Articles by: Fred Phillips

Why That Self-Titled 1994 Album Is the Best Motley Crue You Never Heard

Why That Self-Titled 1994 Album Is the Best Motley Crue You Never Heard

Released 30 years ago, ‘Motley Crue’ is actually their heaviest and most mature record – mature, of course, being a relative term.

Best of 2023

Alice Cooper, Ward Davis, Steel Panther + Others: Fred Phillips’ Best 2023 Songs

Bobaflex, Sophie Lloyd, Steel Woods, Doro and Rob Halford also find a home on Fred Phillips’ list of best 2023 songs.

Best of 2023

In Flames, Metallica, Avatar + Others: Fred Phillips’ Best of 2023 Hard Rock and Metal

Nita Strauss, Extreme, Overkill, Winger and Ad Infinitum are among the others who appear on Fred Phillips’ Best of 2023 hard rock and metal albums list.

Why You Should Count ‘No Rest for the Wicked’ Among Ozzy Osbourne’s Best

Why You Should Count ‘No Rest for the Wicked’ Among Ozzy Osbourne’s Best

Issued 35 years ago today, ‘No Rest for the Wicked’ ranks with ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ and ‘Diary of a Madman’ when discussing Ozzy Osbourne’s top solo records.

Metallica, Avatar, Delain, Winger, Nita Strauss + Others: Best of 2023 Metal Albums (So Far)

Metallica, Avatar, Delain, Winger, Nita Strauss + Others: Best of 2023 Metal Albums (So Far)

I wanted to offer up some quick thoughts on my favorite records of the first half of 2023 because it has been a strong year.

Why Black Sabbath Went Out on a High Note With ’13’

Why Black Sabbath Went Out on a High Note With ’13’

Black Sabbath called it a career 10 years ago with ’13,’ an album that mixed and matched sounds from every one of their classic eras.

Why Queensryche’s ‘Operation: Mindcrime’ is Still One of the Best Concept Albums

Why Queensryche’s ‘Operation: Mindcrime’ is Still One of the Best Concept Albums

Queensryche’s ‘Operation: Mindcrime’ arrived 35 years ago this month with the rare ability to tell a story while still providing an outstanding musical experience.

Metallica – ’72 Seasons’ (2023)

Metallica – ’72 Seasons’ (2023)

Is ’72 Seasons’ the equal of any of Metallica’s first five records? No. Is it the best thing they’ve done since? In my opinion, absolutely.

Ward Davis, March 3, 2023: Shows I’ll Never Forget

Ward Davis, March 3, 2023: Shows I’ll Never Forget

When Ward Davis’ solo acoustic performance at the Louisiana Grandstand theater was announced, I almost decided to skip it.

Zeal & Ardor, Whiskey Myers, Arch Enemy + Others: Fred Phillips’ Best of 2022

Zeal & Ardor, Whiskey Myers, Arch Enemy + Others: Fred Phillips’ Best of 2022

Fred Phillips’ Best of 2022 includes Zeal & Ardor, Whiskey Mysters, Arch Enemy, Ozzy Osbourne and Skid Row, among others.