Hamburg/Germany-based BAD SISTER are back after a very long hiatus, actually the third and last CD came out 2009, whereas the second album came out 1991. Female singer Andrea Löhndorf sounds rather unique and offers multiple layers. Finest AOR/melodic rock, produced in a clean but powerful way with enough dirt in it brings back memories of LAOS or SARAYA at times. Some of the songs have dominant Keyboards and others are rather riff-based.

MARTIN STARK

Watch:https://youtu.be/6Ji13zGDLeU

Amazing classic rock from Sweden, that’s what you can expect from “Human Nature“. Album number four of BLACK PAISLEY takes the sound of well-known classic acts like WHITESNAKE, SCORPIONS or THUNDER, adds some contemporary production and elements and takes it to another level and is easily recognizable. No fillers whatsoever and with lots of different shades sonically - just as human nature, too.

MARTIN STARK

Watch:https://youtu.be/wdeTq62pJrQ

STREETLORE, an Italian band with guest appearances of e.g.Terry Brock (STRANGEWAYS), Sue Willets (DANTE FOX), Davide “Dave Rox” Barbieri (WHEELS OF FIRE) or Stefano Lionetti (LIONVILLE) on vocals offer extremely melodic hard rock with lots of AOR elements. Mastermind Lorenzo Lorerock Nava (keys) has built a really fine piece of music here. Produced by Pierpaolo Monti (SHINING LINE, CHARMING GRACE).

MARTIN STARK

Watch:https://youtu.be/CxognrLBn9s

Melodic hard rock from India (!) is pretty rare. Let alone the opener “Right Now“ shine. Great album with huge production and a great singer (Sochan Kikon). The musicians are experienced throughout and at times sound like an even more energetic version of H.E.A.T

. or like CRAZY LIXX. The bonus cut “Love And Affection“, actually not a cover of the NELSON song, has got lots of commercial potential.

MARTIN STARK

Watch:https://youtu.be/GEJ3T88nieI

Red Phoenix rose from the ashes of Australian rock legends The Angels. While the band was on hiatus, lead singer Doc Neeson's car was rear-ended by a truck leaving him suffering chronic back and neck pain as well as blurred vision. Doc Neeson re-emerged in 2005, with this new band, teaming once again with one-time Angels' bassist Jim Hilbun, guitarist David Lowy as well as guitarist Peter Northcote and drummer Fabrisio Omodei. In 2005 they released their debut album, produced by former Angels producer Terry Manning, but they had to cancell all shows due to Doc’s state of health and this killed the album. This little known gem is finally available again as a limited edition through MelodicRock Classics.

Listen:https://youtu.be/HjaOfV7_2VE

ARC OF LIFE will please all fans of YES or even ASIA as there are certain personal similarities like drummer Jay Schellen (YES) or bass player Billy Sherwood (YES). Guitarist Jimi Haun (AIR SUPPLY) is no stranger, too. The material is mostly rather slow, pretty melodic and multi-layered in every sense. Typical progressive rock you can call it. Nevertheless, there is probably one or the other outstanding track missing, though.

MARTIN STARK

Watch:https://youtu.be/kbXXXP7mrgE

The last album to feature original bassist Randy Rand who passed away in 2022. American hard rock with some sleaze in it and a good singer by the name of Simon Daniels. Check out “Everything“ or “Love Is A Double Edge Sword“. “Beyond“ is great stuff for fans of bands like THUNDER, GREAT WHITE or HEAVEN’S EDGE for sure and pretty well-produced, too. On guitar Jimi Bell (ex HOUSE OF LORDS)!

MARTIN STARK

Watch:https://youtu.be/C61k2NrEkzY

KRELL from Italy play melodic hard rock with certain heavy elements. “Deserts“ is the debut album of the outfit around singer Luca Bonzagni and guitarist/bass-player Francesco Di Nicola. Members of DANGER ZONE, ANIMS, CRYING STEEL. “Crushing Your Life“, both melodic and groovy, is a good entry into the world of KRELL as well as the catchy “Secrets And Lies“. A fine production and comparatively unique.

MARTIN STARK

Listen:https://youtu.be/wq9087CuQVU

Behind ENEMY EYES you find vocalist Johnny Gioeli (AXEL RUDI PELL) and keyboardist Alessandro Del Vecchio (EDGE OF FOREVER, REVOLUTION SAINTS) who both are an integral part of HARDLINE these days. That’s why it’s questionable to start yet another project but it’s definitely a good one. Lots of hard rock, more metal and rather contemporary but constantly melodic and versatile sounds are to be discovered here.

MARTIN STARK

Watch:https://youtu.be/oegZn6Zt4fM

THRESHOLD have actually never disappointed in their career. Therefore, album number twelve is great, too. In general less riff-orientated than the last efforts. “The Domino Effect“ a little bit dreamy but beautiful whereas the guitar-driven “Complex“ is exactly that and the name obviously well-chosen. Frontman Glynn Morgan seems to be the perfect match for the band finally. Also the longtrack “Defense Condition“ at the end of the record is pure gold.

MARTIN STARK

Watch:https://youtu.be/XszH7l4Xf4E

Issued in 1984, "Red, Hot & Heavy") is the Pretty Maids first full length studio recording. Vocalist Ronnie Atkins and the boys score major points for their riveting debut album, as the Danish group pound out riffs and kick down the walls. The hard-charged album covers everything from speedy metal ("Back To Back") over to classic 80s metal tunes like "Night Danger", "Cold Killer", Battle Of Pride", the epic title track or "Night Danger". And what about the super smooth Waitin' For The Time" or the great THin Lizzy hommage of "Little Darling". Regardless of their later releases, this is a heavy metal classic. First time ever digitally remastered with the awesome Blu-spec proceedings (compatible with every standard CD player) - BUY !

Watch:https://youtu.be/8bYdAIQFLm0

The fourth full studio release from the mighty Danish hard rockers, which saw Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica) in charge of the production (as the band wanted a much rawer sound compared to the previous "Jump The Gun" album). After the relative commercial failure of the band's previous album, "Jump the Gun" (1990), bass player Allan Delong, keyboard player Alan Owen and drummer Phil More left the group by late 1990, leaving only singer Ronnie Atkins and guitarist Ken Hammer. Just the title track really stands out and it seems that Atkins/Hammer really struggled like so many other bands during this time. First time ever digitally remastered with the awesome Blu-spec proceedings (compatible with every standard CD player).

Watch:https://youtu.be/q7Te8602xZ8