Twenty honorable mentions (in no particular order): MEMORIAM Requiem for Mankind (6/21/2019) Death Metal UK Spotify link IMPRECATION Damnatio Ad Bestias (3/22/2019) Death Metal USA D&L Review Spotify link THE FERRYMEN A New Evil (10/11/2019) Power Metal International Act Spotify link GATES TO THE MORNING Return to Earth (7/19/2019) Post Black/Progressive Metal USA D&L article Spotify link SALIGIA Vesaevus (11/30/2019) Black Metal Norway Bandcamp link SANHEDRIN The Poisoner (2

ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2019 continued the exponential climb on the upward trajectory of the most recent years, in the ever expending realm of underground rock and metal. The black metal, including the growing array of "blackened" crossover styles, continued to dominate the underground. As I've predicted over an year ago, we also witnessed a rise of the more traditional heavy metal, with strong offerings from both, veterans of the scene and newcomers alike. Personally, I was as exc

Hard'N'Heavy - AOR - Glam Metal Far too long hard rock has been eclipsed by the more extreme offerings of the metal realm. For the past 25 (or so) years, hard rock (and mainly it's direct descendant, the glam metal) continued to take the bad rap for the decline of rock and metal in the music mainstream of the early to mid 1990s, and beyond. Whether you agree or not with this theory, here are ten new albums that bring further proof that #RockAintDead! 10. BLACKRAIN Dying Breed

Ten best EPs of 2019. Mixed bag. 10. HOUND THE WOLVES & GLASGHOTE (split) Released on August 2, 2019 D&L Review Spotify link 9. BERETTA Beretta Released on August 28, 2019 Bandcamp link 8. ZERO FIRE Second Sun Released on March 22, 2019 D&L Review Spotify link 7. SENSORY AMUSIA In Extremis Released on May 18, 2019 D&L article Spotify link 6. STORMRIDER What Lies Within Released on July 27, 2019 D&L article Spotify link 5. WOLFSKULL Hexum Released on May 31, 2019 D&L article S

There are many elements that excite me when it comes to quality music. One of them is the velvety overdriven sound of an electric guitar thru a valve loaded amp head! A fine common denominator of the rock music of the late 1960s and beyond. Leaping over five decades of rock music, the current wave of retro rock is leaving it's mark in the music patrimonium! Honorable Mention: HOT BREATH Hot Breath EP Released on October 18, 2019 Spotify link Top 5: DEWOLFF Live & Outta Sight

Live albums. They represent events in music history. Covering a certain period, a lineup, a milestone or a reunion, live albums are either loved or completely disregarded. Here are the top five live albums released in 2019: CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL Live at Woodstock Released on August 2, 2019 Band's newly remastered full set recorded at the historic Woodstock Music & Art Fair on August 17, 1969. Spotify link LOVEBITES Daughters of the Dawn Live in Tokyo 2019 Released on J