Best of 2017 Honor Roll @ The Dedicated Rocker Society Pt 2

2017 Honor Roll @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
To all the bands/artist that made this year a rocking one for us @ The DRS we say, THANK YOU!

Here are our picks for 2017
(in no particular order)

Part Two

The Tommy Paris Band by The Tommy Paris Band
A solid hard rock album with attitude done right and is what any rock fan would expect and that is 100% unapologetic and ass-kickin' hard rock that begs cranked to maximum volume so you can feel the music. 

-Edge Of Free by Edge Of Free
-Heavy Fire by Black Star Riders
-Halfway There by Mark Slaugther
-Revolution Come Revolution Go.. by Gov't Mule
-We’re All In This Together by Walter Trout
-Legacy by The Cadillac Three
So You Wanna Be An Outlaw by
-Steve Earle and the Dukes
-Ruff Justice by Crazy Lixx
-Magic Valley by Goodbye June
-Death Race by Magnetico
-Going The Distance by Jimmy Davis and Junction

Monumentum by Eclipse
Eclipse have come up with a winning formula by cranking up the guitars, keeping the pedal to the floor foot and given the melodic rock genre a big sock in the jaw that would make Connor McGregor proud!

-Scatterbrain by KXM
-Monumentum by 20 Dark Seven
-Swallow by Burnt Out Wreck
-All About Time by Stone Broken
-Second Nature by Lionheart
-Black Oak County by Black Oak County
-United by Harem Scarem
-II by Inglorious 

Ride The Storm by Don Barnes
For me, listening to this album reminded why I became a fan of Don Barnes. Though the wait was long, it was definitely worth it!


-Through Mystery by The Bloody Heels
-Unify by World Trade
-Born From Fire by The Quill
-Kryptonite by Kryptonite
-One More For The Road by The New Roses
-MMXVI by Grand Masquerade
-Black Bambi by Black Bambi
-Disciples By Design by Prismind
-Anywhere But Here by Black Aces
-10 X 10 by Ronnie Montrose featuring Eric Singer and Ricky Phillips
-Hard To Kill by Heaven & Earth
-BCCIV by Black Country Communion

-Solo Recordings Volume 3 by Steve Hill
Steve Hill is a true original who richly deserves all the accolades coming his way. 

-Headstrong by Pink Cream 69
-Retribution by Jeff Scott Soto
-Re-Covered by Mike Onesko
-A Deeper Understanding by War On Drugs

(Part Three)

2017 Honor Roll @ The Dedicated Rocker Society PT 1

2017 Honor Roll @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
To all the bands/artist that made this year a rocking one for us @ The DRS we say, THANK YOU!

Here are our picks for 2017
(in no particular order)

Part One:

Gothica by Ten 
TEN produced another great piece of epic music with 'Gothica' . One of the most under rated bands in the UK and the rest of the world, despite producing great melodic rock albums over the years.

California by Riverdogs
The Mission by Styx
Shake The Cage by Freddie Nelson
Rectifier by The Lad Classic
Smoke On This by Rex Brown
Horizon by The Owl Company
Volando by Tracy G Grijalva
Second Nature by Lionheart
Vendetta by Niterain
Firebird by Maverick
Silver by Gotthard
Winter In Paradise by Sweet Mary Jane
Grace Street by Big Wreck

Sainted Sinners by Sainted Sinners
What this powerhouse of a band have done here is tapped into a tried and true formula that works, there is no reinventing the wheel here, just great song writing, melody, edgy guitar and passion for the genre. Well done Sainted Sinners!

Degreed by Degreed
Battlezone by Scherer/Batten
Ghost Of Yet To Come by The Wayward Sons
Dark Manoeuvrse by Devilfire
Aerial by Newman
Commencing Countdown by Travelin' Jack
Kee Of Hearts by Kee Of Hearts
Bear Bone Company by Bear Bone Company

Streets Of Chance by Tony Mills
a premium blend of melodic rock album from a guy with a proven track record of releasing first rate melodic rock albums. What more can you ask for? 'Streets Of Chance', in my opinion is Tony Mills' best work to date and one of best releases I've heard this year.

Shades Of Gray by Myke Gray
Exile And Grace by King King
WW III by Walkway
Truth Be Told by Bad Touch
Bigfoot by Bigfoot
Light In The Dark by Revolution Saints
Tokyo Motor Fist by Tokyo Motor Fist
Got Newz by King Bird
About Time by Horisont
Burn The Ships by Blacktop Mojo

Amber Galactic by The Night Flight Orchestra
easily one of the best albums to come out this year. The melodies, the lyrics, the arrangements, the production, and the attention to detail are all spot on. 'Amber Galactic', is one of those albums where the band gets everything right. 

Louder Harder Faster by Warrant
Dying Embers by Shape Of The New Sun
All Through The Night by Imperial State Electric
Kings Of Broadway by Kings Of Broadway
Grab The Rocket by Rockett Love
Suicide Idols by Suicide Bombers
Tattoo Burn Redux by Micki Free
The Ferrymen by The Ferrymen
Life On Death Road by Jorn
The Future Ain't What It Used To Be by The Biters
Live & Louder by The Dead Daises
Out Of The Darkness by Rian
Shade by Living Colour

(Part Two)

CD REVIEW: AMMUNITION by Ammunition

AMMUNITION by Ammunition
(Frontier Records)

Three years after the release of their amazing debut outing, 'Shanghaied', Ammunition return with their highly anticipated self titled sophomore release. Comprised of, the songwriting duo Age Sten Nilsen (former WIG WAM singer) and the multi-talented Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse, W.E.T., Nordic Union). Along with, Victor Cito Borge on bass, Jon Pettersen on guitars, Lasse Finbrathen on  keyboards and Magnus Ulfstedt on drums. This second outing sounds like a mixture of Wig Wam with touches of Treat and Eclipse. But those were first impressions. Fundamentally, this is a pure melodic hard rock album in the best tradition. Their crafting of the tracks on this album is superb; it has a synergy that will make you listen to it all the way through irrellevant of your favourites. It moves on the strengths of great vocals and vocal arrangements, compelling guitar solos, good melodies, and catchy lyrical hooks. My personal favourites though are  "Time", "Freedom Fighter', "Eye For An Eye',  "Tear Your City Down" and the lead off single, "Wrecking Crew". Overall, this is just an all-around terrific melodic rock release that is a complete package from vocals to musicianship, every song has enough hooks and punch to sooth every palate of melodic rock music lover.
- Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: SOLO RECORDINGS VOLUME 3 by Steve Hill

SOLO RECORDINGS VOLUME 3 by Steve Hill
(No Label Records)

Canadian musician extraordinaire, Steve Hill, the JUNO and Maple Blues award winning one man blues rock band, is back with his latest offering, 'Solo Recordings Volume 3'. Those new to Steve Hill, this man is the true definition of a "One Man Band". Performing standing up while singing and playing guitar, playing bass drum with his foot, snare drum, hi-hats and with a drum stick fused to the head of his trusted guitar and any other percussion within reach. All that energy can heard and felt as Hill dishes out blues rocking tracks like, "Damned", "Dangerous", "Still A Fool & A Rollin’ Stone", and "Walkin' Grave". Even when Hill holds back and breaks into a more laid back acoustic mode with, "Troubled Times" and "Emily", you can feel the passion that comes from this man's soul. All in all, 'Solo Recordings Volume 3' serves up a dozen powerful songs that just get better and deeper with every listen. Every track is staggeringly great. Steve Hill is a true original who richly deserves all the accolades coming his way. If you love Blues based rock and you've never heard of Steve Hill, I guarantee you will become a fan after you hear this recording.
- Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: TRUTH BE TOLD by Bad Touch

TRUTH BE TOLD by Bad Touch
(CADIZ- Bad Touch Records)

UK rockers, Bad Touch return with their highly anticipated sophomore release, 'Truth Be Told', bringing a classic rock sound that is raw edged with a musical vibe of The Black Crowes, The Rolling Stones with dashes of Skynyrd and The Allman Bros. Their music and their lyrics are honest and without pretence. The band is comprised of, Stevie Westwood on vocals, Rob Glendinning on lead guitar, Daniel ‘Seeks’ Seekings on guitar /vocals, Michael Bailey on bass and George Drewry on drums /vocals. As a unit, their chemistry is like white on rice. Lead singer Stevie Westwood encapsulates the classic rock lead singer aura to perfection, taking the image and idea back to its roots. The dual guitar interplay of Glendinning and Seekings is energizing and oozes attitude.  While the band's solid foundation is kept in check by the rhythm section of Bailey and Drewry. The album kicks off  with "One More Night" an bluesy rock song and you think you're in for another solid album. Then in comes "99 %" and you realize this album is a lot more than what you bargained for. A track along with "Made To Break"remixed for radio by the legendary Rolling Stones engineer and co-producer Chris Kimsey. To complete the knockout, the band serve up the next tracks, "Waiting For This", "Under My Skin" and "Heartbreaker Soulshaker". Other highlights include, "Outlaw",
"Healing Hand" and album closing "Mountain". Bad Touch are one of the few things still right in rock and roll, and it's never been more evident than on, 'Truth Be Told'. Very highly recommended.
- Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: BLUES- O- DELIC CELEBRATION by Blindstone

BLUES- O- DELIC CELEBRATION by Blindstone
(Grooveyard Records)

The juggernaut blues rock trio from Denmark, Blindstone are back with an intense homage to the Blues legends with, 'Blues-O-Delic Celebration'. The trio is powered by six string Jedi, Martin J. Andersen, bassist Jesper Bunk and on the skins, Sigurd Jøhnk-Jensen with guest guitarist, Magnus & Jens Andersen. As a unit, Blindstone are the epitome of what a well oiled music machine should sound like. They prove that here by serving up 13 smoking Blues classics and giving each song a shot a adrenaline that will make your blood pressure push to overload. The B.B. King penned "Rock Me Baby" opens the album in smoking hot fashion. The trio's supercharged take on this classic is simply mind blowing.  The trio keeps the adrenaline pumping as they rip into, "Blood Stream" (Rocky Hill) and a smoking take of the Freddie King penned, "Pack It Up". As I listen, I am simply blown away by Martin J. Andersen. An incredible guitar master, solid vocals makes you sit down, strap in tight and get ready for take off.  He plays a mean guitar. Not all guitarists know how to get the mean deep sound out of their six string, Andersen does it with ease. As he exhibits to perfection on smoking tracks like, "Me And My Woman" (Shuggie Otis), "Something's Got A Hold Of Me" (Gales Brothers), "Built For Comfort" (Willie Dixon) and "Finger On The Trigger" (Albert King). All in all a great selection of cover songs. For blues lovers, its a no brainer, 'Blues-O-Delic Celebration' by Blindstone is a must have.
- Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society

CD REVIEW: IT'S ABOUT TIME by Satin

IT'S ABOUT TIME by Satin
(Tidal Discovery)

Tom Satin is back with his highly anticipated sophomore album titled, 'It's About Time', and just like his 2014 debut it is another superb example of high quality melodic rock. For those new to Tom Satin, this guy is a musical genius, this man plays, sings, produces and mixes everything. Musically, he serves up a vibe that is very reminiscent to Stan Bush or Rick Springfield. The songs are simply amazing combining elements such as memorable vocal melodies, great guitar solos, solid performances, and killer production. The whole album is strong but some highlights include the cracking opening track, "Look Up In The Sky", the hook laden choruses of gems like"Waiting For Someone", and "Use It Or Lose It", and the brilliant guitar riffs and memorable chorus of "True Love". Every single song is a gem, without a single moment of filler or a misplaced note. Well-crafted melodic rock that sticks in your head. In this era of empty headed corporate robot music for the masses, it is refreshing to hear such thoughtful and upbeat music. Satin's 2014 debut indeed established an AOR/melodic rock sound all his own. And that is exactly what 'Its About Time' verifies, that the craft of his debut did not occur by chance. If you are even remotely a fan of Melodic AOR Rock, this album is for you.
- Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society