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ALIEN is back with a new album. The Swedish outfit around Jim Jidhed (v), Tony Borg (g) and Toby Tarrach (d) sound unexpectently heavy and really rock like hell. But at the end of the day, it’s Jidhed’s voice alone that makes AOR freaks smile broadly. Tracks like “Night On Fire“, “Time Is Right“ or “Freedom Wind“ might be classified as classic ALIEN material, even though definitely heavier but the opener “You Still Burn“ definitely surprises even more, like “Really Wheeling It“ does. Really heavy guitars and a contemporary production are nothing but bridging the gap from eighties AOR to hard rock today. Learn More

“Never Say Never“ is great stuff for fans of ROULETTE, SAPPHIRE EYES or AGE OF REFLECTION, too. An acoustic version of the title track ends the album in a very high manner. Learn More

ART OF ILLUSION is a collaboration of the two Swedes Anders Rydholm (g/b/keys, GRAND ILLUSION, CODE) and Lars Säfsund (v, WORK OF ART, LIONVILLE, ENBOUND). Perfect stuff for fans of LAST AUTUMN’S DREAM, LIONVILLE, ART NATION and CWF and from WORK OF ART and GRAND ILLUSION foremost, of course. “X Marks The Spot“ definitely is one early highlight of the year. Learn More

Album number two by British melodic rock outfit offering progressive bits and pieces at times, too. “Parallel Love“ deals with various relationships of different kinds, although not being a true concept album. ATLAS offer a reasonable amount of heavy guitars, as well huge keyboards and a singer (Craig Wells) who really rocks and brings a little bit of crispiness into play. Learn More

CORPORATE CONTROL is classic hard rock with Paul Sabu (ONLY CHILD) on vocals. The project led by German allrounder Marcus Boeltz deliver their debut and offer cool songwriting and great musicianship. If you are into the likes of UFO, URIAH HEEP or even SILENT RAGE, CORPORATE CONTROL is what you need. “Radio“ is an absolute highlight giving you shivers all over and so is “Leaving It Behind“ or „Can’t Kill A Dead Man". Just a pity that Paul Sabu's vocals are sometimes a bit painful. Learn More

“Big Guns“ is the second STEPHEN CRANE album, who was able to stir up the scene with his debut “Kicks“ in 1984. The follow-up “Big Guns“ was planned as a real band effort but once again for various (business) reasons the album was shelved. Lots of songs in the vein of SURVIVOR, THE EAGLES or even HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS. Well produced and equipped with a couple of potential hit singles (e.g. “Waiting For The Night“ or “Touch Of Magic“), this record offered everything that was needed back in the day and therefore, of course, in the given genre of (melodic) hardrock and AOR as well today. Duane Sciacqua on guitar absolutely delivers as well as Stephen Crane (v). Great record! Learn More

Once more one of these forgotten pearls. Devils In Heaven from Australia, Tasmania to be precise, put out a few singles back in the day and made themselves well-known in the live-circuit but didn’t make it to a full album. The album contains many AOR and melodic treasures from different recording sessions. As bonus you get the two remastered tracks “Ships In The Night“ and “Ain’t A Wonder“ from 1990. Given the sheer quality of the song material that’s really a shame. The question why this superb band didn’t put out a single album can’t be answered, though. Quality couldn’t have been an issue. In addition to that, frontman David Withney lost his singing voice some time ago and drummer Phil Crothers passed away many moons ago. Therefore, “Rise“ is the ultimate legacy of this band. Digitally remastered and incl. liner notes by Dave Reynolds. Learn More

EDGE OF THE BLADE around frontmann John Francis (AFTER HOURS) totally delivers here. “Distant Shores“ is British melodic rock with a certain amount of hard rock of the finest sort (“Feel The Fire“ or “Wait Forever") which means great songwriting and a powerful production which lets the songs breathe and which is almost reminiscent of a decent classic live sound. But also classic AOR in the vein of the masters of JOURNEY or STARSHIP can be found on this third record of the band (“Love Me Again“). Alan Kelly (ex SHY) on drums. “Distant Shores“ is pretty suitable also for fans of HEAVY PETTIN’, THUNDER or TRISHULA. Learn More

British AOR outfit has been away for quite some time but now guitar player Vince O’Reagan (BOB CATLEY, LEGION) starts a new version of the band including a new line-up. It’s a collection of re-recorded and freshly produced songs from earlier ESCAPE records and some of his solo stuff as well as two songs previously recorded by BOB CATLEY but written by O’Reagan (“Blinded By A Lie“ and “Walk On Water“). Everything is typical British AOR with lots of majestic keyboards but also with balls or in other words, sharp guitars. If you dig the likes of TEN, NEWMAN or SERPENTINE, you can’t go wrong here. But a completely new ESCAPE record is in the making, too. Learn More