Best of 2013 - Allyson's Take
Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at 12:01AM Note: this article also appears in the Dayton City Paper. As such, it encompasses all metal and not just Glam.
2013 was a great year for music, especially metal. There are many different ways to classify metal, but this list will focus on mainly hair-metal inspired tunes. This means bands from the 80s that are still kicking it with new jams, and new bands playing tribute to their influences.
Some albums will undoubtedly cross over from just the “best of metal” lists straight to the “best albums of the year” category. One of those records is the Billboard number 1 hit Hail to the King by California metal outfit Avenged Sevenfold. Easily the most complete metal release of 2013, some have gone as far to accuse Avenged Sevenfold, also known as A7X, of recording a Metallica tribute album. But Hail to the King is so much more than a tribute to great metal acts of yore. It’s the seminal metal album of the decade. With Hail to the King, A7X easily cemented their place in metal history as the next arena band. There aren’t many acts that can fill arenas anymore, but Avenged Sevenfold can, and they will. There’s a reason the band members wear Guns n’ Roses and Iron Maiden T-shirts on stage: influence and respect. Twenty years from now, some aspiring young musician will have on a vintage A7X shirt for the same reason. Prime cut “This Means War.”
Michael Monroe, Horns & Halos easily makes the cut as one of the best of 2013. Originally singer of the Finnish Glam band Hanoi Rocks, Monroe is wowing crowds as a solo act. Monroe’s guitarist is Steve Conte (formerly of the New York Dolls), further cementing his glam cred. Prime cut “Stained Glass Heart.”
Black Veil Brides created an epic concept piece with Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones. Released at the beginning of 2013, the album continues to garner buzz in the music world for its innovative use of story and song. They top it all off with Motley Crue Shout at the Devil era stage looks. Prime cut “Lost It All.”
Back in 2012, Mike Portnoy (originally of Dream Theater fame), Richie Kotzen and Billy Sheehan (of Mr. Big) formed a supergroup called the Winery Dogs. The band gigged around for fun and finally decided to write and record some tunes. The Winery Dogs was released in July of this year to much critical fanfare. The band has a laid back, classic rock vibe. Some people refer to the Winery Dogs as a bar band, but they are so much more. Sure, they might fit in on a cruise ship. Then again, they’ll fit in at an arena show too. Prime cut “Time Machine.”
Metal wouldn’t exist if not for Black Sabbath. When the band announced plans for a new album and tour, the metal community definitely stood up and took collective notice. 13 may or may not be the band’s final album. The rub, of course, is drummer Bill Ward. A contract dispute in 2012 lead to his eventual departure from the band. While some purists believe an album without Ward isn’t really Sabbath at all, enough other fans disagreed, sending 13 right up the Billboard charts. Prime cut “God Is Dead?”
A lot of people know Stryper more for their yellow and black bumblebee themed costumes than for their music, but that might change after this year’s release No More Hell to Pay. Bucking the trend of endless partying and drugs in the 80s, Stryper remain one of the most commercially successful Christian rock outfits of all time. Unlike a lot of modern Christian musical acts, Stryper wear their religion on their collective spandex sleeves. Even in 2013, the guys in Stryper throw Bibles at the end of each show, just like they did back in 1986. Prime cut “Sympathy.”
One British band with a major 80s throwback vibe making waves in 2013 is Asking Alexandria. When Asking Alexandria first hit the scene, they were metalcore through and through. Now, a few albums under their belts, the guys have evolved to a more commercial rock sound. The hardcore edge is still there, but so are the ballads and songs that make bands famous. From Death to Destiny came out in August at the tail end of the summer concert season. The end of summer release didn’t hurt the band’s sales any, and Asking Alexandria is currently touring around the world on the back of their new release.
Prime cut “Moving On.”
Asking Alexandria share a label with I See Stars. Both bands are on Sumerian, home to some of the most successful hardcore acts going today. What sets I See Stars apart from other hardcore acts is that they are more electronica than run of the mill metal. In fact, band members describe their own sound as electronic hardcore music. Think of it as listening to metal… in a dance club. After a few delays, I See Stars released New Demons in October. New Demons is both a solid and logical follow-up to the band’s breakthrough album Digital Renegade. I See Stars changed their sound with both Digital Renegade and New Demons. The band went edgier, but the dance sensibilities are still there, meaning New Demons is a sure bet to blast at your next party. Prime cut: “Violent Bounce.”
Buckcherry is everyone’s favorite modern-day sleaze band. Chugging away for years and years, Buckcherry recently wrote and recorded a semi-concept album called
Confessions. Based on the Seven Deadly Sins, Confessions explores the inner demons each band member faces. Confessions takes Buckcherry to the next level in song writing ability and creative execution. Yes, the same band that brought you “Crazy Bitch” is now singing about “Greed” and “Gluttony.” Prime cut “Nothing Left But Tears.”
Reader Comments (26)
\m/ Happy Netal New Year To All! \m/
2. Avenged Sevenfold-Hail To The King (I listened to this constantly from the time I got it, most recently Avenged Sevenfold became one of my favorite newer bands. This album is full of Metallica, especially on this means war, and on Doing Time I couldn't help but think of a Guns N Roses/Buckcherry influence)
3. Wednesday 13-The Dixie Dead (I got into this recently, because I am such a huge Murderdolls fan. It is full of horror movie lyrics, right from Poltergeist. The lyrics in the songs Fuck You..In Memory Of, The Dixie Dead, and Get Your Grave On are fantastic)
4. Black Sabbath-13 (The creators of metal returned, the only bad thing is that it did not have Bill Ward. Loner is such a great song)
5. Korn-The Paradigm Shift (I wanted to hate it, I really did, because I have hated their last two albums, but Head is back in and they did a great record. Prey For Me is a fantastic song)
6. Crashdiet-The Savage Playground (It is full of swedish sleaze, I love that record.)
7. Davey Suicide-Davey Suicide (I am so pumped for this band. This is the most anticipated album for me because I could not wait for it to come out, you can hear a mix of Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, and a lot of Glam influenced anthem songs)
Others: They were good but just didnt make my list.
Michael Monroe: Horns And Halos
Stone Sour: House Of Gold And Bones Part 2
Asking Alexandria: From Death To Destiny
Picture Me Broken: Mannequins EP
Stryper: No More Hell To Pay
Five Finger Death Punch: Wrong Side of Heaven Righteous Side Of Hell Vol 1 and 2 (They have great covers on those albums)
Buckcherry: Confessions (Cool Concept)
Happy New Years, time for me to go party!!!
Michael Monroe really hit it out of the park this oops I mean last year with H&H!
Also if you haven't heard SIXX AM has an album waiting for 2014....Happy New Years!
And allyson, this article is one of your best written pieces. Your writing skills have really evolved. It's as though you went from "look what the cat dragged in" to "appetite for destruction".
9. The Winery Dogs. Very bluesy. Love the heavy use of the bass
8. Crashdiet. The Savage Playground. They seem to get better each album.
7. Station. This band is really good live. They released an EP and are currently working on an album. ROK and the M3 pre party have enjoyed their talents. Cannot wait to the future for these lads.
6. Tom Kiefer. The Way Life Goes. Cinderella is one of my all time favorite bands, so I really took to this release. Saw him in Balt and he did not disappoint.
5. Black Sabbath. 13. Big time release. Big songs and hooks. A little slow at times, but exciting to have them rocking.
4. Heaven and Earth. Dig. This was my best find of the YEAR! They have a Deep Purple vibe and would def fit into the classic rock genre at times. However, they also integrate a big modern sound. Plus, their cover art is amazing.
3. # 2 and # 3 are hard to order!!!!! I flipped a coin.... Number 3 goes to Reckless Love. Spirit. Total glam and a lot of spirit. The leads' voice is always on and they write a lot of fun songs. My favorite song on this record is ' I Love Heavy Metal.' If you haven't heard it yet, it is a must. The song pays tribute to all of the 80s bands that we all love. I've woken up many mornings singing this song. Funny.
2. Stryper. No More Hell To Pay. This album is simply amazing. Back in the day, I was never a big fan of this band. Recently, I've seen them at ROK and M3 and my friend was always glued to their set. But not me. I will pay attention NOW. Since I've gotten this CD, I've worn it out. Sweet's voice is amazing and the whole band is tight. I've read that this is their best stuff since the 80s. Classic Rock Magazine did a big feature on them this month.
1. Airbourne. Black Dog Barking!!!! The album simply kicks f%#^€£ing ASS. This is the bands 3rd release and it blows up your speakers. From start to finish Airbourne takes you on a ride with women, booze, and rock attitude. My favs are Back in the game, live it up, Hungry, and Animalize. This band has become a big hit around the world and Im so happy to have see. Them several times live. Check their show out, for you will walk away with a great memory.
1.A7X - Hail to The King
2.The Neighbourhood - I Love You
3.Eminem - The Marshall Matthers LP 2
4.Twenty One Pilots - Vessel
5.John Mayer - Paradise Valley
5.Arctic Monkeys - AM
6.Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
7.The 1975 - The 1975,
8.Kanye West - Yeezus
9.30 Seconds to Mars
10.Bring Me The Horizon - Sempiternal
Metalboy!'s Best of 2013...
Metalboy!'s WORST of 2013...
And another special list as I have brought to you every year...
Stay tuned...
1) Black Sabbath, "13". On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this album a 13. The Elders of Metal prove they are still The Masters of the Metal Universe. Not a dud on the whole thing. Power Metal, Hair Metal, Glam Metal, Death Metal, Whatever Metal you guys want to get on me about -- none of it would have existed without these guys virtually inventing METAL 5 minutes after they heard Led Zeppelin's 1st album. (Don't believe that claim? Just read Iommi's incredible book, "Ironman") Iommi hasn't lost a step and astounds, especially when you consider this guy was flying back and forth between production in L.A. and getting cancer treatments in London during the process of making this album. If only Ward had been on "13", as DJ mentioned. And it's just sick that Sharon and Ozzy couldn't cough it up for Ward (as DJ also lamented in his comments) since this could be Sabbath's last.
2) Hardcore Superstar, "C'mon Take On Me". Catchy, infectious, yet b*llsy! From start to finish, Glam Metal at it's finest. Bad*ss with a capital "B"! This dropped January 17th, 2013, giving us the entire year to enjoy it. Only Sabbath topped it and just by a hair. The title track is my fave, if it's even possible to pick one.
3) Black Veil Brides, "Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones". These gave us The Best Metal Concept Album In Years, leaving their Screamo-Emo Barking "Modern Metal" Caricature for something deeper, more EPIC and more real, as in REAL Rock'n'Roll! "In The End", my fave of the bunch, though there's zero filler here. Even the little intro/outro segways between songs are cool and add to the concept.
4) Reckless Love, "Spirit". This dropped mid-July, making this the perfect Summer album. Why can't American Radio/Satellite Radio/Eddie Chump/Howard Stern, etc., get onto music like these guys make? Pure Pop Metal Heaven. Ever since Al turned us onto "Beautiful Bomb" when the first album debuted, I can never get tired of listening to Reckless Love's uncanny, stuck in the 80's Purest Form of Glam Metal -- clean, catchy and full of flawless harmonies. "Hot Rain" and "I Love Heavy Metal" are the standouts. Check out the lyrics of the latter. Fun and True Homage.
5) Stryper, "No More Hell To Pay". This is right up there with their classic stuff but the harder songs here are more melodic. Sounds to me like Michael Sweet's stints in Boston definitely rubbed off on him and it's now payed off. Amazing!
6) Crash Diet, "Savage Playground". Another one that dropped in January to enjoy all year and did it ever have staying power. Could kick myself for not getting up to NYC to see 'em when I had the chance. Here's another band, with Hardcore Superstar and Reckless Love, you wish would establish residency on Sunset Strip. Grittier but nearly just as catchy as those two aforementioned bands.
7) Michael Monroe, "Horns & Halos". Too be honest, I wasn't paying much attention to Monroe very much until many of you talked up this album. Holy sh*t, it's amazing. And the lyrics are probably the best of any album this year. "Sheer bloody poetry", to borrow a phrase (Rock'n'Roll Trivia Test: Does anyone know where I knicked that quote from?)
8) Buckcherry, "Confessions". Another concept album, though not quite as divine as BVB's "Wretched and Divine", it's still quite an achievement as Buckcherry continues to push boundaries. As Al says, they've taken their songwriting to the next level with a Rock'n'Roll Examination of the 7 Deadly Sins. Very cool.
9) De La Cruz, "Street Level". More Def Leppard freaks. Got this as soon as it hit iTunes. Right up there with Reckless Love in the Pop Metal department, though the singer's chops aren't nearly as transcendent, nor the production as elaborate.
10) Station, "Wired" EP. I picked this up when it came out and then got the privilege of seeing these guy's at Rock-It's M-Pre Party when they opened for Diemond's. These guys are amazing! I told the singer (who is just incredible) I considered them "Purists" and he totally got what I meant and took it as a compliment, as they sound like they walked right out of 1987. Even crazier, they're from NYC!
11) Wolfpakk, "Cry Wolf". Bada*s and a little more straight ahead than most of the other stuff I've listed here (Sabbath excepted, though they would hardly be considered "straight ahead", as they are in a class unto themselves). Listen to the stellar "A Matter Of Time" and you'll be hooked. I pegged these guys first way back on November 2nd when Al posted about writing her article for Dayton City Paper.
12) Santa Cruz, "Screaming for Adrenaline". More gospel for the Glam Metal religion. Check out "Anthem for the Young'n'Restless". They only things that knocked this down to the #12 position are the singer being a little too mid-rangey and the need for the production to be a little glossier a la Reckless Love.
Honorable Mentions: Heaven's Basement, Blackrain, Shameless, Virginmarys, Airbourne.
p.s. Thanks for all the great posts, Al, to clue us in and thanks for all the tips through the year, guys.
Really looking forward to the rest of your lists, Metalboy! Glad you've realized how amazing Michael Monroe actually is. Oh, and the quote "sheer bloody poetry", isn't that how The Times described Queen's (Brian May's) song "Tie Your Mother Down" (from the album "A Day at the Races")? Or did I get that completely wrong..?
WOW! You really DO know your stuff!!!
I am not WORTHY!!!
p.s. "Tie Your Mother Down" is my fave Queen song followed by "Stone Cold Crazy".
p.s.s.t. Where the h*ll is everybody's lists?! Kenny O? Ace? Jakki Steal? What the h*ll?! Hey, Jak, if you wanna just wait 'til I put up my "Worst of 2013" and just slap your name on it as your "Best of", feel free... Ju-u-u-ust kiddin', Jakki. Anyway, I will be postin' my "Worst" soon tonight. Stay Tuned!...