OK, enough faffing about, this is about as close as its ever going to get -

 

1. Pretty Maids - Motherland

2. Johnny Lima - My Revolution

3. De La Cruz - Street Level

4. WET - Rise Up

5. Find Me - Wings Of Love

6. Adriangale - Suckerpunch!

7. Stryper - No More Hell To Pay

8. Edens Curse - Symphony of Sin

9. Heavens Basement - Filthy Empire

10. Vega - What The Hell

 

Well there you have it. My top 10 for what has been an awesome 2013 (honestly all that top 10 deserve 90% or above in my opinion!) - really cannot believe what a roll we are on in terms of melodic rock and this looks to be continuing into 2014 with some really exciting releases due.

 

My album of the year was pretty easy in the end. Finally Pretty Maids have clinched the top spot and well deserved it was too - Motherland empasses everything great about this band and may end up being the pinnacle of their career.

 

The surprise of the year from me was Johnny Lima. Only possible after a fan funding and my word was it worth it - easily his most consistent and excellent album to date - this thing rocks and has hooks galore.

 

De La Cruz held up - I knew this album was great from the moment I heard it - the most 80s sounding release of the year and probably my most listened to album as well. Contains a contender for best song in 'Dreamin' which is just awesome.

 

Almost impossible to separate WET and Find Me - both are stellar examples of MHR.

 

Adriangale - fine return to form. Glorious hooks everywhere on this album

 

I would never have thought I'd see the day when I had a Stryper album in my top 10, but there it sits!! Had the diction been slightly better it would maybe have climbed even higher - awesome, melodic metal.

 

Edens Curse - a better band without dick face and this proves it. Was an early fav of mine and has held up well to repeat listens.

 

Heaven Basement - excellent straight ahead hard rock. I love virtually every track on this album and anyone who hasnt heard it, should do.

 

Vega - another great release from these guys....a few tracks didnt quite cut it but with 14 tracks you still get at least double figures which are winners

 

Honourable Mentions (in no order)-

 

Hardcore Superstar - C'Mon

Reckless Love - Spirit

LaValle - Dear Sanity (brilliant first half!!!!!!!)

James Labrie - Impermanent Resonance

Santa Cruz - Screamin

Degreed - We Don't Belong

Crashdiet - Savage Playground (poor production!!!! Ahhrrrrrr!!)

 

Disappointments (as in 'didnt reach my expectations'......not necessarily 'bad')

 

Seventh Key (just not my thing)

Diamond Dawn (HEAT pretenders, but a mile off that quality)

Place Vendome (Kiske sounded strained, and running out of ideas)

PC69 (just average)

FM (too safe)

 

Not Heard

 

Black Star Riders

Maxx Explosion (have heard 2 songs which are brilliant - 'Devils Locomotive' and 'Famous')

Daughtry

Reece (really interested in this as have heard good things!)

 

Cheers

You may have the Johnny Lima already, but it is a 2014 release.

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I came to the conclusion that this is my best effort at a Top 15 of 2013:

 

1. Pretty Maids "Motherland"
2. W.E.T. "Rise Up"
3. Faith Circus "Turn Up The Band"
4. Eden's Curse "Symphony Of Sin"
5. De La Cruz "Street Level"
6. Stryper "No More Hell To Pay"
7. Reckless Love "Spirit"
8. LaValle "Dear Sanity"
9. Niterain "Crossfire"
10. AdrianGale "Suckerpunch!"
11. Vega "What The Hell"
12. Santa Cruz "Screaming For Adrenaline"
13. Metal Church "Generation Nothing"
14. Newman "Siren"
15. Fate "If Not For The Devil"

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I'm gonna aim to get something up this week too. It is indeed a truth that Lima is a 2014 release, but wow Glen, amazed you put it up so high so quick in with your 2013 mix. Could it be just the early buzz after just hearing it? I also think it's probably his best disc, but for me personally, not in the same arena - not even close - as stuff like WET, Vega, Find Me, Reckless Love and the best of his melodic rock peers. I think the humble bastard himself would agree he's not on that level.

 

Anyway, to each his own. Always love reading through these lists and I hope to get amongst it asap. Some good lists there, both of yours looking quite similar to how mine will look.

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I legally got my MP3s in 2013, so that's where its staying.

I gotcha

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I legally got my MP3s in 2013, so that's where its staying.

I gotcha

 

So will it end up on 2014?

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I'm gonna aim to get something up this week too. It is indeed a truth that Lima is a 2014 release, but wow Glen, amazed you put it up so high so quick in with your 2013 mix. Could it be just the early buzz after just hearing it? I also think it's probably his best disc, but for me personally, not in the same arena - not even close - as stuff like WET, Vega, Find Me, Reckless Love and the best of his melodic rock peers. I think the humble bastard himself would agree he's not on that level.

 

Anyway, to each his own. Always love reading through these lists and I hope to get amongst it asap. Some good lists there, both of yours looking quite similar to how mine will look.

Ive listened to those songs loads of times - excellent hooks and far more depth & variety than either WET or Find Me. I honestly love all 15 tracks :-)

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OK, enough faffing about, this is about as close as its ever going to get -

 

1. Pretty Maids - Motherland

2. Johnny Lima - My Revolution

3. De La Cruz - Street Level

4. WET - Rise Up

5. Find Me - Wings Of Love

6. Adriangale - Suckerpunch!

7. Stryper - No More Hell To Pay

8. Edens Curse - Symphony of Sin

9. Heavens Basement - Filthy Empire

10. Vega - What The Hell

 

Well there you have it. My top 10 for what has been an awesome 2013 (honestly all that top 10 deserve 90% or above in my opinion!) - really cannot believe what a roll we are on in terms of melodic rock and this looks to be continuing into 2014 with some really exciting releases due.

 

My album of the year was pretty easy in the end. Finally Pretty Maids have clinched the top spot and well deserved it was too - Motherland empasses everything great about this band and may end up being the pinnacle of their career.

 

The surprise of the year from me was Johnny Lima. Only possible after a fan funding and my word was it worth it - easily his most consistent and excellent album to date - this thing rocks and has hooks galore.

 

De La Cruz held up - I knew this album was great from the moment I heard it - the most 80s sounding release of the year and probably my most listened to album as well. Contains a contender for best song in 'Dreamin' which is just awesome.

 

Almost impossible to separate WET and Find Me - both are stellar examples of MHR.

 

Adriangale - fine return to form. Glorious hooks everywhere on this album

 

I would never have thought I'd see the day when I had a Stryper album in my top 10, but there it sits!! Had the diction been slightly better it would maybe have climbed even higher - awesome, melodic metal.

 

Edens Curse - a better band without dick face and this proves it. Was an early fav of mine and has held up well to repeat listens.

 

Heaven Basement - excellent straight ahead hard rock. I love virtually every track on this album and anyone who hasnt heard it, should do.

 

Vega - another great release from these guys....a few tracks didnt quite cut it but with 14 tracks you still get at least double figures which are winners

 

Honourable Mentions (in no order)-

 

Hardcore Superstar - C'Mon

Reckless Love - Spirit

LaValle - Dear Sanity (brilliant first half!!!!!!!)

James Labrie - Impermanent Resonance

Santa Cruz - Screamin

Degreed - We Don't Belong

Crashdiet - Savage Playground (poor production!!!! Ahhrrrrrr!!)

 

Disappointments (as in 'didnt reach my expectations'......not necessarily 'bad')

 

Seventh Key (just not my thing)

Diamond Dawn (HEAT pretenders, but a mile off that quality)

Place Vendome (Kiske sounded strained, and running out of ideas)

PC69 (just average)

FM (too safe)

 

Not Heard

 

Black Star Riders

Maxx Explosion (have heard 2 songs which are brilliant - 'Devils Locomotive' and 'Famous')

Daughtry

Reece (really interested in this as have heard good things!)

 

Cheers

 

:guitar::guitar::guitar: I wanted to write down "Say it ain't so, Johnny", "Say it ain't so..."... But Johnny is telling no lies here, despite asking for it!

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OK guys if you are going to be soooooo anal that I can't include Johnny Lima, even though I've paid my money and have the MP3s.........how is this any different to a digital release??..............well here you go a full top 15

 

[all i will say is that Johnny will be included in the 2014 list based on the full 15 songs NOT the 11 being released.....cos my CD will have 15!]

 

1. Pretty Maids - Motherland

2. De La Cruz - Street Level

3. WET - Rise Up

4. Find Me - Wings Of Love

5. Adriangale - Suckerpunch!

6. Stryper - No More Hell To Pay

7. Edens Curse - Symphony of Sin

8. Heavens Basement - Filthy Empire
9. Vega - What The Hell

10. Hardcore Superstar - C'Mon Take On Me

11. Reckless Love - Spirit

12. Lavalle - Dear Sanity

13. Rage of Angels - s/t

14. Degreed - We Don't Belong

15. James Labrie - Impermanent Resonance

 

 

I do still want to hear the Reece and Maxx Explosion discs though as I think both could make this list.

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