The long lost Eonian records label is back with a brand new release from MULLETT titled "The Originals". Formed a decade ago as a tribute band of all ’80s hard rock, hair metal and glam rock n’ roll culture, MULLETT have been performing from corporate functions and private parties to college campuses, theaters, nightclubs and casinos. Now it’s time for their original songs, hence the title of album. What you would expect from a band opening their debut CD with a song titled ’80s Girl’? This is pure fun bringing back the Eighties paraphernalia of Poison, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, complete with party-ready choruses, cool guitar riffs, keyboards… and lots of fun and madness !!

Watch: https://youtu.be/EiMgw3sybSU

Singer Kenny McGee gained most of his initial recognition when he fronted the melodic-rock band Julliet that eventually attained cult-like status in the Florida club circuit. His self titled album (2002) is a superb rock album with strong melodies. Kenny McGee has a unique voice that has kind of a rough edge to it and it is really suitable for the music he’s playing. This is tailor made for the fans of late 80’s / early 90’s melodic hard rock lovers into Poison / Skid Row /  Slaughter with a good dose of bluesy hard rock in the veon of Tesla / Cinderella. Initially released in 2002 this is a classy hard rock album which is getting really rare now, son here's your chance to pick it up at a fair price.

Listen: https://youtu.be/HHaUOWbd2ss

The US label Kivel Records had released some outstanding melodic rock releases over the years (like ADRIAN GALE, GOODBYE THRILL or FAITH CIRCUS) and with the US five piece FARCRY they had the next clear winner on offer. Backed by a crisp production their debut “High Gear” (2009) combines the finest moments from FIREHOUSE, early BON JOVI, the HAREM SCAREM debut and ADRIAN GALE into a superb melodic rock cocktail, which no serious melodic rock lover can’t resist. Killer tunes such as “Love Won’t Wait”, “Fine Line” or the mega ballad “Heaven” are just prime examples for an oustanding debut with plenty of other great tunes on offer. Killer stuff, don't miss it !

Listen: https://youtu.be/ff2b3PhV10Q

Melodic rock “Made in the USA” made a nice comeback way back in the year 2000 when John Kivel started his new label Kivel Records. ADRIAN GALE featured the vocals of singer extra ordinaire JAMIE ROWE (ex GUARDIAN) and the band proved that they could be the “next big thing” from the USA. “Feel The Fire” is full of highlights like the opener “Feel The Fire” which reminds me of a more commercial CINDERELLA while tracks like “Save Our Love” or “Reep What You Saw” are straight out of the DAMN YANKEES songbook and the mega ballad “If The Sun” is a dead ringer for NIGHT RANGERS “Sister Christian". Simply awesome from start to finish and a must have for every serious melodic rock collector !

Listen: https://youtu.be/4hzBfbY7x8o

The mighty were ADRIAN GALE one of the strongest US Melodic Rock bands of the new millenium. Their previous album “Re-Program” was a real killer and  the same applies to the follow up “Crunch” (2004). Even though the album rocks not as straight forward as its predecessor, it features numerous great tracks in the vein of DANGER DANGER and JAGGED EDGE. My faves are the varied title track, the ass-kicking up-tempo anthem “Faith”, the beautiful Rock ballad “Without A Moment's Notice”, the colourful “Long Gone” and the heavily rocking mid-tempo tune “The Thin Line”. The only weak point is the a bit unnecessary instrumental “Question”. However, both thumbs up for another great album!

Listen: https://youtu.be/6LWR5yAy_r4

One of the best heavy rock bands out there these days and a band which obviously easily manages to catch their incredible live energy in the studio as well. It’s already album number four of the Northern-Irish five-piece and it is full of powerful and passionate compositions with fantastic hooklines throughout that offer a great production, too. You want proof? Well, “Switchblade Sister“, “Bells Of Stygian“ or “Falling“ should absolutely do… As long as bands like these exist, we really don’t have to worry about rock threatened with extinction. Hell, Belfast rocks!

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://youtu.be/7X3G9B81eFY

The Lions Pride label seems to have a weakness for bands from exotic countries and their latest release from REVLIN PROJECT surely fullfill this conditions, cause this bunch hails from Bogota, Columbia. Formed in 2016 they released an EP called "Dimension" one year later in 2017. Now they have their first album "Trascender" on offer and like so many other bands from South America they're into the keyboard dominated AOR sound not that far away from bands like 91 Suite or Sapphire Eyes, but surely not at the same level. The biggest problem is like many other exotic bands the lead vocals from singer Renato Costa, which sounds a bit pressed besides his accent.

Watch: https://youtu.be/A4Puduhpw1Y

Two well-known guitar players doing an album together and play and sing (!) almost everything on it? Well, Adrian Smith (IRON MAIDEN) and Richie Kotzen (THE WINERY DOGS, ex POISON, ex MR.BIG) set the pace here. It’s hard rock with a lot of blues and mature songwriting throughout. For a first impression, check out the second single “Scars“. But also the massively grooving “You Don’t Know Me“ is a true highlight. This record is made by pure passion.

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://youtu.be/OOyeowWVwN8

Digitally Remastered with a very good sound quality, American reissue label Metallic Blue Records has released “Turn On The Radio“, the album comprising the two mini-LP’s recorded in the second half of the ’80s by US melodic rockers BAD BOYS, a long concealed secret for most of us outside of the Salt Lake City rock scene. BAD BOYS thrilled fans in the Utah area and eventually on the Sunset Strip in L.A. club circuit. The 11 tracks consists of professionally recorded material; five of the tracks taped in 1988 and the remaining six in 1989. The title for this compilation was properly chosen, as there’s something of Firehouse, Blue Tears, Icon, Ivory Tower, etc in BAD BOYS’ delivery, melodic and with catchy choruses.

Listen: https://youtu.be/y3xDUw1dQUw

Hailing from Reno, Nevada, RAWKON started life in 1986 and recorded a three track demo cassette. In 1987, RAWKON picked up Pete Amato on keyboards and entered the studio again and recorded their six-track self-titled cassette at Axe Tracks recording studio. In 1988 they released another EP on cassette, but after some live shows they called it a day. All their recordings are now available for the very first time on CD. With a melodic sound and catchy tunes, musically RAWKON brings to mind Icon, Dokken, Vinnie Vincent Invasion, etc, ranging from party rockers to AORish midtempo songs including keyboards. Digitally remastered re-issue from Metallic Blue Records.

Listen: https://youtu.be/lXdniO0CbDk