Tag: Jettblack
5 Rob Rockitt’s Top Hard Rock Albums of 2012
Yes, it is that time of year again. Hard Rock Hideout writers, Rob Rockitt and Ryo Vie pick our Top 10 albums of 2012. 2012 was a solid year for hard rock. There were many great releases, and quite a few above average ones as well. Trying to pick the top 10 is always a daunting task each year. After a lot of thought, discriminating, listening and re-listening, I have finally made my choices. If you haven’t added the 10 albums below to your collection, you are truly missing out on the best of 2012.
The following albums almost made the cut in the top 10, but are definitely worth mentioning.
Honorable Mentions:
RUSH – Clockwork Angels
ACCEPT – Stalingrad
Youngblood – No Retreat
Dokken – Broken Bones
L.A. Guns – Hollywood Forever
The Darkness – Hotcakes
Foxy Shazam – The Church of Rock and Roll
Papa Roach – The Connection
The Treatment – This Might Hurt
Jackyl – Best In Show
Bullet – Full Pull
Slash – Apocalyptic Love
Kill Devil Hill – S/T
SNEW – What’s It To Ya
Europe – Bag of Bones
Jack Blades – Rock N Roll Ride
Fozzy – Sin & Bones
Trixter – New Audio Machine
In This Moment – Blood
Testament – Dark Roots of Earth
And now for my top 10 of 2012!
10. Texas Hippie Coalition – Peacemaker – Texas Hippie Coalition released their third album Peacemaker in 2012, and in my opinion, in it is their best one yet. These boys are obviously still “Pissed Off and Mad About It”. Their anger has inspired a new set of killer tunes including “Hands Up”, “Damn You To Hell”, “Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll”, and “Paw Paw Hill”. Don’t miss this!! Check out the song “Hands Up” below.
9. Halestorm – The Strange Case Of – Halestorm’s latest effort The Strange Case Of isn’t without some cheesy tunes (especially if you have the version with the bonus tracks) but overall, it is a very strong release and Lzzy Hale has never sounded better. Check out the song “Freak Like Me” below.
8. Jettblack – Raining Rock – Raining Rock is no sophomore slump for the UK rockers Jettblack. It is a shame that this hasn’t had an official U.S. release. I am betting a lot of folks missed this one, and everyone who loves classic rock should check this one out. You can get it at Amazon.com.
7. Shinedown – Amaryllis – I loved Shinedown’s 2008 CD The Sound of Madness, so I was really looking forward to hearing Amaryllis. Amaryllis might be borderline when it comes to hard rock, but this is easily one of Shinedown’s best CD’s to date, and easily one of the best of 2012.
Check out the song “Unity” below.
6. Adler – Back From The Dead – One of the biggest surprises of 2012, is the debut album from former Guns N’ Roses drummer Stephen Adler. This CD has great rocking tunes, and no filler tracks. Adler outdid his former band mate Slash as far as new music in 2012 in my opinion.
5. Adrenaline Mob – Omertá – What happens when Russell Allen (Sumphony X) and Mike Portnoy (Ex-Dream Theater) join forces? They put out a damn find hard rock album that is NOT progressive metal. I think the non progressive style of Omerta surprised some folks, but give this one a few spins, and you can’t deny that this is a great album. Everyone should be talking about Mike Orlando, who is one incredible guitarist.
Check out the song “Indifferent” below.
4. The Cult – Choice of Weapon – With the Cult set on releasing time capsules instead of albums, I didn’t think we would ever have another new album from the band. Much to my surprise and utter happiness, The Cult released Choice of Weapon last May. In my opinion, this albums stands up to some of the Cult’s best work including Electric and Sonic Temple.
Check out the song “For the Animals”!
3. Charm City Devils – Sins – It took a few years for CCD to put out their second effort Sins, but I can gladly say that it was worth the wait. John Allen is a fine song writer, and pretty decent singer too. Sins leans more toward the modern side of hard rock but their isn’t a bad song on Sins. I love their remake of “Man of Constant Sorrow”, and have played the hell out of Sins in 2012.
Check out the song “Unstoppable” below.
2. Van Halen – A Different Kind of Truth – Everyone wanted to see David Lee Roth rejoin Van Halen, but it took a few years for the band to record some new tunes. I say “new” loosely with so many older demo cuts being used on A Different Kind of Truth, but as must people already know. OLD Van Halen is the best Van Halen, and A Different Kind of Truth is a great album. (And yes, I even like the song “Tattoo”.)
1. KISS – Monster – You wanted the best, you got the best!! Never in my wildest dreams did I think KISS would be able to put out another album as strong as Monster. I enjoyed their previous effort Sonic Boom, but Monster outshines that album by a mile. Easily my favorite KISS album since Revenge! This album is practically worth picking up for “Wall of Sound” all by itself. Hopefully KISS will tour for this album another year, and do more songs from it.
0 New Releases For Tuesday 8/7/2012
Lots of new releases today, and definitely a few things worth checking depending upon your tastes. My favorite of the week is the new CD Raining Rock from Jettblack. You can grab this one at Amazon.com, and the cost of a normal CD, even though it is an Import. (Check out the video clip for “Raining Rock” below….it is awesome!
Doro – Under My Skin – Fan Box
10 Years – Minus The Machine
Turbonegro – Sexual Harassment
Fastway – S/T (Reissue)
Johnny Van Zant Band – Last of the Wild Ones (Reissue)
Johnny Van Zant Band – Round Two (Reissue)
Grave Digger – Home at Last (EP)
Tankard – A Girl Named Cerveza
Wild Machine – Wild Machine II
Paris – S/T (Reissue)
The Ordeal – Descent From Hell
Sacred Oath – Spells And Incantations (The Best of)
Rob Zombie’s Mondo Sex Head
Saga – 20/20
Jettblack – Raining Rock (Import at U.S. Price)
0 New Video – Jettblack – Raining Rock
UK rockers Jettblack have released a killer new video “Raining Rock”.
“In a baron and not too distant future, Simon Cowell has been assassinated,” explain the band of the video’s concept. “Killed with a radioactive dart by Lord Zolton who now rules the airwaves, slaughtering bands that don’t meet his impeccable music tastes… Now it’s Jettblack’s turn to enter Death Frequency and play for their lives. Will Lord Zolton spare them, or have these UK rockers annihilated by his blood thirsty firing squad?”
As you do. Taken from the album ‘Raining Rock’, out
‘Raining Rock’ Single – http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/raining-rock-single/id522427334
‘Raining Rock’ Album Pre-Order – http://itunes.apple.com/gb/preorder/raining-rock/id524236826
For more on Jettblack, please see: https://www.facebook.com/JETTBLACKUK
0 Video – Jettblack – Two Hot Girls
Check out “Two Hot Girls” from UK rockers Jettblack! “Two Hot Girls” is on the awesome 2010 release, Get Your Hands Dirty.
5 Rob Rockitt’s 20 Best Hard Rock & Metal Albums’s of 2010
Choosing the Top 10 Hard Rock & Metal CD’s of 2010 was the most daunting task ever. 2010 was a terrific year for music. There were so many great releases to consider this year. I can’t remember the last time I had this much trouble formulating a year end list. There were over 40 quality hard rock & metal releases that I re-listened to. With so much good music, it was very hard to choose the best twenty, but these were the best of 2010 in my opinion.
20. VAIN – All Those Strangers
Vain’s All Those Strangers was supposed to be released in 1991, but the financially strapped Island Records buried it. I am grateful that Davy Vain finally led this disc see the light of day. To my ears, this CD sounds like a natural continuation on Vain’s awesome debut, No Regrets. It may have been recorded in 1991, but it was officially released in 2010. It is a worth # 20 of 2010. If you are a fan of Vain, you need to get this disc now!
19. Sister Sin – True Sound of the Underground
I used to avoid hard rock bands with female lead singers. I just haven’t found very many that I liked. Sister Sin is one of many bands that totally changed that notion. I loved their last album, Switchblade Serenades, and their new disc True Sound of the Underground is quite good as well.
18. Wig Wam – Non Stop Rock N’ Roll
Wig Wam released their third CD, Non Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll in 2010. Much like their prior releases, their new CD is one heck of a fun listen. If you are a fan of hair metal, or even The Darkness, you need to check out Wig Wam’s latest opus. I think you will enjoy it!
17. Taking Dawn – Time to Burn
It was refreshing to see Roadrunner Records sign a band with a sound that brings 80’s hard rock to mind. Time to Burn is a pretty solid debut from the Las Vegas rockers. Check out the Hard Rock Hideout Review at the link above.
When Ozzy Osbourne’s latest effort Scream came out, I didn’t really get into it that much. I did like the title track, but found the disc a little lacking. I don’t know if I didn’t give it a fair chance, but a few months later, and Scream has really grown on me. It is much better than I originally though. I like this one enough now, that I am actually considering picking up the Tour Edition (released October 5th) with the added bonus tracks. Sure, it isn’t Diary of the Madman, or The Ultimate Sin, but Scream does rock!
I have listened to Slash’s new solo CD a ton in 2010. After listening to this disc, I must admit that Slash is either a complete genius, or a total nutjob. Never in my wildest dreams would I think a song with Slash & Fergie would work, but it does. I think far too many people didn’t give the song “Beautiful Dangerous” a fair chance due to Fergie’s involvement with the Blackeyed Peas. After hearing this tune, I wondered why she is wasting her time in a pop act. She can flat out sing. Myles Kennedy, M. Shadows, Ian Astbury, Chris Cornell, Lemmy Kilmeister all turn in some solid vocal performances. Sure, I would rather have another Slash’s Snakepit CD, but there are some good tunes on this disc. After hearing the tunes with Myles Kennedy, I would love to see him take the Velvet Revolver job, but I know that won’t happen.
14. Jettblack – Get Your Hands Dirty
Best new band of 2010? There are several great new bands who made their debut in 2010. UK Rockers Jettblack make a strong case as one of the best new acts with their debut effort, Get Your Hands Dirty. This is another CD that I have played a ton this year. I love it!
13. SKIN – Breaking the Silence
SKIN may not be a household name in the United States, but they should have been. They have been putting out quality releases since the mid nineties. Breaking the Silence is SKIN’s final release. It is a shame that the band is calling it a day, but at least they are going out on a high note!
Olli Herman aka H. Oliver Twisted the former lead singer of Crash Diet, returned to his band Reckless Love full time in 2008. The end result is the awesome debut from Reckless Love. Glam metal has never sounded so good in 2010. If you haven’t picked up this CD yet, look for the band’s recently released Cool Edition of the debut, with bonus tracks and an acoustic cover of Def Leppard’s Hysteria! If you haven’t check out Reckless Love yet, I highly recommend that you do. This is a great band with a big future ahead of them!
11. Broken Teeth – Viva La Rock Fantastico
You gotta love Jason McMaster ! This guy has been blasting out quality hard rock since his Watch Tower days. In 2010, he has put out the best Broken Teeth record yet with Viva La Rock Fantastico. This disc has been a staple on the Hard Rock Hideout Radio show all year.
10. Hinder – All American Nightmare
Hinder’s All American Nightmare didn’t come out until December, but quite honestly, I think they have put out their best effort yet. This CD gets better with repeated plays, and is easily worthy of the top 10 at Hard Rock Hideout. “Red Tail Lights”, “Hey Ho”, “Put That Record On”, and “Waking Up The Devil” are amongst my favorite songs on this CD.
Armored Saint’s lated disc La Raza kind of came and went without a lot of fanfare. The band didn’t tour for La Raza, and it is a crying shame. La Raza is one of the better releases from Arormed Saint.
8. Airbourne – No Guts, No Glory
I consider myself one of the biggest Airbourne fans on the face of the earth ( ok maybe # 2 behind Pascal Carrière). Either way, I knew before No Guts, No Glory was released that I was going to love it, and I do. The band’s debut Running Wild blew me away, so maybe I was expecting to raise the bar with their sophomore effort.While I love this CD, I think No Guts, No Glory is more of a continuation of Running Wild. It doesn’t break any new ground, but it still kicks ass!
7. Accept – Blood of the Nations
Metal album of the year? I say yes! Who would have thought that former T.T. Quick singer Mark Tornillo would have done such a great job as the new singer of Accept. He fits in perfectly, and helped to deliver what is in my opinion one of the best Accept CD’s since the 80’s. No metalhead should be without Accept’s Blood of the Nations.
Krokus is the band that gets no respect in my opinion. The band returned to their classic lineup, and released what is one of the better CD’s in the Krokus Discography with their new CD Hoodoo. This CD has an awesome classic feel to it, and is one that I love to put in my car CD player, and crank up for a long drive. Marc Storace still sounds exactly the same after all of these years. If you are a Krokus fan, you need to get this.
5. Black Tora – Rise of the Tora
The band formerly known as Warryor, released their debut album Rise of the Tora in 2009. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to hear this CD until 201o. To my ears Black Tora is a band that is very worthy to crack my top five for 2010. These former Rocklahoma participants blast out classic 80’s metal as if they were born in the era. I am very glad that there are bands like Black Tora to carry on with the classic metal sound that I love. Rise of the Tora is a CD not to be missed.
Sweet Jesus, when Christine Sixx introduced me to Taddy Porter, I had no idea what to expect. What I found is a killer rock band that brings together the classic sounds of bands like Led Zeppelin, Bad Company & Grand Funk Railroad. Taddy Porter’s music has more of a 70’s classic rock feel that gives a big boost to revival rock.If you like The Answer, Black Stone Cherry, or Jaded Sun, you need to grab Taddy Porter’s debut CD! It is a great one!
The reunion of Stephen Pearcy with Ratt was a great one for sure. Having Carlos Cavaso as the band’s newest guitar player didn’t hurt either. He helped write some of the better tunes on Infestation. If you are a fan of RATT & Roll, you need to get Infestation now!
2. Scorpions – Sting in the Tail
The Scorpions narrowly missed coming in #1 in 2010. Sting in the Tail is an awesome way for the band to bid farewell to the fans.If the band would have released the Premium version of their CD first, which has the awesome “Lets Rock” tune, plus five more bonus tracks, this CD without question would have been #1. (The Premium version is only available as an import as of today).
1. Kissin’ Dynamite – Addicted To Metal
Picking a # 1 CD for the year was extremely difficult this year. There was a ton of great music, but when I look at the CD that I kept replaying, and kept going back to, it was Addicted to Metal from Germany’s Kissin’ Dynamite. I have enjoyed this CDa ton. Having a guest vocal from former Accept front man Udo Dirkschneider didn’t hurt the band one bit. This band’s revival rock/ 80’s metal sound always puts a smile on my face. If you missed Addicted to Metal, you need to find this CD now!
Honorable Mentions!
The following releases nearly cracked the Top 20, are certainly worth your hard earned cash!
KEEL – Streets of Rock & Roll
Black Label Society – Order of the Black
Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier
Black Water Rising – S/T
Social Code – Rock N Roll
Treat – Coup De Grace
Crazy Lixx – My Religion
Hansel – Never Say Die
Jetboy – Off Your Rocker
Crazy Lixx – My Religion
Overkill – Ironbound
Helloween – 7 Sinners
Dirty Skirty – Long Live Rock N’ Roll
0 New Live Video – JETTBLACK – Two Hot Girls
Check out the new live video “Two Hot Girls” from UK rockers Jettblack. This video was recorded at the Camden Roundhouse during the Kerrang! Relentless Energy Drink Tour 2010!!!
Vodpod videos no longer available.
JETTBLACK – Two Hot Girls – Live Video!, posted with vodpod
0 JETTBLACK ANNOUNCE RELEASE OF NEW ‘SLIP IT ON’ EP FOR NOV 22nd VIA SPINEFARM RECORDS
UK ‘STADIUM ROCKERS’ JETTBLACK will release new EP, ‘Slip It On’, on November 22nd via Spinefarm Records UK; ‘Slip It On’ will be available as a 5-track physical EP and 2-track digital download. The physical EP will come with four bonus tracks: ‘Chasing Love’, ‘Danger Zone’ (a cover of the ’80s classic from the ‘Top Gun’ soundtrack) and ‘Mother Fucker’ (acoustic), with both versions featuring newly recorded track ‘The Sweet And The Brave’ (acoustic).
‘Slip It On’ EP Tracklisting:
1. Slip It On
2. Chasing Love
3. Danger Zone
4. Mother Fucker (acoustic)
5. The Sweet And The Brave (acoustic)
Fresh off an extensive UK tour with label mates Reckless Love, Jettblack have the following dates lined up until the end of the year.
October
24th Corporation, Sheffield w/The Damned Things
30th Black Flag, Wakefield w/Skindred
31st Battersea Power Station, Freeze Festival, London
November
17th The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent w/Young Guns
20th Rock City, Nottingham w/Dear Superstar
December
2nd Moho, Manchester w/Dear Superstar
3rd Hard Rock Hell, Prestatyn, Wales
4th Black Flag, Wakefield w/Dear Superstar
5th Trillians, Newcastle w/Enuff Z’nuff
6th Cathouse, Glasgow w/Enuff Z’nuff
7th Fleece & Firkin, Bristol w/Enuff Z’nuff
8th Yardbirds Club, Grimsby w/Enuff Z’nuff
9th Borderline, London w/Enuff Z’nuff
10th Joiners, Southampton w/Dear Superstar
11th The Central, Nottingham w/Enuff Z’nuff
0 Jettblack – Get Your Hands Dirty (2010)
The competition for best new band of 2010 is heating up quickly. UK rockers Jettblack are making a strong statement with their new album, Get Your Hands Dirty. The band has already played the Download festival, opened for Whitesnake, and the UK stop of Ozzfest. It will be interesting to see what else 2010 has in store for Jettblack. The band’s new CD seems to be opening up doors for them wherever they go!
Get Your Hands Dirty is packed full of late 80’s/early 90’s style of hard rock. Some rock fans may call Jettblack’s sound retro, but Jettblack is easily as good as the bands that inspired them. This CD is packed with big guitar riffs, catchy lyrics, and music that will have you throwing your horns in the air in no time. You will be hard pressed to find a bad song on this CD. From the opening number “Slip it On”, Jettblack doesn’t give you a chance to catch your breath until the mid-tempo number “Not Even Love”. Every single song rocks! Yes, every one of them!
I was pleasantly surprised by this CD, and can’t wait to see the band play live. If you want to hear revival rock done right, look no further than Jettblack’s Get Your Hands Dirty!
Get Your Hands Dirty hasn’t had an official release date in the U.S., but you still purchase a copy of the CD at this link. Don’t miss this!!
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- Slip It On
- Two Hot Girls
- When It Comes To Lovin’
- Fooled By A Rose
- War Between Us
- Get Your Hands Dirty
- Not Even Love
- Mother Fucker
- Sleep
- Holding
- Innocence Is Mine
Jett Black is:
Will Stapleton – Vocals and Guitars
Jon Dow – Vocals and Guitars
Matt Oliver – Drums
Tom Wright – Bass
0 New Video – Jettblack – Two Girls
Check out the HOT new video”Two Girls” from UK rockers Jettblack below!
