So it's the time of year where every personality and website starts doing their recap of the year. Everyone does a Top whatever of the year but the problem is limiting yourself to that often leaves albums out cause those top lists are based on sales, listens, or social media mentions. I've decided that instead of a top whatever list I'm going to give you a list of albums I feel you must have in your collection from this year.
Black Sabbath - 13
Let's get the obvious one out of the way first. Black Sabbath's first studio album in more years than most of us can remember with Ozzy Osbourne fronting the band again should not be missed. It was number 1 in several countries despite the controversy that kept Bill Ward off the album and it not being a full reunion album. But even though it's not a full reunion it's still the Sabbath sound that many of us have come to know.
Gunfire-N-Sodomy - Gunfire-N-Sodomy EP
How many times have we heard bands and said "I wish I could've been there from the beginning". Well this is one of those rare times in history where you can do just that because Gunfire-N-Sodomy is a new sound that you want to check out. The idea of acoustic death metal might sound crazy or impossible in writing but when you listen to this debut EP you find that it is very possible and sounds better than you could've imagined.
Rob Zombie - Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor
Being a long time fan of Rob Zombie this was a breath of fresh air and a return to his early solo albums. I might go so far as to consider this a comeback album because it has the same fun and wild vibe that first drew me to his music. His previous albums, Hellbilly Deluxe 2 and Educated Horses, had their highlights but as a complete album Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor is the vibe missing on those previous albums. You'll definitely find yourself singing along with some of this album just make sure you're not in public when singing along with Teenage Nosferatu Pussy.
Newsted - Heavy Metal Music
The first full length album from Jason Newsted's latest band is definitely what it's called. Anyone who doubted him will feel stupid for doing so after hearing this album. A pure metal album from beginning to end. No overly produced tracks, no bass missing, just pure metal music that's raw and heavy.
Generation Kill - We're All Gonna Die
The sophomore album from Generation Kill does everything but die. Many bands struggle with their second album but not the case from Rob Dukes and the guys of Generation Kill. They pick up right where they left off on their debut but take it to the next level. Everything from full on thrash to just pure raw metal can be found on this album. It took longer than planned for this album to get released this year but it was worth the wait.
Decypher - Decypher EP
For those of you who remember the mid to late 90s when rock and metal were still part of regular everyday radio then this Staten Island band is one to be aware of. While this is only a taste of a full length album to come its a solid introduction to a band that knows exactly what rock is about. If Alice In Chains was your band in the 90s then Decypher is a band to have on your radar.
Black Water Rising - Pissed And Driven
The long awaited second album from Black Water Rising was another album that was worth the wait. Pure energy emits from this album and just says metal all over it. This album is loaded with great riffs and melodies throughout. This album was released near summers end but this album is an album that you can and should turn on and crank during your barbecues next summer or any long drive.
Charetta - Apocalypse EP
Another great local band to have on your radar and their latest album should make some people really sit up and take notice. Charetta manages to put the energy they bring to the stage right into this album. This could definitely be considered the musical equivalent to 5-hour energy.
Lita Ford - The Bitch Is Back...Live
Usually I wouldn't put a live album on my must haves list because those albums can be hit or miss. But that isn't the case here. This is a simple, fun, and are live album. They didn't spend big bucks wiring up every angle of the venue with microphones and fine tuning it after with ProTools. This is a live album that sounds as a live album should. You feel like you are there and you feel how intimate the show was. It's what all live albums today should be like.
Love and Death - Between Here & Lost
This album and band literally slipped under everyone's radar including mine. Formed Brian "Head" Welch in 2012 they released this debut album in the beginning of the year to very little fanfare. After seeing them open for Korn I immediately ordered the album because I was very impressed by what I heard live. This band is heavy, has that nu-metal vibe, and harmonies that you probably wouldn't expect from that genre of music.
The Winery Dogs - The Winery Dogs
Without a doubt this has to be the breakout album of the year. When Mike Portnoy took his leave from Adrenaline Mob to concentrate on The Winery Dogs a few people wondered if it was the right move. But after this albums release and we all heard how well he, Billy Sheehan, and Richie Kotzen it was obvious that this new band was something to take notice of. An album that mixes up so many aspects of hard rock that I don't know anyone who doesn't like this album. It's got both a new school and old school sound that is great for all rockers.
Well there you go gang. Those are the albums that came out this year that I think belong in your library of rock and metal. Check them out and let's see what kind of tunes we get in 2014.
Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Sabbath Still The Godfathers of Metal
Being born in 1980 I missed out on the early days of the genre of music I've come to love and be part of. Bands like Led Zepplin, The Beatles, and Black Sabbath all set the standard before I was born. And by the time I was old enough to discover them they all were broken up or no longer living. Reunions of the living bands were all but impossible. That is until this year with the reunion of Ozzy Osbourne and the other founding members, which allowed me and several to see and hear what we thought we might never hear.
Now I know a lot of you reading this are screaming "No Bill Ward so it's not a true reunion." While Bill Ward is not in Black Sabbath at the time I'm writing this the reality for me and many is 3 out of 4 original members is close enough considering Tony Iommi is battling cancer and Ozzy has abused drugs and alcohol in excess over the years. Add in their ages and we can all agree this is the best we can ask for considering circumstances.
From the first chords of "War Pigs" through the last chords of "Paranoid" everyone at the PNC Bank Arts Center saw and heard something half of us thought we'd never see while the other half were transported back to when they first heard Black Sabbath. All 17,000 and more together to see the band that took things in a direction no one had ever thought would go.
Geezer Butler played as if no time had been missed and age was merely a number. You could see he was enjoying every moment of it and feel it in ever note that pulsed out of his bass.
If none of us had heard that Tony Iommi had cancer you sure as hell would never had known from his playing. Yes he did stroll over to well placed fans every so often for a moment and his solos were more blues related then speed, he still played like the guitar legend we all respect him to be.
While Tommy Clufetos, Ozzy's normal drummer, was the odd man out of this line up he still found his way to fit in. He added and heavier and edgier sound to the band, you almost forget the Bill Ward situation. ALMOST, cause you yearn for that blues style of Bill Ward during "N.I.B" and "Black Sabbath".
Then of course there's Ozzy. He put so much energy into the night that I was amazed he had it in him. Yes he's only 64 but with everything he's put into his body over the years he looked like be was much older at times throughout the show. Age and substance abuse has effected him physically but not enough to hold him back from giving it his full effort. The majority of the night he was right on tempo and key as if nothing had changed for him. But a few times during "Snowblind" you could hear the note just wasn't there for him. While the classics, "Iron Man" and "Children of the Grave" were right on like many of us know them from years of listening to the albums.
Black Sabbath managed a show that gave us 4 songs from their latest album "13" as well as the classics and even deep cuts like "Dirty Women". Had it not been for all the smartphones being held up to take photos you might've forgotten that it was 2013 and thought it was the 1970s again.
Now we wait to see if we were part of history or will we get ones the chance to see Black Sabbath. Only time will tell that but I'm glad I got to see them and get a feel for what the world was like when metal music was first forged.
Now I know a lot of you reading this are screaming "No Bill Ward so it's not a true reunion." While Bill Ward is not in Black Sabbath at the time I'm writing this the reality for me and many is 3 out of 4 original members is close enough considering Tony Iommi is battling cancer and Ozzy has abused drugs and alcohol in excess over the years. Add in their ages and we can all agree this is the best we can ask for considering circumstances.
From the first chords of "War Pigs" through the last chords of "Paranoid" everyone at the PNC Bank Arts Center saw and heard something half of us thought we'd never see while the other half were transported back to when they first heard Black Sabbath. All 17,000 and more together to see the band that took things in a direction no one had ever thought would go.
Geezer Butler played as if no time had been missed and age was merely a number. You could see he was enjoying every moment of it and feel it in ever note that pulsed out of his bass.
If none of us had heard that Tony Iommi had cancer you sure as hell would never had known from his playing. Yes he did stroll over to well placed fans every so often for a moment and his solos were more blues related then speed, he still played like the guitar legend we all respect him to be.
While Tommy Clufetos, Ozzy's normal drummer, was the odd man out of this line up he still found his way to fit in. He added and heavier and edgier sound to the band, you almost forget the Bill Ward situation. ALMOST, cause you yearn for that blues style of Bill Ward during "N.I.B" and "Black Sabbath".
Then of course there's Ozzy. He put so much energy into the night that I was amazed he had it in him. Yes he's only 64 but with everything he's put into his body over the years he looked like be was much older at times throughout the show. Age and substance abuse has effected him physically but not enough to hold him back from giving it his full effort. The majority of the night he was right on tempo and key as if nothing had changed for him. But a few times during "Snowblind" you could hear the note just wasn't there for him. While the classics, "Iron Man" and "Children of the Grave" were right on like many of us know them from years of listening to the albums.
Black Sabbath managed a show that gave us 4 songs from their latest album "13" as well as the classics and even deep cuts like "Dirty Women". Had it not been for all the smartphones being held up to take photos you might've forgotten that it was 2013 and thought it was the 1970s again.
Now we wait to see if we were part of history or will we get ones the chance to see Black Sabbath. Only time will tell that but I'm glad I got to see them and get a feel for what the world was like when metal music was first forged.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
DYING FETUS Announce Canadian Headline Tour
DYING FETUS released their latest album Reign Supreme in 2012 on Relapse Records. The album is streaming in its entirety on their Bandcamp Page.
A video for the song "Second Skin" is available for viewing HERE.
Reign Supreme is available for purchase from the Relapse store HERE and digitally on iTunes.
For updates on DYING FETUS visit their Facebook page.
DYING FETUS Live:
8/23: Clifton Park, NY @ Trick Shot
8/24: Hamilton, ON @ @ Club Absinthe
8/25: Montreal, QC @ Les Foufounes Electriques
8/26: Rimouski, QC @ Le Cactus
8/27: Quebec City, QC @ Imperial
8/29: Sherbrooke, QC @ Le Magog
8/30: Jonquiere, QC @ Place Nikitoutagan
9/2: Ottawa, ON @ Maverick's
9/3: Providence, RI @ King of Clubs
The Handful are the 4th inductee in the 2013 BULLSPIKE Radio Hall of Fame
We are honored to induct The Handful into the 2013 BULLSPIKE Radio Hall of Fame.
Monday, May 20, 2013
SNEW is the Third Inductee to the Bullspike Radio Hall of Fame 2013
We go out to the west coast for our third inductee in the Bullspike Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2013 with California's SNEW.
SNEW formed in Hollywood, California in 2005 to put a band together that would capture the raw monster sound of rock that many of us know and love. Three years after forming the released their debut album "SNEW You" to great acclaim that it still receives today. Since their debut album they've released new material on a steady basis with their 2010 album "We Do What We Want" and their latest effort "What's It To Ya". Both of which have received huge reviews all over the rock world as they capture the raw rock sound in a day and age when everyone is trying to perfect sound through technology.
SNEW is representing the rock world loud and proud while reminding us all what great music is all about. Which is bringing great music to the masses for a great time.
It's for these reasons that we are proud to induct SNEW into the Bullspike Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2013.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Black Water Rising is the Second Inductee to the Bullspike Radio Hall of Fame 2013
Black Water Rising is the second inductee in the 2013 BULLSPIKE Radio Hall of Fame.
Rob Traynor (formerly of Dust to Dust), Mike Meselsohn (formerly of Boiler Room), Oddie McLaughlin and Dennis Kimak currently make up the band. Their self titled debut record was released in 2010 and their sophomore record will be released Summer 2013.
With a sound that COULD be compared to bands like Corrosion of Conformity or Texas Hippie Coalition, but their is honestly no comparison. With raw power and strong lyrics, Black Water Rising is a force in the hard rock and heavy metal scene that cannot be ignored.
We are honored to induct Black Water Rising into the 2013 BULLSPIKE Radio Hall of Fame.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Tim "No 37" Martinez is the First Inductee to the Bullspike Radio Hall of Fame 2013
A new year means a new class of inductees to the Bullspike Radio Hall of Fame. We are honored to announce that the first inductee to the Bullspike Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2013 is Tim "No 37" Martinez.
Tim got his start on the road to rock and metal stardom as a personality on FUSE's Uranium which was only the beginning. He is privileged to have met and call friends many of rock and metals elite, like Otep and Hollywood Undead just to name a few. But that hasn't gotten to his head or made him forget his love of the New York rock and metal scene.
Tim is the brainchild of HATE the HATE, a non-profit group that's focus is to end bullying and spread the word that we all rock in our own unique ways and that is what makes this world such an awesome place to live in. He is a USA Network Characters Unite Award winner, is the publicist for the band Seas of Wake, and will soon be co-hosting Indie Diaries with Juliya Chernetsky.
It is because of his undying love of keeping the rock and metal world going strong and uniting people under rock and metal that we are honored to have Tim "No 37" Martinez be the first inductee to the 2013 Class of the Bullspike Radio Hall of Fame.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
SODOM Confirm New Album Title
As brutal as the production of Waldemar Sorychta is the diverse songwriting on the new studio album Epitome of Torture, a kind of tour de force through the history of thrash metal, featuring harsh arrangements, melodic solos and raging vocal attacks.
Epitome of Torture will be released in Germany on April 26th, in Europe on April 29th and in the US/Canada on May 7th through Steamhammer/SPV and will be available in four editions: as a jewel case release, in a digipak including additional bonus material on double gatefold LP with colored vinyl and download.
Stay tuned for more info!
SODOM Live 2013:
26.01. CO-Bogota - Monsterfest Colombia
15.03. GB-Gwynedd - Hammerfest V
30.03. F-Chaulnes - Chaulnes Metal Fest
13.04. CL-Santiago - Metal Fest Santiago
24.05. FI-Hyvinkaeae - Steelfest Open Air
30.05. D-Geiselwind - Beastival Festival
22.06. PL-Jaworzno - Metalfest
Line-Up:
Tom Angelripper - bass, vocals
Bernemann - guitars
Markus Freiwald - drums
Thursday, November 29, 2012
A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH to Release Sophomore Album in Late Spring 2013
Frontman Sal Abruscato gave an update on the album:
"The sound has evolved and become a bit more orchestrated. More harmony work has been done on this album, including new elements such as a Hammond B3 organ and piano. To me the album has an even darker sound and feel than the first one." He continued, "The new album is a natural progression in song writing and vocals yet keeping continuity with the first album musically and artistically. Fans of our first album will find all the traits they love melded with even bigger production and mastering. Ted Jensen of Sterling Sound will be mastering the album."
More information will be released in the coming weeks.
A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH is:
Sal Abruscato - Lead Vocals and Guitar
Matt Brown - Guitars and Backing Vocals
Johnny Kelly - Drums
Eric Morgan - Bass
Eddie Heedles - Guitar
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