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A world dedicated to music.

I love rock, metal, and progressive, but you'll also hear classical, Big Band jazz, oldies, and anything else that tickles my ears.

Happy New Year

Hope 2013 turns out to be a great year for everyone.

To kick off the new year, here's some music from Tracer, a hard rock band from Australia and one of my recent discoveries. Enjoy!

Best of 2012 #3: Threshold & The Tea Party

Third and final post in my review of the best music of 2012.

My number one album of the year is Threshold - March of Progress. This is partly due to the fact that they are my favorite band, but also they came back after a five year gap with a truly rocking album. They're still on top of their game as the #1 prog metal band in the UK, and with original singer Damien Wilson back in the fold and singing better than ever, it hit all the right buttons for me.

And finally, as a bonus, The Tea Party! The Canadian trio that came up with the innovative "Moroccan-roll", mixing rock with Eastern elements, have returned after breaking up back in 2005. They undertook a Reformation Tour, some of which was recorded for CD and DVD in Australia. Live From Australia: The Reformation Tour 2012 is a fantastic live album that brings the band back in style, and the good news is they're here to stay.

Best of 2012 #2: Headspace & Speaking To Stones

Second installment of my review of the best music of 2012.

Headspace was another band I was unfamiliar with, but what got me interested in them is their recruiting of Threshold singer Damien Wilson (who is one of my favorite singers) on their album I Am Anonymous.

Next is Speaking To Stones, which surprised me with an epic monster of an album, and I do mean epic - five tracks between 9 and 15 minutes in length. Elements is a musical expression of the five classical elements - fire, wind, water, earth - as well as the quinta essentia, the perfect fifth element, the essence of life, that alchemists searched for in vain for centuries. Throw in the excellent Andy Engberg (Section A) on vocals and you have a perfect package.

Best of 2012 #1: Thank You Scientist & OSI

A celebration of my top picks for the best music of 2012.

First up is Thank You Scientist - Maps of Non-Existent Places. I'd never heard of these guys before, and this album just jumped up and smacked me right in the face the first time I heard it. Very high-energy, intricate playing, paired with some great melodies and wonderful melodic singing.

Next is OSI. These guys have never done any wrong, and their fourth album Fire Make Thunder is yet another perfect exercise in blending ambient, atmospheric and heavy guitar work.

Blue Oyster Cult - Burnin' For You

Some great classic rock.