2011 - Between Rock & A Hard Place

In what has been a turbulent year both nationally and internationally, there's always been one constant throughout the year, and that has been the quality of Rock and Metal being put out despite financial restraints.  

2011 saw some of our writers move on to pastures new and we wish Brassy, Dan and Adam G all the best with their future endeavors.  With every cloud comes a silver lining and we welcome into the fold, Seb, Alison and Kerry H.  

Here's a brief round-up of our top album releases from 2011 and our favourite live concerts/ festivals.  All are listed in alphabetical order and were compiled between the main writers to the Zine.  

Once again we've also included the top 5 CD choices from each of our main staff writers.

Top 20 CD Releases Of 2011

Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare

Freedom Call - Legend Of The Shadowking

Coldspell - Out From The Cold

Gentleman Of Distorted Sound - Bone Idol  

Grand illusion - Prince Of Paupers

Toby Hitchcock - This Is The Moment

Leaves Eyes - Meredead

Machine Head - Unto The Locust

Power Quest - Blood Alliance

Rival Sons - Time And Pressure

Shadowman - Watching Over You

Shakra - Back On Track

Sixx Am - This Is Gonna Hurt

Talon - III

Ten - Stormwarning

Uriah Heep - Into The Wild

Velvet Star - In The Face Of Vanity

John Waite - Rough & Tumble

Oliver Weers - Evil's Back

Whitesnake - Forevermore

Top 25 Concerts Of 2011

Anvil - 02 Academy, Newcastle

Arthemis - Trillians Rock Bar, Newcastle

The Bermondsey Joyriders - The King's Head, Acton

Coldspell - Z Rock Festival 2011, The Asylum, Birmingham

The Cult - 02 Academy, Newcastle

Dio Disciples - 02 Academy, Newcastle

Falling Red - Live Lounge, Durham

Faster Pussycat - Yardbirds, Grimsby

Freedom Call - Trillians Rock Bar, Newcastle

Fury UK - Trillians Rock Bar, Newcastle

Gorgoroth - Underworld, London

Judas Priest - Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle

Michael Monroe - 02 Academy, Newcastle

Napalm Death - The Ivy Leaf, Sheerness

Onslaught - Pandemonium Club, Maidstone

The Pleasures - Legends, Newcastle

Power Quest - Snooty Fox, Wakefield

The Rods - 02 Academy, Newcastle

Talon - Playhouse, Whitley Bay

Thin Lizzy - City Hall, Newcastle

The Union - 02 Academy, Newcastle

Uriah Heep - 02 Academy, Newcastle

Vader - Underworld, London

Velvet Star - Yardbirds, Grimsby & S.O.S. Festival, Manchester
 

Barry McMinn: Top 5 CD Releases of 2011

1.  Toby Hitchcock - This Is The Moment
2.  
Power Quest - Blood Alliance
3.  
Talon - III
4.  
Shy - Shy
5.  
King Kobra - King Konra
Little Linda: Top 5 CD Releases of 2011

1.  Rival Sons - Time & Pressure
2.  Oliver Weers - Evil's Back
3.  Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare
4.  Power Quest - Blood Alliance
5.  Last Autumn's Dream - Yes 
Bob : Top 5 CD Releases of 2011

1.  Gentleman Of Distorted Sound - Bone Idol  
2.  Heartland - Heartland 
3.  Shadowman - Watching Over You 
4.  Nelson - Lightening Strikes Twice 
5.  Voodoo Circle - Broken Heart Syndrome 
Alison Bear: Top 5 CD Releases of 2011

1.  Sixx Am - This Is Gonna Hurt
2.  Stormzone - Zero To Rage
3.  Michael Monroe - Sensory Overdrive
4.  Velvet Star - In The Face Of Vanity 
5.   Slash - Slash
Seb Di Gatto: Top 5 CD Releases of 2011

1.  Velvet Star - In The Face Of Vanity
2.  Evile - Five Serpents Teeth
3.  Neonfly - Outshine The Sun
4.  Babyjane - Are You Listening
5.  Trivium - In Waves
Kerry H : Top 5 CD Releases of 2011

1.  Machine Head - Unto The Locust
2.  Fallen Fate - The Virus Has Spread
3.  Five Finger Death Punch - American Capitalist
4.  Al B. Damned - The Darker Side Of Me
5.  Black Label Society - The Song Remains Not The Same 

Festival of 2011:  Z Rock Festival, The Asylum, Birmingham

Label of 2011: Frontiers Records

Interview of 2011: The Rods (Barry McMinn) & Trivium (Seb Di Gatto)   

Festival Highlights of 2011: Seeing System Of A Down at Download was amazing, as was Korn and Pendulum. (Kerry H)

Most Heartbreaking Moment of 2011: Finding out that the man with the golden voice, big heart and cheeky grin, Andrew 'Mac' McDermott (Swampfreaks / Sargant Fury / Threshold / Powerworld) had passed away.  God bless you Mac, we'll never forget you man x. (Little Linda)

Most Embarrassing Moment of 2011: Falling off the barrier at Rival Sons trying to get pictures ... (Kerry H 

Winner of the Best Dancer 2011: Alison Bear @ Trillians Rock Bar Halloween Party.

The 'Will It / Won't It / Maybe' Event of 2011: Van Halen Tour / Album ... 

Previous years results can be found - >

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