Tag: Metamorphosis
3 Rob Rockitt’s Top 13 of 2009
It seems like every year I put together a top list at Hard Rock Hideout, it becomes a harder task. In 2009, there was a crazy amount of excellent releases, and choosing the best ten was a daunting task to say the least. It was too hard to pick ten, so of course, I had to add some additional releases to my top list. The following releases are my top of 2009. All of these are worth picking up, and I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase any of these a second time. Check them out and see what you think!
#13 Shake City – S/T
Eonian Records has released quite a few undiscovered gems in 2009. Their best release of 2009 is easily Shake City. Shake City features the original singer of Warrant, Adam Shore. I don’t know why Adam left Warrant, but the fates should have been kinder to his band Shake City. If this CD would have been released twenty years ago, this disc could have easily gone platinum. It is better than many of the hair metal releases of the late 80’s. It is a crime that this band didn’t get the mainstream success of their peers. If you are a hair metal fan, you need to find this CD now. You wont be disappointed.
#12 Papa Roach – Metamorphosis
Papa Roach started introducing songs from Metamorphosis into their live sets in 2008, and as a result, I was familiar with several of the tunes by the time this CD was released. In my opinion, this is the strongest Papa Roach CD to date, with several hit worthy tunes. A worthy pick up for the modern rock fans out there.
#11 Cheap Trick – The Latest
I must admit that I have never been the biggest Cheap Trick fan over the years, but I can not deny how good their latest CD, The Latest is. While this may not be the most rocking CD of 2009, it does have some fun rockers, and is quality music all the way through. Robin Zander still sounds great after all of these years. This is a must own CD for Cheap Trick fans, all others ought to give it a shot.
#10 Chickenfoot – S/T
This is another CD that I didn’t really know what to expect. Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony have been playing together in Van Halen for years, but how would this new band work out with Joe Satriani and Chad Smith? Satriani’s playing on this CD is great, and when he does cut loose, he doesn’t over shadow the rest of the band. Overall, Chickenfoot is a supergroup that could have some legs. I hope these guys stick around for a few more releases. Van Halen’s other half still delivers.
#9 The Answer – Everyday Demons
The Answer’s debut CD Rise was one of my favorites of 2007. I had high expectations for their U.S. Debut, Everyday Demons. Luckily, it did not disappoint me in the least. Everyday Demons is powered by Zeppelin influenced rockers “Demon Eyes”, “On and On” “Walkin’ Mat”. The band couldn’t have asked for a bigger tour to be on in 2009. Opening up for AC/DC has gained them a ton of new fans. I can’t wait to see what the band has in store for us next. The only thing I didn’t like about Everyday Demons was cover art.
#8 Steel Panther – Feel the Steel
Steel Panther could be the greatest hair metal parody band of all time. Feel the Steel is packed full of tongue in cheek lyrics that many folks may find offensive. You can’t deny the stellar musicianship of these California rockers. I had the opportunity to see the band play at M3 earlier this year, and they did not disappoint. When is the U.S. Club tour guys?
#7 Charm City Devils – Let’s Rock N’ Roll
Who would have thought that drummer John Allen would front a new kick ass rock and roll band in 2009? I didn’t at all. I have been rockin’ with CCD’s debut CD since its release. This is quality hard rock all the way through. In case you missed it, Charm City Devils had a pretty big year with their opening slot on the 2009 Cruefest. I am still hopeful that they will do a club tour, (and break out some Child Play tunes in their set).
#6 KISS – Sonic Boom
Sonic Boom is the first KISS CD in a long time that I have been able to listen to, all the way through without skipping a song. While I don’t consider this CD their best, it is definitely in their top ten, if not top five CD’s of all time. I didn’t expect this CD to be much. Sonic Boom was one of 2009’s biggest surprises.
#5 Coldspell – Infinite Stargaze
When I first heard the demo tracks from Coldspell in 2008, I about crapped myself. I couldn’t wait to hear Coldspell’s debut CD. I have played this CD over and over again in 2009, and will continue to do so for years to come. This is melodic rock at its finest.
#4 Winger – Karma
Holy Crap?! I get the feeling that Kip Winger and Reb Beach were pissed off when they wrote this record. This is easily the heaviest Winger album to date. Reb Beach unleashes his fury on his six strings, and Karma shines as a result. The songs aren’t all heavy, but they are all top quality. I am hopeful that Kip and company will tour for this album in 2010. Great Stuff, and worthy to be in anyone’s collection.
#3 Black Robot – S/T
Black Robot – I had no expectations when I first heard Black Robot’s self titled effort. I figured any band with former Buckcherry members would probably rock, but I had no idea that I would enjoy this CD as much as I have. “Cocaine” is easily the best cover song I have heard in 2009. Black Robot
gets the nod for best new band of 2009. If you missed this CD when it was released earlier this year, you will have to wait to grab this in 2010. The original pressing is out of print, but Black Robot will be re-releasing this CD next year with bonus tracks !!
#2 Paul Gilbert & Freddie Nelson – United States
United States has been my feelgood CD of 2009. Paul Gilbert’s guitar work is quite impressive, and Freddie Nelson’s mimicry of Freddie Mercury is pretty incredible. Once I started playing this, I couldn’t stop. Absolutely fantastic music!
#1 The Last Vegas – Whatever Gets You Off
The Last Vegas has been rocking hard since 2003, but their 2009 CD, Whatever Gets You Off is easily their breakthrough release. It didn’t hurt that they had a little help from Nikki Sixx, and DJ Ashba who produced this disc. I still don’t understand why this band didn’t get the nod for Cruefest last summer. They seemed tailor made for that festival but the promoters didn’t ask for my advice. Whatever Gets You Off is crazy good. Apologize might be the biggest power ballad of this decade (no I am not kidding). This is another great party CD, and easily my favorite of 2009.
For more great top lists for 2009, please check out the following websites:
All Metal Resource — https://allmetalresource.com/
Bring Back Glam — https://bringbackglam.squarespace.com/
Hair Metal Mansion — https://hairbangersradio.ning.com/
Heavy Metal Addiction — https://heavymetaladdiction.com/
Heavy Metal Time Machine — https://metalmark.blogspot.com/
Imagine Echoes — https://www.imagineechoes.com/
Layla’s Classic Rock — https://laylasclassicrock.blogspot.com/
Metal Excess — https://metalexcess.com/
The Metal Minute — https://rayvanhornjr.blogspot.com/ (Ray posted his list on 12/4)
Metal Odyssey — https://metalodyssey.wordpress.com/
Rock Of Ages — https://rockofages.wordpress.com/
The Ripple Effect — https://www.ripplemusic.blogspot.com/
8 Papa Roach – Metamorphosis (Release Year – 2009)
Ever since Papa Roach first leaked music off of Metamorphosis at Cruefest last year, I have been looking forward to their latest release. I have see the band twice in the last year, and have heard “I Almost Told You That I Love You”, “Lifeline” and “Hollywood Whore” in a live setting before this album was released. With this in mind, I already knew that I liked a quarter of the new disc, but have been wondering, like many of you, how the rest of it would stack up.
From my perspective, “Metamorphosis” is easily the best release in the Papa Roach catalog. If there was any doubt that Papa Roach was moving more towards a hard rock direction, “Metamorphosis” makes the point clear and does so quickly. The rap core and nu-metal tendencies of Papa Roach are gone. “Metamorphosis” is a full fledged modern hard rock album, and man oh mercy, does it deliver the goods!
If you aren’t a Papa Roach fan, you better be prepared to turn your FM radio off for a very long time. “Metamorphosis” has several songs that could be radio singles. The three songs I mentioned above are the easy candidates for singles (two of which have already been released, “Hollywood Whore” and “Lifeline”), but there are a bunch more. “Had Enough”, “Live This Down”, “Carry Me”, “Into the Light” and “Nights of Love” could all find their way to the radio as well, if this album is marketed right (and it will be).
Two Cruefest alumni make an appearance on this album. Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars makes an appearance by playing the guitar solo on “Into the Light”, and James Michael from Sixx A.M. plays the Hammond B3 on “Nights of Love”. “Nights of Love” is quickly becoming my favorite tune on the album. The guitar tone on this song is really cool. It is moody, yet upbeat track that shows how much Papa Roach has matured over the years.
“Metamorphosis” could be the release that sees Papa Roach knock Nickelback off the throne of hard rock. It really is that good! If you became a new fan of Papa Roach at Cruefest last year, buy this CD. You won’t be disappointed.
For more information on Papa Roach, check out their website. You can purchase “Metamorphosis” at this link.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Days of War
2. Change or Die
3. Hollywood Whore
4. I Almost Told You That I Love You
5. Lifeline
6. Had Enough
7. Live This Down
8. March out of the Darkness
9. Into the Light
10. Carry Me
11. Nights of Love
12. State of Emergency
Papa Roach is:
Jacoby Shaddix – Vocals
Jerry Horton – Guitars and Backing Vocals
Tobin Esperance – Bass, Guitars, Programming and Backing Vocals
Tony Palermo – Drums, Percussion and Backing Vocals
