Favourite albums of 2017

Albums below the top 50 and in no particular order:

Newman - Aerial
Superbly slick melodic rock from Newman as always.

Tommy Vitaly - Indivisible
Neoclassical shred metal mixed with normal melodic metal. Some songs have vocals and others just shredding and melodies.

Awaken the Giant - Black & Blue [EP]
Modern rock EP. Good vocals, heavy riffs and a few core emo elements but minimal. Enjoy the catchy songs a lot.

Ra's Dawn - From The Vile Catacombs
Heavy and melodic mid paced thrash with power metal overtones. The heavy crystal clear sound makes the album very listenable indeed.

Mastodon - Emperor of Sand
Heavy and melodic groove metal with ever busy drums. Some mesmerising moments of epic bliss. A solid and enjoyable Mastodon album.

Razorblade Messiah - Ride the Razor
Great little classic metal ep. Trad metal riffs with melodic vocals and decent songs. Fists in the air!

Arf Of Anarchy - The Madness
Modern rock with Scott Stapp. Catchy and very good for the most part. Hard hitting with angsty, melodramatic vocals from Stapp is the order of the day.

Night ranger - Don't Let Up
Some very good melodic tunes and a couple of bluesy rough numbers which I don't like. Overall pleasing melodic rock, good vocals and strong melodies. 

NоVоN - Thе Wаrrіоr's Fаtе
Hilarious and fun true metal from the German brothers of steel! Featuring the best song title of the year - Push, Push for Metal!

Bonfire - Byte the Bullet
I've never known a great deal about Bonfire but I think this maybe their best album yet. Melodic rock/metal at its Germanic best is what's on offer here. Very enjoyable stuff!

Place Vendome - Close to the Sun
Took a couple of plays but I like this in the end. Granted Miki Kiske's warbling will put off most people but there are some cool tunes here. The guitar work is also very awesome and melodic.

Edenbridge - The Great Momentum
I've always liked Edenbrdge and I love Sabine's vocals. She's one of my fave female singers by far. Just love her voice and my love affair continues strong on this disk.

Coastland Ride - Distance
This is very soft but very good Scandi AOR. Very lush instrumentation, lovely crystal clear production and sweet melodic vocals. Won't be the best AOR album I'll hear this year but good enough.

Stamina - System of Power
Don't recall a lot about this band but this album is great if you ask me. Very melodic, very catchy melodic power with the odd prog tendency but mainly just melody after melody. Very big surprise and very enjoyable.

Striker - st
I didn't like the last album it just didn't work for me. Now I like'm again. This is great. Good solid melodies from the singer.

Theory - The Art Of Evil
A new band playing heavy power metal something like Nevermore/Communic mix. The vocals are heavy and full throated but still melodic. Riffs are melodic and very enjoyable.

Deaf Havana - All These Countless Nights
Stepping out of my comfort zone but these songs and vocals are too good to ignore. This is an uplifting alternative rock album and much lighter than other modern rock bands I like. However the melodies are very addictive and cool as is the dreamy laid back vibe.

Firewind - Immortals
Welcome return for Gus and Co. Basse fits like a glove and Gussy sounds energised with a bunch of cool new tunes.

Grave Digger - Healed By Metal
Been bored by last couple of GD albums but I begrudgingly have to say I like Healed By Metal. It pounds and wrecks with heavy hitting power metal all over. Bolt even manages to sound like Lemmy at times which is a bit cool though I don't know if it was on purpose as a tribute or just natural.

Cellador - Off The Grid
Really much better than their last album which was good in itself. The singer has some superb melodies.

Confess - Haunters
Melodic Swedish glam metal. Like a slightly softer Hardcore Superstar but with a lot of cool tuneage.

Adrenaline Rush - Soul Survivor
You know what, even this gal's painfully average pop vocals can't stop this from rocking pretty hard. The full throttle riffs and music just rules.

Labyrinth - Architecture of a God
I wish it had more energetic songs but the quality is still there. It's just a more relaxed kind of Labyrinth and not power metal fixated. The song Stardust and Ashes is completely amazing though and I wish there were more tunes like that one.

Ancestry - Transitions
Nice power from Mexico. Probably closest to old Stratovarius in many ways. For a band with no profile from a power metal backwater it's definitely a job well done.

No Resolve - Unity
Modern rock has been good to me and every thing I look for in modern music is present and correct. Epic, room filling melodies from the singer and a booming thick production with the riffing. I even like the haunting ballads on this album.

Exos - Time For a Change
Very cool project which I know very little about. The album features various semi-famous and underground power metal singers each handling a song but it's the song material that wins the day. Very enjoyable.

Pride of Lions - Fearless
Some great tunes especially when Toby sings alone but the album as a whole is possibly a bit borderline namby pamby. If you like a more theatrical Survivor styled AOR you should like it though.

Painful Pride - Lost Memories
Rather catchy melodic metal from this band I've never heard of. Some very nice tunes and some so so ones. Overall pretty enjoyable melodic heavy metal.

Damnations Day - A World Awakens
Great progpower. Very good vocals, very decent but not totally amazing songs. Production is totally great though. First album was good but this is better still. Overall vibe is solid as hell.

Paladine - Finding Solace
Very decent epic metal with so so vocals. But I enjoyed most of this anyway.

Ayreon - The Source
Perhaps the heaviest and most melodic Ayreon album ever. I have liked random Ayreon songs in the past but never a full album. That has changed. This is almost a masterpiece as far as Ayreon goes. This is a double cd so I can't say I like everything but I liked 80% at least and probably the first time I can say that about any Ayreon album. Great vocals from all the cast too.

Aviator Shades - This Is What We Do
Fun hard rock with sweet riffs and vocals.

Wayward Sons - Ghosts of yet to come
Catchy hard rock. Plenty cool tunes.

Smash Into Pieces - Rise And Shine
Very cool modern rock with great vocals. Sweden come up trumps for me again after the solid last cd. The songs are just very catchy and I can see myself playing them over and over.

The Mantle - st
Didn't realise this was Kenny G's boy but I like this. I don't really listen to instrumental metal but this thing is awesome. Melody is put at the forefront of every tune. Guitarwork is superb and fluid.

Victorius - Heart Of The Phoenix
Quality Freedom call style power metal. Vocals could be better but they're OK enough and the songs are very happy go lucky and enjoyable in any case. Thumbs up from this power metal diehard!

Skarlett Riot - Regenerate
Great songs, very memorable. Her voice is a little girly for my taste. But I can't deny the songs because they are ace.

Sinner - Tequila Suicide
I don't really recall liking any Sinner albums a lot in the past. They were good but nothing I needed to immerse myself in. Which makes this all the more strange. I really like this album! It's really quite good indeed. It's like a heavier Thin Lizzy in places.

Dragony - Lords of the Hunt EP
Great little ep. Nice melodic power stuff until their next album.

Seven Kingdoms - Decennium
Well this is rather enjoyable. Her vocals are a bit girly but the melodies are very catchy. I just wish she sounded more manly if that makes sense. Still very good though.

Toxpack - Schall Und Rausch
I love this somehow. Punk street metal - very heavy very catchy! Good mix of attitude filled street music but no rap.

Dream Tröll - The Knight of Rebellion
Rather unique sounding UK melodic power metal. Not amazing but pretty enjoyable and brings a smile to my face.

Taberah - Sinner's Lament
Very good heavily riffed power metal. Choruses could be bigger but this mostly rules.

Siamese - Shameless
Very dreamy and melodic modern rock with smooth soft vocals which are almost poppy like Timberlake or something! Still some of these songs are very catchy and addictive with the mix of heavy riffs and soft melodies from the singer.

Wind Rose - Stonehymn
Epic and mighty sounding warrior metal. Some great moments but others pass by without gaining much favour with me but I may end up liking this heroic outfit in the end. There are plenty of great chest beating moments and a cool heavy sound.

Pyramaze - Contingent
At first I was a bit dubious about this but by the end I realised the band is still great as ever. The melodies are strong and memorable. The production could be a bit sharper but it's minor really which is a bit odd since Jacob Hansen is amazing at sounding huge on all his other production work. If you like melody in your metal then you need Pyramaze - simples!

Tyrants by Night - A Taste of Patience
They sound like Iced Earth but sped up and much more thrashy. Good melodic vocals too but it's all about riffs and there's freaking loads of 'em! Tyrants by Night are well worth a listen for any power/thrash fan.

Horisont - About Time
Retro 70s rock isn't really my thing but I really enjoyed this. Sounds like The Who mixed with Thin Lizzy and a very high pitched singer. Rather fun and authentic 70s, boogie rock.

Night Demon - Darkness Remains
This is great old school trad. Good riffs, reasonable vox, and headbangable songs. I'm in.

VHÄLDEMAR - Old King's Visions
Nice little comeback ep from this band who I haven't heard a peep from in years. There is power, pace and melody with a gruff singer. Actually he sounds like a dead ringer for old Nightmare singer Jo Amore.

Ravage - Return Of The Spectral Rider
Very good trad power metal with loads of gallop. Good solid vocals too. True metal joy!

Soulspell - The Second Big Bang
Very good power metal extravaganza. Singers galore and all turn in a solid effort. Perhaps not as good as Avantasia but it's not so far away after all.

Ironflame - Lightning Strikes the Crown
Yeah I like this. Normal true power metal. Good vocals and chest beating songs about being metal. Good melodies good production. Ticks all my boxes.

Wolfchant - Bloodwinter
Didn't really know the band before but the Viking, medieval, melodic folk death thing works very well here. Love the semi operatic vocals that make the choruses stand out more. Imagine a more folky Amon Amarth with clean booming vocals in the choirs and you have Wolfchant.

Excalion - Dream Alive
Very decent melodic power but I'm not sure I have a feeling yet for the vocal melodies. In the end after a few plays the class shines through and it makes the list with ease.

Santa Cruz - Bad Blood Rising
Some very good songs from the Fins and a couple of duff ones too but still makes it for the sheer fun of the great tunes.

Satin - It's About Time
Superb clean cut soft AOR. Great vocals and great guitars. Ballads are a bit namby pamby, duff but I can always skip. Love the rest from Tom Satin.

Souldrinker - War Is Coming
Yes it's pure heavy metal! Very much sounding like classic Mystic Prophecy even the lady sounds like RD Liapakis, mainman of MP.

Starblind - Never Seen Again
Maiden worship. Very enjoyable although the singer like their last album can be annoying with his OTT whining. However musically the band is pure late 80s Maiden. Somewhere in Time/Seventh Son era.

Von Hertzen Brothers - War Is Over
Loved their last and their new album is even more ambitious and epic. It's adventurous and very melodious with lush vocals and always interesting songs. I will have plenty more listens of this epic album of modern rock.

Hell In The Club - See You On The Dark Side
First time liking this Italian band. Very good slightly glam metal but not so much because then I wouldn't like it not being a glam fan.

Ember Falls - Welcome To Ember Falls
Modern metal ala Amaranthe but much heavier and no female vocals. Some wicked melodic choruses \and great riff passages all round. One horrible song with rapping but I'll forgive them that shocking error! :-)

Metalian - Midnight Rider
Catchy old school metal ala Maiden/Priest with a very rough sound.

Anthriel - Transcendence
Very cool melodic prog/power. A bit long winded but many majestic moments.

Ten - Gothica
Dramatic as always. Quality melodic music and much better than Isla De Muerta and I've always loved Gary's voice.

Stallion - From the Dead
Old school 80s fixated speed/thrash metal - raw but fun.

Forefather - Tales From a Cloud-Born Land
Had no idea the English pagan twins were releasing an EP. Then suddenly here it is and as usual it's totally epic. Glad they released this epic pagan melodic metal!

Jorn - Life on Death Road
Some very good songs from Jorn. I like the fact that it doesn't plod so much like much of his solo albums. This is quite fast and energetic on many occasions. Enjoyable effort if not totally amazing either.

Kee of Hearts - st
Very cool melodic rock. Great vocals and very cool tunes.

Martina Edoff - We Will Align
Much harder edged but still very melodic album from this sassy Swedish lady.

Wizard - Fallen Kings
Not amazing but someone has to hold up the flag for true metal after Majesty's great effort earlier in the year. Some great chest beating moments!

Accept - The Rise of Chaos
I like it. It's fun heavy metal. Simple enough really.

Kryptonite - st
Great melodic rock project. very enjoyable music and catchy songs.

Eagleheart - Reverse
Yeah quality Czech power metal - not often you'll be saying that! Great quality production and acceptable vocals from the guy.

Fire Strike - Slaves of Fate
Female fronted Maiden style trad metal. Fun if throwaway.

Blazon Stone - Down In The Dark
Great RW worship even the vocals are pure Rolf.

Jack Starr’s Burning Starr - Stand Your Ground
Jack returns once in a blue moon with an album of true cult heavy metal. This album is an enjoyable listen held together superbly by vocals from Todd Michael Hall if I'm not wrong. Some triumphant melodies but production is a bit raw or flat by today's standards.

Wraith - Revelation
80s trad throwback. Heavy riffs and melodic vocals. Enjoyable but not amazing but good enough to be included.

Galderia - Return of the Cosmic Men
I may have been hasty in my initial dismissal of this. It's actually rather enjoyable happy power. Very OTT, just the way I like it really. The singer when singing on his own is average but the choirs are epic and chest beating.

Altair - Descending A Devilish Comedy
Very good prog power. Vocals so so but I can get by. Music is class with a sweet production.

Valor - Arrogance- The Fall
Really enjoyed this melodic power metal from Greece. Voice could be a little better but he'll do and the melodies are cool and catchy enough from him.

10 Years - (How to Live) As Ghosts
Very good modern rock. Not that heavy but I enjoy many of the songs with a lot of memorable vocal melodies. Fills my modern rock needs nicely.

Metalite - Heroes In Time
Obviously a guilty pleasure this cheese fest dance metal. Who can admit in public liking this overly sugary and poppy stuff? Well me! It's catchy, hard to resist and executed expertly even though you need to go a week without sugar after spoon fulls of this stuff!

Air Raid - Across The Line
Enjoyable trad held back by just average vocals. Great riffs though and cool tunes though.

Atoms to Ashes - Through the Storm (EP)
Modern rock with pop edge. Should hate it but damn it's catchy!

Code Red - Incendiary
Super slick melodic rock from Swedish experts of the game.

Adelitas Way - Notorious
Very catchy modern melodic rock. Very big choruses.

CyHra - Letters To Myself
Super slick and catchy with a whole host of poppy melodies everywhere. Basically a second Amaranthe minus chick and growls.

Absolva - Defiance
A very good trad metal album from the Appleton bros here in the UK. Very strong effort for fans of melodic heavy metal.

Early Grey - Rock For Life
Enjoyable melodic rock from the Russians whose debut I liked a lot from last year. Nice vocals too.

Operus - Cenotaph
Out of the blue semi operatic, Candian power metal. Great effort too with an awesome mid range singer. Epic and lush music driven by energy and vocal histrionics. I'm happy with this unknown band!

Panzer - Fatal Command
Enjoyable classic German metal. Imagine if Destruction played more like Accept. Rocks right?

Prospekt - The Illuminated Sky
Very good prog metal from the UK. Vocals could be a little better but belting music.

Defecto - Nemesis
Very good and catchy melodic prog/power.

Phantom 5 - Play To Win
Why did I ignore this for a few weeks?? This is bloody great melodic hard rock and typically Germanic. Great stuff for me and miles better than their average debut.

Saints of Sin - Welcome to the Circus
English band playing fun as hell melodic hard rock. The guitars rip hard and the songs are very fun and super cheesy.

Crom - When Northmen Die
Very good folky power. Nice vocals too.

Aerodyne - Breaking Free
Pretty catchy melodic hard rock.

And now for the big Top 50 in reverse order:

50. Walpyrgus - Walpyrgus Nights
Very good melodic classic trad metal. Great vox too.

49. Vhäldemar - Against All Kings
They released an ep earlier in the year and now here's the fantastic new album. Great mix between Primal Fear, Grave Digger and Manowar! Hail!

48. Secret Sphere - The Nature of Time
Just a superb singing performance from Mr Luppi. He has an accent but I just love his style. Music is solid and the songs are enjoyable.

47. Gothminister - The Other Side
I'm the last person to listen to eurogoth but this album immediately caught my ear. It sounds like Pete Steele fronting Rammstein with something more Eurovision catchy even. Very enjoyable!

46. Arrayan Path - Dawn Of Aquarius
Very very good indeed. Enjoyable melodic power with oriental elements as always from the Cypriots. Some parts are a little long winded for me but overall very happy with their effort and especially the beautiful production and oriental guitar melodies.

45. Galneryus - Ultimate Sacrifice
Amazing as always. Shredding, ultra melodic, Japanese style power/speed metal. Sho, the vocalist is easily my fave Japanese vocalist. High and smooth as silk. I only wish he had confidence to sing in all English but I guess their Japanese fans won't accept that. Some of the English sung choral parts are truly epic bliss.

44. Red Eyes - The Red Album
The riffs on this unknown band's album plain rule! The vocals are good not great but acceptable. The songs rock and like I said the riffs on this bad boy rock like hell.

43. Nickelback - Feed the Machine
The best Nickelback album by far. Melodic, catchy modern rock with a big, hefty guitar sound. Good, memorable songs.

42. Inglorious - II
The vocals make this band what they are. This is a solid blues rock band but boy is the singer bloody great. His melodies are so soulful and engaging. Without him I'd pass on Inglorious but he just adds something great and memorable to the songs.

41. Within Silence - Return From The Shadows
Can't recall the history with these guys at all but this is right up my alley. Great melodies all over the shop and very nice production in this melodic metal band.

40. Wildness - Wildness
Absolutely top class Scandi AOR. Love it! So lush and easy on the ear.

39. Cats In Space - Scarecrow
Are you a fan of 70s lush harmonics? Then you need this album. Some fantastic songs and glorious harmonies. Just like pouring sugar down your ear holes!

38. Art Nation - Liberation
Much heavier than their last album but even better. Great songs with huge choruses. One for Eclipse fans to pump out loud whenever they get tired of Eclipse..as if that's possible!

37. The Unity - st
The album is mostly bloody great. They've exceeded expectations although with the people involved it's not so surprising. The choruses are very catchy. Could do with a bit more pace sometimes to boost the energy but the vocals are awesome. The Love Might Kill guy is superb, he's absolutely the star of the show here.

36. Mean Streak - Blind Faith
This is great stuff. Very enjoyable catchy heavy metal and oh so typically Scandi melodic heavy metal.

35. Cryonic Temple - Into The Glorious Battle
Great true power metal, epic qualities and great choruses and solid vocals. Surprised to like this so much but like it a lot I do.

34. Houston - III
Superb AOR again. Amazing songs. Love Houston, One of the best Swedish AOR bands along with Work of Art and Heat of course. Note I didn't say Eclipse who I don't consider a true AOR band. Eclipse is just the best band period haha!

33. Unleash The Archers - Apex
Their best and most confident effort by far. Great power metal overall. Very good vocals. Very surprised I like it so much.

32. H.E.A.T - Into The Great Unknown
Plenty of great tunes and a couple of departures but I don't mind them at all. The band is firing as hard as ever.

31. The Ferryman - st
Very good indeed but I slightly prefer his own Freefall project. Still this is the best vehicle I've heard for Ronnie's vocals by far. Some killer tunes and a few that pass me by without too much fanfare.

30. Serenity - Lionheart
Just a real great power metal band these days. Love this epic and bombastic power metal!

29. Need - Hegaiamas:A song for freedom
This is some immense shit right here. I am so surprised. The story is a bit out there but it's all about the riffs for me. They are truly humongous and the vocals are pretty good too.

28. As Lions - Selfish Age
Featuring Bruce's son, ex metalcore boy grows up in new band. Very nice epic melodies throughout and no stupid screaming. Some huge rock anthems here.

27. Crazy Lixx - Ruff Justice
Great old school melodic rock/metal with a little sleaze but not too much. Some of the songwriting is pure 80s inspired. Like 80s Ozzy. Possibly their best album yet.

26. Fozzy - Judas
Easily the most commercial and hook ridden Fozzy album yet. Going for the big radio hits but still with huge weight in the riffs. Thumbs up for the wrestler dude here!

25. Blaze Bayley - Endure and Survive
Best Blaze album since almost forever. Welcome back Mr Bayley! Looking forward to part 3 of this trilogy.

24. DragonForce - Reaching into Infinity
A truly great 'Force album. One of their very best. They are trying to be a bit thrashier and it works a treat but still with super melodic choruses. I'd call this warp speed, hyper melodic
power/thrash!

23. Amberian Dawn - Darkness Of Eternity
The Nightwish clones can do no wrong in my eyes. Love singer Capri's voice. She's a delight!

22. Bloodbound - War Of Dragons
If this album said Sabaton on the front and had Joakim as front man no one would bat an eyelid. In fact people would probably be raving over it saying Sabaton have released one of their best albums in their career. For me this is one of the best albums in Bloodbound's career especially on the albums without Urban Breed.

21. Keldian - Darkness and Light
Good to see these guys back. Very melodic and uplifting as always but heavier than their usual sound. The songs are very catchy and anthemic.

20. The Night Flight Orchestra - Amber Galactic
Very good 80s retro rock. Their best album no doubt. Some lush grooving and sweet retro melodies. Amazing production too.

19. Brothers of Metal - Prophecy of Ragnarök
Amazing newcomer band. Female vox, male rough vox but not harsh. Songs are amazing odes to metal and Swedish myths. Some wonderful melodies. Gods of War - one of the songs of the year no doubt. Great newcomer band!

18. Majesty - Rebels
Damn! The best Majesty album ever! I am amazed at this album. It's perfection in true metal form!I literally love every song here. Cheesy, true metal at its finest level. Manowar have been usurped and their crown has been taken over by Majesty. Hail to Majesty!

17. Brother Firetribe - Sunbound
Of course it's totally loveable. Lush, richly produced melodic rock with superb melodic vocals. Very listenable and a fantastic release you can listen to over and over again.

16. Tokyo Motor Fist - st
Melodic rock project with Ted Poley comes up trumps. Some fantastic happy go lucky songs on display all with Ted's high pitched vocals. Much better than his solo album from last year. This is just hella fun!

15. Power Quest - Sixth Dimension
Waited with baited breath and disappointed I was not. Highly enjoyable melodic power metal with songs that stay firmly fixed in the brain. Thanks to Steve and co for resurrecting the Quest!

14. Almanac - Kingslayer
A superb follow up to the debut from Victor and crew. Better, heavier and more melodic in every way.

13. Threshold - Legends Of The Shires
Never let anyone down. Even though I was worried about them dropping Wilson I needn't have been as returning singer Morgan is in fine form. Songs are amazingly great as always. Production is superb.

12. Beast in Black - Beserker
So Anton Kabanen left the beast and created the beast! But there's room for everyone in my book.This is a great start for the band. Much heavier and faster than his previous band but still with many of the same traits too.

11. Kobra And The Lotus - Prevail I
As a massive fan of Kobra's last album I was looking forward to this immensely. I'll spend a lot of time with this epic record that's for sure. Almost undoubtedly their best album so far and I look forward to Prevail II.

10. Voyager - Ghost Mile
Album kicks ass plain and simple. Melody, riffs. crunch and vocal candy!

09. Gods Of Silence - Neverland
Superb melodic and heavy stuff. Can't find any fault. Constant plays from me for this album ever since I first played it. Especially love the full throated singer's epic melodies.

08. One Desire - st
An incredible debut album from these Finns. Fantastic music and songs, melodic AOR in all its anthemic glory. Some mesmerising tuneage that demands repeat plays.

07. Battle Beast - Bringer of Pain
Axing the man song writer in your band is not normally a wise move but you know what they've actually pulled it off. This is a great record. It's a little different than Unholy Savior. It's a little rockier and less power metal in places. Sort of more tongue in cheek too. Noora is of course the star of the show. She's totally amazing. Lover her loads!

06. Serious Black - Magic
Melodies not as immediate as Mirrorworld but still amazing in their own right. One thing I do know is that the production is actually way heavier and better than the last album. Plus the album starts to reveal more and more of its charms the more you listen. Superb vocals from Urban once again.

05. The Dark Element - st
What can I say but just a wonderful listen for anyone who enjoys melodies in their Nightwish inspired metal.

04. Lionville - A World of Fools
I'm basically listening to a Work of Art album in all but name and I'm as happy as a pig in shit! The album is truly fantastic. Lars Safsund is a Godly singer and thankfully he's super busy on loads of albums. For now the new Lionville is a disk to be treasured until the next Work of Art album hits.

03. Harem Scarem - United
Wow this is just superb. Could be my fave HS record ever. People always go on about Mood Swings but this newie is bad ass and also very heavy sounding for HS. HS will surprise people with this release trust me. About as good as melodic rock can get in 2017.

02. Orden Ogan - Gunmen
Amazing stuff. Monumentally huge choirs that make you feel truly engaged with the melodies. Epic true, hero metal with a great theme. They even pull it off live. The band can do no wrong it seems.

01. Eclipse - Monumentum
I started with 9/10 and moved impossibly close to 10 without quite getting there. Is it better than Armageddonize and Bleed and Scream? Maybe not but with Eclipse I know I'm guaranteed sheer musical pleasure from beginning to end. Some spectacular tunes and even the average ones just straight up kick ass! In a year with some amazing albums listening to Eclipse still brought me the most happiness. What a band Eclipse is. What a song writer Erik is. The boy is a genius tunesmith pure and simple!


And now a list of my most enjoyed and played songs of the year of all styles

Top 50 songs of the year:

50. Houston - Everlasting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47w8AnfJmK4
49. Beast in Black - Blind and Frozen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N4tXf3Ensw
48. Amberian Dawn - Dragonflies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAtNx1Xu50w
47. Power Quest - Face The Raven https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGk1-2EMTyY
46. Warbringer - Remain Violent https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGl-RT7KX7g
45. Undrask - Longhammer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct0fPv4gVJM
44. Gods of Silence - Wonderful Years https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb4YhxcOqRI
43. Deaf Havana - Sing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgtedHQEqv4
42. Newman - Don't Wake The Lion - not on youtube
41. Dragonforce - Ashes of the Dawn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFeBkHJUZDg
40. Hell In the Club - A Melody, A Memory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuKQR8yP2rg
39. Gothminister - Ich Will Alles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7G7c-qCRGo
38. Siamese - Ablaze https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPh64bCvRng
37. Smash Into Pieces - YOLO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plFu9ksp4jY
36. Threshold - Stars and Satellites https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMbnECa3CJ4
35. Heat - Bastard of Society https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l15ZVAbolvs
34. Coastland Ride - Nation of Grace - not on youtube
33. Kobra and the Lotus - You Don't Know https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHc-c9hJMrU
32. National Suicide - Take Me To the Dive Bar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOjK27sHCK8
31. Mastodon - Show Yourself https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUGda7GdZPQ
30. Gods of Silence - You Mean Nothing More to Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4Bm0-mkNQs
29. Kreator - Totalitarian Terror https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb7kmUfMazc
28. Cats in Space - Felix and the Golden Sun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JBKIpO6wjg
27. Art Nation - Ghost Town https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVZbNj426KU&t=14s
26. Lionville - Image of Your Soul - not on youtube
25. Ten - Travellers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o928owvqcc4
24. Pride of Lions - In Caricature https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO0svYKSgqM
23. Nickelback - Feed The Machine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKgfcd6lqp4
22. Harem Scarem - United https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li7mOYvRo-4
21. Majesty - Iron Hill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-edniM1qdm4
20. Tokyo Motor Fist - Shameless https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3pyYMK1SnM
19. Voyager - This Gentle Earth (1981) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wctlthSB-A
18. Obituary - It Lives - only whole album on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vElthOB3JqU
17. Harlott - Extinction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pQJoA5cky4
16. Harem Scarem - Sinking Ship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkFPM24l-ZE
15. Battle Beast - Familiar Hell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3k7r_U8b40
14. Brother Firetribe - Indelible Heroes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6KO1U8NXPo
13. Inglorious - I Don't Need Your Loving https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=876QYRiF5Ck
12. Thershold - Small Dark Lines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9NCuOe4zJk
11. Eclipse - Killing Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNV6_47U0xo
10. As Lions - White Flags https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os4Pwi_gwt8
09. Voyager - Misery is only Company https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3K4_4Bpn6M
08. Forefather - One Blood and One Bone - whole ep only https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50VVX3y54Bg
07. Lionville - I Will Wait https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nafc04EeXsc
06. Brothers of Metal - Gods Of War https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIxpstanInw
05. Orden Ogan - Gunman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPm46Qgyn24
04. Serious Black - Now You'll Never Know https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfMhp_kTsPA
03. Orden Ogan - Fields of Sorrow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gagRay7VK8
02. One Desire - Hurt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMwLOHbVgTE
01. Eclipse - Born to Lead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m29KxXCd4A

Heat Live Report

Always good to see the energy enthused Swedish rockers again after a good while. Two support bands to get through. Black Diemonds are a Swiss hard rock band with a slight glam edge. Pretty apt support for a gig like this. Their album is ok but not anything that special. It's pleasant though. Live they were merely OK IMO. They just don't quite have the catchiness and edge that I need in my hard rock.

Next up were Heat's fellow Swedes, Degreed. They are a much better proposition indeed. Their new album is their heaviest but I'm not sure it's their best song wise. However they were very good live if not spectacular. This was the last night of the tour so they were drinking on stage etc and having a lot of fun. I seemed to enjoy the older tunes more than the new ones, however I have no complaints for them as a warm up act for the great Heat.

And then it was time for that ball of energy aka Erik Gronwall to let us know yet again what it means to really rock. Opening with Bastard of Society is a wise move indeed with it's killer opening riff and full on energy. When Erik yells "let's go!" well he, his band mates and everyone in the crowd does just that! You can't beat that immediate rush that you get from a Heat show that's for sure.

The lads played a lot of new songs from Into The Great Unknown which was fine with me. I even enjoyed the so called more poppy tunes. They sounded great live and Erik's voice was top notch all night, even though it was the last night of a month long Euro trek for the guys. I loved the classic AOR of 1000 miles as did most no doubt. No "Best of the the Broken" from the new album was a slight disappointment as that simply rocks you to hell and back. However I can safely say there really wasn't a moment that wasn't great. A nice tribute to Malcolm and AC/DC with Whole Lotta Rosie snippet complete with Erik crowd surfing to the bar and starting the song off standing on the bar and then running back and completing it on stage. Typical of that crazy dude. he really is a live wire.

With it being the last night of the tour the stage became a free for all with members of others coming and going as they pleased singing bits and playing bits and filming it all on their mobiles. It may have only been a Tuesday night but a Heat show feels like a Saturday night and then some! One of the most fun and energetic bands from Sweden these days that's for sure. Heat, Eclipse and Work of Art. I swear by this trinity of melodic magic!

Top 50 Albums of 2015

And so here it is. The big list of all things melodic, happy and rocking for 2015. Yet another amazing year for music. I will start by listing albums that I liked which failed to make my top 50. I still enjoyed them a lot and on another day they could well make the list as there's some great albums amongst them. After that the top 50 will follow in reverse order. My thrash and death metal lists will follow in further posts after.

Unranked faves:

21Octayne - 2.0 - modern yet melodic rock with cool tunes.
Airstream - Kingdom of Isolation - catchy, slightly quirky melodic rock/aor
Amorphis - Under The Red Cloud - anthemic epic dark melodic metal
Arida Vortex - The Illustrated Man - Russian catchy melodic power
At The Dawn - Land in Sight - Italian melodic power
Beyond the Black - Songs Of Love And Death - German symphonic female fronted metal
Blackslash - Sinister Lightning - trad true metal ala Iced Earth/Manowar/Jag Panzer etc
Claymorean - Unbroken - Slovakian epic true metal with female vocals
Dead of Night - The Dead Shall Rise - UK symphonic power metal ala Nightwish/WT etc
Def Leppard - st - Enjoyable mixed set of tunes from rock legends.
Emerald Sun - Metal Dome - Swiss Euro melodic power metal.
Endomain - Step In The Machine - Heavy Greek power/prog mix.
Evil Invaders - Pulses of Pleasure - hell for leather speedy trad metal
FM - Heroes & Villains - classic aor/melodic rock
Fierine - Rise Through The Flames - symphonic melodic power with epic vocals
Forefather - Curse of the Cwelled - Very catchy and melodic pagan metal
Galneryus - Under The Force of Courage. A bit late to make the top 50 but with more plays it will easily do so. In my opinion the best Japanese band and by some distance too.
Guardians of Time - Rage and Fire - heavy melodic power.
Inlegend - Stones at Goliath - guitarless piano metal.
Issa - Crossfire - melodic aor chanteuse
Judicator - At the Expense of Humanity - Heavy melodic US styled power ala Blind Guardian/Iced Earth etc.
Lancer - Second Storm - Traditional throwback metal ala Maiden
Lazy Bonez - Alive - Melodic metal from Finland
Leather Heart - Comeback - Throwback trad 80s metal
Manimal - Trapped in the Shadows - Heavy and melodic power metal ala Priest, Iced Earth. Could probably make the top 50 sooner rather than later.
Martina Edoff - Unity - Swedish Pop rock siren with hot tunes.
Mindslip - st - modern melodic metal
Newman - The Elegance Machine - classy melodic rock/aor
Nightmare World - In the Fullness of Time - melodic prog/power from the UK
Ozone - Self Defense - melodic rock from the two 'O's Ousey and Overland.
Praying Mantis - Legacy - Catchy melodic metal from stalwarts of the NWOBHM.
Ram - Svbversvm - Trad heavy metal with much better melodies than before
Radioactive - F4ur - AOR project with slightly prog parts with Tommy Denander
Rocka Rollas - Pagan Ritual - Speedy catchy trad metal ala Running Wild.
Room Experience - st - Cool AOR project with David Readman on vox
Shadowbane - Facing the Fallout - Heavy galloping German metal.
Signum Regis - Through The Storm ep - Melodic power metal with catchy melodies.
Signum Regis - Chapter IV: The Reckoning. Good quality but I was expecting more actually. Singer seems to be struggling a bit at times.
Simulacrum - Sky Divided - Progressive melodic metal with nice vocals and long sections.
Smash Into Pieces - The Apocalypse DJ - Modern rock with catchy melodies.
Stash - A Matter Of Time - classic 80s metal return from Dutch unknowns
Stormzone - Seven Sins - Northern Irish trad metallers with their best album yet.
The Darkness - Last of Our Kind - catchy melodic hard rock
The Gentle Storm - The Diary - catchy, dreamy, anthemic metal with fine female vocals.
The Storyteller - Sacred Fire - Solid Swedish melodic power.
Three Days Grace - Human - catchy modern rock
Triddana - The Power & The Will - Too late to make the top 50 but this is really enjoyable folk metal with chest beating vocals.
Trust X - Paradox - Epic, Russan, progressive Sym X styled metal.
Visigoth - The Revenant King - epic US styled true metal
Wind Rose - Wardens Of The West Wind - Much heavier Rhapsody worship from Italy
Within Silence - Gallery Of Life - Melodic and slightly proggy metal
Xandria - Fire & Ashes EP - female fronted symphonic metal - fine stop gap ep

And here is the top 50 in more depth:

50. The Neal Morse Band - The Grand Experiment
You'll find very few out and out prog albums in my list but Prog metal's number one Christian made an awesome album this year. I don't tend to have the attention span required for prog listening but this album completely won me over with scrumptious melodies and superlative instrumental skills. So much goodness in fact that I even forgave the preachy lyrics!

49. Peterik & Scherer - Risk Everything
Frontiers AOR project with Survivor mainstay Peterik and a new guy on vox by the name of Mark Scherer. Basically like a new Pride of Lions disk but with more hints of classic Survivor. Some really beautiful tunes from the pen of Mr Peterik and a great new vocal find in Scherer. Aor fans, it's a no brainer.

48. Helloween - My God-Given Right
I gave this album a fairly high score when I reviewed it at the Powerzone but I think I was maybe a little over enthusiastic. It's dropped off a touch since then but it's a solid latter day Helloween album. I think I may have liked the previous album more but My God-Given Right has some really catchy tunes in its own right and deserves to make my top 50 just about. I know Helloween can do better though as they are usually in my top 10-15 of any given year.

47. Dragony - Shadowplay
This melodic power metal band want to be Helloween basically and probably did a better job at being Helloween than Helloween did this year. The album is light years ahead of the band's debut album. Everything is much more memorable and better basically. Cheesy Euro power metal with sing along choruses galore that puts a grin on your chops!

46. Veonity - Gladiator's Tale
Swedish power metal with a true epic metal feel. Something like a mix between Gamma Ray, Running Wild, Hammerfall and Manowar. It's cheesy as hell but of course when the songs catch your ear with tales of glory and battle what's not to love. These Swedes should be more popular in the Euro power metal community that's for sure.

45. Revolution Saints - st
A Frontiers side project from the now Disgraced ex Journey drummer Deen Castronovo, Jack Blades (Night Ranger) with lead guitar by Doug Aldrich (ex Whitesnake, Dio). Basically a long lost Journey album but with modern sound. When they ramp up the guitars they sound awesome and the shamed Deen is really great on the mic. There are a few too many ballads though like a typical Journey album actually. Frontiers basically must have told Ale Delvecchio (in house Frontiers man) to make a Journey album in all but name. Guess what? He did!

44. The Poodles - Devil in the Details
The vibes for the new Poodles album was that it was going to be a slight departure from their usual catchy melodic rock into newer more modern waters. And yes it proved to be a fine step indeed. I think the old school melodic rockers were maybe a bit disappointed but I fully embraced this change as the songs were still very easy on the ear and noticeably melodic and catchy. In the song The Greatest, they had one of the catchiest anthems of the year. It almost sounded Coldplay-esque and would've been a huge hit if Chris Martin and co had written it I believe.

43. Toto - XIV
Toto are one of those old timer bands you can rely on good new music whenever they decide to make an album. This album being no different on that count. The only songs I don't really like are the bluesy jazz oriented ones but that's only a couple really. The song writing other than that is very strong and the melodies are rather enjoyable indeed.

42. Scorpions - Return To Forever
I remember loving Humanity: Hour 1 from 7-8 years ago but the last Scorpions album was not as good. RtF however sparks my interest considerably again. There are perhaps a couple of fillers on the album and they could have cut some of the less interesting songs but when it's good it's really catchy and well done indeed for a band that was supposed to retire from the scene.

41. Darktribe - The Modern Age
I don't really recall these French men on their previous albums but I doubt that it would be as accomplished as this turned out to be. Yes it's typical Euro melodic power metal but the songs are strong and the French accent which usually bugs tremendously, doesn't annoy much at all here. Not every song is completely amazing but there are plenty of good ones that bring a smile to one's face and the urge to raise a fist and sing along.

40. Eldritch - Underlying Issues
The Italians were back with their best album since the masterpiece El Nino. Granted their recent albums have been average to say the least and it wasn't hard to top those but melodically speaking this album has the right spread between prog sections and heavier power metal chest beating parts. With perhaps a heavier accent on power than prog hence gaining more of my praise.

39. Blackwelder - Survival Of The Fittest
A project from a Brazillian shredder guy whose name I forget and the mighty Ralfie of Primal Fear on vox. These sorts of albums can always be half-hearted but not in this case by any means. The song writing is really rather strong and Ralf sounds as good if not better than the day job. He sings more melodically in this album and tones down some of the wailing somewhat and it sounds much better to these ears. There are some shredding parts as well where the guitarist gets to show his chops off which can get a bit much but I'll forgive that as the good songs are really good enough to grace more well known names in the melodic power metal field.

38. Conquest - Taste of Life
Ukrainian melodic power album very much in the Stratovarius crossed with Cain's Offering mould. The singer could have been a problem but he actually turns in a very reasonable performance. The music is typical speedy, happy melodic power with cool melodies. Yes we've heard it all before but if a band's songs are good enough you've got to give them a little time and Conquest deliver on that count.

37. Stargazery - Stars Aligned
I loved the previous album from these Swedes and Stars Aligned proved no different really but perhaps a small step down from the debut. Still if you like big melodies, high pitched vocals and clean production then Stargazery is so easy to love.

36. Iron Maiden - The Book Of Souls
I love Iron Maiden to death and their albums should really rank much higher but perhaps this album was a little too ambitious in the end. Having said that there are some bona fide Maiden classics on there that I would love to hear live. Unfortunately the production is far too basic and raw for my tastes. If the album was produced a bit cleaner and punchier the album would probably reach the teens in ranking. I hope there is another Maiden album yet but this is definitely an epic way to leave if there isn't.

35. House Of Lords - Indestructible
I liked Precious Metal, the last HoL album, but didn't love it. Indestructible followed quickly on from that one and brings back some of the glory of Come to My Kingdom again with a much better production as well. James Christian sounds pretty good as usual and though his voice is a bit raspy, he sounds so distinct so you can tell it's him straight away. The song writing is much stronger too with better choruses all round. Jimi Bell is always ace on the shredding as well. Great melodic hard rock!

34. Enforcer - From Beyond
God knows how many Swedish bands make my list but here's another one anyway to add to the long list. Enforcer are from the re-trad movement of which there are quite a few bands doing the rounds, but Enforcer are definitely one of the higher echelons of that ilk and From Beyond more than proves it. It's a little more refined than their previous effort with greater emphasis on melodic song writing rather than the hell for leather stuff. Not that it doesn't still pack a hefty punch but the songs breath a little more with finesse whilst still allowing the traditional elements to shine.

33. Amberian Dawn - Innuendo
Typical Finnish melodic power metal with the new singer Capri now on her second album with the band and this time it's much better than her debut effort. The song writing and melodies are much stronger making for a much more rewarding listen. They even grant some influences from Abba and the pop melodies are pristine and abundant in general. One of the year's best female fronted albums for sure.

32. Trivium - Silence in the Snow
If they carry on like this Trivium are gonna really make a name for themselves in the melodic metal field. They've more or less completely abandoned the metalcore traits in their music and it's all the better for it of course. Their last album was their best yet and Silence in the Snow builds on that effort with even more melody than before. Some of the thrashy edge that used to be part of albums like Shogun is also almost completely gone and can be perceived by some as a lack of energy and a loosening of the sound to commerciality. However once you get past that, you're left with a handsome melodic metal album with Matt Heafy's best vocal performance yet and subtly melodic song writing.

31. Crystal Ball - Liferider
German hard rockers returned with a much heavier affair than their previous albums and it was all the better for it. The melodies were still intact and very enjoyable. A guest vocal by Noora from Battle Beast helped elevate the album further still. The song writing was pretty strong all the way and the album was a real solid affair all round.

30. Shadowquest - Armoured IV Pain
An album with the singer of Bloodbound and some other Swedish guys from the power metal underground. Vocally you know you are gonna get a powerful and melodic performance. Musically it's not so true metal as Bloodbound and it has more of a heavy and pounding feel which is all good. The song writing is very good for the most part. The album deserved much more attention when it was released but in the overly crowded power metal waters, it's hard to stand out and some gems get lost, this being one of them in my opinion.

29. Michael Kiske & Amanda Somerville - City Of Heroes
Yet another Frontiers project album with their famous team of song writers and a large helping held from Mat Sinner. With that team of producers and songwriters it's pretty hard to go wrong and go wrong they most certainly did not. This really is an excellent release of melodic metal with two finely matched singers in Michael and Amanda. They both turn in great performances and what's more they've been given very cool and catchy tunes to sing. The playing and production are all top notch as you would expect. I think Amanda just about takes the honours in the battle of the two voices. She really turns in a stellar performance. Let's hope there's a part three in the future as this album was a big success all round.

28. Find Me - Dark Angel
A Frontiers AOR project with the amazing voice of Robbie LeBlanc and Daniel Flores, drummer, producer and songwriter from the band Mind's Eye amongst others. The first Find Me album was a superb effort and they had a hell of a lot to live up to. Unfortunately I don't think they quite managed it but Dark Angel is still an awesome record in its own right. I can listen to Robbie sing all day anyway. He's got such a soulful voice with some wonderful melodies throughout the songs. The production is crystal clear as with all Frontiers albums. Not quite a masterpiece but a worthy follow up to an amazing debut album that was hard to top.

27. Von Hertzen Brothers - New Day Rising
I didn't even really know the Finnish Brothers existed before this year and this album. I may have heard the name in passing and moved on as this type of epic prog modern rock is not normally my thing. However on more or less accidentally hearing and watching the first song and video of the album on youtube I was sort of mesemrised by their sense of anthemic song writing and general coolness. Once I had heard the full album I was completely won over by their great sense of melody and a dark feeling which was slightly melancholic but still upbeat as well. I've even seen them live twice this year which speaks well of their live skills as they were great to watch and deliver the songs as perfect as the album. I look forward to their future albums immensely.

26. Teramaze - Her Halo
The Aussies left prog thrash behind and went into full melodic prog metal mode on this album. They had a new singer on board which allowed them to explore the melodic angle much further which they did do with glee making the songs much more melodic than before. They still have a lot of progressive sections though to allow the instrumentalists to shine. This is a top class melodic prog metal release with a million dollar production job to boot.

25. Impellitteri - Venom
Chris is my favourite shredder and he doesn't make albums very regularly but when they come along you're guaranteed a good shredding time. Especially if Rob Rock is on the mic which he has been for the last two. Wicked Maiden was pretty awesome and Venom basically follows that release with a similar sound and feel although it's been six years since that release. The songwriting was perhaps not as strong at first but with a few more plays it fixated itself in my brain and I enjoyed it much more. As with all Impellitteri disks you have to listen to a few songs about how great the almighty is but it's no problem when the music rocks. If I ever get to see Imp and Rob Rock live one day I know it'll be a miracle similar to Jesus coming back himself, but you live in hope!

24. Tank - Valley Of Tears
After two really solid albums with Doogie White, the band lost the velvet toned Scottish crooner to Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock so they needed a new singer. Step forward Mr ZP Theart, ex Dragonforce sceamer to the plate. Surely this wasn't going to work. A band like Tank needs a heavy and powerful vocal not a screaming high pitched banshee right? Well it turned out not to be the case at all. ZP has made valley of Tears their best album since their comeback. People who like the original Tank still have it as far as I know with Algy, so let this Tank exist as well, as it's a totally different and in my opinion better beast. The album is very heavy and mid paced but with a lot of great melodies by ZP in sometimes long drawn out songs like the title track which is one of the songs of the year. I'd like to see this incarnation of Tank live one day. For now Valley of Tears is the best of the three comeback albums of the band.

23. UDO - Decadent
I have never been a huge fan of Udo's distinct gurgle but his metal credentials are undeniable. He may be at war with his old buddies in Accept these days but he's not doing bad for himself either. Decadent is a typical modern day UDO album with groove, stomp and typical chugging Hammerfallish riffs all over the shop. The song writing is very consistent indeed and whilst the album may not blow you away a good heavy metal time is almost guaranteed.

22. Art Nation - Revolution
A new band from Italy playing edgy melodic rock with boyish vocals. The singer could do with growing a pair but he's actually a very good singer really. The songs are mostly anthemic melodic hard rock with choruses made to be sung in stadiums. The band really deserves more recognition in the melodic rock/AOR community but once again in a very saturated field, it's hard to stand out. But Art Nation are definitely a band to keep an eye on as this is a superb debut and a great base on which to build.

21. Serious Black - As Daylight Breaks
This project would make any power metal nut worth his salt sit up and take note which you see who's involved. With none other than vocal king Urban Breed on the mic you just knew this was gonna be the real deal. And so it proved as the album is really great. Having said that I still expected more and I know the band can deliver more. This is a real strong start and a no brainer for melodic power metal fans but I believe and hope that the next album should and will be better still. For a start it's great but I hope they really kick ass next time as they grow into the band and let the magic happen.

20. C.O.P - State of Rock
A Swedish melodic rock project from members of Grand Illusion. Now I love me a bit of Grand Illusion so I was all over this when it was released and not without good reason. The album is a genuine killer debut of edgy melodic rock/AOR. The singing is super high pitched but crystal clear as is the super shiny production. The song writing is solid all the way with about 5-6 absolute top notch killer cuts. Maybe next time it will be killer all the way but as a start it's already up there with the AOR kings of today.

19. Pyramaze - Disciples Of The Sun
The Danes have another new singer on board after Lance King and Matt Barlow moved on but it hasn't hurt them one jot. If anything they've grown stronger on this release. The melodies from the new singer are super lush and even more sugar coated than before. The production is crystal clear as expected whilst the song writing has a few tasty gems that send your brain into a spin as you're listening. Their best album yet!

18. S.a.Y - Orion
Another new Swedish AOR project and another resounding success. The band consists of two guys in the main I believe and what they deliver is typical Scandi AOR with the main influence being TNT and Tony Harnell. Now I love me a bit of classic lush TNT and since Tony left that band again, S.a.Y is a great replacement. They've got some really stellar eargasmic harmonies and the sweetest guitar tone ever. It's not super heavy at all but sounds crisp and fresh as a daisy as it booms out of the speakers. Highly recommended to all AOR freaks out there.

17. Constancia - Final Curtain
This band returned after a long while and the album was really worth the wait. The band plays a style called Melogressive Metal which they first coined on their debut album way back. It's actually a perfect term for the band as they use a lot of melody and have slight prog tendencies as well. However their AOR bent is just mouth watering at times and sends your spine tingling to heaven. David Fremberg does an amazing job on the mic with both his melodies and powerful delivery and lifts the album to a much higher level than it would otherwise  have had. I hope it's not so long before the next Constancia album as this was a joy to listen to.

16. Triaxis - Zero Hour
Manchester based heavy power metallers made their best album yet and by far as well. The female fronted band have a knack for killer pounding riffs ala Firewind, Iced Earth and Mystic Prophecy like you wouldn't believe. Some people may find it a tad difficult to reconcile the lady vox with the power riffing but she fits in rather well in the end. The band does sound musically very manly and I'm left thinking how would the band sound with an amazing male singer. Probably a bit better still is my guess but I'm not denigrating the lady, she's doing a fine job. The music is full of power and melody and shreds harder than most. The band is criminally underrated in power metal circles and really deserves more attention. A brilliant effort!

15. Orden Ogan - Ravenhead
I'm one of those late comers to the Orden Ogan fandom as I never really got into their earlier albums. They weren't that interesting to me as their brand of bombast seemed to be lacking in the song writing department but since To The End and now the mighty Ravenhead, I am fully on board with the oddly named German troop. Ravenhead sees Seeb and the band at their very best with a totally anthemic, bombastic feel to the songs and a wonderful vocal performance from main man Seeb. The choirs are also huge and fantastic sounding giving the music a grand and epic feel like no other band. Blind Guardian fans should be lapping this stuff up, in fact you will notice a lack of BG in my list, hence reflecting where my loyalties lie. Ravenhead is a no-brainer for epic power metal fans.

14. Symphony X - Underworld
The kings of progressive power metal returned with a truly powerful release. People have huge expectations from Symphony X and they are not always met but it's so hard to please all their wide range of fans. Personally I like my Sym X to be more straight ahead Power metal than proggy and I am very happy with this release. The pedal is most certainly set to the metal on this one. The prog fans who don't like it so heavy may be a little disappointed but I find the album has a little bit of everything for everyone. They've tried their best to incorporate all the traits that the band is known for and keep the majority happy. There's always a debate over the Angry/melodic Russ style vocals but there's plenty of both from what I can tell as the song calls for it. Musically and production wise, the band are also at their peak. A wide ranging album that should please most of their fan base apart from the ultra picky prog ones maybe!

13. Jorn Lande & Trond Holter - Dracula: Swing Of Death
A project with Jorn and the chap from Wig Wam was intriguing to say the least and the initial sound clips didn't disappoint in the least. Jorn's album whilst pretty enjoyable in my book seemed to displease quite a few people who bemoaned the song writing. Well in this case, I guess Trond was responsible for the music and melodies and Jorn of course must've helped too. The partnership bore great fruit indeed as there are some cracking tunes on display here. The subject matter is of course a bit cheesy and been done to death by many bands but I could care less about that really. I just need a cracking set of songs and Jorn singing at the top of his game. I hope he feels inspired by this album for his next solo effort or that Jorn and Trond capitalise on the success of this album by releasing a quick follow up next year.

12. Gloryhammer - Space 1992 - Rise of the Chaos Wizards
That Christopher Bowes guy from Alestorm is batshit crazy! So the band reaches the difficult second album syndrome and cheese hounds the world over are wondering can it possibly match the amazing debut? You betcha! It takes everything the debut had and doubles, trebles, quadruples it to lengths you won't believe. The concept has moved on to outer space but the characters from the first album of course remain. The song writing is not an exact replica of the previous album either. It's somehow even more though out with choruses given more room to pole axe the listener. That Bowes fellow is one amazing song writer. I mean I like me some Alestorm but I'd never have believed that he could do power metal so good as well and even better than his day job. I don't quite know where GloryHammer can go on the next album but I'm sure that loony Bowes fellow has a few more rabbits to pull out of the hat yet!

11. Diviner - Fallen Empires
The debut offering from these Greek chaps blew me clean away in recent weeks and I just can't get enough of it. The band has a lot of ex members from the band Inner Wish which I actually used to love a lot as well. Their new incarnation however is much heavier and held together by the amazing vocals of the front man, Yiannis. This guy really has a divine voice and sings with a lot of power and emotion. The band's song writing is very strong and they take influences from quite a broad range of bands such as Priest, Iced Earth, Manowar etc. It's all about the choruses for me and in this band I find them totally addictive. I wish I had space in my top ten for this band as I enjoy it that much but those spaces are booked as below. For now Diviner have made a fantastic debut to be proud of and a must listen for all melodic heavy metal fans.

10. Battle Beast - Unholy Savior
Since Noora took over on vox, I've been totally fixated with Battle Beast. Their last album was a stupendously cool melodic power metal album with anthem after anthem and the pressure was on with Unholy Savior. When they released the first single Touch in the Night, panic buttons were being pressed by all power metal enthusiasts the world over! It was so poppy and 80s sounding - where on earth had the metal gone? Admittedly, I had my figure hovering over the panic button myself  but I was refusing to press it as the song itself was quite good if very light. Soon enough sanity was restored with the release of the next song which was more usual BB fare with the pedal to the metal and Noora laying waste. So the full album came along and all of power metal fandom breathed a huge sigh of relief. It was still good old BB metal with Noora screeching like the female Dio and with more caressing tones as and when required. The album was perhaps still below the s/t album previously but I wasn't complaining in the end. I still love the album to bits, soft 80s song and all!

09. Kyrbgrinder - Chronicles of a Dark Machine
A side band of the Threshold drummer released an album of more modern and straightforward heavy melodic metal earlier this year and what a corker it was too. The songs have huge guitars and a massive punchy production whilst Johannes voice is quite thin it actually works very well within the songs. He also sings some very cool melodies. Every song has a decent melody on offer and the lyrics are always quite interesting too being very political at times and critical of society on others. I don't really remember their previous material but this is a great work that I go back to on a regular basis.

08. Tremonti - Cauterize
Mark Tremonti is an amazing song writer pure and simple. Whether he's doing drawn out epics with Alter Bridge or shredding hard with his solo band he knows how to pen a memorable tune. I was looking forward to Cauterize immensely and he amazed me even more than I thought possible. A lot of these songs could have been Alter Bridge songs especially the more balladesque ones, however when Mark cuts loose on the riffing he really goes to town and melts your face. He never forgets that you need melody in the song and whilst his voice is not quite as good as Myles Kennedy, he can more that hold his own. The brother album to Cauterize is due in early 2016 so I'm looking forward to that immensely, however, it's gonna have to be totally orgasmic to get anywhere near this bad boy.

07. Ghost - Meliora
The first Ghost album I've liked and their best effort by some considerable distance. Every time I've tried to like the band in the past I just failed to get past the rather insipid songs that tended to meander nowhere. All that is history with Meliora. They took all the mystery and occult moods in the music and turned them into actual songs with memorable hooks that left you singing along with an evil grin on your face. The production was also much better than their previous albums being heavier and punchier. I don't recall the other Papa Emeritus's but this version whilst having a rather nasal thin voice was absolutely perfect for the songs. The album has a couple of dullish moments for me one being Mummy Dust which is OK but pales next to the classic songs. However with the other superbly, moody evil songs, you're left grinning with the devil!

06. Magnus Karlsson's Freefall - Kingdom Of Rock
Magnus is just an amazing song writer period. He's a formula guy pretty much like Erik from Eclipse, but when the style works he ain't going round trying to fix it. The first Freefall album was great but I think this one easily tops it. There isn't a single dud anywhere to be found. Each singer makes their mark on the songs and Magnus writes to their strength and allows them to shine. Magnus himself has a go at singing a couple of times with great success as well. A marvellous album for fans of melody in metal and rock.

05. Care Of Night - Connected
These bunch of Swedes easily released my favourite pure AOR album of the year. I was playing this noon and night in the earlier part of the year, I just couldn't get enough. The band has a knack for memorable song writing that few in the AOR field could match this year. Every single song was an anthemic gem of gorgeous AOR. The singer was also amazing. If you love 80s AOR but with a modern pristine sound ala Work of Art, then CoN is the band for you. I hope to catch them live one day and I look forward to a follow up but it's gonna have to go some to beat this album that's for sure.

04. Stratovarius - Eternal
Well with Nemesis being my number one for that year Eternal had a lot to live up to and do you know what? I think they just about equalled if not slightly bettered it. The fact that they reach fourth position in my list in a stellar year for melodic metal/rock music is a great achievement indeed. In another year they would've been a shoe in for the number one slot I tell ya. The album is really quite ambitious indeed and I think Timo felt some pressure from Cain's Offering with that disk being so amazing. He knew that the day job had to deliver the goods just as much. It's not quite as good as CO but as a latter day Strat disk it's up there with their best IMO.

03. Powerwolf - Blessed and Possessed
My fanboy status for the Germans is fully confirmed by now and they've never even come close to letting me down. I also like the fact that they release albums roughly every two years so I don't have long to wait to get another dose of the wolfy ones! Some people say they always make the same album, well yeah..that's what we want you know! The thing is the song writing always remains extremely strong and you can hear little repeats of previous songs here and there but the production is always a ton of bricks and the performances always amazing. Special mention to Atilla - he's singing more powerfully than ever. One more note the limited edition of the album came with a second disk of metal classics that influenced the band and it was brilliant too and a great addition. One last thing - they are amazing live!

02. Cain's Offering - Stormcrow
I'm not sure when the last Cain's Offering album came out but it's been long enough that most power metal fans probably forgot about the band. However on hearing the news earlier in the year that the follow up would finally be released by Jani and Timo, there was a good bit of excitement and not without reason. This really is a superb power metal album from front to back. Jani the ex Sonata man is just an amazing song writer both musically and vocal melody wise. Timo sings them brilliantly as well it must be said. I was never a huge fan of his slightly whiny vocals but along with his day job in Strat and CO, the guy is doing a phenomenal job. The good thing about this album is that each listen provides you with a rush of excitement and layers of melodies that you might have missed on a previous listen. The production is superb with layer upon layer of sound. I hope it's not so long before the next CO album that's for sure. So nearly the year's best!

01. Eclipse - Armageddonize
I've run out of superlatives for Erik Martensson and Co, I really have. The guy is just a phenomenal songsmith. Yes he has a formula and he sticks to it rigidly, but Goddamn the guy knows how to pen a mighty tune that sticks to your ears like superglue. I don't know what it is but every single Eclipse song is blessed with a stadium sized chorus like you wouldn't believe. Everything the band does just sounds huge and Erik thinks really big when it comes to song writing. He doesn't tend to have small ideas in songs at all. The production on Eclipse records also packs an almighty punch which once again re-enforces this BIG feeling that the listener gets when listening to the record. Erik now has three stone cold classic albums in a row with Eclipse. What an amazing hot streak. Is this album as good as Bleed and Scream? Well that's really debatable. But why compare when you can just see that the boy's song writing skills are literally endless. I'm looking forward to his forthcoming side projects but I always get the feeling Erik sees Eclipse as his number one child and saves his best stuff for this amazing band. Keep'em coming Erik!