Essential albums of the year…so far!
2008 has been a good year so far for albums. Here are a few personal recommendations starting of with SAINT DEAMON ‘In Shadows Lost From The Brave’ (Frontiers), whose debut album is a fine slice of prog metal with some rousing choruses and very catchy tunes. AYREON ‘01011001′ Inside Out is a my top album of the year so far and it features many guests including Magnum’s Bob Catley, Jorn Lande and many more. Easily the most instantly accessible Ayreon albums and some wondrous music is contained on the two discs.
Aussie rockers AIRBOURNE ‘Running Wild’ Roadrunner have been causing a stir and whilst we wait for the new AC/DC album this will tide us over nicely. THE FEELING ‘Join With Us’ is their second album and whilst maybe not quite as good as their debut it still contains some wonderful pop rock tunes. If you like mid-80’s Toto then the debut releases by WORK OF ART ‘Art Work’ Frontiers will be right up your street! This album will make many people’s top ten lists come year end I am sure. Keeping it melodic are KHYMERA ‘The Greatest Wonder’ Frontiers and this is their best album yet with Denis Ward proving that he is a top draw vocalists as well as producer. If you like House Of Lords and Tyketto grab this one pronto! Speaking of HOUSE OF LORDS ‘Come To My Kingdom’ Frontiers sees them carrying on what they do best – big ballads and ultra catchy melodic hard rock.
ELBOW ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’ takes a few spins to settle in but again the band produce lots of rich and interesting musical landscapes. ROYAL HUNT ‘Collision Course … Paradox II’ Frontiers sees new vocalist Mark Boals make his debut and he fits the band like a glove! They never let you down and for fans you can buy with confidence. JON OLIVIA’S PAIN ‘Global Warning’ AFM Records is the closet fans will get to a new Savatage album and the sound goes from Queen through to industrial! AVANTASIA ‘The Scarecrow’ Nuclear Blast is another ‘guest fest’ with Bob Catley, Alice Cooper and Khan (Kamelot) all adding to a wonderful mix of hard rock and prog metal. PAUL GILBERT ‘Silence Followed By A Deafening Roar’ Mascot Records is a very accessible guitar instrumental album and unlike other guitarists he puts big emphasis on melody. EVERON ‘North’ Mascot Records are a new band to these ears and you’d certainly enjoy this album if you like progressive rock music but at the shorter song end and with lots of vocal harmonies.
Phil Vincent returns with CIRCULAR LOGIK ‘One’ Indie and possibly his heaviest album yet. Lots of big guitar riffs and plenty of hook laden hard rock tunes. The original ASIA ‘Phoenix’ Frontiers return and although lacking the pomp of their first two albums there is much to enjoy on here, especially if you liked the two Wetton/Downes Icon albums. ALLIANCE ‘Road To Heaven’ Escape Music have produced their greatest album yet and Robert Berry proves what a great voice he has. Sheer melodic rock bliss and Survivor take note this is how to do modern melodic rock. POWER QUEST ‘Master Of Illusion’ Napalm Records with lots of guests and a slight shift again in style to more keyboard led songs and a few more progressive leanings. You can never go wrong with this band in my book. The old boy David Coverdale has life in his band yet as WHITESNAKE ‘Good To Be Bad’ SPV take the 80’s sound of the ‘1987′ album and throw in a little of their pre-hair days blues sound. If as Mr Coverdale hints this is the band’s last album then it makes a fine swansong.
GLYDER ‘Playground For Life’ sees the band carry on in fine form with those Thin Lizzy and classic rock influences now joined by a more mdoern twist. JADED SUN have released a stonking debut album that reminds me of Free, Bad Company, Lynyrd Sknyrd and Thunder. The best debut album of the year so far! Finally, EXPEDITION: DELTA Prog Rock Records another all star affair and one for lovers of melodic progressive rock. M.ILL.ION ‘Thrill Of The Chase’ (Metal Heaven) is the band’s sixth and for me best album to date. For classy, catchy hard rokc with a nod to the 70’s look no further than this album.
