HardRockNights
in US - best albums in 2009 - ColdSpell is on no. 7
The year 2009 was an
exciting one in the world of hard rock. Vintage acts such as Lita Ford,
BulletBoys, and Great White released new albums; new groups Coldspell,
Jive Mother Mary, and Machines Of Grace offered diversity; we got new
live records from giants Steve Vai, Judas Priest, and Cinderella.
Frontiers Records continues to deliver material from longtime favorites
such as Lynch Mob and Stryper, while Eonian Records unearths gems from
Sgt. Roxx, Uzi, and Strike Twice.
Throughout this month, you have and will continue to see year-end lists
featuring various writers’ favorite releases on nearly every website.
Since Hard Rock Nights is a radio program, we have the privilege of not
only giving you a list, but a sampling of the best albums from the year.
Over the next few days, we will post our Top 15 of 2009. Beginning
December 25, you can catch our “Best Of 2009” show through the end of
the year on our affiliate stations.
It’s the “Best Of 2009,” presented by Hard Rock Nights!
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2009: The Best Albums, #6-10
•December 24, 2009 •
10. Winger Karma – The
laughingstock of the “hair metal” scene is having the last laugh,
proving themselves to be one of the most talented groups that came out
of the late 1980s. Kip Winger is a phenomenal vocalist and very good
bass player, while Reb Beach’s abilities on the guitar are without equal.
Karma is another testament to both the band’s endurance and talents.
Best song: “Come A Little Closer.”
9. Megadeth Endgame –
Thrash metal never sounded better as Megadeth mixes the best of their
classic sound with updated stylings on their latest release. Dave
Mustaine is often in the metal news trash-talking his former band,
Metallica. He needs to learn to keep his mouth shut and just let the
music do the talking; Endgame is better than anything Metallica has done
since Master Of Puppets. Best song: “The Hardest Part Of Letting Go…Sealed
With A Kiss.”
8. ZO2 Casino Logic –
This Brooklyn band continues to impress with each new release. Their
debut independent record scored them an opening slot on 2006’s Poison/KISS
tour, and their exuberance led to a television series “Z-Rock” on IFC.
They get better each time they record, Casino Logic topping the
sophomore effort Ain’t It Beautiful in both songwriting and performance.
Best song: “Red Line Highway.”
7. Coldspell Infinite
Stargaze – Sweden is hard rock’s best kept secret, Coldspell being the
latest independent band that no one has ever heard of to release a great
album. Infinite Stargaze doesn’t have a bad song on it, combining the
sounds of classic Deep Purple and Journey with high quality production
and execution. Best song: “Solid Ground.”
6. Heaven & Hell The
Devil You Know – Proving that you’re never too old to rock hard, Ronnie
James Dio and his old Black Sabbath bandmates released some of the
heaviest music in their prestigious career in 2009. From the romping
“Eating The Cannibals” to the epic “Follow The Tears,” Heaven & Hell has
proven themselves to be as important today as they were decades ago.
Best Song: “Follow The Tears.”
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THE BEST ALBUM RELEASES OF 2009... IN RANDOM ORDER...
ON THE RISE - DREAMZONE
SAINT DEAMON - PANDEAMONIUM
SOUL DOCTOR - WAY BACK TO THE BONE
W.A.S.P. - BABYLON
GRAND DESIGN - TIME ELEVATION
FREE SPIRIT - PALE SISTER OF LIGHT
W.E.T - W.E.T.
COLDSPELL - INFINITE STARGAZE
KILLING TOUCH - ONE OF A KIND
CRASH THE SYSTEM - THE CROWNING
DANGER DANGER - REVOLVE
FARCRY - HIGH GEAR
Johnny Forslund - Melodic Editor - Promoter - Booking - Swede
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