H E A V Y P A R A D I S E' S MELODIC AWARDS FOR 2023

So, here we go again for yet another year with Heavy Paradise's best of lists! The Heavy Paradise's awards are here!! Another strong year with some excellent releases, some music gems that every fan of this genre should check and should add to his/her collection. 

A huge THANK YOU 💓💓 to the all the readers of this webzine that continue to help HEAVY PARADISE to stay alive n' kickin' 🤘🤘  !!!!!!!!! A big thank you also goes to the bands, artists and music labels!! 

Even though the world is going through some difficult times, the music is a way to 'travel' us, is a way to forget our problems and to continue fighting through these so hard times! So, lets the Heavy Paradise's Top Lists begin.............. 

ToP 20 ALBUMS OF 2023 🏆

1. RONNIE ATKINS, TRINITY (FRONTIERS MUSIC) 

2. KENT HILLI, NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

3. CREYE, III WEIGHTLESS (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

4. SUPREMACY , INFLUENCE (LIONS PRIDE MUSIC)

5. TEMPLE BALLS, AVALANCHE (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

6. ECLIPSE, MEGALOMANIUM (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

7. ELVENKING, READER OF THE RUNES (AFM RECORDS) 

8. FROZEN RAIN, ONE MILE FROM HEARTSVILLE (LIONS PRIDE MUSIC)

9. REVOLUTION SAINTS, EAGLE FLIGHT (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

10. PYRAMAZE, BLOODLINES (AFM RECORDS) 

11. KINGS CROWN, CLOSER TO THE TRUTH (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

12. ATLAS, BUILT TO LAST (METALAPOLIS RECORDS)

13. THE DEFIANTS, DRIVE (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

14. ART NATION, INCEPTION (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

15. SHAKRA, INVINCIBLE (AFM RECORDS)

16. MIDNITE CITY, IN AT THE DEEP END (PRIDE & JOY)

17. PERFECT VIEW, BUSHIDO (LIONS PRIDE MUSIC)

18. CROWNE, OPERATION PHOENIX (FRONTIERS MUSIC)

19. THOMAS LASSAR, FROM NOW ON (ART OF MELODY MUSIC)

20. IMPERIUM, NEVER SURRENDER (PRIDE & JOY)

***  There are, of course, many other great releases that came out this year and that you have to check out, but the above TOP 20 is always a matter of taste! There are, also, the albums that were and still are on a daily basis in my cd player, in my playlist! 

THE SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR LIFE : THE 10 BEST SONGS OF 2023🏆

1. CREYE, SPREADING FIRE (from the album III WEIGHTLESS)

2. RONNIE ATKINS, SOUL DIVINE (from the album TRINITY)

3. KENT HILLI, EVERYTIME WE SAY GOODBYE (from the album NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE)

4. REVOLUTION SAINTS, NEED EACH OTHER (from the album EAGLE FLIGHT)

5. ELVENKING, BRIDE OF NIGHT (from the album READER OF THE RUNES)

6. SUPREMACY, DREAM OF YOU (from the album INFLUENCE)

7. ECLIPSE, GOT IT! (from the album MEGALOMANIUM)

8. FROZEN RAIN, MOVE ON (from the album ONE MILE FROM HEARTSVILLE)

9. KENT HILLI, DOES HE LOVE LIKE ME (from the albumNOTHING LEFT TO LOSE)

10. THE DEFIANTS, THE NIGHT TO REMEMBER (from the album DRIVE)

 

BEST FRONT COVER OF 2023 🏆

PYRAMAZE , BLOODLINES (AFM RECORDS )

ARTIST OF 2023 🏆 

This year the award of the artist of the year goes to two of my favourite singers; RONNIE ATKINS and KENT HILLI. Both released great records! 

Ronnie Atkins is without any doubt an icon in the melodic hard rock world. Known as the lead shouter of the legendary Danish melodic metal act of PRETTY MAIDS, Atkins is a true legend. The singer was diagnosed with cancer back in 2019 and since that day he is battling with it and is standing tall against it! And even through he is givin' his battles, he never stopped believing and he never stopped releasing great music that is givin' strong life messages through it! A true life warrior! 

Kent Hilli is the lead singer of the classic AOR/Hard Rock band of PERFECT PLAN as well as the lead singer of the new version of legendary GIANT. He is also a solo artist that released two amazing solo records. He has participated in many projects/bands as a guest singer. His voice is smooth, powerful and, in my humble opinion, is among the elite of today's singers. I'm looking forward to listening to more and bigger things from him in the near future. 

So, this is it, ladies and gents, for yet another year! 2023 is coming to an end and 2024 is forth-coming!!! I hope that 2024 will be a better year for each and every one of you, full of healthness and happiness. Musically speaking, I strong believe that 2024 will be yet another great year with many great releases. Closing, I want to wish you all Merry Christmas 🎄🎅 and a Happy New Year!!!!!! 

                                                                         HEAVY PARADISE