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.

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.

Extreme’s high-concept ‘III Sides to Every Story’ may have been just a little too much of a leap for a lot of fans.

The languid sway of “Urn St. Tavern,” the first track from Devil’s Tale, is perhaps as sluggish as things get on the brilliant new record from Canadian guitarist Adrian Raso and Balkan brass band Fanfare Ciocarlia. You May Also Like: The Heavyweights Brass Band, “Stir Crazy” from ‘Stir Crazy’ (2021):Read More