What an album of the Swedish band! The third effort of CONSTANCIA again presents a new singer. After David Fremberg, Englishman Pete Godfrey (IN FAITH, BLOOD RED SAINTS) follows. Melodic hard rock with a great sense for hooklines a little bit aside the expected paths like the futuristic “Open Your Heart“ or the rather contemporary and progressive “Titanium“ showcase. An album you definitely won’t be tired of any time soon. Great record!

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://youtu.be/OkgCk-yJpXQ

“The Future Looks Bright“ is the second  KENS DOJO album, which represents the second solo effort of Norwegian Ken Ingwersen (g, STREET LEGAL, KEN HENSLEY & LIVE FIRE, WONDERWORLD). Together with a remarkable choice of guest vocalists like Age Sten Nilsen (WIG WAM), Truls Haugen (CIRCUS MAXIMUS), CHESNEY HAWKES or Andrew Freeman (LYNCH MOB) numerous hard rock pearls came into being. Amazing hooks, impressive songwriting and beautiful instrumentals. Given these type of records - the future of the genre really looks bright!

MARTIN STARK

Listen: https://youtu.be/JMQ2ZlXYn0Y

The American keyboard-player who made himself a name with contributions on the “Rocky“ and “Transformers“ soundtracks put out an unexpected but fantastic solo album. Although this album sounds like a compilation of different bands and styles at times, which is probably result of the different voices, it’s a big time record.Vocalists among others include Jason Scheff (CHICAGO), Stan Bush, Bobby Kimball (ex TOTO), Rick Livingstone (AGENT) or Steve Walsh (KANSAS).

MARTIN STARK

Listen: https://youtu.be/MOaYYZX-i8I

BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER, similar to the beloved ALLEN/LANDE records, is a collaboration of two singers. Here, it’s the two Brazilians Renan Zonta (ELECTRIC MOB) and Nando Fernandes (SINISTRA) who fit and compliment each other very well. Powerful melodic hard rock with considerable slices of metal is the program here. An album without fillers but also an album without any real surprises, too.

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://youtu.be/EzCyF45qsMw

The American singer (ex STYX) says farewell to the recording music industry with the second part of a musical goodbye. Some of the songs have been penned together with fellow Chicagoan Jim Peterik (ex SURVIVOR). The track “The Last Guitar Hero“ features an unexpected guest by the name of Tom Morello (g, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE). Cool and pretty diverse record which brings up the question why he actually calls it a day.

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://youtu.be/wUzp4FJ0tCM

A wonderful live document of the Finnish band who only has got two albums out but have played a remarkable number of shows so far. Extremely melodic and to be described best as a mixture of contemporary melodic rock and elements of AOR and pop. After only two records the setlist is kind of obvious but the flow of the album and the sympathetic talks between songs (partly Finnish, partly English) make this live document a really cool experience, especially these days. Finland rocks!

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://youtu.be/ZHvk5NDxGBw

„Primordium“ is able to showcase (almost) everything. From epic and dream-like to rock and riff orientated but constantly melodic. The band from Gibraltar  prove their great potential on album number two, too. There might not be two or three really outstanding tracks or the one and only “hit single“ but no fillers, too. Slightly heavier at times but mostly orchestral and epic, telling a story about a lost soul fighting to survive helped by the Gods themselves.

MARTIN STARK

Listen: https://youtu.be/t2iHDzX6sLQ

“Heroes“ is the second output by French-Swedish band SEASON OF DREAMS. Music which in many ways showcases elements of HELLOWEEN, EDGUY, ACCEPT, STRATOVARIUS, MANOWAR to name only a few. If you are into cliches and pathos, this a record for you as well as for those who simply want to do some headbanging. SEASON OF DREAMS were able to improve in terms of songwriting and production skills compared to the last effort. Just check out the song “Season Of Dreams“.

MARTIN STARK

Listen: https://youtu.be/ODl4dDCyPtY

AVALON were quite an enigma. The band not so much exploded onto the scene but escaped via the release of a four track EP issued on the Capitol label in 1982. Although its marketing and promotion was low-key, the record caught the ears of dedicated melodic rock fans. Entitled "Everyman A King", the record is produced by Blood, Sweat & Tears drummer / Pages producer Bobby Colomby, and features the talents of session players Vinnie Colaiuta, Mike Porcaro and Jai Winding, in addition to band members Rick Neigher, Chris Cote and Mike Mirage. Combining the best bits of Styx and 'Runaway' era Dakota, it's archetypal AOR, perhaps in it's purest form. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered, 7 bonus tracks.

Listen: https://youtu.be/dkUznBgsh6s

Two years after the eponymous debut “Shattered Hearts” SILENT RAGE got signed by the up & coming SIMMONS label (which was owned by KISS mastermind Gene Simmons), but the band never broke into the big league which is a pity, as they had the look, the songs and the support through a major label. “Don’t Touch Me There” saw the addition of songwriters like Al Greenwood (Spys), Bruce Kulick and Joe Lynn Turner beside the faultless production from Paul Sabu and Gene Simmons. Tracks like “Runnin’ On Love”, “I Wanna Feel It” or the reworked version of the killer tune “Rebel With A Cause” are simply brilliant AOR fodder and what about the pure AOR bliss of “Tonight You’re Mine” – simply a must have!

Watch: https://youtu.be/_8UczRN5MC8

The debut “Shattered Hearts”  from the US four piece is an absolute collectors item on CD as it was only re-leased on the small indie label Chameleon way back in 1987 at very limited quantities plus a re-issue. Produced by the mighty PAUL SABU it contains some trouser exploding killer tracks in the ONLY CHILD meets AUTOGRAPH vein – listen to “Rich, Young & Pretty” and “Rebel With A Cause” (which also appeared on the follow up “Don’t Touch Me There”) or “You’re Not The First One” – this is was AOR was all about in the 80s and there’s more on offer of this calibre like “Some Kind Of Woman”, “Shattered Hearts” or “She Can Shake It”. Digitally remastered re-issue from Rock Candy records.

Watch: https://youtu.be/aKtQpgXiYII

Formed ten years ago and after some line-up changes, British melodic hard rockers ROXVILLE solidified in 2017 and starting to materialize the dream of their first album. Titled “Fallen From Grace“, this is a cracking 13-track CD plenty of ’80s US influences from the genre with an updated sound akin the Scandinavian new wave. There’s killer riffs, massive choruses and a maturity rarely seen into a debut CD. Jamie Sloane’s lead vocals soar all over, Chaz Jones’ George Lynch-like solos kick some serious ass, they have a huge rhythm section recalling White Lion / Black N’ Blue best era, cool keyboard slashes, and a fantastic production in the best Michael Wagener fashion circa 1987. Both thumbs up for this great release !

watch: https://youtu.be/qZyK9TwWK-E

Called by their fans ‘the Norwegia answer to TOTO’, TOBB (which original name was The Original Bullshit Band) already pleased us way back in 2015 with their album“True To Our Sound” (featuring Bill Champlin guesting at one song). Six years later the Norwegian big band (8 band members incl. horns- and trumpet player) is back on track with "Overrated". which is pure eargasm for every serious west coast AOR lover !Think PROMOTION (which is pre-GRAND ILLUSION) meets their fellow countrymen LAVA and add a good dose of CHICAGO and you can easily imagine how "Overrated" sounds like. Both thumbs up for a killer west coast AOR release !

listen: https://youtu.be/I0gNDyFHAXo

With 3 studio recorded efforts; "Rock And Roll For Your Soul" (1982), "Warriors Of Love" (1985)  and lastly "Grace" (1990), Gideon's Army stayed together for about 16 years or so with various personal changes. The band made a huge impact with "Warriors Of Love", but with no formal distribution many people never got their hands on the now high dollar collectible vinyl of this legendary classic rock release. This problem continued with their third and final album, "Grace" (1990), which was a killer melodic rock release of the highest order, but copies were almost impossible to find. Fans of Idle Cure, Novella, Petra, Sweet Crystal and early nineties Guardian will be in love with this phenomenal album !

listen: https://youtu.be/qC3re4BzPj8

Gideon's Army was a San Francisco Bay Area based combo formed at the end of the 70s which played extensively the US west coast mostly as part of the white metal movement. Yes, Gideon's Army was a Christian band, but they were a different beast than Stryper, Whitecross or Petra. Their sound and style has more in common with Night Ranger, Idle Cure, Aviator, Icon, etc, combining hooky melodic guitar riffs with tons of keyboards and swirling synths over a catchy hooklines baggage. In short: "Warriors Of Love" (1985) is an awesome mid-eighties ear-candy US Melodic Hard Rock / AOR album. First time ever on CD incl. a great remastered sound this is utterly essential stuff for 80s AOR lovers.

listen: https://youtu.be/SiFbiIQ58nI