Saturday, August 13, 2016

Battle of the Bands


Favorite band: KISS

Band I hate: All the scream-o bands in black/death/doom/you-get-the-idea-metal

Band I love: Avantasia

Band I think is underrated: KISS

Band I think is overrated: Metallica

Band I secretly like: McFly

Most intelligent lyrics: Queen

Favorite band that no longer 
exists: The Beatles

A friends band: AC/DC

Favorite band to see live:  KISS


Worst band I have seen live: Mando Diao


Best band I have seen live: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band


Best band I have seen live when I didn't think I would enjoy them: Airbourne

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Ace Frehley feat. Paul Stanley - Fire & Water

New music video from Ace Frehley's solo album Origins vol.1 features Paul Stanley and it's the first time the duo has worked together since 2002 when Ace left KISS. The song Fire & Water is a cover of Free's original song. 
Really cool to see the two of them together again belting out some classic rock 'n roll!!


Saturday, April 2, 2016

Disturbed - Sounds of Silence @ Conan

Disturbed performed a truly powerful cover of Simon & Garfunkel's song "Sounds of Silence" on Conan a couple of days ago.
Starting mellow and building all the way to the end. Great vocals!

Performances like this is the ultimate proof of what is (and what is not) good music. It gives me hope that some people actually understand music both historically, as in the case of Simon & Garfunkel, and more present, as in the case of Disturbed.

Not only does it show that metal / rock bands are very versatile, it also shows that they have actual musical talent. They can play, sing, arrange and perform great music.

Fuck those button-pressing DJ's, lip-synching pop divas and talentless rappers. Because THIS is really music.

Disturbed - Sounds of Silence

Monday, December 14, 2015

50 Best Songs from 2015

According to my personal (and, if I may say so) magnificent taste...

Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose - Avantasia
Anywhere Loud - Imperial State Electric
Face The Fact - Degreed
I Don't Wanna Say I'm Sorry - Eclipse
Let Me Throw My Life Away - Imperial State Electric
Gone Too Long - The Answer
He Is - Ghost B.C.
The Scam - Degreed
The Storm - Eclipse
Living For The Nighttime - The Night Flight Orchestra

All Over My Head - Imperial State Electric
Better Safe Than Sorry - Degreed
Mexico - The Dead Daisies
Th1rt3en Or Nothing - Backyard Babies
Love Me, Love Me Not - Degreed
How Long - The Winery Dogs
Stiletto - The Night Flight Orchestra
Just Let Me Know - Imperial State Electric
Long Live The Renegades - The Answer
Neverneverland - Jay Smith

The Red And The Black - Iron Maiden
Love Bites - Eclipse
Burn In The Night - Ryan Adams
The Light - Disturbed
Hello - Shakra
Casters Of The First Stone - Saffire
If Eternity Should Fail - Iron Maiden
Immortalized - Disturbed
Tomorrow Never Comes - Zac Brown Band
To Hell And Back - Symphony X

Captain Love - The Winery Dogs
Like A River Runs - Bleachers
We Built This House - Scorpions
All You Had To Do Was Stay - Ryan Adams
Speaking In Tongues - Young Guns
Under The Red Cloud - Amorphis
Face Everything And Rise - Papa Roach
Goin' Down With The Ship - Michael Monroe
Dangerous - Def Leppard
Saint Cecilia - Foo Fighters

Swing Of Death - Jorn Lande & Trond Holter
Homegrown - Zac Brown Band
Wish To Carry On - Buckcherry
Aristocrat - The Answer
Never Give Up On You - Khymera
First Kiss - Kid Rock
Absolution - Ghost B.C.
We Belong - Def Leppard
Wild Woman - Danko Jones
Something More Than Free - Jason Isbell

*  *  *


Listen to this playlist on Spotify: 50 Best Songs from 2015

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Sorry about the inactivity...

I have been very inactive here lately. A lot of it has to do with a lack of time, but some of it due to lack of inspiration.

Well, inspiration is back. And so is a couple of great autumn releases to write about! Rock is alive!

Albums that might come up here, or that you should otherwise check out includes:

*Imperial State Electric - Honk Machine
*Ghost - Meliora
*Eclipse - Armageddonize
*Nightflight Orchestra - Skyline Whispers
*The Dead Daisies - Revolución
*Backyard Babies - Four By Four

There are also some interesting rock news out there, among them a new avantasia album and a possible european tour by KISS!!

And what's more is I have a ton of old and new songs to listen to and recommend.

I have new playlists on my spotify account etc etc etc.


Talk to you soon.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Degreed - Dead But Not Forgotten

Just released! New album from Swedish melodic rock band Degreed!
The third album is stuffed with a massive 14 new songs, all of which is oozing with quality! How these guys are not more famous is a mystery to me. Degreed has presented three good albums, but the thing is they have gotten better each time. And this third one is pretty damn close to a full pointer. Perfect melodic rock! One of those albums that grows on you every time you listen. The sound on this one is fuller, better produced and both songwriting and playing has grown and improved.

There are a lot of great stuff on here, but if I had to pick one as the album's best it would have to be track 5; Better Safe Than Sorry. Killer chorus, crazy vocals, tasty guitars and a nice backing keyboard sound (which is more distinct throughout the album than earlier).
Other high points is early tracks like The Scam, Madness and Face The Fact. 

If you haven't heard this band then go find them, press play, turn it up and sit back.


Track listing:
1. The Scam
2. Face The Fact
3. Madness
4. Shame On Me
5. Better Safe Than Sorry
6. Love Me, Love Me Not
7. Drama
8. Kill Your Darlings
9. Touch Of Paradise
10. Forgive You
11. Start Again
12. Firefly
13. Final Ride
14. Turn Around, Don't Back Down

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Top 10 Greatest Drummers

1. Keith Moon
One of the most legendary rock musicians ever was also an animal behind the kit. He was pounding the skins hard, fast and with a crazy kind of perfection. His drumming stands out on so many of The Who's classic songs, like Baba O'Riley which has the coolest drumming ever!!

2. Neil Peart
The drummer from Rush is a guy that I didn't really know that much about before, but after looking him up recently, I found that this guy is technically brilliant. Probably the most technically skilled drummer of them all.

3. Eric Carr
Eric is one of those guys that are sadly overlooked by critics (probably because he was in KISS) but was an incredible talent behind the kit. He had the whole package; crazy skills, a hard hitter, great singer, multi instrumentalist, killer solos and was adored by his fans. It's not easy to pick which of the KISS drummers I like best (Eric Singer would also fit in here), but Carr will be my choice! Carr also recorded the most powerful drum sound I have ever heard in studio on 1982's Creatures of the Night.

4. Dave Grohl
Another seriously talented multi instrumentalist than can play basically any instrument and sing great as well. He got famous with Nirvana, worked with several other bands and started his own band Foo Fighters, making Grohl the most successful drummer to come out from behind the kit.

5. John Bonham
The legendary Led Zeppelin drummer always show up on these lists, even though some believe he is overrated. However, Bonham always delivered with feeling, power and energy and was a vital part of the greatest hard rock band ever.

6. Nicko McBrain
In my opinion, the best heavy metal drummer out there. He doesn't just play with speed (which many in the genre tend to do) that just gets annoying after a while, but uses a lot of feeling and spontaneity. Mr. McBrain and his crazy fills (and crazy faces) is a highlight in Iron Maidens live performances.

7. Max Weinberg
The drummer with the most classic style here. He plays it simple and direct, he hits the skins like he means it (hard) and he has that awesome jazz stick handling. On top of that, there's the story of that gig where Springsteen played encore after encore and 'Mighty Max' literally played until his hands bled - now that is commitment!

8. Tommy Lee
I believe Tommy is a bit overlooked in the same way as Eric Carr, probably because his band Motley Crue disliked by critics. His crazy awesome drum solos and stage antics, along with his wild personal life, has at least made him one of the most famous drummers in the world.

9. Phil Rudd
I love how Phil Rudd keeps it simple in a 'less is more' kind of way. It just seems effortless where he sits at the back of the stage smoking his cigarette while Angus and Brian goes off the rails at the front. The former AC/DC drummer's simple style has a big part in the bands sound.

10. Roger Taylor
The man from Queen is not only a great drummer, but also a good singer and a top-notch songwriter (which is uncommon for a drummer). Keeps it rather simple and stylish, which is just the way I like it!

******
Honorary Mention: Nate Morton
Didn't really make the top 10, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that he is not famous enough. However, his flashy and perfectly timed drumming is just awesome to watch. One of the most entertaining drummers to look at live for sure! Just check him out on Paul Stanley's live DVD One Live Kiss!