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Kip Winger Symphony Of The Returning Light Album Review
The second classical album written by Kip Winger (Winger, solo artist), Symphony Of The Returning Light Violin Concerto “In The Language Of Flowers” was released on April 10th of 2026.
The follow up to his 2016 classical album Conversations With Nijinsky, Kip continues to show his talents as a classical music composer.
If you are a fan of classical music, there is no reason why you should not love this album.
One of the pieces, “Ambrosia”, brought me to tears. Very beautiful piece of music.
Great stuff!!!
Seek it out.
And thanks Kip for answering my question on a Facebook Live you did recently. I included that video here too.
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Black Label Society Engines Of Demolition Album Review
Black Label Society’s new album, Engines Of Demolition, was released on March 27 of 2026.
Singer/songwriter/guitarist/leader Zakk Wylde and co. have made another great album.
I think all BLS albums are quite good or great, but This is definitely one of my favorite BLS albums.
Lots of variety on it. Tons of heavy rockers, but also some really ballads and mellower songs too.
Wow what an album.
Get it!!!
And thanks guys for signing it too!!!
Rock on!!
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GWAR Album Rankings
I must say, I was super late to the band GWAR.
I used to think they were just a joke and a gimmick.
Well, I’m sorry I felt that way.
Yes they have a wild gimmick and are goofy, but that’s the point.
They’re supposed to just be fun, and they are.
Their style of music is mostly Thrash Metal, but also some Punk Rock also. And the lyrics, imagery, and videos are wild, but not meant to be taken seriously.
It’s all in good fun.
Everyone involved in GWAR, past and present (rest in peace Dave Brockie), are/were very good at what they do.
All great talents.
I’m glad I finally got into their music.
Like all these rankings, it’s tough because their discography is very solid and I could change my mind at any time, but here it goes:
- Lust In Space
- Hell-O
- Ragnarok
- Beyond Hell
- War Party
- Violence Has Arrived
- We Kill Everything
- The Blood Of Gods
- Bloody Pit Of Horror
- Battle Maximus
- Carnival Of Chaos
- The Disc With No Name (EP)
- The Return Of Gor Gor (EP)
- This Toilet Earth
- America Must Be Destroyed
- Scumdogs Of The Universe
- Live From Mt. Fiji (Live Album)
- You’re All Worthless And Weak (Live Album)
- The New Dark Ages
- The Road Behind (EP)
What can I say? Better late than never. GWAR ROCKS!!!!!!
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Exodus Goliath Album Review
Goliath, the 13th studio album from Thrash Metal legends Exodus, was released on March 20, 2026.
It is the first album in 10 years with returning singer Rob Dukes.
My favorite Exodus albums feature their previous singer Steve “Zetro” Souza, but I like the Dukes albums too, and I think this is my favorite featuring him on vocals.
This album is really strong from start to finish. Not a bad song on it.
Such great musicianship and songwriting.
Great production and mixing.
Really cool album art.
It’s got it all.
Definitely already one of my favorite Exodus albums and another phenomenal album released in 2026.
I can’t wait to see the band May 5th and hopefully get to hear a few of these songs live.
Welcome back Rob and Exodus rules!!
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Overkill Album Rankings
I’ve been a fan of the band Overkill for 25 years.
They have remained consistently great at what they do, both on album and live, since they formed in 1981.
When you listen to an Overkill album, you pretty much know what to expect. And if you’re a fan, that’s a great thing.
They have had many line up changes, but the singer Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth and bassist/backing vocalist D.D. Verni have been there since day one and have flown the Overkill flag high.
Why this band is not bigger I don’t know.
It’s hard to rank their discography because I can honestly say it’s all great.
But here it goes:
- Ironbound
- The Electric Age
- Feel The Fire
- Taking Over
- W.F.O.
- The Years Of Decay
- Killbox 13
- Under The Influence
- ReliXIV
- Immortalis
- Wrecking Everything (Live Album)
- The Grinding Wheel
- The Wings Of War
- Scorched
- Coverkill (Covers Album)
- Bloodletting
- I Hear Black
- From The Underground And Below
- The Killing Kind
- White Devil Armory
- Necroshine
- Wrecking Your Neck (Double Live Album)
- Live In Overhausen (Live Album/DVD)
- Power In Black (1st demo)
- Fuck You And Then Some (featuring one new song, live stuff, and their self titled demo)
Like most of these rankings, I could easily change them because again, they’re all great.
And they may have a new album out this year 2026. Hope so. I know they’re working on one.
Once it’s out, I’ll add it to my rankings.
Overkill rules!!
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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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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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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)!!
