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.