33-1/3 Best Hard Rock Albums Of 2018

Johnnie Crow — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 05:30:01 +0000

2018 was one of the best years in recent memory when it comes to quality album releases from some of the biggest names in hard rock. The most common theme was struggling with the past couple of years, both internally and externally, while searching for a path to better days and a hopeful future.

Most people don’t listen to music on hard media these days, but if any of you happen to have any of these on vinyl, give it a spin and let us know how much better it sounds.

Here are our 33-1/3 favorite hard rock albums of 2018.

	1. Shinedown – ATTENTION ATTENTION Not only a great collection of individual songs that grow on you as time passes, but a concept album exploring the human condition and fragile state of mind. Best song: GET UP
	2. Tremonti – A Dying Machine On Mark Tremonti’s 4th solo album, the band is at the top of their song writing game, and Mark’s vocals are his best yet. Best song: Bringer Of War
	3. Halestorm – Vicious Halestorm continues to elevate, expanding their style and always delivering substance. Lzzy Hale’s voice reaches insane heights on this album, full of swagger and a wink of the eye. Best song: Do Not Disturb
	4. Bullet For My Valentine – Gravity A biting tale of betrayal and redemption, with gnarly guitars and snarling sing along choruses. Best song: Over It
	5. Adelitas Way – Live Love Life An exploration into sound and instrumentation, with a lot of heart. A band that keeps getting better with time. Best song: Still Hungry
	6. Atreyu – In Our Wake This album just moves you physically and emotionally, a nonstop assault on your senses. Best song: Anger Left Behind
	7. Sevendust – All I See Is War Some bands improve with age, and Sevendust is one that keeps writing better and better songs. Best song: God Bites His Tongue
	8. Godsmack – When Legends Rise Godsmack returned with their best work since the first two albums. Killer lyrics and a few chances vocally and musically that really pay off. Best song: Under Your Scars
	9. Like A Storm – Catacombs If you don’t know this New Zealand band of brothers, you are missing out. Creative sounds and meaningful lyrics. Best song: Complicated (Stitches & Scars)
	10. Judas Priest – Firepower The Metal Gods put together their best album since Painkiller, almost 3 decades ago. Shreds upon shreds, and Rob Halford just killing it. Best song: Rising From Ruins
	11. Disturbed – Evolution Disturbed extended themselves on Evolution, exploring new sounds while addressing the lost of loved ones to addiction and depression. While not quite the grand slam that Immortalized, it is still another home run from a band who is now 7 for 7. Best song: A Reason To Fight
	12. Pop Evil – Pop Evil Pop Evil self titled this album, fittingly so as it sums up all of the best qualities of the band. Tight musicianship, inspiring vocals and meaningful lyrics. Best song: Be Legendary
	13. All That Remains – Victim Of The New Disease The mysterious death of founding guitarist Oli Herbert shortly before the album’s release lends an otherworldly quality to this powerful performance. The songs are full of guitars and intense vocals. Best song: Everything’s Wrong
	14. P.O.D. – Circles P.O.D. knocks it out of the park on this one, mixing old school hip hop into their Cali vibe rock and roll. Best song: Soundboy Killa
	15. Alice In Chains – Rainier Fog The last ones standing are still setting the bar for the Seattle sound. Best song: Never Fade
	16. Ghost – Prequelle Perhaps the first concept album based on the Plague and the Black Death which killed off half of Europe, Prequelle is spooky, spiritual and catchy. Best song: Dance Macabre
	17. Nonpoint – X Nonpoint continues their unique phrasing and riffing on their 10th album, another stellar effort. Best song: Fix This
	18. Red Sun Rising – Thread Red Sun Rising continues the hit-making momentum on their second effort, proving that they will be around for a long time. Best song: Veins
	19. Parkway Drive – Reverence This is the heaviest album on the list, and probably tops most metal lists for the year. Very aggressive, but also full of hooks. Best song: The Void
	20. Ice Nine Kills – The Silver Scream Each song is based off of a classic horror movie, a concept that could get corny but never does here, as the tunes stand on their own and the lyrical content touches on an aspect of the movie without becoming cliff notes. Best song: A Grave Mistake
	21. Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators – Living The Dream One of the most complete albums that Slash has delivered in some time. The Conspirators are a tight band and this sounds most like a band album, rather than a solo act. Best song: Mind Your Manners
	22. Five Finger Death Punch – And Justice For None 5FDP has a formula and they are sticking with it. Fast songs, ballads, and interesting cover songs. Best song: When The Seasons Change
	23. Breaking Benjamin – Ember The band who practically invented the rock radio sound does it again, showcasing their immense vocal talent and musicianship. Best song: Torn In Two
	24. Three Days Grace – Outsider Three Days Grace finally comes into its own with this version of the band, ditching the self-loathing for an optimistic view on life. Best song: The Mountain
	25. The Alarm – Equals Legendary rebels The Alarm returned with an outstanding record, still questioning the status quo and pushing for peace. Best song: Peace Now
	26. Dorothy – 28 Days In The Valley Dorothy Martin has one of the best bluesy rock voices that you will ever hear. This trippy album could be the soundtrack to a Quentin Tarantino movie. Best song: Ain’t Our Time To Die
	27. Jonathan Davis – Black Labyrinth The leader of Korn has been quietly working on his solo album for years, and we finally got to experience the fruits of his labor. Very personal and very deep. Best song: Basic Needs
	28. Myles Kennedy – Year Of The Tiger Somehow Myles Kennedy found time between Alter Bridge and Slash commitments to put out a solo album. This is all Myles, which means it is amazing. Best song: The Great Beyond
	29. Suicidal Tendencies – STill Cyco Punk After All These Years A sort of new album, which is actually a re-recording of an old Mike Muir solo album. Doesn’t matter, it’s new to me and it is infectious. Best song: Ain’t Gonna Get Me
	30. Avatar – Avatar Country Dilly Dilly! Avatar returned with an album exclusively about the King. Always heavy and always fun. Best song: The King Wants You
	31. Amaranthe – Helix Amaranthe fears nothing, blending all kinds of music, with three vocalists getting into the mix. Best song: Inferno
	32. Skillet Side Dishes: Ledger – LEDGER, Fight The Fury – Still Breathing The members of Skillet took a hiatus and produced 2 separate EP’s. Drummer/vocalist Jen Ledger put out a strong solo album, co-produced by guitarist Korey Kooper. Bassist/vocalist John Kooper got his metal on with guitarist Seth Morrison. Best song: Not Dead Yet, My Demons
	33. Greta Van Fleet – Anthem Of The Peaceful Army Hot newcomers Greta Van Fleet, the family band with the Zeppelin sound, put out their first full album. While not as strong as their EP From The Fires, it still boasts some great tracks. Best song: Lover, Leaver (Taker, Believer)
	33-1/3. Them Evils – Rollin’ Stoned and Livin’ Free (EP) Them Evils is a throwback rock band on the rise. This EP showcases the promise of what is to come, real rock and roll shaking our asses. Best song: Practice What You Preach

33-1/3 Best Hard Rock Albums Of 2018 first appeared on Game On Media.

Ozzfest 2018 New Year’s Eve Spectacular at the L.A. Forum

Johnnie Crow — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 05:17:57 +0000

Photo credit: Oliver Halfin

OZZFEST 2018

NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECTACULAR

AT THE FORUM IN LOS ANGELES

Photo credit: Ross Halfin

It was the place to be, and a helluva way to ring in the New Year–a mind-blowing extravaganza with the titans of heavy music delivering one spectacular set after another, complete with massive eye-popping productions. The first-ever OZZFEST New Year’s Eve celebration (Monday, December 31) at The Forum in Los Angeles was all this and more, adding up to one of the most memorable OZZFESTs ever.

The day-into-night event featured 10 hours of live music that culminated with a 90-minute career-spanning set from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy® Award-winning singer, songwriter and festival namesake OZZY OSBOURNE. The afternoon kicked off with sets from Zakk Sabbath, DevilDriver and Wednesday 13 on the outdoor stage before moving indoors. The main stage was lit up by performances from OZZFEST alumni Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, and Jonathan Davis (of Korn)and Body Count featuring Ice-T (in their OZZFEST debut) before OSBOURNE and his band (longtime collaborators Zakk Wylde [Guitar], Blasko [Bass], Tommy Clufetos [Drums] and Adam Wakeman [Keyboards]) took to the stage at 11:30 PM, counting down to the new year with a mega mirror ball, confetti storm, fake snow blasts and huge balloon drop. The Forum will never be the same again.

Photo credit: Ross Halfin

Here’s some early press reaction

“Ozzy Osbourne rang in 2019 with a number of his friends as part of Ozzfest New Year’s Eve…Those friends included Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Jonathan Davis, and more…Ozzy and the crowd rang in the new year with a countdown, a giant disco ball, and confetti.”

–Heavy Consequence, 1-1-19

“Ozzfest has taken many forms over the years, but on December 31, 2018 it served as a way send out 2018 with a major location-based event and ring in 2019 with some of rock and metal’s finest throwing a bash to remember. Ozzy Osbourne…returned to the concert stage at the Forum full of energy and ready to count down the final minutes of the year. But before that, a stellar lineup rocked fans inside and outdoors at the Forum during a brisk but sunny afternoon…”

–Loudwire, 1-1-19

“Ozzy Osbourne rang in the new year in Los Angeles, headlining the festival he founded, Ozzfest, at the Forum. The one-off show kicked off early, with the venue grounds transformed into a holiday wonderland complete with food trucks and an outdoor stage… Ozzy’s set included such classics as “Mama I’m Coming Home,” “Crazy Train,” and “No More Tears” as well as Black Sabbath hits “War Pigs,” and “Fairies Wear Boots.” He paused the show at a few minutes shy of midnight for the final countdown, and rang in 2019 with red fireworks and a shower of Ozzy-branded confetti.

–Variety, 1-1-19

www.Ozzfest.com

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www.twitter.com/theozzfest

Ozzfest 2018 New Year’s Eve Spectacular at the L.A. Forum first appeared on Game On Media.

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33-1/3 Best Hard Rock Albums Of 2018

Ozzfest 2018 New Year’s Eve Spectacular at the L.A. Forum