2020 was a clusterf*ck of a year, I believe we all pretty much can agree on that. However that didn’t prevent musicians – as much as they faced incredible challenges during the last 12 months – from creating excellent music that will go down on history because of the mere fact that was released in one of the most surreal and unprecedented times of our lifetimes.
In an era where technical complexity seems to be heralded as the defining feature in determining what makes an album great, the refreshing breath hard rock provides is obscured by fanatics who strive to classify albums by whose musicians can challenge the boundaries of human performance in their songwriting. While such rankings certainly have their place at the end of 2020, this list instead turns to the realm of hard and melodic rock. It would be unfair to pit the likes of Pendragon’s explorative melodies or the unapologetic thrash magnificence of Heathen against the steady, vibrant electric guitars of a much more classic rock scene.
The following list brings attention to the visions of rockers, undoubtedly rooted in the legendary pioneers of the genre, but also those that have been bold enough to reimagine what rock should sound like in the modern era of polished production and nearly infinite competition. Balancing tribute to the greats that formed rock as we have come to recognize it alongside the increasing demands of a saturated music scene may have taken its toll, but the following artists have shown that they can take the challenge with grace and create something stunning. Some artists have elected to follow a more melodic route, hopefulness and light weaving seamlessly with steady hands on electric guitars, while others have crafted their biting style on a traditionally inspired raw grit and howling falsettos.
Taking a considerable share of the market in a sometimes overlooked genre is the indomitable Frontiers Music SRL, whose bands consistently bring not just tribute to the tenets of hard rock in vibrant guitars and raspy vocalists, but also bright new talent. The vast majority of the albums listed below have their home with the Italian team led by Serafino Perugino, Mario Riso, Nick Tieder , Elio Bordi and Giulio Cataldo. Other small labels releases have also been strong contenders this year, where artists have had the opportunity to not just pay homage to the musicians that inspired their journeys, but to create something new for present and future generators to enjoy in equal measure.
As always with music, taste is highly subjective, and the following list is no exception. While it may have been impossible to listen to every album that was released in 2020, the following list reflects the final results of a lengthy deliberation of the many stunning albums that came across our many contributors’ desks. We can only hope that you enjoy reading the list as much as we enjoyed listening to these albums!
15.- A Perfect Day – With Eyes Wide Open (Rock of Angels Records)
“With Eyes Wide Open” is apparently the third release from A Perfect Day, who we were unfamiliar with prior to giving this release a listen. The album stands on its own as a polished rock record with instantly accessible melodies and solid vocals harmonies that are hooky and quick to take root. There’s a light grunge vibe in some tunes, but overall this is a carefully crafted collection of songs, with the band juggling heavier and lighter shades, energetic grooves and shimmering vocal harmonies in a very tasteful way. A listener friendly, melodic rock album that has ample aspects of edge, as well as sheen, read more about the album in our review here.
14.- Tokyo Motor Fist – Lions(Frontiers Music SRL)
From the wild throes of “Around Midnight” through the distant comfort of “Look Into Me,” Tokyo Motor Fist have provided yet another soundtrack for summer that has little room to disappoint. “Lions” plays to all of its artists strengths in a demonstration of balance and sensibility, giving fans exactly what they expected with little room to maneuver. Siphoned straight from some of the genre’s most practiced artists, “Lions” is a showcase of the traits which allowed melodic rock to thrive for decades. A youthful heart with experienced hands, Tokyo Motor Fist delivers a consistent and enjoyable record that speaks to the genre’s timelessness. Read our detailed review here.
13.- Revolution Saints – Rise(Frontiers Music SRL)
If your life and tastes are like “Stranger Things,” a sweet return down memory lane to food courts, Trans Ams, hair-sprayed bangs, and Goonies never saying die and/or if your CD binder in your car is full of Foreigner, Toto, and Journey, stop whatever you are doing and get your mitts on this album.Right now. This is a wonderfully executed and instantly listenable album no matter who you are. Yes, it follows the template of contemporary AOR, but it is clearly a unique product of the imaginations and creativity of the band, with very little drawing upon other things. The Revolution Saints have not reinvented the wheel, but the wheel they’ve made here really knows how to roll. Check out our detailed thoughts about this album here.
12.- The Night Flight Orchestra – Aeromantic(Nuclear Blast Records)
What a fun album. If you want something that is enjoyable, easy to listen to, and yet musically intelligent and well thought-out all at the same time, this is the rock album for you.While this album is very much anotherNight Flight Orchestrarecord, and not deviating radically from the formula, it does use this to its advantage to master this little niche genre they have created.The album flows marvelously well and serves as a shining example of why the album format remains relevant. It is fun, catchy, and continues to serve the brand they have created. Imagine if a modern prog metal band decided to do a fun retro album with all the catchiness of Hall and Oates.That still does not quite describe The Night Flight Orchestra, but you are getting closer to the idea.Our full chronicle of “Aeromantic” can be read in this link.
11.- Girish and The Chronicles – Rock The Highway(Lions Pride Music)
So what do we have here? Well, if hair metal from the Indian subcontinent is not “authentic” to the scene, then it’s the most beautiful counterfeit we have ever heard. This is a great little record with lots of heart, and it’s one of those newer bands you cannot help but want to see them succeed brilliantly. The album is primarily straightforward rockers and groovers like the title track and “Rock And Roll’s Here To Stay,” but there are enough exceptional tracks like “Distance Between,” and “Identity Crisis” to keep it interesting. If you are an old-school metalhead, especially of the Dokken/Crüe/Winger/Bon Jovi stuff, this record from Girish and the Chronicles will be right up your alley if you are open to new music. Find our own review of the album here.
10.- Vandenberg – 2020 (Mascot Label Group)
Releasing an album of original material decades after the last one came out can be a challenging endeavor, especially with such a dramatic lineup change. However, Vandenberg managed to update their sound while preserving the core and identity that made them famous in the 80’s, with the four members holding no punches and firing on all cylinders. “2020” is filled with fists-in-the-air hard rock anthems, and will please old school fans and new adepts alike.The recipe is tried and true, and will please those who are hungry for no frills hard rock with fierce riffs, stratospheric vocals and thundering drums. Listen to this record and get transported to an altered reality where grunge never happened. Make sure to read in detail about “2020” at this location.
9.- Bloody Heels – Ignite The Sky (Frontiers Music SRL)
Bloody Heels have created an entirely immersive sonic experience which engages the senses and evokes images of life’s most euphoric moments with the enthralling dynamism of 80’s rock. “Ignite the Sky” burns as hot as fire with its unforgettable riffs and infectious choruses that fight to define passion itself in an outpouring of the creative spirit. Full of anthems that embody the best of 80’s rock with a high-quality modern production that gives them a timeless appeal,Bloody Heelshave outdone themselves in an electrifying sophomore album that promises arena-rocking vigor for years to come. Check out our review of “Ignite the Sky”here.
8.- East Temple Avenue – Both Sides of Midnight(AOR Heaven)
If we were back in the ’80s, almost every track on this record would played non-stop on countless radios stations; such is the finesse these guys employ to tread the musical trademarks that elevated the genre in past decades, while also printing their own sonic stamp, resulting in a refreshing and thrilling record.“Both Sides of Midnight”has enough quality to end in any AOR / Melodic Rock lover’s collection, propelled by its stadium rock vibe, its haunting chorus, the vivid and blinding musicianship displayed through brilliant riffs, atmospheric keys, and dazzling guitar work, that shows without any doubt that the name of the game is simple: high-quality melodic rock. A remarkable collaborative effort by a set of musicians who live thousands of miles away from each other, on three different continents,Robbie LaBlanc, Darren Phillips, Dennis Butabi Borg, Philip Lindstrand, Dan SkeedandHerman Furinmanaged to craft a terrific first effort. Read a detailed analysis of this album at this location.
7.- Harem Scarem – Change The World (Frontiers Music SRL)
After almost 3 decades in the scene and 15 albums under their belt, Harem Scarem came back with another studio album to follow up their acclaimed previous release “United”. A cohesive unit still able to deliver a power-rock-packed punch, swaggering riffs, and hooks to die for, Harry Hess and Pete Lesperance without a doubt show the world that their partnership still works. Harem Scarem are a melodic rock band at heart, combined with evident hard rock edges and sprinkled with a very smooth and catchy execution. There are more hooks here than in your average bait shop but there’s a thump behind the vocals and guitars that prevents it all from getting predictable. Pair that with a polished and pristine production that brings forth the band’s robust sound and you have an stellar, hook-laden and anthemic collection of songs.
6.- Jeff Scott Soto – Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)(Frontiers Music SRL)
“Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)” is what everyone familiarized with Soto‘s solo offering can imagine to be, but just BETTER. The songs take into consideration the celebrated musical conceptions known from Soto‘s solo career and deliver them in a fitter and brilliant way. The eleven songs that compose this new album display the always impressive Soto‘s voice,who, with deep emotion, sings about life, love, bittersweet sentiments, daily life struggles, and on some occasions, human emotions with some uplifting and encouraging perspective. The record feels like an a la carte dish prepared with the very best of the celebrated sonic ingredients that Jeff is well known for, surprisingly seasoned with Alessandro Del Vecchio‘s delicious secret sauce.Be ready to fulfill your AOR, high-energy, and hard rock appetite with the latest creation by the renowned melodic cuisine established by these two chef stars. Our review can be read here.
5.- H.E.A.T – II(earMusic)
40 minutes and 11 tracks that don’t stop rocking, “II” sees this band coming back with a vengeance. H.E.A.T doesn’t hide its love for classic rock heroes, but doesn’t try to copy it either. After the semi-experimental “Into the Great Unknown” many followers were afraid that this excellent melodic rock band was heading in the wrong direction, but “II” eases our troubled minds by serving up what this quintet does best: freshly sounding, energetic melodic rock with bombastic melodies and bluesy undertones, exceptional vocals and a sense of live adrenaline that shines through. Direct and forceful, the songwriting is spot on and every track radiates a great deal of joy that lingers around your ears after the music is over. Simply put, a powerhouse collection of rock anthems.
4.- Perfect Plan – Waiting For A Miracle(Frontiers Music SRL)
The stupendous Swedes have done it again, delivering exactly according to their mission statement: paying homage to the great Melodic Rock / AOR of the last 30 years, and doing so brilliantly, at its very finest.Perfect Planreally nails theToto/Foreigner/Survivorvibe and injects a touch of refined contemporary heaviness in “Time For A Miracle”.The opening title track opens with the sound of “boots on the ground” and a military snare march, before electric guitars lead us into an anthemically slamming riff almost closer to“Operation Mindcrime”than any desire to “know what love is.” The the soaring vocals and the tasteful lead guitar work are constants throughout its 12 tracks, and “Fighting to Win” might as well be the best ballad Journey never managed to write. If you are looking for something heavier or more technical, make no mistake;Perfect Planhas still made a great and very listenable album to most any open-minded rock and metal fan. If these words don’t convince you enough, your can peruse at our review at this location.
3.- One Desire – Midnight Empire(Frontiers Music SRL)
One Desire’s debut album was not a one-off accident, in fact it was just a warmup for this, their second powerhouse album.For mature, well-thought-out, and absolutely ear-pleasing melodic rock, look no further than “Midnight Empire”.There is something here for every fan of the genre. Rather than deliver a nostalgic photocopy of yesteryear, or bringing us a “heavy version of Journey,”One Desirehas further developed a formula of delivering 80s AOR, but with strategically-placed application of heaviness and borderline-pop elements to bring us something not only accessible, but enjoyable for listen after listen.“Midnight Empire”invokes old-school melodic nostalgia, tempered by sensible modern stylings and maturity. Well done, boys. Our own take of “Midnight Empire” is here.
2.- Black Swan – Shake The World(Frontiers Music SRL)
This is what happens when veteran songwriting, ear-pleasing production, and world-class musicianship come together in just the right way to make something special.The ideal vocals of Robin McAuley, the rhythm of Starr and Pilson, and just about the one of best – and perhaps the most criminally underrated – guitarist on Earth: Reb Beach.Between the musicianship of all four members, the writing experience ofReb, and the production chops ofJeff Pilson, it all comes together to really shine here.“Shake the World” it’s big, it’s heavy, and unapologetic as a rocker with old school bona fides. Yes, this one is essential if you are into MSG, Dokken, Winger, Whitesnake, etc, but it’s essential listening for any discriminating rock and roll aficionado. We analyzed “Shake The World” in-depth at this location.
1.- Dirty Shirley – Dirty Shirley(Frontiers Music SRL)
How hard is for an album that came out in January of this year to end as the number one record in our staff picks, after twelve months of releases? Well, this album just did that. This is what John Kokel wrote about this album back in January, and his words are as significant now as they were back them: “…Wow.Just wow.This is not a mish-mash of old rockers thrown together in a new combination to try to reinvent the glory days.This is the best new rock singer of his generation creating something special with one of the legendary guitar heroes of yesteryear, who, amazingly, is still learning new tricks.The rock roots are authentic for listeners of any generation, but the envelope is pushed just enough to where it is not just the “same old same old.”Dino Jelusickis the young gun to watch in coming years, andGeorge Lynchremains the “Grand Master” when it comes to rock guitar.The album is well-conceived, flawlessly executed, enjoyable the first time out and the tenth, and is masterfully produced by keyboard and mix-maestroAlessandro Del Vecchio. If you like hard rock of any flavor, do not miss this release…” Read more about our favorite melodic hard rock album of the year here.
INSTRUMENTAL MELODIC ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Reb Beach – A View from The Inside (Frontiers Music SRL)
A great voice is not a necessary precursor for a stunning take on melodic rock. The following album was able to captivate and impress us with instruments alone, a feat that is both beautiful and noteworthy. We could have included it as part of the list above, but we felt it deserved its own spotlight. Richard Earl Beach, better known as “REB” to friends and fans alike, continues to be one of the scariest and most underrated talents in the world of guitar, and should never be underestimated. Although weighing in a little light at approximately 45 minutes, A View From The Inside” scratches the itch of the lead guitar fan without overstaying its welcome. As guitar albums go, this one is one of the best. If Reb understands one thing about guitar, it’s tasteful presentation and execution. This album paces itself well, and has a well-planned variety of ingredients, from blues to fusion to mind-blowing lead playing, and also seems poised to stand the test of time. Reb Beach, the omnipresent working man’s lead guitar player, and jack of all bands, has finished one of the definitive lead guitar albums of the decade. Check out our extensive review in this link.
LIVE MELODIC ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Eclipse – Viva La VicTOURia(Frontiers Music SRL)
Erik Mårtensson and company seem to be having a hard time not being featured in our end of the year best of lists. They claimed the top spot last year with the absolutely brilliant “Paradigm,” and they are back again in 2020, with the melodic rock live album your collection is screaming for. I could try to convince you as to why you must pay attention to this release, but I feel the guys at The Rock Pit did a great job when summarizing it: “…If you’ve yet to sample the sonic delights of Eclipse this isn’t a bad way at all to start. If you love wonderfully uplifting melodic rock with a great emphasis on melody and hooks you need this. If you’re a fan of Eclipse already you probably need all versions. As modern day live albums go this is wonderfully produced and sounds amazing…” If that still not convince you, let me try to be blunt: Eclipse might not be a multi-platinum selling band (yet) but they surely are one of the most consistent act in the melodic rock scene of the last 10 to 15 years, and “Viva La VicTOURia” simply highlights how mind-blowingly these guys really are.
SURPRISE MELODIC ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Palace – Rock N’ Roll Radio(Frontiers Music SRL)
Coming out of left field, this album took our melodic-rock contributors by surprise. Michael Palace delivered a surprise smash hit for 80s AOR melodic hard rock.It’s truly impressive one man can produce something with such impressive drumming, vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, keyboards, bass, and who knows what else.It isn’t just functional.It’s good.Really good.The songwriting is impressive, and the mix itself makes it a treat for the ears, and hopefully for the years.It’s almost a crime this guy keeps all his great writing to himself. “Rock N’ Roll Radio” may not top any charts, but it has heart and soul, and offers an authentic sampling of good-times radio rock-and-roll at its finest. Further details are available for your reading enjoyment here.
