The Top 100 countdown continues! This time, the albums ranked between 75-51.
75) STEEL PANTHER – On the Prowl
What can be said about Steel Panther that the Facebook algorithms won’t censor? It’s a celebration of 1980s-style hard rock, and they do it very well. On the Prowl finds them in their usual form, writing even more songs about metal, ladies, and physical education. You get the drift. If you don’t, check them out. They will leave you in no doubt. Their entendres are usually not double, but the On Your Instagram video actually provides a sweet and somewhat romantic story for a change. Steel Panther breaking new ground?
74) PRIMAL FEAR – Code Red
Primal Fear is a fixture in the European heavy metal scene, consistently good and always reliable as far as delivering great albums. Ralf Scheepers has a powerful voice and sings as good as ever here, aging like a good wine.
73) OVERKILL – Scorched
An integral part of the early 1980s thrash metal movement, New Jersey’s Overkill still deliver their trademark combo of power, speed, and technique. This is rock solid old-school metal of the type that just hits the spot. I was definitely guilty of underrating them (or, more to the point, not giving them much of a chance) back in the day. Or could it be that they simply are better now? In any case, the attention they deserve for Scorched is long overdue.
72) KISSA – Apinalinna
The Finnish garage rockers describe their own music as Helsinki power disco. I’m not sure about that, but they certainly embody the fun contained within that description. They play catchy, loose rock’n’roll and make ridiculous videos that have consistently made me laugh more than any other music videos this year. Other bands wish they were this entertaining!
71) DOLLY PARTON – Rock Star
Well, Dolly finally went ahead and made a rock album. Sometimes an album is more of an event than a groundbreaking musical statement, and this is a prime example. It’s very cool for what it is – the national treasure celebrating rock music from the past 50 (for the most part) years, featuring a throng of the original artists who were involved with that music and others. The guest list is just immense, adding to the album’s huge sense of occasion. Dolly does not dig deep in her song selection, but does cast her net far back, which also counts for something.
This was never going to be the album from 2023 that would kick our asses the most, but it slaps at them naughtily with lots of charm. Dolly strikes up a lot of studio banter with her guests, and most of them are a riot. With two full discs of material, this album is bound to have something for everyone. It’s certainly made me smile and even laugh a few times, and in spite of a few hard skippers it’s an album with more charm than most.
70) LAST IN LINE – Jericho
The band made up by most of the musicians who played alongside Ronnie James Dio on the first three Dio albums continue on. Their third album Jericho is tougher and more direct, with the band having found a perfect balance between their old sound and more modern, hard-hitting metal.
69) AVATAR – Dance Devil Dance
They are a metal circus, who do their best to make you move. “We don’t know what happened,” they said, “but at some point recently, most of the world decided that this music was best enjoyed sitting down. This is a great tragedy and must be rectified. Why have drums, why have bass, if people don’t move their feet?”
68) VANSIND – Mørket
The Danish band was formed in the summer of 2019 as a folk inspired metal project with rumbling male growl and clean female vocals. Their songs contain themes are from Norse mythology and Scandinavian history.
67) BIOSPHERE – Inland Delta
Biosphere from Tromsø, Norway appeared in 1991. It is the alter ego of former Bel Canto member Geir Jenssen, who wanted to focus on ambient electronic music. Sometimes there are percussive elements, but more often the music takes the shape of pure moodscapes, often with quotes and samples from cult movies/TV series related to space and science fiction, as well as taking inspiration from the arctic landscapes he lives in.
The music on Inland Delta is more open and ambient than in a while. It spends some time establishing itself, becoming a sonic journey that will take you places. This makes it hard to pick a song to showcase it. This really isn’t immediate music that can be checked out on the go, but those willing to give it a chance to establish itself might appreciate this.
66) LILA BLUE – Sweet Pea
The twenty-three year old non-binary folk musician Lila Blue makes some wonderfully non-binary music as well, defying genres and categorisation. Their fourth LP Sweet Pea is quirky, mixing alt-folk with ethnic music and melodic pop. One of the more unusual entries on this year’s list, but those of an open mind might find it pleasing and intriguing. I know I did.
65) BOKANTÉ – History
Another quirky entry, Bokanté is the brainchild of Snarky Puppy’s Michael League, known from David Crosby’s Lighthouse band. The music is distinctly multi-cultural, multi-lingual and they describe it as a “weird combination of West African music, Delta blues, Led Zeppelin, and Caribbean kaladja”.
64) HEAVY WATER – DREAMS OF YESTERDAY
Heavy Water started as a lockdown project between Biff Byford of Saxon (vocals and bass) and his son Sebastian (guitars), and was so enjoyable that they made another one. Vintage and modern rock influences are pulled together into a very interesting concoction.
63) ROXANNE – Stereo Typical
The Californian melodic rock band Roxanne first formed in the late 1980s, and reformed some six years ago after a long break. They have been in other bands in the interim and sound like seasoned veterans, even though Stereo Typical is only their third album under their old moniker. This is well-crafted melodic rock, the album being a very satisfying listen with several positive and even touching songs.
62) THE CHURCH – The Hypnogogue
Australia’s own The Church have entered their fifth decade as a band, with the creative energy of their early years still intact. I’m really liking the jangly guitar interplay and the scope of the tracks. The album’s moods work best in the dark hours, which we have many of in the Norselands this time of year.
61) GREEN LUNG – The Heathen Land
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