NESTOR from Sweden easily put the album of the years with just their debut. Eighties sound without any compromises including a guest appearance by Samantha Fox (v)! Tracks like “On The Run“, “Tomorrow“ or “1989“ would have been huge hits back in the day for sure. Without question, record of the year - no matter what might come up later this year. An album like a travel in time. And the production is huge… I mean really huge!

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://youtu.be/B1PkYFv76LA

Hailing from Wales, these guys were on the prowl the same time as fellow countrymen Kooga, though Monro's style of rock is much streamlined and glossy than the counterparts. Released in 1987 on the small Spellbound Records label, MONRO’s debut had the same potential as FM’s “Indiscreet”, “ATLANTIC’s “Power”, the 2^nd YA YA album or FATE’s “A Matter Of Attitude” and it’s still a mystery why this band ended as a typically one off shot. They even supported LEE AARON in Europe to promote this album, but that didn’t changed their situation and the band broke up after just one killer album. Vol. 23 of the mage classic "Lost U.K. jewels" series incl. 7 studio bonus tracks and limited as usual to 500 copies !!

watch:https://youtu.be/VExd1VGdPPE

Coming from New Orleans, HAGAN was primarily influenced by seventies bands like Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Van Halen and Black Sabbath, but also embraced the sounds of their ‘80s contemporaries like Dokken, Dio, Def Leppard and Ratt and definitely leaned the heavier end of the Hard-Rock spectrum.  The band cut a 4-tracks demo-tape in 1986 (something that became a cult-item from then!) plus 6 more tracks in the studio during 1989 with a different singer under the moniker of Bang!Bang! and recalling the sound of classic 80s acts like Icon, Queensryche or Crimson Glory this re-issue contains also 3 more additional tracks and has been fully remastered. Vol. 11 of the "Lost U.S. jewels" series, limited to 500 copies.

listen: https://youtu.be/t1pjSOe-N1A

Andy Qunta (pronounced 'Kunta') is a British keyboard player, songwriter, vocalist and part-time guitarist. He moved to Australia in 1982 to join the popular band Icehouse, co-writing one of their biggest hits; "Crazy". He also co-wrote "You're The Voice", which has since become something of an anthem since John Farnham had a worldwide #1 hit with it, and songs for the Manfred Mann's Earth Band (penned together with Chris Thompson. By 1988, Andy ink a contract for a solo album, "Legend In A Loungeroom", recorded in Los Angeles with renowned session musicians. Superb AOR stuff  next to Tom Kimmel, Brian Spence and Glen Burtnick, with a touch of his former band Icehouse. Digitally remastered plus 15 track bonus CD.

watch: https://youtu.be/0zL-d8cGyn0

Following the split of the band "The Runners", Australian singer and songwriter Mark Edwards signed with WEA Records and released one album in 1986 entitled "Land Of The Living". Mark Edwards spent two years writing, performing, and producing "Land Of The Living" with collaborator Michael Hegerty. The result was a a collection of fine poppy AOR songs showcased well by a production that is clean and polished. The album itself was subject to a very limited CD run in the late 80s, pressed before the use of barcodes and long since designated a true Australian rarity. Overall a nice collection of classic 80s singer / songwriter AOR next to Daryl Braithwaite. Digitally remastered incl. 11 bonus tracks, limited to 1000 copies.

watch: https://youtu.be/MPSSVdJfoSs

Guitarist / songwriter JACK FROST (Savatage, Seven Witches) already pleased us some time ago with his album ‘Out In The Cold’ feat. a wide list of star vocalists / musicians from the ’80s / early 90s melodic hard rock scene. BROTHERS IN ARMS is Frost’s new project, a wonderful 10-track collection of killer melodic hard rockin’ tunes plenty of super singers / musicians involved. Feat. the likes of Keith St. John (Burning Rain), Steve Overland (FM), Andrew Freeman (Last In Line), Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt), Jesse Damon (Silent Rage), Dave Amato (REO Speedwagon) plus a few more you can be sure to get high quality stuff ! This is great late ’80s sounding album with some of the best in the genre involved.

watch: https://youtu.be/DyMTXkrPmGM

Chris Daughtry has been rocking stages from 2007 when his self-titled debut arrived and he hasn’t looked back since.  A stellar vocalist Chris and his band have delivered a level of consistency across their subsequent releases that have garnered him more than 9 million album sales and 16 million single sales. With "Dearly Beloved" Daughtry has again delivered a couple of hits, some great ballads, and an anthem or two for the road. This is damn catchy modern rock with hard rock touches, modern but very well done and with a wide appeal from young people to old-school fans. Yet another classic to sit alongside an already impressive back catalogue, "Dearly Beloved" will no doubt keep his army of fans happy for a while yet.

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

“Game Over“ is a typical U.D.O. record even though some songs are pretty political or let’s rather say critical with society nowadays.  “Kids And Guns“ or “Holy Invaders“ to mention just two. A little less hard as most of the last efforts of the band but still rocking like hell showcasing traditional metal made in Germany. What else would you expect? Udo Dirkschneider (v) is one of the last originals out there. Hopefully the game not over anytime soon.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://youtu.be/sv29zn_gXY8