25. Dynasty Of Metal - Back To The Past
One of the finer Christian metal covers albums we have heard from Nova Lima, Brazil based traditional metal act. Released on Roxx Records, Back To The Past represents a ‘who’s who’ of Christian hard music acts past and present in featuring covers of songs from Stryper, Sacred Warrior, Saint, Deliverance, Impellitteri, Narnia and others. A new song entitled “Everlasting Life” rounds out the project.
24. Jagged Doctrine - Eve Of Destruction
Veteran vocalist Dale Thompson fronts fifth album from Jagged Doctrine duo of multi-instrumentalists Rod Middleton and Gary Baker. The Roxx Records released Eve Of Destruction brings variety in the form of metal, hard rock, industrial and electronica.
23. Mission of One - Kill The Cobra
Kill The Cobra delivers old school heavy metal from independent one-man band project of Watertown, Tennessee based vocalist, bassist and guitarist Chris Dickens. Production is raw (in a complementary sense), guitar leads blazing and riffs steady as it gets.
22. AfterWinter - Paramnesia
Roxx Records debut from AfterWinter is a technical marvel of a progressive metal album with excellent production, packaging and musicianship. That said, in featuring over 100 minutes of music spread over two CD’s, Paramensia can be a trite listen, while the conceptual theme is ambitious but can also go over your head.
21. Various Artists - Show All The World: A Latin American Tribute To Narnia
Tribute albums work when done exceedingly well and such is the case with the En Hakkore Records released A Latin American Tribute To Narnia. Participating acts include Dynasty Of Metal (“Long Live The King”), Allos (“The Witch And The Lion”), Angura (“Living Water”), Ironland (“This Is My Life”) and others. It is also worth noting the quality cover art.
20. Soledriver - Return Me To Light
The first of two non-Stryper projects from vocalist Michael Sweet finds him joining forces with guitarist Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of Forever, Hardline, Jorn). The groups Frontiers Music SLR debut Return Me To Light aligns eighties melodic hard rock sensibilities with inspired lyrics.
19. Morse, Neal - The Dreamer - Joseph: Part One
The latest in what amounts a long line of excellent progressive rock concept albums from vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and composer Neal Morse. The Radiant Records released The Dreamer - Joseph: Part One takes a ‘rock opera’ approach (noting the plethora of guest vocalists) in basing upon the Old Testament figure Joseph.
Note: The second installment in the series, The Restoration - Joseph: Part 2, is scheduled for release on January 12, 2024.
18. Christillow - Finale
Heaven & Hell Records eighties melodic hard rock project from mainstream band with believing members. Finale encompasses previously unreleased material to include three songs recorded at the request of a major label, four written for the film industry and two demo tracks.
Note: Also released in 2023 on Heaven & Hell is a re-issue to the group’s1988 independent custom cassette debut Standing In The Rain.
17. Soldiers Of Light - Where Are You Going
The project of vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Shane Freeman, Soldiers Of Light incorporates straight on metal resolve with melodic hard rock sensibilities. Of the two 2023 Roxx Records released albums Defenders and Where Are You Going, latter in my opinion is the strongest.
Note: Freeman also put out a pair of recommended AOR albums on Roxx Records in 2020 under the Michael heading.
16. Narnia - Ghost Town
Narnia remains at the top of its at times neo-classical and others melodic power metal game on ninth independent album Ghost Town. Founding members Christian Liljegren (lead vocals) and Carl Johan Grimmark (guitars) continue to be the creative driving force behind the group.
15. Crucible Divine - Righteous Crusade
Roxx Records sophomore album from Crucible Divine is first of several albums released in 2023 to feature iconic Bride front man Dale Thompson. Righteous Crusade bases upon melodic metal and hard rock while branching out into blues tinged classic rock, progressive rock and power metal.
14. Sign Of Jonah - Real Love
Blues-rock with a classic rock, Southern Rock and hard rock edge defines independent third album from Sign Of Jonah. Those into blues on the lighter side (Glenn Kaiser Band, Stevie & The Saints and Big Chris D’Bare Bones Band) and that heavier (Resurrection Band & F.O.G.) will find a lot to like in Real Love.
13. Sunroad - Sunesthesia
Independent veterans of the Brazilian hard music scene release ninth album of melodic metal and hard rock with blues and classic rock vestiges. Songwriting is detailed and technical, with individual songs commonly extending into the five and six minute range.
12. Prophecy - Kingdoms
Attributing to No Dust Records is a compiling of unreleased demo material recorded by the Tucson, Arizona based group in 1989 and 1992. Prophecy impresses as eighties melodic hard rock and AOR imbued with aspects of progressive, symphonic and power metal. I might not label Prophecy a Christian band, albeit songs such as “Unjustly Crucified” and “The Cross” reflect its faith.
11. Flames Of Fire - Our Blessed Hope
Veteran Narnia front man Christian Liljegren sings with power, guts and conviction on European power metal of Melodic Passion Records sophomore album from Flames Of Fire. Helping Our Blessed Hope further stand out are some of the years most uplifting and powerful lyrics, while of equal note is the triple guitar attack of Mats-Åke Andersson, Stephen Carlson and Jani Stefanovic.
10. Joshua’s Creed - The American Dream
Independent sophomore Joshua’s Creed album ups heaviness (compared to 2016 self-titled debut) into traditional metal territory. The American Dream stays true to its namesake as a theme-based work revolving around disillusionment with American society and consequences of turning from God but how ultimate change comes through Christ.
9. Defector - Fire By Night
A scintillating blend of melodic and power metal with a European edge defines the Roxx Records released Fire By Night. The album is a re-issue of sorts when factoring it was independently released in 2012 under the Millennial Reign moniker and comprised material founding member and guitarist Dave Harvey composed with his previous band 3:16. The Roxx Records version brings improvement in the areas of production and packaging.
8. Sweet & Lynch - Heart & Sacrifice
Third Frontiers Records collaboration between vocalist Michael Sweet and guitarist George Lynch embodies the best eighties metal and hard rock aspects to the respective bands in which the two are best known, Stryper and Dokken. Heart & Soul follows on heels of 2012 debut Only To Rise (melodic hard rock) and 2017 sophomore effort Unified (classic hard rock). It also features some of the years most eye catching cover art.
7 (tie). Sombre Holiday - The Soul’s Blood
Sixth independent album of melancholic Gothic rock, doom metal and progressive metal from multi-national act of brothers Terry (lead vocals, guitars, keyboards & songwriting) and Trevor (drums, lyrics and artwork) Friesen from Canada and California, respectively. Similar to its predecessors, The Soul’s Blood is concept based in dealing with prayer and our ability or inability to connect with God.
7 (tie). Vultures Gathering - The Hunt
Dark and moody straightforward to Gothic to progressive to extreme metal defines Roxx Records debut full length from Vultures Gathering. Vocalist Chaz Bond (Biogenesis, Jacobs Dream), guitarist Ryan Roebuck (Motivik, Ritual Servant) and multi-instrumentalist Andre Chiang (Shamash, Necromanicide) provide for the at times melodic and others aggressive sound embodying The Hunt.
6 (tie). Martin Simson’s Destroyer Of Death - Eternal Reign
Melodic power metal debut from Southern California based bassist Martin Simson impresses as an ‘all star’ when factoring contributions from vocalist Rob Rock (Impellitteri) and guitarist Carl Grimmark (Narnia). Guest performer’s guitarist Rex Carroll (Whitecross) and vocalist Jørn Lande (Masterplan) further build upon the ‘all star’ project theme.
6 (tie). Preterist - Blood Moon Rising
Second project from Carl Johan Grimmark finds him joining forces with founding member, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Simon J. Kok for an enticing blend of European power and progressive metal. Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, Northern Flame, Reflection Of Glory and Theocracy are first names that come to mind in terms of comparison.
Note: Blood Moon Rising saw initial release digitally in 2022 but was re-released on CD by Roxx Records in 2023. Hence, how it sees inclusion on both the 2022 and 2023 lists!
5. Wytch Hazel - IV: Sacrament
Wytch Hazel hits its stride on Bad Omen Records fourth album to combine MWOBHM with a Thin Lizzy style twin guitar attack and folk rock eccentricity of Jethro Tull. IV: Sacrament features some of the finest material to date from the Lancaster, UK based group, including the immediate accessibility of “The Fires Control” and innate progressiveness to “Digging Deeper”.
4. Adorned Graves - The Earth Hath Opened Her Mouth
Third Adorned Graves album trends the heavier side of the hard music spectrum with a focus on traditional, doom and thrash metal mixed with progressive nuances. Ensuing that the independently released The Earth Hath Opened Her Mouth remains a fresh listen is the group’s ability to imbue its material with strong melodies. Guest vocalists in the form of Herbie Langhans (Seventh Avenue), Dale Thompson (Bride), Jordan Cutajar (Nomad Son), Colin Hendra (Wytch Hazel) and others lend further value.
3. Bride - Are You Awake
Bride maintains its affinity for high quality blues based hard rock on Retroactive Records seventeenth full-length studio album. Are You Awake is third release in a row to see founding members and brothers Troy (guitars) and Dale (vocals) Thompson recapturing the classic form of 1992 fifth offering Snakes In The Playground, referencing equally laudable predecessors Snake Eyes (2018) and Here Is Your God (2020).
Note: Earlier in the year Bride also released on Retroactive an EP entitled Eyes Wide Open consisting of two exclusive tracks, two set to appear on Are You Awake and one each from Snake Eyes and Here Is Your God.
2 (tie). Applehead - The Light Side Of The Apple
Comeback of the year award to Applehead for putting out its first album since 1992 debut Meaning. The Roxx Records released The Light Side Of The Apple could not differ more from skirting the groups inaugural grunge influenced sounds for a straightforward metal and hard rock basis. Upshot is some of the years finest and most inspired songwriting.
2. Signum Regis - Undivided
Ulterium Records seventh album from Slovokia based Signum Regis has it all: melodic power metal with occasional progressive aspects, jazzy bass, neo-classical guitars, versatile vocals and heightened melody. Seven Minute “Shield My Soul” is my choice for song of the year.
1. Theocracy - Mosaic
Fifth album of ‘epic melodic power metal with progressive overtones’ from Theocracy is one of a select few to receive a 100% Angelic Warlord score. Brilliance to the Atomic Fire Records released Mosaic resides from how the Athens, George based band branches out with a heavier (at times thrash based) sound while staying true to its signature melodic songwriting basis. Nineteen-minute closing track “Red Sea” is a song of the year candidate.
Re-issues
Amethyst - Amethyst
Roxx Records re-issue to the eighties metal of the 1989 demo from Spokane, Washington based Amethyst.
Bloodgood - Rock In A Hard Place & Out Of The Darkness
Third and fourth Bloodgood albums re-mastered and re-issued on Retroactive Records in the jewel case format. The two initially saw re-issue in 2015 as digi-paks (also Retroactive).
Chosen Stranger - Chosen Stranger
Re-issue to pair of Chosen Stranger demo EP’s from 1989 and 1992, Chosen Stranger and Deathwalker, respectively, attributes to Roxx Records.
Final Axe - Beyond Hell’s Gate
Re-mastered and featuring original cover along with Robert Sweet (Stryper) on drums and several bonus tracks highlight the Retroactive Records re-issue to Final Axe 1989 debut Beyond Hell’s Gate. The album was initially re-issued in 2005 and a second time in 2010 (both Retroactive).
Main Line Riders - Worldshaker
Main Line Riders sophomore effort re-mastered and re-issued in the jewel case format by Retroactive Records. Worldshaker was initially a digi-pak release in 2009 (also Retroactive).
Mercy Rule - Overruled
Credit to Roxx Records for re-issuing the 1989 Mercy Rule debut with bonus material in the form of the Underground Metal compilation track “Cities Are Burning” and the group’s pre Overruled 4 song demo.
Stairway - No Rest: No Mercy
Roxx Records 30th Anniversary re-release to 1993 Stairway debut includes the White Metal Warriors compilation songs “Anybody There” and “Walk Away” as bonus tracks in addition to live version to three others.
