And so another year went by. In my opinion the most notable thing about 2008 was the endless stream of amazing albums coming from the Melodic Rock front, quite a lot of them crafted by new exciting bands, completely overshadowing releases by bands I honestly thought would do better (AC/DC, Avantasia, Edguy, Iced Earth, Judas Priest, Rage etc). In short, if you're into melodic treats, 2008 was THE year.
As always there are albums I simply didn't get around to and as always you are more than welcome to drop a few lines about some of your highlights.
Top 25 Albums Of 2008 1. Marcello/Vestry. Marcello/Vestry. Read review by AlannaIt has been a long time since an album gave me such a seasonable feeling. It has some wonderful ballads and an endless stream of overcharged Power rockers, just perfect party music.
One More Night is an adrenaline rush of dimensions,
Fireworks steadily soars towards the sky and
All I Wanna Do Is U is essential weekend music with a chorus that will have you singing along for sure...and I could go on.
Production is no less than perfect, the songs almost explode into the air, the musicianship is fabulous and most important of all this record just gets you in a fantastic mood.
2. From The Inside. Visions. Read review by AlannaWhat a delight this album turned out to be. Danny Vaughn is all over the place, enriching the songs with a thrilling vocal performance.
One More Night In Heaven is one of the most moving ballads I have heard in a long time,
Making Waves is overflowing with heartfelt sentiments and
Push Me Off, well irresistible would be a fitting adjective.
3. House Of Lords. Come To My Kingdom. Read review by AlannaFrom the moment you hit play till the last tone fades you are highly entertained with tightly performed, powerful Melodic Hard Rock. This is an immensely strong album. The clever way the chorus section of
Your Every Move flows by is a clear highlight among many.
4. Ayreon. 01011001. Read review by SteenMystifyingly compelling and with star quality singers everywhere. Arjen's music is made for a Sci-Fi scenario and this one is among his best works ever.
5. Khymera. The Greatest Wonder. Read reviewThis album has a special sound and feel, compelling but yet quite raw. Dennis Ward delivers some amazing vocals and the melodies just keep on coming.
6. Work Of Art. Artwork. Read review by BrianThis is so slick and wonderfully catchy. I'm completely blow away by some of these harmonies and superb backing choirs. Brilliant Westcoast/AOR.
7. Poley/Rivera. Only Human. Read review by AlannaTed Poley is truly something special, his pipes brings so much warmth and soul to this daring piece of guitar driven Hard Rock. Ric Rivera handles everything else with class; I just love the varied flow of the disc.
8. Harem Scarem. Hope. Read review by AlannaAn acknowledgeable farewell to a most exquisite band. As they have proven all these years, they master the combination of catchy refrains and powerful hooks to perfection and their last album is no exception.
9. Bob Catley. Immortal. Read review by AlannaWith majestic grace and bombastic tendencies Magnus Karlsson has penned down 12 enjoyable pieces of Melodic Rock/Metal and Bob does a fantastic job as the storyteller. The massive guitar renderings in
Haunted will eventually hunt you down.
10. Brother Firetribe. Heart Full Of Fire. Read review by BrianFun, elevating and above all memorable.
Wildest Dreams is pure magic.
11. Eden's Curse. The Second Coming. Read reviewThis is even better than the first one, heavy, catchy and groovy stuff wrapped in a stellar and forceful production.
12. Kip Winger. From The Moon To The Sun. Read review by AlannaIntriguing and cunningly strange. I'm truly impressed with what Kip as come up with. Darkly mystified and heartfelt melodic tunes slowly settling in your mind, opening up to new dazzling horizons.
13. Opeth. Watershed. Read reviewOne of their best albums, the mixture of mellow, completely heavy and clever ideas is done very delicately.
14. Everon. North. Read reviewA masterful execution of splendidly put together Progressive Rock/Metal. North takes you on an at times icy, but always-meaningful soul-searching journey.
15. Journey. Revelation. Read review by AlannaOk, some tracks don't hold up that well but the ones that does are fantastic and Pineda really rises to the occasion.
16. Asia. Phoenix. Read review by AlannaA delightful comeback album filled with impressive melodies, pompous passages and a tender touch of harmony.
17. Jon Oliva's Pain. Global Warning. Read review by SteenA solid piece of classic Metal with quite a lot of variation on the side. Jon still has an incredible vivid voice and you get a lot of old school Metal for you money here.
18. Neal Morse. Lifeline. Read review by SteenWonderful harmonies and down right amazing musical performances.
19. Myland. No Man's Land. Read review by AlannaPower AOR with a metallic twist makes this way too cool not to be on this list.
20. Pyramaze. Immortal. Read review by SteenNot exactly completely overwhelming but high quality Power Metal with Matt Barlow delivering the goods as always.
21. H.e.a. t. H.e.a.t. Read review by BrainAnother new exciting band. This is careless eighties inspired Hard Rock running on Jack D, not exactly original but catchy and very effective.
22. Dominici. 03 A Trilogy - Part 3. Read reviewFormer Dream Theater singer ends his trilogy in dramatic style. Very professional and interesting Progressive Metal.
23. Whitesnake. Good To Be Bad. Read review by AlannaIt's not all ideas that have enough quality to hold water, but the album sounds fresh and contains some truly amazing songs.
24. Jimi Jamison. Crossroads MomentsJim Peterik has written some fine AOR and Jimi carries it out convincingly. Some things become a bit too much candyfloss, but a fine feel-good album.
25. Metallica. Death Magnetic. Read review by Alanna
It's neither fantastic nor is it to be passed aside. Unfortunately it lacks variation, the message would have been clear enough if they had thrown in a couple of slow/more melodic songs. That said this ignites a fierce fire rushing straight to the bone and does that very effectively.
Almost making it (alphabetic order) Axel Rudi Pell. Tales Of The Crown. Read review by Alanna Blaze Bayley. The Man Who Would Not Die Mercenary. Architect Of Lies Overland. Break Away. Read review by Alanna Royal Hunt. Collision Curse. Read review by Alanna Seventh Wonder. Mercy Falls Shadrane. Temporal Tesla. Forever More. Read review by Brian Warrel Dane. Praises To The War Machine
Other releases worth checking out (alphabetic order) A Chinese Firedrill. Circles
AC/DC. Black Ice Alkemyst. Through Painful Lanes Avantasia. The Scarecrow. Read review by Steen
Beardfish. Sleeping In Traffic: Part Two Brainstorm. Downburst Calie Cox. Obvious China Blue. Twilight Of Destiny. Read review by Alanna
Circle II Circle. Delusions Of Grandeur. Read review by Alanna
Coldplay. Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
D:A:D. Monster Philosophy Dokken. Lightning Strikes Again. Read review by Alanna Dreamtone & Iris Mavraki's Neverland. Reversing Time. Read review by Steen Edguy. Tinnutus Sanctus. Read review by Alanna
Ephrat. No Ones Words
Evergrey. Torn. Read review by Alanna
Evolve IV. Decadent Light
Eyefear. The Unseen
Firewind. The Premonition. Read review by Steen
Frost. Experiments In Mass Appeal Iced Earth. The Crucible Of Man - Something Wicked Part II. Read review by Alanna Into Eternity. The Incurable Tragedy
Jorn. Lonely Are The Brave. Read review by Alanna
Judas Priest. Nostradamus Lanfear. X To The Power Of Ten. Read review Overdrive. Let The Metal Do The Talking Perennial Quest. Persistence
Presto Ballet. The Last Art Of Time Travel Rage. Carved In Stone Ray Wilson. Propaganda Man Revolution Renaissance. New Era. Read review by Alanna RPWL The RPWL Experience Saint Deamon. In Shadows Lost Of The Brave Secret Sphere. Sweet Blood Theory Seven Steps To The Green Door. Step In 2 My World
S.I.N. The 13th Apostle Starbreaker. Love's Dying Wish. Read review by Alanna Steel Attack. Carpe DiEnd Stone Lake. Uncharted Souls Syspure. When Times Fades... Testament. The Formation Of Damnation Tiles. Fly Paper The Flower Kings. The Sum Of No Evil Tomorrow's Eve. Tales From Serpentia
Votum. Time Must Have A Stop
Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force. Perpetual Flame. Read review by Alanna
What absolutely sucked? Guns N' Roses. Chinese Democracy. Read review by MichaelPlain awful. When looking at the list of brilliant Melodic Rock albums getting no attention what so ever in the broader music media, compared to this hysterically over-hyped piece of garbage you can only laugh bitterly. Not a single song will have me coming back for this; the sound is like liquid plastic and the songs filled with so many wry alternative elements making things even more incoherent than they all ready are. 14 songs and not a single one close to a winner...this is embarrassing.
What wasn't that great? The new project band X-World/5
released
New Universal Order; it had some interesting passages but simply didn't come together as a whole, being too fragmented and weird.
Edguy's new album has some decent songs, but it surely failed to live up to the bands legacy. Same goes for the Avantasia disc; again too much mid-tempo material going into aimless circulation, the disappointing show at Wacken didn't help one bit either.
Rage put out a powerful but also quite tedious album while Tomorrow's Eve didn't live up to the standards of their latest release, and I must admit that my old heroes in AC/DC didn't quite deliver either after 8 long years.
Favourite songs (alphabetic order) Asia. Parallel Worlds/Vortex/DéyàGorgeous Prog Rock arrangements, sit back, close your eyes and feel the atmospheric sensation.
Ayreon. ComatoseThe atmosphere is simply hypnotizing.
Bob Catley. Edge Of The WorldWith a massive rush it rips up the earth wide-open, kick ass track.
Bob Catley. HauntedI'm completely hooked on the deeply heavy guitar riff pushing this monster forward; Bob Catley simply nails the vocals to perfection.
Brother Firetribe. Wildest DreamsA cornucopia of melodic sweets and sensational thrills.
Brother Firetribe. RunawaysGirls hanging out at the corner, Bon Jovi in the stereo, red skin pants and high hair glowing in the evening sun. This song is like a trip back to the eighties. Infectious stuff.
Eden's Curse. Signs Of Your LifeThe chorus line in this powerful monster simply demands your attention.
Everon. NorthA superbly put together bombastic composition with heart and soul.
From The Inside. Making WavesIt's hard to explain actually, everything just comes together here.
From The Inside.
One More Night In HeavenBurning with raw passion this is a brilliant composition.
Harem Scarem. Days Are NumberedThe message is simple and so is the music, but Harem Scarem has always been able to do it better and with more conviction than the most.
Harem Scarem. Nothing Without YouA moving piece of honest music. I'll miss this amazing band.
H.e.a. t. There For YouBrilliant melodic stuff; I simply adore the guitar lick in this one.
House Of Lords. One Foot In The DarkI've been on a Rock N' Roll mission... you can say that again.
House Of Lords. Your Every MoveOne of the most impressive and dynamic choruses you'll come across.
Journey. Never Walk Away This is exactly how to open an album, instantly memorable.
Journey. Turn Down The World TonightOne of the best ballads all year. The songs placid aura sets the perfect, emotional scene for Pineda to unfold his beautiful voice. Spellbinding song.
Khymera. BorderlineChunky, powerful and catchy all the way.
Kip Winger. NothingThat chorus line is completely overwhelming, magical vocal performance.
Kip Winger. Where Will You GoThis comes off with so much emotion and its mellow core really gets to you.
Marcello/Vestry. All I Wanna Do Is UPerhaps the most played song all year...it's that perfect. The power coming from the guitars, the pounding rhythm section and the massive chorus...all heaven sent.
Marcello/Vestry. One More NightTurn up your speakers and pop that bottle of wine, this song will at least keep you in a good mood till the morning. Essential party music.
Mercenary. Isolation (The Loneliness In December)The piano work is what takes this wonderful song over the edge. The melancholy is so thick that it drips from the walls; inside lures a restless, hurting soul trying to catch a glimpse of light, a sign of hope to hold on to. The introspective lyrics fit the atmosphere brilliantly.
Neal Morse. The Way HomeTranquillity divine. Neal's vocals are beautiful and you just can't stop from being overwhelmed by the awesome melody.
Opeth. Heir ApparentOh, this is mean. Brutality and cunningness in a fascinating mix.
Overland. Like A RiverIt will sweep you away, guaranteed.
Poley/Rivera. Top Of The World Summertime, roof down, burning passion, top of the world...you get the picture.
Poley/Rivera. Only HumanEmotionally charged with the kind of thoughts we all deal with from time to time, Poley's voice is so amazingly authentic and completely unique.
Pyramaze. Year Of The PhoenixThis is exactly how Power Metal should sound like...wildly intense.
Ray Wilson. On The Other SideAcoustic brilliance. So mellow and deeply heartfelt.
Seventh Wonder. Tears For A FatherConvincing emotionally display, superb vocal delivery here.
Tesla. The First TimeIt manages be both atmospheric and catchy in a wonderful smooth way.
Whitesnake. All I Want All I NeedI have had that chorus line stuck in my head from the first time I heard it.
Work Of Art. Why Do I?Such finesse, such brilliant chorus...a real gem.
Live Concerts Of The Year Iron Maiden. Horsens - Denmark. Read live reportJust a wonderful and nostalgic evening in the company of true professionals.
Bon Jovi. Randers - Denmark. Read live reportGreat and varied show with a well thought out setlist.
Symphony X. Hamburg - Germany. Read live reportA compact and intense performance with Russell Allen in complete control.
Wacken Open Air. Read live reportMuscially I was a bit let down, but luckily Wacken is about so much more. How is that huge beer jug holding up Steen?
Hopes For 2009 Virgin SteeleI'm yearning for this. Visions Of Eden was such an amazing album, deeply haunting, original and dark.
Dream TheaterThe band is working on their 10th studio album, Octavarium was a letdown by DT standards, Systematic Chaos saw a return to form so lets hope they keep evolving in that direction.
Bon JoviWith a list of songs already finished there is hope for a 2009 release. Lost Highway was mellow but very successful in being that, I think this new one will be quite different, somehow this band successfully renews itself from album to album.
Allen - LandeOne of the most successful musical projects ever (seriously). I crave for a third fix.
House Of LordsJames Christian has already begun writing a new one and expectations are sky high.
Stan BushNew album on its way and when looking back at his latest you can only be filled with excitement. In This Life was an absolutely marvellous piece of thrilling AOR.
Heaven And HellCan these oldies resurrect the magic from a time before time?
PlatitudeWith the album Nine the band hit something truly special, the follow up was different but also great. I have high hopes for this young impressive band.
MegadethThe latest two albums were far from memorable and this time Mustaine simply has to deliver.
Primal FearWith Magnus Karlsson onboard expectations are turned up a notch.
Vanden PlasAiming for a fall release from a band that always keeps a solid standard.
AnthraxThis band has made some vintage classic Metal but they need to come back with something a bit more interesting than their latest works.
Power MetalA genre that hasn't produced much great music in recent years. I'm hoping that someone will kick new life into it.
Melodic RockWhen we are talking about high quality material it will be impossible to live up to the legacy of 2008, but I will have my fingers crossed anyway.
