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

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

Merry Christmas!

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.

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

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!

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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! 

Top 10 greatest bass players

1. Paul McCartney
As one of the driving forces in the Beatles, and the most successful outside of the band, McCartney is a monster songwriter and one of the most famous musicians in the world. On top of that, his bass playing innovative, melodic and the base for so many fantastic songs.

2. Gene Simmons
The KISS bassist is mostly famous for his stage antics, but the fact is that he is a very skilled bass player and sadly underrated by most. His style reminds of McCartney's - it is melodic and works as a foundation for many KISS classics.

3. Steve Harris
One of the heavy metal Gods himself is a great bass player, with a focus on speed, aggression and drive. He is the main songwriter in Iron Maiden and a great stage presence.

4. Phil Lynott
A talented songwriter, bass player and frontman in Thin Lizzy. Despite dying young, Lynott had a huge influence on the rock scene with his bass driven songwriting.

5. Lemmy Kilmister
Legendary on the hard rock scene for other things than bass playing. And yes, his playing is far from perfect but none the less his Motörhead have delivered some heavy tunes with a crunching bass sound.

6. Sting
Probably one of the most technically skilled players here, with a focus on melody rather than chords. Another great songwriter, both with The Police and solo. Not a great stage persona, but the man is good.

7. John Deacon
The least famous member of Queen and not one of its primary songwriters, even though he has written number one songs. He definitely let his playing do the talking. Too bad he quit too early.

8. Geddy Lee
The main force in Rush is another good bass player and songwriter. Not one to focus on his stage persona, but the band usually lets the music do the talking. Very skilled player (with cool glasses)!

9. Nikki Sixx
Another overlooked player due to his persona. The main songwriter in Motley Crue and the brain behind many of the bands classics. A great and entertaining stage presence, and more than adequate playing.

10. Mike Dirnt
Punk bands like Green Day is not famous for being skilled musicians, but Dirnt certainly has his bass playing down. Focus on speed and attitude, and on top of that he is a fun stage personality.

Top 10 Greatest Rock Singers

1. Freddie Mercury - the obvious choice, Freddie was one of a kind with a voice so great that it's still considered one of the best over 20 years after his death. A very unique stage presence that is perfectly displayed on Queen's performance on Live Aid, widely regarded as one of the best live performances in history!

2. Paul Stanley - the often neglected KISS frontman was, in his prime, second to only Mercury. A fact that is sadly ignored by so many critics. The fact that he was once hired as the Phantom of the Opera says something about his quality and versatility. Stanley between ca 1980-2005 is just pure awesomeness.

3. Paul Rodgers - this is the greatest classic rock singer of all time. Great feeling, perfect raspiness and control makes Rodgers a pleasure to listen to, even at 65.

4. Robert Plant - Plant is among the fathers of hard rock, and no one touches him in that field. His powerful voice mixed with his stage presence made him a legend.

5. Ronnie James Dio - Dio is to metal what Plant is to hard rock, the perfect model for the genre. Power, control, range and a distinct sound made Dio a heavy metal God.

6. Klaus Meine - Meine is often overlooked even though he has one of the most recognizable voices in the world. He sings with ease and has a great tone that fits in many genres.

7. Steve Perry - a great sounding voice with an instantly recognizable sound. Great range and a perfect control makes Perry a great singer both live and in the studio.

8. Roger Daltrey - maybe not the most perfect singer technically, but with power and energy he is a huge part of The Who's sound both live and in the studio.

9. Bruce Dickinson - another heavy metal powerhouse that has a great range and can sing clean high notes as well as low ones. His sound is so "Maiden" that the other singers are forgotten.

10. Steven Tyler - Tyler basically IS Aerosmith with his familiar voice and enormous charisma. Great range and can sing both hard rock and soft ballads to perfection.

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Freddie Mercury

Paul Stanley

Top 10 Legendary Guitarists

This list is not based solely on talent, nor is it based purely on image or fame. It is simply a ranking of the whole package required to be considered a legendary guitarist. Of course these guitarists need to be talented players, but they also need to have a well developed image recognized all over the world. Let's go!

1. Angus Young - the schoolboy uniform, the duckwalk, the devilhorns and wild stage presence Young is one of the most recognized guitarists in the world, maybe most of them all.

2. Pete Townshend - inventor of some of the most classic guitar moves like the windmill, the powerstand, guitar jumping and guitar smashing. A rock pioneer that is hugely respected.

3. Slash - that top hat with sunglasses and a dangling cigaret is an image almost everyone recognizes.

4. Jimi Hendrix - a legend in the most correct sense. Dead at 27 he had already influenced the rock scene immensely. Moves included behind the head playing as well as tongue and teeth playing.

5. Keith Richards - maybe not that famous for his stage persona, but his presence and different style along with all the myths surrounding the man has made him the living legend he is today.

6. Brian May -  his persona is not flamboyant, nor his outfits. The big curly hair and that classic red guitar is a well known image in the music world. The best singer here.

7. Jimmy Page - famous from the fathers of hard rock, Led Zeppelin, Page is a rock legend from top to bottom. Countless classic riffs, stage antics and great songs makes him one of the most legendary players here.

8. Ace Frehley - the guitarist from outer space with make-up and a costume out of this world Frehley and his smoking, rocket-shooting guitar antics forever made him a rock icon.

9. Eddie Van Halen - this man changed the way rockers saw the guitar as an instrument and what you could do with it. Eddie introduced many new techniques used to this day like tapping or over-using the whammy-bar!

10. Eric Clapton - a guitar virtuoso that has never really focused on the imagery of the guitarist but focused on playing and honing his skills. Impeccable player, but a rather boring stage presence.

KISS Albums Ranked 1-20

Saw this on Ultimate Classic Rock's website and it needs a response... Not that they are totally wrong, but some stuff needs to be put right! Note that all albums are great and that KISS is the hottest band in the world. KISS has released 20 studio albums and 4 live albums.

1. KISS - the heart and soul

2. Destroyer - all the classics

3. Creatures of the Night - no filler just killer

4. Dressed To Kill - great obscure gems

5. Revenge - heaviest songs, badass Gene

6. Love Gun - lots of great moments

7. Hotter Than Hell - heavy, dark and early

8. Rock And Roll Over - some great classics

9. Lick It Up - killer writing, few lows

10. Psycho Circus - super Paul, average band

11. Unmasked - great songs, thin production

12. Sonic Boom - good songs but no peaks

13. Monster - good songs but Paul's voice

14. Hot In The Shade - some great, lots of filler

15. Carnival of Souls - different but heavy

16. Asylum - average songs but Kulick

17. Dynasty - two of their greatest, but bad stuff too

18. Crazy Nights - too much synth, Paul awesome

19. Animalize - too fast, lots of filler

20. The Elder - too weird, but the Oath

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50 best songs from 2014

Track / Artist

1. Gimme Something Good - Ryan Adams

2. Space Police - Edguy

3. A Shot At Redemption - HEAT

4. Gotta Get It Right - Sixx AM

5. I Want Out - Young Guns

6. Running With The Dogs - The Treatment

7. Resist And Bite - Sabaton

8. Paradise (What About Us) - Within Temptation

9. Through Oblivion - In Flames

10. Space Invader - Ace Frehley

11. Stars - Sixx AM
12. Do Me Like A Caveman - Edguy
13. Stay With Me - Ryan Adams
14. Mannequin Show - HEAT

15. Love Tyger - Edguy

16. Tragedy + Time - Rise Against
17. Emergency - The Treatment

18. Inferno - HEAT

19. Whole World Is Watching - Within Temptaion
20. Kim - Ryan Adams

21. Wicked Stone - Slash
22. Spectacular - The Answer
23. New York City - Lenny Kravitz
24. Hector's Hymn - Hammerfall

25. Face Everything And Rise - Papa Roach
26. Waiting For Superman - Daughtry
27. Alone In Myself - Edguy
28. Say Fuck It - Buckcherry
29. Hymns For The Broken - Evergrey

30. The Heart - NeedToBreathe

31. Words As Weapons - Seether
32. The Only Way Out - Bush
33. Bushido - Hammerfall
34. World On Fire - Slash
35. If Only She Was Lonely - Electric Boys
36. Raise Your Hands - Ammotrack

37. Multiplied - NeedToBreathe

38. Final Masquerade - Linkin Park

39. Burning - The War On Drugs

40. Million Miles An Hour - Nickelback

41. Gotta Get Away - The Black Keys
42. To Hell And Back - Sabaton
43. Disaster Highway - Smash Into Pieces
44. The Devil In I - Slipknot
45. New Horizon - The Answer

46. I Am Machine - Three Days Grace

47. Wait, Wait, Wait - Northern Faces

48. Geronimo - Sheppard

49. Until It's Gone - Linkin Park
50. Rusted Nail - In Flames

Listen to this playlist on Spotify HERE