#27 - Top of 2019

Leverage - Determinus (Frontiers Records)

After a ten year break since the release their last album, Leverage are back demonstrating once again that Finnish bands really do know the secrets of creating memorable melodic heavy metal albums. Armed with an amazing new lead vocalist, Kimmo Blom, and a new guitarist, Mikko Salovaara, the band doesn't hesitate to shift between different musical sound with 70s-like opener titled "Burn Love Burn", a surprisingly catchy chorus into the more folky "Wind of Morrigan", which is also one of the most distinguished songs from the album and into the heavier "Tiger" which is dominated by Kimmo's high pitched vocals and a Rammstein-reminiscent vibe. These changes help the band maintain momentum having the listener wondering what twist wilbe coming next. The heavy metalled "Afterworld's Disciple", with a Dio/Heaven and Hell vibe mixed with a  power metal chorus, and the made-for-sing-alongs "Hand of God" with its acoustic guitar interlude are also quite unique tracks, demonstrating a huge array of diversity in the band's sound which is what makes this album a good release and a noteworthy entry in our top list!

93.9/100

Below is the music video for the song "Wind of Morrigan".

#28 - Top of 2019

Church of the Cosmic Skull - Everybody's Going to Die (Septaphonic Records)

Members of the Cosmic Family rejoice! The brothers and sisters from the Church of the Cosmic Skull are back with another full-length album (following an amazing 2018 release) and a renewed invitation to believe in magic and join the family of the Church. Despite the ominous album title "Everybody's Going to Die" succeeds in mixing darker lyrical themes with 70's feel good tunes and a few bluesy twists (such as "The Hunt"). Throughout the album Bill Fisher's mellow vocals blend perfectly with the church-like choirs creating a unique atmosphere. Following the path to the Cosmic Compound above the clouds the listener comes across different musical styles, such as the country-themed "Do What You Want (With Love In Your Heart)" that adds a theatrical piano-based touch and quicker riffs as well as the groovy "Into the Skull" describing the journey from the real world through the Gate under the sound of heavier guitar riffs. Church of the Cosmic Skull might be wondering "Dont' You Believe In Magic" but the 100% succeed in teleporting the listener "Living In a Bubble" to experience a mystical journey away from the deserted real world and glimpse into the 7 Objects through tele-vision...


93.85/100

Below is the music video for the song "Sorcery & Sabotage".

#29 - Top of 2019

Rival Sons - Feral Roots (Atlantic Records)

Rival Sons are one of the greatest "real" rock bands of our time and last year they returned with one of the best and possibly more complete records of their entire backlog: "Feral Roots". A great album combining soul melodies with pure rock and roll aggression, containing no fewer than four compositions that are already considered classics: "Look Away" talks about empathy with a magnificent bridge which complements the dreamy intro, "Feral Roots" with emotional vocals reminiscent of the great Demis Roussos, "All Directions" with its retro vibe and finally the great "Shooting Stars" combining a full emotional explosion with the great vocal companionship of the the Nashville Urban Choir. These deeply emotional experiences are accompanied by wild rocking tracks like "Do Your Worst", "Back In The Woods" and the sexy "Sugar on the Bone" that taken into context create a complete record for all fans of rock music (and to be fair all music, in general).




93.8/100

Below are the music videos for "Do  your Worst" and "Sugar on the Bone".