Battering Ram - "Hold On"
Black Star Riders - "Better Than Saturday Night"
Generation Radio - "Why Are You Calling Me Now?"
H.E.A.T. - "Hollywood"
Madhouse - "Down 'N' Dirty"
Michael Monroe - "Everybody's Nobody"
Monster Truck - "Golden Woman"
Resist & Bite - "Home"
Sonic Circus - "This Feeling"
The 69 Eyes - "Drive"
The Cruel Intentions - "Venomous Anonymous"
Ugly Kid Joe = "That Ain't Livin'"
Voodoo Angel - "The Exit Day"

​#nowplaying #newmusic #phillyrockradio

Here are the new releases that have been added to our New Music Playlist. Tell us what you think in the comments below, text 856-248-0988 or email admin@phillyrockradio.com

Thanks for listening!

Listen online right here, or use the Live 365 mobile app and plug us into your car and ears!
​

• Bad Baron - Can You Love Someone (For Just One Night)
• Deaf Rat - Take Me To Church
• Deraps - Veins of My Heart
• Jackyl - Get All Up In It
• Jones Street - What Comes Around
• Kardang - We Ain't Dead Yet
• L A Cobra - The Star
• Liar Thief Bandit - Diamonds (Are Made Under Pressure)
• Locust Grove - One Foot In The Grave
• Marcus King - Rescue Me
• Mile - Into The Fire
• Motley Crue - I'm A Liar (That's The Truth)
• Northern Ladies - Boomerang (I'll Be Gone)
• Nova Rex - Time Is Up For You
• Nuclear Nightshift - Alcoholiday (feat. Niko Rimbacher & Michael Monroe)
• Rat Rod - Call Down the Thunder
• Sandgaard - On My Way (feat. Robert Mason)
• Sister Salvation - Solitary
• StunGun Sons - Voodoo
• Taming Sari - No Shelter
• Tarraska - Getting Out Alive
• Wayward Sons - Can't Take It Anymore

#phillyrockradio #nowplaying #newmusic

Here's the new songs added to our rotation this week, a long list of beauties to feast your ears on.

Of course, this isn't the only new music you'll hear on PhillyRockRadio.com, our lineup of original programs are always hitting you with new rock, as well as the classics you've always loved.

Love'me? Hate'em? Tell us what you think! Tell us what you want to hear! This is your station after all!

#nowplaying #newmusic #nwocr #newwaveofclassicxrock #newwave #newrockrevolution #sixtyyearsofrock #metal #hardrock #heavymetal #melodicrock #hairmetal #localmusic #radio #rocknroll  #rockandroll  #phillyrockradio

Here's the list of great new songs in heavy rotation starting this week. Of course, it won't be the only new and current rock music you'll hear on PhillyRockRadio.com, because our lineup of original programs are always bringing you new music, as well as the great rock, and metal you've always loved.

We encourage you to leave comments below, and we look forward to hearing from you!

1. Aerodyne - Dust To Dust
2. Bernie Marsden - Black Cat Moan
3. Electric Guitars (feat. Sanne Salomonsen) - Join The Ride
4. Grimm Jack - Ultraviolet
5. Jared James Nichols - Hard Wired
6. Junkyard Drive - Mind Eraser
7. MonteCarlo - Words
8. Thunder - One Day We'll Be Free Again
9. Thundermother - I Don't Know You
10. Tygers of Pan Tang - Red Mist

Greg Hawkes didn't necessarily expect to still be performing the music of The Cars at this stage of his life. But after playing a few of the iconic tunes with the young rock band Eddie Japan, he realized they were too good to leave on the shelf.

So the hugely influential keyboardist has hit the road for a handful of shows that brings him to the Landis Theater Saturday night in Vineland,  NJ. Hawkes and Eddie Japan will deliver an evening of Cars classics, including most of the band's legendary debut album.

Hawkes joined Philly Rock Live to talk about the upcoming show and share stories and highlights from his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame career, including the early days of The Cars and finding out Paul McCartney was a fan.

Check out the full interview with Kevin,  Johnny, and special guest Andy Vineberg at the 30 minute mark of the file below. 

GREG HAWKES with EDDIE JAPAN PERFORMING THE MUSIC OF THE CARS
DATE: Saturday May 7th
TIME: 8pm (doors open at 7pm)
VENUE: The Landis Theater, Vineland, NJ
TICKETS: Available at TheLandisTheater.com OR at the door
​

It was 1988 when Aerosmith unleashed his epic song. Fans across the globe went crazy for the tune, and poker players in particular appreciated the title (because who doesn't like to have a wild card in a poker game?).

Aerosmith’s delightfully fun lyrics, “I love you 'cause your deuces are wild, girl, like a double shot of lovin' so fine,” create a perfect link between the love of poker and the passion of a secret love affair. And the narrator further confirms his feelings for the mystery girl as he proclaims, “cause you and me is two of a kind.”

Poker has always had a hold on culture like no other game, and this has been highlighted in particular by great rock musicians. Thanks for reading, and please check out our blog for more content on all things rock 'n' roll. 

​PRESS RELEASE: For immediate use
Contact: Sandy Hall, 215-490-4699
sandyhall@me.com
For more info: https://www.josiemusicawards.com

Long time Philadelphia, PA vocalist Sandy Hall, originally from Vukovar, Croatia has won Artist of the Year in Rock from The Josie Awards, the largest, privately owned, multi genre award show recognizing the hard work of independent music artists, songwriters, and support businesses in multiple genres.
 
Hall is founder of Kick It Out, A Tribute to Heart band based in the Philadelphia and the South Jersey area. The magnetic, seasoned vocalist and songwriter received the award Sept 18, 2021 at the ceremony in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Out of almost 40,000 submissions, Hall was in the 2.6% that made it to nomination and was nominated in 4 categories.  The awards show was filmed to be streamed with a date to be announced soon.
 
Since 2008, Kick it Out has performed to crowds at large venues in NY, NJ, PA, Delaware, Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut and in 2017 at Springfest in Ocean City Maryland on the same bill with legendary Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.  Singing in the role of Heart’s Ann Wilson, Hall’s soulful tone coupled with her powerful "big" voice is often compared to iconic female rockers like Pat Benatar, Chrissie Hynde, Melissa Ethridge and Stevie Nicks. Her soaring vocals and moving performances have left crowds with many “a goosebump moment.”

Hall started singing professionally very young—appearing on local TV in grade school and soloing in church as a teen. She recorded national radio commercials, including a Carefree sugarless gum ad that aired in 11 cities. Since the 80’s she has rattled the rafters of noted Philadelphia, Delaware and New Jersey hot spots to thousands of fans as a lead vocalist for many rock/pop and special affairs bands as well as original bands opening for national performers Robert Hazard and Heaven’s Edge. In recent years, Sandy has performed her originals supporting Kip Winger, Dan Reed of the Dan Reed Network, Jeffery Gaines and Living Colour.

Hall also has extensive recording studio experience, lending her voice to original tracks written by others as well as writing and recording her own music. Along with her KIO shows, she vocal coaches and mentors young aspiring singers and she continues to perform her own original music written with Chris DeMuro and music written John Ignatius Callaghan from her CD Sign Language in the tri-state area. New music is presently being recorded for upcoming release.
 
For her day job, Hall is a Registered Nurse clinical program consultant for a healthcare company. She and her husband, Chris, founded the North Ridge Music School and have three children.
 
She was nominated in 4 categories: Artist of the Year Rock genre, Vocalist of the Year Rock genre, for Sign Language CD songs submitted written by Callaghan, for Songwriter Achievement for Full Circle cowrite with DeMuro, and Tribute Artist of the Year Heart tribute band Kick It Out.
 
Hall’s CD Sign Language was remixed, remastered, and released in 2021 and submitted for these nominations. 
 
The award show was held at the Country Tonite Theater, which holds about 1,500 people. The two-day included the award show, red carpet, media interviews, a Vocal Competition,  Songwriter Workshop and multiple artist performances at the pre-concert and awards ceremony.
 
For more information on Hall and the band:
www.sandyhallmusic.com
http://www.kickitoutband.com/home.html
For streaming platforms:
https://sandyhall.hearnow.com
 
 
                                                # # #
 

​























Germany's gritty blues-rock-duo The Picturebooks have released their new single / video, “Rebel”, featuring Halestorm's Lzzy Hale. The video was filmed in Nashville and Berlin (Sony ‘Circle’ Studios) and the single is available to purchase and on all streaming platforms.

Lzzy states about track, “This project came into my life at a time when I really needed it. The Pandemic stole a huge part of my life, and my identity. I was forced to look myself in the mirror and figure out who I am without that missing piece. I had to remind myself that no matter what is happening outside...the flame that burns inside of me is still alive. Writing these lyrics was like drawing a road map to guide myself back to who I am. No one can do it for me, no one can save me but myself. In order to do that, I have to start a revolution inside my soul, and be a rebel from the inside out. This song is my war cry.

The instrumental music was so inspiring that by the third listen the melody naturally spilled out like some alien hybrid of all my influences. 

I am so grateful to The Picturebooks for bringing me into their world and giving me the freedom to express my personal journey of rediscovering myself. And I know that, in times like these, this song will bring the listener hope for the future and the confidence to survive whatever that future becomes.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lftJu1W8UMk

The Picturebooks adds, “It’s hard to put in words how excited we are about this collab. Lzzy has been the number one artist we wanted to work with when we started this project and bottles were poppin’ when she gave us the go to be a part of it. 

Honestly, the stuff she came up with for this song was beyond our expectations. When we wrote the song we knew that if we send this to anyone, it’s gotta be Lzzy.
We knew about the potential of the song, but we didn’t know it could be this good. How in the world did she pull this off? 

Beyond excited, Beyond happy. Mission accomplished.”

Due to their recently released collaborations with Dennis Lyxzen (Refused), Neil Fallon (Clutch) and additional musical appearances by Ryan Sinn (The Distillers) and Dave Dinsmore (Brant Bjork), the duo created some wild rumors within the last weeks with their unstoppable activities and tirelessness. This said, it is time to put an end to the secrecy and officially announce their new album "The Major Minor Collective" will be released September 3rd.

The Picturebooks & The Major Minor Collective was born out of the insane idea of bringing together various artists, who have either inspired the duo or who are their friends. The idea was to have some kind of creative exchange in these crazy times, a bridge to fellow artists. It also opened the musical range of the band in many ways and leads to the most varied musical work the pair have ever done in their career.

THE PICTUREBOOKS “ON THE ROAD AGAIN“ 2022 Tour Dates:
13/03/22 Hamburg @ Nochtspeicher (GER)
15/03/22 Gothenburg @ - Pustervik (SWE)
16/03/22 Stockholm @ Slaktkyrkan (SWE)
17/03/22 Copenhagen @ Hotel Cecil (DNK)
19/03/22 Antwerp @ Kavka (BEL)
20/03/22 Zwolle @ Hedon (NLD)
22/03/22 Cologne @ Artheater (GER)
23/03/22 Wiesbaden @ Schlachthof (GER)
25/03/22 Berlin @ SO36 (GER)
26/03/22 Leipzig @ Moritzbastei (GER)
28/03/22 Prague @ Futurum (CZE)
29/03/22 Krakow @ Kwadrat (POL)
31/03/22 Budapest @ Robot (HUN)
01/04/22 Vienna @ B72 (AUT)
02/04/22 Zurich @ Werk 21 (CHE)
07/04/22 Barcelona @ Razzmatazz 3 (ESP)
09/04/22 Madrid @ Caracol (ESP)
10/04/22 Bilbao @ Stage Live (ESP)
12/04/22 Stuttgart @ Universum (GER)
13/04/22 Munich @ Strom (GER)
14/04/22 Bielefeld @ Forum (GER)
17/04/22 Paris @ La Maroquinerie (FRA)
19/04/22 Manchester @ Rebellion (GBR)
20/04/22 Dublin @ Grand Social (IRL)
21/04/22 Glasgow @ King Tuts (GBR)
23/04/22 London @ The Dome (GBR)
24/04/22 Bristol @ Exchange (GBR)
27/04/22 Sheffield @ Corporation (GBR)
28/04/22 Birmingham @ Mama Roux´s (GBR)

​

ACCEPT have been flying the flag of classic metal for decades, and with their latest album, "Too Mean To Die", they have once again proven themselves to be international chart stormers with top 10 placings worldwide.

Now, after a long absence due to Corona, they are proud to announce they will finally be returning to European stages in 2022, with their usual driving energy full of irrepressible power. They will be playing the new album "Too Mean To Die" and the ACCEPT classics.

Watch the tour trailer here: https://youtu.be/Tu6_dZlQpCA

For decades, ACCEPT have stood for pure metal, great melodies and unforgettable live moments. Their three exceptional guitarists will undoubtedly transform audiences into a surging mass and blow the virus into oblivion.

Because, according to Wolf Hoffmann: "We are too mean to die! Weeds do not die! ACCEPT won't let it get them down!"

Philip Shouse adds: "The best thing that will happen for us is to go to the airport, get on a plane, fly to you and play a big, fantastic gig".

The words say it all, because 'The Best Is Yet To Come' is not only an outstanding song from the new record, it also sums up the current situation - things can only get better.

ACCEPT will be supported in Europe by none other than PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS, who unforgettably brought venues around the world to boiling point with MOTÖRHEAD and stands for pure Rock N Roll, because even without Lemmy (R.I.P.), Phil has the controls set to 12 or 13!

The US speed/thrash wrecking ball veterans FLOTSAM & JETSAM complete the billing and can't wait to play the stages to the ground.

Today, the band also kick off the pre-order for their brand new "Too Mean To Die" Glow In The Dark vinyls. Pre-order your copy here: http://nblast.de/AcceptTMTD-Glow

"Too Mean To Die" is also available in various other formats, here: http://nblast.de/Accept-TooMeanToDie
​

​Sadly on May 19, 2020, the rock world lost Smashed Gladys frontwoman, Sally Cato.  

Golden Robot Records wants to honor Sally by releasing Smashed Gladys "Raw" later this year. 

"Raw" is a collection of  new material which they were recording as demos for their 3rd album, newly remixed and remastered by the bands' first producer, Mark Dearnley.

"Raw" will also include 4 additional songs, being released for the first time ever, taken from when the band recorded close to an album worth of material produced by Kiss legend Gene Simmons.

First up is the single "Bump In The Night" which Golden Robot Records will release on April 12th.

A classic 12-bar boogie rock 'n' roll song, "Bump in the Night" is a twist on the horror movie trope in the vein of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

​https://www.facebook.com/Smashed-Gladys-185987408115461
https://twitter.com/SmashedGladys
http://www.smashedgladys.nyc/home.html

10. Mother Love Bone, 'Apple' (1990)

Who said supergroups couldn't rock. 'Apple' is one of those records that flies under the radar. The album features a combination of jazz-infused punk and funk metal. Many of the tracks share a Zeplinesque tone infused with a modern-day flavor. Standout songs include "Come Bite The Apple," "Stargazer," and "Capricorn Sister." There is no telling how great this band could have been, as their career was unfortunately struck down by tragedy before it began. Sadly, lead singer Andrew Wood would die of a heroin overdose just a week before the record's release. 

​Stone Temple Pilots debunked the sophomore jinx with this standout release. Coming off a very successful debut record with 'Core,' the boys were looking to take their brand to the next level. 'Purple' was just what the Dr. ordered as the record hit #1 on the Billboard Top 200. While the era-defining hits "Vasoline," "Interstate Love Song," and "Big Empty" paved the album's success, those stellar deep cuts like "Army Ants," "Silvergun Superman," and "Kitchenware and Candybars" truly defined the greatness of this masterpiece. 

8. Temple of the Dog, 'Temple of the Dog' (1991)

​​What initially began as a side project to honor Andrew Wood's passing; quickly morphed into one of the great all-time grunge classics. The collective star power on the record was enough to light up any stage, with Chris Cornell, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, Matt Cameron, Mike McCready, and Eddie Vedder. Touching tributes like "Say Hello to Heaven" and "Hunger Strike" are fantastic songs in their own right. Add in tracks like "Pushin' Forward Back," 'Call Me A Dog," "Your Savior," and "Four Walled World," and the album screams elite.

7. Alice in Chains, 'Jar of Flies' (1994)

​​Some will shout blasphemy to include an "Ep" on a top album list. The opinion is duly noted, but hindsight's 2020.  Alice In Chains entered the studio in 1994 (after a rigorous tour) with zero material written and came out having produced an absolute gem in seven days. The record features a collection of acoustic works of art that would make even Mozart bow to their throne. The collective mixture of iconic acoustic jams made it to #1 on the Billboard Top 200. Not bad for an album that was constructed in less than a week, from start to finish.

6. Soundgarden, 'Badmotorfinger' (1991)

'Badmotorfinger' is often overshadowed by its peers, but that is no indictment on the record's content. Having been released on the same day as Nirvana's 'Nevermind,' it, unfortunately, started behind the eight balls. However, this record gained momentum over time, carving itself out as a staple in the Grunge Metal hierarchy. Ravaging tracks like "Rusty Cage" and "Outshined" are epic tone setters. However, hidden gems like "Jesus Christ Pose" and "Drawing Flies" emphatically announce the album's place among Grunge's elite.

5. Alice In Chains, 'Facelift' (1990)

'Facelift' was a precursor of what was yet to come. When Alice In Chains released their debut record, grunge was not, however, a household name. While the genre had not been coined yet, this record set a series of chain events that would shape this musical transformation. Megahit "Man in The Box" became the template for future grunge metal playlists. Meanwhile, tracks like "We Die, Young," "Sea of Sorrow," "Bleed the Freak," and many others quickly enshrined the record as a standout masterpiece of the era.  

4. Soundgarden, 'Superunknown' (1994)

Soundgarden perfected their craft with this epic game-changer. Fueled by the encompassing passion of frontman Chris Cornell, the band channeled that energy into every recorded track. The new composition and precision songwriting allowed the group to fine-tune their signature sound and style. "Fell on Black Days" and "Black Hole Sun" became era-defining songs. Consequently, the album is littered with deep cuts up and down, including standouts like "Fresh Tendrils," "4th of July", "The Day I Tried to Live," and "Like Suicide."

3. Nirvana, 'Nevermind' (1991)

​If this were a popularity contest, 'Nevermind' would certainly take top honors on this list.  The album undoubtedly created a musical revolution, the likes that we have very rarely seen.  The band combined an influential blend of punk and rock that struck the core of America's youth gone wild.  While "Smells Like Teen Spirit" captured the spirit of even the most casual fans of rock.  Meanwhile, standout songs like "In Bloom," "Come As You Are," and "Lithium" catapulted the record to the depths of its rabid cult following.  This record is ground zero for the grunge era.

2. Pearl Jam, 'Ten' (1991)

After Nirvana dropped 'Nevermind,' Pearl Jam emphatically shouted, "HOLD MY BEER!" If 'Nevermind' is the motherload, then 'Ten' is its daddy. While 'Nevermind' follows a more distinct punk style playbook, 'Ten' veers more closely down a classic rock highway. 'Ten' is Pearl Jam's, Mona Lisa. So many great tracks it's hard to name just a few. One would venture to find one mediocre song among the entire album. "Even Flow," "Alive," and "Jeremy" are cornerstones of the era; lesser-known gems like "Porch," "Garden" and "Deep" are solid gold.  

1. Alice In Chains, 'Dirt' (1992)

​'Dirt' is not only the magnum opus for Alice In Chains, but it represents the Mount Rushmore for all of Grunge. While every album in the top ten is excellent in its way, the songwriting on this particular one stands out. Between the doom-laden harmonies of Cantrell and Staley's lyrics and the ever-evolving sound of fantastic musicianship, 'Dirt' sets itself apart at the top. Obvious hits like "Them Bones," "Rooster," and the title track "Dirt" emphasize the magnitude of the album's greatness. "Hate to Feel" may be the most-least recognized deep cut masterpiece in the history of metal! Pop it in and crank it to Ten! 

​Many people ask the question; if there was a BIG 5 of THRASH…who would be the fifth band amongst METALLICA, Megadeth, Anthrax, and Slayer?

Some enthusiasts would say that Exodus belongs on this list.  Others would emphatically argue that it's Overkill.  Still others would vote for Voivod or Celtic Frost.   And some place-some where, Kreator fans are angrily banging their fists in disagreement.

The truth is, no matter what band that you believe belongs on this Mount Rushmore, it's always going to be a matter of opinion.  However; you know what they say about having an opinion: opinions are like assholes...everyone has...nevermind.  

With that being said, one fact remains.  If there were a Big 5 of thrash, Testament would rise above the rest...  

​Testament is an American Thrash Band that was formed in 1983 in Berkley, CA. Considering the Band played the San Francisco Bay area, they received widespread exposure in the underground metal community, just as fellow bands METALLICA and Megadeth had done.

The band was originally formed by guitarist Eric Peterson…and has been through numerous line up changes ever since, during it's 37 years of existence.

Many people don’t know this, but Testament was originally named Legacy, which actually became the title of their first album…and was released in 1987.

​Originally joining Eric Peterson in the band was Alex Skolnick, a Joe Satriani disciple. Also joining the band was lead vocalist Chuck Billy, who replaced Steve Souza, who then went on to form Exodus.

When 'Legacy' was released in 1987….Testament quickly became a popular trademark in the thrash metal community. In order to promote their new album, they began a tour with Anthrax, who were actually promoting their own new album 'Among the Living'.  The record has since become a staple for the signature thrash metal playbook.

​The bands earlier records focused on dark themes while taking a deep dive into the occult. As the records mounted, Testament continued their rise to the top of metal charts across the world.

​Their 3rd album, 'Practice What You Preach' was released in 1989.  It was the band's highest charting record to date and shared more realistic themes like politics and world corruption.

Then came the "Grunge Era" and Testament was failing to connect with their fans.

​At this point the band released a slower, more mainstream metal album called 'The Ritual'.  This marked a turning point for the band as the record rose to 55th on the Top 200 Bilboard List.  It was the most successful record up until that point and found them at the top of their game!

​The single “Return to Serenity” received favorable reviews as it topped the charts at 22. This song received extended radio airplay…allowing the band to attract a larger audience.

Testament has assembled quite an extensive catalog over the years.  In fact, 2020 saw them release their 13th studio album, 'Titans of Creation':

ALBUMS:
1) The Legacy (1987)
2) The New Order (1988)
3) Practice What You Preach (1989)
4) Souls of Black (1990)
5) The Ritual (1992)
6) Low (1994)
7) Demonic (1997)
8) The Gathering (1999)
9) First Strike Deadly (2001)
10) The Formation of Damnation (2008)
11) Dark Roots of Earth (2012)
12) Brotherhood of the Snake (2016)
13) Titans of Creation (2020)

Check out Philly Rock Radio Blog - PHILLY ROCK RADIO to see the band's albums ranked worst to first.

​From 1999-2008 the band failed to produce an album. During this time Chuck Billy was diagnosed with Cancer and had to temporarily quit the band. The band then reunited and toured from 2005-2008.

Finally, in April of 2008, Testament released 'Formation of Damnation', which marked the return of Alex Skolnick who had left the band after 'The Ritual'.  Then in 2012, they released 'Dark Roots of Earth' which marked the return of the original lineup. This album saw the band return to their heavy roots and signature form.

Testament continues to be a major force in thrash today.  'Titans of Creation' is an extremely heavy and in your face record.  They remain one of the hardest working and most consistent bands of the thrash metal era.  With that being said, they definitely rank among the best of the generation.

​One always wonders who would make the list of the Big 5 if there was such a thing.  Well, I am here to tell you that Testament fits that bill closer than any other  bands on the list!  The new order has arrived and the titans of creation have spoken.  Testament, welcome to the BIG 5 of THRASH!

Release Date: October 23, 2020
Metal Blade Records

​Musicians:
John Bush (Vocals)
Joey Verra (Bass)
Phil Sandoval (Guitars)
Jeff Duncan (Guitars)
Gonzo Sandoval (Drums)

Armored Saint  is back and back with a vengeance they are.  


The band released their eighth studio album 'Punching the Sky' back in October and haven't looked in the rearview ever since. Saint has never wavered in style and sound as they refuse to be held back by labels or formulas. They're just a kick-ass metal band trying to have fun. 


​While the band always releases killer material, they have always remained a mystery as far as name-value goes. Armored Saint may very well be the most underrated band in all of metal.  


The veteran headbangers know a thing or two about making an excellent record, and this release harkens back to the classic era of the band. One thing that sets Armored Saint apart from most bands is their strong work ethic. This hard-working mentality enables the group to combine their elite musicianship with pristine songwriting.


As mentioned, 'Punching the Sky' has the band firing on all cylinders. 


There are zero filler tracks as this record represents plug-and-play at its finest. When one can listen to an album repeatedly, that is a tell-tale sign of an excellent piece of art. I've had this masterpiece on a loop from the moment it came out, and it never gets old! 


To summarize, 'Punching the Sky' is the band's most gratifying record since 'Symbol of Salvation' way back in 1991. The album combines all of the trademark elements of Saint with an added punch of modern flavor. It is a balls to the wall record that keeps the pedal to the metal.


The album starts with an ode to Irish folk music before rapidly changing paces.  "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants" is an epic thriller that takes the listener on a magical journey. While clocking in at just under seven minutes, the track shares many twists and turns.


​A slow build intro quickly ramps up to a signature John Bush bellow. Beefed-up dual guitar leads set the tone, and the rest is masterful music to your ears. Bush's powerhouse vocals are on full display as the song begins to beat like a battering ram of metal madness. Clean, crisp lyrics resonate throughout, and the song features a catchy chorus to boot.


The track then meanders through the bridge and hooks, like a fish out of water, before descending into a stellar lead guitar solo. The opening song is easily one of my favorite tracks on the record and maybe one of the band's best all-time; it's that good, folks.


If you thought the first track was transcendent among their catalog, then you better get a load of track #2.  "End of The Attention Span" kicks ass. It's that simple. If track #1 is robin, then track #2 is undoubtedly the album's batman. A meat and potatoes platter that leaves you with a fistful of forks.  


It features pissed-off vocals, driving guitars, aggressive riffs, loud drums, and bashing bass, the kind of song you turn the volume up to ten on and let er' rip! The musicianship on this track is pristine and tight. While the lyrics paint a picture of society's obsession with social media and the dangers it poses. Another "A" list track that I rank at the top of their all-time best.


The hits keep coming with tracks like "Bubble" and "My Jurisdiction," which provide a similar sound to early style Armored Saint. Full of raw attitude and emotion, they are hard rock anthems to the core. Another gritty, hard-nosed rocker, "Do Wrong to None," continues the gut-punch assault on its audience. All three tracks could find themselves among the local watering hole's setlist. 


At this point, we come to the middle of the record. 


And here lies the ace in the hole, the breaking point where many albums go off the rails and drop off musically. Not this one, though, folks. Instead of veering off the tracks, this song has its sights set on a crash course for stardom.


"Lone Wolf" is undoubtedly this album's masterpiece; if you're looking for 'Symbol of Salvation' vibes, then this is your pick! The track features all of the bells and whistles of a kick-ass metal tune. The song has it all: a stellar intro, up-tempo riffs, killer lyrics, pinpoint rhythm section, melodic vocals, harmonizing guitars, and epic awe-inspiring solo!


Bush screams with a vengeance. Phil Sandoval and Jeff Duncan leave you saying KK. Downing and Glenn Tipton who. Gonzo Sandoval tells Dave Lombardo to stand at the back of the line. And Joey Vera leaves Nikki Sixx in the dust. Stellar musicians at their absolute best here!


Wow, how do you follow up such a magnificent track moving forward? Quickly...you reset the bar!  "Missile to Gun" is an Anthrax-Esque rocket of thrashing metal. This missile is ready to fire, and it's all guns blazing. The tone of the track is set early as the rocket reaches take-off. An anthem that appears destined as a regular live set staple, John Bush flexes his vocal muscles showing why he's still the best in the biz.


As the album moves along, we now reach a crescendo of sorts with "Fly in the Ointment." A change of pace is in order as this one screams Alice in Chains. Bush does his best Layne impersonation, which sounds eerily similar to the fallen great. Another full-fledged hit as this album has now reached star power status.


The album is rounded out by "Bark, No Bite," "Unfair," and "Never You Fret." "Unfair" is a harrowing ballad that rings out true. In contrast, the final two tracks are bursting apart at the seams with energy and volume.


'Punching The Sky' is a standout record from beginning to end. Elite album composition sees the tracks flow together in seamless transition. It is no wonder that Armored Saint is one of the hardest working bands in metal. They represent all of the good things in music while displaying a top-notch professional demeanor. 


The band has hit a home run with 'Punching The Sky'. They deserve credit for defying the odds and putting out such a killer record so late in their careers. These guys are genuinely underrated at their craft and should be celebrated! 


'Punching the Sky' gets a 9/10 rating and ranks at the top of their best all-time albums. Right on cue, many music media outlets had the record at the top of their top album lists in 2020.


John Bush, Joey Verra, Phil Sandoval, Gonzo Sandoval, and Jeff Duncan...keep kicking ass and taking names! While fans are left punching the sky, Armored Saint is on their way to punching their ticket to platinum!! ​

RELEASE DATE: November 6, 2020

Reb Beach has announced that his long in the works instrumental solo album will now see the light of day. “A View From The Inside” is slated for a November 6th release via Frontiers Music Srl. An album that showcases the dynamic talents of the guitar virtuoso, hard rock fans will be transported back to the days of when giants like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani dominated the mainstream consciousness (and airwaves), while also simultaneously being shown a guitarist ever pushing himself forward into the future.

Reb Beach is one of the indisputable guitar giants of the current hard rock scene. His resume with ‘80s/’90s mega-stars Winger alone would earn him this distinction, but his legacy is cemented by his current membership and work with the legendary Whitesnake, his past efforts with Dokken, and his recent release with supergroup Black Swan, also featuring Jeff Pilson, Robin MacAuley, and Matt Starr.

Influenced by the legendary hard rockers of the ‘70s, Reb spent his teen years jamming along with the greats of that era like Aerosmith and Montrose, but it was Steve Morse, then with the Dixie Dregs, that had the biggest influence on him. The complexity and the speed of the Dregs was a unique challenge compared to the blues-based playing of most musicians of that era. The Dregs were ultimately the catalyst that drove his playing to the level he is now so well known to music fans the world over for. Beach eventually graduated from his home practice space to the Berkeley School of Music, but after a couple of semesters he moved on and soon became one of the most sought-after session players in the music industry, working with such all-time great talents as Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Roger Daltrey, Chaka Kahn, Howard Jones, and Twisted Sister.

While living in NYC, he hooked up with his future bandmate, bassist and frontman Kip Winger. Reb and Kip formed the band Winger and the rest is history. The two proved to be incredible writing partners, crafting multiple platinum records that featured no less than six Top Forty singles. with music that was commercial yet complex.

After Winger went on a hiatus in the ‘90s, Beach’s career continued thanks to collaborations with Alice Cooper, Dokken and Night Ranger and he debuted as a solo artist in 2002 with the album “Masquerade".

Following the Winger reunion in the ‘00s, Reb wound up getting a gig with a gentleman he'd been sending tapes to for many years, David Coverdale. The band? Whitesnake, of course. Since 2003, Reb has toured the world with the band and released multiple albums with them, such as “Good to Be Bad,” “Forevermore,” “The Purple Album,” and the recent “Flesh & Blood,” plus a number of live albums.

Reb Beach will now release his first instrumental album, but this is not a mere exercise of self-indulgence. It is the culmination of over 30 years of study and extremely hard work on his craft. Fans of Steve Morse and Joe Satriani will find a lot to love in the 11 songs on offer here, but while there is certainly a lot of ear candy for the musician types, fans of hard rock in general will find a wealth of melodies and transcendent moments where the songs simply make you forget there are no vocals.

Line-Up:
Reb Beach - guitars, bass on 4, 9, keyboards on 4, 6, 11, strings on 10
David Throckmorton - drums (except on 6)
Robert Langley - drums on 6
Michele Luppi - piano on 3, 10
Phillip Bynoe - bass on 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 11
John Hall - bass on 5, 6, 7
Paul Brown - keyboards on 1, 2, 5, 7

Happy new year from all of us here at Philly Rock Radio. This is the time when many resolutions are made, and hopefully met with success. 

We wanted to take this opportunity to renew our perennial resolution and commitment to bring you the best our local rock scene has to offer. That includes both indie and signed acts. Below you'll see a partial list of the music we've featured on Philly Rock Radio. And this year we plan to step it up by adding more special segments and live broadcasts featuring artists and bands from our area.

We refer to Philly Rock Radio as "The City Of Brotherly Love's Calling Card to the World." We feel it is our mission to introduce you to the hard workin', harder rockin', talented musicians, and artists in our tri-state area. This station believes that this music should play right along with the new music we love. Music made from around the world, as well as the hard rock and metal we grew up on in the '70s and '80s.

And the 'calling card' works both ways. We introduce you to our neighborhood, and we invite you to introduce your neighborhood rock scene to us! Tell us about the bands in your area that should be receiving more attention.

If you'd like to submit your professionally produced original music to us for airplay consideration, click this SUBMIT MUSIC link and fill out our form. Send us properly tagged .mp3 files at 192k or higher. And if we contact you, please be prepared to supply us with station IDs, your EPKs and news to promote for you.

We receive many submissions from all around the world, so please be patient. We will contact you if we intend to play your music. We can only accept properly tagged mp3 files and production quality of the songs count too. It wouldn't be fair to play rough mixes, demos or files that haven't been mastered, when others are putting in the time, money and attention to detail. Thank you in advance for understanding.

We're looking forward to you being a part of PRR in 2021, ROCK ON!

Written By Jason Voorhees

2020 has been the year from hell. We saw a whirlwind of negative energy from the second that ball descended into Times Square. The music industry in particular, was decimated by the pandemic as many bands had to learn how to adapt to a new "normal".  While live music pretty much went up in smoke, there were quite a few bands that were able to release new material!

As this difficult year comes to a close, it's about that time for us at Philly Rock Radio to count down the top albums of 2020! This segment has become a yearly occurrence and we hope to provide a dynamic list of Hard Rock and Metal's best offerings. While we don't always follow the mainstream archetype in taste and opinion; this year's list is littered with many well-known artists!

So without further ado....here is Philly Rock Radio's Top 20 metal albums of 2020. Get your popcorn ready, it's time for the show!

The 6th studio release for the Sweedish hard rockers may very well be their best ever! If your a fan of classic 80's metal then this is a must listen! The album is plug and play at it's finest, just pop it in and let it rip!

If your a fan of local metal, then you won't want to miss this hardcore punk band from Pittsburgh! The band's fourth studio album is undoubtedly their most diverse while offering an extreme mixture of style and composition! 

The debut solo album from the Slipknot/Stone Sour front man is nothing less than spectacular! Corey has always been an underrated artist and his wide ranging talents are on full display with this gem. As solid of a debut that you will ever find!

This is the second solo release for Dream Theater's founding father and general. It also marks the first collaboration with former bandmate and drummer Mike Portnoy.  A progressive metal masterpiece is on the menu as John brings the heat!

You may be surprised to find a melodic death metal band so high on the list but it had to be done. 'Verminous' represents the band's most dynamic and stellar musicianship to date!  If you love thrashin' death metal then this is your prototype!

Sevendust remains one of the most underrated bands in all of metal. I don't think they have ever released a bad album and always seem to hit just the right note. A phenomenal album from start to finish is highlighted by their cover of Soundgarden's, "The Day I tried to Live."

The 8th studio album for  Nevada's metal king represents a bit of a shift in direction; as far as style and sound, and the results are quite honestly magnificent. Often criticized for sounding mundane and dull, this album finds the band firing on all cylinders!

The standout guitarist from Whitesnake and Winger is back with another solo record. A shred metal paradise that provides a magical mix of progressive metal and jazz.  Shades of Vai and Satriani will dance in your head as you push play!  

The bay area thrashers are back with a vengeance. Chuck Billy and company really flex their thrash metal muscles on this release. The album harkens back to the band's glory days in a revisionist reset. Thrash metal never gets old and Testament strikes gold once again!

Trivium remains one of the best modern metal bands to walk the planet. Their ninth studio album to date may in fact be their best ever. Once again proving why Trivium is one of the hardest working and most consistent metal bands of this era!  

Who said Christian metal cant hit hard? The pioneers of gospel metal are back to kicking ass and taking names. This may be Stryper's heaviest album to date.  Chock full of hits and features a ballad that could be a number one hit, had it been released by the likes of Bon Jovi!

Metallica shocked the world with this release as no one knew an album was on the horizon. 'S&M2' is the sophomore edition of the orchestra symphony and the finished product is fantastic. Nothing better than classic Metallica with a flavor of melodic and symphonic magic!

Ice T and his band of misfits are back and better than ever! Carnivore is a stellar in your face epilogue of rap-metal's finest. No band embodies the social injustice movement more than Body Count and this one truly hits home. Locked and loaded with killer tracks galore.  A must listen for any and all metal maniacs!

The ninth studio album for Deftones ​is making waves. The passing years have seen the band move towards more experimental styles and sounds. This particular album strikes fast and hard without compromising the elements that the group was founded on.

Lamb of God's tenth studio and self titled record was released to the tune of extremely positive reviews. This album somewhat circles back to the band's roots. It features elements from their most successful era of music: "As The Palaces Burn"-"Ashes of the Wake"-"Sacrament"-and "Wrath". (2003-2009).

If there is one word to describe this album it should be WOW! Marilyn tapped outlaw country producer Shooter Jennings and the result is an epic work of art.  It is not a stretch to say that this is Manson's greatest masterpiece since "Mechanical Animals."  Southern country meets David Bowie here folks; check it out if you dare!

Welcome back to these bad ass rock legends! Talk about surprises; this one was dropped with little to no warning and fans couldn't be happier. If your a fan of that classic sound like 'Back in Black" then your in for a treat. Tons of hits and solid up and down. Nothing more to say than pop it in and power up!  

The Prince of Darkness is back and darker than ever! The record features many standout session musicians including Slash, Duff McKagan, Post Malone, Elton John and Tom Morello. It's a stellar album that gets better with time. "Under the Graveyard" and "Ordinary Man" could both make a top 20 all-time Ozzy song list!  

It's rare that a cover album makes it this high on the list but frankly; this one could have easily taken top album honors! David Ellefson has always been an elite bassist; but this record highlights his enormous talents as an all around artist. 19 tracks of phenomenal music featuring tons of great musicians. Every genre is covered here!

Armored Saint is back and they hit a home run with this record.  Hard work and dedication paid massive dividends on this power metal thriller. The record is a diverse mixture of classic metal, thrash and power metal. The sign of a great album is one that you don't get sick of and I've been listening to this one daily since it dropped!  Armored Saint takes top album of the year on this masterpiece!

The 2020 NBA draft is imminent and it's needless to say that draft projections have been done to death by now.

Rest assured, that's not why we're here. Instead, we're going to look at some of the best picks in 76ers history.
 
5. Billy Cunningham
When the 1965 draft came about, Cunningham had exceptionally high stock having just written his name into the college history books at North Carolina.

The 76ers were lucky enough to take him at number five in the draft. He set his standards high in his inaugural year as he made the All-Rookie first team.

Things continued on an upward trajectory for Cunningham. As the Sixers won the Championship in 1967, he played more games than any other player in the league. He did move on from Philadelphia for a short while but not before receiving four All-Star team calls.

After two years in Carolina he returned to the 76ers where he played until injury forced him to retire. He did, however, guide the team to glory 1983 as head coach.
 
4. Hal Greer
Greer joined the Sixers - or then the Syracuse Nationals - set up back in 1958 as the 13th overall pick. He would stay with the franchise throughout his career and he proved a picture of consistency. After a couple of years bedding into the NBA, Greer began to establish himself as a key part of the team.

He produced a 10-year stint between 1960/61 and 1970 where his season low points per game average was an impressive 19.6 whilst his rebounds peaked at 7.4 and assists reached 5.1. In that window, he made the All-Star game every season and was even named the All-Star MVP in 1968. Of course, his crowning moment was the season prior when he bossed the playoffs with 27.7 points per game on route to winning the NBA Championship.
 
3. Charles Barkley
Barkley entered the 1985 draft with little doubt over his ability but big question marks about how his stature would stand up at the elite level. It turned out that he'd handle the NBA just fine.

His rookie year saw him win first team honours whilst within two years he was leading the league on rebounds (14.6 per game) and getting the nod for his first All-Stat honour. It was the first of 11 with six of them coming in Philadelphia.

Although Barkley moved on from the Sixers in 1992, where he won the MVP award with the Phoenix Suns, his career PB stats all came in his years in Philly. When his number 34 jersey was retired there were no questions that it was deserved.
 
2. Maurice Cheeks
Is Cheeks the second-best Sixers player to come directly from a draft? No. What he is though is a player that represents terrific value given he was taken at number 36.

He was heavily involved in things from the off and made 82 appearances in his rookie year. Cheeks remained a consistent figure in the offense and was part of the team that conquered the NBA in 1983. It was that year that he earned the first of four All-Star nods.

All in all, Cheeks spent 11 years in Philadelphia with his creative numbers not dropping below the 5.3 assists and 8.4 points average of his debut season. His best year for the Sixers was 1985/86 as he hit 15.4 points and a career high 9.2 assists per game to take the team to the playoffs.

It was tough to see him eventually move on, but he never found anywhere else that felt like home and returned as head coach in 2005 but things didn't work out. He was, however, rightly inducted to the hall of fame in 2018.
 
1. Allan Iverson
If Cheeks was a dark horse selection, then Iverson was anything with the NBA betting odds firmly backing him as number one pick in 1996. The Georgetown point guard arrived surrounded by all sorts of hype. That brings a different type of pressure. Iverson thrived on it.

He was named rookie of the year in 1997 before upping his game as the Millennium approached with his 26.8 points per game a league high in 1998/99. Remarkably, he was overlooked for the All-Star team that season.

You couldn't keep Iverson down though and he earned his first call in 2000 and remained there for 11 consecutive seasons. Iverson stayed with Philly for 11 years prior to stints in Denver, Detroit and Memphis before a Sixers homecoming in 2009.

Across his career, Iverson led the league in points on four occasions and in steals three times, which is evidence of what an exceptional all-around game he had. All of those best years came with the Sixers.
There you have it, the best draft picks in Sixers history. Predicting how the NBA 2021 season will turn out for the 76ers is as hard as predicting who are the contenders for TwinSpires.com Kentucky Derby. Both are still far ahead and there is an intense race in foresight.

​However, we can expect the Philadelphia team to not have the best chances in the draft this Wednesday as they are placed in 49th in the draft order. Let’s wait and see.

Philadelphia has produced insane amounts of sporting talent over the years. Here we look at five of the best from a range of sports and, no, Rocky Balboa won't feature!
 
Number 5. Reggie White, Football
 
Defensive end White might have left the Eagles fan base distraught when he jumped ship to Green Bay in 1993 but there is no denying that he's worthy of legendary status. For seven years he was a formidable figure in the Eagles defense. He won back to back NFL defensive player of the year awards with his 11.0 sacks in 1989 the lowest sack return during his time with the team.
 
His high, which was also his career best, was a staggering 21.0. If you need more evidence as to why he deserves the love we're pouring his way then the fact he made 13 pro-bowls in his 15 year career might convince you. The two years he missed out being his rookie season and his 'out of retirement' season in 2000. He fully deserved his Super Bowl win - even if it didn't come with the Eagles.
 
Number 4. Chuck Bednarik, Football
 
Bednarik was born an hour from Philadelphia. He then attended university there before spending his entire career with the Eagles during the pre-Super Bowl era. He did help the Eagles to two NFL Championships though with his tackle on Jim Taylor in the dying moments was a key factor in the 1960 triumph.
 
Chuck, who played as a center and linebacker, was a tough as they come and his commitment to the Eagles cannot he questioned. He missed just three games in a 14-year career. Rightly, he's now a Hall of Famer. He passed away in 2015.
 
Number 3. Joe Frazier, Boxing
 
If you're not from Philly and you're not a boxing fan then you might just know Frazier as the man who lost the Thrilla in Manila to Muhammad Ali. If that sounds about right, then you need a good lesson. Smokin' Joe arrived in Philadelphia as a broken 15-year-old. He passed away there 52 years later as a hero.
 
As a 20-year-old he won Gold at the Tokyo Olympics and then he turned his hand to pro boxing. He went on to win 32 of his 37 fights back in an era when fighters were concerned about entertaining and not protecting the '0' in their loss column.
 
He was the undisputed heavyweight champ for three years and he was first person to beat Ali, who is widely regarded as the best of all time. After hanging up his gloves he gave back to the Philly community by coaching youngsters.
 
Number 2. Wilt Chamberlain, Basketball
 
It's hard to imagine too many grumbling at Chamberlain's inclusion at number two in our list. The basketball star first took his strides into the spotlight with the Harlem Globetrotters before signing for the Philadelphia Warriors and then the 76ers before finally moving to the LA Lakers.
 
The center won two NBA Championships - one with the 76ers - and was named the league MVP on four occasions with all of them coming in Philly. Despite the fact he retired from the court some 47 years ago, he still boasts a whole host of NBA records including the largest points haul in a single game as he sank 100 in a 169-147 win for the Warriors over the Knicks.
 
Number 1. Bobby Clarke, Hockey
 
Born in Canada, made in Philadelphia. That's our Bobby. Clarke spent the entirety of his 15-year NHL career with the Flyers and, boy oh boy, did he do it in style. Clarke's years with the Flyers are the most successful of the team’s entire history with the toothless center playing a key role in all of their successes - first as a player and then in background roles including GM and VP.
 
As a player he captained the side to both of their Stanley Cup wins but it was his skills on the ice, rather than his leadership, that sees him mentioned in discussions as the best hockey player of all time. He's certainly a name you cannot ignore in that conversation.
 
On three occasions he posted over 100 points with a peak of 119 in 75/76. Throughout his career 1,144 game career he registered 1,210 points. A remarkable player, man and Philly legend. The greatest of all time.
 
There you have it, five of the most iconic sportsmen out of Philadelphia. And if you fancy your chances on the football odds for the Philadelphia Eagles, click here to know how they stand: https://extra.betamerica.com/nfl/odds/