I Can See It In Your Eyes (Edit)

I Never Cried (Edit)

Scared To Breathe (Edit)

TRISHULA is the brainchild of British guitar player Neil Fraser (ex TEN, RAGE OF ANGELS) and certainly not - like the first impression of the artwork or the name that is derived from Hinduism and depicts a three-pronged spear might suggest - a record that is dark and depressing but rather an amazing piece of hard rock with meaningful lyrics and lots of positive vibes. It comes without fillers of any sort. For example tracks like “A Thousand Pieces“, “Secrets And Lies“ or especially “Homeland“ as well as the emotional ballad “I Never Cried“ are true gems offering exciting details even after various spins. A really good choice for all lovers of British melodic rock of the likes of TEN, HEARTLAND, NEWMAN or FM. To cut it short: TRISHULA, a name to be remembered!

MARTIN STARK

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

Yes, believe it or not, while Dave Bickler has been active in the music business all these years, this is his solo debut CD. Dave Bickler become the group's lead singer for six years, recording their first 3 albums and of course, he's the vocalist on the iconic song "Eye of the Tiger". Almost ten years have passed since Bickler reported that he was working on a solo album, the first of his career. Well worth the wait; "Darklight" is here and it's a very good album. Sure, there's some subtle references to Survivor's music on Dave Bickler's debut solo album "Darklight", however the vocalist go for his own identity here. It's all classic US melodic rock, timeless melodies shaped with an updated sound yet firmly planted in the golden era of the genre.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02Xss0r2e0Q

First time available on CD, this release comprises all the 1983 to 1989 recordings (remastered) by Australian AOR pioneers DE-ARROW, a band with ties to legendary AORsters ROXUS. Almost thirty years after disbanded, DE-ARROW got released a collection of all their awesome recordings that were cut between 1983 to 1989. "De-Arrow" is pure keyboard-driven 80s AOR plenty of catchy melodies and choruses to die for. Four of the fourteen tracks here has been recorded by other bands, such as the excellent ROXUS on their debut album 'Night Street', and Melbourne-based AORsters WHITE WIDOW recorded the other two tracks. Utterly essential for every serious AOR lover, limited edition of 500 copies.

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

Finest AOR from Sweden is delivered by ROULETTE who were around in the late eighties already and had a couple of singles out back then and also recently but believe it or not, this is their debut. And it is a fantastic piece of music with ten highly melodic and well-produced tracks which are exciting and beautifully crafted. Fans of TREAT or BAD HABIT will dig this for sure and be pleased to core.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2Z7aTsUkN4

Fourth album since their incarnation in 1998 and the second since 2013. Doug Aldrich (g, ex DIO, ex WHITESNAKE, THE DEAD DAISIES) and Keith St.John (v, ex MONTROSE, KINGDOME COME) being the core members of the seventies flavored hard rock outfit are pretty active in various bands and projects and highly talented. “Face The Music“ is the strongest effort so far and will please every fan of e.g. WHITESNAKE, LED ZEPPELIN or even GREAT WHITE.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXjmHNQV03M

THE END MACHINE and their self-titled debut are highly suitable for fans of American hard rock. It is the classic DOKKEN-Line Up with George Lynch (g), Jeff Pilson (b) and Mick Brown (d) but without Don Dokken himself. There is Robert Mason (WARANT) singing, who has got a dirty voice with which he puts the eleven songs into action. Little bit closer to LYNCH MOB than to DOKKEN but definitely a great statement, though.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE0zcrW84XA

Despite constant line-up changes the young and wild Englishmen are one the THE hopefuls in classic hard rock. With their little portions of punk, melodic rock and heavy metal added to their sound, they rock especially live but since “Generation Me“ (2016) on record, too. “Power Crazy“ is stylistically a great mixture of the essence of THUNDER, AC/DC and newer genre contestants like BIGFOOT. Thumbs up!

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyE48F_hrxs

After their recent live album there is yet another new studio album of Tracii Guns (g) and the guys. And that new piece is quite a good one although you can spot unusual elements in the vein of KYUSS or THE HELICOPTERS in the sound of the band these days but it’s still a L.A.GUNS record which means it heavy sleaze for the most part. In addition to that, frontman Phil Lewis did not sound that good in a along time!

MARTIN STARK

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

Another of those live documents recorded at the Frontiers Rock Festival in Milano, Italy but nevertheless a very special indeed. Due to its 30 years anniversary TNT play (almost) the complete 1987 “Tell No Tales“ record and a few other band classics. By the way, it is the last recording with original singer Tony Harnell who (once again) left the Norwegian band in the meantime. Comes as CD/DVD package.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbXvkd6cgoc

BLOODBOUND let dragons fly again in the form a yet another power/melodic/true metal ear candy. “Rise Of The Dragon Empire“ has got a good production and showcases all qualities of the Swedish band who by now have a history of fifteen years and nine albums. Stylistically no surprises but strong songwriting as usual with great hooks and epic arrangements including mighty choirs. All in all, to be placed somewhere between SABATON and POWERWOLF.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvVr0XzcmpY

APPEARANCE OF NOTHING from Switzerland combine heavy metal and progressive metal to create a strong symbiosis. Fans of Swiss icons like ELUVEITIE or CORONER will dig this band a swell as those into OPETH, DREAM THEATER or SYMPHONY X. Playful, but mostly heavy and absolutely melodic, the band rocks through the eight tracks ranging from fast to epic compositions like a Swiss clockwork.

MARTIN STARK

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExZbwtOi7W8

Formed in Winnipeg from the ashes of a band called the Pumps the band quickly signed to the Portrait label, an offshoot  of  CBS records, who were bathing in the recent and unexpected success of fellow Canadian group Loverboy. Recorded in New York at the world famous Power Station studios by Tony Bongiovi (cousin of Jon Bon Jovi) and Lance Quinn (Bon Jovi, Danger Danger) the album hits the melodic hard rock nail firmly on the head. As one of the best Canadian albums of the era, it’s a similar, but not identical, sound to both Loverboy and Aldo Nova. Check out tracks such as ‘Miracle’, ‘Saved By The Bell’, ‘Hello’ and the title track for proof. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GAh5Zv_Ols

The seeds of Bite The Bullet came together in 1986, their demos attracting the attention of industry Don ‘Mr Arden, the notorious owner of Jet records (ELO, Ozzy Osbourne), who subsequently signed them and financed their lone album. Originally issued in 1989 and recorded in London, the record oozed class and sophistication, conjuring up immediate comparisons to other dynamic UK melodic rock outfits such as FM, Strangeways and Dare. Tracks such as ‘Change Of Heart’, ‘Edge Of The Rain’ and ‘Finished With Love’ showcase a band in full command of both their style and direction; a sound that could’ve been made for the American airwaves. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEB09ZZ_r0o

Night's vocalists Stevie Vann (aka Stevie Lange) and Chris Thompson had met when Vann had provided backing vocals for the 1978 album "Watch" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band then fronted by Thompson. Soon afterwards Thompson invited Vann to join him in a new outfit. Producer Richard Perry (Rod Stewart) signed the band and the band moved to Los Angeles and Perry recorded the album over an exhaustive twelve months, enlisting the help of top session players, including Nicky Hopkins, Steve Porcaro and Michael McDonald. Containing the US hit singles "If You Remember Me’ and the anthemic ‘Hot Summer Nights’ the album failed to perform. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR9_CPk4Dyc

Night’s debut album certainly garnered critical and commercial attention, enough in fact to secure two hit singles in the lucrative American market place. This time around, mainly for financial reasons, they opted to record in London. They also chose to switch producer and enlisted the services of bright young upstart Tim Friese-Green (Touch, Praying Mantis), which was a wise move as he switched the sound from their Fleetwood Mac flavored mainstream sound to a more hard rockin' AOR style. Released in 1980, the album, despite its sound quality and the undeniably good song writing displayed, failed to ignite commercial interest. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oWkIAnMWH4&list=PLtN4dmtHgNq7PTjlO78QN37eSUweGWsue

The departure of a singer cannot be taken lightly by the rest of the band. Yet, Riot managed to publish "Restless Breed" in 1982, just a year after the release of "Fire Down Under". Taking Guy Speranza's role and therefore starting Riot's second era is Rhett Forrester, who ends up being the undoubted protagonist of Riot's fourth full length thanks to his particular style. Still led by guitarist Mark Reale, this record was in many respects hamstrung by a new label who really didn’t know how to market their kind of act. Sadly, Restless Breed should and could have been a significantly more polished release. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKNNwJONsR0

Under Fire, built around the guitar talent of Swede Cary Sharaf, who found fame and fortune after moving to the USA and hooking up with Billy Squier initially. These guys are not to be confused with the other US band of the same name who released the 'Flames' CD from 1991. Jimmy Waldo puts an appearance in, though at the time (circa 1985) he was still with his other band Alcatrazz. Under Fire didn't get this effort out in 1985 so the songs remained for the best part a 'trade secret'. They had a strong driving melodic attack, like an US version of Swedish wonders Treat combined with that Alcatrazz pomp sound circa 'Disturbing The Peace'. Digitally remastered incl. 8 bonus tracks.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCG7BTH0uNQ

The Warrior story goes back to 1982 when New England members Jimmy Waldo on keyboards, bassist Gary Shea and drummer Hirsch Gardner were searching for a replacement for recently departed guitarist, John Fannon. A then unknown guitarist Vinnie Cusano was recommended by KISS’s Gene Simmons. Those precious recordings gathered dust until HNE released a collection of them in 2017. Subsequently, more tapes, some of significantly better quality, have been unearthed from Gary Shea’s personal archive. Also included are a number of the demos transferred from the above mentioned cassettes. This 2CD set is a treasure trove for all those who loved the power and momentum of the first “Warrior” album.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ikVD0Py6CI&list=RD2ikVD0Py6CI&start_radio=1