Best of 2018
2018 was a great year for rock music releases, and with so many to choose from we've debated over the best picks of the year to bring you our joint selections of the artists we felt made the final cut in our categories of best album, single, live act and breakthrough artist of the year. Our winners and reasons for their selections can be found below...
Best Album of 2018
Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators - Living The Dream
Released 21st Sept via Snakepit/ Roadrunner Records
Myles Kennedy had to make and appearance in the best of the year somewhere, the man is a machine that never stops, and last year proved no exception following the release of his first solo album ‘Year of the Tiger’, a live album with his band Alter Bridge ‘Live At The Royal Albert Hall’ and his third collaboration with Slash for the highly anticipated album ‘Living The Dream’.
It’s hard to believe that the previous collaboration between Slash, Myles and their band the Conspirators was 4 years prior, as the last album is still a firm favourite. This one was certainly worth the wait, an album which track for track brings as much pleasure to listen to as the first two, ‘Apocalyptic Love’ (2012) and ‘World On Fire’ (2014). Slash’s exquisite guitar playing compliments the powerful and passionate vocals of Myles Kennedy as the pair bring to life yet another musical masterpiece. From hard rocking arena anthems to slightly more emotive ballads this album covers all bases and certainly isn’t one that’s gonna get boring anytime soon.
Best Single of 2018
Ghost - 'Dance Macabre'
Single Released 18th May via Loma Vista
What a year the Swedish hard rock outfit have had. Ghost was ‘reborn’ for this latest chapter, with frontman Tobias Forge assuming the role of a new stage identity, Cardinal Copia to front the band replacing the former Papa Emeritus character.
The album 'Prequelle' was largely created by Tobias Forge and producer Tom Dalgety, had two very successful and musically different singles, ‘Rats’ and ‘Dance Macabre’, both released ahead of the album's launch of June 1st. Of those ‘Rats’ a dark and hard rocking number, typical of the Ghost style, spent an impressive 7 weeks at number 1 on the Billboard Rock Chart, receiving millions of streams online.
Whilst the more anthemic and infectiously catchy number ‘Dance Macabre’ brought the band to the attention of a wider audience with an almost Rocky Horror style dark love story. The track itself is said to be about the 14th century Black death whilst the music video serves as a sort of End of Days celebration. Seductive and dark, yet fantastically composed to get stuck in your head. There’s no doubt both singles contributed towards the success of the album on a global scale, notably reaching many top 10 chart positions and receiving a Grammy nomination for best rock album.
Best Live Act of 2018
FM
Photos from Glasgow Garage 25th May:
2018 was a great year for veteran AOR rockers FM, they released their critically acclaimed latest studio album Atomic Generation, played their first ever US date at Melodic Rock Fest in Chicago, featured at many festivals including Frontiers Rock Festival in Italy and stepped in place of Y&T as support on the Saxon tour. Not bad for a band who only reformed for a one off in 2007. In recent years the success of the band a second time round has seen them sign up with Italian rock label Frontiers Music, and their legendary live performances increase their popularity massively.
Driven by the exceptional vocal talents of frontman Steve Overland, the band consisting of fellow founding members Merv Goldsworthy (bass) and Pete Jupp (drums), is completed by keyboardist Jem Davis and super talented guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick.
Every time you see this band live they leave you with the biggest smile on your face. From FM’s classic 80s stuff right up to more recent material you can guarantee their set is flawless. From Steve’s pitch perfect vocals to Jem Davis breaking out the keytar, you’re only left wanting more! For those of you wondering… yes they are on tour again in 2019, and there is another album is the pipeline!
Breakthrough Artist of 2018
Massive Wagons
Full Nelson Released 10th August via Earache Records:
Lancaster based quintet Massive Wagons may have been around since 2009, however their rise in popularity and relative success is something that has come about within the last couple of years. The hard work involved in touring relentlessly has earned them a reputation on the live circuit.
Following on from the success of their critically acclaimed 3rd album ‘Welcome To The World’ the band signed with Earache Records to release their 4th studio album ‘Full Nelson’ in 2018. The launch of the album brought about a buzz of excitement following on from the release of the first few singles, in particular the dry witted track ’China Plates’, which became an internet sensation with its topical fun poking at peoples social media habits. After a fan campaign to get “Full Nelson’ in the charts and a massive mural of the album artwork painted on the side of a pub in their hometown, the band were propelled into the mainstream media, reaching an impressive #16 in the UK Album Charts, #1 in the Rock Album Charts and #4 in the Vinyl charts.
2018 saw the band appearing at many festivals including a headline slot at SOS Festival and a much revered appearance at Download. In 2019 the band show no signs of slowing down with their ‘Back To The Stack’ UK tour in April, and a support slot for the mighty Thunder on their German tour.
