"One Of Those Days" is the first new studio release from the legendary  US band in a decade, and it is full of good southern rock and blues tunes, many of them originals. Original members Jim Odom (git), Tony Haselden (git) and Rod Roddy on keys got joyned by singer Jeff McCarthy, Nelson Blanchard, Joey Decker, Randy Carpenter, Mark Duthu plus special guests like Bobby Kimball, Bill Champlin and long time member Leon Medica. Perfectly produced by Jeff Glixman (Kansas etc.) "One Of Those Days" smells the organic sound of their early days paired with a good dose of commercial overtones, but please don't expect the ultra catchy sound of their classic 80s AOR milestones like "Up" and "So Fired Up".

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

Rock music veterans Dennis Stratton (g, ex IRON MAIDEN), Rocky Newton (b, AIRRACE) and Steve Mann (g, MICHAEL SCHENKER) still fully deliver. Having Lee Small (v, ex SHY) on board, they put out a real gem. The third LIONHEART album and the second after a long, long hiatus is melodic hard rock with a great amount of AOR. Alone the majestic “Thine Is The Kingdom“ and the highly melodic “High Plains Drifter“ more than justify buying the album. Grab it!

MARTIN STARK

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8wBZja40x0

Helix consisting of frontman Brian Vollmer, bassist Daryl Gray, drummer Greg ‘Fritz’ Hinz, and guitarists Chris Julke and Gary Borden, will be releasing their new compilation album "Eat Sleep Rock". "Eat Sleep Rock" is a compilation album with some favorite songs which the band has  recorded since leaving Capitol/E.M.I. in 1990 plus one new song & "The story of Helix". Maybe not the biggest deal in terms of unreleased material if you have bought their releases since the early 90s, otherwise worth checking out.

The Americans LAST WORLD consist of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Jim Sheppard (g, TAXI) and David Cagle (v). “Over The Edge“, their second collaboration, is an easy to listen to rock record which tumbles between melodic and hard rock for the most part. One or two outstanding tracks are missing, though, but let alone the powerful voice of Cagle shine (“Judgement Day“ or “Dying To Live“). Mastered by JK Northrup.

Bay Area outfit Babylon A.D. also had to add the A.D. suffix to their moniker after complaints from another group in Chicago with the same name. Industry giant Clive Davis signed the band to his Arista label and hired producer Simon Hanhart (WAYSTED) to produce the selftitled debut which got released in 1989. Ex- SURGIN guy Jack Ponti co-wrote 5 tracks incl. some of the crackers like the the unbeatable opening duo of "Bang Go The Bells" and "Hammer Swings Down". Track #5 "The Kid Goes Wild" (feat. comedian Sam Kinison) became well known as this song got used for the movie "Robocop 2". Overall a cracker of the highest order for fans of FIREHOUSE, WINGER and cohorts. Digitally remastered incl. 7 bonus tracks.

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

‘Another Destination’, originally issued in 1995, was recorded in his adopted home of Los Angeles, and benefits hugely by the presence of vocalist Kelly Keeling, a classic gravel-throated blues based frontman who was previously a member of Baton Rouge. Norum also enlisted drummer Gary Fergusson who had played with Gary Moore and Hughes Thrall.  Music wise "Another Destination" was a complete different affair in a much more bluesy flavored style with grungy overtones. Many Europe fans which digged "Face The Truth" were disappointed with this drastic change of direction, but also his following releases followed the same musical paths. Digitally remastered re-issue from Rock Candy records.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoXg7oVEovw

Following his debut, John Norum worked in Los Angeles joining forces with Don Dokken for Don’s debut solo album ‘Up From The Ashes’ and toured the USA  extensively. It was a positive experience that also led John to enter into a stunning collaboration with Glen Hughes, the wayward bassist/vocalist of Deep Purple and more recently in Hughes/Thrall. John’s second solo album titled ‘Face The Truth’ (1992)was a match made in heaven, with Norum and Hughes providing a number of high energy yet melodic hard rock tracks that stand proud as musical highlights in an era that was slowly succumbing to the emergence of grunge. Digitally remastered re-issue from Rock Candy records.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fguUIJB7pk

John Norum left Europe back in 1986 because he was unhappy over the more commercial bent of the group’s music. Given that he has been part of the line-up for years with the band’s turn towards a more classic rock sound these days, you can kind of see where he was coming from given the material that was included on this particular album. With Norum singing lead on eight of the eleven tracks as well as playing guitar, the guitarist was clearly in as much “total control” as possible for the time. Swedish vocalist Goran Edman – quite unknown at the time of this recording, sings lead vocals on the three tracks, providing variation to the record. And of course, he shines. Digitally remastered re-issue from Rock Candy records.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZiLfxe01iw&list=OLAK5uy_kFjinOYrua9d7UANcF2vNmZk_VVZDSD-s

Without the shadow of a doubt the selftitled Only Child debut is Paul Sabu’s finest work ever. The songwriting was off the hook and Paul Sabu’s majestic voice (a breathy mixture of Lou Gramm and Joe Lynn Turner) positioned him as one of the most talented melodic rock performers on the scene, outclassing the competition by a country mile. Tracks such as ‘Save A Place In Your Heart’, ‘I Believe In You’, ‘Rebel Eyes’ and ‘Just Ask’ took no prisoners in a space normally reserved for superstar acts. Sadly the project was hamstrung when the president of the label departed and all promotional momentum was lost. Digitally remastered re-issue from Rock Candy records incl. 4 bonus tracks.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ_3zj1yxLE&list=RDRQ_3zj1yxLE&start_radio=1

In his career as a singer, songwriter and producer, PAUL SABU worked together with some mega-stars like SHANIA TWAIN, ALICE COOPER and was involved in some AOR-masterpieces (Silent Rage, Only Child, Alexa…). As a solo artist he released only a few albums – but one of them is still one of the best AOR-pieces out there: “Heartbreak” from 1985. With blistering guitars, many keyboards and massive hooklines in the vein of BATON ROUGE and SILENT RAGE and tracks such as ‘Angeline’, ‘Hot Flash’, ‘New Girl In Town’ and the title track ‘Heartbreak’, it was clear that this was a record that would set standards. Digitally remastered re-issue from Rock Candy records incl. 9 bonus tracks !!

‘Don’t Tread’, the second and final album from the supergroup feat. Tommy Shaw, Jack Blades, Ted Nugent & Michael Cartelone was issued in 1992 to huge anticipation. Sadly, however, the expectation of another blockbuster release was rudely frustrated when the album failed to connect with their fan base and the wider public. All the ingredients that made the first album so enjoyable are still here, but for some reason, the songs themselves just don't seem as strong, even if some are a little heavier in places (but not much). This is still a fine slab of well-produced commercial hard rock, but the songwriting dipped a bit downward between this album and the first classy debut. Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkEbqgbSqs8

STARMEN do not hesitate and put out their sophomore album only 6 month after their debut “Welcome To My World“. The Swedes play a similar style as WIG WAM or THE PODDLES. STARMEN Purple (g/v), Silver (d/v), Red (g/v) und Gold (b/v) definitely know how to play and compared to the aforementioned bands offer a way more seventies-rooted approach. Honest, slightly over the top hard rock with a great portion of glam.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxnqsux-nXk

Hailing from São Paulo in Brazil, this is the debut album from Melodic Hard Rock outfit 5th Machine. First point, this doesn’t sound like a fresh-faced bunch of youngsters making their tentative first steps into the studio. This sounds like some experienced musicians who know exactly what they want, care nothing for trends and fashions and are happy to wear their influences on their shoulders. The total sound on ‘Back In Time’ is pretty acceptable but that also puts forward the big problem of the record as well. Singer Fabio Cabral is sounding quite dull and at stages extremely predictable. Overall "BIT" has a few acceptable moments and tracks but in general it seems to me that these boys still have got a lot of homework to do.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQkb9xVoYfQ

Could there be a better title for an album of German melodic power metal band PRIMAL FEAR? Probably not, and their thirteenth effort (!) offers exactly what fans are waiting for. Ingredients like razor-sharp riffs, strong hooks or roaring and breathtaking vocals. Tracks like “I Am Alive“, “The Lost & The Forgotten“ or “My Name Is Fear“ will please fans of JUDAS PRIEST and the like for sure. “Metal Commando“ as a whole is a true treat and “I Will Be Gone“ a great ballad that comes as a real surprise.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7171SvM-Ouk

Liaison was a Christian rock band formed by brothers Larry and Tim Melby in the late eighties. The brothers were born and raised in western North Dakota where the Melby home was always filled with music. As a result, they learned to play multiple instruments, which they would showcase on their albums. Liaison was signed to Frontline Records and released their first album in 1989. Produced by Bill Baumgart (Idle Cure etc.) and featuring guests like Jeff Porcaro and Michael Landau the selftitled Liaison debut still stands as one of the finest AOR releases from the Christian melodic rock scene next to Mastedon, Halo, Idle Cure and cohorts. Digitally remastered and limited to 500 copies only.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpGEQ3NVdvo

A completely change of music direction...from a nice catchy AOR / Westcoast to a cracking Hard AOR / Rock sound but still as good as an early morning cup of coffee ..."Hard Hitter" is a rock song, an excellent one, "Attitude" & "Up At Night" are both classy songs, "Who Can Heal The Pain" conserves some of their "traditional" sound, "Wicked Ways" is another shot, "My God Is A Rock" rocks in a catchy way...another excellent release by the Melby brothers this time with a cast of great musicians (Greg Bissonette, Tony Palacios, Oz Fox, Lanny Cordola). "Hard Hitter" (1992) is a clear winner for fans of the harder edged US melodic rock sound like Hardline, Baton Rouge etc. Digitally remastered, strictly limited to 500 copies.

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

On 1991’s "Urgency", the Melby brothers Larry and Tim attained a grittier sound, rocking even harder than the selftitled debut – featuring massive background vocals and an in- your-face gospel message. Bill Baumgart produced the album again and he is also listed at the credits as a full member who played the keyboards on the album. Highlights incl. the title track "Urgency" which is a hell of a catchy song, "Ocean View" is a nice song, "Luwenda" is a beauty...smooth..relaxed... ,"He Smiled" a highlight, "All I Have To Offer You" is another good smoothie with a catchy chorus song. To cut it short - another fine example of brilliant Christian AOR stuff. Digitally remastered, 1 bonus track and limited to 500 copies.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3WO9JemtaY