Sarah Jane's Top 5 Of 2023 So Far
So, if you're prepared to overlook the storm cloud of discontent with rising energy bills and the escalating cost of living raining down on us, 2023 has been pretty chill and ,hey, its June right? Summer is here and the sun is out so it's time to switch the heating off, get the beers in, the BBQ out and to contemplate the great music that has come out so far this year. It has been particularly difficult to choose a top five this time around as there has already been an abundance of awesome music, this can only bode well for the rest of the year!
1
Angus McSix - Angus McSix and the Sword of Power
Napalm Records
This debut album of symphonic power metal from another galaxy is still getting regular play from me and so far has been the best thing I have heard this year. From mighty swords, laser shooting dinosaurs and fireflies of doom. I can't get enough of the powerful guitar riffs and being able to hear Thomas Winkler again is just so awesome!!!!
2
Ghost - Phantomime
Loma Vista Recordings
Multi award winning masked metal act Ghost are currently selling out arenas and playing festivals across Europe right now on the Re-Impera tour, however just before this recent jaunt they released this little five track EP of covers! Phantomime contains popular tracks from the 70s, 80s and 90s by bands including The Stranglers, Iron Maiden and Genesis.
3
The Tomb Tones - Ghost Of Toast
Independent
Horror themed rock n roll in a cartoonish Buddy Holly meets the Twlight zone style from Atlanta Georgia, brings us the grim tale of a mill worker. He met a grizzly demise back in the '70s by falling into the mills grinder and now he haunts the mill and it's products to this very day.
4
The 69 Eyes - Death Of Darkness
Atomic Fire Records
The Finish vampires released their thirteenth studio album earlier this year with Death Of Darkness. So it may be a bit of an amalgamation of their Drive EP but they still provide us with a great selection of new Gothic Rock material including a haunting track featuring guest vocals from Kat Von D.
5
Various Artists - Horrorpunk's Not Dead Vol. 2
We Are Horror Records
Prolific horrorpunk label We Are Horror Records have released their second compilation a mere six months after Volume 1. Boasting 50 tracks of mostly brand new and exclusive tracks from todays horrorpunk scene from A Living Hell to Zombina and the Skeletones with everything in between.
