Another year has just about come and gone and if I learned anything this past year it’s the fact Hard Rock is alive and well. No it’s not in the spotlight center stage and it damn sure isn’t getting played on terrestrial radio, but it’s out there you just have to go find it and that is what makes it fun for me. Instead of being force fed music I don’t want to hear or have anything to do with I get to find the bands that I think are making kick ass music, share them with the listeners of Hard Rock Nights, and hopefully they will dig these bands as much as I do.

Taking a minute to look ahead to 2012 the two albums I’m looking forward to hearing the most first and foremost is the sophomore album from Black Robot, JB Brightman has put together a real lineup, something he didn’t really have recording the first album and the band has a new singer that will blow peoples minds. I’ve been privileged enough to know about the new guy for a few months now.  I’m not going to spill the beans about him I’ll let the band introduce him to the world, bntut remember these two words about him…MIND BLOWING

The second album I’m looking forward to is the full length debut from New Jersey’s Cascadence. There is just something about this trio that makes me think they’ve got “IT”. First of all they write good songs which is most important of all, secondly the music just reminds me of the good ol’ days of Bon Jovi, Danger Danger, Poison without really trying to sound like any of those bands.

O.K. enough of me rambling time to get to the Top 20. As always don’t expect to see very many “critics” favorites on this list that just isn’t me. Not to brag or sound facetious, but when you deal with as much music as I do on a daily basis there really isn’t a lot of time to listen to music just for pure enjoyment. When I did have to time to listen just for enjoyment the albums on this list are the albums I found myself going back and listening to over and over again during the past year. So for better or worse here they are.

#20 Rockaholic - Warrant

 When the late Jani Lane parted ways with Warrant I thought a certain singer from another 80′s band was a shoe in to be his replacement. Fortunately I was wrong because now I can’t think of a better replacement than Robert Mason. It’s not hard to see he has brought a lot less headaches and a new energy to the band in their live show and now to record. This may surprise a few people, but “Dog Eat Dog” has always been my favorite Warrant album from beginning to end, with songs like “Sex Ain’t Love”, “Cocaine Freight Train”, “Candy Man”, and “Innocence Gone” “Rockaholic” is now a very close second.

#19 Animal Attraction - Reckless Love

Finland’s Reckless Love are back with their sophomore release “Animal Attraction” and I think it’s safe to say it is heads above their self-titled debut. I have to admit I wasn’t crazy about “Hot” when I first heard it, but with their mix of Van Halen meets Def Leppard and flashes of classic Bon Jovi a person can’t help but do a little foot tapping and wanting to sing along with Olli Herman and the guys on songs like “Animal Attraction, “Born To Break Your Heart”, “On The Radio”, and “Switchblade Babe”

#18 Revival - The Answer

When people wonder why American labels are so messed up you don’t have to look much further than the Answer. This Irish band has released 3 outstanding 70′s blues rock influenced albums, toured the world with AC/DC, yet they still are signed to an American label. If you count “412 Days of Rock N’ Roll” “Revival” is the band’s 4th full length release and for me this is where they pulled everything together to make a truly good record. While The Answer are putting out tracks like “Vida (I Want You)”, “Waste Your Tears”, “Can’t Remember, Can’t Forget”, and “New Day Rising” and rocking crowds all over Europe.  American label people are out with their heads in the sand or out chasing the next flavor of the week. Their loss because I have no problem giving my money to a label that signs bands like The Answer it doesn’t matter of that label is American or not. Be sure and check out the track “Nowhere Freeway” as it features Lynne Jackaman from Saint Jude, another British band I think you will be hearing big things from in the future. If you like live albums you should also check out 412 Days of Rock N’ Roll that album is where you will finding The Answer doing one of my favorite covers of the year Rose Tattoo’s “Rock N’ Roll Outlaw”.

#17 This Might Hurt - The Treatment

The Treatment would be another example of American label laziness; granted The Treatment have not been around as long have The Answer have, but it only takes one listen to their debut “This Might Hurt” to know these 5 British lads are the real deal and despite the fact they are teenagers these guys sound like they been riding up and down the roads for years. “The Doctor”, “Just Tell Me Why”, “Shake The Mountain” are just a few examples of how hard The Treatment can rock. After the album’s initial release the band was picked up by Spinefarm Records who re-released “This Might Hurt” with some additional bonus tracks including one of the hardest rocking and best songs you will NEVER hear on American terrestrial radio “Drink, F@ck, Fight” an absolute barn burner.

#16 Let The Games Begin - Hell In The Club

If there was one band that came at me completely out of nowhere this year it would have to be Italy’s Hell In The Club with their debut “Let The Games Begin”. I knew nothing about the band whatsoever until I received an email from their label Avenue of Allies introducing me to their video for “On The Road” and after one listen I was hooked and had to have this album. The members of Hell In The Club are no strangers to the music business, the band was put together by Davide Moras of Elevenking and Andrea Buratto of Secret Sphere, but instead of going the power metal route both are more accustomed too They decided to take a gamble and form a sleazy 80′s influenced band and boy did that gamble pay off. “Let The Games Begin” is a hell raiser of an album falling somewhere between Motley Crue and Hardcore Superstar. “Rock Down This Place”, “On The Road” and a foot stomping cover of Sam Cooke’s “Another Saturday Night” are just the tip of the iceberg for an album loaded with great songs. I’ll definitely be looking forward to Hell In The Club’s next album, hopefully it comes sooner rather than later.

#15 Sons of the North - Black Spiders

Beginning to end “Barn Burner” would a great description for Black Spiders full length debut “Sons of the North”. With a song titled “KISS Tried To Kill Me” you’d expect a band that can deliver the goods and this Shefffield 5 piece deliver in spades. To steal a quote from the band themselves “If you’re one of those people who like: a) the first three Black Sabbath albums, b) masturbating in church, or c) masturbating in church with Black Sabbath on your ipod, then you’re going to go absolutely f@cknuts for The Black Spiders. In my own words if you are a person that likes Black Sabbath mixed with AC/DC and a little sleaze Black Spiders are right up your alley. “KISS Tried To Kill Me”, “Just Like A Woman”, “Stay Down”, “Easy Peasy” and the epic “Blood of the Kings” are just a few of the stand out tracks from “Sons of the North”. It’ll be interesting to see how the band tops itself with the release of their next album.

#14 Shotgun Alley - Shotgun Alley

A lot has happened with the guys in Shotgun Alley since I first ran across this Auckland, NZ 5 piece, which caused a delay in the band’s debut album being released. Most notably replacing front man Robert James with Mark Falcon. Falcon has a much cleaner voice than James and brings more emotion to lyrics of the band’s full length debut. Whether it was intended or not Falcon’s vocals also changed the direction of the band’s music from a sleazier sound to a more melodic AOR sound. There is no doubt though these guys know how to write good quality rock just a listen to “Give It All Up For Rock”, “Look At Me Now”, “I Came Here To Love You”, and what maybe the best songs of the year “Eventually”. Last year I picked Shotgun Alley as one of my 15 bands to watch in 2011 and they have lived up to my expectations on their debut.

#13 Distorted Nation - Underride

Here’s something that may surprise a few people, a Seattle band on my Top 20 list, but what shouldn’t surprise anyone is the fact that Underride would be the band to break down the barriers I’ve built up against Seattle bands. I’ve been preaching the gospel of rock n’ roll according to Underride since I first came across the band in 2007. Underride is not like the grunge bands of Seattle’s past, they are pure alcohol and sex fueled rock n’ roll and even though the band has been releasing albums for almost 10 years now the only constant in the band has been front man the Rev. I’ve got my fingers crossed this latest line-up is a permanent one because this line-up has released the best Underride album yet. To be honest on the band’s previous releases the songs have been hit and miss, but with “Distorted Nation” I can push play and listen from start to finish without hitting the skip button something I have never been able to do with previous albums. “Another Way Out”, “Say Goodbye To Everything That’s Gone”, “Do Anything To Me” and the current single “Blinded By You” are just a few examples of how good this line-up can be. Hell these guys even got me to listen and actually like a Lady Gaga song, which is a feat in itself.

#12 Who's Got Mine - Rhino Bucket

Rhino Bucket has been releasing records now for over 20 years and while I have loved each and every one of them I think “Who’s Got Mine” is the band’s best release so far. I’ve never really liked the comparisons everyone makes to Rhino Bucket and AC/DC; to me Rhino Bucket has always had a little more of a honky tonk swagger than AC/DC, but I love the fact that Georg and the guys seem to go by the rule If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It. “Lifeline” is not only one of my favorite songs this year it’s one of my favorite Rhino Bucket songs period. “Message In My Bottle”,  ”Back To Nowhere”, “Hollywood & Wine” and “Her Way” are a few more tracks that make “Who’s Got Mine” worth every penny.

#11 World Without Heroes - Diamond Lane

The guys in Diamond Lane have made me believer in a couple of things this past year. First of all, this Hollywood band make me believe there is hope in American hard rock, I’m not talking about the alt rock post grunge bs the so-called “experts” have started calling hard rock. I’m talking about real hard rock with long hair, headbanging, fist pumping, stadium ready, flic your bic, anthems, and they made me believe there are guitarists who aren’t afraid of playing an extended solo or being the next guitar god. They did all this on their first full length release. After 2 E.P.’s as basically a duo Brandon Baumann and Jarret Reis have put together a line-up that just flat out rocks. Baumann has that classic hard rock voice we all know and love. If there is any justice in the world Jarret Reis will be declared a guitar god in the near future. After a listen to “World Without Heroes” one would think Reis devoured every Van Halen, Vinnie Vincent, Steve Vai, and Nuno Bettencourt album he could get his hands on growing up. With songs like “City of Sin”, “Time Bomb” and “I Know Who You Did Last Summer”  a world that has been without rock n’ roll heroes for so long may be seeing the next generation.

#10 Saved By Rock N' Roll - Los Bastardos Finlandeses

Somewhere between Motorhead and Motley Crue you will find Finland’s Finlandeses.  On their fourth album “Saved By Rock N’ Roll” the band tends to lean more to the Crue side of the musical spectrum than the Motorhead side with hard driving catchy even sing along songs. The fact they were even able to release it is amazing in its own right. Band leader, guitarist and songwriter Don Osmo survived a horrific car crash with a broken neck, but he could have just as easily been killed in the wreck, then guitarist El Diablo quit the band just as they were hitting the road for the summer festival season and a short two weeks later bassist El Muerte had to be rushed to hospital with a ruptured appendix and front man El Taff picked up the bass so the band could continue. But through it all the band survived and released their best album so far in my opinion and just like the Answer, and the Treatment Los Bastardos Finlandeses are another example of the laziness with American record labels these days. These guys should be signed to an American label and out on the road spreading their infectious brand of rock n roll. You can get a couple of their previous albums on iTunes, but if you want to get a copy of “Saved By Rock N’ Roll” you will have to go the import route, but with songs like “Saved By Rock N’ Roll”, “Acapulco”, “Crazy” and “My Baby’s Yours To Ride” it’s worth it.

#9 Heavy Metal Parking Lot - Badmouth

I’ve known Badmouth’s Chris LeMon 3 maybe 4 years and for the last 2 years he’s been telling me about Badmouth’s sophomore album “Heavy Metal Parking Lot” how good the songs were sounding and how much I was going to love it and he was absolutely right. I liked their 2009 self titled debut ALOT, but I LOVE “Heavy Metal Parking Lot” it is miles ahead of the debut. First of all, Tom Pearson’s vocals sound great, much cleaner than the debut. The guitar duo if Mike “Assslapper” Hill and Randy Joy just smoke every track and Mr. LeMon keeps everybody in the pocket with the bass. Overall “Heavy Metal Parking Lot” has a heavy tight groove that was missing from the first album. “Son of Sam”. “Silver Lining” “Radiator”, and “Blue Ribbon Days” are just a few of the tracks that will get your heart pumping and your feet stomping.

#8 Rock N' Roll Circus - Rob Mancini

There’s no doubt the internet and social media has changed the way people discover music, I know that is kind of stating the obvious, but Ireland’s Rob Mancini would be a perfect example of how people find music these days. Anybody that keeps up with Hard Rock Nights on Twitter or Facebook knows I pride myself and the show on finding “new” bands and music. The funny thing with Rob is he’s the one that found Hard Rock Nights… on Twitter. After a decade long break from recording Rob returned in 2011 with a monster of an album in “Rock N’ Roll Circus”. I was lucky enough to this album in my collection from almost the time it was initially released and let me tell you any fan of melodic rock should/needs to have this album in their collection, there is no argument about that. From the mid tempo rockers “Edge of a Broken Heart” and “Everytime You Cry” to the ZZ Topish “Lay Down The Law” to the fantastic cover of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” you just can’t go wrong with “Rock N’ Roll Circus”. I just hope it isn’t another 10 years before Rob decides to record a follow-up. Hell, even waiting a year for the follow-uo is too long for me.

#7 The Devil Rhythm - Trucker Diablo

Northern Ireland’s Trucker Diablo is another example of the internet and social media at work and once again I was lucky enough have to their debut “The Devil Rhythm” in my collection right as it was released if not before.  The guys in the band just sound like they are having the time of their lives playing on this album, it’s not a job to them, it’s a reason to hang out, drink beer, and make music, and that is what I love about “The Devil Rhythm” and Trucker Diablo in general. Trucker Diablo was also the flood gate if you will to introducing me to thriving kick ass rock scene in Belfast and Northern Ireland one that I know think is one of the best scenes in the world.If you’re looking for some heavy straight forward no BS rock n’ roll “The Devil Rhythm” is a can’t miss record “Drink Beer Destroy”, “Juggernaut”, “Dirty Love”, and “Black & Blue” are some of my favorite tracks on the album. I’ve been told by front man Tom Harte he is already working on album #2 which I can’t wait to hear, but as “The Devil Rhythm” is starting to pick up steam and a pending release here in the U.S. album #2 may have to wait a little longer to see the light of day. I’ve been told good things come to those who wait, that may be so, but it doesn’t make the waiting any easier, especially when it’s music as good at the Truckers make.

#6 Disconnected - Angeline

I’m not going to lie, one of the perks about doing Hard Rock Nights is getting advance copies of albums. As much as I liked their last album “Confessions” I couldn’t help but get a little smile when I saw Avenue of Allies had sent me an advance of Angeline’s “Disconnected” almost a month ahead of it’s release. I really liked “Confessions”, but it did not prepare me for the greatness that is “Disconnected” it is simply an amazing melodic rock record. If there was ever a successor to Def Leppard, Angeline would be that band and they do it with compromising their own sound, front man Jocke Nilsson’s vocals remind me of Joe Elliot, but his voice seems to be a little stronger than Elliot’s, the bands background vocals have a Leppardish sound to them as well, but the music is a little heavier. I guess the best way for me to describe Angeline would be Bon Jovi mixed with Def Leppard and Swedish influences. Regardless “Disconnected” is a must have album, if I had to list my favorite songs from the album I’d be listing the whole album; seriously there is not a bogus track to be found on “Disconnected”. There’s an old cliche about albums being “All Killer and No Filler” well with “Disconnected” that statement is actually true. I’ve only had this album since Nov. or so if “Disconnected” had been released a little earlier and I had more time to listen to it I have no doubt it would’ve ended up as my #1 or #2 album.

#5 Sensory Overdrive - Michael Monroe

If there was an award for best album cover “Sensory Overdrive” would win that hands down as far as I’m concerned. There are several people who think “Sensory Overdrive” may be the best album of Michael Monroe’s career and considering he has released some genre defining albums with Hanoi Rocks that is saying a lot, but I have to agree with the majority on this one. Brilliant, amazing are two words I could use to describe “Sensory Overdrive”, from the opening track “Trick of the Wrist” to the closing track of the Lemmy Kilmister co-written “Debauchery As A Fine Art” Michael and the band just assault your hearing with a hint of just about every genre of rock imaginable garage rock, proto punk, post punk, power pop, hair metal, and even a little country and they do it with catchy, memorable yet heavy songs that make you want to hit repeat and spend the day just singing along.

#4 Hell In My Heart - Bobaflex

5 years that’s how long it was between the releases of Bobaflex’s “Tales From Dirt Town” and their latest album “Hell In My Heart” and during that time the band’s record company went bankrupt, the band fought a 2 year legal battle over masters and line-up changes, but still they marched on lead by brothers Shaun and Martin McCoy. How does the band respond to all the adversity? By releasing their strongest album yet with “Hell In My Heart”. The guys have a go for the throat and take no prisoners approach from the very beginning with the opening track “Chemical Valley” all the way to the album’s very end some 15 tracks later. For me “Low Life” is my favorite track on “Hell In My Heart”, but “Bury Me With My Guns On”, “Chemical Valley”, “Vampire”, and “Sing” are all stand out tracks and just as an added blow everyone’s mind the band have included a pretty amazing cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence”. With 16 tracks Bobaflex are trying to make sure fans get their moneys worth and I for one know I got my moneys worth.

#3 Dis.Neyl.An.Daft Erd.Ark - D.A.D.

As a lifelong D.A.D. fan I can tell you these Danish legends have put out some absolutely fantastic music over the years, but their 11th studio and latest release “Dis.Neyl.An.Daft Erd.Ark” could quite possibly be their best release yet. Underrated doesn’t even come close to describing D.A.D.’s career; unfortunately for whatever reasons D.A.D. was given one chance to make it in the U.S.A. and when that didn’t happen the record companies moved on and in all their stupidity forgot about D.A.D.  It’s because of that label stupidity the majority of American fans are missing out on some great rock n’ roll. Jesper Binzer and the guys deserve to be considered one of the world’s best bands and world wide household names. Another band that seems to go by the “If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It” rule ”Dis.Neyl.An.Daft Erd.Ark” is both familiar and new at the same time. “Fast On Wheels”, “I Want What She’s Got”, “The Last Time In Neverland” will be considered D.A.D. classics someday, but you really can’t go wrong with any song on this album. Simply put another classic album by one of the world’s most underrated bands.

#2 Entrance & Exit Only - the Lockhearts

There was no “new” band that impressed me more in 2011 than Sydney’s The Lockhearts. Truth be known I was hooked after one listen to their debut single “Nothing To Me”, but after hearing it I thought there would be no way the band could top that song boy was I ever wrong. As much as I dig “Nothing To Me”, it’s the opening track “City Lights” that sets the pace for me on the band’s debut E.P. “Entrance & Exit Only” guitarist Blake Poulton just smokes this track like a cheap cigarette and drummer T.J. isn’t too far behind I wonder how many cymbals he went through recording this song. What I love most about the Lockhearts, their music reminds me of two of my favorite bands Cheap Trick and Electric Angels, but it also takes me back to my high school days when music was full of energy and just pure unadulterated fun. Needless to say I haven’t been able to jump on a jet for a flight down to Australia to catch the band live, but I have no doubt the Lockhearts put on a hell of a live show.  The Lockhearts have knocked me on my ass twice already first with Nothing To Me and then with the release of the E.P. My question is can they do it a third time with a full length release for some reason I think they can.

#1 Wildstreet II...Faster...Louder! - Wildstreet

Here we are finally my favorite album of 2011 Wildstreet II…Faster…Louder. I added them as a bonus band on my 15 bands to watch in 2011 based on a sample of songs I got to hear in advance of the E.P.’s release last year, but I don’t think there is anyone more surprised this is #1 than myself. When the band released their debut album there was a lot I liked about it, but there was a lot I didn’t like about it too. I can honestly say I had no idea what to expect when I received Faster Louder. What I got was 5 tracks of pure 80′s inspired hard rock but with a modern touch and the more I listened to it the more I loved it. I loved the fact that Eric Jayk, Ali Hassan, and the guys matured musically without getting too serious about it and they cut back on the production to give this E.P. a much rawer sound than their debut album. If you haven’t heard “Poison Kiss” I can tell you it’s more infectious than V.D. I can honestly sit and listen to it on repeat 50 times in a row, but it doesn’t stop there “Shake It”, “Cocked & Ready”, and “Can’t Stop The Rock” are just as contagious. In my opinion “Hot Lixx” has a Kix vibe to it that I just can’t get enough of. As much as I love the songs on this E.P. I think seeing the band live is what sealed the deal to make them #1. Eric Jayk can have a crowd eating out of the palm of his hand in a matter of minutes in today’s world if you want a definition of rock star you don’t have to look any further than Eric. The band as a whole are tight on a stage and know how to take command of it. With the addition of guitarist Ian McPherson I’m expecting Wildstreet to raise the bar even higher on the next record. I have to give it to the guys they surprised the hell out of me with Faster…Louder, but next time I’ll be expecting great things from them so let’s see if they can bring it…I got a feeling they will.