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.
Articles by: Fred Phillips
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
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)
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
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
Fred Phillips’ Best of 2022 includes Zeal & Ardor, Whiskey Mysters, Arch Enemy, Ozzy Osbourne and Skid Row, among others.
Ward Davis – ‘Live from an Undisclosed Location in Hays, Kansas’ (2022)
Ward Davis returned to the scene of his crime for ‘Live from an Undisclosed Location in Hays, Kansas,’ and the story is simply priceless.
Skid Row – ‘The Gang’s All Here’ (2022)
It’s no match for ‘Slave to the Grind,’ of course, but ‘The Gang’s All Here’ certainly belongs in the conversation with Skid Row’s early albums.
Why I’m Still Disappointed With Aerosmith’s ‘Music From Another Dimension’
Far from a reinvention, ‘Music From Another Dimension’ arrived 10 years ago this week as another rehash of ideas from some of Aerosmith’s weakest records.
Ozzy Osbourne – ‘Patient Number 9’ (2022)
I really want Ozzy Osbourne to deliver that one badass swan-song album. I think ‘Patient Number 9’ is good, but unfortunately it’s not that.
