Best of 2013 - Kim's Take
Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 12:01AM First of all: what a year 2013 has been! I remember doing this list a year ago and to be honest I was struggling to find 10 good-enough albums. I even ended up cheating with two albums from the year before. This time the struggle has been the opposite; too many great albums to choose from and only ten picks. I guess I shouldn’t complain though, there isn’t really something called “too much of great music,” right? So instead I’ll just give you my Top 10 of 2013, with a few honorable mentions in the end for those albums that didn’t make the cut. Enjoy!
10. Santa Cruz – Screaming For Adrenaline
I’ve had my eyes on these Finnish guys for a few years now and they finally got around to releasing their full-length debut. Songs like “Anthem For The Young ‘n’ Restless” and “Relentless Renegades” have been spinning pretty frequently at my house. Now I’m just hoping 2014 will be the year Santa Cruz start hitting some festivals. It’s about time people outside of Finland got to see them live too. Maybe at Skogsröjet this summer?
9. Revolver Eleven – Breaking Free
Sure, this EP is just three self-recorded and -produced songs, but it’s damn catchy. I’ve basically been walking around singing “Wicked Woman” constantly, ever since I first heard it. Apparently there are plans on releasing a full-length album next year and Breaking Free is making me really curious about what that album will sound like. Plus these guys are from Gothenburg, and you all know how much I love supporting bands from my hometown.
8. Tiger Bell – Don’t Wanna Hear About Your Band
Okay, so the title song is officially my new anthem. It’s just so liberating to hear someone just scream out their frustration. Especially when it’s an all-girl group screaming of frustrationabout annoying men with guitars, who think they’re better musicians simply because they’re men. This intense punk album might be a bit too much if you keep it on repeat a few too many times, but it definitely deserves a spot on this list.
7. Dregen – Dregen
Guitarist of Michael Monroe as well as Backyard Babies, and previously The Hellacopters, Dregen decided it was time to do something on his own. I’m glad he did. The result is his self-titled album with classic and simple rock’n’roll tunes, which is probably what Dregen does best. And he does it better than most. Obviously you can look forward to a lot of great riffs, but also a few interesting collaborations. Like the one with Titiyo on “Flat Tyre On A Muddy Road."
6. Saffire – From Ashes To Fire
It’s not really glam at all, but I’m hoping you will give this album a listen anyway. It really is rock’n’roll at its finest and the first single of the album, “Magnolia,” is simply brilliant. Singer Tobias Jansson is something beyond the ordinary and my thoughts go to vocalists as Dio when I hear him. Oh, and did I mention they’re from Gothenburg too?
5. Joan Jett And The Blackhearts – Unvarnished
In all honesty, I haven’t been listening to this album enough and I wasn’t really blown away by the first single “Any Weather” either, BUT Joan Jett is finally back with some new material and that is good enough for me. She deserves her spot on this list just by being Joan Jett. Now I’m just praying she will follow this release with a tour.
4. Skid Row – United World Rebellion – Chapter One
I’ve been very doubtful about everything that Skid Row has done since Sebastian Bach left. That was at least until I saw them live in November and they kicked off “Kings Of Demolition” from their latest album. And wow! Bach might not be the singer anymore, but this is Skid Row. At least that song. Since then I’ve listened quite a bit to United World Rebellion – Chapter One and it’s growing on me every time. Plus they still rock live. Not that I was around to see them in their prime, I’m just assuming they use to rock just as hard asthey did when I saw them in November. Which is pretty hard.
3. Hardcore Superstar – C’mon Take On Me
“Above The Law” is probably number one of my most played songs in 2013. But you all know how much I love Hardcore Superstar already, so this album doesn’t really need any further introduction or explanation.
2. Rob Zombie – Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor
If anyone would have told me a year ago that I would pick Rob Zombie’s latest album to be in my Top 10, I would probably have laughed in their face. Yet somehow he managed to sneak under my skin, and now I can’t get enough of songs like “We’re An American Band.” I absolutely love it. Right now he’s the act I’m looking forward to the most at Sweden Rock Festival 2014.
1. Michael Monroe – Horns And Halos
This man is a God. In case you didn’t know it yet, you do now. It’s only been two years since he released Sensory Overdrive and he’s already back with another amazing album? This while he seems to be constantly on tour and still is one of the best live acts out there? I have no idea how he does it, being over 50 and all, but he shows no signs of slowing down. And besides being very grateful for that, all we have to do is to bow down to the master and enjoy.
As I said I would also like to do a few shout-outs, especially to Buckcherry, Black Sabbath (!), Airbourne, Crashdïet and Hammered Satin, bands who also released great albums in 2013. Anyone I’m missing? I know it turned out to be quite a patriotic Top 10, with half of the list being Swedish bands, but I guess we just had a very good year over here? Plus I love to try and introduce some fresh bands and I’m hoping there are a few new ones for you here? So what do you guys think?
I’m already excited about what 2014 will bring when it comes to new music. So far I’m mainly looking forward to releases from The Treatment and Thundermother, and to see if Steel Panther will be able to bring something new to the table. Hopefully there will be a few happy surprises and some new great bands as well. What new albums are you most keen on this year?
Reader Comments (27)
12) The Quireboys, "Bitter, Sweet & Twisted"
METALBOY!'S TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 1983:
1) Def Leppard, "Pyromania"
2) Quiet Riot, "Metal Health"
3) Accept, "Balls To The Wall"
4) Motley Crue, "Shout At The Devil"
5) KIX, "Cool Kids"
6) Saxon, "Power & The Glory"
7) Ozzy Osbourne, "Bark At The Moon"
8) KISS, "Lick It Up"
9) DIO, "Holy Diver"
10) Black Sabbath, "Born Again"
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Steeler, AC/DC (Flick Of The Switch), Hanoi Rocks, Fastway, MSG, Shy, 220 Volt, Mama's Boys, Exciter, Zebra, Twisted Sister, Tokyo Blade, Pandemonium, Helix, Vandenberg, Alcatrazz. Lemme know if I forgot anything!
Hardcore Superstar, Black Veil Brides and Santa Cruz, etc. are all prime examples of Modern Metal, not that Stone Sourpuss and Alter Sh*t garbage.
We're talking REAL Rock & Roll, man!