Swedish AOR sensation from back in 2016 with their sophomore album. There is a new frontman, Alex Waghorn, who used to sing in REACH and he is doing one hell of a job. The Scandinavians offer a ballad by the name of “Cady“ that would have been a major hit in the golden age of MTV for sure. And then there is the mighty “We Go Together“. A flawless album which perfectly meets the requirements of those who love AOR/melodic rock in the vein of H.E.A.T. or CREYE for example.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://youtu.be/Zb7EG4WU-D0

“ATBPO“ is the twelfth record of NIGHT RANGER and although it can’t fully compete with their classic albums like “Midnight Madness“ (1983), it’s a good one. The Americans, like hardly any other band of the genre, master the typical US stadium rock sound perfectly. Driving guitars, energetic vocals and amazing hook lines foremost. Having two lead singers in Jack Blades (b) and Kelly Keagy (d) certainly is no disadvantage at all. The CD version contains one bonus cut (“Savior“).

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://youtu.be/Szs1Yi6gKb8

CIRCUS OF ROCK is the brainchild of KING COMPANY drummer Mirka Rantanen who gathers many well-known voices on this hard rock record. From Johnny Gioeli (HARDLINE) to Danny Vaughn (TYKETTO) or Kimmo Blom (URBAN TALE) to Pasi Rantanen (THUNDERSTONE), to name only a few, some of the best rock vocalists out there can be found here. So, open the curtain and simply enjoy. Hard rock of the finest sort.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://youtu.be/iCC2KRR4YCs

SPEKTRA from far away Brazil play melodic hard rock in the vein of FOREIGNER and JOURNEY. The band consists of e.g. BJ (v) and Edu Caminato (d) who play with JEFF SCOTT SOTO in various constellations for years. It was him who oversaw and produced „Overload“ alongside Alessandro Del Vecchio. The song material is more traditional than S.O.T.O and goes rather in the direction of TALISMAN. A true gem of a band which should be in your focus.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://youtu.be/IpEYj_z12qc

Dougie White (ex RAINBOW, CORNERSTONE) is back! And it’s a good piece of music. Together with Swedish guitarist Emil Norberg (PERSUADER) he brought eleven new classic hard rock tunes to life. There’s a bit of an epic touch to them at times. The Scotsman has his voice in great shape as usual although the songwriting is a bit average at times. Nevertheless, highlights like “Deal With The Devil“ or “Star Riders“ are top class. A pretty solid and authentic sound completes the picture here.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://youtu.be/5VrVauWEZwo

Album number four, after a few changes stylistically on the previous effort “Pulse“ (2019), goes back to traditional melodic rock. Frontman Pete Godfrey is without question one of the best out there vocally. For fans of DARE, WINGER, PRIDE or THREE LIONS. “Undisputed“ might well be the strongest effort of the band so far, which means a lot given the sheer quality of the first three efforts. The first single “Heaven In The Headlights“ represents “Undisputed“ extremely well. Thumbs up!

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://youtu.be/gzVRbk0Yvdc

Brazilian times at Frontiers Music obviously these days. Rui Oliver (AURAS, LANDFALL) joined by Swede Rolf Nordström (g, PERFECT PLAN), Nicholas Papapicco (d) and the Italian Alessandro Del Vecchio (keys/b, HARDLINE) is yet another Brazilian artist putting out material. Cool AOR without fuzz or any experiments whatsoever. Just let the amazing tracks “Julia’s Smile“ and “Eternal Dream“ shine, they’ll make lovers of the genre smile. Brilliant!

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://youtu.be/oSTCqZZX4Ms

Without doubt, British duo LeBrock are one of the poster boys of the Synthwave movement across the globe. LeBrock are the closest thing to a genuine synthwave / AOR hybrid, thanks to the ever present guitars and booming vocal harmonies, something you don't hear from their keyboard / drum machine oriented peers. LeBrock’s sound elevates further with “Fuse” and continues their epic back catalogue with their melodic rock / pop / synthwave magic. This duo’s joyful retro keyboard sounds and crunching guitar tone are a match made in Heaven. It’s like Swedes HOUSTON meets British rockers VEGA. Simply you can’t resist such fist pumping rhythms & lyrics where the guitar solos just creates such a thunderous vibe.

watch: https://youtu.be/sUPP47S8C2A

Fans of 70's Canadian rock should be well aware of these guys. Pumps were the forerunner to mid 80's outfit Orphan, and were probably the second biggest outfit to come out of Winnipeg following after local legends Bachman Turner Overdrive. There was some misguided opinion that Pumps were a new wave / power pop band. Not strictly true, though I do think that American band The Cars might've been a bit of an influence soundwise. Mostly though, it's edgy FM radio-friendly rock with a commercial hook, and with a hint of the unexpected. With famed British producers Phil Chapman and Jon Astley behind the board, "Gotta Move" was in the stores by March 1980. First time ever on CD, digitally remastered.

listen: https://youtu.be/79VmnJH9EzY

Metalapolis Records seem to dig up some long forgotten pearls and bands recently. Just like with German band HUNTER. After the 1985 “Sign Of The Hunter“ and the 1987 “Keep The Change“, following a pretty long hiatus, a new album with a real proper title pops up, even though with a slightly different line-up. Stylistically pretty much in the direction of SAXON. Produced by Rolf Munkes (EMPIRE, CREMATORY).

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://youtu.be/mR507mxwQiY

TRANCE are one of the oldest heavy metal bands in Germany and can be considered as co-founders of the genre alongside SCORPIONS and ACCEPT. With new frontman Nick Holleman (ex-VICIOUS RUMORS) they put out the successor of the 2017 album “The Loser Strikes Back“. And the new album delivers timeless, authentic metal sounds and lots of energy. “Metal Forces“ sets the pace for many younger bands. They are still on fire. 

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://youtu.be/puQZGP-FI9A