Great list. We share lots of faves. But I'm REALLY surprised that 2 excellent albums (IMO) like the ones from LEVEL 10 and JOEL HOEKSTRA'S 13 are not mentioned at all?

That Level 10 - Chapter One album from Mr. Russell Allen and Mat Sinner still gets regular plays. Great melodic metal IMO.

And Dying To Live from Mr. Hoekstra ft. Jeff Scott Soto and also Allen on vox is also excellent for me.

G

More importantly Saxon isn't anywhere near the list either! Level 10 I find merely ok. Nothing that captures my heart there. Hoekstra's disk is similar in many ways. It's ok but the songs don't capture my heart and mind again. They are both well done but it all boils down to whether you get into the songs and maybe I didn't give them enough of a chance. It's a cut throat business you know G Man!

Yes, you should try both again, as well as the Saxon, which rules!

BTW, no love for the new MORTALICUM? I had never heard of them before, but the new album, Eyes Of The Demon, just kills IMO. Reminds me of the latest Grand Magus discs.

Hey can't love everything! Lol. I didn't try Mortalicum. Believe it or not I do sometimes miss out on albums altogether for whatever reason.