I walked away wondering how I’d missed Dark Hound’s first two albums. It’s an oversight that I intend to correct immediately.

Fifty years ago, the Crazy World of Arthur Brown’s “Fire” had to be just about the coolest thing you’d ever seen – and for parents, probably one of the scariest.

It was, honestly, a pretty lousy year for music. This list of Best Metal, Country and Hard Rock of 2017 highlights five exceptions, and some key honorable mentions.

Frankly, not a lot of music has excited me through the first half of this year. That is, until Alestorm’s ‘No Grave But the Sea’ arrived.

When rockers begin to get older, you expect to see it in their performance. Not Alice Cooper.

‘Fight for the Rock’ almost put Savatage’s career in a coffin before we got their best work.

It’s not often that the passing of someone famous really affects me. When I hear about it, I may think, “Man, that’s a shame,” but I quickly move on. Every now and then, though, someone makes You May Also Like: How Savatage’s ‘Streets: A Rock Opera’ Provided a Life-Changing Moment

A failed attempt to make Motley Crue relevant again, ‘Generation Swine’ is just a bad all-around record.

As you go through my Best Hard Rock and Metal of 2016 list, you’ll see why I’m calling it the year of the classic thrash band.

A very topical album, a group of overlooked Southern rockers and the return of a country legend highlight this Best Country and Southern Rock of 2016 list.