The Most Overlooked Albums of 2013?

Post the 2013 album(s) you consider to be overlooked, forgotten etc...

My vote goes to:

Witch Cross - Axe To Grind

This is great, no-frills, tradtional heavy metal that sounds like Saxon.  This should come as no surprise as their lead singer, Kevin Moore was the touring vocalist in Oliver/Dawson Saxon.  It doesn't sound anything like Witch Cross's masterful  Fit For Fight from 1984, which may be why it's ignored.  Check it out:



Enforcer - Death By Fire

Ripping heavy/speed metal from Sweden.  This album was released way back in early February and seemed to make little impact, which is a shame because it's excellent.  Take equal parts U.S. speed metal, NWOBHM and Scandinavian Glory metal and you'd have Death By Fire.  The three song run of "Mesmerized By Fire," "Take Me Out of This Nightmare" and "Crystal Suite" are amazing and sound straight outta '84.  Check out this:

Death by Fire is on my top 10 list. All of their albums have been fantastic speed/traditional metal.

... still I believe Diamonds is their strongest to date yet.

The Enforcer album is great! One of my favorites this year!

I'm gonna say Metal Church. It's gotten little recognition on this board, in the press, reps, etc. Barely sold too.

Monolith Cult



Great new doom band from the U.K

One Inch Giant



and lastly, not exactly forgotten but doesn't get anywhere near the love it deserves



Not one of these has more than 4000 YouTube views!

corplhicks wrote:

I'm gonna say Metal Church. It's gotten little recognition on this board, in the press, reps, etc. Barely sold too.

It will be in my Top 20.

ultmetal wrote:

corplhicks wrote:

I'm gonna say Metal Church. It's gotten little recognition on this board, in the press, reps, etc. Barely sold too.

It will be in my Top 20.

Those are beautiful words indeed.   

I'd say Metal Church too.....and add in Vicious Rumors.

Free Fall - Power & Volume

I think these guys go lost in the retro rock revival, but something keeps drawing me back to their album. Something about them reminds me of UFO and a little bit of 70's Who.



I think they got a mention 'round here, but I'm not sure many folks picked up on what these guys are putting out. The songs are more infectious than Uncle Saxon and a bottle of rum on a Saturday night.



If this one doesn't grab you by the short & curlies and get your attention, call a doctor.

I think the new Royal Hunt is gonna get too glossed over being out so late in the year, although it's awesome, and Satan could always use more attention although that one has a lot of raves online.

I have not heard this band being mentioned here? Black Trip delievered one of the best albums this year.

Honestly? Deep Purple. An excellent album that almost nobody in the US bothered to check out. Not helped by the US radio station conglomerates not being willing to play new music from classic rock era bands.

I am surprised by how much I enjoyed what I heard from the new Deep Purple album.

Also disappointed WARLORD didn't get more love. They deserved it.

Metal Church and Deep Purple get my vote too! Both in my top 20! Your comments about the States overlooking it, no airplay etc! Excellent points and it sucks! I agree!

Krokus and Joan Jett get my vote...american radio barely plays current joan jett and rarely plays any krokus at all..both artist put out solid albums this year...

kmorg wrote:

I have not heard this band being mentioned here? Black Trip delievered one of the best albums this year.

They have been mentioned on here, but only by me & eyesore and no-one pays any attention to either of us!   

Just bought it on vinyl and it's a very good listen indeed.

S.D. wrote:

Honestly?  Deep Purple.  An excellent album that almost nobody in the US bothered to check out. Not helped by the US radio station conglomerates not being willing to play new music from classic rock era bands.  

I would agree - fantastic album!

Boris2008 wrote:

kmorg wrote:

I have not heard this band being mentioned here? Black Trip delievered one of the best albums this year.

They have been mentioned on here, but only by me & eyesore and no-one pays any attention to either of us!   

Just bought it on vinyl and it's a very good listen indeed.

Not so much overlooked. More like overpriced. I ain't paying no $50 for an import. If/when it gets a US distro, then we'll talk. 

Thanks for the Free Fall reference. Loving that.

I don't think most of the bands I listen to get very much attention. Maybe the ""big boys" like Sabbath, Metallica, Megadeth, etc. But Bands like Saxon, Krokus, Flotsam and so forth probable don't sell much, therefore they get very little exposure.
 I can only think of one artist who I have not seen mentioned here, and thats David Feinstein (guitarist and singer for The Rods) whose latest solo album Clash of Armour, is as good as those old Rods albums. Highly recommended if you like meat and potatoes Metal.

I know there are definitely some Rods fans around here. If I was talking music that was that particular kind of heavy metal/hard rock in that classic style I would say that band is pretty up there in the underrated and overlooked category, way more than Saxon or et al.

brokentulsa wrote:

Krokus and Joan Jett get my vote...american radio barely plays current joan jett and rarely plays any krokus at all..both artist put out solid albums this year...

Radio certainly isn't going to be picking it up, but I'd say Joan's album has gotten pretty good attention...probably the most attention since Up Your Alley. I heard commercials for it on the radio, even if they weren't playing the single....and she got to play Any Weather in the Macy's Day Parade!

And I didn't even know Warlord had a new album...so yeah. I'm gonna check it out.

Temple of Blood wrote:

I am surprised by how much I enjoyed what I heard from the new Deep Purple album.

Also disappointed WARLORD didn't get more love.  They deserved it.  

ZombieHavoc wrote:

brokentulsa wrote:

Krokus and Joan Jett get my vote...american radio barely plays current joan jett and rarely plays any krokus at all..both artist put out solid albums this year...

Radio certainly isn't going to be picking it up, but I'd say Joan's album has gotten pretty good attention...probably the most attention since Up Your Alley. I heard commercials for it on the radio, even if they weren't playing the single....and she got to play Any Weather in the Macy's Day Parade!

And I didn't even know Warlord had a new album...so yeah. I'm gonna check it out.

Yeah I had no idea Warlord had a new one either. Talk about under the radar.

THIS is what modern Queensryche should sound like...CRUSHES both Queensryche albums.