BEST OF 2023 – Trevor “Psychoone” McDougall (Graphics Guru) 🇨🇦
You can find the Collective List as well as all our Best of 2023 content including contributors’ individual lists, podcasts and radio DJ shows here: CGCM’s Best of 2023 (Year in Review)
Another Year, Another Top Ten
Another year, another top 10 list. This is probably one of the most daunting tasks we here at the CGCM take on. With so many great bands releasing so many great albums over 2023 it has been a real challenge to just pick ten of the year. This would be a lot less crazy to do if it was a top 40, or 50 then! With the year coming to a close, and with so many anticipated albums coming in 2024 I can reflect and say I have enjoyed so much great music this year. At times it almost reminded me of being back in high school! We have had albums from Dokken, Extreme, and Metallica. Newer bands like The Gems have emerged, and overseas from my homeland of Canada, the music genres of Melodic Hard Rock, Hark Rock and Metal are thriving.
So here it is, my top ten of 2023. By number of plays, and how long it remains in my constantly going playlist. Love it, or not the list is my tastes, and it is what resonated with me this past year.
#10 🇺🇲
BOMBAY BLACK – En Fuego!
The first summer album to hit my radar, available from Kivel Records, this would be their 7th release since 2005, and their first since 2016’s self-titled album. Straight up in-your-face rock, the guys from Bombay Black prove to us that the wait between albums might have been a long one but it is worth it. Just listen to the single “Just Another Band from L.A.“. A terrific way to begin the summer, and still constantly played by me on many a road trip!
#9 🇩🇪
MYSTIC PROPHECY – Hellriot
Released on May 19th, this latest offering from Mystic Prophecy showcases raw energy that I can remember from back in my younger years when metal music was at the forefront of my musical tastes. Everything about this album is huge. From its guitar sounds to its rhythm section this album is a one solid piece from beginning to end. “Unholy Hell” is a great pick for a single in my opinion. This is the second full-length album with guitarist Evan K his thrashing solos have seemingly rejuvenated Mystic Prophecy. Because of the old-school vibes and the large arena Rock and metal sounds, this makes my top 10.
#8 🇺🇲
BANGALORE CHOIR – Center Mass
What would a personal Top Ten from Trevor “Psychoone” McDougall be without one of the greatest voices in rock? Yes, I mean David Reece. This year he is back with a new album from the band that has entertained me for a very long time (More years than I want to recall) Bangalore Choir. Recently with the remastering, and repackaging of all the Bangalore Choir discography, I was hoping for something new, and got more than ever wished for. A two-disk package that included some live tracks from Hamburg in 2022, and 12 brand new songs that rock just as hard as the first album back in 1991. If this one missed your radar, I suggest you run and grab it, come back, play it then resume reading this page!
#7 🇺🇲
METALLICA – 72 Seasons
The Metallica guys came back this year with yet another great album. The lead-off singles are absolute KILLER Metallica tracks, but to my ears, there is a bit of filler on this one, and that’s why it doesn’t make the top 5. Tracks like “Lux Eterna”, “If Darkness Had a Son”, and “Screaming Suicide” are enough to make this ‘Tallica fan one happy metalhead! To me, this album would have fallen in great right between. And Justice for All, and the Black album. Let me know if you agree with that theory or not…Let’s discuss.
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#6 🇳🇱
COBRA SPELL – 666
One of my latest additions to my top 10, knocking one contender right off the list! This album with a theme that could make Beelzebub quite proud just kicks all types of asses. Okay, I’ll readily admit one thing though. The girls in Cobra Spell blatantly lifted quite a few riffs from KISS. Just listen to “Satan Is A Woman” and hear KISS’ “She” in all its guitar glory. Here is one thing about me…. I’m a HUGE KISS fan, so it doesn’t matter to me one iota. A killer album, hot women, and just a great time is what this album calls for! It’s music folks, not a peace proclamation. Enjoy it for what it is!
Half Way There…How Am I Doing?
#5 🇺🇲
EXTREME – Six
It felt like the good old days of Hard Rock and Metal to me at times this year! New albums from Metallica, Bangalore Choir, Dokken, and Extreme! Six marks the first full-length album from the Extreme camp since 2008’s Saudades de Rock, and when the single “Rise” first hit my eardrums, I was in with everything I had. The solo alone by Nuno just makes my skin tingle and my jealousy of wanting to play guitar flare up. It may be another number of years (as is the habit with Extreme) until the next album, so let’s just enjoy, and keep enjoying for years to come.
#4 🇺🇲
ALICE COOPER – Road
The man just keeps getting better with each album, and after MANY years (some he can remember and others he cannot) Alice Cooper has done it again with Road. I cannot pick a favourite track from this album. I just put it on, and just enjoy each track for what it is. What is it you ask? Well to me, it’s simply straight-up Good Ol’ Alice. I’ve been a fan for many years now I have nothing but good things to say, and it seems like he has no intentions of stopping anytime soon, and I think many of us are perfectly fine with that.
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Finally…Top Three
Finally huh…after all my babbling and gushing about the albums that “did it” for me this year, we are down to the Top 3! Every year we at CGCM go through the process of compiling our lists, and every year it’s a real daunting task for us all. We each have our own methods and ways, but it is always fun to see each staffer’s choice, and sometimes the diversity in all of our tastes. However, I have to give huge props to Rich “The Meister” Dillon, and Graham Spark for all that they do with the posting and publishing of our reviews and lists. They go through everyone’s lists, make sure they look cohesive and publish them to our readers and listeners. So thanks guys for all that you do!
Now onto the Top Three.
#3 🇬🇧
TAILGUNNER – Guns For Hire
This group of young men knows what the fans of old-school metal and Hard Rock want in our music. Listening to this album will take you back to the days of long hair, leather jackets, studded brackets and choker necklaces. Guns for Hire is simply one of the greatest Metal/Hardrock albums I’ve heard all year. Don’t believe me, then go give them a listen for yourselves then tell me I am wrong! I am almost betting that my top ten list won’t be the only list they appear on here at CGCM
#2 🇮🇹
KHYMERA – Hold Your Ground
Dennis Ward returns yet again with the 5th offering from his Melodic Hard Rock band Khymera. I have been a fan of Dennis Ward‘s music since Pink Cream 69 and when I first heard Khymera I was instantly a fan. No, it’s not head-pounding, but it is well-written, masterfully played and has enough hooks and melodies to pull you right into the journey of the album. Highly recommend to all to give Khymera a try. You won’t be disappointed.
#1 🇮🇹
HELL IN THE CLUB – F.U.B.A.R.
With each HITC album, things just keep getting better and better. Not that they were ever bad, but damn, this latest album just kicks it to a whole new level. This is exactly the album I needed for my ears in 2023. Eleven tracks coming in at approx. 42-43 mins I dare you not to enjoy this album. My only fear is will the Hell In The Club guys be able to top it? I have my fingers crossed, but until they do I can guarantee you that this one will be remaining on my player, and will be in constant rotation on many a road trip throughout 2024 as well!
Psychotic Thoughts
Well, that is it, folks. My top 10 of 2023. Agree? Disagree? Think that I am completely off my rocker? That may be but honestly, I don’t care. It’s what I loved in 2023, and I love to discuss music and why others love what they do. So remember in 2024 to listen to CGCM Rock Radio because you never know what you’re going to hear, or who you hear from! Between guests, live spots, interviews, and new to old music we have everything to suit your needs, and if we don’t, let us know! We can maybe get it for you!
Support music in all its forms, but most of all just enjoy it. There is enough music for all that you don’t have to rag on someone because they like something you might not. Its music. Just love what you love and let others do the same!
Till next Time
Keep the fist in the air and keep rockin’
Trevor “Psychoone” McDougall
Check out the album reviews I have written: Trevor “Psychoone” McDougall
