In 1994, BraveWords & Bloody Knuckles magazine was born and here we stand 30 years later celebrating the past 12 months of music on our anniversary! What an incredible ride it has been and it's far from over! And during the past three decades, we've literally seen/heard thousands of releases and this is the time of the season when we crown the finest! The BraveWords scribes have spoken, so join us each day this month as we count down to the BravePick of 2024!

Remember, everybody has an opinion and it’s time for ours! Stay tuned at the end of December for BraveWords' writers’ individual Top 20s (new studio albums ONLY), Top 5 Brave Embarrassments (a fan favorite!), What/Who Needs To Stop In 2024? and Metal Predictions For 2025. 

BravePicks 2024

19) RIOT V - Mean Streets (Atomic Fire)

 

“Johnny Law he knew our names / On the streets we had our fame”

Riot V returned to the Mean Streets, revving up the motors with whiskey fueled heavy metal. Led by the incredible vocals of Todd Michael Hall, the iconic act have continued their bristling power/speed metal since the unfortunate death of founder Mark Reale in 2012.

The crazed Seal logo is out in full front, becoming a loved figure and the unrestrained energy matched with thoughtful riffing and song construction vaults Mean Streets to one of the best the year has to offer. Mean Streets drives in to #19.

Scribe Rich Catino scored Mean Streets an 8.0; an excerpt of his review:

"Feel the Fire" could have been a flawless second track if they just went right to the verse riff, but at its start it’s too much Priest like “Grinder”. You guys should know better. Regardless, once it kicks in a solid fist in the air rocker. Hall’s higher vocal just adds spirit and good feel to every song. Nice tasty guitars in the solo section, too. Twin guitar melodies begins that meaty riff to "Love Beyond The Grave" which is one of my favs. Again, Hall shines, and I can't say that enough. Great backing vocal melodies, and the darker chorus. "Higher" and "High Noon" drive with quickened drums and double bass. "Before This Time" is another well-constructed melodic one with complimenting guitar leads.

Title track keeps its pace with a NWOBHM gallop. "Open Road" is another favorite, a mid-tempo rocker with those bright vocals and harmonies that flow right into the hook. Deep bass begins "Mortal Eyes", while "Lost Dreams" possesses old-school Riot riffing. "Lean In To It" breaks out of the power metal shell also with a little funk in the rhythm section, while track 12 "No More" maybe could have been left off, or added as a bonus track. 

BravePicks 2024 Top 30

19) RIOT V - Mean Streets
20) PORTRAIT - The Host 
21) ROTTING CHRIST - Pro Xristou (Season Of Mist)
22)SAXON - Hell, Fire And Damnation (Silver Lining)
23) ULCERATE - Cutting The Throat Of God (Debemur Morti Productions)
24) POWERWOLF - Wake Up The Wicked (Napalm)
25) ENSIFERUM - Winter Storm (Metal Blade)
26) OPETH - The Last Will And Testament (Reigning Phoenix Music)
27) DARK TRANQUILLITY - Endtime Signals (Century Media)
28) MORGUL BLADE - Heavy Metal Wraiths (No Remorse)
29) THE DEAD DAISIES - Light 'Em Up (Independent)
30) MÖRK GRYNING - Fasornas Tid (Season Of Mist)