The name of Laurence Archer has become synonymous with quality Hard-Rock spanning from Lautrec and Stampede to Grand Slam (with Phil Lynott!) and UFO. After the relase of his debut, called “L.A.” album in 1986 (out only in Japan), on which Archer decided to sing himself (with not satisfying results), he chose to re-record some of these songs plus some new songs with a “real” singer. The candidate was Peter Scallan (later in Moritz and Samson). They recorded 10 tracks, with 4 re-worked version off the “L.A.” album and 6 unreleased new ones. But with no record-labels really interested, the band fell apart. First class UK AOR stuff next to STRANGEWAYS & FM. Lost UK Jewels series, strictly limited to 500 copies !

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2sYmLDkgLE

The fifth release out of the "Lost U.S. Jewels" series sees the debut album from Sacramento based hard rockers Scarlett. Their debut-cassette, “One Night Long”, released in 1988 shocked the fans of the genre. They had the looks and they had the hooks. Surely it was only a matter of time before the world caught on. They‘ve tried very hard, releasing two more demos (in 1990 and 1991), but unfortunately nothing really happened. They split up right after these, but they did leave us with some sumptuous-sounding songs that should really have caught the nation’s attention! Simply cracking US hard rock meets metal next to RATT, DOKKEN, STEELHEART and MALICE. Strictly limited edition of 500 copies, digitally remastered.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycjjQDDlAro

Out of nowhere the project (?) TUG OF WAR pops up. They deliver a great AOR record. Written and produced by Swedish guitarist Tommy Denander (RADIOACTIVE) and sung by newcomer BK Morrison from Canada, “Soulfire“ has got great hooks and versatile arrangements. Joseph Williams (TOTO) and Chris Ousey (HEARTLAND) as well as Bill Champlin (ex CHICAGO) on backing vocals! A huge surprise, this record!

MARTIN STARK

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaqOHm4sjGQ

FIND ME is pure AOR and has in person of Robbie LaBlanc (BLANC FACES, FURY) one of the best vocalists of he genre ever. Album number three of the American-Swedish collaboration tops the two brilliant first records easily. Tracks like “Waiting For A Lifetime“ or “Only The Lonely“ are absolutely out of this world and then there is the SURVIVOR cover “Desperate Dreams“. Only very few dare to record that and probably nobody masters it like that. Both thumbs up here!

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSwdf9SELI4

FM’s “The Italian Job“, recorded at the Frontiers Rock Festival 2018 in Milano, Italy showcases the British band in great shape. Very active in recent years - live and in the studio - the five-piece around frontman Steve Overland underlines their status as melodic icon impressively. A very good sound, an (almost) perfect setlist and quite a loud and heavily devoted audience make this live document something special.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuH2pZqJDiQ

Powerful hard rock in the vein of WHITESNAKE and BLUE MURDER as well as LYNCH MOB and JAKE E. LEE’s RED DRAGON CARTEL can be found on “Volume I“. The mainmen are vocalist Chas West (ex BONHAM) and the one and only Roy Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, TRIBE OF GYPSIES) playing guitar and producing. The Americans might not have one or two exceptional compositions but a more than solid hard rock record on their sleeve.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=borURMcuTKA

After two records from back in the day before unfortunately grunge and co devastated the rock environment, Memphis-based band TORA TORA puts out a new record. Influenced by blues and seventies rock, the Americans hit the spot. Finally all new and great stuff for fans of the likes of TESLA, KIX or GREAT WHITE. Even though the production could have been a little bit rougher, this “comeback“ totally makes sense.

MARTIN STARK

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19ihxKGbcbI

The names of the participants show the “who is who“ in American heavy metal. Tim “Ripper“ Owens (v, ex ICED EARTH, ex JUDAS PRIEST), Chris Caffery (g, SAVATAGE) or Mark Zonder (d, ex FATES WARNING, WARLORD). Probably the roughest and most metal-like Frontiers-output ever. Produced by Roy Z (e.g. HALFORD). Pretty cool or rather hot record! Check out especially “All Comes Together“ and “Stand And Fight“!

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg1gzFPAhcM

LAST IN LINE, one of the very few bands really to be considered a “supergroup“ once again totally deliver. Vivian Campbell (g, DEF LEPPARD, ex DIO), Phil Soussan (b, ex DIO), Vinny Appice (d, ex DIO, HEAVEN & HELL) and frontman Andrew Freeman come closest to the legacy of the legend that is DIO these days. An incredibly powerful sound and finest songwriting throughout the album that is what “II“ offers. That’s really what mighty hard rock should sound like.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsY8jkQ9Wes

LIONCAGE without doubt walk the path of TOTO, JOURNEY or HUEY LEWIS. Although being a German band they sound pretty international due to singer Thorsten Bertermann. "Secrets" with a guest appearance of Tim Pierce (e.g. RICK SPRINGFIELD) is a track that CHICAGO would have hardly done better in the eighties and for instance "Mysterious Angel" or "The Inner Circle" simply rock. LIONCAGE bubbles. The lions are ready to break out!

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs6K0YNGXSc

The Swedish singer did some convincing appearances in hard rock bands and projects in the past (e.g. COMPANY OF SNAKES). "Stranger In A Strange Land" on the other hand is a comparatively quiet, mostly bluesy and partly rocking and  folkish singer/songwriter album. A nice piece of seventies sounding music. Certainly one of the biggest surprises recently. WHITESNAKE veterans Bernie Marsden (g) or Neil Murray (b), among others, are guesting on the album. An album to be paid attention to. 

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwj3idXjzew