True Rockers - some new releases Fall 2018

As Dee Snider says making a guest appearance on Monster Truck's "True Rocker," rock and roll is not dead.  It's true that it is much harder to find on the radio waves.  However, revenue from live concerts is up.  Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and Guns N' Roses have experienced a twilight in nostalgia success.  U2 and Coldplay continue to be among the highest grossing tours.  Breaking Benjamin is commanding $50 a ticket at Starland Ballroom in December.  Wait a minute!  I just saw BB with Five Finger Death Punch, Nothing More, and Bad Wolves for that price.  Granted, the last time I saw BB in a small venue they blew my mind, but I don't know if I want to pay that much when the support acts aren't proven and it's on a weeknight to boot.

In any case, I wanted to highlight a few recent releases that prove that rock isn't dead.  First, the aforementioned Monster Truck.  They just dropped their third album last month entitled True Rockers.  This is a blues-based rock band from Ontario, Canada with incredible groove and a ridiculously talented singer.  The best aspects of their first two albums are highlighted on the new release.  "Undone" is a slower song with electric organ and background vocals reminiscent of great 70's rock.  "Thunderstruck" is an up-tempo jam and "Hurricane" is a toe-tapping sing-along monster.  In my opinion, these guys really blend classic rock of old with grunge rock of more recent times and bring it to the present with a freshness and furiosity that few bands have.

Also coming out last month was another solo album from Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators entitled Living the Dream.  Those who follow my posts know that I am in awe of Myles on the mic and on the guitar.  In addition, he has been one of the most prolific rock artists in the 2000s.  Songs like "Serve You Right" exemplify the powerful vocals of Myles that are able to carry the melody in between signature riffs from Slash.  On this album you'll find more straightforward rockers like "Read Between the Lines" and more ballady songs like "The One You Loved is Gone" and "The Great Pretender."  If you are a fan of songs like "Anastasia" I think you'll love this album too.

For some more modern metal tunes, you might like the new one from Beartooth called Disease.  This album seems more accessible to the masses than 2014's Disgusting and 2016's Aggressive.  Many will enjoy the more commercial appeal.  For me, the style of starting with slower melody clean singing building to a faster breakdown of increased intensity gets a little repetitive.  Still, I think this band is great and there are songs like "Manipulation" that make me bang my head.  "Fire" is a moshpit inducer.

Upcoming releases of interest:

10/12

Atreyu - In Our Wake 

10/19

Disturbed - Evolution

Greta Van Fleet - Anthem of the Peaceful Army

10/26
Chevelle - 12 Bloody Spies: B-sides and Rarities
Devour the Day - Signals

11/9
All That Remains - Victim of the New Disease
Architects - Holy Hell
Muse - Simulation Theory

11/16
Chris Cornelle (Deluxe edition)
P.O.D. - Circles
Smashing Pumpkins - Shiny and Oh So Bright Vol.1

Best Hard Rock albums of 2014

The problem with lists is that you never get people that 100% agree with them.  However, they are still fun to make, irresistible to read, and though you may not agree with all the contents, you might learn something new that you didn't know about before.  That was the case when I read Loudwire's lists of the top rock albums of 2014 which inspired me to make my own.

Top Rock or Metal Albums of the year 2014:

1. Chevelle - La Gorgola
see my prior review here for this and others on this list

2. Slash - World on Fire
This album by Slash with Myles Kennedy (singer of Alter Bridge) and the Conspirators stacks up with anything these guys have done in the past.  It sounds fresh and inspired, but with the best parts of old GNR still coming through.  Every song is up tempo hard rock with great singing and blazing guitar work.

3. Slipknot - .5: The Gray Chapter
Being their first original release since 2008 and being without Paul Gray or Joey Jordison, you could call this a comeback album for sure.  It has some of their heaviest and darkest material, but shows maturity and depth beyond anything they have done before.  The progressive release of teasers, songs and videos through social media from July to December was also brilliant.

4. Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls

5. Crobot - Something Supernatural
Because of their funky blues inspired rock they remind me of a heavier Black Crowes.  They sing of supernatural things like chupacabra, succubus, and the devil.  They kicked ass when I saw them open for Chevelle.  Check them out.  

6. Starset - Transmissions
Another Razor & Tie act that I just learned about.  If you like Breaking Benjamin or early Thirty Seconds to Mars you would like these guys.

7. Godsmack - 1000HP
See my review of their 6th major release here

8. Rise Against - The Black Market

9. Nothing More - Nothing More
17 tracks from a new band out of San Antonio that spans the gamut of hard rock with tracks sounding like nu-metal, metalcore, emo, and their own sound that is hard to categorize.

10. Issues - Issues
An interesting blend of pop, R&B, and metalcore that has garnered this band its share of haters.  Maybe it's because it is different, but I put this above bands I love like Nonpoint and Seether on this list because right now I would rather listen to Issues.

It is so hard to compare, contrast, and rank music.  I welcome and encourage you to check out every band on this list and comment about any that you think I forgot or might enjoy next.

My view of Chevelle from balcony of Wellmont Theater 12/13/14 when Crobot opened.