Pure AOR from up Norway! Sophomore album of Scandinavian band with lots of melody and catchy arrangements all over the place. Now the songwriting is spread over most of the band which makes the record stylistically a bit more versatile - within the genre, of course. Fans of ONE DESIRE, CREYE, STATE OF SALAZAR or CARE OF NIGHT can’t do wrong here. Check out the magnificent “She’s The One“.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZlQFyT3wRQ

AOR / melodic rock with majestic melodies and an exceptional female voice (Marcie Free, SIGNAL, KING KOBRA) and exceptional songwriting. From artwork to songwriting and production to the mix, everything here is extremely well done. Especially the guitar of Bruce Gowdy (STONE FURY) is more present than on the superb last album “Can’t Slow Down“ (2017). Without a doubt, nothing but a very strong contender for the record of 2019.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqpbBvC0iIU

During the mid-to-late 1980s, Britain’s homegrown melodic hard rock scene was blessed with an embarrassment of riches. Stand up Airrace, Virginia Wolf, Lionheart, Strangeways and…Shy. There was no sign that Shy were in any way inferior to the American AOR groups of the day. Issued in 1985 and produced by Tony Platt (AC/DC, Krokus, Gary Moore), the album is a vessel for some of the best British melodic hard rock of the era. Tracks such as ‘Hold On (To Your Love)’, ‘Keep The Fires Burning’ and the brilliant ballad ‘Reflections’ are fabulous examples of just how superior the band were and how well they compared with all the other musical competition. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBZnu4bpfLw

"Excess All Areas” was the first album on BMG which had a big production budget and what a difference it makes – with AOR legend NEIL KERNON at the production helm and with songwriting help from MICHAEL BOLTON and DON DOKKEN nothing could fail. Classic AOR cuts like “Emergency”, “Can’t Fight The Night”, “Young Heart” and “Under Fire” or the DOKKENesque “Break Down The Walls” are all prime examples for classic 80s AOR which every serious AOR fan must have ! Originally issued in January 1987, the album boasts several important tracks, and is blessed with superb production touches that made the record, at the time, extremely competitive. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwMcK5JNixk

Without a doubt one of the best melodic rock albums to come out of the UK. They had a star in Tina Egan (R.I.P.) who was a bluesy singer in the style of Ruby Star and Sandi Saraya (though Tina had more grit). In fact Saraya's debut album is a very good comparison to "No Bed Of Roses". Managing to enlist Geoff Downes (Asia) talents at the production helm and a few guest musicians; Toby Sadler (White Spirit, Airrace, Samson) Mike Moran (Queen) they produced a massive album that should have taken them to highest level and beyond. Initially only released in Japan followed by an European release on the defunct Long Island label this is a fully remastered version incl. 5 bonus tracks.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATpyeZypQs8

A collection of unreleased material by songwriter MARK BAKER (e.g. SIGNAL, 38 SPECIAL) with illustrious vocalists such as James Christian (HOUSE OF LORDS), Mark Free (UNRULY CHILD) or Bill Champlin (ex CHICAGO) or Freddy Curci. Eight tracks in total of which the most are very catchy and well-produced. A remarkable find from deep down in the archives finally seeing the light of day. Thumbs up!

MARTIN STARK

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8kNIYncMEE

The enormous success of ‘The Final Countdown’ (1986) single and album, undoubtedly took the world by surprise. Who among us would have imagined that an, up until then, obscure Swedish hard rock band would have the reach and good fortune to elevate their profile to international superstar status so easily. It was a turn of events that reinforces the notion that anything can be possible as long as the stars are in alignment and the songs are undeniable. Produced by Kevin Elson (Journey, Mr Big) and issued in 1986, the album contains a concise and extremely well written selection of tracks, incl. ‘Rock The Night’, ‘Cherokee’, ‘On The Loose’, and the glorious ballad ‘Carrie’. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw

When it comes to tough no-nonsense hard rock then you’d have to look long and hard to find an album better than ‘No Prisoners’ by Ozz. Stuffed full of top riffs, killer songs and impressive vocals it certainly made its mark on the hard rock cognoscenti despite a lack of sales and relative obscurity. Issued in 1980 on the Epic label and produced by British whiz-kid Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin, Free, Hughes Thrall) the album is a blistering collection of red-hot hard rock leaning heavily on the Plant/Page and Tyler/Perry call and response axis. Why the album failed to attract even a modicum of commercial recognition at the time is a major mystery. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA585W-Ym9Y

According to the label, SPREAD EAGLE play street metal and that’s quite a fitting description. Vocalist Ray West has got lots of dirt in his voice. After having two albums back in the day which basically remained under the radar but made the band touring excessively, the New York-based band is back with a new line-up and a strong record full of rockers, groovers and surprises. Fans of both BEGGARS & THIEVES and L.A. GUNS will love it!

MARTIN STARK

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

Mixing AOR with melodic progressive rock sounds interesting and well, it is! Apart from the fantasy-like artwork that is all but consistent with the (amazing) music, you get exciting songwriting and performance, although the material can be pop-like at times (e.g. “Just So You Know“) without being too cheesy. At times partly reminiscent of song-orientated SPOCK’S BEARD. Pay attention to SOLEIL MOON! All guitars on “Warrior“ are played by none other than Michael Thompson!

MARTIN STARK

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrPnU5E9hOE

“2020“ contains 10 newly-recorded versions of songs of the first band decade and 10 newer tracks, all revisited, newly arranged and/or added with additional parts. Tracks like “Hellvetia“ or “My Life“ have never been weak at all but revisiting them made them even stronger. “2020“ is highly suitable for old fans and new ones (of course!) alike. CRYSTAL BALL is definitely an integral part of the leading hard rock scene of Switzerland.

MARTIN STARK

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

NARNIA from Sweden are to a certain degree the leaders of Christian metal these days. Their eighth studio album “From Darkness To Light“ combines all the qualities which are strong hooklines, versatile arrangements and meaningful lyrics which are not meant to evangelise. NARNIA musically perfectly satisfy the fans of HELLOWEEN, POWER QUEST or STRATOVARIUS.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-SWNWLMfZQ

ARDOURS is the baby of Mariangela Demurtas (v, TRISTANIA) together with multi-instrumentalist and producer Kris Laurent. What you get is a combination of rock, metal and gothic sounds. “Last Place On Earth“ is bombastic sound at its best only slightly more modern than usual on the Frontiers Records but definitely not bad. Great stuff for people digging WITHIN TEMPTATION, LACUNA COIL and TRISTANIA, of course.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MavXwbe0_Js

ROXY BLUE are back with their first original material since the time of the debut “Want Some?“ (1992). Hard rock with a great portion of dirt and slices of alternative rock if not grunge but not too much. Even an amazing ballad by the name of “Collide“ is around as well as some solid and down-to-earth rockers (e.g. “Rockstar Junkie“). Frontman Todd Poole does a good job for the most part with his charismatic voice.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW77wgEJSJs