Breezy's Top 5 of 2014!!

OK, the worlds worst blogger is back.  Been busy, haven't been on the blog for a bit and it's time to finish up my Top 15 of the year, because I know you're all waiting with baited breath...sigh. ;)  I'm gonna do this quick, so I can wrap it up and continue on with my fave records and lost classics of all time. So the fact that I'm doing this quick does not mean these records are not important...I spun the crap out of them last year and into the new year. Good music is good music.  I'll try to get better with the blogging, and in the meantime, here is my Top 5 of 2014:

5. Califonia Breed - S/T

Glenn Hughes came back last year after the demise of Black Country Communion with more proof that he is one of the greatest voices of all time. Wow, dude can sing lol.  Along for the ride are Jason Bonham on drums and newcomer Andrew Watt on guitar. Pure rock done in a retro style.  Amazing stuff, and only to find out the band has officially disbanded.  Oh well, I'll blast this for a while.





4. Iced Earth - Plagues Of Babylon

Iced Earth are one of the greatest metal bands today. I've been a fan for years, but started to drop off after Horror Show.  Fellow Canadian Stu Block brought me back big time with 2011's Dystopia.  He has brought a new energy to the band, and can sing and perform his butt off.  Caught them live on this tour and they were fantastic.  Plagues has all the classic elements of Iced Earth, ripping guitar, great melodies, and cool themes.  Cthulhu is one of the best tracks they've ever done. Throw in a cover of Highwayman (yeah, the country tune) and you have a great record. Already waiting for the next one boys.


3. Primal Fear - Delivering The Black

 Like Iced Earth, I've been a fan of Primal Fear for years.  Kind of lost touch the past couple of records and now I'm back with Delivering The Black. Ralph Scheepers, Mat Sinner and company came back in 2014 with a great platter of metal.  Lots of interesting vibes here, with Death Comes Knocking leading the way. Killer guitar and vocals.  The comparisons to Judas Priest are obvious, but I've always felt they have their own thing going on, and it's great. For fans of classic metal, go buy this.




2. H.E.A.T. - Tearing Down the Walls

Man, did this one surprise me. This is a band from Sweden, who much like countrymen Eclipse and Crashdiet, know a thing or two about writing a good tune. This album makes classic melodic hard rock acts like Def Leppard and Bon Jovi want to throw in the towel. So good.  Brilliant songwriting and performances abound.  Not a bad track on the album and I'm looking forward to their live album.  Their last album, Address The Nation, was good, but this one should be all over radio and in the hands of fellow hard rockers. Only one record got more spins than this one this year. Amazing.


1. Judas Priest - Redeemer Of Souls

Make no mistake, Judas Priest are one of my Top 5 bands of all time. Did I think at this point in their career that they would put out something as good as this? Wow. Totally classic Priest. Rob Halford at 63 continues to shine, along with bandmates Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill, Scott Travis, and newcomer Richie Faulkner (the secret weapon here).  This is the best Priest record since Defenders Of The Faith (yes, better than Painkiller...and I never thought I'd say that).  so many great tracks, and full on classics like Halls of Valhalla and the title track prove that not only are The Priest back...but they have never gone away.  Buy it.

8. Overkill - White Devil Armory

It amazes me how some of the older thrash acts still can put out a solid album every single time. Overkill returned in 2014 with another brilliant piece of metal entitled White Devil Armory.  Consistency is the name of the game here, and here we have a collection of songs that not only rock hard, but stand alongside anything the band has ever done. Lead off single and vid, Bitter Pill shows the bands groovy side, and tunes like Pig, and the uber thrash of Wheres There's Smoke show Overkill have lots left in the tank.  Blitz still delivers the goods vocally, and Verni's bass sounds fantastic. Great production overall, White Devil Armory throws the gauntlet down to the Big 4.  Let's see them come up with an album like this next. Great stuff.

7.  Midnight - No Mercy For Mayhem

Probably this years biggest surprise for me, in that I stumbled across this album while snooping on youtube one night. From Cleveland, Midnight is kind of a one man project who has obviously listened to a lot of early Venom, Bathory, Motorhead and Celtic Frost.  Throw in some punk elements, old school production and blackened grooviness, and you'll hear where Midnight is coming from.  The mid paced stuff like Prowling Leather and Woman Of Flame really set these guys apart. I've been researching the band to find out they've been releasing music since 2003. Looks like more stuff to check out! Another band that borrows heavily from the past, but adds an energy and vibe that all hard rockers can get into.  Check out Degradation.

6. Grave Digger - Return Of The Reaper

Return of the Reaper, indeed.  German veterans came back in 2014 with another great record, that like Overkill, show how the big boys do it.  Full on classic metal that has elements of their early albums and their latest albums.  Plus, no bagpipes or Scottish history this time around ;)
Probably my favorite guitar tone this year (courtesy of Axel Ritt) it just rips.  Chris Boltendahl's vocals may be an aquired taste for some, but they are really what set Grave Digger apart.  Can't name a fave track (they are all good), although War God and the closing ballad Nothing Left To Believe stand out.  Personally after all these years, I'd love to see GD on a North American tour with Priest or Maiden, they'd gain a bunch more fans on this side of the pond.

More to come, as I wrap up my list.  Remember, if you like any of these bands, support them by purchasing their music and checking out their shows. Until next time...