This is the first time that I’ve ever enjoyed enough records from the country and Southern rock genres to put together a list. Maybe I’m getting old and turning into that country music-loving guy that my relatives always told me I would when I “grew out of all that crazyRead More

For hard rock and metal, 2012 certainly wasn’t the best year that I can remember. In all honesty, there were only a few albums that came across my desk that really excited me. You May Also Like: Metal Church – XI (2016) Pantera – ‘Power Metal’ (1988): Forgotten Series WhyRead More

If there was a Texas city where Pantera Boulevard crossed Skynyrd Street, that’s where you’d probably find the world headquarters of Texas Hippie Coalition.

When this soundtrack compilation landed on my desk, it didn’t mean much to me. I don’t watch the show and only a few of the names on the back of the CD meant anything to me — and one of those was Katey Sagal You May Also Like: Bob DylanRead More

There’s only so much cheesy awesomeness that you can pack into a single video and song, and Northern Kings get every bit of it crammed into this cover of Tina Turner’s theme for the third Mad Max movie. You May Also Like: Durbin, “The Prince of Metal” from ‘The BeastRead More

I have hope now that I might one day hear a good Queensryche album again. The latest solo outing from former frontman Geoff Tate makes it pretty clear who has been in control of the band’s creative direction recently. You May Also Like: Sweet Oblivion [Featuring Geoff Tate] – ‘SweetRead More

Maybe it’s a longing for simpler, better times, but I’ve found myself listening to a lot of 1980s-influenced hard rock lately, both comebacks from bands of the era and newer acts that play the style. You May Also Like: The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, “Fire” (1968): One Track Mind

The Very Beast of Dio Vol. 2 picks up where the first volume left off in Dio’s solo career and features tracks from 1996 onward. It’s an interesting period for me You May Also Like: Dio’s Often-Forgotten ‘Magica’ Recalled Early Ronnie James Dio Triumphs

Chris Knight actually does what most of the Nashville songwriters think they’re doing. He connects with country’s perceived blue-collar audience. But real connection doesn’t come through lyrics about pickup trucks and dirt roads. It comes through truth You May Also Like: Joshua Burnell – ‘Glass Knight’ (2023)

if you’re looking to get a party started, you could do much worse than cranking up Jackyl’s ‘Best in Show.’