Alberta’s own Corb Lund released his brand new album this last Friday. The country-folk singer-songwriter is on his twelfth studio album, and shows no signs of slowing down. Now, I do tend personally to go for more of a rock/pop country sound. However I do love some more traditional country and western stuff every now and again, so am certainly excited to be checking this out.
The album opens on a fantastic acoustic guitar riff with ‘The Cardplayers’. It has an instant Old Western feel to it, Americana and folk blended together perfectly. Corb’s vocals fit perfect over the top, and the harmonies add another great level to it all, making it massively catchy. Some of the guitar work throughout the track is incredible too, especially through the second verse. It’s a masterclass in folk/blues guitaring, and I’m not at all jealous… It’s a great, darker, more old-school take on country, and an amazing way to open the album!
Single ‘I Had it All’ opens perfectly on some great harmonica work. Long time readers know that if it’s one thing I love as much as a sax, it’s a harmonica. It leads into another great acoustic-blues rock verse and chorus. Again, it’s a damn catchy chorus too, especially with the harmonized vocals. Corb Lund is a fantastic lyric writer, and that is evident in this track. It’s all so simple yet such effective music. It’s another fantastic track, and just a fun listen.
Now, as a Brit, I’m not going to pretend to know the ins and outs of what happened at Fort Worth back in the day, so am not going to comment on the lyrical content of ‘Was Fort Worth Worth It?’. However, as a song overall, it’s another catchy, fun Americana track. Some of the guitaring is amazing, and the chorus is a great, reflective section. I can’t get over just how good the harmonies are in every track, adding so much to an otherwise basic, almost one-man-band style arrangement. Who knows, it may be controversial but screw it, it makes it onto our playlist!
The biggest single from the album, ‘Out on a Win’, is up next. It’s another simple, steady, but incredibly fun track. It’s another track where the lyric writing from Corb Lund stands out massively to me, too. It is a fun, chilled-out track that almost has a touch of indie to it in the vocal delivery, too. Meanwhile ‘Redneck Rehab’ is possibly my favourite track on the album. From the old-school sound of the build-up intro into a fantastic riff and the clapping over the top, it all sounds great. It makes it feel more of a campfire song, which I loved. It also has an infectiously catchy chorus, again featuring some awesome lyrics and harmonies. It’s another track that easily makes our playlist!
The title track slows down the pace even more, but is still every bit a fantastic song. And as a tribute track to someone named Ian, it’s a beautiful, heart-felt track. You can very much feel the emotion in Corb’s vocals and writing, and the pace fit it perfectly. It’s another great track on an album packed full of them.
It was around the time of ‘When the Game Gets Hot’. While it is only 11 tracks and 37-minutes in length, most of it sounds pretty similar. I completely get that it’s due to the style Corb Lund plays, but by seven tracks in I was starting to get a tad restless. The aforementioned track is awesome, having almost a Santana ‘Smooth’ kinda swing to it. The rest of the tracks on the album after it are also great. Especially ‘It Takes Practice’ and another single and closing track ‘Old Familiar Drunken Feeling’. I’d happily listen to them all again, but maybe next time breaking them up with a couple of tracks in the middle may help my destroyed attention span!
Overall: This is a great album! As I said, it’s not 100% what I tend towards when I go for country music, but it was a lot of fun to listen to and Corb Lund is clearly a very talented guy. There isn’t a bad track on this album and some of them are truly fantastic. I’ll be listening to a lot of this for weeks and months to come!
The final list for the year, and it’s a new one! Since the podcast has gone on hiatus, this seemed like the easiest way to highlight some of the great live music of the year. We’ve seen plenty of incredible bands and acts this year, and wanted to highlight some of the very best. Now, of course this isn’t all of them, I’d be here all day if it were. We saw so many that this list was almost impossible to narrow down, so we just wanted to highlight some that have stood out to us the most after however many months later.
Also, disclaimer, these are in no particular order. We aren’t complete monsters!
The New Roses: The Craufurd Arms – Milton Keynes
It’s no secret at this point that The New Roses are one of my favourite modern bands. Their brand of old-school, sleazy hard rock is incredible, and their songwriting skill in the genre is second to none. I’ve seen them a number of times now and, just like I said inmyreviewof this show, they somehow keep getting better and better. The return of Norman on lead guitar and Timmy taking a step into solely vocals has somehow made the band even better live. Every single member played their hearts out at this show and put on one hell of a performance for the crowd. This was the first time I’ve seen the band headlining their own show, and their 90-minute set is something I truly believe everyone should get to experience!
Ice Nine Kills: Rock City – Nottingham
Another of my favourite bands currently, I’d been waiting for this gig for a while. Booked pretty far in advance, it then got pushed back and moved around due to them landing a support slot with the mighty Metallica. However, to say was worth the wait is an understatement! Welcome to Horrorwood is my favourite album of the decade so far, and to see it be brought to live so masterfully and theatrically was incredible.
Adding a third guitarist to make up for the absence of guitar god Dan Sugarman made the sound MASSIVE, but there was no denying this was the Spencer show. And honestly, it was right to be. He is one of the best frontmen around today, both from a vocal and performance standpoint. His cleans and growls are phenomenal (as are the rest of the bands), and his theatrical antics and costume changes are captivating. Not only are they putting out some of the best music currently, but they have become a NEED TO SEE band too. Not many artists can say that these days!
Cam: The Long Road 2023
Out of the mess of Jon Pardi’s very last minute cancellation of his headline set came one of the most surprising and brilliant performances I’ve ever seen. I had no idea who Cam was when she was announced to be replacing Jon, but I came away being a HUGE fan. Her performance was so effortlessly perfect; filled with emotion, insane talent and catchy vocal hooks. And every single track she played was amazing, a true testament to her songwriting skill with only two albums out. She even threw in a nod to Pardi with a fantastic cover of ‘Head Over Boots’. And I have no problem at all admitting that I shed a tear at the emotional ‘Village’. I probably said it better in my review, but yeah, this was one hell of a headline set!
Parkway Drive: Graspop Metal Meeting 2023
Somehow, this was the first time I got to see the metalcore titans. I’ve been a fan of them for years but it never quite lined up until now. Yet again I find myself thinking the term ‘worth the wait’. The crowd were on fire for the entire set, abuzz with energy and knowing every song, singing and dancing and moshing constantly. Meanwhile Winston conducted everyone perfectly, a phenomenal frontman holding the crowd in the palm of his hand throughout. Add that to the incredible stage show and everyone else in the band playing their parts exceptionally, and it was one hell of a set. One that, honestly, is going to be tough to top next year!
Daði Freyr: Rock City – Nottingham
Anyone familiar with all of our dadi’s will know exactly how good the guy is live. The Eurovision alumni is known as much for his live show and stage presence as he is for his catchy electro-dance-pop songs. His awkward charisma is off the charts and had the crowd laughing along constantly between songs. And then between his smooth, unique voice and the rest of the band playing their fucking asses off, the tracks sounded incredible, too. I haven’t seen anything like this live before and it blew me away. I would recommend this to any of our majority rock, metal or country listeners, you certainly wouldn’t be disappointed!
The War & Treaty: The Long Road 2023
I mean, just listen to the vocals on the video below. They can pull this off live, so of course this was going to be a highlight set! I think I described this in my review (same link as Cam) as being like a religious experience, and I fully stand by that. The couple are absolutely brilliant live, and their band more than back them up well. It helps that their songs are incredible too, but their stage presence and chemistry is captivating. My literal only issue with this set was that it was like, mid afternoon. Hopefully after how the crowd went insane for them and they’ve gotten bigger since, when they’re back they’ll be towards the top of the bill!
Kim Jennett: Trillians – Newcastle
The ex-Voodoo Blood and Myke Grey frontwoman has long been revered for her incredible live performances. Her solo stuff is no exception, as here she played a variety of both of those bands’ songs and some of her own, as well as a smattering of covers. She is one of the most energetic front-people in the game and the fact that she can still hold the impressive notes and growls while moving around how she does is nothing short of insane. I know my review was slightly on the comedic side with my band supporting, but I meant every positive word I said about her. No doubt she’ll have plenty of dates lined up for 2024, so I’d highly recommend heading down to check her out!
FEVER 333: Graspop Metal Meeting 2023
Of course these guys made this list. I’m sure any time any reviewer has seen one of Jason’s projects live and done a list like this, he’s made it onto it. Even though Jason has been doing this stuff for over two decades now, the energy he brings to the stage is insane. Throwing himself around, screaming his lungs out and even climbing the sound stage, the guy is a madman. I was slightly worried heading into the gig as his band had rather publicly quit earlier in the year, but the new members are awesome and fit right in. While it is very much all eyes on Jason, the tracks sound incredible live and everyone played their parts to perfection. It certainly won’t be a set I forget any time soon!
Trivium: O2 Academy – Sheffield
I feel like I have an unsung pact with Matthew Heafy that I have to include him on at least one of my end of year lists each year. Since neither Trivium or Ibaraki put out new albums this year, they couldn’t make that list. And with them announcing they’re taking a bit of a break after the tour this show was on, it isn’t most anticipated albums, either. So, I guess it’s only fitting they make this one!
What is there to say about this show that I haven’t already said in my review? The band are at the top of their games currently and played a Shogun anniversary set, an album widely regarded as maybe their best. The crowd ate up every second of it and went mad throughout the entire gig. It was certainly a sweaty one! Matt’s vocals sounded great and their playing has always been on another level. While both of their support bands also did fantastically and more than warranted a spot on this list if there was more space, there is no denying why Trivium went on last. They are a band that should be far bigger than they are, but if it means we get to see them in more smaller, intimate venues like this, I’m all for it!
Those Damn Crows: Call of the Wild 2023
Last but certainly not least, we get a band who are sure to be the futures of British rock music. The band have been going from strength to strength for years now, and seeing them headline a festival like this is honestly amazing. They not only deserve it and have earnt it, but put on the show to warrant it, too. Shane is an amazing frontman who had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand throughout. And the rest of the band played everything perfectly, too. Their songs are all incredible, and they put the setlist together really well. Call of the Wild always do well with the bands they book, but this felt like something truly special to watch. I reviewed the whole festival, which you can also check out here!
We also interviewed Shane at the festival. Check that out here!
It’s that time of the year again! I have to admit, I didn’t do the best last year. Out of the 10 I listed, three didn’t end up releasing (two back on this year’s list). And, out of the ones that were, only two made it onto our top albums of the year list! So, I’ve decided to add a few more this year in the hope that I do better. Join me in checking out some of the most anticipated albums of 2024. And, if you have any others, please let us know!
Judas Priest: Invincible Shield – March 8th
The heavy metal godfathers have been on a fantastic run of form with their releases. Heck, pretty much all four of the albums the band have released since the return of Rob have been amazing. This will be their first album in almost six years to the day. If it lives up Firepower or Redeemer of Souls, we’ll have another classic on our hands! And, if the two singles released so far are anything to go by, it very well could do! I love that it brings together so much of their different sounds, too, from their early stuff to Painkiller to Turbo to their more recent stuff. They’re not exactly getting any younger, and this very much has a culmination feel to it. Safe to say we here are excited!
Blackberry Smoke: Be Right Here – February 14th
We are very familiar with this band here at Overtone. Not only did we see and review them at The Long Road earlier this year, but I’ve been keeping up with their singles through out YouTube channel, as seen below. I LOVE this band, and couldn’t be more excited for the release of their new album. No matter what, it’s impossible not to have a good time listening to the band.
All three singles have been excellent so far. And with only seven more tracks left from the whole album, I have little doubt that they’ll be just as good! Southern rock has really been on an upwards trend as of late, and it is in large part thanks to bands like Blackberry Smoke. Roll on February!
While She Sleeps: Self Hell – March 15th
Coming off not only the success of their previous album, the massive Sleep Society, but also their HUGE headlining show at Alexandra Palace back in September, the sky is the limit for WSS all of a sudden. I have to admit that, while I’m not the band’s biggest fan, some of their most recent stuff has been really impressing me, and I can’t wait to hear what they come out with when they have all this momentum behind them. If the two excellent singles are anything to go by, we’re in for something special with this one! I’ve not stopped listening to the one below since it got released!
Bruce Dickinson: The Mandrake Project – March 1st
It’s been almost two decades since the Iron Maiden frontman’s last solo album. And, to say that the anticipation and hype for this album is big would be rather the understatement. The man has booked a pretty huge tour already to support it and I’m seeing his name everywhere. And, honestly, when the music sounds as good as the track below, it’s not hard to understand why!
More doomier, darker and heavier than much of his other work, Maiden or solo, it’s got fans eager to hear the rest of what the album has in store. Hopefully it continues to give us more of a new sound, as after two decades back in Maiden, their albums have been good but pretty similar. It remains to be seen what will happen to the metal pioneers while Bruce does solo stuff, but for now all I care about is hearing this album and seeing him at Graspop!
Green Day: Saviors – January 19th
The pop-punk gods have been rather up and down when it comes to releases, as of late. Their fans, me included, thought 2016’s Revolution Radio had gotten the band back on track after the awful Uno, Dos, Tre trilogy. However, then they returned in 2020 to make that year even worse with the dreadful pop album, Father of All (Motherfuckers). However, all the singles so far at least point to this album being a step back in the right direction. The band have rather perfectly described it as a cross between Dookie and American Idiot, and if the whole album sounds like that I am more than down! The singles have been great and I cannot wait to hear what one of the biggest bands in the world have in store for us this time. Please be good 🤞
Ward XVI: TBA
A return from last year’s list, this one seems a lot more hopeful this time around after an incredibly successful crowdfund campaign. I am just as hyped for this album as I was this time last year, too. As explained in the previous article, it’s the third part in their storied trilogy, and looks to be their most ambitious yet in terms of sound, ideas and (most likely) stageshow. I adore this band and have no doubt they will knock it out of the park again with this release. I’m just anxiously awaiting a date, now!
Man, this album has been a long time coming! The thrash legend’s last album, For All Kings, will be turning eight next year. Belladonna has been back in the band for well over a decade at this point and the band have put out two incredible albums since… but that isn’t enough! This album has been rumoured and teased for a while now, with the latest being a studio picture of the band recording something with our lord and saviour himself, Dave Grohl. It’s a collaboration I never knew I needed, but am now desperate to hear!
If this release is anything like their previous two, it will be another incredible addition to their discography. Much like with Ward XVI, we’re now just rather impatiently waiting for a release date!
Shane Smith & The Saints: Norther – March 1st
A band that I have become rather obsessed with since first checking them out ahead of the Long Road festival this year. We even had the chance to speak to him then and he touched on them getting new music ready to release. So, for it to finally have been announced last month, I was over the moon! The folky, Americana/country band are phenomenal, and have a really unique sound that I can’t wait to hear more of. The singles this year so far have been amazing, and whether they make it onto the album or not, it’s a very good indicator that this album is bound to be… well… very good! March can’t come soon enough!
Sum 41: Heaven :x: Hell – March 23rd
A bittersweet entry now. This release is set to be the pop-punk legend’s final album. Afterwards, they are following it up with a tour and then are calling it a day. As sad as that is, being a massive fan of the band, their last album was awesome, and if they can go out on a similar bang, I can’t exactly complain! And, plus, this lead single is AWESOME. While it is sad that such a great band is coming to a close, it also sounds like Deryck is wanting to continue on after with a different project so who knows, in a year or two, his solo stuff may make this list!
These Wicked Rivers: Force of Nature – March 1st
March 1st seems to be shaping up to be one hell of a day, doesn’t it! Local lads now, and a band that are set to have a HUGE 2024, in large part due to this release. Having recently been the first signees to Fat Earth records, this album is shaping up to be fantastic in terms of sound and significance. From what I’ve heard so far it’s going to be excellent, and ‘honestly the push up the music world couldn’t happen to a nicer group of guys. I cannot wait to hear the rest of this album, and I really think it will make them step up to the Massive Wagons/Those Damn Crows level of big.
Cody Jinks: CHANGE THE GAME – March 22nd
Another release that was on our list last year, but this one at least has a confirmed release date and a single! One of my favourite country artists, I haven’t had the chance to ever review any of his stuff, and that is finally set to change at the end of March. He’s one of my favourite vocalists and lyricists around today, and I cannot wait to hear what he comes up with on this release. If this single is anything to go by, we’re set for another amazing album!
Chevelle: TBA
Another band that are heavy on the rumour mill for a 2024 release. I for one have been impatiently waiting for this ever since the duo put out one of the best albums of 2021. They don’t get anywhere near as much recognition as they deserve, at least in the UK, for how incredible the band are and how much they have evolved their sound over time. I loved NIRATIAS and still play it a lot to this day, but am also certain the band will continue to evolve with another release. And I for one cannot wait to here where it goes. Hopefully we get a release date soon and a single, as I’ve been waiting for this a while!
The Dead South: Chains & Stakes – February 9th
The folk/bluegrass band are set to return with their first post-pandemic album at the start of Feb. While the band rarely deviate from their core sound, when it’s this good I honestly don’t care. The two singles released this year (which I assume will make it onto the album) are just as good as anything else they’ve done. It somehow feels both modern and traditional at the same time; truly unique and interesting. If it continues to be anything like their last few albums, it’ll surely be something special!
Armaranthe: The Catalyst – February 23rd
The Swedish symphonic metal band are set to return with their seventh studio album at the end of February. If the three singles we’ve had this year are any indicator, the albums is going to be phenomenal. All three are great and demonstrate that the band are very much at the top of their game and firing on all cylinders right now. They are very much leading the charge when it comes to newer symphonic metal bands, and this release has the potential to put the band towards the front of the pack overall, too. I cannot wait for the album, and I’ve really gotten into the band the last couple of years or so!
Bob Vylan: Humble as the Sun – April 5th
Now, this one is a bit of a controversial one, as I personally can more than happily wait and never listen to this album. However, I know that there is a LOT of buzz around him, surprisingly so in the UK rock scene too, so it must make this list. I’ve heard he is worth a watch live too, so will generally reserve my judgement until I’ve seen him at a festival or something. Don’t get me wrong, there are a couple of good riffs in the singles and I don’t mind some of the lyrics. However, it’s not really my thing, overall. Still, I’m curious to see what this album does for him, as it could catapult him to superstardom!
Regular readers of this site will know that I’m a bit fussy when it comes to black metal. However, Satyricon have always been a band that I enjoy and interest me. And, the fact that we won’t have had a proper studio album from the band in seven years by the time of its release is rather insane. We haven’t even gotten a single released yet, just the fact that it’s apparently coming in May. But, if it’s anything like their last stuff, it will be awesome and well worth the wait!
Tool: TBA
I know, it’s risky putting this band on here. It took them 13 years to put out their last release. However, the majority of the band have said that they do not want to wait that long to put out new music, and have even teased going back into the studio recently. They are one of my favourite bands, and I would LOVE to hear new music by the time I see them at Graspop in June. While it may be wishful thinking, it’s always a never say never sort of thing with Tool. If nothing is as far as announced by this time next year, I promise I shall leave them off the 2025 list!
Dream Theater: TBA
Another album that is not yet announced, yet in almost Schrodinger fashion is somehow more and less likely to happen than Tool. While nothing has been announced, this band also work a fair bit faster than the other and have a much steadier album output. However, this album is essentially being willed into existence by fans excited that original drummer Mike Portnoy is back with them. Their last studio album was back in 2021, so given their track record of consistently putting out albums every two/three years, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if we get something from them in the next 12 months. And I for one would be more than down, now that arguably the best member of the band has returned!
The Outlaw Orchestra: La Familia – TBA
I was already pretty hyped for this album as I’m a big fan, but got even more-so when I filmed the reaction video down below. The band are honestly one of the most hard working, nicest trio in the UK, and their music has been far too underappreciated so far. Hopefully that’s all set to change with this new release, and if their lead single is anything to go by, it most certainly will! While no release date has been announced yet, I believe the band are looking towards the summer. And I’m sure we here at Overtone will keep you regularly updated with reaction videos as the songs drip out, too! Whether the whole album stays as dark and metal-leaning as ‘Holy Ground’ or lightens up more like their old stuff, I can’t wait and am sure it will be another fantastic release!
This band are suddenly everywhere. Fresh off supporting These Wicked Rivers on their UK tour, they are set to also play with Bad Touch on their tour in Feb. They have very much rode the wave of their impressive, very well received self-titled album last year, growing considerably and have been touring a lot in support of it. Meanwhile, a very successful crowdfunder made this coming album a possibility. There is no telling how big they could get from it. If the track below is anything to go by, we’re in for one of the best sleaze releases in years. Excited is an understatement at this point!
And there we have it, folks. What albums are you looking forward to in 2024? Let us know over on our social medias. And, if you are looking forward to any of these, keep an eye out as we’re bound to review them all!
Another part of our top albums of 2023 list, and things are starting to really heat up now!
60: Prong – State of Emergency
Starting off this section of the list strong with the US groovy thrash band. Considering I’d never even heard of the band before doing our review of the album, I’ve become a little bit obsessed. It’s such an interesting blend of styles, too. It effortlessly transitions between 80s thrash to crossover to a Pantera/Black Label Society-like groove metal. It’s a real testament to the band’s phenomenal songwriting.
I gave it a 9.5/10 in my review and it’s hard to argue that fact when I’m sat here on yet another listen through while I write this. There isn’t a bad track on it and every song has such a different feel that it never once gets boring. Yet again, they need to finally come back over to the UK soon!
Listen to: State of Emergency, Light Turns Black and Disconnected
59: Hyro the Hero – Bound for Glory
This album, like his last one, was a long time coming. While the gap between his first and second album was bigger, the first single from this album came out a whopping three years before it’s full release. I think that is the reason that it is a little lower than I thought it would be. Much like Electric Callboy last year, it’s an amazing album, but A LOT of it had come out prior to its release, and it was almost all the best stuff.
However, if you’re a fan of hip-hop infused rock and metal, this is definitely the album for you. The vocals and lyrics are phenomenal and the music behind it is basic but fits it perfectly. And all the (many) guests do a fantastic job on their tracks, too. I love that this sort of music is making it bigger than ever with the likes of Hyro, Fever333 and Stray from the Path, and this album is up there with some of the best in the genre. We gave it an 8/10, but after a few more listens I’d easily put it up to an 8.5 or 9!
Listen to: FU2, Retaliation Generation and Sho Nuff
58: Crown the Empire – DOGMA
Time for some more metalcore, because there is never enough. The Texan natives still feel like relative newcomers in the genre even though they’ve been going for nearly a decade and a half now and this was their fifth album. That may be because I only got into them with this release, though. Heck, I wasn’t even the one who reviewed it, Max did. He gave it a massive 10/10. While I maybe don’t agree with that, it certainly justifies it’s placement on this list alone!
Still, it’s a very good modern metalcore album. There are multiple awesome tracks throughout, and it really feels like the band have reached a new height with the release. It’s polished, refined and feels like they’ve really reached their stride creatively and sonically. I’d happily give it a 9! Plus, ‘In Another Life’ with Courtney LaPlante goes hard.
Listen to: In Another Life, Labyrinth and Black Sheep
57: Shania Twain – Queen of Me
One of the undisputed queens of country is in the middle of a career renascence currently, and this album has done wonders for that. It’s been everywhere on social media ever since it’s release back in February. Even despite the huge pop hype, though, it’s a damn good country album. Shania sounds just as good as ever, and has written some great modern country tracks for the album. Don’t get me wrong, she has very much capitalised on a lot of modern sounds of other artists. However, she has definitely put her own Twain-g (lol) on it.
I gave it a very deserved 9/10 back when it came out, and it’s hard to dispute that at this point. It’s a solid pop-country album that’s just a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Check this out if you like poppier stuff.
Listen to: Giddy Up!, Waking Up Dreaming and Got it Good
56: VEXED – Negative Energy
I mean, just listen to THAT riff in ‘Anti-Fetish’. Do I really need to say anything more? Ugh, fine.
This is how I wish Spiritbox sounded. I’d choose these over Courtney and co. any day. It’s heavy, packed full of ch0nky, djenty riffs and some of the best growls and screams you’ll hear this year. And the electric element that has become so prevalent in modern metal is done to perfection here. And the breakdowns… *chef’s kiss*.
My only slight criticism would be that the albums is arranged a little odd. If you first put this album on, you’d be forgiven for assuming there weren’t any clean vocals on it, that it was all brutal and crushing. But no, there are a couple tucked away towards the back. I’d have personally spread them out a bit more through the album, but I’m sure it was intentional.
If you’re into heavy music, you need to check this album out immediately. It’s a modern metal masterpiece and deserves to be so much bigger than it is currently. We gave it a very deserving 9.5/10 in our review. After numerous other listens, I still agree!
Listen to: Anti-Fetish, Panic Attack and Extremist
55: XO Armor – Nublar
These German lads wrote a metal album about dinosaurs… and it goes fucking HARD. It’s like Electric Callboy meets deathcore but dirtier, and it’s hard not to love it if you’re into heavy music. I remember LOVING it when it came out, so much so that I gave it10/10. However, I really haven’t listened to it much since it’s release back in July, aside for a track or two, hence it’s slightly lower placement on this list. Still, if you like house music meats Danko, this will very much be an album for you. As an album as a whole it fits together perfectly, even if listening back some of it isn’t 100% my thing. Still, I NEED to see this stuff live, I feel like it’d be one hell of a gig. And a good nearly half of it is on my playlist.
Listen to: Dilopho, Rex and Raptoren
54: Burning Witches – The Dark Tower
The Swiss heavy/power ladies returned with a vengeance earlier this year with their fifth album. It’s an hour of awesome, chuggy riffs, soring vocals and plenty of catchiness. And yet, it still has room for incredible metal ballads and even a fantastic cover of a W.A.S.P classic. If you’re into Judas Priest, Powerwolf or Manowar, this band and this album are both very much for you!
I gave it a massively deserved 9.5/10 when I reviewed it upon its release. They are one of the best bands to be still doing that old-school 70s/80s metal sound, and honestly do it better than a fair few of them back at that time, too! I cannot recommend this album enough, and I wish I could have put it higher. The competition is just crazy stiff this year!
Listen to: Unleash the Beast, The Dark Tower and Tomorrow
53: Anima Tempo – Chaos Paradox
Another criminally underrated band make our list with their album, this time the prog-tech-death band and their video game-inspired release. As a musician (mainly of the string variety) I can’t help but gush over the insane playing throughout the whole album. The sheer talent of writing and playing riffs like this is off the charts, and that’s not even mentioning the amazing drumming, beautiful cleans and crushing growls throughout. And honestly it’s a solid album to listen to from cover-to-cover; there isn’t a bad song throughout.
It’s another album that I hate putting so low. I fully understand if this is in a djent fan’s top 10, it’s one of the best albums I’ve heard in the genre, honestly. It’s like a combination of Periphery, Trivium and a Nintendo game soundtrack, and it’s fucking awesome. We gave it9.5/10, and my god does it deserve it!
Listen to: Deceitful Idols, Digital Heart and Robo-Lution
52: Almost Honest – The Hex of Penn’s Woods
Some sludgy, stoner-doom metal up next, and a really awesome release from the Pennsylvania band. Very much a heavier combination of The Sword and Queens of the Stone Age, they are easily one of the best bands in the genre currently. If you are into this type of music and haven’t yet checked out this album, you are doing yourself a massive disservice. I gave it a 9/10 when I did my full review, and it definitely lives up to that on another listen! The musicianship throughout is off the charts, but it also goes hand in hand with some genuinely great writing. A no-brainer for a slot this high on our list!
We also chatted to the band about the album! Check it out here!
Listen to: Mortician Magician, Amish Hex and Ballad of the Mayfly
51: Old Dominion – Memory Lane
What a fantastic country album. While the band have always been a pretty big name, it feels like they have broken new ground and become absolutely massive with this release. Whether it’s massive songs on their own or with awesome guests like Blake Shelton or Megan Moroney (more on her later), it’s got some of the biggest country hits of the year on it.
However, it is lower down on this list than you’d expect for pretty simple reasons. It’s way damn long. And it’s very front-heavy. The first six tracks or so are incredible. And there are a couple of songs later on in the album that I love, too. And that’s not to say the other tracks are bad by any stretch, but there is a lot of slower stuff all together that doesn’t catch my ear as much. Honestly, if this had been 10 killer tracks instead of 18, it could have easily broken the top 20.
Having said all of that, it is still an amazing country album, and just an amazing album all round. I gave it an 8.5/10, but after another couple of listens it’s easily a 9!
Listen to: Stay Drunk, A Million Things and Love, Drunk and Happy
50: Wet Cactus – Magma Tres
This feels like more than your typical desert/stoner rock album. Of course, it has a lot of the tropes of the genre; the big riffs and sludgy tones. Heck, it even has a very Sabbath-like vocal delivery. However, it also has slower, proggy parts, instrumental tracks and reflective slower parts that really give the album a fantastic album. It’s one of many on this list that feel like they should be experienced as a whole, but there are also still plenty of awesome standalone tracks too.
It got a very easy 9.5from me when I reviewed it! It shows so much growth from the band’s previous work and I can easily see (and hope) that it’s the album that pushes them towards the top of the genre where they deserve. Check this out if you are into the genres in any way!
Listen to: Million Tears, Mirage and Self Bitten Snake
49: Conquer Divide – Slow Burn
This album has been a long time coming. The band’s debut came out eight years ago, and after some line-up changes and a few singles, they finally returned with this release. Heck, they even got a lot of attention last year from their (controversial opinion incoming) terrible song with Electric Callboy. So, for them to come out with such a fantastic album this year is really great.
This is a fantastic, über-polished modern metalcore album. Between the catchy radio hooks and brutal, scream-filled breakdowns, the pieces fit all too well together. It’s also arranged perfectly, with each track following on pretty perfectly from each other. Don’t get me wrong, I’d prefer a tad more of the heavy stuff, as ‘Afterthought.wav’ is by far the best track on the album. However, it’s a very balanced release that is going to push them so far. I gave it a very easy 9/10 when I reviewed it, and I’ve listened to it a lot since it’s release!
Listen to: Afterthought.wav, welcome2paradise and N E W H E A V E N
48: Angus McSix – Angus MicSix and the Sword of Power
There isn’t enough power metal on this list. However, surely that means that when there is some, it’s REAL good, right? That is certainly the case with this album.
The former Gloryhammer frontman left them amid a lot of controversy a couple of years back, and this is his first solo album. I think it’s rather telling that he has made it onto this list but his former band have not… Continuing on with the same (kinda) character, it’s an epic tale of dinosaurs and space. It’s insane, classic power metal and fucking awesome.
If you are a fan of the genre at all, or a fan of NWOBHM or heavy metal in general, checking this album out immediately. The song-crafting is awesome, and it’s all performed to perfection. We gave it a very deserved 9/10, and it’s only grown on me more since its release!
Listen to: Master of the Universe, Ride to Hell and Eternal Warrior
47: Sophie Lloyd – Imposter Syndrome
Sophie and the following entry are very similar in my book, in terms of style, sound and output, and it was very hard to separate them and pick between (hence why they are one after another). MGK’s guitarist released her debut album earlier this year, doing the Slash thing of having a bunch of guest vocalists, and it was fucking awesome. The album is packed full of incredible songs and amazing vocalists. From Chris Robertson to Tyler Connolly to Matt Heafy (I knew he’d somehow sneak onto a 4th straight yearly list despite not putting out an album!) they all work perfectly alongside Sophie. She seems to work well with anyone, which is a fantastic trait to have in a guitarist.
We gave her an easy 9/10 in our review. It’s hard to argue it, as even the instrumental tracks are top notch. She’s very much the future of the rock scene, and this album is one hell of a jumping off point for her!
Listen to: Let It Hurt, Fall of Man and Judge and Jury
46: Nita Strauss – The Call of the Void
So, why is this higher than the album before? As I said, both are guitarists putting out solo albums with a bunch of guest vocalists, and almost have a similar style and sound to them. Simply put, I think the singles edge out Imposter Syndrome just a tad, for me. The hype in waiting for this album was insane, as ‘Dead Inside’ was released way before the album itself. So for another three or four tracks to be incredible and some of the best songs of the year really says something. I also like the slightly heavier approach to the sound, getting vocalists like Alissa and Anders Friden.
Having said that, I do think the instrumentals aren’t quite as enjoyable as Sophie Lloyd’s. See, it’s a very hard decision I had to make, and I nearly just called it a draw. But ‘The Wolf You Feed’ is my favourite track on either album, so this inches ahead for me. It was another easy 9/10from me! Any rock fans should check this out!
Listen to: The Wolf You Feed, Digital Bullets and Dead Inside
45: Margo Price – Strays I + II
King of a wildcard entry here as it is ‘technically’ two albums, but more of a double album released in stages. However, the combination of the nearly hour and a half collection of music is really something special and speaks volumes about Margo as a writer and performer. Don’t get me wrong, it’s certainly not for everyone. Heck, given the style and length I didn’t think it would be for me, but I love it. Again, it’s so well done that I can’t help but enjoy it.
It’s very much traditional/70s country with a modern twang to it. If that sounds appealing to you, you definitely won’t be disappointed if you check it out! We gave it an 8.5/10, and while I stand by that still, I also still standby its placement on this list. It’s the perfect album to chill out with, but also it’s filled with powerful emotion if you really listen. Sure, it’s a daunting length, and not every song is perfect, but I cannot help but love this double album.
Listen to: Strays, Light Me Up and Lydia
44: Spirit Adrift – Ghost at the Gallows
Time for some incredible heavy metal with just a splash of doom. I somehow hadn’t heard of this band before I reviewed them, insane as it’s right up my street. However, they have only been going since 2015 so I guess I’ll let myself off. I’m so glad I did check this album out though, as it’s phenomenal. Right from the epic intro to the opening track to the massive, even more epic closing title track, it had me hooked on multiple occasions. It’s like The Sword meets just a hint of Judas Priest and somehow some power metal. So, whether that sounds like your thing or not, check this out, you won’t be disappointed! The musicianship and writing is incredible, and the album really takes you on a journey. It was a very easy 9.5/10 from me back when I reviewed it, and I stand by that now too!
Listen to: Hanged Man’s Revenge,
43: Daedric – Mortal
This album is like the perfect combination of the Crown the Empire and Conquer Divide ones from earlier. It’s heavy, electronic-filled modern metalcore, with plenty of catchy hooks and radio sounds thrown in as well as fantastic growls. There isn’t a bad track on the album, and if you are in any way into this sort of music you have to check this out immediately. It’s another amazingly impressive debut album, too. We’ve had so many this year, and this is among the best for sure. I gush about it a lot more in my review of the album, and since listening to it a few more times over the last few months it’s easily another 9/10!
Listen to: Mortal, Alchemy and Nirn
42: Egokills – Self-Titled
This was a damn interesting release. I’d not heard of this band before I reviewedthe album, and I’ve become a little obsessed since! The band seem to not even switch, but more flow through so many different sounds and sub-genres throughout the album that it’s a fascinating listen and never once gets boring. And no matter if it’s a slower, quieter sound, a heavier prog one or a quicker, bouncy, more upbeat sound, they pull it all off perfectly. And, what’s more, they manage to make it all sound unique and still like Egokills!
It’s dark, it’s brooding, and it all flows together perfectly well. There isn’t a bad track on this album, and I’d recommend everyone stop reading this stupidly long article and instead go and listen to this incredible release. Heck, the epic ballad ‘Grey Rainbows’ still gives me chills when I listen to it months later. We gave it a 9.5/10 and damn, it may even deserve top marks!
Listen to: Life’s a Party, Sweat and Grey Rainbows
41: 3TEETH – EndEx
This is really fantastic industrial metal album. I’d been a casual fan of the band for a while now, but when I reviewed this album, I definitely became a little more obsessed. As much as I love a lot of big industrial metal bands, aside for a couple none really gave me the heaviness or the drops I truly needed, until this album. The huge riffs and screams throughout are incredible, and add so much to an already captivating atmosphere. It’s a really interesting sound and honestly feels pretty unique. If TikTok got a hold of it it could get massive, as there’s enough pop influence in here to pop off.
I definitely understand it isn’t an album for everyone. However, in terms of modern heavy music, 3TEETH deserve to be right near the forefront of it with this release. It was another easy 9/10from me!
Listen to: Slum Planet, Acme Death Machine and Paralyse
As we approach the end of the year we’ll have less and less new music. However, this is still a pretty stacked week that I can’t wait to check out!
Neil Young: Before and After
So, this was already a difficult review for me. After Young’s Spotify boycott nearly two years ago, he is about the only one from it that has still kept his music off the streaming giant. Because of that I have had to resort to YouTube and near constant ads. So, this review will probably be half-assed, like Neil’s approach to bringing his music to his fans is.
If you are a fan of Neil, I’m sure you’ll like this. His distinctive vocal style and folky/Americana playing are not for everyone, but it’s definitely a good listen. It’s a solo acoustic album, so if you aren’t into his vocals or style, this certainly won’t change your mind! I have to admit, as good as it was, it didn’t take me long to get bored of it. It’s 16 tracks long, and while most are short, ‘Before and After’ is split into two 11-minute parts. Having said that, they were probably my favourite tracks on the album, given how well they were written lyrically.
It’s a lot of the same thing. If you’re into that and enjoy this, awesome. It’s not particularly my thing, though. I prefer at least a bit of the album to be somewhat upbeat, not all slower country/folk ballads. 4/10
Bernie Marsden: Working Man
I’ve done too many posthumous reviews this year, but sadly here is another. The Whitesnake legend sadly passed earlier this year, but had recorded an album before then. Let’s check it out.
Honestly, I’ll let it off for being long. Being his final release, I feel like this is everything he had, laid out bare for his fans. It’s pretty glorious. An hour and a half of stomping, fun blues rock spread across 22 great tracks. Honestly, there isn’t a bad one across the release, but songs like ‘Being Famous’, ‘Bad Reputation’ and the very 80s glam ‘Look at me Now’ are all personal highlights. Also, Jamie Kyle does an incredible job on ‘Invisible’, it having a very Whitesnake vibe to it!
I have to admit, I do prefer the more upbeat tracks on the album, as I’m sure you can tell from my highlights. And there was certainly a lot of slower stuff on here. However, I found myself enjoying them a lot too. They range from anything from easy listening to straight up, Cats in Space-like AOR ballads. It’s a fantastic, rather chilled-out album for the most part, and it’s such a shame that it wasn’t released until after his passing. 8/10
Bad Touch: Bittersweet Satisfaction
We’ve already checked out this awesome album! Find our full review of it here!
Swarf Damage: Self-Titled
It feels like it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been sent some thrash metal, so this was a lot of fun to listen to. Plus, the crossover elements never hurt! It’s got a real old-school 80s vibe to it that a think a lot of modern thrash is honestly lacking a little in these days. The riffing is awesome and the vocals even have a bit of young Hetfield to them, though a tad more harsh and hardcore. The whole sound is definitely the perfect blend of early Metallica, Slayer and Suicidal Tendancies.
If you’re a thrash fan or just a heavy metal fan at all, this is definitely an album for you! Tracks like ‘Sin Eater’, ‘Father’ and the ‘Whiplash’-like ‘Batten Down the Hatches’ are all awesome and massive highlights. My only wish is that it had just a touch of variety. I know that’s not really what thrash does, and there were definitely some different tempos throughout. However, Evile’s album earlier this year showed just how fantastic getting slower and darker can be for the genre. Still though, it’s an amazing album, even more-so as a debut! These guys are going to go far in the heavy scene if this is any indication. It’s easily an 8.5/10 from me!
Uncle Lucius: It’s the Last One Left
The funky/blues/soul/roots/country band are back after their five-year hiatus with a brand new album for the world! Honestly, I’ve gotten into this music a lot recently, and I LOVED this release. It’s a chilled out, fun, fantastic release. I love the swaggering, attitude-filled New Orleans blues-jazz feel it has to it all, especially when it’s got so many different components to the band. Between the typical rock band instruments, the organ and piano, fiddle and plenty of backing vocals, it fills out the sound and makes it all sound massive.
Tracks like ‘Civilized Anxiety’, ‘Holy Roller’ and the beautiful, epic closer ‘Heart Over Mind’ are all huge personal highlights of mine. However, the whole album is solid and packed full of amazing songs. I am so glad the band are back, their music is too good to be without. And honestly, they picked up right where they left off. For anyone into any of the genres I mentioned up above, you NEED to check out this album, it’s phenomenal. 9/10
Atreyu: The Beautiful Dark of Life
This album has been a long time coming. We’ve had three EPs released by them, starting from April, all building up and being featured on this one album. Because of this, I have somehow managed to avoid all of the tracks until now. But, with 15 tracks spanning 50 minutes, we’re in for another big review!
What stands out immediately is that the order is all mixed up. I feel like a lot of bands would just put the EPs down on the album one by one and then add the extra tracks at the front or the end. However, these are all spread out between, keeping it more interesting. I also love that they’ve taken a colour and element from each EP to make up the album artwork. Stuff like that is so insanely creative and honestly makes the work that much better, in my opinion.
As for the music itself, a lot of it is very typical modern Atreyu. It’s very similar to the ultra-polished radio-metalcore of their last album. That isn’t an issue at all, though. Tracks like ‘Capital F’, ‘Watch Me Burn’, ‘Immortal’ and ‘Gone’ are all great metalcore songs. And while there isn’t a bad track on the album, it’s all just a little samey. Even the more ballad tracks channelled a similar energy and sound. And none of it quite hits the heights of ‘Underrated’, ‘Catastrophe’ or even something like ‘Congregation of the Damned’. Still, it’s a damn good album, and I’ll certainly be listening to it again! 8/10
Continuing on with our top albums of the year, let’s go through the next 20!
80: Tidal Wave – The Lord Knows
Time for some glorious sludgy/stoner/doom rock. The second album from the Swedish band build and improve on their debut in every aspect. From the excellent riffing to the perfectly fitting vocals to the overall feel of it, the band have really nailed their sound with this one. And, of course, it’s chocked full of incredible tracks.
It’s got a heavier edge compared to a lot of music around its genre, too. It’s like if Queens of the Stone Age and Black Label Society had a beautiful, high baby. It got a very deserving 9/10From us, and I cannot wait to hear more from this band in the future. If you’re into the sludgy stuff, you may wanna check this out!
Listen to: End of the Line, Marijuana Trench and By Order of the King
79: Darius Rucker – Carolyn’s Boy
The country star has come a long way since fronting Hootie and the Blowfish. He’s arguably become a bigger name since, and this album really solidifies that concept and his sound and position in the music scene. This is a damn good country album. It’s got a very early 2000s country feel to it. Sure, it gets a bit ‘old man yells at clouds’ at times with its lyrics, but that’s practically expected now from any non-new country artist. And there’s still a lot of genuine emotion throughout the release, too. There are plenty of incredible ballads just as much as there are more upbeat stadium-country songs.
Eight solo albums in and Darius is still showing us how incredible his songwriting ability truly is. I gave him a 9/10 when I first reviewed it and after listening back through the album yet again, I definitely agree with that score!
Listen to: Beers & Sunshine, Fires Don’t Start Themselves and Same Beer Different Problem
78: Extreme – Six
One of the biggest names in 90s rock returned this year with their first new album in a decade and a half. The hype was pretty massive for the album, especially after the first couple of singles were released. So, why is it this low on the list? Two words: ‘BEAUTIFUL GIRLS’. I can’t remember the last time one track ruined the credibility of an album quite so much as that song. It’s god awful.
Having said that, there are some all-time great Extreme tracks on this album. I’d put the first three tracks up there with any other popular Extreme song, either. Tracks like ‘SAVE ME’ and ‘THICKER THAN BLOOD’ are also awesome. It’s really the slower tracks that let this album down, trying to still recapture their ‘More than Words’ success, to varying quality. And yeah, fuck ‘Beautiful Girls’. Bad pop tripe.
So yes, a rather mixed bag of a release, which is why it sits lower than it could have. But still, a good half the album is awesome, and if you’re a fan of the band or their style, you need to check it out! It got an 8.5 from me, and I stand by that pretty heartily!
Listen to: #REBEL, RISE and THICKER THAN BLOOD
77: Jelly Roll – Whitsitt Chapel
Though Mr Roll has been around for a few years now, 2023 has very much his breakout year. While a lot of that has been due to his Corey Taylor/Spencer Charnes level of features on other artists’ songs, this album is also a huge part of that. Drawing together his love of country, rock and hip hop into a beautiful blend of music is always risky, but it’s pulled off very well here. And, unlike a lot of country this year, it’s not too long! 13 tracks is perfect.
There is a lot to love here for fans of any of the genres I listed above. And whether it’s Brantley Gilbert, Yelawolf or the incredible Lainey Wilson, the guest’s he has throughout are a perfect fit for his style and the songs. And there is so much variety throughout that it never once gets boring or a slog. This is very much a breakout album, and easily deserves the 8.5 it got from us, if not more! I cannot wait to hear where he goes next!
Listen to: Halfway to Hell, The Lost and Save Me
76: The Black Skeleton – The Rear View
This band have such an interesting and unique blend of styles, it’s impossible to categorize them as anything other than simply ‘rock’. 80s pop rock? Check. 90s Alice In Chains-like grunge? Check. Red Hot Chili Peppers? Check. Stadium rock ballads? Check. And yet, throughout all of that, it still all sounds distinctly like the same band.
I stand by everything I said in my review. The whole album is packed full of incredible, different songs, so as a musician fan (which I’m sure you are if you’re here), you should check this out. The first on this list to get a 9.5/10 and for good reason!
Listen to: Swear, The Rear View and Puppy Run
75: When Rivers Meet – Aces Are High
Some more swaggering bluesy country rock now, this time a married duo out of Essex. As I’m sure you’ll be aware by now, if it’s on this list, it’s a great album! However, the fact that the band can get this much sound from just the two of them is insanely impressive. And the combination of sounds and genres is infectiously enjoyable. Both their vocals are top notch throughout and play off each other perfectly, too.
If you’re into country or rock at all, this is definitely the album for you. And the fact that it’s 10 tight, fourish minute tracks means that it really is all killer and no filler. The band have gone from strength to strength the last few years or so, and this album has really cemented them as a powerhouse in the scene. We gave it a very deserving 9/10, and they’re another band that I can’t wait to see get even bigger in the years to come!
Listen to: Seen It All Before, Golden and Perfect Stranger
74: Arch Blade – Kill the Witch
Time for some more modern NWOBHM-style music, and I for one can’t get enough of the resurgence of the sound recently. At least in the UK and US, anyhow! Plus, they’ve only been together for four years now, so for the band to be putting out this high quality of music, especially as a debut album, is impressive to see.
The band do their sound very well. I know a couple of the members have been around the scene for a good few years now, but the talent of them to come together to make this level of music is undeniable. If you’re into Iron Maiden or Painkiller-era Judas Priest, this album feels like it’s created for you. Whether it’s slower, cleaner stuff or a more thrashy pace, they do it all so well. It was another deserving 9/10from us!
Listen to: Kill the Witch, House of Dreams, Factory of Sin
73: Rancid – Tomorrow Never Comes
It pains me to put this band so low. I fucking LOVE Rancid. One of the many sounds of my childhood. And their first album in six years is a good one. Hence why it’s on this list. I’d honestly put the title track up their with their greatest hits. I’ve had it on a lot since it’s release. However, the rest of the album doesn’t quite live up to that lofty height, in my opinion.
Having said that, it’s still a Rancid album, so it’s still awesome. They are one of the modern kings of punk for a reason, and the album has the perfect mixture of fun and attitude to it. As an album as a whole it’s amazing, I think I’m just disappointed still that so many of the tracks are under two-minutes. But still, it’s hard not to have a smile on your face when you listen. It came out on the busiest week of the year for music and still got an 8.5/10from me, so that should say a lot! There isn’t much punk on this list (SPOILER), so if you’re into the genre, listen to this!
Listen to: Tomorrow Never Comes, Devil in Disguise and Drop Dead Inn
72: Nothing But Thieves – Dead Club City
I did not expect to love this album as much as I do. I’d never really given the band a chance before, having seen them on Reading and Leeds line-ups and that was about it, so figured they weren’t very ‘rock’. Arguably, they aren’t. But, on the other hand, they are more-so than I had thought coming in. And, regardless, this is a great album. I’ve described it before as how I wish Twenty One Pilots had evolved, and I stand by that comment whole-heartly. It’s electro-infused pop rock, and it’s awesome.
I know this album and style overall certainly isn’t for everyone. However, it’s a solid album and more than deserves to make it onto this list. It’s full of great tracks that pretty much all vary, making for an interesting, fun listen. And there’s enough rock in here to keep everyone but the die-hard metalheads happy, I’m sure. It was an easy 8.5from us, but it may be even higher now!
Listen to: Welcome to the DCC, Keeping You Around and Pop the Balloon
71: HARDBALL – Self-Titled
A rare modern grunge album now, and a damn good one at that. The band are the perfect blend of Nirvana and Seether, for the most part. I say that because the longer the album goes on, the heavier it gets. There are not only hints of metal, but of doom, which is a lot of fun and really interesting merged with grunge. It’s definitely not for everyone, but I really loved listening to it and have checked it out multiple times since it was first released. We gave it a whopping 9.5/10 in our review. But honestly, being someone who was raised on Nirvana from an early age, it’s hard to deny how not only great this album is but hopefully how important to the genre it will be moving forward!
Listen to: Just a Tree, Chili and Talk to Me
70: Electric Boys – Grand Explosivos
Goddamn, I love this band. They deserve to be so much bigger than they are. The funky bluesy rock Swedes proved that yet again with another incredible release. They’ve been one of the most consistently great 80s bands in terms of releases since their reunion in 2009, and this may be the best of them yet. Every track is a lot of fun, it’s 35 minutes of bouncy, swaggering awesomeness. They’re an effortlessly cool band, even at their age, and should be absolutely massive. It got a 9/10from us, and I’ve not stopped listening to it since September.
Listen to: When Live Treats you Funky, Domestic Blitz and The Great Believer
69: Liv Sin – KaliYung
Time to boarder on power metal now, this album being a very epic heavy metal offering. It’s got a very European style to the sound (which makes sense given that they’re Swedish), giving off a blend of Doro, Powerwolf and Scorpions. And honestly, the heavier bits are where the album shines the most. The big riffs and screams are INCREDIBLE and won me over to this band on their last release, building on it perfectly with this one.
The album is chocked full of amazing songs, there not being a bad one on it. Much like a lot of this list, I really wish I could put this higher up. It’s an amazing release and really feels like the culmination of what they’ve done until this point. It got an 8.5/10 from us way back in January when we reviewed it. However, I’d easily push it up to a 9 now, as I still listen to a lot of it now, months later.
Listen to: King of Fools, Virus and Forget My Name
68: Miara – Hungering Inside
Somehow it’s been a little while since we’ve gotten this heavy on this list. However, this year has really been a resurgence of my love of melodeath/metalcore, and this album is one of the big reasons for that. Yet another phenomenal debut album on this list, the Italian band have found their sound immediately and performed it incredibly well. They’re one of my favourite new heavy finds of the year, and I think they’re going to be massive sooner rather than later if this release is anything to go by. It was another VERY easy 9/10 from us! Check this out immediately!
Listen to: Hungering Inside, The Gate of Hell and My Will Dominates
67: Green Lung – This Heathen Land
One of the rare entries onto this list that I didn’t write myself, rather my wonderful fiancé Jade did. However, seeing how much she loved it and being a fan of stonery, doomy rock, I checked it out and fully agree with her! It has maybe the best song they’ve done as an opener, channelling the best of Ghost energy. The rest of the album has more of a traditional, slightly heavier sound to it, but there are still elements of Ghost throughout that I love. It’s like theatrical stoner/doom, and I honestly can’t get enough.
Jade gave this album a 9/10 and I feel inclined to agree with her. It’s a solid album from front to back, and their sound is perfected from their previous releases. The band are a staple of the UK stoner rock scene, but I feel this album is set to catapult them across the globe!
Listen to: The Forest Church, Maxine (Witch Queen) and The Ancient Ways
66: Lauren Morrow – People Talk
I first discovered Lauren at the Long Road back in 2022. I became a big fan after that and was pretty hyped for this release. It didn’t at all disappoint, either. It’s the perfect chilled-out, old-school country album. Think a slower, more emotion-filled Dolly Parton. It’s very similar to Cam, who is easily one of my favourite artists of the year.
If you like your slower, more stripped-back country/folk music, this is the album for you.I gave it a 9.5/10 when I reviewed it back in March, and fully stand by that score today!
Listen to: It’s You, Looking for Trouble and Leona
65: King Abyss – Snake Oil
Thrash time, and this time a band from the same city as us, which is always exciting! These guys have had one hell of a year, and this album is very much a testament to that. It is an incredibly impressive thrash/death album. The riffing is incredible, the screams heavy and the production thankfully great. And, it’s so refreshing to hear a slower track like ‘Distain’ on a modern trash record. So many bands go balls-to-the-wall through, while this is a dark, Slayer-like masterpiece. we gave it an easy 9/10, and it’s one of the best heavy debuts of the year!
Listen to: Distain, Eyes Always Watching and Weapons of Mass Destruction
64: Degenerator – The Abyssal Throne
Maybe the most recent album on this list, being released only last month. It’s a masterpiece of atmospheric prog rock, though. It transitions from quieter, Tool-like parts to fuzzy desert rock to moody 2000s post-grunge with ease, the sounds surprisingly made for each other here. It may sound cheesy, but honestly this album is an experience. It’s made to be listened to in full while sat in a dark room on your own. I should know, I tried it. It’s one of the most atmospheric albums I’ve heard, end of, and honestly most of it isn’t even that proggy. It’s dark, brooding alt rock, and I love it. No matter what music you like, stop what you’re doing (wait, no, read our content first, of course) and listen to this album! We gave ita very easy 9/10.
Listen to: Finality, Hiraeth and The Day that Never Comes
63: Krashkarma – Falling to Pieces
More awesome metalcore, and this time from an insanely talented duo. It’s an incredible feat to write and perform all this between them both, especially when it’s all rather technical and insanely well written. There is plenty of heaviness throughout, while the melodic nature of the genre makes for a pretty catchy nature throughout. It’s equal parts In This Moment, Static X and bands like Fit for a King or Wage War.
For those of you into the more accessible side of heavy music, this is definitely for you. The duo have been going for a while now but this is my favourite release from them yet. I gave it an 8.5 when I first reviewed it but it’s easily gone up now!
Listen to: Falling to Pieces, Survive the Afterlife and Shut Up
62: Theory of a Deadman – Dinosaur
What a return to form this album is. After a rather badly received and generally poor previous release, Theory are back with a vengeance with Dinorsaur. For a start, the band return to their original heavier radio-rock sound, and the album is just packed full of great tracks. And it was nice to hear the return of their tongue-in-cheek more lighthearted bitchy songwriting on a few of the tracks, like ‘sick’. Sure, some of it is a tad cringy, but I feel like that’s kinda the point.
I was a big fan of this band in my teens and hearing them get back to this sound and quality just makes me happy. Sure, we gave it a 7.5, but it’s my list and I can do what I want, so it’s here! It’s a good album, I’d highly recommend checking it out!
We saw them live too! Check out our review of it here!
Listen to: Dinosaur, Medusa (Stone) and Ambulance
61: Evile – The Unknown
The final entry in this week’s part is more amazing UK thrash. When the band reformed a few years back, I was massively excited as I was a big fan as a kid. I have to admit their return album didn’t do a whole lot for me. This however… fuck, it’s a damn good metal album. The band almost step away from the genre for parts of this, it all having more of a doom/sludgy metal vibe. It’s a really cool sound and a phenomenal evolution. And yet there is still plenty of fast paced stuff too for the thrash fans!
If you’re a fan of the band, or of thrash, sludge or death metal, this album is a must for you to check out. It got an easy 9/10 from me back when it was released, and I haven’t stopped listening to it since!
Listen to: The Unknown, When Mortal Coils Shed and At Mirror’s Speech
One of the last weeks of the year, and of course it’s one of the most stacked full of great new music. Let’s check it all out together!
Chris Stapleton: Higher
Arguably the biggest name in country (bar maybe Luke Combs) is back with his first new release in three years! I’m a HUGE fan of this man, loved his previous album, and have been rather impatiently waiting for this album for months now. So, let’s dive right in!
Within seconds his (and his wife’s perfect harmonies) vocals had made me fall in love with this album. It’s impossible to hate. Even if the music and songs were badly written, which they most certainly are not, his vocals are so phenomenal that it wouldn’t matter. Opener ‘What Am I Gonna Do’ is the perfect example of it, too. It’s a beautiful, simple traditional country song, and a huge highlight of the album.
Tracks like ‘South Dakota’ and lead single ‘White Horse’ have a bit more of a swagger and dark tone to them, which made them a lot of fun. The latter is fucking amazing too, and one of my favourite songs he’s ever released. Meanwhile, single ‘It Takes a Woman’ is another stripped-back, slower ballad of a track, the main focus being on the perfect vocals. It gives off big Drake White vibes in the best possible way. The chorus honestly gave me chills. It’s incredible. There are other incredible slower tracks, like the title one, but ‘It Takes a Woman’ is definitely the highlight in that regard. Another highlight is the emotional amazingness of ‘The Bottom’.
This album is truly incredible. It’s the perfect chilled out country album, and Chris’ performance and writing is just as good as ever. Again, it’s almost impossible not to love. And it’s impossible for me to compare this to his previous three albums, they all feel like extensions of each other. I can’t give this anything less than 10/10. A continuation of one of the best careers in country music.
Helmet: Left
The New York-based alt metal band return with their first album in over seven years. Honestly, I’m not at all familiar with this band, as I thought they were completely different to what they are. However, I found myself enjoying them! It reminds me a bit of a more hardcore/punk version of the Taproot album from a few weeks ago. Surprisingly enough, it also had a slight British vibe to it too, almost a hint of Kasabian but heavier.
Having said all of that, something didn’t quite click for me. The band are clearly all talented, there are some awesome shredding guitar solos throughout, the riffs are pretty phat and punky, and the vocals only add to that swaggering energy. And I completely get where they are going with their almost Bodycount style, being from NYC. They clearly have a lot of fans and plenty of people will love this. However, nothing really caught my ear or stood out to me. It was all just kinda there, a jumble of metal, punk and indie, but not doing anything of note in any genre. ‘Big Shot’ was probably the track I enjoyed the most, but mainly just for the riff. 4/10
P.S. ‘Holiday’ is a terrible idea for an opening track. Sorry.
AJR: The Maybe Man
The creators of the best TikTok meme song bar none, ‘World’s Smallest Violin’, are back with their first release since then and since that album’s release. I have to admit, while I love that song, I’ve checked out a couple of others since and not been that fussed. But, I did check out a single for this album, ‘Yes I’m a Mess’, and my god, it’s awesome. So, let’s dive in to see what the rest of the album has to offer!
Honestly, it’s a fantastic album. I love the opener being a slow, epic build of a track, the thing the band do the best, in my opinion. The lyrics are also just as phenomenal as their big single, well written and exploring feelings of depression and isolation perfectly. Unfortunately, it’s the only track that has the sort of epic build I was craving from the band, but that doesn’t mean other tracks are bad. As I said, ‘Yes I’m a Mess’ is great, as is ‘Inertia’ and ‘Steve’s Going to London’.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all perfect, and a fair bit of it was either repetitive or simply not my sort of thing. However, as an album as a whole, it’s an enjoyable, and some of the better indie/pop-rock stuff I have checked out this year. Plus, the lyric writing is some of the best around today. It’s so filled with emotion, and I imagine speaks to a hell of a lot of people, young or old. Honestly, this is how Twenty-One Pilots should have ended up like. Either way, it’s a great album! 8/10
Broadside: Hotel Bleu
The modern pop punk band have had a turbulent history, to put it lightly. By the time they blew up with their debut after five years as a band, they already had no original members left. However, they have been a solid unit now since 2017, and their last album was pretty well received. So, they are coming into this release with an awful lot of momentum.
Honestly, I think they stick the landing pretty well with their latest release, too. Opener ‘Stranger’ is a great introduction to the band for me, while tracks like ‘Dazed and Confused’ and ‘How to Love, How to Lie’ highlight the band’s talents perfect. They’re like a blend of Fall Out Boy and Dance Gavin Dance, and I’m all for it. The tracks that feature guests, be it Brian Butcher, Joshua Roberts and Papadol are all great. The vocalists play off Ollie Baxxter perfectly, and genuinely improve each song they are on.
If you’re into the modern style of pop punk, you’ll love this. It’s a very solid album filled to the brim with great, enjoyable tracks. It did get a bit samey after a while, it all being the same formula, but when it’s this high quality it’s hard to be mad at that. It’s one of the best pop punk releases of the year, so for that reason gets a 8.5/10 from me!
Hinayana: Shatter and Fall
We’ve already reviewed this awesome album! Check it out here!
Foghat: SONIC MOJO
The legendary British blues rock band are one of the few bands this old to still be consistently releasing new music. Their self-titled debut was released back in ’72, and over half a century later and after 18 albums, the band have certainly slowed down on their output, but are still going pretty strong. The first album in five years, SONIC MOJO still kinda slaps. It’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect a bunch of 70-odd year old musicians writing blues rock would sound like, but it’s still done very well. Whether it’s ‘I Don’t Appreciate You’, ‘?’ or the Santana-like ‘Mean Woman Blues’, there are plenty of great tracks throughout.
There isn’t a bad track on the album though, and it’s simply a fun listen. it has no right being as good as it is this late in Foghat’s career, but new vocalist Scott Holt has clearly put a revived spark in the band. I will definitely be listening to this album again a fair bit, and being in a blues-adjacent band myself, I am hugely jealous of the band’s talent. My only slight negatives are that it does get a bit repetitive by the end of the first half, and that it’s not exactly anything new. Still, 7.5/10, great stuff!
Lonely The Brave: What We Do To Feel
A band that, much like Helmet above, I knew the name of but had a very different idea of their sound in my head. Until this week, I had it in my head that this was some sort of metalcore band, so imagine my surprise when a modern Foo Fighters-like sound came on! It feels like a combination of that and Broadside from earlier. It’s good! A kinda indie/pop rock with a slightly darker, heavier edge.
I had this album on while I cooked and honestly, it’s a really great, cohesive work as a whole. Every track works perfectly with each other, yet there were still standouts for me personally like ‘Victim’ and ‘In the Well’. For once too, I love the slower, darker, moodier tone the album takes in its second half. Usually I’m all for a big, hard-hitting ending, ‘The Bear’ almost sounds like Sleep Token’s ‘The Summoning’, in all the best ways. It’s one hell of a way to end an album.
While it’s not typically the type of music I’d go out of my way to listen to, I enjoyed listening to it as a whole and definitely wouldn’t turn it off if it came on again, be it individual songs or the full album. For anyone into indie or softer stuff, check this out ASAP! 7/10
ODD Crew: Dark Matter Pt. II
So, the first thing I noticed about this album… damn is it long. Eight tracks and only one is below the five minute mark, with the opener stretching to nearly nine. According to the press release, this album ‘Seamlessly fusing the raw energy of alternative metal with the intricate nuances of progressive melodies’. So, I have to say, with that kinda selling, I’m excited to dive in!
Opener ‘Wings on a Burning Wind’ certainly does one hell of a job setting the scene, building up slowly, emphasis on both the clean and heavier, distorted riffs. It immediately gives off big Tool vibes. Heck, it’s nearly three minutes before we even have any vocals. Said vocals fit perfectly over the quiet, melancholy clean guitars though, and amp up fantastically the harder the music goes. It also reminds me a bit of Empyre (review for their last album here). We also get one hell of a guitar solo in this track, fitting the mood and tone to perfection.
This opening track feels like the perfect epitome of the rest of the album. Even on the shortest track, ‘Thin Air’, the pace is pretty plodding and the emphasis is on the juxtaposition of heavy guitars and the lighter, clean vocal style, alongside cleaner, more open, almost ethereal instrumentation at times. It screams of the talent of the playing and writing the band have, and makes for an incredible, interesting listen.
It’s definitely proggy, and the perfect blend of both Tool and Empyre, I’d say. The two tracks I’ve mentioned already are definite highlights, but honestly this whole album is amazing. It feels like one that’s supposed to be experienced as one big piece, too. So grab a snack, sit in a dark room, and listen to this from front to back. You won’t be disappointed. 8.5/10
Deorbit: Retrogradient
Instrumental music is always a bit of a hard sell. However, the guys at Deorbit turn that premise almost completely on its head with this release. The trios technical playing ability is off the charts, and they craft an incredible collection of heavy songs. It’s track after track of tasty death metal riffing and some amazing drumming to boot. Highlights include the ‘Perihelion’, ‘Glacivore’ and ‘Senescence’. Honestly, it’s kinda hard to say much else about it. It’s a solid album that does get a little samey after a few tracks due to the instrumental nature. But there is a lot to love here and if you’re into the genre at all, check it out! 7/10
Shylmagoghnar: Convergence
The one-man atmospheric black metal band is back, with Nimblkorg creating one hell of an epic soundscape for the act’s third album. He has some balls on him too, as the opening near-11 minute track is an instrumental. It definitely sets an atmosphere, that’s for sure, but I was worried I’d have two instrumental albums in a row. That may be too much for even me! So, when I heard the scream near the beginning of ‘Follow the River’, it was a welcome surprise!
Long time readers of this series will know I’m incredibly up and down with black metal. Usually, it has to have something mixed in with it to keep me interested. I’m happy to announce, that this album was definitely an up for me! The aforementioned track, ‘Follow the River’, is fucking awesome, all eight minutes of it! So are tracks like ‘Strata’ and the amazing pirate ballad, ‘The Sea’. And the surprisingly more electronic/techno ‘Gardens of the Erased’ is an awesome and well-placed interlude to break everything up. The fact that one man can not only write this, but play and record it all himself is insanely impressive and deserves MASSIVE respect.
It definitely feels atmospheric, with the tracks I named feeling huge and grandiose, like they deserve to be part of a movie soundtrack if most of Hollywood wasn’t scare of heavy music. I know this sort of music isn’t for everyone, but if I can get into it, then most of our writers should be able to find something in this awesome album to love. Check this out, you won’t be disappointed. 8.5/10
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets: Fronzoli
The Australian psych band certainly win the award for the most wonderfully chaotic album opening of the year. ‘Nootmare’ is one hell of a song, though, and shows off the talent, catchiness and craziness of the band in equal measure perfectly. The whole album follows this lead, as well. It’s crazy, heavy, catchy and a whole lot of fun. Even slower tracks like ‘Cpt. Gravity Mouse Welcome’ has an underlying buzz of chaotic energy to it’s otherwise indie-ballad style. While typically it’s not really my sort of thing, tracks like ‘Alakazam’ and ‘All Aboard the S.S. Sinker’ were awesome and I’ve added them to my personal playlist to hopefully check out again. It’s an incredibly fun listen, and if you’re into psychedelic or indie stuff, you’ll love this. 8/10
Sophie Lloyd: Imposter Syndrome
One of 2023’s biggest breakout stars, the local-ish girl and MGK guitarist has finally put out her star-studded debut solo album. To the surprise of almost no one who’s checked out the singles prior to this release, it’s great. Having an album like her similar guitar goddess Nita Strauss’ album this year (review here), she’s done each track with a different guitar vocalist. Whether it’s international names like Lzzy Hale or Matt Heafy or more local talent like Nathan James or even Marisa Rodriguez, Sophie has managed to collect some of the best vocalists in rock and metal for this release. And honestly, she adopts each of the artists own styles perfectly. It’s awesome!
‘Let It Hurt’, ‘Won’t You Come’ and ‘Fall of Man’ are personal highlight track of mine. However, there isn’t a bad track on the album, honestly. Heck, surprisingly Michael Starr even reigns in the Horningsham for once on ‘Runaway’! Honestly, this feels like what Slash wanted to do with his self-titled album, but didn’t quite nail it as well as Sophie’s done here. It somehow feels like I’m listening to the vocalists own stuff, but yet somehow with a tinge of awesomeness added by Lloyd.
I really hope Sophie continues on with her solo stuff, because this is a fucking awesome album. Being so young as well, she has so much potential, and I can see her being a megastar in the next few years. I can almost guarantee that she’ll be at the top of our industry for years to come. And, when people look back, this album will be a big reason as to why. 9/10
Stray Kids: ROCK-STAR
So, this definitely isn’t the sort of thing we usually cover. However, I was already listening to it anyway and really enjoyed it, so figured screw it, I’ll tack it on down the bottom and let y’all know briefly what I thought.
As I said, this is an awesome album. It’s kinda heavy any, given that, although they are classified as K-pop, they are essentially on the heavier side of trap music. It’s dark and still has some fun drops into the choruses. And there is enough of a crossover now between this type of music and metal, with the likes of 3TEETH, Fever333, Kim Dragula etc, that it felt only right to cover it. That, and they do an actual rock version of ‘LALALALA’ at the end which is fantastic, guitars and all. Honestly, I wish the band did more stuff like this, as the rock style really compliments their own, and feels like something pretty fresh and fun. Tracks like ‘COMFLAX’ and the slower ‘leave’ are also great and infectiously catchy.
These guys deserve every bit of their massive success, and I would LOVE to see them live, they look like so much fun and humongously polished. I understand I am probably in the very small minority of readers that will be into this, but for me, this easily gets an 8/10!
We had the chance to sit down with James of the amazing She Burns Red after their set at Winter Rocks Festival a couple of weeks ago (read our review of the festival here). Check it out as we talk about the set and what they have planned for the next year!
So, how was the gig?
Really good, I really enjoyed it! Really fun! Always love playing Sheffield, we’ve done it a few times now. We did HRH Sleaze and then we played here last year on the Saturday. It was just good fun, I just love playing music!
And how would you describe your sound?
So we’re a wee bit punky and a wee bit grungy and a wee bit heavy… I don’t know man! A bit Wildhearts and Therapy and a bit all over the place, in a good way!
What’s it like being a part of this scene at the minute? It seems like the NWOCR genre is encapsulating a bit of everything nowadays!
Yeah, I mean because the New Wave of Classic Rock is a fanpage on Facebook, if they like a band then you’ll be included in it, it doesn’t matter what you sound like. ‘Oh, you should check out this band, they’re great’ and suddenly you’re part of that scene. Whether you like it or not, and I don’t mean that in a bad way! It’s almost like this creation of this scene out of nowhere. It’s really good though because people are coming to gigs, and after Covid especially which we were all a bit worried about. But no, it’s been an amazing thing to be part of.
I mean you think about the grunge scene; there were load of bands that sounded fuck all like each other. Like The Gets and Pearl Jam and all these bands, nothing like each other. But they all kinda worked together. And it’s the same here. It means that we can play with bands like South of Salem or Twister or Ward XVI or Massive Wagons, all these that sound different but all fit together.
You’ve released a couple of singles this year, right?
Yes, our next single is also due I think the start of next year. We’re actually in the studio from Monday to record the next part of the album. Finishing that around January/February time. Releasing it hopefully May or June.
So I assume it’ll be touring for the rest of the year after that?
I really fuckin’ hope so! The stage we’re at at the minute is we’re doing a lot of support tours, because there’s less financial risk involved. However, if things start to spike by the summer, fingers crossed.
Any surprises from the new music? Anything a departure from what you’ve put out so far?
Not really. As we said earlier, there’s a few songs that are a bit punky, a few that are more grungy, some melodic stuff in there too. So nothing out of the ordinary. If you’re familiar with our stuff you’ll know what to expect.
We’ve kinda got our sound harnessed. And that’s what’s really good, is that we did our EP and that kinda took us one direction, but then we managed to harness our sound and go in a different one. We’ve got everything going at the minute and it’s working really well.
And do you have a dream tour line-up you’d love to be a part of?
Fuck man, I’d love to support Danko Jones, they’re one of my favourite bands. That’d be amazing! They just get on with it on stage, play three songs and then ‘hey, we’re Danko Jones’ and then bam, loads more music. I love them. To the extent that this year on Spotify, 4/5 top tracks were Danko Jones.
We also love the South of Salem guys, it’s so great to be playing with them. I’m sure some people would say like Aerosmith or Metallica or something, but for me it’s Danko Jones and South of Salem, that’s who I’d want!
Did you enjoy the interview? Check out video interviews from our YouTube channel here.
Derby Alt Fest is the biggest metal festival to hit Derby city in maybe ever, we just had to cover it, right? Go and check out the line-up now if you haven’t already, it’s insane. Liam has put on one hell of a bill for everyone this year at the famous, already nearing packed-out Hairy Dog, and we’re here to give you a taste of what to expect!
Thursday:
‘Thrash Thursday’, as it has been dubbed, plays host to six of the very best in the genre in the UK scene right now. From Elyrean, Helgrind and our good friends at Thrasherwolf, it’s a damn strong opening to the day and the festival. We managed to get a few words from the frontman of the latter band, sharing his thoughts on the festival:
“Hi wolvers! Dan from Thrasherwolf here! Just to say we can’t wait to bring the pack down to ALT FEST and get some good old-fashioned violence started! We hope you’re ready for the carnage that night because you won’t be leaving the same way you came in! “
The evening then continues on its brutal ways with All Consumed and Hellfekted. Both are fantastic bands which you have to see live to get the full brunt of their energy and force. Then we reach the headliner of the evening, the mighty Cage Fight. The band have gone from strength to strength in the last few months since dropping their monster of a debut album, and this writer in particular cannot wait to be in the pit for them! They’re all worth the price of admission alone, and we still have two days left!
The more alternative day on the wonderfully odd Dacara. The band bring their big hooks and huge guitar tones to the Dog to open up a stellar day of music. Medusa Touch bring an air of old-school, NWOBHM sound to the proceedings while WarlocK A.D. bring the power metal in spectacular fashion.
Then we reach possibly the most interesting band on the line-up, Luna Kiss. They are the lightest on the bill by quite a margin, being the only real rock band on the bill. Despite that, the band seem more than excited to be playing:
“Wil here from Luna Kiss. We’re stoked to be playing on the bill at this years Alt festival at the Hairy Dog. We’ve got a beast of a set planned and it’s going to be a good ’en’”
They are going to be a band not to be missed, and I’m curious to see how the crowd will react!
The insane local boys, Raised by Owls, are up afterwards, sharing their own brand of craziness and heaviness with the attendees. The guys have been going years at this point and have perfectly honed their craft with a show that should definitely not be missed.
Then we reach the awesome headliners of the evening, the death metal legends at this point themselves, Evil Scarecrow. The comedic, heavy band are possibly the biggest to ever grace the Alt Fest stage, and always bring with them one hell of a stage show to entertain their audience with. Not to mention, their songs are incredible, and they are all at the top of the game at what they do.
We managed to get a few words from the band too about their sure to be legendary set:
“Evil Scarecrow are so excited to be back at The Hairy Dog for the first time in a long time and looking forward to be returning back since the big room was opened. So get them crab claws, karate moves and robotic dancing at the ready as we look forward to seeing you all on the Friday night!”
Saturday:
The final day is packed full of incredible bands, with a whole afternoon and evening of great music. OATHS bring the heavy straight away with some great deathcore while Past the Fall are set to follow them with their own brand of brutality. The crushing heaviness continues with the likes of Beyond Extinction, Worship the Sacrifice and Hounds before Abduction give us a more black metal tint.
Inhuman Nature bring it back to the thrash sound again but with an extreme edge while Monasteries look to blast everyone away with their heaviness and insane talent. Fairly local band The Five Hundred return to blow the roof off the Dog as they always do, while crowd favourites Osiah pile on more insane brutality to the proceedings.
Then we reach the headliner and final band of the festival, the incredible Martyr Defiled. What more could you ask for? They are the perfect way to close out a heavy festival. Huge, heavy, at the top of their game and ready to put on an insane show to a roaring crowd. This is going to be a fantastic set, I’m sure, and one that I cannot wait to see!
We also managed to get a quick interview with the organiser and Unearthed main-man Liam about the festival, which you can check out below!
How did you decide on the bands?
Alt fest has always been as alternative as I can make it. It used to be a lot more difficult when I had just one day to smash as many genres as we could into it but now, we can really experiment. For this year I’ve based it on Thrash Thursday, Alternative Friday, and Heavy Saturday, so then I built it around that model.
How long does it take to plan an event like this and how many people are involved?
Planning pretty much starts when the previous year finishes, you look at what went well and what might have not and then begin building from there, looking at potential headliners and then opening applications and seeing who’s about. I have to shout out my guy Harry who I run Unearthed with, he’s not only helped structure the line up with me this year but also done all the graphics internally, and also everyone at The Hairy Dog, for continuing to allow me to put as many bands as physically possible on over the weekend and looking after us all.
What’s the history of Derby Alt Fest?
I actually started it as a standalone in 2016 to go along with my old bands EP release show, and it really just spiralled from that. I’ve tried to make it bigger and better every year and to not only bring bands back who have become fest favourites but also bring bigger bands who have never played. Were now in the sixth year of the event.
What can we expect at the festival this year?
Every day is going to be different. The style of bands make the shows great as standalones as well as forming into the three-day weekend. Thursday we have Cage Fight who are just rising at a rapid rate, and after just smashing Bloodstock second stage I can’t wait to see them destroy the Dog. Friday really is mental thinking about it, EVIL SCARECROW. I’ve seen this band on huge stages in the past and it’s going to be an incredible show. The Saturday is just going to be flat out brutal from start to finish. Headlined by Martyr Defiled.
It’s about time we had some thrash on this list, right? The German band have been going on and off for over four-and-a-half decades at this point, releasing a total of 16 studio albums. Their latest, Too Mean to Die, is awesome. From the balls-to-the-wall intro track to the more glam-oriented ‘Overnight Sensation’ to a couple of slower tracks, Accept show their wide versatility an awesome song writing. I believe I gave it an 8/10 upon its release!
Volbeat: Servant of the Mind
Very much a return to form for the Danish metallers. After a lighter, rather lackluster previous album, Servant of the Mind returns the heaviness and shows that Volbeat very much still have it. Highlights include ‘Becoming’, ‘Wait a Minute my Girl’ (I can’t believe it still keeps growing on me), ‘Sacred Stones’ and the awesome ‘Shotgun Blues’. 8.5/10
Another return to form, in my eyes. I wasn’t the hugest fan of Inglorious’ second and third albums, but damn if their fourth offering isn’t awesome. Tracks like ‘Messiah’, ‘Medusa’ and ‘Cruel Intentions’ are all amazing, showing off a more mature, slightly heavier side of the band. I hope this is their sound moving forward as they are back on track to be Britain’s breakout rock band in a few years! 8.5/10
Of course this made this list. It had to, it’s Gojira. The band that are yet to put out a bad album keep that streak going with Fortitude. Epic, crushing riffs combine with an at times slightly more radio-friendly sound and vocal delivery to make this one of the best metal albums of the year. Tracks like ‘Amazonia’, ‘The Chant’ and ‘Sphinx’ are all a must to check out if you are into the heavy stuff! 9/10
A band who always leave pretty substantial gaps between their albums, this one felt worth the wait. The album highlights a band that now feel confident in their sound for the first time in a while. Tracks such as ‘Yeah Right’, ‘Use My Voice’ and the hauntingly beautiful ‘Wasted on You’ are all massive highlights, the but the album is arguably full of highs. 8/10
Talk about a band comfortable in their sound. I have been a massive fan of the band for most of my life and am a big advocate of their 2000s albums. This is another corker. Be it the shorter ‘Stratego’ or the longer epics of ‘Death of the Celts’ and ‘Lost in a Lost World’, there is a LOT to love on this album. While for some it may be a bit of a slog, 81 minutes across two discs, it is well worth the listen. It may be one of my favourite albums from the band, or at least up there in the top five! 9/10
A band that have been quietly putting out stellar albums over the last 20 years or so, Chevelle may have topped them all with Niratias. From the opening note to the closing one, this was incredible. The best album they have ever done, hence why they got a 9.5/10
Somehow the best album they have put out in years, even though I have now said that about their last three. Sin and Sentence was great, Dead Men was amazing and then Court of the Dragon somehow tops them both. With tracks like the title one, ‘Shadow of the Abattoir’ and ‘The Phalanx’, this very well be the best album the band have ever done. It’s at the very least my favourite by them, even beating out Shotgun. 9.5/10
An album that has definitely grown on me, TPR’s fourth studio album is actually damn good. I (Joe) was pretty harsh on it upon its release, while Charlotte was a big fan, hence thejoint review. Even the singles have grown on me, as well as the lighter album tracks, making it a pretty solid, well rounded album. The band have really come into their own with this release and it shows in a big way. I’d happily bump the score up to a 7.5/10
Ice Nine Kills: Welcome to Horrorwood
My album of the year, and a perfect album based on my review score. I stand by it, too, and anyone who tries to tell me otherwise can fight me. From the four singles of the album to blistering tracks like ‘Ex Mortis’, ‘Rash Decision’ and the insanely heavy ‘Take Your Pick’, it is a 50-minute long masterclass in metal, and once again feels like a genre of its own. After Silver Scream was so hard to top, I thought for sure this would be a comedown, but it somehow builds on things even more. I’ve seen nowhere near enough love for this album from the mainstream press, while fans are crying out for them to be massive. 10/10
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