EDITOR KEN’S TOP 10 OF 2024

2024 has been an exciting year in music, no matter what your favorite genre may be.  Those who say that there is no good music in this day and age have not explored the vast talents of many of the new artists of today.  For me, I’ve been listening to a lot of melodic rock and AOR as of late.  While experiencing the next generation of Journey and Foreigner style bands may not be that interesting to some, check into the world of the almighty Eclipse (who recently opened for My Chemical Romance) or the rocking reveries of Danger Zone to discover some truly passionate rock and roll bands ready to bring the entire scene back with a vengeance!  Famed guitarist Tommy Denander has been the participant of a massive amount of recordings, and this year his project Radioactive released quite a masterwork of an album entitled Reset!  Melodic rock labels reign on this list with Pride & Joy Music having three albums on the list and Frontiers Music Srl having four!  The melodic rock revival is real!  I am also a longtime fan of metalcore and emo, and what terrific and imaginative recordings both The Requiem and If Not For Me presented this year!  Of course, this list is purely subjective – basically music I’ve been listening to consistently throughout the year.  And now here is my top 10 list of 2024, in alphabetical order…

Shut Up! by Danger Zone (Pride & Joy Music)

From Italy to the Sunset Strip and back, Danger Zone presents a sound reminiscent of the golden era of American melodic hard rock.  And on the wickedly titled Shut Up! released on Pride & Joy Music, Danger Zone unleash 11 compelling tracks destined to rock your world.  Opening with the ripping refrains of I Like It and then exploding into the gloriously memorable Evil and beyond, Danger Zone unlock songs that should absolutely be all over the worldwide radio airwaves.  It’s been a banner year for Pride & Joy Music, and with Shut Up! by Danger Zone, the label has hit a grand slam of an album that has been on repeat ever since entering into the realm of my CD player!

Danger Zone on Instagram

Megalomanium II by Eclipse (Frontiers Music Srl)

And just when you thought Eclipse from Sweden had hit their peak form with last year’s Megalomanium, the Swedish collective slam it into the stratosphere with a second volume from the same recording sessions – and what a fantastic rush to the senses Megalomanium II is.  Selections such as Apocalypse Blues, Falling To My Knees, and Divide & Conquer are massive arena rock anthems while tracks such as Still My Hero and To Say Goodbye go straight for the heart.  Imagine a grand amalgamation of melodic rock, AOR, and even My Chemical Romance style-emo, and get ready to be absolutely enraptured by your next favorite band!  Be sure to catch Eclipse making their Los Angeles debut at the world-famous Whisky on March 16^th!  Eleven albums in and these guys are on fire!

Eclipse on Instagram

Alive by Honeymoon Suite (Frontiers Music Srl)

Alive by Honeymoon Suite is the first studio from this Canadian outfit in 16 years, and it’s an absolute rock and roll triumph!  Alive kicks off the euphoric opening title track followed by the vibrant and hopeful Find What You’re Looking For, Not Afraid To Fall packs a glorious sense of empowerment while Tell Me What You Want is an exhilarating song that will spin around rapturously in your head for ages. Each of every member of Honeymoon Suite delivers tenfold, including terrific performances from Johnnie Dee (lead vocals), Derry Grehan (guitars/keyboards/background vocals), Dave Betts (drums), Gary Lalonde (bass), and Peter Nunn (keyboards)! With Alive, Honeymoon Suite has brought their visions on classic rock into the modern day, and it’s an album not to be missed!

Honeymoon Suite on Instagram

Everything You Wanted by If Not For Me (Thriller Records)

If Not For Me is a four-piece metalcore outfit hailing from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Composed of members ranging from all over the central PA music scene, If Not For Me delivers their own brand of catchy chorus­es, driving riffs, and hard-hitting breakdowns with an explosive live performance to match. Everything You Wanted is the name of their devastating Thriller Records full length, and its intensive artistry and super catchy tunes are destined to gain this band a good deal of attention – especially exhilarating standout selections include Feel Me Now, Blameless, Demons, and the stunning title track!  If Not For Me will make their way our West in the New Year, performing at The Glass House in Pomona on February 11^th!

If Not For Me on Instagram

Echoes by Nationwide (Pride & Joy Music)

Nationwide is a melodic rock band from Sweden, whose debut recording Echoes was unveiled October 18th via Pride & Joy Music.  Featuring former members from Age of Reflection, the auditory tapestries of Nationwide are sure to enrapture music fans all across the world.  Highlights include the enticing opening refrains of Fade Away, the lush and magnetic Passion Ignite, the spiraling In Your Eyes, and the hard rocking The One.  Throughout the entire recording, Nationwide presents a euphoric universe of melodic rock.  In addition to his previous band Age of Reflection, guitarist and founding member Carl Berglund was once in the membership of power metallists Haterush on the notorious Black Mark Production!

Nationwide on Instagram

Defiance by Praying Mantis (Frontiers Music Srl)

As Praying Mantis is celebrating their 50-year anniversary as a band, these trailblazers of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) present Defiance – their 13^th studio magnum opus.  Opening with the sweeping From The Start and then proceeding into the ultra-dynamic title track Defiance with its “can you believe in angel” refrain and onward, Praying Mantis present one of their finest albums to date. Led by founding members and brothers Chris and Tino Troy, alongside vocalist Jaycee Cuijpers, drummer Hans in’t Zandt, and guitarist Andy Burgess, Praying Mantis remains at the very height of their creative energies.  Here’s hoping Praying Mantis finally plays some shows here in the States in the brand-new year!

Praying Mantis on Instagram

Reset by Radioactive (Frontiers Music Srl)

Swedish guitarist/songwriter/producer Tommy Denander is a musician of 1000 credits – over 3000 actually, and his appearances have been on some of the most legendary hard rock / melodic rock albums in the genre. Radioactive is a long running project from the maestro Denander, with Reset on Frontiers Music Srl being the latest effort from this very prolific musician. In addition to Denander’s superb guitar work and brilliant songwriting, guest vocalists include the likes of Robin McAuley, Jeff Paris, Jim Jidhed, Joey Vana, an amazing up and coming artist named Harris Dio Zindani, and even famed producer Mutt Lange. A modern day AOR/melodic rock classic!

Radioactive/Tommy Denander on Instagram

Pleasure Beats The Pain by Remedy (Escape Music Ltd.)

Remedy recently completed a tour in support of melodic rock/AOR megastars Eclipse – and judging by the songs found within the realm of Pleasure Beats The Pain, it won’t be long until this Sweden rock collective will be headlining their very own shows. A cutting-edge melodic rock metal band originating from the heart of Stockholm, there’s no sophomore slump here when it comes to this absolutely amazing second release. Highlights include should-be massive radio hits such as Crying Heart, Moon Has The Night, Sin For Me, and a whole lot more! And in line with the production of Remedy’s debut album, Pleasure Beats the Pain is mixed and mastered by Erik Mårtensson of Eclipse!

Remedy on Instagram

A Cure To Poison The World by The Requiem (Fearless Records)

“This is how the world ends!’ screams charismatic vocalist Damien Douleur of The Requiem at the grand commencement of A Cure To Poison The World – and what you are about to experience is one of the most intoxicating debut albums of the year. As imaginative and memorable as My Chemical Romance and Motionless In White, The Requiem creates their own darkly rapturous universe with thrilling songs such as An Elegy Written On Porcelain Arms, I’ll Be Late For My Funeral, and Cursed. The Requiem is the infinite future of hard rock, emo goth, and metalcore, and it will be very exciting to see what this creative band unveils in future days.

The Requiem on Instagram

Fill My Sails by Winding Road (Pride & Joy Music)

Winding Road is an AOR melodic rock sensation from Sweden who take the listener on an exhilarating journey with their second release entitled Fill My Sails. The voyage begins with the spiraling refrains of Close My Eyes In Tokyo and is highlighted by shimmering selections such as the magnetic I’m Alive, the wickedly infectious Devil’s Daughter, the stunning title track, and a whole lot more! Fantastic work from core trio Jan Hedlund (Coastline), Magnus Åkerlund (Blender), and Jonas Tyskagen (Domino Drive), as well as notable guest appearances from Thomas Larsson (Glenn Hughes) and Fredrik Folkare (Unleashed!). A triumph of an album released through Pride & Joy Music!

Winding Road on Instagram

A sampling from the very best releases of 2024.  Now bring on the music classics of 2025!

(Compiled by Ken Morton for Highwire Daze Magazine)