Segue Myles

Talking of bands who are definitely...erm...vintage, Styx immediately come to mind. Their last two albums are, honestly, close to their best work. Judas Priest are the obvious one, but honestly I think Saxon have not stepped a foot wrong since 1995's underrated Dogs Of War. For my money, they have had a better run of great albums than Priest or Maiden, unfortunately they never quite hit the heights of those two bands best works either. Their latest album, Hell, Fire And Damnation is a wonderful record that I refuse to overlook for the mighty Priest. In fact, I'm playing both new albums endlessly. 2017's Incorruptible by Iced Earth was an absolute blast from start to finish. The two albums before it I love as well. Paradise Lost began in the late eighties. Their last album is regarded more and more by fans as perhaps their best work, top five at least, definitely. Styx- The Mission Styx- Crash Of The Crown Saxon- Thunderbolt Saxon- Carpe Diem Saxon- Hell, Fire And Damnation Paradise Lost- Obsidian

How do we define "old"? Because there are bands from the nineties who honestly fit this standard. Twenty years ago, I saw the eighties defined as old school, so it's not a stretch to include nineties bands now.

Saxon- Carpe Diem Terrific album. Love Saxon.

I love the bonus tracks! Honestly I think it will be hard to top Priest and Saxon for me this year.

Judas Priest- Invincible Shield Saxon- Hell, Fire And Damnation I have to say, these two albums are blowing me away!

Is there a box set of rare stuff worth getting? I know some bands have collections like that

Prisoner Of Your Eyes is my absolute fave non-album track!

Oh I was familiar, didn't know it was Turbo era.

Ooo not familiar with that! Hold on

Yes. JP have quite a few non album tracks that could have bettered the albums they were recorded for

Saxon- Hell, Fire And Damnation Oopsies...I'm liking this more than the new Priest.

Okay...but this screams GOD not "hey kid, I'm the lead janitor of this school. Follow me and you might get a hi from the school principal within the next thirteen years. I've had this luxury...twice...and I've been here since 1987".

Love Over Gold is my fave

With that centre parting? No

I love Battallions of Fear! Edge Of Time is fine. Wish I enjoyed it more as I really love some songs (especially Wheel Of Time, based on one of my top three fantasy series ever)

Saxon- Dogs Of War

All metal heads are a bit square...he could do with a pinch more humour lol

Nightwish: 1. Endless Forms Most Beautiful (in my top ten albums ever, this is an album I hold dear to my heart. Precious, my number one album of the 2010's.) 2. Century Child (There is a gentle sadness to this album that I find highly emotive and it's also just so exquisitely beautiful. Ever Dream, Bless The Child, Beauty Of The Beast...gorgeous) =. Dark Passion Play (In all honesty i think this is the bands masterpiece. An album so f***ing brilliant I even rank the bonus songs as amongst the best ever. While Your Lips Are Still Red and The Escapist are two absolute essential tracks, they arent even on the album. And what is on the album is fire). 4. Wishmaster (Some fans don't love this album as much as me. Thats okay. I dont mind) 5. Once (i find this overrated. The production is sterile and the best song here, Ghost Love Score, suffers from a didappointing fadeout. But this is renowned as a classic, and in all honesty i have come to lobe it for what it is. I do think its clear the band was starting to write songs that didnt quite gel with Tarjas voice) 6. Imaginaerum (stunning album, if a bit exhausting) 7. Oceanborn (Sleeping Sun is an all time classic song for me, and it wasn't even on the original tracklist. Still, brilliant album, offbeat production. It has a unique atmosphere though, and it's deserving as a major fan favourite. Sadly, not entirely one of mine) 8. Human Nature (I'm just gonna keep it simple: if a collection of songs as strong as this is ranked second from last, you know I love this band. However its not the bands best album, and personally i find it quite boring.) 9. Angels Fall First (Sounds like a demo, bursting with originality and ambition. But I repeat: Sounds like a demo)

Blind Guardian: To keep it brief, utter perfection for me: 1. Imaginations From The Other Side 2. Nightfall In Middle Earth 3. Somewhere Far Beyond 4. A Night At The Opera Love, love love love them but they are a litte less than the above: 5. Tales From The Twilight World 6. Battalions Of Fear 7. Follow The Blind 8. Beyond The Red Mirror Really appreciate this album, wish it was more exciting: 9. Edge Of Time Unfortunately bores me: 10. The God Machine Sounds awful, songs lack: 11. A Twist In The Myth

My ranking of Sonata Arctica: 1. Reckoning Night (flawless. Contains three of my all time favourite metal songs: Don't Say A Word, My Selene, and White Pearl Black Oceans. Every single song here is phenomenal to me though). 2. Winterheart's Guild (a very, very close second. Broken, Draw Me...doesn't get much better than any tracks off this album) 3. Silence (more greatness.) 4. Ecliptica (Terrific debut album, I love each and every song, even if compared to later albums it comes off a touch generic) 5. Days Of Grays (Used to ve my favourite, the band through themselves into symphonic metal with great results. Again, absolutely love this album) 6. Pariah's Child (this is where things start to get patchy. This album is quirky, brings back some early SA vibes, has some corny moments...some WTF moments...I enjoy it.) 7. The Ninth Hour (Odd one this. I enjoy this album immensely, but it has little that truly stands out. Life is one of my fave songs ever) 8. Unia (Amazingly experimental, this is a love/hate album. I feel i should rank this much higher, but honestly i find it veey exhausting. Terrific songs, many of their absolute best in fact, but its not as great as the sum of its parts). 9. Clear Cold Beyond (the new album really has impressed me, especially followinf an absolute stinker. However, it also lacks a single surprise, so for now, it sits safe near the bottom) 10. Stones Grow Her Name (It's kinda painful listening to this remembering how much I value their greatest works. Not a terrible album, but a confusing one.) 11. Talviyo (shit)

Saxon, Judas Priest and Iced Earth. Whilst I'm really obsessed with the new Priest, it's pretty much the only Priest I want to play. Meanwhile I'm all over Saxon and Iced Earth.

Saxon- Destiny

Saxon- Hell, Fire And Damnation Madame Guillotine has been in my head all day.

I get so annoyed when people talk about household names like said artists owe you a debt of gratitude. Pete is always like "I recommend you an album that really is so, so good. You might not of heard it before, but it's fantastic, and every song is good. It's called Appetite For Destruction". f**k off Pete.

I have to say the new Saxon album finally grew on me! I love it! I'm having a decent year so far for new albums. Sonata Arctica, Judas Priest and Saxon have all really impressed me.