The Best of Hard Rock 2010-18 (Part 1)

As autumn leaves fall, we continue the Best of Lists with Hard Rock and AOR bands. This excludes psychedelic/retro bands that  will be featured in another future list seperately. As a quick reminder, for variety, only one album per band was chosen, but if you like something, assume the rest of their catalogue is also worth exploring (unless otherwise noted). So without further ado:

The TOP 21 Hard Rock Albums of 2010-18

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21. Lugnet - Lugnet  (Pride and Joy - 2016)

Straight from the first notes of the opener "All the Way" you know what the band is about: Straightforward and uncompromising hard rock. There are elements from Uriah Heep, Deep Purple  and Spiritual Beggars in the sound of the band, but the songs themselves do not sound or feel derivative but rather the bands has developed a personal take in the aforementioned type of sound and mastered it as to make it truly personal. Highlights of a very promising debut include the aforementioned opener as well as "It ain't Easy", "In the Still of the Water" and the more epic closer "Into the Light". 

87/100

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20. Three Lions - Three Lions ( Frontiers - 2014)

Three Lions are a band formed from well known guitar player Vinny Burns (Asia. Bob Catley, Ten, Dare) along with drummer Greg Morgan (Dare, Ten) and newcomer vocalist Nigel Bailey. This is a pure 80s hard rock/ AOR album featuring songs characteristic of that scene with opener "Trouble in a red dress" being in an exemplary song of the scene, while "Hold Me Down" acts as an equally great follow-up. The guitar work of the album is superb and oozes with nostagia while a modern production keeps it fresh at the same time. An awesome album through and through with power ballad "Don't Let Me Fall" acting as a highlight to the high school dance that never was.

88.5/100

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19. Dee Snider - We are the ones (earMusic - 2016)

This is one of the 3 releases of Dee this decade. The first one was a rendition of musicals in 2012 ("Dee Does Broadway") and the newest one ("For the Love of Metal", 2018) is a more straightforward heavy metal release in a sound more typical of Dee Snider. However  in "We are the Ones", Dee tries new things in his music with very interesting results! Songs like "Rule the World", "So What" and the eponymous "We are the Ones" show that there are more things this very talented legend can do beyond rehashing old formulas. 

89/100

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18. The Temperance Movement - The Temperance Movement (Earache - 2013)

Being hailed as the "new Rival Sons",  the band delivered in its debut album an excellent release of southern hard rock, with its own personal distinguished sound that is not comparable to rival sons; these British guys are their own beast, releasing a further two great albums afterwards and cementing their place as one of the best southern/hard rock acts of the decade. Highlights of this album include "Midnight Black", Only Friend" and "Know for Sure", but their whole catalog is worth checking out for great rock tunes. 

90.1/100

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17. Black Country Communion - Black Country Communion 2 (Mascot - 2011)

The best output from from the collaboration of rock legends Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Derek Sherinian and Jason Bonham. More about the excellent result of this super-project can be found here.

92/100

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16. Sixx:A.M. - Prayers for the Blessed (Eleven Seven Music - 2016)

A very different release from Nikky Sixx (Motley Crue), which combines more traditional elements in a modern framework. You can find more information here.

92.3/100

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15. WolveSpirit - Free (Spirit Stone Records)

An old-fashioned rock release featuring unique female vocals and a  genuine feeling of early rock. You can read more here.

92.5/100

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14. Stonerider - Hologram (Audiam - 2016)

An exciting independent release which seemlessly blends blues and psychedelic rock. The album was also featured among the best albums of 2016. Read more here.

92.5/100

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13. The Order of the Solar Temple - The Order of the Solar Temple (I, Voidhanger -2014)

 This  completely obscure gem from Canadian occult rockers is in number 13 of the best rock albums of this decade. This is truly an unknown album worth your time, which you can hear in its entirety below. Then you can read a more extensive piece here

92.6/100

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12. Mountain Witch - Burning Village ( This Charming Man Records - 2016)

German doom/hard rock band Mountain Witch are at number 12 with their excellent 2016 abum "Burning Village", combining epic slow riffing with a retro 70s feeling. Read more here.  

93/100

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11. Green Fairy - Wasted Land (Hungry Ghost- 2013)

Just a breath away from the top 10 of the best rock albums of the decade so far is the second album from the Swiss folk/hard rock act. For more information about "Wasted Land" you can click here.

93.4/100

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TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 2...

The Best of Epic Metal 2010-2018 (Part 2)

In the second part, we are counting down the BEST ten albums out of...

THE TOP 21 Epic Metal Albums of 2010-18

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10. Arryan Path- Terra Incognita (Pitch Black Records - 2010)

In number ten of the most epic albums from 2010 onward, we have the excellent 2010 release from Arryan Path, who have since changed their name to Arrayan Path and gone on to release another 4 great albums (you can find the review to their 2016 release here). However, the 2010 album was probably their greatest output to date, featuring anthems like "Molon Lave" and "Minas Tirith" as well as emotional poweful songs along the lines of "Elegy" and "Ishtar". This is truly a stellar epic metal album from the Cypriot band and worthy of being in the collection of every metalhead that enjoys epic anthems with a sprinkle of oriental themes.



93.5/100

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9.  Ensiferum - Unsung Heroes (Spinefarm - 2012)

Ensiferum have been described as "Viking Folk Metal", but that did not stop them from releasing an epic and very emotional album with "Unsung Heroes". You can find the full review here








94/100

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8. Mausoleum Gate - Into a Dark Divinity (Cruz del Sur - 2017)

This is the second album from finnish heavy metal band Mausoleum Gate that while more on the heavy metal side has enough epic moments to warrant inclusion in this list. You can read a more detailed review here

95/100

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7. Doomsword - The Eternal Battle (Dragonheart - 2011)

Italian Epic Metal giants Doomsword released their latest album in 2011 and after a hiatus, their recent appearance in Up the Hammers 2018 and subsequent interviews leaves hope for a new record soon-ish. In the meantime, you can find a review of "The Eternal Battle" here.




95/100

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6. Sorcerer - The Crowning of the Fire King (Metal Blade - 2017)

Sorcerer's second album featuring more epic elements than their more doom-oriented debut gets picked as number 6 on this list. You can find the full review here.








95.3/100

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5. Eternal Champion - Armor of Ire (No Remorse - 2016)

This Moorcockian/Howard hybrid debut took everyone by surprise 2 years ago and remains a great epic metal choice. Read more here.

96/100

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4. Battleroar - Blood of Legends (Cruz Del Sur - 2014)

Having established themselves among the leaders of their scene in Greece, Battlroar returned with their 4th full-length release featuring new vocalist  Gerrit Mutz (Sacred Steel). You can find out more about the album here.

96/100

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3. Sons of Crom - The Black Tower (Nordvis - 2017)

This is a truly epic second album from the Bathoresque  metallers Sons of Crom, rightfully being selected among the top three EPIC albums of the (near) decade. Read more here






97/100

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2. Visigoth - The Revenant King (Metal Blade - 2015)

Rising from Salt Lake City, the Iron Brotherhood of Visigoth forged a perfect debut album in 2015 with an equally amazing follow-up ("Conqueror's Oath") released earlier this year. Read the review for "The Revenant King" here.






98/100

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AND AT NUMBER ONE ....

1. Grand Magus - Hammer of the North (Roadrunner Records- 2010)

Having released 4 albums in this decade, it was difficult to decide which one would be a better fit for this spot. Ultimately, the latest 2 releases ("Triumph and Power", "Sword Songs") were great, but more heavy and less epic, so "Hammer of the North" ultimately triumphed over the equally epic "The Hunt", purely on the number of memorable anthems in it. At least 4 songs from the album are still mainstays in the band's touring setlist while the rest of the album still features great moments. Overall, the album is not just "epic", it is the epitome of modern epic metal music.

100/100

The Best of Epic Metal: 2010-2018 (Part 1)

As the summer came to an end, an extra breath of entertainment from this blog, as we bid it farewell with some of the best albums of the decade so far. We begin with the broadly (and maybe too broadly defined) epic metal genre. For variety, only one album per band was chosen, but if you like something, assume the rest of their catalogue is also worth exploring unless otherwise noted! So without further ado:

THE TOP 21 Epic Metal Albums of 2010-18

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21. Valhalore - Journey Into Eternity (Independent -  2017)

In number 21, as we begin our epic journey, is the debut album (and only release so far) of  the Viking/Epic Australians. It is quite an unexpected offering, especially given the origin of the band, but by Odin they really do sound like the genuine article! A very good release and hopefully there's more to come!





88/100

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20. Wizard-  Trail of Death (Massacre Records - 2013)

Next up, Wizard from Germany are a long standing metal band from Germany playing a mix of Manowar and Iced Earth. The band has consistently produced good records for over 20 years and "Trail of Death" is by far their best output of the decade. Their personal style, developed over their career will truly bring joy to old school metallers. 





88.5/100

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19. Heidra - Awaiting Dawn (Mighty Music - 2014)

Again a debut album from a Viking Metal band, albeit here, the genres truly blend into something unique and new.  There are songs with elements from all brands of viking metal ranging from epic/power metal songs to heavier more gritty ones, symphonic elegies and even some doomier passages. An album that could serve as an excellent introduction to the genre as it contains pieces from all its aspects and yet it succeeds in bringing them all cohesively together, while sounding truly epic in the process.

90/100

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18. High Council - Held in Contempt (Via Nocturna - 2018)

One of the newest entries on this list, Held in Contempt is the debut full-length from High Council. The band has been around for almost 15 years, but were able to release their debut album a couple of months ago (as of this writing) and the wait was truly worth it! An epic sound with power/heavy elements, vocals that fit within the context of the epic music and riffing to bang your head.

90.2/100

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17.  Isole - The Calm Hunter (Cyclone Empire - 2014)

Isole have released other exceptional Doom/Epic records before, but to my humble opinion, The Calm Hunter is their best release by far. Here, they grow out of their influences and leave behind their Doomier side in favour of a more epic approach, though there are definitely elements that hint at the origins of the band. There are songs that have a more progressive structure ("My Regret", "Into Oblivion") , while others adopt a more straightforward  doom approach ("Dead to Me"), but overall the album works pretty well and creates a sombre atmosphere that will haunt you every time you have a go at it.  

90.5/100

    

                                        

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16. Sabaton - The Last Stand (Nuclear Blast - 2017)

Probably the most popular among the bands listed, it is true that Sabaton are usually classified as Power metal by most but go ahead and listen to the "Lost Battalion" below and tell me you did not feel an epic aroma (aka mansweat) emanating from every fiber of the track. The rest of the album is pretty much like this, with a personal highlight being "Shiroyama", as each track references famous battles of the past. 





91/100

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15. Below - Upon a pale Horse (Metal Blade - 2017)

A back-breaking masterpiece of the epic/doom sound; check out the full 2017 review here.

92/100

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14. Darkthrone - The Underground Resistance (Peaceville - 2013)

Recent Darkthrone releases had changed their sound into a more heavy/crust kind of music, but nothing prepared their fans for the release of Circle The Wagons and its successor The Underground Resistance that truly belong in the old-school Heavy/Epic genre.
Read the 2013 review here

92.5/100

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13. Revelations - Gatekeeper (2017- Independent)

Another epic doom/epic release that dabbles into the occult but retains a healthy amount of heavy metal epicness. The full review is here.

92.7/100

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12. Sellsword - And Now We Ride (2016 - Independent)

An inspired heavy/epic debut from the lads from Yorkshire, a fresh air of epicness from a scene that usually is more focused on "core" bands. Read the full review here.

92.9/100

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11.  Atlantean Kodex- The Golden Bough (Cruz Del Sur - 2010)

      

 An older choice before breaking into the top 10 albums, Atlantean Codex are a Heavy/Doom band, with more emphasis on their heavy side. Their first album features gargantuan riffing, long epic songs with melodic choral vocals and a tendency to remind the audiences of bands like Manilla Road AND Bathory at the same time! This is truly a great release that hasn't been as popular as it should have been and Atlantean Kodex are a band definitely worthy of the support of heavy metal warriors. The song below ("Temple of Katholic Magick") is indicative of the band and the awe-inspiring epicness of their music.

93/100

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Stay Tuned For Part 2!