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My Judas Priest Album Rankings
Judas Priest is one of my favorite bands of all time.
To me, they are the second Heavy Metal band in existence (1st is Black Sabbath).
Their impact is enormous.
Judas Priest have influenced so many bands.
Rob Halford, in my opinion, is one of the greatest singers of all time.
Their classic guitar duo of Glenn Tipton and KK Downing are my favorite guitar team and cannot be touched, even though there are other greats.
They are the one Metal band that have always waved the Metal flag and have been proud to call themselves a Heavy Metal band.
I don’t think they’ve ever released a bad album, but I am going to do my best here in ranking their discography.
Mainly their studio albums, but I’m going to include their live albums too because they are great too.
This is really tough, but here is my ranking of the Judas Priest discography.
- Painkiller
- Screaming For Vengeance
- Defenders Of The Faith
- Turbo
- Unleashed In The East
- British Steel
- Sin After Sin
- Stained Class
- Hell Bent For Leather
- Ram It Down
- Jugulator
- Demolition
- Point Of Entry
- Angel Of Retribution
- Firepower
- Nostradamus
- Invincible Shield
- Redeemer Of Souls
- Sad Wings Of Destiny
- Rocka Rolla
- Priest…Live
- War Pigs Single (Featuring Ozzy Osbourne)
- 98 Live Meltdown
- British Steel Live
- Live In London
- A Touch Of Evil Live
Wow that was really tough.
I only thought of this as I was typing it.
The Iron Maiden discography ranking I thought of and changed around all the way up to typing it.
But this one I made up right here.
Ask me in 5 minutes, and I’ll maybe rank it differently, and it’s tough because I love most of these albums, and don’t dislike any of them.
But anyway, here is my ranking of the greatest Heavy Metal bands of all time.
Judas Priest!!
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My Iron Maiden Album Rankings
Iron Maiden is one of the biggest Heavy Metal bands ever.
They are still going strong in 2025, 50 years after starting.
Bruce Dickinson, who has sang on most of their albums, is one of the best singers/frontmen in history, as far as I’m concerned. Paul Dianno was a very good singer earlier on and I don’t mind Blaze Bayley in the 90s, but Bruce is the guy. Period.
The guitarists Adrian Smith and Dave Murray, along with Janick Gers later on, are just phenomenal.
Drummers Clive Burr (RIP) and later Nicko McBrain are two of the greats.
And founding member/bassist/songwriter Steve Harris is untouchable.
I feel they have been mostly consistent with their discography, so it’s really hard and maybe unfair to try to rank them starting with my favorite and ending with my least favorite.
I’ve already changed it a few times since typing this, but for now, this is my ranking of Iron Maiden’s discography.
I’ll just rank the studio albums because there are so many live albums and all of them are solid, but I will just say my favorite Iron Maiden live album is Rock In Rio, released in 2001. OK here it is:
- Brave New World
- Powerslave
- Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
- The Number Of The Beast
- Somewhere In Time
- No Prayer For The Dying
- A Matter Of Life And Death
- The Final Frontier
- Book Of Souls
- Fear Of The Dark
- Iron Maiden
- Killers
- Piece Of Mind
- Dance Of Death
- Senjutsu
- Virtual XI
- The X Factor
There’s no right or wrong answer, but this is how I’m ranking the great band Iron Maiden’s studio album discography.
I may change my mind in 5 minutes, but this is it for now.
I’ve been re-listening to their albums recently, and decided to rank them on here.
If you see this, let me know what you think and if you’re a fan of their work, how would you rank them?
Let me know.
Rock on everyone.
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Billy Idol Dream Into It Album Review
Billy Idol released his latest album, Dream Into It, on April 25 of this year.
If you are a fan of Billy Idol, you should like this album.
It has rock, pop, punk, melody, good lyrics (some autobiographical), good guitar playing from Billy’s longtime collaborator Steve Stevens, and just lots of catchy hooks.
The album also includes the great Joan Jett on one song.
Billy is touring this summer with Joan Jett and her band The Blackhearts so check them out if you get a chance. I’ve seen both and they are awesome.
I’m glad Billy Idol is still making music and is still working with Steve Stevens. They make a great musical pair.
Keep on rocking guys and everyone check out Billy’s new album Dream Into It.
Luckily, I was able to get it with a signed insert card. Thanks Billy!!!!
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Jethro Tull Curious Ruminant Album Review
The legendary band Jethro Tull released their 24th studio album, Curious Ruminant, on March 7 of this year (2025).
Singer/Flutist/Multi-Instrumentalist/Songwriter/Founder Ian Anderson and the band is still going strong, still writing in my opinion very good songs.
Even though Ian is the only original/classic member left in the band, he still has great players with him.
On this album he has Jack Clark on electric guitar, David Goodier on bass, Scott Hammond on drums, James Duncan on drums/cajon/percussion, John O’ Hara on piano/keyboards/accordion, and Andrew Giddings on piano/keyboards/accordion.
Ian, while singing and playing flute as always, also plays acoustic guitar/tenor guitar/mandolin on this album, and as listed “odds and sods, bits and bobs”.
I know that several Jethro Tull fans don’t like what Ian and the band do now or have been doing for many years because they don’t like that Ian’s voice is not what it used to be.
It does not bother me at all. I think he still sounds good. It’s definitely different sounding now, but it doesn’t sound awful.
Ian just changed his vocal style to best fit what he can sing now, and as long as it doesn’t sound terrible, it does not bother me.
I understand why people aren’t as into it anymore, but I also think they are missing out because Ian and the band I think are still great.
I’ve already played this new Jethro Tull album, Curious Ruminant, several times. I find it very pleasant and fun to listen to.
Way to go Ian Anderson!! Keep on making music. I’ll keep on buying it and enjoying it.
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Dream Theater Parasomnia Album Review
The Progressive Metal band Dream Theater released their 16th studio album Parasomnia, on February 7 of this year (2025).
For Dream Theater fans, this is a treat because Mike Portnoy, the original drummer and co-founder, is back!!!!
He left Dream Theater in 2010 to pursue other musical ventures, while the band (James LaBrie on vocals, John Petrucci on guitar, John Myung on bass, and Jordan Rudess on keyboards) carried on with drummer Mike Mangini for 5 studio albums and a few live albums.
A few years ago, Portnoy saw Dream Theater as a fan for the first time, worked with Petrucci and Rudess on another album by their instrumental band Liquid Tension Experiment (LTE for short), then worked with Petrucci on one of his instrumental solo albums and did the tour.
Sometime during that period, the decision was made for Portnoy to return to Dream Theater.
This new album, Parasomnia, is the result of this reunion with Portnoy back on drums.
If you are a Dream Theater fan, you should really enjoy this.
It’s very heavy, but also has plenty of progressive music, intricate parts, great singing, long songs, and even one ballad.
It’s a great album to listen to if you are a diehard Dream Theater fan, and it’s a great album for any new Dream Theater fans.
This may not be your cup of tea, but if it is, get it!! It’s great.
Welcome back Mike Portnoy!!!! Hopefully this is the lineup for the rest of their career, which I thought it would be until it wasn’t in 2010.
But I’m glad the band carried on, and I love a lot of what Portnoy did outside of the band, but nothing against Mike Mangini, but this is Portnoy’s gig and I’m very glad he’s back.
Carry on guys!!
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Michael Schenker My Years With UFO Album Review
Michael Schenker has been one of my favorite guitar players since I was a teenager.
I first heard him on the Scorpions debut album “Lonesome Crow”.
I was completely blown away by his playing.
I then got into the band UFO, in which he played guitar for a few times over the decades, recording some of the best hard rock music you could possibly hear.
He also has his own band MSG (Michael Schenker Group), in which there have been many lineups of, and he’s recorded A LOT of albums over the decades with MSG, UFO, and other off shoots, and even solo instrumental albums (Acoustic and electric ones. I highly recommend his instrumental album “Adventures Of The Imagination”. My girlfriend Mariah loves it too.).
50 years after the first UFO album Michael played on (called “Phenomenal”), he has released a newly recorded album of UFO classics featuring many singers and musicians.
It is called “My Years With UFO”.
Guests include Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Axl Rose (Guns N Roses), Slash (Guns N Roses, Slash’s Snakepit, Velvet Revolver, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators), Biff Byford (Saxon), Erik Gronwall (Skid Row), Joey Tempest (Europe), Jeff Scott Soto (Sons Of Apollo, Journey), John Norum (Europe, Dokken), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force), Adrian Vandenberg (Vandenberg, Whitesnake), Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Rod Steward, Blue Murder, King Kobra), Stephen Pearcy (RATT), Roger Glover (Deep Purple), Joel Hoekstra (Trans Siberian Orchestra, Whitesnake, Night Ranger), and others.
Star studded lineup of singers and musicians, but ultimately, it still comes down to the songs and Michael’s phenomenal guitar playing. And he is still PHENOMENAL!!
So, if you are a UFO or Michael fan or a fan of any of the guests, then this album is for you.
Crank it up!!
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My Favorite Albums Released in 2024
It’s now January 3 of 2025 as I type this (Happy Birthday John Paul Jones and Stephen Stills!!), so it’s time for me to give a listing of my favorite albums released in 2024.
Many great ones were released and there’s still many I have not bought and listened to (hopefully someday I will), but until then, here it goes:
1. Riley’s L.A. Guns “The Dark Horse”-This album was initially released digitally early in 2024 but eventually was released physically later in the year. I bought it on digital and preordered the CD. Let me tell you: I love what Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns of L.A. Guns have been doing since they started working together again. They’ve released 4 awesome albums since 2017 and have another coming this April. Having said that, I also like Riley’s L.A. Guns. Their album Renegades is amazing, as is The Dark Horse. Just a great, raw, rock and roll album. I cannot recommend this album enough. Sadly, drummer Steven Riley passed away so I’m guessing this particular version of the band is no more, but either way, they made two awesome rock and roll albums. The Dark Horse is by far my favorite album of 2024.
2. Ace Frehley “10,000 Volts”-I’ve been an Ace fan since I was 15 years old (I’m 42 as I type this.). I love his work in KISS and his solo work. This is another solid album by the one and only Space Ace. I think it’s his most catchiest album, too. Every song is quite good, and if you are a fan of Ace or of good hard but catchy rock and roll, this album is for you. Rock on Ace!!
3. Sebastian Bach “Child Within The Man”-Wow what an album!! Baz is still making awesome rock albums. This is one of his best ever. I love every single song and loved hearing a lot of these songs when I last saw Baz in concert (review here). Do yourself a favor and check out Child Within The Man. Incredible rock album.
4. Burton Cummings “A Few Good Moments”-The singer of The Guess Who put out a phenomenal solo album in 2024. Called A Few Good Moments, it contains 17 awesome songs. Burton is still a great singer/songwriter and I love these songs so much. Thank you sir for this great album.
5. Deep Purple “=1”-Deep Purple are still making phenomenal albums. =1, to me, is one of their best albums ever. I wish that more bands/artists that have been around for decades would still make albums. Especially albums as great as this one. Get this album. You won’t regret it.
6. Judas Priest “Invincible Shield”-The second “Heavy Metal” band is still making phenomenal albums also. Invincible Shield is another awesome album in a long and awesome discography. Priest rules!!
7. Saxon “Hell, Fire And Damnation”-Saxon is another band that’s been around for decades and keeps making arguably their best work. This album is another one of their best.
8. Mark Farner “Closer To My Home”-I had looking forward to this album for a long time. The singer/songwriter/guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad has still got it!! Such a great new album. Thank you sir for making this album.
9. Russell/Guns “Medusa”-Great White singer Jack Russell and L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns recorded a very good album in 2023 and released it in early 2024. If you are a fan of Jack and Tracii, this is the album for you. Sadly, Jack passed away later in 2024, but he was still singing great all the way to the end. Godspeed Jack!! Thank you for your music, and your kindness!! And I’ll always miss you.
10. Bon Jovi “Forever”-This album is kind of a miracle because singer/songwriter Jon Bon Jovi has had vocal issues for the past few years. I’m a fan of all of their albums, some more than others, but I like/love all of them, and this is no different. Lots of very good songs on here, great lyrics, and Jon is singing good. I’m glad that Jon and the band were able to make this album. Bon Jovi Forever indeed!!
That is my top 10 albums of 2024. Here are some honorable mentions:
Mr. Big “Ten”-Solid album from this great band.
Black Country Communion “V”-Another very good album from Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian.
Motley Crue “Cancelled”-Not an album, but a 3 song EP. I wish it was a full album because Motley is one of my favorite bands ever, but I’ll take what I can get. I’ve played these songs a bunch and I’m glad that the band is still making new music. I wish guitarist Mick Mars was still there (He put out a solid solo album in 2024 too, listed below.) but nevertheless, Motley still rock and I still love the band no matter what.
Mick Mars “The Other Side Of Mars”-I’m glad Mick was FINALLY able to release his debut solo album. It’s very heavy. Thank you Mick for this!!
The Black Crowes “Happiness Bastards”-Welcome return to Chris and Rich Robinson. Rocking album!!
Punky Meadows “Wrap Me Up”-Not an album, but a phenomenal Christmas original. It should be a future classic.
Like I said earlier in this post, there is so many more albums that were released in 2024 I have not yet bought and heard, but having said that, this is my definitive 2024 list of albums.
Hopefully 2025 will be another great year for new music!!
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Punky Meadows’ Wrap Me Up Single Should Be the Next Christmas Classic!
Angel guitarist Punky Meadows has written and released a new Christmas single called Wrap Me Up.
This is a song that should be the next Christmas classic.
It’s new, but it sounds as if it was written and recorded back when the Christmas classics were made.
Punky assembled a great group of people on this song, most notably singer Gabriel Levine. Wow what a voice.
All the vocals and instrumentation on this song is phenomenal and should make you feel good listening to.
I cannot say it enough that this song should be a HUGE hit and be played at Christmas every year.
Thank you Punky for writing, playing on, and producing this song.
Seek out this song. Trust me you will love it.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!!
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Van Zant Always Look Up Album Review
Brothers Johnny (Lynyrd Skynyrd/solo artist) and Donnie Van Zant (38 Special) have released their first album as a duo since 2007.
Called Always Look Up, it is a Christian album featuring Johnny and Donnie’s great vocals and songwriting in a phenomenal way.
This album is extremely positive, powerful, and inspiring.
You don’t have to be a Christian to enjoy this album, although it would help.
Either way, I find this album to be a feel good album and we as a world need words and songs like this more than ever.
Johnny and Donnie have provided a great service with this album and I thank them both very much.
All of these songs would sound great in churches or anywhere for that matter.
Give it a listen and I dare you to not feel good afterwards.
And thanks guys for signing it too (courtesy of Talk Shop Live)!!
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Mark Farner Closer To My Home Album Review
I’ve been waiting for this for some time.
The great singer/songwriter/guitarist Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad) has released a new solo album!!
Released on November 8 of 2024, the album is called Closer To My Home and it is a phenomenal album.
Produced by Mark and Mark Slaughter (Slaughter, The Vinnie Vincent Invasion), this album has everything you want if you are a fan of Mark or Grand Funk.
Every song is phenomenal. It even closes with a Grand Funk classic (I’m Your Captain/Closer To Home).
I can already say this is one of the best albums of 2024 and one of Mark’s best albums.
Thank you sir for making this album and for signing it too!!!!
It rocks, but is yet soulful and has tons of melody and great lyrics.
Rock on Mark Farner and thanks for giving me a shout out recently on a Facebook Live chat too (video below).
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
