In 2018 Phillips approached bass player Dennis Butabi Borg (Cruzh), lead guitarist Philip Lindstrand (Find Me, Arkado) and drummer Herman Furin (Work of Art) with the idea of doing an entire album together and actually forming a studio band. The classic metal sounds lay the foundation for the true focal point of the recording—vocalist Melissa Bonny. “The Great Conspiracy“ is the second solo effort of ASTRAL DOORS-fronter NILS PATRIK JOHANSSON (ex CIVIL WAR). DEEP PURPLE holds no punches on their album ‘‘Whoosh!”, and deliver a recording full of energy, proving there’s still plenty of gas in their tank. Completing the line up with experienced Markus Gustafsson (Bass) and Henrik Hedman (Drums), the band delivers hard hitting tunes plenty of catchiness and melody. Watch Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen and Kane Brown perform their greatest hits. Abyss succeeds in showcasing the mind-blowing technical craftsmanship of the young four-piece with the perfect mix of highly complex, catchy bangers and moody, synth-infused power ballads. “You Are The Fire“ and “Into The Storm“ are ear candy. Neil Fraser gets the guitars spot on all over the record, plenty of riffs to drive a song and on the solos, always refined and avoiding the solo taking over any one song. Throughout the lifetime of the show, Darren conversed with many artists from across the melodic rock world and inevitably the conversation turned to songwriting and collaboration. This album goes back to the band’s beginnings with that typical Grand Design sound and songs from the early albums that made them one of the top acts of the Swedish Melodic Rock/AOR scene. Unabashedly and unashamedly beautiful both lyrically and musically, the key of this band is the method in which they combine powerful and commanding sounds with moments of breathtaking wonder. One of the most long-lasting AOR acts from Spain, LA FASE is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the release of ‘Reset‘, their new 13-track album. Best Melodic Rock/Metal/AOR albums of 2020. Features Best Taylor Swift Songs: 20 Essential Tracks For Swifties. But you know, I’m a little more reflective,” he says. The best albums and songs of 2020. Eartheater’s Phoenix: Flames Are Dew Upon My Skin dropped earlier this month. When four-fifths of Thundermother quit in 2017, leaving founder/ guitarist Filippa Nässil distinctly short-staffed, it seemed like curtains for the Swedish rockers. Julien Baker took a year out, went back to school and has now returned with “Faith Healer.” The new song comes ahead of 2021 album Little Oblivions and showcases a fuller sound for Baker, though she still manages to pull at the heartstrings amid the drums and swelling guitars. Refined and polished songwriting full of catchy melodies and epic keyboard passages sends shivers down your spine since opener “United”. That’s what will make the difference.”. And if you want an even more distinctive thing about NEON ANGEL, most the solos, instead performed on guitar, are synth solos! And in 2019 they are sure to rank among the best. If you’re looking for a classic 80s / early 90s sounding AOR release then you’ve found it, with that classy British scent akin TEN / Gary Hughes solo, Strangeways, Bob Catley, etc. Extremely melodic but with a good portion of heaviness and an exceptional sense for great arrangements. Featuring 10 new tracks, this adventure is a concept album and sequel to 2017’s Apex, and was once again recorded with legendary producer Jacob Hansen of Hansen Studios in Denmark. The songs are crafted at maximum detail, musicianship is pot notch, and production balanced, melodic. This material coupled with the classic Firehouse catalog gives fans just about everything they could possibly want. With the return of the core original members of Marcie Free, Bruce Gowdy and Guy Allison – plus the dream-team rhythm section of Tony Franklin (Bass) & Jay Schellen (Drums) – the band has discovered that while time may pass, some things never change. The lyrics are sophisticated and deal with the mysterious 1986 assassination of Swedish prime minister Olof Palme. Set that to a mosh ready breakdown and you’ve got a winning formula. A memorable and brilliant cruising album has arrived in the form of Michael PALACE’s “Rock and Roll Radio” on Frontiers Music. There are a few notable guest spots too including Mike Lavér (Dynazty), Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse, W.E.T.) The brand of melodic hard that Tokyo Motor Fist play is uplifting and positive with life-affirming lyrics, what the doctor ordered for this troubled times. It’s the fourth with Grönwall but it sounds like a fresh start. It’s a brilliant hybrid of bands like Eclipse or H.e.a.t and Boston and Magnum. Finest melodic rock from Finnland. A great piece of music and a highlight of the year for sure. To be honest, after their superb debut album and after hearing the advanced singles, I was’t expecting anything less from One Desire. While still rocking, ”The Big Fantasize” is really melodic and relaxed. Anette Olzon (ALYSON AVENUE, ex NIGHTWISH) und Russel ALLEN (SYMPHONY X) deliver stellar vocals whereas the songwriting goes back to Magnus Karlsson (g, PRIMAL FEAR). The guitarist pulled a master stroke by bringing in Rainbow’s Ronnie Romero on vocals for this 2020 comeback. In my experience, it’s rare that an album can make such an emotional impact on me. Over the top power metal played at 150mph with some of the most ridiculous silly lyrics will be a complete turn off to a huge swath of fans, but at the moment embracing this path has resulted in the most memorable release in the band’s catalog. This man can just seemingly continue to give us breathtakingly good songs with great song writing (let’s not forget the input of the talented Tommy Denander). Guitarist and bandleader Mike Floros, drummer BJ Zampa (House Of Lords), bass player Jason Cornwell and keyboarder Tony Stahl seems to have found the missing link for their powerful, but catchy slice of classic US hard- and melodic rock. It isn’t so polished like his previous bands though, is quite visceral and rocking as a whole, with the cream of the genre’s vocalists providing their incredible pipes. Peterik has never lost his verve for melodic rock & AOR, a style of music he unarguably helped forge. The ethos of the band has not changed, and yet Grave Digger sound modern and timeless like never before. You can’t go wrong here, this is high class stuff rich in melodies and soaring vocals. I admittedly was not a huge fan of their first few albums but they made giant strides on their 2014 & 2016 releases and somehow took it up another notch here. It’s a wonderful, classy AOR / Melodic Rock record bringing back the American sound of the genre in all its glory. I really missed quality female-fronted hard rock / metal, but FURIES is here to solve that. Damon and Sabu are working together for a long time, a match made in heaven for sure in terms of writing and recording. This all combines to ensure that Magenta’s new album is truly magenta, but also most other colors you can imagine. Great songs … Two years later we have “End of All”, the rocking new album from Swedes SIX FOOT SIX. The Canadian artist pulls off this tricky proposition, making his most urgent and engaging song since 2018 breakout “Heaven’s Only Wishful.”. Remarkably, considering the one tour, Adeltias Way are currently getting over 50k streams on spotify monthly from the UK alone!!!! It’s hard to put the finger on a single weak point in the construction of this album; if well played melodic metal pleases you, it’s hard to see how this record will miss out on your top five record releases of 2020. Well done! With the same crew and guests including Street Talk, Raintimes, 91 Suite, etc, second album titled “Another Time and Place” delivers an even more refined slice of classic AOR Melodic Rock a little bit of Classic Rock. The lyrics touch a personal note and also get nicely political. The American melodic / hard rockers at times offer a slightly modern approach but manage to bridge the past with contemporary sounds. One of the hottest new AOR bands to come out of the underground European scene, there independently released self-titled debut EP stirred up quite a buzz in the underground melodic rock scene. US outfit Steel City made some waves with their debut "Fortress" in 2018, but since the release there have been some drastic changes in their camp. Stylistically somewhere in the vein of DANGER DANGER, RATT, VAN HALEN, FOREIGNER, AC/DC or AEROSMITH, the band is already able to leave their own footprints. A great way to end this complicated year listening this complete, compelling melodic rock album. Ocean Hills is the brain child of vocalist Zoli Teglas (ex-Ignite), having taken 30 years’ worth of experience in the music business to launch this project with some very talented, accomplished musicians - Peter Lukacs (guitars), Daniel Szebenyi (keyboards, bass) and Reinder Oldenburger (guitars) all share Teglas’ vision and were instrumental in bringing it to life, and he is the first one to credit his bandmates for making the debut album, Santa Monica, what it is. Melodic hard rock with the typical slightly raspy voice of the American and hook-laden compositions you would expect. Great stuff for fans of VIXEN, MARTINA EDOFF or even ECLIPSE. An amazing artwork is the icing of the cake of this brilliant record. A very good new album from this talented musician. Taken from the band’s upcoming record Wonderful Hell. File “Whoosh!” under “all killer, no filler”! Let’s instead focus on the accompanying video, a weirdly affecting collection of observations (including some very creepy dolls) that really gets at what a truly disquieting time this year has been. Melodic rockers UNRULY CHILD return with their new album “Our Glass House” via Frontiers Music. Whether you like relentless rockers or rock ballads, the best metal songs of 2020 will make you want to turn the music up to 11. In the next year, you will be able to find this playlist with the next title: Top Rock Music 2022 - Best Rock Hits Playlist (Alternative Rock, Metal, Hard Rock Songs 2022) 50 song. More than once their songs combust with a genuine contemporary vibe that gel perfectly with the catchy choirs and Michael’s pristine powerful voice. It does not blaze any new trails or raise any eyebrows. ©2021 The Fader, Inc. All rights reserved. Definitely worth investing in if you enjoy Brit based melodic hard rock with a top notch vocalist. For a band as recklessly opulent and extravagant as Dynazty, there is not one iota of self-indulgence to be found here on “The Dark Delight”. Sublime. Deemed essential by the book “The Rise, Fall & Rebirth of Hair Metal”, Platinum Overdose build off their wildly successful debut album ‘Murder In High Heels’ by delivering the raucous follow up ‘Back For The Thrill’ which produces nothing short of an adrenaline shot straight to the heart to keep that 80’s blood flow coursing through your veins. Great record! An acoustic version of the title track ends the album in a very nice manner. The Billboard Mainstream Rock chart is compiled from the number of airplay songs received from active rock and heritage rock radio stations in the United States. This varied, groovy, modern sounding classic melodic metal / hard rock with a touch of progressive, always melodic and interesting. This year’s most memorable music came from artists like Pop Smoke, Lil Uzi Vert, and Cardi B. Melodies, keyboards and lots of positive vibes rule here. One thing is Bruce ‘solo’, and other with the E Street Band… a truly awesome band, and “Letter To You” is precisely benefited by it. ‘The Reality of Miracles’ is melodic hard rock of the highest order. Think a mix between the punch of JADED HEART, the melody of PINK CREAM 69, melodic progressive touches ala ALLEN / LANDE, and huge epic choruses like ACCEPT. We can host any event and can customize your party. ‘Hurricane Riders‘ is the culmination of Danny Vaughn from Tyketto and Dan Reed from Dan Reed Network joining forces as SNAKE OIL & HARMONY and creating a record of 10 original songs that pay tribute to the timeless Classic Rock which inspired both of these accomplished artists. The help of external songwriters made wonder to ‘New World / New Eyes’. While the foundation of AmuZeum music is based on progressive rock musically linked to mind Billy Sherwood’s solo, Circa, Yes, World Trade, etc, each member brings a unique style, a vast array of influences and skillful songwriting chops. It’s for sure their most honest and well crafted release so far. There are epic tracks and songs where the Swede gives full throttle, too. Pairing traditional heavy sounds in the vein of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest with fast-paced power metal, the album is once again accented by frontwoman Brittney Slayes' raw four octave mezzo-soprano. I don't typically put many 'Country' albums in my lists but this one is one you don't want to miss! AUTUMN’S CHILD is a new Melodic Rock super-group, and all the guys involved don’t disappoint on this self-titled debut. With their just released studio album number five “Maverick“, British bluesy hard rockers KING KING deliver yet another superlative demonstration of songwriting prowess – a bit of FREE here, a smidge of early WHITESNAKE there, a dash of BAD COMPANY for good measure – led from the front by guitarist/ vocalist Alan Nimmo. “Back From Behind the Sun” should propel the band straight back into the melodic rock limelight, which is where they clearly belong. The group, in its constant state of evolution, has generated an exciting new album reflecting its musical roots in contemporary and classic rock. ‘Suitable for all ages’ should be the sticker on the cover, “Gallows Of Eden” will appeal old and young headbangers, hard rockers, et all. and Scandinavian AOR with a recognizable and personal feel. All things considered, Arctic Rain and their debut album "The One" delivers some fine and entertaining guitar-forward classic melodic rock. It even opens with the slow / semi-ballad ‘Red Horizon’. Brainchild of Italian keyboardist / songwriter Gianluca Firmo, Room Experience debut album hit the melodic rock headlines back in 2015, featuring a professional team of musicians led by the production duo, Davide “Dave Rox” Barbieri, and Pierpaolo “Zorro” Monti. Pomp it up and enjoy! Much more elaborated and catchy than the debut album, ‘Stranger’ is a ‘must listen’ for lovers of Scandinavian melodic rock / AOR. Being the sixth studio effort already but nevertheless the album title fits in a way because it’s basically the first with Erik Grönwall (v), who made the band sound harder, to fully connect with the first two releases.