Breezy's Top 15 Of 2014!! Pt.2

Here is the next collection of great music from the past year! Some lesser know acts, but awesome nonetheless. Still trying to wrap up by New Years Day :)

#11. Bullet - Storm Of Blades

One of my fave bands from the past few years.  Unashamedly classic, unabashedly retro, and yet still fresh and new.  Bullet's past three records have all been fantastic, and have been on previous year end lists of mine. Storm Of Blades continues in their tradition of classic metal riffs and AC/DC-esque stompers. Hell Hofer's vocals lead the way again.  Tracks like Tornado, Hawk Eyes (do I hear Anvil?) and the title track will surely satisfy any fan of good old fashioned hard rock and metal. All held together with the amazing twin leads of Hampus Klang and Alexander Lyrbo, Storm Of Blades grabs you balls and doesn't let go.  Do you like AC/DC? Accept? Krokus?  Go get this record.

10. The Treatment - Running With the Dogs

The Treatment are a band that should be ruling the rock world.  Yeah, they're that good.  Young and cocky, and can write a great tune.  One of those bands that if they had come out in the mid 80's, they would have been massive.  Their last record, This Might Hurt kicked my butt, and this one continues the tradition.  Loads of overdriven guitar riffs and straight up drums recall classic AC/DC and Aerosmith.  If you don't like lead off track I Bleed Rock and Roll, you may as well stop listening to rock music. A true classic.  I've noticed a bit of a change in image over the past few years, but whatever. Keep the tunes coming.  These dudes were good enough for KISS and Motley to take them out on tour a while back.  Keep it up boys!

9. Skull Fist - Chasing The Dream

Canadian metal gods came back this year with the mighty Chasing The Dream.  Following in the wake of Head Of The Pack, Skull Fist has recorded another great record. Like Bullet, these guys keep things pretty true and make no apologies for their love of classic metal and hard rock.  They brilliantly combine the melodies of Dokken and Black n' Blue with the speed of classic thrash.  Zach Slaughter (wasn't it Jackie?) is a guitar god in waiting.  His solos are always the highlight of a Skull Fist record.  Bad For Good shows their melodic side, Call Of The Wild is pure NWOBHM, and Hour To Live shows them at their speediest.  One of Canada's hidden treasures.  I love that they stick to their guns and keep it real.  Bring on the next one!

See you all soon with my next batch of fave records from 2014!  Until next time...

Breezy's Top 15 of 2014! Pt.1

Hello all!  The world's worst blogger is back!  It's been a while since I've done a post in the Quarry, but thought I'd better get around to doing my Top 15 of the year.  I was going to try to blog more this past year, but life gets in the way.  At any rate, there was a lot of great music in 2014, and here is my Top 15.  Starting at the bottom...

#15. Night By Night - NXN

Young English upstarts Night By Night arrive on the scene this year with a brilliant album that harkens back to the rocking 80's.  There are a lot of comparisons to Def Leppard, but I hear a bit more an American sound in them ala classic Stryper and Dokken. Regardless, I love that there are bands that still carry the torch and do it with sincerity.  NXN is full of melodic hard rock and big choruses.  Fave tracks include Holding Onto Holding On, Can't Walk Away, and lead off video, A Thousand Lies.  These guys have the chops and talent to run with the big boys, and hopefully they can land a nice opening slot on a tour to bring their brand of melodic hard rock to the masses.  Def Leppard's Canadian tour might be a good place to start ;)  Great stuff.

#14. Gamma Ray - Empire Of The Undead

I've been a fan of Gamma Ray for a long time, but have lost track of them the past few years. I picked up the Master Of Confusion Ep leading up to this record, and was blown away.  I knew Gamma Ray had a monster on their hands.  Empire Of The Undead is classic Gamma Ray: tons of melody, ripping guitar solos, and all the majesty you'd expect.  This record sounds a bit more stripped down than past efforts, and that's a good thing. Check out epic opener, Avalon, the groovy Born To Fly, and the speedy title track. Also of note, the two covers on the Ep are fantastic (Sweet's Lost Angels and Holocaust's Death Or Glory), maybe will be added as bonus tracks on this record at some point. For fans of classic power metal, check this out.

#13. Buzzcocks - The Way

I've always enjoyed a wide variety of music, as long as it is guitar driven, and has some passion and power behind it.  Buzzcocks are one of the original punk bands from the UK in the 70's.  Albums like Another Music In a Different Kitchen and Singles Going Steady have always been in my collection, but I had no idea they were still going. This was my surprise of the year.  Still led by Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle, The Way is an amazing rock record. Tracks like Chasing Rainbows/Modern Times and Keep On Believing wave the punk flag high with great melodies and energy.  Lots of variety in that In The Back has a hint of Bowie, and Virtually Real has a great sci-fi vibe.  A great album, I'm glad I stumbled across it.

#12. Ace Frehley - Space Invader

The mighty Ace Frehley has returned. Finally.  My fave guitarist of all time has released his first record in five years.  I'll be honest, the clips I heard before the album was released didn't really impress me, but after picking up the album and giving it multiple spins, Ace has released his best record since the first Frehley's Comet album. This album is full of Ace's signature guitar riffage, and his spacey vocals.  What Every Girl Wants and I Wanna Hold You (both of which show how important his sound was in the original KISS lineup) are two of the best tracks he has ever written. Ace stays true to his roots, and shows a bit of variety in tracks like Change and a cover of Steve Miller's The Joker. There's talk of another record coming soon, and I'm already looking forward to it! Ack!

 There's my opening batch of fave records from this year!  Lots more to come, and I will do my best to have them all up by the end of the year.  I'd like to promise that I'll blog more in the coming year, but I've said that before!  Enjoy the music, and remember to support the artists and buy their albums!
 

My All Time Fave Albums #27

The early to mid 1980's was an amazing time to be a fan of hard rock and heavy metal.  So many great bands making quality music across the world. Los Angeles was a hotbed for sure, with the likes of Quiet Riot, Motley Crue, Ratt, Dokken and W.A.S.P. all releasing seminal albums by 1984.  There were also some bands from that era and time that released some excellent music, but may not have reached the heights of some of their peers.  One of those bands moved from Portland, Oregon to L.A. to achieve success, and in the process recorded a brilliant debut.  That band was Black n' Blue.

This record was something that I remember seeing somewhere in a copy of Hit Parader, a new band with a new album, something I had to check out.  As with a quite a few of my purchases from back in the day, this was a blind buy.  The first time I listened to it, I was hooked.  They were labeled as America's answer to Def Leppard, but I didn't hear that.  Black n' Blue's S/T album is full of hooky hard rock ,with a bit of edge, and not overpolished.  Every track is a winner, from speedster Autoblast, to a great cover of Sweet's Action. Hold On To 18 is my fave track on the album, and has become a bit of a rally for myself and friends who are now all older than 18.  Deep cut Chains Around Heaven is a classic, and has recently been covered by Cauldron.

Black n' Blue's S/T is steeped more in the tradition of 70's acts like KISS, Starz, and Sweet, rather than the full on metal of Judas Priest. The real key with this record aside from great performances all around, is the songs, and the songwriting.  Perfectly crafted chunks of catchy hard rock.  The band did gain momentum after this record, and have some other gems in their catalog as well, but this record is still my fave.  Sometimes with older stuff, there is a lot of nostalgia involved, but listening to this record again today is a reminder that it's just damn good music.

Black n' Blue still carries on today, minus two original members (one of which is Tommy Thayer, currently rocking lead guitar in KISS).  Lots of great tunes, here's the video for Hold On To 18.  Lets do exactly that. Cheers!

My All Time Fave Albums #26

There are always those albums that you discover a few years after their release, and you wonder why you missed it the first time around.  Those records sometimes become some of the most important music in your life. This is one such album. Marillion - Misplaced Childhood

I discovered Marillion in High School with their live EP, Real to Reel. It was a more progressive approach to the music I was listening to at the time, but the lyrics and guitar work had me returning to it often. Misplaced Childhood was released in the summer of 1985, and was getting a bit of press in mags like Kerrang.  For whatever reason, I did not pick this album up until probably a dozen years later when I found the two disc set for a good price.  I would say this record is a desert island for me, with it's great concept, Fish's outstanding and touching poetry, Steve Rothery's tasteful playing, and it's fresh take on bands like Genesis and Floyd without ripping them off.  I've introduced a few friends to it, and nobody is ever disappointed.

Misplaced Childhood is a concept album, where all of the tracks run together seamlessly. The lyrics touch on loneliness, sadness, lost love, and losing the innocence of childhood.  Sounds a little depressing, doesn't it? It's done in a very moving way and the album ends on a positive and triumphant note with White Feather.  When an album is this good,it's hard to pick fave tracks.  From the brilliant prog pop of single Kayleigh, through the stellar Bitter Suite/Heart of Lothian and masterpiece Blind Curve, this is a record for people who love good music, and good music is ALWAYS a great discovery.

Although Marillion has forged on all these years (minus Fish) and still making quality music, nothing has caught lightning in a bottle like they did in 1985.  Here is the video for Kayleigh. Enjoy!

Breezy's Top 15 of 2013!! The Top 3!

Hey, two weeks into January and I'm just finishing up my list.  Better late than never!  Here we go, my Top 3 for 2013.

3. Satan - Life Sentence 

Finally the band that brought us 1983's legendary album Court In The Act, have finally returned with it's true follow up albeit 30 years later.  Funny thing is, not much has changed other than the band members have gotten older, and they have possibly recorded an album that is better than their incredible debut. Razor sharp guitars blast over top of Brian Ross' vocals, Satan show they have truly caught lightning in a bottle.  Opening duo of Time To Die and Twenty Twenty Five blow anything away off the debut, with their duel guitars in full force and melody everywhere. The thrashy, Maiden-esque Testimony, also shows that there might be more life left with this band.  A great return to form.  If you love NWOBHM, go get this now.

2. James LaBrie - Impermanent Resonance

I'm a huge fan of James' main band, Dream Theater, but his solo stuff just keeps getting better than ever.  I played this one far more than his main gigs new album, and it's a beauty.  Again, he has assembled an amazing group of musicians, including drummer Peter Wildoer and keyboardist Matt Guillory, and has made an album full of hard rock, melodic death and pop. Every tune is a winner from the hard rocking, Agony, to the poppish I Got You to the ballad, Say You're Still Mine.  I've always been a fan of James' vocals, but the songwriting on this proves he could be doing more in Dream Theater.  A great record that will continue to get plays and praise from me.

1. Audrey Horne - Youngblood

 I've been a fan of Audrey Horne for a few years, but I didn't see this coming at all.  They've dropped the alt-rock leanings and come up with an absolute barnstormer of a hard rock record.  Every song from top to bottom has killer choruses, beautiful vocals, and twin guitar melodies.  The album carries a bit of a classic 70's rock vibe, hints of KISS and Lizzy, but not really sounding like anyone.  The title track is a standout, and The Open Sea is a stunner. I'm hoping the band has finally hit their stide and discovered that playing to their influences has produced the best music of their career.  I'm looking forward to your next album guys, and how about a Canadian tour?  Two vids for you to enjoy below.  Amazing.

I also want to mention a quick note about two more records from 2013 that I didn't really get until the end of the year, but should be on this list as well...Motorhead's Aftershock, and David Bowie's return in The Next Day.  I'll be posting again soon, and hopefully a bit more often than I did in 2013.  More classics from my past, fave albums,  Top 5 and 10 lists, etc.  Thanks for reading my Blog, and enjoying the rambling.  MUYA!

Breezy's Top 15 of 2013! #4 And #5!

So now I'm down to my Top 5 albums of the past year.  There was ALOT of good music that came out over the past 12 months, it's getting hard to keep up with it all...most of the albums are from bands that I follow, and then there are those that come from out of nowhere to hit me on the head.  Here's one of each!

5. W.E.T. - Rise Up 

Unusual name, fantastic album. Featuring members of melodic rock bands, Work Of Art, Eclipse and Talisman, Rise Up is one of the best melodic rock albums I have ever heard. This is an example of where every track could be a single.  Amazing vocals (as always) from the legendary Jeff Scott Soto, and stunning guitar work from Robert Sall. An album that harkens back to the classic AOR of Journey, Foreigner and Survivor, but with more bite. All the tracks are great, but faves would be Walk Away, What You Want and Learn To Live Again.  An album with clean production and direction that never falters. A must for fans of melodic hard rock.

4. Stryper - No More Hell To Pay

I've been a fan of Stryper from literally the beginning, with the release of their Yellow and Black Attack in 1984. There were a few ups and downs, and now they have released possibly the best record of their career.  No More Hell To Pay is classic Stryper from top to bottom, but heavier, with ALL the original members.  Not a ballad to be seen, just great song after song that show there's lots of gas left in the tank. Seriously, there are not many men in their 50's that deliver vocals like Michael Sweet. Amazing. His brother Robert, continues to be an influence on the kit. Tracks like Sympathy, Legacy and the title track I would recommend to all who like their metal guitar driven and classic.  Well done boys, and thanks for all the great music!

My top 3 of the year are to come, and then it's back to more posts about my fave albums and lost classics! Maybe some Top 5 lists this year too! See you all very soon! Crank it!

Breezy's Top 15 of 2013! #6 And #7!

I'm never on time with these things, and the holidays didn't help...better late than never.  My Top 15 of 2013 continues with two of my fave bands over the past few years, and both from Sweden! Crashdiet and Enforcer.

7. Enforcer - Death By Fire

Enforcer returns with album #3 this year, Death By Fire.  I've been a big fan since the debut, and they have yet to disappoint.  Firmly rooted in days of Metal gone by, Enforcer rock out fast and heavy, and keep thing fresh and interesting.  Best comparison would be Kill 'em All era Metallica meets classic Maiden, with NWOBHM touches everywhere. Death Rides This Night kicks things off in fine fashion, and the tunes just get better.  Mesmerized By Fire sounds like a thrashy Maiden (check out the vid below), and Take Me Out of This Nightmare has a great singalong chorus.  Growing up with style of music, I'm happy the younger bands are still keeping it true, and delivering some great Heavy Metal.  This one is a perfect example for past meets future. Great!

6. Crashdiet - The Savage Playground

Probably my fave band from the past 10 years, Crashdiet show that sometimes the grasshopper can usurp the master. They don't deny their love for 80's Metal ala Crue, Skid Row, et al, but they do it heavier, catchier, and now have 4 albums under their belt that all kick ass. New vocalist Simon Cruz joins the founding members, and adds a bit more violent punk attitude to the surroundings.  I seriously cannot pick one fave track, as they are all fantastic. Start with tunes like Cocaine Cowboys, Damaged Kid or Excited to give yourself a taste of the Swedes.  They finally did some dates in the US this year, so they are finally making some headway in North America.  Brilliant, fun and rocking, Crashdiet are the leaders of the new wave of Glam Rock.

There will be another blog this weekend, to continue my list.  I hope everyone had a great New Years and all the best to you in 2014! See ya soon!