#1
THE WINERY DOGS – S/T
I’ve written that Motörhead are the greatest power trio alive on planet Earth. Well, um, The Winery Dogs are too. Take your pick! Mike Portnoy (drums), Richie Kotzen (vocals) and Billy Sheehan (bass) were born to make music together! The Winery Dogs are a supergroup prototype. Amen and hallelujah.
I don’t know how to put it all into words, other than WHOA! This is a #1 Hard Rock album of any year! Excellent songs and I won’t waste time on the musicianship. If this is what American Hard Rock is supposed to sound like in 2013 and beyond, then count me in! Freaking legends of Rock ‘N Roll are The Winery Dogs. Metal be thy name.
#2
ALICE IN CHAINS
The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
Alice In Chains couldn’t have delivered a more incredible follow-up to their 2009 gem Black Gives Way To Blue, with The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here. William Duvall once again soars vocally, while Jerry Cantrell’s guitar resonates splendid licks, riffs and tones that equate to iconic territory. This is very much a Classic Rock leaning album; just know the Hard Rock is mouth-watering.
#3
BUCKCHERRY – Confessions
The best Buckcherry album ever? It comes very, very, very close. Oh, yes, Confessions psyches me out of my Hard Rockin’ mind. I’m guessing that great Hard Rock albums are supposed to do just that.
Read Stone’s album review for Confessions here:
BUCKCHERRY – “Confessions” Is Out Now And It’s: Stone’s METAL Pick Of The Day!
Above review posted on February 24, 2013, on Metal Odyssey.
#4
BLACK STAR RIDERS – All Hell Breaks Loose
With current members of Thin Lizzy joining forces with drummer Jimmy DeGrasso, Black Star Riders was born. Led by the legendary guitarist Scott Gorham and fronted by Ricky Warwick, the debut album, All Hell Breaks Loose, from Black Star Riders, became an instant Hard Rock Classic to my ears and soul.
The spirit and legacy of Thin Lizzy still reigns within the world-class talent of Black Star Riders; and the songwriting, lyrics and total vibe of this album taps into everything that’s wonderful about Classic Hard Rock. This is an album I never expected to happen and now it’s a keeper for life! Metal be thy name.
#5
BRAND NEW MACHINE
The Devil Made Me Do It
Brand New Machine is an American Hard Rock band YOU NEED to get into! One of the best Rockin’ surprises of 2013 is this album! From start to finish, The Devil Made Me Do It is high-octane Hard Rock on steroids!
Read Stone’s album review for The Devil Made Me Do It here:
BRAND NEW MACHINE “The Devil Made Me Do It” – A Supercharged Hard Rock Debut!
Above review posted on August 21, 2013, on Metal Odyssey.
#6
PINNICK GALES PRIDGEN – S/T
As power trio’s go, this album will slap you Hard Rockin’ senseless!! I found this CD without knowing of its release at Best Buy and bought it without hearing a single note. That tells you something right there. Yes, there are those times when you CAN judge a book by its cover! Pinnick Gales Pridgen have unreal musical chemistry together and their songs are proof positive!
Pinnick Gales Pridgen also landed in Metal Odyssey’s Top Ten Songs of 2013, with Collateral Damage. Click the link below to enjoy the song and video yourself! Whoa!
METAL ODYSSEY’S TOP TEN SONGS OF 2013
Above link is for a Metal Odyssey feature, posted on December 23, 2013.
#7
SKID ROW
UNITED WORLD REBELLION CHAPTER ONE
Johnny Solinger sounds amazing on vocals and this entire legendary band has made a Hard Rock statement with this EP! Extremely contagious songs! Make no mistake, SKID ROW is on a mission and I cannot wait for Chapter Two!!
Read Stone’s album review for UWR Chapter One below:
SKID ROW “UNITED WORLD REBELLION (CHAPTER ONE)” EP – 5 Reasons To BUY This Kick Ass CD!
Above review posted on May 11, 2013, on Metal Odyssey.
#8
DEEP PURPLE – NOW WHAT ?!
Now What ?! is Deep Purple’s first studio album since 2005’s Rapture Of The Deep. Now What ?! is a continuation of arguably the most consistent Hard Rock band that ever lived. The undeniably influential Deep Purple have once again taken their unique, rich, Classic Hard Rock sound throughout an entire album and made it sound so complete. Ian Gillan and band have nothing more to prove. Now, it’s time for The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame to understand this.
#9 (Tie)
KING KOBRA – II
If you wanna have a good time listening to a good times Hard Rock album, then put your good times face on and BUY this fun CD from the everlasting KING KOBRA. Now, let’s all campaign LOUDLY in 2014 to get the ultra legendary Carmine Appice into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Thank you very much and Metal be thy name.
Read Stone’s album review for II here:
KING KOBRA “II” IS OUT NOW! YES, IT KICKS HARD ROCKIN’ ASS!
Above review posted on July 14, 2013, on Metal Odyssey.
King Kobra’s music video Have A Good Time, a hit single from II, was chosen as Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day, back on July 26th, 2013! Click the link below to enjoy it for yourself! YEAH!!
KING KOBRA “Have A Good Time” Music Video Is: Stone’s METAL Pick Of The Day!
Above link is for a feature posted on Metal Odyssey, on July 26, 2013.
#9 (Tie)
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS WITH CHESTER BENNINGTON
HIGH RISE
My God, I never imagined Chester Bennington fronting the grand Stone Temple Pilots. It’s Rock ‘N Roll genius!! This tidy EP packs a genuine punch of incredible musicianship, vocals and songs that are memorable from the start!
Read Stone’s album review of High Rise here:
Stone Temple Pilots With Chester Bennington “High Rise” EP – An Instant Rock Classic? Yes It Is!
Above review posted on October 15, 2013, on Metal Odyssey.
#10
BOSTON – Life Love & Hope
To all the naysaying critics out there, Tom Scholz has created a gift for Boston fans. The songs on this album would never have seen the light of day, if it were not for Tom Scholz. Songs of personal importance to this musical mastermind are they; and they come across with Classic Rock brilliance!
The late Brad Delp, along with David Victor, Kimberley Dahme, Tommy DeCarlo and Tom Scholz are all featured lead singers. Louis St. August of Mass lends his talents with backing harmonies on album opener and album gem: Heaven On Earth. Another total surprise release, for me, was Life Love & Hope. Thank you, Tom Scholz.
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LONG LIVE HARD ROCK.
LONG LIVE CLASSIC ROCK.
Stone.
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