Best of 2019
2019 was yet another great year for rock music releases, and after much deliberation and hours worth of quality music listened through our final choices for categories of best album, single, live act and breakthrough artist of the year were picked. Our winners and reasons for their selections can be found below...
Best Album of 2019
The New Roses - Nothing But Wild
Released 2nd August via Nuclear Blast Records
German rock outfit The New Roses are a band who’s rise in popularity in recent years has seen them share the stage with some of the biggest names in rock, including a summer tour with legends and fellow countrymen the Scorpions in 2019.
The band released their fourth album Nothing But Wild via Nuclear Blast to much critical acclaim. The new album’s first single “Down by The River” debuted with over 2500 plays on German rock radio stations followed by their second release “Nothing But Wild” that hit TOP 10 on the German album charts on August 9th. In other countries the album captured plenty of attention at #39 in Switzerland, #45 in Austria, #56 UK Independent Charts, #73 USA Hard Rock Music Albums and #149 Top New Artists Albums.
As well as the albums commercial success the young four-piece can be proud of the master-piece they have created. If you like feel good modern hard-rock with an element of old school AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses and other stadium rock outfits like the Foo Fighters, then this one is definitely for you. Probably best described as ‘how stadium rock sounds today’ the album is packed with feel good anthems and speaker bursting riffs, and there isn’t a bad song on the 15 track album!
Best Single of 2019
Edge of Paradise - 'Universe'
Album release date 8th November via Frontiers Music s.r.l
Formed by singer/pianist Margarita Monet and guitarist Dave Bates in 2011, Los Angeles based Edge Of Paradise has made a name for themselves in the metal scene with the release of well-received independent albums and heavy touring both nationally and internationally. Their new album, and first for Frontiers Records, “Universe” was produced by Mike Plotnikoff (Halestorm, Three Days Grace) and mixed by Jacob Hansen (Amaranthe, Volbeat, Pretty Maids). “Universe” brings together a symphonic and classic metal approach with more contemporary sounds like industrial and electronic influences.
The title track from the album is without a doubt one of the most instantly ear catching singles of the year, with its industrial sounding high-tempo metal, mixed with equally thrilling vocals, this single will have you cranking the volume the max. A brilliant modern melodic metal master piece!
Best Live Act of 2019
H.E.A.T
Photos from Winterstorm Festival 2019 30th November
Swedish rockers H.E.A.T. have been on the music scene for some years now. With their ever growing fan base, back catalogue of rock anthems and rumours of legendary live shows, this was definitely a band on the bucket list to see.
Not managing to catch them on any of their live tours in the UK in the past, having them perform at Winterstorm 2019 was a special opportunity to see what the hype was all about… and they did not disappoint!
Even before the band set to the stage it was a jostle to the front with what seemed like an army of predominantly female fans, the boyish good looks of frontman Erik Grönwall a certain attraction. Then like the energiser bunny on a crate of Red Bull the band burst into their electrifying set of rock anthems, the crowd literally bouncing with excitement. Even those that didn’t know the songs, as that tends to happen at festivals, were drawn into the fun and energy of it all. Erik Grönwall is certainly a frontman who knows how to engage an audience, he had the whole of Winterstorm Festival under his infectious spell like some crazed conductor, obeying his every command to join in.
I’ve not had as much fun watching a band perform live as I have H.E.A.T. and if there’s one band you see in the up-coming year, make sure its them. It will lift your spirits massively.
Breakthrough Artist of 2019
The Brink
Nowhere To Run released on 17th May via Frontiers Records s.r.l
Influenced by classic bands of past and present, Cambridge based British rockers The Brink bring new life and energy to the modern day rock scene. The band like many starting out in the industry have worked hard on their sound and style, bringing audiences at many venues up and down the UK a taster of what they have in their musical locker.
In 2017 the band were signed to Italian rock label Frontiers, releasing their debut album ‘Nowhere To Run’ via the label in 2019. The album was produced by Nick Tauber (Thin Lizzy, UFO, Marillion), and with its mix of catchy driving rock anthems and powerful ballads it could certainly be compared to early Bon Jovi or Def Leppard. The track ‘Are You With Me’ is a personal favourite.
Since signing with Frontiers the band found themselves in demand to perform at many UK Festivals, and even support slots alongside the likes of The New Roses and The Quireboys.
The future looks bright for The Brink, and with the standard set by this band, as does the future for the UK rock scene.
