1.  Anthrax - "Worship Music" - While their previous releases with John Bush were strong, they never matched the chemistry of the material they recorded in the 80's with their classic era vocalist, Joey Belladonna.  Hard driving riffs, thunderous drums, offset by Belladonna's melodic vocal delivery is what sets them apart from every other thrash metal band.  Great songs with a non-dated sound is what gives Anthrax the #1 CD of the year.
 
2.  Megadeth - "Th1rt3en" - Coming in at a very close #2, Dave Mustaine delivers yet another incredible release, as this is the third CD in a row of just incredible tunes by Mega Dave.  With Dave Ellefson back in the fold and a more brutal production than the last 2 discs, they've slowed the speed metal down just a bit, making "Th1rt3en" more reminiscent of some of their releases from the 90's.  The fact that they included some re-written tunes from that era didn't hurt either.
 
3.  George Lynch - "Kill All Control" - Following up 2008's hidden gem "Let the Truth Be Known" (recorded under the moniker Souls of We), George came in under the radar again with a killer CD in 2011.  Utilizing several different singers (most notably Marq Torien of Bulletboy's fame and London Legrand from Brides of Destruction), "Kill All Control" displays a diverse, yet completely cohesive collection of songs.  Ranging from Lynch Mob type compositions, to songs that sound like a cross between Tool/the Offspring/Alice In Chains (courtesy of several co-writes by AIC guitarist Jerry Cantrell), to tunes with big arena rock choruses in the vein of the Scorpions and Queen, George Lynch really hit the mark.  George's guitar work on "Son of Scary" is worth the price of admission alone.
 
4.  Sebastian Bach - "Kicking and Screaming" - Finding a comfortable medium between Sebastian's love of 'metal' and his Skid Row past, "Kicking and Screaming" delivers a nice package of hard rock tunes, which features guitar prodigy Nick Sterling on guitar.  Producer Bob Marlette did a nice job of dialing in a current sounding guitar tone, which nicely compliments Bach's unmistakable pipes.
 
5.  Butch Walker - "The Spade" - While the latest from Butch Walker isn't metal or hard rock, it would be remiss to not include "The Spade" as one of the best from 2011.  With every release, Butch struggles with reinventing himself and satisfying his fan base, but "The Spade" has a little bit of everything to please his diehard followers and new listeners alike.  Just overall, a fun record from beginning to end.

What can be said about Judas Priest that hasn't already been said thousands of times.  They are without a doubt, one of the most important, and influential Metal bands of all time. And while their label, Sony Records wanted to release something to sell during the band's current tour, the members of Judas Priest wanted something more than just another "greatest hits" collection. What resulted was, "The Chosen Few."  A collection which consists of some of the most popular hard rock and metal 'A-list' musicians, picking their favorite Priest songs.  Although many of the classic Priest hits are included, it's refreshing to see some lesser known gems included, such as "Dissident Aggressor" (picked by Steve Vai) and "Grinder" (picked by Zakk Wylde).
 
If you are just discovering Judas Priest and starting your collection, I highly recommend this CD as an excellent starting point.  And while you're at it, make sure you catch Judas Priest currently on tour.  It may be your last opportunity to witness these groundbreaking and historic pioneers of Metal.

www.judaspriest.com  

Thrash-metal veterans, Anthrax, has resurfaced with classic line-up vocalist, Joey Belladonna, and has released the most intense, well structured and musically satisfying CD of their career.  "Worship Music" is an epic collection of 11 blistering, heavy riff oriented, and musically slaying tracks, which will undisputedly reinforce Anthrax's legendary "Big 4" thrash-metal status.
 
Anthrax core band members, Scott Ian - rhythm guitar, Charlie Benante - drums, along with long time bassist Frank Bello and guitarist Rob Caggiano, finally got it, by making it right for fan favorite vocalist, Joey Belladonna, to return back to the line-up.  "Worship Music" is the first release with Belladonna since the 1990 release, "Persistence of Time."  And although the music is just crushing, it's Belladonna's vocals that make this CD the best Anthrax release in decades.  Ironically, Belladonna was not the first or even second choice for this CD.  Originally, "Worship Music" was to be released in 2009, but just before it was to hit the shelves, the band had a falling out with, then vocalist, Dan Nelson.  Anthrax then asked former vocalist John Bush to return.  Bush did return briefly, and there was even some talk about re-recording the vocals with Bush for the CD.  However, Bush had a change of heart, and shockingly decided to leave the band.  Soon after, Belladonna was finally brought back.

The magic of this CD is in the undeniable chemistry that this line-up possesses.  Tracks such as, "Earth on Hell," "Fight 'Em Til You Can't" and "I'm Alive," shows that Belladonna's melodic vocals are the perfect match for Ian's crunchy riffs, and the infectious groove of Benante and Bello.  Simply put, "Worship Music" is so well written, there is not a weak track or any filler, at all on this release.

Anthrax has finally delivered the CD that their fans have been waiting for, for a long time.  Even though it originally wasn't planned this way, Anthrax now has all the right pieces in place, and can now accomplish what they should have, twenty years ago.

www.anthrax.com

This week, the Grand father of shock rock, Alice Cooper, releases "Welcome 2 My Nightmare," which is the "official" sequel to Alice's 1975 release, "Welcome To My Nightmare."  Although many diehard Cooper fans will argue that Alice has already done sequels to the '75 release (with "Go To Hell" in 1976 and "The Last Temptation" in 1994), but this album is supposed to be the definitive sequel, as this CD features the same team of Alice, with original "Nightmare" producer, Bob Ezrin.

From a lyrical standpoint, the album is pure genius, perhaps one of the most cohesively written concept albums of all time.  However, musically, the record leaves much to be desired.  In an attempt to mirror the original "Nightmare," Alice and Ezrin made a deliberate attempt in making a very musically diverse album of songs.  The 14 songs on the CD can be broken down to - 5 traditional 'rock' songs, 4 slow songs (2 of which are ballads), a ragtime song, a rock-a-billy song (ala Johnny Cash), a surfer song (Beach Boys style), a (very lame) disco/rap song, and an instrumental (which BTW, segues songs from the first "Nightmare" CD to songs from this sequel).  While it's usually refreshing to see when an artist stretches out their musical wings, in this case, it seems that while there was so much focus on being 'diverse,' that it negated the potential of "Welcome 2" from being a great record.
 
While some 'experiments' came away with great results, like the ragtime ditty, "Last Man On Earth," others seemed like day late/dollar short attempts at trend hopping.  From Alice using the infamous auto-tune effect(made famous by Cher and used by others like Kid Rock) on the R&B-ish, "I Am Made of You" (a poor choice to start the CD off with a ballad IMO) to doing a full on rap track for "Disco Bloodbath Boogie Fever," songs like these will have most listeners looking for the "next" (track) button.
 
For the 'rock' selections, Alice goes between 'full on' Rolling Stones mode with songs like, "I'll Bite Your Face Off" to '80's Alice' with "Caffeine" and "What Baby Wants."  The latter song features vocals by the pop tart Ke$ha, which sounds like Taylor Dane with cheezy 'metal' guitars.  The main riff of the song is very reminiscent of the guitar solo/breakdown section of Michael Jackson's "Beat It," making the 80's blasphemy complete.

The saving grace of "Welcome 2" is the inclusion of one of the tracks performed by the remaining original members of the ACG (Alice Cooper Group), entitled, "When Hell Comes Home."  While it's not the best song ever written, it's perhaps the best of the 'rock' material on "Welcome 2," and is the most 'vintage' sounding Alice song on the CD.  Hearing the heart and soul of what made Alice who he is, come alive once again, in the studio, is nothing short of awesome.  But the fact that Alice had these guys at his disposal, and hearing what the results could attain, it is truly a shame that the ACG weren't utilized more on this record.
 
Alice diehards will thoroughly enjoy this 'variety pack' bestowed upon them, but the more casual fans (who listens to Alice Cooper for pure rock and roll enjoyment) may feel a bit disappointed by the song selection.  Once the new-ness of "Welcome 2" wears off, many listeners will be seeking out the true gems in the back catalog, perhaps forgetting this "Nightmare" was ever dreamt of.

www.alicecooper.com

Butch Walker is without a doubt, one of the most talented musicians on the planet.  Unfortunately, most of the people that recognize his name, do so, from either a song writing credit, or a production credit from another artist's CD, like Pink or Avril Lavigne.  However, Butch has a huge underground following that has been with him since his glam metal days of Southgang, going back to the early 1990's.  Most of his fans picked up the B-Diddy torch during his years in the Marvelous 3 (97-01), as many of his faithful followers feel that group showcased the peak of Butch's creative output.
 
After the dissolution of the Marvelous 3, Butch hit it out of the park with his first solo CD, "Left of Self-Centered," released in 2002.  While the CD didn't set the world on fire with album sales, Butch and his fans were certainly pleased by the transition he made from the Marvelous 3 to becoming a solo performer.  From 2004-present, Butch has released a string of solo CDs, some just released as "Butch Walker," other featuring side bands in the title, such as the "Let's Go Out Tonites" and "The Black Widows."  Musically, while featuring Butch's killer song writing style, each CD is about as different as you can get, varying from in your face electric rock and roll, to introverted acoustic and piano driven slow songs.

2011 marks the release of "The Spade" (coming out on Dangerbird Records on August 30th), another CD credited to "Butch Walker and The Black Widows."  A collection of 10 songs which have been described as the "reaffirmation of the pleasures of witty phrasing and a perfect chorus."  I couldn't have said it any better myself.  The tunes are an organic blend of 50's, 60's, 70's and (early) '80s rock, with a straight forward production style.  The song styles are pretty diverse, which is very suiting when one looks back at Butch's career.  Lyrically, the compositions are chock full of 70's and 80's pop culture references.  Butch sings about "KISS," "Iron Maiden," "Duran Duran" and how "nobody knew Bryan Adams wasn't cool, the TV just told us he was."  My favorite little ditty is in the song, "Synthesizers," where Butch claims he "can still get down like Frank Poncherello on a motor bike."  Ironically enough, as "Synthesizers" is filled with several other 80's pop culture references, the song itself sounds directly inspired by Dexy's Midnight Runners' "Come on Eileen."

For fans pining for Butch to return to his Marvelous 3 or "Left of Self-Centered" style, they will be very happy with songs like "Summer of 89" (which has a sing along intro that immediately reminds me of the "Banana Splits" TV show theme song), "Bullet Belt" and "Sucker Punch."  The rest of the CD is simply Butch doing his thang.  He shows his soft side on songs like "Sweethearts" and "Closest Thing To You I'm Gonna Find" and gets down, dirty and dixie on "Dublin Crow."
 
While I feel Butch has yet to release his best solo album (I would love a full on, 100% rock record), "The Spade" makes it clear that Butch Walker still holds the cards to his musical destiny, and only time will tell to see how he continues to play his hand.  

www.butchwalker.com

By John Jeffrey
Track by Track by Dave Williams

For our third installment of what we are aptly naming, "The Rocker's Write-up" (incase you haven't been following, these are exclusive articles, written by the artist, in which they are describing and/or critiquing their most recent releases), we have a 'track by track' CD analysis of the self-titled, debut album by the band, Killinger.  Killinger is a hard rock band, hailing from Edmonton, Alberta - who look and sound like they traveled through a time machine from 1985.  Sonically, a cross between Fastway, the Scorpions and Stryper, Killinger carries the torch for the arena rock fans all around the world.  On August 30th, Killinger will have the opportunity to share their Canadian crotch rock with the rest of the planet, as their CD is being released via Sunmor Entertainment/BDG.  BDG is distributed by RED Distribution, LLC (a division of Sony Music worldwide).
 
Killinger lead singer Dave Williams (who looks like a cross between Oni Logan and a young Marq Torien) volunteered to do "The Rocker's Write-up" on behalf of the group.  Please read below, as Dave provided us with a detailed track listing of the CD, letting the world know what it is that makes Killinger tick.
 
1. "We Are Here" - Arena rock at it's finest...a huge anthem that both rallies, and excites the listener.  It’s what a Killinger show is like, a true-to-heart song for the fans that captures the 80s feel of concerts - back in the day.
 
2. "Never Change" - Electric aggression and power.  This song features solos in the middle and the end of the song from guitar icon George Lynch (Dokken,Lynch Mob,Souls of We).
 
3. "Holding On" - A support song of sorts, to every guy that’s ever been screwed over in a relationship, that lets everybody know that the best revenge for being dumped, is living large and never looking back.
 
4. "The Gun" - This is about a person’s fascination with guns, and how he finds comfort standing behind one, thinking he has all the power in the world, not realizing that the very thing that he stands behind, is the very thing that will be his own judge, jury and executioner.
 
5. "Crazy Things" - An attraction to females, that have their business in order and are independent, but know how to throw caution to the wind, and let loose.
 
6. "I Don't Care" - Picking up where "Holding On" left off, sometimes not everybody deals with a break-up in a civil way, and they need to let off steam by screaming out their feelings in a vocal manner.
 
7. "King Of The Kill" - A heavy rocker that describes the need for speed, and how too much of it might be end of your life, if not properly respected.  The song also boasts a solo with its own name, "The Snake Charmer."
 
8. "The Sky" - Ever been tricked into believing in something that's not there?  Ever been told that you needed something that would work for you, but in the end it worked against you?  If you’re looking for a conspiracy theory, it might be in this song, and then again, it might not.
 
9. "You Still Love Me" - A song with a catchy chorus, that you will remember after the first listen.  A song about not being able to let go of someone you wronged, and now they have moved on, and the other person can't seem to get them out of their mind.
 
10. "Listen" - The power ballad, that is a real inspiration to people that have trouble making the right decision about letting themselves fall in love, letting down their wall, and letting love take over their doubts.
 
11. "Got To Have You" - The thrill of the chase...seeing that person that makes your heart race.  Where your hesitation is sent to the wayside, and you just walk into the situation, take charge and achieve what you’re after.
 
12. "Illuminati" - There is something out there that wants full control of us, something that will take any risk to make a full agenda work.  Do you fight against it and be taken out, or do you become one of them and be taken out?  Will there be a winner?  Yes, and it won't be you!

For more, check out www.killingerrocks.com

Described as a celestial blend of enigmatic lyrical threads with layered neoclassical metal, X Opus combines elements of Jimi Hendrix, Symphony X and J.S. Bach, creating their very own brand of power prog rock.  X Opus leader James Williams provided RockMusicStar.com with his personal view and thought processes, that went into the writing of the 10 out of 25 songs that made it to the final cut for the CD.  Williams touches upon everything from religion, to the afterlife, to his personal experiences with UFOs.  Read on as X Opus’s James Williams takes us through "The Epiphany."
 
1. “Terrified” - The original intent of this opening tune was to make the song about sleep terrors.  But we can also view this song as an ode to the afterlife.  It’s about facing death and believing in personal resurrection.

2.  “On Top of the World” - Simply put, the theme of the song is about never giving up.  I think most people look at their lives and see many struggles, great and small.

3. “Pharaohs of Lies” - Taken literally, the song talks about the enslavement of the Hebrews for 500 years.  Thematically, the song comments on polytheism.  To me, there’s only one God, even though a lot of religions offer glimpses of a larger truth.
 
4. “I’ll Find the Truth” - Here again, we explore the concept of man’s internal struggle of eternal sin, and finding the truth.  We all need to change our lives.  Nobody’s perfect.  I do a lot of self-bashing in the songs, but I want to make it clear that we all have our own struggles we need to overcome.

5. “In the Heavens” - This song is about the UFOs that I've seen, and taped with a camera.  [laughs]  The more I understand what these things are, the less I understand the vastness of the universe.  I mean, who knows what God has created, right?  There are billions of galaxies, with millions of stars in each one.

6. “The Epiphany (Opus Benedictus Interlude)” - The Epiphany is a sudden understanding of a divine revelation from God.
 
7. “I Will Fly” - When you pass on to the other side, you are not really dead.  You’re flying, like an angel, to your eternal state.  Your spirit lives on forever in the next dimension.
 
8. “Forsaken” - This story is similar to that of Lazarus in the Bible.  It’s about a man who’s going to Hell after he dies.  He cries out to God to save him and not leave him Forsaken.  The final symphony piece at the end, I heard the whole thing audible in my head, and wrote it so fast.  It is a Mozart type Requiem, with a sad ending for those who are lost.
 
9. “Angels of War” - This song is about the final battle of good and evil, in the New Testament’s Book of Revelation.  I should say that both, “Angels of War” and “In the Heavens,” are not in standard tuning.  I use my “secret” open tuning for these songs, to achieve something similar to, Middle Eastern harmonic minor scales.  It also allows me to have the ability to jump octaves.  That’s something that’s not possible with a guitar that has only 22 frets.  With this secret tuning, you also can play chords not possible with standard tuning.

10. “Never Forgotten” - The final track is an instrumental.  It’s a personal song, about wanting to leave something behind.  I ended the song with a minor over a major chord, which is something that’s done in film scores all the time.  The music is left unresolved and it lets you know that something else is on the horizon.  Stay tuned. 

http://www.magnacarta.net/xopus/

www.nightranger.com

Iron Maiden is undeniably one of the most influential metal bands of all time, and very possibly the most popular in the world. And although the band’s first seven albums are regarded as their essential releases, at least in North America, Iron Maiden has released some brilliant songs over the last two decades, many of which are encapsulated on this two disc compilation.

What is clearly evident after listening to this compilation is that the band really progressed as musicians and as songwriters. Over the last decade, Iron Maiden has experimented, and took some chances without ever sacrificing their classic sound. They transformed from a very good traditional metal band, to an inspired, heavy progressive band.

It’s also quite fascinating that during this twenty year period, Iron Maiden sunk to near obscurity during the mid-90’s. They lost two key members of the band, with guitarist Adrian Smith leaving in 1989 and then vocalist Bruce Dickinson on August 28, 1993. But, credit must be given to bassist Steve Harris, guitarist Dave Murray and drummer Nicko McBrain, for keeping the band alive with replacement vocalist Blaze Bailey. But it was clearly not the same. And then when Dickinson and Smith returned in 1999, Iron Maiden was truly resurrected and hasn’t looked back since.

Highlights of this collection include live versions of “The Clansman” and “Sign of the Cross,” which originally were sung by former vocalist Blaze Bailey on the “Virtual XI” and “X-Factor” releases respectively. Current vocalist Dickinson takes these two tracks and makes them his own, pushing them up to another level with his incredible vocal abilities.

In summary, if you are a die-hard Maiden fan, you probably already own all these tracks, but if you are a causal fan who hasn’t purchased much Iron Maiden during the last two decades, then “From Fear to Eternity: The Best of 1990-2010” is a must have. 

www.ironmaiden.com