Top 20
1. Motley Crue – Saints Of Los Angeles
Finally we get an album of original material from The Crue. This release was long overdue and highly anticipated. This is the best thing they’ve done since FEELGOOD. Let’s hope it’s not that long a wait for the next one.
2. Saints Of The Underground – Love The Sin, Hate The Sinner
Call it a super group or whatever you want but it was one of my most played disc’s this past year. A fun Hard Rock album that is sure to please your ears.
3. Bobnoxious – Super Scar
An amazing 3rd release from London, Ontario’s Bobnoxious. Not as heavy as Bob’s previous band (Razor) but equally as intense just more fun.
4. Alice Cooper – Along Came A Spider
5. The Creepshow – Run For Your Life
6. Sound and Fury – ST
7. Crash Kelly – One More Heart Attack
8. Night Ranger – Hole In The Sun
9. The Matadors – Sweet Revenge
10. Econoline Crush – Ignite
11. Honeymoon Suite – Clifton Hill
12. Tesla – Forever More
13. Dokken – Lightning Strikes Again
14. AC/DC – Black Ice
15. Motorhead – Motorizer
16. Buckcherry – Black Butterfly
17. Metal Church – This Present Wasteland
18. Brian Wilson – That Lucky Old Sun
19. Def Leppard – Songs From The Sparkle Lounge
20. Metallica – Death Magnetic
Best DVD:
ZZ Top – Live From Texas (Blu-Ray)
The little ‘ol band from Texas’ first ever live concert DVD/BD. Hands down this was the best concert disc of the year. The sound, performance and picture were all beyond amazing.
Hatebreed’s Live Dominance DVD was a fantastic release that impressed me something fierce. The video captured their high energy show and showcased their material appropriately.
Best New Band:
Sound And Fury by far was the best new artist I heard this year. At first the album did little for me but after another spin or two I was hooked. An excellent high energy band that kicked ass in ’08.
Hopes for ‘09
New Keel album of original music to coincide with the 25th Anniversary Tour and for a proper remaster and re-issue of their back catalog.
Monster Voodoo Machine to release RISE DEMON RISE
Looking forward to the new releases from Lacuna Coil, My Wicked Twin and Mudmen.
Disappointment
Judas Priest’s Nostradamus; this had all the hype and makings of something amazing and mind-blowing but when it finally came out it failed miserably. There is nothing that really stands out on this double release.