Italian outfit LIONVILLE with their Swedish singer extraordinaire Lars Säfsund (WORK OF ART, ENBOUND) are one hell of an AOR band. Their fourth effort “Magic Is Alive“ is no exception and will be celebrated by all fans of highly melodic tunes. Definitely a top candidate for the AOR championship 2020. Let alone the tracks “You’re Not Alone“ or “Runaway“ shine or the wonderful ballad by the name of “Finally You’re With Me“.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hzaQI9c6mM

The Americans FORTUNE are no regular guest on stages worldwide and have been inactive until recently. Recorded in Italy on the 2018 edition of Frontier’s own festival in Milano in front of a thankful crowd, it’s equipped with a really good sound. As a special treat you get the Larry Greene (v) solo song “Through The Fire“, well-known from the soundtrack of „Top Gun“. I guess songs like “The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter“ or “Dearborn Station“ absolutely need no introduction here. Really strong live output!

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbM4UIdpuIc

Yet another BÖC record. The Italians of Frontiers Music seem to have a tight grip on the American hard rock and progressive band. But the back catalogue of the band is nothing but impressive, though. Here in 2017, they play their debut in its entirety plus a few other band classics such as “Godzilla“ or “Tattoo Vampire“. The sound is authentic, powerful but not too polished. A must have for fans but also or a good choice especially for newbies in terms of BÖC.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OwPPFm6qNA

Josh Ramos (g, THE STORM, ex HARDLINE) with his first solo album. The American gathers quite an impressive range of well-known vocalists to sing on his debut. There is Danny Vaughn (TYKETTO), Eric Martin (MR. BIG), Harry Hess (HAREM SCAREM) or the last recording of the late Tony Mills (SHY, TNT). Musically very guitar-orientated album but that’s no surprise here. Nevertheless, there are some fine hard and melodic rock tunes to be found on “My Many Sides“.

MARTIN STARK

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

The DUKES OF ORIENT do not waste time to put out their sophomore album. John Payne (v, ex ASIA, GPS) and Erik Norlander (keys, LAST IN LINE, LANA LANE, ROCKET SCIENTISTS) are the driving powers here. Therefore, you get a mixture of AOR and a lot of progressive rock. “Freakshow“ is mostly slow but offers a lot of depth in the songs. There might be one or two real crackers missing, though. Check out the beautiful “The Monitors“ as an appetizer.

MARTIN STARK

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

BLACK ROSE MAZE is centered around Canadian singer Rosa Laricchiuta (TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA). She has got a powerful voice and plays down-to-earth guitar-driven rock accompanied by great songwriting. That’s what you get here. Comes with a guest appearance of Jeff Scott Soto (v, TALISMAN, SONS OF APOLLO). At times reminiscent of ANOUK but definitely harder. Produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio (HARDLINE, REVOLUTION SAINTS).

MARTIN STARK

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

Hamburg-based band TERRA ATLANTICA are into power metal and steam punk art as well. the combine both worlds on “Age Of Steam“, a concept album dealing with Atlantis taking part in the 19th century, pretty well. It’s well produced, offers versatile songwriting and great musicianship. A real alternative for fans of e.g. DRAGONFORCE, POWERWOLF, ORDEN OGAN or SERIOUS BLACK. The title track is a perfect opener into the world of TERRA ATLANTICA.

MARTIN STARK

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

ENGLISH band STORMZONE start right away with the IRON MAIDEN-like “Tolling Of The Bell“, a track which highlights frontman John “Harv“ Harbinson’s voice pretty much. “Ignite The Machine“ is a hybrid of heavy metal and hard rock with way above average songwriting and an authentic production without lots of fuss. The mighty “Dragon Cartel“ or the melodic “Each Setting Sun“ are very good starters to actually dive into the material and so is the half-ballad “Flame That Never Dies“.

MARTIN STARK

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsYxMHpXCu8

"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 !!