Dystopia - Megadeth

Let's face it, we were all disappointed with Super Collider when it first dropped two and a half years ago. It had some decent material but was deemed too commercial overall for a Megadeth album. The smart thing for a band to do in this position would be to take the criticisms on board and try to create a record that not only avoids the pitfalls of the last album but also accentuates the positives of it too.
Cut to last week when Megadeth released Dystopia, an album that more or less does exactly that.

Straight away, "The Threat Is Real" delivers an aggressive punch of pure Heavy Metal, just what the band needed to reassert themselves as a dominant force. It's easily the best choice to be the album opener but unlike "Kingmaker", it's not a complete prick tease. The rest of Dystopia manages to keep up with the pace set by this opening track and the commercial modern Rock sound staining the previous album has been replaced with modern Thrash Metal instead, just as it should be.
Luckily, just because the band are confidently pumping out modern music doesn't mean they've neglected Metal from the past...specifically, Metal that they created. There are several songs that sound as though Dave Mustaine wanted to recreate the greatness of their more popular material such as lead single "Fatal Illusion", which I've previously compared to "Peace Sells" on this blog already, or title track "Dystopia", a standard tune that probably would've been stronger if it didn't have the same basic structure as "Hangar 18" beat for beat.
Despite these connections, it's not just money for old rope. Sure, there may be similar lyrical topics about war politics and the evil American government ("Post American World", "Lying In State") and a handful of songs beginning with acoustic guitar before breaking into heavier riffing and double bass drumming ("Bullet To The Brain", "Conquer Or Die") is about as experimental as the album gets but minor similarities aside, the band are able to record music that stands on its own feet.

There's a healthy mix of fast-paced shredders and slower more melodic foot stompers, making it perfect for the Heavy Metal fan who enjoys variety. Remember, at the end of the day, this album is a collection of Metal and that's what the band set out to achieve. The only duff choice in the track listing is a cover of Fear's "Foreign Policy" right at the end, the album equivalent of a gymnast performing a quadruple somersault but stumbling over on the landing and accidentally headbutting every single judge in the process.
Clocking in at under two and a half minutes, it's the sort of song that'd normally be banished to the realm of post-album release B-sides but has instead made it onto the main tracklist. It ends the album on a weak note (especially after "The Emperor") and gives the impression of musical regression when played after every other track. Fortunately, even during this unnecessary cover, the band are on top form through all eleven tracks. Dave Mustaine's vocals are as gravelly and consistent as they have been for the last decade and Kiko Loureiro's guitar work is on par with Mustaine's in both technical skill and prominence in the mix. However, therein lies one of the album's minor flaws.
Whilst David Ellefson has proven his worth throughout his career with the band, his bass on this album is almost non-existent. If it's not mimicking the guitar melody, it's being overshadowed by it. Similarly, Chris Adler's drumming is fantastic on this album (if you like heavy use of double bass) but could've been mixed in with the rest of the music a little bit better. The album is definitely more preferential towards the two guitarists but fortunately, it doesn't ruin the overall quality unless you were looking forward to an album that showcases the talents of the entire band...like Rust In Peace.

Despite all the recent deaths in the world of music, at least January gave us one blessing in the form of this album. Dystopia is a proper Heavy Metal album right down to the core and in my opinion was worth the release of the previous album if only to guide Dave Mustaine into writing this one. I give it an 8/10 and recommend it to fans of the genre, especially fans of Countdown To Extinction. I feel like this rating is representative of the music on the standard edition of the album but if you own one of the many Deluxe Editions with a whopping one or maybe even two extra tracks, this could change*.
The only thing that seemingly won't change any time soon is the trend of record labels and bands fleecing their customers/fans by releasing up to four editions of the same album, all with different track listings and none for sale in the same location, unless you either pay through the nose for an unjustified amount of new content or decide to just pirate it and suffer through news of ageing Rock stars lecturing journalists about how fans wanting to hear as much music by their favourite bands in one place hurts the industry as opposed to those same stars being too chickenshit to stand up to their greedy record producers, who absolutely do not care about just how empty they can make our wallets.

FUCK ME, that was a mouthful!


* *takes a deep breath*

Showdown: Cover Versions, part 3

Another Showdown post? Alrighty then!
This one was requested via Twitter and the Showdown this time is between WaveGroup Sound cover versions of songs used in Guitar Hero/Rock Band games and the original versions.

For those of you who didn't know, the first five Guitar Hero games (not including handheld ones) and the first Rock Band game had a mix of original master recordings and recorded cover versions by a company called WaveGroup Sound.
I believe the two main reasons for this were either unavailable master recordings from certain bands such as Scorpions or Black Sabbath and cheaper licensing fees due to not using the actual recording of the song (although I'm not certain about that last one). What some of you may not be aware of is that WaveGroup Sound went to painstaking lengths in order to make their cover versions sound as close to the originals as possible.
They made sure they used the correct guitars so each riff would sound correct and even small details such as using the correct type of fan Ozzy speaks into to get the robotic vocal effect at the start of "Iron Man". Needless to say WaveGroup Sound were partly responsible for Guitar Hero taking off in the first place and some people have argued that a handful of WaveGroup Sound covers are actually better than the originals.

In this post, I'll be taking a look at 10 songs from GH and RB (although mostly GH) that were covered by WaveGroup Sound and deciding if they're stronger or weaker than the originals. The covers I'll be picking won't just be random choices though. Sometimes, in order to make an iconic song with a lengthy pause fit into the game and still be fun, WaveGroup added a solo from a live recording or played a few bass riffs on guitar instead.
I'll be choosing songs that I feel are either iconic Rock tracks that you'd never imagine would be covered well OR ones that have been tinkered with that may or may not improve the general quality of the song. If you prefer a WaveGroup Sound cover that I haven't included in this post, let me know on Twitter or in the comments so I can check it out, as it's been several years since I've heard many of these. Who knows, maybe I'll do a Cover Versions Part 3 Part 2 of these songs in the future!
Also, if you want to listen to any of these WaveGroup Sound covers that I mention, a Youtuber by the name of KyleGuichot seems to have uploaded most of them. Right then, let's get ready to rumble!

ROUND ONE: Spanish Castle Magic
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - I wouldn't call this one of Jimi Hendrix's most famous songs but it definitely has some great riffs and psychedelic lyrics. Obviously there's a solo and whilst it's hardly anything spectacular, it suits the song well. Overall, it's a solid pick for the game as it probably introduced people to a Hendrix song that wasn't "All Along The Watchtower" or "Voodoo Chile".
WaveGroup Sound - One of the first on-disc covers on the first Guitar Hero. So why did I pick this song? Two words: no vocals. Due to the Hendrix estate being complete bastards, they objected to anyone in a video game who wasn't Jimi Hendrix singing a Jimi Hendrix song (this was before they realised they were running out of cash and decided to license Jimi Hendrix's image to literally everything including a porno) so WaveGroup had to remove the vocals. On the plus side, the track does actually work well as an instrumental. In fact, many GH fans weren't aware that it had lyrics until the original song was released as Rock Band DLC.
VERDICT - Tricky decision, as both versions have the same strengths. If you like the vocals, you're obviously going to prefer the original but since I much prefer the music and the cover sounds almost identical, I'm giving the win to WaveGroup Sound.

ROUND TWO: Ziggy Stardust
David Bowie - I'm not a huge fan of David Bowie's Glam Rock vocals...or David Bowie in general, for that matter (just because he's dead doesn't mean I'm going to get all gooey over his material now). That being said, I love the main riff for this song. It's a largely uneventful song if you ignore that riff and as soon as you hear that first chord at the very first second, you know exactly which song you're listening to. A decent track!
WaveGroup Sound - Another Guitar Hero track. The vocalist was always going to have a hard time matching David Bowie on this track and sadly, they managed to sound even worse than him. However, one of the interesting points about this cover is that WaveGroup added a solo before the end. Not an amazing solo, as it starts off copying the vocal melody, but soon bursts into some mild shredding before adding some accompaniment to fake Bowie's vocals.
VERDICT - Both versions nail the riff and both versions have crummy vocals. Since the solo doesn't really enhance the track, I'm giving the win to David Bowie since his vocals aren't as bad as the WaveGroup Sound vocalist's. That's probably as close to a tribute as he's going to get on this blog.

ROUND THREE: Carry On Wayward Son
Kansas - Was this song famous before it was included in Guitar Hero 2? I knew about Classic Rock anthems like "More Than A Feeling" way before these games but it's only since GH2 that I started to hear this song being used everywhere. Anyway, it took me a few listens to get into the main riff (I still don't like how it ends) but let's be honest, that's not the best thing about the track. It's the vocal harmonies during the intro/chorus that make it special and nobody can ever recreate them...right?
WaveGroup Sound - ...yup, I was right! Not only do the vocal harmonies in the intro sound tame but the main riff is WAAAAY too heavy. One subtle difference in this cover is that the guitar melody in the first verse comes in a bit earlier, presumably to stop players from feeling bored during all of 15 seconds. There's also a different guitar melody during the third chorus. But yeah, poor palm muting and vocal work aside, it's nothing spectacular.
VERDICT - Well it's clearly Kansas, isn't it? Anyone who prefers the WaveGroup Sound cover has either never heard/has bad memories of the original or they're just being fucking awkward.

ROUND FOUR: Free Bird
Lynyrd Skynyrd - I could sit here and tell you all about this song but the truth is you already know it. If you don't, piss off and listen to it before coming back. It's the one with 4:39 of slide guitar and soft organ before bursting into 4:40 of epic guitar duelling. A perfect choice for the final encore of Guitar Hero 2, provided they don't mess up the cover.
WaveGroup Sound - Good news! They didn't mess up the cover! I mean, it's not as close to the original as the GH1 covers were (WaveGroup must've been going through some stuff during the GH2 sessions) but it's still damn good! The solos are all there and the guitarists didn't get cute with the sections of the solo either but the best thing BY A MILE is that they left the outro in. See, Lynyrd Skynyrd may be awesome but they have this incredibly annoying habit of fading out during solos. Luckily, WaveGroup Sound recorded a blitzkrieg of a Big Rock Ending (coming in at roughly 8:55) that ends with the false finish, just like Lynyrd Skynyrd played live. Probably one of GH2's strongest covers.
VERDICT - Very tricky to decide. The original obviously has the superior music quality but that outro in the cover is fantastic. I'm going to award the win to Lynyrd Skynyrd as I prefer their original overall and would rather listen to that than the cover, although I do recommend listening to the WaveGroup Sound cover's outro if you've not heard it!

ROUND FIVE: What I Like About You
The Romantics - I remember first hearing this song in an advert for Family Guy: The Video Game, which was probably the best thing about that pile of shit. The song itself is pretty cool, sounding a lot like "Cherry Cherry" - Neil Diamond but with a pointless harmonica solo in the middle. Overall, it's a decent song with catchy guitar but that's about it.
WaveGroup Sound - So here's a fun little factoid; The Romantics actually tried to sue Activision over this cover in Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks The 80's on the grounds that it sounded nothing like their song! The main difference comes from the inclusion of a sweet guitar solo that actually improves the song more than a pathetic lawsuit but it's an easy mistake to make by a band with many songs but only one that's considered memorable, I guess.
VERDICT - Giving this to WaveGroup Sound for adding a solo that fit in perfectly and sounds awesome, even if the music in the original recording does sound a little better than the cover.

ROUND SIX: Rock And Roll All Nite
KISS - Possibly the band's most famous song due to the chorus but I guess the main guitar riff is pretty cool too. I wouldn't really call it an iconic guitar song but it's definitely a well known Hard Rock hit, hence its inclusion in GH3. It's just a shame they didn't include the guitar solo that they often play at live gigs in the studio recording, as it fits like a glove.
WaveGroup Sound - Fortunately, someone at WaveGroup Sound has a brain in their head and realised "Hold on, why don't we just include it?". It's a faithful cover that includes the best elements from the studio original and live recordings by the band, although a friend of mine pointed out that it's a bit weird when the vocalist shouts "Come on!" and "I can't hear you!" like he's actually playing it live, since we know he would've been sat in a recording studio somewhere singing that to nobody.
VERDICT - I like some of KISS' material but I have to award this win to WaveGroup Sound for making what I would call a better Hard Rock song than one of the biggest Hard Rock bands/marketing franchises on the planet.

ROUND SEVEN: Train Kept A-Rollin'
Aerosmith - Originally a song by The Yardbirds but covered by Aerosmith on their 2nd album. Unlike the original, this song starts off quite slow but speeds up after a couple of solos. Overall, it's a great cover that the band have taken and made their own. It might not be my favourite Aerosmith song but it's always pretty cool to play on Rock Band.
WaveGroup Sound - I'm assuming WaveGroup recorded the cover of this song for RB1 but if they didn't, let's assume I'm talking about the correct artist. I've got to say, this could be one of the best covers on the list. The vocals are as good as (if not better) than Steven Tyler's and I like the fact that the cover sounds more like a studio version than the original, since Aerosmith included cheering before the tempo increases for some fucking reason.
VERDICT - Another tricky call to make. I prefer Joe Perry's guitar work but honestly, I think I'd rather listen to the cover more than the original. WaveGroup Sound net a well earned win!

ROUND EIGHT: My Sharona
The Knack - This song is a little similar to "Pump It Up" - Elvis Costello but it has a pretty special place in my heart, mostly due to the guitar solo being one of my all-time favourites. It has a decent structure, some cool bass and catchy lyrics too. It might be a one-hit wonder but I would argue that it has everything a top notch Rock song needs.
WaveGroup Sound - One of the earliest songs released as DLC for Rock Band and, in my opinion, one of the best. It's a shame they couldn't get the master recording but at least WaveGroup recorded the extended solo instead of the single edit version. Musically speaking, the solo is almost identical but there are a few differences here and there that I'm not overly fond of compared to the original though. However, it's still a decent cover.
VERDICT - Whilst I do love playing this song on Rock Band and enjoy listening to it as well, I have to give the win to The Knack. The cover doesn't really add or improve on anything but I thought it was worth mentioning for including the extended solo that not many people would know about if they were introduced to the song via radio or compilation album.

ROUND NINE: All The Young Dudes
Mott The Hoople - I was pretty surprised when this song was included on Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, as I honestly doubt anyone who worked on the ATVI GH games knows anything about this band. However, I love this song. It's an excellent track from start to finish and yes, I'm aware David Bowie wrote it.
WaveGroup Sound - First up, what a fantastic cover! Everyone involved deserves a fucking medal for sounding pitch perfect for the majority of the song but that's not where my adoration comes from. If you've listened to the original, you'll know that it repeats the second chorus until it fades out...but not here! After the second chorus, the band bursts into a bitching solo that carries through the final chorus until the song actually ends. As an additional extra, some fancy guitar licks are placed throughout the song (presumably to improve the guitar chart). In short, I fucking love this cover.
VERDICT - WaveGroup Sound, WaveGroup Sound, WaveGroup Sound, WaveGroup Fucking Sound! This is the only WaveGroup Sound cover I have on my phone and I honestly listen to this more than the original. If you love the original, you'd be a fool not to seek this cover out.

ROUND TEN: Black Betty
Ram Jam - Another one-hit wonder from the 70's that has a surprisingly fun solo, although it's more well known for the call & response in the verses. I'm not a huge fan of this song but I always appreciate hearing it every now and then. I also have no idea if Ram Jam have done any other decent songs but I feel like this song is good enough for me to give them a chance, if anyone has any recommendations.
WaveGroup Sound - This was actually one of the last WaveGroup Sound covers before GH/RB became completely reliant on master recordings. It was released as DLC in 2008 and as far as covers go, it's incredibly strong. However, unlike cover versions in this list that add solos and such, this cover stays faithful to the original. For that reason, there aren't really many advantages over Ram Jam here.
VERDICT - If it wasn't obvious from that last sentence, Ram Jam win the last round although at least WaveGroup Sound ended their tenure on a high note.


So, after ten rounds, the scores are 5 all, thus proving that WaveGroup Sound are just as good as the originals...which I probably could've told you before you started reading but oh well!
Remember, I may do another one of these with more WaveGroup Sound covers although not for a while. If you want to see that happen, tell me which songs to compare as there are plenty to choose from.

Alone In The Universe - (Jeff Lynne's) ELO

Before I fully invested my time into discovering all sorts of Hard Rock and Metal songs, one of my favourite bands growing up was ELO. I still love the band now although after much thought I probably don't know enough of their B-sides to call them one of my favourites. That being said, when I found out that they'd released another studio album after 14 years of silence under the name Jeff Lynne's ELO (due to the fact that aside from a backing vocalist and shaker/tambourine operator, Jeff Lynne plays every instrument on every track), I knew I had to listen to it.

Of all the bands I enjoy listening to, I've never really been certain of the genre that ELO fall into. Many people seem to classify them as Prog Rock but compared to bands like Yes and Rush, ELO are definitely more of a Pop Rock band with Prog origins and elements here and there (sort of like Kansas but with less of a Classic Rock touch). However, after listening to Alone In The Universe, it's clear that the band have walked away from the Prog scene and embraced the Soft Rock/Pop label.
Lead single "When I Was A Boy" may not sound like it came from the same artist that wrote "Hold On Tight" or "Turn To Stone" but it's definitely an appropriate album opener. It tells you that whilst Jeff Lynne still wants to carry on as the fifth Beatle, singing a tune that sounds like a mix between "Let It Be" and John Lennon's "Imagine", he's no longer about synth riffs and bouncy rhythms like the band used to be. ELO have matured and so has their music.
If you listen to any ELO compilation, the majority of songs will probably sound very upbeat and radio friendly. This album is the opposite side of the same Soft Pop coin with tracks such as "When The Night Comes" and "I'm Leaving You" sounding perfect for modern radio but only for listeners who enjoy their music slow, mellow and a little bit depressing. In fact, I honestly wasn't expecting this to sound so glum both musically and lyrically, especially towards the end of the album where the bonus track "Blue" is a total downer compared to that other song of theirs with "Blue" in the title.

Fortunately, there are a couple of upbeat numbers placed at healthy intervals that contain some classic ELO hallmarks ranging from the synth usage to the style of drumming, giving them a bit more of a Rock vibe although still a little tame compared to what Jeff Lynne is capable of ("Ain't It A Drag", "One Step At A Time"). There's also a Bluesy number called "Fault Line" completely set apart from the rest of the album that's understandably demoted to another bonus track. Not that it's a terrible song, it's just a bit of a strange inclusion.
Luckily, everything else feels right at home, whether it's the other Blues track with more Prog elements ("Love And Rain") or the Soft Prog Pop Rock filler track for nostalgia seekers ("Dirty As A Bone"). It's a testament to Jeff Lynne's ability to not only showcase his various musical talents and utilise his signature sound but also adapt his sound and musical style to be more in line with contemporary Soft Rock ("The Sun Will Shine On You") without forgetting about his...let's say, Liverpudlian influences ("All My Life").
Fans of the band's greatest hits will probably find this material a little bit gloomy to become new classics but I get the feeling that this album wasn't written to appease the die-hard fans clutching their copy of A New World Record in anticipation. Jeff Lynne clearly wanted to write something that he cared about instead of just pumping out "Mr Blue Sky '15" so he could pay off his new car. Regardless of whether or not the music is what you want from ELO, they get points for trying something relatively new and adapting to the times.

Alone In The Universe is easily less upbeat than some of the band's stronger material but that doesn't mean the production or songwriting is weaker. Granted the majority of tracks sound like they end prematurely, almost as if Jeff Lynne wasn't sure how to end them so chose to fade them out, but overall the album is well made and could've been released in any decade of the band's career without sounding out of place.
It may not be to my tastes but I can appreciate Jeff Lynne's vision and applaud his return to the studio, so he gets a 7/10 from me. It maybe could've done with something a bit more cheerful and bouncy like "The Diary Of Horace Wimp" just to give more of a contrast to the slower moody songs and inject a bit more variety into the record but other than that and the fade outs, it's a good album if you're into Soft Rock. Hopefully Jeff Lynne WON'T adapt to the current trend of aging musicians and die next week though.

Tenology: My Ten Favourite Rock/Metal Songs Of 2015

Well, here we are. Just over a week into 2016 and so far, nothing feels that different (apart from the crushing absence of Lemmy). Rather than look at some of the albums that I didn't get a chance to listen to last year, I'm kicking things off the same I did last January; a list of 10 songs I loved from 2015, along with a few Honourable Mentions.
I suppose I should mention that any of the songs released in the last year that were included in the previous Taster Session post will be omitted from here, although it's safe to say I loved them. You may also find that several tracks listed here have been mentioned in other posts on this blog, although I'll try to stick to newer ones. As always, my Tenology posts are generally opinion based and these songs reflect what I enjoyed listening to throughout the year. I haven't listed them in order of greatness but you'll probably be able to tell which ones I favoured more than others from my write-up of each song.
It's also worth mentioning that there are bound to be several songs from 2015 that I will really like but have yet to listen to, so if you've got any recommendations then feel free to list them. Anyway, time to start another 2015 countdown!


1. "Cirice" - Ghost B.C.

Yes, I did mention this in a separate Taster Session post and yes, I still like it now as much as I did when I first wrote that. I should've listened to the whole album by now although I seem to recall this band releasing a song called "If You Have Ghosts" which is fucking terrible. I don't know what the original sounds like but it was almost enough for me to completely write off this band, as it sounds less like a Metal anthem and more like a generic Foo Fighters track. However, if you've heard that shitty cover and agree with me then you should know that this song is enough to make you forgive them.


2. "Cold, Clear Light" - Johnny Blazes And The Pretty Boys

OK, I talked about this one a little bit on the blog too. Basically, it's a great Blues track with a semi-decent couple of solos and an incredibly catchy melody. It's also very fun to play on Rock Band, if that kind of thing appeals to you. I'm not sure if the album this comes from (Soul Vernacular) is available on iTunes yet but if you want to buy this track, they have a Bandcamp where you can support them.


3. "Fire And Ice" - FM

Finally, a new song to talk about! I never really got into FM's earlier material but last year, they released another comeback album that actually contained many great tracks such as "Cold Hearted", "Diggin' Up The Dirt" and "Life Is A Highway". However, my favourite off Heroes And Villains is easily "Fire And Ice", a tune which borrows the piano refrain from Joe Cocker's "Woman To Woman" at the start but eventually breaks into its own song after the drums kick in. Definitely an underrated tune from 2015 in my books.


4. "Flying" - The Answer

Aaaand back to tracks already mentioned on the blog, specifically in my review of Raise A Little Hell - The Answer. I didn't spend much time talking about this song, as it was a bonus track on a deluxe edition, but I reckon it was probably my favourite new song by the band. It's a great driving song and deserved a spot on the main tracklist although I guess the band couldn't charge extortionate prices for three new songs if they weren't very good ones now, could they?


5. "High Country" - The Sword

As well as reviewing the new album released in August, I discussed this track in particular on yet another Taster Session post. It's not as heavy as some of their better known material but it's got some powerful riffs (including one that's a wee bit close to a certain Audioslave track) and I still enjoy listening to it. It's probably my favourite tune off the album too so it definitely belongs on this list.


6. "Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart" - Chris Cornell

Another album I should probably check out after the rest. There's a strange sort of fairytale sound to this song thanks to the pizzicato strings and mandolin intro, two things you wouldn't expect to hear in a Rock song. However, Chris Cornell pulls through and creates a song that's both memorable and better after multiple listens. If you haven't heard this song yet, don't expect it to sound like Soundgarden 2 or even Soundgarden Lite, unless Soundgarden went through a soft Alternative Rock phase I'm unaware of.


7. "New Day Rising" - Von Hertzen Brothers

Possibly my favourite song of the year but only in single edit form as the album version goes on a bit too long. Great riffs, awesome vocals, good use of dynamics and I bet it fucking slays when performed live too. I know a few other tracks by this band and I like them too so maybe I should give an album of theirs a listen. If you like this song and want another track to check out, try "Insomniac".


8. "Open Fire" - The Darkness

If you like The Cult or the song "Hooks In You" - Marillion, you'll want to give this track a listen. I talked about it briefly in my review of the album Last Of Our Kind but one thing I can officially confirm is that this album (and this song) helped get me into The Darkness. At first, I couldn't stand the falsetto vocals but "Open Fire" focuses more on the guitar riffs and less on screeching every line. There's a bit of falsetto in the chorus but it fits in well with the rest of the song, unlike others where it just sounds forced. Definitely one of my favourite songs by the band as well as favourites of 2015!


9. "Reapers" - Muse

I was tempted to review Drones - Muse but ended up tweeting my thoughts about it instead. In short, it's a good album but there are still traces of Matt Bellamy's inflated ego littered throughout. However, one of the album highlights is the track "Reapers" which I suspect was originally meant to be the album's title track before they decided to change it to some wanky album outro. A top notch riff reminiscent of "Still Of The Night" - Whitesnake and some great guitar work too. The only downside is the unnecessary outro that sounds a bit like the end of "Blinded In Chains" - Avenged Sevenfold.


10. "Speed Of Light" - Iron Maiden

I may be ending the list on another track I've already discussed twice but goddamn, it's a strong track. Lyrically, it may not fit in with the album's main concepts but as far as singles go, it was enough to get me excited for their new album. At first, I wasn't sure about Bruce's vocals but those doubts were easily extinguished after multiple listens.

Before you tell me that I've missed a song or that one of those tracks doesn't belong on the list, here are some tracks that didn't quite make the cut but were still decent.


"Breakaway" - Inglorious

It's hardly one of the bigger songs of 2015 but among all the comeback albums and surprise singles, this track stood out for me. It's got a great riff, a driving rhythm and some solid vocals too although I wouldn't rate it in the top ranks of my favourite or even highly enjoyable songs. It's mediocre by Hard Rock standards but good for a few listens every now and then, thus making it into my Honourable Mentions.


"Demolition Man" - Razzmattazz

I reviewed the album this came from on the blog as well so that's probably the best place to go if you want to know more about this band. However, this is the song that introduced me to it and for another AC/DC tribute act, these guys definitely bring a punch worthy of the Honourable Mentions section.


"Martyr" - Last In Line

I haven't talked about these guys on the blog yet because I only found out about them a few weeks ago. Basically, Vivian Campbell (Dio & Def Leppard guitarist) has put together a supergroup named after Dio's second album and they'll hopefully be releasing an album entitled Heavy Crown this year. It's something that caught my attention because I seem to recall all the band members being pretty respectable musicians. However, out of both tracks they've released, this is probably the superior recording and even then it's not great. I'll keep an ear out for Heavy Crown but in case I forget, I thought I should mention it here too.


"Orphan" - Toto

I've been waiting to find another great Rock track from Toto for ages (ignoring "Hold The Line" and "Africa", of course) and these guys must have heard me. Unlike some of their more Pop or Prog oriented tracks, "Orphan" definitely belongs to the Rock genre and considering it was released over 30 years after the peak of their career, it's still as strong as their signature songs to me. If I had to expand this list of my favourite songs from 2015, I reckon this would be number 11.


"Sean" - Foo Fighters

In case you missed it, Dave Grohl and his backing band decided to release a 5-song EP of Foos tracks entitled Saint Cecilia that had been unassigned to previous albums but written throughout their career. Since they released it for free without any hype, I wasn't exactly expecting much. However, two tracks ended up on my phone after I listened to the whole EP (the other one being "The Neverending Sigh") and I would recommend listening to it if you preferred the Foo Fighters before they got all shouty and angry. It's a little bit short for it to make it onto the main list but it's still my favourite off the EP.

Next week, I'll try to review one of the albums released towards the end of last year. Either that or something to do with video games, depends on how much time I have.