Released 50 years ago today, Queen’s ‘Sheer Heart Attack’ featured a track that was nearly a decade before its time.

After a few albums that felt too polished, Blackberry Smoke’s more organic ‘Be Right Here’ arrives as a companion to their masterpiece ‘The Whippoorwill.’

Released 30 years ago, ‘Motley Crue’ is actually their heaviest and most mature record – mature, of course, being a relative term.

Bobaflex, Sophie Lloyd, Steel Woods, Doro and Rob Halford also find a home on Fred Phillips’ list of best 2023 songs.

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.

Issued 35 years ago today, ‘No Rest for the Wicked’ ranks with ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ and ‘Diary of a Madman’ when discussing Ozzy Osbourne’s top solo records.

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.

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.

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.

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.