The heyday of Southern rock may be gone, but Whiskey Myers proves once again that it’s definitely still alive and kicking like a mule.

For whatever reason, Pantera seemed to be embarrassed by their first four records. But there’s certainly nothing to be embarrassed about with ‘Power Metal.’

Alestorm’s pirate ship has been righted and is back on course.

I feel like I shouldn’t like Ozzy Osbourne’s new Jeff Beck collaboration, “Patient Number 9” – but I do. And I mean I really do.

Released 30 years ago today, ‘Revenge’ is the one non-makeup Kiss record that belongs in the conversation with their best work.

Gloryhammer’s Sozos Michael is probably better from a technical standpoint than Thomas Winkler. But the better technical singer is not always a better fit.

The subversive nature of Zeal & Ardor’s music is sure to be a turn off for some, but for the rest of us, it’s a refreshingly original take.

It’s refreshing to hear this version of Aerosmith without the glitz and glam that they became known for later on.

‘Peacemaker’ probably would have been fun without the interesting musical choices, but its glam-metal soundtrack makes the HBO Max series so much better.

Fred Phillips’ Best of 2021 Hard Rock and Metal also includes Black Label Society, Durbin, Ad Infinitum, Cody Jinks, Unto Others and Iron Maiden, among others.