Top 6 rock and metal albums from 2014

This is so difficult. My 'favourite recent albums' playlist is really stuffed with good albums.

Falling short

First, a couple that should have made the list but didn't live up to the promise:

Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls. They released two or three of the tracks in advance of the album which had me excitedly checking every day to see whether it was available to buy yet. Those tracks really rock. The rest of the album is classic Priest. Just what they've always done so well. But somehow not an outstanding album like Screaming or Defender

Foo Fighters - Sonic Highways. I tried, I really did, I've listened a few times. Maybe it just needs a few more listens. The use of familiar riffs doesn't help. The BF says it's a tribute, but if it is they're not being upfront about it and that doesn't work for me.

Honourable mentions

There are many honourable mentions and it's really difficult to separate the final 5 from some of these (they are in no order):

Mastadon - Once More Round the Sun
Trollfest - Kaptein Kaos
Seven Thorns - II
Insomnium - Shadows of the Dying Sun
Equilibrium - Erdentempel
Crystal Eyes - Killer (it's not just the title that is reminiscent of Iron Maiden)
Machinae Supremacy - Phantom Shadow
Astralion - Astralion
Allen Lande - The Great Divide
Angra - Best Reached Horizons
Echoterra - Sanguinary Greed (this one may just have missed the top 6)
Mayan - Antagonise
Bigelf - Into the Maelstrom
Sabaton - Heroes
Evil Masquerade - The Digital Crucifix
Unisonic - Light of Dawn

And now for the prizes

R J Dio - This Is Your Life (various)

I like the 'tribute album by well-known artist(s)' genre, and this is particularly special because Dio's songwriting was the tops both music and lyrically and his voice was one of the best. All songs really rock. This is a fitting tribute - Make the devil horns sign if you miss him....

Tuomas Holopainen - Life and Times of Scrooge

Bit of a classical/rock crossover. I can imagine it being one of those crossover albums that Classic FM decide to put in their charts. Have they? I don't know. (I don't really care.)

There was no doubt about this one being a 'buy for keeps' and if it were vinyl it would be starting to wear smooth by now. I have to admit that 'Ecstacy of Gold' may well be my top Desert Island Disc (with the film soundtrack version on one side and the Metallica cover on the B side) and the fact that Tuomas has used it in Cold Heart of the Klondike works beautifully and fits perfectly with the album's concept.

Sixx AM - Modern Vintage

I must admit to not being familiar with the earlier Sixx AM albums, I enjoyed Motley Crue as much as everyone else in the 80s, but that was the 80s and I guess I just hadn't expected Sixx to have moved on - my bad. [edit 1/2/15 by coincidence I've just heard some old Crue on the radio and that last comment was harsh]

I could do without the Cars cover, but hey. I love James Michael's voice ad have been listening to his solo stuff as an offshoot of discovering this album.

Slash - World on Fire

If these were in order, this could be in the number one spot. Myles Kennedy - what a guy. Although Fortress from his band Alter Bridge made my top albums of 2013 the songwriting isn't so strong, perhaps I just like something that moves a bit rather than the more ballady drawn-out stuff they like to do.

When he's teamed up with Slash, all the elements are in place.

A.C.T. - Circus Pandemonium

I love a good concept, and I love it when song arrangements move away from verse/chorus/verse/chorus and this album has all that and more. It's a bit proggy in places (always a good thing in my book) reminding me of early Genesis. The band have put so much  into this album and it's really come off. Excellent - another 'buy for keeps'.

Alestorm - Sunset on the Golden Age

'Bacon powered pirate-core' says their website and a big 'Arrrrr!!!!' to that. Full marks for the album cover and a bonus for using Cthulhu. Impossible to listen without a big grin on your face! But they've gone beyond the novelty now, the music really rocks. If there's one thing that bothers me a little is the synth-sounding instruments. I'd rather picture guys with real piano accordions, brass  and fiddles running around the stage. But that's just between you & me; I'm not going to tell Cap'n Bowes that, I'll just serve him another mead like a good wench.

These top six are in my Best rock & metal albums of 2014 playlist
The honourable mentions and many more great albums from 2014 and 13 are in my Recent favourite albums playlist.

Is there one you think I missed? It may be because I haven't heard it - in which case you must tell me in the comments.

We have a winner

Known - Learnt from Arcane is the first album of 2015 to make the 'Shiela's recent favourite albums' playlist.

Here is great songwriting and a great timeless sound. Definitely proggy, a good range of styles, songs that twist and turn with unexpected things around the corners - it all keeps the ear interested. Driving riffs / double bass pedals through to acoustic guitar and piano. (though I'm not such a big fan of some of the more ponderous stuff). Bit of an epic orchestral sound in there at times too.

It's always good to hear a vocalist who can really sing - I'm an old-fashioned gal. Jim Grey really has a good voice which I'll enjoy listening to much more of.

I love it when a band makes an effort with the artwork - in the vinyl days, this would be a double-album with a gatefold sleeve and this graphic would be printed 12" square. (Eyes go dreamy...)