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Megadeth Album Review
Megadeth’s self-titled 17th full length studio album was released on January 23rd of 2026.
Billed as their “final album”, it is another masterpiece, in my opinion.
I have not stopped listening to it for days.
I bought the album three times because other versions (Target and digital) had exclusive bonus tracks. And I bought a signed copy from TalkShopLive.
Worth every cent.
I’ve been a Megadeth fan since 1999 and love all their albums. Some more than others, but I think they’re all great. And this is definitely one of the best ones.
And as of this typing, it is the Number One album on the Billboard Top 200. That is AMAZING!!
I don’t know if it’s the last album, but either way, Dave Mustaine and co. have made another PHENOMENAL album.
Thank you Dave for all the music and I hope to see you and the band again.
Rock on!!
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The Justice Riders/A Threat To Justice by Chuck Norris, Ken Abraham, Aaron Norris, & Tim Grayem Book Reviews
One of my favorite actors Chuck Norris, along with his brother Aaron, Ken Abraham, and Tim Grayem wrote two western books and released them in 2006 and 2007.
The first is called The Justice Riders. It tells the story of Ezra Justice and his group of six men who have been assigned by General William T. Sherman to do special assignments during The Civil War and other adventures they were involved in right after the war.
The second book, A Threat To Justice, picks up where The Justice Riders left off, in which the group go their separate ways but ultimately come back together when one of them is in trouble.
Both of these books are really good western books, with some religious overtones to them.
Both are really good stories and both should be movies, in my opinion.
My girlfriend and website partner Mariah bought both of these books for me for Christmas.
Great gifts for sure.
I love both books and I highly recommend them.
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Heroes And Friends: Pro Wrestling Remembrances By Jim Cornette Book Review
Wrestling manager/booker/author/podcaster/historian Jim Cornette released his book Heroes And Friends: Pro Wrestling Remembrances in 2025.
I bought it on his website jimcornette.com.
It features stories and background about some of Jim’s favorite wrestlers, managers, and announcers.
Some include Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Bruno Sammartino, Lance Russell, The Original Sheik, Vader, Paul Bearer (Percy Pringle), Ray Stevens, and more.
If you are a fan of wrestling, this book is for you.
And thanks Jim for signing it for me.
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My Favorite Albums of 2025
It’s February of 2026 as I type this, but I wanted to mention my favorite albums of 2025.
There are still 2025 albums I’ve not yet purchased and listened to, but there were a lot of great ones that came out that year.
My top 3 are:
38 Special Milestone-This is 38 Special’s first studio album since 2004 and boy was it worth the wait. Every song is great and singer/co-guitarist/founding member Don Barnes is as great as ever. Also thanks to the band and TalkShopLive for the signed copy!!
Two-Wolf-This is the debut album from the band Two-Wolf, which features Blackfoot founding member/bassist Greg T. Walker. Such a great album from start to finish. I got Greg to sign my CD booklet when I saw the band in 2025. Check out Two-Wolf.
Peter Criss-This is KISS founding member/drummer Peter Criss’ first solo album since 2007. It’s a masterpiece from start to finish. I love this album sooooooo much. Aside from his 1978 solo album, this is my favorite of his solo albums. It’s so incredible. Check it out.
OK the rest are in no particular order of favorite, so I’ll just list them as they are in the pictures I took of them:
Dream Theater Parasomnia-Another amazing album from DT. Founding member/drummer Mike Portnoy is back!!
Judas Priest/Ozzy Osbourne War Pigs Charity Single-Yes this is a single, but what a great one. Featuring already recorded vocals from Ozzy Osbourne (RIP), this is Judas Priest paying respect to Black Sabbath. Phenomenal version of this classic song.
Styx Circling From Above-Another really good album from Styx. They quit making albums for a long time, but for past roughly decade, they’ve been very consistent with putting out really good albums. Again, this is another really good one.
Michael Schenker Group Don’t Sell Your Soul-Another solid effort from the amazing guitarist Michael Schenker.
The Doobie Brothers Walk This Road-Very good album from one of my favorite bands. Michael McDonald now back in the band!! He, Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons, John McFee and co. are still amazing. I got a signed copy from their website. Thanks guys!!!!
Billy Idol Dream Into It-Solid effort from Billy and his guitarist/collaborator Steve Stevens. My copy is signed by Billy. Thanks Billy and TalkShopLive!!
Biohazard Divided We Fall-Their first album since 2012, Biohazard are as awesome as ever.
Mammoth The End-Another great album from Wolfgang Van Halen. Like his other two albums before this, he sings, writes, and plays everything. Phenomenal talent.
Bryan Adams Roll With The Punches-Another really good album from Bryan Adams. Thanks again to TalkShopLive and Bryan for the signed CD.
Glenn Hughes Chosen-Glenn is one of the greatest singers/bassists ever. He continues that way with this really solid album. Again, thanks TalkShopLive and Glenn for the signed picture that came with the CD.
Cheap Trick All Washed Up-Cheap Trick have really been on a roll since their Bang Zoom Crazy Hello album came out in 2016. One great album after another. This is another really good one. Thanks to the band and TalkShopLive for the signed CD.
LA Guns Leopard Skin-Like Cheap Trick, LA Guns have really been on a roll since releasing their 2017 album The Missing Peace. Every album they’ve released since then (The Missing Peace, The Devil You Know, Checkered Past, Black Diamonds, and now Leopard Skin) are great. Get all of them.
Jimmy Page And The Black Crowes Live At The Greek-This is a re-release of a phenomenal live album originally released in 2000. This version has a lot more songs on it, as well as the ones on the original release. Again, PHENOMENAL.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Celebrating 50 Years Live At The Ryman-This is a double live album and DVD set. This is also sadly founding member/guitarist Gary Rossington’s final show with the band. The show is great, though. Seek it out.
OK I know there are more great 2025 releases, but that’s my list.
Onward to 2026. I’ve already bought 3 awesome albums released in 2026. Check them out in separate reviews and/or my 2026 Album List in 2027.
Until then, Rock On!!
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Peter Criss (2025) Album Review
One of the founding members of KISS, drummer/co-vocalist Peter Criss (recent Kennedy Center Honor recipient and Rock And Roll Hall of Famer), released his first solo album in 18 years, on December 19th of 2025 (one day before Peter’s 80th birthday).
Peter has been talking about this album for many years, but I think it was worth the wait.
I preordered the CD and bought the digital version on Peter’s Bandcamp page.
Just the first day of having the digital version, I played it 12 times all the way through.
I really love this album.
Aside from a few great R&B songs and one sort of Rockabilly song (awesome), this album really ROCKS!
Peter is still in fine voice and his drumming is still great.
And he has a great group of musicians with him on this album. John 5 (Motley Crue, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, 2wo, solo artist) plays guitar on three songs while Mike McLaughlin plays guitar on the other songs. Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, David Lee Roth, Talas, The Winery Dogs, Sons Of Apollo) plays bass on all but one song (Matt Montgomery on the other song), Paul Shaffer of The David Letterman Band plays all the piano and organ parts, and Dennis Collins, Sharon Collins, and Cat Manning supply backing vocals.
If you are a Peter fan, KISS fan, or rock fan, I can’t see anything here you should not like.
I think this is one of Peter’s best albums and IF I ever meet him (he’s the only original member of KISS I’ve not met) I would love for him to sign my CD.
Thank you Peter for this great album.
I love you forever.
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Wicked: For Good Movie Review
Wicked: For Good, which is the sequel to 2024’s Wicked, was released on November 21 of 2025 (earlier for some theaters though).
My girlfriend really got me into these movies.
I really enjoyed Wicked last year (review here) so I was looking forward to seeing Wicked: For Good.
At first, I must say I was enjoying it, but later on, the movie really went into a new gear and I was really loving it then.
The first movie did a great job establishing all the characters and the songs are fantastic.
But this movie is darker and the story has more teeth to it, if you will.
Wicked: For Good is really a ride and again, the songs are fantastic.
All the cast is great, as it is in the first movie.
Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, and everyone else play their characters to the hilt and all do a splendid job.
If you are a fan of Wicked and The Wizard Of Oz, I don’t know how you could not enjoy Wicked: For Good.
Like anything, it’s not for everyone, but I love it, and so does my girlfriend (she’s already seen it 4 times and will go see it again).
Yeah I can attest it’s that great.
Go see it!!!!
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Aerosmith/Yungblud One More Time EP Review
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, as well as singer Yungblud, released an EP called One More Time on November 21 of 2025.
It says Aerosmith, but aside from one remix of an Aerosmith classic (which features all of the band), the EP is really Steven, Joe, Yungblud, and some other players (including Matt Sorum of The Cult, Guns N Roses, and Velvet Revolver).
Yungblud I had not heard of until more recently when I saw a video of him singing a KISS song (I Was Made For Loving You) and then he did a great version of Black Sabbath’s Changes at the Back To The Beginning concert in July of 2025.
I think Yungblud has a great future in music and it’s cool that he was able to work with Steven and Joe.
And it’s really great hearing Steven sing again.
Aerosmith canceled their last tour because Steven was having vocal issues.
So, to hear him sing at all, and also as great as he still is, is a promising sign.
And of course Steven and Joe being together is always great.
I’m not saying this is a masterpiece, but it’s really great hearing Steven sing again.
The lead single, My Only Angel, sounds like an Aerosmith song and should be a huge single.
Check it out. And welcome back Steven Tyler!!
Oh and the version I bought through Aerosmith’s website has spray paint on the logos that were spray painted by Steven himself!!! Pretty cool.
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Cheap Trick All Washed Up Album Review
Cheap Trick released their 21st studio album, All Washed Up, on November 14 of 2025.
Cheap Trick (featuring classic members Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, and Tom Petersson, as well as Rick’s son Dax) have really been on a roll since releasing their Bang Zoom Crazy Hello album in 2016.
Every album they’ve released since has been great and this one is no exception.
If you are a Cheap Trick fan, or just a fan of rock and roll music with crunch but also melody, then this album is for you.
Check it out and keep on rocking Cheap Trick!!!
And thanks for signing it for me (through Talk Shop Live)!!
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Judas Priest Featuring Ozzy Osbourne War Pigs (Charity Single)
In July of 2025, one of my favorite bands, Judas Priest, released a cover single of the Black Sabbath (another favorite of mine) classic War Pigs.
Well, a few months later, they rereleased it also featuring Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne (RIP) singing some of it with Priest singer Rob Halford.
The single was for charity (The Glenn Tipton Parkinson’s Foundation & Cure Parkinson’s).
Ozzy’s vocals were older (Ozzy was not able to sing it with Priest), but Ozzy and his wife/manager Sharon gave Priest their blessing to use Ozzy’s vocal track for their cover.
Either way, it sounds amazing.
Rest In Peace Ozzy and keep on defending the Heavy Metal faith Judas Priest!!
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Hits Galore!! Bryan Adams/Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo Concert Review
- Date of Concert: Saturday, November 1, 2025
- Location of Concert: Rocket Arena in Cleveland, OH
I finally got to see Bryan Adams!!
I was supposed to see him in 2023, but I was ill at the time and could not attend.
Well, I made up for it this time.
What a show!!
As I said in the heading of this post, hits galore.
Opener Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo really brought the punch with their song selections from throughout their 4 decades long discography.
I had seen them a few months prior to this as a headliner (review here) so I knew what to expect.
Pat’s voice is still as powerful as ever and Neil (her husband) is a great guitarist and pianist too.
And their band is solid as a rock.
It was cool seeing them again.
But now to the main event.
Bryan Adams has been a very successful singer/songwriter/musician also for 4 decades and is still going strong.
This tour is in support of his latest album Roll With The Punches.
He played some from that album, plus lots of songs from throughout his career.
If you’re a fan, you had to be satisfied.
He even takes a few requests, via online choices.
And even though he has a big stage to perform on, he did the first two songs and the last song on a smaller platform in the back of the arena. Really cool!!
And his band (Bryan plays guitar and bass) which includes long time guitarist Keith Scott, long time drummer Pat Steward, and keyboardist Gary Breit, are rock solid too.
Again, another great show for the books.
What’s next? Who knows.
Rock on everyone.
Bryan Adams Set List:
- Can’t Stop This Thing We Started (B-Stage)
- Straight From The Heart (B-Stage)
- Kick Ass
- Run To You
- Somebody
- Roll With The Punches
- 18 Til I Die
- Please Forgive Me
- Take Me Back
- It’s Only Love
- Shine A Light
- Heaven
- Never Ever Let You Go
- This Time
- Make Up Your Mind
- You Belong To Me
- One Night Love Affair
- Lonely Nights (Audience Request)
- Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman? (Audience Request)
- Here I Am
- When You’re Gone
- The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You
- (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
- Back To You
- So Happy It Hurts
- Summer Of ’69
- Cuts Like A Knife
- All For Love (B-Stage)
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo Set List:
- All Fired Up
- Invincible
- Ties That Bind
- Promises In The Dark
- Shadows Of The Night
- Together (New Song)
- We Belong
- Hell Is For Children
- You Better Run
- Love Is A Battlefield
- Heartbreaker (also features some of Ring Of Fire)
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
