Fourth album out for Stockholmers BAD RADIATOR, cleverly entitled ”IV”. They are still a very good band, with an almost unique sound. Secondly, their way of mixing AOR, melodic hard rock, pop and even some westcoast elements is also pretty unique. Some of you probably know that these guys emanate from the well-known band GRACE back in the 80’s, so no wonder there is quality to be found. On this 10 song album you will absolutely recognize the quartet if you’ve heard them before. They have a softness that shines through even when they add some lightweight hard rock in the arrangements and it reminds me of RADIO SILENCE mixed with MICHAEL LEARNS TO ROCK and the softer side of STAGE DOLLS.

The Swedish AOR outfit continues the counting of their full albums with their third effort, which is simply entitled "III" (besides two mini albums). Since their debut in 2010 the Swedish bunch stands for ultra catchy AOR tunes and not much has changed with their brand new album "III". The only difference is the new producer Martin Karlegard, who is best known in the Swedish pop scene. He has given Houston an even more matured and  polished sound and I'm afraid this is the wrong way. The guitars are almost lost in the mix and the new material simply cries for a much more powerful producing guy like Erik Martensson or Daniel Flores. By no means a weak effort, but a missed chance to deliver a real killer album.

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNaxuH55qjY

As the album title states, these are songs never released plus pre-production demos of tracks already known but featuring different vocalists, mix, etc. Curiously, most the pre-production demo versions are better than the ones that finally surfaced on the different AOR official releases. Among the vocalists featured here we find Sarah & Mélissa Fontaine (Chasing Violets), Mikael Erlandsson (Last Autumn's Dream) or Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger), while many demos are sung by the quite talented Michael Kisur. To sum up, "Rare Tracks & Demos" is one of the best AOR releases, simply because it offers something different: a rawer sound.

Three years ago the debut of Norwegian singer, songwriter and producer SATIN, easily the best indie Melodic Rock / AOR album that year, took the melodic rock world by storm. Well, wait to listen to "It's About Time"... expect the same but augmented 100%! All completely managed by himself - songwriting, arrangements, instrumentation production - and recorded at Satin's own studio 'Solysma' - this guy has achieved a level of quality rarely seen in any musical genre. Yeah, "It's About Time" is even better - with a major label production. Everything sounds pristine, clear, polished... and the best part of all: at the service of 10 awesome Melodic Rock songs with a strong AOR flavor in the vein of Stan Bush, Lou Gramm or Rick Springfield.

Inspired initially by the likes of Motley Crue and Guns N' Roses, the young Finnish act developed a strong buzz through stupefying live shows and two well-received albums on Spinefarm Records. "Bad Blood Rising", their third release, has all you can expect the Santa Cruz sound: fast guitars, heavy drums, rumbling bass and glammy vocals. However, the sound on "BBS" is much more catchy, commercial and melodic hard rock oriented. The songs are amazingly catchy and where the band make the difference with the rest is in the arrangements. The harmony vocals are superb, and then you have this bombastic, modern sound design, still managing to keep that '80s feel. It's a phenomenal album from an excellent band !

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TWkmy5ELJc

Keldian is a Norwegian metal band that made their mark with their first two albums: "Heaven's Gate" (2007) and "Journey Of Souls" (2008), followed by their third album "Outbound" in 2013. Their music is a blend of classic 1980s era melodic rock and more modern power and symphonic metal influences. Keldian is a studio project, with band members Christer Andresen and Arild Aardalen composing, producing and performing the music with the aid of hired session musicians. Their fourth album "Darkness And Light" is a consequent collow up as it contains all the trademarks which made the previous Keldian albums so special and it contains the strongest selection of songs which the duo of Andresen/Aardalen has ever written.

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah2HkjFrBGM

Album number two for Finish artist JESSICA WOLFF. Poppy but never too shallow compositions with strong hooks are all over the place. A strong voice from up north! For fans of ISSA, DELAIN, WITHIN TEMPTATION or NIGHTWISH - without ever reaching the heaviness of the last two mentioned. A pristine voice, a well-crafted production and cool songwriting - that’s the way it should be! One of THE surprises this year!

MARTIN STARK

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-m6ZOPaR3c

Greek AOR combo AILAFAR returns with new album titled "Heartbeat" after their first impact "No Limits" in 2016. "No Limits" featured well known guest singers such as Stephan Kämmerer (Frontline), David Saylor and Paul Jackson (Roadhouse). This time only FM crooner Steve Overland guests at one song, all other lead vocals get handled by singerin Elisabeth Mari. "Heartbeat" is another very strong album from Ailafar, a pure delight for '80s AOR / Melodic Rock fans. The band as a whole feels like a 'real band' indeed, and despite the male guest singers, Ailafar works darn fine as a female-fronted outfit as well. '80s AOR / Melodic Rock fans should  listen to this one.

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdetTz5RJU4

Bachman & Turner were, of course, the creative driving force of Bachman Turner Overdrive, an act that enjoyed massive international success throughout the 1970s. After many years of gentle prodding by music fans and industry aficionados, Randy Bachman and Fred Turner, two giants of rock n’ roll, are finally back together after being apart for over 20 years. The new album features 12 new tracks and is a true tour de force. A delighted Randy Bachman said: It’s like the lost BTO greatest hits album and there is not much to add – welcome back to rock guys!

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9Mcz1C296o

Even though Jack Blades already experienced the one or the other “Rock N Roll Ride” with NIGHT RANGER and DAMN YANKEES, he obviously can’t get enough of it. So eight years after his self-titled debut, he now releases another solo effort. “Rock N Roll Ride” has become a great Rock album that features many great old-school rockers like “Back In The Game”, “Rock N Roll Ride”, “Born For This”, “Love Life” or the hit-ballad “Hardest Word To Say”. If you enjoyed the last NIGHT RANGER album or GREAT WHITE’s “Can’t Get There...”, then this album is made for you!

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpOPMYadzrE

Some fans may say that this is not a real LITTLE RIVER BAND album since the current line-up doesn’t feature any original member. If you can push that aside and focus on the music only, then you will instantly recognize that the 11 new songs are worth carrying the LITTLE RIVER BAND brand. The album delivers finest Westcoast-AOR and songs like “Forever You, Forever Me”, “What If You’re Wrong”, “Where Do I Run” or “Who Speaks For Me” should appeal to the fans of the band just as well as to the friends of TOTO, EAGLES or PLAYER. A very tasteful album!

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBYxKwOeXO4

It seems unbelievable, but 17 years after „Lost In Reality“ PLAYER really deliver a brand new album. I don’t think that Ron Moss and Peter Beckett can actually repeat the success of their 1978 hit single “Baby Come Back”, but who cares!? The new album delivers everything from Rock (“Man On Fire”) to Pop (“Tell Me”), so it has all ingredients the fans of PLAYER are usually longing for. Unfortunately the production of “Too Many Reaons” doesn’t fulfill highest standards as in particularly the programmed drums sound weak on a couple of songs. Yet, a good CD.  

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBhZSwC33ss