Tag Archives: AOR

Album review: PRAYING MANTIS – Gravity

Posted on May 17, 2018 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 11.05.18] Originally part of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, albeit at the more melodic almost AOR end of the spectrum, Praying Mantis are still going strong. This new album is their 10th studio outing, 11 if you include … Continue reading →

Gig review: FOREIGNER – Manchester Apollo, 12 May 2018

Posted on May 13, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

The bets were on. Would Mick Jones appear at this first UK date of a massive 40th anniversary world tour? The omens weren’t good as four songs in the band played one of the massive “hits” (and somewhat ridiculous without … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 12 May 2018, AOR, classic rock, Foreigner, gig, Jeff Pilson, Joanne Shaw Taylor, John Parr, Kelly Hansen, Manchester Apollo, melodic rock, Mick Jones, review | Leave a comment

Quick plays: SHARKS, GIG, SANDERS & SAVAGE

Posted on May 7, 2018 by jason

SHARKS Ready Steady Go 3MS Music [Release date 29.06.18] Sharks can trace their origins back to 1972 when they were formed by former Free bass player Andy Fraser, guitarist Chris Spedding and vocalist Steve ‘Snips’ Parsons, both of who are in this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Awake, blues, Brave New World, Bruce Gaitsch, Chris Spedding, Dave Innis, folk, gig, Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage, melodic, pop, Randy Goodrum, Ready Set Go, review, rock, Sharks, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: NO HOT ASHES – s/t

Posted on May 1, 2018 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release date 23.03.18] They never made it back in the eighties, despite a big reputation in their native Northern Ireland, but No Hot Ashes have been festival favourites for the last few years and finally make it to an … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Eamon Nancarrow, melodic rock, No Hot Ashes, review | Leave a comment

Quick plays: HEARTWIND, CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD

Posted on May 1, 2018 by jason

HEARTWIND Higher and Higher AOR Heaven [Release date 25.04.18] Heartwind hail from Sweden and were formed by guitarist Goran Engvall (ex-Hitworks) and keyboard player Mikael Rosengren (Constancia, Token). They are joined by drummer Peter Svensson (Constancia, Faith), vocalist German Pascual … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Captain Black Beard, hard rock, Heartwind, Higher and Higher, review, rock, Struck By Lightning | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (January 2018 – March 2018)

Posted on April 26, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Albums of the Month 2018 April 2018 – June 2018 July 2018 – September 2018 October 2018 – December 2018 THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT A Deeper Cut (Earache) “In a world of abundance of everything, The Temperance Movement shine like a … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged 2018, albums of the month, AOR, February, January, March, melodic, metal, progressive, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: REVERTIGO

Posted on April 16, 2018 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 23.02.18] Revertigo is a Swedish duo comprising Mats Levén on vocals (Therion, Candlemass, Yngwie Malmsteen) and Anders Wikström (Treat) on guitar. Long-term friends and occasional collaborators Revertigo is the name of their new project together. The duo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, debut, Frontiers, hard rock, Mats Leven, melodic rock, Revertigo, review, rock, Therion, Treat | Leave a comment

Album review: FOREIGNER – With the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra & Chorus

Posted on April 13, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

earMUSIC [Release date 27.04.18] 2-CD As rock gets old, anniversaries and special editions are the order of the day. I can’t see the current crop of younger rock bands having this luxury 40, or even 25, years on. But, for … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, chorus, Foreigner, Jeff Pilson, Kelly Hansen, Mick Jones, orchestra, orchestral, review, rock, with the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra & Chorus | Leave a comment

Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) April 2018 – June 2018

Posted on April 3, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Compiled by Jason Ritchie April 2nd MARILLION ‘All One Tonight’ (DVD) 6th THE AMORETTES ‘Born To Break’ Steamhammer/SPV BLACK RAINBOWS ‘Pandaemonium’ BLACKBERRY SMOKE ‘Find A Light’ Earache Records CALIBAN ‘Ich Blute Für Dich’ Century Media CHICAGO ‘VI Decades Live’ (4CD/DVD) … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2018, album, AOR, April, Bluray, CD, DVD, heavy rock, June, May, melodic rock, metal, New releases, progressive, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: AMERICAN TEARS – Hard Core

Posted on March 21, 2018 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 23.04.18] American Tears first surfaced in 1974 and were a power trio focussed around the keyboards of Mark Mangold,who is the sole remaining original member on this album, and indeed the only musician playing all the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged album, American Tears, AOR, Drive She Said, Hard Core, interview, Mark Mangold, melodic, melodic rock, pomp, progressive, review, rock, the Sign, Touch | Leave a comment

Gig review: HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, Saturday 10 March 2018 (Day 3)

Posted on March 19, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Skid Row - HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, Saturday 10 March 2018

With Night Ranger polishing off Friday with such aplomb the omens were good for the Saturday, which on paper had a stronger line up. When arriving on site on Thursday I found out that The Quireboys were to stand in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 10 March 2018, AOR, Blood Red Saints, Dare, festival, gig, hard rock, HRH AOR, Joan ov Arc, melodic rock, Midnite City, Pwllheli, Quireboys, review, Skid Row, Wales | Leave a comment

Gig review: HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, Friday 9 March 2018 (Day 2)

Posted on March 17, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Night Ranger - HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, Friday 9 March 2018

Having given up the opportunity of the Thursday after-show party, a leisurely start to Friday was rewarded with Scottish rockers The King Lot. They kicked off the main stage activity and, after a successful Pledge campaign for their second album, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 9 March 2018, Aaron Buchanan, AOR, Cruzh, Daylight Robbery, festival, gig, HRH AOR, melodic rock, Night Ranger, Pwllheli, review, The King Lot, THE RADIO SUN, Wales | Leave a comment

Gig review: HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, Thursday 8 March 2018 (Day 1)

Posted on March 14, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Eclipse - HRH AOR - Pwllheli, Wales, Thursday 8 January 2018

In March 2016, Joe Lynn Turner chatted to Get Ready to ROCK! Radio for an extensive career overview, in three parts. Parts 2 and 3 are available via Mixcloud The annual four hour jaunt to one of my favourite festivals … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged AOR, Dante Fox, Eclipse, festival, gig, HRH AOR, Joe Lynn Turner, melodic rock, NEWMAN, Pwllheli, review, Thursday 8 March 2018, Wales | Leave a comment

Album review: FM – Atomic Generation

Posted on March 10, 2018 by andynathan

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio’s David Randall chatted to Steve Overland about FM and the new album for his weekly show, first broadcast 4 March 2018. This hour special includes tracks from ‘Atomic Generation’. There is a non-broadcast interview edit … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, AOR, Atomic Generation, FM, melodic rock, review, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Gig review: LIONHEART/AIRRACE- Camden Underworld, London, 2 December 2017

Posted on December 8, 2017 by andynathan

Lionheart - Camden Underworld, London, 2 December 2017

Picture a brief point of time in the early to mid-eighties. With the New Wave of British Heavy Metal running out of steam, many of its more enlightened musicians turned their ears westwards to the more AOR sounds that then … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Adam Payne, Airrace, AOR, Dennis Stratton, gig, Laurie Mansworth, Lee Small, Linda Foster-Kelsey, Lionheart, melodic rock, review, Rocky Newton, Steve Mann | Leave a comment

Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) January – March 2018

Posted on December 8, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Compiled by Jason Ritchie January 12th ASKING ALEXANDRIA S/T Summerin Records AUDREY HORNE ‘Blackout’ Napalam Records AVATAR ‘Avatar Country’ BLACK VEIL BRIDES ‘Vale’ CORROSION OF CONFORMITY ‘No Cross No Crown’ Nuclear Blast FLEETWOOD MAC S/T (re-issue of 1975 album with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2018, album, AOR, Bluray, CD, DVD, February, heavy rock, January, March, melodic rock, metal, New releases, progressive, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: ROBIN BECK – Love Is Coming

Posted on November 30, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 13.10.17] Robin Beck first came to the attention of the record buying public here in the UK in 1988 when she released the massively successful “First Time” single, helped by its inclusion in an advert for a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Clif Magness, Frontiers, House of Lords, James Christian, Love Is Coming, melodic, review, Robin Beck, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: LEE ABRAHAM – Colours

Posted on November 28, 2017 by jason

F2 Music [Release date 27.11.17] Lee Abraham was the bassist in prog rockers Galahad between 2005 and 2009, who he has now since re-joined but as their guitarist. He has been busy on the solo front releasing a series of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Colours, Credo, FM, Frost*, Galahad, Lee Abraham, melodic, porgressive, review, rock, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Quick plays: PENDULUM OF FORTUNE, TOMI MALM, THE ESKIES

Posted on November 21, 2017 by jason

PENDULUM OF FORTUNE Searching For The God Inside [Release date 08.12.17] Pendulum Of Fortune are based around former Eloy drummer Bodo Schopf, who is joined by Pink Cream 69/Almanac vocalist David Readman, guitarist Vladimir Shevyakov and bass player Franky R (who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, And Don't Spare The Horses, AOR, Dennis Ward, hard rock, Headstrong, melodic, Pendulum Of Fortune, Pink Cream 69, review, rock, Searching For The God Inside, soul, The Eskies, Tomi Malm, Walkin' On Air, West Coast | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL- Nottingham Trent University Student Union, 20-22 October 2017

Posted on November 5, 2017 by andynathan

Loverboy - ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL, 20-22 October 2017

Though this was the third year of Rockingham Festival , the natural successor to the much loved Firefest in its autumnal Nottingham position, it really felt as if the Festival came of age. Having settled on a format that works … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged Airrace, AOR, Bailey, Blanc Faces, Brother Firetribe, Cruzh, Dare, Dave Bickler, festival, Fortune, gig, Great White, Harem Scarem, John Parr, Kix, Loverboy, Maverick, melodic rock, Moritz, review, Rockingham, The Amorettes, Vega, Vince Neil | Leave a comment

Quick plays: DANTE FOX, CHEAP TRICK, KATE RUSBY, LOTS HOLLOWAY

Posted on November 1, 2017 by jason

DANTE FOX Six String Revolver AOR Heaven [Release date 24.11.17] This album sees Dante Fox re-record ten songs from their first two albums ‘Under Suspicion’ (1996) and ‘The Fire Within’ (1999) – five songs from each album. Joining the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Angels & Men, AOR, carols, Cheap Trick, Christmas Christmas, Dante Fox, folk, Kate Rusby, Lots Holloway, melodic, review, rock, Roy Wood, Six String Revolver | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (September 2017 – November 2017)

Posted on October 19, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Albums of the Month September 2017 BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION BCCIV (Mascot) “…a set of tunes that rock up, for my money, a significant cut above ‘Afterglow’ and stand shoulder to shoulder with anything on the band’s first two albums…This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged 2017, albums of the month, AOR, melodic, metal, November, October, progressive, review, rock, September | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (May-August 2017)

Posted on September 25, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Albums of the Month May 2017 COCO MONTOYA Hard Truth (Ruf Records) “It’s rare for an artist in the middle of his career to push himself up to another level, but ‘Hard Truth’ does precisely that … an album that … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged albums of the month, AOR, August 2017, July, June, May, melodic, metal, progressive, review, rock | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (February-April 2017)

Posted on September 25, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Albums of the Month February 2017 BLACK STAR RIDERS Heavy Fire (Nuclear Blast) “The band have thrown off the shackles of the ‘used to be Thin Lizzy’ moniker and have solidly established themselves as a major player in their own … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged 2017, albums of the month, AOR, April, February, March, melodic rock, progressive, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: MOONLIGHT DESIRES – Just The Hits 1981-1985

Posted on September 16, 2017 by jason

Infamous Butcher Records [Release date 15.09.17] Moonlight Desires hail from Canada and have produced a set of very enjoyable covers, and not the usual suspects either as they have gone for 80′s synth led pop rockers. The band’s name comes from … Continue reading →