HEAD FULL OF TUNES : THE BEST ALBUMS OF MY 2013

It's that time again - the time when scornful music journalists like me cast a weary eye over the past year's musical antics and pick the best of the bunch. I can guarantee my list is different to most of the lists you'll see out there right now, but I've never tried to hide the act I have eclectic tastes in rock and metal. These albums represent my own personal favourites of the year, and I know yours will be different. That's the joy of music. Everyone has their own. This is mine.
This is limited to new albums - not live releases, DVDs, EPs etc.
This year aside from the hundreds of releases I've listened to for review for the mag, I have found myself revisiting a lot of albums from my youth as well as new releases, but the videos that follow demonstrate why these 2013 releases have rocked my world throughout the year.
10 - W.E.T. RISE UP


The second album from melodic rock scene supergroup W.E.T. is a delight from start to finish. I interviewed vocalist JEFF SCOTT SOTO in support of it, and had a great time with him. A superb rock album. *

9 - PINICK GALES PRIDGEN (Self Titled)



This power trio's album is nothing short of phenomenal. Blues, rock, funk and more all smashed together into one of the most consistent and fluid albums of the year. *

8 - POWERWOLF – PREACHERS OF THE NIGHT

The German Power Metal powerhouse returned this year with more gigantic metal anthems, fusing theatricality with razor-sharp riffs and some of the greatest metal choruses heard in a long time. *

7 - BLACK SABBATH – 13

  You can stop going on about it not having Bill Ward on it now. Black Sabbath's '13' brought Ozzy, Tony and Geezer back together at last, and the results are brilliant. *

6 - GHOST BC - INFESTISSUMAM

  Rock has always loved theatre. Modern rock really needs more theatre in its blood, and that's where Ghost BC come in. Their new one is splendid. *

5 - HUNTRESS – STARBOUND BEAST

  The second album from HUNTRESS slays. Simple as that. A huge step forward from their exemplary debut. Tripped-out sci-fi tinged occult metal, and quite brilliant. *

4 - ANGELICA - THRIVE

  Solo debut album from Angelica Rylin, vocalist of THE MURDER OF MY SWEET. A fantastic album of modern melodic rock with a slightly metallic edge. Packed with memorable tunes.

*

3 - DEGREED - WE DON'T BELONG

  My review of the DEGREED album bagged the ALBUM OF THE MONTH spot in the magazine, and rightly so. A perfect example of how melodic rock can sound vital and fresh in the current musical climate. Sublime. *

2 - SKARLETT RIOT – TEAR ME DOWN

  The full-length debut album by the UK's best young band (seriously… see them live and try to tell me I'm wrong) perfectly captures their infectious energy and undeniable star quality. No weak songs, no weak performances. This is just the beginning for one of the scene's brightest hopes. *

1 - REVAMP – WILD CARD

  My album of the year! The second album from former AFTER FOREVER vocalist Floor Jansen (now the permanent lead vocalist in NIGHTWISH) is a truly stunning symphonic/progressive metal album which redefines a scene which can be so stagnant at times.  Floor has pushed her incredible vocal talents even further on this album and tackles some of the most crushingly heavy songs of her career so far. The songs are complex and enthralling, and her performance is just astounding.