Tag Archives: AOR

Album review: SEVENTH WONDER – The Testament

Posted on May 31, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 10.06.22] Sixth album from Swedish Prog Metal band Seventh Wonder, for whom life began at the turn of the century. The band is full of virtuoso musicians. Guitarist Johan Liefvendal and bassist, Andreas Blomqvist are the driving … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Andreas Blomqvist, AOR, Harem Scarem, Johan Liefvendal, Kamelot, Progmetal, progressive metal, review, Tommy Karevik, Toto, Unruly Child | Leave a comment

Album review: STRANGEWAYS – Complete Recordings Volume 1, 1985-1994

Posted on May 22, 2022 by brianmc

Cherry Red/HNE [Release date: 27.05.22] The clamour for reissues of the first 3 Strangeways albums rose to fever pitch in the late 90s, as AOR made an attempt to get back on its feet. All 3 had been received with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, And The Horse, AOR, Bonaire, Complete Recordings Volume 1 1985-1994, Hangdog Records, Hard RoxX, Ian Stewart, John Lee, John Punter, Kevin Elson, melodic rock, Mike Shipley, Native Sons, review, Strangeways, Terry Brock, Walk Into The Fire | Leave a comment

Gig review: WHITESNAKE, Foreigner, Europe – Hydro, Glasgow, 2 May 2022

Posted on May 17, 2022 by david.wilson

For any rock fan old enough to remember the 70’s and 80’s the music of Whitesnake has been a constant soundtrack. The band may have had a revolving door installed in their tour bus for ease of access as members … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 12th May 2022, 80s, AOR, ballads, blues, David Coverdale, Europe, Foreigner, gig, Glasgow, Glasgow Apollo, Here I Go Again, Hydro, I Want To Know What Love Is, Ian Haugland, Is This Love, Joel Hoekstra, Joey Tempest, John Norum, Juke Box Hero, Kelly Hansen, live, Mick Jones, Reb Beach, rock, Rock The Night, Slide It In, Still Of The Night, The Final Countdown, Tommy Aldridge, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Album review : SKILLS – Different Worlds

Posted on May 14, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date: 13.05.22] Skills … “Supergroups” often deflate our expectations pretty quickly. Good to to be able to say that this bunch of seasoned professionals – Brad (Night Ranger) Gillis, David (Giant) Huff, Billy (Mr Big) Sheehan plus … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Billy Sheehan, Brad Gillis, David Huff, Electric Mob, Frontiers, Giant, melodic rock, Mr Big, NightRanger, Renan Zonta, review | Leave a comment

Album review: THE BIG DEAL – First Bite

Posted on May 9, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date: 06.05.22] The Big Deal is a Serbian Melodic Rock band, an offshoot of highly successful Progrockers, Alogia. Husband and wife team, Srdjan and Nevena Brankovic are the band’s centrepoint, handling guitar, production, songwriting and vocals. Nevena … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Alogia, Ana Nikolic, AOR, FM Radio, melodic rock, pop, progrock, review, Serbia, Srdjan and Nevena Brankovic | Leave a comment

Album review: TERRA NOVA – Ring That Bell

Posted on May 6, 2022 by jason

Lion Music [Release date 27.05.22] Terra Nova have been around since 1992, so it is fitting that thirty years after forming they are back with their first new album since 2018’s ‘Raise Your Voice’. Their 1997 offering ‘Livin’ It Up’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, hard rock, Journey, melodic rock, review, Ring That Bell, rock, Terra Nova | Leave a comment

Album review: FORTUNE- Level Ground

Posted on May 4, 2022 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 08.04.22) After it took 24 years to follow up their self-titled debut album and cult AOR classic, Fortune’s third album follows after a relatively brief three year interval. However while 2019’s ‘Fortune II’ included a number … Continue reading →

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

Album review: FORGET-ME-NOT featuring Jane Gould – S/T

Posted on April 29, 2022 by andynathan

AOR Boulevard Records (Release date 15.04.22) Former Iconic Eye singer Jane Gould has assembled some impressive collaborations for her Forget-Me- Not project with the help of some key movers and shakers in the melodic rock world. Songwriters include the likes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Jane Gould, melodic rock, Steve Newman | Leave a comment

Album review: RONNIE ROMERO – Raised On Radio

Posted on April 19, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 15.04.22] Ronnie Romero’s taken an opportunity that not many singers get. Given the chance to record an album of covers, he’s deep dived into his favourite back catalogues and emerged with some unsung classics in his hands. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bad Company, cover versions, Covers, Dylan, Elf, Foreigner, Grand Funk, Kansas, Led Zeppelin, melodic rock, Queen, review, Ronnie Romero, Russ Ballard, Survivor | Leave a comment

Gig review: FM- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 7 April 2022

Posted on April 14, 2022 by andynathan

They release albums at regular intervals but touring has always been FM’s lifeblood. They dipped their toe back in the live environment with selected shows last year, but this twice postponed London show was part of a tour to promote … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, FM, gig, Grand Slam, Jem Davis, Jim Kirkpatrick, Laurence Archer, melodic rock, Mike Dyer, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Album review: TNT – Tell No Tales and Intuition (Remasters)

Posted on April 12, 2022 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [Release date: 25.03.22] In 1984 TNT were a tight, solid rock band, populated by gifted musicians, all looking for a sound that would define them. They had just broken through with second album, Knights Of The New … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bjorn Nessjo, melodic rock, remaster, review, Ronni Le Tekro, Stage Dolls, Stryper, TNT, Tony Harnell | Leave a comment

Album review: JOHN ELEFANTE – The Amazing Grace

Posted on April 3, 2022 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 22.04.22] John Elefante is probably best known amongst rock fans for his time in Kansas in the early 80’s when he replaced Steve Walsh. After leaving Kansas he worked as a producer for Christian artists including … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Christian rock, John Elefante, Kansas, melodic rock, review, the Amazing Grace | Leave a comment

Album review: FM – Thirteen

Posted on March 24, 2022 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release date 18.03.22) Over a decade since reforming, FM’s run of quality product since seems to be coming at an ever faster rate, their suitably titled 13th studio album coming less than two years after its predecessor ‘Synchronised’. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, FM, Jem Davis, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, Pete Jupp, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Album review: DARE – Road To Eden

Posted on March 20, 2022 by andynathan

Darren Wharton chatted to Get Ready to ROCK! Radio about his career and Dare. The interview includes tracks from each of Dare’s studio albums including the latest. First broadcast 10 April 2022. Legend Records [Release date 01.04.22] Back in the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, AOR, Dare, Darren Wharton, interview, melodic rock, radio, Vinny Burns | Leave a comment

Album review: RONNIE ATKINS – Make It Count

Posted on March 19, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date: 18.03.22] When Denmark’s Paul Christensen founded the Pretty Maids with Ken Hammer, he changed his name to Ronnie Atkins. And this despite assurances that his birth name sounded pretty cool. None of this matters now, he lives … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Chris Laney, Covid, eighties, Ken Hammer, melodic rock, pop, Pretty Maids, review, Ronnie Atkins | Leave a comment

Album review: LIONVILLE – So Close to Heaven

Posted on March 12, 2022 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release date 11.02.22) The brainchild of Italian multi-instrumentalist Stefano Lionetti, Lionville have produced a series of quality AOR albums at regular intervals over the past decade. So Close to Heaven is their fifth and there are few changes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Lars Safsund, Lionville, melodic rock, Robbie La Blanc, Stefano Lionetti | Leave a comment

Album review: RUST N’ RAGE – One For The Road

Posted on March 11, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 11.03.22] The label debut from young Finnish band, Rust N’ Rage. The label claims that Rust N’ Rage’s influences are Dokken, ‘Crue and ‘Priest, but in fact they’ve taken their lead from second or third generation European … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Brother Firetribe, Dokken, Eclipse, Frontiers, Jimmy Westerlund, Judas Priest, melodic rock, One Desire, review, Rust N' Rage | Leave a comment

Album review: FIND ME – Lightning In A Bottle

Posted on March 10, 2022 by brianmc

FIND-ME-lightning-in-a-bottle-COVER_600x600

Frontiers [Release date: 11.03.22] Find Me is Robbie LaBlanc, a rock vocalist who enjoys iconic status, and Daniel Flores (and his band) who’s on the same path, if not the same trajectory. The duo have been breathing new life into … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Daniel Flores, eighties, Frank Stallone, Frontiers, Mark Free, melodic rock, pomp rock, review, Robbie Blanc, Signal, Staying Alive movie, Vince DiCola | Leave a comment

Album review: EDGE OF FOREVER – Days Of Future Past (Remasters, 3 CD set)

Posted on March 9, 2022 by brianmc

EDGE-OF-FOREVER-the-days-of-future-past-COVER

Frontiers [Release date: 11.02.22] Frontiers’ golden boy, Alessandro Del Vecchio, formed Edge Of Forever in 2004. The label has now released the band’s back catalogue in a 3 CD, remastered set, titled Days Of Future Past, with a bonus track … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 3 CD set, album, Alessandro Delvecchio, Another Paradise, AOR, Bob Harris, Bobby Barth, Edge Of Forever, Feeding the Flame, Let The Demon Rock'n'Roll, melodic metal, melodic rock, remasters, review | Leave a comment

News: SKID ROW, STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL, BOWLING FOR SOUP (March 2022)

Posted on February 28, 2022 by jason

Belle and Sebastian’s new album ‘A Bit Of Previous’ will arrive on May 6 via Matador. Graham Bonnet Band will release a new album, ‘Day Out In Nowhere’, on May 13 via Frontiers. Don Airey guests on one song. Bowling For Soup … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged AOR, blues, Bowling for Soup, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, New releases, news, prog rock, rock, Skid Row, Steelhouse Festival, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review : MECCA – 20 Years (3 CD reissue w/bonus tracks)

Posted on February 18, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date: 18.02.22] Mecca’s 20 Years bundles the band’s 3 albums, released over the last two decades, into an attractive package of original recordings, now remastered, with 5 bonus tracks spread across the 3 CDs. The self titled debut … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, David Hungate, FERGIE FREDERIKSEN, Frontiers, Jim Peterik, Joe Vana, Mecca, melodic rock, review, Shannon Forest, Tim Akers, Tommy Denander, Toto, WestcoastSurvivor | Leave a comment

Album review: MANIC SINNERS – King Of The Badlands

Posted on February 17, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 18.02.22] Manic Sinners are Frontiers’ first signing from Romania. They are a talented, hard rocking trio of multi-instrumentalists who’ve borrowed heavily from the past, (who hasn’t?). If you’re going to borrow, borrow from the best. They’ve picked … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Blue Murder, David Coverdale, Dio, Dokken, Frontiers, hard rock, Lynch Mob, Manic Sinners, melodic rock, review, Romania, Von Groove | Leave a comment

Gig review: RUSS BALLARD – 100 Club, London, 10 February 2022

Posted on February 16, 2022 by andynathan

The over used word ‘legendary’ applies in Russ Ballard’s case, as one of the very best and most prolific songwriters for a wide range of pop and rock artists, not to mention a distinguished and long career as singer and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Argent, gig, Jos Henrit, Marc Rapson, melodic rock, Roly Jones, Russ Ballard, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: GIANT – Shifting Time

Posted on February 14, 2022 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 21.01.22) In the small and incestuous world of melodic rock the release of a new Giant album has caused the liveliest controversy for many years. Their first two albums are widely seen as classics of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Dan Huff, David Huff, Giant, John Roth, Kent Hilli, melodic rock, Mike Brignardello, Shifting Time | Leave a comment

Album review: CITY OF LIGHTS – Before The Sun Sets

Posted on February 11, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 11.02.22] Debut album from City Of Lights – Brit guitarist/writer Neil Austin and Greek vocalist Manos Fatsis (Hideaway). They are joined in the studio by members of Creye, Degreed and Art Nation. It’s clear that a passionate … Continue reading →