Tag Archives: AOR

Gig review: MIDNITE CITY – The Lounge, Archway, London, 8 November 2019

Posted on November 14, 2019 by andynathan

The list of successful UK melodic rock acts is a frustratingly short one, but Midnite City must be going about things the right way. After releasing a pair of excellent albums in short succession they recently enjoyed the prestige of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 8 November 2019, AOR, Archway, gig, London, lounge, melodic rock, Midnite City, Miles Meakin, Pete Newdeck, Rob Wylde, Shawn Charvette | Leave a comment

Album review: RAY ALDER – What the Water Want

Posted on November 13, 2019 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 18.10.19] It takes a lot of guts to step out from the safety an established band but Fates Warning frontman Ray Alder has produced an album of extraordinary depth and passion in this, his debut solo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Fates Warning, Inside Out, melodic, metal, progressive, Ray Alder, review, rock, Solo, What the Water Want | Leave a comment

Album review: KING OF HEARTS

Posted on November 6, 2019 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 22.11.19] King Of Hearts are another band making a comeback many years after their first shot at musical stardom back in the late 80s. However, their label at the time didn’t release their debut album which … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bruce Gaitsch, Chicago, CJ Vanston, Eagles, King Of Hearts, melodic rock, review, Timothy B. Schmit, Tommy Funderburk, Toto, West Coast | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DEFIANTS – Zokusho

Posted on October 14, 2019 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release Date 13.09.19] Boasting three quarters of the Paul Laine-fronted Danger Danger line up that plugged on through melodic rock’s wilderness years, the Defiants debut was one of the best albums of 2016, but I can’t remember making … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bruno Ravel, Danger Danger, melodic rock, Paul Laine, Rob Marcello, The Defiants | Leave a comment

Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2019)

Posted on September 24, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Focus - Hard Rock Hell Prog, Pwllheli, 21-22 March 2014

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Your tour not listed? Contact us! Updated 08/12/2019 2019 ALABAMA 3 Fri December 20 O2 Academy Bristol Sat December 21 O2 Academy Brixton ALTER BRIDGE + … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS | Tagged 2019, AOR, gigs, Ireland, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, tour dates, tours, uk | Leave a comment

Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) October 2019 – December 2019

Posted on September 22, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Compiled by Jason Ritchie January – March 2019 April – June 2019 July – September 2019 October 4th SOREN ANDERSEN ‘Guilty Pleasures’ Mighty Music ANGEL ‘Risen’ Cleopatra Records Adrian Benegas ‘The Revenant’ Pride & Joy Music CHICAGO ‘Chicago Christmas’ Rhino … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2019, album, AOR, Bluray, CD, December, DVD, heavy rock, melodic rock, metal, New releases, November, October, progressive, rock | Leave a comment

Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) July 2019 – September 2019

Posted on September 22, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Compiled by Jason Ritchie January – March 2019 April – June 2019 July 1st DAVID GELN EISLEY (ex-GUFFRIA, DIRTY WHITE BOY) ‘Tattered, Torn & Worn’ GANDALF’S FIST ‘The Clockwork Prologue’ (double LP) MAGENTA ‘Home’ (500 copy limited edition re-issue) THE … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2019, album, AOR, August, Bluray, CD, DVD, heavy rock, July, melodic rock, metal, New releases, progressive, rock, September | Leave a comment

Album review: UNRULY CHILD – Big Blue World

Posted on September 18, 2019 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release date 09.08.19] The reunion of Unruly Child’s classic line up with original singer Marcie Free, which began with 2010’s excellent ‘Worlds Collide’, has stood the test of time with its fourth album since then. Two years ago, try … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bruce Gowdy, Guy Allison, Marcie Free, melodic rock, review, Unruly Child | Leave a comment

Quick plays: ROBERT TEPPER, JEREMY IVEY, INTO THE UNKNOWN

Posted on September 2, 2019 by jason

ROBERT TEPPER Better Than The Rest AOR Heaven [Release date 27.09.19] Robert Tepper is best known for his song ‘No Easy Way Out’, which was the theme to ‘Rocky IV’ and has been subsequently released in various dance remix guises, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Americana, AOR, Better Than The Rest, country, Into The Unknown, Jeremy Ivey, melodic rock, Pablo Padilla, review, Robert Tepper, rock, Rocky IV, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: SOLEIL MOON – Warrior

Posted on August 22, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 09.08.19] Soleil Moon formed as a collaboration between singer Larry King (Michael Thompson Band) and keyboardist John Blasucci (Dennis De Young) back in 1999 and have released two albums to date, both of which any self-respecting AOR … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Dennis De Young, Frontiers, John Blasucci, Kelly Keagy, Larry King, melodic rock, Michael Thompson, Night Ranger, review, Soleil Moon | Leave a comment

Album review: PHIL LANZON – 48 Seconds

Posted on August 10, 2019 by jason

Phil Lanzon Ditties/Cargo Records UK [Release date 02.08.19] Hot on the heels of last year’s ‘If You Think I’m Crazy’ Uriah Heep’s keyboards player Phil Lanzon is back with another solo album, which again sees him working with producer Simon … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, big band, classic rock, Grand Prix, John Mitchell, keyboards, melodic rock, Mick O'Donohue, Miriam Grey, Phil Lanzon, pomp rock, review, Richard Cottle, Simon Hanhart, Uriah Heep | 2 Comments

Gig review: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Mote Park, Maidstone – Day 1 – 19 July 2019

Posted on August 2, 2019 by david.wilson

Once again the rock hordes decended on Mote Park in Maidstone for another weekend of rock, blues, good beer and good company. GRTR! despatched Andy Nathan and Dave Atkinson to cover all the action, come rain or shine… Andy Nathan … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 19th July 2019, AC/DC, AOR, blues, FM, Ginger Wildheart, Justin Hawkins, Kris Barras Band, live, Maidstone, metal, Mote Park, Ramblin' Man, Ramblin' Man Fair, rock, Steve Overland, The Darkness, The Lazys, the Wildhearts | Leave a comment

Quick plays: JIMI ANDERSON GROUP, HOLLOW HAZE, HUMBLE PIE

Posted on July 23, 2019 by jason

JIMI ANDERSON GROUP I Belong AOR Heaven [Release date 30.08.19] Second album from the Jimi Anderson Group, which sees singer Jimi Anderson working again with producers/musicians Sandy Jones and Greame Duffin, plus guitarist David Cuthbert. There is nothing on here … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, classic rock, Frontiers, Hollow Haze, Humble Pie, Jimi Anderson Group, melodic metal, melodic rock, power metal, Quick Play, review, Steve Marriott | Leave a comment

Album review: STRANDED – New Dawn

Posted on July 18, 2019 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 19.07.19] Stranded are the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Lewis Nitikman, who was in Stonebolt and on this album he is joined by fellow ex-Stonebolt member guitarist Ray Roper. On vocals is Troy Reid (check out his singing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Escape Music, melodic rock, Michael Bolton, New Dawn, reviews, Stranded, West Coast AOR | Leave a comment

Album review: FIRST SIGNAL- Line of Fire

Posted on July 14, 2019 by andynathan

Release Date 17.05.19 First Signal was conceived some years back as a vehicle to reunite Harem Scarem singer Harry Hess with the pure melodic rock style that arguably began and ended with the Canadians’ debut album, before they diversified into … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Daniel Flores, First Signal, Harem Scarem, Harry Hess, melodic rock, Michael Palace, Stan Meissner | Leave a comment

Album review: MARK BAKER – The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be

Posted on July 11, 2019 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 26.07.19] The name Mark Baker may not be immediately recognizable to many, but he is the man behind the classic Signal ‘Loud & Clear’ album as well as many other songs for the likes of .38 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bill Champlin, Chicago, Classic Albums, hard rock, House of Lords, James Christian, JK Northrup, Marcie Free, Mark Baker, Mark Free, melodic rock, MelodicRockRecords, reviews, Signal | Leave a comment

Gig review: RICHARD MARX – British Summer Time, Hyde Park, London, 7 July 2019

Posted on July 9, 2019 by andynathan

It’s been eight years by my reckoning since Richard Marx last played the UK, and he ended this famine in unusual circumstances, added to the bill of the British Summer Time show headlined by Barbra Streisand just a couple of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, British Summer Time, gig, Hyde Park, review, Richard Marx, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Book review: GENESIS – Every Album, Every Song (On Track) by Stuart Macfarlane

Posted on July 1, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 5.07.19] For those wishing to find out more about the prog rockers who went pop, this is a useful summary following the band’s progress from shaky beginnings in 1969 to their final studio album ‘Calling All … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, book, Every Album Every Song, Genesis, melodic rock, Mike Rutherford, On Track, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, pop, pop rock, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Steve Hackett, Stuart Macfarlane, Tony Banks | Leave a comment

Gig review: TOTO – Royal Chelsea Hospital, London, 13 June 2019

Posted on June 19, 2019 by andynathan

In the ever more crowded gigging season, a fresh trend over the last few years has been for London’s finest historic settings to be used for concerts. Following in the footsteps of Hampton Court and Greenwich is now a short … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain, gig, Joseph Williams, Justin Hawkins, live at Chelsea, melodic rock, review, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, The Darkness, Toto, Warren Ham | Leave a comment

Gig review: STYX – London Palladium, 4 June 2019

Posted on June 10, 2019 by andynathan

It’s been eight long years since Styx last crossed the pond and on that occasion they opened a three way battle of the AOR behemoths with Foreigner and Journey, and for many observers stole the show. This belated return was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, gig, James Young, Lawrence Gowan, melodic rock, pomp rock, review, Styx, Tommy Shaw | Leave a comment

Quick plays: ROYAL REPUBLIC, ROB MORATTI, FINE SOFT DAY, TRAGIK

Posted on June 10, 2019 by jason

ROYAL REPUBLIC Club Majesty Nuclear Blast [Release date 31.05.19] Royal Republic are on the up and up with their mix of rock, dance, disco, funk, rock n roll – heck they will put in any style of music into their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Club Majesty, dance, disco, Fine Soft Day, folk, melodic rock, Phil Vincent, Pink Floyd, pop rock, progressive, Quick Plays, review, Rob Moratti, rock, rock 'n' roll, Royal Republic, Saga, Survival Code, Tragik | Leave a comment

Gig review: SWEDISH AOR CONVENTION – Malmo, Sweden, 30 May-2 June 2019

Posted on June 9, 2019 by andynathan

Melodic rock and AOR is an unlikely addition to the list of things- ergonomic design, environmental awareness, and dark crime dramas- where Scandinavia leads the world. The scene is particularly strong in Sweden, home of many of my favourite bands … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Age of Reflection, Anette Olzon, AOR, Bad Habit, Care of Night, Coastland Ride, Creye, festival, gig, Hank Erix, melodic rock, Osukaru, Philip Lindstrand, Pretty Wild, Sapphire Eyes, Shape of the New Sun, State of Salazar, Swedish AOR convention | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND – Love & Beyond

Posted on May 28, 2019 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release Date 26.04.19] Michael Thompson is one of the most respected session guitarists in rock – alongside Steve Lukather and Bruce Gaitsch he is probably the go-to man, particularly for the so-called West Coast sound where soft rock and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Guy Allison, Larry Antonino, Larry King, Mark Spiro, melodic rock, Michael Thompson, West Coast | Leave a comment

Album review: FORTUNE – II

Posted on May 28, 2019 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release Date 26.04.19] Fortune’s 1985 self-titled albums is one that always featured highly in the list of obscure but brilliant melodic/AOR classics. While singer Larry (LA) Greene and keyboard player Roger Scott Craig went on to another cult AOR … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Fortune, Larry Greene, melodic rock, Mick Fortune, Richard Fortune | Leave a comment

Album review: ALLIANCE – Fire and Grace

Posted on May 14, 2019 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 24.05.19] Robert Berry (vocals, bass, keyboards), Boston guitarist Gary Pihl and drummer David Lauser (Sammy Hagar), are back with a new Alliance album – their first in ten years. Only missing from the previous albums is … Continue reading →