Tag Archives: AOR

Album review: ROTH BROCK PROJECT- s/t

Posted on December 21, 2016 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release Date 04.11.16] This rather unimaginatively titled release brings together two of melodic rock’s most respected figures. While Terry Brock has long been regarded as one of the genre’s finest vocalists, from his days in Strangeways to numerous … Continue reading →

Gig review: FM – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 19 November 2016

Posted on November 26, 2016 by andynathan

Since reforming a few years ago, Britain’s premier homegrown melodic rockers FM have steered a delicate balance between moving forward and looking backwards. The new line up with Jim Kirkpatrick on guitar has perhaps been the best in their history, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Bernie Marsden, FM, gig, Indiscreet, Jem Davis, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, review, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Album review: HEART – Live At The Royal Albert Hall

Posted on November 16, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

Eagle Records [Release date 25.11.16] CD/DVD/Bluray Call me Mr. Cynical. Heart announced their first UK dates since 2004 and we all waited in eager anticipation. Come the actual tour, we saw them in Manchester and noted the criminally short one … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, Ann Wilson, AOR, classic rock, hard rock, Heart, Live At The Royal Albert Hall, Nancy Wilson, review, with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL – Nottingham Trent University Students Union, 21-23 October 2016

Posted on November 4, 2016 by andynathan

ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL, Nottingham, 21-23 October 2016

Last year, a new festival, Rockingham, took on the unenviable mantle of filling the void left by Firefest, which for a decade had delighted melodic rock fans by bringing a series of cult melodic rock acts, many reforming after years … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Alessandro del Vecchio Band, Angels Or Kings, AOR, Art Nation, Blood Red Saints, Crazy Lixx, festival, Fortune, From The Fire, gig, Jean Beauvoir, Kevin Chalfant, Lee Aaron, Lionheart, Martina Edoff, melodic rock, Robby Valentine, Rockingham, Steelheart, Stone Broken, The Defiants, The Poodles, Trixter, Valentine | Leave a comment

Album review: ROCK WOLVES (Michael Voss, Herman Rarebell, Gudze)

Posted on November 3, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

Steamhammer/ SPV [Release date 28.10.16] Here’s a collaboration of three significant melodic/hard rockers who in the past few years have worked mainly with others such as Michael Schenker. Michael Voss (Mad Max, Casanove) has produced many artists from his studio … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Casanove, Gudze, H-Blockx, hard rock, Herman Rarebell, Mad Max, melodic, Michael Schenker, Michael Voss, review, Rock Wolves, Scorpions, Stephan Hinz | Leave a comment

Gig review: BAD COMPANY/Richie Sambora – Manchester Arena, 24 October 2016

Posted on October 25, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

GRTR!’s David Randall caught up with Simon Kirke on the last day of the UK tour. They chatted about Bad Company, Free and Simon’s solo work including his forthcoming album to be released in early-2017. Photo: David Randall With doors … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Radio interview, The Best Of 2016 | Tagged 24 October 2016, AOR, Bad Company, Bon Jovi, classic rock, gig, guitar, guitarist, hard rock, Howard Leese, interview, Manchester Arena, Mick Ralphs, Orianthi, Paul Rodgers, review, Richie Sambora, Simon Kirke | Leave a comment

Quick plays: WHITE WIDDOW, ARENA

Posted on October 20, 2016 by jason

WHITE WIDDOW Silhouette AOR Heaven [Release date 28.10.16] White Widdow return with album number four and they carry on where their last album, ‘Crossfire’, left off, with lots of catchy and hook filled AOR tunes – ‘Stranded’ and ‘Smile For … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Arena, melodic rock, review, rock, Silhouette, White Widdow | Leave a comment

DVD review: JOURNEY – Live In Manila

Posted on October 17, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

Eagle Vision [Release date 09.09.16] Back in 2009, when this gig was filmed, vocalist Arnel Pineda was still very much the new boy. Recorded in Pinel’s hometown of Manila in the Phillipines the sound and visual quality is excellent and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Arnel Pineda, Bluray, Deen Castronovo, DVD, Jonathan Cain, Journey, Live In Manilla, melodic rock, Neal Schon, review, Ross Valory | Leave a comment

Album review: CRY OF DAWN featuring Goran Edman- Cry of Dawn

Posted on October 17, 2016 by andynathan

(Release Date 23.09.16) In melodic rock circles, the name of Goran Edman is spoken of in hushed terms as one of the genre’s top vocalists, in a long career ranging from singing with John Norum and Yngwie Malmsteen to gracing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Cry of Dawn, Daniel Flores, Goran Edman, melodic rock, Michael Palace | Leave a comment

Quick plays: FOREST FIELD, CTP (Christian Tolle Project)

Posted on October 15, 2016 by jason

FOREST FIELD Lonely Desert Rock Company [Release date 21.10.16] Thankfully this time the band have an album cover more suited to their prog rock leanings than last year’s ‘Angels’ cover. The band is focused around Peter Cox who wrote all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Christian Tolle Project, CTP, Forest Field, John Parr, Lonely Desert, melodic rock, Michael Voss, Now & Then, Phil Vincent, prog, progressive, review, Steve Lukather | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE TUBES – Club Academy, Manchester, 8 October 2016

Posted on October 9, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

Interview/news item We’re being spoilt. Legendary San Francisco shock rockers The Tubes don’t play a gig in the UK for over 10 years and then we get two tours almost within the space of a year. If the Mondo Pulp … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 8 October 2016, AOR, Club Academy, Fee Waybill, gig, Manchester, review, rock, satire, The Tubes | Leave a comment

Gig review: MITCH MALLOY – Camden Underworld, 18 September 2016

Posted on September 26, 2016 by andynathan

Ever since the release of his classic self-titled debut in 1992, chock full of memorable anthems and heartfelt ballads, Mitch Malloy has been one of AOR and melodic rock’s cult figures. However despite several appearances at Firefest it has been … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 18 September 2016, AOR, Camden Underworld, Departed, gig, Kaato, melodic rock, Mitch Malloy, Red Dawn, Tristan Avakian | Leave a comment

Album review: MECCA – III

Posted on September 22, 2016 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 14.10.16] It seems ages since the last Mecca album came out, ‘Undeniable’, although in fact it came out in 2011 and not that long in some bands eyes. However, this third album has been recorded over … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, David Hungate, III, Joe Vana, Mecca, melodic, MelodicRock Records, review, rock, Shannon Forrest, Toto, West Coast | Leave a comment

DVD review: TOTO- Live At Montreux 1991

Posted on September 21, 2016 by andynathan

Eagle Vision [Release Date 16.09.16] Few bands can have had such a revolving cast of musicians, many joining and rejoining, as Toto, which makes the history of the AOR giants such a fascinating one. One interesting period of their career … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, David Paich, DVD, Jeff Porcaro, melodic rock, Mike Porcaro, Montreux Jazz Festival, Steve Lukather | Leave a comment

Gig review: KIP WINGER – The Borderline, London, 17 September 2016

Posted on September 21, 2016 by andynathan

Kip Winger’s acoustic shows at the Borderline, now billed as the 5th Annual Evening with Kip Winger, have become legendary events, not just from an ever growing number of diehard fans, but from the artist himself, who bounded on stage … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 17 September 2016, AOR, Borderline, Fiona, gig, Kip Winger, melodic rock, review, Winger | Leave a comment

Album review: ANGELS OR KINGS – Go Ask The Moon!

Posted on September 18, 2016 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 30.10.16] Angels Or Kings started out back in the 1980′s but it wasn’t until 2014 when the band got back together that they actually got to finally release their debut album. That was a corker, chock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Angels Or Kings, AOR, AOR Heaven, Go Ask The Moon!, melodic, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: PALACE- Master of the Universe

Posted on September 7, 2016 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release Date 26.08.16] No relation (sadly) to the footballing pride of South London, Palace is the eponymous project of poodle-haired Swedish singer Michael. I remember his band Big Time showing promise when they supported Houston in London in 2014, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Master Of The Universe, melodic rock, Michael Palace, Palace, review | Leave a comment

Quick plays: CHANGE OF HEART, THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE

Posted on August 16, 2016 by jason

CHANGE OF HEART – Last Tiger Escape Music [Release date 22.07.16] Change Of Heart first appeared back in 1998 and released their last album way back in 2005 ‘Truth Or Dare’. They are back with their polished Brit AOR/melodic rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Change Of Heart, gothic, Imagica, Last Tiger, melodic, review, rock, Thadeus Gonzalez, the Birthday Massacre | Leave a comment

EP review: THE ANN WILSON THING – Focus

Posted on August 3, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

Rounder Records [Release date 12.08.16] Essentially Heart minus Nancy Wilson, The Ann Wilson Thing is a vehicle for Ann to ‘give it large’ without her younger sibling by her side. The band’s second EP features two cover live covers – … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Ann Wilson Thing, AOR, Craig Bartock, EP, Focus, hard rock, Heart, review, rock | Leave a comment

Quick plays: TRICK OR TREAT, DANTE FOX, DIMH, DIVAN

Posted on August 2, 2016 by jason

TRICK OR TREAT Rabbit’s Hill Pt. 2 Frontiers [Release date 08.07.16] A concept album from a power/melodic metal band (who used to be a Helloween covers act) based on Richard Adams’ classic novel ‘Watership Down’. What could possibly go wrong?! Nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, alternative, AOR, Breathless, Dante Fox, DIMH Project, Divan, melodic, melodic rock, metal, Modern Knowledge, Rabbit's Hill Pt.2, review, rock, Spirit Love & Higher Meaning, The Stone Angels, Trick Or Treat, Victim & Maker, Watership Down | Leave a comment

Album review: CORNERSTONE – Reflections

Posted on July 27, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

Atom Records [Release date 29.07.16] One of the most extensive PR packs that I’ve seen accompanies this release – it looks more like an upmarket property purchase pack than a band/album synopsis. Although listings for the last three years of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Austria, Cornerstone, melodic rock, MOR, Reflections, review | Leave a comment

Album review: GUNHILL – Nightheat/One Over The Eight (John Lawton)

Posted on July 21, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

In 2012 David Randall interviewed John Lawton for an hour-long special on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. In this exclusive edit he chats about the band Gunhill. (2:36) JLB Media/Gunhill [Release date 08.07.16] Gunhill is the missing link in the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Gunhill, hard rock, John Lawton, Lucifer's Friend, melodic rock, Nightheat, One Over The Eight, reissue, review, Uriah Heep | Leave a comment

Album review: CULVER KINGZ – This Time

Posted on July 14, 2016 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 24.06.16] Culver Kingz maybe a new name, however the ideas for the musical pairing started back in 1983 when Michael Thompson and Billy Trudel planned a band called Slang. Sadly this never came to fruition and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Billy Trudel, Culver Kingz, melodic, Michael Thompson, R&B, review, rock, soul, This Time, Toto, West Coast | Leave a comment

Album review: HEART – Beautiful Broken

Posted on July 12, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

UMC [Release date 08.07.16] Heart’s sixteenth studio album is their first since Fanatic (2012) and finds the Wilson sisters serving up a mix of old, new, and borrowed material with Metallica’s James Hetfield duetting with Ann Wilson on the title … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Ann Wilson, AOR, Beautiful Broken, hard rock, Heart, melodic rock, Nancy Wilson, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: FIRST SIGNAL- One Step Over The Line

Posted on July 6, 2016 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release Date 03.06.16] Even by the standards of the production line mentality that bedevils the melodic rock genre, First Signal’s second album may appear to risk a lack of cohesion. The one survivor from the team that created … Continue reading →