Top 5 Albums of 2013

Well that time of year has come around again! Before we exit with a festive cheer I thought I would reveal my top five albums and singles of 2013! So without further ado here are my top albums of 2013!

5) Amaranthe – Nexus        

To kick off my top 5 albums is the album Nexus by Swedish/Danish metalcore group Amaranthe. Being well known for mixing melodic pop with death metal is the reason why this band are a personal favourite of mine. The album has a versatile collection of songs from the heartfelt Burn With Me to the upbeat Electroheart I think 2014 could possibly be their year. The album includes a beautiful acoustic rendition of their enchanting ballad Amaranthine.

4) Alter Bridge – Fortress   

At number four is the fourth studio album from the almighty Alter Bridge. This was one of the anticipated rock albums of the year; this masterpiece from the Florida rockers entices you within the first few seconds of opening track Cry Of Achillies and it invites you to listen on to some killer sounding tracks such as Addicted to Pain, Lover and Waters Rising. A spectacular arena tour featuring their friends from Shinedown and Halestorm accompanied this epic album.

3) Bad Pollyanna – Monstrous Child                     

I originally saw this band on a friend's Facebook page. After hearing Hollow for the first time I was blown away at first listen so my expectations of the album were high. Those expectations were exceeded as it opened with Hollow and Awake Now; the amazing melodies, unusual instrument arrangements and the spectacular vocals provided by Olivia Hyde give Bad Pollyanna’s Monstrous Child a fantastic package for a fantastic album.

2) New Device – Here We Stand    

Coming in at number two is the second studio album Here We Stand from New Device. Due to line up changes there was at least a three-year wait for this album from the London rockers but it was most certainly worth it. The album is great pick me up for when you are feeling down; this is demonstrated through songs such as singles Here We Stand and Save Your Life as well as my personal favourite song on the album End Of Hope. So if you like beautifully clear vocals, talented guitarists and rolling drums than this is the album for you.

 1) Heaven’s Basement – Filthy Empire     

At number 1 is Heaven’s Basement’s debut album Filthy Empire. 2013 has possibly been a great year for rockers Heaven’s Basement and this album is crucial evidence. From the profound acoustic ballad The Price We Pay to the high energy I Am Electric this album has innovative and genuinely brilliant rock songs to suit every mood under the sun. Everyone has an album in their collection that they can listen to from start to finish over and over again without growing bored; well Filthy Empire has become that album! Making it my number one album of 2013!

Alter Bridge - Fortress

After a three year wait, Florida rock band Alter Bridge's brand new album Fortress hits the UK shelves of record shops and online retailers today. I received mine in the post today and after listening to it I have placed it on my top albums of 2013.

The first few songs of the album had me in chills; the opening song Cry Of Achilles was introduced by a Spanish guitar like riff that leaves the listener wanting to hear more, it then transforms to the heavy distorted guitars and the epicly recognisable voice from Myles Kennedy can be heard giving the ears a treat. The album's single Addicted To Pain is the second track on the album, I remember hearing it a few months ago and thinking the song was average, but having now listened to it as part of the album the song has grown on me the more I listen to it.

My personal favourite tracks on the album are Lover, Waters Rising and All Ends Well. Lover is the beautiful romantic ballad on the track with an amazing melody and shows off the skills of Mr Mark Tremonti via the original, slick guitar riff and solo. In Waters Rising, we see another talent from Tremonti and that is his singing, his voice suited the song perfectly and that is why it is a standout track. All Ends Well is like a reincarnation of  Life Must Go On; it has the perfect keep-strong-carry on vibe that most of us could use with now and again so this is the song to pick you up when you are down. 

Successfully closing with Fortress allows the listener to experience the heavier sounds of Alter Bridge one last time. I can therefore conclude that Fortress is indeed a rock gem that will treasured for years; Alter Bridge you have yourselves proud!

Stand out tracks:  Lover, Waters Rising and All Ends Well

R.I.Y.L:  Creed and Slash

Words by Charlotte Whittingham

Find Alter Bridge here

Top 10 Live shows of 2011: 5-1

Here is my top five live shows of 2011;

5. Jenna's Revenge @ The Joiners; Southampton 13/11/2011

This particular gig marked the long awaited return from Gosport hard rockers Jenna's Revenge; after Simon 'Sic' McLaren left the band in March this year it took the rest of Jenna's months to find a new vocalist. However Sic decided he missed Jenna's so much that he decided to make a return; me and best friend Becca were so excited for this that she made them a welcome back cake that I carried. Although note to self; think about transportation of the cake before hand. It was a fantastic show none the less; Sic's energetic stage antics, some classic rock and a very tasty cake made the evening perfect for the return of one of the southern coasts greatest rock bands. 

Find Jenna's Revenge on Facebook, Twitter and their official website

4. Alter Bridge, Black Stone Cherry and Theory Of A Deadman @ Wembley Arena; London 29/11/2011

Three of the greatest grunge bands from across the pond playing under one roof for one night was one of the greatest gigs I have seen this year; all three of them performed fantastic sets. Will have to try and get the DVD of that gig; so many cameras were there to capture one of the most anticipated gigs of 2011. Unfortunately I lost mine at that gig but I will still have the fantastic memories of being part of the crowd.

Find Alter Bridge on Facebook, Twitter and their official website
Find Black Stone Cherry on Facebook, Twitter and their official website
Find Theory Of A Deadman on Facebook, Twitter and their official website

3. Heaven's Basement and Jettblack @ The Talking Heads; Southampton 19/5/2011

This for me was definitely one of the most anticipating local gigs I had been waiting since I bought the ticket a few months in advance; two of my new favourite bands of last year coming together to co-headline a UK tour. The venue was packed full of Southampton's rockers young and old, the bands all performing fantastic live sets and the general atmosphere was incredible. I would certainly say this was one of the best gigs of 2011.

Find Heaven's Basement on Facebook, Twitter and their official website
Find Jettblack on Facebook

2. Turisas @ Southampton University 15/11/2011

It was incredibly tricky to choose a top two gigs but I have placed Turisas second place; it was such an incredible experience to become one with all the metal heads of Southampton that very evening and Turisas performed a fantastic live set that got the crowd pumping with excitement. Support acts Kiaus and Chtonic also performed well; possibly the best night of metal took place in Southampton and I enjoyed every second of it.

Find Turisas on Facebook, Twitter and their official website

1. The Treatment @ The Joiners; Southampton 11/12/2011

The Treatment's performance at The Joiners easily had to be my best live show of 2011; purely because their presence on stage was full of energy and passion, the atmosphere was exciting and interviewing them was one of the most amazing experiences of my music journalling so far. The Treatment certainly know how to please the crowd and they sound incredible live. They were all so friendly and they made me laugh; cannot wait to see them live again next year with Jettblack and Reckless Love.

Find The Treatment on Facebook

Here's to more fantastic live shows in the new year; there you have my top ten shows of 2011.

Alter Bridge @ Wembley Arena; London 29/11/2011

I had been eagerly waiting for this gig since I bought the tickets back in June and I found out it was definitely worth the wait. Entering Wembley Village it was a very well set up with a number of restaurants and shops; I was also impressed with the very colourful lights that highlighted the fountain beautifully. My main purpose for the evening was to see three of my favourite rock bands that hail from the USA and Canada; they were Theory Of A Deadman, Black Stone Cherry and headliners Alter Bridge. Before I describe my experience at the gig I want to say there will be no photos for a while since I did loose my camera at the Arena; a bit of a nuisance but life must go on.

Anyways; the first act to appear on the stage that night were Canadian rockers Theory Of A Deadman. I have loved this band since I heard them in the shop Underground Clothing and I never looked back. They gave a top notch performance from start to finish performing a wide collection of songs from So Happy to brand new album material such as my personal favourite Bitch Came Back. It was great how frontman Tyler Connolly threw out guitar picks to the audience and how he introduced each song; overall I think Theory Of A Deadman were a great choice to open up the night of hard rock that was to fall on me that night. So I was happy to hear they will be touring the UK again next year.

Find Theory Of A Deadman on Facebook, Twitter and their official website

Black Stone Cherry were next to play; I was happy to be reminded of how good they are when giving a live performance. I had seen them twice before that night and I remembered how energetic these Kentucky rockers were. It was amazing how guitarist Ben Wells and bassist Jon Lawhon make use of the space on stage with such energy and passion. I liked the selection of songs they chose to play too; everything from first album material such as personal favourite Rain Wizard to brand new songs such as White Trash Millionaire. I was very happy to hear they will be touring the UK and coming to Southampton on my birthday.

Find Black Stone Cherry on Facebook, Twitter and their official website

Alter Bridge had only recently come into my life and I have grown a great likeness for them. Their live performance last night only boosted my respect for the band as they really pulled off a great live show; the lights went down and the intro to Slip Into The Void was heard on the sound system and there was Myles Kennedy in the spotlight singing the first line. What an incredible introduction it was. They got better and better as the show progressed but because of the heat inside the arena it made me feel very uneasy so I decided to step outside. That did not for one second stop me enjoying there show since I could hear it through the wall and I liked their live sound. Their acoustic rendition of Wonderful Life was remarkable, Ties That Bind cheered me up as I was frantically looking around for my camera and from what I saw they had great theatrical stage props. Such as pyrotechnics, grand stage lighting and a lot of confetti; I would definitely love to see Alter Bridge live again, probably next time I won't be close to feinting.

Find Alter Bridge on Facebook, Twitter and their official website

Overall despite feeling a bit poorly and loosing my camera I did enjoy myself; all the bands performed fantastically well and the atmosphere was incredible. 

Tuomaslotte rates:  TTTTT  

Happy New Year

Hey guys

Happy New Year to you all; just want to say thanks for supporting my blog in 2010. I plan to inform you all of the best new albums, live gigs and most importantly the best up coming bands. 2010 was an amazing year for music; all my 2010 lists say it all. I have a feeling 2011 is going to be a lot better for music. Already seeing talent on YouTube from a young keyboard player from Brazil whose cover of Poet And The Pendulum by Nightwish is absoulutely incredible. So incredible people are all asking for MP3s of it. Here is the epic cover.

Over this Christmas peroid I have been coming across bands like finding gold in a gold mine, new talents from all over the world as well as South Coast of England. Speaking of rock from Southern England, My Endeavour have been one of the bands that have stood out in my searching for bands. Here is their song Identify.

Right now listening to Orias, Symphponic Metalheads from Sweden who are also showing promise with dramatic film like music with a heavy metal twist.

I recently found out it was Kids In Glass Houses whose set I enjoyed a lot when watching them support Lostprophets back in February last year, wow feels so weird saying that now, their engergetic powerpunk sounds were enough to make me say...WOW. 

Alter Bridge being another band I really love now thanks to their latest album AB II.


See the year has just started and already found four bands I hope to see a lot more of this year, oh I hope you've filled out the survey I have set up to tell me what you think of this blog so far.
Here is the link for it:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5X58CRS

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and here's to a great 2011 :) x